What a Week.

It has been a crazy week here at Live Oaks Inn (well I guess it's been more than a week). As some of you may know, my father has been travelling through Italy for the past 10 days, leaving me in charge of the ranch. It seems funny how many things can happen when you are all alone; things that wouldn't ever happen when there are people all around you.

The week started with a plague (or maybe just the flu) that ran through my entire staff. I was very kindly spared, I've already had my flu for the season. This wasn't really a problem when the week began, but as time went on I realized how valueable my staff really is. The phones started ringing off the hook, I booked 3-4 appointments per day, missed the trash guys twice in a row, stood in a pile of laundry up to my knees, and had an encounter with a very scary spider. At the end of it all, I was able to answer the phones, take the appointments, throw the trash away, do the laundry, and kill the spider. However, the point is my staff and my father are certainly a necessary part of my daily life.

In additoin to the flu and foreign travel, I had some wonderful guests with me this weekend. A great couple here for their 25th wedding anniversary and another couple here for the beach. When our guests are here it makes our very large house suddenly seem less expansive. It reminds me of why I got into this business to begin with. The chatting, the stories, coffee in the salon with people you just met, and the hope that they will forever become a part of that extended family that we are all creating on a daily basis.

I am also glad to report that my 3-4 appointments each day turned into 4 solid events and 3 possible events. I can see it now...soon enough we will be ovewhelmed with a myriad of weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, and honeymoons. The Inn will be a hustle and bustle of ongoing activity. I picture long days of planning and executing events that end as we say our goodnights the last of the sleepy guests.

In this story, the great part of my week was far better than the not so great part. Which, in the end, is all I can hope for. Check back next week for our latest and greatest.

Signing off,
Jessica

Spring Cleaning and Exciting Opportunities!

It's Thursday morning here at Live Oaks Inn and I am writing from the comfort of our brand NEW office. While most people might think it strange to get excited over a new office we have many reasons to be thankful for this change.
1) Our old office was not the ideal location for greeting our guests, it was small and messy, not making a good first impression (I apologize to those of you who visited us before this move). We haven't quite finished the reception part of the new office, but it is not far behind.
2) We had too much stuff and too little space, now we have shelves and places for everything to go. Organized and clean a much better working environment.
3) Our previous location was beginning to lack in air conditioning. There was too much equipment and not enough air to cool us down. So, unless you like feeling like bacon, it wasn't too much fun to be in there.
4) Finally, the reason that is my personal favorite, the office is no longer an extention of my living quarters. While I did enjoy the occassional phone call at 4am or the quiet hummmmm of the server, I am happy to say that their absence has caused me no harm.

In addition to the move, which I consider to be our version of spring cleaning, we have also joined forces with Lora Lynne's Weddings , to provide "intimate, elegant, affordable weddings". This is very exciting for us. While we are still going to be holding our own functions and providing our own planning services, we are also glad to be able to offer this package which will be another extention of our abilities. Please check out her packages on our website or hers!

It's funny, but as time goes on I am learning what this house really needs to seem alive. The obvious answer is people, but it goes even further than that. On a Sunday night not too long ago, a young couple checked in for their 1yr Anniversary. They were very excited too be here. The young lady informed me that she had not gotten photos of the back of her dress at her wedding. So, she brought it with her to take pictures here. When she came out, she seemed to fit here perfectly. It was only later, when I was looking at the pictures that I really appreciated how her presence brought our Inn to life. It was also strange to see that even as nothing more than a backdrop, the Inn really had an impact. Upon departure, she left us a lovely note in our bedroom journal, thanking us for the stay. But, I think more than anything we are thankful to her for giving us a day we will never forget!

It has been an exciting month at Live Oaks Inn. We are learning, changing, and growing every day. There are more great things just around the corner! So STAY TUNED, cause we are working hard to make Live Oaks Inn a place for you to come, relax and enjoy.

Signing off until next week! Enjoy the weekend, go out in the sun for me, as I'll be here working and thinking of the days when weekends meant days off...sigh. (She say knowing there is no place else she'd rather be.)

--Jessica