Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[slo]

We are on day 4 with Katie's boot, and boy do I wish the weather was crappier. On Wednesday when Stephanie went outside, and took our her scooter, we had a small meltdown Then yesterday the neighbor kids were outside playing, and she was sad I told her she could still sit, and she did, but she still had such a sad face I'm really praying for lots of grey skies and rain for the next 6 weeks(I know that sounds really weird!!!)

Business is still absolutly terrible! I haven't had a single customer all week. These high gas prices are truly killing me!!! I'm really starting to wonder if doing this is worth it anymore. If Katie was older, I wouldn't hesitate to close this place. But it's nice having the luxury of her coming home here every day, and being able to be with me on days off, and when she's sick. I really hate having the stress of not knowing what I should do, because any decision I make is going to suck!!!

Here's a couple pictures from when Stephanie met Sean Casey (a meteorologist/storm chaser on Discovery Channel)

A customer of mine, who works at MSI, got this poster for Stephanie (this movie is at the OmniMax there). This is Sean Casey's movie

Stephanie standing next to Sean Casey's TIV (tornado intercept vehicle)

Stephanie inside the TIV

The Indianapolis Fox News Meteorological team was there talking with people and signing autographs. They had their green screen up so people could pretend like they were a real weather person. It was pretty cool!!!

ID - I wouldn't mind that split schedule either - it seems pretty nice What do you do again? I can't remember.

Mac - Thanks!! He's worked really hard

momto1 - What a lovely way to spend your 25th wedding anniversary!!! I can hardly wait to hear about it when you come home.

Dnut - It's amazing how out of shape we can get in the winter. I'm the same way too We just got an eliptical machine, and that is helping me get my butt back in action

Crissup - Not overwhelming yourself with the total weight loss goal is an excellent way to go I told Kevin to do the same thing Continued good luck to you!!!

rmom - Thanks!! I hope the weather helps it too, but I don't think so The only thing that will help is lower gas prices, and for the media to stop talking about it all the time.

Becky - I will have to check out your website - thanks for the link!!



Well, I best get going, and get some stuff done around here.
Have a great day everyone!!!

 

[rmom50]

SLO - cute pictures! looks like a great day. He is nice isn't he?
I know what you mean about the media and how NEGATIVE they are. Agree completely. Not just about gas prices. Seems they have to dwell on stuff just to fill a half hour or so many times.

DDORK - read your blog / trip report. Sounded like a really good day. You were able to get your $'s worth in a short time I'd say.

BECKY ~ That is a smart idea for the greeting card business. Sounds like a fun adventure. Wish you much success with it! Nice web page too.

Water heater went out - noisy boys are here in the basement hooking up a new one. ALWAY SOME STINKIN THING in our 100 year old dump.

Have a great evening........ windy nw of you.

 

[pigletgirl]

Hi ladies - I didn't want to start a new thread, but if you guys had to recommend an upscale restaurant near Mag Mile,what would you choose? I'm having a girls only trip for a long weekend at the end of April, so any help is greatly appreciated.

Also, is it worth it to eat on the Navy Pier?

 

[geffric]

Becky - I was a den leader too..Took both boys fron Tigers to Webelos 2..then DH took over in Boy Scouts..although I was committee chair ..

SLO - great pictures..wow has she grown in the past few years..such a lady now..

Well Eric comes home a week from Friday for Spring Break..Yeah!

 

[geffric]

Hi ladies - I didn't want to start a new thread, but if you guys had to recommend an upscale restaurant near Mag Mile,what would you choose? I'm having a girls only trip for a long weekend at the end of April, so any help is greatly appreciated.

Also, is it worth it to eat on the Navy Pier?

i wont eat Navy Pier unless i had too..but there are many wonderful restuarants in the Michigan area.. including the chocolate buffet at the Pennisula Hotel and Ghiradellis..
Nicer resturants include Weber Grill, Hard Rock, Uno's or Duo or Gino pizza, Carson for Ribs, Ed Debevics, Spaggios, BLT, Francescas,Kendall College Dining Room ( Kendall is a upscale cooking school..very worth it to get a ressie)

 

[slo]

Hi gang!!!

Well, it's finally Friday!!!
I work on Saturdays, so it's not like I get to sleep in tomorrow, but I do love not having the rushing of getting girls to school, and worrying about homework in the evening!!!

Any plans for this weekend?
Not for us.......it's gonna be a low key type weekend

rmom - Thanks!!! He was very nice
*I'm sorry about the water heater It's always so frustrating when something goes wrong

pigletgirl - Welcome, and thanks for stopping by!!!!
*Upscale places that I've been too are The Chop House, Wildfire, Smith & Wollensky and Weber Grill. There is also Lawry's, and the 93rd or 94th floor of the John Hancock, but I've never been to either of those places.

geffric - She has really grown up - not a little girl anymore It's so bitter sweet to see your kids grow up


Well, I gotta run, and get some stuff done before Ms. Katie comes home from school.

Have a great day everyone!!

 

[geffric]

 

[macraven]

i know.
i'm late for the party.



but i have a good excuse.
worked all week and then came home to the dump and vegged out....


i'm so glad it is the weekend.
but not glad we have to change the time this weekend.


i do not like to give up one hour of my sleep.




going to try again this weekend for flights for my trips.

i didn't get to check anything out all week and i only book during the week for better fares.

just need to see how some of the schedules have changed.


hope youse all have a great weekend.



slo, sorry but i can't pray for snow for the next coming 6 weeks.
but i will pray your store starts to pick up on customers.

 

[pigletgirl]

thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Disneynut71]

Happy Monday!!

What a beautiful weekend!

It was so nice yesterday. Kids and I went for a long walk, went to the park and played some basketball.

Only problem is I am sooooo tired. I really want my hour back!!!!!

Girl Scout 100 Birthday event at Fox Valley Mall tonight. DD and I are on our way shortly. Should be fun.

We are down to 77 days until we finally return to Disney World.


I am trying to get in the fridge swap at ASM. I heard a rumor that the values are getting fridges. I hear fall but saw a post that maybe April...oh I hope. That can really help with our food budget. I would rather spend the extra money on maybe a new Mickey bag???

Hope everyone's weekend was great! Enjoy the beautiful weather!!!

 

[macraven]

disney nut, i heard the movies has been completed.

i know sports and pop is being done now but don't about music.

i would assume music will be done also.


hopefully it will be completed by your visit.




i slept to 11 today.
catching up on that one hour we lost on sunday.

 

[Disneynut71]

disney nut, i heard the movies has been completed.

i know sports and pop is being done now but don't about music.

i would assume music will be done also.


hopefully it will be completed by your visit.

Oh I hope so....I just switched to Movies a few days ago...a bigger discount the Music. That makes me Happy

 

[slo]

Morning everyone!!!!

I am so consumed with stress over my store going down the toilet, that I woke up at 3:30am, and couldn't go back to sleep So, I decided to get up and do some laundry I don't necessariily mind getting up early, but I know I'll pay for it tonight when I'm super tired

How was everyone's weekend?
Ours was just okay.
I worked Saturday, and Saturday night we watched Tower Heist. I was so bummed about this movie, because I expected so much for more. I thought I would be laughing all the time, and I wasn't. The movie wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I expected
Sunday we went to an art show where Katie had a piece of art entered, and she received a certificate. She was so proud!!!!! After that we did some errands and came home - pretty uneventful!!!

To everyone -

I gotta run and get some stuff out of the dryer and get ready for work.
Have a great day today everyone!!

 

[rmom50]

Slo...... So sorry you are going through this stressful time with your business. You certainly can't say you haven't given it your best shot. I remember when you started it up and you've lasted a LOT LONGER than many new businesses. There is no shame in giving it a shot. How many times did our friend Walt belly up? Do what you have to do.

Mac.... I'm looking at Oct. 14 - 21st I think for this year's trip. Haven't booked anything yet because I haven't received even one little code or anything. Don't care for free dining. How did you do on flights? Last year (and the year before) I bumped off my Sunday night flight for $400 credit vouchers from United. ....... So I'll be flying the friendly skies again. Prices have really gone up though? Also last year...I received a room discount e mail and nothing this year.

Everyone else.......... THE SUN IS SHINING AND IT IS SPRING NW OF YOU!

 

[slo]

Slo...... So sorry you are going through this stressful time with your business. You certainly can't say you haven't given it your best shot. I remember when you started it up and you've lasted a LOT LONGER than many new businesses. There is no shame in giving it a shot. How many times did our friend Walt belly up? Do what you have to do.

Thanks!!!

I agree with giving this my best shot, but the amount of money I have lost, and will lose more of if I decide to close is

Plus...I love doing this while being a mom to younger kids.
*Katie comes home from school here everyday, and we get to do her homework and hang out, just like if we were at home.
*If someone's sick I don't need to bug someone to watch them, because they can come to work with me.
*The dog isn't home all day alone (which does mean alot to me).

Oh well....thanks again for the support - I appreciate it!!

 

[rmom50]

Slo....I'm not sure about the legality of this , but I advertised my husband's business on Craigslist. I think you have to be somewhat creative in how you phrase the ads. Make them more personal than business . FREE ADS though and we needed to reach out past this hole of a dead space town. We live in the middle of crime ridden nowhere - we have had to be more than creative to stay afloat. He leased half of his building also. I know you don't own yours, but could you set up a corner for an artist or a decorator to showplace your frames more? Oh.... kids crafts that require a FRAME! I'm sure you've been through all of these. I remember when you did coupons at the parade - that was . Trust me that I know the sick feeling you are experiencing . Wish I was closer to you - I would give you some time off and a cookie (I'd have to buy more).

 

[macraven]

Mac.... I'm looking at Oct. 14 - 21st I think for this year's trip. Haven't booked anything yet because I haven't received even one little code or anything. Don't care for free dining. How did you do on flights? Last year (and the year before) I bumped off my Sunday night flight for $400 credit vouchers from United. ....... So I'll be flying the friendly skies again. Prices have really gone up though? Also last year...I received a room discount e mail and nothing this year.

Everyone else.......... THE SUN IS SHINING AND IT IS SPRING NW OF YOU!

rrmom, i started looking at flights again last night.
my dates are sept with a return on oct 10th.

i did get a few alerts by email on american and united.
one ran $167 rt.
but, i wanted a later night return flight.

i still have to deal with that and with our early May trip to TN.

my issue with united is i have to do something by april 20th or i lose my 25,000 miles.
next year will be the year for the free flight for me.

a couple of months back i received the pin code for 30% off room only.
(last year my pin was 40% off room)
i can book up to 3 rooms with it.
if you change your dates, i could book your room for you.


i have been staying onsite at the motherland since 1993.
have gone yearly and some times 2x a year.
never before have i received pin codes until last year and this year.
just sayin......


the last year i used the ddp was '10. i paid cash last year for food and it came out a lot cheaper than the ddp costs overall.
the killer is you lose all room discounts when you book the package, pin or no pin.


packages now with the free dining requires you to buy 2 park tickets.


i had the cm work up what it would cost me with the pin for a package and pin for room only. the package would be costing me over $975 for 7 night stay.
my room is about $523 total with taxes with the pin.

$169 for 2 day base tickets minus the ddp, would be about $270 for the food costs.
last year i paid about $215 total and that includes snacks and 3 table service i did w/cash.

i did do packages the first 3 years the ddp came out which included the gratuity and appetizer.
it did save me money.

a few times after that, it only helped me as i ordered the most expensive items on the TS places.
i didn't use Casey's for the CS as it was not worth it on the ddp.
i went with more of the higher end cs for that.
that is how i made it possible to be to my advantage money wise to come out ahead.

i did the QS twice.
i liked it and would have left over credits as i did do a few ts places.
since i move to the darkside after the motherland portion of the vacation is over, i would swap the cs for snacks and take all of that with me to uo resort.

this year i will plan in advance like last year and make it work for me.

i need a vacation after i do all the wheeling and dealing to get to this vacation!!

Thanks!!!

I agree with giving this my best shot, but the amount of money I have lost, and will lose more of if I decide to close is

Plus...I love doing this while being a mom to younger kids.
*Katie comes home from school here everyday, and we get to do her homework and hang out, just like if we were at home.
*If someone's sick I don't need to bug someone to watch them, because they can come to work with me.
*The dog isn't home all day alone (which does mean alot to me).

Oh well....thanks again for the support - I appreciate it!!

i really hope and pray that you can hang in there slo with your business.
try to wait it out as long as you can.

do you have a website for your store?
you could set that up and try to sell online.

 

[Crissup]

my issue with united is i have to do something by april 20th or i lose my 25,000 miles.

I've found that using the mileage plus dining program keeps the account active.

 

[macraven]

I've found that using the mileage plus dining program keeps the account active.

thanks crissup.
do i have enough time to do that and active it?

 

[Crissup]

thanks crissup.
do i have enough time to do that and active it?

It's immediate.