Adventures in Catering--Day 1

Man oh man oh man!!!! This has been one heck of a day!! Got to the kitchen at 6 this morning, and we had only one lunch to prepare & deliver. And it was a salad bar, so it wasn't much work at all.


Then, as we were picking up supplies, got 2 calls for tomorrow!!! And we had one on the calendar. So, we shopped for food, went back and prepped all that we could, made bread dough, made pies for Friday, and cleaned up. At 4:30 we left for the day!!!


I am quite tired. No, I am REALLY tired!! Most of the work for tomorrow is finished, but there is prep for Thursday. If we get too many for Friday, I think I'll call in sick--ha ha ha.


What is on the menu for tomorrow? Creole Chicken over rice, Herb Roasted Chicken, Italian Green Salad, Napa Cabbage Salad, Green Beans, Homemade Bread, Italian Cream Cake, Strawberry Cake, and Banana Pudding!!!!! We will have served 96 people. In three different locations!!


Anywho--it is an experience. And I am enjoying it (grimace face---yes, I am!!!). Hopefully it will get smoother and a bit easier--dare I think that?????


But on Thursday I shouldn't have to go in at 6---probably will start late, you know, like 7!!!


I'll keep you posted!!

Please Pray for My Friend

Hey everybody--please pray for a friend of mine, JeanAnn. She lost her 14 year old daughter to cancer in July of this year, and she is having a very difficult time. I am sure she is going through the grieving process, but she needs prayer to hold on. She has two younger sons, and works at the school, but yesterday in Sunday School, a couple who are very close to her expressed their concern for her. And asked for prayer. If you want to read her desperation, go to caringbridge.com and type in Mackenzie Sunday. It tells her daughter's story. In the "journal" side, JeanAnn posted last Thursday evening. You can feel her pain, and her overwhelming grief.


As I said, there are so so many who have gone through this before her, and agree that this is part of the process, but I would just like to reinforce her recovery with prayer. Haley's mother (from Owasso) sent JeanAnn the nicest email, and I hope they can make contact with one another. Haley lived only 10 or 15 miles south of us.


Anyway, that's all I have to post for now. And I appreciate your prayers so very much.


Have a great week, and remember to be thankful for the blessings you have in the here and now.

Doors Closed & Windows Opened

Doors Closed: My final day at the school was Friday. I didn't want any type of "goodbye" anything--I prefer to slip out quietly. But my dear dear friends and co-workers had other plans. This is the cake they had made for a farewell reception. It was gorgeous, and delicious. The closed door is that after 16 years, my morning routine--in fact, any routine, is going to be very very different. I kind of breezed through the week, thinking this was not going to be any problem at all! But on Thursday night it hit me-- the desk wasn't to be mine anymore--I wouldn't look across the hall and see a familiar face--no one to run down the hall and tell jokes to--no one to laugh with and have fits with--no one to gripe at -- and it began to feel like my heart was made of lead. And Friday, it was way too cheerful around there--false cheerfulness on my part. It was touching that these people, who have become more than friends after all this long, would send such wordy cards, attempt to show their care through the wonderful gifts, flowers, etc. But I made it till 4:00 without a tear shed. Then I got in the car, closed the door and drove away from the office for the last time as "one of the gang". And my heart physically hurt--it felt a bit chipped and raw. And the tears flowed. Uncontrollably--sobs coming from deep down inside. I don't like change--with people anyway. I want to keep everyone in the same spot forever and ever. And this spot was erased. It broke my heart.

The above an below pics are of the beautiful flowers I received. Can you believe one of my boss's friends (and a dear friend of mine also) sent me a dozen red roses!!! They are really really stunning and they smell so fragrant. Just a sample of the expressions of thanks and care I received.

Windows Opened: This morning I met with the "previous" PREVIOUS I SAY! owners and handed over a lump sum of my life. We went over bookkeeping, deliveries, orders, and started making plans to begin working together on Tuesday morning. It's really here. I own a catering company--and I have orders!!! I went down to the kitchen THREE times today---just because I have the key and I CAN!!! It's mine---I can open any drawer--look in the frig and freezer, and I emptied the trash and brought the dirty towels home to wash. Then I went for the groceries that we need for Tuesday, and made arrangements to have both orders delivered. This feels comfortable and right. And I have more confidence than I have had in weeks.

So, that's what's been going on in my life the past 48 hours. It's time to raise that window and let the new in!!!

Have a great weekend!

Straight From The Horse's Mouth!!

So tonight I am tired of hearing myself go on and on about what's going on in my life. I'll bet you are too!

I found this fill in and thought I'd do some "lite" posting. I'll answer these "fill ins" and if you want, you can too.

Then later on I'll rant and rave some more!!!

5 Things You Love With Each Of Your Senses:

Smell: Baby powder, cookies baking, new mown grass, new plastic baby dolls, lilacs

Sound: Hank's voice, my son's laugh, my daughter's small voice, a cardinal's twerp, jazz music with no words

Sight: Christmas decorations, my family, sunrise, ocean beaches, a clean house

Touch: my husband's arm around me, my cat's fur, flannel pjs, Hank's arms, clean, warm sheets

Taste: chocolate, Dr Pepper, Pixie Sticks, cool water, hot tea

And those are the things I love with my senses.

Ever thought about that? It's not as easy as it seems. We know what specifics we love, but in generalizations, it's more difficult. And yet, if we lost one of those senses we'd suffer terribly. So, think about what you love with your senses and be grateful for having your full capabilities.

Have a good evening!

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!!