Thursday, December 31, 2009

It has been quite the year. We started out in Hilton Head, SC unemployed and looking for work. In February, I got a job opportunity in Wolfeboro, NH we moved up here on Feb.10, 2009. We moved into a place close to town and work, so we saved money by really only needing (1) Car.

The snow started and did not seem to stop, as we blew into March and April, the hotel under construction, trying to ease all the brides minds, we would be ready and open by Memorial Day. We had a group in early May, and had everything in the Lobby, and served meals out of a guest room, we pulled together and made it happen. Then the "Opening" on Memorial Day weekend it was incredible, busy, a few bumps.

Then in June we lost our chef, he left, our restaurant manager was not doing much better, she was gone by the end of June. The rain in June kept coming but would clear up enough for the brides to get their perfect ceremony and pictures over the Lake. July 4, we handed out hotdogs and lemonade during the parade. Met Jimmy Fallon and saw Justin Long and Drew Barrymore, it was quite festive. Then we watched all the fireworks over the Lake.

Our new restaurant manager started so did our new Chef. In July, we went camping yes me, to Gunstock for a weekend, so much fun, lots to do, he fished, I laid out in the sun, we walked around (not hiking) just relaxing, it was a great weekend.

In August, we went to Boston for a weekend, took incredible pictures had a great dinner. Then we lost another restaurant manager at the hotel, so they asked my husband to come in and take over the position. We decided it would be a good thing for both us, and we do not really "work"together. Then he started in September, for about a week, then we went down to Atlanta and stayed at Chateau Elan, it was a beautiful place, and a great weekend.

In September, Tom and Claudette came out for a weekend, we went to North Conway, laughed alot and Tom decided to come up New Years Eve. It was so wonderful to have my friends be able to visit, living only 4 hours away is great.

Then in October the husband hurt his ankle at work, then in mid October, he got incredibly sick, we could not figure it out, he could not hold anything down and was so very sick, lost 30lbs in about 4 weeks. It lasted another two weeks before we found out what was wrong right before Thanksgiving. On Halloween, we stood outside in the wonderful weather and handed out candy, our street comes alive every house participates. If the husband wasn't so sick,we most likely would of had even more fun, but he was bundled up as if it was freezing.

Thanksgiving brought my family up for the holiday, I of course, was stressing beyond belief but it was such a good time, we had a late dinner so we could both join them, it was a good time by everyone. On Friday, it started to rain, we had a big breakfast and said our good byes. Then the Holiday parties began, it was a worldwind in December then we went to CT with his folks who came out for the holiday, our 2nd christmas with them since 2005. They got to know my family more, good or not? I think it was a success, and now we are on New Years Eve.

The husband is already at work, it is going to be a long day for him. I am taking the morning , going in around 2pm, I have a wedding tonight, and a nice dinner with my friend Tom around 9pm. I just set the table for tomorrows breakfast and doing some cleaning so we can relax tomorrow, we will both be tired, but I think the husband will be wiped out, it has been so busy at work all week, he has been home so late.

Friend/Family News:
Our Friend Christian proposed to his girl Jen, next Dec. wedding, I am going to find them the best place.
Chef Steve proposed to Blake on Christmas Eve, we got them a joint Christmas/Engagement gift.
My cousin "D' dink of a husband left her two weeks before and he was scheming behind her back for about 2 months. DINK!! The family believes for the best, but she is so hurt we all keeping our mouth shut.

We are going to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary in 2010, we have decided on a long weekend in Boston, I am planning it and so excited. Thinking of a big trip for 2011, we are not moving, we love it here.

It has been an interesting year, and we are not moving, working hard to stay here for at least another year, it might be longer but I dont' like to plan more than a year out, if you do that, you dont' really live in the present, which is really what life is about.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

I am so excited! I had a wonderful Christmas, and two of my friends have become engaged over Christmas YEAH!! Not to each other, what and exciting time for both couples. I talked to one of my friends, and I am on the look out for the perfect place within their price range. I am up for the challenge, especially for what I do for a living.

It is amazing how much information is on the web and then how much isn't when looking for a wedding, you really need to go see the place, a few of them I know, so when I see their pictures and web pages, I realize how easy it is to manipulate a picture.

Some were good and factual but alot weren't, and it was very cool to be at this end, not looking for me, and definitely not my competition due to being in CT. Work was so much fun today, I met with brides to go over details and tasting the food, you see the excitement and the way they interact with family, it is actually one of the really things I enjoy in my work.

You have to be very careful to catch every movement, and of course, what they actually said and not said is important too. I love family stories so for me, it is always fun to see how they make decisions and how they have certain points with each of them that they will not bend on.

I want to help my friends but not be overwhelming or my ideas. It is hard to keep my mouth shut, but I am going to learn to do it better.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Why do I always seem to be scrambling at the end right before Christmas? I have the bulk done, I still need (3) Gifts for employees, and (1) Friend, and stocking stuffers for the husband, it may not seem like a lot, except for the fact, I am working everyday until I leave to go down to CT, which is Wednesday, Dec. 23, I might take tomorrow morning off and go shopping.

I have to work tomorrow night, I have and event here, unless I can con the tavern manager ( husband) into watching the event and take the whole day off. That would be great if that can happen then I can finish up and not stress out.

It is not as if it sneaks up on me, Christmas is the same day every year, why? I have no clue!! I am not the only one either. The husband has part of his presents for his staff, but it is still missing something, and I have asked him and got no response.

Other than this little stress, looking forward to Christmas this year, going down to CT and the in-laws are coming out for the holiday from Illnois, so it will be so much fun. Will see friends while down in CT and spend quality time with family, not working YEAH!! Thanksgiving was a bit stressful with working and trying to entertain family.

Definately going to have a "white christmas' here in New England, it is soooo cold here in NH, the wind it what is making it so chilly, Sunday, at work should be fun it is the Open House/Re-opening celebration of the hotel and I am working the Craft table with the kiddies making ornaments, I love that stuff. It is definately one of the fun parts of my job.

I hear so many interns want to do my job, believe me it can be fun, dont' get me wrong but it can be very stressful having someone's wedding in your hands, it is their most important day, you may have done 1,000 times but they haven't and you have to be patient with the same stress different brides. It can sometimes get overwhelming, also be able to think on your feet, as long as the bride never knows what happened behind the scenes, and you were able to fix the issue, then it is a success.. I see these young girls and they think I want your job, without realizes everything that goes into the job. You are part sales person, part therapist and part work horse, be prepared to work harder then you ever have before and sometimes with no "thank you" but you know you have done everything you could and more you have to be satisfied with that within your self or you will drive yourself crazy..

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Rant :: Last night, 12/11 I was watching, "Say Yes to the Dress" and the chick Nicole who flew in our her "daddy's" private jet was on my last nerve. I understand how hard it is to find the right dress, to me it seems easier when you have "no" budget, but to treat the sales people like sh**, blew my mind.

Diane had a 2 -3 hour appointment and when you finally loved a dress, she mentioned oh, I have more shopping to do, then said to the camera, "If Diane had approached it better" then I would be walking out the door with the dress. She felt "rushed" and "pushed", I am sorry, these sales people bend over backwards for you, and miss other appointments for YOU!! They work on commission, do you actually work? Do you know what the real world is?

Then come back 20 minutes before closing and expect them to drop everything and show you more dresses? For you to again, say, "I think they should of stayed open longer" as if, they have not worked a full day and those dresses are not light, helping people, but your "Time Schedule" seems more important, get over yourself. I thought Randy's pushing and calling your bluff was perfect at the end..

The dress was beautiful and worth whatever you paid for it, but learn a little respect for us worker bees who really do want what is best for you, but realize it is a business and we work hard and deserve your respect. Diane and Randy should be commended for putting up with your attitude, and they say New Yorkers can be rude that got nothing on Nicole.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

So excited, the first snow is today. I am going to sell Christmas Trees today for the Rotary. I am excited that it snowed.

I love the first snow, the husband is of course, not so happy about it and I hear him shoveling snow. I will just smile to myself and sing my little "SNOW" song..

Friday, December 04, 2009

It has been such a busy week at work, and drama filled. It seems everyone is out to get everyone else and no one wants to take the responsibility for what they have done or not done.

Paychecks are a day late, which may not seem like alot but when you get paid every two weeks, miss a day it seems you need that money. We are lucky, we can wait the extra days, when I was single I would be freaking out. What upset me the most the fact that the few people who made this happen, both made comments that people should not live paycheck to paycheck, it is none of their business.

They have no right to judge anyone, and definitely not their place to act superior. It is so wrong of people to talk about people fiances or lack of, is that the WASP in me? Then the fact of my lack of sleep everyday up early, and working late, so tired... Tomorrow excited though "Breakfast with Santa" at the Inn and Sunday, I am selling christmas trees for Rotary, I really want it to snow on Sunday, I think it would be really christmasy.