06/17/2026
Chicago, we're coming for you! This week tried really hard to keep us home ð
*We had to replace the windshield on one vehicle which then decided it had opinions about the new windshield. So it's acting like a brat.
*Spent Saturday night in the ER with a ruptured ovarian cyst. 0 out of 10 do NOT recommend.
*Drove from Charleston to Miami and back for plant shopping. I'm used to that trip but this go round wasn't very comfortable, considering.
*Survived on caffeine, stubbornness, and way less sleep than my body felt it needed.
*Loaded, unloaded, reloaded, and rearranged what feels like an entire jungle a gazillion times.
*Started the 13-hour drive to Chicago... only for the truck to start acting up...like throwing a SERIOUS tantrum.
*Turned around, rented a truck for the next 2 weeks cause we have Lawrenceville the following weekend and a Florida trip between. *Transferred everything AGAIN, and got back on the road seversl hours behind schedule.
At this point it feels like every time one problem gets solved, another one pops up.
I'm not sharing any of this looking for sympathy. Sometimes I think people only see the finished booth, the pretty plants, and the fun parts of being a vendor. The reality is that there are weeks like this too.
Things break. Plans change. Unexpected expenses happen. You adapt, solve the problem in front of you, and keep moving because there really isn't another choice. Ryan has been amazing through all of this trying to get me on the road and making sure I have myself and everything else together. I seriously don't know what I would do without that man!Â
The plants still need to get there...the booth still needs to be set up...customers are still counting on us to show up.
Sooooo that's exactly what we're doing! The plants are loaded, the trailer is rolling, and despite every roadblock, breakdown, detour, and curveball this week has thrown at us, Potted Up Paradise is officially headed to PlantCon Chicago!!
See y'all this weekend.
