So... September Happened...

I had a blog planned. Then life had other ideas...

Remember when I started writing these blogs and thought I was going to keep up with them regularly? That's adorable lol! I actually had Blog 3 picked out.

"Three witchy Scorpios walked into the store..."

No, seriously. Two were friends, one was a stranger. Somewhere between conversations about love spells, life, and astrology, they discovered they were all Scorpios, born November 1st, 5th, and 15th. They even joked, “Three witchy Scorpios walk into a metaphysical store...”

I loved watching them connect, share experiences, and help each other. They practically handed me my next blog title! I had the story. I had the title. I even had a draft!

Then September happened...

Apparently, life looked at my little blogging plans and said, “That's cute.” Boy, was I wrong...

First, There Were the Birthdays...

September came and went so quickly that I'm still wondering where half of it disappeared. My oldest celebrated his 22nd birthday, followed by mine a couple of weeks later. My husband's birthday is coming up, and before I know it, my youngest will be turning thirteen in December.

THIRTEEN!!

Excuse me, but who approved that?! Because I certainly didn't.

One minute you're holding these tiny humans, and the next, one is a grown man while the other is preparing to become a teenager. Meanwhile, I'm over here having birthdays of my own.

We're not discussing that part too much. Between family and everything else happening outside the store, the calendar has been looking a little ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Back at the Store...

The store clearly didn't get the memo that I already had enough going on. Fall arrived, and apparently everything decided to arrive with it. New products, candles, seasonal decorations, and all those little things that need to be priced, labeled, entered into the system, photographed, and displayed. We've been making products, rearranging things, preparing for the season, and trying to keep up with everything happening around us.

Of course, we also decided this would be an excellent time to tackle the back storage area!

Oh. Dear. Lord. What Was I Thinking?!

You know those boxes you keep because you might need what's inside someday? Well, apparently we have a collection. A rather impressive one. There comes a point during cleaning when you're holding a box you haven't open in years, wondering why you kept it, what's inside, and whether these things have secretly been multiplying behind our backs... I'm beginning to suspect some they have.

There's this idea that customers only see the finished displays, organized shelves, and all the pretty things. Not around here!!! Some of our customers have witnessed the disaster zone firsthand. The candle-pouring area, new products covering the tables, and another 40 or 50 items sitting there looking all pretty, waiting to be entered into the system and finally make their way onto the sales floor. Personally, I'm just hoping nobody asks what's inside that box I haven't opened yet.

Welcome to Lil Witch Academy. Sometimes you get a little behind-the-scenes tour whether you asked for one or not!

As If We Needed More to Do...

October hasn't exactly given us a chance to catch up, either.

We have the Witches Hat Bar on October 9th, followed by Hex & Harvest on October 11th.

Then there's Halloween, Samhain, seasonal products, decorations, and all the ideas we keep coming up with. Every time I think I've caught up, another project appears. Sometimes I wonder if I should stop saying, “Oh, we should totally do that!” Because apparently, I keep agreeing with myself.

There are also some changes coming to Lil Witch Academy that I'm excited about, but we're still working out the details.

I know it's super mysterious.

I'll share more when there's actually something to announce.

Then Comes My Favorite Celebration...

After Halloween and Samhain comes one of the celebrations closest to my heart:

Día de los Muertos.

I've always loved this time of year. The decorations, candles, traditions, flowers, and altars honoring those who are no longer physically with us. Normally, I'm counting down the days.

But this year feels different...

I'm excited for the celebration, but I'm also dreading a part of it. This will be my first Día de los Muertos without Russo here. Even writing that feels strange. This year, I'll be making a special place for him. I'll have his picture, his flowers, and his ashes. He'll have his place.

I just wish HE didn't need one...

I know he'll always be part of our family, but knowing that doesn't necessarily make missing him any easier. It's strange how you can look forward to something you've always loved while wishing one very significant part of your world hadn't changed.

I'm still figuring out how to navigate through that...

Now, Where Was I?

Oh, right. The blog... Let's come back to our regular scheduled conversation, shall we?

I haven't stopped writing because I ran out of stories. Quite the opposite.

There's been so much happening that finding the time to sit down and write about it has become a project of its own. Somewhere in all this chaos, those three witchy Scorpios are still waiting for their moment in the blog.

Well, ladies, you made it!!!!

Maybe not quite the way I originally planned, but honestly, not much has gone according to plan lately. One thing is certain: I'm definitely not running out of material anytime soon.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm pretty sure there's another box in the back that needs my attention.

Unfortunately. LOL!

Signing off for this week,

Jazz