The Dangers of Seeing It All

I’m pretty confident that at some point in each of our lives we’ve all said, at least once, “Now I’ve seen it all.” I know I’ve said that a few times. It’s a popular expression as sometimes there are simply no words to describe some oddity that we’ve just seen. So, we just fall back on this catchphrase, which implies that there is nothing weirder than what we’ve experienced. But, as I’ve discovered in the world of innkeeping, I’m pretty sure the universe sees those five words as a challenge.

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Second Hand Treasures

Sometimes it really is the smallest, simplest things that bring the most joy. Call me silly, but I was gifted with a box of old napkins from a woman here locally, and it just brought me so much joy. The lady said she was cleaning out drawers and cabinets from the house of a family member who had passed away and she uncovered dozens and dozens of old linens. Being a single lady herself, she had no use for that many napkins so she asked me if I could use them here at the inn.

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More Observations of an Innkeeper

This is a re-post.

About three years ago I wrote a blog post about some interesting things I had noticed about innkeeping and inn guests from my two years experience in the business. If you’re interested in reading that, here’s the link:  https://jansenschmidt.wordpress.com/2017/06/26/observations-of-an-innkeeper/

While it’s still sometimes hard to believe that we’ve been doing this for five and half years already, I am even more amazed that I continue to notice quirky and interesting things that happen frequently. Therefore, I present to you, Observations of an Innkeeper – Part Two:

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It’s Not the Same Thing

Have you ever tried to pass something off as something else? I don’t mean outright lying about something, but like buying a knock-off brand name item hoping others will think you have the real thing? My mom used to tell me that the cheap sneakers I got at K-Mart were the same as the expensive name brand shoes (Puma’s was my choice back then). My mom would say, “They’re the same thing.” In my adolescent mind I’d scream back, “No they’re not.” Notice I said in my mind. Arguing with my mother always resulted in me sulking and my mom telling me to stop sulking. (God, I miss my mom.)

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You’re Not Even Friends But They Think You’re Family.

Many of you have told me that you like my posts about my odd inn guests. If that’s you, you’re welcome because today I’ve got another one. The people who stay here are certainly entertaining at times. There is never a dull moment when you deal with the public. Especially when said “public” often have a warped understanding about what exactly a B & B is.

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The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Inn Guests

That’s right folks, you read the title correctly. I had some guests who simply – disappeared. They were here and then – they weren’t.

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Introverts, Extroverts and Know-It-Alls

I think it’s pretty safe to assume that we all know we should not discuss religion or politics when in the company of strangers. I also think it is safe to assume that most people are either somewhat introverted or somewhat extroverted if not completely so. We all know people who are one or the other or some mutant form of both. And, of course, we all know a know-it-all. You know, those people who have an opinion about EVERYTHING and usually express it loudly and in such a manner so as to sound like an authority on the subject. The people who make you eventually go:

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Now You’ve Gone and Done It

Congratulations. You’ve ended up in my book. Some of you are thinking, cool. Authors, on the other hand, are staring at the computer screen right now with mouths agape. Why are authors gaping? Because they know that if someone ends up in one of their books, it cannot be good. Usually it’s offensive, rude, and mean people who end up in books. Most certainly, they die. So, you see, ending up in a book is definitely not a good thing.

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It’s All Real Funny – Until the Lights Go Out.

Last Sunday was one of the most challenging days we’ve had here at Casa Baer. We’ve been very, very busy, which is a good thing. Saturday night we had a full house; someone in every room. That means fourteen for breakfast Sunday morning. The table was set, the casserole was ready to pop in the oven, the coffee was ready to perk. Everything set for the perfect morning at the inn.

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The Amazing and Amusing Side of Innkeeping

My life as an innkeeper is never dull. Most of the time my work is very rewarding. The average guest is very nice and respectful. And every day I see or hear something that makes me go:

Being an innkeeper has challenges for sure, but there’s an amusing side as well. And an even larger amazing component that most people probably don’t even think about.

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