NEW YEAR'S EVE

Jason and I plan on heading to St. Louis for New Years Eve. No one has really told us any plans about meeting up as a group so we decided to experiment a bit by getting a hotel room at the Sheraton Clayton around the Delmar Loop. We have plans to go to Blueberry Hill for the events. Hopefully it will be a fun time since well, it will be just the two of us and neither one of us know what to expect. I've always wanted to go somewhere that involved dressing up a little bit with party favors. St. Louis would not be my top choice but it's the only place to go in this area. That or Evansville, but we just decided to experiment this time.

Last night was insane...

So, we survived the family time. Still one more night to go.
Last night, however...was...INSANE. My parents and I were supposed to meet Jason in Terre Haute, IN (home of Christmas Story, hehe) last night when it started to sleet. I wondered if we should just wait until the next day but none of us were really worried about it. My parents live in Richmond, IN and it takes about 2 hours to drive to Terre Haute. It takes about the same for Jason. Well everything was going somewhat smoothly until we left Indianapolis. Traffic was STOPPED. Not moving. Period. It remained that way for the next 3 or more hours. We were not going ANYWHERE. Anytime it did move (when it actually did) we moved about 5mph. This was all on 70 to Terre Haute. I called Jason and told him to hang tight because he actually arrived at Terre Haute HOURS before we did. The road was covered in a sheet of ice and any acceleration caused the tires to spin. Cars were off the road in random spots (mostly semis) and supposedly there were numerous wrecks but we were in traffic for so long that we never saw them. Jason went ahead and got us all a hotel room but I kid you not, we just could not make it to him. We left about 4pm (IL time) and at 10pm we were still sitting in traffic. We hadn't eaten since lunch, we could not stop somewhere to pee and Terre Haute was still 40 min away at 5mph speed. BUT even though we were stuck in that situation, we were set and prepared. We had filled up the gas tank, there was a blanket in the trunk and we had snacked a little bit before we got to Indy.
Once it looked like we were moving, however, the traffic stopped again. About 1 am it finally got to the point where we were going to have to get our own hotel room several exits down from Jason and he would just have to come my way in the morning and get me so that he could go to work the next day. But due to the travel conditions, everyone had the same idea. Hotels were booked and people were sleeping in the lobbys. The local fast food restaurants had run out of food and it looked like we were going to have to spend the Eve of Christmas eve sleeping in the car. There was no room in the inn. Haha. None of us were able to sleep in the car. We tried. My mom decided that she was going to keep driving us to Terre Haute. It was so close but so hard to get to. We finally made it about 3:30am. My parents wanted to get another room since we were leaving at another time. But the system was on audit so they had to wait until 4:15 am to get the LAST room available. I had to get up at 6:20. I haven't been able to rest since.


Last night was insane.

Facing the in laws...

Well, not my in laws. But Jason's in laws. I am literally at a point where I have no idea what to say or do when it comes to my little sis. Sometimes I could strangle her. The holidays are supposed to be full of good cheer, but give it 10 min and my sis has already ruined the evening. I don't want to get into detail. It will make me angry. But, this is part of our holiday struggle when you have certain types of family members. All I can think about is Christmas Vacation.
Today should be even more of a blast because the Irwin side is coming over. I love seeing my family but I dread the drama that they bring. I think my sister is an Irwin. Hands down.

There is NO way...

That I would live in a place where a spider this size could crawl on my walls. I mean, this is more than a shoe or a rolled up newspaper could take care of. Ugh! Not happening...ABSOLUTELY not. I have no idea how this person was able to remain conscious while taking a picture of it...

I was reading an article on Fark about dinner plate sized spiders and I was like..."come again?"
Now, I've heard of camel spiders but this friggin thing is in this person's HOUSE. *shivers*

Have you ever?

Have you ever eaten at a certain restaurant or ate a certain food and associated it with a certain beverage? For instance, today I had Subway and I wanted a soda to go with it. I associate Pepsi with Subway, Taco Bell and Arby's. Not the healthiest, but I do. Or, at Tequilas I associate margarita with anything I eat. It's just interesting. Sometimes, on a rare occasion, I'll have a beer. It's just weird how tastebuds work.

Holy Tower of Babel!

I have the stomach flu. Actually, I'm in recovery. It wasn't pretty. Now we're waiting for Jason to be affected. If he is. I stayed home from both work and school today trying to recover. I felt fine going to bed last night but around 2am...it was nonstop. Jason said, Obviously...you're staying home. He left early to go buy me magazines, gatorade soup and medicine. I love my hubby. I joked and told him he probably should have stocked up considering. I got home yesterday from Indiana visiting the fam, and all five of my sister's family members had these symptoms. Of course I couldn't resist giving my nieces and nephew a kiss but geez. It sucked.

In other news, Cincinnati Christian University (my alma mater) is on a roll! I'm not placing blame but I'm just saying two news articles these year with questionable incidents:
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081201/NEWS0107/812010328&s=d&page=2#pluckcomments

Awesome.

Happy Thanksgiving

We hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and a peaceful black Friday. I for one, LOVE black Friday. I know it's hectic and insane and I'm not entirely sure what the most demanding item is out now but...it's still awesome. Jason and I will be having Thanksgiving dinner here at the house with his mom. That's it. Everyone else will be at the in laws or working. My family is out of state, so there you go. I will be leaving, however, tomorrow to see my family without Jason. It sucks so bad but life happens I s'pose. We did manage to work out the weekend before Christmas to see the fam but it will be a short trip. It would be so nice to have my family come here for a change.
Last night I saw Twlight. OH...my...GOSH. I wasn't sure why so many girls were squealing over it and why all of a sudden it was the new Harry Potter, but after seeing it last night...I know. It was so mind boggling that I dreamed about it last night. Insane. Loved it. It was beautiful. I am asking for the Twilight series for Christmas now. I didn't understand before, but I see why now.
I had a hard time finding reality after that....

First off, a couple of new images for you. Next, a copy of the letter I have been forced to send out to clarify all of this union crud.

703 West Main Street
Benton, Illinois
(618) 439-6761
liquorbarrell@verizon.net
http://www.liquorbarrell.com/
“Home of the Mix-A-Six!!”

11/21/08
To Our Loyal Friends,

You may have noticed the picketing that is going on in front of the new building being built for us next door. I am sending out this email in order to try and get the details straight.
First off, I (Jason Van Hoorebeke) am not in charge of what is going on next door. It is true that I designed the building and made all of the choices from light fixtures to cooler doors, but I did not choose the contractors.

I don’t even own that piece of property located at 707 West Main. I own the current location of 703 West Main. The property next door is owned by a partner corporation of CVS Pharmacies, based out of Arizona. Public records, available at the Franklin County Courthouse, show that it is not my property. They are in charge of the construction of the new Liquor Barrell building. The way it is set up is as follows:
1. They are building us a new building to our specifications
2. When the building is completed, we will exchange properties
3. I will take ownership of the 707 West Main building
4. They will take ownership of the 703 West Main location, then tear down the current building

I wanted to relay the facts to you because there have been several flyers or emails going around telling people to not patronize my store because I am using non-union workers to build the new store. As I have explained, I have no chose in who builds the building because it is not mine to build.

It is unfair to hold me or the corporation (Liquor Barrell of Ill., Inc.) accountable for actions by another company when we have no influence over their actions.

I hope all of this clears up any ambiguity that may have been present. I also am hopeful that you will help spread the word around for me. Either by word of mouth or by forwarding this letter along to friends. Your understanding, cooperation and, above all, your continued support of a local, small business man are greatly appreciated.

Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.

Thank You,
Jason Van Hoorebeke
Owner

Oh the life of a business wife...

I'm hanging in there. That's pretty much it. I'm watching my poor hubby struggle with the stresses of being a business owner while I try to offer my encouragment as well as my input. Something I don't understand though is Union Workers. I never fully understood them or had much to say about them until recently when a few have been picketing the property next door. It all started about a week ago when the building process began and what I've gathered is that they don't mind their own business. We did not hire the contractors next door nor do we have anything to do with the property until we move in. However, they insist on making it an issue by mailing these dumb letters to to their members saying don't patronize the Barrell because they don't hire union workers. This hurts us. It hurts because one, we did not have a say on the matter and two, we probably have some pretty good Union customers who are manipulated by all of this because some of these workers cannot get their facts straight. People are trying to please them for whatever reason by hiring one to help pour concrete and by asking anyone amongst the current contractors if they want to join the Union so that they will stop picketing. Well, little did I know that there are all types of Union workers. There are Union Electricians and for goodness sake Union plumbers. All have something to say when it comes to the building process. Today the Cement Union workers were picketing because the contractors were pouring cement. This is supposed to be an exciting time for us but it's stressful more than anything. It's hard for me to understand because my professional style is not within this field. I'm interested in being more personal and humanistic. I will support my hubby all the way, I just can't wait for the building to be done...

The Liquor Barrell of the FUTURE!!

Well, Construction is moving right along now. Monday, it was just a pot-hole riddled empty parking lot (as seen below):

By Tuesday, they had measured out the exact property lines and placement of the building. Then I went over there to check it out and I was not 100% pleased. I called the contractor and told him it seemed too far back. What had happened was, when I set up the property map, I set everything from the edge of the road. The contractor set everything up from the state easement. A difference of about 10 feet. I went back over with a tape measure and decided that since we were going to have to move it, how about moving it 15 feet.

So Wednesday, they re-drew the building placement and started to dig the foundation out and poured in the base concrete (as seen below):

Next, we had a ton of blocks delivered and added 2 extra storage rooms and a utility room on the back of the building. This caused them to have to re-do the foundation. Again, my fault because I was not satisfied with how it looked so far.

Today, they are setting up the wall bases. The tops of the block pictured are how high the floor is going to be. You can see the difference above the current ground elevation. Thus, we have over 20 semi loads of rock being delivered Monday morning.

Sorry for the image heavy update. Just a bit excited that things have finally started.

Slowbek

I WANT YOU TO VOTE WISELY

Well, it's time. Tomorrow we vote and by next year we'll know whether or not more of our money will be going to people on welfare. It makes me nervous to be quite honest. I have a feeling that either people will regret their vote or they'll be too proud to admit that they should have went with the other guy. Because seriously, I don't believe a lot of people know what they believe in or what exactly they're looking for in a president. Is it a chance to experience something new and exciting? Or are we trying to avoid the greater good? I hate how both candidates used most of their time explaining why the other is not fit to be president when they should have spent more time fighting for themselves. I hate the stupid comparisons and stereotypes and most of all, I hate politics. So, please take the time to understand why we have the right to vote and what your vote will mean to our country...

Fall back!

Yay we gain an hour tonight! I stayed in town this weekend while everyone else regrouped. Yeah, I know I said I wanted to regroup with everyone, but going out of town wasn't in the cards since I was out of town last weekend. I needed to clean house a bit and catch up on a LOT of laundry. Plus, I have homework and a visitation to attend tomorrow. A woman that I know passed away Wednesday from Ovarian cancer. She had a 5 year girl and a younger boy. It's a sad situation. Or as the 5 year old said, "Good for mom, sad for us". Do you guys realize that out of our "group", half of us have lost a parent already? I know we've talked about it but sometimes reality grips me again. What does that mean for us when we become parents? Will the odds get better? Gosh I hope so.
So, politics are going strong right now as the election gets closer. I can't stand politics. The viewpoints are so strong that sometimes it's hard to have your own point of view without someone debating it. I choose not to be open about it because one, my arguments are not strong enough and two, well, because it's no one's business but my own. I just hope that people vote from the heart rather than from a popularity contest. It will be interesting and I hope that we know right away.
Ok, I'm getting tired all of a sudden. BE SURE TO VOTE ON TUESDAY

Autumn leaves may fall

I asked Jason to write a blog, but he said he had nothing to say, yet. Anyways I'll keep it going until he decides to write one. I spent the entire weekend writing a boring paper. All it contained was facts and I was so annoyed with sitting at the kitchen table both Friday night AND SaturDAY. Sunday, I took a break. We went to early service (8:30) and then went to Fairview Heights to exchange Jason's ring. The friggin diamond fell out within a week of having it. Well, we were just in Fairview Heights not too long ago so we spent very little time there. Instead, we went to Lebanon. Very cute area. It has an old town feel and a couple of neat stores. Jason bought me some "Bitch" wine. Ha! Good times. We then spent the rest of the afternoon at Hidden Lake Winery near New Baden. It was beautiful outside. A perfect fall day. There was no way I was going to stay in ALLLL weekend. We were going to go to the Christopher Homecoming game with Tim and Rachel, but since Tim has been coaching basketball, I guess they barely spend time together. So, they decided to hang out alone. It was fine since I had to type this paper anyway. But, sorry we missed the win. Congrats Tman! Nice mohawk. So, how about those wineries?? We need to regroup...I hear some regrouping has been done involving wineries and I was like, What?! What gives?? Anyways, I'm gone this weekend. I'll be back the next. I know we have a Halloween party to go to on the 31st...
Anyways, that's all I got.
An investigation is still taking place when it comes to my sister. But...I'm not going to blog anymore about it. It's complicated...

So, here's the story...

I see that most of you (out of what? Six?) have added us to your blogs, thanks for that. This is still a work in progress but I will go ahead and get things started.
Other than school and work, this is what's going on:
Jason had to fire two guys within a week of one another. The first one decided that it would be awesome to show up at the Barrell and help himeself to a cup of stolen Beamish and hide back in the cooler to sip it while he was not even working. Hmm.
The second just made the mistake of falling for a sting and sold to an underage girl. This caused a lot of stress being that the store has already been charged for this last year. It was possibly our second strike. This would cost us a $2500 fine and a 3 day suspension of our liquor license. Fantanstic. Sure, CVS was caught too, however, no one really knows about their liquor supply. Thus, not much harm is done. BUT when your business is solely liquor and the related...well, that frankly sucks. BIG time. Soda and Cigs can only make so much profit. There are things to consider, Jason just took over the store, so technically it's his first offense. We're hoping that it slides.
I also have family drama going on. My niece, Lori, is back in the hospital due to complications with her pic line (she keeps pulling it out) and the fact that the antibiotics are not necessarily doing their job. The infection is not getting worse, but they're also not changing much. Argh. My sister had to rush her to the emergency room in the middle of the night due to her breaking out in hives and being in pain. The doctor in Reid Hospital (Indiana) decided that he needed to call Child Protection Services on Bethany for not taking care of Lori properly. I am still confused on this investigation. They transfered her to Cincinnati and almost didn't let Bethany go with Lori because of this investigation. My dad went to Reid and raised hell saying they didn't hear the last of him blah blah. Big mess. Anyways, we think we got it worked out due to the evidence that Cincy has on Lori's history of pulling out her own pic line. But until the investigation clears, Lori can't go anywhere. It was scary and my sister is trying to pull it together. I'm just confused about the whole thing and not sure what to think. The system is complicated. I know. I used to work in foster care.
So, besides the above, everything is fine. We booked tickets to go to Charlotte, NC in March for my ACA conference. Not as cool as Honolulu, but still nice to enhance my professional development. We may attend the homecoming game Saturday in Christopher. Keep us updated.

We've moved

Hey peeps. This needed to be done. We have not been able to post on our original blog in weeks so a transition is in progress. We will give people the time to locate us before going into any type of depth. Sometimes change is necessary and sometimes change is stressful. As of right now, we are under construction...