Hello friend. I don’t know about you, but I always think that when July 4th comes around, summer is over. This year, I don’t think that. Maybe it’s because we have done so much already that I don’t feel that pull of trying to get things done before school starts. Or maybe it’s because I don’t have a child in school anymore—college, yes, but not high school. The stress of getting everything accomplished for school is not there. I have a grown-up now, and he handles most everything. I guess it’s the start of a new chapter for me.

Yesterday was my Mom’s birthday. She is 81 years young. Normally, we have a birthday celebration at my house but this year was different. This year, we decided to mix things up and went to Chick-fil-A for lunch so the greats could play. Not everyone came because they were working. After lunch, we went shopping to find her something to wear for her upcoming class reunion. Then we went for ice cream, a sweet treat that brought smiles to everyone’s faces, and more people came to join us. Everyone except my two boys, they had to work. By the end of the day, Mom was quiet, and I knew she was tired from all the excitement and activity, but her smile said it all—she felt cherished and celebrated on her special day.

It’s a new month, which means it’s time for me to fluff my booth and add new items to replace those that have sold. I did take some new books and an old chippy metal box yesterday. I’m holding off on completely redoing the booth until next week when I’ll also take down the patriotic items that have adorned the space for the season. This gives me the perfect opportunity to not only refresh the overall look but also to bring in some surprises that will keep my booth feeling vibrant and inviting. I’m excited about the potential for the new items to attract even more visitors and create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages browsing and buying.

As always I’m glad you’re here.

Best,

Amy