Wales Green

How, I ask you, can time go by so quickly? I feel like I've lived a lifetime since the 4th of May. Son David sustained a concussion playing rugby on May 9th. I thought when he broke his jaw falling off his bike at age 7 that it was tough. But seeing your son strapped to a backboard with a neck brace, waiting for a CT scan is worse. Fortunately, and I'll thank any and all gods, he is fine. Amazingly, after being unconscious for almost four minutes, there seems to be no damage done. Hopefully the follow up doctor's visit on Thursday will confirm this.

I have also suffered through the injustices of the rep hockey leagues with my son Nicholas. He had been trying out for three separate teams over the last few weeks. Last week, during Nick's first time on the ice for a particular coach, the man waved me down to speak with him. When I went over, the coach offered Nicholas a spot on his team. I said I wasn't sure what to do and that he should speak to Mark. Well, the coach told Mark the same thing. Mark said we were just looking out for Nick's best interests and wouldn't accept the spot just yet. The coach said "I won't cut him. Not after practice one, practice two, practice three or practice four." So, on Saturday, the same coach - at practice four - no longer had a spot for Nicholas. Needless to say he (and I) was devastated. Can you imagine lying to a twelve year old? By that time, it was Nick's last hope for this year.

But dear Nick is much stronger than me and took the whole situation very well. He said he is not going to give up on his dream. And tonight he informed me (it's not the first time) that he is going to be famous some day. He's a wonderful boy - I believe he's right. On a somewhat happier note, for the second year in a row, he took the first place ribbon for his grade in high jump at the school track meet! Well done kiddo. He's off to the next round.

So - this is about a wool shop, right?! The store is coming along nicely. I have been painting away. The previous owner was a faux finish junky - so everything had to be primed - right down to the blades on the ceiling fan. The first coat of paint in the lesson area really didn't look right, so back to Benjamin Moore for a modification. The colour is Wales Green. A really gorgeous, acidy/citrusy green. I think it will look fabulous with white shelving and some black accents. I'm working on getting a black and white checked floor for the teaching space.

A big box of Opal sock wool arrived today. I haven't opened it yet - I'm waiting until I need a treat.

Tomorrow is a trade show put on by the business program from which I have just graduated. I have volunteered to be a "greeter" for a couple of hours in the afternoon. At present, my heart isn't in to it. Mark is in Kingston at the moment. His uncle (85) is in really bad shape in the hospital and not expected to last the week. Mark's aunt (86) is having a hard time making all the decisions so Mark, his sister and brother are all with her for support. My heart is with them too.

I Was a Woolshop Owner (apologies to Burton Cummings)

I know, I know - where have I been. It's woolly (hah) been a crazy few days. Most importantly, my dear first born, David, turned 15 on May 2nd. Ask any mother - they'll tell you they can't believe how fast the time goes. My mother tried to tell me this when the boys were small and I would never believe her. As a single parent for five years, it seemed that some days - always those when nothing was going right - would last forever. When I look back at that time now, I can hardly remember the rough times. The odd moment stands out - and they are the times when I just had to laugh at the antics, my situation, etc. It has all been good.

Great strides this week in wool shop ownership. The lease was signed, insurance obtained and as of yesterday, I'm a wool shop owner. Hooray!! Unfortunately, not too much time to get excited as my business plan is due tomorrow. I have been working on it feverishly over the last few days. Thank goodness I went along with what they were telling us in this course and managed to put quite a bit of it together before this week. Otherwise, as they say, I'd be toast!

There is still lots to do. The graphic design person and I are trying to reach an agreement about the logo and signage. I have not placed an order yet with any suppliers - just waiting for tomorrow to be over with (yes, I have a degree in English and know you are not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition but there really is no better way to say it!). Next week I'll be in my element, painting up a storm. I promise to post pictures soon. Dave will be able to help me with the camera this weekend. You won't believe how we are going to change the place. Did I mention that the classroom area of the shop is currently painted black!?! That's going to change! Then it will be off to IKEA for the big shelving purchase. I just hope that what I want will fit properly into the space. My dear friend Leslie has offered my an antique cash register - what a doll that woman is! Still trying to decide whether or not it is necessary to remove the Rolling Stones sticker from the side of it. What do you think?

Have you ever opened a shop before? There honestly must be about a million and one things to do.