We Do More Than Just Crafting in Our Classroom . . .

Two or three times a week, we have these Free Make & Take Projects in the classroom of our retail store – and they draw quite a crowd.  But two or three times a year, we have carry-ins – and they draw quite a crowd.  Today was one of those days . . .

I had a couple of appointments through the noon hour, so I passed through just as the food was being laid out on tables in the back room.  Apparently the main course had not yet arrived, so folks gathered in the classroom as they waited for the gong to be sounded.

 

This was the crowd just as I arrived – by the time I left, there were twice as many in attendance, and small tables were being set up in strange places to accommodate the overflow.  Or as I put it – places to sit if you misbehaved . . .

I did notice that the only male in attendance got a spot very near the serving tables so that he could go to the head of the class once everything was ready . . .

Burning the Midnight Oil . . .

Four or five years ago, on a whim or a hunch we decided to try a Thanksgiving Weekend Sale and were overwhelmed by your response.  So we did it again . . . and again . . . and again . . . and by now I think some of you have gotten the idea that we’re going to do it every year.  So we were pretty sure that it was going to be a busy couple of weeks.  We had no idea . . .

And so it was that my supervisor and I arrived at our store shortly after 6:00 on Friday evening to gather materials needed to fill your orders. It’s hard to stay on task during the work day – something else needs my attention, the phone rings, a customer has a question . . . you get the idea.  In the evening, it’s quiet and uninterrupted – I didn’t even have a ballgame on the radio to distract me.

 

The supervisor checked on me every now and then as I matched items with orders, and boxes started filling so that I could take everything back to the mail center – where today I am going through them again to see which orders are ready to ship and which need an item or two that we need to order.

 

Unlike me, the supervisor occasionally got distracted . . .

Eventually, six boxes and Zoe were ready to leave.  I loaded all of them into my truck and went back to turn out the lights.

And took one last glance at the clock on my way out the door . . .

They Were All Winners . . .

For the past several years, we have had a “Coupon Contest” in the store starting the day after Thanksgiving – for two days, customers could get 30% off in-stock items by making their own coupon.  And we promised prizes for the most artistic entries – on top of that 30% off they got for creating the card in the first place.  This year, the response was so good on Friday and Saturday that Karen and Gary decided to let it spill over to Monday.  Last Monday afternoon, I took a picture of the “entry board” . . .

Tuesday afternoon, Karen sat down to judge the entries – and decided she couldn’t do it.  She knew who had created most of the entries, and wanted someone completely impartial to select the winners.  So she recruited the owner of the beauty shop next to Marco’s Too, and these were the winning entries . . .

 

First place was a tie between Linda Pritchett and Judy Schneider.

 

Second place went to Sarah Caudill, and third place went to Judy Smith.  Thanks to all who participated.

I did miss one small detail – I have no idea what you won.  But I’m sure Karen will be in contact with you soon . . .