i survived renegade '08
we're back! and i have to admit that i feel sort of overwhelmed thinking about how to write about what we experienced this weekend.
when we got to brooklyn on friday evening i was feeling calm, optimistic, happy and organized. we stayed with good friends and had a nice evening of wine and thai food after the kids all tucked in for the night. their brownstone in brooklyn is lovely and homey and makes me dream of living in the city, someday, in a house like theirs. 
saturday morning was a blur of getting there, set up and busy-busy-busy, then the fair was hot and bustling. really, really hot. friends visited, sales were steady and great. i was so happy to meet julia rothman and grace from design*sponge when they came by our booth. my kids were happy to get to go and play in a water park with their buddies.
the sunny hot day turned to a torrential, epic rainstorm around 4:30 or so. i'm not even kidding. there was scary lightening and hugely insane amounts of rain. i lost some work. we were stuck in our booth until after 7, when the rain let up a teeny bit and we booked it for the car. i felt terribly for the vendors who lost more work than i did - some lost so much that they were unable to come back the next day. my kids were super troopers and were cheerfully optimistic about getting everything into the car, plus they loved being in the rain and splashing around.
the rest of the evening and the following morning were spent trying to dry everything off and clean and salvage what we could. there were definitely some moments of sitting in the dark and feeling tearful, wondering if we'd go back the next day. we decided to give it a try, and went back on sunday armed with tarps and low expectations. there was a quick thunderstorm around noon that almost did my mental health in, but then it became sunny and lovely and busy for the rest of the day. 
i think someone could make a nice little profit selling 'i survived renegade 08' merchandise. in my mind's eye i see raindrops, a tidal wave, lightening bolts, upside down tents, little bits of yarn and plush owls floating in the water. i heard several people talking about the idea... let me know if someone does - i'll wear a tee with pride.
i was really pleased with how i did overall, and also feel completely exhausted in a bone-weary + slightly pathetic sort of way.
i'm sure there's much more to say, but i'm too tired to talk about it. :)
wow. glad you (and much of your work) are safe and sound. your booth looked great and i LOVE your banner! rest easy and dry out this week...
Posted by: heather | June 17, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I second the need for "i survived renegade '08" gear - though I'm not sure I could wear one. i opted not to come back on Sunday.
hopefully not too much of your work was ruined.
Posted by: megan | June 17, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Oh no!
It was so nice to finally meet you. I hope you didn't lose too much stuff.
Posted by: Saltypepper | June 17, 2008 at 05:50 PM
At least it's a fair you'll never forget!
Posted by: Ali | June 17, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Holy cow! I'm glad you weren't washed away. Welcome home.
Posted by: melissa.crowe@umpi.edu | June 17, 2008 at 06:44 PM
so happy to hear that it was worthwhile in spite of the weather. glad you're home safe and sound.
Posted by: emily | June 17, 2008 at 08:54 PM
You're a super trouper! [Shoot now I have an ABBA song in my head]
The stamina needed to survive those events is hard enough without the heavens falling down on you. Glad you are home and feeling like a surviver!
Posted by: Kara | June 17, 2008 at 10:04 PM
i've been thinking about you - so sorry to hear about the rain. that just sucks. but i am glad that overall you did well. :)
Posted by: erin | June 17, 2008 at 11:14 PM
oh dear, i'm so sorry for everyone and for my gal who worked my booth, is it terribly bad to say, i'm really glad i sat (in body, not in product) this one out this year. you all deserve medals. maybe we should make medals instead of tees :)
Posted by: jenifer | June 18, 2008 at 12:15 AM
you know i'd put in my pre-order for one of those shirts!
i love those pictures of tommy and natalie's so much.
are you feeling more rested today? i can't decide yet.
xoxo
Posted by: aprill | June 18, 2008 at 07:22 AM
i am so sorry about the rain, jen. i am happy that you did well in spite of the shit ass weather. xo
Posted by: brandie | June 18, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Oh my! I'm sorry you were caught in such a storm. (and that you lost some work!!) I'm glad at least the sales were good.
Posted by: amy h | June 18, 2008 at 03:47 PM
i'm just catching up on this after doing the renegade sf and am so grateful ours was inside! bone tired is how i feel. so nice to have that put into words....thanks!
be well,
mati
Posted by: matirose | July 17, 2008 at 11:13 PM