Summer

I love summer. Well, not the heat so much, but enjoying time with the girls being out of school is my favorite time of year. Yes, they fight often, but we usually swim, play, and sleep late. I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with Morgan and Malory during the summer, and even though we get a little grumpy some days - it is worth it. I hope you are enjoying your summer.


Sit down, slow down, and sip something cold to drink!
Understand that it is going to be hot - very hot some days - just part of it.
Make time to read a good book or two.
Move it, move it, move it - go play with your kids, pets, or yourself by walking, swimming, or biking.
Enjoy a sunrise and a sunset at least once during the summer - they are beautiful.
Remember that summer was the best time of your life when you were young - have some fun.

Lessons

I think we all have lessons learned many times in our lives, and so often we miss the really important ones that help us truly learn. I always try to remind myself in any situation the fine words of my mother - "It can always be worse." Now, I do say that sometimes we have to feel sorry for ourselves, because noone else will, but I think that I try my best not to let it dwell. I am so grateful for my family, friends, and for having the good Lord in my life. I will always believe that Life is Good with God.

So, here comes the yucky news that happened to us last week on Friday. We went to Pflugerville (near Austin) to see my sister and her family for my neice's graduation party. The party was Saturday, but we decided to go up a day early to help and spend some time with them, because we have not been up there in a very long time. My family and I are not travelers, and we do not go very much at all. Well, when we do - we usually have a story. The last trip was losing our travel trailer off the truck on the Main bridge from Corpus to Mustang Island. That was a year ago, and praise God it all turned out fine, but we almost gave up trips completely. This time - in Austin at our hotel room, the morning of the party - we discovered that our truck was stolen. Talk about a weird feeling, and a big bummer, but we did try very hard not to let it ruin the party. We told the girls that it could have been way worse, and we never know why things happen in life, but surely there is a reason - maybe we were not suppose to drive it home for our safety or whatever. We fell apart later (me and Dean). The economy has really made finances harder in our life, and we realized that since our truck was paid off - just what would we do now - start over and how do we continue our business without something to haul our equipment with, etc.? Yes, we had insurance, but really will they pull through? Honestly, I have not really ever had too much luck with insurance companies, and although you are glad that you have them at the time of need - it feels like you are pulling teeth when you got to get something in return. Sorry - I feel bad for anyone that works in insurance companies, owns them, or anyone that has to use them constantly for medical or whatever. It has to be hard to tell someone those common words - "sorry you are not covered for that". My mind just wondered a whole lot while we were waiting for a phone call. I kept saying to myself over and over - I have been through both, and would rather have a stolen vehicle over a car wreck anyday, but did need a day or two to get my mind together. Dean did too, and I have to say that it is amazing how much a truck can mean to a man. We are better now, and have faith that all will be fine, but it sure does help to chat about it, and I do think there is always a lesson to be learned. I have learned a lot so far, and I have a feeling a lot more will come from this experience along with many more.


Listen to others and ask questions when they are going through a situation in their life - you never know if you may have the same experience one day.
Enter life at your own risk, and always have God on your side. Keep in mind that safety comes first, and always be aware of your surroundings.
Sit down and make sure you understand your insurance policies - ask a lot of questions and do not expect your agent to think about "what would happen if" - you think about it and ask.
Some people may not seem to care about your situation, but I don't think anyone gets it until they have to cross the same bridge - so don't judge others by their lack of compassion.
One picture of your vehicle can show that you are not making up that it truly was a good vehicle, and proves a lot of things. That goes for the items in your house, tools (get seriel numbers), and anything else that can be stolen, burned, or lost.
Never take for granted what you work so hard for, and make sure you make wise choices to protect yourself and your family.
Slow down and pay attention to the blessings that you have, and you will realize just how fortunate you are in life. Also, sharing with others can make you feel a lot better especially if they have been through something similiar themselves or know someone who has, because it reminds you that we all have "crud" happen in our lives, and big or small it is still crud!

Friends

I have been so blessed with friends. Not only do I have a wonderful family, but also friends that I know would do whatever they could to help me. It just does not get any better than that. I hope my girls also will be blessed with a wealth of friendships. I know school can be hard for them, and it is tough figuring our friends, but I always try to remember what mom always said to me when I was in school - be nice to them and they will be nice to you. How simple is that? Not always that simple, but it does usually work. I just need to remember, and do that even to strangers or people that I come across daily. A smile, a compliment, or just listening can truly make someone's day.



Feel free to tell a friend that they are wonderful - many times.
Remember that your friends are the family that you pick.
Invite a new friend to church, coffee, or something - it may be hard for them to meet people.
Enjoy the time you have with friends, because time is precious.
Never put off helping a friend - you may need it too one day.
Don't let friends drink and drive.
Share your blessings with your friends, and they will share too.

Boss

I really don't like to us the word boss, but it is shorter than self employed and means basically the same thing. My husband and I own our own business, and it is much harder than what I anticipated years ago. We started our own electrical contracting business ten years ago, and it I put owning your own business along the same category as having children. You just don't get it until you have your own. If I knew back then what I know now - I would have probably kept my mouth shut, or even not judged as harshly.

One of our employees left to go work with his dad this last week, and it was tough for Dean and me. We even had to tell another employee two months ago that we did not have enough work for him anymore. That was even harder. If the economy is bad - usually construction is one of the first to go, and it is a big reminder to me that we have to be grateful for our blessings. I don't know all the answers, but I do think that I have learned a lot in the past ten years, and now I include our business in my prayers. Use to I would just pray for my family, friends, myself, my husband, and others, but did not really ever mention our work. We are workers together with God, and I know now that he has to be in all parts of my life and not just the ones that I choose.

I never realized the responsibilities of a business owner were so heavy, and now I have more empathy to those that are in a position to change people's lives or have to make tough decisions. I think that a "service" or working for the public type of business is a true test of character many times. We care about the guys that work for us so much, and have become part of our family. I just hope that they know this, and I do pray that we are a good boss.



Be sure that you are honest and upfront about any expectations.
Observe your employees behavior - you can tell if they are happy or not.
Share with your employees that that they are appreciated.
Simply remember that you also were on the other side of the fence at one time - if you have never been an employee before, than take a good hard look at how you would want to be treated by your own boss.