life updates!

Since we're not TTC and I'm pretty much over everything baby related (for the time being)--I haven't blogged much.  But, TTC isn't the only thing going on worth blogging about in my life, right? So what gives? Well, as we all know and we're all sick of hearing (myself included), store drama has left my mind, my wits and my patience pretty much fried.  I will have to go over my last post about the store but if my memory serves me well (it rarely does), I'm sure that I went over everything again... in great detail.  So, my mom and DH keep asking 'have you heard anything?' in regards to the store and of course the answer is, as always: No. Nothing. Nada.  I finally caved and late last week I wrote a letter to M (the owner of the rehab facility)--a very well written letter, at that.  And I don't mean my writing style or grammar, I mean it was so tactfully written and re-written that it seems innocent enough of a letter.  Basically, again as I'm sure I've mentioned, the current loser owner of the store (R) has been stringing me along (duh) for months and what R has said of M has been less than credible in my eyes mostly just because R instills zero confidence in me and I trust nothing he says or does.  So! In an effort to get this shit over and done with and get R to get the eff out of my store, I wrote a letter to M that hinted at things and some bullet points of what I would do if/when the store was mine.  I never once mentioned R's name or how he runs (or doesn't run in this case) the store.  I  never once mentioned anything negative.  In fact, the whole letter was completely positive and went on to say that  I was very excited to be considered for the role of the store owner in the (*rehab name*) family.  Oh, and btw.. I know it's terribly annoying and ridiculous that I have to abbreviate everyone's name in regards to the rehab and can't technically even say the name of the actual facility.  I just want to make doubly sure that everything remains quiet, since it is AA, NA, etc.. and I can't legally call anyone out.  Plus, there is enough drama (BELIEVE ME)--I don't need to make it worse by having my blog pop up when someone types in M's rehab establishment.  Yeah, that would be a disaster.  I was planning on C&P'ing the letter I wrote, but there are so many literal references to the place and all that mumbo jumbo, that I think it best to just throw out a couple paragraphs:

'.. I have plans for the ____ store.  They aren't overly drastic, but they are changes that I feel would be beneficial if implemented in the future of the store.  I plan to open the store regularly from morning to night--with the exception of being closed during the clients' meetings/groups as required by ____ regulations.   With daily hours in place, I feel the clients would be able to depend on the store and would be more apt to shop in-house as opposed to having family bring the things we already sell at the store.  Along with more guarenteed hours, I think it would be in the store's best interest to offer more merchandise in general.  From shampoos, deoferant and shower shoes to more of a variety in foodstuffs (granolas, fruits, frozen foods, etc).  I also plan on lowering the prices to accomodate all budgets so that it's not only more convenient to shop the ____ Store, it's also more economical.  I think with the price reduction, the store's overall business would increase and we would make up profits in volume.  It's a small detail, but I would also like to make flyers with the stores hours, all of my contact information (or business card attached), other store details such as products offered, special order request guidlines and things of the like to give to new clients so they know what to expect and can take advantage of the store's offerings.  Another small detail often overlooked would be a comment box.  ____ clients are our only customers.  They need to be happy and feel their suggestions, opinions and comments are heard.  There is always room for improvement and plenty of things we hadn't thought of carrying in the store before.  Who better to ask than those that are spending their time and money in the store?'

Another paragraph... then the closing paragraph:

'... I want nothing more than for your decision of who runs the store in the future to be an easy one for you and your family, one that you feel confident in with no regrets.  If I've left anything out that would help make this decision easier on you, or you simply have a few questions for me, please don't hesitate to call or visit me in the store!

Best,

(name, address, numbers, email)

first excerpt de-coded:
 The store is currently opened very, and I do mean very randomly.  Typically, like you all know, 2 hours total a day.  12-1 and again from 5-6.  Considering also that they have lunch from 12-1230 and dinner from 5-530 that leaves them 30 minutes, 2x a day to shop.  Brilliant!  I should also add that this is very, very unusual.  The store used to be open with all previous owners (and even R up until the past 6 months) 3x a day for at least 3 hours at a time.  At least.  So, first point goes to me, for stating REGULAR business hours that would also be posted (they are currently not posted at all) in a flyer which would hold the store accountable for those posted hours.
My statement of '... I feel the clients would be able to depend on the store...' is a huge deal, too.  The word on the streets (aka, the rehab) is the clients hate, hate, haaaate the store.  At a time that they are truly in need of some stability (and let's face it, a constant supply of cigarettes, ice cream and candy).. they have none.  Stability is a huge deal in this strange little field.  So we have guaranteed hours: check.  The variety of food is also key, since I've seen M waltz into the store and stare blankly at the empty shelves and comment on how there was no variety, how he was diabetic and couldn't eat any of this 'crap.'  So, I was sneaky and threw in the variety of food. Ha!
And lastly... the prices.  Ohhhh, the prices.  Since I've been there (5 months or so), cigarettes have gone from $7 a pack (at the time, he paid $4 including tax per pack) to $8.75 a pack (he now pays just under $5 a pack, including tax).  A cup of noodles is $1.50. You know, the ones that are quite literally ten cents at the grocery store? Yeah.. $1.50. Sodas are $1 which doesn't seem terrible until you realize the vending machines at the Center are all .75 a soda.  Candy is typically $1 and it's .75 in the vending machine.  So, usually the clients will come in and take their money off the books (you can't really carry $$ on you there, so they keep it in the safe in the office or on the store 'books') and go buy crap out of the machines because it's cheaper.  How stupid! Why are we competing with vending machines? We'd make a killing if we were just the same price-wise and open daily.  But I digress. The comment box bit is because R has blatantly refused to carry what people request--even if plenty of people request the same thing.  He hates listening to the clients and calls the 'whiney' all... the... time.  Which is awful, IMO. The contact info bit is because no matter who calls, R never answers his phone.  In fact, in the rehab directory--my name has recently replaced his.  A detail M would never know, but still makes me feel good.. unless I'm called at 11:00p because R was supposed to work (told me to take the day off)... and didn't show up. Which has happened twice in the past week.

I'll wrap this up!

second excerpt de-coded
Of course I have asked around about M, since he's so elusive.  And of course, I've asked only the few people that I trust and that have been there since the center opened.  M is a typical man (sorry boys) and likes to feel he is calling the shots even if he isn't.  He is big on family (in fact, it's family owned and mostly family in all the key positions).  So that was my reasoning with the statement on making the decision on him and his family easy and making sure it's the right one.  Lastly, the whole purpose behind the letter was to let him know that the preverbial ball was in his court.  Which, according to R... that's the hangup.  M wanted to wait until after the new year to talk about the store.  I personally think that sounds absurd.  If someone doesn't want to be there (R) and you have someone willing, ready and chomping at the bit to make the store better than ever before, why would you wait? Plus, remember when I said M came in that day 2-3 weeks ago and said 'Welcome aboard! Great to have you... I just need to see your business license and then we're good to go.'??? So yeah.. I think my letter rocks.  I'm expecting and half-hoping for him to call or stop by and say 'I got your letter... and thank you.  It helped me get to know you a bit better and to see your goals on paper... But, I thought it was already decided and I was just waiting on your business license?..'

And then I could look confused and go on about how R had said that M wanted to wait, etc etc.  Mwahahha---ha.

At least that's what's going on in my head. Let's see if it pans out.  I gave the letter to M or to M's assistant on Friday, which I know.. I know.. was New Years Eve.  I knew he wasn't there.  Nor would he be there over the weekend, and since the man has little to no schedule over there.. who the eff knows when he'll even get the letter.  Or if he will, depending on how long it sits around in that office with inquiring minds lurking about. But! I will be following up with him on Friday, even if it means I have to call and make an appointment.

Sorry so long.. maybe if I wrote more often.. they wouldn't have to be so painfully long and hard to get through.. ;)