Checking out Leola's.....

I worked at Leola's this afternoon and came home feeling really good about things. It was busy in that part of the world. This is Spring Break time for many kids but it was a variety of people shopping and a variety of license plates in the parking lot. That's alway a good sign.

It would be nice if the weather would stay "spring-like" for awhile. People just get enthused about working in the garden and then another cold front comes through. I've worked so hard in my yard but haven't been able to get the garden tilled. It will be so nice to drag all the furniture off the backporch and get it cleaned up. I can't wait to pull my indoor plants out to the porch. There were so many things at the shop that I'd like for the backporch. There's lots of wicker, plant stands, concrete garden statues & boxes that I could use for storage. I keep looking for a large natural fiber rug but so far no one has brought one in.

Several of us at the shop have been reading Curious Sofa Retailer blog. She's trying to explain the hard times in her business and share some of her experiences with other retailers. It's a difficult time for everyone right now and it's so helpful when someone who has been in the business for years offers to share her expertise with others and opens the floor (or blog) up for discussion of what maybe has helped one or maybe has not worked. It's been an eyeopener for us and has definitely been a learning experience. Keep up the good work Deb!