Another Step Up on the Ladder

Categories: BlogBy Published On: July 14, 201936.4 min read797 words8 Comments on Another Step Up on the Ladder

Yesterday, I went and bought an enclosed trailer. I bought a booth at the Wenatchee quilt show as a vendor. My first time with patterns and kits. I have been learning lots from others. I have really gotten lots of good info. I have a feeling I am going to learn so much more. LOL I like to blog these moments as a way to capture the journey along the way. I have no idea what will be happening a year from now. So thanks for coming along.

I am not much of a traveler. I mean, I like seeing new places and having new experiences ect….but driving and getting there is not my favorite. I am not going to be one of those people who ever dreams of getting a motor home to live in and traveling around the country. I hate driving. I am like a little child. If someone else is driving so I can keep myself entertained with a good book, stitching or anything else…I will last for a little while. LOL. So all of that to say I am not exactly sure how far I will be taking this trailer as I can’t imagine being on the road too many times. I think all of that just got worse by living in a rural area because now I have to drive hours to get any where…and I have gotten worse in my older age. If I ever get rich I think I would hire a driver just so I wouldn’t have to drive again, honestly.

But I would like to sign up for a few shows next year and see what I can do. I would have signed up for a few more this year but one of the weekends for a big show is my oldest daughter’s wedding and there were other schedule conflicts. So it looks like one show to get my feet wet and I will figure out the rest later.

So I bought a few displays and units for my booth and I have been collecting stuff here and there for my booth. I have zero storage space in my house. My garage was taken by a studio. We have a little garden shed for my garden stuff. we have another shed for bigger stuff and tools ect. we literally have a small closet for Christmas decorations ( I have downsized considerably) and literally every closet and space is used in this house. So I told Rob I will need to have an enclosed trailer to haul everything to shows anyway…I should get one to store all of this stuff when not in use so instead of renting we might as well buy one to use as storage. So we did. We have outgrown our house….well I should say my business has outgrown this house. It’s not set up for some sort of quilting empire. LOL But until we get into a situation to move…we just have to make do. We also live on a hill so I can’t just build a shop in my back yard….all the things I didn’t realize when we bought this house. I didn’t know where my life would take me…still don’t.

It’s crazy to think I need all of this stuff. Clearly this year is not going to be a money making year with this new leg of my business. I keep telling myself…you have to invest to get a return…..but then I have to decide how I want to manage my time. How many shows a year? is it worth it? I don’t like to travel….so I can’t see myself making this a “regular” thing…but maybe a few local ones ect. But buying all of this stuff to get my feet wet….will make me take the leap to try a few things as see how it goes. At least I can re-sell the trailer if I don’t need it later. So here we go on another adventure.

Now I also need to learn how to back up a trailer…cause that is not a skill I know how to do. I feel tears and frustration coming on. LOL Rob is going to fix up a few things, get new tires ect. Just to make sure everything is top notch because he won’t be with me at this first show and I will have to manage everything myself. So he’s not going to take any chances of anything going wrong while I am driving ( if he can help it). That’s love.

So here’s to one more step. I wonder where this will take me. I hope to good places. LOL

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

xoxox

Charisma

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8 Comments

  1. Margaret July 14, 2019 at 11:17 am

    Best wishes in EVERYTHING you attempt! You have had a fan in me from the time I first saw your work on the board. Prayers for you!

  2. Kathy July 14, 2019 at 11:28 am

    You are a brave soul!!! You have accomplished so much… one step at a time! This new journey is another step!

  3. PatriciaArbuckel July 14, 2019 at 11:34 am

    This is so exciting.. Congratulations Dear
    One thing you need to do is get a good lock for the trailer tongue
    so no one can hitch it up and take. I dont want anyone trying to steal it
    at some of these shows you need to park the trailer in one spot and your car in
    another spot. Let us see your booth all pretty xxx Patty

  4. Shelly Hoffman July 14, 2019 at 12:12 pm

    Charisma.. so
    Much good luck to you as you Step
    out of your comfort zone..Yourethics, integrity and love for your craft will shine through as you journey to various shows.. I wish you the best!

  5. Linda Davis July 14, 2019 at 1:12 pm

    Prayers as you set out on this new path. Baby steps as you embark upon this adventure.
    Blessings

  6. Jill Therriault July 14, 2019 at 1:47 pm

    I love backing up trailers. Be glad to give you a hand at the show. Good on you! So cool.

  7. Patricia D Delamater July 14, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    WOW! This is huge! Wishing you the very best in every way. I’ve followed your quilting for years, first on Quilter’s message board. You have kept marching upward. About backing up that trailer, tow it to an empty parking lot and PRACTICE!! I once had to pick up our ride on mower which was on a trailer. I looked for only places where I could pull straight out:) Good luck.

  8. Roger Holloway July 15, 2019 at 5:06 am

    Old truckers tip for backing up. Steer from the bottom of the wheel and move the wheel the direction you need to trailer to go. That simple thing will save you a bunch of frustration. You’re welcome .

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