Gettin' My "Feng Shui" Groove ON!

Day thirteen of my current work week. I actually thought I would feel like crap by now but I am "Gettin' my Feng Shui groove ON."

Yesterday morning was the beginning of my third double shift in a row and day number  12 of my  work week. I got up in a bad mood. I had to be at work by 10:30 AM...Tim was gone to church and had left me a note. "I need $212 for the power bill tomorrow." We owe more  but that was the amount he needed for us to keep our power on.

You know me...I left "HIM" a note saying "I need the house vacuumed, the laundry done and all three bathrooms cleaned after you clean the kitchen and mop the floor."

Worked from 10:30 til almost 4:00. Had a thirty minute break and came home to give the dogs some water (I knew their bowl would be dry...which of course it was) and checked my email.

I had an email from a dear friend of mine from high school. It read:

"I don't believe the whole Feng Shui part, but the mere fact of it is cool! 832 years-really??'

Included was this forward:

October 2010:

This October has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays all in one month. It happens once in 832 years. These are considered money bags months. Pass this on to eight good people and money will appear. Based on Chinese Feng Shui. Whoever stops this will experience none...

That's all it took for me!

I had less than five minutes before I had to be back  so I printed off eight copies and drove 60 MPH back to work.

All the people I work with are good people and the first eight I saw as I walked in the back door got handed a copy.

I am already so broke, who am I to turn down a chance at a "Money bags" month?

It wasn't real busy last night but since passing the email  on I haven't gotten ONE tip under 20%.

I can almost feel my eyes getting narrower and am contemplating binding my feet.

Had to work this morning. Tim took Zach to school and since I was already ticked at Tim I told Zach to tell his Dad to take the money he needed for the power bill and deposit the rest in my BLOOD red checking account.

When I went into work I was talking with the bartender setting up the bar and said "I am the proud owner of negative $33 in my checking account."

She said "Oh Kelly...I am SO sorry."

I told her that  Friday I was negative $200. I held up my hand and said "Shoot! I wanna high five for a negative $33!"

I roll with the punches...

Lunch was awesome. Usually Monday lunches CAN be as slow as watching paint dry. Not today! I not only made terrific money but made quite a few new regulars. When they have never eaten at our restaurant, you need to guide them through the massive menu. You need to ask what they like, what they may be in the mood for and SELL your product! I was a selling machine and was pumped that I had not only put my account back in the black but could  buy a few groceries!

Screamed home for five minutes and got back to work in time to get a party of 12 from a German company. Europeans always make me nervous. Overseas servers make a wage. Here servers make $2.13 a hour.

I sold my little heart out. I got the bill up to almost $400. I told Barbara (the owner's wife) that I was worried. She told me to take the bill to the guy paying and write in "suggested gratuity 18%" and do the math for them.

I told her I was nervous about doing that and she snatched the pen out of my hand and wrote her suggested tip FOR me on the bill.

At least if the guy complained I could now say "The owner's wrote that, not me."

Let me interject here that I gave then tremendous service (yeah I'm tootin' my own horn) but when they  left there wasn't ONE dish left on the table. All silverware was gone, all plates were gone and all that remained  was the water glass in front of each guest and the cup from the espresso one guy had.

I was nervous but my "Feng Shui" kicked in again. I made a $70.41 tip!

I was so pumped that I talked another server into giving me his shift tomorrow night.

I approached the owner about picking up the server's  shift and he said "Isn't that your day off?"

I told him "Len, if you give me a day off  I might not want to come back."

He said "Pick up the shift."

I have fallen into a wonderful place. I have learned me some "Kung Fu"...no that's "Feng Shui."

I am striking while the iron's hot. I don't know if it is Karma. I don't know if if is Feng Shui. I KNOW that is is Thanks to God but if his buddies are kicking in too, I can use all the help I can get!

At least I have tomorrow day off. I can get some things done around the house, sleep in a bit and go back into work to kick some Feng Shui butt!!


I am thinking about petitioning Washington tomorrow to extend the month of October.

Will keep you posted on my wonderful turn of events.

It's called Karma... or  Maybe that's  God's middle name!

Til next time..."Love you long time" COTTON

Miracles...

"When you speak from your heart and say the words your soul has only dared to whisper...that's when miracles happen."

I woke with Massey leaving for band camp. Her being at camp for 12 hours and me being at work for twelve hours. I know she is in good hands..the guard moms are incredible to her (and me.)

Worked a hard lunch shift, got off too late to go by the school but early enough to come home and check my email and let the dogs out.

The phone rang and I almost didn't pick up. I'm not too big on toll free numbers these days...it's never good news. I decided for some reason to pick up.

"May I speak to Kelly Cotton?"

Geez...here we go again, I thought. I said "This is Kelly." It was the friendliest woman I have spoken to on our land line in almost a year. She said " This is (Blah Blah) from Wells Fargo, how are you doing today?"
I told her I've been better.

She launched right in with how she was just giving me a "Welcome" call to tell me the name of the person who had been assigned to our loan modification case and wanted to give me her number , extension and office hours.

DO WHAT? This is the same company that threatened my husband with horrible news on Monday?

I asked if we were still in consideration for a loan modification and she said cheerily "Certainly." I told her we have spoken to a different person every time we called and she said that was the reason for her call...to tell us our case had been assigned and we should directly contact that person from here on out.

After the dogs put smelling salts (I hope that's what they were) under my nose and I regained conscientiousness I told her my husband had been told a totally different story on Monday.

She happily (and still cheerily) said "Oh no, you still qualify for a loan modification and I just wanted to tell you who to contact for future reference."

I am beginning to think the loan industry is run by BP.

It was the greatest phone conversation I have ever had..hands down.

I am not sure what has happened...not sure who made it happen but know that I feel like an elephant has been lifted off my scrawny shoulders and once again I only weigh 90 pounds.

When you pray, when you are loved and when you are blessed..right before the boat sinks into the foamy waters someone throws you a life vest.

Unbelievable turn of events and I am not sure who to thank...I know God had His hand in the entire time, but I wonder who else played a part? I think I have some "Thank You" notes to buy.

After I got off work tonight I drove straight to the high school to catch the "Ms. Band Camp" pageant.

The girls dress the boys in drag and they all compete for the title of "Ms. Band Camp." It was hilarious and I am so glad I got there in time to see these kids who sweated in this ridiculous heat all day sitting in an air conditioned room laughing their heads off and having the time of their lives.

I am a lucky woman. I have taken some knocks and stumbles and quite a few tumbles . I am also loved by God and a myriad of friends and family.

"When you speak from your heart and say the words your soul has only dared to whisper...That is when miracles happen."

You know you are a guard mom when you look forward to spending tomorrow in searing heat watching your child learn lessons of diligence, commitment and having the time of their young lives all at the same time. I wouldn't want to be any other place.

Thank You God...Thank You family and friends. I have never been more thankful than I am this day...this week... this hour. I turn fifty on Saturday...a few months ago I didn't know if I would even see the day.

God bless you all as I have been blessed!

Wait til tomorrow for the "Ms. Band Camp" photos...

Til next time....COTTON