We Are On The Move!

Sorry that it has been so long since my last post!  I had a great summer being a Vendor at Canton First Monday Trade Days!  (On my bucket list, of course!)  I started out in a great, huge spot for the summer! I sold, I bought, and I learned many lessons about the retail side of business.  I had the best time this summer, that I would not trade for anything!
Now, on to the Fall of 2012!  I am currently an AVON independent representative. (I love, love, love!)  I started selling some AVON along with other things in my shop and soon realized that other people love AVON too!  I also did some soul searching and realized that I had lost my original vision of shabby, vintage, french, repurposed items.  I started selling girl's dresses, and the kitty that says hello (can't use that name), and other signs and furniture that weren't part of my original bucket list.  We did well with those items, but with the cold weather coming, and my autoimmune disease, I need to downsize so I can manage better, physically, spiritually and mentally!  (All you sellers know what I mean.)
So, I am downsizing to the Village Shops #210 at Old Mill Marketplace, 542 E. Dallas St. (Hwy. 64 @ Hwy. 19), Canton, TX 75103. I will be there this next First Monday, November 1-4.  Remember that First Monday is always the weekend BEFORE the first MONDAY each month.  (I know, confusing.)

I will be updating my website and my new business card is below:

Premium Business Cards by Vistaprint


Come See Me!
Mention this blog and get 40% off of one item!
Hugs,
Kathy

Growing Up In A Blogging World!
When I went to post on my blog, my malware detector stated that a great blog I was promoting on mine showed to be infected with malware.  I had to risk my computer being infected to remove it from my own blog. Therefore, I suggest to everyone for the safety of your computer and your own blog, remove any promotion that you have for other sites on your blog.  Evidently, there are hackers in China that are stealing blogs for the advertising income.  We live in a crazy world.  We have to:  Be Calm and Carry On and Be Aware To Be Safe!
Kathy

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

Magazine About Dallas Thrifting

In doing research for my new shop: Delightful Once Again!  I realized that the Dallas, Tx area really needs a good magazine about thrift and antique stores and flea markets.  So, I decided why not me?  I have a good knowledge of grammar and the English language, and it looks like no one else has written about thrifting. I decided to kill two birds with one stone.  While shopping for great vintage finds for my store, I have also been reviewing thrift stores, antique stores and flea markets.  So here is a sneak peek:
*One thrift store was so old it actually has "ASBESTOS" in the ceiling!  You know the kind, with steel bars in the ceiling, absolutely covered in asbestos.  This store was labeled a rescue, but I am afraid the employees may be the ones needed to be rescued soon!
*One store that I shall not name, was so filthy I was afraid to touch anything! Then, I picked up a dish that looked as if it actually had dried urine on it!  Eek!  Left there pronto!
* Then there was the thrift store that was very clean, but smelled like your grandmother's house with all those moth balls hidden in the closets!  I did find some good stuff, but I have never like the smell of moth balls!
*There is one store that is my favorite, but you will have to read my magazine when it is published!  I will keep you updated on my progress.  I am aiming for first part of June, 2012!
(Sorry I know I use way too many exclamation points.)
* Next are the flea markets.  I just got back from Canton yesterday.  I have never gone on a Thursday before, it was still good, but not like going on a Saturday.
I am going to another antique store tomorrow.  I am really excited, so I hope it lives up to my level of excitement!
Please go to my Facebook, Delightful Once Again, and like my page.  I am giving away a Barnes & Noble gift card.
God bless us all!
Kathy@delightfulonceagain.com

Hello!

I want to say thank you to Mrs. Walker who is the first person to follow my blog!  I hope I can be entertaining and informative.  I have some exciting news of a give-away for this blog!  When I reach 100 followers, I will be giving away this Kathy Van Zeeland purse.The purse is NEW with tags.  Here are the details: 

• Includes bag and removable credit card holder
• Bag exterior: convertible crossbody strap, silvertone hardware, zip top closure, front and back slip pockets, back zipper pocket with built-in wallet-like organizer
• Bag interior: purple zebra-print lining, three slip pockets, back-wall zipper pocket, D-ring for keys
• Back pocket built-in organizer: seven credit card slots, ID pocket, attached mirror, zipper pocket, removable credit card holder, two slip pockets
• Removable credit card holder: four slot pockets, ID pocket
• Measurements: bag 9-1/2"W x 7"H x 2-1/2"D with an 11"L to 23-1/2"L strap drop; weighs 1 lb, 1 oz; credit card holder 6-1/4"H x 3"W
• Body/trim 100% vinyl; lining 100% polyester
• ONCE I REACH 100 FOLLOWERS, I WILL HAVE A DRAWING FOR THIS BAG AND IT WILL BE MAILED TO THE WINNER TOTALLY FREE, NO SHIPPING FEES OR ANYTHING1  WHO CAN PASS UP THIS DEAL?
• PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND HAVE YOUR FRIENDS JOIN ALSO!

Its All Delightful Once Again

Hello Everyone!

As I start writing this first blog, my computer tells me that it is 11:11 am.  I think that is really interesting because for the last few years, I have always looked at my clock when it showed the time 11:11.  I don't really know what that means, but I like to think that the one explanation  is that it means "the Universe is telling me that I am where I need to be right now."  I pray that God is saying, "you go, girl!" I have always wanted to have my own shop.  I have always been drawn to items that I like to term "delightful"!  You know, when you are tired, or having a bad day, and you see that one thing that says to your brain--"ahhh, eye candy! That is so pretty that it makes me happy!"  So, everything I put on my site is something that "delights" me.  Whether it is furniture that I have rescued and given a miracle chic makeover, home decorations, prints, jewelry, etc, you can believe that I have it on my website because it is "delightful". 

Now a little info. about me.  My name is Kathy and I live in Texas.  I am a retired registered nurse.  I had to quit nursing when, after receiving a mandatory Hepatitis B vaccine (that is a whole other blog), it triggered me to have an autoimmune disease called polymyositis. (It means I have pain, stiffness, soreness in all my muscles in my arms and legs and have a stiff-legged gait.)   After many years of consulting doctors, I finally have a great rheumatologist that diagnosed me and put me on the right recipe of medications.  I have good and bad days, but I ALWAYS have a positive attitude.  I know there are people with other diseases that would trade places with me, so I never feel sorry for myself.  

I have a great sense of humor, and I always say, "if I can laugh at it, I can live with it."  My favorite movie is Steel Magnolias, from which my favorite quotes come~~"I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special." --Steel Magnolias
"I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair." --Steel Magnolias

Well, I better get started putting all my delightful finds on here.  Send me a message if you like.  Please remember~I am a perfectionist and hate to be criticized! ha 

See you next time~ Love, Kathy@delightfulonceagain.com