The Cancer Club

At our new club I am offering a FREE class to anyone who has or has had cancer and to all care givers. It doesn't matter if you have been newly diagnosed or are a 25 year survivor. We will address some of the challenges that go along with cancer treatment and how to overcome them. I hope that everyone walks out feeling better not only physically but mentally as well. This class will be held on the first Monday of every month at 6:45pm. We will add classes if there is a demand. Please share this with anyone you know who might benefit from this class. When we come together as people we can do amazing things!

Father's Day

I hope everyone is enjoying their Father's Day today. What a unique and wonderful job it is to be a father. John adds a whole new dimension to our children's personality. He offers things I just can't provide. The silliness and roughhousing combined with a strong sense of security and expectation give our children such a well rounded look at life. John teaches them to have fun and work hard. He teaches them to be leaders and expect great things from themselves. When he travels for work there is a big hole in the house that is impossible to fill.

I have really come to appreciate my own father even more these past couple of months. My father opened his own business when I was very young. He built it up from a small shop to a large company. As I am preparing to open my own business I have come to appreciate what it takes to make that leap. I have been doing a lot of hands on labor at our location. My business partner Suzanne and I have had a lot of laughs as we try to maneuver through assemblies and installations. She asked me "where did you learn all of this stuff?" and my answer was clearly "my dad". I remember spending hours just hanging out by his side as he built counter tops and tables and fixed the car and built our deck. Those were the best times. Just being with him. I would hand him the screwdriver or whatever tool he needed. My siblings and I would sometimes fight over who would do that job. I didn't realize at the time in the quiet of just being with him how much he was teaching me. Patients. Determination. Doing your best.

Later, when I was older, I worked for my dad. We would often have lunch together and discuss how to make the company better. I didn't realize then how much I would appreciate him putting faith in me. He didn't have to ask my opinion but he did. He wanted it. He empowered me to have confidence and think for myself. He gave me the tools to do what I am doing right now. Thank you Papa. Even though we live are apart you are never far from my thoughts. I am so happy you are in my life. I love you very, very much!

What a difference a year can make

Last year today I was in surgery and they were cutting out the last of the cancer that tried to claim my body. Today I am about to open a business, feel healthier than ever and have a new found vigor for life and attaining goals. I see the importance of giving back and the bigger picture. I value my loved ones so much more than I ever thought possible. I feel God's grace in me, around me and guiding me. I understand my human weakness. I know that two working together is always better than one and three is better than two. I see life as a journey and a time to learn. I am thankful for every day that I have on that journey. Gratitude.

Road Blocks

I expected a few along the way toward business ownership but they are appearing in unexpected places. The nice thing about road blocks is that there is usually a detour. At first you are frustrated because you just want to get to your final destination but on the detour you get to see something new, something you didn't realize was there, and maybe even a better way to get to where you were going. God's design for us is perfect. It is not always easy for me to understand the path He has chosen for me but I must have faith that the path I walk is with Him and leads to a greater good. As much as I want to push through the road blocks in front of me - that path was chosen by me - not Him. He is trying to grab my hand and say "let's take a walk this way" and I have to learn to listen.

Numbers

Who knew you needed so many numbers to run a business? We just received our Federal tax ID # today and our LLC was finally approved by the state. We get our official phone number tomorrow and we just opened our business bank account today - another number. Still need to obtain a few more numbers and we will be good to go. The funny part is you need numbers to access your numbers - passwords and logins etc. It is going to take a nice little cheat sheet to get this all straight!

Take it to "THE EDGE"!

I can officially announce what I have been up to now! My dear friend Suzanne and I are opening our own fitness studio - it is called "The Edge" (doesn't it look like the edge?)!

After realizing recently that we had both dreamed of this it became an easy decision to do it together. We only live this life once and as much as I really love working where I work my need to do so many other things that go along with that has helped me make this jump. We will be offering classes for kids - Zumbatomic - and birthday parties. With obesity on the rise we want even those non-sports kids to have a way to move their bodies. We will take every passion that we both have and bring it to our schedule ( Zumba, BodyFlow, Pilates, bootcamps, etc). We will have classes for one of our favorite age groups - those lucky enough to be retired - and many classes for our fellow moms that just need to have some "me" time. I can't wait to have all kinds of fundraisers and community outreach programs! Our club will be our new family and we want you all to come to dinner. No intimidation - just throw on your sweats and come on over! We are charging on a per class basis so no memberships required. I have many details to share in the next few weeks but for now we are just trying to make our opening day goal - July 1st. The party that evening will be OFF THE HOOK!!!!!

So here is to living your dreams and loving life. You don't know until you try right?

It's in the details

I was talking to a friend the other day and I was telling her how things in my life are just falling into place in the most amazing ways. I told her I could completely feel God at work in my life and she said "It is nice when we remember that God is in the details". Too often I think we save up our invitations to God for big things but the truth is He wants to be with us in everything we do. Right down to the smallest of moments. The tiniest thoughts. His presence in my life and those around me lately has not been subtle. I am taking on a new and very exciting endeavor and I have asked Him to please close the door if this is not what I am suppose to do. He has opened wide every window and door and I believe He has planned this for me. It will be fun to see in retrospect the reason for this quest. For now I am following His lead - and oh how I can't wait to see what is over that horizon.