Red wine is the only wine we drink... wife just cannot take anything but the red.
Isn't it a glorious day to live in Texas?
I'm on a Shiraz kick...I love blended red wines too.
Hey, Lynn. Wasn't that a great happenstance? You with your beautiful braid, and your friend. Hope you had a good market. Really a lot of work to walk 5 million square feet, 6 buildings and 2000 permanent showrooms, not includining the temps and cash and carry. Hey, guys. Buying is work!!!!
ooh..I love cash and carry market....
I must say I do miss that about not having my store anymore..is the market..that was great!
gonna have to find the web site to the place in Michigan you can "make" your own flavors ....DD was a bridesmaid for a gal in college that they had their wines custom made for the reception.
*pouting*...I didn't' get to see either one of you monday ...waaaaaa waaaaa waaaa LOL
Randy - let me know when you're available and I'll make myself available. I'm ready for some fun.
no good help to help move some of the work to them instead of you?
LOL,
it took me several years to miss market...and truthfully I'm glad my store is closed..was a good experience, but I already had a full time job.
I'm on vacation again next month Knolan...starting feb 16th..
Mibus, I have great help. I wouldn't have made it this far without them. Harder still they are like family to me. But they can only do so much of my work. This last Christmas was really tough and stressful . My youngest son had so many Doctors appointments. I just got to the point were I thought to myself this is crazy! I fortunate enough that I don't have to work. I love my work, I just love my family more.
very understandable family comes first
and remember that family includes yourself too !@
*OUCH* who ya been talkin to or where ya been reading????? someone telling my secrets ....LMAO
I think you will love it. That said, I hate to see any chocolate store disappear!
Will you be closing? or selling, and when is the target date?
I just realized I may have seemed to nosey with my questions, I guess I was curious because I just closed mine, at the and of the year.
Josephine.
This message was edited Jan 24, 2008 7:23 AM
It will be sad in ways, but being close to family is something you will never regret later.
Pbtx, I'll have more Texas music time too! lol
Mitch, that's it exactly. My Daughter is a freshman this year and has grown into such a young lady in the blink of an eye. All of them have really grown...it goes so quick.
Not nosey, Josephine. I'd appreciate any help from those who have closed a biz. I'm registered as an LLC which required a lawyer to incorporate. I'm hoping it won't take a lawyer to dissolve. I own the building we are in and not interested in selling the business as a whole. I don't want to close and still pay what mortgage I have left, taxes and insurance. No interest in leasing it out. I'm not willing to sell it a a loss and don't want to put a "for sale" sign out front. LOL...it could take years to sell! So for now we are doing business as usual, showing the building with a sales stipulation that allows us to finish manufacturing whatever holiday we happen to be working on.
Speaking of, I really need to get to work! I've chatted too long. It is a great day in Texas!!!
That is a very smart approach, I hope it works out just the way you want it.
speak of nosey...I didn't know you had a shop, Jo. What was your product? It had to be garden related.
I wish it weren't so overcast in Texas today. :( Been so gloomy as of late.
Hello Christi, I had a small Bridal Boutique, gowns, alterations and related accessories including some reception decor.
Opened in 1985 and it was very successful for quite a few years, then the big stores came in and the little stores just couldn't compete.
But it was a great experience and it allowed me to help a lot of people at a time when things can be very stressful with wedding preparations.
Then it all winded down just in time for me to retire, it is all good, I have a lot of fond memories, as well as not so fond ones.
All in all I am glad that I am out of it.
Josephine.
Me too Tir, my mood is very much influence by sunshine or the lack of it, so the cloudy days are not great for me.
Tir, I am so sick of this cold! I am just freezing. Our forecast for tomorrow is a high of 38 degrees with a wintery mix. Then, it is forecasted to be 72 degrees on Monday! This Texas weather is crazy! But, I must say, the 72 degrees on Monday is what is getting me through the freezing temps of this week!
Cocao, how long have you had your business? I just closed my business down after having it for 6 years. I didn't have a store front, though, I worked from home. I was a candle maker. What made it better for me was the fact my Sister-in-Law took over. I had wanted to quit much sooner but couldn't get over the 'guilt' of letting my customers down. So, the SIL thing worked out really well for everyone involved.
Josephine, I second Lou, what kind of business did you own?
Necia
Oops, posted while you were posting, Josephine!
Very few things are as stressful as a bride and her mother. I'll bet your were one of the best at calming them. I have had a design/mfg business that encompassed retail. Hardest part of my life ever. Was very glad when it was over. Have really enjoyed many phases of my life but have to admit...right now is the best.
I know it!!!!!!!! I tell DH apparently we need to move someplace WARMER than Texas?! LOL! I can take the heat. :)
No problem Necia, it is a very good thing that your sister in law too over your business.
No matter what we say, we always hate to see our " Babies " dye, even when it is the right time for it to happen.
Josephine.
Hold on, girl. Sun just came out here. Should be moving your way. We are supposed to have "wintery-mix" here tomorrow and Saturday. Now get this...prediction is for 72 on Monday! Haved lived within 15 miles of where I am now all of my life. This is the craziest year (since last January) in my history. I skip around a lot on other forums. Seems to be the story all over the planet. The weather is like fruit basket turnover.
Tell me about it - I have roses in bud, then freeze and then back to bud again...
I think we have had the most below freezing days in a row that I can remember.
Ok Ok I'll pop in and take the blame for the weird weather you are having this year ...LOL....It's all happening to ease my transition to Texas from Northern Illinois..ROFL
When we moved down the end of July it had done all that raining over above Dallas and then there was more rain in August was it? and I was told by a number of people this was the most it had rained in several years and now the cold weather it is just to remind me of how nice it is here in Texas and how dang cold and snowy it is up in Illinois ( they just got 7 more inches dumped on them monday )
cocoa - I've been lurking for awhile and have read your closing with thoughts of my own. I know what you are going through. It's hard to say goodbye to something you have loved and enjoyed for so long.
A little personal history, which I don't know why I've been reluctant to post but I'm just gonna throw myself out there and see if it helps me bring new friends.
I worked for the same company for almost 10 years.....company town, company job. Started off as an ex. asst. for the big guy and moved to IT....my choice.....bad one, career wise. Got divorced and remarried by the time my daughter was in Kindergarten. Left the company after 10 years to stay home with the children. It was good but I got bored within a few weeks. I was being 'wooed' by a small oil company to keep up with drilling programs and eventually took them up on an offer to work from home. At the same time, my daughter's elementary school was in need of lot's of leadership. I ended up doing the volunteer coordinator position for them and that progressed into much more (no rotten tomatoes....PTA VP). As it was, I worked from home in the morning and worked up at the school for the rest of the day, every day. This progressed to me watching children after school. I'm not sure how it really happened.....mostly my daughter's friends who had parents that worked full time. I just fell into it. Well, we ended up having a blast! And this is how I got into gardening in the first place. We needed things to do......activities. One thing led to another and each child had their own plot to plant whatever they wanted. It was successful and we ate everything we planted.
Then, I started making jewelry. Oh boy.....that's why I started this conversation but I'm not sure if I REALLY want to finish it. The jewelry took off for awhile and I stopped everything else.....to garden. And here, my heart is today. No jewelry......but I'm raising butterflies and I can make the prettiest bouquet you have ever had.
Now, after almost 2 years, I'm officially introducing myself to you guys on the Texas forum. Will you have me?
Whew! Kristi, I was afraid you were quitting us! LOL
Are you still working with other kiddos? They could benefit from your compassion and passions...
Today, it is a glorious day to live in Texas~ the weather report said no more cold in sight for a week!!!!! Come on Summer!
Well it looks like you have had a very busy life, but gardening can be just as busy.
What you need to do is come to all the round ups and meet all of us, that way you can keep your energy flowing.
It looks to me like you are a sweetheart and I would love to meet you.
Josephine.
Necia, my Mother has been toying with the idea of starting a candle co. from home. I may need to ask you a lot of questions later. lol
Josephine, how nice to have a bridal shop! I've always loved working with brides. We do a lot of wedding favors. There is something very comforting knowing I can help them worry about one less thing. What I do is too specialized for big box store to affect me, but I'm well aware of their effects on communities. I can get pretty ugly talking about them...so i won't.
Knolan, you're an inspiration. Thank you for putting yourself "out there". I've been though many transitions and hope to have many more in life. I've never not learned from them, or come out of them without a greater appreciation of life. I just need a reminder now and again.
I love jewelry making, took jewelry design and metal fabrication in school. I would love to see your work! I'm sure if i'll ever take it up again. I would like try wielding and do some really big stuff! lol
I agree with Josephine, it would be a joy to meet you. I love my friends and family, but my garden friends are a very special bunch indeed. Who else understands the sheer thrill of new seedlings, black dirt, good bugs and sunshine ...as well as rain! lol
Sooo true!!!
Just talked to some people close to me about DIRT. So excited that we are going to buy some next week if it dries up enough.
Living Earth Technology, Corp. So fortunate they have a location less than 5 miles from me but there are several scattered around Texas. All organic.
Kim, my paycheck from Market will all go to the garden. Makes the long hours worth it.
Randy & Kristi,
Come join us any Friday at Circle S. It has become quite a clubhouse. almost always some regulars and some shared munchies.