Ups and Way Downs

I know there are a lot of photos of the world's smallest retail space but I felt such a need to catch up and fill my little space here after a long hiatus. The hiatus will be explained at the bottom. Until then please enjoy what has kept me as sane as possible these last three months!

I might have lightly mentioned in a previous post that Paul's Uncle Robbie had come to live with us in August after living his entire 82 years in NYC, 42 in the same apartment. We discovered that he had not been eating or drinking and he was severely dehydrated and malnourished. After a stay in the hospital to get him up and running at least somewhat he came to live with us. What a wonderful soul; what a wonderful person, just as sweet as a guy can be. We quickly discovered that he was suffering from dementia and that was part of his not eating or drinking-to him he was but in reality he wasn't. He had good days and bad and some of both. But his eyes lit up like it was Christmas when we walked into the room. More and more he depended on us to take care of him but he was always cheerful and easy. He was in and out of the hospital with infections which, after 3 months, his body could no longer fight. We lost him last Wednesday morning. During his quiet, peaceful times I worked on art and collages to keep myself sane during the really challenging parts and would run up to the shop when Paul got home at night to take over care. It was truly a blessing that we had these months to be with him (Matt and I'd only met him once before; Paul saw him more and kept in contact with him several times a week-his wife passed away 6 years ago and they had no children) and get to know and experience such grace and love unbound. I kept up with what I could during that time but the guys came first (we still have Paul's 91 year old dad living with us-in fine health, too), this blog seemed to come last. I just didn't want to share what we were going through and I didn't want to not acknowledge it so I didn't do much. Hopefully I'll get back into my overdoing it and keeping you coming back. Next up is a tour of how the shop is gearing up in a big way for the holidays. Blessings to you and your families and don't take one minute of health for granted.

Oh boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are all thrilled (pun intended) that we got tickets to see the MJ movie Friday night. It's like a dream come true after the nightmare of loosing him. This is the closest we've/we'll ever be to seeing him in concert. Maybe better as far as viewing since we'll be in a theater and we will all be able to see it close up. What a blessing for all us fans...I'll let you know what we think. I hope everyone who wants to see it gets the chance.

Party pics from the Balto Big Flea

Here are the pics from last weekend's Baltimore Big Flea. These are mostly of my area. You have to visit The Pink Cabbage Blog to see more wonderful vignettes. Karen, Jody, and I did the show. There were supposed to be two more Cabbagettes but they had other plans come up at the last minute. Good thing we always have enough stuff to fill in the spaces! It was not a great show overall for most folks there sales wise but socially it's always fun too see all the folks who run with this circuit/circus!

What's next

A group of us at The Cabbage are doing the Big Flea only instead of DC this time we are going to Timonium Fairgrounds which is in Baltimore. I have just enough (ha) time to get some new things together. I shouldn't laugh at myself; I was just making some new art this morning. Better come check it out!

While I was gone...

...The Pink Cabbage had a party to celebrate three years in business. I hated to miss it but my trip had been scheduled since my mother's birth so I couldn't change my plans. They had the outside looking particularly fetching with tables and chairs for Cup Cakes and Coffee, as the affair was called.

On the left here is our ringleader, Jody. She does a fab job of advertising, fundraising, a fun parties in general. She's here with her cohorts and helpers.

It looks like...

...a fun time...

...was had by all.