Wow... another 2 days has passed.  Has anyone seen the Spy Kids movie where the bad guy is literally stealing time???  The movie's kinda corny, but I really feel like time has accelerated... anyway, so many amazing things going on.  I have project opportunities coming from every direction - Thank You Lord! - and I'm eager to get something started.  Yesterday, I texted a lady that I was connected to a little over a week ago.  That led to a phone call today with a potential e-commerce customer/partnership.  I'm so excited that God knows exactly what He's doing ALL the time.  You don't meet anyone by accident. 

I have been talking to myself lately (not answering though, so I think I'm good) about doing what needs to be done regardless of what it feels like.  Sometimes as a mommy/2 job worker/entrepreneur/friend I get tired and just don't want to do anything - especially not the things I don't like to do.  BUT, I have to tell myself to woman up, get over it, get it together, suck it up, DO it.  So, today as you are facing what might seem like an insurmountable task, look at yourself in the mirror and tell you to get it together and DO it (whatever IT is).

Saturday, I had an interesting conversation with the window guy at Home Depot.  I'm trying to acquire an understanding of what goes into a window for new construction and how I can incorporate my stained glass.  I'm getting closer with each conversation, but I'm not there yet.  I did pick up a lot of literature, and I have some new leads.  Woohoo!

I'm looking for a new church home (which is fun and frustrating at the same time -- excited about a new assignment, don't like going to a new church each week).  I liked the one I went to today, but didn't love it.  The amazing thing for today is that God lets you know if a place is for you or not.  I'm keeping my spirit and mind open for my next stop. :-)

2 amazing meetings yesterday.  Will most likely be partnering with a builder in Durham for some stained glass windows in the near future!  Also may be doing something with an art consortium.  Awesome!

Amazing thing for today... my 10 year old boy still likes to snuggle with me on the couch for movie night every other Friday.  I love my family!!

I'm writing for yesterday even though in my world it's still Wednesday. :-)  An amazing thing happened today... I work at a retail store part time until IBG Creative Design is supporting me.  A lady comes into the store at least once a week and spends at least an hour there.  It came up in conversation at some point that I do stained glass.  I believe that was several weeks ago.  Today she comes in the store and says, I have a grinder that I'd like for you to have.  (A grinder is necessary in stained glass to smooth edges after the glass is cut, and before foiling.)  I said, what?!  She said that she had taken a class years ago and bought one, but had not really used it since.  She wanted me to have it if I would take it!!!!!  Of course I'll take it and thank you very much!!!!  She brings the grinder in, and it's still in the original box!  AND it's the same kind that I already have, so I already know how to use it!!  This is so very awesome because I can now increase my grinder workforce to 2 people without having to buy any new equipment.  In the very near future I will need help to complete all of my glass work, and she just invested, UNKNOWINGLY, into that.  Praise God for divine connections!!

So, yesterday I woke up in one of those, I-need-to-rest-because-I've-been-putting-my-body-through-too-much-for-too-long moods.  I just wanted to have a lazy day, but.... of course that didn't happen.  I did get to sleep in, but I had asked my brother to come over and chat because we encourage each other and I needed some encouragement.  We had a great time, and after he left I had to make the hour long trek to pick up my son from his father.  I was soooooooooooooooooooooooo dreading it.  But God always has a plan and a reason for doing things.  Anyway, I went over there and it turned out to be an amazingly productive 45 mins.  I got some cake (Woohoo!), and I talked with a builder about some future work for IBG.  Excited about possibilities!

Today... I learned how to make a decorative pillow!  And it turned out nice!!  Again, amazing things happen every day!

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Friday - went to an awesome jazz concert at Labour Love Gallery.  Met some nice people and made some business connections.  I love it!

Saturday - talked to a gallery owner about displaying/selling work; delivered repair job and customer loved!

Today - Purchased a jig for wire wrapping.  I'm excited about using it to include wire work in my stained glass pieces.  Thanks Rita!

Ughhhh... not doing so well on this daily thing, but I WILL STICK TO IT!!  Am not giving up!  Amazing thing for yesterday... I wrote my congressman for the first time ever.  I don't know all of the details of this SOPA/PIPA controversy, but from what I've read... not so good. 

Amazing thing for today, I joined a gym.... for $30!  Because I'm a veteran, the $100 enrollment/equipment fee was waived, and because it's in my small town and I work here, I got money off of the monthly fee, and because it's after the 15th I got a little bit off for the month... Woohoo!!! God is good, and I'm getting in shape!

The days are going by faster and faster... Today my son told me that I'm the best at all things "mommy".  I don't know how much of that was because he thought I'd like to hear it and how much was what he actually felt, but.... I'll take it!

I have accomplished an amazing feat on this day... I have cooked for an entire week... every day.  This is an extreme undertaking because I do not enjoy cooking, and I very, very rarely cook when my son is not with me (half of every week).  I have cooked complete, balanced meals for 7 days in a row.  Wow!  No fast food or Voila meal cheats... I'm proud of myself. :-)

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day!  I hope you did something today to celebrate this great man. :-) 

I spent the better part of this morning and afternoon working on glass jewelry for the site.  It was a little frustrating at first because I also spent a lot of yesterday working on jewelry.  It's been a minute since I wire wrapped or tried mixing colors, and it REALLY showed.  Pieces were odd shapes, not turning out at all how I wanted or planned, but as always... amazing things happen when you persevere.  I didn't give up or break all of my glass.  I did do a lot of pep talking so I wouldn't throw in the towel, but the result was 5 pendant & earring sets and two pendants (w/o earrings).  They are drying, but they'll be beautiful tomorrow, and I'll post them on etsy, facebook, and my website.

Hang in there, and talk yourself OUT of whatever funk/disappointment/depression you are currently in.

OMgoodness!!  Tearin it up already!  This blog is to encourage, but it's also to keep me accountable to doing something consistently every day.  It's not even a week in, and I'm missing a day.... Help me Lord!  One of the many things I'm working on is consistency.  I start out great on several different things, but they kind of fizzle out after a while - working out, reading my Bible daily, cooking - all things that take consistent effort, so.... pray for me. :-)

I actually had something to share yesterday, and should have posted it as soon as it happened.  Another issue... procrastination.  Amazing thing - I received a message on LinkedIn regarding my stained glass work from an art consultant out of Durham.  I think it's going to be a beautiful meeting of the minds.  This has opened up a whole new avenue for me to pursue, and lets me know that an online presence is great.  Happy posting to those of you who are starting a business or expanding to an include an online offering.

Two members of my church family got married today!!  A pastor said it exactly right... marriage is a miracle!  I am looking forward to the day when I marry the man who was made for me.  I got married when I was 20 years old, but I think it was me who picked that one. :-)

One of the goals I'm taking small steps toward is having a great looking site, so I'm off to work!  http://www.ibgcreativedesign.com/.

TGIF!!  That's already enough to make me jump for joy!

Amazing thing for today... Customer told me that she's getting the feeling that her glass got broken for a reason, and that it was starting to become clear to her why we got connected.  I know what "the feeling" is, and I'm sure that things are being lined up exactly right. :-)

Something else amazing... I didn't kill myself when I tripped over a rope at Golden Corral today.  Fell all the way to the ground... My son was trying not to laugh and make sure I was okay, but I was almost crying laughing at myself.  I used to be extremely clumsy - always tripping, falling, or running into something, and today I had an instant flashback to my teens... Cuh-razy!! 

You know the saying that goes something like, if you go looking for trouble you're sure to find it?  Well... I believe the same goes for blessings, opportunities, peace, joy, Truth.... whatever you go looking for, you'll find. 

I had an awesome brainstorming meeting today concerning direction for IBG.  It was enlightening, challenging, and encouraging.  God puts people in our paths for different reasons.  Believe it or not some people are just here to help you!

In just one day, God sent me a stained glass repair opportunity, free advertising for 3 months, a meeting with the president of a large glass manufacturing company in the area to discuss stained glass insulation options, and to top it all off, my son is finally on top of his school work!  He is finished with his 6 week block of work, and the block is not over until Friday.  How many amazing things is that?!

Revelation to me for the week - Planning is important.  Make some short term goals and long term goals.  Write them down, and then take steps to make them happen.  Thinking about them is good.  Writing them down is better.  Doing something about them is best.

Amazing things happen everyday, so I am starting this blog to celebrate God's goodness.  Whether it's in the form of divine connections (which happened today and inspired me to start writing) or green lights all the way to work. :-) God is good and He makes life more than interesting - It's downright amazing!