You can't pay for this kind of entertainment

In an effort to blog weekly, I am sitting down and making it happen!  You can congratulate me later. 

I have a full time job and then work with Abacus and Pauline on the weekends.  Every Tuesday morning I have a 9am meeting at my office with all of the department heads.  Every Tuesday morning I am laughing harder than the previous week at the stories.  I have never had a job like this - you really cannot pay for this kind of entertainment. 

I was walking through the dining room today and a gentleman informed me "we caught a squirrel out there" pointing to the outside courtyard of the building.  "Oh really" I respond, "and what are you going to do with him"?  "We aren't sure-probably just let him go" was his response.  "He's a big one though".  Two giddy seventy year old men were anxiously pacing the dining room discussing plans for the squirrel they had entrapped in the courtyard of their new assisted living community.  After weeks of adjusting and giving up what they thought of independence and freedom, these two men had reverted to 9 year old boys and were having the time of their lives.  A reassurance that their lives were not over simply because their living environment had changed.  Two young men catching squirrels in their backyard - maybe living here wasn't what they thought it would be after all.

Pauline and I are often involved in the beginning of life.  We coordinate rentals for new couples starting their lives together.  We get to see the excitement of marriage, the coming together of families, the love and the happiness that weddings bring.  I enjoy each one for different reasons.  Some because they are elaborate and exciting and give us a million ideas to think about.  Some because they are crazy to be getting married and they make us laugh.  Some because the families are so grateful and appreciative that we want to do anything we can to make their day great. 

Because Abacus is growing and expanding, I continue to hold my full time job.  My job at the assisted living communities has provided an unexpected perspective on running my own rental business.  I find myself able to step back and offer more wisdom to people who may be stressed and overwhelmed.  At the end of the day, you may be catching squirrels in your backyard with your buddy and none of this stress will do you any good.  Enjoy your wedding.  Embrace the chaos.  You have your spouse a limited amount of time, don't waste a second of it.  I am so thankful for my daily reminders of age and the value of time and friendship.  I hope Pauline and I will be catching squirrels together for many years to come!

Happy Thanksgiving

Seeing as I haven't posted a blog in well...a very long time; Thanksgiving seems an appropriate time to play catch up.  Abacus has been very busy the past few months.  Pauline and I hosted a booth at the Clark County Event Center Holiday Showcase this weekend.  This tends to be a large part of where we spend our time during the off season - at trade shows and networking events.  It's a good thing both of us are outgoing and enjoy these functions.  Both Pauline and I love to study people and find out what makes them tick, what they like, what they don't like, and what they are looking for when planning their next event.  More than anything else we find they want to enjoy themselves and they want to feel cared for.

Don't we all?  Want to enjoy ourselves and feel cared for?  I mean when it comes down to it, aren't these two very basic ideals?  Why do so many people miss this in business and in life?  Why do we complicate things?  What limitations are we putting between ourselves and enjoyment?  Are we surrounding ourselves with people who make us feel cared for?  Are we doing business with people who make us feel cared for?  Even if details are missing or things don't go perfectly - are we cared for and better able to manage the disruptions?

This week as Thanksgiving approaches Pauline and I want to thank each and every one of you for your words, your encouragement, and your continued support of our business.  We also challenge you to enjoy yourselves this holiday season.  Take time to take care of one another and require that you surround yourself with others who take care of you in return.  Don't settle this year.  Make a decision to enjoy your event, your holiday party, and the season.  I am committed to making time to enjoy myself and making time to blog about this enjoyment more than once every 6 months!  I am too busy and I will focus on making that time.  I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is filled with pleasure and care.  Happy Thanksgiving from Abacus Event Rental!!!