Karen, that is so sweet! I have a lot of support by the way of family and friends, my sister, who immediately after I declared I was in the business, drove me to her friend's house and had the friend buy a one hour consultation from me; my business partner, who is ALWAYS there for me; and my husband, who a few years ago, after noticing me searching websites for Interior Redesign Training for months and months, surprised me when he took his yearly bonus and enrolled me in a training class, as an anniversary gift, so I could learn the "ins and outs" of the business... It certainly has been a gift that keeps on giving. And now he always tells me how proud he is of me too. It is great to have that kind of support.

I am reminded of what my Grandma would say about my Grandpa... "I always hoped that I would be as good a woman to him, as he was man to me."  so sweet!

Karen - nice blog. My husband has been my #1 fan from day one.  While I credit God for pointing me in this direction, it was my husband that actually gave me the courage to take the steps...If it hadn't been for his encouragement and support, I'm sure I'd still be a stay-at-home Mom today ... hey, wait a minute .... I'd better go talk to him. 

Hi Karen, I get my support from my husband and my dog.  Until last month, my 99 year old grandmother was my biggest support group.  She passed away May 11, leaving an incredible void in my life.  She was my mentor, my friend, my role model, and my inspiration for success.

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Wow. You are so lucky. He sounds like the best guy! And cute too! It makes all the difference in the world doesn't it. What a thoughtful way he came up with to let you know how much he believe in you. And we do too! Thanks, that was a heartwarming story. I have to say that my husband is very supportive as well.

Hi Karen,

My huband surprised me with a PDA on my last day of class. My husband, kids and my bestfriend Jill are my biggest cheerleaders! They keep me going! My Aunt (she raised me) and my Dad are a huge part of my sucess as well, I always want to make them proud of me! 

Terry, I'm so sorry your the loss of your Grandmother.

Julianna -- I am very close to my sister as well -- She lives in the Dominican Republic working as a professor teaching health with the US Universities and Peace core. Long story short . . . when I started staging she e-mailed my web site, anonymously, asking how to best stage a hut as opposed to a home and if the banana leaf roof should be freshened and new dirt should be put on the floor before going to market!  I come from a family of very quick humor so one needs to be on their toes at all times! And I definitely want to follow your grandma's advice!  I loved that, thx for sharing.

Callie -- you're too funny!  Stay at home Mom that works is good!  Best of both worlds!  Gotta love that great guy making it possible!

Terry -- so sorry for your loss.  G'ma (as we call her) is quite special in my home.  I lost mine several years ago and wish I could have known her better in my adult life.  My daughter telephones her G'ma (my mom)  most everyday.  Their relationship seems to be quite extraordinary.  G'ma has 8 grandson's and 1 granddaughter (my daughter) - it's a rare bond they share.  And dogs are good -- cats too, in my book!

Rhonda -- thx for the comments -- he (my husband) is cute -- and 6 years younger than me -- but always considerate of that fact!  Husbands rule -- glad yours is supportive as well! 

Karen - your husband sounds like an absolute sweetheart! Mine is currently 'lending' me his tools but I better put them back where I found them:)

Stephanie

Ok, this may sound strange...but my biggest supporter is my Mother In Law in Florida!  She's wonderful!

How sweet is your husband!  That is so touching.  Thanks for sharing.

Terry - I'm so sorry. 

Kathy

Hi Karen, I too was an only granddaughter among 6 grandsons.  The bond my grandmother created for me was very special, though she loved us all equally.  I'm glad you hear your daughter has that with your mother and I am cultivating that with my granddaughter as well.  We all need someone in our lives who is not a disciplinarian, as we, as mother's are, but a teacher of great things only a grandmother can teach.

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Stephanie -- there's always a choice -- ask for permission now, or ask for forgiveness later.  Go for the forgiveness later; besides it's fun "making up" with hubby! Thx for the funny response!

Susan, how awesome to have a great Mother in law.  I have that with my sister-in-laws (husbands sisters) 

Great words of wisdom Terry!  So true!

Kathy, glad you liked the post. 

Karen, This is a wonderful post and is sure to receive many comments. My support group began with my Mom who also passed away a few years ago. I always called her my own personal, private Cheerleader. She was very good at it! That is not the only reason I miss her so much.  

Moving forward, my hubby too, presented me with a toolbox supplied with many of the tools I use frequently. He constantly draws my attention to the new gadgets he believes will be most helpful. He has joined me in my staging ventures and is awesomely helpful in more ways than I can explain. Our youngest daughter lives with us again. She is very big on ceremony (learned at her mother's knee) and is fabulous about serving me on the "red plate" for every achievement I have both large and small. I also have my cousin who lives in another state but who is always calling to check on any new developments. She is also my sounding board for many of my "great" ideas. She loves many of my ideas and is very good at pointing out that some of my "great" ideas aren't.

There are my email friends found here in the rain who let me cry on their shoulders, laugh with me, cheer me on and provide excellent advice when asked. And, last, but not least there are many here in the AR family who simply take the time to type away their comments of support and advice. Wow, thanks for asking the question. It has helped me to remember how very blessed I am.

O.k. Karen....

I'm going to give you my husband's email address. This way YOUR husband can give MY husband "tips on how to support your wife in her staging business"!

I will have to say, he did come out on one job with me because my contractor wasn't available and he drilled some holes that I needed to hang heavy pic's in plaster. But he almost backed out because my car air conditioner was on the blitz (it was a hot day). Yup, he's a male diva.

On a serious note though, it is wonderful when you do have the support. When they tell you that they are proud of you, or tell your friends. When I'm less stressed, I'm more creative.

Julia

Karen - thanks for the great blog.  I love reading your blogs, you are so energetic and such a positive person.  Praising your husband in public is................well, it's absolutely marvelous.  I bet a lot of men out there are wishing they had you for a wife and a lot of women wishing they had your husband.  Sounds like you are a good team.  How long have you been married?  If you don't answer for a few days, I will understand - hubby coming home and all!

Karen, Family is so very important and the reason for my inspiration!  I'm so proud of my son and daughter and their achievements!

Yvonne -- It's great to take time everyday just to be thankful for what we have and who we have in our lives.  Seems like such a simple thing, yet sometimes it seems like the day flies by just trying to keep up!  Glad you liked the post.

Julia, here's the equation [ - stress = + creativity ]  I like it!  My husband is actually not on the creative side as a rule (engineering, likes facts and figures) but, he, for some reason, is always creative when it comes to gifting!  Works for me! 

Hey Cheryl-Anne thanks for those kind words -- I'll keep bloging forever with encouragement like that!  We've been married for 13 years.  The picture above in my blog is actually an old one I stumbled upon recently that just cracked me up.  Our kids are from my previous marriage and are now 23 and 26!  Dale's been a great dad to them.

David -- I'm right there with you -- family is what it's all about at the end of the day! 

Karen,

How sweet your husband sounds! Like you have have a wonderful hubby who support everything I do, often times he helps me with putting out/picking up signs or having dinner made when I come home. Thanks for sharing! :)