Good Bye Valmarich

Our Ms. Honey (Ellen Valinski) and I attended an all-day seminar over 5 years ago on starting a web based business. The two of us along with Paul decided to create VALMARICH. We came up with the name by using parts of each of our last names.  So we became Valmarich, LLC, a Florida based company. We purchased license for the website and I became the web master.

Our first site was SurpriseArrivals.com; this was a Gift basket and Unique gift site. We developed contracts with several suppliers and did quite well our first two years. Honey and I developed a Blog to accompany the site that featured articles on party planning, recipes and daily life events. Then the economy took a turn and being a small business we could not offer the free shipping that the larger sites could offer. Our great little business started losing money and we decided to close SurpriseArrivals.com.

We then took our company name and revamped the site into an Educational and information based website, Valmarichllc.com. We had links to a vast array of educational sites for professionals to earn their continuing education credits. We purchased licenses to eBooks and other educational material for purchase through the site. We continued our Blog and incorporated educational articles along with our weekly rants from recipes, party planning and just everyday life.

The site has continued for the past 2.5 years making just enough to offset some cost of operation but not a true money maker. VALMARICH then developed a new site 2 years ago called LineDanceNews.com. This site is an education/Information site for the dance community. We now host Stella Cabeca's website and offers its own blog entries on entertainment, dance, music and Stella's life story just to mention a few topics.

Ms. Honey passed away earlier this year and writing the blog was just not the same for me. I floundered along most of this year but the spark of building a web based business was not there. My friend Luke inspired me to write again but I still was not able to focus on building the business.

After much reflection, Paul and I have decided to dismantle VALMARICH, LLC as of December 31, 2013. Valmarichllc.com went off line as of September 1, 2013.  It has been a great experience and I have learned a great deal about operating a web based business. Unfortunately, we just have not hit upon our sweet target product. 

Although the dream, Ms. Honey and I had back 5 year plus to build a web based business is being put to rest. I will always remember her zeal for trying something new.   Valmarich may be going away but LineDanceNews is not. I will focus on further development of LINEDANCENEWS.COM and continue being Stella's webmaster for her site.  Luke showed me how to live life and inspired me to write. I will continue my weekly ranting on the blog which will now be LineDanceNews and Larry B’s Blog.  NEW ADDRESS www.linedancenews.blogspot.com

It is now time to follow Luke’s example and live life to its fullest. Full steam ahead and first step accomplished for me by taking dance classes.

So we say good bye to one dream and work toward the future. Who knows our next great thing may just be around the corner but unless you are willing to move forward  you will never know…

Keep dancin' Larry B.

Memories of Maine

I was looking through old articles and saw this one from Ms. Honey. In celebration of her Birthday week, here is a repost from 2009....

From the moment we first made the trip to the mobile home at Wells Beach, the kids as well as Andy and I, just could not get enough of Maine. Not even the freezing cold water deterred the kids, of course, they were young. Picking Mussels off the rocks and crab catching was just the start of their summer fun. The mobile home park offered a lot of activities for the whole family from swimming, sports and a great recreational hall. 

A ride up the coast to Old Orchard Beach was a day of exploration for the kids, walking the beach and searching for treasure. All the while, mom was soaking up the sun  and relaxing the afternoon away.

When we bought the first beach house, the kids were older and the boys took up scuba diving and Andrea was the bathing beauty type.  The boys would take off to the cove and catch Lobsters for Andy and I to prepare.  Our family summers in Maine were beautiful, we would have great clam bakes on the deck of the beach house. The boys would invite their buddies up for the weekend, some time up to 8 teenage boys would be running around the place.  I can't recall the number of bushels of clams, mussels and sweet corn devoured on those weekends.

The neighbors were not always happy to see the boys arrive and set up camp in the lot beside the house. Andy had to field a few complaints due to the boys being loud late into the night,  yet  fun for all during those wonderful summer days.

By the time, the chalet was built, the kids were all grown and it was more of a time for Andy and I to enjoy our time in Maine.  I remember one week that my son, Brian and his buddies went up to paint the  chalet. Andy and I went up a few weeks later and boys being boys, we found evidence of girls being there as well. The pantyhose and Bra were great clues. The “boys” knew nothing about these items or how the beer bottle caps and labels got stuck to the front of the built in bar. 

The last time, Andy Jr. was at the chalet was on his honeymoon. His two Chows and of course, his bride had a great time. Then Brian with his wife and kids, Kim and Brian Jr. made visit on their own.

When I there alone in the summer, I took a part time job at Old Orchard Beach, where my friend owned a bathing suit and Beach Shop. That was fun for two years. Finally our lives got more involved in Florida and we were just not traveling to Maine as much so in 1990, the chalet was sold.

I miss it now but oh what great memories of our family summers in beautiful Maine.

 Quick New England Stuffed Mussels or Clams

 Steam claims or mussels in water and white wine with garlic, just till they open

Sprinkle season bread crumbs with grated cheese over each one. Drizzle melted butter and put under broiler, just till cheese melts

Enjoy with fresh squeezed lemon.  What a way to end a fun filled Beach Day..

In Loving Memory of  Ellen Valinski our Ms. Honey

Ms. Honey's Great Adventure continues part 3

Hope everyone had a great Halloween.  After a hectic 2 weeks, it was time to slow down with Monday, October 29^th relaxing in.  Okay its getting colder so I enjoyed the toasty fireplace which I’m not able to do at home. Breakfast, lunch and a wonderful  dinner finished off a nice slow paced day.

On Tuesday, Paul took me shopping but I forgot my roller skates to keep up with him. Home in time for have a great steak dinner prepared by Chef Larry on the grill. I must say this was one of my best vacations ever.

We celebrated Larry’s Birthday on Wednesday with a dinner and cake, which is not on their diet.  It is still on my diet. I have dropped another 2 pounds and can’t believe it. No wonder all the celebrities can lose weight when they have great chefs cooking for them all the time.  I will surely miss that when I get back to reality.

We had Larry’s Birthday Dinner at the BlackHorse Pub in the downtown historical district of Clarksville.  Larry’s Sister, Cindy joined us in celebrating Larry’s Birthday. I was so pleased to see Larry order a martini, he sure needs it after working so hard. To heck with the diet on your Birthday, we all came back to the house for a piece of Sweet Potato Cake. Paul even relented and had a piece of cake.

Thursday, the deck awning was installed and another great feature to this already beautiful home. We did have some very sad news this morning from Florida, a very dear friend and neighbor passed after a long battle with cancer.  John Persico was a community Icon in Greenhaven 12^th.  Larry was the first person John met when he and his wonderful wife Irene moved to the community.   He will be dearly missed by the three of us here. I personally shared many wonderful times with John and Irene on several cruise and many parties. Rest well our dear friend.

Tomorrow is my last full day here in Tennessee and I already know I am going to miss being treated like the Queen and waited on by Paul and Larry .

Thank you for allowing me to share my wonderful vacation experience in Tennessee.

A lighter Ms. Honey.

Ms. Honey's Great Tennessee Adventure continues

Well week two started off nice and warm, Monday, October 22^nd, Larry cooked on the big new grill on their deck, Cindy, Larry’s sister joined us for a great steak dinner. Did I mention I am following Larry and Paul’s diet program?  It is really good and lots of food, I cheat a little; it is hard teaching an old dog new tricks.

Tuesday, I went shopping with Larry, who took the day off from his hectic work. It was nice to be able to take my time and wander up/down every aisle in the stores. Paul is good to shop with if you have roller skates. But I love him anyway.

Wednesday, Paul and I went to Kirkland’s where I did a little Christmas shopping. He even consented and took me to the Dollar store which he hates to do but endures it for my pleasure. Thursday, it was off to buy a lovely electric fire place, an early birthday gift from Larry to Paul. Great news, I have lost three pounds since arriving and following the boys diet program.  I think I will keep this up.

Friday was icy rain and cold. Larry’s Dad surprised him by showing up that afternoon with his sister for the weekend.  Larry took us all to the Catfish House again and I had the best Fried Oysters I have ever had. No weight watchers night for me.

Saturday, October 27^th, Larry took us to the Nashville Flea Market at the Tennessee Fair Grounds. This is one of the largest flea markets in the country and held the fourth weekend of every month.  It was cold and windy but we did make it through two of the buildings, I could have spent all three days there.  Larry took us to a great Sushi/Japanese restaurant on the way home. Everyone has seen the lovely photo of Paul and I passed out in the back of the van on the trip back to Clarksville. I still have to get Larry for that one.

Sunday, Paul made a wonderful breakfast for everyone. We visited with Larry’s Dad before he left to go back to Missouri. Larry prepped a casserole for dinner and then the three of us then did the Sunday Schmoozing to Sam’s and the boys bought another electric fireplace for the master bedroom. Then it was home to relax at home while Larry created a new flower bed on the west side of the house for the mums to take residence and mowed his lawn.  Chef Larry then finished up the casserole for dinner, a wonderful Butternut Squash Shepherd’s Pie. They are sure making it hard for me to go home. One more week to go and I have lost another 2 pounds.

Till next time

A Thinner “Old Southern Belle” Ms. Honey

Ms. Honey's Tennessee Adventure

I am turning the blog over to Ms. Honey for a few entries. She stated part of my Birthday present she would do a few articles on her great adventure to Tennessee.

Hi, it’s me, Ms. Honey, on the morning of Sunday, October 14; I was picked up at home for a great adventure, a trip with Tony, Keith, Rosie and Molly to visit my extended family in Clarksville, Tennessee. We had been invited to be house guest in their beautiful new home, none other than Larry and Paul.

They had asked me to visit for three weeks and I thought that might be too long for them to put up with me. They insisted it was not an issue. So Tony and Keith asked me to drive up with them to visit my adopted boys. I graciously accepted as I had never seen that part of the country, especially in the fall. Unfortunately, Keith and Tony could only stay for 4 nights since Keith had to be back to work the following Monday.

The road trip was very nice with the changing of seasons from all green to the most spectacular colors of fall. Rosie and Molly were great company for me during the long drive. We stayed overnight in GA and were up the next morning for a great breakfast then back on the road again. We arrived about 2:30 pm Monday at Orchard Hills Drive in Clarksville to Paul and Larry’s beautiful home. Larry had the outside decorated for fall and Halloween.

We were greeted by my two dear friends of whom I’ve missed dearly. Right then I thought 3 weeks would not be long enough! We were served by Paul our Chef for the day a wonderful meal. Our accommodations were”Five Star” . I had my own lovely room especially decorated for Ms. Honey, private bath complete with a crown over the commode. I knew then I would be treated like a Queen.  How true that was and this was just the beginning.

Tuesday morning, we were off to Nashville to sight see and enjoy the beautiful fall day. We had dinner at the Catfish House which was great. Wednesday was warm enough to sit on the beautiful deck overlooking the colorful woods in my bikini. Okay, so I forgot the bikini... Later in the day we toured Clarksville which is a lovely city and out to the property that Larry and Paul own out in Palmyra TN.

Thursday, it was off to Lambert’s Restaurant in Sikeston, Missouri. It was a great 3 hour ride and well worth the trip to this renowned Roll Tossing Epicurean delight. So much to see and eat. This place has been featured on the Travel channel and other TV shows as the countries pig-out place. It was an experience I won’t forget. We stopped at a place called Boom land on the way home and did a little tourist shopping.

Friday was cold, so much for the “bikini” weather. Dinner was at O’Charley’s and then off to an outdoor concert in historical downtown Clarksville. Lots going on here.  I started wearing layered clothing.

On Saturday, it was off for a beautiful ride to Lake Barkley in Kentucky. We went Antique Shopping in lovely little town of Cadiz, Kentucky the Ham town.  Then a great country buffet at the Lake Barkley Lodge with a window table overlooking the lake.

We made it back home for a respite then it was off to Tiny Town Bingo for a night of gaming. Larry was a winner brining home $250.    Sunday we stayed around Clarksville and the boys did their weekend shopping and took me to another great antique place called Aunt Lucille’s. Sunday reminded me of my weekends with the boys when they were in Florida. I called it schmoozing with my boys.

This was just the first week and I have two more to go.  More to come from your “Old Southern Belle” Ms. Honey.