I have been saving this message until I had time to sit down and add my 2 cents worth.  Business has slowed greatly in the last 2 to 3 months due to economic conditions in the US, but so far I'm holding my own.  It's still very frightening, because there just does seem to be an end in sight at the moment.  Walk-in traffic and Internet sales have both felt the down turn, so I'll be doing some shows in hopes that will help in the ol' sales department.  I'm still making mostly Bleuettes and Rosettes and would love to get back to my French Fashions, but bodies are the issue at the moment....there are none to be had.  Seeley's production is almost at a stand still because Ericson is trying to sell off what's left of the company and they are the only ones that produce those types of bodies at the moment.  I keep trying to talk Beckie at Bell into making bodies, but so far I have not persuaded her to do so....but I'm not giving up.  If I pull threw this slump I'll feel really good about things.  Have had a crazy week this week.  Had kiln problems, as well as mold problems, both of which have not been fun.  BUT....it's the end of this week and next week will be better.....I'm sure of it.  Fall is approaching and you can feel it in the air.  By Sunday we've excepted to start getting rain from the Hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast last night...they are predicting close to 12 inches of rain to fall in this area.....WOW, that's a lot of water.....This strom was really, really big.  Well, since I've been the wonderful light of positive thoughts, I'll turn it over the someone else.  Things will get better, they always do.......