For my first "off the cusp" blog, I have decided to strip naked for you and quickly get down to the nitty gritty regarding what we are all about.
The Mr. and I are not perfect people. We have our fair share of less-then-classy moments and occasional potty mouths. I sometimes get the hankering for a glass of wine, and on a really bad day, Jack Daniels and a cigarette. (I have NOT smoked a cigarette since 1/1/10.) The Mr. has never drank a drop of wine/beer in his life, although for whatever reason and out of the blue, he decided to celebrate with a bottle of Patron the night before our wedding day, which is a great story to ask Paul about some day...hehe. He has the stereotypical "red-head" temper. I'm the sensitive type. It's an interesting mixture when you combine under a little bit of pressure a flaring temper + an eggshell. But whatever. It works. As bullheaded as my husband can be, he is the most honest person that I have ever met, other than my father. He will look you in your eyes, and ready or not, tell you how he feels. I'll be honest, I have been immersed in the Dolly Parton Southern Culture, and find myself saying "bless her heart," when what I really mean is, "Wow. What a stupid, stupid girl." Don't judge.
With all that said, we are believers and unapologetically-imperfect Christians. I never, ever want to represent ourselves like we are more. We don't attend a church regularly, although I DVR +Joyce Meyer Ministries on a daily basis; however, the Mr and I are about to surrender the white flag if we happen to pop into one more wonderful person of ministry from The Rock Family Worship center located here in Huntsville, Ala. area. That story is a blog all in itself!
Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a little bubble feeling in the pit of my stomach that is constantly getting my attention saying, "you are called for something big." I am so timid in sharing that piece of information with you as I believe a stranger or an unbeliever won't perceive it correctly but instead interpret it as I am terribly, terribly self-indulgent and cocky. I tell you what. I am not being cocky. That bubble has been haunting and has kept me up at night. It has paralyzed me at times to make decisions. It has kept me from taking much action, because gosh, I am not worthy or perfect enough to be "God's representative." The truth is. I'm not. But God has, for whatever reason, put this bubble in my heart and I do believe he is using the Mr. and I to serve him- although imperfectly.
It was around Oct. 2011, 2:00AM., and I was sitting in my living room painting. I'm not an artist, mind you; but I had been on a serious Pinterest binge for a couple of days, which has the power to move anyone quickly to their nearest craft store. Anyways, as I was painting, I had this "vision." I quickly ran to my computer, grabbed pieces of paper, and began drawing out my thoughts. This was the night, unbeknowest to me, that the concept of "University Pickers" was born.
At the time, Huntsville was not on our map yet. We had no savings. In fact, I was renting a little booth at Crazy Daisy Antique Mall in Chattanooga, Tenn., and selling out of my living room by running ads on Craigslist. I recall calling my sister the next day and sharing with her my "vision," which was a 25-30 yr business plan, which she giggled and said a lot of "umm humms," cautious to not completely call me crazy but also careful to not encourage me too much as what I was describing was, well, a bit crazy, risky and seemed impossible.
Well low and behold that today, the Mr. moved our desk from our home to the store, and he quickly emptied out the drawers, leaving a pretty pile of papers for me to clean up. AND, guess what??? There is was. The papers that I drew out the vision of what was to become part of {University Pickers} business plan.
Well, it's not pretty. The timeline is a bit off. But, here it is.....
1-2 yrs: 10' by 8' antique mall booth and sell via computer
3 yrs: Open thrift store (take a baby step first)
5 yrs: Open 1/2 thrift and 1/2 booth rentals
25-30 year plan: Well.... the picture says it all, and we will leave this up to God's interpretation for what he has planned for us ;)
Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a little bubble feeling in the pit of my stomach that is constantly getting my attention saying, "you are called for something big." I am so timid in sharing that piece of information with you as I believe a stranger or an unbeliever won't perceive it correctly but instead interpret it as I am terribly, terribly self-indulgent and cocky. I tell you what. I am not being cocky. That bubble has been haunting and has kept me up at night. It has paralyzed me at times to make decisions. It has kept me from taking much action, because gosh, I am not worthy or perfect enough to be "God's representative." The truth is. I'm not. But God has, for whatever reason, put this bubble in my heart and I do believe he is using the Mr. and I to serve him- although imperfectly.
It was around Oct. 2011, 2:00AM., and I was sitting in my living room painting. I'm not an artist, mind you; but I had been on a serious Pinterest binge for a couple of days, which has the power to move anyone quickly to their nearest craft store. Anyways, as I was painting, I had this "vision." I quickly ran to my computer, grabbed pieces of paper, and began drawing out my thoughts. This was the night, unbeknowest to me, that the concept of "University Pickers" was born.
At the time, Huntsville was not on our map yet. We had no savings. In fact, I was renting a little booth at Crazy Daisy Antique Mall in Chattanooga, Tenn., and selling out of my living room by running ads on Craigslist. I recall calling my sister the next day and sharing with her my "vision," which was a 25-30 yr business plan, which she giggled and said a lot of "umm humms," cautious to not completely call me crazy but also careful to not encourage me too much as what I was describing was, well, a bit crazy, risky and seemed impossible.
Well low and behold that today, the Mr. moved our desk from our home to the store, and he quickly emptied out the drawers, leaving a pretty pile of papers for me to clean up. AND, guess what??? There is was. The papers that I drew out the vision of what was to become part of {University Pickers} business plan.
Well, it's not pretty. The timeline is a bit off. But, here it is.....
1-2 yrs: 10' by 8' antique mall booth and sell via computer
3 yrs: Open thrift store (take a baby step first)
5 yrs: Open 1/2 thrift and 1/2 booth rentals
5-10 year plan: Call the store "re-PURPOSE" and incorporate booth rentals with the ability for the community (including kids) to come together and re purpose used items in "craft rooms." Instead {University Pickers} will be conducting DIY workshops where we will offer items for customization or you bring your own!
15-20 year plan: Expand and introduce an auction. {University Pickers} is in the works of introducing an auction, coming Spring/Summer 2013. (Continue to pray for our landlord AND "Fire Marshall.)
25-30 year plan: Well.... the picture says it all, and we will leave this up to God's interpretation for what he has planned for us ;)
