Diary of a Mad Shopkeeper

Let us count some of the things we've learned from setting up Holiday 2007:

1. There is an element of the miraculous to being able to get this all done in four days. As a matter of fact, we're at the beginning of Day Four right now and I honestly don't know how we'll get this all done. But somehow when that first customer crosses the threshold tomorrow morning, she'll see nothing and know nothing of the battiness that has reigned for the past three days, and is sure to reign today.


2. We won't be surprised ever again if we pull up to our shop at 8 in the morning two days before the premiere of our biggest event of the year...and find a crew of roofers tearing off our roof. No joke. One frantic call to the landlord later, and the roofers are fast-tracked to finish our side of the building by dark last night, and the entire building by early Thursday morning. Please, God, let it be so. Last time I checked, we did not invite Din and Debris to A French-Inspired Noël.

3. Blogging with daily updates during such a massive store turnover is not realistic. There are so many funny and groan-inducing stories I could share, but there's no time, and I will have forgotten most of them by the time the party is over on Saturday night. Kind of like childbirth, I guess. So grueling that you wouldn't go through it a second time except that you dearly love your child and have forgotten the pain and discomfort birthing her brought.

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In related news, have you heard that Melissa from The Inspired Room is hosting a satellite party from The Blissful on Friday, November 2nd? Check it out! Midway through our soirée, you'll be able to view photos from the event, read a bit of inside scoop from yours truly, and get Melissa's take on holiday decorating.

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And after it's aaaaaallllll over, I'll put up a couple dozen photos, plus a full debriefing of how we did it. Thanks for reading, hope you're enjoying the last day of October, and I'll be in touch. Time to go trim a tree!