Serenity

It has been a very eventful year for Mike and me.  Last October we decided to downsize and move our personal residence from New Jersey to Delaware.  Since I am originally from Delaware and Mike has family living here, it was the logical choice.  In November, we had a heater fire in our brick and mortar store which is located in Hainesport, New Jersey.  If you would like to read about our latest adventure with the insurance company, click here.  The end of July, the youngest daughter of our version of the Brady bunch got married.  We tease her about the family never forgetting her wedding because the power went out and never came back on.  It was only about 105 degrees and no air conditioning; but that's another saga to tell.

This weekend, Mike decided he is going to remodel the main bathroom in the house. I am pleased to say so far no major catastrophes.  AAHH serenity - I love it.

ESN- Christmas in August

I was visiting with my daughter the other day and she told me she had started her Christmas shopping already. I remember doing that when my kids were young.  So, I thought it was pretty cool when the  theme for this week's ESN scavenger hunt blog was Christmas in August. 

I headed straight for Walls that Talk and choose the Holy Family Wall Art.  Well, maybe this would be an early Christmas gift. 

My next stop was Comycgyrl  Collectibles. She has so many beautiful items from which to choose. I know the hand painted Vintage Geisha Girl Chocolate  pot would look divine under the Christmas tree.

I always like receiving a picture frame as a Christmas gift.  The  Fishing picture frame from Hazel's Hodgepodge is sure to please the angler on your Christmas list.

These are only a few of the Christmas gift available from the eCrater Sellers Network. 

Heater Fire Update - August 2011

In November of 2010, we had a heater fire in our brick and mortar store. Nine months later the insurance company has not settled our claim. Even though we have negotiated and agreed, our inventory is still sitting in storage pods in our parking lot.  Among other things, we have not been reimbursed for our extra expenses. We are not a multi million dollar conglomerate; just a mom and pop store that has manged to stay in business for over 41 years. We have done our homework by hiring a public adjuster and recently filed a claim with our state insurance commission.  In some states there are laws that require insurance companies to settle claims in a specified time frame; unfortunately our state is not one of them.
Yes, we have received  partial reimbursements. How else could we have manged to make in today's economy?  However, our busiest time of the year is almost here and we don't relish the thought of loosing another season.
We will keep plugging away, writing letters, sending emails, and making phone calls until our insurance company decides to honor our negotiated settlement. 
I do know one thing.  We will make it because Mike and I will not have it any other way.

eCrater Summer Block Party

Summer Block Party is this week's theme on ESN.  Boy does that bring back memories.  Since I am a city girl, I went to many summer block parties in my day. It was such fun.  I remember the kid's activities, music and dancing and of course the food.
My eCrater Stores Network block party would have fun kid's activities, music and dancing and food.

In the kid's activity corner I would have Eccentric Thrifter use her Michaels Book of Arts and Crafts.  No doubt she would find some cool projects for the kids to make.

Next our ESN block party needs music.  I wouldn't mind bringing my CD player as long as Bargain Express will let us dance to her Swing CD. 

The last thing left is the food.  Can you imagine coordinating and planning food for a block party?  I would suggest each family bring a covered dish.  The Corning Ware casserole dish from Comycgyrl will work perfectly.

Block Parties were neighborhoods coming together to share a fun time. eCrater Stores Network is an online neighborhood where eCrater sellers come together to share ideas and offer support.  Come join us.  New members are always welcome.

The Giant Cupcake

When I have some free time I like to go treasure hunting in resale shops.  I just never know what I might find.  My most recent purchase was a Wilton Giant cupcake pan.  Even though I haven't baked a cake in I don't remember how long, I just couldn't pass it up.

For my grandson's birthday I decided to bake him a giant cupcake.  I read the directions that came in the box and thought oh no I don't have cake release.  That was easy enough to solve because I found an easy cake release recipe online.

Needless to say, my first every Giant cupcake was a big success.

You've come a long way baby!

 Over 4 months go we had a heater fire in our store. Everything from ceilings to walls to floors had to be replaced..  The remodeling work is finished.  We have our c/o from the township. 

So, we spent the last couple of days cleaning, scrubbing, and reassembling shelving, racks and showcases.  Everything has to be cleaned and cleaned and cleaned.  At one point, I even had to crawl inside the showcases to clean them. 

Our contractors did a suburb job. 

However, we are still waiting for our first new order to arrive.  And still waiting to settle with our insurance company. 

ESN - Getting your Green ON

This week's  theme for the Ecrater Stores Network scavenger's hunt blog is getting your green on.  Even though I am not Irish, I like to celebrate St. Patrick's day by attending our local St. Patrick's Day parade, giving some unique green gifts, and of course wearing the color green . 

The Lime Green Apple Paperweight available at Carolinabluelady would make a nice St. Patrick's day gift.

I also like Comycgyrl's apple green atlas jar.  Just add some green tinted carnations and presto a great St. Patrick's day teacher gift.

No St. Patrick's day celebration is complete without wearing something green.  Wouldn't this green purse and shoes set  from BargainExpress be perfect at a St. Patrick's Day Parade? 

ESN theme Transportation

The theme for this week's ESN scavenger's hunt blog is Transportation.  Since I was unable to find a time machine for sale in any ESN store (so far that it is), I thought how can I transport my self to another time or place? Easy - read a book.

eCrater sellers have books galore from which to choose.  I traveled to Barb's Bargains and found an array of Nora Roberts books. If I choose  Heaven and Earth I can visit tiny Three Sisters Island.. 

Next stop is Comycgyrl Collectibles.  Nothing beats a  historical romance book.  In Apollo's Fault Miriam Raftery Adventure Historical Romance, I am transported to San Franciso. 

Next, I decided to take a detour and check out Eccentricthrifter.  Found the coolest book called Egyptology. How else could I go up the Nile river and search for a tomb of an Egyptian god?  

With books I can transport myself back in time, across the ocean, and into the future.



 

St. Patrick was Italian - Really he was!

 As another St. Patrick day approaches, it always amuses me to see people's reactions when I say,"St. Patrick was Italian".  Since I am 100% Italian,  I usually get a smirk or a knowing smile as if to say Yeah Right!
St. Patrick was Italian. Really he was.  He was Italian not Irish.  As the story goes, Patrick's father was  a high Roman diplomat living in England, but a Roman citizen.  Even though  Patrick was born in England, he was a Roman.
I discovered this really cool tidbit of Irish history on St.Patrick's Day, 2010.
Embroidery Fashions Boutique has a nice selection of St. Patrick's day shirts; but not one proclaiming St.Patrick was Italian. This year we are ready to celebrate with our St. Patrick was Italian apparel.  I am going to be brave and wear our new St. Patrick Was Italian t shirt to our local St. Patrick's Day parade and the festivities that follow.  And that's no blarney.

You can see more of our custom embroidered St. Patrick's Day apparel at Embroidery Fashions Boutique.

Renovations Update February 28th, 2010

Almost all the new wiring has been installed in the store.  Just a few more tweaks and we will be ready for the township electrical inspection on Wednesday.  After we pass that inspection, we can install the insulation.  Another inspection will have to be scheduled for Friday for the insulation this time..  And then   we can install the walls and the flooring.
In the meantime, the contractors have gutted the office.  All the files, computers, printers and desks have been placed in storage.  I keep wondering will there ever be a light at the end of the tunnel?

What's Happening at Embroidery Fashion Boutique

On November 6th, 2010, we had an oil burner fire in the store. Thankfully, no one was hurt; and the store did not catch on fire.  However, the smoke and soot damage is another story.  No  problem our insurance company said we will have you up and running by Thanksgiving.  Needless to say, we were not up and running by Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Valentine's day. 
At this point in time all of our inventory has been counted and is in storage pods in the parking lot. Only problem is the insurance company can not seem to come up with a reimbursement figure. Seems they have their accountants working on it.
On the bright side, renovations on the building are progressing.  Walls and ceilings have been torn down and are being replaced.  We even discovered a picture on one of the walls. 


Maybe we could embroider the poodle  image on a t shirt!



Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday

It is hard to admit that Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday.  Even as a kid, I didn't like dressing up.  And I like it even less as an adult.  That being said.  I decorate our home for Halloween, join in lots of  Halloween activities and even make special spooky treats for our grand kids. But, I refuse to dress up. What I have done for years, is choose a really cool Halloween themed t shirt to wear in lieu of a costume.
Since we own and operate our own custom embroidery store and recently added a Halloween shop, I thought this year's Halloween t shirt will be a piece of cake.  Wrong!  I searched and searched our embroidery files and found the same ole, same ole sayings and images.  I didn't want a ghost, a pumpkin, a skeleton, or a monster.  I wanted something different.  I had just about given up on the idea for a new Halloween t shirt and decided to recycle one from my collection.  And then I found it.  It was perfect.  My 2010 Halloween t shirt is Yes, I can drive a stick.  It is adorable with a black cat riding a broom stick.   I drive a stick and have done so for many years.  I still get comments as WOW you can drive a stick?  I answer with a smile Yes, I can drive a stick.  And now I have a t shirt to prove it.