It's been a few days...

I figured I better get some blogging done, while I have a few minutes to do it.
We are still hard at work around here... Just because the contractors are done, doesnt mean the house is done.  Stacy started priming all of the new drywall, and we got the flooring down on the tub platform. 

I have thrown myself head first into planning and organizing my business stuff.  I have my pricing pretty  much set... I know I want to do training classes... and I put together info for pet photos. 
My next "paperwork" step is to get together my training folders. 

I am still waiting on my DBA paperwork and EIN to come from they lawyer.  Then I can get my sellers permit paperwork started.
I am hoping this evening Stacy will get my shower board walls up around the tub... then we can at least put the tub up on its platform... THEN I can start painting in there.  We also have to get that huge coal stove out of the room... since I have decided NOT to keep it in there! 

So much to do... and so little time left to do it!   I will be glad when it is ALL said and done!

The kids are getting into the swing of school.  Everyone is adjusting and dealing rather well.
Brittany has decided to get back into cheerleading.  Which is fine with us... I just want to make sure she is progressing with it... and not at a stand still for whatever mental reason she can come up with. 
I am still giving her until Sunday to make her final decision.  But I am pretty sure her mind is made up.

I hope everyone "LIKES" Amy's Groom Room's FB page... and Please... share it with all of your friends!  I will be posting all of the shop's current events and specials on there!
I really need to come up with some advertising ideas.  I have to get my name and number out there... and get business in here!!

Ok... gotta run... things to do before my Dr's appt this afternoon!
Enjoy the day, everyone!!

Sunny with Blue Skies!

So very grateful it is nice and sunny out today!!  The sky is beautiful!
I am going a bit stir crazy... Having been trapped in our house for the entire week... with NOTHING where it is suppose to be, because of all of the work going on in the house. 
It was a pretty sucky week for Stacy to be on vacation... but I am glad he was here to help with all of the issues that came up with the water!!  Even more sucky... today is his last day off.  Back to work for Stacy tomorrow.
The flooding this week has been unbelievable!  The devistation all around is truly sad!  We were extremely lucky this week... and I am thankful for that!  I am pretty sure I can go the rest of my life time without living through this again.  Even though the kids were off most of the week... I think they will even be happy to get back to school and back to life as usual!

Today we are working OUTSIDE of the house!  Focusing more on the garage!!  :-)

I want to be able to get my CRX in the garage next to Stacy's Yota.  And so far we are making progress!  I got Josh's car fixed!!  WWOOOO HHOOOO!!  I called to tell him this great news... but apparently he is starting to like the little Bronco!  LOL!  That kid... I tell ya!

I was in deseperate need of "garage therapy"!!  I havent really worked on a car... or in the garage in TOOOOO LONG!  I forgot how happy it made me!  So, as soon as Stacy finishes making the transmission brackets for the Yota... we are pulling it out of the garage... and doing some major organizing.  Then my CRX will fit... and oh boy... may the FUN begin!!  ;-)

Stacy got me to the Grooming Expo yesterday!  I was thinking it wasnt going to happen... It took us HOURS to get there... and HOURS to get back... BUT... I found THE PERFECT scissors!!  I LOVE THEM!!!  UGH... I cant wait to get my shop open!
The guys will be back tomorrow to finish up their part of the work... THEN... I can start to paint and put my shop and my house back together!  I am still pretty set on Sept 26th being my opening day!  Now that the flooding is gone, I can get my little posters with my name and number out there... and hopefully the shop phone will start ringing!!!  That is the scary part... hoping I can make this a success! 

Ok... just wanted to jot a quick update down... must get back to work!! 
I hope everyone is recovering from the week... and getting their lives back in order!!

Can we get a break around here... please...?!?!?

Ok... Seriously...
April we have had a tornado, which damaged our house... and that damage is JUST NOW getting fixed finally. 
And in the recent weeks we have experienced an Earthquake... A Hurricane... and now THIS Tropical Storm crap!!!

Only the second week of school and the kids were sent home at 9:30 due to MAJOR flooding...which I will post pics in a bit.  I am surprised our house isnt floating away!  We had water coming in our back door... right into my NEW shop, where the guys were working on drywall.  Our basement is FLOODED!  Our Driveway... FLOODED!  A tree came down on the neighbors garage.  Roads are closed all over... the creek is the highest I have ever seen it... obviously flooded over its banks.  The houses down the road have the creek all the way up the their back doors!!!  Charlie (85+ yr old neighbor) said his rain guage is reading 9 inches of rain since last nite!!! 
Stacy was out on the tractor trying to divert water away from our house... and clearing all of the storm drains on our road... and helping Charlie move stones off the road.  ALL in the POURING rain!! 
The bad thing... it is still raining!!  And we havent seen the worst of the flooding yet!

We went out to take a look around.  Loyalton is flooded.  TONS of creeks and streams are flowing over the roads.... and some even through ppls houses! 
It is bad.  And I fear it will get worse before it gets better!
We also called and checked in with my grandparents and Mom... and Stacy's grandparents... while we were out and about, to make sure everyone had everything they needed and any flood issues under control.

The past few days have been filled with work getting done at our house.  The living room has a ceiling... and a new wall.  They havent been able to take the nook off of the house... due to the weather.  So we are at a stand still there.  All of the drywall seams are taped and mudded... hoping that all dries over nite.

I graduated grooming school yesterday!!!  I am really glad I didnt have to make that trip today... I wouldnt have made it! 
Now I am completely focused on advertising... and getting my shop ready for my Sept 26th opening date!!  I was hoping to get out and hang flyers today... I guess that will have to wait... maybe tomorrow!  I ordered my signs... and business cards... and a couple of T-Shirts!!  I am so very excited!!!  I just hope I dont crumble under the stress of the weather, damage, and everything else that is going on!!! 

I HAVE been keeping the guys that are here working VERY well fed!!!  Monday they had hot dogs/hamburgers and a bunch of sides.  Yesterday I had BBQ pulled pork in the crock pot for them and a bunch of sides.  Today I had meatballs in the crockpot and a bunch of sides.  Tomorrow I will have beef BBQ.... and Friday it will be left over day! 
I know we are paying them... and I dont really need to cook for them.  BUT, I am so thankful they are here getting our house back together!!!  It is the least I can do!  Plus, they are our friends... and I just appreciate how awesome they are!  Derick has always come to help us when we have needed him to... he just great like that!!  I hear that he wants to borrow Stacy and the tractor one of these days... and I think it will be GREAT to finally be able to repay the favors of him always been here for us!

I am not real sure we will get our bedroom floor in this week... but I am ok with that.  I know it WILL get done sometime real soon!  So will the bathroom floor... especially now that they guys fixed all of the drywall!  One step closer to having our house DONE!  Our next focus will def be the root cellar and front porch.  Since I am opening a business here... The last thing I want ppl to see is a huge hole in front of our house! 

Ok... well... I must go get my kids moving on our bed time routine!  And brown hamburger for BBQ tomorrow.  Nathan is being super miserable today... he has been a real joy.  NOT!!! 
I hope everyone is staying dry!!

Taking a breath, catching up

HOLY COW!  What a crazy few days around here!!!

I got so caught up in the first day of school in my last blog... I forgot to mention our weekend and Hurricane Irene!
We didnt have much damage to deal with (very thankful for that).  We lost power for a few hours...and our house leaked, in the normal spot (which will be GONE in a matter of days!)  We spent Sunday in Harrisburg...visiting my grandparents and doing some shopping (with free entertainment--my mom wanted to come along, and had to get into my truck!!  Needed a 2 step, step stool!!  It was GREAT!)  I took some really cute pics of the pups... and got to chit chat with some of my grandparents neighbors.  I wish we had decent neighbors!!  We also took around the kids pics... got everyone's order.  We stopped at Stacy's parents house on the way up through for a few minutes too.  To show them the pics too.

First day of school rolled around... the kids made it through.  Courtney did (and is still doing) GREAT!  We celebrated with a Dairy Queen trip after dinner!! 
Monday night, as we were getting ready for bed...we let the dogs out.  Sprocket came in with a HUGE wound on his side!  That was an ER vet visit.  He needed immediate surgery to make sure it didnt go through his abdominal wall... and to insert a drain and stitch him up.  What a night long ordeal... that kept me up ALL NIGHT LONG!!  Of  course, I was PISSED at my husband who came home at 1 am, decided to call off work yesterday... and then went straight to bed.  Meanwhile... I was up the entire night with the crying, panting, horrified dog... AND I had a full day of school to do yesterday!  Needless to say, I made it through my day... barely.  I am thankful for an amazing teacher... who knows me and my work... and understood that I was NOT my usual self yesterday.  I felt (and still feel) horrible for my drop off of "give a shit" as the day progressed.
That was the first time in a LONG time that I did a marathon 41 hours of being awake.  And it did NOT agree with me one damn bit!  I was super annoyed with Stacy... I couldnt focus on what my kids were telling me... and I had no patience for anything once I got home yesterday!!  On top of being exhausted... I was dealing with a migraine... and I hurt all over.  It just sucked!!

Stacy had to deal with taking Courtney and Nathan to see Dr K (their psychiatrist)...  since I was at school.  Dr K could not believe how much Courtney has changed!!!  He is so super proud of her too!  She took her Prom pics... and he cant even believe that she went to Prom!  He says she is making SUPER progress... and he got her to admit that she doesnt feel anxious much at all anymore!!!  (But she doesnt like to go shopping if she doesnt have money...LOL).  He is happy and proud that she is switching classes this year... and NOT dependant on an emotional support class room!!!  WOOOO HOOOO!!!  Way to go, Courtney!  Just thinking about this... and all that she has over come and accomplished over the years... makes me cry!!!  I wish I would have stopped listening to the "professionals" YEARS ago... and done what I felt was right.  Maybe she would have started making progress sooner.  I kick myself all the time for this.  See, this is what happens when you have a crappy support system that tells you that you arent doing the right things.  You start to believe the bullshit... and you doubt yourself!  Which is what I did for far too long!!  I guess better late than never is how I need to look at this... but it still pisses me off!
Oh well... Courtney is doing GREAT... and she may have autism... but she is finally starting to see and believe that she CAN do anything... Her Momma and Daddy-O  KNOWS she can... and now she does too!!!  I LOVE to hear her talk about Graduation... and Prom this year!  I LOVE that she is LOOKING FORWARD to things to come!!!

Ok... now... on with today.  I need to recover.  LOL!  I got a good nights sleep... but I am feeling a bit weird still from the pain meds.  I think I will work around the house this morning... then run to drop off Courtney's RX's.  Then I have to pick up a few things.  But, I am really feeling kind of lazy... so that may wait until later when the kids get home.  I am sure they will add to the list of supplies they need anyway.
I put a pork roast in the crock pot for dinner.  Not sure what I want to make with it yet.  I guess I have some time to worry about that.
The tub guy comes tomorrow... he better actually refinish my grooming tub this time.  Yes, I am not over the last time yet.
Monday Derick starts on our house!!!!!!!  I CAN NOT WAIT!!!  I just want our house fixed, completed and back to normal!  Oh... and having my shop done will be AWESOME!  I graduate grooming school next week!!!  Then I can focus on opening my shop!!!  Soooo exciting!!!
We really need to get this piano out of the way... and boxing up stuff that can sit around while they are doing the drywall.  OMG... our main bathroom will get completed.... our living room will be liveable... the shop will be done!  RELIEF!!!  Then our focus can be the root cellar and porch!  And then THAT IS IT!!!  At least until spring.
If our house is done... we will still be able to have our annual "pie party" in Sept!!  It has been our tradition since we bought this house... and I am glad that we will be able to keep with it!

OK... I have tons to get done... if I can keep my eyes open to do it... LOL!  I may need to pencil in a cat nap at some point today.  I am still tired.

I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful, sunny day we are having!!

Shortening the List

I am determined to shorten our to-do list!  And I am working on it!!
Today I did the kids "photo shoot" DONE!!  I have some good ones to use as Courtney's senior pics!!  After running all over the place for pics (sunflower field, abandoned house, hang glider spot, and covered bridge)... we took Courtney to order her class ring!!  She is soooo excited!!

Stacy took off today to get his tooth fixed.  He was happy with my dentist choice for him!  I sent him to the kids dentist!!  They are SUPER with the kids... I figured they could handle him too!  He said it was painless... which is a good thing.  AND, he will be making another appt to take care of a couple other issues!  I am so proud of him!!  LOL!

It was nice having him here today.  I have missed him so much!!!  He put in for vacation... while Derick is here working on the house.  And we will be working on that list even more!!!  Derick will be taking care of the living room...and my shop...and the bathroom drywall.  Stacy and I will be taking care of our bedroom floor and the bathroom floor! 
THEN... our list will consist of the root cellar and porch.  And then NOTHING until spring!!

The winter will consist of FAMILY TIME... FAMILY TIME... and MORE FAMILY TIME!!!  In a COMPLETE house/home!!!
I want to be able to focus on building my business... and grooming my heart out.  I want to have HELP with homework hell... yes, from Stacy!  This school year... there will be much more of a team effort!!! 

So... tomorrow I will continue to declutter.  I plan on grooming Sakari... and working on homework also.

BIG PLANS for the fuuture...!!!  I am so excited!!!

PROGRESS!!

Another AWESOME school day yesterday!  I cant say it enough... but I LOVE grooming!!!  I worked on a schnauzer... and a bichon!  I am finding that I really like to scissor!  I am looking forward to the Grooming Expo in Hershey in Sept!!  I cant wait to play with all kinds of scissors... and other stuff!!! 
Apparently there was an earthquake while I was happily grooming yesterday!!  I didnt notice a darn thing... but Cindy sure did!!  LOL!

Then I came home to the reality of my life.  Josh's car broke down... and he was sitting along side of the road until I got there over an hour later.  Poor kid.  We got it back to our house... where it will sit until Stacy can figure it out and has time to deal with it.  I think he is realizing that whole "Dad" job isnt as easy as his Dad made it look!  LOL!  I am glad Stacy has such a good relationship with his Dad now... and I am sure he apologizes to his Dad often these days (and thanks him)... LMAO!! 
On a funny note... Josh used my CRX last week.  And while coming in the driveway he got the exhaust caught on a rock and ripped it out!  Soooo... he is stuck driving the Bronco 2!  AND... he is lucky to have even that!!  Today Josh is coming up to help with some yard work... since he has some days off and we have been so good to him! (NOT his idea... but he is dealing with it)  LOL!

I also came home to some REALLY muddy dogs... that I JUST groomed!  Grrrr!!!  Oh well... looks like Sprocket is def going to get a make over now!!! 

We went over to Lowes last nite... and PetSmart.  I bought my little dogs fall and winter coats... LMAO!!  Yes, I really did!!  At lowes we picked up some plumbing supplies for my tub... which is now scheduled to be refinished on Sept 1st.  We also took the kids to Denny's for a late dinner ... AGAIN! 

To top off our night... When we got home and were getting ready for bed... Stacy went to brush his teeth... and out popped a filling!  Just what he needed during his busy month at work!  I hope he at least takes the time to get it fixed... before it becomes a real problem!!  But, he never listens to me...  LOL.

OK... well...I have to get ready to get some work in the yard done!!

How can I not...

...LOVE my life?!?

I will start off with stating that I love having Josh close!  It was nice to "bump" into him today while shopping at walmart!  He is always so full of sarcasm and witty comments... I taught him well!!  He even helped load the truck... and walked Britt to the cart return.  Such an awesome big brother!!  I LOVE that he insists on hugs from ALL of us when we part ways!! And Britt doesnt fight it quite as much any more...lol.

Again... stating the obvious... I have an AMAZING husband!!  He has worked so hard at the Mill the past few weeks... but he still comes home and puts so much energy and effort into my shop!
Last night we made a lumber run... then had a REALLY late dinner at Denny's with Britt and Nathan (Courtney refused to join us).  Britt LOVES spending time with him!!!  She helps him every night in the shop and ALWAYS goes on trips to the hardware store or where ever with him.  Anyway... last night I think she ate more than he did!!  The girl can eat... and I have NO clue where she puts it all!!!

I also know I am going to LOVE grooming!!!  Today, while going over Sprocket again (no, no poodle cut for him... my kids said they would disown me)  I was scissoring around his feet... and he laid his head on mine!!  It was soooooo cute!  I REALLY LOVE my pups!!!
I cant wait until my shop is done!!!  Now... that tub guy BETTER call on Monday!!!

I have to finish up some homework before Tuesday!!  It has been a real challenge to get time that my kids werent up my butt!!!  I swear... they want nothing to do with me... until I have something important to do for myself!!  Funny how that works.

I managed to get all of the kids new school clothes washed... and they got them all put away!!  I also picked up some cool new things today while at walmart... we all are really enjoying the color your own folders and notebooks!!  The kids sat for a good 2 hours coloring those things TOGETHER today!!  It was quiet and peaceful at first... but it didnt last long.  :-(

Last night, while at Lowes... I was trying to talk Stacy into letting use diamond plate on the floor under the tub!  I think I will have to have Derick help me get that one ok'd... LOL!!  Derick was all for the grooming shop/garage theme!!  LOL!!

I did have to deal with some stupid people drama today.  But, I refuse to let it bring me down.  Stacy and I have agreed NOT to give a shit about what others have to say... we are living life for US!  And no ones approval is needed!!

Ok... I think that covers todays update.  It is quiet around here... I have to go do some reading!!

Another weekend...

Here we are... Saturday already!  Time sure is flying by!
Let's see... an update:
-Took the kids school clothes shopping on Thursday... they got A LOT of really NICE clothes!!  And I am not too upset over the amount of money we spent.  I think we made out pretty good!  Now to wash it all... LOL!
-Stacy is still working his ass off... and coming home to work on my shop.  He is THE BEST!! 
-Sold Josh's car!  You have NO idea the relief that that is!!!  We didnt get nearly as much as we could have for it... but we got more then we would have if we scrapped it... so it is fine with me... AND... it is GONE!!!  Never to be our problem again!
-Tub guy was suppose to come yesterday... but couldnt because the paint didnt come in.  So he scheduled for today.  Well, he got here... looked at the tub... then told me he couldnt do the job because it has previously been refinished!!!  WHAT?!?!  Sooooo..... now he has to order a certain kind of stripper and reschedule!!  I AM PISSED!  After that... he tells me the tub needs to completely cure before I put dogs in... which will take a month!!!!!  Well, he better get his ass back out here early this week... because I want to be open for business by the end of Sept!!!!  Grrrrr!!!!!
I swear... if something can go wrong... it will.
-I took all of the leaves out of our dining room table... now we have a tiny table.  Just until the house is back together.  I used the dining room to groom my small dogs yesterday!  Ellie about ate my face off!  LOL!!  Snickers LOVED it!  Today or tomorrow I am going to do one of my big dogs.  Then, when Derick comes to work in the living room... we can put all of the living room stuff in the dining room.  I can not wait until our house is back to normal!!!  And everything is where it belongs... and I have a better handle on stuff! 
-The kids are in count down mode... until school starts.  Wont be long now!!
-I left Josh use my CRX last week.  He managed to rip the exhaust off.  Motivation for me to raise it up some BEFORE I do any repairs!!

Ok... I think that is the rundown.
Today... I am not sure what I am going to do.  Since I had today set aside to deal with the tub guy.  I guess I will wash school clothes... and work in my garden.  And if I can figure out how to hook up my clipper vac system... I may groom one of my big guys.

A quick update before I start our day.

Things have been soooo crazy lately!!  Yesterday my freight delivery came... HUGE tractor trailer pulled up in front of the house... with a skid full of supplies just for my shop!!!  I had to back my truck down the drive way... transfer the stuff from the rig to the bed of my truck... then back up the driveway!!  THANK GOODNESS Josh came to help!!!  After that whole fiasco, he took Brittany and Nathan to the park in Gratz... of course it was because his girlfriend and her sister (who is Britt's best friend) were going to be there with the kids she was babysitting!  Oh well... it got them out of the house and spending time with their brother for awhile.

Stacy is still hard at work... working his 10-12 hour days straight through!  Even though he is working like crazy... he still comes home to work on my shop!  He is really THE BEST hubby ever!!
It shouldnt be too long until Derick to our house.  I can NOT wait!!  The living room with be done... my shop will be done... the drywall in the bathroom will be done!!!  Then our house can get put back into some kind of order!! 
It isnt helping that shop supplies are starting to pile up in our living room...lol  I am really not sure where I am going to put them once they are here working on drywall!  I guess I still have a bit of time to figure all of that out. 

Tomorrow the tub refinishers are suppose to come and start on my shop tub.  Gotta get that thing IN the shop tonight!!  It has been sitting out on the trailer! 
I am also waiting for the piano to get out of here to free up some more space!!

We SOLD Josh's car last nite!!!  Title gets transfered this afternoon!!!  WOOOO HOOOO!!!!  Getting rid of the lawn ornament!!!!  Next to go will be the Bronco 2! 

Soooo much is going on around here... I have been soooooo busy!!
I really cant wait until the shop is done and I am grooming dogs... even if they are my own dogs!  LOL!!
I am still waiting on my paperwork from the state to get back to me... so I KNOW I have my shop name... BEFORE I design and order my business cards and the postcards I want to send out announcing the shop opening!

It is hard to believe that school will be back in soon!!  Brittany has been keeping track of the days... and boy, they are flying by quick!

Ok... well... I am taking the kids school clothes shopping today!  I have to get my butt in gear and on our way to Harrisburg.  This should be fun!  LOL

Keep moving forward...

First... and most important... My first born is turning 19 today!!  UNBELIEVABLE!!!  I made him one of his favorites for dinner... and baked his cake!  I am so proud of him!!  He FINALLY started to see the world in a better perspective... and I LOVE when he comes to me and tells me I was right about things!!!  LOL!  It is THE BEST feeling ever!! 
He is now glad that I did raise him the way I did... and I did make certain things hard for him... and I did have the expectations I had!  It is all making sense to him now... and I am glad!  He turned out pretty darn good... I hope he continues!

Yesterday was a stressful day for me.  I felt like things just werent coming together the way they should be.  On top of that... Courtney was having a 17 yr old temper tantrum!!  Oh we all love those moments!!  She seems to think that since Josh pulled his crap at that age... and talked everyone into buying into his game... she can do the same!!  HA HA HA!!!  Courtney is too much for anyone else to deal with!  Now she feels like Josh is the favorite of my family... and they all love him more.  And, I can see where she is coming from.  But... there is nothing I can do about it... they all made the choices they did... and they have to live with all the consequences.  The kids are seeing things through their own eyes now... and I wont make excuses for anyone... especially them!
Besides... like I said... Courtney is just too much for anyone to handle.  Everyone likes to complain about how I raise her... but truth be told... NO ONE that puts me down about my decisions can do a better job.  Just like I have said in the past (with Josh even)... hey, you think you can do better... GO FOR IT!!  With Josh they all decided to jump at the chance... LOL... that really back fired!!  Now he is back with us... yes, doing his own thing... but sees that my way was the better way.  Live and Learn!! 
As far as Courtney is concerned... NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!  No one wants to put that much time or effort into making sure her needs are met.  People KNOW I am doing a damn good job with her... and they see ALL of the progress she has made!!  It is a heck of a lot of work!  And I will fight FOR her (and WITH her) for as long as I am here to do it!!  NO ONE else can say those words and mean it!!! 
Anyway... it was a hellish afternoon and evening... and of course she had to get everyone involved... just more crap for me to deal with.  I wish a day would come when ppl could back me up instead of making things worse.  Some things will never change!
As we were going rounds... I was trying to make salsa... Of course I am pretty sure I put too much vinegar in it.  Stacy says it tastes fine... but, he would eat anything!  Lesson learned... DONT cook and battle Courtney at the same time!  LOL!! 

I realized that my shop table is way too small yesterday!  I tried to get my dogs on it... and it just wasnt gonna happen!  UGH!!  So I had a HUGE mental battle over ordering a new one... but decided to revamp this one!  I just dont want to spent the money on another table at this point!!  I am working within a budget... and other things are more of a priority!!
My PINK dryer came today!!  The UPS guy is goning to become a good friend over the next few weeks!!  Yesterday my bathing system, groomer's chair, shampoo rack, shear holder and a few other things came!
Stacy started on our dividing wall... to seperate my shop from our mud room!!  Thank goodness!!!  Tub guys come in a week... and I am hoping to have the tub in place by that point!

All in all... things ARE coming together.  I know I get worked up sometimes... but it is hard not to.
I am just really worried that I wont get the business... and all of this will be for nothing!  That really scares me!!! 

Well... time to get ready for Josh's birthday celebration!! 

GREAT First Day!

Yesterday was my first day of Grooming School!!  OMGoodness... I LOVED it!!! 
I took Nanuq with me... and boy he got a nice new look!!!  He is soooo darn cute!!!
It was a lot of info to take in in one day... and it was like Christmas... I got A LOT of awesome tools!!! 
I am blessed to get to work with such a WONDERFUL teacher... she is simply awesome!!  We talked... we bathed Nanuq... dryed him...she showed me how to clip and scissor... and I did nails with NO problems!!  (Of course, she tackled those double dew claws for me... they were TERRIBLE!)  AND... I LOVE her "tools" to calm the dogs!!!  My favorite was Nanuq in "earmuffs"!!! 
I was EXTREMELY shocked when she LEFT me all alone to clip a little pekinese!!  Poor guy had NO clue what he was getting into!!  LOL!!! 
I just LOVE it!!  I can not wait to get moving on my shop!!  I cant wait to have an "open house"... and get ppl in... and work with all of the dogs!!  We cant get those walls up fast enough... LOL!!

I am sooo very blessed to have an awesome hubby that has really stood behind me and supported my decisions... and is making it possible for me to have my own shop!!
This was a GREAT decision for me!!  After things I witnessed a few months back... and the trauma caused to too many dogs... I am glad I am learning the RIGHT way to offer this service!!  There is not a doubt in my mind that this WILL work out of me!

Today...
Taking the kids for hair cuts!  And back home to make more salsa... then to tackle some homework (while I put the kids to work on cleaning their rooms!)
This evening I will put some more effort into clearing out the space that is to become "Amy's Groom Room"!!

A few more things checked off the list!

Today I did it!!!  I submitted my app for my DBA name!!!  The official name will be:  "Amy's Groom Room"... IF it is available.  Once it is accepted I can get my EIN and my Seller's Permit!  THEN I will be on my way!!
I also made a final decision on a clipper system... and ordered it!!!
The tub refinishers have been contacted... and they were suppose to come on Monday... BUT, since I want a crazy tub color, they have to special order it... SO, they wont be here until the 19th.  By then we are hoping to have shop walls up!
The contractor is coming up (hopefully this week) to make up a new materials list... and set a date to start on all of the dry wall work!  I am sooo glad the living room (storm damage) will finally be fixed... and our living room can get back to normal!!

Things are really coming together nicely!!!

Tomorrow is my first day at Grooming School!!!  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.  I have no idea why... I guess I am being silly!  LOL

I will be picking up the kids tomorrow too!!  I MISS THEM!!!!  They have been gone long enough! 

Well... time to pop my allergy pills... and head to bed!  I have to get my rest... tomorrow is gonna be a crazy long and fun day!!!

Pretty productive day...

I managed to get a bunch done today!!  We officially have a 'linen closet' in our upstairs bathroom!!  I ORGANIZED all of my hubby and kid's hunting clothes and things!!  It's amazing the space HANGING things up opens up!!!  I moved the towel shelves in there... and a basket for extra sheets!  It is GREAT!!  I freed up some space in the laundry room.  I am very happy about this!  Since space just became an issue since we are putting in my shop!

In addition to that stuff... I also made my first major shop order!!  Hot pink dryer... bathing system... towels... shear organizer... It was pretty stressful!!!  I did so much research over the past few days that I gave myself a headache!  Next I need to take the plunge and buy my clippers!!  I think I have decided on which ones I want... but, I need one more night to sleep on it!  LOL!! 
Tomorrow Stacy is calling the tub refinishing company.  Then we will figure out if they will come to the tub... or we need to take the tub to them!!  I CAN NOT wait for the tub to get done!!!

I am getting anxious for Derick to come and hang the drywall in our living room!!  I finish the drywall in the upstairs bathroom.  I NEED some of these projects to get done... so I can focus better!!  I am hoping to have our walls up in the shop... so he can do the drywall work in there too!!  BUT, Stacy is on a 21 day work marathon!  UGH!

Tomorrow...
I need to get back in the kitchen and get some more salsa made!  I picked a BUNCH of beautiful tomatoes this evening!!!

Tuesday is my first day of GROOMING SCHOOL!!!  I am sooo excited and nervous!! 

Such a great experience!!

Let me just say my whole decision to go to grooming school, and open a shop has been nothing but a wonderful experience!! 
I have met some great ladies that have been so supportive and eager to help and give advice... I cant even thank them enough!!

I made my first 2 major purchases for the shop over the weekend!!  I got my first hydraulic table... and I found "THE" tub!!  We also went and bought the first of the needed lumber to put up the walls... to seperate my shop from our "mud room"!!  I picked out my colors for paint.
Next is the task of picking some necessary equipment.  BUT... again, I had a great, experienced groomer give me some advice!!  This is going a lot smoother than I had expected!!

I have held off on registering my business name... I just want to make sure I pick the perfect name for me!  LOL!!  I am afraid I will have a better idea pop into my head the day after I register... LOL  Just my luck!!

We are waiting patiently on the contractor to come and hang the dry wall in our living room.  I am thinking they will do the drywall for my shop too!  Stacy started a 21 day straight marathon of work today!  BLAH!!  Not only is he working 21 straight days... they are 10 hour days!!  DOUBLE YUCK!

Oh well... I guess I should really get back to working on organizing and clearing space!  We have soooooooo much stuff!!!  I will be putting A LOT on CraigsList throughout today!!
I am selling ALL of my DJ equipment!!!  We are selling Stacy's piano.... my brand new eliptical... and a bunch more!!!

Information Overload!!

Today was a day FULL of info!!  I visited 2 grooming shops and talked to 2 wonderful groomers.  I was given A LOT of awesome advice and tips! 
I am seriously on overload!!  So much to think about.

I made my first "Shop" purchase!!  A hydraulic table!!  I want to have 2, eventually. 
We also went to Lowes and picked up the lumber to start the wall to seperate my shop from the "mud room"!
We are starting to put plan into action! VERY exciting!!!

I am a little worried on how much progress will be made over the next few weeks.  On Sunday Stacy starts 21 straight 10 hour days!  My poor hubby is going to be sooooooo tired!!!

Ok... I need to get to bed.  I have to be up early tomorrow to go look at another CL find for the shop!! 

Good Night!!

Utterly Exhausted...

First I want to just say that Nathan comes home from the beach tomorrow... and I can NOT wait!  I miss him soooooooooo much!!  He has been gone for 6 days, and it is 6 days too long for me!
Since he will be home tomorrow... I took it upon myself to do a complete cleaning of his bedroom.  Oh boy, I dont think he will be very happy about it... but it desperately needed done!!  I got rid of 3 trash bags full of 'junk'!  It looks soooo good up there now!! 

Josh was here today... he got my printer hooked up to the wireless network!  Which means ALL of our computers can print from the printer!!  I am very excited about this!  It is going to make it so much easier when I have my shop!!
Speaking of my shop...  we made some more big decisions about the space!!  We decided to put up a wall... so we will have a "mud room" AND I will have my shop.  Now I dont need to worry about what to do with our coat and shoe station!
It was a small decision... but it is still progress... and I am really happy about that!! 

It was nice to spend some time with Josh today!  Although... I know he just wanted to use my high speed internet!  LOL!!  Ah, I dont care.  He gave me a hand with some stuff... loved up on the dogs... hung out with his sisters... and got attacked by an agry bee swarm.  Poor kid.

Tomorrow I plan on registering my DBA name!  I am still liking the name I picked... and I am thinking I will stick with it. 
I decided on going with vonage for my phone and fax services.  Now... I just need to design my logo!!  I am really excited about this whole thing!! 
I am still going back and forth on my tub decision.  UGH...
Tomorrow I am going to visit another local grooming shop!  And keep on working on my list!!

But, for now I need to call it a nite!  I am exhausted!! 

Hoping for a better day today!!

Although I got a TON of things done yesterday... It really wasnt a good day!!

I did manage to get all of my carrots cut, blanched and frozen!  Which was A LOT of work!!  At that point a headache was setting in.
When I went to move on to the beets, I realized I didnt have all of my ingredients... SOOO... off to the grocery store I went!  And, while I was heading all the way to town... I decided to do my full monthly trip (yes, I shop for an entire MONTH when I go to the grocery store! I plan a months worth of meals at a time. I makes life easier for me.)  I got all the way to Josh's place and realized that since I wasnt driving my truck... I didnt have my store club card.  I ended up visiting with Josh for awhile, in hopes to waste some time so Stacy could meet up with me at the store so I could swipe his card! 
By this time my head was POUNDING!

With shopping DONE, we head home... had to put away a boat load of groceries.  Oh joy.  While making room on the counters... I slammed my hand into the blade of my brand new food processor!!!  Good thing my hubby was around and we always have a supply of super glue!  UGH!

Once groceries were put away... it was back to my beets.  AND, slicing my green tomatoes.  To get the tomatoes ready for pickling, they have to sit in pickling salt over night.  WELL... while packing them in salt...the salt back flipped open weird and I ended up with both eyes full of salt!!  BURN does not even begin to describe it!!  And boy did I have blurry vision for a bit.

I was so done after that.  But, I really wasnt, unfortunately!  I didnt get done with my beets until about 9:30 last night!!

Ok... that was my little "complaint" session.

ON A POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE NOTE---  I am almost sure I have picked the name for my grooming shop!!  And I am thinking about taking an 'unconventional' twist with picking out my equipment... and I really hope it works out for me!!  Something to really think about...before I start putting money out.  Since I am really hoping to fund this "adventure" with the sales of this summer's Love Duck Farm products! 
SOOOOO..... CHECK OUT--  http://www.loveduckfarm.com/  and let me know what you would like to try!!
And I will continue making my goodies... and planning my shop!!! 

I am truly blessed to have an amazing husband and children!!  I am getting soooooo much support from them all!!  I am such a lucky lady.

Ok... on with my day.  MUST get my green tomatoes processed... and clean my kitchen!! 

What will August bring...

HIGH hopes and BIG plans for this month!!!

Yesterday I spent the day making salsa... with Britt!!  We had a lot of fun!!  I got to use my new food processor... which made the task quite a bit easier!!  See... I knew I "needed" that...lol!  So, salsa will be added to our available list--  $3.50 a pint size jar.  I do plan on making some changes on my next batch... always looking for ways to improve!

Today I pulled my beets and carrots... Guess what I will be doing tomorrow...?!?  Britt's favorite-pickled beets, and freezing carrots.  Have I mentioned I LOVE this time of year!?!? 
It kind of hit me today that it is almost over.  :-(

I start Grooming school next week.  And I am in the beginning stages of planning my shop!!  I can not even tell you how excited I am!! 
I also got to network with a local groomer... and after talking to her, I am even MORE excited... and I didnt think that was possible!!  LOL!!

We had some pretty nasty storms come through this evening.  No major damage here... for that I am extremely thankful!!  Our previous storm damage is still looking at me every single day... and I am told it wont be too much longer until they are here fixing it!!  I sure hope so!!! 
Stacy found a really nice bay window for the living room, at a really awesome price... so, I guess I am kind of glad that it has taken some time.  I really didnt want the living room to be dark and gloomy.

I am also putting in my first order for prints to frame!  I found some really nice photo editting software... that I LOVE!!  I cant wait to get my prints... and get creative!!  Hoping I can make something of this hobby!!
Speaking of new ideas... Brittany has a new "idea" she wants to try out... BUT, I am gonna keep it a little bit of a secret for now!!  Soooo... keep checking back!!  ;-)

Last weekend in July... WOW

I can NOT believe that today is the last day of JULY!  Where does the time go... in my case, it surely wasnt spent eatting bon-bons... drinking exotic drinks... lounging on the beach!  BUT... it has been a very FUN and INTERESTING summer so far!!
Our camping plans for this weekend didnt pan out as planned... just too much "life" stuff to deal with!  Of course, we made the best of it...  We managed to hit up the outlets in Hershey on Friday and pick up a few necessities... AND NON neccessities!  LOL!!  Then we went out to dinner, ate way too much...then ended our evening with a visit to my Mom.  (Who gave me a basket for my bike!!  Which I will use to carry my pups when we go for rides!! LOL)
Yesterday we made a day trip up to Rickett's Glen!!  OMG... BEAUTIFUL!!!  It was a pretty hellish hike... down the mountain, and then back up.  I managed to FINALLY see the falls I usually dont make it to.  I am pretty proud of myself!!  It was a rough 4 miles... and we covered them in about 3 hours.  And I am NOT complaining a bit about it!  It was just Stac, the girls, Sprocket and me.  Nathan is headed to the beach with his Aunt Debbie.
By the time we made it back to the truck... I was about "done" with hiking for the day!  My back and knees were KILLING me!!  LOL  BUT, I managed it... and I am pretty proud of myself for forging forward and sticking it out to our goal!  I have the best hubby and kids!!  All were cheering me on... and helping me along the way!  LOVE THEM SOOOO MUCH!!!  I am thinking we will need to try again in the fall some time... when the heat isnt a factor... maybe I will be able to make it a bit farther... and I am sure the scenery will be even more amazing!

This is my last week before grooming school starts!!  I have to make it through a pretty big list of things to do!!  I have to continue on my salsa making.  I also want to dry some tomatoes... I found a nifty idea on making tomato powder... storing it... and using it to make spag sauce over the winter.  It should be interesting! LOL
I want to get my cucumber vines pulled out... and my stray dill that is taking over my berry bed.  We have some awesome pumpkins growing... IN THE COMPOST PILE!!! LOL!  The ones we planted in the beds have flowers starting finally.  I also have a really nice couple of tomato plants growing out of the compost pile this year.  Soooo funny really!!!

Let's see...
I have Josh on the hunt for some really good photo editing software for me.  I want to edit some of my nature pics... add a scrapbooking matte to them... frame them... and maybe attempt to sell some!! 
Other than that... the next few months will be focusted on grooming and gardening!  I am really excited about starting on the path of grooming!  I am not sure my dogs are as excited... BUT, they will manage!  LOL!

Ok... I must get my day started!  I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!!

A short, much needed break...

It is official... Hubby successfully planned a last minute camping trip!!  He is good like that!!  He made sure to find a campground near a ghost town, with a creek front spot... in the shade, with electricity and near the bathrooms!  I have the BEST hubby EVER!!
I wasnt real excited about this trip... when Stacy first mentioned it... BUT, now that he made the reservations and I started to pack... I am really looking forward to it!! 
I have been pretty busy in the kitchen... and grooming school will be starting in less then 2 weeks!  I need to enjoy some time with my family... while I can!!
I guess this mean we wont be attending the family reunion...  Hmmm.... maybe my hubby did that on purpose...?!?  LOL

I sat down today and editted and ordered some photos that I took recently!  I am pretty excited to get them... and see what I can managed to do with them!!
Tomorrow I MUST order my Thirty-One add on kits!!!  So I can show the latest and greatest!!  I think some of the new patterns are growing on me... I guess I was stuck in the fun and bright spring/summer colors.  The sad truth is... Fall and winter are fast approaching!!  BLAH!  BUT... this year I will busy myself with my goals... and grooming!!  I am hoping to be able to start planning out my grooming shop, once I get about a month into my classes.  By then... all of the other projects should be done around the house... and I will have the focus and the space... and the professional oppinions of ppl already in the business, to help me figure out exactly what I do and dont need!!  I am soooooo excited!!!!
Wow... I just went from Thirty-One bags to Grooming... all in the same paragraph!!  LOL!

Just so  many fun and exciting things going on around here!!
I am soooo very blessed to have an awesome, supportive husband... and amazing semi-cooperative kids!!  LOL!!  They all want to see me better myself and achieve my goals... and that is ALL that matters!!!  :-)

So... I will get done what I can with my tomatos... and my green beans... and everything else popping in the garden... and the rest will just have to wait until our return on Saturday afternoon!!
Hmmmm... I bet we can find at least one old cemetery... because THAT is what we do! 

I sure hope everyone has a wonderful weekend also!!