Tuesday, May 11, 2010

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)

7 comments:

Dawn said...

Shasta, you have made a very big decision and has obviously been a long process of thoughts... I beleive the hardest decisions to make in life are usually the ones that have the biggest impact and consequences...You have made a great choice... your family... and God will bless you abundantly for that choice. I pray Gracies sells to a passionate quilter/sewer like your self... well done on building a great shop..
Hugs Dawn x x x
P.S. I hope we still see you in blogland, and thnaks for the inspiration.

brittany marie davis said...

Family first. You are amazing to have handled everything for so long. I have enjoyed your blog and your tutorials. We are moving back to Utah in July and I was so looking forward to visiting your shop. I still can of course. Good luck to you!

Anonymous said...

Believe me, many readers will know exactly how you feel, even if our businesses are on a small scale. I love that I can be home, but I find myself feeling like I should be releasing collections of patterns instead of just one every few months. I feel the pressures, but resist every day because of the kids.

This was a huge decision I'm sure, but one that God will honor. I hope the right owner comes along quickly and you can transfer everything over without any problems. The new owner will be in for a treat, I'm sure.

Moose on the Porch Quilts said...

Wow Shasta! Big news! We will pray for the right person to come along for you and all of us.

Elder and Sister Walker said...

Wow, Shasta what a lot you have been processing lately. My quilt friends were a little worried about you. We all said you were looking so tired lately.
Family must come first. I can tell this has been a hard decision, but you have made the right one.
I just hope you can find a fabulous person/people to take over your shop because we love it.
I don't blame you. I was considering the possiblility of opening a yarn shop here in UT county, but everything I read said a yarn shop was a money pit and left no time for anything else. If your quilt shop feels the same way, then you have made the right choice.
Thanks for giving us such a wonderful place to shop for our creations. I hope it will be able to continue with equally wonderful new ownership. You are awesome.

itsconnie said...

Shasta,
You have been an inspiration to us all. Being a super Mom and managing such an amazing fabric store. Only you can decide what is best for you. Congratulations for having the courage to start up and then know when it is time to stop. No one can take your place, but we will hope for someone almost as wonderful and energetic as you to take over. Love the shop and everything about it, glad to hear it will not close.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but I am freaking out! So sad to see you go!