I just finished reading GEN Odierno's last press conference before his retirement this week. So impressed. This man has been in service for 40 years. In just my short years in the Army, I saw so many changes - I can't imagine how many he saw in 40.
And yet, he survived. He survived budget cuts, wars, personnel cuts, wars, more cuts.... In his retirement speech, he thanked his wife for all of her sacrifice too, and I can only imagine that as they served, they changed together to survive.
I hope to be that way.
I am in awe of military spouses who have chosen to adapt to their ever-changing surroundings and and overcome them. It's been difficult, for sure, and as I walk this career with my husband, I find ever more people to admire. I've adopted my own motto, even. I modeled it after the fearless Marines', who say Semper Fi to mean Always Loyal. That motto has carried them through the worst of wars and changes.
As a military spouse, I tell myself (and honestly, should get it embroidered on my own t-shirt or something, with max bling possible!) Semper Gumby to survive. To me, it means Always Flexible, like the character Gumby.
But I have to tell you, there is just something special about moving all the time. People can't put you in a box. You can't put yourself in a box. In fact, your stuff is perpetually boxed but that's where boxing belongs. I love that.
This was certainly me growing up and I wanted that for my kids, regardless of how much time I had to be going back and forth to the library. And a bonus? As the business took off, I realized it was cheaper for me to buy books than to keep track of library fines.
You don't believe me? I SAVED money, because I earned 25% commission on each of the books I bought for them. No joke. For the very first time in my life, I was making money from my book habit. If you've seen my Saving for a Season blog, you know being financially savvy is important to me. And if you'd seen my previous businesses, you'd see making money was not happening.
Well for once, I had a business that saved me money and made money as well. Ecstatic.
Would I have met this business if I hadn't moved? No. Again, moving is just so cool.
And now I get to gift my kids with books like these - the best books in the world!
And yet, he survived. He survived budget cuts, wars, personnel cuts, wars, more cuts.... In his retirement speech, he thanked his wife for all of her sacrifice too, and I can only imagine that as they served, they changed together to survive.
I hope to be that way.
I am in awe of military spouses who have chosen to adapt to their ever-changing surroundings and and overcome them. It's been difficult, for sure, and as I walk this career with my husband, I find ever more people to admire. I've adopted my own motto, even. I modeled it after the fearless Marines', who say Semper Fi to mean Always Loyal. That motto has carried them through the worst of wars and changes.
As a military spouse, I tell myself (and honestly, should get it embroidered on my own t-shirt or something, with max bling possible!) Semper Gumby to survive. To me, it means Always Flexible, like the character Gumby.
And right? What a blessing if I could have that goofy smile on my face all the time, too!
In addition, you continually meet people who astound you. You make a lot of friends, and although not all are deep friendships, they are good friendships. And just when you think you've met the coolest person ever, another cool person with another amazing story emerges. Like these:
Nothing but respect for this lady.
Precious southern pals.
And like my friend who takes her bake shoppe everywhere she moves. She continually blesses people WHERE SHE IS regardless of that fact that she has to leave each client base behind.
My friend who makes the cutest baby and little kid shirts and blankets and nurseries.
A former bible study buddy who even just wrote a book about the military marriage adventure.
Yes, I've been inspired. So my first entrepreneur mission was personal training. It was fun, right up my obsessive-exerciser alley, too. It was super fun. Talk about job satisfaction!
Add 3 kids and my time for others increasingly disappeared.
I couldn't be as obsessive as I wanted to be with my clients, and with another move, I let that business fold. When we moved, I had a lot of if's for that business ("IF we'd stayed in El Paso, it would have really taken off," "IF I'd done more classes I'd have met more people,") but you know what? It's actually just what I was supposed to do right then.
After that, I jokingly went to a seminar on baking bread - to make fun of people in jumpers? I was so mean - and because I ended up so animated that this was something I, as a baker-wannabe, could do, I launched Wendy's Fresh Mills. It actually was pretty fun, but even baking with a Bosch and Nutri-Mill still takes time to demonstrate, and my husband's absences made that a challenge as well.
We will pick it up again should the season develop. It just takes one order, or one show! David definitely wants this to be something he can do after he retires, so we will keep it current. Unlike personal training, which I had to say "yes" or "no" to, demonstrating the freedom of these machines is like counseling. We can shelve it for a bit, keep our license, and pick it up when we're ready.
So enter the next phase. Like many of my friends listed above, I have had to be flexible. I am okay with growing toward the next thing that fits our lifestyle. My family is already stressed with Dave's schedule, why stress it even more with what I do, too? For what purpose does that serve?
After all, you have to leave time open to be available to paint friends' bathrooms!
And so I've found the book business to be amazing and fits us. Plus, my kids enjoy their benefits so much. You want that book? Sure!
You don't believe me? I SAVED money, because I earned 25% commission on each of the books I bought for them. No joke. For the very first time in my life, I was making money from my book habit. If you've seen my Saving for a Season blog, you know being financially savvy is important to me. And if you'd seen my previous businesses, you'd see making money was not happening.
Well for once, I had a business that saved me money and made money as well. Ecstatic.
Would I have met this business if I hadn't moved? No. Again, moving is just so cool.
Key for me is this: I CAN TAKE THIS BUSINESS WITH ME. My clients I leave behind physically can either make purchases through my website, or do business with team members still there!
Watch this video to see how I partied online even as we moved!
In addition, there is actually some potential for it to grow beyond what I can do in my limited time. My previous business ventures had no potential for growth and were completely dependent on my time. I am so thankful for this one, Usborne Books & More, because there is grace in a move, or a deployment, or any time I need down time, I am in charge and take it. I show moms, schools, and libraries my available days and they choose which works best for them.
What I took to a preschool book fair recently! SO cute.
What valuable lessons I've learned, too, helping different kids of people. I've had to learn my books inside and out, and what a joy that's been. My dream job has always been to read for a living!
And gift them and discount them to hostesses, schools, and ministries as well.
It's so much fun to read with my kids. It forces me to stop the run around, and they enjoy the time next to me as much as I enjoy it with them! On a recent trip into NYC, we shared a common bond as we sang the first part of this book.
Hoping that Eric Ode writes a NYC ferry one next,
because I don't plan on driving through the city again any time soon :)
I think perhaps the biggest lessons I've learned in this business in the past year, are two:
1 - you never know who wants a successful business, so don't judge! and
2 - your what if's COULD be good ones.
I've also learned that in the military, we all network constantly. We network to find the best hairdresser, the best A/C repair, the best realtor, the best schools, active churches.... we need people. And sometimes, just sometimes, those people need us. It is just SO GOOD to be offering wonderful moms and grandmoms, libraries and schools book discounts and fun literacy programs that will move our country forward.
Seriously? What an impact. Because the military lifestyle has forced me to be Semper Gumby,
I've moved from encouraging healthy bodies, to encouraging healthy eating,
to encouraging healthy brains and families!
YOU are the superhero in your kids' lives!
Every minute counts! It's awesome what just 15 minutes a day can do.
It's been an amazing journey!
One of these ladies has been a friend for going on 8 years, and the other I just met in June! Love!
Here are some fantastic friends and I, eating at a corn barn in Ireland!
My husband and I count ourselves lucky we got the trip of a lifetime - as a reward for our work!
Want free books? Want to earn some to donate? Want to join and earn money doing it yourself? You'll join my fantastic, flourishing team of Wonder Women.
Look! ^^^ There's two Wonder Women now!
We'd love to have you!
CHEERS!
