I need a jump start. Should have gone to work out with Erika. Instead, I did my usual routine, and drove thru Mickey D's for a sausage egg biscuit and diet coke. At least Evan (DS) is at school today. He refuses to blow his nose, he's all stuffed up from his allergies.
I need to get my oil changed. How boring. I haven't ever gone to one of those Jiffy Lube places. DH says I need to go to Valvoline and get the special oil for old cars. Whatever. Why can't he just take care of it for me? Why do I hate automotive type places? The smell of grease, oil, tires (YUCK!) Definitely a man's world.
Just reread the last paragraph. I'm talking about my car, by the way. Although I could use an oil change or whatever the equivalent is for my brain!
I feel overwhelmed by everything in my life, I can't seem to get anything organized or under control. The house, the store, my health....I need a vacation, a different perspective on my life. I wish I could go back to the cabin retreat we had in Flagstaff (minus the dogs!) Cooler air, relaxed atmosphere, lots of cool gals, and creative energy flowing.
I AM excited about a project some of my friends are working on. I wish I could be more involved in it, I'm not sure how...just continue to mention ideas, inspirations, and maybe a little business advice. And support it like crazy!
Ok, maybe I'll make a plan for today:
1) Oil changed (in car)
2) Duh.......
let's try that again...
2) Work on inventory
3) Stock Bazzill
4) Brainstorm new customer rewards program
5) Scrappin' Sisters blog...this I can get excited about! I want to post every day what products have come in, what's going on....I think there are some customers out there who would really enjoy it! I can put a link on the web site!
Ok, now I have a plan. Now I just need to implement it. Oh yeah, and add
0) Shower and get ready!
If you made it through this very boring entry, thank you for sticking with me. :)
Friday, August 19, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
Is anyone out there?
Just added site statistics to my blog. I'm not sure why. I'm just curious how many people are finding it. I added my blog to the 2 Peas Blog ring today, too. I guess I want to be included in the "community of bloggers" that seems to exist.
LOVE Donna Downey's suggestion of a "Blog Book". I think I will create/ask for a Scrappin' Sisters "Family" Book, ask all the design team, employees, and good customers to create a tag to include. Here's the info needed (borrowed from Donna D.):
1) create a tag...simply make sure your tag has a hole at the top for binding
design/embellish your tag as you wish - any color, any style, any size..be as creative as you wish
2) include any information/photos on your tag that will help me capture your piece in my blog story.
3) include your name on the tag somewhere
I like this way better than the ATC (Artist Trading Cards). We can display it at the store, see it grow over time. How cool!
Okay, Melissa, Kim, Ally, or anyone else who actually reads my blog...you're officially selected to create the first tags! I guess I should create a "cover" tag, too!
This, along with my "Tracy's Pen" assignment, should actually get me scrapbooking a little bit! Whoo-Hoo!
LOVE Donna Downey's suggestion of a "Blog Book". I think I will create/ask for a Scrappin' Sisters "Family" Book, ask all the design team, employees, and good customers to create a tag to include. Here's the info needed (borrowed from Donna D.):
1) create a tag...simply make sure your tag has a hole at the top for binding
design/embellish your tag as you wish - any color, any style, any size..be as creative as you wish
2) include any information/photos on your tag that will help me capture your piece in my blog story.
3) include your name on the tag somewhere
I like this way better than the ATC (Artist Trading Cards). We can display it at the store, see it grow over time. How cool!
Okay, Melissa, Kim, Ally, or anyone else who actually reads my blog...you're officially selected to create the first tags! I guess I should create a "cover" tag, too!
This, along with my "Tracy's Pen" assignment, should actually get me scrapbooking a little bit! Whoo-Hoo!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Who am I?
Found this quiz on Blogthings, thru Katherine Brooks' blog. Here's me....
Here's another one:
One more, I was quite disappointed not to be genius in all categories!
Wait a minute:
That's better! I'm stubborn if nothing else, and quite vain about being smart.
 You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant. Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle. You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs. For you, comfort and calm are very important. You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection. You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong. |
Here's another one:
| How You Life Your Life |
 You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside. You are always tactful and diplomatic. You let people down gently. You tend to have one best friend you hang with, as opposed to many aquaintences. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable. |
One more, I was quite disappointed not to be genius in all categories!
| Your IQ Is 115 |
 Your Logical Intelligence is Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Above Average |
Wait a minute:
| Your IQ Is 140 |
Your Logical Intelligence is Genius Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Genius |
That's better! I'm stubborn if nothing else, and quite vain about being smart.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Arizona Chain Reaction
Yes! There are people out there who are fighting the chains!
Found this reference in a blog (using Marc Cuban's search engine) to Recollections and Scrapbook Stores. Just happened to be in Phoenix.
This lead me to an article in the AZ Rep about chain stores, and an organization, AZCR (Arizona Chain Reaction). I need to find out more about this. I like the "think independently, buy locally" motto. I'm not saying I never shop at chains. But I think we should be educated in our choices. What other choices are available? It's easier to go to a chain, they're very visible.
In my case, it may mean shopping at Bashas, a locally owned grocery store, instead of the others. I shop at Target instead of WalMart. Yes, Target is a chain, but WalMart seems to be taking over the world! Also, I like the quieter atmosphere at Target. WalMart seems like a feeding frenzy.
Some "chains" are locally owned businesses, or franchises. Although not all the purchases made by these companies - for signage, construction, etc. - may not be local choices, some of them have to be. And I support anyone who is trying to make it by owning their own business. We're a dying breed. Possibly crazy. But we believe in something. Working for yourself. Making it on your own. We're closer to our customers, more in tune with their everyday lives.
This one especially got me:
"Blighted empty shopping areas are created in your community when chain stores re-locate to a more lucrative shopping center, or leave altogether. Literally hundreds of big stores are abandoned each year across the United States."
I'm so tired of seing the abandoned shopping centers! Who decides that Albertson's needs to move 2 miles west, and leaves the other shopping center tenants to die? I was looking at Memory Basket's website. The store directions say they are just behind Popular sporting goods. Guess who has closed? Once a thriving mall, the back part of the mall is now a ghost town.
I could go on about this forever.
I would love to hear anyones comments on this, especially as it related to the Scrapbook industry.
Found this reference in a blog (using Marc Cuban's search engine) to Recollections and Scrapbook Stores. Just happened to be in Phoenix.
This lead me to an article in the AZ Rep about chain stores, and an organization, AZCR (Arizona Chain Reaction). I need to find out more about this. I like the "think independently, buy locally" motto. I'm not saying I never shop at chains. But I think we should be educated in our choices. What other choices are available? It's easier to go to a chain, they're very visible.
In my case, it may mean shopping at Bashas, a locally owned grocery store, instead of the others. I shop at Target instead of WalMart. Yes, Target is a chain, but WalMart seems to be taking over the world! Also, I like the quieter atmosphere at Target. WalMart seems like a feeding frenzy.
Some "chains" are locally owned businesses, or franchises. Although not all the purchases made by these companies - for signage, construction, etc. - may not be local choices, some of them have to be. And I support anyone who is trying to make it by owning their own business. We're a dying breed. Possibly crazy. But we believe in something. Working for yourself. Making it on your own. We're closer to our customers, more in tune with their everyday lives.
This one especially got me:
"Blighted empty shopping areas are created in your community when chain stores re-locate to a more lucrative shopping center, or leave altogether. Literally hundreds of big stores are abandoned each year across the United States."
I'm so tired of seing the abandoned shopping centers! Who decides that Albertson's needs to move 2 miles west, and leaves the other shopping center tenants to die? I was looking at Memory Basket's website. The store directions say they are just behind Popular sporting goods. Guess who has closed? Once a thriving mall, the back part of the mall is now a ghost town.
I could go on about this forever.
I would love to hear anyones comments on this, especially as it related to the Scrapbook industry.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Blog Surfing
I'm sure there's another phrase for this already....starting with one blog, surfing through to the next..until you're not sure how you got there...
Tonight I started with Lindsay Teague, and managed to work my way thru to Bruce Willis!
An interesting journey...
Stayed in bed almost all day, everytime I tried to get up, I almost fell over. SEVERE dizziness. Finally found my anti-dizziness medicine, which didn't help much, then found some great decongestants, which have helped a lot. Unfortunately, I slept most of the day, so now it's after midnight and I'm wide awake.
Found a cool site for beads, Artbeads.com. Bad idea to visit, unless you want to spend, spend spend!
Nothing else to say...hopefully tomorrow (today) will be better, I can get some stuff done!
Tonight I started with Lindsay Teague, and managed to work my way thru to Bruce Willis!
An interesting journey...
Stayed in bed almost all day, everytime I tried to get up, I almost fell over. SEVERE dizziness. Finally found my anti-dizziness medicine, which didn't help much, then found some great decongestants, which have helped a lot. Unfortunately, I slept most of the day, so now it's after midnight and I'm wide awake.
Found a cool site for beads, Artbeads.com. Bad idea to visit, unless you want to spend, spend spend!
Nothing else to say...hopefully tomorrow (today) will be better, I can get some stuff done!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
I just have to vent......SH*T SH*T SH*T!
I am having so many problems getting in the stuff I need for the Designer's Workshop we are having this Saturday!
First it was the albums. We wanted to use the 8x8 preservation series albums from SEI, just like they did at CKU. Well, guess what?! They are "recalled" because the metal bindings are rusting!
Okay, backup plan: construct our own albums out of 8x8 page protectors (thanks Erika!)
Second, it was the KI paper. Every paper is available except the one I need for MY page. Backup plan: redo the page using the "I'll love you forever" paper. (also had to redo the stripe on the front of the album, which used the same paper)
Third, now the stupid Making Memories antique white label holders are not being shipped. AAARRRGGGHH! Yet another design change!
Somehow this will all come together and be fine! Why do I have these crazy ideas anyway?!! OH yeah, I remember, I'm trying to keep my stupid store going!
Okay, end of vent.
The good news is that school started today, and after 2 1/2 weeks of Mommy time, I can now go to the store unencumbered, no "When can we go home, Mommy?", no "Do you have to go to the store today? Why? You just went yesterday. Do you have to stay very long?" Ah the perils of trying to be a store owner and a good mom at the same time!
First it was the albums. We wanted to use the 8x8 preservation series albums from SEI, just like they did at CKU. Well, guess what?! They are "recalled" because the metal bindings are rusting!
Okay, backup plan: construct our own albums out of 8x8 page protectors (thanks Erika!)
Second, it was the KI paper. Every paper is available except the one I need for MY page. Backup plan: redo the page using the "I'll love you forever" paper. (also had to redo the stripe on the front of the album, which used the same paper)
Third, now the stupid Making Memories antique white label holders are not being shipped. AAARRRGGGHH! Yet another design change!
Somehow this will all come together and be fine! Why do I have these crazy ideas anyway?!! OH yeah, I remember, I'm trying to keep my stupid store going!
Okay, end of vent.
The good news is that school started today, and after 2 1/2 weeks of Mommy time, I can now go to the store unencumbered, no "When can we go home, Mommy?", no "Do you have to go to the store today? Why? You just went yesterday. Do you have to stay very long?" Ah the perils of trying to be a store owner and a good mom at the same time!
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