I’m pretty tenacious when it comes to something I want. I’m not prone to giving up without trying at least once, and usually multiple times. It depends on how much I want or need to accomplish something. I believe there’s more than one way to skin a cat and I believe in the old adage, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” So, when I don’t get something, or can’t figure something out, I get really frustrated. But, at least I know I’ve REALLY tried. I’ve done everything I’m willing and able to do.
That’s also why it’s so danged frustrating when I’ve done everything but the other person or entity has not. It’s like the opposing side simply says “no can do,” and that’s it. No give. No compromise. What’s up with that? I’m giving and giving and getting no results. Where is this going? I’ll tell you.
Early on in this “pandemic,” when it became apparent that the economy was going in the toilet and there wasn’t a darned thing we could do about it, we, like so many others, started looking for ways to stay afloat. Curbside sales became a hot item. Virtual meetings occurred in many households. On-line sales sky-rocketed. People found a way to keep the income stream flowing, even if it was just a trickle. All good! Awesome for those businesses thinking outside the box.
But, for everyone in the hospitality business, there weren’t very many options. We have nothing to sell curbside or on-line. Zoom meetings are of no benefit to us. We were pretty much just unwanted flotsam adrift in a vast sea of confusion and misinformation. We started hearing about stimuluses and bailouts and relief packages. We applied. We applied some more. We re-applied. We waited. We wondered. We wished.
Well folks, the verdict is finally out. After months of lost income, nail biting and sleepless nights, it seems the government is not willing to help out anyone in the hospitality business. Why? Because it’s just not a good business investment right now. Well duh! That’s why the hospitality business needs help you morons.
The hospitality business is dead and halfway buried but we don’t qualify for relief? We, the hospitality industry, the folks who need help the MOST, are the ones who are being denied the help?
Large corporations and business with lots of employees qualify. Multi-billion-dollar airline companies qualify. Restaurants qualify. But small hotels? Nope. We’re undeserving. We don’t have enough income to pay back the loan. Our property is not substantial enough to justify the expense. We’re too much of a risk. We’re not a good sound investment venture right now. YOU THINK?!?!? Again – That’s. Why. We. Need. The. Help.
Of course, we’re not a good investment at this time, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be again in the future. I wasn’t asking for help a year ago. I didn’t need help a year ago. I need help now. And if not NOW, when we need it the most, then WHEN? I don’t need a loan when I’m operational because I’m self-sufficient. I saved my money and kept it in YOUR bank, but now when I’m asking for some assistance, you’re turning your back on me. Thank you very much.
This is all backwards and effed up. If you have money in the bank you can get more money. But, if you don’t have money in the bank you’re screwed. So, sorry, no soup for me!
There, I’ve said it. I’m done. Rant over. Inn for sale. Oh wait, nobody can even buy the damn thing because they’d have to get a loan and the “hospitality business isn’t a good investment right now.” So, we can’t even put a for sale sign in the yard. How’s that for a double whammy?
Have you ever been denied something that you felt you really, REALLY deserved? Have you felt desperate and at the end of your rope? How do you handle discouragement? Any good vibes you can send my way?
Word of the Day: Gustation
Fun fact about me: I have good gustation.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2020. Images by Pexels, Google, giphy.com and YouTube (Seinfeld, No Soup For You)
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jansenschmidt 
So sorry that this is happening to you and Corey. Sending prayers, good vibes, positive thoughts and big hugs to the Baer House Inn.
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Jan, business has picked up substantially in the past few weeks, but we’ve still got our slowest months ahead of us. We’re not getting enough income to save up for those slow months. We’ve been using the income to pay the stuff we’re behind on. Come January, when the town basically shuts down, we’ll have nothing. We were hoping for some loan assistance to get us through til spring when things will pick up again, but we’ve been denied 3 times now.
Oh well. Such is life. I know God will see us through but it’s scary and it keeps me up at night.
Thanks for the kind words and prayers. Hopefully a miracle is headed our way.
Patricia
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Keep the faith, and keep on keeping on! Hugs to you both!
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Once again, your website would not post my comment, even though I provided the info requested. Bah, humbug!
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I don’t know what to tell you David. I hate computers so I can’t even tell you how to trouble-shoot. I completely understand if you stop leaving comments. I appreciate your efforts. Just knowing you’re coming over and reading the posts warms my heart.
Have a nice rest of the week.
Patricia
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Sending you lots and lots of good vibes and prayers! There is so much about this pandemic that makes zero sense, including who does and doesn’t get assistance. In Oregon, people are making more on unemployment than they would at their job…well, those who actually manage to get unemployment. My hairdresser had her own horror story about not getting any help in that area. It’s all messed up, for sure. Since Mississippi is now open, I hope Baer House is flooded with guests, enough to recover from the shutdown and then some! ❤
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Thanks my friend. I know we’re not alone in this quandary. The really small business are bearing the biggest brunt of this debacle. Big business will always be big business. That’s just the way of things. I was just hoping there’d be a little relief out there for the hotel industry since we’ve been the hardest hit. At least here in the south. Salons and such were allowed to open back up very early on where we are but until the government or the powers that be say it’s safe to travel, we just keep sinking. Salons don’t rely on tourists or fail to function because of travel bans. It sucks.
(Sigh) We’ll muddle through somehow. God sees us. He’s blessing us now with lots of guests. I hope that trend continues.
As always, thanks for your kind words. Prayers are always welcome, too. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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Ugh, I’m so sorry. This pandemic has definitely been hardest on small businesses like yours. Prayers that guests continue to show up, and that there’s enough pent-up demand to get you through the slow months!
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That’s what we’re hoping as well. We’re trying to come up with a creative incentive for folks to stay over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. We may prepare a holiday meal or something. Maybe a small Christmas concert. We don’t know, but typically December and January are REALLY slow months.
We’ll be okay. I just hate that our credit’s going to be ruined because we won’t be able to stay current on our bills. That’s the really sucky part. But, this too shall pass.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you’re having a wonderful week. Your new home should be starting to get real pretty right about now I’m thinking. Trees changing already?
Patricia
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I can only imagine how disappointed you and Corey are. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to what’s happening across our country. There seems to bean abundance of fear when it should be an abundance of love. I have long since stopped trying to make since of what is happening and focusing on making a difference as a parent, teacher, and neighbor and starting from there. I am praying for you and the Baer House and so many more. Stay well and positive and remember wherever there is fear there is chaos and wherever there is love, there is peace. Peace and Love.
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Thanks Clay. I so appreciate my blog followers for their love and positive encouragement. I know we’re going to be okay. It’s just so darned frustrating when things are so out of balance. If you have it you can get more. If you don’t have it and need it, you can’t get it. That just doesn’t make sense.
Anyway, onward and upward. I’m so glad I have amazing friends like you to keep me moving forward with a good attitude. Thanks for that.
Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Patricia
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