Where does a year go?

Exactly a year ago today, we closed PHINE & Whimsey, the storefront.  It was quite a day, full of emotion and hard work.  Phil and I couldn’t have done it without Kenny, his helper, Lisa, Lynda  and Pam. They are awesome! Between setting up my new “studio” and getting all of our “stuff” out of the beloved storefront, it was a complete day.  It was after nine pm when we dropped off that great sofa from the Vera Bradley section to its new owners, Rene and Robert.

Looking back, it has been an interesting year, full of new knowledge (new skills(?)), a different schedule and dare I say it, a more balanced life?  Well, a little more balanced.  I still work everyday, it’s just in a different format.  I totally miss the day to day interaction with my customers, who often became friends.  I have to say it is what I miss most…. catching up on people and their lives.  Sometimes the store felt like my little version of the series called “Cheers”, you know where everyone knows your name?  Often shoppers would see someone they knew in the store, or would come together for a day with friends.  I loved that.  I met SO many great people through other great people who shopped with me.  And I am so thankful for all the vendors and companies who continue to walk this journey with me who still believe in this world of gift giving with a purpose.

A huge thanks to all the great friends who have continued to shop with me, both online and in person!  My newly revamped web store has been a labor of love.  It has been great fun to continue to do what I love, finding ways to honor and celebrate the people you adore. So, as I reflect on the year gone by, I am still SO thankful for my life, my family and friends, and my work.  One of my biggest joys over Thanksgiving with my children was their comments of how they miss the store too!  At times, it took me away from them, but also brought us closer together.  I throughly enjoyed having my girls work with me at P & W.  I hope that their memories are as fond as mine.

Happy Holidays to you!  Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family and friends and find peace with where you are today.

Lori

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