Stars & Stickers

Hi everyone!

I must admit, I am such a "Stars & Stickers" kind of girl.  This is why I enjoy going to my Weight Watcher's Meetings, versus only participating in the program online.  When Mary, our leader, gives me a star or "Bravo" sticker, you would have thought I had won the Nobel Peace Prize.

It is the simple things in life that make me smile.  Though I have to tell you, when I saw yesterday that Nothy Lane from Aft Agley had nominated me for a "Liebster Blogging Award" you would have thought it was an Oscar.

So the researcher in me then proceeded to do several things.  First I went to Nothy's blog to find out more and second I went to Google to find out more about the award.  Okay, so there is not a committee that decides to bestow this upon me, but the idea is really incredible.   It is designed to increase the number of followers that an up-and-coming blogger have on their site.  Since Nothy is from Canada & I am from Louisiana AND this nomination did not come from an immediate friend or family member, I am thrilled.  What a GREAT way to meet new people in the blogging community and broaden this online experience.

As any writer will admit, even if it is to themselves on a cold winter night, we all like to know that people like to read what we have written...that we are on the right track...that we just may be on to something with this writing stuff.  So I will keep you posted and let you know if Curiosity Cottage becomes a winner.

  

Curiosity Cottage's Home Away From Home

Good Morning Everyone!!

While the sun may not be up yet this morning, I am smiling from ear-to-ear and have a song in my heart, as if I was dancing in the midday sun!!  While Curiosity Cottage came into being in 2010, my desire for a shop and business started many, many years ago at about this same time of year in Germany.  A detail I had forgotten, until my dear friend Suzie, reminded me not long ago.

I just had to share and show you what is going to become Curiosity Cottage in just a few short weeks!!  

As Michael and I prepare to make these rooms into Curiosity Cottage, I am reminded of my past moves with the military.  With each of those moves I would turn spaces, that often looked very much like this new space, into a home.  

That is our goal and vision for this chapter of our lives.  When you visit our little corner of the world, we want you to feel like you have come home.  You can let us know how we do when we reveal the finished product in a few weeks!!

LOVE what YOU do

Hi everyone!

Well it has been a week since I last posted.  It isn't that I haven't been on my site, I actually have, but creating new things to reveal to the world!!  Monday I started teaching a new course "Blog Creation" and my textbooks center around using a blog to drive business.  In this economy, finding ways to drive business have NEVER been more important.

For me, spending the time to develop this class is not work, because I truly LOVE what I do!!  

 It is also important during these challenging economic times for us not to give up, but if need be find ways to reinvent ourselves and our businesses.

And it is my hope, as a teacher, to let people enjoy the beauty of the blogging world so that it might allow them to take their hopes, couple it with effort, and then allow them to achieve things beyond their wildest dreams!!

Stay tuned, exciting things are happening for my little Curiosity Cottage!!

Here Comes the Sun

Hi everyone,

After days of rain here in Louisiana, it is so very nice to see the sunshine today!!

However, it means so much more to me on this January morning.  After enduring months of trials, but hanging on to my faith like a little one and her security blanket, God showed Michael and I rays of sunshine yesterday, even in the midst of the earthly rain.

I was in such awe for the things He was doing for us, it gave me goosebumps and made me cry tears of relief and joy.

Though I have to admit, while I have always maintained my faith and obedience in both good times and bad, the past few months had really worn me down.

So when His blessing began to pour out for us, I could not help but feel ashamed, how could my faith have not been stronger...meaning, why did I let worry and fear take even a second of my joy away.

That is the beauty of the trails He sends our way, they help us to become stronger in our faith, character, and in the case of us being two newly weds, it just makes our new marriage stronger.

One of the things I have told Michael through this all, I would have faced different types of trials no matter what, but having a Helpmate to walk through these things with me now, well it makes the sunshine all the time, not just on one day in January!

A Candle in the Rain

Hi everyone!

Wow, I have not had a chance to write since November, not that I did not want to, sometimes the storms of life just seem to hit all at once.  It was just two weeks after my last post that my precious husband ended up in the hospital.  Now recovering from quite a long stay at the "Honeymoon Hospital", which I affectionately called this adventure since we had just gotten married on October 7th, all paths look to be headed back into the creative direction for me.  First up, my new little reversible dresses.  Here is one in progress.

  Add in writing again, which soothes my soul and other creative business ventures and it makes me realize that while life rains down at times, it will not let the candle light from my spirit go out.  So stay tuned, exciting new things to share in the days ahead!!

Follow Your Heart

Hi everyone,

The last few days have been tough.  My dear Aunt Mary Lee started off going to the doctor last Wednesday and by Saturday she had gone to be with the Lord.  I know she is happy now being with the love of her life and my mom, but oh how I will miss her!!

On thing though that the last several days have brought home to me is the importance of following my heart and staying true to my hopes and dreams.  It is tough at times, especially if one has spent a life time constantly having others try to control their life.  But I have reached a point where enough is enough.  The only one I have to answer to when all is said and done is our Lord.  As long as He directs my path and He is controlling the decisions I make, that is ALL that matters!!

So in the midst of my grief I am also walking away with great peace and strength, thus turning tragedy into my own personal triumph!!  Which, I might add, is the best way yet to head into this time of Thanksgiving!!  May you all find the peace and strength to follow the desires of your heart that the Lord has laid upon you!!

The Path

Hi everyone!
As November begins I am reminded of all the things I am so very thankful for - my PRECIOUS new helpmate & husband; my witty, talented and amazing kids; incredible friends and coworkers!!  Yes, I have so many, many things to truly be thankful for!!

So with thanksgiving in my heart I now look to what bridges the Lord is leading me to cross, so that I might take on new adventures that will lead to hopes and dreams I use to think were light years away.

The scenery along my creative path has been beautiful, even though I may have encountered stones and obstacles along the way.

One thing that is certain, with each step, I am continually awed at the God Winks being sent to illuminate my way.

They are truly like God is making a giant "X" in the sky at each stage of this journey!!

Thankful indeed for all that He has given me, yet EXPECTING Him to indeed provide the MIRACLES needed to fulfill the desires of my heart, while giving Him ALL of the glory!!

Sharing my travels with you I hope will inspire you to head out on your own journey to discover the desires of your own heart!!  My faith is such that I am jumping in with both feet!!  I can do this because I have seen the many AMAZING things that the Lord has done for me over the years.  I have learned to wait for His perfect timing, because His answer to my prayers is always in a way the far surpasses anything I could have ever imagined!!

So yes, this November I am so very THANKFUL for more than you could ever begin to imagine!!