Things have been busy to say the least.  We've been planning a lot for the restaurant, wine dinners, Harvest parties, food day festival, staff meetings.  We are coming up on 2 years and my husband and I are really trying to amp up our business.  We're trying to get tighter with paperwork stuff and trying to really make sure our staff is top notch.

Someone who came to the restaurant told us he is a business life coach and would be willing to coach us, her assured us if would help us to make more money.  I admit, I didn't take it very seriously.  We don't need a life coach.  And, really, what is a life coach anyway?  Then he mentioned that he would be willing to do it for barter.  Okay, I guess we would give this a try then.  So we went.  He asked us to take off our shoes (this is a personal pet peeve of mine).  I have lots of great shoes and I want to wear them.  Sure, the people who ask others to take their shoes off must have cleaner houses, but nobody really wears great socks.  Why can't we keep our shoes on?  Anyway, I digress...

So, we went and it was actually helpful.  We started out by talking about personal happiness and then we talked about the staff.  Tim and I separately discussed what we thought of each staff member (but in front of eachother).  It was actually really helpful.  So, we got our "homework" and decided to go back next week and see what we can improve on our business.

On a personal note, between, dance classes and soccer practices and games to say things are hectic is a understatement.  But it's fun.  I couldn't imagine my kids not having hobbies and doing these extra things.  And I definitely couldn't imagine someone else bringing them. 

Life is good (except when it's not.) But I'm working on realizing how good life is.  I tend to live in the moment, when things are good, I'm happy and things are great, but when the restaurant is slow I tend to think that it will never get busier.  But it always does.

the Chef's Wife

After reading a book about a Chef, I was inspired to keep a record of our story.  My husband and I own a restaurant in upstate NY.  He is the chef and I help run the restaurant.  We have 2 small children and things can get crazy at times.  But it's fun and I wouldn't change it for the world. 

We are just ending our second year of having the restaurant.  We are also just ending the busy season.  The winters in upstate ny can be tough and when you have your own business supporting a family it can be even tougher.  But we got through it last year and we think this year we have some more of an idea how to do it.  We're also working harder on our catering business.

We recently got a very good Zagat review and hopefully people see that and will come and visit us for dinner!  Having a restaurant with 2 kids can be crazy, we are often at the restaurant with the kids, and I'm often trying to get work done with the kids around.  Telling them to stop touching the salt shakers and stop making their own "concoctions" with things they find.

It's a fun time.

I have a lot going on besides the restaurant, I work for a jewelry line part time, I'm on the board of the local community center, we also get very involved in local food events, and I'm involved in the kids school and daycare.  On any given day I have lots to do and because of that I've gotten forgetful.  So I'm working on being more organized.

Today is my work day, I work half a day from home, then go pick up my daughter at 12:30 and attempt to do some work with her around at the restaurant.  We're catering a large party this weekend and I have to make sure everything is good to go for that.  Then it's to the bus stop at 3:15 to wait for my daughter, do some errands and then a school event tonight.  Busy, busy as always...