Spring Junk Bonanza 2014 - Shakopee, MN

We went to Junk Bonanza yesterday in Shakopee, MN.  We had the Early Bird tickets with the FREE bag - first 250 tickets sold.  We had hopes this year to be #1 & 2 in line.   When we arrived, we saw the same 2 ladies there as last year.  They were #1 & 2.  They are from Nebraska and lined up at 5:30 a.m.  We were #5 & 6 again this year.  

This event is HUGE with vendors on 2 floors.  I was too busy shopping and looking to take pictures.  However, I did take and opportunity to have mine taken with Cari Cucksey from HGTV show "Cash & Cari".  She had a huge booth on the 2nd floor with some great items - actually, reasonably priced.  I bought the most from her booth.  I was so happy to buy these Skookum dolls.  

I love them!  She said she "priced them to sell."  I'm just glad they were still there when I made it up the 2nd floor.  I don't think many people knew what they were.  I told her I was 1/4 Native and I collect them.  

Cari, actually checked me out and was very nice.  Here is a picture of us.  

It was another great show!  I left full of inspiration and ideas for my booths and shows this year.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Support Young Entrepreneurs

Motivational Monday - Support Young Entrepreneurs

As a self-employed woman, I want to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in any way I can. 

At a young age, we helped our dad in the garden; planting and weeding.  At the time of harvest, we would fill our wagon with veggies and go door to door selling them to make money.  I also used my talents to make all kinds of things to sell; Christmas ornaments, macrame' key chains, Barbie doll furniture and clothes, to my friends, family and neighbors.  This all while still in grade school.  

When I was in Junior High, my mom and I made homemade teddy bear, chicken and horse shaped suckers - they were awesome!  We made them and I sold them to raise money for my brother's church - he was/is a missionary in Martinique.  Due to their popularity, I had to recruit friends to help me sell them.  Between classes, there were kids waiting in lines to buy them.  We sold so many suckers, that it was too competitive with the school fund raisers and they banned us from selling them in school.

When I was a newlywed and needed extra money, I put an ad in the paper for baking Christmas cookies and candies.  With my mom's help we sold DOZENS of cookies and candies.  We had repeat customers the next year.  

When we moved to our farm, we wanted to raise our own chickens and turkeys.  I was working at a law office with many customers who put in orders for X amount of chickens.  We sold 100 chickens at $10 each and 10 turkeys for $20 - $30 each all fully dressed and bagged.  

So, it was a natural progression in my life that I would become self-employed.  I have been blessed with support from my husband, daughters and other family.  I also have been blessed with "extra" capital to invest in my dreams.  

I also know the disappointment of setting up at a sale and not selling enough to cover my costs.  Getting started, building a customer base, creating and recreating all take time.  The choice to invest in yourself is not for the weak!   You will get knocked down and feel discouraged - it comes with the job.  However, when you have a great show and customers compliment you, they "get" your art, love your "junk" - whatever, that feeling is the driving force to keep on going.

So, when I see another young person - especially a girl or woman - I do what I can to support them.  I try to share my tips and suggestions with them.  

Yesterday, I bought a cute scarf from one such entrepreneur - Hailey.  She made these adorable scarves.  She sold out and has orders for more.   I invited her to share a table with "us" at an upcoming craft show.  I see a bit of myself in that girl!  Only she is much sweeter than I was!

So, the next time you pass by a lemon aide stand, buy Girl Scout cookies, pass a farmer's market, visit a flea market or craft show - know that your buying something is also igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in that vendor.  Take time to pay them a compliment or even ask them about their items.  This means everything to a self-employed person!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2799

Planting Seeds

Today was our monthly Homme Nursing Home ministry.  Jessi (my niece) works at a green house and loves flowers.  She donated these little pots with vermiculite and flower seeds.  We helped the residents plant them so they could watch them grow in their rooms.  We did have extra ones that the kids planted and we went door to door passing them out.  
The message today was about planting seeds.  Frank used my grandma Kincaid as as example.  At the end of her life, she was home bound.  She said to him one time, "boy, I sure hope someone is blessed by all of this."  (meaning her illness)  Then she says as ever the optimist she was too..."well, I will just keep telling everyone that comes in about Jesus."  Frank said that even though she was unable to get out and "do" stuff she still had the calling to minister.  He related that you too might not be able to leave here, but keep planting seeds of Jesus into those who visit you.  It was better than I am explaining.  

That had me thinking that we too were planting seeds in the kids that came to the nursing home to help.  Seeds of ministry, helping and sharing time with the elderly.  These little "ministers" that go each month to the Homme Home might have planted flower seeds today, but the "seeds" to serve have been planted in them.  Even the youngest (4 months) was a blessing to an old gentlemen today who held him for the longest time.  

This is what it is all about!  We didn't just pick the name Good Samaritan by chance - it is about ministry.  Lord help the things we do, glorify You!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin!

Strong Will - "I'm Broken"

It has been said, "boy you sure have a stong will."  Yes, I can be stubborn.  Just the other day, I threw a 2 year old temper tantrum about a candy bar....a candy bar!  

"I want a candy bar!"  I yelled.  "and, I hate rules...and I hate people telling me what to do...I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it....!"  There was more, but you get the idea.  My daughter Anna said, "Mom, what is your problem?"  It all boiled down to the fact that I couldn't eat that candy bar without feeling guilty!  I figured out the weight watcher points and it just wasn't worth it!  But, I wanted it..."why do I have to count these stupid points anyway....I want a big mac with fries!"  (WAAA!)

I told you, a big 2 year old tantrum.  I would NEVER let my kids act like this.  I wouldn't tolerate it.  Someone must have tolerated it in me - bless her heart!

This had me thinking about my being stubborn and having a strong will.  I have a strong will, but for all the wrong reasons. 

I wish I could say that I used my strong will toward my health and better eating habits - nope failed.  I've fallen off the wagon and gained back 10 or so pounds.  I think of ways to take less steps to accomplish my work! 

Or, I wish I could say, I put my strong will to good use in my faith and relationship with Jesus - nope failed.  I have been the most unfaithful person around.  I struggle with finding the time to pray and read my bible.  And, now I'm helping my brother Frank - as a Sunday School teacher!  How did that happen?

Or, I wish I could say, I put my strong will to good use in making me keep my house clean and doing daily chores - nope failed at that too.  I am a hoarder and have junk all over.  I fight with myself daily to throw anything away.  In fact, I have pole buildings full of stuff I should get rid of!

So, in light of my revelation and lack of "using" my strong will for good - (with great power comes great responsiblity...super hero mode).  I am going to use my strong will against myself!  

This may sound silly, but I'm a simple minded person.  Wish me luck and if you pray - say some for me.  At times I can really see just how "broken" I am.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Wordless Wednesday - Spring

Wordless Wednesday - Spring

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/04/wordless-wednesday-regal-tsunami.html

Our Farrier's View Point - Lesson 2

Our farrier was here today.  He has colorful ideas and view points.  He usually shares jokes and political stories.  Anyway, he says to me "what do you think happened to that plane?"  I've learned to listen before I speak - "I don't know, but is sure is weird."  He proceeds to tell me this.   Disclaimer alert...he sure has a way of making things seem logical.

He tells me, "my military training tells me that the plane is either 1 of 2 places; on earth or in space."  "I think it is in orbit" he says.  Hmmm, I'm thinking, "what makes you think that?"  Now, as he is talking and giving me all these statistics, facts, flight height, rate of speed, momentum, etc....its starting to sound like a possible idea.  I actually think, it could be a possibility.  So, I told him I was going to post something and see what others think.  

I don't know what happened to that flight.  I'm not smart enough to think of a conspiracy theory.  I do know that as another human being, I feel sympathy for the families that lost their loved ones.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.     

Crazy Critters

I have one hen that I call Martha.  She has always been very independent and a "free thinker."  I had a battle yesterday, trying to keep her from laying her egg on my porch.  I found one egg there the day before.  For Winter, I flipped the chairs on our porch.  The cats love laying in here, when the weather is nicer.  Anyway, Martha must think it is great place to hide her eggs.  Here she is "hiding"  

I had to chase her off the porch 4 times.  She was relentless in trying to make a "nest" up there.   She won...

She did lay an egg.  

There was a busy squirrel too.  I threw out some stale snacks for the birds.  I saw this little guy picking them up and running over to my empty planter.  I watched as he made a little "stash."  He might be small, but very smart.  Here is his "stash"

Here is a video of the little nut.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/03/homestead-barn-hop-153.html

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/03/clever-chicks-blog-hop-80-featuring.html

http://www.tillysnest.com/2014/04/down-home-blog-hopnumber-82-bog-garden.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TillysNest+%28Tilly%27s+Nest%29