TK - First, Happy Birthday

Second, have you ever considered putting ads in places that let you post them for free or really cheap? A friend of mine put up a bunch of ads with pictures on Craigslist and got a few customers....which led to a few more customers...I think the key is getting your name out there. It sounds like you're on the right track though, and OH so talented!

Hello all,

Had a great weekend, nice to have nice weather for a change. Ground is still trying to dry up from so much rain.

TK I love those cakes, they look great. Happy Birthday again as well.

Working from home today, but it is lunch and I have to get DS ready for preschool and run an application in for DS for lifeguard this summer.

Well, I'd first look into whether there is a noise ordinance in your area. In some places, there has to be "peaceful" hours from about 11PM until some time in the morning, but I'm not sure what. If there is a noise ordinance, you could call the town/city zoning officer and complain - it's part of his/her job to enforce the town/city laws. The neighbor will be issued a summons or citation if this is the case. I wouldn't bother the police unless it becomes necessary, because they can only write a ticket or take her to jail.

Good luck with this.

Thanks Fluffy, I think that sounds like a great idea. I really wasn't too hot on the idea of calling the police.

I called city hall and asked what the noise ordinance hours were, and they said in our neighborhood that it was 11 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. during the week, and midnight to 8 on weekends. I left a message for the appropriate officer, hopefully he'll give me a call back this afternoon.

I just can't believe she would let it escalate to this. The most simple fix would be her taking a left instead of a right out of her driveway and she would have a good mile of no houses, just backs of businesses. *frustrated!*

I hope it works out for you!

I just cut down some trees (yes, with a chainsaw - DH bought me my own 14" saw for little stuff). Some were scrubby pines that are about 10' tall. I dragged them up the hill and to the burn pile, so I got my aerobic AND leg workout today. LOL! We have 2 acres of a treed lot next door to our yard, and we're trying to clear out the yucky scrubby stuff so the good trees have room and sunlight to grow properly.

I wonder if DH will notice?

Wow. You have your own chainsaw. That's awesome!

Wow Zeffryn love your new avatar pic!

Jessie, I'm so glad your mom was here! I hear you on naps!

Fluffy, you are awesome!!! Look out Rosie the Riveter! Here comes Fluffy the Chainsaw Girl! (that just sounds funny...) I'm sure DH will notice!

TK, I don't know Houston very well, but if you live in a suburb with its own paper or even a neighborhood that has its own sections in the big paper, you might contact them to ask if they'd like to do a little human interest piece on your business. That would be super-easy to do here in my small town, but when I lived in L.A. it would have been harder. Worth trying, though! Do you belong to or know anyone who belongs to big social groups, like Junior League, or a newcomer's group? See if they'll pass your card around. Most of the recommends my friends give and receive happen in our newcomer's club meetings.

Hope everyone has a great day and stays healthy!

Doesn't every woman who lives in the country have her own chainsaw? Mine is actually an electric one for ease of starting. When I need to bushwhack, I get a "lad".

Gorgeous day out there. Hersh and I did tea on the deck in the sun and dreamed of summer. Lake Ruthie soaks in for a bit and then forms again as more snow melts. I swear all the snow from the hills behind us rolls through my side yard! It used to be a creek and Mother Nature never forgets.

Spring is definitely here. I changed my avatar to the tulips I'm expecting next week! I hope that encourages things.

Thanks. I just got a new webcam, and was trying to figure out how to use it. I took about a hundred pictures of my son and I

It's SO beautiful here today. The pools at our gym just opened this weekend, and I really want to go. My husband should be home in an hour, maybe we can beat the post school rush.
I just got in from a 1 mile walk with my son. I wanted to go longer, but he was getting tired (nap time) Maybe if we don't go to the pool, we can go for a longer walk!
I'm feeling so inspired today. This site has really made a difference for me!

Chainsaws - my mom uses one evryday and has for years. She owns her own tree removal business and chainsaws are a definite for that job. I say hooray for woman using chainsaws - that stuff isn't just for the boyus any more.

Hi girls! Today was a rough day all around. I need to eat something or I might die! Had to skip lunch because my mid called in. Just waiting for the boys to come home so I can make some dinner. Just thought I'd pop in to say hi! Talk more soon!

Lisa

Making Chicken Mole tonight out of SBD cookbook. I've made it in the past when I wasn't even really following the diet. It's tasty and very rich! Hubs requested fauxtatoes and steamed green beans.
Another clean meal! I'm on a roll today.

zeffry-I have my own website and business cards. My best friend told me she would post for me on craigslist but I told her no but now I'm reconsidering and might just go ahead and post it anyways. No phone numbers though. I heard some people talking about their cake business and they said that they would never put their phone number if they worked from home. And they wouldn't put their address, just email and website. For security purposes. I'm really considering now. There's also a civic club in our area that meets once a month and they always ask for refreshment donations, maybe I should do it once and see what happens. I really like doing this. A friend of mine, her son goes to baseball and maybe I should put some kind of promotional "code" on the back and if they come to me they get a certain percentage off or something. Hhhhhmmmm.....all these ideas.

Everyone-thanks for the birthday wishes. It made my day happier.

There are tons of different things that you could do. Church bulletins are a great way to get exposure. I don't know if your city has a city-wide parenting magazine, but if they do...throw an ad in there. They are usually pretty cheap, and parents are always looking for fun cakes for kids birthdays.
Craigslist is great, but I agree, don't include your phone number. With the availability of reverse phone lookup, it wouldn't take much for someone to find where you live. Craigslist is pretty secure though. I would just include your website information, which should have your contact information on it.
Also, remember bulletin boards. I know they are a little hokey, but any way to get your name out there. Gyms often have bulletin boards, as do grocery stores.
The civic meeting donation is a great idea. You could also look into an charitable organizations having silent auctions. Donate a cake and help someone in need!

A good cake decorator is always in high demand. It's too bad you aren't closer! I would love to learn to decorate with you. I've dabbled a bit, for birthdays and such....I really don't have the time anymore and even if I did, my friends aren't interested