catching up

Wow! It's February already?!! What happened to January? I swear it blew by in a wintery rush. January was actually a really nice way to start off 2013. As stated in my previous post we were not in financial ruins this year due to the holiday hang over. The store had the most profitable January in years due to the many sales I ran just to get through the month. I also kept my shopping to the barest minimum so I could allow myself a quick and cold trip to the Big Apple. After not being there in a few years and going through the many tired catalogs and companies from which I usually order, I knew this trip was a neccessity. The gift show there in the big city is my favorite. Who am I kidding, it's the only one I frequent. Row after row of companies, thousands. A treat for the eyes and a big dent in my wallet. Well dressed and sometimes snooty owners and employees hawking their wares under the bright lights. Everyone excited for their line of jewelry, perfume, home design, linens, paper, you name it, it's there! I'm happy to say I returned home with a new stack of fresh catalogs and fun new merchandise ordered for the shop. Did I mention how much I adore New York City? It just gets under your skin with its manic energy and lightning pace. If I don't return every year I feel like something is missing. My cohort had never been before so I dragged her poor tukas all over mid town and beyond. Margaritas at Maya were the best I ever had. My third horse drawn carriage ride was still as fun and touristy as the first. Ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park was downright magical and the unexpected sighting of the Roosevelt Island Tram hanging from its wire had me running w camera/phone in hand. Our hotel though poo pooed by some was absolutely beautiful and luxurious, gotta love those travel sites for a good deal! Trains, planes, and automobiles to get to our plane home had us shoving airport cupcakes in our mouth just to gain back some energy. Note to self, never eat airport cupcakes. After my arrival home, I was comatose all of Monday followed by a sick child, than husband, and of course yours truly. We were also hit here in the midwest with a lovely snowfall that fell for days. Tucked in my bed, store closed, catching up on sleep, life was not too shabby. Now it is February. Rent will be late, but my bills are paid. Store is still slightly empty, but there are a few new fun items. Tomorrow I return to my running in the park, painting furniture, and finally cleaning up that nightmare behind my desk. You know, normal life. The upcoming months plan on being a blur of buying activity preparing for my first foray as a flea market seller. As you know, dear readers, I will be sharing my thoughts and anxieties as the date gets closer and I wonder what the Hell am I doing?! For the time being I will just try to survive February. There are no trips this month only rent and more bills, but that's okay, life could definitely be worse and this month, though it's not January is gratefully a short one. Good night world.