Country Girl

I turned on an online country radio station yesterday while I was cleaning (and dancing with Kayla) around our house. And I still love country music as much as I did in my high school days.

Of course, I will be the first to admit that there are plenty of corny, twangy, and completely worthless songs in the genre. BUT there are also songs that are particularly moving, sweet, inspiring, and fun. There's something about country music that reminds me of family and wide, open spaces. It conjurs up images of boots and horses and wrap-around porches, summer dresses and fresh-grown vegetables and falling in love, jean jackets and juke boxes and authenticity.

I hereby present a list of a few of my favorite country songs (old and new):
I Loved Her First (Heartland)
Without You (Dixie Chicks)
The Dance (Garth Brooks)
When You Say Nothing At All (Alison Krauss)
Grandpa (The Judds)

Share your favorites!

Business Idea #1: Restaurant/Cafe for Families

Attention aspiring entrepreneurers! If you are looking for a business idea with huge potential for success, consider opening a restaurant/cafe chain for moms and/or families. Think outside-of-the-box and think about the needs of families. Think beyond simply offering a kids menu. Create a place where kids and families are completely welcome - and wah-la - your business will be booming. (P.S. I'll be your first customer!)

Here are a few suggestions:
* Menu items ahould be nutritious and kid-friendly, but also delicious and gourmet (satisfying the palate of both the parents and the kids). No more chicken nuggets and hot dogs! How about chicken salad sandwiches (cut into cute shapes with cookie cutters), whole wheat banana pancakes (w/ the classic smily face created w/ cherries and other fruits), or a sliced fruit and yogurt sundae?
* Plan in large family-friendly restrooms as part of the restaurant design. In the restrooms, be sure to include clean changing station areas complete with complimentary wipes and comfortable chairs or private areas for nursing.
* Create a kids play area w/ a playground and/or books and/or toys and/or a make-believe shop.
* Make it a place where parents can still feel professional, productive, and trendy. Have free WI-FI access, good coffee, maybe even a nice selection of wines.
* Have special events and classes throughout the week: baby sign language, storyhour, work-at-home parents networking, moms night out, etc.

Need more suggestions? I've got them! Just ask.

Right Next Door

Two days ago I was hanging out with my friend Ashley. We were talking about master-planned communities and how much we would like to live in one. I said that, if one opened on this side of town, we might consider moving. She said, "...and we'd move in right next door!"

And I thought - that would be absolutely wonderful! I'd love to be able to go walking, to make dinner together, to hang out during the day, to stop over if I was out of milk, and to put our kids in strollers and meander to the local cafe or swimming pool (all in the master-plan, of course!). I vote YES on that dream...

To-Do List for this Spring

* Start Kayla's scrapbook.
* Set up a home studio and take tons of pictures of Kayla.
* Host my quarterly clothes swap.
* Study for the G.R.E.
* Create a breakfast club with a few good friends.

Just One

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." - Mother Teresa

So begins my mission - the "Just 1" Campaign: to help the needy, to mentor little children, to impact the global community - one person at a time.

This year, I commit to kindness.

The Professor

I did some research yesterday on various careers in order to be sure of the direction that I want to take. After making an extensive table of pros and cons, I determined that I do indeed want to become a professor.

P.S. If you are investigating various careers and would like to take an assessment, there is a fairly comprehensive one available for free through Monster. You can check it out at http://mymonster.com/JobStrengthProfile/Intro.aspx. Have fun!

Customizable Degrees

It's unfortunate that I can't customize a degree to meet my career interests. In an ideal world, I would concentrate on communication and then throw in some business, public relations, debate, and public speaking courses. I'd include some classes in media, technology, marketing, family studies, and health. Finally, I'd add in a foreign language - perhaps two.

I actually would not be surprised if this becomes the new "way" for higher education institutions - interdisciplinary and personally customized degree plans. After all, such a format benefits both the student and the future employer (and, ultimately, society) because the outcome is a well-rounded student who is motivated enough to create their own path and passionate enough to pursue it.