Childrens, Teens, Maternity Consignment Sales Event Blog

Wives who feel they are competing for their husband's affections with every sport known to mankind listen up!

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-03-08

Dear Michelle: My husband watches sports non-stop! I never even knew that some of these sports existed until I started dating him. I don’t feel like I can compete with 24/7 games, matches and tournaments, when I am just one sports-challenged woman. I love him dearly, but don’t want to play a game I can’t win…I need a time out! ~Penalized For Being An Unsportsmanlike Player

Dear Penalized For Being An Unsportsmanlike Player: Believe it or not, we could be on the same team! My wonderful husband came from a family that played and coached many sports teams at a professional level. They eat, breath and consume statistics, facts and talk radio about every player, coach and anything related to them on a daily basis. My husband is the king of sports trivia and would be my lifeline on any game show.

I grew up in a family that never watched or attended any sports events. In fact, until I met my husband, I thought Sunday afternoon golf was the networks’ way of curing insomnia for nappers! But, for those individuals, men and women, who take sports seriously, competing for attention when the game is “on” can be a daunting task. If it was anyone but my true love, I would have forfeited our relationship years ago and taken back control of the remote.

But, because I do love him and want to support his interests and hobbies, I created a win-win game of my very own. It’s called “his time, my time, our time”. When I want to spend some “our time” with my husband, I check with him to see if there is an important sports event coming up and schedule some time to do things that we both enjoy, like going to the movies, out to eat or just spending a leisurely hour in the hot tub talking about whatever we need to discuss.

When I want “my time,” I try to plan it during a time when he is involved in some game or match…I have even peeked long enough at ESPN to know a game is on and suggest it to him, so that I can slip into the garden or over to my sister’s house for tea. But, I never forget about “his time.” I have come to enjoy the look on my husbands’ face when his favorite team scores a goal or runs for a touchdown…and now I know how each sport finds victory. I try to ask questions that will help me to learn more about this strange world of his, but I will never be a die-hard sports fan…and that’s okay.

I look for fun food for him to munch on during his games and stock the fridge with cold drinks. I look for apparel from his favorite teams and try to yell at appropriate times. I no longer begrudge him his football, basketball, volleyball, soccer…and the list goes on and on. I think of “his time” as a gift that I give to him. But, when I want some “our time” during “his time,” I still have a few moves up my sleeve that work every time. Score another one for the romantics!

Michelle Wiginton, Owner of JBF Columbia, Rolla, Jefferson City & St Charles, MO

Below are my SPORTS in-laws...all 6-foot PLUS of them! (except my mom-in-love)...I definetly won a lifetime victory with the Wiginton Family!

Has your wife traded in her high heels for fuzzy slippers? Don't panic!

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-03-04

Dear Michelle: My wife and I just celebrated our fifth anniversary and I have noticed that she has transitioned from high heels, dresses and makeup to fluffy slippers, faded jeans and a more ‘natural’ look. I only noticed these things when a co-worker started dating a new woman and I remembered when my wife used to look that way. I don’t dislike the way my wife is now, but does this change mean that her feelings for me have changed as well? ~Confused About The Closet

Dear Confused About The Closet: As I write this week’s column, you should know I am wearing pajamas that an entire Boy Scout troop could camp out in, fuzzy socks (that do not match), no make-up, my hair up in a ponytail and conservative computer glasses. It is also 1:37 pm. What I neglected to mention is that my husband just popped his head into my office and told me how beautiful I am. (and he has not been drinking!)

Beauty is not just skin deep…and ugly goes all the way to the bone! I know burn victims who are simply breathtaking, survivors of cancer with sexy bodies and accident victims who are loved to pieces by others. I guess what I am trying to say is true beauty comes from the heart and it is that beauty you should pay attention to. Is your wife kind, thoughtful and loving? Does she call you for no other reason than to say, “I love you”? Has she made you feel special lately? Those are the trademarks of a beautiful and loving person.

If we were to look at relationships through the bottom of the closet, here is what we might find: High heels--attractive, stylish and attention-grabbing…as well as uncomfortable, expensive and restrictive. Now, let us take a look at those fluffy slippers—not as pretty, but more comfortable and cozy at home, timeless and do not mark up the furniture, can withstand a multitude of scuffs without showing, and who would not want to cuddle with someone in fuzzy slippers?

Relationships and romance are continually transitioning and changing. I wonder if your wife is now so comfortable and secure with your love that she does not feel she has to make herself uncomfortable with high heels, control-top panty hose and waterproof mascara just to impress you. Do you wear a nice suit, her favorite cologne and matching socks every day? Does that mean you love her any less? No, of course not.

Now, I am not saying that you should let yourself go, but keep all things in balance and perspective. I find that dressing up and surprising my husband with a night on the town is great fun, but we have a different kind of fun lying on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a funny movie at home. For me, it is comforting to know that, if anything ever happened to make me ugly on the outside, my husband would still pop his head into my office every day and say, “You are so beautiful!” If you would like to share your thoughts about fuzzy slippers or anything else, please feel free to comment!

Wishing you a fuzzy slipper AND a stiletto heel day!

Michelle Wiginton

Here is me with my "guys"....love brings it's own special beauty to everyone!

Christina Ruhlig brings an insightful and uplifting blog about how consigning our children's items can bring sweet memories and incite great expectation.

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-03-01

In preparation for our upcoming spring JBF event in North Tampa, Florida, I have been busily cleaning out my kids' closets, drawers and toy boxes, gathering up items that have been outgrown or are no longer played with. In part, it’s a fantastic feeling. Twice a year, my kids' rooms are so clean and organized that I hesitate to let them back through the doors. But, while cleaning out my two-year-olds drawers to make room for this year’s next-size-up summer wardrobe, I got hit with a momentary wave of sadness.

Packing away his little jammies got me thinking how each season ends an era for our children. With every growth spurt comes the reminder that they’re not going to stay little forever. Each seemingly shrunken shirt tells me a story of a once much smaller child who is changing and maturing daily. My little man is growing up, and before you know it, the name “little man” will no longer be a term of endearment but will, instead, turn him beet-red should I dare to utter it in front of his friends.

“Why, oh why, can’t he just be little like this forever?”

As quickly as the words escaped my lips, I was reminded of how much my little guy makes me smile. Just the other night, I told him we only had time to read a “short, little bedtime story.” He promptly brought me two books, laid them on my lap and exclaimed, “Here mommy, dis one is short and dis one is little!” Not a day goes by when he doesn’t throw his arms around me in a giant munchkin squeeze, snuggle his soft little nose into my neck and whisper, “I so glad you’re my mommy.” It absolutely melts my heart.

This is certainly not the first instance in which I have made the wish for him to stay little forever. I wished it when he was born. I wished it on his first birthday. I wished it when he first started walking and talking. I have wished it during those precious little moments that I just never wanted to end.

But the reality is, if he had stayed “like this forever” when he was born, I would have missed the joy and pride that surges through me whenever he calls me “Mommy.” If he had stopped changing after he turned one, he wouldn’t be able to greet me in genuine, toddler enthusiasm, running as fast as his roly-poly legs can go, every time I come home. If he had halted all milestones after his first words and movements, I would be missing out on all of the sweet, funny characteristics and personality traits that become more and more apparent every day through his words and actions.

So, today, I make a resolution not to ever wish for time to stand still or go backwards, but to cherish and love every moment with my little ones just as it is. Every minute and milestone that I love about today is a reminder that there are even more wonderful memories yet to be made. Every change that tomorrow will bring promises to hold just as much joy and laughter as the current moments. After all, some changes are for the better – and some are just a continuation of what is just so perfect about right now.

Christina Ruhlig
Just Between Friends North Tampa

Christina's "little man"...

Kate Holmes shares her wisdom and insight on the joys of volunteering and the life-long friends you can make through selfless service to others.

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-02-24

Our monthly guest blogger, Kate Holmes of www.HowToConsign.com, knows the joys of volunteering. In addition to community volunteering, Kate’s life-long experience (she’s a second-generation second-hander, having “inherited” the knack from her mother) translates well on her free web sites and blogs. She’s a long-time workshop presenter and conference organizer for the resale industry’s trade association and has won awards for her volunteer work. “And friends,” Kate adds. “The biggest joy of volunteering is the good, life-long friends I have made.” Kate is the author of the best-selling manual,Too Good to be Threw The Complete Operations Manual for Resale & Consignment Shops .

The Joys of Volunteering

You’re a busy woman, with children, chores, job and hobbies. Your calendar is full. Why would you want to volunteer at a JBF sale?

Well, sometimes it’s about the thrill of the hunt. After all, our volunteers get to shop our sales before the general public does. And who can deny us the excitement of first dibs on all the great stuff every JBF event has?

But beyond the merely monetary, there’s the joy of volunteering for your community’s sake. All those reasons you have for not volunteering melt away when you realize that for a specific and short length of time, you can help your community in a tangible way. Think about it: you’re helping keep down the cost of raising healthy and happy kids in your town; you’re uniting the parents of your area together; you’re even helping preserve the ecology by recycling! All this in addition to making and saving money for the smallest community you belong to: your own family.

Volunteering can be an adventure too. Reaching out to others brings you into a new environment where you might learn something that will influence your life down the line. Getting out into the world can give you untold gifts and change your whole way of thinking and doing. It could show you new interests, suggest new hobbies, or even lead you to a new career.

And what could be more fun than volunteering to help organize the cutest kidstuff ever? Well, nothing, except doing it in the company of new friends! If you’ve ever felt like there must be someone out there who thinks just like you do, who has the same concerns and loves the same things you do...you’re right. And where better to find a new friend or two or three than during a JBF volunteer shift? You could go home with not only a great deal or two but a new circle of folks who’ll make your life a joy.

It all boils down, I think, to three things. Helping your community in a visible way, expanding your personal boundaries and making friends. Who can’t find a few hours to discover all three of those? It’s a great way to spend a little time, give a little... and get a lot back.

Speaking of making friends, don’t neglect the ones you have. Pass on the word about our sale to everyone you know. Friends, neighbors, members of your social groups and clubs. Chances are, they’ll be interested in consigning or buying. And, if you have a friend with some things to sell or some things she needs...volunteer to show her how easy and fun and profitable a JBF event can be!

Consignment guru Kate Holmes of Too Good to be Threw offers good consigning and shopping advice to eco- and economy-conscious consumers at www.HowToConsign.com

I love getting caught by my kids! No, not that kind of caught. I mean catching us holding hands while walking in the mall, kissing good-bye as we leave for work and thanks and a hug for a great meal. Have you gotten caught lately?

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-02-23

Dear Michelle: My wife and I have always been an affectionate couple, but our children are now in school and I worry about how they might be affected by our hugging and kissing. Should we stop expressing our affection in front of them or is it okay to show them our love for one another, much like we express our love for them? ~To PDA or Not to PDA

Dear To PDA or Not to PDA: Ah, the age old question of Public Displays of Affection...of which I am a firm believer (when appropriate). PDAs, like everything else, have a time and a place in your life. I think it is important for a child to learn how to express affection for other people because there are too many bad examples bombarding them every day and they will learn from someone, if not from you.

My parents were split—one set of parents never touched, hugged or kissed and the other set showed me more than I ever wanted or needed to see. Might I suggest a well-balanced example, where kind words, holding hands, kisses good-bye and supportive hugs are all part of your every day life. Expressing emotion and affection is not a dirty or shameful thing; it is a celebration of two hearts and lives that are romantically committed to a life together.

There is a time and a place for intimate interaction, but there is also a time and a place for romantic gestures toward your spouse. You don’t have to bring in a big, brass band to announce, “Mom and Dad Are Now Going to Hold Hands!” or “We Are Now Going to Kiss Good-bye”. I feel if you make a big deal about affection or make others uncomfortable, you defeat the purpose of natural, expressions of affection. You are not putting on a Broadway play, you are giving your wife (or husband) a big hug for making dinner AND cleaning up the kitchen.

Romance should never be the rope in a tug-of-war struggle or an inappropriate way to embarrass your kids. My son still kisses me good-bye (even in front of his friends) and tells me he loves me...every day! I still hug him, tell him I’m so proud of him, hide notes and send emails telling him I love him and am proud of him, but I also do these things for my husband. If you have to force your affections or are uncomfortable expressing your feelings in front of others, then such touchy-feely emotions might not be for you. But, if you enjoy your current relationship and its expression, let your children know...what a wonderful, comforting and empowering example for your children.

Kids are in tune to you more than you know. When you have a fight, they know it. When you have a wonderfully, romantic evening, they know it. How? Because of how you act toward your spouse. Kind affection tells your kids, “Everything’s all right with mom and dad”. Kids have so much thrown at them and worrying about their parents should not be an added issue for them to deal with. Tell and show your family you love them. Don’t embarrass or force them to express themselves, it will come naturally to them and they will find their own comfort zone. Never underestimate the power of a hug!

Below is my hubby's latest expression of love...this is me on most weekends! Looking for bargains and telling others about the blessings of JBF!

Everyone is blessed with gifts, but not everyone realizes this wonderful fact or capitalizes on how they can bless others.

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-02-15

Have you ever received a gift that you did not want, or had no use for, so you put it away in a dusty attic and never gave it another thought? Have you ever taken something for granted, only to find it taken from you for lack of use? Have you ever desired the gifts that others received, while not even opening the beautiful packages addressed to you? I have.

As a teenager, I liked to hear the frogs croaking around a pond at night and I would croak right along with them. When the Bee Gees sang on the radio, I pelted out each verse as if I was part of their backup band. Why, I even sang in church a time or two…then reality kicked in. My angelic voice was heard only in my head…what everyone else heard was the slow, painful wailing of a dying cat—I had not been blessed with a beautiful voice. While excited about my stick people pictures in kindergarten, I would see a beautiful scene and try to capture it on canvas…to be kind, I never progressed past the “stick man stage”—I had not been blessed with an artist’s eye. My gift is a present of prose.

I can tell you how I sat quietly on a rock with no discernable shape or size as it melded with the earth in a natural consummation of time and place. It is early spring and the thick, gray clouds that were visible only moments ago are bursting with fat drops of sky tears with which to bathe the new season with life. The sun has just set behind a craggy mountaintop that is crowned with sparse evergreens that stick up like unruly hair. It is cool. A damp, chilling breeze gently lifts my long hair and brings with it a thundering stampede of sound that splits open the heavens with a sharp dagger of light. The storm begins. The frogs’ song, no longer needed to bring on the rain, stops. The silence, with its audible voice, bids me go…this night is for the frogs.

I did not know that everyone did not think or write like me. I had no idea that writing could be a gift…much less that it was my gift. In school, I wrote because I had to and never because I felt led to or for pure fun. I loved to read what others wrote and spent most of my life with my head in a book. I have run into so many things trying to walk and read at the same time, that I have lost count…but I still keep on reading every chance I get. In college, I chose a journalism career. Not because I was interested in it, but because I could do it with little thought or effort. I loved essay questions!

The day that I knew I was a good writer was shared by only my father and me. What I wrote was about my Grandma and I drove all the way to his workplace to let him read my words, my thoughts, and my feelings. He cried. That is the day I became a writer. From that point on, I spent years in discovery…how could I use my writing for good? What kind of writing moved others? Where should I start? Those questions, plus many more, worked themselves out in my life as the Lord led me down the path He had chosen and for which He well equipped me. I found that it is easy to find and write about the bad and negative things in life. Anyone can do that. It is much harder to use words to lift up, encourage and support. Why? Because words put onto paper are final. You can never take them back, erase them, or pretend you never wrote them. Words weld great power and unshakable accountability.

I have been an editor for a newspaper, managing editor of two magazines, an international travel writer, author, copywriter and almost everything that a person can be in the writing world. I have tried to tell other people’s stories…from retired farmers to acclaimed artists to restaurant owners and innkeepers. Lives are shared through stories, but they cannot impact or influence others if they are never told. Everyone has wisdom, everyone has overcome obstacles, and everyone has influenced others in some way. I tell the coffee table, the before you go to bed and the quiet reflection stories that are meant to inspire, share secrets and confirm the goodness in mankind. I never tire of others telling me how they felt, what they saw, and how their lives were changed because of my words. I meet men and women in the grocery store checkout lanes and, once they find out who I am and what I have written, they express their great delight in and anticipation of my work. I guess that is how a singer feels when the applause starts or when an artist sells a painting that graces the home of a stranger.

Maybe you are reading these words and you are thinking, “I cannot write, sing or paint…” Well, God is so good to His children that we all receive gifts—every one of us. You may be an excellent mother who raises godly children, you may be a great cook who feeds the poor, you may be a prayer warrior, you may bless those who are homebound, you may listen well, you may teach Sunday school, you may greet individuals coming into the church, or you may even send cards of encouragement to others. Our talents do not limit God; we limit ourselves by how we use His gifts. I would love to have more time to write, but I am not blessed with time. I would love to teach at church more often, but I am not blessed with just one job. I would love to give more in the offering plate, but I am not blessed with tons of money. God’s gifts are given with the stipulation that you use them. If you do not sing, your voice will not mature. If you do not pray, you will never be a prayer warrior. If you do not look for your gift, you will never find it.

God will give you many opportunities to discover and use your gifts, but it is up to you to take advantage of these times. Stepping out in faith will, sometimes, reveal hidden things about yourself that you never even knew existed. You will learn more about yourself, others but, most of all, you will learn more about God and how He always provides what we need, when we need it. If we are willing, He will make us able. If we are not willing, He will find someone who is…but that person will also receive the blessings that go along with serving. In writing, I do not write my own thoughts, words and feelings…they are truly God’s, as I could never voice things so complex and even begin to understand how things work together for our good. What if I was a writer with nothing to write about? What if God had never revealed to me His plan for my life? What if I had never been willing to live the sort of life that gave me so much to share? Thank God I will never know.

Now, when I see a beautiful painting, sculpture or photograph, I no longer wish I had done it. My thoughts turn to the one who made such beauty and how I might tell their story. When I hear an angelic voice singing, I no longer wish I had a microphone in my hand. My hands eagerly seek pen and paper and the opportunity to commune with another blessed soul. Children are given gifts, teenagers are given gifts, adults are given gifts and, yes, most certainly senior citizens are given gifts. Giving gifts delights God and allows us to give to others on His behalf. What is your gift? How do you use it for God? Do you need to take a trip to the attic and dust off anything you've forgotten you had once upon a time?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lighs, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

Roly Poly continues to grow and bless our lives...he is a gift to us!

Plus-Sized Sexy is heating up this long winter!

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-02-08

Dear Michelle: I have to admit that I have never forgotten to eat or been asked to stand sideways to make a shadow, so you might say I am a “healthy” woman. I come by it naturally; my grandmother, mom and two sisters are also plus-sized girls. We are all healthy and enjoy life, but no matter how much tofu-crunch I eat or how many miles I walk, I am never going to be thin. I’ve been told that I will never find love unless I lose weight, but is someone really going to truly love me because my clothes are single-digit sized? ~Love Weighs Heavy on My Mind

Dear Love Weighs Heavy on My Mind: I have waged war against my weight as long as I can remember…sometimes I think I am winning, other times, I know that I am being beat by a ton of milk chocolate-covered almonds. It’s been said that war is hell…well, so is dieting your entire life! But, there is good news….life is not all about your size, shape or color (and neither is true love!).

When I finally married, at the ripe old age of 31, all of my friends from work threw a party for me and gave me a quite generous gift certificate to Victoria’s Secret. When I opened the envelope, I laughed to myself because all I could think of was, “What on earth was I possibly going spend that much money on in a lingerie shop that was made for girls half my size?” I did find a beautiful negligee for my wedding night, designed by a genius, that made me feel beautiful, look beautiful and it was size “L”. I had worried so much about how I looked that I forgot my husband married me because he liked the way I looked!

I don’t think you should let yourself go or maintain an unbalanced or unhealthy lifestyle, but I do believe there are plenty of plus-sized, sexy women who knock the socks off their men every day…and night. True love is not about what is on the outside, but what is on the inside. Don’t hide in a shell; show the world the special things that only you can offer to someone, but remember also you will always get what you settle for. Queen Latifah, to me, is a beautiful woman. She is confident, radiant, fun, unique and quite striking. But I would not say that she is skinny. She is just herself…and that is sexy.

When I look at most non-airbrushed individuals, it’s true I don’t see perfection…I see flaws that each person has to deal with every day. We deal with our weight, but some thin people have to deal with learning disabilities, crooked noses, ugly toes, hairy arms, acne, thin hair and on and on. Nobody is perfect, so start focusing on your best features and they will soon outshine your less endearing characteristics. There are thousands of wonderful men attracted to bright, confident women who love life and those around them. You just have not yet found the one who fully appreciates and understands the unique qualities you have to offer.

Old boyfriends told me things like, “If you gain any weight, I will leave you”, “I won’t introduce you to my friends until you lose weight,” and “You would really be a knock-out if you lost weight”, but I respect myself too much to allow anyone that shallow to treat me like I was less than a person because I was not a size six. You have to first respect yourself, maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and then just live your life to the fullest. Love will find you…it found me on the landing of my apartment, with my next door neighbor…who asked me to marry him eleven Valentine’s Days ago…in church. Kevin leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Will you marry me? I want our relationship founded on God, so I could not think of a better place to ask you.” (cool, huh?)

Always feel free to email me at michelle@jbfsale.com with your questions...would love to hear from you! (below is a picture taken the year Kevin and I married)

Michelle Wiginton talks about finding peace through the pain in her life and helps others do the same.

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-02-05

The older I get, the more I understand the need for companionship, encouragement and faith. As I write this blog, it’s a Wednesday evening and I am hurting so badly I can barely stand it. In fact, I’ve lived with constant pain so long I’ve forgotten what it feels like not to hurt. But, through it all, I have found that you will find what you are looking for…and I am looking for the pleasure of peace.

I’ve lost many family members and each brought their own kind of pain. I’ve been hurt by love, which caused a ripping and gaping type of pain. Children can and do cause pain because they will lash out worst at those they love most. Being betrayed by a friend hurts, too. Then, there is physical pain which has as many shades as dark shadows.

However, there is also peace. There comes a time when you accept what you are enduring and change your focus from internal to external. I have a co-worker who just lost his father and he came to me to talk about it because I had just lost my mother. We shared the pain of their loss, but then came the peace of knowing where they were and that we would see them again.

Ask yourself what you have to learn from your situation and how it can make you a better person. I have 22 incision scars from surgery. I like to think that, if you took a Sharpie and connected them all, the design would be Sponge Bob! I pray for those who are sick and hurt, since I know miracles happen every day because we ask and believe. Then, I roll up my sleeves and help them…not the glamorous stuff that everyone else wants to do…I clean bathrooms, do laundry, babysit, grocery shop and help friends shower and go to the restroom if they are unable to do it for themselves. So, fold your hands first…then flex your hands in humble service.

Share your pain and there will be less of it. Don’t hole up in your office or bedroom and shut others out because they may be your only lifeline. Friends can make you laugh, when you feel like crying. Friends can lighten your load, so it is easier to carry. They can just be there to hear what you need to say to make you feel better. Yes, they might even be the ones who cut up the strawberries for your frozen daiquiri. Remember, pain becomes an anchor if you hold onto it and it will drown slowly if you’re not careful.

Thankfully, my husband knows about pain. A tumor broke his fibula in ten places and had to be removed, which meant he had to relearn how to walk when he was only a senior in high school. Then, after he became a State Trooper, he was hit bodily or in his unit 13 different times during his 29-year career. He doesn’t always know exactly how I feel, but he remembers how it felt when he hurt and those memories soften his voice and his hands.

Pain affects each one of us. You may have lost a child, a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a friend. Or maybe you suffer from Lupus like my mother-in-law or Rheumatoid Arthritis like my step-mother. You might be hurting from rejection, feelings of failure or unrealized dreams. No matter the source, you can learn to find a place of peace in any situation. I’m not saying it is easy, because I know it’s not. However, I have found it is well worth everything I’ve gone through to find it.

Do something nice for someone else. (Relish their smile) Take a friend to coffee. (Share their laughter) Be good to yourself. (Remember you are worthy) Look for peace, joy, love and friendship…these things are in abundance all around you, if you will just reach out and embrace them! (Live life, don’t merely exist each day)

Here is my hubby and our boys...Jeremiah, James and Halston

Letting Go

2010-02-02

Letting Go!

I have to admit that I am not much of a reader. However, I stumbled upon a blog recently that caught my attention. The young Tulsa mother was lamenting about needing to simplify her life without getting rid of what their family needs. She confessed that their closets and dresser drawers were full to overflowing with items that they no longer needed. With one infant child in the house, they didn't know that a baby needed so many things.

She commented that they weren't sure if they were going to have another child and asked the questions that so many of us have had at one point or another.....do I need to save this stuff and if not..how do I let go? She spoke of the baby's first Christmas outfit or the outfit that her child walked in for the first time and all the memories attached to those items.

She then went on to mention that she knew about the options in which to let go. Just Between Friends as well as a local non-profit that helps families in emergency situations, Emergency Infant Services were both on her option list. Her question to her readers was...How can I let go?

I have copied my response to her below.

My kids are now teenagers. It's been a long time since I had some of those same feelings, but reading your blog took me back to the time when my children were infants. I remember having a hard time getting rid of things initially. I had to train myself to think about the people that would be blessed by the items that I was cleaning out.

I think it is funny that you mentioned two options that are close to my heart, JBF and EIS. I have been blessed by being able to witness the smiles on customers faces as they come through the lines at JBF knowing that they have wonderful items for the children and that they would not be able to clothe their children in that manner without others consigning their beautiful, gently loved items that they no longer need.

I don't get to work the check out as often as I like, but did have the chance to work it a little at the Fall Just Between Friends sale in Tulsa. I had a woman with a tiny infant come through my line, a teenage mom. She did not have a mom or a husband with her at the time. It was the 1/2 price day and she came up with three outfits (none were over 2 dollars), two bibs and some bottles. When I rang up the sale, it came to about $11.00. She looked embarrassed and told me that she needed to put something back, that she didn't realize that there was tax. She had ten dollars to spend on her new baby and I could tell it was a stretch. Of course, I told her that there wasn't going to be any putting-back. She left there with all of her purchases and I went in my office and started crying.?

That experience solidified my feelings that consigning and donating my items is the way to go. I recently joined the board at Emergency Infant Services (www.emergencyinfantservices.org) and get to hear about the tons and tons of families that use their services. About two years ago, they would see about 15-20 families a day offering help with clothing, formula, medicine, car seats, cribs, etc. With the recession, those numbers have gone up to 50-60 a day!

The needs around the country are so great and every little bit helps! When you are looking at your child's precious clothes and thinking of the memories....start a new thought, one that envisions another needy mom getting to experience the joy of the outfit too, because of your generosity!

It's a life changer and makes it so much easier to take that first step and let go.

Shannon Wilburn
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mommy-Blogger Michelle Wiginton shares some tips for how to turn winter blues into blessings!

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-01-25

Do you ever get the winter blues? There is a ton of stuff that needs to be done, but you don’t want to do any of it? Nothing sounds good to eat. Nothing looks good on you. Nothing good on TV. You just feel blah and out of sorts?

Me, too. I think this goes back to my childhood when I was a constant explorer, naughty pirate and rescuer of small animals. During the warm months, I was outside playing or inside reading. Always reading…in fact, I can’t remember a time in my life that I couldn’t read. My adventures in books always followed me to the playground, the farm and beyond.

So, it’s cold, windy and a “winter mix” is predicted…yuck. Snow is beautiful, but cold rain is just depressing. It is here that I find myself writing this week’s blog. However, not being one to give into Jack Frosts’ temper tantrums, I am looking around to see what I can do to boost my spirits…and here is what I find.

I want a cup of hot chocolate…with whipped cream. No, it’s not on my diet, but I’m not stirring in a spoonful of lard, only a dash of coconut creamer. Sometimes, you just need to treat yourself and I admit that I love Barbie-sized marshmallows. ..yum. My world now smells like Chocolate Aloha…and my mood is already more mellow and less bellow! (if you know what I mean)

I see a stack of classic movies…and the makings of a thick stew. Hummm. Yummy, EASY meal…and then a funny, silly flick with the hubby. That sounds cozy, not stuffy like after you’ve been cooped up in your house for months on end with no green grass, pretty flowers or birdie songs.

It’s 4:56 pm. I don’t think I’ll work late today. If all you do is work, then you are not honoring yourself or your family. But, don’t get me wrong, if there’s work to be done you can count on me…just not every day, all day. Bring a fresh you to the table and you get a delicious slice of ideas, inspiration and enthusiasm to your work…but, if you are a stale you each day, don’t expect more than moldy motivation, crusty creativity and old insight.

Roly Poly, my sweet puppy, just came over and reminded me that I have so much to be thankful for, starting with a delightful little bundle of fur that makes me laugh every day. The boys are at college, Kevin is visiting his mom in the hospital and I have been blessed with some quiet time to write. The phone is not ringing, my email inbox is empty, no voicemails, no critical reports or meetings…

Isn’t that funny? As soon as I start to look for the good, I see blessings of the very situation that was just causing me the blues. So, it really does start with a conscious decision to be positive and uplifting (to yourself and others)? And all this time I thought it was the mountain of Barbie-sized marshmallows in my hot chocolate.

Guess which one of these crazy kids is me? (Think Winter Blues...)

Remembering Our Angel Babies

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-01-19

One year ago today a precious 4 ½ month old baby boy got his angel wings. Maddox Parker Heck passed peacefully we were told, from SIDS. But, it really didn’t matter because the reason does not mask the gaping hole left in your heart when your arms are suddenly empty. Today, his mom is a courageous woman who forges ahead knowing she will see him again.

Three days prior to Maddox’s death, his grandpa (my baby brother) and grandma lost a set of twins that my sister-in-law was carrying. Again, it didn’t matter that two tiny hearts stopped beating on their own. They were loved, anticipated and are now missed, even if we didn’t know their names or ever see their faces.

A year before that, my sweet 18-month old nephew, Blake Thomas Couch, died in the arms of my baby sister and brother-in-law, after countless surgeries and three organ transplants. What a testament to grace and gratitude they had for every day we had with him.

I was there at the hospitals, held our babes one last time and continue to hold my family as God and time heals us all. But, this blog is not about loss, grief and sadness…heavens no, it is about peace, love and celebration of lives well lived…then and now. Having lost my mom only four short months ago, I have learned that a mother is not just the oven your buns get baked in…she is the person who holds you when you’re hurt, sick or sad. However, moms go to heaven too and now I lean solely on the Good Lord and those angels He has sent to earth that I call my friends.

Family is great, but many times they are hurting, too. So, friends have been my strength…praying for me, rolling up their sleeves and helping me, and supporting me when they see the tears threatening to spill. Pam is my Rock of Gibraltar, she listens when I need to talk and she never says anything unless it is wise and true. Kim makes me laugh and is the only person I would want to get thrown in jail with. Nina makes me look pretty, even when I don’t feel it on the inside. Sandra is my earthly angel, who stays close to God and near to me at the same time. Shanda, who calls me Mom #2, loves me without question, reservation or hesitation.

I could go on…and on…and on. I am blessed. Our family is blessed. We are more compassionate, understanding and encouraging than ever before. We’ve been there…although we would never have chosen to “go there.” I know how to help others because I know what helped us when we needed it. Tragedy strikes every family at one time or another, but how you deal with it is what makes you bitter or better.

Thankfully, our family has chosen to let go of the pain, the hurt, the loss and the grief…and grab onto the best that life has to offer. And there is so much to be thankful for! We are at peace that God’s plan is perfect, even if it is not what we would have chosen for ourselves or our loved ones. We love with abandon because that is a gift that never runs out, you can never have too much of and that you will never regret giving away. We celebrate each day because every day is worth living to the fullest.

I visit more and work less. I try to listen more and talk less. I share hugs with anyone I think might need it…and even with those who don’t. I laugh more and look for more reasons to laugh. I am a deeper person who uses quiet time to remember and reflect. I smile more because I know others are hurting and, sometimes, a smile is all someone needs to clear away the clouds in their day. I share more because any burden shared becomes lighter and every lesson learned causes others to become wiser and kinder people.

Maddox: Blake:

VIP Guest Blogger shares some great tips on making your items "Best Sellers!"

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-01-18

Our monthly guest blogger, Kate Holmes of www.HowToConsign.com, knows what makes shoppers buy. A second-generation second-hander, her mother owned two consignment shops and raised four children herself on that income. Kate is the author of a best-selling operations manual for the industry and its acknowledged “Consignment Guru." Kate’s wardrobe, home, and hobby gear are almost all previously-enjoyed.

So you’ve decided to get all those underloved, gently-used items together and let them be loved by another family. Congratulations, you’re over half the way to passing on previously-enjoyed items to another family...and to fattening up your family’s budget at the same time.

If you’re like our Moms, you want to get the most monetary return out of outgrown clothes, toys, and gear...but where to start? Sometimes it can be overwhelming, so let’s look at it step by profitable step:

Gather your items up gradually. If you’ve put a basket or bag in each child’s closet or the laundry room to collect outgrown clothes and a basket in the family room or basement for no-longer-played-with equipment, you’re ahead of the game. You have your batch all collected up.

If not (what Mom is ever as organized as she’d like?) start with the most obvious places first, the places where you store things you’re no longer using. From too-small clothes to past-interest sports gear, attic to basement to garage, these are the items which might need the most freshening up. Once these are gathered up, venture into closets, toy boys and bedroom shelves. Take a look at your local sale’s web site for lists of what they can sell. You may be reminded of things you’ve placed in a bottom drawer or the garage loft and forgotten all about.

Okay. Now it’s all in a pile and you’re ready to make your items best sellers!

First, of course, is cleanliness. Freshly-washed clothing sell best. And that means freshly-washed within the last few days, not when you packed them away. Using a fragrance-free detergent and fabric softener is safest, since many families have sensitivities to scented washing products.

Next is wrinkle-free. Wrinkle release spray works on minor wrinkles. If they still don’t look as great as they did new, take a few moments with an iron or garment steamer. The more brand-new your clothing items look, the more they’re worth. A touch of spray starch on a crisp shirt or dress can sell an item lickety-split!

Ready to hang your clothes? As you follow our hanging guidelines, go one step further. Hold each garment parallel to the fluorescent lighting in your laundry room or kitchen. These lights show color variations indicating spots, stains, and fading. Work on removing stains (my favorite online stain removal chart is on Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing web site http://www.mrsstewart.com/pages/stainremoval.htm .) If stains or fadingremain, put these items aside for donation to your local charities.

Next, check zippers, buttons and fasteners. Clip any loose threads and make sure hems are secure and pockets hole-free. If you have accessories that match an outfit, they often enhance the value of the item.

If you’re bundling small items into a larger group, do so by color or style. All the dark socks in one baggie; the whites make another batch. Onesies can be sorted by pastels or brights: new Moms have a definite preference and will grab up whichever batch makes them smile.

Shoes are good sellers, but they need to be sparkling clean. Magic Eraser is a must-have tool. Baby wipes do a great job on most shoes. Be sure to clean the soles as well as the sides of shoes to give them a fresh appeal. Replacing shoe laces can turn a so-so pair into a sure sale.

That same Magic Eraser will also work wonders on toys and equipment. (And a regular eraser in hand as you page through your children’s books can up their value!) If you’re refurbishing a bike or metal ride-on toy, remember auto polish. That extra sheen means extra dollars for you.

Now that’s what HowToConsign.com calls turning your cluttered closets into cash!

For more information on making your underloved possessions worth more, please visit www.HowToConsign.com, where consignment guru Kate Holmes of Too Good to be Threw helps you be eco- and economy-conscious.

Embrace the chaos of being an active, engaged and awesome mom!

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-01-13

I LOVE Facebook, have an active JBF Facebook Fan Page and I am always buzzing about online listening to moms and what is going on in their lives. One common theme for almost every mom (depending on the week) is pondering how to manage the chaos of children, work, hubby, church, hobbies…this list is LONG and varies each day, but you get the picture…or is it a mirror?

Moms are busy people. They are resourceful, passionate and professional. From working at home, to working at a business, to being a momprenuer…women are doing more and more, with less and less time. Thus, enters the chaos that comes from too much to do with too little time to do it.

Imagine you’re late for a teleconference with a new consulting client; you’ve got cramps, a crying baby, a toddler that has just painted your backseat with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and a first grader who just hopped into your van with a note that says three other children in his class went home with lice today. Your stress-o-meter just went from slightly psycho to acute insanity!

We’ve all had these days! You run out of cash. You need a medical insurance card that you can’t find. You can’t remember your ATM passcode. You lock your keys in the car. You run out of gas. Then your husband calls from a conference in Florida and tells you all about his “rough day” at the Disney Institute. Snap! That was the sound of the straw that just broke the straw on the back of your “camel-in-the-desert” day!

AAAAGGGHHHH! You scream in your mind. Why me? I went to grad school. I go to church. I never intentionally hit squirrels on the road. What did I ever do to deserve this???

After ten minutes in “timeout”…this is you hiding in your bathroom with the door closed. You hear your first grader tell your toddler how his “hero” is HIS mom, who makes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the world! Feeling the slightest tugging of a smile, you grab your Clorox Wipes and head out to the van to clean up the PB&J mess. On your way out the door, your toddler says “mommy.” What? She just said her first word….MOMMY!

Now, the smile is genuine. Humming, you clean up that little snack mess and head back into the house. Those two precious darlings are playing quietly, but the baby has started to cry again. The crease in your forehead deepens, but a diaper change and bottle magically quiet your mood…and the baby's screams. Lice check, negative…thank God! Two Motrin and the cramps are gone. Your client ended up canceling and rescheduling for later in the week, now you have an open afternoon.

The hubby texts you and tells you how much he loves and appreciates you…being honest, he is a hard worker, loving father and great husband. (You text him and say it’s safe to come home.) The kids all go to bed on-time and watching them sleep peacefully almost brings you to tears. How did they grow so quickly? Where did the time go? Did you almost miss your second-born’s first word because you were freaking out about a little dab of peanut butter and jelly?

Time moves quickly, too quickly. I remember the night my son was born and can picture his little face when the nurse handed him to me in the hospital. He is now 21 years old.

I missed many things that really matter NOW because I was more focused on the little things that happened in everyday life. My advice to new moms…embrace the chaos. It’s rarely as crazy as you think. It never lasts for long. It will rob you of too many precious opportunities if you let it.

Laugh more, scream less. Commit to less, be more spontaneous with ideas your children have. Look for Kodak moments with PB&J and see fewer situations that not might make it on the cover of Parenting magazine…THESE are your priceless memories that give you warm fuzzies when your nest is empty and your baby birds grow up.

P.S. Remember our early Christmas gift? He's now five weeks old...here's Roly Poly!

Just Between Friends surpasses 100 franchises, but it is not all about the number...it is about the number of families JBF is able to serve each year!

Michelle Wiginton — 2010-01-07

As an owner of three Just Between Friends franchises, I stand in awe of just ONE of the many outstanding milestones JBF achieved in 2009—surpassing 100 JBF franchises! Currently, with 102 franchises, in 22 states, JBF is positively impacting more than 260,000 American families through their well-organized, fun and bargain-savvy children’s consignment sales events.

When I purchased my first two franchises in 2006, I was granted franchises #38 and #39. In 2008, I purchased franchise #60, for a total of three JBF territories. What began as a number and a dream has turned into a unique opportunity for me to serve thousands of families across Missouri…and join an amazing group of mompreneurs (and a dad or two) who are changing the bottom lines of countless family budgets.

In an economy with lost jobs, closing businesses and downsizing, Just Between Friends has seen record-breaking growth and participation throughout the US. This is not bragging on us, it’s praise for all of the moms who are learning new and “green” ways of recycling, reselling, recouping and rejoicing!

Recycling is not just the right thing to do; it’s a smart way of reducing your family’s footprint, de-cluttering your home and extending the lifespan of quality products through more than one child and/or family.

Reselling children’s items is a good way to manage the continual growth of a family, while also finding affordable clothing, toys and equipment for the next season.

Recouping a fair value for the investment you have made in your children just makes good sense. Why give your items away at a garage sale, accept a fraction of what your items are worth at a traditional consignment store or keep things until they are outdated and unusable? You can make up to 70% on your items with JBF, without the hassle of selling everything yourself.

Rejoicing is one of the best parts of JBF, to me. I rejoice when I see an expecting mom purchase a ton of affordable items for her nursery and future newborn. I rejoice when I see a single mom with multiple children who is able to purchase what she needs for each little one. I rejoice when I send out consignor checks and know I have helped so many families make some extra cash for just cleaning up around their home.

Just Between Friends is not magic, rocket science or some sort of get-rich-quick idea, but I have been a part of many magical times, witnessed blessings that cannot be attributed to what could only be seen, and I’m pleased to say that lots of moms take home some pretty nice chunks of change every sale.

Numbers are nice, but what means more to me is that, with every new franchise, Just Between Friends is able to reach out and serve even more families, make so many more new mommy-friends and be a part of even greater blessings in so many wonderful communities across the nation…I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for JBF!

Baby New Year

Michelle Wiginton — 2009-12-29

As 2009 winds down to an end, I feel more in tune with Father Time than I have at any other time in my past. In September, I lost my mom, who was the fifth immediate family member to go to heaven in a little more than one year…the other four were babies. I know that sounds heavy, but the mantel that I now wear is not one of sadness and grief, but a brilliant cape of love, hope and expectation.

My life feels like the Baby New Year with the big ears. I’m not perfect, my life is not what I would have chosen, but I serve the purpose the Lord has for me—just as I am. He’s prepared me, He’s equipped me and He’s placed me exactly where I am supposed to be, at the precise moment I am to be there.

I stride confidently into 2010 on legs that stand only because they have been shored up by prayers from my friends and family. I hold the hands of others, who now need me and my shoulders to lean on…many whose own shoulders carry the imprint of my once-heavy heart. I boldly proclaim with faith and enthusiasm that I am here to stay, here to serve and here for a special purpose.

Now, while I am enthusiastic about what is to come, I have no idea what that will be. So, I will be taking each day at a time and living my life to the fullest. I remain amazed at how God has used me to bless so many through Just Between Friends and I’m in full expectation of the countless blessings He will bring this year.

JBF is not just about children’s consignment, it is about exceptional moms who love their families and want to be better parents and share the blessings they’ve been given with others. It’s about local moms meeting and establishing strong relationships with their new best friend or mom’s day out partner. It’s about great deals, good memories and more laughter than you could ever imagine.

Just Between Friends offers awesome children’s consignment sales events, that’s a given. But, what is not expected is the fact that so many JBFers become friends that help build strong family foundations throughout our country. JBF connects moms who need babysitters and others who babysit. They promote mompreneurs and draw other moms to learn about useful businesses and products. In fact, Just Between Friends is all about bringing moms together to promote and foster blessings and opportunities for EVERYONE involved.

So, bring on 2010 and everything the year has to teach me and bless me with! I’m ready. I’ve already been working on spring sales, planning for more moms to be a part of my life and exploring ways I can better serve others through Just Between Friends. I wish you all a blessed and prosperous New Year…filled with more love, laughter and learning than you can possible contain in twelve short months!

Happy New Year from Me and My Family...to You and Your Family!

Dust bats, puppies and mommies all deserve time and devotion!

Michelle Wiginton — 2009-12-16

I was playing with our “unexpected baby” this morning, when I looked up and saw that a cobweb had gathered some lint, thus, I dubbed it a “dust bat.” Everyone knows about dust bunnies, but when they are anchored on the ceiling, they deserve their own identity.

Our baby, a half-wiener dog/half-friendly-back-yard-fence-jumper, does not even have his eyes open, but we are anticipating seeing them in the next day or two. Ten days ago, we thought our sweet momma wiener dog was dying…but we returned home to find a single sweet puppy instead. What a blessing our new, little nuzzler is to our family.

Sitting on the floor, staring at the dust bat and then back to my new puppy, I had an epiphany. I decided that I’d rather play with my baby than go get a broom and brush that dust bat away. That bat wasn’t hurting anyone and it was obviously not bothering anyone else in the house. So, I played and had a wonderful time, with some great memories and pictures to mark our time together.

I wonder; how many times are we given the choice between priceless times with loved ones that we choose to sweep away the dust bats instead? I’m not saying hand over your home to the dust bunnies, bats and all of their forest friends. What I am asking you to consider is weighing dust, dishes, laundry and dirty floors against the time and effort you spend making memories that will bless you and your family for the rest of your lives.

You will only regret the things you did not do with your children…like read to them…play Candyland…dress up for a tea party…cuddle and look up at the night sky while drinking hot chocolate. So, might I humbly suggest, you take more time to play and then clean up your messes as part of your time together. Make it an adventure to search for and defeat the “dust bats"!

Here is our newborn baby!

Parent by Example

Michelle Wiginton — 2009-11-24

I flew to Northern Palm Beach, Florida last week to help a friend with her first Just Between Friends children's consignment sales event. It was great...I bought four (2 long sleeved/2 short sleeved) Ralph Lauren shirts for my nephew for only $15!!! Yes, I was tickled.

I think it is important to help others, but also let our children see us doing these things. I have always taken my son to give blood, drop off food during the death of a friend, volunteer work and simply opening doors for others, helping an elderly woman load her groceries or helping somone find their way if they are not familiar with the language or the local geography. These are all forms of giving.

On the last leg of my flight home, I was sitting next to a large, older woman who got to her seat with the aid of a cane. She had to get an extender for her seatbelt and she looked exhausted. I tried to buoy her spirits by chatting about the reason for her trip, etc.

About 30 minutes from our scheduled landing, my seat "neighbor" leaned forward and said she felt sick. I offered to get her a air sick bag, but she said it was not that kind of sick. I asked her if she had a headache or could I assist her in any way and she said, "I'm not even sure what's wrong."

I asked about her medical issues, was she a diabetic. She told me no three times, but then said she was pre-diabetic. By this time, she had slumped back in her seat and I thought she was just resting. However, I continued to watch her and her hands started jumping, then her chest started jerking erratically and I asked her if she was feeling any better...no response.

I shook her, patted her, held her hand...no response. I called for the stewards, requested orange juice and continued to speak louder in an attempt to rouse her. Thankfully, there was a young MD on board and he came forward and offered his services...the orange juice arrived and I tenderly "forced" it into the woman, sip-by-sip. Talking and comforting, while assisting the doctor with his assessment. (this is no small feat when you're already crammed into a sardine-like seat 20,000 feet in the air)

After a few minutes, the juice hit her bloodstream and she was able to open her eyes. More orange juice, cold compresses, an exploration of her purse for other medications/cues to her medical condition. Kind words, a stranger's hand holding another in support, calm plans to make an emergency landing.

We were in the second seat, so the rest of the plane saw what was going on. There were no race distinctions, just several caring people tenderly caring for another human being. So many are afraid to reach out because they might get sued, but too many miss the blessings of helping and serving others.

When the plane landed, we were able to get the lady into the ambulance. I had requested her family be called to the info desk, so they would know where she went and could pick up her luggage and take it to the hospital. I made sure the paramedics took her cane, so she could walk out of the hospital. And, I was thankful that I was in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude and experience to be able to help someone else.

I saw some little faces peeking above and around the seats behind us and I felt good about the example that I had set during that flight. We can all make a difference in the lives of others, but many choose not to and that is sad because we are all setting examples for our children when we do that. The next time you have the opportunity to help someone, consider doing it. You never know who might be watching...and, some day, that young, impressionable person might be just the person you will need to help you.

November 2009 Just Between Friends Training

2009-11-18

Welcome New Franchisees!

Our system is growing by leaps and bounds! At our most recent November 2009 training in Scottsdale, Arizona, we were able to meet and train new franchisees (and enjoy lunch at True Foods at the Biltmore Fashion Mall)!

Please help us welcome our new franchisees.

L to R. Jennifer Hundley (North Bay, CA), Shannon Wilburn (JBF President and Co-Founder), Janis Jeffus and Patti Maibauer (Coral Springs/Boca Raton, FL), Michelle Wiginton (Franchise Development Coordinator), Susan Moore (Couer d'Alene, Idaho), Daven Tackett (JBF Vice President and Co-Founder), Michelle Hall (North Pittsburgh, PA) and Brenda Sanchez (Broomfield, CO).

Tips for Helping Moms Balance Work, Family, Personal Success and Sanity

Michelle Wiginton — 2009-11-16

Momprenuer Tips (from a Pro) on Family/Work Balance, Success and Sanity

Mitchell Savage, one of the keynote speakers at our 2009 JBF National “Beyond the Numbers” Convention, reminded us that not all of the important things in life come with awards or financial compensation. Like being a mom, a wife or a Christian. But, the benefits are so much more than money could ever compensate you for that you need to stay focused on these “intangibles.”

· Moderate your motivation…or you will burn brightly and then fade out because you are burned out. Harness your passions and use that energy and enthusiasm to sustain you for the long haul…this is when you will experience the most success and contentment.

· Blend your enthusiasm for your business with the reasons you started this journey in the first place. Maybe you want to provide financial stability for your family…or pay a child’s college tuition…or you want to stay at home with the kiddos and only work part-time. All worthwhile reasons…and worthy of your focus and sacrifice. Don’t get caught up in the struggle for money, power or influence…these are cold dinner dates.

· Balance is the key to being a great mom, wife, Christian…but, how do we accomplish this, sleep and manage to find matching shoes before we leave the house?

1. Don’t love your business, love your family. If you do love your business, it will NOT love you back. You can be passionate about your business, but you cannot serve two loves at the same time…one will always win. Make sure the winner is your family! If you are not a business owner, think of these concepts in terms of your volunteer work, your hobbies, your friends and even your ministries.

2. Keep a mentor. Select these individuals by asking yourself, “Do I want my career to look like theirs?” I have personal and professional mentors. I have mentors that I see every day and those I have only met online. I take the best that someone has to offer and try to incorporate that goodness into my own life. It might be in the form of wise counsel, a new perspective, a hug or even a “come to Jesus” talk that grabs my attention and demands I sit down and take a serious look at where I am and where I’m headed. Find your own inspiration and then learn what they know…observe…make changes in your own life and then reach out to others who will learn from you. Yes, you are probably already a mentor to someone!!!

3. Leaving work is good business! Don’t let your business be your life or you won’t have any life left to bring to your business. Go out and experience new restaurants, visit moms groups, make a lunch date with your child at school….read a book…have coffee/tea with a mentor…you get the picture. LIVE your life, don’t just survive it!

4. Have a timeline and a deadline for your business. You will first need to become stable…then profitable…then self-sustainable. Measure, evaluate, explore, LEARN, change and have some fun, too! (Don’t let your business own you!) If you have a job instead of a business, the principles are the same. Our early jobs help us become financially stable, then we branch out and get promotions, certifications and degrees that make us profitable and, finally, we are self-sustainable through our retirement, savings, consulting work, etc.

5. Remember, there is something after this!!! Did you get into business to work until the day you die? If not, what are your long-term goals, vision and exit strategy? You are not your income…you are (or will probably be one day) a grandparent, an empty-nester, a traveler, the parent of college graduates, a missionary…fill in your own plans.

We all want a higher quality of life for the people we love and working is our way to obtain that goal. The trick is not to lose yourself while striving for your dreams…you don’t want to wake up “one day” and realize you have been so caught up in the destination that you never took time to enjoy your journey. Children grow up, spouses need attention/time, health wanes…today is all we really have. So, we should work hard, leave a few minutes early, make a memory and use the extra energy from today to fuel tomorrow!

Christmas Already?

2009-10-22

Christmas Already?

For those of you who don't already know this....our Christmas break is only TWO MONTHS away. I was reminded of this just last night at our mid-week church service. One of the boys in the youth group ran up to me and said....Miss Shannon....I need $15!

I knew exactly where he was going. The fall fundraiser items are finally in. Yes, I ordered Christmas paper in August. As I handed over the cash, I received two large rolls of Christmas paper. Now, don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, not so much the shopping part of Christmas but more the atmosphere that comes with the season; the smells, the crispness in the air, the Christmas tunes on the radio. However, receiving Christmas paper before Halloween already has me stressed about everything that comes with the Christmas season. Not the least of which is the gift giving.

Now, my business partner, Daven, has the gift (no pun intended) of gift giving. It definitely is her love language. She can quickly look at someone and know exactly what type of gift to get them and can usually find an affordable way to do it. The gifts that she gives are usually unique in nature as she puts a lot of thought into the choice.

As a dog owner, a chocolate Lab and previously, a Great Dane, Daven once purchased our family the service of a pooper scooper for a month. Someone actually came to our house to clean up after our pets! What a dream...one that I never would have thought of. My idea of a great gift is one that requires no thought on my part, the practical gift card.

With all of that being said AND knowing that the stresses of Christmas season will soon be upon us, I thought that I would share an article that I read about choosing and giving safe toys.

1. Know what toys to avoid.
2. Buy according to the child's age.
3. Check for recalls.
4. Watch where you shop.

Click here to read the full article to find out strategies on giving safe toys.

Hopefully it will help you as you prepare for upcoming holidays.

Hugs, Shannon