A decision is made

I have made the decision to close my store at the end of the lease in August. Business has been very bad since Sept. and now with the country is heading into what I predict will be a long and deep recession, the wisest business decision is to close. I am hoping to break even at the end.

Several other small business owners in our village have been making statements that they will need to close if business does not improve in the next few months. Some of the small retailers have seen a marked decrease in sales for a few years and hoped to hang in there until the economy turns around. Good luck with that.

I think it is not only the economy but the mindset of the consumer that has caused a decline in small retailer's sales. They, our community friends, neighbors, and leaders do not shop locally. They prefer the easy shopping of the mall, huge grocery store, and the big box retailers. Most everyone is embracing "going green" but not "shop local". Which, if people did shop locally, many gallons of gas would be un-used, and all the stuff that goes along with less emissions etc. would help the "going green" part of their lives. But that sensibility has not occurred to the masses yet.

Our village and town leaders do not help promote the shopping district either.They hinder our advertising abilities with edicts of how the village must retain it's historic look and not allow signs, awnings, flags, sidewalk sales, that retailers could use to help identify a store.

I knew all of this when I opened, but was optimistic. Oh well,this experience has been fun, I met many new people, enjoyed the company of the kids that felt comfortable to come in my store to chat, and talked with a few "characters", (only one was scary thankfully). The business end of this was informative and I can use the knowledge to help with what every my next project will be.

G Man and I are at odds over my future. He would like me to earn money. I would like to go back to school. We want to travel some and enjoy the cottage. Going back to work in the outside world will be difficult. I am semi-skilled and lacking a college degree. Severely lacking a college degree, like only attending one semester 30 years ago lacking. The kind of lacking that would make me scoff at a potential candidate for a job.

AND....if working is the decision made, what type of job do I want? HHHHmmmmm.... books, genealogy, research, drinking coffee, photography, 2 minute relationships with most people is all I can take, animal lover. These are my interests and hurdles, ok one hurdle the 2 minute relationship thing. (Most people drive me crazy after 2 minutes).

After looking at the list of interests perhaps I could be a tour guide at a museum, work in a book store or a coffee shop. Maybe I could be a security guard at the museum. Telling people what they can and can not do will allow me to use the skills developed as a mom and wife, plus I watch all the CSI, cop and forensic shows. So I have TV knowledge on how to catch bad guys. And I am a tattle tale since kindergarten, very skilled at telling on people.

Time is on my side now. I have enough of it to think and decide. Suggestions from my blogger friends are welcome.

What time is it

I am up at 3:18 am waiting for my dog Belvedere to come back in. He is having a rough night again. Panting, not able to setttle down. Looks like another trip to the Vet for poor Belly. I think his fat disease or his heart is really bothering him. Hopefully the vet will be able to give him medication this time, or at least give me some advice to follow so Belly will be more comfortable.

If it's not kids, it's dogs. If it's not dogs it's parents.

A birthday gift

G Man gave me BOSE earbuds to use with my IPOD, for my birthday. I really like them, The sound quality is fabulous. Hooowwwwweevvvvvveerrrr, he bought a friend of ours, who (whom?) also is a business associate of G Man's, a very expensive David Yurman bracelet for this friend's 40th birthday. We are going to NYC this weekend for a surprise party her husband is throwing.

The thing is, this bracelet gift is eating at me. So I asked G Man to explain to me WHY our friend is recieving this EXPENSIVE gift. He replied because they work together and he makes alot of money selling the products her company manufactures. AND "you know how she is and what she expects." There was more to our conversation, which got loud and heated. G Man could not believe that I was upset and said he would love the BOSE earbuds, that is why he got them for me. Exactly!!!!! you moron you gave me what you like!!!!!

I do not need more jewlery, but David Yurman is my FAVORITE designer. I have a few pieces of his jewlery, which G Man has given me over the years. SO why in Gods name would he give jewlery from MY favorite designer to another woman!!!!!!! you stupid stupid stupid man!!!!!!!!!! Why give her something that I savor, wait for, and do not get often. In 25 years of marriage I have recieved 3 pieces of David Yurman jewlery from G Man. Yurman is MY designer, special to me from G Man. Or so I thought.

Is this petty? AM I being ridiculous as G Man has told me? WTF!!!



PS: my spell check is not working, not sure why, so I most likely have spelling erros. Especially with the I before E words. Sorry

Some interesting happenings this week

This week I turned 49. No big deal for me. G Man will turn 49 in April and is struggling with the upcoming birthday. He confessed he feels old. We used to be the youngest when we went out for drinks and dinner he said, now when he looks around our favorite watering hole we appear to be the oldest. I don't think so, but he does and it bothers him. He stopped getting Playboy too. He said the girls in the magazine are the same age as our daughter and it creeps him out. Personaly I miss the articles, but agree that the age thing with the girls is a little creepy. Hopefully he will get over this old thing soon.

I had a gentleman come in my store and ask me to consider renting a space at the local mall. The mall is fabulous. A new Cheese Cake Factory opened there in the fall, Steinmart opened in November, EMS Sports opened over the summer, 2 new retaurants will be opening in the spring, and more name brand stores will be opening this spring as well. Currently a Barnes and Noble, Micahels Arts and Crafts, a salon/spa, movie theater, Maggie Moos Ice Cream, a high end steak house, and several other stores are in the mall. The gentleman is putting together a proposal and informed me that within reason his company will remove or rewrite clauses in the lease that will be beneficial to both parties. ( I have had an opportunity to look at this company's lease in the past and it was a very scary lease, no way out of it and very benefical to the mall owners). I will consider the move and run numbers, but think I will more then likely stay where I am.

The elliptical machine was becoming boring so I have added a new machine to my workout. Not sure what the new machine is called but it gives me a great sweaty workout. I now do 20 minutes on the stairmaster, 20 minutes on the new machine and 35on the elliptical. My trainer from the summer suggested increasing the resistance on the machines to help me get over "the plateau" I am experiencing. No weight loss for 6 weeks. I took her advice this week, and will wait another week before I weigh myself.

I have been reading a series of books by Diana Gabaldon. Set in the 1740's -1780's, 1940's and 1960's, the books include time travel, love, violence and sex. What more can you ask for? The books are bestsellers from the 1990's, I highly recommend them.

Sorry if there are spelling mistakes, but, my spellcheck is not working at this time.

Well....they are not

I have an issue that has been bothering me for a long time. In the local shopping plaza a store sells merchandise made by poor people from across the globe. Most of the money from the purchase of the merchandise is sent back to the artists that make the items. I frequented the store and bought mostly jugs with faces on them. (I love faces, another post)

After awhile I noticed that nothing was from people in the USA. I spoke with the manager of the store and asked if they would be able to get any Native American items . ( I really like Native American History) She said no that was not possible. I asked why and her reply shocked me. She said "well because most are not Catholic" I did not realize that the store only supported Catholic artisans.

I have stopped shopping at the store. It really burns me that this store pretends to help the world's poor by providing a place for people to sell their merchandise. The store forgets to mention that if you are not Catholic, then you can not sell your merchandise in the store. I hate sneakiness and deception.

Where does the time go

Jan. 14. can't believe it.

My new year resolution is working. I don't flip channels when G Man is around. It was difficult at first, I was jonesing really bad week one. Now,.... not so much. If I keep the channel changer out of reach the impulse to push buttons is almost non-existent. But I am a channel changing addict and will never be able to have the clicker, remote control, in my hand when G Man is around.

I have been working out like crazy. The exercise has proven to be very beneficial. I sleep better and my moods do not have the extremes prior to a consistent work out routine. I tried for the first time the StairMaster stairs. These are really a great workout. The only problem is I can't close my eyes when I am on this machine. So clock watching and boredom sets in around the 20 minute mark and I have to go to the elliptical for the remainder of the my workout. Keeping my eyes closed and listening to the music on my Ipod get me through the next 30 minutes.

A weird side note: I like to compete with G Man to see who has the sweatiest workout clothes. I know this is gross but whatever it takes to keep me motivated is what I will do. G Man accused me the other day of dumping water on my shirt to make me look sweatier ( is there such a word?). HA Loser!!!

The new year

For the new year I made a resolution not to flip channels during commercials. The flipping gives G man vertigo.

My sister in law is gone and back in the warmth of the Florida sun. We had a fab time while she was here. Sat around, ate, and watched movies mostly. Nice and relaxing.

Jenny is on her way back from Vermont and is caught in a snowstorm. Visibility is bad so she and her friend most likely will get a hotel room and stay in Saratoga til tomorrow. They were able to drive about 100 miles in 4 hours, and the weather is getting worse.

The hot tub looks very inviting right now. HHmmmm, I will write more later. things to do now.

Happy New Year everyone.

SO much...so little time

I have been busy......... business is really slow but still takes up most of my time.

The village has not been able to get the free wi fi up and running, "we are working on it" "yes, we were suppose to have it operating my August....." "no we do not have a new date for the wi fi to be operational, we are doing our best."

My mom is a disaster.... she has sucked my cousin into her world of complaints and now my cousin believes she has to chastise my brother, me and our families for not being available for my mom. UGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! Thanksgiving my mom came over, I had 20 people total for dinner, which is good because I love having everyone around and enjoy the cooking. My mom was nasty and demanding, most everyone ignored her.

Ok now for the Good stuff...... G Man has been working on a home theater room in the house, the room will be really nice once it is finished.

Everyone is healthy.......the dogs are all good...... the dogging door has been working well...except one dog that will go nameless ( Belevedere) can not figure out how to use it.....but that is ok he is special......

My sister in law and nephew from Florida will be here for Christmas....G Man and Greg are flying down a few days before X mas and will be flying back Christmas Day with G Mans sister and son.... Yeah!!!!!...... I reallly love my sister in law.

I have almost all the christmas shopping done..... G Man and I agreed not to exchange gifts... we really do not need anything.....

That's all for now... have to open the store..... Merry Christmas everyone.

I miss you guys

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I miss reading your posts and writing mine. Hopefully I will have more time soon.

A new profile picture

Thank you sans for the wonderful portrait picture. I will use it as my profile photo for this blog page and on my facebook page. You really are a remarkable artist and one to be remembered by future generations of bloggers. Perhaps you could start a business of providing interesting profile photos of fellow bloggers. Just a suggestion.

And is that your artistic work over at Dick's blog?