You know the old cliché "when your not looking, that's when you will find it?" Well, that came true for Derek and I and I now use that silly saying to encourage others all the time.

I'd love to share our wonderful story with all of you. I hope if you are lonely this gives you hope. If this story is for a loved one, please feel free to share it with whomever needs encouragement.

We first met on Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Senior PCA At&T Tournament at Sugarloaf Country Club. As self-employed business owners that rarely ever take time away from work, it was very unusual for us both to wind up at the Sugarloaf Clubhouse lawn in the middle of the afternoon on a Friday. However, that is where "being at the right place at the right time", became the reality for us.

Derek had planned to spend that afternoon with his kids, Libby and Matthew, having lunch at the Clubhouse and then, walking the course to enjoy watching some golf with them. Being typical teenagers, they made plans with friends and left Derek to enjoy lunch and the golf tournament alone. At least he thought he would be alone.

I had been coaxed into skipping work that day and attending the tournament with my good friend, Carol, and her son Bennett. My son, Gabriel, loves golf and the plan was to allow the boys the chance to watch the tournament together while we ladies visited with one of Carol's former neighbors. They live on the course and their house is sort of a "home base" for friends and family to gather for the weekend festivities. I didn't know this family, The Pritchard's, but with my outgoing personality I knew I was in for a fun day.

A Chance Encounter

Carol and I watched several of the golfers make their way by the Pritchard's home and then, made their way with the Pritchard family to the Clubhouse. Everyone had found a nice vantage point on the lawn to watch the 18th green as the golfers finished their round It was there that a chance encounter would lead to a lifechanging moment and a lifetime commitment.

Derek swears he was in the right place at the right time because as he exited the back of the Clubhouse he saw the Prichard family whom we was already friends with. Derek joined the group and swears he saw me sitting on a rock ledge and introduced himself. We talked for quite a while and then, made our way to the Pritchard's home as the last group of golfers finished their round for the day. Derek and I spend hours talking and getting to know each other while hanging out with everyone. After a while, it was getting late and I needed to get home, but more importantly get my son home. Derek asked if I would be back the next day and it hadn't dawned on me the tournament was all weekend. I had only planned on attending on Friday. I thought about it and quickly responded "yes! I'd love to come back tomorrow. I will have both of my kiddos with me and my daughter... well, we will see how long she lasts." She was only 6 at the time and golf was not her sport.

Derek writes - On Saturday morning, I made sure to go directly to the Pritchard's house and to get ready to spend the entire day there hoping that Leta really was going to return. I sat at the green directly in front of their house in a chair aimed towards the Clubhouse. I expected that Leta would be coming from that direction and thought I would stand a better chance of not missing her. Well, she finally made it back and my long wait paid off.

Almost immediately, we picked from the conversations we had started on Friday and didn't stop talking the entire night. Since we both tend to talk to anyone at anytime about anything, the conversation between us came naturally and the time seemed to fly by.

At the end of the night, Derek mustered up the courage to ask for my phone number. I wasn't sure in the moment if he was being polite or really wanted to continue talking and possibly go on a date. Derek says, "It was the only time I stumbled over my words all night." I gave Derek my phone number and definitely looked forward to hearing from him.

Our Journey together

We began a second chance at love that weekend with a chance encounter. Since then, that journey has carried us through many travels, memories, and significant moments. We have grown closer and closer as time goes by. We have become best friends, trusted companions, business advisors, business partners, confidants, and fallen deeply in love. Neither of us were looking for a relationship or even a date when we met. The Mutual respect and attraction was undeniable. We both thank God everyday for bringing us together.

Feel free to leave us a comment below or go to my Instagram (@statuslifewithleta) to follow all the daily stories.

Welcome to my latest blog post! Today, I will be discussing a game-changing concept for all women who want to excel in every aspect of their lives: #riseandshine. By understanding and implementing this concept, you can achieve your family, financial, and freedom goals in a balanced and fulfilling way. Let's dive in!

What is #riseandshine?

#riseandshine is a powerful approach to living that encourages women to take control of their lives by mindfully creating a well-rounded, satisfying existence. By aligning their values, aspirations, and priorities, women can forge a life they love on their terms.

I learned about #riseandshine in casual conversation with it's founder, Amy Whipple. We were coaching Girls on the Run (more about GOTR in separate blog post) at a local elementary school. Amy know about my business burnout struggles and told me about a "Rise and Shine Mastermind" program she was starting. She knew I was ready to dive back into business and thought I'd be a great fit for the mastermind. Boy, was she right! #riseandshine has been life changing for me as far as setting goals, creating a work/life balance, and time management. Time management! Who knew this was my biggest struggle? Amy did and she knew how to help me. Now, I'm going to tell you my biggest takeaways and also give you Amy's mastermind information in case this is a program you would like to join.

Rise & Shine founder and my dear friend, Amy Whipple

Let's break down the different goals and the steps used to achieve them. There are 3 different focus areas: family, financial, and freedom. For me personally, I was spending the majority of my time in the financial category with family in second place. Freedom was no where to be found. Everything switched as I took a financial break and moved into freedom and family with 100% of my time. Clearly balance amongst all 3 categories is is the hardest for me to achieve. I did it though. Here's how...

Achieving Family Goals

1. Define your priorities: Start by determining what matters most to you and your family. This could include quality time together, strong communication, or a shared commitment to healthy living. Keep these priorities in mind as you make decisions about your family life.
2. Plan and schedule your family time: It's easy for life to get busy and distract you from your family goals. To ensure you're spending meaningful time together, plan and schedule family activities. Whether it's a weekend outing or a daily dinner, these shared moments can strengthen your bond.
3. Foster open communication: A strong family unit thrives on open communication. Encourage honest conversations and make a point to listen to each family member's thoughts, feelings, and concerns.

Achieving Financial Goals

1. Create a budget: To achieve your financial goals, you need a clear understanding of your income, expenses, and savings. Develop a realistic budget to guide your financial decisions and help you achieve your short- and long-term objectives.
2. Save consistently: Saving money is crucial for financial stability and achieving goals such as buying a home, funding your children's education, or preparing for retirement. Make saving a non-negotiable part of your budget and consider setting up automatic transfers to a savings account.
3. Educate yourself: Financial literacy is key to making informed decisions about your money. Read books, attend seminars, or consult with financial experts to improve your understanding of topics like investing, retirement planning, and debt management.
4. Set clear financial goals: Clearly define your financial goals and break them down into achievable steps. This will help you stay focused, motivated, and committed to your financial journey.

Achieving Freedom Goals

1. Set boundaries: Establishing boundaries is essential for maintaining a sense of balance and freedom in your life. Be clear about your limits and communicate them to others, whether it's setting aside "me time" or delegating tasks at home and work.
2. Embrace self-care: Prioritize self-care to ensure you're mentally, emotionally, and physically able to tackle your goals. Develop a self-care routine that includes regular exercise, proper nutrition, and time for relaxation and reflection.
3. Build a support network: Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. A strong support system can provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and resources as you work towards your goals.

Achieving family, financial, and freedom goals is possible when you embrace the #riseandshine approach. By defining your priorities, setting clear objectives, and actively working towards them, you can create a fulfilling, well-rounded life. Remember to be patient with yourself, as personal growth and progress take time. Stay committed to your goals, celebrate your successes, and enjoy the journey of designing your ideal life.

For those of you eager to dive even deeper into the #riseandshine philosophy and gain more insights, we have a fantastic opportunity for you! Join us in our in-depth podcast series with Amy Whipple, where we'll explore each of these topics in greater detail, share personal stories, and interview experts (us, lol) who will provide valuable tips and advice on achieving the perfect balance in your life.

In our podcast, we'll delve into the practicalities of budgeting and saving, discuss how to set and maintain healthy boundaries, and explore the power of self-care and pursuing your passions. By tuning in, you'll gain access to a wealth of knowledge and a supportive community, all aimed at helping you design the life of your dreams.

So, what are you waiting for? Click the link below to start listening to our podcast and unlock the full potential of the #riseandshine approach. Remember, the power to create a life you love is in your hands. Let's embark on this transformative journey together!

https://businessradiox.com/podcast/status-life-with-leta/goals/

If you have questions about #riseandshine mastermind for me (@statuslifewithleta) please email them to [email protected]

If you would like to reach Amy directly and possibly join the mastermind, please go to her website: https://www.riseandshinemastermind.com/

Thank you for reading. I hope all of you will #riseandshine with us! It has truly helped me #designalifeilove.

Who knew a passion I had while babysitting in my young teens would have led to my career.

From a very young age, I remember having an interest in interior design. Now, I would not have understood that term or what it meant to be a "designer" as a career, but I remember always wanting to redo my room. Different furniture, different wall colors - always rearranging and trying new things. Then when I was old enough to babysit "my thing" was redecorating dollhouses. Not just moving furniture, but repainting, re-wallpapering, cutting carpet samples and gluing them to the floor. Moms would call me to babysit, simply because their daughter wanted to remake her dollhouse. I loved it! As I got older, I still didn't know design was my calling. I went through plenty of different majors; all subjects I was interested in pursuing. Dance (got hurt), pre-law (too much history), pre-vet (I'm too squeamish). I was frustrated and declared UNDECIDED as a major. That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks - I've always loved art and I had been redecorating things from a very young age. I could become an Interior Designer! I got lucky in that the college I was attending had this offered as a major. The creativity, the amazing classes, the definite career goal - it was perfect! That's the thing about your purpose. Once you realize the path, life somehow feels different. I don't know if I can explain this, but it's a feeling of excitement in your chest and you also get laser-focused at the same time.

"That's the thing about your purpose. Once you realize the path, life somehow feels different. I don't know if I can explain this, but it's a feeling of excitement in your chest and you also get laser-focused at the same time."

If you're a young adult, and you can't seem to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life, think back to the small things that made you happy during your childhood. Dance was huge for me as a kid, but wasn't translating into a career. I could, (and still can argue any point) so I thought being a lawyer would be my path. Nope. It was something simpler, and it took me a little longer to realize. Parents, same advice goes for you. If your child is trying to find their path, try to help them remember something they may have lost along the way. I didn't remember as a Junior and Senior in High School, when I was 13 I was redecorating dollhouses. Bigger things in my life had the forefront. You know it's funny, I won a writing contest in 4th grade and now not only am I an interior designer; I'm also a blogger. It all came full circle for me. I hope the same happens for each of you reading this if you are still finding your way. If you've found it, and you're on your path, I'm proud of you! Share your stories with me. I want to hear how you found your way. Email me at [email protected]

After losing her mother, Joanie found herself wandering around in grief. What happened while shopping that day, forever changed her and her dining room.

Two days after her mother's funeral, Joanie Rosenbam, found her way into Status Home Design. She had been in the store many times before as her daughter, Laurie, had a booth there. Today was much, much different. Joanie was grieving as she walked around the store. She felt guilty thinking to herself "What am I doing here? My mother passed away only days ago, and I'm out wandering a store???" But yet, being at home wasn't comfort either, so she continued to walk through the showroom. Laurie wanted to show her a specific piece of furniture for her dining room because she had been looking for a long time with no success. The piece Laurie brought her to see wasn't what she wanted, so she continued to walk.

Joanie has no doubt her mother guided her, not only into Status Home Design that day, but to that specific piece, which now she and her brother both have to remind them of their loving mother.

After leaving the open portion of the showroom, Joanie began walking slowly up the first aisle. She describes a feeling coming over her as being pushed towards a specific booth. She begins to feel a bit of excitement, and she's not sure exactly why. Then she sees it. It's almost an exact replica of her mother's dining server. She cries out, "Oh, my goodness Laurie, that's the piece! That's Grandma." Joanie got really choked up, and the tears flowed.

The piece is a 1950's Early American original Duncan Phyfe server. Our vendor, Laura Constant of Constantly Charmed, purchased it from a friend. That friend had inherited it from her grandmother, but didn't have enough room to keep it. Laura repurposed the piece and brought it to her booth inside Status. She painted it with suede blue MudPaint and kept all the original hardware. She also used Minwax Mahogany on the top to keep it close to its original color.