Finished the Minnie 5k and now attempting the Princess 1/2 - Am I nuts!?!

[Caitsmama]

Hi everyone! Yes, i finally made it back on the TM today (bit later in the week than i had planned) but i decided to repeat W5, and i did it. So, W5D1 is done - again. LOL It felt good to get back on track.. now if i could only do better with eating..
So, now i am back at work at the store.. and it's dead here today. I just can't help but feel frustrated, thinking about all i COULD be doing at home. We have Christmas Eve at our house, and i could definately use a few extra days to "spruce up the place" .. I called about another space for rent in a nearby bigger town - more centrally located -- but i about fell off my chair when i found out that the rent was about 3x's what i am paying now, and the space was DEFINATELY no bigger than what i have now.. (600 sq. feet). I just don't think i mentally have it in me to relocate and take on a large rent like that.. i just can't.
I am just taking it one day at a time..
Went out to start Christmas shopping - me and dh aren't really doing gifts since we leave for the Disney cruise 3 days after Christmas.. My dd really is only asking for 1 thing - a guitar. She has been wanting / asking for one for almost 2 years.. So, this year, i am going to go for it, and get her one - i stopped in a few music stores to check out prices - case with guitar (acoustic) will run about 90.00. Then there are the monthly lessons -- which she will have to take -- no lessons = no guitar in my mind.. And she knows this .. but she has been insistant on wanting to learn (she is almost 7), so i guess instead of buying lots of little toys with all those lovely little pieces to them, i will get her this instead.

It is so cold here now.. (mid 30's) - i know, not freezing, but cold enough for me. I hate it. I can't wait til the cruise and warm weather..

 

[postesf]

HI Stacy! Great job getting your workout in!!!

I think the guitar is a great gift! I'm all about music lessons! My FIL teaches guitar and piano. My nephew who is 9 takes both.

Mid-30 is Freezing to me! Whew!

Haven't seen much on your sister's jounal. How is she doing???

Take care,
Stacie

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Stacy!!! Welcome home from vacation (sorry that was a late welcome I think ).

Great job getting out there and running again!!!! It's SOOO hard to start up after a vacation but you did awesome. You should be very proud of yourself .

Sorry to hear things were quiet for you at the store. Hopefully it picks up soon and you get that holiday rush!!!

How is your sister doing? Let her know we're thinking about her!!!

 

[Caitsmama]

Thanks guys! My sis is doing well, she is actually hoping to make an offer on a house this weekend.. She use to own a condo in Naples, FL - but she moved home about 2 years ago to be with us - her family.. LOL And sold her condo, so she has been renting a town house since then, but she finally found a cute lil' house she loves.. So, keep her in your prayers that all goes well.
She is still working out - so is my mom. My sis still won't pay for internet - since the neighbor she was "leeching" off of (shhh.. don't tell her i told you!) got a block on her wireless, and my sis found out that it would cost $40 a mo. for cable connection - she pulled the plug. LOL Hey, what can i say... Mabye when she gets a house she will connect.. she's a nut, but i love her! LOL
I will tell her that you were all asking about her..

 

[larry's girl]

Hi, Stacy! You are doing such a great job with your C25K program! Sounds like you got right back on track with it after vacation - that is so impressive!

I have seen how beautiful your work is, and I am sure that your store will be more lively when customers find they have to brave the cold for the last minute gifts they need! If I lived close enough, I am sure I would be a regular customer - I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, so I am a sucker for any kind of beautiful crafts work and yours certainly qualifies! Just keep the faith - they'll be coming in to spend money any time now!

And keep going with your exercise routine - you are going to SO ROCK at the 5K in May! Have a good one!

Susan

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Stacy,

Great job getting back on the treadmill! I'll definitely say a prayer that your sister's move goes well and that she gets internet! Maybe your daughter will really take to the guitar, grow up and be the next Cheryl Crow and support you in style! I am so envious of your cruise, they are the best. Keeping my fingers crossed for your decisions regarding your store, I know that weighs heavy on your mind. It will all work out, just hang in there!

Amy

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Stacy,
Sorry I have been MIA,this new job is keeping me busy.I envy you leaving on your cruise soon, it is freezing here too-is it spring yet?

Your DD will be so psyched xmas morning, we need to get out there and do some shopping.Not much to get the DDs are older and expensive things come in small packages.

Great job on getting back to working out after vacation. I would be afraid to go right now, I would feel a binge coming on

Keep it up,
Linda

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Stacy--Glad to hear you are keeping up with your C25K program..you are going to do so great in May!

Sorry to hear about the tough decisions ahead regarding your store. Hang in there! I actually would love to open a scrapbooking store at some point, but those kinds of decisions scare me...so I can only imagine how tough it is for you right now.

Your DD will be sooooo excited on Xmas morning when she sees that guitar!!!

Keep up the great work with your training! And just think soon enough you will be Cruising!!!!

 

[postesf]

Hey Stacy! Just checking in to see how you're doing...

Stacie

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi there Stacy, hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks so much for hanging in there with me on my journal! Get some time for you this weekend!

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi everyone! Sorry i've been MIA for a few.. lol.. but, this time of year is just making me wacky!!
I need to get back on the TM.. haven't in a while.. hopefully Monday am. I am just crazy trying to get the house in order (we have Christmas Eve at our house), and the store has been doing ok - this week will *hopefully* be very busy.. oh, then there is the cruise, less than two weeks away (making door signs, fish extender gifts and tshirts), We also have Hannah Montana Concert this Thursday!
Trying to wrap up the last of my shopping..

I know... excuses, excuses.. there are none.. LOL I just need to get back on track - and not let the distractions wave me off track.. I PROMISE Monday am i will be back on that TM!!

Laurie -- i actually use to work in a Scrapbook Store, i was there with her since day 1, she only lasted just over 2 years, and had to close.
IMO - from being in Retail so long - scrapbooking especially, it's hard b/c the bigger stores are bringing in so many of the "little guys" lines, that use to be exclusive to the mom and pop stores, and you wouldn't believe the backorders that they would tell you there were with products, and then you would walk into a big store and there they are - while your store shelves are empty. The big companies were famous for this.. On top of that, with scrapping, the $ amount that you have to outlay for just one particular line of products can be in the thousands.. for just one company!
I would honestly say, if you had a GOOD 100k that you weren't using, then do it! But, IMO from what i have expierenced, it would cost at least that to open a store with a stocked inventory..
Not that i want to scare you, just being realistic.. I wish someone would have sat me down and shook me when i was thinking of opening up.. whatever you think it will cost to open, multiply that by at least 3x's. Seriously. And, it's amazing, everyone who *says* they are going to support you and then never comes in..
I really don't mean to sound like a total downer.. I can't believe i just wrote all that.. But, it's been stirring up for a while.. lol. And being at the point that i don't know what direction i am going in.. well, i think in my heart, i know what is the *sensible* thing to do.. but it's hard to make that step. But, i know the next 6 months are going to be terrible.. (we are a seasonal small town). I just can't survive on 4 months a year.
However, that being said, i DO love my store, and my customers... i love that i am doing what i have always wanted to do, and i have no regrets trying. It is both the most rewarding and the most stressful thing you will ever do.
I think i have said it before - but , when i first opened, the scariest thing for me, was the feeling of "what if" - what if i had to close, would i be a failure?? It was the worst thing i could concieve of happening..
Now, i almost feel at peace with it - and that's why i have a feeling that it will be the right thing. But, i am holding back any formal decisions until after the cruise. We'll see what i feel like after a few pina coladas! LOL Sometimes things change when you get some r&r.

Sorry for going off--- i guess it's just a hard time for me with this right now.. and i'm venting.

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey there Stacy! I hear you about the whole store issue.....a good friend of mine owns a scrapbooking store in Central Jersey and they are doing quite well now, after being open many years, but she has told me over and over, how much it cost them to open in the beginning......I see how much work her and her partners put into the store and i don't know if I could do it..but I guess I can dream about having my own some day!

Glad to hear you are getting back on track with your training. You have plenty of time before the race in May, you will be fine.

You must be sooooo... excited about your cruise!!

I hope you have a great week!

 

[postesf]

HI Stacy!!! Good to hear from you! I know you must be getting excited for your cruise! I can't wait to hear all about it!!!

Sorry for all the mental anxiety about your store. I know that must be tough. I hope it all works out for the best in the end.

So...C25K...How is that going??? You will be plenty ready by May! The Minnie will be so fun!!! My mom may do it now too!!!

Hope you have a great day!
Stacie

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Stacy!

Best of luck with the store, I hope all goes well with it.

Ok, Ok...Turkey day trip to WDW, Cruise for New Year's, DL in two months and a Hannah Montana concert to boot? Goodness...hitting each Disney destination within four months of each other and seeing the #1 hottest tour around....I'm a bit jealous! I don't know how you people do it!

Have a great day!

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi Stacy!

Best of luck with the store, I hope all goes well with it.

Ok, Ok...Turkey day trip to WDW, Cruise for New Year's, DL in two months and a Hannah Montana concert to boot? Goodness...hitting each Disney destination within four months of each other and seeing the #1 hottest tour around....I'm a bit jealous! I don't know how you people do it!

Have a great day!

Well, i can tell you - the ONLY way we do it, is b/c we have inlaws who LOVE WDW, and take us every Thanksgiving (meaning, we stay with them in the room, and they cover it, as well as our plane flights - we just have to pay food/tickets) and my mom has a timeshare thru Marriott - so we were able to get Newport Beach for Cali. in Feb, plus my uncle lives less than a mile from DL. As for the cruise, it was a family Christmas Gift from the inlaws to dh's siblings and us.. (and to think - 2 of his sisters TURNED IT DOWN!!! - i think they are embarassed of us! ) oh well!
As for the HM concert - Well, that is dd's early Christmas gift from me and my dh. And i just plain 'ol lucked out getting good seats for presale!
Oh, then don't forget - we are going back to WDW in May for the 5k Minnie!! And, i am so excited - i just found out (for any of us going) that on friday night May 2nd (the night before the 5k) it was just announced that it will be a Pirate and Princess Party at WDW!!!
I am excited, and i know dd will love that! Next question is, can i get up and run a 5k, if i party til 12am?!! LOL

 

[hockeygirl]

Turn down a FREE cruise!?! Who in their right mind would do that! Certainly not me!!!

Sounds like you have an awesome couple of months coming up! That is so awesome that you were able to get good seats for Hannah Montana--they sold out in like ONE minute here!! One of my friends was trying to get tickets to take her daughter and she had no luck--we tried to win them on the radio stations but no luck! Oh well! Hope you enjoy the concert and all your upcoming trips! I am soooooo... jealous!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi there,

Sorry I haven't been around. Cait will love her guitar, and the concert. She's a lucky little girl.

good luck with your decisions about the shop. I imagine it is almost like your child. You have put so much time and love into it.

Congrats on getting back into c25k after your vacation. That is dedication.

I can't believe they turned down the cruise. They are insane!

Take care,
Beth

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Stacy,

Sounds like the next few weeks will be exciting for you with the cruise and the concert coming up. I can't believe that your SILs turned the Disney cruise down! Do your in laws want to adopt my family? We'll happily go on a Disney cruise!

Sending lots of prayers and your way as you decide what to do with your store.

Great job getting back into your training! Keep up the good work!

Have a great Tuesday!

 

[momof2minnies]

Stacy,
Just popping in to say have a great holiday. I hope everything works out for you with the store. Don't look at it as failure you had to at least try or you would have always wondered and probably regretted.

How was Hannah Montana? What a racket they have going with those tickets,to watch her lip sync? My DD loves her ,I like her too, as far as pop stars go but they have stretched this kid way too far. If she really sang at all those engagements the kid would not be able to talk.But I bet your DD was in her glory.

Have a great holiday,
Linda

 

[ScoJo15]

hi Stacy!

Hope the weekend is going well....how was that Hannah Montana concert??? We saw her lip sin...I mean...open up for the Cheetah Girls last year and she definitely puts on a great show...hope you guys had a great time!