AND THE BEAT GOES ON

My family showed up, but the BBQ didn’t happen. We were all into chatting and laughing, the older children either watching football or on the computer, and the rug rats racing around trying to dodge being grabbed and hugged every 10 minutes, LOL! It was getting late; tomorrow a work day for most of us. The oldest son and daughter decided to gather their group and stop at a restaurant on the way home. My son J. and his lady let the little ones bathe in the Jacuzzi before donning their p.j.’s and heading back to his own place; he still had plenty to do after being away hunting most of the week. My bro and his daughter left with them, and the doggies and I were alone. I attacked the routine little jobs that one usually does on a weekend; laundry, cleaning up, bring in wood, preparing garbage for pick-up tomorrow (actually, later this morning). It’s all very well to spend hours visiting now and then, but the work DOES sit and wait on you. Eventually it has to get done.

I didn’t get much sleep; my head was too busy. Saturday I learned that my ex-associate was unable, once again, to meet his obligations, and, as feared, it has left my own company in a financial lurch. There was nothing I could do about it during the weekend. Fortunately, with all the family action going on around me, I was able to file it away in the back of my mind, but now plans need to be made. I will have the unpleasant task of contacting, and probably meeting, my bank later this morning. If there is no other way out, I’ll have to dip into my pension savings again. I’m past being upset about it for the moment. It helps that changes are being made at the office and, although it will take time and enormous effort, we all (the employees and I) are feeling very positive that we’ll make good things happen. As my friend, Kilroy, commented, I have my health, I am surrounded by a loving family and friends, so I count my blessings. The most important things are still there.

With that said and done, I’m going to try copping another hour or two of snooze before leaving for the city. My bro and his daughter will be returning here later this afternoon, and tomorrow will be spent dropping her at the airport, and then at the hospital with him. First things first.

It’s to be sunny here today, according to our Weather Network, and that alone tends to make me SMILE. I’m sending it out to y’all, and hoping you pass it on!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

A BAD TIME

This lady is not happy.

It’s now official – I had to lay off all of my office employees, my Yoshiko included. The only person staying on…for the moment…is Line, who does client visits outside the office. Most of them finish this Friday; Yo has one more week to go, then will be gone too. It’s breaking my heart. The only consolation is that summer is here – so maybe they can make believe that they’re on a long vacation. Right.

Pointing fingers anywhere else is useless. I’m the one at fault. I should have taken steps to correct the situation a few months ago when I saw the way it was going. I took the risk without calculating; without having a backup plan; putting all the eggs in the same basket. Unfortunately everyone pays, myself included. Not only morally, but most definitely financially. It’s macaroni for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as they say. And maybe we’ll skip lunch to be certain there’ll still be enough for dinner…..

However, sitting and whining, although a normal human reaction isn’t going to help. One doesn’t hit the ripe ‘ole age of 60 (yegads! This weekend!!!) without having experienced setbacks along the way. I had been thinking to take it easier this summer – working a 3-day week, resting up – but that isn’t on the agenda now. I foresee a heavy schedule for the next few months if the business is going to get back on its feet. And believe me – I’ve been reminded that one must keep eyes open and especially NOT depend on anyone else. This time around I’ll go with my own instincts. It may not work out, but at least there’ll be less frustration.

My grandma had a term for it – she would call it the “count your blessings” time. I’ve been repeating it over and over since I realized that the decision could no longer be delayed. One of the blessings is that the employees are all eligible for unemployment – good. Another is that I am still healthy enough to work – good. Then one can add that I live in a country where second, third, and even more chances are feasible options. I won’t even get into the “happy family” bit, because it goes without saying – the most important things in life are still there and I’m much more fortunate than many people in this world. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Grandma was right. The sun is still shining.

Have a good one, folks. Sending you a SMILE!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.