Brick Walls

What is it Randy Pausch said about brick walls? "Brick walls are not there to stop us, but to prove to ourselves how much we want something" (paraphrase) And I have repeated that phrase to others when they dispare. I also love the verse in Philipians "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". And I have repeated that verse to others to encourage them.



So, why didn't I say it to myself??? Why did I let the words and thoughts of ONE person take away my confidence? Well, BECAUSE I AM HUMAN---just like everyone else on Planet Earth. And when someone dashes our dreams with words, we fall internally. Our hearts sink, the apprehension sets in and we consider ourselves less that able.



So today I am saying HELLO BRICK WALL~~~ WATCH ME SCALE YOU!!!!!



I CAN do this, I CAN succeed. It may take me a bit longer than those who have done this for 15 years, but the ability and desire is strong. And I will progress as best I can. And I will make a success of this. And I will pole vault over that brick wall!!!



I may have to go at a slower success rate at first. I may not be able to tackle their schedule right off the start, but I WON'T back down--I won't give up. And I won't listen to the voices that try to put blocks in my road. I will listen to my inner voice, my resolve, my determination, and I will be a winner!!!!



Road blocks are temporary. My ambition is permanent.

Oh My Gosh~Oh My Gosh~Oh My Gosh!!!!

In a sea of happy, smiling faces, I am the one anxiety-ridden! Everything has been happening soooo quickly--I haven't really taken all this week in.

Today, one of the current (until 9/1) owners called me and wanted to meet and go over some "concerns" she has. So I went. And I came away with a knot the size of the Grand Canyon in my stomach. I was actually ready to pass out!

She hit me with all these questions--"whose going to be in charge of which dish"--"whose going to help you deliver"---whose going to be in charge of bread, and who of salad"---"you know, you are going to be sooo busy you won't have time to breathe" AAHHHGGGG!!!

I didn't need to hear that ALL AT ONCE!!! After all, the two owners are staying for 4 weeks to show me the ropes! And, after all, even tho I am a quick study, I DO have to learn this--not just the way I'm used to doing things, but the "norm" for them.

I finally said, "you know, the first couple of weeks we'll need to take orders slowly, so I can get the rhythm down" and she agreed. But she really made me start doubting the choice I have made. And it's really got me by the throat!

So, keep your fingers crossed for me. I need to make this a go. I don't want to go back out into the world of papers and adding machines!!!

Then she said "do you think your mother can keep up and handle this" Now that just made me antsier! I think she can. She's pretty darned efficient. But why was this gal (who is 75) questioning my decisions??? I know that after a month or two I'll have to find someone else so Mom can have a couple of days off a week. But that just really got me.

Ok, my heart is racing again, and that knot is coming back. So I'm going to close for now and calm down. Just keep those fingers crossed!!!

Busy Bee---That's Me!!!

Hey, I saw myself in the mirror today!!! That's me up above!!! The busy, frazzled bee, flitting from errand to errand. Just today I have : met with the Health Dept, talked to the gas company, faxed documents to the phone company, emailed to the sign company, talked to two potential new clients, and still worked my "old" job. I will be there until the 29th. And so next week, I guess they will have me "training" someone new. And writing checks, and making deposits, and writing receipts, and answering all their calls, and on and on. So much to do!!! The clock is running down.

I met with one of the current owners in the shop today, and after visiting with her I had an attack of "can I really do this??? have I bitten off more than I can chew???"" That fear stayed with me all afternoon. I guess that's just one part of the process. Sometimes I feel as confident as can be---just certain that I can handle this and make it even more successful. And then the sun goes behind a cloud and I am filled with doubt. Will I be able to follow the schedule---will I be able to pay the bills---will I, will I, will I????????

I'm terribly excited--and at the same time, terribly anxious. For the past 16 years I have worked for someone else---someone else has worried about the expenses, someone else has made the major decisions. And all the while I dreamed of doing "my own thing". Now it's here---my dream has come true, and I am having heart palpitations!!!

Needless to say, my housekeeping has gone to heck in a handbag! So, I decided to take off this Friday and just PUT THINGS AWAY!!! I think I could spend the entire day just doing that. And I have got to dust and run the sweeper. I think the dog and cat have resorted to leaving messages in the dust. I don't really think the house is writing "Clean Me"!!! And believe it or not, Big Daddy still wants dinner each night! This seems like the opportune time for him to begin a diet--or a fast! He doesn't so much agree. So throw that into the mix----

Remember the old ad for Toyota? "You asked for it, you got it"? I'd better be careful or he'll start singing that refrain at the top of his lungs!!! I'm just thinking we should start living by candlelight and eating frozen dinners. You know, the old cobbler's children thing again!!!

Well, I'd best close for right now. I'm basically sleepwalking right now. It's time to turn in.

Wish me luck!!

Well!!! Ain't That Something!!!

Whew! I've been wanting to get back to blogging and my bloggies! But there has been soooo much going on this week---soooo many changes in such a short amount of time!


Chery over at Chery's Apple Basket was right---she emailed me after a previous post (where I talked about decisions that will change my life) and guessed what I'm doing----



Ready?? Want to know??? Suspense just buggin you to death??? OK, so maybe just a little curious???


I BOUGHT A CATERING BUSINESS!!!!!!!


You heard it right!!! This past Monday I signed papers to purchase a catering business right here in small town america!!! It's a business that has an established client base, and, of course, I will be adding to that!!! It's been successfully operating for over 10 years now, and NOW IT'S MINE!!!!


I had actually talked to these people about buying it 3 years ago. Almost had it then, but a son moved back from Texas and went into business with his mom. And now, he's going a different way---foreman on a family ranch. His mom can't manage it alone, and the grandmother (who originally opened it) can't work that hard anymore. And I got first option!!! Things have just fallen right into place, and now that I look back over the past 3 years, and more especially the last 6 months, I can see how I was being prepared for this.


So what does this mean to my daily routine? I'VE GIVEN NOTICE AT THE SCHOOL!!!! August 29 is my last day, and then I begin a 4 week "shadowing" transition time with the current owners. Talk about fast moving!!!


So for the past week I've been working at the office like a wild person---trying to get every little detail cleaned up and ready for take over. Along with that, I've been opening bank accounts, changing accounts, shopping for a computer, filing for state tax status, filing for EIN info, settling insurance issues, etc. And I had a reception to cook for this afternoon. And I had to make a commercial freezer purchase for the church kitchen! And And And And And



And---I had a visit from a dear, dear friend of mine who is in town for a week. We actually made time to go to dinner and just sit and talk. I had forgotten how much I have missed her, and how comfortable she is to be with. It reminded me how blessed I am to have her as a friend--although a long distance one!!! You know--those kind you can go weeks without talking to and then pick right back up where you were! Thanks dear friend for being a constant in our ever changing lives!


And tomorrow--Hank's coming!!! I'm meeting his mom early in the morning and taking him to spend the day with my mom while I work. Then he's coming over to spend the evening with me! Can't wait. That little voice make my heart do flip flops! And when he grins at me I just melt. How can you love someone so much???


Bought myself a pair of "cowgirl" boots tonight. I've been wanting a pair all year, but when you wear a size 5 1/2 they are hard to find!!! Well, that was my excuse for buying them tonight---in the heat of summer!!! I love em! I'm not really a cowgirl, more a gypsy cowgal. New phrase---gypsy cowgal. I like that.


Well, gotta run---more to do to prepare for the purchase before in the morning---more phone numbers to look up and lists of things to get finalized tomorrow.


Later bloggies!

Whew!!! What A Week!!!

Hi bloggies!!! I think I have used this picture before, but it pretty much looks like what I will be doing for the long run!!!

This week I have been working on a plan to purchase a catering business locally. It is an established business with a client base of corporate repeats. I was contacted by them while on vacation July 14. This week the final talks have been taking place and it has been a roller coaster ride! First day--it looks good, second day--need to see more financials, third day--who are they kidding, fourth day--this looks good, today---down when at the accountant's, up when at the bank, whewwwwww---we are exhausted from the bundle of nerves that has our intestines in knots!

It looks like it's really going to happen. And I told my bosses Wed about the possibility. That was such a HARD thing for me to do. I have been at this job for over 15 years, and over the course of time, have taken on more and more responsibility. So it's going to be difficult to note everything I do in a week's time. But I am trying.

Any way, I really thought the guys would try to talk me out of it. They have before when I've been angry or frustrated and tried to leave. But this time---they were soooo supportive. Even tho they said they hoped "for their sakes" it didn't go through--ha ha ha. But they also said they realized this was my dream and they didn't want to stand in the way of that (like I would LET them!!!).

So, if all goes as planned, Sept 5 will be my last day, and I'll spend the next four weeks "shadowing" the present owners/cooks. My mom will be helping me out at first and I have GOT to find someone who is willing to work 2 or 3 mornings a week. And not want to make alot of money. And will work hard. Oh heck, why not ask for the impossible!!!

Add to that basket load of worry a school breakfast for 40 tomorrow morning, and a young ladies event I am in charge of Saturday evening at church. And I'm in charge of the dinner of course. Sooooo I have been making lists like a crazed woman!!!

And school starts, and I have a presentation I have to get all kinds of papers ready for. And a power point presentation all cleaned up. And the new accounts started. And the federal grant applications in order. Calgon take me away!!!

So alot is coming down the pike for me. Keep me in your thoughts. I'll tell you more about the (my???) business as the steps are taken!!

Bye for now.

Dog Days of August

Happy August 1st!!!! The summer has flown by and now the very, very last of it is here. And it's HOT!!! and HUMID!!!! Reminds me why I like spring!!!


Speaking of "hot"---we had a "hot" little time last night! We went with Penny & her hubby to see a production of "South Pacific" put on by the church they attend. "South Pacific" is one of my favs--love me some musicals!!--and this was delightful! I really like local plays--if you let your imagination go, you can sit and imagine you are right there on Broadway!!! Anyway, the BABA did an excellent job! The songs of "South Pacific" are so familiar--I almost sang along. But, I restrained myself (for the benefit of all others attending) and just tapped my foot.


Before the play we had dinner at one of the all time best pizza places around---Hideaway Pizza! Yummy! It's strictly an "okie" business, so you'll have to come to Green Country to try some, but hey! it's worth the trip. They have all sorts of pizzas with quirky names. Penny had "Pizza of the Gods"! Moi? Just good ole pepperoni!!!


Ok now--put your thinking caps on---Do you know why it's referred to as the "dog days of summer"???? It refers to a hot, sultry time. A time of lack of activity. Guess the "dog" part of it is due to the fact that one just wants to lay around all the time. But that's rather unfair! My dog still wants to go out and chase the ball or take a walk--it's ME who wants to lay around. Perhaps a better phrase would be the "slug days of summer" or the "sloth days of summer"!!! I think dogs across the nation would appreciate the fact the name is changed!!!


Ok, yes, it's early, and yes, I didn't get enough sleep last night, and yes, I am rambling! I think the heat has definitely affected me! I can't sleep well, can't think straight, and earlier this week a co-worker and I had a MAJOR spat! It ruined my day, her day, and made the workplace quite tense. It's ok now. But you know, I just hate it when I weaken and react to what's going on around me! Especially when it's sooooo trivial. Don't you think I could blame the heat? Temporary insanity!


Enough rambling---obviously my life is quite mundane this week! Maybe I'll have some excitement this weekend that I can share with you. Or maybe I can get my thoughts straight! Either way, have a great August 1st!

Preview of a Work in Progress~~~~

This is a preview of the room I told you I was working on. I have all the painting done, and some of the decorating--but not enough that I want to show you yet!
As you can see, I put stripes on the walls. It's real subtle--in fact, I think they show up better in this picture than in actuality! I did learn a valuable lesson--don't use a colored chalk to mark lines!!! I ran out of white chalk after one wall, and just grabbed a lavender one. Bad Idea!!! Very, Very BAD!!! The white chalk wiped right off---not the lavender!!! It smeared and just faded a small bit--and believe me, I used every kind of cleaner I could find. It's a wonder the paint is still there. So, I took a small craft paint brush and went over the light color about 7 times and the darker color about 5. And it was no picnic!!! In fact, my legs are sooooo achy from doing the "squats" to paint the lower walls!!! But, all in all, I am going to be quite pleased when I get all the decor finished. The picture on the wall is made up of notecards I found in Colorado. The photographer took pictures of daises and put them on a black background. I fell in love with them, and they work perfectly in this room!!!



Now, my extra bedrooms are small---very, very small. But I want to show you the other bedroom that I finished last summer (I think). I came down about 12 inches from the top of the room and painted solid white. Then the green, and capped the white with painted moulding. I read somewhere that this draws the eye up and makes the ceiling appear taller. Along that same line, I hung the curtains higher and sewed panels on the bottom to make the purchased curtain longer.

I think it turned out quite nicely! Oops---I don't have the pillow shams on the pillows yet!!! Well, trust me when I tell you the sheets compliment the comforter and colors in the room!!!
This is the view of the curtains.
And then another view of the room and my junky little shelf!!! Maybe I should have opted for doors!!! One of these days I may make a little curtain and velcro it on the outside of the shelf. For now, I'm bored with this room and off to other projects!!! One of these days, I'll show you my red/black glazed bathroom!!! It's my favorite in the house!!!

So, this is what I did this weekend, along with rearranging furniture in the dining room and living room, and cleaning out the kitchen cabinets!!! Just got a wild burst of energy, had the time and went all out!!!

I'm going to sit back today and take an hour off. And then to buy groceries!

Have a great day!!!