It’s Not Exactly How I Imagined It

We are going into our seventh year of inn ownership. That’s right, this week concludes the sixth year since we purchased the inn and moved to Vicksburg. A couple of weeks ago I blogged about my obsessive planning and having failsafes for the unexpected things that arise. I’m really at a loss without my lists. Well, even with a plan and lost of lists, things don’t always go according to plan.

New Shoes For Dummies

People love to get new clothes just before they travel, present company included. There’s something about going on vacation that inspires me to want something new and cute to wear. It’s part of the vacation experience. I know that I am not alone because often when I’m cleaning rooms after my inn guests leave, I see signs of new clothing items in the room. Shoe boxes, those annoying little plastic attachers for price tags to be affixed to clothing, brand name tags that have been clipped off and discarded in the trash.

My Plan To Plan Has Failed the Planning Phase

If you’re like me, you’re a planner. I like things to be organized. I like lists. I organize my lists. I plan my time to make my lists. It’s a vicious cycle. But, it’s a necessary step for me. Lists keep me on task and provide a sense of accomplishment when I cross things off the list. I like to cross things off the list.

The 81-Year Grudge

I love the 4^th of July! It’s one of my favorite holidays. I’ve said it before, several times, I love all things patriotic. Patriotic music always makes my chest swell with pride. Putting my hand over my heart during the national anthem reminds me of all the sacrifices our founding fathers endured so that we can have the freedoms we enjoy today.

It’s All In the Headline

Have you ever read a headline and thought: “I really need to read this article?” Or have you read a headline and said to yourself: “Self, it’d be a waste of time to read any farther?” Headlines can make or break a story. Like back cover blurbs on a book, a headline has to grab attention and elicit feelings of wanting to know more.

Why’d You Call It That?

Do you ever wonder how businesses get their name? Not every business, because some business names make total sense. Like PetCo or U-Haul or John’s Corner Market. But other names, while clever, often make no sense. Amazon for instance. What does the second longest river in the world have to do with e-commerce? I mean, it’s not even the number one longest river. Why would you name your company after the SECOND anything? Wouldn’t you want to liken your business to the first of something? If I were opening – say – a hat shop, it would make sense to call it Hats Off. But if I’m going a different route, wouldn’t naming it The Nile, after the number one longest river, make more sense? I’m sure Amazon had some strategy that I’m unaware of, but to the average Jane like me, I don’t get it.

When the Dancing Gets Tough

I love to dance. Especially the noisy dances. The dances where you stomp your feet, tap your toes, and click your heels. Tap dancing, Irish dancing, Flamenco dancing, clogging, country line dancing, you name it, I love doing it. Now, I’m not especially good at it, mind you, but it’s fun and I really enjoy participating in this type of activity.

PSA – Facebook AI Doesn’t Have A Thesaurus

Facebook uses artificial intelligence to flag certain words and phrases that it deems “inappropriate,” and if you use those words or phrases, you’ll be sent a nastygram and your comment or post will be made invisible to the public. This is common knowledge. People get their comments removed quite frequently and they even find themselves in FB jail for posting certain content. (So much for freedom of speech, but whatever.) But, here’s what you don’t know: Facebook AI does NOT use a thesaurus. And that’s where the fun comes in.

A Mother’s Tear

Memorial Day means different things to different people. Lots of people attribute this long weekend with the beginning of summer. For some it’s a day off work, a day to sleep in, a day to cook outside. It’s a time for camping, boating, backpacking, backyard BBQ’s and more. Some people think of it as the last days of the school year. Some people look forward to super savings with Memorial Day sales at department stores. And that’s all good. But let us NEVER forget the true importance of this holiday – that we honor the men and women of our armed forces whose sacrifices allow us to live in a (still) free country.

More Downs Than Ups

Last week was a very long, very overwhelming, and very frustrating week. It seems like every single thing was a struggle. Electronics weren’t working the way they were supposed to, guests weren’t acting the way they normally do, jars wouldn’t open, knives wouldn’t cut, food wouldn’t cook, life was just one giant curve ball. Nothing was easy.