You didn't really think I could just talk shop, did you?
Look at my precious buddy, Roy.
He is so much FUN!
Roy and I played with some camera time while Chelsea worked at the Strasburg shop one day. He is in, and on, some of our display pieces.
What a crazy week we had. Beginning a week ago, Saturday past, we moved Chelsea and Chadd into their new home above the new shop.
Early in the morning on moving day. We were there to take them to breakfast before picking up the truck.
They had a lot of help. We had a lot of delays due to the former owner having too much stuff and not enough time. But we finally got in. The group of friends who were able to help with the move were amazing! Such fabulous attitudes and a willingness to wait with us through the delays. In fact, at one point we were all on the floor of the old apartment playing games. Weird moving day. I'm so used to ones where you are moving a top speed until it is complete. But it was the most fun moving day I've ever experienced in that way.
Chelsea, Emily and Chadd painted the kitchen. It is serene and pretty in blue and white.
Because the kitchen is in the common area Chelsea was sweet enough to set up a coffee/tea station for everyone who works in the shop. She also has a bowl of fruit for us. We will all contribute to keeping it stocked. It has already come in handy as we are working long hours.
Wednesday we had our real estate settlement on the new location. Later that day we went and emptied the Strasburg shop, cleaned it and headed back to Lititz. With a painter coming the next day we had to be somewhat choosy where we put things. Nothing could be set up until later. Only now are we beginning to set up the boutique area while our painter completes his work on Monday and Tuesday. However, finally, we have enough freedom to begin unpacking and placing display pieces in tentative places.
Our friends Amy and Annie of Fresh Vintage by Amy and LaneyBell Designs have begun setting up their space. It is absolutely beautiful already and they have only just begun. We are a bit jealous that they are as far along as they are but know that we made the decision to paint and are paying, in time, for that decision. However, in the long run we are sure that we will be pleased to have done so. It is looking so clean and fresh. Amy is covering most of her walls with merchandise and display so it is working well for her as it is.
On Saturday we emptied the storage unit, so if you are counting, that is like move number three within those seven days. We have a lot of stuff. But it is going to come together so beautifully. Our space is delightful. I'm currently looking for window treatments and other little details.
Today at church I could hardly keep my eyes open and so we came home to eat lunch and then I caught a nap before now watching "some football game". lol Actually I am a recent fan of Nick Foles, the Eagles quarterback. I saw his testimony shared online and I am always happy when someone getting the publicity he gets isn't afraid to share their faith. However, as far as sleep goes, I may not make it until the end of this game. The eyes are heavy again.
You could pray with me about something. I have an appointment with a specialist on Friday morning regarding high pressure in my eyes. They are concerned about developing glaucoma. I wouldn't be surprised as I have noticed issues with my peripheral vision over the past couple of years. It should be treatable if it is what the Optometrist feels it is. Not that I would get lost vision back but that I should slow or stop future vision loss.
Before I go, here's a sneak peek at the color and theme we have chosen for the boutique area of the shop.
The color is all through our three areas....but the themes are different for each room and the porch.
It is going to be SO much fun to set it all up. And then rearrange and tweak. If our fondest dreams come true we will actually open on Friday. It is second Friday in Lititz and the weather is to be perfect. There is soooo much to do and some snow in the forecast. I may end up staying overnight midweek so as not to miss opportunities to work. How blessed that this is an option!
Alright. Signing off. So much is left unsaid. But I hope you've enjoyed seeing a bit of the things happening around here. It has not been dull and I am physically exhausted from doing a big project at my age. O.k. so I can't use age as an excuse. Mom and Georgia are totally hanging in there and working hard. They have been amazing. So...I'm just tired. Mentally and Physically. But soon this part will be over and the customers will come. I will be rejuvenated and filled up to the top.....customers have that effect on me. Can't wait to meet them!!! And see our favorites from the Strasburg shop visit us!
Whew! What a whirlwind this year has been so far. A delightful, sweet, awesome, blessed and over the top joyful year. When I look back to January 17th when we learned our friend was making a shop space available and we were invited to take it over I had no idea what saying yes meant....but....it was definitely the right thing to do!
It is so great to work with my mom and daughter. We all have different gifts that come together so well in the shop. I would be a mess without their constant cleaning and organizing. They would go nowhere without my big picture..."Hey! Let's do this thing!" and the shop would have very limited success without Chelsea's display giftings. She just has a knack!
I'm Thankful!!
Here are some photos from the shop.
On the day we took possession.
You can see uncertainty....I think.
But excitement.
The last photo in this series shows us very recently.
The shop as it looked for our Grand Opening.
Random shots from the time we've been open.
We are so super pleased for our friend, Annie, of LaneyBell Designs.
Her business has exploded with large, large accounts.
You will begin to see her work in amazing places.
We are so thankful that she is not forgetting us in the process.
We have already had a turnover in our baby accessory artisans.
Only because of health issues. Not due to any fault on either part.
But our former artisan was so kind and to suggest another and it was a super
smooth transition. We are thankful!!
Before the Strasburg Halloween Parade.
We are still standing and still smiling!
I think you see relief and a comfortability with where we are
today in this photo.
We now know that we CAN work together and that we enjoy it.
We have settled into our roles.
We have met AMAZING people...both artisans and customers.
We have found our space in the Strasburg business community
and look forward to growing in that.
We have raised money for Breast Cancer Screenings in younger women
after learning of the need.
We have been pleased to offer a HUGE selection of Vintage Feed Sack fabrics.
Our feedsack ambassador. Her Great Grandmother is our collector/consignor.
We have sold all but one of the Conk Mushroom Art pieces
that Allan was able to provide for us.
We have ALL grown, so much.
And we are THANKFUL!!
Stay tuned for a huge announcement...
if God wills it!
Then to have the birth of our precious grandson on July 26th. I've joined the sweetest and best club on the planet...the Grandma club. Lately I've been holding him way more than taking photos but here are "a few" from me or stolen from Chelsea.
Jonathan met Darcey this year. They were set up by co-workers and are so sweet together. It is so much fun to see him grow and have new experiences....such as driving 13 hours to her family's home for this Thanksgiving Day. We will miss having them here but are excited for Darcey to spend time with the loved ones there.
Michael and Emily have made the smart decision to split up Holidays and alternate each year. So this year they are spending Thanksgiving with her family and we will have them with us for Christmas. They chose this year for those holidays because my brother and Bev also alternate and this falls in line with their schedule. So, we will be a smaller gang tonight when we have our Thanksgiving dinner but Pastor Mike, Jenny and her mother will join us and it will be sweet.
My Mazda Minivan died recently. It had a crazy amount of miles on it. We found a Ford Escape of the same year, 2003, but with 100,000 less miles on the same engine. I love it! And it is red!! Seems like lately we kept finding white vehicles between us and our moms. So...I'm breaking the mold with my RED Escape. Against my better judgement....here is a photo of me with it.
The candle business continues to thrive and keep me up late at night and awake early to make candles before heading to the shop. It is something I'm mentally evaluating...as to the wisdom of working so hard all the time....but for now am committed to getting through this busy season. It still brings joy and even today as I make 85 candles for Sweet Grace Ministries it has purpose. Deep purpose. I will not mind one little bit spending that time on something that helps even a little bit for people who will suffer loss in the months to come.
I hope that you and yours will embrace the good and the bad you have experienced over this past year. We come to understand that everything works together to make us into the people we are. If we are smart we lean hard into God when the bad things come and we reach out to Him in extreme gratitude when things are going well. There is no other way to experience the full JOY of life and become all that HE has for us to be. As most of you know we have been to the depths and we have stood on the highest mountain. Both have been so important.....I happen to like the highs sooooo much better. Won't lie.
