Purging

I have been decluttering again. With all of the changes in our lives, it was time to clear out the baggage of our past.

I'm not quite ready to clear out all of the homeschool things. I spent years carefully selecting each book, reference manual, and piece of equipment. It took me a whole year to pick out just the right microscope. Some of it I will hold onto until the kids are all grown up. Some of the books I like so much I might hold onto them forever.

I did start clearing out much of the curricula (This Saturday I'll list it or take it to the consignment store). I threw away the used notebooks that I thought I would hold onto forever as proof that we did "stuff". The crafty junk I was clinging to is gone. Now I only have the things I need for the hobbies I enjoy.

I also cleared my room of all the things that I'd been holding onto because someday I "might" use it or wear it. The things that hold deep sentimental value are being packed away in storage.

It feels good to be able to actually walk into my walk-in closet. The clothes hanging up are clothes that I actually wear. There are shoes on the shelf. I've never had shelf space for shoes before, they usually live under my bed. I have to send the youngest deep sea diving for them.

I still have quite a ways to go. I'm clearing out one room at a time. Gosh, as a homeschool mom I held on to a lot of stuff. I was too afraid to throw something out because I might need it someday. It's a very cleansing feeling, purging all the clutter and unpacking the baggage.

Morning Success

5:00 -Alarm goes off. I get up and get in some exercise.

5:20 -Jump in the shower. I took the time to shave my legs.

5:45 -I'm showered, dressed and downstairs in the kitchen. A pot of coffee is brewing and I'm making my lunch.

6:00 -I have plenty of time before I need to get to work. I have time to enjoy a magazine (my favorites are Real Simple, Redbook, and Rachel Ray), my morning coffee, a half a bagel, and a boiled egg.

6:30 -My hair is mostly dry so I polish it off with the dryer. I use the cold setting for really straight hair. I apply makeup (I even have time for eyeliner this morning).

6:45 -I am ready for work. I herd the kids around into their morning routine. Mostly, I harass them into eating breakfast and brushing their teeth. I spend the next 20 minutes or so going over hotel room availability, statistic reports, and checking out the rates of my competition.

7:15 -Kids are ready for school, I'm completely ready for work. The husband is thoroughly kissed and after I hit post, I'm out the door.

2 hours and 15 minutes from the time my alarm went off and I have applied a little attention to the things that make my day great. I feel prepared to take on whatever today throws at me.

100%

This week, I lost two key employees, caught the flu, and worked round the clock. It took my boss sending me home for me to stop and take care of myself. It's not that I am especially insane, I just have a severely strong sense of responsibility. I love my job and feel driven to keep/make my hotel successful.

So the two employees I lost this week worked my night audit. One employee did not give any notice. I could not find coverage for her shift, so I ended up working 24 hours straight. I also came down with the flu at the same time. It was a very long night. Thankfully, another employee cut her vacation short to help me out so I could finally go home and get some rest.

While my week majorly sucked in many ways there were several highlights. I spent sometime with our Franchise Consultant. I learned a lot about being competitive in our market. Ha! I feel like such a grown up looking at reports, comparing numbers, setting rates, and making decisions. I'm really exciting about learning more about my position and work towards advancement.

I was able to surprise a couple of my employees with some appreciation today. There are very few things that feel better than being able to slide some cash in the hands of the people who hold you up.

I was also given praise and encouragement from my own boss. It came with a dose of some constructive criticism, but I feel confident that I'm doing good things with my current position. I'm looking forward to growing with the company. More good things to come!

I took a day off to try to recoup from the flu. I spent some time on the sofa watching old tv shows with my sweet girl. I don't have time to be sick so I didn't give in to it long. I'm still not 100% but I'm definitely getting better.

I still have teenagers who need a lot of checking up on to get school work done. One of them is still being particularly stubborn and needing an extra push in the right direction.

Being a manager is hard. You have to give 100%, 100% of the time to 100% of the people in your life. It's an impossible position because even the small things are a big deal when they matter to someone else. People won't work hard for you if they don't feel like they matter. You have to be available stop, listen, and appreciate. Realistically, you can't be everything to every one, but you have to try without ceasing.

You also have to pace yourself and prioritize. It is a high stress job, where you are on call 24/7. Life becomes a waffle. Each person gets a nook and the syrup is your time and attention. Your family should have the center nooks where you pour the most syrup, but every nook does get the syrup it needs.