Don't panic.

Okay, before I say this, please don't panic.  Please, please, please don't panic.

I just returned from a week long trip with my family.  It was wonderful, it was so nice to get away and think.  This last December I had this strong feeling (without getting all religious on you all, it was one of those feelings, ya know what I mean), that I needed to rethink the whole Gracie Lou's thing.  I LOVE Gracie's, she gives me so much.  I love my customers, my staff, my vendors and just plain being there.  So, like a dummy, I just kept shoving the "feeling" back into the corner of my mind hoping it would go away.  No surprise it hasn't, it's slowing gotten worse, in exchange making me slightly nuts.  I've talked to Mr. Parry and like always, he's completely supportive of whatever I do, the man is a saint.  What I want is someone to tell me what to do and how to do it, but then I don't.  Geez, I'm such a girl.

Last month, I had the opportunity to listen to General Conference, if you aren't LDS, then just imagine very sweet, wise old men giving you loads of good advice.  What I came away with was this insightful quote, "No other success can compensate for failure in the home".  The central theme, at least for me, was motherhood, being a mother and how important it is.  More importantly that is it divine and I chose and agreed to be a mother, therefore I better make good on my end of the deal.  I know and believe that I will and have been blessed beyond any comprehension simply because I am a mother.

I have all these little people running around the house and foolishly they believe I have all the answers.  They love me unconditionally, they accept my follies and forgive my shortcomings.  They want me to be happy, so they deal with Gracie Lou's and all it's "stuff".  I have this huge cheering section...lucky me, problem is they are missing a pretty big section of their own crowd...me.  I am just not cutting it.  Something has to give.  Fortunately for me, I don't need to work outside the home, but yet I am choosing to do so, and it's kicking my butt.  It makes me sad that I can't do it all, I try, but it's not working too well.

Now, before you all assume we are on the highway to you know where, we aren't...yet.  My marriage is still intact, my kids aren't serving mandatory community time.  The house is somewhat clean, thanks to an overpaid housekeeper.  The cat is still alive.  It's me that has issues, I literally feel like I am swimming up stream.  Gracie's is thankfully busy, busy, busy.  Izzy & Ivy Designs is rockin' the pattern industry...but something has to go.  If it doesn't I am going to have to take my shrink up on his offer of a room with a view.  Please understand that I am not making light of this situation, I am just trying to be honest.  It is what it is.  I am not Wonder Woman, not even freakin' close.  I do not own the bracelet or the cape.

So, here's the deal.  I am looking for someone or someone's that would like to be the proud owners of Gracie Lou's.  She's a great little shop, that is doing everything right.  She's busy, has the best customers and of course the best fabric selection.  Her POS system is top notch and her building is brand new.  I don't want anything, just someone that has the time, energy and passion she deserves.  The ideal shopkeeper would be someone without small children, someone who obviously loves to sew and doesn't mind spending lots of time being a shop owner.  I promise I will be the best customer ever and if desired she'll come with some pretty fantastic employees.  Please help me by not inquiring unless you are very serious.  I can provide you with all the necessary info like financials and so forth.  Business will go on as usual until Gracie Lou's has a new owner.  It's been awesome, and believe me, I love Gracie's, but my job is with all these short folks that call me momma.

Ahhh...I feel better already.  :o)