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Posted 9/13/2011 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
My husband asked me to work a show with him. He sells gourmet candy.  The trip is 11 hours one way.  I don't need encouragment. I know I can't do it.

Now, that is being positive.  LOL  For real I can't think of doing it.  It scares me cause I usually go with him.

I told him I can't!!  I feel terrible.

I have went on small trips and barely made it.  This makes me so sad.  I am only 51, but all I can think of is how painful it would be to be stuck in a truck for 11 hours. Then work a show for 8 hours for several days, then drive back 11 hours.  OMG Lord help me.

I am sure if you read this you are speechless.  I bet you can't think of anything to tell me to make me feel better.

Anyone fear this as much as I do???  :(

Marilyn

Posted 9/13/2011 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Marilyn, it is amazing what the body can do when you want to do something.
You have stated you can't do it. If you really want to go then you must change your mindset to...I can do it because I really want to go.

I always think we are stronger than we believe. If you do plan on going, you have to let hubby know that you will need some breaks along the way and breaks during the show.

It is a wonderful feeling to prove to yourself that difficult things can be accomplished. Once you start turning down opportunities, it could lead to a habit of missing out on great times. You might end up in a flare but I know through experiance that I would endure the pain of a flare for all the joy that an experiance had brought me.

The ultimate decision is always there...it is yours to make.
Good Luck to you :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 9/13/2011 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Robin you are so right. But is there a time where it's ok to say I can't do it.
I am a positive person, but I just know it's gonna hurt.
Posted 9/13/2011 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Marilyn, it is OK to say you can't do it...I have said those words many times.
I know personally that in the past, I've let fear stop me from doing the things that I wanted and then got mad and angry because I didn't.

There are things that I would love to do like play tennis or golf...My body just won't let me do those things anymore, I've tried and I can't.

Traveling is something I love to do, and I found it can still be done with some revision. I understand that you would be working on this trip...it is differant than a vacation.

You are a positive person! You just have to decide if you are willing to pay the price of some possible pain for the experiance.

Hugs, Robin
Posted 9/13/2011 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have done exactly what you did. I turned my husband down many times to go with him for a daily trip or overnight. I would feel guilty also. My body said, you can't do that. I had myself convince I would be in so much pain and discomfort. My husband asked me this summer to go camping with him. His friend gave us the camper, supplies and park it for me. He even park it close to the bathrooms. Lol. I had no excuse really. Everybody made it work for my health. So I went, but fearful on how I would do sleeping in a camper and getting cold. I live in Alaska! I surprise myself. I really enjoyed it and I did have some discomfort. I was real tired when I got home, but it was all worth it. It gave me some confidence that next time he ask, I won't be so quick to tell him no. We had a long trip also, but my husband stop frequently for me. Maybe go on this trip or another and see how it goes. I was happy I did it. GO FOR IT!!
Posted 9/13/2011 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
If I had to drive straight through I think that I would have to decline also. BUT, if you can leave a day early and break the trip up into two days, then I would go. 11 hours is quite a bit of time in a vehicle but 5 1/2 hours isn't really that much (especially with a nice break for lunch in the middle of the drive and then a nice hotel for your overnight).
I think working the show would be fun. I love meeting people and selling things that you make/believe in makes it more exciting.
I understand the hesitancy but if you make the longer breaks in your drive and take several breaks while at the show you will do fine. I know the busier I stay the less I notice the aches and pains. Also, make sure to drink plenty of fluids on the drive, dehydration can make the aches worse.
Let us know what you decide. we will not judge either way. the decision is yours to make. If you do go - I wish you many pain free miles.
Posted 9/14/2011 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, I'm going to go against the flow and say DON'T DO IT! My hobby is metalsmithing and I've only done local shows, but they wipe me right out. I love doing them, but unless someone has experienced selling at a show recently, they may not be able to understand that standing, talking, organzing, talking, talking, did I mention talking, for one day, LET ALONE MORE THAN ONE DAY is extremely difficult on a healthy person. Plus an 11 hour trip??? Goodness! I cringed when I read that.

Maybe do as much as you can to help your hubby get organized for the show, including packing a cooler, getting labels done for pricing, double checking that he has enough pens, reciept books, biz cards, clean and ironed table coverings, the signage etc will be helpful to him.

The amount of work that goes into a show is incredible - then attending it and selling? Double that. Then having fibro? Well, a thousand fold.

This isn't a holiday of a lifetime with hubby. I say, pass on this one.
Posted 9/14/2011 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Chloe, Oh my goodness. I am so glad you know what I am talking about. It's not a fun thing. It is exhausting!! This is one trip I know that will be horrible!!!!
Thank you for knowing about these shows. They are not as fun as they look.
Now, I gotta think???????
Posted 9/14/2011 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I think that this could knock you back for several days, in not weeks.  If you are like me, you are a chatty cathy at these shows and it is exhausting.  I did two shows back to back and swore, no two day shows ever again.  And that's with getting a lot of help from my hubby, my friends, and my mother at the booth itself.  I'm told that I am my own worse enemy as I'm passionate and enthusiastic about my craft, and while people love it, I give too much and then end up chewing off my family's heads for days afterwards, bec I am exhausted and in more pain. 

The thought of an 11 hr drive makes me panic for you.  Unless you are able to rig a hammock in the back of the vehicle ;)  Gee, wouldn't that be nice!

Good luck in your decision!

Posted 9/14/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in agreement with the idea of breaking the trip into 2 days to get there and 2 days to get back.
Even breaking it into 2 days, you need to stop and get out of the car at least every hour or so to move/stretch.
Definitely don't do the trip if it means an outdoor show, but I assume since it's candy, it's probably an inside tradeshow. I'm an artist and have done outside shows and they have taken me 3 days to get over the heat...plus there is just something about being outside that is very tiring.
I have something I need to be out of the house on a local trip for 6 hours...that includes the travel time, and I'm a bit worried, but I am determined that I will not decline it because if I don't try I won't even know how I would have done.
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