The Diner Life....

Being a small business owner is tough in any business, but I just have to believe that the restaurant business just might be a little bit tougher. Staffing is always an issue. The fact of the matter is that this business often attracts folks who live paycheck to paycheck, people who might be able to have a retail or office job but need the daily cash money waiting tables brings, rather than having a paycheck direct deposited every two weeks. Heck, most of my staff don't even have a bank account for that matter, in fear of having any funds in it seized by some state or federal agency for unpaid fines, child support etc..  Restaurants also attract folks who need that 2nd (or maybe 3rd) chance in life after going through personal problems, addictions, even incarceration. You feel sorry for most of these people, people who were simply dealt a bad hand in life, people who made poor decisions in that 'young and dumb' stage of life, or who just don't have the capacity of others for whatever reason. You are pleased when one starts to separate themselves from the others, to move a step or two ahead, and can move on to a career where advancement, even success,  is a real possibility. But too often you are disappointed with those who seem to revel in personal drama, who enjoy that baby step forward, only to take 2 or 3 giant steps back, who get paid on Monday and are broke and asking for an advance on Tuesday, who are willing to sacrifice their job, even friends and family, for a 'good time', whatever that may be. Is it all worth it? Well, for me personally, it is, because I love food and I love my customers - I cherish my friends and regulars, the lifeline/backbone of this business, the ones you know by name and celebrate birthdays or other special events with. And yes, there are those staff members who you do become proud of, those who overcame the bad hand or the poor personal decisions, are appreciative of the chance they were given, and have become great at what they do, whether it be waiting tables, cooking, or doing delivery. So while some of my staff frustrates me and makes me just shake my head, others step up and pick up the slack to ensure that things run as smoothly as possible. I refuse to name names here, but there are 4 of my staff members in particular who simply are there when needed, becoming jacks of all trades, stepping up to the plate, most times without me having to ask. Other staff members might accuse me of favoritism, but I take care of those who take care of me, and that's just how it is!

Growing into her name, and being worthy of it

I know, I know...have been slacking big time in the blog department! Been a bit short handed at the Diner lately, plus trying to catch up on some projects at home with the few spare time I have...and of course, taking care of the hubby and Queen Lady! Hubby has been busy with his computer gigs as well, but at least he loves his work, my sweet adorable techie! And of course Lady has been busy with her demanding life - after all, it is very hard being a Lady, with all the demands, obligations, and expectations that fill her every day! Being blessed with such beauty and brains just overwhelms her at times, as does this hot summer with her thick (but oh so soft!) fur coat. But she plugs along with the rest of us, like a real trooper!

You can call me obsessed with our wonderful dog. There are hundreds of great dogs out there - no, what am I saying - thousands of great dogs out there. But Lady, at age 5, has turned into one of those once in a lifetime dogs. Yes, she is smart, yes, she is so pretty. But she is also so attentive, so loving, such a true companion for both hubby and myself. Not once in the 5 years we have had her has she not been at the window or door when we get home. Not once, since she was a puppy, has she had an accident in the house. Not once has she destroyed anything in the household other than a chew toy or one of the plastic water bottles laced with peanut butter that we sometimes give her. She isn't scared of anything except the vacuum cleaner. Lady regards the house and both the front and back yard as her property and makes her rounds daily of each. When we walk her or take her to the dog park, she ignores the hateful dogs who bark and/or growl at her (jealous of her beauty I am sure!) and concentrates on trying to make friends with the humans! She is such a helper too, helping hubby take trash and recycling to the garage, helping me do the laundry by smelling all the clothes,  and even in the kitchen she helps, making sure I haven't dropped anything edible and then checking to see if I stacked the dishwasher right! And the rare times we have had to scold her, she gives you that look, followed by her paw and dozens of kisses, that immediately make us forget why we even scolded her in the first place. And she breaks our heart everyday when we have to leave home, that look is so sad, and that little cry when one of us starts getting dressed in 'leaving' clothes (she is so smart, she recognizes from what clothes we put on if we are leaving or not). But then, upon return, she lavishes us with such love, joy and sheer happiness that perks up even the worst day.

Lady, if only you could understand what we say about you and to you (and we know you understand a whole lot, but not quite everything), and how much we love you and consider ourselves lucky to have found you 5 years ago. You were a wobbly, chubby 8 week old 10 pound super cute puppy, and now we have seen you grow into an elegant, gorgeous, intelligent, and loving 60 pound dog....you have grown into your name and are worthy of it my girl.