A Market First

Coolness!  I’m on my way to the Americasmart in Atlanta—yet I’m typing on my laptop!  Usually, this is a solo trip.  Ever since we opened ARTifacts Emporium, my sister Kendall has been unable to join me for these trips.  So, for the past three years I get to Atlanta in time to visit with my cousin, Stacy, awhile—then I hit the sack to prepare for my big day.

This time, I have company!  My husband agreed to join me.  I asked him to go with me to the market last July, but we were in a bit of an upheaval then.  He had just decided he was going to submit his paperwork for retirement and was working 17- 18 hour days as the S3 for an Attack Aviation unit.  Plus, he couldn’t, in good conscience ask for four days off as his unit was preparing fo r the training mission that would take them to Ft. Irwin, CA—especially since planning those sorts of operations was his job.

To bring you up-to speed—paperwork has been filed, retirement ceremony is complete and he’s in job searching mode.  We haven’t had time away together since his return from Iraq (Nov 2009).  So, at the diner table the other night I say, “I think Dad should go with me to Atlanta.” 

He immediately protests, “I can’t go—I have to find a job.” 

I was ready.  I hit him with, “Your job searching consists of sitting in front of the computer, perusing websites for job opportunities, submitting online resumes and cover letters.  All of that can be done in Atlanta—they have internet there, too.”  (We’re kind of snobs about Clarksville, TN—it is hard to believe other cities have such amenities, but they do!)

That’s why I am sitting here typing my blog!  I LOVE having my driver with me—and he’s good looking, too.

I think I was inspired to try again after reading my friend Tanya’s blog the other day.  She talked about taking a day trip with her husband—how they reconnected and all that good stuff.  I’m hoping for some of the same stuff, but this is a working trip, too.

So here’s a list of some of the things I’m looking for:  throw pillows, bedding, light fixtures, baby gifts, occasional furniture and   . . . oh, I’m sure it will come to me when I see it.

I am anxious to see how we do together—shopping for 10 – 12 hours a day has never been high on our “to do” list, but I think it’ll be fun.  I’ll let you know!

Thanks for your indulgence.