you know what, y’all? (<—note sincere tone and know if we were talking in person I would probably have my hand on your shoulder because more times than not I am touchy feel-y when I talk)
I’m thankful.
and yes, I know it’s the season of Thanksgiving and many are participating in social media world-30 Days of Thankful
but this morning as the Lord woke me from a very cozy, warm peaceful sleep my heart runneth over like water from a flowing fountain with Thanksgiving for things and people- that if you’d ask me ten years ago or maybe even five WHAT AM I MOST THANKFUL FOR-well, these would never have made the list.
#1 QUICKBOOKS-a financial-management software-PLEASE NOTE: I am certain I was a “should’ve been diagnosed case” labeled LD in Math years ago when they still did that ..because I do have a learning disability of which I am not sure if it’s more the lack of “want to” and that numbers make me want to throw up in my mouth ??
or if it’s more “I really don’t get it” …either way
me+numbers=NO GOOD
me+balancing our personal checkbook(which I might add is itty bitty numbers)=DISASTROUS
me+managing our store checkbook (with not so itty bitty numbers) = HELP ME SWEET JESUS.
and thankfully He has-through a miracle worker named Elaine. Who has so graciously tutored me all.year.long. Baby stepping with me through each month (when I wanted to get in the fetal position and cry) she cheered me on..one bank statement at a time. When I would give her the creepy-far-a-way stare because I thought my mind would explode with confusion, Elaine was graciously patient. She kindly talked me through Accounting 101. Session by session. And though I do not hold a Masters in Accounting-I now know that you aren’t speaking Chinese to me when you say, “assets, liability, reconcile”etc..
and why this THANKSGIVING I am especially THANKFUL for YOU-ELAINE (ps. I covet your brain)
#2 FRASIER FIR Christmas trees. Who knew real trees were so magical?? (ps-yes, I know Christmas isn’t about the tree. It’s about the Savior of the world and His birth. Tell all your friends-that post is coming soon.) Growing up we always had a real Christmas tree. One that Daddy would cut from our property or not (and that’s another story for another day) ..A pine or a cedar. Something small usually ..So when the load of one hundred and fifty one FRASIER FIR trees arrived at the store Tuesday on a semi-I was a little taken back.
Yes, I ordered the trees and yes, I talked to the sweet little Christmas tree man named Ray on the phone several times BUT seeing the trees and smelling the trees-WOW~! As we began to set up the trees it was as if the forest came to town! I was WAY overstimulated. It was wonderful. And then as I watched the people begin to come and mingle about the trees with their spouse or their kids -gazing at this one-spinning that one-while listening to my boys, my nieces and nephews giggle and whisper as they weaved and hid amongst the trees…in that moment-it was all worth it. The sap, sawing, the lifting, loading and unloading.
All of it -worth it..
#3 the local feed & seed. Who knew the little local feed & seed where J and I have bought our weekly feed over the last seventeen years would one day be ours? Not us. Small business owners. No thanks. And yet, today we’re just a few weeks shy of having our first year as small business ownership under our belt. WHEW! Be near Lord Jesus be near. It’s been a roller coaster of a year. (<—I don’t ride roller coasters) It’s been scary and exciting and then scary again and exhausting and good. Really good. More than we’ve made money (because that’s still yet to be determined..see #1..a work in progress) we’ve made new friends. Lots of them. And reconnected with old. The store and the inventory and the bookwork is all a work in progress. And that’s okay. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
In the meantime, y’all drop by..come smell the trees, sit by the fire, sip some cider and chat with us at Fort Payne Feed & Garden. We’d love to hear what you’re MOST THANKFUL FOR this year….