AAA

Those three A’s mean different things to different people. But I tell my friend, Tonya, that the three A’s apply to her new business. Lulu’s is a fabulous new gift shop in Dyersburg, and Lulu’s is where my antique store fixtures found a wonderful home. I give the shop a triple A rating; and the A's stand for Arnold (Tonya’s last name), adorable (which describes both her inventory and her decor), and affordable (an important factor when buying gifts in this economy). Yes, the three A’s describe her business perfectly. Lulu’s is just a few doors down from Sunflower Health Foods in Green Village.





Tonya is wrapping a gift for another friend, Lynn, who is purchasing a birthday gift for yet another friend, Becky. We live in a small town where everybody pretty much knows everybody.






It gave me a measure of peace during the days of the flood to know that those fixtures had already gone to live at Lulu’s when the water engulfed my building. Those antiques are old, fragile, and heavy. We could never have gotten them moved the day the water was rising so there would have been no way to save them. I think it was providence that took the fixtures to Tonya’s store well ahead of the flood. They were perfect for her and no longer useful for me. It was a sweet deal between friends. The only good deal is a deal that is a good deal for all involved.

While I was snapping these photos at Lulu’s, some limbs from a branch of my family tree came in to shop. The smallest little twig is flying past one of those beautiful old display cases - the toy department seems to be summoning her.


















These limbs on the previously mentioned branch are my sister and my niece with a couple of the little twigs in tow. The thing I am most proud to report is that this niece LOVES to sew. She is sewing all the time and has started a small, home-based sewing business which I plan to talk about in a post all its own. I really think she was supposed to have been my own child. Kelly got a taste of children's sewing when she worked for me after school during her senior year in high school. Now she sews for her own precious little girl - the one that is a blur heading for the toy department.
















The older preschooler is another great niece. I may be awfully partial, but I think they are mighty pretty little girls.

There will be a post very soon featuring Kelly's work. I am very excited for her and applaud her creativity and enthusiasm. And I am very proud of her.