Not Frog Herders

We made a quick trip to install the first of some security measures for the store. As usual what seems like s simple task became involved. The corner boards were not replaced when we did the face lift. We were faced with this being a wiring problem as well, so one day was spent installing three boards that were special cuts and required grooves and more to match the old ones which had justifiably rotted after 38 years. I can not say enough times how much more difficult it is to use typical nail/board applications where steel beams are involved. However, we now have this corner mended and one piece of a seven part security system in place.

The wire rack we found on our anniversary trip to Fredericksburg got a good scrubbing and a primer and coat of flat black paint. It does not look new but it does look clean. Something should be said for the scrubbing. I accidentally mixed industrial strength degreaser and ammonia...this resulted in a melt down of the paint and one layer of my skin thumb only. Be sure you label spray bottles or better yet discard anything left over.

The front of the posts got a few of the assorted objects we had hoped were an eclectic mix with an old/interesting look but not everything we bought took to the hanging so some wooden pegs are needed to support heavy objects with holes in the center.

Our son Will built some shelf parts and I assembled them with Bills help. Will's shelves will hold cleaners and paper products on one side and smaller food items on the other. We found Gorilla shelves for the right side of the store at Sams. They are both deep and sturdy enough at an unbeatable price. These will hold large bags of feed or other heavy products cheaper than we could make them from wood.

We found a source for small sturdy grocery baskets. They are as tall as the large baskets you find at Brookshires or Walmart but much easier to "drive". Versa Cart not only has the best product but they are allowing us to purchase just one so we can try it out and see what our needs are. Ginny Keaton is their sales person on line who can walk you through the steps.

We will be getting new windows in September on the 11th. Yes, 9-11...hopefully that date will not hex the whole process. We are excited about being wasp free.

We had a four inch frog come hopping through while we labored over the shelving. He was headed for the back door so we didn't try to herd him back out. We also think we have a mouse or something bigger so we left out poison.

The weather was unseasonably cooler. Unlike last years 100 plus days.

Thanks to his co-worker Mike, Bill installed an amplifier type devise to his cell phone in the hopes it would give us service in Kanawha. Unfortunately the results were somewhat undetermined.

Kanawha School

Thank you to my mother who has a bare spot on her wall where I borrowed this picture of the Old Kanawha School that stood near the left side of the cemetery. This picture would have been taken in the early 1900's if my information is correct. If you can identify anyone in the picture please let me know. My Grandmother is the one in the center back possibly her graduation. I think everyone is frowning due to the sun in their eyes. I will share this picture by email with any cousin who would like a copy.

We purchased a cash register and I am in practice mode. Hopefully you can teach an old dog new tricks. We had hoped to find an old register that lacked the computer interface, but more than made up for it in nostalgia. Old cash registers are very expensive in relation to new cash registers which explains why ours is the latter.

Will and Mike are building pieces of the first of five shelving units for the store to be assembled on our next trip. Will has also taken on the job of building wall sections to be attached so they form the wall between the store proper and the working section of the store. We had to replace a section of fence in our back yard so we are recycling the old cedar boards for parts of the wall we need. It saves a little money and should give a nice worn look to the wall we could not other wise create.

We joined Sam's Club so we might buy items for the store grocery section, especially difficult items we need in bulk. Our Federal ID is needed to apply for our State Tax ID which is needed to apply for our Sam's Club membership. Kind of like the hip bone is connected to the leg bone connected to the ankle bone and so on. SAMS wants a detailed list of all items we will be purchasing and re-selling. That is no small task. It was kind of strange that we came out with exactly 99 items.

I have a respiratory infection that has sent me to the doctor for meds that say "may cause drowsiness". I have been in bed two days straight and finally today am feeling better, which brings us to what do you do when you are sick and the store needs opening? Something that may require a bit of planning.

We have a list of vendors who should supply the bulk of our merchandise. Some of the best prices have come from sources unexpected for example we will be getting quite a number of items from a candy store on line that just happens to sell many other drug related items at great prices wholesale. We also found a sample site that will supply smaller quantities of items that help us fill out the needs list for customers without breaking the bank. A school supply store has been a real find to help us with not just school supplies but other items as well all at prices we think are fair. Our unorthadox methods will hopefully fill our shelves when we are set to open. One advantage of being inexperienced is we have no idea what conventional methods are so our search for merchandise has taken us off the beaten path.