Everyday is Valentine's Day....

Today was... Valentine's Day. A day to celebrate love. But today, I did not get a valentine card. I did not get a box of chocolate. I did not get flowers. 

I did get however:

• A morning to sleep without interruption. 
  
• A time to lay in bed as long as I wanted. 
  
• My daughter coming to get in bed with me. 
  
• My son coming to get in bed with me. 
• My husband coming to get in bed with me. Actually, I noticed that together we totaled over 24 foot of legs in my bed at one time! 
  
• A slow morning getting ready and heading to Jan Mar for lunch. 
• A time of shopping at an antique store with Logan ( a cool vintage dress found) 
• A sweet movie with Logan while Mark and Connor saw an action movie. 
• A comment from Mark to the kids that "everyday is valentine's day for us". 
• A laugh when the kids thought that comment was funny (it's true though). 
• A realization about how true that comment is... no ups and downs-consistant love. 
• A night at Kingsport Grocery with new friends and food and fun!
• A great conversation about the journey my life has been. 
• A chance to tell how much I respect Mark for being able to lead our family (I am a little bold sometimes and may push hard but he always takes the lead). 
• A chance to kiss my kids goodnight. 
• A chance to lay beside a man that I love more now than I have ever dreamed possible. 
• A chance to think about church in the morning and how I love that in our life as well. 
• A moment to love my God and be thankful that everyday is Valentine's Day with Him.

KAFFE BLUE has a new owner

WOW! What a week. It flew by and I realize how much i love doing the things that I get to do. Tonight I sit and think "how do i get to explore so many venues of opportunities in my life" GOD is GOOD, all the time and all the time GOD is GOOD! 

Thank you to all my friends and family that came out this week to support my big adventure. You are GREAT. I can't image a life without each and everyone of you in it. Mom and Dad, thanks for everything. Dad looks cute with his little manager badge :). Cassidy for following me into many things. Denise for your prayers and encouragement. Marci for taking a day off work to come VOLUNTEER my first day open to ensure good service. Stacie for thinking I can do anything, Gina for the twitters that I get that you are thinking about me and wishing me well. Greg for making free breakfast for me to give out on Tuesday (ok Denise really made it but your idea). CF staff for coming and having your staff meeting at Kaffe Blue and then some staying for lunch! Matt for hanging out in the space and looking hip! Great marketing in my window Friday. Shannon Southerland for making KB his new office! MILLERS, what can I say, emails going out by the fireplace talking about what a great place i have. Missed you later this week! To everyone that came out to have some coffee or some food, cant mention everyone but you know who you are. LOVE LOVE LOVE you all! 

GOD is GOOD all the time! 

I have a real problem

WITH keeping my mind focused! All you who know me just snorted I know you did. 

I just dont understand how my mind works. Gonna brain dump a little, maybe that will help.?.

• 1am is my favorite planning time. 
  
• i can wake up at 7am and still not fall alsleep until after midnight.
• i can not make my mind "shut off" when i lay down. 
• i read 3 books at the same time (a fiction, a self help/leadership, a project oriented)
• i get bored easy with the same thoughts-ok that means TASK
• i like to mark off a list but hate making them (wheres M Cleek when i need him!) 
• now what was i just doing?                                     just kidding 
• i get overwhelmed if i dont surround myself with the right people 
• i am a starter
• i hate details - i can do them, but i hate them
• i hate talking on the phone - txt or twitter  is my favorite
• i sometimes dismiss important things in my life 
• let me create it and you run it.          my dream 
• cant stand to do the same thing over and over
• i miss teaching-might teach adult class. 
• NAH - maybe not adults (wouldnt understand my funny stuff) 
• i love networking (in person, remember no phone calls) 
• i dont fear many things - i like risk 
• dont care if i am rich but i like cash so i can do things with friends
• i love ideas 
• need the sunshine-wintertime shuts me down
• i have limited willpower-could get me in trouble
• right now telling myself -one thing at a time 

If you are a friend of mine or just someone with wisdom please dont hesitate to comment your thoughts. especially if they are help tips to bring my mind in line. Thanks all. 

Michele

Investment in our World

I got a comment tonight that my post was getting old. I have to be honest. I posted a note about my baby girl and just couldn't seem to write a new one. Her picture is so pretty (Raeanna Anglen took it) and I liked seeing it at the top of my page. Anyways, reality is it has run its course and I am movin on. 

Investment in our World: 

I am so close to closing on the restaurant. My days are filled with phone calls, meetings and contracts that I don't understand. I am also getting the chance to define the restaurant and what it will stand for. What I stand for. 

A few years ago I went to Catalyst, a leadership conference in Atlanta GA. The hallways were filled with non-profit organizations and merchandise. One caught my attention first because of its "look" and then because of its message. At the time I didn't have a venue to utilize this product so I put the info in a folder and forgot about it. Recently a great couple has brought

this concept to our church. As I was walking through and smelled the sweet aroma, it hit me! I now have the PERFECT venue! 

Land of a 1000 Hills Coffee.

They have transformed the simple act of drinking coffee into an opportunity to make a difference. "Drink Coffee, Do Good" it's that easy. They have designed a way for US to break chains that have bound thousands of Rwanda farmers, and allow them to enjoy the life that God meant for us. You can learn more about Land of 1000 hills at landof1000hills.com.

How is this coming to the restaurant: 

I emailed the people and asked them that question. We came up with a plan. 

1. Staff wear the nifty tshirts with the logo of the restaurant and Land1000 Hills. 

2. House coffee be Land1000Hills coffee. When a customer buys a cup money goes to Rwanda.

3. Sell the coffee in bags of beans for home roasting as well as some great mugs. 

     

   

I couldn't be more excited about the restaurant being able to support such an awesome organization. This stuff doesn't only get to happen in a church people! I will keep you posted to my open date and be sure and look for the Land of 1000 Hills coffee served fresh everyday. 

OH, and below is the blog and pic of that beautiful girl! 

Beautiful Girl

I pretty much have the most beautiful daughter in the world. I watch her when she doesn't know I am watching. She walks like a model, she talks with knowledge, she laughs great, she pays attention, she takes time to talk, she giggles at little things, she loves all people, she works hard in school, she sings like a rock star, she loves her church, she has great friends, she allows people to influence her to be better, she marches on the field like a pro, she isn't selfish, she is kind to her brother, she loves her mama and daddy, she pretty much LOVES, she leads all who will follow. If I was 15 I would die to be her friend. If Logan is in your life-you are a lucky person. Please let her know! 

HATER..of writing business plans

Weakness: 

Well tonight I had to sit and write out my official business plan for the restaurant. YES, I HATED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. I think I would rather have a tooth ache. It is crazy how I can sit and talk about my plans in vivid detail all night long but struggle so much to put it on paper. I know the benefit (and I appreciate benefits) but the drive still had to be motivated by cash. No, I didn't con Mark into paying me to write it, I just knew that if I didn't, then the goals I set for redesigning the kitchen and ideas for change in the restaurant would never happen. For some reason Banks like Business Plans. Go Figure. 

Now to the point: 

I am focusing on the "buts" in the Bible for my personal study. (Idea from Michael Robison)

Today it is:

Romans 12:12 Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world(myself), but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Then I will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.  

If I can handle the little things then God will continue to allow me a chance to experience the BIG things. 

The reality is:

It is an exciting time to be me for me. God is confirming things in me that I had put on the back burner. He is setting up people in my life that will coach me to success. He is opening doors and closing others with His perfect timing, though I don't understand it at the time.  

Thank you to all who are supporting me in this adventure and I am glad to have you here experiencing it with me. 

Investment that is foundation of them all.

Had lunch with Denise yesterday. Thought I was investing in relationships but as it turned out I learned a nugget of truth from her. (which isn't unusual) She reminded me of  my investment with Jesus Christ and what it can look like right now. If you have been reading my entries you know that I am in HUGE transistion in my life. I like things to have a system and have a purpose. (Be in order of course my husband would say :D) hense the investments entry. Her reminder:

I have been teaching young people for many years and would study for the message they would receive on a Sunday, it would usually start with a book I read or a series I downloaded and made my own. Either way I was experiencing Words from God with the mind of teaching it to other people. She reminded me the joy and awesome gift I have to pick up the Word of God and read, revealing in the message God is giving to me for me.

I read a tweet from a twitter recently that suggested exploring the "buts" in the Bible. I am loving this knew adventure with listening to my God. 

Thank you Denise :)