Okay, so I have finally lost my mind and decided to open my own store.  I thought I was going the easy route with a First Monday Trade Days store at the Old Mill Marketplace in Canton, Texas.  I am sure that you have all heard about the 1st Monday Trade Days at Canton.  It happens every month on the Thursday through Sunday before the First Monday of the month. Got that? Well, for the month of May it is May 3, 4, 5, 6. Eeks that's NEXT WEEKEND! (I am soooo nervous!)
How this all got started was the fact that I have always wanted to have my own store! I have waited and since I am going to be 50 years old this year, I decided I better get going.  I looked around for a location to rent, but realized that a 6 day-a-week store would cost me at least $20,000 for the first year, minimum.So, I decided I would rather have a new car.  Then, I decided to check out Flea Markets.  I went to the Third Monday Trade Days in McKinney, Texas.  It was okay, so I thought I would take a chance.  I had to submit an application with pictures and wait until April 24, 2012 to see if they felt I was good enough for their venue.  I was shocked when I received a call about 9:20 a.m. from the owner.  I didn't have my map ready, so he barked at me to call him back when I found my map so we could pick a space.  After about a million redials with a busy signal, I finally found another number for them.  I called that number and they answered on the second ring! Mr. Grumpy and I picked a space together and he said I had to mail him a check for $120 by Friday. Oh, by the way he said they were very impressed with my pictures of items I wanted to sale.  (See pics below.)  Mind you, this was on Tuesday, and I had to get my check in the mail, pronto!

But, would you believe that I had submitted an information form to the Canton Chamber of Commerce and the people at Old Mill Marketplace called, offering me a shop WITH AIR CONDITIONING, and my own French front doors, and a back door, a lock and leave, a key and free parking! The pricing was reasonable so I said I would go listen to their sales pitch. Then, a place called The Marketplace at Canton called me back and offered to show me a booth that was in their indoor vendor venue.  I went the next day to visit both places, with my husband in tow.  (He is ALWAYS my voice of reason.)  We saw the Marketplace first, but it was too expensive, too many rules, and nothing flea-like about it.  When we went to Old Mill Marketplace, the staff was friendly and showed me two shops that were available.  I could choose between one with a pink front or one with a blue front and blue floor! So, which one did I pick?  The pink one with the white french doors!  These last few days have been very busy loading my displays and all my junk.  (I will post pictures.)  I went from being a dreamer to a business owner in a matter of two days!  Cross that off of the super-sized bucket list!  
Come visit me if you are in Canton, Texas on May 3-6 at The Old Mill Marketplace, Pavilion 1, Store #22.  If you can't, you can visit my store online at www.delightfulonceagain.com
I have been so busy, that I only have some 1928 jewelry online and some other small items.  I will try to add more stuff, but it will probably be next week! Wish me luck! :)
Hugs,
Kathy

According to Wikipedia, Keep Calm and Carry On was a propaganda poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion. I think most shabby enthusiasts believe it comes from a creative shabby merchandiser.  This can be seen everywhere-- pillows, wall hangings, bookmarks, etc.  I decided to post it on my blog because I believe it to be very good advice! I want everyone reading this blog to stop, and think of a time that you had to "Keep Calm and Carry On."  I was thinking about this myself and I immediately knew when I had to do this very thing.

Back in December of 2009, I was sitting at my computer when my bladder felt like it was on fire!  I thought I had a bladder infection, or worse, a kidney stone and was having renal colic.  The only place I had any problem was right were my bladder is located and it felt like it was burning, and having spasms at the same time.  Of course, this didn't start until after 5 p.m., so I began drinking tons of water and taking AZO.  The next day, the doctor said I had blood in my urine and probably had an infection.  She gave me antibiotics and told me to call by Friday if I didn't feel better.  Well, Friday came and I told my doctor's assistant that I wasn't any better, in fact, I was worse.  I was then sent for an abdominal CT around 2 p.m.  When I had finished the CT, the technician told me to stay in the dressing area with my lovely "scrub" outfit on, and they were calling my doctor. (Clue:  If this ever happens to you, IT IS REAL BAD!)  They then let me go, but refused to say anything about my CT and said my doctor would call me.  I was still thinking I had a kidney stone, and wasn't too worried and went Christmas shopping with my oldest son.

I was having a wonderful time shopping for Christmas presents at my local Kohl's (love them) department store, and thinking I probably would not hear anything from my doctor until Monday.  I remember exactly where I was when my cell phone rang--in the T-Shirt section of the young men's department.  My doctor is not one to put things "kindly".  She informed me that I had a 25cm (9.84 inches) tumor on my left ovary and that I needed to contact my OB/GYN immediately for surgery!  I got off of my cell phone absolutely STUNNED! I had an almost 10 inch tumor in my abdomen?  Wow!  Why didn't I have symptoms before now? Then, I had to KEEP CALM and CARRY ON, while I checked out my purchases at Kohl's.  I must have looked stunned too, because the cashier asked me if I was okay.  I waited until I got to the car to cry.

I went to the best gynecological surgeon I know and was then sent for an ultrasound of my abdomen and had a blood test--CA125.  Thankfully my blood test came back an 11, which she said was good!  But when I had the ultrasound the technician said my tumor went all the way up my left side to my middle torso.  When I told my doctor what she said, the doctor said I must be mistaken. (But I wasn't.)

On January 5, 2010, I had a complete hysterectomy.  When the doctor talked to my husband, she said she felt that I had a 75% chance of having ovarian cancer because it "looked" that way to her and that my tumor weighed 10 pounds.  Then, it was my husband's chance to BE CALM and CARRY ON!  For two whole weeks, he told everyone that I was fine and that I just had a harmless cyst.  He didn't tell anyone what he was told. He didn't tell me, my parents, my children, anyone!  Can you believe he was able to do that?  All he did was PRAY.  Praise God that the doctor was wrong, and my biopsy came back negative for any signs of cancer!    

I have decided that I will make some of these wall hangings for my store, but they will say:
                     KEEP CALM and CARRY ON and PRAY!


I hope I didn't bore you with my story.  I have to say now that having a hysterectomy has been a blessing and the best thing that has ever happened to me!  Just think, if it had been 5 or 8 years down the road, the outcome may have been very different!

Hugs,
Kathy@delightfulonceagain.com