Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Thursday, May 30, 2013

Lucy and Ethel Jump Off the Cliff



Okay, I am admitting my age by using this scene from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.. I remember watching this movie as a teenage girl in high school and I'm sure I was drooling over Robert Redford.  I haven't seen it since, but this scene is the one that played over and over again in my head last week as Ethel and I took the jump off the cliff. (if you haven't been around my blog much, Ethel is my precious friend and I am Lucy... we have experienced life together for decades... tears and laughter)

I need you to change the characters to Lucy and Ethel instead of Butch and Sundance.  You can take the gun out also... we would probably harm ourselves more than do any good with a gun.  We both were in the same situation.  Each had an enemy coming after us...and no, we aren't outlaws.  We were feeling the heat down our backs.  We both needed to make a jump.
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Last Tuesday we both nudged each other off the cliff.  Yes, afraid of drowning!  Yes, afraid we are going to die! Yes, afraid of failure!  Yes, afraid of the unknown!  Yes, afraid we are too old!  But what could we do?  So we grabbed each other's hands....took a running start....and jumped.   Either the jump will kill us, or the rapid waters below, or those swirling waters will take us to a new destination.

Ethel jumped back into college. Yes! at the age of 57 she re-registered for college classes.  She hasn't attended school since the 70's... right about the time of this movie.  She is now a co-ed!

Lucy marched herself down to the courthouse with forms in hand.  She went straight in and registered not ONE, but TWO DBA's.  Doing Business As!  After reserving her business names she went straight to the bank for her new business account.  By the afternoon she had two clients!  You see Ricky still isn't getting any gigs to play his bongos....so you know Lucy, always there with a plan.

The screaming ladies were still kicking and yelling at the end of the day, as they were falling into the waters below.  What had they gotten themselves into!


Ethel went to the bookstore.  Lucy went to the bookstore and library.  They both have a lot to learn.  While Ethel is now a new CO-ED, Lucy is now a business owner.  Lucy has been a business owner before, but then it was for fun.... unemployment has made this venture a necessity.  Lucy typed her fingers off setting up to business web-sites, ordered business cards and even purchased one of those dumb magnet signs for her car.

The texting and phone calls haven't stopped since last week.  We both express our anxious feelings, our doubts, our excitement and the realization that life is now changing faster than our old bones can adjust.  She is writing out notes in class.  I am writing out a business plan.  She is meeting new classmates. I am learning to network with strangers.
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Last summer, I filled my sand pail with intentional living.  I learned how you have to be intentional in life or it just drags you along.  That lesson will go into this summer as I balance my new businesses, time with family, time with Benjamin, my teenage son taking college classes, my teen's work schedule and just normal life.  Instead of a sand pail this summer, mine will be a mop bucket and a bucket of paint.  You see my Leah and Rachel businesses are a cleaning business and decorating business.  One is regular weekly work, while the other will allow my creative side to come out from time to time.  They are coming together as I learn how to market myself...oh, my....so out of my comfort zone.  I am being stretched...so if the jump didn't kill me, the rocks just might!

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Hopefully this summer will be clean and bright as I use my buckets!  I wish you a fun-filled summer...maybe you are needing to jump off the cliff.  Who knows where the water will take you.

30 Joining in with more words:

Sue said...

OH! Janette, I can just hear the excitement in your voice, need you wonder if you can do all of this, why of course, you are A "Woman of God"!He has and will continue to give you wisdom, and strength for this new journey. I smiled as I opened the post, as I am sitting here watching Lucy and Ethel on one of their escapades! lol
Wishing you and your Ethel much continued success, and thanks for the encouragement, as I too have been contemplating a few changes in my life, who knows I might just take that plunge.~smile~
Hugs,
Sue

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

This is a blog to rejoice in! I DO rejoice, with both of your new businesses, and how smart... maybe the mop bucket will eventually be completely replaced by the paint bucket! I think it will. This is Economics 101 Janette... do the 'daily bread' thing, but dare to step out into the goal you dream of. Praying for God to absolutely bless the whole thing, especially the bucket of your choice!

Love you!! SO proud of you.

Christine said...

Inspiration! Creative! Funny!
As summer unfolds, I will be cheering you on (and Ethel, too).

Sand pail or bucket, all are full of surprises and goals. You Go Girl!

(Ricky will be playing the bongos soon)

no spring chicken said...

Look at you go! Lucy, Lucy, Lucy... it's time for an adventure. I love how the Lord has been preparing you for this time. Everything you have been sharing has allowed us to see his hand. We are cheering and praying. Success!

Blessings, Debbie

Vee said...

Oh Janette, I can so relate. I had a cottage cleaning business for about five years when my first husband left our family. It was a necessity and also very exciting. I was blessed to clean some of the most beautiful cottages on some beautiful lakes. I had to dock myself a half hour a day just for the time I took to gaze at the scenery. I often wanted to do a little rearranging, but resisted the urge. How fun that you have another business to fulfill your creative side. If you felt that the Lord told you to do this, I know that He will bless it. He will. Love your faith and trust! Now we'll pray for Ricky to get a job banging the bongos.

Debbie said...

I'm excited about two new clients already. Even more, what excites me is your incredible courage. I really do mean that. I've shared my heart with you privately about my lack thereof, and I am so proud of you.

Was it necessity that was the boost in the arm of courage? I don't know. I just know that no one with your driven, determination, and spunk (remembered the word!) could possibly fail.

Please give my greatest encouragement to your Ethel. THAT is more frightening to me than most propositions. I really don't want to go back to school. It's not the learning. I love learning. It's the whole thought of being a co ed again that frightens me.

Anyway, this is too long.
Please do not forget that someone in Georgia is praying for this new venture.

Debbie said...

OK, I just watched that clip. It is the perfect comparison.

I can't swim.
Are you crazy? The fall will probably kill ya.

So dead on to how I feel right now.

Sharon said...

Hurrah!

I think that Lucy is one of the bravest women I know. Prayers will be with you as you start these new (ad)ventures. And best of luck to Ethel, too.

I am inspired.

GOD BLESS!

Sandy said...

I pray God's best for you, Lucy, and your Ethel!! You are both going to do just fine as you are led by the Lord. It's so exciting and I hope you continue to share all that's going on in your businesses. I also pray your Ricky gets a new gig real soon!

Mary said...

Here's to you brave one!
May your buckets be full with just enough, but not too much to overload you!

xoxo

podso said...

Congratulations! I love your energy and bravery and am a wee bit envious! God has led and I know He will provide all you need. It sounds exciting and I like the bucket image!

Tanna said...

I am celebrating the jump!! I love that you have your Ethel and she has you. What a wonderful friendship of encouragement and creativity! May God bless and keep each of you on your separate yet parallel paths... blessings ~ tanna
ps your intentional living is amazingly inspiring. thank you.

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

I'm so proud of you! I know you are going to excel and grow and bless others with your gifts and skills! I'm excited to see what He has for you. I love how you described this. Women like "Ethel and Lucy" makes the world go around.

Farm Girl said...

I am very proud of you both. That is incredible and exciting. I am so glad you both decided to do it.
I know that everything is going to work out just fine.

Holly Williams Urbach said...

Oh Janette, this is so wonderful! I do the cleaning jobs that I don't enjoy as much so I can work on the writing that I am planning will support me and my family at some point in the future.

Stay flexible and enjoy the jumping, swimming, and living!

Debbie said...

First of all I too remember watching that movie in high school and swooning with my friends over Robert Redford, haha. Soo funny, and soo true! I am soo excited for you! There is not a single doubt in my mind that you will be successful...not one! I am in a free fall off that cliff as well though mine was more of a push than a jump, lol. Who knows what's next? I will be praying for success for you, and for Ethel. Much love to you this morning!

Thank you for the beautiful card, and your prayers for this season in my life Janette, I appreciate it more than you could know!

HUGS, Debbie

Angel said...

Awesome post, Janette! Uh, I mean, Lucy... :)

I feel like I've been doing some of that cliff jumping myself. I am so excited for you AND Ethel and pray God blesses your new ventures.

You are truly an inspiration. Way to go!

Lisa said...

Janette,
This is going to be a great time for you! I really believe God has got some awesome surprises up His sleeve just for you.;)

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Sounds like you are getting a great business going! Excited for you. I cleaned for many years. One family, weekly, for more than 17 years going to three different homes and watching as each of their children were born. Did that and child care. They all became like family :)

myletterstoemily said...

YOU! there are no words to say how
proud i am to know (having never
actually seen) you.

my best friend put herself through
college cleaning houses, and i think
it may be the surest way to make
quick money.

to add the design element is brilliant
and will eventually allow you to charge
more for the cleaning part.

invest in lots of plastic gloves. i think
i can do almost anything as long as i
have gloves.

i pray blessings upon blessings upon
thy business. (wanted to say buthineth)

and, even though our norman kids were
in a basement all evening with tornadoes
literally landing all around them . . . all
is well.

God is good.

myletterstoemily said...

i posted this blog on facebook with a
recommendation to my dallas area
friends. this could hurt you. :)

Pom Pom said...

Way to go! Yay!
I'm happy for both of you!

Maryann said...

I think this is brillant, excited for you and inspired my self...sometimes I think I let my age hold me back on taking that first step. Wishing you much success...can't wait to see what God is going to do
Hugs

Debbie Petras said...

Wonderful news Janette! I'll be praying you on girl. Interesting how many changes have been occurring lately. I'm very proud of you. And I'll be cheering you on.

Love,
Debbie

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Wow!!!! double Wow!!!! I love what you wrote here. I love your crazy wild go for it attitude. Yeah to 'Ethal' jumping back to college and yeah to 'Lucy' taking the business plunge. Hey got to say....if you need extra you write like a pro.

Cheering both you guys on!!!!

Simple Home said...

Best wishes in your new business ventures. I'm sure they'll both do well. Thank you for lifting me up today :)
Blessings,
Marcia

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, hats off to you! I'm praying God's very best for you in this new venture. I admire you so and how you always seem to make lemonade out of lemons! Hugs to you for much success!

Rebecca said...

Good for you, Jannette! I love the titles on your stack of books, and your "can do" attitude.

I'm curious to know what the name of your new business is (I'm going to go back and reread to see if I missed it.) If not, I'll be watching (and praying) to see how God supplies all your needs and THEN some!

Anonymous said...

Janette,
You are terrific and talented, and most of all, God's got your back!

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

What a timely post, Janette! I can see how you have taken the leap, I am too, entering the scary world of writing and publishing. I actually sent the book to several Beta Readers and am now getting back some critique. I've jumped off the cliff and am now waiting to find out if I'll hit the rocks or the water. God bless you with your two businesses. As talented and dedicated as you are, I see only good things coming.

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