Why?

I have a new customer at the store. She came in the first time right before New Year's. We tried on tons of half chaps, and she said she would think about it. That first visit took about 45 minutes. She came back last week ready to buy a pair. We tried on another 500 pairs, and she finally purchased the cheapest pair in the store. After buying them, with her sister's money as they were a present, she called me later that day with a question about them. Then she called me two days later with more questions and idle worries.

Today she comes in to the store to return the darn things! Why? Because they had a tiny thread poking out after the tie off at the bottom. She called me 10 minutes ago to tell me that she wants to order another type that I don't normally carry. I, of course, will order them for her.

What kills me is looking at what this sale will earn me. MAYBE $50. That's right! Crazy lady will result in about fifty bucks. Some days this is SO not worth it.

Life in General

I am feeling pretty positive about life right now. While sales at the store are slow, I feel like good things are happening. And I mean, come on, it IS January after all. I'm stressed about getting taxes done though. Ugh. I HAVE to do sales taxes this week.

On the personal front, my horse is sound again. Hooray! I felt so bad the entire time he was off. I feel like I'm making progress on the friend front too. I've gone to a couple of events with some women from a local online community and had a blast at both. In fact, one of the ladies invited me to join a supper club group later this week. Woohoo! I get to try a new restaurant too. Mmmmm.

I'm feeling connected in terms of my spirituality as well. I decided to go to a new church on Christmas Eve, and I was floored by the welcoming feeling. Even on that busy night, people went out of their way to make me feel welcomed. I've attended about half a dozen times since then, and every time I find new reasons to like the place. The sermons are thought provoking and in line with my beliefs. The community is also very accepting. One of my big problems with organized religion is how exclusive it can be. My belief has always been that we are all welcome in religion, and it makes me mad that people use it as a way to judge exclude people. Judging is not my anyone's job. I firmly believe that. I'm really excited about continuing to explore this community and become more involved.

In terms of fitness, I've joined a gym. Wow. I haven't done that in a lot of years. I really am doing it for myself, but I'm still getting myself in a program. So far, I've only lost two pounds, but, I've also had some food slip-ups. I find that I am much more likely to focus on my fitness than I am my food. That clearly needs to change. I must deal with both. I'm not a cow (I don't think,) but I really would like to slim down. My husband thinks I'm great the way I am, but I know I could be better. I actually saw one of the ladies from online at the gym last night. That community had helped me feel accountable. There is a section all about fitness/weight loss goals, and that helps me feel like I am answering to someone for my behaviors.

There are a couple other things I'm working on too, but they are still super secret. :) My fingers are crossed though that my life will continue in a positive direction. I hope that my positive attitude will help that happen. I am all too willing to fall into the negative spiral, so I have to keep reminding myself that how I approach life can really impact how things happen.

Here ends my sappy post for the day.

Start to Finish

Well, my store is up and running! About time. Phew.

A few before pictures. Be sure to note the oh so stylish blue paint with fluffy white clouds. Also, the excellent front window coverings. Classy.










First things first, the random walls had to go.

















Painting and inventory.



















The finished product complete with holiday decorations and refreshments for the Grand Opening!

Support Systems

Do you ever feel like you really can ONLY count on yourself? Today is one of those days where it feels like I am all alone in this world. I know I'm lucky because I do have people who love me, but there are times where it just feels like they couldn't care less about me. And of course, those are the days I most need support and love. Grand Opening is scheduled for next week, and I'm quite nervous about it. I got stuck with one piece of bad news today that puts me behind schedule by a day. Obviously that stresses me out since I only have like three more work days before said Grand Opening.

But before that, I got what I thought was a ray of hope. A local business person was in Chicago on a business trip and happened to talk to another business owner who is in my field. That person gave her my contact information, and the local person contacted me to offer help and advice about getting started. I was psyched. Hubbie's first reaction was to say that the local person almost certainly had ulterior motives. Why would he say that? Can't you be cautious without being totally distrusting of everyone you encounter? Then my mom was less than excited for me even though she had been pushing me to utilize my limited connections more.

I get that you have to be a little cautious in the business world. Totally! But can't people be even a little positive that something might be going my way? Sometimes, I just want to cry.

Progress progress!

Retail space lease- check!

First big vendor meeting- check!

I am feeling better about things now. Phew.

In other news, the election is cruising along. There probably won't be a debate tonight which is a real bummer. I really don't know how this is going to end. What I DO know is that partisan politics aren't going to help. Considering how close every recent election has been, there is no reason for politicians, of both parties, to continue to work for the fringes of their party. Most people are in the middle, so why can't they work for them? At some point, this HAS to change. However, I think things are going to get worse before they get better.