If You Give a Mom a Holiday ... She will Host SANTA'S WORKSHOP

Well on our first day of Santa's Workshop we had 2 families.  One family are friends of mine, but I love having people I know in the shop ... they know me and know what I do so well, it is great for the support!

Little down again today, I know it is the holidays, but while another local birthday planning spot closed it's doors only having been open just a bit longer than us ... another one is expanding to a 2nd location.  OK, so where are all the people that need parties?  I'm telling you I feel for kids whose birthdays are in December ... what a rip off for them!  Got news that the package we offered at a local Trivia night didn't even raise $1.  But a couple other area business didn't either.  It seemed if we didn't offer some hard and fast retail (or liquor) no one considered us.  I learned a lesson for this, next time I will take more than 1/2 off and make the certificate plain and simple.  I do need some kind of set up to draw people though.  Maybe I need a miniature depicting a kid's party setting.  I know where I can get the miniatures, but then will I be sent business?  Just joking I will use her.  I think I will walk down there now to check her out!

It also seems people really like the idea but again, no bookings.  I just wonder if I am exerting my efforts in this wisely OR should I focus more on my PT job.  A wise friend, who also has a business here said that maybe I have this part time job (as well as Allan's short term temp job) to tide us over until we get business up and running.  So I am not giving up yet.  But I had hoped for at least 1 party ... 

Anybody want a 1 time discounted party ... to help out.  This does not have to be a birthday, but could also be a Christmas party for your child.

We are also going to bump up the advertising.  Our store sign is too small and we need a bigger banner for outside as well as the other window we are using to advertise in the mall.  More money invested in hopes it pays off.

So that is where we stand now.  I am sorry I have nothing new to report and that I am a bit down about it.  But maybe I will look back on this when business is soaring and remember how it used to be.  If I could only bake in this place, I'd be making some dough (literally and figuratively).

The Jolly Man's Helper,
Janet

If You Give a Mom a Grand Opening ...

...she would have hoped to have had some bookings ...

Well, we talked to a few people - even gave out 12 of 48 cupcakes (anyone need 23 cupcakes ... like tomorrow?) ... even entertained a few kids while parents looked at info ... but alas, no bookings.

I got sick yesterday so Allan had to run the show alone.  He did great ... even talked to a few people.  But we were late opening the shop due to my getting sick and I guess we missed a lot of people.  Oh, well ... you win some you lose some.

I did get a little depressed today.  I see shops that just have opened (and one who hasn't even opened) getting business and I wonder ... did I chose the wrong thing to sell.  People seem interested, but no one is booking anything.  Either we just missed their birthdays or the ones they have are in the spring.  Doesn't anyone have a birthday to celebrate here before Christmas?

I am going to go in this week and start making pinatas ... maybe show people I am creative ... as if the design of my shop wasn't proof enough!

I sure hope that things start to pick up or I might have to say bye bye to this expensive endeavor ... Sure hope I didn't waste $13 grand on this ... and all that renovation we did ... If I wasn't meant to do this ... I sure wish God had closed some doors before we went into this debt.

Sorry if this is not the blog post you were hoping for ... just keeping it real.  At least my day job seems to be picking up ... I got a taste of it today and will get more of a taste on Wed and again on Thurs.  So I guess I can rely on that ... for a while.

Just Janet

If You Give a Mom some Ribbon ... She'll Make FANCY THAT Headbands

I saw an idea on a website and thought ... I can do that ... even personalize them for the little girl that wants it.  So I went to Michaels and bought a whole lot of ribbon and then stopped off at Walgreens for the headbands.  Then proceeded to come home and make about 7 headbands and 3 ponytail holders that are seasonal in design.  I have posted pictures here on the home page, but if you are interested in seeing more of them, check out my FB page under the FANCY THAT Headbands Album (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2063128&id=1123486099&saved).  I even got my youngest to model for me ... they really are cuter in person, but V did an excellent job showing how some of them look in a little girl's hair.

I you like what you see and are interested in any I have made, let me know.  If you want different ones made or even sets of them, I can do that also.

Right now the headbands are $5 and the ponytail holders are $3.  They make great gifts or even just a little extra to dress up that little outfit for the holiday.

Having Fun and Making Memories,

Janet

If You Give a Mom a Season ... She will make an Event of it!

Normally in our household we have not been known to celebrate Halloween.  Being it is a celebration of the dead and most decor is quite ghastly in nature, it really puts a damper on fun and celebration.  It also usually gives the flowergals nightmares just looking around the neighborhood at the tombstones, bodies hanging from trees and arms reaching from "beneath the ground".  However, this year I am part of a bigger picture with a location in a mall, so therefore, I succumbed to the pressure and If You Give a Kid a Party celebrated with trick or treating and a FALLoween Festivity.  


All this came about because Crestwood Court ARTSPACE, with the lead from Bread and Honey, decided to celebrate a few days before with a Zombie Mall Walk.  That came about from a news report by Fox 2 stating that Crestwood Court was now a "zombie mall".  Therefore the organizers thought a couple times about the comments and decided to "show them".  Quite a bit of media coverage came from the event and also brought out the droves of small trick or treaters from 4:00 to a bit after 6:30 and then the zombies made their descent on the mall around 6:00 until midnight.  Both events brought in around 100 people each.  Reports of past Trick or Treating events seemed to only bring in less then 30 people, so both Bread and Honey and If You Give a Kid a Party, who took up organizing the T or T event, were very pleased with the turn outs.


Most of us felt the size of crowds we experienced were due to the fact we offered another safe event for people to attend that was NOT ON HALLOWEEN.  So we will see how next year's event will be attended.


Channel 2 decided they wanted to investigate the Zombie event, so zombies descended upon the Fox 2 news station a few days before.  The word got out and the zombies heard the call.  One reason the event was so well attended.  The Crestwood/Kirkwood times also covered the event with a story in the paper as well as pictures.


Show Me St. Louis showed up early the day of the event and pictures were taken as well as interviews.  Most shops were open and from that it helped get the mall another shot at an interview in the near future.  Crestwood is not as dead as was first reported.  The Show Me St. Louis segment is to show within the next few weeks.  We will see if Allan (my husband) will be as much of a draw to the interviewer as he was on Fox 2 with Tim Ezell.


So far our first event, we had a nice turn out.  Not as many people paid to do Falloween Crafts, but there is always next time.  I got to talk to a few people regarding the business, and several have birthdays before the end of the year.  So here is to praying some business starts popping in for a chance to help us make a memory (and some money).


This week we are getting ready for the Artstravaganza that will be happening at Crestwood Court ARTSPACE this weekend ... we are teaming up to have our Grand Opening the same time.   Seems like a good idea since the mall will be a buzz with people looking for interesting things to buy.

So until next week, I think I will go play like a kid and plan more crafting ideas for the event.  If you want to come check us out ... come Friday from 5-7, Saturday 11-7 or Sunday 1-4 ... enjoy some cake, punch and a fall craft or two.  It's gonna be another great memory made!


Janet

If You Give a Mom a Business ... She needs a GRAND OPENING ...

If You Give a Kid a Party

GRAND OPENING WEEKEND

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5th

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

 &

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6th

11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

 &

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7th

1:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 Stop by for a party in action!  

Cake, yes!  Ice cream, we'll see!  

Punch, you bet! 
 

Get a sneak peak at some of our themed ideas!

If You Give a Mom a Business ... She will need to Open it!

After much hard work (and still more to do):

If You Give a Kid a Party's Official Opening Day ... SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23rd

11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Come by and see what we have been up to ...

If You Give a Mom a Season ... she will plan FALLoween!

FALLoween Festivity

October 29th

Ages 3-12

$5/child or $15/family

4:00-8:00 p.m.*

FALLoween crafts, activities, snacks 

& child-friendly holiday movies

in IF YOU GIVE A KID A PARTY (615) 

*Child drop off for 1 hour of fun (sign in/out system with an assigned number).  Parents/Guardians can visit other mall patrons or participate in the Zombie Mall Walk. 

Also join Crestwood Court ArtSpace in

Mall Trick or Treating

4:00-6:30 p.m.

If You Give a Mom a Plan ... She'll Plan a Party

OK, so it has been way too long since I posted to this site and I apologize.  For all my fans who read this (yoo-hoo ... are you out there ;-) ) ...  I have been under the weather, over the top working on the shop and well just busy.  I hate going on people's blogs and they haven't updated in ... years ... I swore I would not be like that.  So there I confessed and now I am rectifying it.

So we busted our boots (bootie) to get the shop ready for my oldest's 10th on 10/10/10 at 2:00 p.m.  My husband even sacrificed sleep and stayed up all Saturday night until after the party on Sunday to finish the floor.  You see we have slide by with so many blessings, and then we hit a brick wall ... then it takes us a bit of time to re-coup.  1st it was the walls.  It's not partical board but something that is odd enough that they stained in the previous store so we had to prime with 2 coats and then almost 2 coats of the paint.  My husband likes the stripes on the wallpaper of this blog, so we chose colors very similar.  Some Enchanted Evening (by Disney, of course, in Behr paints) is the light purple and the base of most everything in the shop.  Then to spice it up we added stripes of Majestic Violet (love that since my youngest is named Violet), which is a slight darker.  The base is down for the 10/10 party but the stripes were added this past weekend.  Then to top the stripes we added chair rail ... of course over that "stupid" wood wall that are "not even" but we made the best of it.  We've got TONS of compliments and it has really lightened the room.

Now on to the most stubborn floor removal of a lifetime and brick wall #2.  So as the time is ticking away from us on that Thursday before the party, we decide to just forget pulling up the stupid stuff and just get flooring we have to GLUE DOWN.  This job is not for the faint of heart ... I know because I laid a lot of it.  Then to make matters more interesting, I get sick ... thinking at first it is just a cold, my chest is burning when I walk any distance from breathing in and out ... I wait until after the party ... but it is a sinus infection with bronchitis.  Lovely!  Oh and I have laryngitis.  Nice, huh?  You are right!  Anyway, we push forward, most of the flooring (except around the walls) goes down for the party and we are seeing a finish line.

So through it all, we had my daughter's 10th and even with some people not coming she had a blast.  Said it was the best party she has ever had.  I am going to start a Portfolio Part of the blog, so check there for pix (or FB).  I will warn you the walls are a bit bare, but very soon (like in the next 2 days) the retro toys and wall fixtures will go up and we will be looking more and more like a real party store.

Also, made friends with some neighboring shops and even in talks with partnering with them for parties.  Anything to generate revenue.  One bright spot is I made 50 brochures and they are all gone, so here is to praying I get business very, very soon.

I am also considering some retro party fare to resell.  I saw a site that offers this.  It is so cool I am considering offering that.  I seem to love all things retro now!

So that is where we stand.  Lots of brochures gone and the place is just about done.  So please continue to keep us in your prayers.  If you know me, you know how I depend on prayer!

Keeping the Kid Alive,

Janet 

If You Give a Mom a Snowball ... It's gonna roll and FAST!

OK so the inspection is set for tomorrow, Friday, September 24.  I will get a call after the inspection that I can come and sign the contract and then be handed the keys.  My insurance lady will also be there to finalize all that.

We have rented a truck to finally get this busting at the seams house unloaded.  We pick the truck up today at 4:30 and will unload it after the keys are in my sweet little hands and then return it at 4:30 tomorrow.  I am not sure how many people read this, but if you are free and want to help us unload ... WE'LL TREAT YOU ... not sure to what, but something GRAND!

So now the snowball is moving and moving fast.  Who knew 3-4 months ago I'd be where I am today.  All I can say is Thank You God ... this is the real thing, not a made up thank you.  Because basically He IS in control of everything that has happened and will continue to happen.  I also have to thank everyone who is supporting me and praying for me.  Mostly my husband, of course and his family as well as my dear, dear friends.  You all know who you are.

So get ready, get set, LET'S THROW A PARTY!

Stop by on 10/10 at 2 to take a look at my oldest's party ... that will be the first official one on the books.

Love to you all,

Janet

If You Give a Mom a Party to Plan

I think anyone who reads this knows that I am starting my own business.  They also might know about my family and that the first party in my new business shop will be my oldest daughter's.  So I won't go back and detail all this info.  If you are new to this blog, then just refer back to various parts of the site like "About Me" or previous blog posts.

I have been steadly working on various parts of the business while waiting on the OK for my inspection.  Seems there is only one company that can fix the gate to the shop, so we are waiting on them.  We still feel like our move in date will be next week (week of Sept 19th).  But the party that cometh on 10/10/10 at 2 does not stop.  So I have been busy keeping up with what needs done for that also.

We are having an Alvin and the Chipmunks (Chipettes, too) party for my oldest who is turning 10.  So from the party invites to the decor ... all things Chipmunks and Rock & Roll.  

My girls both LOVE pinatas and I as a mom like to rig it so that everyone gets the same amount of candy.  Now don't start with me about how life's not fair so kids need to deal with it.  You try being the kid who only gets 1-3 pieces while some other kid HOGS it all.  NOT at my party - I MAKE THE RULES!  Everyone gets about 10 pieces and if they get more they are to share with everyone else ... if there is more, then everyone gets more.  Nothing like a candy hog at a chipmunks party!

So as we are out scouting for the decor to change the spiderman head into an IAN head (he is the talent scout/scoundrel from the movie my kids want to beat to a pulp ... guess Daddy isn't up for the job again in the same year - he was Speckles from G-Force and the kids beat him up with swim noodles ... fun but I think he's had enough), my hubby and I go into the Party supply store in our area and as we are looking for glasses for my oldest to go as Jeannette, we stumble on the CLEARANCE RACK (dun-dun-ta-da).  As Allan is retrieving the cart, I ask him to find out if this rack is 75% off the orange tag or is it already marked down.  Hold on to your seats folks, it is off the orange tag which is already priced LOW, LOW, LOW ... so I walk out of this said Party supply store with not all, but most of the clearance rack.  (Hump and the glasses my oldest needs and I ALMOST SPENT $6 on ... got for 25 cents ... )

Remember a few weeks back when I got that great deal at the craft store ... this one rocks even more because we are talking themed cups, napkins, favors, etc.  I am so jazzed it made up for my CT scan and dye injected in my head as well as the headache that had not succumbed to the meds I had taken.  I said to my husband if God is not on this same boat, then we are rocking the sales for some reason ...

The girls said, I want to remind you that clearance items are non-refundable.  I said, Honey where these little babies are going ... they won't need refunded.  To which she asked me where they were going and I replied, My new KIDS party planning location.  Both her and the other girls were impressed and said "You done good!"  I said,'You are darn tootin'."  (Well maybe not those exact words from me, but I was jazzed.)

So for going in and trying to find peach streamers to paper mache IAN's bald head ... I came out a winner ... I might even take a few pieces of candy for myself when they knock that pinata to smithereens!

It's all for the kiddies,

Janet

If you Give a Mom a Business ... She is going to need HOURS OF OPERATION

OK I was asked to generate hours for my proposed schedule while we are at the mall.  So here is an example of what the standard week will look like.  Note, that when we have parties in the shop, the hours will flex during those times.  Being open earlier or staying open later could be what is needed on those days.  However, to have some consistency and be available for everything we want to do, we need some hours to post.  Here is what we have at this point:

Mon:   CLOSED*
Tues:  CLOSED*

Wed:  11:00 am - 3:00 pm / 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm*

Thurs: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm / 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm*

Fri:     11:00 am - 7:00 pm*

Sat:    11:00 am - 6:00 pm*

Sun:     1:00 pm - 6:00 pm*

 

Note that the hours may change during the summer, but I will keep you posted on that as it occurs.  Also, note if you need to come to the shop any time that we are not open, please call for an appointment and we will work something out! (636-575-8233)

 

With this above schedule I am trying to keep up with my girls, but still provide a consistency for customers.

OK now back to making CANDY BOUQUETS (pictures soon) as well as working on Lily's 10th!

This is all so exciting,

Janet

If You Give a Mom a Decision

Well, it all worked out ... we changed our business space to right across from the other spot.  We are now 615 which is not that big a difference and it will be easier to spot.  Worked out a great deal on the rent ... so this is great.

Funny thought, got all my advertising stuff (except brochures) done yesterday, so I guess I will be whiting out the 4 and replacing it with a 5 ;-)

Due to the switch-o-roo, all the fees and permits have to be done on Monday since I ran out of time today before the girls came home from school.  But that is fine.  Gives the mall a chance to get the space in order for the inspection.  Things are moving nicely.

With this new space we will have to do little to no renovation ... take down some fixtures as well as paint and set up a few things ... then the big move in.  Storeage for supplies and product will be nice sized for what we need.  The other location it would have gotten too crowded for all the stuff we need to store.

So stay posted for before and after pictures as well as for a move in date.

Love this idea and can't wait to start,
Janet

If You Give a Mom some Advertising

This little ol' business is slowly becoming a reality for me.  We got our loan money and are close to getting our permits.  I also ordered a few advertising mediums today via VistaPrint ... business cards, magnets, large banner for signage, and a few other incidentials.  So we are on our way.


Then we go to re-visit the shop site after the girls get off of school and are now re-thinking it.  Not sure if what has been proposed to us will work out.  2 other sites across from the current site with one just being a small distance from the other two.  But both new locations have MUCH LARGER storage areas and one has shelving already in place.  The 2nd thing we need to consider is how much renovation needs to happen to place number 1 that getting a space that needs less will afford us.  So I have word into the Leasing Agent to find out what she thinks.  If we can move to spot #2 the advertising I got will be just a tad off ... but fixable.  The rest of the stuff will be fine as will the load we have in getting ready for my oldest's 10th.


So if you happen to read this and can offer up a prayer or two ... much appreciation.


Much Love to everyone supporting me!
Janet

If You Give a Mom Creativity

This blog will be short and sweet, but I just wanted to keep you updated.  We are now going to make the 1st official party for IF YOU GIVE A KID A PARTY and my oldest on 10-10-10.  It will be her 10th so why not make it really memorable for all of us.  So as a side note, this will be a friends and family party, but stop by to peek in the windows to see all the fun.

Getting Really Excited,

Janet

If You Give a Mom a Talented and Sweet Husband

It has been a few days since I was able to write on the blog/website.  But a lot has happened since my last post.

Thursday while out eating our date lunch (we take those now that the girls are back in school ... works perfect - NO BABYSITTER NEEDED), my husband and I were talking about the decor for the shop.  I had been mulling over a few ideas and he even found a few cool ideas online.  As I sat there thinking I decided on a retro theme.  I thought why not stay with the theme of the logo and just go retro with the findings as well as the paint/paper job.  This got me real excited so we went to the Antique Mall and found retro (or should I say old - from my childhood) toys.  This will be something I am familar with, because most things I am getting I once had myself (i.e. a Mickey Mouse Club lunch box) or played with at friends.  I got quite a few and also have some I got at yard sales a few years ago, so that is how I am going to decorate the shop.  We also decided to paint with the colors and design on this site, purple and lavender (my favorite colors anyway) using them in stripes.  We went back and forth with a harlequin design but it just didn't seem to fit.  So once we get in we have 2 walls to knock down and then we can paint.

Now the most exciting news, we got our loan money to start the business.  It is a small signature loan, but thankfully due to Allan's job and our once being loyal customers of this credit union, they accepted us.  So now I have the much needed cash to get us up and running.  It goes into our new savings account tomorrow (Wed).

So as I sit and plan my first party, Lily's 10th, I am now getting more and more excited about the possibilities of this business really being real.  I was a tad worried last night since we hadn't heard and Sept is beginning to tick away.  Oct 9th will be here before you know it.  So silently I came up with a back up plan (or 2) if we aren't ready to open the store to others.  Lily will have her 10th birthday there - ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS - STYLE.

Thanks for all the prayers ... keep them coming ... we are just beginning this new exciting adventure.

Feeling all giddy and like a kid,
Janet

If you Give a Mom an Exciting Day

WOW!  Lots have happened since yesterday!  Very exciting things.  Let's hope tomorrow lends more excitement.

First off, I got my new phone for the business today ... so the number is now posted to your left there ... I charged it before going to do my volunteer work at church and when I came home ... played with it.  LOVE IT!  (and it's PINK)

Secondly, I got a call from a potential insurance agent on the business to get more info to give me a quote (first quote seemed too high to my jewelry friend) ... and in talking to her she said "Your business sounds so interesting, please tell me more about it."  I complied and then she said, "You will have to send me some stuff, because I have a little girl AND have lots of friends also looking for something like this."  WOW!  I was so jazzed.

Thirdly, I got an e-mail from my sweetie while he was at work commenting that a work friend has some left over stuff from her crafting days and might I want it if she moves.  (OH YEA!)  I think from what I could decode from his message to me is he told her YES!

So as if I was not working in warped speed as it is ... now I have to kick it up a couple more notches.  So, here's to October 9th in hopes that will be our first day open for my daughter's 10th.

Will Keep you Posted

The Kid at Heart,

Janet

When you Give a Mom a new Business Phone

Well, I finally stepped out and got myself a phone for the business.  I don't have it yet, nor do I have a number ... but it should come in the next few days.  I went against a few people's advise to keep my own number as the business number.  I decided it is too close to the number Allan has, so it is best to leave well enough alone.  Plus, that phone is on it's last leg ... it is going on 3 years this November.  Long time to keep a phone I am told.  Most people upgrade as soon as they can.  I haven't seen the need although the want is there with all the new gadgets that are coming out.  

My only complaint with my old phone is not having a qwerty board for texting.  Between Allan and I we text A LOT!  But this new phone has a qwerty.  But if all else fails we can always upgrade later if we feel like it is needed AND I can always get rid of the old phone and number if I have to.

I comparison shopped and adding a line to our family phones was WAY cheaper than going the business route for a phone.  So I am going to just take the $40 out each month to pay my home phone for the business phone.

As time passes and business increases I will see if a phone for the business is needed.  I am not sure what everyone else does, but we have found it way cheaper to just have a cell phone vs. a home phone anyway.  Plus, I got a free phone tossed in and no activation fee ... what better reason than that.

Also, my husband called me today to send him this web page address.  Seems the sweetie is talking me up at work ... cool!  So if you are reading this and work with Allan ... kudos to you for checking me out!

So one last item of business before signing off ... seems we might be close to getting some funds for the cash we need to finally get into the shop.  Please keep praying.  The specifics would be that we get just the amount we need and at a good rate.  We have talked to a few places and either they do not do what we need or we have been rejected.  But we have not given up ... we are talking to an old CU we used to belong to and they are getting back with us.  WE also have a place down the road from us that "LOVES SAYING YES" or so their sign says ... we will see.  So keep that amongst your prayer requests for us.

Final note, another friend had a sudden and tragic accident happen in her family.  Seems her son, 20 yo in college in Texas - she is living in IND now, was killed.  I do not know the facts at this point, but I am sure when she is ready she will tell us all on her list.  Please pray for this family.  I am not sure where they stand with the Lord.  It would be nice to think all our friends will be seen once again on the silvery shores, but I don't believe they will.  But as many tell me ... only God knows their heart.  Just pray this tragedy will bring something of substance for her.

Partying with Kids ... my Life!

Janet

If You Give a Mom 80% off and a little Customer Service!

Well, it's Thursday and usually on Thursdays my husband is off and we have date days.  This, of course, can really only happen during the school year since the flowergals are in school and we do not need a babysitter, which are usually on short supply for us.  So our usual date day consists of going to lunch at a nicer place than say "Steak-n-Shake" and then shopping for needed (or wanted) items at locations that are stressful when taking the flowergals. (They are not shoppers unless it is for candy or toys ...)

Today we knew we would have our date luncheon (but I had a few other chores we needed to take care of beforehand).  He knew of a few of these things, but not 1 of them.  

My church's Children's Ministry (CM) is consolidating a few things since we are getting so big especially in K1 and PreK.  Therefore, my CM was looking to get rid of or loan a few things.  So due to my involvement at the church, esp. in CM, I was privy to a few of these items firsthand.  So my sweetie and I loaded up our van with chairs (adult and kid size), puppets, clear containers, etc.  I landed the mother load ... Thank You STC CM especially.  (Just about all of these benefit my new business.)  Also a special shout out Thank You to God for keeping this all in the forefront and helping me find great things!

Then after we loaded down the mini van with above said items, we headed to lunch and also to a local jewelry/craft store to get more bracelet snaps (the place we weren't going to for any special reason other than the snaps ... my sweetie wasn't privy to this knowledge until after the loading of the van).  We decided due to the location of the restaurant we would go to the jewelry/craft store first and then go back to the restaurant.

Walking in we found the snaps and then as we looked around walking to the cash register we spotted the leftovers from their recent garage sale items.  I must add they were all marked 80% OFF.  I am particularly not good at hunting and pecking through small items, too much effort ... but I surveyed the items and began to think ahead of what I could use whatever I saw for at the shop or for future parties.  I found quite a few items and with Allan's help he pecked through the smaller items I detest looking for.

The sales lady asked me if I could use a basket, I said I was fine and then she said, no ... let me put these up here {on the counter by a cash register} for you (I thought great more arm space for more things).  (See I only went in for 1 thing ... I didn't need a basket or cart in the beginning ... silly me!)  So as we looked through the items and Allan then helped me rethink the prices ... most things were way under a $1.00.  So I re-looked and got more great things for crafting projects for parties and other items were things I thought I could use for decorating or making my own things to re-sell.  And I must add all the while the nice lady kept checking back with me to see if my arms were getting full.  So all in all after everything I got I walked out saving almost $200 with a grand total of $100 paid.  How cool is that!

One more note:  I have to say sometimes that chains have nothing on "mom and pop" operations.  There are a few chains I adore, but most ... their customer service STINKS.  This mom and pop operation ... their CS was just grand.  I am making a mental note of that ... seeing I will be a "mom (and sometimes pop) operation" very soon!   Being nice and helpful ... goes a long way in how people view your shop!

If You Don't Give a Mom a Job

Well, as you can guess from the title this Mom was looking for a job and couldn't find one, so what did she do?  Hired herself!  Then, started her own business!  So there, that shows you world!

It had been over a year and a half since I first started looking for a job.  Particularly in the field I had left, Children's Ministry.  I came close 2 times.   Once REAL close, but God thought otherwise and, as everyone was telling me, "saved me from myself".  Then I thought I am trying to go the wrong route, so I started looking for my 2nd field of interest, teaching in preschool.  Nope, closed doors again.  

So on a friend's advise, I began actively waiting on God and the "next sure thing".  That came when I STOPPED looking, started listening and began talking to close friends.  

After church one day I was talking to one such friend and she said, "You know you really need to go into kids party planning!"  I said, "Really?"  "Sure!" was her reply.  "You do this great job here at church working with the kids and designing the staging, it really suits you best to do something creative like that."  I then told her over the years, after planning parties for my own girls, I had thought about it but thought it was frivolous as most things people dream about.  She disagreed and that began my quest for finding out if this is what God had in mind.

So far, it IS what God had in mind.  I have acquired a place, a line of credit as well a few friends lining up to "give a kid a party".  So now I am just patiently waiting for some cold hard cash to drop from the sky and then I will be set to go.  See some things can't be done on credit, nor should they be, so I need to again wait on the Lord for the provisions I need to pay the rent, the licenses and fees as well as just other incidentals that costs but not paid for with credit.

In the mean time, I am talking to people I know about various areas of the shop.  From being part of the retail, to participating in parties by helping assist OR even act as character visits to getting ideas for the logo while still researching what is new, relevant and worth my time.  As they used to say, "I am getting my ducks in a row".  I have even purchased a few helpful items that will aid in what I do at church and also what I will need to do for the shop.  My first order of business will be to finalize my logo and then make a sign.  One aforementioned item is perfect for sign making.

So the target date to be up and running is by my oldest flowergals 10th birthday were she will be the lucky recipient of the 1st party in the place.  That date will be Sat. Oct 9th, 2010.  (Hey, if it's not my family that benefits from this ... it should be no one.)  The youngest flowergal will have to wait until February for her day in the shop, but she will get her party too.

So if you need to "give a kid a party" and are reading this, think of me and the shop and we'll get together and make some memories for your family!

Visit this blog often for updates on the shop as well as what develops.  This will be our website for the 1st year or so.  Another way to save money and get the word out!

Just a kid at <3,

Janet