September 28, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged book sale, funky junky, middlebury, sci-fi, science fiction, used books, vermont, vt
Oh! I left that blog up way too long. I didn’t mean to but I have been carried away with re-organizing. I’ve been trying to upgrade the back room area. And trying to get ready for a big sale next weekend. That’s if the weather holds out because I want to take advantage of the sidewalk patio area. I’ve got a couple of old tables I want to bring upstairs and an old wooden ironing board to set up. I want to make the area all cool-like. You know, ‘funky junky’. Oh, and I’ve been thinking of how, where and what type of perennials to plant around the patio for next summer. It is such an incredible space that is just calling out for being all creative-looking. It takes me awhile to get all my thoughts narrowed to down to reflect me and to put into a plan. Hey, can’t rush creativity! Art! Well, at least, not with me.
Very quiet day today so far. It’s a Sunday and it is the first Sunday the store has been opened other than the Christmas season. I thought I would see how it would go for the next couple/three weeks during this foliage season. See if it would be worth my while because I do need one day off a week. I need the income but I don’t want to sacrifice the “me”. You know what I mean? This is a one woman operation. And how can I maintain my ‘creativity’ if I’m overworked? You do understand I’m writing this with tongue-in-cheek, right? My sense of humor at play here. Well, I’m going to start inputting books into the online inventory. Wish me luck! And watch for the listings on AbeBooks.com. Here I go! Wish me luck! 
I almost forgot - Timothy, #3, wrote two more book reviews. I told you! He is a reader. Enjoy his thoughts.
September 19, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged used books, vermont, middlebury, vt
I was robbed today! Someone stole a book from the store sometime this afternoon. It was a book sitting on a yellow cart which holds books related to Middlebury College. How could someone do that? I don’t get it. Though maybe it might show up somewhere else in the store. I would hate to think that it might have been one of about six college students that came in and were drifting around. But I have to say, the store was pretty quiet today so they, in my mind, were the most likely ones. Too bad. I hope they understand karma…what goes around comes around. Oh well.
September 18, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged flat stanley, middlebury, otter creek used books, used books, vermont, vt
Yes, my brother, Timothy, is now writing book reviews for the blog. Awesome. To learn more about him you’ll have to check out the page titled “The Word According to #3″. He’s a reader!
My sister-in-law, Sherry, is married to #5, Robert. She was going around last Spring with Flat Stanley taking pictures of him where ever she went. I’ve attached (finally) one of the pictures she took here in the store. Yeah, I know, I have to start taking pictures here. Maybe today because to tell the truth I just can’t get into sorting, pricing and shelving today! Actually all week. Guess I need some down time. And it’s too bad I’ve feeling this way because well, I’ve got a ton of books to process. And there are some great books, too. Also have to get going on my inventory which I’ve started. I’m getting ready to start offering books online at Abebooks.com. I’ve got to start looking out for those winter months and hope that selling online will work out okay. You know I’ve been toying with the idea since we opened. I’ve actually set aside a whole inventory to begin with so there won’t be any mixing with shelved books.
I’d like to get the back room cleaned out, too. That room is stuffed with books. And under the stairs. Okay, I guess I’m talking myself into plough ahead and making some stuff happen. Well, I did some stuff yesterday. I should tell that. I changed out the window display to feature some Vermont books and postcards. Yeah, I’ve got quite a collection of old Vermont postcards. I put the ones featuring foliage upstairs on the memo holder that I purchased at Almost Home years ago. In Bristol. You have to check it out. We always stop there on our way to Burlington for a fluffernutter sandwich. Yeah, I know! They make amazing food, great coffee and we get fluffernutters. I don’t know what to say but try it next time you are in Bristol. And they are so nice, to boot! No one offers them in Middlebury. Could just go buy a jar but it’s just not the same thing. Anyways! So back to the window display. I no sooner put it up and sold four books from it. Cool! I added more to replace them. I still have to figure out what to put on the window sill. Trying to think of something clever. You know different and ‘funky junky’.
The other thing I’m trying to figure out today - oh, my head hurts! - is what to do with a random bookcase. It’s in the aisle by the back door just hanging out there. It’s starting to bug me but I don’t know what to do with it.
Well, I’m starting to feel inspired now. Guess my cup of tea just kicked in. Better take advantage of it!
September 8, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged vermont, middlebury, vt, otter creek used books
It is in the air - fall, foliage, autumn - call it what you want even ‘the leaves are a-changing’. Though it is fairly warm out it is so in the air. Didn’t have much of a summer with all the rain but that’s okay. Here in Vermont we enjoy the Fall the best. And the smells! Hard for me to put into descriptive words at the moment but there is a distinctive autumn smell - leaves, pumpkins, gourds, mums, apples, pears. You get it, I’m sure. And kicking leaves on the ground. Brings out the kid in us.
Right now we - the town - is in preparation mode. Preparing for ‘leaf peepers’. Vermont’s endearing slang for visitors to our state to take in the colorful trees and views. Vermont has always been number one for foliage colorings thanks to the red maple. I have been such a mad woman running around the store shelving, filling holes left by books purchased and changing out stock. Oh, and rearranging. All in the hopes that Middlebury will have an outstanding foliage season and I want to be prepared.
Yeah, so I’ve been wanting to sit a spell and enjoy being here but nope! Can’t sit. I want to read but nope! No reading. I want to…yeah, I want to go through all the boxes I have and price them and get them up. Since I’ve been ‘down here’ in the used bookstore I really haven’t taken any time to relish that I’m here. I mean real time of reading, admiring the books. I’ve been, like I said earlier, a mad woman getting the shelves to where I can feel proud to claim ownership of the store. And in-between everything trying to take time to paint, water the plants, sweep, clean, and all the other fun things one does in a used book store. Hey, great news! I have hired a cleaning person. Bob! An old friend. He’ll be coming in every other week to help me out. Phew! I came to the realization that I can’t do it all. Oh, not like I didn’t know but well, I feel it is important to have a clean store and I admit that I haven’t been doing such a good job with it. I wonder if he waters plants, too. I’ll have to check.
Oh! What fun! I almost forgot! I met someone who has read my blog! Of course, I can’t say where we met because that would blow my secret of where I get some of my books. It was so cool. I know I have a couple of readers! So I toast my cup of water to you both and appreciate your input.
Ok. I’ll be good so back to pricing. I’ve got a stack on either side of my computer and surrounded by boxes piled up around me on the floor. You could say I’ve boxed myself in. Oh! I almost forgot to include my art in the list of things to do! Art from books. I’ve been creating. See, there is just too much to do. One more thing- getting books on line. I’ve got to bite the bullet on that. Jeez! Nobody told me there would be so much to do! Never boring in a used book store! Good thing! That’s why I love it here!
Enjoy!
