North Carolina

[sjmarshall87]

Quote:
My husband used to build new homes and then did remodel work. They laid off in 2008. Then in 2009 he got a job doing metal roof repairs, then got laid off Jan'10. Then FINALLY in Jan '11 he got this job doing landscaping, seeding and fertlizing mostly. He was doing some handyman side work himself... but this dumb job kept requiring saturdays and overtime like crazy... so he never go to the side work he had set up. Lost $100's of dollars he could have made. I'm sure you guys know the feeling very well. This housing market was just too tough on housing jobs. Its too hard to recover from this.

What I want... what I REALLY need... is to start this business like I want. I may have a partial investor for it and then hubby can work for me. I want to get bigger and start stocking coffee houses and specialty shops... and one day stock places like The Fresh Market and stuff! I think between my jams and biscotti... we could have a decent income and control over our own lives. Its so nice to dream!

Unfortunately, hubby is REALLY bummed out and he's talking about selling the house and moving to Iowa so he can go work with his mom. Its also a lousy job... but its a job. We wouldn't be able to buy another home, and we'd have to leave everything behind. I don't like this option... nope... not one bit!

Why couldn't his mama live at the beach or something?! lol

Vfem- How far are you from aberdeen? I might have someone to connect you with that can assist you or maybe even partner with you on this biscotti/ jam thing. I am friends with the owner of Cactus Creek Coffee Roaster. I dont know if he would want to be in the jam biscotti business but I know for a fact that he sells biscotti at his location... Never hurts to check it out

 

[BHep]

JL...She IS a Marans.

Glad your feeling better.

Ally.... I am an hour out of Raleigh, when your ready...we can figure something out.

VFem.. Things will get better.

Your hubby does roofing?

NH............Guineas eat ants.

SJ.. Great pics. Yup ........... your boy is like "ewwww poop"

 

[Miss Lydia]

Jl so glad to see you!!!

vfem, sorry to hear things aren't going so good. I don't know where this is all going but looks like we're all going to have to pull in the belt. We're retired so living on a fixed income anyway, but God is so good to take care of us and supply our needs.

I just hate that our country has been sold out and that we were once a nation that shared the wealth now we owe our lives to foreign countries. What the heck? I have been seeing were not only are people are losing their jobs to over seas American companies but alot of us are having to give up their livestock because of feed prices going so high. I hope and pray we all can pull together and try to make this a great nation again where people have jobs, and feel secure again. I don't know the answer except turning back to God. And I will get down off my soap box now, and if I offend some one I am truely sorry.

 

[vfem]

sjmarshall, it may be a possibility. You never know. That is a long drive for me to use their location. However, if I get started here enough to 'expand' like we want to we'll be delivering all over NC if I can help it. I want to go completely wholesale. We're still working closely we a few farms, we try to only offer our jams using as much local produce as we can. One of the farms offers CSA, and we're trying to trade jam for honey from them to offer that as well. Building relationships! lol I did recently goto Adam's Winery and pitch our Jam Class as something we could schedule for a huge weekend event and get some people over there to pay individually to come in. I think its a good plan, just waiting on their ideas to make it work. I'm very entrepreneur'ish.

Beth, he does some roofing. He's actually a handyman where he's done metal roofing, framing, new build stuff, building decks, installing doors, drywall, paint, trim... ect. His uncle owned a HUGE consturction company in Cary. My husband pretty much did and learned everything he could working with them. If someone needed a hand with drywall, off he went... they needed things painted and wanted to save on a contract, off he went. Mainly he did the wood working though. He totally rocked on doing our coops and deck. He remodeled the entire exterior of our house. He's pretty handy.

Anyways, I don't know if any of your girls are interested, but I'm leaving in 1 hour for Yoga in Fuquay! Its the only thing I look forward to for me time! Didn't know if any of you were interested in giving it a try. First time comers is only $7, and this is the 'beginner' class where we discuss learning yoga... you're not expected to know what they are talking about or expected to know any posses. It's very fun this group of girls on Wens. nights... everyone is so laid back.

So if anyone is interested, its downtown Varina (by old Varina station in Fuquay) it's called 'One Heart Yoga '.

 

[vfem]

Quote:
Trust me hun, we all have different views on how we got here and where we're going... but we all agree we're here, and its TERRIBLE!

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Quote:
Had heard this too and tried it.....does not work on fire ants at least and later read it is on of those dang fables/wivestales and does not work.....all you do is feed the colony and the multilpy. The ant will actually chew the grits into tiny bits that will not expand to the point of busting open the ant........ but I sure do wish that worked

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

I really hope everyone makes it through these hard times. If we all help each other with a little of this or that here and there it will keep all going.......it's a hope at least........hang in there.....I know I'd be happy to do what I can

 

[buttercup0884]

I hate that everyone is going thru all these hard times. we are right there too, I work full time (50-60 hrs a week) and hunter raises dogs for a living...so when there are puppies we are ok, but the times in between are tight. thats one of the reasons I got into chickens.


Side Note: Where are all these cool Smilies coming from?!?

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Quote:
http://www.pic4ever.com freebies.......I LOVEEEEE freebies

 

[gavinandallison]

I hear all of everyone's woes on here...... I work in corporate aviation, and after the Salem witch hunt by Nancy Pelosi against businesses using private jets our industry almost collapsed. Never at any time did the hunters tell you that anytime a company jet is used for private use it is taxed..... I had 2 years on short time, high gas prices and medical bills. We struggled, tightened our belts and by the grace of God have worked through it. This great nation I moved to 8 years ago is becoming a welfare "give me state" where people are given and expect free handouts with no incentive to work. I agree that sending jobs overseas is bad, but don't get me wrong Unions have some good aspects, but when we see the new San Diego bridge being built in China because if it was built in the US the CA unions would oversee it's construction then we have problems. A social welfare state does not work, look at Europe and it's mess.

I say rip up trade agreements with China and Mexico, drill and use our own resources carefully - like they do in the UK - and we will once again become a great nation! I am sick and tired that we might hurt someone's feelings! Yes, I am the Simon Cowell of BYC!!!

And the good news - I am back to full-time, got DW - Allison - and my chickens!!

God bless you all!! And I am proud to say that!!!!!!