Macy to Close 11 Stores

I know that economy is in a bad state of affairs when "Macy's" (one of the leading retailers in America) is downsizing its stores. The Cincinnati-based department store chain (NYSE: M) said the closings will cost roughly $65 million, $12 million of which will be cash. Most of these expenses will be booked in the fourth quarter of 2008.

There is an estimated 960 people who will be without a job. In 2009, it expects to open three new Macy's stores and one replacement store. Following the store closings announced Thursday, Macy's will operate 848 stores, including 808 Macy's and 40 Bloomingdale's.

It is stated that them most recent holiday sales for the entire retail sector were the worst in decades with 80 percent of retailers expected to post negative same-store sales, according to the Massachusetts research firm Retail Metrics Inc.

I love shopping at Macy's. I always seem to get some good bargains. I hope that this year the economy picks up, because so many people are losing their jobs and their homes. It is so sad.

Source: Macys

My Daughter is Going To Italy

Wow, I was really surprised when my daughter(my youngest) told me last month that she applied for a "Study Abroad" program. She wants to be a museum curator. This is a child who has been singing and dancing all her life. I don't know where the museum curator thing comes in but I am happy for her.

The school that accepted her was the John Cabot University in Rome. She has always done well academically. I am so happy for her, but scared for her at the same time. I guess with all the news stories of what has been happening to young girls traveling aboard, I am just a tad bit fearful.
My friends tell me I am just being "MOMMA", but I think in any country that is going through their own political issues (and most countries are) that I wanted her to complete her studies here.

She qualified for full scholarship (based on her academic history) so that I am happy about. She is so much like me it is scary. I was always the "adventurous" one in my family. Always wanting to explore different places. I love the arts so I guess that is where she gets it from as well.

I am so proud of her. She has maintained a 4.0 average for her last 2 years of college. (this while working full time). I think most parents want the best for our children and our wish is that live a healthy and prosperous life towards the road to adulthood. She is 23 years old and I told her, "the world is your oyster baby." and I love her very much.

Wordless Wednesday-Snowstorm

She is not going out in that snow.

Your Own Virtual World

I guess if I wanted to be stuck on the computer more then I am now, I would persue this world. This world is called, "THERE." It is a virtual world. This is a direct quote from the "THERE" site, "There is an online getaway where you can hang out with your friends and meet new ones--all in a lush 3D environment that's yours to explore! Check out the pictures below for just a glimpse of what you'll find in There. Then sign up for a free trial and see it all for yourself!
I guess (from what I could decipher) when you join, "there," you enter into this world where you choose where to live. I guess a live version of THE SIMS. (only you are in control of your own character).

The problem I find with these Virtual Worlds are that they give you a "temporary" escape from your own. You get caught up in the lives of characters and people that you never met an sometimes some people can't tell the difference between the reality and the fiction.

(sorta like blogcatalog discussion..lol)..where folks take things WAY too seriously. So if you want to have NO life but a virtual reality life, I think there would be a good way to go. You can them "pay" to immerse yourself in this life behind the screen.


HEY WAIT A MINUTE...isn't that what I do when I blog...no, wait I do get up (ocassionally) and try to have a life off the computer. whew!! for a minute there I got scared...lol

World's Largest Underwear

While I am perusing the web tonight and I come across this site ( Prankplace.com) that sells some HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGE underwear. I mean undwear that 4 of 5 folks can fit in. I tell you the internet has everything.

The bra, they have on display is over 3 feet wide, and is made with the same components of a traditional bra, two loops, hooks in the back, padded cups for support. This site sells prank gifts.

I mean but serioulsy who would you give a gift like this too?

Fight In the Store

Wow, why would two grown women fight over a cashmere sweater. I tell you lots of excitement today. We had two ladies in the dressing room fighting over a green cashmere sweater. It appears one of the ladies left it in the dressing room to go and find a larger size. Apparently another customer came into the room, saw no one in there and thought the sweater (laying on the chair) was available for purchase.

Well, here comes back customer number one who then start yelling at the lady as to why she "STOLE" her sweater. These are times "iriegal" wishes she had her camera. Man, oh man this chick actually HIT the woman in the face. We then called security to come and intervene (cause you know the store isn't looking for no lawsuits.

Well security arrives but by then my manager had successfully gotten the ladies apart (now these are ladies in their 40's) and I found another store that would deliver the sweater (free shipping) to the second customers home.

Good grief folks, what happened to good cheer for the New Year.

First Ebay Sale

I did my first Ebay Sale- Yahoo! Okay, I am a little behind times when it comes to the Auction thing. I have so much things I have accumulated over the years I know I need to get rid of some. So my friends suggested why not get a profit in the meantime. So I listed one of my baseball card sets. (see picture above). It was an experience. I am pretty new to all of this but I know I have the products to have a full store. Try collecting cards, sports memorabilia, and barbies from 1987. Yup, not to mention the comic books and other things I need to get rid of.

We have one of those EBAY CENTERS by my house, but why am I paying someone to list items I can do myself? I know many people use them, but I am cheap and don't like folks cutting in my profit.

I want to find a name for my store, so any suggestions would be helpful

The Impossible Quz

How would you like to take a quiz where the possibility of winning is probably zero. I took this quiz and the challenge was for me to finish it. Boy, was I in for a hard time. You only have 3 lives so you end up going back and forth to the beginning. (write down the answers so you can remember).


HERE TEST YOURSELF----- CLICK HERE FOR THE QUIZ

Condolences to John Travolta and Family

John Travolta with his son Jett

John Travolta is one of my alltime favorite actors. I was so sorry to hear about the death of his son, Jett Travolta, 16. It was rumored that Jett had Autism but Travolta has denied this. Autism is a condition not recognised by the Scientology belief system pursued by Travolta and his actress wife Kelly Preston. The couple have denied through their lawyer that Jett was autistic. Jett Travolta was last seen on New Year's Day when he went to use the bathroom at the family's residence at the Old Bahama Bay Resort on Grand Bahama island.

"He was discovered in the bathroom in an unconscious state around 10:00 am" the next day by a caretaker, a statement by family attorney stated.

His death(according to his Dad) was contributed to Kawasaki Syndrome, also known as lymph node syndrome, is a febrile illness that affects many organs, including the skin and mucous membranes, lymph nodes, blood vessel walls, and the heart.

The loss of a family member is so devastating. Whatever the cause of death, prayers go out to the family.

What New Year

Okay First off "Happy New Year" to everyone. I had to work New Year's Day. It wasn't to bad. I was paid "Double Time" so of course I don't mind. I had an awesome New Years Eve though. I got to see some drunk folks fall down a hill on their butts in the mud. It was crazy wild. I have never see so much alcohol in my life. I just drank a small glass of "Zinfindel" wine though.

However folks at the party were straight acting a fool. I mean who does "beer shots?" what the hail is that anyway..lol I just think it was an excuse to drink. The dogs were running around barking, the cat was getting all wired up ( I think someone gave him a taste of the Zinfindel). Firecrackers were popping all night (and up until 5am) long. I was like, are these people gonna go to bed, Lawd.

I loved the Spinach dip though (of course my roommate forgot the spinach). Then out came the Jello Shots. Wow, I never had one. I mean I only have jello for dessert, I didn't even know you could put alcohol in them.

Like I said crazy times, but loads of fun.

Mexican Train Domino

This game is so much fun! This was the game I played on Christmas Day for like 4 hours straight. I know it sounds like a long time, but not when you are having fun.



Below is how to play the game. (Source: Mexican Train)

First turn

The player who has the 12-12 begins the first game by placing it in the center of the table. The second game will be started by the 11-11 and so on downwards to the double blank for the 13th game. If no one has the double required to start, players draw equally from the boneyard until it is found.

Note: Since the process for finding the required double can be tedious, you may prefer to place the required double face up on the table before shuffling. In this case players take turns to start.

Beginning with the player who placed the starting double, and continuing in clockwise order around the table, each player now starts to build a train, which is a single row of dominoes starting from the double in the center and extending towards the player. The ends of adjacent dominoes must match in number and the center facing end of the first domino played must match the centre domino (in the first game, therefore, a 12 is needed). A single train might look like this:

In this first turn only, the player may play as many dominoes as they wish, so long as they form a valid train.

If any player ends the train they form in their first turn with a double, this has no effect on the game until everyone has played their first turn. When the first player takes their second turn, they will have to satisfy the first exposed double, as explained under doubles.

If any player is unable to start their train - having no domino that matches the centre double - they do not draw from the boneyard. They must simply place a marker (penny) in the position where their train would have started. This indicates that, starting with the first player's second turn, any player will be allowed to play a domino in this position, to start the train. Note, however, that no player is allowed to play on another player's train, nor to start the "Mexican train", during their first turn.

Subsequent turns

After everyone has had one turn, in which they started their train if possible, the rules of play change. Now, each player plays just one domino per turn (unless that domino is a double - see below). This domino may normally be played either

1. on the player's own train, or
2. on another player's train, if that train is marked with a penny, to show that its owner was unable to play on it at their last move, or
3. on an extra train, known as the Mexican Train or Caboose, which is always open to all players.

Of course, each domino must be played in such a way that its inward end matches the open end of the domino it touches.

The Mexican Train or Caboose can be started by any player from the second turn onwards, beginning with a single domino which matches the starting double at one end. The nickel is placed on it, to distinguish it from the other trains and show that it is open to all players. The whole layout, with four players' trains and a Mexican train, might look something like this:

I am not going to list the whole game here, but if you happen to pick up a pack of double 12 dominoes, this can be a great game for your next party.


Here are some more websites which list their own variations on the rules.

David Bauguess' Mexican Train Rules are based on the Puremco Mexican Train rules, but rewritten for greater clarity and with some suggested improvements. In this version the first turn is not special - right from the start, only one tile per turn is played. The page also includes a useful section on strategy.

The Domino Plaza also has rules for Mexican Train in which the tiles are played one per turn from the start.

Here is Joe Celko's description of Mexican Train; an earlier version of this appeared as the Game Cabinet Mexican Trains page.

Here is Joe Celko's description of Basic Trains, and an earlier version of his Basic Trains page that appeared on Game Cabinet.

Happy Birthday Crystal

It's my baby's birthday. She is 27 years old today. Wow, where does the time fly with our kids huh? I remember her birth like it was yesterday. I was in the hospital for Christmas (so that kinda sucked), and what was suppose to be a simple delivery turned into almost a 2 day event. Wow, what a long labor.

Then the baby went into stress ( I guess I would be stressed out too if I wanted to break free and there was a hold up.). Then on the morning of the 27th, 1981 here she comes (by way of C-Section). She weighed 7lbs 7 ozs. She had the bluest eyes and blondest hair (she is partially albino) and the biggest smile. ( I don't care what folks say, I don't believe in the gas theory).

I think that was my greatest Christmas gift that year.


Happy Birthday Baby, Mama loves you...

After Christmas Blues

I had and interesting Christmas to say the least. It was a bit different because I didn't get to spend it with my family. This year I didn't have anywhere to have Crystal stay, so that was hard. However, I did speak to her and wish her "Merry Christmas," so that was nice.

The family I did spend Christamas with were actually very nice. They lady has 5 brothers and sisters and her parents have six brothers and sisters (between both of them). The Grandparents also have large families on both sides, so all an all a pretty nice time.

We had so much food, good grief! I tell you what I am "tamale" out! ...lol I can't eat another tamale. Worst yet, I had to help roll them, so I KNOW I don't want anymore for right now.

After dinner we all sat around and watched "A Christmas Story." (for the umpteenth time). Then we played, "Mexican Train Domino." Which is really fun!

Now, comes the retail madness. (that is the reason for the title). I must say being scheduled for work the day before and after Christmas (in the retail industry) is a bit challenging.




The rush of madness to get those "After Christmas Specials" was insane. I don't understand why fplks put themselves through this yearly. Not to mention the returns. This one lady returned every 450.00 worth of clothes she bought (the day before Christmas). So when I asked her the "reason for the return," she states, "because I can."

Well ALRIGHTY THEN..lol

Wordless Wednesday

Exercise Time

Well, due to my current situation, I found that I have been exercising more. They have cut back our hours at work (don't even ask me how many hours I do per week), so much that I have started hanging out at the gym. I guess their could be worst addictions.

So today I am kicking it at the gym, when this guy walks by and asks me if I an drinking wine. (It was his corny attempt at conversation I guess). So I told him no, its water ...duh..of course it was a water bottle I was holding in my hand. So then he tries to ask me if I come here often. Well, you SEE me working out everytime you come in, so obviously I am here a lot. You know those who follow my crazy life, know that I am single however dating is really the FURTHEST thing from my mind. I kind of smiled at the dude and kept walking. No time for that right now.

I decided towards the end of the year to be selfish and just concentrate on myself. The guy that molested my daughter decided to "jump bail" (so I have to contend with that issue), so now I don't know where the case is headed. She (Crystal) is doing well. It was a rough couple of days for her, but she is doing fine now.

Exercise, I found, really is an immense stress reliever. It really puts me in a mellow mood for the rest of the day.

Brrr, It is Cold

Well, I guess I shouldn't be complaining because there are States and countries that are experiencing colder weather than where I live. This morning it was 29 degrees. In my area that is "freezing." We are use to weather like 50 degrees as the coldest weather.

In San Francisco, the National Weather Services says that the overnight temperatures dropped into the 40s. In the higher elevations of the Bay Area it was even chillier, with temperatures in the North Bay hills and Santa Cruz Mountains getting down into the 30s. You have to understand California on the whole is not use to cold, "freezing" weather.

It even snowed in our area. Now the last time it snowed in my location was 1998!! So you know folks were not prepared. Keep in mind, I am in an area where folks are still cutting grass. So this freeze is really unexpected. At least I am in a warm, environment. Some friends letting Iriegal hang out. My friends also had to place warm cloth on their plants. They have some beautiful flowers (annuals) and they are trying to save them.