Library re-design

Imagine for a minute that your library was getting a make-over and you had a blank check to add anything to it that you could. What would you add? What would you change? Think about your library and tell me what your favorite thing about it is. The Tupelo library is making some changes and they are looking for input.

For those of you who are not from Tupelo, reading this blog, as a homeschool mom, when I moved to Tupelo, I about flipped out when I stepped into the library. It is OUTDATED and not a visually stimulating place. The books are also not organized very well. Sometimes I miss the libraries in Houston like a friend.

So, what are your thoughts? What would you like in a library? Rooms for studying? Sunrooms? Teen rooms with what features? How about for the younger kids? What should that area look like? How should the money be allocated, especially when you consider that the state of Mississippi has drastically cut spending to libraries, leaving the money to come from the city and county?

How do you think Kindles and Ipads and books as mp3 files will affect the future of libraries?

What will bring more foot traffic into the libraries?

Who (do you think) are the clients of libraries?

How can businesses use the library?

Thanks for your help!

Kristie

Cuttlebug giveaway!

Follow this link for your chance at winning! http://svgcuts.com/blog/?p=4939

Busy time of the year

I've not been keeping up with anything on the computer lately. If you now me, you know how awkward that is for me. I've been so busy, it has been easy, though. This is our busy time of the year with our business, so it's all hands on deck. The older kids have wonderfully surprised me with how well they maintained their school work while I have been out of pocket. I sure am glad Cameron got some educational games for Christmas because she hasn't had a real "lesson" much the last two weeks. I will post about some temporary changes we have made to our school schedule soon.

I have had some great learning/growing opportunities lately with work. It's hard when you are in the middle of it but I love feeling challenged like that and learning so much! Fortunately, everything worked out fine and I was able to stick to my convictions about what was right even under pressure. It's never as easy as it sounds and it's easy to second guess yourself. My staff have had great attitudes and are able to laugh at what is going on. It is keeping me laughing, otherwise I might just cry. Laughter is a great source of stress relief and bonding.

February will continue to be like this also, but that is OK, because the beginning of the year is that important to our business. It is busier than usual for us since we opened a gym last month and we are opening a gym right now. I also think it is a good lesson for my kids - we run our own business, so everyone has to "make sacrifices" and do a little extra.

And can you believe I even cut out coffee some this past week, and when I do drink, I have cut my daily consumption in half! I also feel that this hard work is paying off because some of our gyms are exceeding our expectations!

Challenging Book Club

I was very challenged in my book club Thursday morning. We are going through the book Axiom by Bill Hybels - a great book that is easy to read. We covered these axioms:

• Always take the high road (sometimes not as easy as it sounds)
• Read all you can (something I took a break from since it's a busy month - but should make a priority!)
• Lead Something (great points AND great discussion. I'm praying about this)
• Arrive Early or Not at All (can I just say ouch?)
• I'd Never do this for Money (I can't relate to that one. My job is not a charity!)
• We Need Us All - (Who have I been there for lately?)

I will recap a little bit more:

Always take the high road. As Bill Hybels mentioned in his book, an older man once told him, "I am an older man now, and never once have I regretted taking the high road. Bless what you can bless. Thank everyone you can thank. Cheer on what is appropriate, and be done with it. page 195. Can I just repeat the last part, be done with it? OK, Be done with it. Leave the yucky stuff behind you and move on.

Read all you can. I was challenged by another individual (A founding owner of Anytime Fitness Corporate) with a $100 prize in AF merchandise if I submit a book report in Feb. on a book I read in Jan. It's the middle of the month and I've only read a few pages. I think maybe, even though this is our busiest month, I should pick up the book and keep reading - it's that important!

Lead Something - this deserves a post all it's own. Stay tuned for that one.

Arrive Early or Not At All - I think this is the New Year's Resolution I have not been wanting to acknowledge!

We Need Us All- "Lean into the empowering presence of God and realize that you're not alone. Reach out to God, and he will reach out to you. He will restore your soul. He will encourage you and inspire you. He will heal you up and set your feet back on course." Here's the part I struggle to believe "He will rally other leaders to your side who will pray for you and walk with you." page 204 What am I doing for others? Do I believe that others will be there for me? Will God provide me with EVERYTHING I need?

Conversations with Cameron

January 6

Conversation with my daughter, Cameron: "Mom, do you think Tinkerbell is real?"

"No, I think she was created by Disney like Mickey Mouse."

Cameron said, "Why do so many people not believe in her mom? I think it's because Tinker Fairies never come to the mainland. But maybe we can see a water faire near some water. They are the ones who put water droplets on spider webs."