Thinking Back on 2023

At this time of year we all get those Christmas letters from friends and family that highlight all the great and interesting things they did that year. And most years, like this one, I don’t have much to write in return. I lead a rather mundane life! Dull you might say. Honestly I’m struggling to think of anything exciting. I did make a few small trips to familiar places (Napa, Pacific Grove, San Francisco, Lockport). Enjoyed some summer concerts in the park. And ???

Two milestones did happen this year which impacted me…

In April both our daughters moved out to share a condo in a nearby city. This was good for all of us. Still our small house felt empty afterwards. For weeks I kept expecting to see my youngest come out of her bedroom in the morning. Even though they were just up the road, I shed a few tears. (Yes, empty-nest syndrome is real.)

In September my husband retired. Besides missing his salary, his employer had a nice gym and a cafeteria. Some days he ate all his meals there! While he isn’t missing the work, he is missing the gym and free gourmet food. And I’m adjusting to having him around all day!

On the business front, it’s been a particularly stellar year for sourcing items. I acquired some amazing vintage and antique items. Here are a few of my favorite finds: the Steuben glass apple (paid $5.49 at Goodwill, sold for $145), an antique German paper mache easter egg (paid $3 at the flea market, sold for $85) , a vintage/antique bronze Japanese bud vase (paid $15 at an antique store, sold for $68), a tooled leather Heisel box (paid $10 at an estate sale, sold for $148), and three wodges of vintage trim (paid $5 at the flea market, sold for $200).

But that huge private pick in the fall (total spent: $970) was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that still feels unreal to me. I’m gobsmacked at some of the items from that estate. (They’ve been selling well and I still have more to list.) Here are a few of my favorites: inlaid Victorian-era wood box (sold for $148), Victorian-era woven hair pieces (4 lots sold for a total of $188), three carved bakelite bangles (unsold at $125), Civelli rosary (sold for $125) and a colorful piece of an old mummy case (priceless! I’m keeping this).

Revenue-wise it’s been my best year too, but I haven’t figured out the profit yet. I spent quite a bit on inventory and both fees and cost of supplies have gone up. And let’s not forget about taxes. I’m a little nervous thinking about it. Typically when all is said and done my annual profit amounts to a hill of beans. Well maybe this year it will be a mountain of beans!

So while this year has not been full of high adventure and excitement, it has been lovely in other ways including quiet moments enjoying our garden, sweet lunches with girlfriends, and fun chats with neighbors. I feel blessed.

I’ll close for now.

Karen