You may be wondering where I have been lately. From a business perspective, I have been busy behind the scenes working on product ideas, custom orders and Web site enhancements. That seems to be the stuff that takes a lot of time, but doesn’t get a lot of recognition. I have also been enjoying some time in the garden, sprucing up the yard, and playing with the kids in the sprinkler. I have a pretty amazing bunch of peonies this year and I can’t wait until they bloom (should be any day now). Hopefully they survive the heavy rains that are supposed to come in over the next 3 days.

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to my husband today. We are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary. I remember our wedding day as if it was yesterday. It was a magnificent day…bright blue sky, gentle breeze. We were surrounded by family and friends and it truly was one of the happiest days of my life. Bobby, if you are reading this…I love you and would do it all over again. You are an amazing husband and father and you make my life complete. Happy Anniversary, babe!

Mother’s Day was awesome! I really want to thank my husband and the girls for making it so relaxing and peaceful…it was just what I needed. The day started with me sleeping in a bit. Then, I awoke to knocks on the bedroom

It rained. It poured. I think the old man even snored. But it didn’t deter us from going to the Brimfield Fair on Friday. We packed rain gear, changes of clothes and shoes, and a positive attitude. Despite the terrible weather, the crowds were steady and we were surprised by how many other people were braving the elements. We lasted about 6 hours in the rain, but a wardrobe malfunction with my rain gear sent us to the car in hysterics and we decided to call it a day (The rain pants that I bought for $10 at the fair split right down the seam. In a matter of minutes, the pants that were supposed to keep me dry and out on the fields for another couple hours were ripped to shreds. I was walking around with a huge rip across my right thigh and my left pant leg completely tore in half so all I had left of my pants was a small circle of latex around my left ankle. It was comical and if it wasn’t pouring so hard, I would have taken pictures.)

We only covered about a third of the territory we normally cover, but we still managed to find some wonderful treasures (photos below). My mom’s big find was a jelly cabinet for her hallway that she got for a song. She also scored a large stone snail for her garden, a couple wooden crayon molds that she is planning on using for plate rails, and an old apothecary chest that will house a lot of her office supplies.

So, it’s pouring here. Has been for 3 days and it is supposed to last for potentially 7 more. This type of weather is not good for antiquing at the Brimfield Fair. Some of the vendors leave early if they are not making any money. The fields are sopping wet and muddy. The mosquitoes are abominable. People tend to be cranky and irritable. It can be

My mom and I have gone to the Brimfield Antiques Show year after year, often multiple times a year…it’s a tradition of ours. She spends the night at my house, we create our “shopping lists,” clean out the car, and head to bed early. We are up with the roosters the day of the show and we spend 10-12 hours searching for bargains and hidden treasures. We get grimy and grubby as we scour the fields for bargains. We snack at the vendor carts, we people watch, we talk and laugh and have a great time - it’s kind of become our special mother-daughter day. Some of our favorite decorative items have come from these fairgrounds and there are certain vendors that we visit year after year because we know they are going to have something we will adore. We both come home with at least one piece of handmade wooden furniture from a guy that travels from Pennsylvania, we buy stone gardening sculptures from a company from Michigan, and rusty garden ornaments and bird houses from two Minnesota women.

So, I am not going to be able to partake in any of tomorrow’s activities and I am kind of bummed out. No online chats, no contests, no scrapping and swapping…nothing. But, it is for good reason, so I am not complaining. First, I have my dear friend’s baby shower in the afternoon. This is her first child and we are all thrilled for her. Then, I am going to an auction at my husband’s school. It is Cinco de Mayo themed, so it is sure to be a blast - complete with delicious food and drink. I guess I will just have to take a bunch of pictures and then hold my own private “National Scrapbook Day” later on!

Everyone has that certain something that comforts them. For some, it