Hello to everyone. It's a new month and we just returned from the summer shows at the World Trade Center in Dallas. What a fun time this always is. Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of this Market, here's a picture of the atrium in the WTC:
I cannot begin to describe to you how big this place is...at least to me coming from middle-state Missouri where our mall could fit on one side of one of these floors. I'm looking around the picture to try and describe some of my favorite places to you. Below the red, white, and blue striped flag is a Starbucks, that's where I get my afternoon caffeine which keeps me on my feet. And a lot of those round things on the floor are soft cushy benches where you can find Mom sitting sometimes. It sounds like we don't do anything but drink and sit but that's not true! We usually arrive at market by 9 a.m. each day and don't leave until 6 p.m. (except for Friday which is late night and we leave at 8). That doesn't sound like a bad day but keep in mind that we don't take a break, we walk and shop all day. Grabbing a sandwich in whatever showroom we happen to be in a noon or thereabouts. While eating on our feet.
The thing is, while it is a ton of work, it is a ton of fun. My 14 year old step-daughter got to go for the first time this year. She has waited since the first day her Dad and I met (it seems that way) to attend this market with me. She had a great time! My niece Christine was also along, as is typical. She's been coming for years. She mentored Lindsey in the fine art of bag collection. You know those bags everyone is buying to go to the grocery store? A lot of the showrooms give away these types of bags (with their name on them of course) so that the market-goers have something in which to tote their catalogs. My girls like to collect these. They judge the best ones. They can tell you what year bags were handed out when they see someone carrying an older version. Or at least Christine can do all of this stuff, Lindsey was learning. Next year they'll have to teach Hailey.
Ron came along too. Did you know that a 4 year old could talk for 7 hours straight? I didn't either until we started out from Springfield and he did not quit chattering until we got to Dallas. Except for one little, very brief, 10 minute nap. He spent the days with his Pappaw while we went to Market. Then at night he planned activities for us such as a pool party. That was fun.
Mom made the trip for the first time in a few years. She got around great and made it into Market every day. Her knee replacement is scheduled for this month so prayers please for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. She of course timed her surgery around the Market and the Christmas season. What a trooper! As we were admiring her grit one day, Annette and I agreed that we hope we are as tough as she is when we are her age.
There were many funny moments. Do you have those people that you just know you'll get to belly laugh with? Well, this group is my people. So I wait for it. Annette does too. We know that at some point, we'll get that soul-cleansing, tears running, people think your crazy giggle going that is obnoxious and infectious at the same time. It never translates here. But if you ever get to do this, you know what I mean. And if you don't, maybe you should come to Market with me next year. You are guaranteed many good laughs. Enjoy the day! Becky
