The day started out horrible but ended up pretty well. Beth did not sleep last night and neither did I. She came into my room at about 9:00 am insisting that I take her to buy cigarettes immediately. I can't say that I reacted to this with any maturity. I told her in no uncertain terms that she is not the boss of me! I would drink my tea. Finish my breakfast and then take her.
As she got in my car she bumped her head on the visor and yelled at me for leaving it down. I escalated by saying it is not my fault that you do not watch where you are going. She got out of the car in a huff and went inside. I drove away and she called on the cell. I said that I had more to do than cater to her all day. She called her Dad hysterical.
I told him that I was in a menopausal sleepless twit and she was just pushing me too far. He said that I had to realize I was dealing with a crazy person. (That's a swithch.) When I got home after doing my own errands my sister had taken her to get her cigarettes in exchange for some chores. Beth and I went to Pet Smart to get some combs for her dog clippers and she assured me that she would clip the dog today.
I told her that I get overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care of so many people. Her Dad has been unable to walk without crutches for the last two weeks. I now have 4 other adults depending on me and my nerves are frazzled. I said that things have to change and that I want her to give me 30 minutes per day in household chores. That is because she is not working steady and I am just overwhelmed. Too my surprise she agreed and said that she got it. I apologized for escalating.
Then, she went to the shore with her father to help him work on two rental properties that we have there. He said that she slept all the way there and back but was helpful when they got there. She came home and immediately started clipping the dog. Then, strangers drove up to our house. They were actually not strangers but relatives of her girlfriend Emily. They brought a big fat bassett hound and wanted his nails clipped. Beth petted him and got him to lie down with the owner petting his head. She filed the nails in about 20 minutes with a drummel. The man paid her 10 dollars. She smiled when she realized that this was her first real customer and she had recruited him herself through a friend.
She resumed clipping our Dog but decided that she needed a muzzle. Roxie is arthritic and when you get near her back legs she does nip. None of the local groomers want her anymore. Beth came in and asked permission to take a break, buy a muzzle tommorrow and start again. Her back was hurting. We do not have a grooming table so she was all huntched over for a couple of hours. I said of course. What a change from this morning!
I said Beth, when words gets around that you can do those nails that fast and only charge 10 bucks you will have customers lined up around the block!
Tragic In So Many Ways
4 years ago
I am learning that I can start over anytime during the day. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI like that "start over anytime during the day". I am going to do that - hit the restart button when things are rapidly going down the drain. Too often I wait until there is nothing to salvage. Nice job setting limits with Beth. She got it and you guys were able to move on.
ReplyDeleteYeah! First client!! I hope the business grows steadily from here.
xx kris
I love that..you can start over any time during the day! Great reminder Peggy. And thanks for sharing Anna. Creating a business in this economy is huge. Wish you lived closer...I would take my menagerie to Beth for grooming. My Golden needs his summer haircut. :o)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the first customer! Word of Mouth is the best advertising! What else is she doing to get customers?
ReplyDeleteI too love the "you can start over any time of day" idea. Its wonderful that she got it and you were both able to start the day over.
From one menopausal sleepless twit to another: Good Job!