I Can't Wait - Will TODAY be the Day?

I have completed my Race Plan for this weekend. Have you?

The estate and garage sales are listed. The route to all the shops and resale stores that I will be visiting are mapped out, and any antique shows or flea markets that I would like to attend are firmly planted in my head with their starting time. Let the race begin!

The competition will be formidable; but never fear. I feel like a freshly broken colt, and all I want is to be given my head so I can run like the wind. Wow! A million dollars awaits me at the end of this race, so it doesn't matter the length of it, just that I start. All across the country, the competition is preparing. They are assembling their tools, preparing a list of things to watch for, and mentally getting themselves in the right state of mind. But do they know who their competition is? I think not. We 31 Club members are going to be better prepared than our competition.

Will today be the day that I find that great painting? Or will it be a wonderful Grueby vase? I remember being in Alabama a few years ago and stopping in on a so- called antique shop. After spending only a few minutes walking the isles and only finding new items, mostly from over seas, I asked a clerk where the antiques were. Her response was, "You're looking at them."

In my amazement, I ask if there was any special thing that I had overlooked in the store, and she said, "No, but I do have a Rookwood vase at home." My ears perked up, and I ask her to describe it to me. "Well," she said, "It's about nine inches high with flowers on it." I ask if I could see it, and her answer was no, it was at her house. Thinking on my feet, I asked, "Can you go home at lunch and bring it for me to see?" She said, "Sure." Since it was about 10:00, I told her I would go on down the road and return at 1:00.

Returning, really expecting nothing special, I re-entered the store and asked if the vase was there. She began to unwrap the piece, and with every turn of the paper, my eyes got wider.

I was staring at a 12" Rookwood vase by one of its leading artists. I almost couldn't contain my glee. I asked if she had a price that she was asking for the vase. "One thousand dollars, and that would be the least I would take," she replied. It might have only been worth $1,000 in Alabama, but in Cincinnati, I knew it would be worth much more.

I took the vase and examined it carefully. Not wanting to appear too eager, I said, "Let me walk around for a minute to think about it." Returning, I said, "Sure. Will you take as check?" She asked me if I had a drivers license, and I showed it to her. I couldn't wait to get out of the store with this treasure. At last, I made it out the door and into the car. I just stared at the vase, knowing that it was worth over $5,000. Today, it might bring $10,000.

There are many things to be learned from this story, but I will let you figure them out for yourself. You see the $1,000,000 has begun, and I am in it with you.

This week's Super Star is Cecil R., and I have know him for over 25 years. I am sure that you will hear much more about him as the race continues.

We are waiting for comments and stories from our other enters.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club and start your own race to your millions! Read more about it here!

"The Guy in the Red Tie" --- Daryle Lambert