So.... the spawn and I were trolling around Pier 1 Imports recently and I fell in love with some metallic vases. I did not fall in love with the $70 price tag on 'em. Seriously? $70? I think not. While I love their stuff, I refuse to pay what they want.

So.... this morning I found I'd run out of projects. This is bad. This always leads me into trouble. My mind started wandering... things started clicking into place one after another and I found myself buying some bottles of metallic acrylic paint and digging the uber-old steel milk cans out of the shed. (Cuz, who DOESN'T have a few lying around?)

Basically, I ended up fingerpainting. I'm pleased with the results. One is almost done and I have two to go. I'll post a pic if I can get it reduced to a blogable size.

EEK. I temporarily ran out of projects! How the hell did THAT happen?!

WHEW! Apparently I only had a mild case of 36 hour bubonic plague... or dengue fever... or typhoid or whatever it was OG gave me. Damn internet viruses. grumble-grumble

Anyhoo, Poohbare has been driving me completely batshit crazy with his eternal fretting over this and that. Mind you, all of it is justified, but most of it is out of our hands. I just keep grinning as things fall into place one at a time whether we fret or not.

Today, for example, we went over to Town Hall to apply for a business license. Our landlord had warned us that the town can be pretty prickly about approving applications. As we pull up, there's a lady putting notices up in a case and we ask her if we're in the right place. She says she works in the office and if we'd like to give her the app and money, she'll take it where it needs to go. She then giggles and says "Ha! Scammed ya! No no just kidding." As we chat with her we mention the VFW hall across the street and how we'd met someone there a while back to discuss an appraisal of his coins. She says she was working that day and remembers us. Before we leave the parking lot, she said she'd mail us a copy of our business license. Guess it's getting approved.

It just keeps getting better! Hope the same is true for you.

xoxo
HP

SOOOO much to do. It can wait. Sinus. Ear. Ow.
Mucinex is my friend.

I just opened an email stating our application has been accepted. We sign the lease on the retail space this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I can't stop grinning!

In other news, I've been agonizing over drapery costs for the front windows. We both acknowledge that the store entry needs to be inviting, but I hate the costs involved.

Then it hit me. Hey, I still have a bunch of cash left on a gift card from the ex-boss. I bring up the website. Oh, those look nice! click click click. Thanks ex-boss! I have now ordered eight sheer panels for only $38 out-of-pocket. WOOT!

I'd send her a thank you note, but since she'll probably be getting my appeal of the unemployment decision this week, I don't think she'd appreciate it. Gosh I hope the appeal hearing takes place downstate. I know what ex-boss's calendar looks like. Mine's pretty clear. [insert evil laugh here]

So far, it's been a pretty good day!

xoxo
HP

So... I'm teaching myself how to make waterfall valances. I found some I like online, but they were sold out and I'm impatient. I found the fabric that I like and I think I have the measurements figured out. I'll whip up a couple out of scrap fabric and see how it works.

Basically, I'm just trying to keep busy so I don't drive myself nuts. GAH!

Got a call today from the folks in Texas who are handling the corporate stuff. We are now officially a corporation complete with tax ID number and stuff. We just have to wait for the 401k rollover funding and we'll have all our ducks in a row on that front.

We've paid the first month's rent and deposit -- just waiting for them to accept our Letter of Intent to Lease and cash the checks and we get the keys. We bought a bunch of stuff today and have a ton of things yet to figure out/purchase/do. The print materials are all set up and I just need to hit "checkout" to place the order.

Poohbare hopes to "retire" from the steel mill by the end of April. We're shooting for an opening date of May 11th.

Lord, I'm tired, but it's a damn good tired.

xoxo
HP

Thank heavens we have Herbie around to keep us safe. So far this morning he's saved me from attack by a twist tie, scrub rag, dryer sheet, notepad, pen and a blanket. Whew!

Busy busy busy busy busy

We found a unit for lease that is way bigger than we need now, but probably too small for a couple years from now, but that's what redecorating is for, right? The location and traffic flow are excellent.

Poohbare is filling out the application and I'm writing a check. Should have it secured by week's end. I refuse to believe another great site would be snatched out from under us. With that mindset, I'm figuring out design layout, decor costs, blah blah blah.

Funny what a difference a week makes. While I'm still incredibly saddened we didn't get the old house, when I think with my head instead of my heart, I realize that the tens of thousands of dollars we would have shelled out for purchase and refurbishment can go a long way toward buying inventory and giving us a big safety net.

We're in the process of getting the corporation formed so we can rollover a big chunk of Poohbare's 401(k) account without incurring massive tax penalties. Our mentor with the Small Business Administration put us in touch with a group out in Houston, Texas that figured out how to get through the tax code and use the 401(k) to finance a corporation. It's all legal and do-able. If anyone wants more info on the group, drop me a PM.

Things are looking up.

xoxo
HP

It has been a very good day. Hope y'all can say the same.

xoxo
HP