Follow the Leader

Do any of y'all remember playing "Mother May I" as a child...or am I dating myself by asking?
Silly question...right?
If you love me...don't answer that!

It was one of the few games I actually enjoyed during recess.  Well, it and jumping rope, but my rope jumping skills are stories for a later date.  Suffice it to say I was good...real good!

I never could break through the wall o'arms in Red Rover, but could always manage to break a vein in my wrist while serving in volleyball.  I was never tall enough to win at tetherball, but short enough to be the perfect human target in dodgeball.  In other words...I sucked.  Time after time, I suffered the humiliation of always being the last one picked for any team games requiring hand-to-eye coordination.

"Mother May I" was a whole different ballgame.  All I had to do was ask permission...and move forwards or backwards.

Mother may I take two baby steps?

Mother may I take a Cinderella step?


Zapp Hall Fall 2010



Sometimes the answer was yes and sometimes it was take three giant steps back.  Either way...the decision for proceeding "home" was made by someone other than me and I didn't end up looking like the dweeb I was when the school bell rang.

Zapp Hall Fall 2011

With age comes wisdom...or so they say.  It took a lot of wrinkles aging for me to realize that managing my life is much like a game of "Mother May I" only now it's "Father...May I".  When I've had to make life choices, deciding on my own without first seeking guidance, I've had to accept the consequences of sleeping in the bed I made in my haste.  Let me tell y'all...I don't like wrinkled sheets any better'n  a wrinkled face.  It didn't take this ol' gal long to figure out...I couldn't keep going backwards if I planned on making it home by the time the bell rang.



Zapp Hall Spring 2009

 I've been struggling with a problem that reared it's ugly head a little over a year ago.  Without going into detail, it was getting harder and harder for me to do the nine day Zapp Hall show...and that's not counting set-up days.  The time commitment, my age, my health, never knowing if Cat Daddy would be able to stay for the duration...all these things were beginning to burden me.  I love this show and the people in it with all my heart, but those two weeks were taking their toll.  Law...it was taking a month for me just to recuperate once we got back home.  I knew in my heart I couldn't continue to ignore the signs...I wasn't a young chick anymore.

Zapp Hall Fall 2009

We love being there, but I knew I had to think of the possibility of changing directions.  I also knew if I tried to make the decision on my own without seeking His guidance, I'd end up taking giant umbrella steps and twirling outta control.

Zapp Hall Spring 2001

I began praying.

Father, must I make this leap of faith?


Zapp Hall Fall 2010

 My answer came last week in a fortuitous phone call.

This fall...we will be at Antiques Week...just not at Zapp in our familiar location by Royers and the beer garden.

This fall...come October 2-6...we will be first time vendors at Marburger Farm in Tent H, space 9!

Am I scared and nervous?

Oh mylanta...you'll never know how much.



Zapp Hall Fall 2008



I know every blade of grass...every rock...every ant hill on that small piece of real estate we've called home since 2000.  I can lay out our space blindfolded.  I know where the lights will hang, where the big pieces will be, and what I can and can't get away with.  We have shoppers/friends who have been coming to us since that first show 12 years ago.

I'm not exactly sure where we even unload at Marburger, we'll be so green...but am I excited?

You bet your cowgirl boots I am!

We'll be close to friends we love...spittin' distance in fact.



Spring Show 2012

 The show is 4 days of closed set-up time and 5 days of open for business.  My days will be shorter, leaving time for visiting in the evening...a luxury I've never allowed myself.



Zapp Hall Fall 2008


                                                                The very best part?

Cheryl is a woman of faith.
This has been so important to me while at Zapp.  She and her family are believers in the power of prayer and walk the talk every day.

Ashley at Marburger is a woman of faith.
When I told her I needed to pray about my decision...she didn't need to hear another word.  Told me to take all the time I felt I needed because she herself did nothing without talking to Him first.

How blessed am I to have the opportunity to work not once, but twice with folks like this?

Rarely...and that my friends is the answer I was seeking...no...needing.



Zapp Hall Fall 2009



It's hard saying goodbye to the people we've come to regard as family, but weighing it all out, it's what we believe in our hearts is His plan for us and must follow where He leads.

Besides...it'll only be down the road a hop, skip and a jump...

and how fitting for the next leg of our journey.

I'm linking to Debra's Common Ground VIF. Wonderful inspiration just a click away.