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09 June 2009

"Apres la pluie, le beau temps"


After rain, [comes] good weather... If the French proverb is true in many aspects of our lives, it couldn't be have been truer this weekend, as we headed to our Farm Chicks adventure in Spokane!!


The week heading to the big departure was chaotic!! Projects to be finished, school and after school activities, and day-to-day nonsense made my life extremely stressful. Nevertheless, I felt I was somewhat prepared.


I spent the day before our 5 am Friday departure piling things outside by the trailer waiting for the master packer, a.k.a. husband. I figured this way I would reduce the chances of forgetting something. Ideally, I would have had the trailer for a few days, but our HOA only allows trailers parked out front for no more than 24 hours (don't get me started on HOA...). Hubby told me he would be home by five... At 4:30, he calls saying there is a severe thunderstorm warning and I should get everything inside again!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!! After I dragged everything in (thank goodness some of the big furniture was already in the trailer...), I took off to go look for my ten-year old who was at soccer practice, only to find an empty field. I was relieved to find them taking cover in the middle school!!! The rain didn't subside until about 8 pm, so that's when we finally started loading up the trailer. Needless to say, we were so tired that quite a few things were accidentally left behind, including, among other things, my highest ticket price item (an old spool cabinet left in the corner of the living room), a bird bath and two suitcases full of crinolines and doll clothes.


After very little sleep, we took off on our adventure!!! My husband drove the truck and trailer, and three of our four children tagged along (the oldest had finals on Friday and stayed with a friend). Lisa and our friend Kate drove right behind us. This is where things fell apart once again... a seven-hour drive turned into a 14-hour ordeal!! Only two hours away from Spokane, the truck broke down as we stopped at a McDonald's for a potty break. It just wouldn't start!!! After a good half hour trying to troubleshoot, we called AAA. Between waiting for the tow truck, looking for a place who could fix a diesel engine, waiting a couple of hours until a mechanic had time to look at the truck and then my husband getting lost trying to make his way back to us, a good six hours went by!!




Set-up time at the Fairgrounds was between 9 am and 6 pm, we arrived at 7:30 pm!!! Teri and Serena, the organizers, were so gracious and told us the security guards would let us in and we could stay as long as we wanted!!! What a huge relief!!! By the time we arrived and started unloading, some of our good friends and fellow dealers just came out of nowhere and started helping us (many of them stuck around waiting to help us!!)!!! I remember standing in the middle of my booth, feeling overwhelmed, and the sight of all those angels helping us almost brought tears to my eyes!! This is what is so great about the extended family that are our fellow dealers and friends!!! Thank you so much Joy and Dave, Cindy and Barry, Joe and Jermonne, Julie and Jeff, Kate and of course my sweet husband and children!! That was when the sun started coming out of the clouds!!!


I have much more to share, but for now I leave you with some pictures of my booth, both Saturday and then rearranjed on Sunday after many pieces sold. I will be back soon with photos of some wonderful booths and a peek at what I bought... Can't wait to share more!!!


















































24 comments:

  1. what an adventure!

    your booth looked great, and SO missed going....I'm sure you had a blast!

    welcome home!

    i truly don't know how you made it there!!

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  2. Sounds to me like y'all had the same kind of traveling adventure we had in March going to Zapp! Glad y'all made it in time. Aren't junkers just the best?
    Your booth looks amazing and looking at you, I would never know what all happened prior to set up.
    Just figure what got left behind is your start-up for the next show.
    Hope everything goes smooth from here on out until you get home safely!
    Debbie

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  3. It was so fun to meet you at Farm Chicks Isabel! I'm sorry you had such a time getting there, but your booth looked killer! Karen and I are looking forward to having lunch with you and Lisa!
    Hugs,
    Eileen
    www.forgetmenotdreams.blogspot.com

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  4. Your booth was beautiful and your outfit was darling. I am glad you made it there safe and you are right there are some awesome angels that we all know.

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  5. We would have been there no matter what time you arrived!! We (The BH/Tarte Caravan) actually got lost in The Tri-Cities on our way back...I get lost everytime I go there! Next time we should all take the other route. lol

    It was wonderful seeing you. What a GREAT show!!!

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  6. Great pics!!
    All looks wonderfully fun.
    Wish i coulda' gone.
    =))
    Blessings,
    Barbara Jean

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  7. We would have waited all night to help you....and I am sure you would have done the same for us. Glad you made it home safe....xoxo Cindy

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  8. Sorry to hear of your truck trouble, that is no fun. Wow, you have amazing stuff. I hope lots sold. I really like your "Clock" pillows . Alot of fun fun things.
    Wish I could have been there!
    Linda

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  9. PS Would have skipped the truck breakdown part. =0)
    Best you wish you could have too.

    Glad all are fine.

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  10. After all of that, Isabel, you look so beautiful and cute standing there?!! Unbelievable! Your booth looks SO gorgeous - I see SO many things there that I absolutely adore! You are so incredibly talented, Isabel!

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  11. Oh, I so wish I could have been there! Well, not for the truck breakdown - as much fun as that sounds, LOL. Your booth looks lovely. I would love to shop there.

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  12. toujours de si belles choses !!!!!bisous à+

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  13. oh my goodness, what a nightmare! bless your heart!! But you didn't look frazzled at all..darling outfit...love those pantaloons and cute skirt. Your booth was absolutely gorgeous...be still my heart! Love those clock pillows. Hope you did really well despite all your troubles.
    Hugs,
    Sandra

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  14. Wow, what an adventure Isabel. You'll remember this Farm Chicks Show.

    I'm so glad you had helping hands when you arrived at the show.

    Your booth looks wonderful. I love all the great pictures you took. I can't wait to see the others.

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  15. Hi Isabel! I really enjoyed my first Barn Chicks and would have loved to have chatted with you, but when I was in your booth, you were BIZZZEEE! I hope you did well after all that stress; can't imagine that you didn't - your booth was fabulous!

    Joyce
    joyceawright@inbox.com

    P.S. Do you have a spool cabinet for sale???

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  16. You and your booth are adorable with no signs of your stressful adventure. Thank you so much for sharing I have been anxiously waiting for your post. Lori

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  17. Is your truck a Chevy :)
    (Hubby retired from Ford)
    Your booth is too cool! Glad things went well for you.
    It's raining here today so maybe I'll have a good week-end :)
    Have a beautiful day!

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  18. Your stuff looked great! What fum you must have had!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  19. I really must attend this show next time. Your booth looked great and it looked like so much fun.

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  20. wow. it looks like I better hit your booth first next year, you are rightthere was I ton gone by the time I got there! I had so much fun seeing you again, it is always a treat!
    xoxo, Tiffany

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  21. LOVE IT ALL-
    Just found your blog and added it to my favs. I wanted to let you know I have a GIVE AWAY that ends to day.

    Cheri
    www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

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  22. Hi Isabel,
    I went to your booth on Sunday morning before the show, but, you were not there...i hope you don't mind that I took some pictures of your booth and put them on my blog...I think you were already sold out of your pillows...didn't see a single one!! Your booth was just darling!!!
    Heart Hugs,
    Coleen

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  23. Isabel,
    It was so great getting to visit with you in your amazing booth. We're so glad to have you in the show! I can't wait to talk more about Portugal someday!
    xo,
    Serena

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  24. I absolutely LOVE that huge lace umbrella! It's gorgeous. Is it for sale?

    What a whole lot of work you had even just getting to the show. But it's wonderful that the girls let you get in during the evening hours to work.

    Your entire booth is absolutely scrumptious!

    Blessings... polly

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