Day 8..."Vancouver, WA - Cascades"

Aug 7th...I woke up before anyone else on Saturday morning, and headed downstairs with my laptop to try and get some blogging done.  My body was still on NY time, so even though it was only 8am in Portland, I felt like I slept until 11.  I sat on the porch with Emma and my PC and got down to work.  Erik was up soon after and Alex wasn't far behind.  She made some amazing cornbread muffins for breakfast that were probably the best I have ever had.  I started to prepare for the party at 2pm, while they got ready to go out and run some errands.  They left before I did, with the parting words "Just leave the door open...".  I shook my head and finished packing my computer bag.  When it came time to leave, I walked away from the house, my OCD in full overdrive that the door was wide open and I was leaving it that way.  I finally pulled away from the curb, looking back as if it would help somehow, and headed for the local Staples to make some folder copies, and then on to the party. 

This one was being held in a local bar & grill called "Cascades" in Vancouver, WA.  At first we were reluctant about booking a party in a bar, but we were assured that it was low key, and it was the only place that could hold all of the guests who would be attending.  I found the place on the second pass, and I started to get excited when I pulled in just about 1:30.  There were a few cars in the lot and I was hopeful for the high turnout Dejah told me to expect. I parked the car and called the hostess, Nicole,  to see if she had arrived yet.  She told me she would be there very soon, and within 2 minutes she was pulling in next to me.  We talked briefly outside, and then started to unload the car.  We headed in, and I began to set up the display so we could start at 2.

2pm came and went, and not one guest had arrived.  Nicole looked upset, and it was hard for me to blame her.  She had sent over 40 invitations and she said she had gotten more than a few RSVP's.  We chatted about life in general and it was hard not for me to be depressed, no matter how hard I tried not to show it.  I was hoping for a large turnout, but it just didn't seem to be in the cards that day.  Sometime around 2:30 we finally saw 2 guests arrive.  I was happy that it wasn't a total bust, and did my best to make it an awesome party for those that did show up.  Nicole's friend Michelle was enthusiastic about the product, and dove right into mixing and matching her very own fragrance.  It was great to see someone really enjoy the scent display for the first time, and watch as they explore every one of the flavors from beginning to end. 

One more guest arrived at around 2:45, but she didn't stay very long and I understood why.  She looked to be about 11 months pregnant, and you could tell her unborn child was beating her up from the inside out.  I really wanted to ask her if I could feel the baby kick, but she looked very uncomfortable and I really wasn't sure what the etiquette was in that situation.  In between assisting the girls at the scent display, I thought back to before my daughter was born, when her mother would sleep behind me in bed, and Jessica would kick me in the back all night long.  Now she is 14 and starting High School.  It's still amazing to me.  I learned that Michelle is heading off to Africa to do volunteer work, and that she would be auctioning off the products she was buying at her trip fundraiser.  I was impressed at all that she was accomplishing at such a young age, and thought how lucky she is to be travelling the world and experiencing life half way across the globe.  My trip almost seemed minuscule by comparison.

Nicole, Cheryl and Michelle came up with some great mixtures, my favorite of which was Pink Sugar & Coconut.   The day wasn't a total loss, and I packed everything up after orders were placed.  They helped me carry the stuff out, and I packed the car and headed back to Portland.  On the way I spoke to Dejah, and she helped lift my spirits by putting everything into perspective for me again.  Less than a year after starting this company, we have grown it into what it is today, and we have now personally escorted our product from coast to coast.  Even though we only gained three new customers today, they are three valuable additions to our family.  She made me feel better, as she always does, and we were still talking when I got back to the house in Portland.

I walked in, yes, the door was open, and found Erik and Alex in the living room and Emma laying in the doorway.  They asked how the party went, and although I told them it could've been better, I think they knew I was a little upset.  They offered to take me into china town, so we could try to locate the lomein I had been craving.  We went in and were seated in one of the restaurants, and we started to marvel at the menu.  Pigeon, shark fin, and conch, among other things.  This place was the real deal.  The only problem?  Yup, no lomein.  We got up and walked out, right past the hostess, who had no idea why we were leaving.  We headed down the block and started to read the menus posted on the windows outside before choosing our next spot.  We ended up at "House of Louie", which had my favorite dish, House Special Lomein.  I asked if they could make it szechuan style and the waitress asked if I liked it spicy.  I said yes, but was nowhere near prepared for what came.  It was delicious, but it was extremely hot, and I felt like smoke was pouring from my ears while I breathed out fire.  I still enjoyed every bite though, and I took home what little bit was left on my plate.  I wound up forgetting it in their refrigerator when I left Portland, and I wished I hadn't left it while driving to Idaho the following day.  Erik and Alex went out to see a friend's band later on that night, and I stayed alone to get some blogging done.  I said my goodnight when they got back, and drifted off to sleep thinking about the party the following day in Forest Grove, and thankful that the day was finally over.  It was one week into the tour and I was questioning our decision to even make this trip, and wondering if I would make enough money to fund the rest of the tour.  I was hoping for a much better day on Sunday.