Miss communications!

Have you ever read an email and totally misinterpret what the writer was saying?  I did that and it was a business transaction.  Not good!  It has been awhile since I have been in business.  I owned a cross stitch shop and managed a banking center... at the same time for a year.  During that time, no one emailed.  Of course it is not because they didn't want too; it was because there was no such thing as email.  Isn't that weird!  Now it seems as if no one hears the voice of their co-worker or boss.  Unless of course, the situation requires face to face, and it is of the utmost importance.  But an email can suffice in most cases.

The girl who sent me the email was not quite sure what I was referring to when I sent my response.  The girl is not really a girl but a woman.  It is just that I am old enough to be her mother.  She is very qualified for her position and I do need to stay on her good side because she has a wealth of knowledge about Quickbooks Online and she has offered to help me at anytime.  It's not her fault that I am not familiar with the lingo yet. 

I felt foolish that I did not take time to read her second email which would have cleared things up a bit.  Before I could make clarification, my son, the boss, sent me an email telling me to copy him on any communication to the staff...at least for right now.  What an embarrassment to me. I wanted to say, "Hey, you asked me to come to work"  I got my cup of coffee and sat on the couch thinking of how old I am to start something new.  Poor me!  Can I really keep up with a cutting edge business? 

Once I thought it through though, I realized how awesome it is to be a part of my son's business and his life...and the lives of the 2 more sons that live and work for him.  It's a family affair!  I am the oldest and I have made contributions to the betterment of the company.  Managing people was my strong point.   I want to be a team player...not sure if that term is used anymore.  Whatever!  I am thankful I have a job with wonderful people.

I turned 58 and started a new career!

I really thought that once my youngest son went off to college, life would slow down.  What a joke!  I feel like I am just waking up from a long nap and it is time to learn new things and enjoy a good challenge. 

So...my son who has a business in the Raleigh area ask me to work for him. I thought it through...

For so long I wondered what it would be like to go back to work.  I managed a bank 19 years ago until I was bed-ridden while pregnant, and once my son was born I dedicated my life to raising my boys. At first I missed working and the performance reviews.  Yep!  I needed to hear I was doing a good job. But then I found volunteer work at school and church can be very rewarding.  Now, it was time to re-enter the work force and even though it was quite a drive to work for my son, I couldn't imagine a better boss.

The 90 minute drive to his house, (which is also his office) gives me time in the morning to pray for my family.  I have been able to call my mom who lives in Ohio and check on her and call my sister in Texas.  There are even quiet moments when I clear my head of any thoughts and try to listen to the small wee voice guiding me into this new season of my life.

Learning Quickbooks Online has been a challenge, since I haven't done bookkeeping professionally.  The books for my small cross stitch shop was simple; very simple! In fact I used pen and paper...no computer.  Coming from a family of bookkeepers, accountants, CFO's  and business owners, it is in my genes.  Never thinking it would intrigue me so, I have found instant gratification when I have accomplished my to do list. 

Another son also works with us and he has taught me how to use QB online and I am rather surprised at his patience.  He does often tell me to try to figure it out on my own and if I can't, then I can ask him for help.  That's weird...taking directions from a 23 year old.  The son who owns the company is 35 and has a lot of patience too.  A lady on his staff asked him if he could fire his mother if I wasn't doing my job.  He smiled.  I wouldn't want to put him in that position.  I am trying my very best to his best bookkeeper!

Make sure your shoes are shined...or at least a match!

   I gotta laugh at myself.  I go from one adventure to another.  One dream to another.  My good friend, Donna was asked to put together a seminar about Professionalism in the work place. That includes Attire, Speech and Attitude.  She asked me to help her and right away I was on the internet finding points we should make.  Every article said there were two things that must be clean and neat for your appearance to be above reproach.  Your shirt and shoes!
   That isn't like a breakthrough concept for me, but I don't always look at my shoes as needing polished or shined every time I wear them.  This may be a downfall for me and after my recent doctors visit, I may never leave the house again without at least looking down at them.
   There was no need for me to rush, even though I had a long drive (one and a half hours) to see Dr. E., and so I just enjoyed the beautiful sunny day taking in all the sights as I drove to Chapel Hill.  My microphone was in my hand and everytime I would think of something pertaining to the seminar I would save it for later reference. 
   I arrived at the office early and was called in right away.  Paula, the nurse, came in and took all my vitals and asked me questions.   She said Dr. E. would be in shortly and left the room with a great bug smile on her face.  She is so nice and amiable. No problem..  I crossed my legs and started reading the magazine about hearing loss.  All was good until I looked down at my shoe that was on my left foot as I was swinging it back and forth.  I thought it strange that I had on my black shoe with the tassle.  I thought for sure I put on my blackish brown shoes with the buckle.  There are times when I do forget things, so I must have put on the wrong shoes.  No problem, my outfit could handle black shoes.  Except...I looked down at my right foot and...Oh NO!  I had on my blackish brown shoe with the buckle.  I uncrossed my legs and took a long hard look as if they would magically match.  But I did manage to laugh instead of cry, as my two different shoes hugged my feet.  The more I laughed the hotter I became and sweat was starting to form on my brow.
My face was getting red and I could feel the heat running down to my neck.  I started to fan myself and guess who entered the room?  Yep!  Dr. E.  He extended his hand to shake mine and I gave him the magazine; he smiled, took the magazine and placed it on the stand.  Then he shook my hand with a grin on his face. 
   I figured I would just not say anything and crossed my legs at the ankles, trying to hide my left foot with my right foot.  I know what you're thinking.  Yes, he could still see that I had on two different pairs of shoes but I knew if I didn't say anything, he wouldn't.  And he didn't.  As soon as he finished checking out my sinuses, I almost ran out of his office.
   I had planned on shopping while I was in the Raleigh area but I sure couldn't do that with 2 unmatching shoes.  Sometimes I think God has such a sense of humor.  Here I was planning what I was going to say to people about dressing professionally for work.  I even talked into my microphone as I drove and thought I was going to be on top of things.  Well....I guess the joke was on me.  Now I have a story to tell during the seminar of how important it is to check out your shoes before going to work and especially before a job interview or meeting. 
   I wonder if Paula and Dr. E had a good laugh after I left...with all the people in the waiting room!