I Can Mess Up the Simplest Things
I apologize in advance if this post gets too rambly and incoherent. It was an exhausting weekend and I am still a bit groggy from lack of sleep and sore feet.
The girls (Grace and Hope) and I left early Thursday morning for a 5 hour drive to Arlington, TX where we got to experience our first homeschool convention from the vendor side. We were there representing One Year Adventure Novel, our favorite-favorite-favorite high school writing curriculum (did I say it’s our favorite?). We arrived a little late and only had a few minutes to set up, but we managed to pull it off in pure Pennington style.
The next morning we barely had time to prepare as the hoards of homeschool families hunting for their annual curriculum poured into the convention center and we were swamped. It was 2 days of non-stop action. We had lots of kids and parents checking out the novel writing curriculum, but the old typewriter was the big attention grabber. People were coming from all around to see the old machine and at least 50 kids asked us, “What is that?” (so sad!)
The peppermints also kept drawing people in. It was refreshing when a child would ask permission to take one. That blessed us every time. A special shout-out to the parents who teach their children to be polite.
You may have noticed that there isn’t much product on our table. There’s a very sad and pathetic reason for that. Before we left home we opened the box and dug down to what we thought was the bottom and all we saw were lots and lots of demo discs. So we laid them out in an old suitcase and tried to make them look important.
All weekend we wished we had some products to show, but we just went with the flow. It wasn’t until we were packing up to leave that we discovered there was actually a bunch of product in the bottom of the box.
I could have cried! Mr Schwabauer will no doubt decide to find someone else to represent One Year Adventure Novel next year and I won’t blame him. Who wants a rep that doesn’t put out the product?! I felt so stupid. How could I not have thought to make sure there wasn’t more down there? Oh, it makes my stomach turn just thinking about it now.
On a positive note, I did get to meet a lot of YOU at the convention and that was wonderful! You all hugged me and encouraged me and not even one of you asked me why I was sitting at a booth with an old typewriter and nothing to sell. I appreciate that.
We decided at the last minute to go ahead and drive home on Saturday night. I wanted to wake up in my own bed on Mother’s Day. I missed my babies so we packed up the mini-van, hit the “Go Home” button on the GPS and drove until midnight.
Sunday was “Mom’s resting day” and it was lovely. The kids made me muffins and let me sleep. Besides all of the yard work everyone did while I was gone, last night they gave me gifts that proved they know exactly what I like. Here’s a quick list: power tools, jewelry, cookbook, Rascall Flatts album, ipone photo apps, iphone wide angle lens, washi tape and a spoon rest. Now that’s what I call variety!
Even though I am still a bit dopey this morning, I do feel rested and ready for the week ahead. I may never completely recover from the shock of finding the products at the bottom of the box, but my new tiny miter saw makes me so happy that I think I will go out to my workshop and build myself something to help the healing process.
How was your weekend?
(((Lisa))) I can totally relate – I’d do something just like that! I haven’t gone to a homeschool convention for the last 7 years and I miss it! I used to go every year when we lived in Albuquerque, but it’s a much further drive for me to attend one where I live in Illinois now.
I’m sure it isn’t much of a consolation, but I think your both looks fabulous! I’ve got an old Underwood similar to yours, but mine is wider. The beast weighs a ton, but I love it!
Blessings,
Angie @ Knick of Time
Yes Angie! That thing was so heavy it took 2 of us to lift it onto the table! LOL! Lisa~
You can get a wide-angle lens for the iPhone!? I need to look into that since I’ve not used my digital camera since I got my phone… 😉
Sounds like you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. And I’m sure all will be forgiven and forgotten in regard to the “missing” product. LOVE the typewriter… and I agree it’s sad there are kids that don’t know what a typewriter is! Makes me want to shop around for one to have in the house so my kids aren’t in that crowd. LOL
~k
Kristin, yes…it was a great Mother’s Day. And I am sure the OYAN people will forgive me because they are wonderful. But I do wish I had looked in the bottom of that silly box! 🙂
I put my new lens on my phone and it was amazing how much more I could get in frame….you MUST get one. 🙂 Lisa~
Well I’d say that you made out pretty good aside from your little faux pau. You’re only human. And I’d just stick with that argument and move on. LOL!
Have a lovely week.
Kim
Lisa, Lisa, Lisa….don’t you hate when stuff like that happens? It was just samples likely and the folks had to order it and have it shipped right? Don’t feel too bad.
On another note, my Mom loved her pillow! Thanks again!
Deanna
It was so nice to meet you even though it was a super quick visit! There was sooo much to do and see and we had such little time! I actually thought your booth looked amazing and super interesting!! We are nowhere in need of that curriculum yet since we only have one 8 year old, at the moment, but if we were I would have definitely checked it out-just because it looked so fun!
I hate when things like that happen and they stick with you for far too long. I’m sure your girls did a great job of explaining it and left passerbys wanting it for themselves.
Woodworking therapy is definitely the answer to your woes. (You’ll be happy to know that my chainsaw is home from the chainsaw hospital. ) I am wondering if some of my kiddos are ready for this curriculum. I will try to read up on it. I’ve thought for years that it sounds wonderful. Glad to know you love it. 🙂
Lisa,
Listen, not digging to the bottom of the box is something I could totally see myself doing too! Don’t beat yourself up over it. I am sure you did a fantastic job at the expo and that the vendor will have you do it again for them!
Enough about the products! I wanna talk about the tools!!! How the heck did you hit the big time on Mother’s Day presents?! I got flowers this year. In the past I’ve asked for tools, but my workshop is almost complete now. Can’t wait to see what you make with your sander and saw!!!
I’d love to know what you like about the curriculum. I’ve looked at it lots of times but couldn’t quite decide if it was for us or not. It just seems expensive for something I’m not sure about, especially when I don’t know anyone who’s used it. So I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
Thanks in advance.