It's Time To Update The Ipod!!!!

I'm going to update the ipod this week... What music do you want us to add?

PSA - Gee Gee's Stamps N Stuff is looking for a buyer!!!

Gayle is looking to retire and has this to say:

Today marks a few milestones in my life.
First - I just celebrated my 60th birthday.  I always thought people that were sixty were old.  I now have a new standard for old and it’s not 60 anymore!

Second - we are celebrating our 23rd year of  paper crafting and card making at Gee Gee’s Stamps ‘n’ Stuff. I never thought I had any type of crafting ability, but when I started putting ink on paper some 28 years ago I realized that I did have the talent and more importantly I enjoyed it and was proud of what I made.

Third - how my family has grown and how much I love my grandchildren. I just spent two wonderful uninterrupted weeks with them and realized how much of a joy they are in my life.  I don’t want to miss one minute of their life if that’s possible. I loved being a mom to my two great sons but I really love being a grandma.

Fourth – This year will mark 40 years married to a wonderful man that was my best friend and sole mate in high school and is still the person that I want to spend my time with.

So - with all that said, and after a great deal of thought and prayer I realized that in order for me to spend the time I want with my wonderful husband, grandkids and family that it is time to retire.

I have put Gee Gee’s Stamps ‘n’ Stuff up for sale.  If no buyer comes forward in the next few weeks we will liquidate our inventory at a discount and close the doors on September 28, 2013.

Don’t ever forget to “Make Art Everyday”

Hugs,
Gayle
Gee Gee’s Stamps ‘n’ Stuff


Like she said, she would love for someone to offer to purchase her business and carry it forward... Are you the one?? Contact her if you are interested!!

Today's Update... -- We're guessing Monday...

I didn't get out of the house as early as I have been. I still woke up at 5am, but stayed in bed until 6am and left around 9am.

I first went to M's in Carmel Mountain to pick out some baskets for under the counter and look for some picture frames for our business licenses and return policy. It took me FOREVER to choose the frames, and wouldn't you know, when I got to the store and put the licenses in the one, I turned it over to find that it doesn't HANG! Grrr!!! I'm going to work it out though.

I heard from my window painter sign guy on my way out of M's. He's been super busy but he switched his schedule around and is going to paint our windows TOMORROW!!! Can you believe it? On a Sunday?? He's just awesome!!! Dave Yant Signs!!! Great guy!!! (and *The Best* window painter in town!)

When I got to the store, it just looked SO good!! Bonnie and Danni did an AMAZING job!! They stayed until 11:30pm last night!!!! Can you believe it? Do I have just the best staff, or what?!!!

Throughout the day, Chelsea, Danni, Tom and Mary all joined me along with Danni's SIL and we knocked it out!!! We got a LOT put out!! I checked back in a bunch more paper and the reds and pinks ribbons and all of that was put out. A bunch of other product was put out and Gigi sorted our hooks (it might sound silly, but OMG, I'm SOOOOOoooo excited to have it done!!! We need to put a lot back in storage and this will allow us to keep a realistic and accurate number in the store and put the rest AWAY!!!)

But what was just so awesome is the number of customers who stopped by today!!! Hey - I said you could, and YOU DID!!! (And we just *LOVED* it!!) We also had several people walk in just thinking we were open and started shopping (which was kinda funny b/c the lights were off - but it's naturally VERY light in there - and it was so hot because the AC wasn't working).  And, regarding the AC issue, it turns out that they actually didn't believe me that it was broken!!! But they do now and the parts are ordered and they now say it will be fixed Monday.

But we did have several shop anyway!! !!! YAY!

Bonnie had brought a big fan last night. When Tom arrived (after I learned that the AC wouldn't be fixed until Monday), I had him bring another big fan and two little ones and we set them up throughout the store just to keep air moving. And because I worried that there would be a problem fixing the AC (yeah... "not my first rodeo"!!) I had brought a few spare bed sheets and as soon as the sun came over the building, I had Chelsea hang them in the windows to just keep the sun at bay as much as possible.

Tom and I took our "lunch break" at another "neighbor": Five Guys Burgers. I've never eaten at one, so I didn't know what it would be like. If you don't know either, it's burgers and fries (they do have hot dogs and grilled cheese, too). But it's a pretty "specific" menu.  It was ok. I'm not the biggest burger or fries fan, so I can't give a great opinion here. Tom really liked his burger. He is SUPER picky about fries and these were just "ok" for him.  Fyi, it's REALLY loud in there!  But, it's the old Pick Up Stix location and it has a GREAT patio area!! Very spacious!!! Several tables.

Also, they have two CRAZY soda fountain dispensers!!! Apparently, they have been around, but I've never seen them. They are made by Ferrari and offer a bazillion options!!! It was seriously insane!! I don't know why I didn't take pictures (these pics are from the internet) but look at all of the choices for drinks!! And then, when you select one, you get several more options!!! So, for Diet Coke, you can get regular, Cherry, Lime, etc - I think there were 6 choices. And same for Lemonade. We kind of figured out the whole thing and how they could do it by the time we left and it was simply brilliant!

This is what the whole machine looks like (again, from the internet, but I think, by the cup on the left counter, it was from Five Guys so it's probably one of their stores). Slick though, eh?

And their Iced Tea is from the dispenser to the right. They offer 4 types - regular unsweetened, regular sweetened, green tea and one more that I don't remember.

BUT, when I asked if it was fresh brewed, the guy said "yes" - but it's not. (I'm really picky about Iced Tea)

Danni and Gigi walked down to a juice place (sorry - I don't remember which) but they brought back some more menus - we are getting a collection together!

We all left at 5pm. We have several more coming in tomorrow. I REALLY am hoping that we can open on Monday... We may only have one register up by then, though...

So, some upcoming dates:
Sunday, 7/14:

• Front windows are painted with a big sign.

Monday:

•  be OPEN. Not perfect, but open!! Fingers crossed! Not confirmed...
• Air Conditioning gets fixed (fingers crossed)
• Front doors are supposed to get fixed.
• MOST of the Custom Paper order arrives.

Tuesday:

• The rest of the Custom Paper order arrives.
• Tim Holtz Ink Pads, Perfect Pearls, Stickles, We-R Envelope Punch Boards, Tim Holtz Idea-ology items, Cosmo Cricket TV Dinner and Sweet Disposition (some was b/o'd), a few Glitz items, some Teresa Collins, cats eye ink pads, and a few other goodies all arrive.

I don't know when Bazzill arrives but it has been shipped.  And I think a few other orders are en route! I'm sorry, but with everything going on, I've lost track!!

Ok - more tomorrow!!

IMPORTANT ROAD CLOSURE TO KNOW ABOUT!!!

From The City of Poway:

Construction Advisory
I-15 Southbound Closure:  Weekend of July 27th

Southbound I-15 will be closed from SR 56/Ted Williams Parkway to Rancho Penasquitos Boulevard/Poway Road beginning Saturday, July 27 at 7 p.m. through Monday , July 29 at 4 a.m.  During this time, crews will make drainage improvements in the area.  Signs will be posted on the freeway in advance of the closure to alert drivers where to exit and re-enter the lanes.  Motorists are asked to avoid the closure area on these days if at all possible.  For more information, contact the I-15 Public Information Office: (619) 668-3368 or visit KeepSanDiegoMoving.com.  See Map of construction area.


If you are doing the Shop Hop, this could affect you!

Maybe Opening Sunday or Monday...

So, today I got up at 5am again and got out of the house by 7:30am. I went to Albertson's and got some drinks for Spencer (the soda machine). It's not everything but I got the basics (according to the staff - lol!!): water, Coke and Diet Coke.

Then it was finally 8am, so Target was open. I stopped over there and bought some door mats for our two entrances... look pretty good, eh?

 

After that, I headed to the store...

I spent the first 30 minutes or so just organizing and cleaning up and putting stuff away. It feels so good getting stuff put away and cleaned up! Then, I started checking back in more product!! {sigh! It's really getting "old" at this point! lol!}

Lisa, Mandy, Bonnie, Mary, and Tom all joined me at various times. Bonnie left early so that she could come back to join Danni at 7pm to meet Danni. It was the earliest Danni could come, so Bonnie joined her so that she wasn't alone and they are pulling a night shift.

I had the windows cleaned...

So now the paper is off of the windows and now you can see our window displays... We are going to get the windows tinted darker AND get blinds b/c we have a very direct western facing façade and the sun is quite strong. But (along with the perfect reflection of the parking lot), you can see our preliminary displays...

 

We got a visit from Vicky from Stamping Details. She was hoping that we were opening tomorrow to come and visit, but she stopped in and say "hi"!

 

Anyway, I got the one register totally fixed so we have one complete register (the display and drawer were having issues).

 

We have the front of the store basically all set up now, but we are still checking in product. But it's starting to look good!!!

 

We receive our custom paper order on Monday and Tuesday and that will fill in this entire space, but it will be a nice "welcome" from our northern door.

 

And we are still trying to get more wood baskets from Home Goods. Mary is going to check the El Cajon store this weekend.

I had planned to check in ribbon last but I really want it done b/c it is an obvious area to see when the store reopens so Mary and I made the decision to start checking it back in this evening - the only box I could find was whites and creams, but we'll look for more tomorrow. It will be really pretty from our southern entrance.

Tom hung a few of the fire extinguishers, drilled some more holes for shelves in the counter and fixed a few more gondola issues.

Tom also had to drive down to the UPS hub to pick up an order that went to the old address and, for whatever reason, couldn't be redirected and extra 1.4 miles...

 

Well, late in the afternoon, I noticed that it was getting hotter and hotter.... it turns out that the AC quit!!! I was surprised, but the landlord actually came out in the afternoon and they have the AC guy coming out tomorrow, a Saturday. I'm a little upset because I've been questioning the AC since we moved in but REALLY glad that they didn't hang us out to dry for a whole weekend!!! (AC units only quit on Friday nights on super hot weekends!!!!)

The landlord still needs to fix the doors... that guy was supposed to come yesterday, apparently. At least the AC going out gave me a chance to ask the landlord again what was going on with that! He assured me that they are on it!

 

Most everyone left throughout the afternoon. Mary and I left around 6pm. Like I said, Bonnie came back at 7pm and the plan was that Danni would join her and they would get more put out....

 

We really did get a lot done, but it's just not enough. So, maybe we will formally reopen on Sunday or Monday or maybe Tuesday. But again, stop in and see us and if you need something!!! We have a lot of stuff out!!! All of the basics: adhesive, cardstock, craft punches, most of the tools, plus lots of other items...

 

WE CAN'T WAIT EITHER!!!

Not reopening on Friday....

Well, I tried.... I tried like crazy!!! So did the staff!!! I had hoped to open by tomorrow, but we just aren't ready "enough"... We still have TONS of product to check back in (we zeroed out our inventory and are checking it all back in so that our inventory counts are accurate).

However today, we had TONS of help!! I got in at 9. Mandy, Lisa, Chelsea, Bonnie and Tom all joined me by noon. Late in the day, Crazy Rachel also came to visit!!! She helped a bit and found a bunch of stuff that she wanted so she became our FIRST CUSTOMER in our new location!!! YAY!!! And it was so great to see her!!

Lisa reorganized the backroom area. It's STUFFED with things, but she got it organized and made as much space as possible. We are hesitant to send a bunch of stuff back to storage just to find that we need it... so we shoved a bunch of stuff back there until we know...

Chelsea ran the electrical to the "OPEN" sign so that we can operate it on a switch (THANK YOU for being our one employee not afraid of heights!!).

Tom painted, secured racks to walls, drilled holes in the counter for shelves, drove stuff to and from storage, etc.

Everyone else put out product, sorted, organized, and cleaned. Bonnie was the closing staff and got SOOooo much out!!! She was just a machine!!

I, of course, reentered a TON more product!

I also worked on setting up more computers. Craig from Timber Point Construction came and finalized our CAT5 cabling to the front for wired internet. So, I added the switch to allow it to split for all of the registers and ran all of the cabling around. Plus, started putting together all of the pieces to make the registers: Battery Backup, CPU, Monitor, Printer, Display Pole, Credit Card Swiper, keyboard, mouse, cash drawer.... there is a lot that goes into a register!!

I also got the hallway to the bathroom cleared out and cleaned up and moved the microwave there. That's where the refrigerator and coffee bar will ultimately go.

Then I cleaned out the bathroom of excess items. We needed space so we were storing a bunch of stuff in there. Tom put the new piece of furniture that I bought last night in there. I like it a lot better! I got most of the excess items out of there and swept. We still need to deep clean it, but it just feels so much better to have that room cleared out again!

And we received an order of Best Creations today - 3 new paper lines - Paris, Christmas, and Music... Plus a few glitter sheets (we have more coming!).


So.... more tomorrow... I know that Mandy, Bonnie, and Lisa are planning to be there. I think Chelsea is going to be there. Plus Tom and I.

I need to set up the rest of the registers/computers and check in more product (The rest of it?? - gosh that would be nice!) A *TON* of stuff needs to be put out. And then we'll be mostly ready!!!


We are still waiting for the landlord to fix the doors - they don't really work right. And we still have paper on the windows. I've been contacting window cleaners to try to find someone to clean them before we get them painted. I forgot to set that up so I'm scrambling a little bit about that...


So, maybe we'll reopen Saturday or Sunday?

But, if you need something, if we have it unpacked, we can sell it to you, so don't hesitate to come in if you are in the area!!

I have to tell you though, it's been so great to see the girls again!!! We are all getting caught up on what has been going on with each other. It's been so fun!

Oh - and if you are wondering about Danni and Tori...

Tori is out of town until August, but WILL be back!!! She thinks she will return about August 2nd or so. And she is working on a new class using Crate Paper's 'The Pier' line, which we will be getting!

Danni's husband has been busy with his work and they have two young children who don't go back to school for about a month. So she can only come in when he is not working. So she is still around, will definitely be back, and will also still be teaching!


OH!!!! And we got *EXCITING* news today!!!! Guess who is going to start teaching again and she is starting at our store... Can you guess??? Post your guess here and be entered to win a $10 gift card to the store!!! Let's say that you need to post by the end of 7/15 pacific... K?


We're getting closer!!! Thanks for reading!!!

Only a few more days...

Sorry that I didn't post yesterday... I was just WAYYYY too tired to formulate a coherent sentence!!
 

YESTERDAY

Yesterday, Mandy and I got to the store at 10am. We were the only ones there yesterday so, although we were giving it our all, we didn't get as far as we did on Monday when we had 5 more sets of hands like yesterday :( We would have had one more, and Tom did join us for a while, but he had to be back at home to wait for Sears to install our new dishwasher.

BUT, we did get several things accomplished.  Of course, there was still a LOT more to do....

I entered back in more product into the system. Mandy put out craft punches and tools. She also put out a BUNCH more Wellspring gift items.

I took some breaks and checked in some new product! We haven't received much yet, but we did get a bunch of washi, some cute mustache things, and some basics. I also checked in some new 7 Gypsie's and some Wellspring reorder. I still have to check in the brand new Sweet Stamp Shop order.

Mandy and I spent the last maybe 45 minutes or an hour just cleaning up... we took out all of the trash, broke down boxes and took those out, plus we took out recycle, and just straightened. Having less "stuff" around made things look SO much better! Less clutter is better.

These were boxes that we emptied and broke down last night:

TODAY

Today, I got in at 8:15am. One of our reps came around 9am or so and helped until about 4pm. He put out scrapbooks, refills, greeting cards, SRM Tubes and things, and generally helped out. Mandy joined me at 10am and got a BUNCH of things put out like sprays, embossing powder, beads, Mudd Puddles, embossing paste, and items like that. Plus, lots of paper and embellishments.

I checked in BOXES AND BOXES of product!! (My feet and back are *KILLING* me!) And I had the back counter wired for electric and internet. Yup... another expense {sigh}.

The mail brought our first CLASS SAMPLE for the new location!!! I didn't have time to open it but it's an Elizabeth Crafts Design class with Jenny Griffiths. More to follow!

Mary joined us later in the afternoon and helped sort product into their areas. I left around 6pm and Mary stayed to greet Danni and Bonnie who are there this evening to continue the progress.

After leaving, I returned the piece of furniture that I bought for the bathroom. Once I put it in the bathroom, I wasn't in love with it and I found one that I liked more. So, I picked that up this evening and will put it in there tomorrow and see what I think. I also visited the clock I was looking at and decided I didn't like it enough, so I'll continue my search for that.

NEW PRODUCT

So... new stuff.....

Well, I mentioned that I checked in some mustache items, etc. And some new 7 Gypsies and Wellspring reorder. And I still have The Sweet Stamp Shop order to enter.

Today we got a bunch of Tonic scissors that I still need to enter.

But what else is coming???

Shipped today:

• A bunch of Tim Holtz - two different orders actually - one of his Idea-Ology items and one of his ink pads and a couple of other items. These will probably not be here until the middle of next week.
• Best Creations - their glitter papers plus some of their new lines. (More will be shipped later.) These will arrive tomorrow.
• SRM - a reorder. These will arrive tomorrow.
• Paper - some Cosmo Cricket and some Teresa Collins shipped today.

Other orders en route:

• Yesterday, I ordered Bazzill cardstock. The Bazzill order will fill in our cardstock supply, plus will bring in those 4 new paper lines I showed you a few days ago. Of course, I just found out that those 4 lines aren't going to be available until the end of the month.
• I received notice yesterday that our GIANT custom high school paper order will arrive Monday (a small portion of it will arrive on Tuesday). BTW, it also has several "So Cal Shop Hop" papers... :)
• This morning, I placed a Scrapbook order. YAY! 

OVERALL

We have about 50% or so of the product-entered.

There are several things that we have decided we will do last.

• One is the ribbon-by-the-yard. We aren't going to unroll and recount every spool!  I did a backup and export of our inventory counts before wiping our inventory levels, so we'll look up the count and enter that and call it done. But that will be time consuming.
• Also, we have lots of NFL and MLB officially licensed embellishments. As a matter of fact, we believe that we are the ONLY store who has these items for sale! But we have so much of it, that we are going to wait to enter that until last.
• Additionally, rolled stickers, items with TONS of pieces, etc... yeah - those will also wait!! Lol!

ETA

Well, I had hoped to open on Friday. A "soft" opening - when stuff is "mostly" in place but not totally and no fanfare, but open. Well, that might push a day. Or maybe until Monday...

What do you guys think? If we are mostly ready, is that enough? I hate to do that, but our phone rings off of the hook every day with people asking for stuff. And we get so many emails, too. And that doesn't even count our Facebook comments...

I hate to open "half-assed"... (It's always "whole-assed or none" in my book!) but we have been planning on this weekend for such a long time...

So, I guess I'm saying that our reopening date is not set at this point.... It will (hopefully) be some day between Friday and Monday.... We'll see....