Got 'er Done

It's been two days and I'm still sore!

We have had the ultimate good fortune in keeping our Feeleez shipping headquarters above our friend's children's clothing shop downtown. It's been a really fun alliance and exceedingly convenient and good-vibey for us. But alas, times are a-changing and our friends are off to new ventures. So that meant... moving.

Here is Echo right after we moved into Blackbird two years ago. A baby!

We stayed in denial for most of August and then as the thirty first came around the corner we started to look at each other like "Oh yeah. That whole "move your entire business thing" that we have been ignoring We should probably deal with that." Fortunately our luck was still singing because before we knew it we had new digs at another cool mama's shop. Happy Mama Yoga. Behind this rad yoga studio lies a warren of artist studios and the perfect little room to house Feeleez games, buttons, posters, and shipping supplies. We feel so great about shifting from one awesome local to another. 

But not the literal part of "shifting". My goodness those boxes are heavy! 

I have said many times over that if I knew how much I didn't know about starting and running a business like this then I never would have started. Fortunately we were totally naive and plunged in head first. If not we wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn as much as we did, and kids around the world would not have Feeleez to help them through their lives. But I certainly wasn't picturing lifting boxes up and down starirs when Kris asked me so long ago if I would do some drawings about feelings.

Last time a shipment arrived on a cold winter day in January, a big truck pulled up to the curb and parked. See, one of the things we learned is that trucking companies deliver "to your door", meaning the curb, but are in no way obligated to lift anything off the ruck. Our driver was unhealthy, feeble, not so smart, and wasn't about to move even one box an inch. So our crew of mamas and Nathan, had quite a larger task than we imagined. Most of us had babies, or at least toddlers that were still attached like babies. It took us most of an entire day.

This time moving day loomed again and although we have about half the boxes we moved that other time we still knew it was going to be big, and heavy. Plus, Nathan was going to be working and no one else seemed to be chomping at the bit to help. Hmn. So we decided not to worry about it. We decided to imagine it happening smoothly and easily. Kris and I, along with her friend and neighbor Ethan, met at nine am with our four kids in tow and got to work. We smiled and heaved and smiled and heaved. We were equipped with snacks and a weak handcart.

And we did it in three hours.

We feel burly.

And our kids played in the van mostly. Such a gauge of how time has passed. Last time Echo wouldn't let me put her down long enough to haul a box. This time she played in the van for three hours without a second thought. The van was such the hot spot that once, (maybe at box #30?), when I heaved a box within, Sascha refused to move from her perch. She sat sternly atop the very spot I needed. I didn't handle it well. Tired, noodly arms, and the certainty that I "needed" that exact spot meant that I didn't empathize or discuss. I moved her. And then she scratched me in the face and cried to her mom. I felt bad and embarassed. Especially embarassed when I overheard Kris telling Sascha that even people who love each other fight.

Fight? I don't fight with three-year olds do I? Guess I actually did.

Later, at the river I reminded Saschy of what happened between us and she said, I still love you!, with exuberance and joy. Phew.

Because that's how our business goes, stacked in between parenting this little tribe of children. We don't have babysitters, or hold meetings outside of the park or the river. We dreamed it as something we could do with our kids for other children. So even moving day was spliced with pb&js and kisses. 

Three adults, four kids, three hours. Damn.

Comments

[6512 and growing]

I'm always amazed at how much easier things get each year.

Dan is away hunting for five days and I'm like, whatevs - see you soon, the kids and I are going to rock it. (whereas 2 years ago I was anxious and fatigued, and the first year-with a baby and a 2 year old-a beer-swilling, chocolate-huffing, teary puddle).

[Amy McGregor]

that feels good. love you all.

-amy