Tuesday, May 06, 2008
MONKEY BUSINESS.....
Finally I am finding time to get back on the blog trail. I am normally a person who likes a routine more or less. Of course one has to be flexible to a degree but age, fibromyalgia, work (and such) just doesn't wait for anyone’s preference. Some time back I mentioned that Becky and I decided to open one small booth at the “Barn” in order to rid ourselves of “stuff.”
If you know Becky at all, “one” is never enough. When we started in 1997 we had one showcase. The next month Becky thought we should have another one. Then the owners at the time talked her into a large booth and we had to scour the Flea Markets to find enough to put in it… the next month we opened another booth up stairs……and then one more.
As Becky became busier with her “day job” we had to let one of the upstairs booths go and finally the other one. We gave up another showcase and after Rocky died we both sold out as there was no fun in it anymore. He was such a good hunter in the flea markets and afterwards getting the van packed good with the things we bought.
One time we came home with a new dining room set along with a load of sale items. The only way we could make it was to put four of the chairs on top and I have to say, we looked like a bunch of Okie’s from Muskogee going down the road. Rocky just laughed and prided himself on getting it all in one load…….he was always so low key, nothing ever bothered him. Now Becky has had to take that responsibility over and I’m sure he would be proud of her as she learned how to do it by watching him.
Becky was off work last Friday so we drove to Harrison, and opened another booth and stayed over night to finish up. For those of you who aren’t aware of the effort to have success in what we do……there is a lot of work behind getting the items on the shelves. We shop together, analyzing the cost and preparation for sale, then come home with as many plastic tubs we can fill……..and begin cleaning and marking for resale.
I mostly do the unwrapping and cleaning, Becky marks and I wrap for transfer to the booths. Becky loads the van and unloads at the Barn…..again I unwrap and place things on a table for Becky to decorate the booth. As she works on the “eye appeal” I give advice if I think it’s worthy and refold all the wrappings to clear the area.
We heard a joke once about a couple of fellows who bought a truck full of watermelons to take to Iowa and sell. When they got back, they found they didn’t make any money. After a moment of thought, one says to the other…..“we didn’t make any money….we’ll have to buy a bigger truck!!”
Sometimes as a vendor you feel that way at times but it’s fun to buy what we think people will want and go through the process. It’s good exercise, good brain food and yes, even fun. There are so many “finds” out there……it’s fun to go hunting and digging to get those treasures. I guess we’ve lived in the Ozarks long enough to be a couple of good horse traders.
To close with a thought: Money will buy a pretty good dog, but it won’t buy the wag of it’s tail. (Copied.) Be sure and pet your doggie today…..you’ll never find a better friend.
Essentially Esther
If you know Becky at all, “one” is never enough. When we started in 1997 we had one showcase. The next month Becky thought we should have another one. Then the owners at the time talked her into a large booth and we had to scour the Flea Markets to find enough to put in it… the next month we opened another booth up stairs……and then one more.
As Becky became busier with her “day job” we had to let one of the upstairs booths go and finally the other one. We gave up another showcase and after Rocky died we both sold out as there was no fun in it anymore. He was such a good hunter in the flea markets and afterwards getting the van packed good with the things we bought.
One time we came home with a new dining room set along with a load of sale items. The only way we could make it was to put four of the chairs on top and I have to say, we looked like a bunch of Okie’s from Muskogee going down the road. Rocky just laughed and prided himself on getting it all in one load…….he was always so low key, nothing ever bothered him. Now Becky has had to take that responsibility over and I’m sure he would be proud of her as she learned how to do it by watching him.
Becky was off work last Friday so we drove to Harrison, and opened another booth and stayed over night to finish up. For those of you who aren’t aware of the effort to have success in what we do……there is a lot of work behind getting the items on the shelves. We shop together, analyzing the cost and preparation for sale, then come home with as many plastic tubs we can fill……..and begin cleaning and marking for resale.
I mostly do the unwrapping and cleaning, Becky marks and I wrap for transfer to the booths. Becky loads the van and unloads at the Barn…..again I unwrap and place things on a table for Becky to decorate the booth. As she works on the “eye appeal” I give advice if I think it’s worthy and refold all the wrappings to clear the area.
We heard a joke once about a couple of fellows who bought a truck full of watermelons to take to Iowa and sell. When they got back, they found they didn’t make any money. After a moment of thought, one says to the other…..“we didn’t make any money….we’ll have to buy a bigger truck!!”
Sometimes as a vendor you feel that way at times but it’s fun to buy what we think people will want and go through the process. It’s good exercise, good brain food and yes, even fun. There are so many “finds” out there……it’s fun to go hunting and digging to get those treasures. I guess we’ve lived in the Ozarks long enough to be a couple of good horse traders.
To close with a thought: Money will buy a pretty good dog, but it won’t buy the wag of it’s tail. (Copied.) Be sure and pet your doggie today…..you’ll never find a better friend.
Essentially Esther
