Poppy and Ivy

Your Attitude is Your Latitude

My daughter has been a member of organized sports for 12 years.

I have heard the "attitude is your latitude" phrase after games more times than you can imagine, but I never really HEARD it. ( I was busy packing snacks, uniforms, sweaty socks & water bottles into the back of my car that was ALREADY packed with estate sale finds).

The economy, the situation around me and my business choices had really weighed me down to a point I couldn't rise above it all.

I finally had a COMPLETE Oprah "lightbulb" moment. A moment that told me I was so much bigger than ANY of the stuff that I was letting get me down. 

Right around the first of the year, I had that moment. In the middle of it, I heard my daughter's coaches words. I really HEARD them. 

And quickly, I made all the plans I should have made month (years?) ago. My name on antique mall waiting lists all over Portland. Stores that had intimidated me quite honestly. 

And here I am....in stores that many LONG to be in.  

I left Splendid/Stars on Tuesday after filling my space with my fun weekend finds and when I looked over my shoulder to do a once over, I stopped and realized I was so happy. Ridiculously happy. 

I want to be a shop owner again, but it's just not the time for our family, or the economy. But I am still young.  (Kind of).

I want to see my customers face to face again. But I can't. That's okay. It is what it is. There are WORSE things to deal with. 

All I can do is be the best vendor I can be at Splendid/Stars and Camas Antiques. I can do what I love...share old goods with people who share the passion. 

Cheers to attitudes and latitudes! 

 

 

When Opportunity Knocks....I Listen!

 

It is with great, great excitement, some anxiety and a wee bit of butterflies (the sort that can be expected in these kinds of situations) that I can announce that Poppy & Ivy will be merging with Vestiges Storefront, Ruby Cushion & Flea to open "Found on Fremont" in the next 2 weeks!

It came quickly. I had been approached once or twice before and I think I said something like "Oh...I am fine...I love being my own boss!".

Then came family vacation...when I realized that I felt like a stranger in my own family. It was with a heavy heart that I realized something had to change and this opportunity might just be the perfect one. But when I heard the words "You will need to work one-two days a week and a weekend a month"....my jaw dropped. This for the lady that works 6 days a week....50-60 hours a week.

I met with the gals and it was instant relief. I trust all these women, my gut feels good about it, naming it was quite a roller coaster ride and I am sure there will more to come (to be expected with four women in business!) but it is perfect timing with my daughter going into high school and my son into middle school.

I never entered "Becoming A Business Owner" with the intent of being an absent mother/wife/friend, but it took that turn along the line. It was a difficult juggle when I wasn't ready to hand it over to a store manager or employee. I wanted to be it's full time mom! However. I couldn't have it both ways. Family has to come first. 

I would tell every woman to "Go For It" if they ever approached me with the dreams of being a single business owner. I learned wonderful and important things about myself. I am a very diligent employee! I can work through almost any ailment! I work well with customers...I listen well and I put myself in their place consistently.

So, onward with yet another adventure (and move--UG). I am so very sad to leave my lovely spot on Lower Fremont. My space is gorgeous, my shop neighbors are my friends and I feel very at home in my space. Leaving this space is the most difficult part of it all!

You just never know....

....What the day will bring.

I woke up to my daughter climbing into bed with me this morning and saying "Daddy said to get into bed with you...my stomach is killing me". After last week with Mr. Sick Boy for 5 days, I'll admit I was looking forward to having the house to myself..even if it was for 30 minutes! I left her in bed and woke up to get my son ready and get myself ready for my morning walk.

I turned the corner and there was my daughter's carpool buddy....just trembling in our living room and JOHN was talking to her. They had just gotten in a nasty car accident while headed to our house! My daughter came down and sat with her while I calmed my HYSTERICAL son....he was getting anxious about going to school for the first time in 2 weeks! Between Thanksgiving and the flu/croup....he was just a mess. Afraid he'd got seated next to The Girl Who Beats People Up during the holiday seat switch...afraid he fell too  far behind in that week, afraid he's have to sit at the back of the class and play catch-up and I am sure he was afraid he'd have to bring his report card home with him after-school! Always a fear with that little guy....

After everybody left...I was kind of reeling I have to say. In a 25 minute period, I had an adrenaline wake-up call!

I walked and came home to an e-mail that said my business partner's father had passed away this morning. DOH.....Can we start this day ALL over? For everyone's sake?

I got to the shop where I needn't have a single worry about it being insane because I have this place to myself. That's okay...name of the game...right? Just how it all goes sometimes.

I posted a bunch of new items on Etsy and lo & behold...a bunch sold. Ahhhhhhh...so it turns out if you actually POST things, they sell. I get it. Interesting......

I posted this.....

 

And these....

 

 

And I sold these cutie patooties...so sweet. Glad to see they found a home.

 

So busy! So much free time to fill!

Of course, all of us on Lower Fremont are busy prepping for this Friday and Saturday's Winterfest. We are busy gathering all of the tents, signs, heat lamps, pylons, etc. Kjell of Splurge has procured 36 vendors Friday night and 24 for Friday! I am excited for this event. Family friendly....but a fantastic date night as well!

The family went out and got our tree yesterday. I worked Saturday (when it was SUNNY) but yesterdaywe ran out to the SWEETEST tree farm out in Estacada. Bob's U-Cut. The folks out there were beyond friendly...so helpful and kind! It was pouring rain and she was out of umbrellas and ran inside their home and tracked me down in the fields!!! I was fairly easy to spot....I looked like a drowned rat.

I really wanted to pick out a mini tree and flock it pink for the shop...but JOHN had a weird look. I had visions of necklaces on it...against my Tiffany blue walls? That would have been great! I refrained.....

 

Ahhhh.......the rush of the Holidays. Trying to find the balance between family and business and volunteer work is always a challenge. Toss in unexpected car accidents, illness and such....whoa.

Hope YOUR Holidays are running smoothly. My daughter listed off 2 items she wants to make JOHN and 1 for my parents. She said it and all I could see what a mental calendar page of December and NOT many days to tackle her project. I will just hum "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and lull myself into a calm state of mind......Ho-Ho-Ho!