What does Labor Day mean anyway?

I found a lot of different answers to this question on my quest to see what it means anymore.  To those who are unemployed, it's just another day off in a string of days off.   To those who work in retail it's just another day to work, no day off.  Seems to me there's not much to celebrate anymore with labor unions becoming a thing of the past as well.  But Labor day is the Ecrater Stores Network scavenger hunters theme this week, so this is what I found:  In the late 1880s labor organizations campaigned state legislatures to recognize labor with a state holiday in which New York was to be the first to declare it a state holiday in 1887. Congress made it a national holiday in 1894.  I saw some differing opinions on these statistics, but this is the one I chose.

Growing up labor day meant the start of school, and since it is always on the first Monday in Sept.  it was a 3 day week-end as well.  We had cookouts and played badminton, went to parades and celebrated the ending of summer.  Although the first day of Autumn isn't until Sept. 22nd. But that's what we did.  When I became an adult and worked it was a day off from the day job and I usually cleaned my house or cleaned out cupboards or closets.  I've labored for a loooong time! These days the "day" itself doesn't mean much to me, but "labor" does.   The paycheck is mighty nice, but labor also means to me commitment, belonging, responsibility, community, purpose, and gratitude that I do have a job in this troubling economy.

At Le Petit Marché I labor to get to get my listings on, take decent photos of the items I have for sale and to accurately describe the items.   And I bet the artist who painted this Russian Khokhloma Mini Decorative Spoon did it with a labor of love for his craft.  

Work is Winding Down

How the summer does fly by!  I got a temporary job just for the summer which I started April 30th in a real estate office, it sure has been fun and I learned a lot about real estate and the market, yay, another paragraph of knowledge on my resumé!  They'll keep me on for 3 hours a day through September then they're cutting me loose.  I'll sure miss it here, it's quiet, peaceful and I did get to work on my store quite a bit, write this blog, email friends and reflect on life.  This was the best full time job I ever had!  I'll have a few weeks hanging out at home before I head back to university at the end of Oct. to work as a part time temp in the College of Music as a graduate program assistant, which I've done since 2004 and will work there through mid April.  Another fun job as I get to help professors set up auditions for the applicants, and I get to meet (mostly through email) applicants from all over the world answering their questions and sending information about our graduate programs.  Our office is right down the hall from Grusin Music Hall so we get to hear a lot of singing and instrument playing and in the winter they'll  have mini concerts at lunch.  I like being on campus, keeps me young!  On my few weeks off I'm contemplating heading back east to Pennsylvania to see my mom and brothers but geez, the airfare is outrageous!  I'll have to rethink that and maybe just stay at home and shop and work on the store.  I added some cool Doc Martens boots recently and some awfully cool genie slippers, just in time for Halloween and theme parties.  So come on over to Le Petit Marché and see if anything jump starts your imagination.

Doc Martens Light Brown 1460 Boot 

Doc Martens Tan Denim Style Boots

Naughty Monkey Beaded Pink Flats

Vintage Genie Slippers

Wedding Things

Most adults get married at least once (or more) in their lives.  And formal or informal it's still a big deal because you hope it lasts forever so you dress up the affair a bit.  With flowers, nice champagne glasses and maybe a sit down dinner or a buffet.  Whatever you want and whatever your budget can afford you can make a lovely wedding setting.   Le Petit Marché has a cute pair of Charmes de Paris Ceramic Wedding Slippers that would make a lovely gift or a keepsake of the wedding event.  They could also be used as table decorations.  They are beautiful on their own but you could put a bit of flowers or potpourri in them.

And don't forget the cake, what's a wedding without the cake?  I have the perfect cake plate with matching server.   This is a Mikasa Bone China Wedding Set  in a lovely cream color with wedding bells and flowers, it's perfect for the perfect day!

So come on by Le Petit Marché and have a look and visit the other store owners at Ecrater Stores Network for other wedding items that they have.  You just might find exactly what you are looking for, for your wedding!

Baseball Wedding

Normally you'd think baseball and weddings don't go together but I've heard (and seen 1 or 2) wedding proposals at the big baseball fields around the country where the proposal is captured live on the big screen.  And recently it was captured where the poor girl looked totally shocked and well, said no.  Poor chap, too bad he didn't see that coming! A certainly odd place to make a proposal with thousands of strangers around, but who knows what romantic thoughts go through the minds of young men after their team makes a few home runs and also after half a dozen beers.... I'm wrapping up the ESN theme of "wedding" this week with a bride and groom baseball cap from Embroidery Fashions Boutique.   They're pretty cool.  She also has a wide variety of wedding tee shirts for everyone from the ring bearer to mother of the bride.  So stop on by if you're needing some wedding attire and visit the other fine shops at Ecrater Stores Network for other wedding items or just to browse around.

Bride and Groom Baseball Caps