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lime pine cones

For the past few weeks, we have been working day in and day out on our upcoming retail shows. I have been ordering, organizing, buying, building, cutting trees, and spraying pine cones. Yep, spraying pine cones, lime in fact. We are excited for these shows and have been preparing a great deal for them. We have had to break out the saws, hammers, and spray paint cans to get these booths together. It will be worth it in the end, but wow can it tire you out.

In the middle of our preparations and all of our going ons, we get word that our parents will both be undergoing individual surgeries in the coming weeks (yes, we should have a frequent surgery family pass)... and then, to top it off my mom gets violently ill AND shares it with me! So, I have been down for the count the past four days (miserable) and found out today that my dad got it yesterday. I guess the family that shares stays together.

On Wednesday, my brother and I get to select hundreds of lamps for our shows in a hot warehouse. YAY! The fun never ends. Actually, we can't wait to get our hands dirty and select some awesome lamps. This quarter is going to fly by... one lime pine cone at a time!

let us go forth.

I'm a perfectionist. I freely admit it. I will tweak and tweak on a project until the very last moment. My brother and I have hard launched our website today. It has been out there for a while, but we didn't tell anyone about it. We tweaked and tweaked it. We have spent countless hours coding, organizing, coding, implementing, coding, designing, coding, testing, and yes more coding. We are over-achievers too. So instead of launching one or two companies, we pick about 15. Instead of a few hundred products, we pick 20,000. We jumped heads first into the deep end.

Today, we let our friends and families know that we want everyone to know about us. We started phase 1 of our media launch. With some apprehension, we sent out the word that we are good to go. Yes, there are still a few things that we will still be tweaking on into the wee hours of the night. It has a been a big lesson in letting go the perfectionist thing for a while. I see the flaws and what needs to be changed, but I know others will see something different. Hopefully, something creative, successful, and eventually profitable.

We have been greatly encouraged over the last few weeks with sales coming in and we hadn't hard launched yet. People were finding us through all of our SEO work (which is really, really boring if you don't know anything about it.) Basically, we were starting to be indexed by Google, Yahoo, and Bing and we were pushing our pages up the index ladder so searchers can actually find us and hopefully buy something from us.

We are excited about this new chapter in our lives and hope if you see this blog post that you will check us out at yourhomeoutlet.com!

Other links:
Visit our See Spot Find blog. We will post decorating tips and designing trends, as well as the latest promotions and updates about our company. Also, it will have a more relaxed atmosphere and reflect our unique personalities.

If you use Facebook, check on our page and click the "Like" button. Then, share Your Home Outlet Fan page with your friends.

If you use Twitter, visit our Twitter Page @yourhomeoutlet. Click "Follow" and you will get updates, promo codes, fun little anecdotes here and there.

Because we are Nashville.

I am speechless by the recent devastation of my home state. Tennessee has been flooded from the East to West. With the death toll rising and the rivers finally subsiding, the total destruction is just being realized. Even with all of this going on, you would think the National News would report on the story for more than 15 minutes or at least send one of their anchors to the area, but again I'm reminded why we are called the Volunteer State by Patten Fuqua's recent blog post (posted below) that captured what we are all feeling during this difficult time.

Allow me a moment to step away from the usual voice of this website. What I am about to write has absolutely nothing to do with hockey. If you live outside of Nashville, you may not be aware, but our city was hit by a 500-year flood over the last few days.
The national news coverage gave us 15 minutes, but went back to focusing on a failed car bomb and an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While both are clearly important stories, was that any reason to ignore our story? It may not be as terror-sexy as a failed car bomb or as eco-sexy as an oil spill, but that’s no reason to be ignored. The Cumberland River crested at its highest level in over 80 years. Nashville had its highest rainfall totals since records began. People drowned. Billions of dollars in damage occurred. It is the single largest disaster to hit Middle Tennessee since the Civil War. And yet…no one knows about it.

Does it really matter? Eventually, it will…as I mentioned, there are billions of dollars in damage. It seems bizarre that no one seems to be aware that we just experienced what is quite probably the costliest non-hurricane disaster in American history. The funds to rebuild will have to come from somewhere, which is why people need to know. It’s hard to believe that we will receive much relief if there isn’t a perception that we need it.

But let’s look at the other side of the coin for a moment. A large part of the reason that we are being ignored is because of who we are. Think about that for just a second. Did you hear about looting? Did you hear about crime sprees? No…you didn’t. You heard about people pulling their neighbors off of rooftops. You saw a group of people trying to move two horses to higher ground. No…we didn’t loot. Our biggest warning was, “Don’t play in the floodwater.” When you think about it…that speaks a lot for our city. A large portion of why we were being ignored was that we weren’t doing anything to draw attention to ourselves. We were handling it on our own.

Some will be quick to find fault in the way rescue operations were handled, but the fact of the matter is that the catastrophe could not have been prevented and it is simply ignorant beyond all reason to suggest otherwise. It is a flood. It was caused by rain. You can try to find a face to stick this tragedy to, but you’ll be wrong.

Parts of Nashville that could never even conceivably be underwater were underwater. Some of them still are. Opry Mills and the Opryland Hotel are, for all intents and purposes, destroyed. People died sitting in standstill traffic on the Interstate. We saw boats going down West End. And, of course, we all saw the surreal image of the portable building from Lighthouse Christian floating into traffic and being destroyed when cars were knocked into it. I’m still having trouble comprehending all of it.

And yet…life will go on. We’ll go back to work, to school, to our lives…and we’ll carry on. In a little over a month, I’ll be on this website talking about the draft. In October, we’ll be discussing the new Predators’ season with nary a thought of these past few days. But in a way, they changed everyone in this town. We now know that that it can happen to us…but also know that we can handle it.

 
Because we are Nashville.

We're not landlocked anymore!

Joy. Day by Day.

Seconds are turning into minutes, minutes are turning into days... our days are flying by at warp speed it seems. I'm working around the clock to put the finishing touches on the web site. We can't wait until our launch. However, I was very fortunate to take a much needed break and have a faith renewal weekend in Louisville, KY along with roughly 14,000 other women. My mother, sister and I ventured up to Kentucky for The Women of Joy Conference back on the 16th thru 18th. It was a weekend filled with motivational and spirit-filled speakers.

Friday night kicked off with former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. Regardless of your political affiliation, her story was touching and showed how we are able to have faith even during times of great stress with even greater humility. She is on her Tea Party run, so her talk tend to trail into rally-mode a few times which did get applause. Overall, she was inspiring through sharing her journey with us. She could have gone blind though, when she walked out onto the stage with all the flashes going off. Security was very tight that night. So tight we couldn't bring in our umbrellas from the downpour that we just walked through. They told us that you could either a) take it back to your car (which means walking back through the soaking rain without it) OR b) leave it by the front door and hope for the best at the end of the night. Glad to report we got both of our umbrellas back after conference was over that night and Sarah Palin was unharmed by any potential golf umbrella impalements.

Saturday morning, began with Becky Tirabassi and her energetic take on changing your life one day at a time. She has a powerful testimony of redemption and her sense of humor was peppered in at just right spots. It was truly inspiring and motivational. I have started her journal regiment and can already see where prayers are being answered. She is a power ball of energy and wisdom. If you ever have the chance to hear her speak, please do - you will not be disappointed. She prayed with many of women after her talk including my mom. She makes you want to be a better edition of yourself. No wonder she is a certified Life Coach, and here I thought those were just a made-up Hollywood trend.

Saturday continued on with Anita Renfroe and her songs, videos, and quick wit. She was a great break in the day. She gave levity to every women in the audience. Sometimes at women's conferences the speakers tend to speak to only one segment of their audience because they speak from their experiences. So, I tend to not reap what they are sowing in the older crowd. It doesn't help to have that Britney Spears tune playing in my head... "not a girl, not yet a woman." Yeah, I know it's cheesy, but I know I am a woman. Yet, I haven't been able to cross off a few of those life-changing events on my list... raising a family, owning a house or even a pet, going through menopause... there were a lot of those jokes. I can relate on the hormones level and the differences between my husband and I sometimes, but after that... all I can say is Go Fish! She was humorous though and had a great message through her jokes, even if I wasn't ready for some of them.

Then, Saturday night came and all the women were a howlin'. If you think for a moment that a Christian women's conference can't turn into a Poison concert back in the 80's, then think again. Just bring Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith out on stage. There were the criers, there were the whoo-girls, there were the dancin' in the aisle ladies, and my favorite of all - the pulling out the lighters women. There were all kinds and all praising Jesus in one fashion or another, but everyone really enjoyed the vessels He chose to lead the worshipping that night.

I have to admit I haven't kept SCC or MWS on my iPod playlists in the recent years, but I was moved by their new songs and when they both talked with the crowd about their struggles and journey with God. Particularly SCC's journey after his adopted daughter died in that tragic incident. There wasn't a dry eye in that room, but what brought tears to my eyes was the agape love spilling out of him while he told of her and how they will soon be rejoined in Heaven. If you haven't heard his song "Cinderella," please listen to it.

Sunday morning was started with Charles Billingsley leading the worship as he had done in the previous days, but he was able to talk this morning about the heart of worship from a different and amusing viewpoint as a worship leader. It was a wonderful way to start that session. The final speaker was Liz Curtis Higgs. Let me say, she is "all that and a bag of chips", well that's what I would say if I was old my '92 self.

She walked out on stage and I immediately felt my eyes beginning to roll. I didn't know anything about her and judged her on her appearance. I know that is wrong, but I thought to myself - "Yep, here comes the sledgehammer! The one they save for Sunday and she appears to be older so, this is going to be so un-relateable." I have never been so happy to been proven wrong. She was excellent! She had another powerful testimony that she wove in while entertaining us with her very quick wit and vernacular. She sees the world in a different way - my kinda of gal. I had no back story on her, so I didn't know she was an acclaimed author and speaker. I'm very glad I didn't because I was able to receive her message in a whole different way. She is a true Bible teacher, but the kind that gets you to think and laugh while you are doing it.

Just her take on the Bible alone is refreshing. She has written about the Bad Girls of the Bible. I'm half way through it. Yes, Kassie I'm reading again - if you see this. Her laughter was infectious and her kindred spirit was just what I needed on that Sunday. The biggest lesson of the weekend for me - and isn't it always - learning again to put my faith in God and remembering that He loves me dearly and wants nothing, but the best for me. Though, I may think I know the way - He holds the map! I have to listen to His will and He will show me the way. It was an amazing conference and can't wait until next year's.

She said Yes!

Colby asked and she said Yes! Tara and Colby are heading to the chapel next June. We are so happy that Tara will be joining our crazy little family. She has already been welcomed in, but now she can get the rights to the last name. Colby proposed Saturday April 24th around noon on a bench in Riverside Park (Memphis, TN). He made a book with photos and mementos of their time together thus far, starting with the day they met up to two weekends before the proposal. It had everything in there down to their date night movie stubs. It will be a treasured time capsule for them to reminisce for years to come.

Then, the few pages had a photo with his hands and then on another black page with the rose image and the words "Will you marry me?" in white cursive font. (pictures by his very awesome big sister... me!) The very last page was a black and white shot (image to the left) of the "proposal" bench with another rose image  with the ring and the date written in the sky. It was touch and go there due to the storms, if he could pull of the proposal. But God intervened and allowed a break in the weather so he could take her out there for some "kite flying." Little did she know!

The book was called the "Twelfth Rose" personifying that Colby is a cheap guy. No, but it did look that way at first. Actually, he told Tara early on in their dating days that he hasn't bought a girl a dozen roses and he wouldn't for her either. Instead, he would give her one rose at a time and when he gives his 12th rose it will be to the girl he marries... hence the name of the book. She was totally surprised and has enjoyed every minute of her proposal. We are very happy to see them already busy planning the big day. It's fun hearing your brother talk "girl." For those with brothers, you know what I'm talking about and it isn't often that you hear it. Congrats again to Colby and Tara! Future Mr. and Mrs. Clements!

Dandy Candy

Over the weekend, my mom and I went to Memphis. We went to the Spring Market. On our way we passed about 20 Corvettes with all Texas license plates. It was neat to see, but really hard to pass on the I-40. We spent hours at the market and had a wonderful time together. We left the market and traveled to Saddle Creek to my candy store (to others it is known as the Apple Store). We went, we drooled, and mom succumbed to the awesomeness and switched from PC to MAC. She won't regret and neither will you. Of course, I played with the iPad. It is even more impressive in person. No, I won't be buying this version. I will probably get the 2nd or 3rd version, but it was neat to play with even if for a fleeting moment in time. I put my stamp on it too before I left.

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

Spring is here and it's got me beat. Sure, I love the sunshine, the flowers, the flip flops, and all it brings. However, I have been stuck in doors mostly doing lots of computer work for our upcoming launch and (it's a big AND) I have been sick for almost 2 weeks. I can't shake it. I have been popping every kind of quil you can have. I was generous with my cold/cough/keep-me-up-all-night/pain-in-the-butt virus, I shared it with my family over Easter weekend. Not sure if they appreciated my Spring gift, but it was comforting to know I wasn't the only one suffering. I wish it had some advantage to me like Phoebe on Friends. Remember, she sang better when she had a cold. "Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat" "My Stinky Shoes..."

Even being sick, I did manage to do some scouting for our upcoming home shows and leisurely stroll a few spots in Jackson and Pinson. Kris and I went antique shopping. I found this Marshall amplifier. I love its style and font design. It would look great on a book shelf holding up some Vinyl Records in billiard or a man cave. After seeing it all I could do for the rest of the day was quote Spinal Tap, "These go to eleven!" Kris tried on a Bomber jacket and quoted Top Gun to me, so we were even. He won't let me post the picture of him in it on here, but he did look Maverick-y to me. We also spotted some old theater chairs. I didn't like that someone redid the seats, but they were cool to see and only for $125 for the set. I didn't go home empty-handed, of course. I scored a vinyl recording of Beatles for Sale. So, I'm ready to rock out whenever I can get a new record needle. 

Then, my mom and brother joined me for my salvage/junk yard run. We are looking for a few industrial items for displays. Mind you, I could look at scraps all day long and daydream. So, we went out to south Jackson and looked around. We didn't score anything, but I saw this railroad trestle I liked. You may see an old railroad log in the middle of a junk yard, but I see a potential family room mantle or headboard or kid's bench or garden divider or... I could go on.

We then stopped at a few more antique shops and then Four Seasons Nursery for some moss. I loved the design aesthetic of their hanging ferns, but I couldn't stay in there too long with all of the strong aromas.  I love the look of cut flowers, but I'm not sure I have the patience to learn how to plant and tend to them. Next, we were heading back into town and noticed the Flea Market was going on... and of course we had to stop. I hadn't been in years and it brought back a few memories of funnel cake and knock-off jewelry, but overall I wasn't impressed with what it has become or maybe my memories were inflated a bit with grandeur. Colby bought a neat army glass jug, so I guess it was worth the trip. The most interesting item there was a box of crackers that looked like it had been kicked all over the parking lot and had better days, for only .50! What a bargain! Come on folks, don't sell used groceries at a flea market. Maybe I should have bought their homemade elixir to rid me of this awful virus. Spring has sprung and won so far!

Pattycake, Pattycake

I'm not a chef or even a cook for that matter. However, I do love to BAKE. Baking combines two of my favorite things: creativity AND sugar! I think I could rock a cake decorating class some day. I have so many cake ideas... but the thing about cake decorating is that you always end up with lots and lots of cake. We definitely do not need any extra cake lying around mocking me until I consume it all. So for now, I will have to observe cake from a distance. I window-shop websites and watch Cake Boss, Ace of Cakes, and Amazing Wedding Cakes to get my sugary fix.

The other day my mom made a red velvet cake for the Lambuth girls' basketball team. She let me frost the cake. Of course, I wanted to pipe something out. We started laughing about our techniques and then while spreading the frosting a cake divot popped up. Mom so graciously took over (not really, but she kept making me move over) to show me how a PRO does it. Then, vindication - she smoothed a section of the cake and it looked like the 4th of July. An explosion of RED crumbs everywhere. I guess we both will have to enroll into that decorating class. Here are some cool cake creations from Bakerella. I have been enjoying her blog for about a year now. I bet she knows how to spread cream cheese icing.

photo credit: bakerella

The Wanderer

I have been floating from one project to another these days, since being freed from my gilded cage... I mean my job. I have been working on my new business venture with my brother (more to come about that in the coming weeks). If someone asks me to help with something, my mind wanders in another direction while completing their project. My mom asked me to design our Pinson Family Christmas invitation (still haven't done it yet), BUT I did update my mom's blog header. She's asleep right now and doesn't even know it yet. Hope she likes it, oh well back to invitation.

I also side-tracked again and helped my cousin-in-law with her start-up company. I got to help with naming it and the logo. When I finish, I will post the logo on here. Her company will be a consignment fine furniture and home decor store. I named it "Then & Again" and it stuck.

If you know my family at all, we can have one conversation and start a company. Whitney started hers last week. Colby and I formed ours a month ago. We come from a long line of entrepreneurs. One of my favorite family business ventures was my parents' disco club. Yes, you read correctly - a DISCO, a discotheque to be more accurate. It was called the "Nite Lite" and I can only imagine the decor it was rocking back then. My aunt and uncle also started a Pretzel store in the mall on a whim too. Since then, we have had lighting and furniture stores/companies, electronic and appliance stores, corrugated packaging company, mattress store, restaurants, jewelry stores, construction companies, real estate, etc. One thing can be said about my family, if there is a dollar to be made we don't waste time or ideas.

I can trace this back to my childhood. I had the rite of passage Lemonade stand. Who didn't? However, did you recycle your cups to increase your profits? Did you market your stand on two of the busiest corners of the neighborhood? Did you offer a free cookie to the consumer who spent $2 on a 8 oz cup of watered-down lemonade? I can honestly say I did all of these and took my money all the way to the piggy bank. I love business, in any format. During my childhood, I had a Friendship Bracelet business that home-delivered (that was the key!) Way before Slater, Jessie, and Kelly had Buddy Bands (see below if you lived under a rock in the 90's), I had franchised a Ramblewood neighborhood empire of selling various bracelet styles to all of the kids and indirectly to their parents. I deployed my siblings and their friends on bikes to deliver these precious gems. They had walkie-talkies to ensure prompt delivery and customer service. The key was to get kids to do all of the work. By all accounts they were ADHD, so in order to get them to help me with my deliveries one had to make it into a game. I called it the CHiPs Game. So, in essence, Colby was one of my Erik Estrada delivery boys. Everyone wins!

Well, I guess I will design the family invitation tomorrow or maybe...

Donna Martin Graduates

Candace graduated! All the family came up and celebrated. I'm so proud of her. She finished and can now move on to her next step of adulthood. Kris and I are finally going to Jackson this weekend. First time since Christmas. Classes start next week. I can't express my eagerness.

Lots of troubling times have been and are upon friends and family members these past two weeks. Kris and I are holding everyone in our prayers.