Wordless Wednesday

(Our pet corner at our store, The Eclectic Attic. 50% of all our proceeds from Jake's Corner are donated to animal organizations each month).

Feeling a Little Sentimental...

Last night I went to Target for the first time in I don't know how long. I honestly don't remember the last time I was at Target. These are some strange words coming from such a Target loving girl!

I used to go to Target just about every Monday when my kids were in school. I'd drop them off and eventually make my way to Target, browsing each and every aisle with my Pepsi and popcorn in hand, enjoying every minute! I'd often buy some little treat and have it on their bed for them when they got home from school.

Those days have come and gone...
I miss them...

Browsing the aisles last night brought back a flood of memories as I strolled past the back-to-school items. Precious memories of my back-to-school shopping days as a student myself and of the days not so long ago of shopping with my own two kids. Missing those days but having wonderful memories that made my heart smile.

Last night before I went to Target I stopped at our friend Lynn's restaurant for a minute and was greeted in the parking lot by her twin daughters and their friend Brandon. All 3 of these great kids went off to college a few weeks ago but were home for a quick visit. I told Brandon how much I missed all of them and this sweet boy said "I miss you more!" O.M.G!

On Facebook this morning I noticed photo after photo of today's first day of school pictures that were taken just this morning. They made my heart smile too. It brought me back to the days of my kids posing on the front porch each new year for their first day of school pictures also.

Obviously, I'm feeling sentimental and on the verge of tears and seeing the college kids last night didn't help things either! As they drove away, their mom and I just looked at each other with misty eyes. I know just how she feels.

These past few years I've been in a new chapter of life, the empty nest chapter. The empty nest chapter isn't all bad and it does have it's perks, but moms, enjoy all of these back-to-school days and milestones.

Life happens and our kids grow up in the blink of an eye!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Have you read the book "The Help" or seen the movie yet?

I read the book last year but went with 3 girlfriends who hadn't read the book to the movies last night to see it.

It was so fun for me to watch their reaction to certain scenes since I already knew what was coming.

We laughed!

We cried!

We loved it!

Well Hellooooo There!

Has it really been almost 3 months since I posted last? Man oh man time flies when you're having fun!

We opened the store on July 1st and had a fantastic response at our grand opening and now that we've been open for a month, we're settling into a pleasant little routine. We've started developing friendships with regular customers and neighbors and just have met the nicest people. I've never worked retail so this is all new to me but what's not to like about chit chatting with fun, interesting people all day! I truly am blessed.

It has been wonderful to be able to see and work with my handsome son each day too! I came on a little too strong in the beginning but have lightened up alot and we're getting along perfectly these days. He's not a kid anymore and I needed a reminder of that. Brandon is a bright and capable young man and I needed to back off a bit, which I have done. I have a tendency to micro manage things and it's not needed. The whole idea of this business was to get it going for Brandon so I have let him take the lead more and more and he handles things beautifully, plus, I don't feel so overwhelmed anymore. Opening up a business was a hard transition for me in the beginning because I was missing my regular life so much. I was working 6 days a week, never home, and just plain tired! Luckily, time truly does make a difference and I have adjusted to what life is these days, and it's very good. Different but good.

I also get to work with my sister every Tuesday and life just doesn't get any better than that! She calls it Tuesday fun day and that's just what it is, a fun day! She cracks me up because she tells her friends that she's not available on Tuesdays now...she's got a J-O-B!

So yes, life is different and very very busy. I have reverted back to my list making days and have broken out of the procrastinator mode that I had been comfortable in. No time for procrastination now, there's just no time!