Pretty quiet. But not pretty at all!

I've been pretty quiet lately. I've hardly done any writing. This is because I'm on auto-pilot.

After working the last 55 consecutive days, without a day off, I'm basically a robot. A robot with deteriorating looks and deteriorating ability to function.

A regular customer, a person I would even consider a friend, summed it up the other day like this: "Cath... Aw, you look like crap. I mean, you'll bounce back, but how much more of this can you take?"

All I heard was "you'll bounce back" and I'm thinking.... I usually CAN, but what if I CAN'T this time? What if there is no amount of $200 eye cream and night serum that will ever restore my outer glow? Lord knows at this point, the inner "glow" is pretty much gone.

So, I agree, 55 days is not healthy. Not a good idea. I wouldn't recommend it.  But truthfully, days 35-45 were the hardest. I was still hoping for a day off at that point. Now, I've pretty much given up wanting/hoping/expecting/planning for a day off, and that, frankly, that has made it easier. Now that I've resigned myself to the fact that each day the sun rises and sets, I must attend to the restaurant... I'm ok with it. I know what I need to do.

Failure simply isn't an option. Either is getting sick. On that note, I'd highly recommend Cold-FX and washing your hands 800 times a day. It works. Seriously.

Now some days are easier than others. And an 8 hour day feels like a cake walk. It's practically a day off kind of feeling. Even the kids are in shock and awe if I'm home in daylight. Mom... you're home??? It's not, "Mom... you're home!!!" It's said with a much more suspicious and "what's wrong" kind of tone.

Mondays used to be my favourite day. Kind of a slack day, meant for cleaning and getting caught up at work. And now, the last 2 Mondays have been complete and total, unpredictable, you-would-not-believe-me-if-I-told-you kind of gong show days. I'm pretty much scared of Mondays now. So I think I will just stick to referring to days of the week, by their numbers. As in, hey.... happy day 56.

So I'm just going to stop typing now and pretty much shut up. I'm sure we both agree this isn't pretty.

Don't worry.... I'll bounce back. Maybe.

My heart is in it

The other day I was interviewed by the local newspaper regarding my small business. "What is it like to be a small business owner in the community?"

My answers started off fairly typical, talking about staffing, taxes, market challenges etc. However, it quickly turned to anecdotal stories of life in the neighborhood.

I shared stories of successes and of the people we see regularly. I noted how important they are to the health and vibrancy of the business. I talked about the babies who have been born and who now join their parents for ice cream treats. I talked about how much I love seeing the kids grow and turn into little people with their own preferences and quirks.

I talked about the seniors who sip their coffees and the teens that bring their dates. It's just what goes on. And to me, it's much more important than the numbers. I really think what we do, in the diner, contributes to the neighborhood. And I think we contribute to the memories people share with their loved ones.

I'm not saying it's not hard. I'm not saying that working 7 days a week doesn't have its drawbacks. Not everything is hearts, flowers and rainbows. It's a business. But it's more, to me, than a job. It's raising my family and contributing to the lives of others too.

That's why I do it. I enjoy it. And they say, "if you're heart's in it, then it's not really work"... is it?

A Big Day

Ok, time to take a deep breath. Some sleep would help too. Clarity... and added bonus. Energy? Hardly necessary.  Adrenaline is doing the driving now anyways.

Today's a big day. Likely one I'll remember for a while anyway. I'm opening a new business, and we throw open the doors to the public today. In about 9 hours.

The new business is called Sort & Sell, eSales and Services. What is it? One part "Sort", the other part "Sell".   The Sort is an in-home organizing service lead by a trained professional. The Sell is a small retail space where we will act as a drop off and sales depot for local on-line classified sales.

I've had a lot of great friends helping me out taking this original concept and running with it. Jeff designed the logo that I absolutely LOVE. Shelby did the website so very skillfully. Carli has been taking courses,  studying and training as a professional organizer. Calder, has attended countless business meetings and had to share my attention. So many more who have supported me that I should mention... Des, Greg, Connie, Harry, Marlow, Ashley, Neil. Thank you everybody.

Check out our web site. www.sortandsell.ca

Cheers!