A Homemaker’s Diary

I finally got the cookware sets ordered by my client. This time the distributor herself sent to a nearby Mc Donalds after the delivery truck successfully sent all the stocks to her shop on Tuesday morning. Since Hubby took the car to work, I have to collect the Corningware from her at night.

I will get one for myself maybe next month. It would be nice to serve all the dishes I cook in such stylish casserole set. I prefer the Petite Pan set because it’s like a small bowl size. I think I will get myself 2 sets of the Country Rose Petite Pan set next time when I get payment from blogging…hehe!

While most women spend their money on handbags, skincare, make up and clothing, I spend mine on crafts materials and dinnerware..wink!

I have spent the whole day waiting for a delivery that never arrive. When I called the distributor, she said she can’t even track the delivery truck, and the worse part was she can’t even get hold of the person in charge at the headquarter office. She managed to call him in the morning and he said the item was already loaded into the delivery truck since Saturday and yet on Monday, nobody knows what is going on. And she did not have the number of the truck driver so she can’t track his whereabout.

This is why I hate doing business of selling retail items which I have no power to control on the delivery. Now I have to convey the problem to the client who is eagerly waiting for her items since last week..huhu!

I honestly believe that anyone trying to make business running delivery service should think of the long term effect such delivery failure does to their existing and potential clients. I have a promise to keep to my clients as well and if they continue to do late delivery or unknown truck location problem like this, I feel reluctant to buy merchandise with them again next time.

Perhaps they should invest more and use GPS tracking devices on every delivery trucks they have. You see, the hardware and web software-based vehicle tracking product such as GPS Insight does not cost that much. For $1.50-2 per day per vehicle you will have more benefits such as no more labor paid when people aren’t really working, fuel savings, routing efficiencies and happy customers.

The GPS Insight is the technical leader in the GPS tracking field. They have the only hardware which is trivial to install (plugs directly into the vehicles diagnostics port).They provide same-day-shipping and their product is the only product which gets direct engine diagnostics (fault codes, speed, fuel consumption, odometer readings, idle time, etc).

Have a look at their website. You can see how useful the tracking system for your business. For thorough explanation on how it can practically save your money and help your business grow could be found at the company’s blog – GPS Insight Blog.

With the real time map updates and 2 minute vehicle locations, you will know exactly where the delivery truck has gone to rather than for you to call the drivers and rely on them to provide their location and trip status. With the Begin/End of day reports and detailed, 2 minute updates, as a business owner you can help to identify fraudulent hours claimed by your drivers.

I also like their add-on feature in which you can show to your client the vehicle location on your website. The feature is called Customer Maps. If you are not sure how the technical part could be done, read through their GPS Insight support site as it offers support information, helpful tips, and general information about the GPS Insight product.

I hope by tomorrow I can get to hear the good news that the items are safe and sound and could be delivered to my client as promised. I really feel like strangling the driver’s neck when he comes to my place to deliver the dinnerware tomorrow..aargghh!

There is something magical about the arts experience in Australia. You see, Australia is such a big country, you can choose to go to the South – the capital city of Adelaide, to the Western side – Perth or to the South-East – Melbourne.

If you are planning to visit Australia in early 2008, don’t miss out the chance to see and experience The Perth International Arts Festival. This year 2007 Arts Festival was already held from 9 February – 4 March. Make sure you have reserved for hotels in Perth before you go because the city will be jam-packed with people who come to enjoy the array of world-class theatre, music, dance, literature and visual arts.

The Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) is the oldest international arts festival in Australia and the state’s premier cultural event. It was created in 1953 by the University of Western Australia and has been an annual cultural festival held in Western Australia ever since.

Otherwise if you are really into arts, you can check into any of the hotels in Adelaide, as they have a lot of ongoing events from October till next year. Soak up the fantastic, artistic atmosphere at Adelaide Festival Centre Plaza every Sunday since there will be Arts and Craft market where you can get handmade textiles, jewelry, woodwork, pottery, glassware, gourmet produce, photography, aboriginal artworks and much more.

Or if you are in Melbourne, the Melbourne International Arts Festival will be held for 17 days from 11 – 27 October, with performances throughout Melbourne. Find your Melbourne accommodation now before it’s too late.

Bad news! The restaurant, Sari Indah which serves Nasi Padang style dishes is no longer operational in Alamanda. Gulung tikar already…huhu! The last time we had a dinner there was in April during my birthday. And I was hoping to have buffet there again for break fast this year.

Now the restaurant unit has been taken over by Penang Village. Since we were out to shop for new work clothing for Hubby (yes, Hubby got the job with his old boss..heh!), we decided the buffet at the Penang Village will be fine.

Not much choice but for RM35++ per person, what to expect, right?

What I hate about going for berbuka buffet, when you get back home, you have nothing to eat for supper..huhu!

It’s nearing the year end and usually at this time of the year, aside from the festive season, there will be buzz for wedding and party reception for many occasions. If you are out of ideas on what to give to your party guests, especially if it is your wedding reception, have a look at CandyUnderCover.com.

As a wedding related entrepreneur, I find this idea of personalized candy bar wrappers as very refreshing. Who doesn’t eat chocolate, right? And while people enjoy having that melting, mouthwatering Belgian milk chocolate, they will get to share the joy of the groom and the bride as well.

If you have the extra budget, you can give this box of decorated cookies to the main table as wedding favors. Oh, don’t worry the pictures are all in edible form. Now I wonder who will have the heart to bite off the bride’s head..haha!

Of course not all the products on the website are restricted to wedding favors, you can order and customize for any special occasions – baby shower, graduation, birthday party and even as retirement favors for your boss.

Well, now I have another fresh idea to think about for my wedding business..hehe!