Auction Day

It is done.  The auction is done.  Everything is gone, with the exception of one drafting table and my beloved desk.  

Since last week the auctioneer has been gathering and coordinating everything to get ready for yesterday.

There were pallets of everything you can imagine, all very organized.  Yesterday it was very methodically auctioned off to high bidders, everything we have amassed over the past 44 years, less the property, in just a few short hours, gone.

Fork lifts, skyjack lifts, vehicles, trailers, etc.  It was quite amazing.

The sale was to begin at 1:30 but the preview, if you wanted began at 10 am.  We got there at 7 am and did not leave until 8 pm last night, trying to find SOMEPLACE to get a bite for a very late dinner. 

We also were overjoyed to see lots of old friends, family and old employees of the past, some well over 30 years ago since last seen.  There were probably over 100 people there and the auctioneer told Robert that it was because of our reputation as one of the best electrical contracting companies in town that the attendance was so high.  Plus, some were quite jealous of us getting out, retiring.

We even had some extra little munchkins come and see all the whoopla going on.  We raised our girls in this company and now their babies get to say goodbye to it.  I couldn't stay inside while it was all going on, the curiosity was just too great.  In fact, because it was such a beautiful day I got a sunburn on my chest because I was out so long.  

It was a bit surreal to see all we have worked for gone in just a few hours.  He was a part of every bid, every handshake, every person that walked through.  Always.  

A penny for your thoughts my love.

My Week In Review

Finally got to sit at my easel on Thursday and I'm quite pleased with what I was able to do.

I was going to work on the self-portrait thing but being gone so long I needed to go back to my first love, flowers.  I was also able to finally see my studio partner.  I haven't seen her since probably the first of November.  She and I have been very socially distanced so no worries there and she has her own space and I have mine but it was so nice to sit a ways from each other and catch up on our lives.  I miss my friends and conversation, in person conversation.  

While in this damn pandemic thing I've written before about no workout and the food thing and the diet thing...yadda, yadda, yadda, but here we go again.

This past week I started back with working out with a trainer and Af.  Just us two so that was fun.  I do struggle because of my hip and knees and the weight.  Honestly I haven't gained since this lockdown thing has happened, thank goodness, but it's definitely not gone down.  So a little exercise and I'm also tracking my food on some food apps and sticking to 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day.  I must say it's not been too hard either.  It keeps me focused a bit.  I did the NOOM app, the paid version I think March, just as the world shut down.  I was not in the right frame of mind, scared, stuck at home with food and the television.  The paid version of the app you are put with a support person and frankly, they drove me crazy with texts/emails, nagging me constantly and I don't need that.  I KNOW what I should and shouldn't eat, I don't need someone over my shoulder smacking my virtual hand.  This time I chose to only do the free version and I like it.  Hey, The Hubby had to have KFC last night and I was honest and put it in my app and guess what, I was only about 100 calories over.  I can deal with that.  So far the scale has NOT nudged one ounce down but I know it will eventually because I feel a bit different in the "fat content" in my body every morning.  I just have to keep plugging away with it and trust it will work if I'm careful.  

Before the end of the year at the office I was able to put the PPP loan forgiveness papers to bed with the bank and hopefully that will be all taken care of!  First thing off my plate.  Then I tackled the rest of Daddy's estate and was able to disburse most of it to my siblings and myself.  Now we are just waiting for the ONG refund to totally close out his checking about and disburse the rest of it.  It only a few hundred dollars.  This month is also gathering the year end 4th quarter stuff for the company and I wrapped that up and took to the accountant yesterday!  

Lastly, and the one thing I have fought with The Hubby about time and time again is possibly selling our business.  We are having a battle over that.  This next summer we hope to be done, finished, close the doors and totally retired, hopefully.  After nearly 42 years in business we are both done.  I want to just close the doors, sell off the equipment, tools, vehicles, etc.  Call it done.  Oh no, he wants to find a buyer for the thing.  That too would sell off all of the stuff mentioned above plus the customer list.  But, a big BUT, this means I have to gather all kinds of financial info, he does too (inventory) and then deal with one of those companies who finds buyers.  We had a meeting in November with one, against all of my hesitation about it all.  He pushed and pushed and pushed until I just said okay I will meet with them but they knew up front I was not on board with this process.  Yesterday I finally finished gathering up my part of the info to put with The Hubby's stuff and Monday we will turn it in and see what happens.  My thoughts, and I bluntly shared them with the gentlemen, is that our business would not be a business, a successful business without this man sitting here (pointing at The Hubby).  I told them if you could find another The Hubby to take over and make sure the reputation of our business is at the highest level that we've maintained in nearly 42 years then maybe I can be on board but I don't think that can happen.  Our customers trust The Hubby, they depend on him being there, being trustworthy and doing the best job for them.  You can't clone The Hubby and I don't think selling our business is going to work.  They kind of agreed with me but again, The Hubby plugged on.  He is like a dog with a bone and will not let it go.  MAKES ME CRAZY that I feel like he is shoving this down my throat.  So we will let it play out and see what happens.  We either find a buyer or we close our doors.  And with some of the jobs we have going it still may be next year before we close the doors if we don't sell and continue.  Who knows, it's all so fluid at this point.  

Boy is this a ramble but you don't think about stuff like this when you start a business, do you.

 

Saturday Catch Up

My week has been SOOOOoooooOOOooo busy and I'm glad it is over, but all is good.  It was our first real week at the new offices and all went very well.  I love, love, love my windows.  It seems to rejuvenate me, even though we've only had one sunshiny day this week.  Enough with the cloudy days already! 

I did get a day at the easel in art class and boy what a day I had.  I finished two commission works and a fun painting.  I have another commission I'm not looking forward to doing but will tackle soon.  I really do NOT want to be known as a dog painter but that seems to be all I'm doing lately.  They are very fun and I'm getting better.  

This one is for my friend Carol who already owns six or seven of my paintings.  This sweet face is Tally Ho.  

This one was a challenge, not because of difficulty but difficulty of the pictures given to me to try and paint from.  Good grief, one was the backside of the dog with her child.  Really.  Finally, one came that I could work with and I did this one in less than an hour.  I'm happy with it too. 

Now on to fun stuff.  We have a friend who takes the most amazing photos at the cabin area and in fact is putting together a wildlife calendar.  She has given me permission to paint ANY of the photos she takes!  YIPPEE!  In the spirit of the holiday season I titled this one "Do You Hear What I Hear".  

Speaking of holiday season, I am so very behind in present stuff.  I did get Afton and Nick's stuff ready and wrapped and we have it all packed up in a box to hit the postal ways on Monday morning (I hope).  Have got to find the packing tape!  The nieces and nephews are sadly going to get a card with money this year as that is all I have time for.  The Hubby wanted to do Christmas cards this year in the business and personal which translates to ME doing all the Christmas cards.  I've been busy addressing and addressing and ADDRESSING cards.  So far I've got most of the personal ones done which was about 150 and have started on the business which might be between 150-500.  I have my work cut out for me.  He also wants to have an open house, NOT the Christmas season but before April 1.  That is a lot of planning on a huge scale and I will totally need Bri to help.  This weekend is her Alliday Show and when she gets to rest up on Monday we will hit the ground running with it all.  So very much to look forward to getting accomplished this next year.   

I haven't gone to Bri's Alliday Show because my part of helping was watching little missy.  I had her Thursday morning while her momma did a bit of publicity on television and got to play with her hair.  It braids beautifully but is so very fine and slick it won't stay but what fun.  Yesterday I got her about 11 am and took her to lunch at our usual Friday hangout.  She loved pad thai and spring rolls.  Then I we got gas and she was intrigued but the guy washing our windows (yes I did full service).  Next stop was Hobby Lobby for more yarn.  I have presents to make.  I've discovered a thing called arm knitting.  I'm kind of obsessed with it.  Anyway, we made our way to the yarn section and since her new favorite thing is PINK we bought pink yarn to make her something.   

After that trip we headed home and I tried and tried to entice her into a nap but it was a NO!  She has only had one in a couple of weeks and goodness sometimes she needs it.  Really though she was a jewel.  I took her to her house because I was to keep her until around 11 pm last night.  She fought and fought going down for bed but that girl she was tired.  When it did get quite I looked on her little monitor and I could see something weaving and bouncing but was not sure what it was.  I sneaked down the hall and peaked and there she was sitting with her back against the back of the crib sound asleep but fighting the urge to actually lay down.  The bobbing and weaving was her head lolling back and forth.  Poor baby!  I reached in and gently laid her down and she was OUT!  We had a long day of sight seeing, shopping, gas getting, hide-n-seek, chocolate ice cream...just what granny's and granddaughters do.  

P.S.  Daddy also called last night to kind of give me a dig that I need to come check up on him because he fell hitting his head Thursday morning.  GOOD GRIEF!  He said it just would not stop bleeding and he had not cleaned it because of that (blood thinners).  By the end of the conversation I think I gathered that he really didn't fall all the way that he kind scrapped or barked his forehead against the wall while cleaning the kitty litter.  I told him I would be down Sunday morning and then sent texts to Bro and Sis who both said they would go today to check up on him.  Yes, I have been absent but goodness I have been so busy these past couple of weeks with no time for anything.  Guilty conscience.

Ice, Ice Baby

The sky is falling, the sky is falling.  That is what the weather people were screaming yesterday.  Yes we did get some ice and areas to the north of here did too, it but it's not as bad as we had some years ago that devastated Tulsa (I think '07).  I did hear in the middle of the night the familiar sound of transformers buzzing as they go out.  Gosh, such a scary sound.  

The next year was the best year in business for us.  We do electrical stuff and the work was constant for the year.  Plus our generator installation side really took off and is still a huge part of our work.  Generator baby!

(from the '07)

Last night as the temperatures began to plummet I told The Hubby that we were going to go off the diet a bit and have beans and cornbread for dinner on Saturday.  Perfect chilly weather for it.  Speaking of the diet, I am down yet another pound, that would be 26 pounds.  It may be a slow process but at least I lost a pound during the holidays!

Yesterday we took our employees out to a Christmas lunch to Olive Garden.  In the past we have done a rib place but last year the service SUCKED!  The Hubby decided OG and it was a great decision.  One of our guys, when he found out where we were going, was like a kid he was so happy.  He had NEVER eaten at OG before.  Really?!  

It was a nice lunch and we were glad to do it.  I was very good there, as I did have pasta and a half a piece of bread but I only ate half the pasta dish.  It will be my lunch today.  Really, as long as I stay on he moderation side I can eat out and anything I want.  This no bread, pasta, potatoes or rice thing has been awesome for me.  We don't miss it and eat tons of veggies.  

Minding My Own "Business"

Minding my own business, when we get a phone call from an old customer who insists that we find an invoice for him from 1991.  WHAT!  First I wasn't at the office when the call came in so this is what I have to deal with when I go back into the office.  Second, we have records, online records from 1999, before that it was strictly all handwritten by my itty-bitty hands.  Those records probably don't exist anymore, I think they have been shredded.  If they are still in storage they are upstairs in mouse and silverfish laden boxes that I DON'T want to go through.  I mean really, 21 years later he wants us to track down an invoice.  The Hubby may have to shut this guy down.  Can you tell I'm a bit agitated!  Common sense tells you that a company will not have a hard copy invoice from 21 years ago, am I right!

If you could...

If you could start any type of new business, what would it be?  This is the question of the day on NaBloPoMo and since I've hit a sort of writers block, here goes. 

If I could start any type of new business it would be a destination spa in the state I live in.  This is something I have thought a lot about especially since I spent a week at Lake Austin Spa in 2007.  The only hold back right now is the economy.  I don't think people spend on play stuff right now but...if I could do it!  I think a destination spa would be such fun and, okay I know it is a pipe dream but what fun to dream right.

Another idea that could be more a reality would be an art gallery/supply store with a place for a studio. That could happen if I pushed it with The Hubby, and maybe something that we could do closer to his retirement.  What do you think?