Chaos, Mud and a Farm Sale . . . all here at Past Blessings Farm!

Hello friends!  Hope this posts finds you all happy, healthy and loving life.  I recently got back from Arizona after a 10 day visit with my sister and her hubby.  It was a great visit, other than getting a flu bug on day 5.  I am not sure why any and all flu bugs seem to think they need to take up residence in my apparently wimpy respiratory system, but I am quite fed up with it!  But finally, after being sick for probably 85 or 90 percent of the time since Christmas, I am starting to feel better.  I am still a bit of a snot nose . . . literally, but feeling better each day.  It seems to me, as much as I blow my nose, I should have lost about 20 pounds by now!  LOL!  If only it worked that way . . . it would almost make getting sick a blessing! Instead of dieting, we would simply blow our noses . . .

So now that I am feeling better, I have been a busy beaver  getting ready for this weekend's "Winter Blahs" Sale here at Past Blessings Farm.  I have been painting, sanding, hammering, cutting and gluing almost anything that can't out run me!  From an antique roll top desk that has been painted a warm gray with iron knobs and distressing to an antique farm cupboard that . . . well . . . came with the farm, there is something for everyone.  Four dressers, three rocking chairs, one wingback chair, four wood chairs, several side tables, lots of shelves and cupboards, quilts, pottery, tinware, woodenware, primitives, linens and more.  And cowboy and cowgirl boots . . . because every farmgirl needs a pair . . . or 12!

At the moment, things are still in disarray and most things are not priced . . . but I have come to realize that is just how I work.  It really doesn't seem to matter how well I plan or how organized I intend to be . . . I always seem to be pulling it together at the last minute.  I dream of a day when I have it all ready and done a few days in advance.  I envision myself lazily crawling out of bed an hour or so before the sale begins, having a nice breakfast, perhaps even reading the paper.  Then leisurely walking down the driveway to move the saw horses that "gate off" the sale and welcome the guests as they come to shop.

But here is how it happens in reality.  I stay up into the wee hours finishing projects the night before (or shall we say morning of . . . ) usually dropping in exhaustion into my bed around 3 am.  I am then back out in the shop around 6 am to rush around organizing things, get my signs ready and price things.  At 8:59, I run down the driveway, signs in tow, managing to step in every mud puddle as I go.  The guests drive in as I move the saw horses and I try to out run their cars so I can turn on the music and pretend the ambiance of bluegrass music was there all along.  Once again, I manage to step in mud and I walk into my shop muddy and out of breath.  But, as usual, my shoppers are wonderful.  My regulars are used to my disheveled mornings.  They simply have come to expect this chaos.  The newbies are busy looking at the amount of volume crammed into this little shop and don't seem to notice the ruckus.  So I catch my breath and accept this "imperfect sale" for what it is and allow myself to enjoy it regardless. 

The day will come . . . I promise myself . . . where everything is priced ahead of time and all dust and clutter has been cleared.  Where cute banners of gingham and burlap drape the walls, where candles are lit an hour in advance along with the music being started, cookies are baked and ready to greet my guests and my checkout area is neat as a pin, complete with calculator, bags and gift wrap.  During this perfect sale, I will always add sales up correctly, will remember the history on all the pieces I am asked about, and will have something wise and witty to offer to each customer.  I will decorate the sale for the season . . . this being a valentines weekend sale, it would be complete with rose petals strewn on the floor, and the homebaked cookies would be gingerbread hearts.  I would have adorable ink pens for the customers to use that have been made out of cute artificial flowers . . . next to the mints and neatly stacked fliers and business cards promoting future sales and shows.

But until then . . . which will probably only be once I see heaven (assuming there will be antique sales in heaven . . .) I will be here a few times a year, selling my wares, being creative and embracing the chaos.  These sales bring me joy . . . I have wonderful customers, I get to be creative and enjoy making a bit of money while staying here on my sweet little farm.  Truly, even with the disorganization and chaos, I am blessed.  Past Blessings Farm is my little piece of paradise.  And I am so grateful.

So, if you happen to be in Spokane this coming weekend, come stop in.  Our sale is Friday, Feb. 15th and Saturday, Feb 16th from 9 am to 5 pm both days.  If you aren't sure you will recognize me, look for the girl who only had about 2 hours of sleep, is wearing muddy cowgirl boots, and has paint dried in her hair and under her finger nails.  That'll be me!  And another way to recognize me . . .  look for the most blessed woman on earth . . . that;ll be me!  Oh, and you may want to wear your cowgirl boots . . . there will be mud!

I will be back in a few days with a new post . . . about the most amazing new product . . . well new to me anyway . . . that has added a whole new world of ideas and possibilities for me . . . and I can't wait to share it with you!  Stay tuned!

But in the meantime . . . look around you . . . look at the people who love you, the roof over your head and the pillow under your head . . . and even if your life is disorganized and chaotic, choose to see the blessing!  Blessings are everywhere . . . we just need to choose to see them!