One Short Year Ago Today....

I didn't know any of you.

(now I have hundreds of awesome friends)

I didn't have a blog.

(now you can't shut me up)

I'd never used a camera other than a disposable.

(now I absolutely love shooting and editing my own photos)

I didn't have a booth in an antique mall.

(now I have a booth at Sunrise Antique Mall in Kerrville, Texas)

I didn't have an Etsy shop. (I didn't even know what Etsy was.

Now I have joined the ranks of online sellers with my very own shop)

I had never heard of, nor been to Warrenton, for Antiques Week.

(now I'm scheduled to be there with my friend Effie in the Spring, helping her sell in her space)

What a difference a year makes!!!

It hasn't all been sunshine and roses, but it's been pretty darn good!

Looking forward to sharing my misadventures with all of you in the coming year...and wishing all of you the very best!

And The Winner of "Make Me Laugh" Is....

 (Me, courtesy of yearbookyourself.com)

It was genuinely close, there were several real contenders, but the one that tickled me the most was this one, from Amy at Ligonier Living...

So a lady was driving through the desert on her way home from a business trip and she passes an old Navajo woman walking along the road. She backed up and asked her if she would like a ride. The old woman gladly got in the front seat. Driving along in silence, the old woman nodded askingly at a brown paper bag on the seat between them. The lady said, "That's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband." The old woman nodded knowingly and said, "Ah, good trade."

I can't resist a good husband joke! ;-)

Amy, if you'll mail me your snail mail address, I'll send you a little something to make you smile for making me smile.

Thanks again to everyone who, in the spirit of the season, reached out to lend a hand.

I love you all.

The "Make Me Laugh" Giveaway...

If you've persevered and trudged through my past two days worth of posts, you'll know that I need a little levity in the worst way possible. In short, I need a good laugh.

This is where you come in.

In my comments section, post your very best jokes. Long or short, corny or erudite, it doesn't matter a lick, just help me to crack a grin, emit a chuckle, blow milk outta my nose...

To make it fun, I'll select the one that tickles my funny bone the most, and at the end of the day (12/28/09), will select a winner.

I'll send ya a little sumpin' sumpin' via the USPS for your trouble if I choose you! Nothing grand, just fun.

Nope, no names drawn out of a hat, no random number generator, this is one contest where you have to earn your spoils!

The past few days has been either laugh or cry, and I choose to laugh.

Help me pulverize these lemons here into somethin' drinkable!

Please Pray....

This is an incredibly difficult post to write.

My friend Mark, who I met through my booth at the antique mall, was brutally murdered on Christmas day. Shot and killed, along with a friend who remains in critical condition. This was not a random act...the killer knew at least one of the victims. Out of resepct for Mark's family, I will not go into further detail here, but would ask that you pray for all involved, including the murderer.

Although Mark didn't officially work at the antique mall, he was a close and dear friend to both of the owners. Indeed, he was a dear friend to anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. On any given day, you could find him there helping out, lending a hand in any capacity needed. On more than one occasion, he could be counted on to help me load or unload new pieces I'd bring into my booth, or to lend an objective eye about one of my booth vignettes.

He was a bit of a renaissance man, but was a preacher by trade. I find comfort in this, but feel little comfort otherwise.

You see this smiling photo of myself below?

It was taken by Mark just prior to the open house we had back in October. That was Mark for ya, friend, helper, preacher, furniture mover, mall security, teller of tall and entertaining tales, and even photographer when called upon!

You will be missed, sweet friend.

God willing, I'll see you on the other side.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

How Did Santa Know???

 

That Santa really does have eyes and ears everywhere!

I received lots and lots of wonderful gifts this Christmas, but I think by far my favorite was this one, which actually came by way of two of Santa's best elves, aka my mom and best friend, Tom.

They took one of my old business cards down to a local printing shop and had this absolutely awesome tote bag made with my business logo printed on it! And not only that, but they also had some T-shirts made as well! I'm not usually a mushball, but I started bawling as soon as I saw them.

Sooooooo.....

Thank you, Santa Mom and Santa Tom!

Y'all are the best!

What did all of Y'ALL get from Santa this year, hmmm???

Hope You Had a Very Merry....

Festivus!

An Ineffable Light

Nativity at Night by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, c. 1490

"...the virgin knelt down with great veneration in an attitude of prayer, and her back was turned to the manger.... And while she was standing thus in prayer, I saw the child in her womb move and suddenly in a moment she gave birth to her son, from whom radiated such an ineffable light and splendour, that the sun was not comparable to it, nor did the candle that St. Joseph had put there, give any light at all, the divine light totally annihilating the material light of the candle.... I saw the glorious infant lying on the ground naked and shining. His body was pure from any kind of soil and impurity. Then I heard also the singing of the angels, which was of miraculous sweetness and great beauty..."

 From a vision of Catholic mystic Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), which served as the inspiration for this painting.

May His ineffable light illuminate your path this Christmas season, and always.

With my love and very best wishes for you and yours,
Anne