Thursday Thoughts

Here at Karmel Publishing, we've been busy. Busy getting simple. I have to admit, I'm kinda liking the climate of things in a certain way. It's not that I'm enjoying the economic downturn, but it really does put things in focus, doesn't it? Keeps the main things the main things. But I've noticed that people around me are letting go of things that really aren't making a difference. That's what Karen and I have been doing. Well, Karen is way better at it than I. I am more of the creative end, and Karen is more of the business end. She's been ruthlessly making some executive decision that are definitely for the betterment of the business, but we're getting back to keeping the main things the main thing. The new- more simple- website is almost finished. And our book- has gone completely electronic in a saveable format. We can't WAIT for you to see it!

So whatever is happening in your world- business or personal- remember that we don't have to have all the bells and whistles. Keep the main thing the main thing, whatever your main thing is!

Yours, staying focused,

Melissa

BUSINESS PARTNERS, YET SO DIFFERENT!

Melissa and I make great business partners, probably due to the fact that we are SO DIFFERENT! In many ways we are extremely similar, which is what drew us to each other, such as our core values in how we raise our children and run our business. But sometimes our differences are SO extreme, even we have to laugh and shake our heads!

For example, Melissa is a very spiritual person and I am, well… not. In any shape or form! She’s also a very emotional person. Let’s just say it takes a REALLY sappy commercial (remember those old AT&T commercials?) to bring a tear to my eye! She can just be talking about her day and BOOM! come the tears. (It’s so dang cute!)

But the other day as we were talking about our boys turning 9 (if you haven’t figured it out by now, their birthdays are only 2 days apart), our differences once again really came to light. Yes, I admit I was a bit wistful, but of course, Melissa had the water works turned on! The funniest thing was when we compared our first thoughts from when we both found out for the first time we were having boys.

Melissa didn’t find out until she actually gave birth to her beautiful baby boy. Having been a first grade teacher previously, her first thoughts were that she couldn’t wait until he was in first grade. She had memories of that time when little 6 year old boys would raise their hand and when she’d call on them, they’d say, “I love you Miss Whatever-her-name-was-then!” She longed to see that sweet, innocent time in his life.

I knew WAY ahead of time that I was having boys. Not only am I way too impatient, but with twins on the way, I needed to have my ducks in a row as much as I could. So when I found out that I was having 2 boys, my first thought, and I swear this is the truth (just ask my sister!) was “How many years until they are in Cub Scouts and have their first campout with their father so I can have the entire house to myself?”

I kid you not! (Oh, and by the way, it took 7 1/2 years!)

Karen