It’s Been a Year, Y’all!

This year has been a roller coaster! Walk with me back over 2019 as I reflect on this year and what it has meant to our family. Thank you so much to our friends new and old for your support this year–our first year as owners of Wood’s in Downtown Clarkesville.

January 1, 2019 We helped the staff of Woods Furniture conduct inventory (for the last time without a computer system).

January 3, 2019 We closed on Woods Furniture.

January 4, 2019 We opened the doors as the new owners of Woods Furniture.

January 2019 Our daughter, Lillie turned 5.

February 2019 Our older boys were in Oliver at Habersham Community Theater.

February 2019 Our son, Mont, turned 10.

February 10, 2019 We went to Las Vegas for a buying group trade-show. Although we had been to many trade-shows in Vegas in the carwash industry, this was our first in furniture.

February 26, 2019 Our re-branding company, Parisleaf,  revealed our new logo.

March 2019 Our son, Morgan, turned 3.

March 10, 2019 We had family photos taken for marketing.

March 23, 2019 Our son, Edwin and his team from The Torch placed first in the Northeast Georgia Bible Quiz Championship.

March 30, 2019 Our Wood’s Mercantile logo was publicly displayed for the first time at Dancing with the Stars for Hope.

April 6, 2019 We attended High Point Market for the first time.

April 17, 2019 We vacationed in Washington D.C. celebrating Passover and Easter with friends.

May 2019 Edwin and Mont were in Into the Wood, Jr.

May 18, 2019 We had a great time as a Wood’s family at the Mountain Laurel Festival.

May 23, 2019 Demolition began inside Wood’s. Walls came down; pegboard was removed.

June 12, 2019 Entrance flooring completed.

June 21-22, 2019 Annual Sale Event/Our kids’ summer-camp drama production.

June 24, 2019 Family cruise from New York City to Bermuda.

July 12, 2019 Our 13-year-old son, Edwin, is officially taller than Kevin.

July 13, 2019 Our kids try out for The Sound of Music. Lillie gets the role of Gretyl!

July 17, 2019 The showroom floor gets reset with items from market. Everything is looking amazing!

July 21, 2019 We took the kids fishing at Papa and Grandma’s.

August 1, 2019 Kevin and I toured the La-Z-Boy factory in Tennessee.

August 2, 2019 Our son, Edwin, becomes the International Bible Quiz Champion for The Church of God at Teen Talent.

August 9, 2019 Edwin, Mont, and Lillie begin classes at The Adventure School.

August 19, 2019 Kevin and I attended our second buying group show; this one was in New Orleans.

August 2019 Our annual family vacation to Jamaica.

September 5, 2019 Lillie’s first dance class.

September 2019 The Hills Are Alive…We had three weeks of Sound of Music performances. Lillian was Gretyl and I was the stage mom–working backstage making sure everyone got into their (MANY) costumes and onstage.

September 2019 Lillie got a kitten. She named her Storm.

October 2019 Our oldest son, Edwin, turned 14.

October 20, 2019 We attended our SECOND High Point Market.

October 31, 2019 Trick or Treating in Downtown Clarkesville was a huge success!

November 3, 2019 My older sons helped me with our Clarkesville Kiwanis Zombie Run event.

November 8, 2019 Our friends from Washington D.C. stayed with us for a few days. They live in a D.C. suburb, so our Georgia farm was a new experience for them!

November 18, 2019 Kevin and I had a belated anniversary trip to Asheville.

November 22, 2019 …Then we took the kids to Dollywood in our motorhome.

November 27, 2019 Christmas lights go up at Wood’s.

November 30, 2019 My 44 birthday…I spoke at a friend’s funeral. (This was to be the first funeral of three during this holiday season. This was heart-breaking time for our friends and family.)

December 4, 2019 Edwin and Mont performed in Willy Wonka.

December 13, 2019 Habersham Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Grand Opening of our La-Z-Boy Comfort Studio.

December 15, 2019 Wood’s Christmas Party at out home.

December 20, 2019 Back to Dollywood.

December 23, 2019 Another funeral…this one for my children’s 12-year old friend. She was in Willy Wonka with them just two weeks before she died. Families piled into our little theater to honor her short life.

December 25, 2019 Christmas Day

January 1, 2020 We completed a First Day Hike and then had friends over for a traditional, Southern New Year’s dinner of black-eyed peas and collards.

January 2, 2020 Another funeral…this time for the mother of our 16-year-old employee, Cole. This was such a tragedy for our Wood’s family!!!

When I look back at this year, I give myself permission to be tired… We have accomplished so much in a short period of time. Our kids have grown and gotten to have a lot of wonderful experiences. Our business got a POS system, updated branding, and remodeled inside; I learned how to market a business. Kevin and I feel blessed and thankful–and look forward to 2020!