Cheryl --- Hang in there. This is year number 4 and I think I might have real profit this year!!!! and I haven't sold a single flower yet. First and foremost ..... most everyone hates the marketing aspect of the business. So don't market the business --- market yourself. Tell everyone you meet --- that you are a flower farmer. Tell them about the new lily you planted and the tulips that you had. If you are excited about what you do ... it is contagious and people want to be around that. I deliver "thank you" bouquets to businesses (Now --I don't do subscriptions) Thank you for being so nice to me! I tie my business card on to the bouquet and leave them. First of all -- I get great service the next time I'm in there. Secondly, it has been a business builder for me. I suddenly have other people talking about my flowers and my business. And I build great clientele from them. I do banks, retail stores, insurance agencies.... people that I deal with. Even local garden centers. Think of it as a random act of kindness. Get out of the gloom and doom --- life is good, I'm doing great, business has never been better. The more you say it --- the more you believe and people want to be with a winner. My mother swears no one will drive out to my farm to buy flowers when gas prices are so high. Yesterday, a couple drove 55 miles to get to me and I don't have a flower!! (Obviously, Mom is not a good influence!!! In the past it has been the gravel road, too much money , and people don't need flowers!!) Personally, I think mixed bouquets do better. I can't sell a tulip to save my soul. Usually because they have been whipped by wind, beaten by rain and totally destroyed before the bloom. Don't give up -- try a different venue --try the same people again. Hang in there -- you grow beautiful flowers -- you'll get there. And remember, rural can be an asset. I wear bibs, straw hats and aprons. I raise chickens, ducks and cats. I can tomatoes and hang my clothes out on the line. Think of Martha in bibs. And market right off of that!!! Its a far cry from the designer suits I wore and having my nails done every week. People are looking for simplicity and satisfaction in their lives -- and a flower farmer can be the perfect example. Take care Cathy

There's a tutorial here: http://digistitches.com/free-embroidery-designs/how-to-hoop-and-applique-onesies-and-t-39-s-tutorial/prod_199.html

thanks nerdy shopper for the info! everytime i want into a plumbing supply store all the plumbers i talk to there say "you have to get a grohe!". they also like kohler too, but seems like most slightly prefer the grohe...i suppose b/c of the warranty? i liked the looks of the bridgeford the most, and after researching on the web last night, it seemed like those with small kitchens (like I have) LOVED the bridgeford. I went to a plumbing store today and tested out the bridgeford, as well as my original choice--ashford--along with the kohler, & just liked the feel of it much, much better than all the others! i know it doesn't have the locking spray. Dh & i realized the most we use the sprayer is a very quick spray to clean the sink, and for rinsing veggies/fruit. What sold me is how comfortable the spray button is! I found it more so than the ashford i was considering. I also got a coupon for 12% off from an on-line vendor so my total cost was $428 for the brushed nickel. A bargain! thanks again everyone, so happy i have one less decision! missmuffett- i decided on satin nickel, mainly b/c my ss sink is brushed ss and although i love the shiny chrome look i don't want to worry about fingerprints all the time!!

A member of my book club thought she was being very careful. When she went to the gym she said only one other person was in her class so it was ok. When she needed a little touch up on her new closet install, just one person came out.. She was safe. Yesterday I got a text from her. She went to a local hospital for tests because she didn't feel well. The Covid test results will be back tomorrow but the doctor was "almost certain" it was Covid. So, if it were me, I would wait for anything that wasn't absolutely necessary no matter how good it made me feel.....except for chocolate.