Lifestyle changes, take #1...tightening the belt

Now that we are on a more limited income, changes have definitely come around our home.  I clip coupons more than ever before and never veer from my grocery list of items I need.  We have instituted bill pay plans with all utility companies and insurance policies.  We keep the thermostat at 60 degrees at night and 68 degrees during the day when home and 64 degrees when no one's home.  We kept an already in place "no credit card policy".  We take better care of the cars, e.g. oil changes and tune-ups to prevent costly fixes.  Cell phone bills have been slashed to what we absolutely need - no extra minutes or text messaging.

"Date nights" now consist of a game of scrabble or playing video games or renting a DVD for $1 from Redbox and a homemade pizza.  Vacations are a distant memory.

My main source of entertainment this summer will be planting my garden and flower beds.  I've always enjoyed it but now its not only a source of satisfaction but also a source of food.  And of course playing with our puppy Dash is always fun - he's such a little guy that everything is a source of wonder and must be stomped on, rolled in, sniffed or tasted.  Even training classes were a "date night", the three of us loaded into the car and rode down to the pet store where Dash learned manners and gained quite a few admirers. 


Mark and me watching a friend's band

Our 10 year anniversary is next year and we hope to have enough money saved to take a nice trip somewhere.  The change jar is now used daily - every single spare coin is dropped in there and when the jar is full the contents are put into a vacation account.  Whether the money saved takes us away for a week or a weekend, or even just out for a nice meal, it will be much appreciated.

Previously our income allotted much more in the way of dinners out, vacations, special treats, etc.  I do miss them on occasion, but I actually spend much more time with my husband now and the stories I come home with from the cafe' are a source of entertainment itself! 

Our philosophy is this; no matter how bad you think things are someone is always worse off than you are.  We have a warm roof over our heads, food, and most of all, family and friends. 

So next time you complain about how expensive going out to eat is remember some people don't even get enough to eat let alone go out.  Try staying home and playing a game or just chatting with your family.  The best times are often the ones money can't buy.

Serving the public...

The public is an interesting group.  Let's face it, we have all had moments when we haven't been the most, err, courteous of patrons.

I consider myself a coffee "snob", but the extent some people go over a cup of coffee is absurd.  "It's too hot.  It's too strong.  It's weak.  It tastes funny.  It's got too much sugar."  We serve the coffee black and you add your own cream/sugar, so its my fault if you add too much sugar and you fully expect me to give you a new cup of coffee.  And yes I do, with a big smile on my face because I am the face of my company.

Serving is in itself a word that connotes being humble.  Have you ever had someone serve you who was so "not" what a server should be that you wanted to slap them?  Well I have, and I certainly don't want to be the one to serve you and get a slap for an attitude. 

We all serve someone to an extent.  I serve coffee and I used to serve marketing programs and presentations.  A sales person to a CEO of a large company to a garbage collector  - they all "serve".  Its the one who receives the service who needs to make the server feel appreciated.  After all, some of these "services" that are offered to us are only available through a server. 

So think of the person behind the counter or under your hood or checking your gas meter as someone who deserves the respect that you yourself expect to receive.  Smile at that person and look them in the eye when they ask if they can help you, don't just walk up and grunt "Give me coffee".  Rudeness is not necessary and should be reserved for situations when you have no other choice. 

Now, how may I help you?

A morning in the life of the cafe'

My typical work day at the cafe' starts at 6 am.  Granted I'm a morning person, but getting up at 4:40 am, getting dressed and putting on some makeup to hide the dark circles from getting up so early, feeding the cat and the dog then feeding myself, straightening up the kitchen and living room and then upstairs to kiss my still-sleeping husband goodbye AND make sure his alarm is set so he doesn't miss work - all of that and out the door by 5:30 am.

Work garb consists of black pants, sensible and comfortable (which means ugly) black shoes and a white chef's smock.  Um, white just doesn't stay clean very long - what with coffee - brown, chocolate sauce - brown, espresso - brown.  Notice a pattern here?  Hmm, what about a brown chef's coat?  Underneath the coat I wear a t-shirt because a toaster, coffee machines, ice cream machine and ice machine "exhaust", and espresso machine = H.O.T.  And don't forget that lovely white hair net - not exactly a high fashion accessory.  No matter how I bobby pin it on it sticks up on the top - I feel like a big marshmallow.

Opening chores consist of making coffee, filling cream machines, filling condiments, cleaning espresso machine, turning on the toaster (which I always seem to forget), turning on the ice cream maker, checking on the donuts/bagels/muffins, making orange juice, taking a trip to go "shopping".  Oh and it also consists of being tortured by the wonderful smell of whatever the bakery has in the oven that morning - cookies, bread, yum.

Yes apparently I am the "dairy fairy".  Meaning that the list of "we don't have any..." means I go to the shelves and grab milk, cream, half and half, etc.  Um hello, this is a grocery store with an entire dairy section - go get what you need!  Apparently its the dairy fairy to the rescue!

However I do enjoy the "regulars" who come in to visit in the morning.  The "usual" consists of a variety of different things and I think I have about 20 people's "usual" memorized.  It makes them feel special and brightens their day.  I have my favorites too, the ones who come in and say "wow, I can't believe you have a 19 year old daughter!  You don't look old enough!"  What woman doesn't want to hear that?

And the people I work with are all nice.  I am called "sunshine" at work due to the smile that is always on my face which is partly due to the coffee I have every morning once I get the cafe' settled.  There is a camaraderie amongst the employees - one which is stronger in each department but crosses over to all departments.  Many of these people who are full time work 50+ a week, and quite hard - it's a surprisingly physical job.  Just about every departments consists of lifting and bending - dairy, produce, grocery, cafe', kitchen.  Have you ever considered how much a case of 4 gallons of milk weighs?  Or a case of potatoes - which can weigh over 40 lbs.

So, what may I get for you this morning - cream and sugar is in the dining area - thank you and have a nice day!

Welcome and about me

Hello all!

Welcome to my first blog, "High heels to sensible shoes."  I will be chronicling my journey from corporate life to being laid off to re-entering the work force in an entirely new and unexpected capacity. 

Just a bit about me - my name is Deanna and my home is comprised of my husband Mark, daughter Danielle, our cat Zoe and our dog Dash.

My career path has taken me to the marketing field, which has been my passion for the past 15 years.  My role was to create and execute marketing campaigns, advertisements, public relations and trade shows for a small kitchen appliances mogul in the industry.  I loved my job and was very disappointed when the company picked up its skirts and relocated to New Jersey, leaving me jobless.

When was I laid off you ask?  July 15, 2008.  I shiver just seeing that on my computer screen.  I was out of work for the rest of the summer and in September found a job marketing bank card processing services.  The company was expanding and added 2 people to its previously 1 person department.  However the company expanded itself so much that the overhead for 3 people was too high and I got the slip on April 1, 2009 telling me my time was up after only 6 months.  2009 to current day is a void of cover letters, resumes, and networking which as of yet, has not led to a new position.

Funds coming in versus funds going out was getting tight on just one income plus my rapidly expiring unemployment, so I took a deep breath and took the icy plunge into finding a job to help pay our bills - something I've never had to worry about before. 

Yes I know that sounds like I'm spoiled.  No I'm not above anything and would do what needs to be done to pay our bills and keep our home and its occupants healthy and fed.  But I feel that I have paid my dues and clawed my way up through the ranks, along the way earning my Master's degree in Business Marketing and darn it I want a job that reflects my hard work. 

So where have I ended up?  A grocery store cafe', making coffee, espresso and espresso drinks, smoothies, and serving donuts, bagels and muffins.  Huh.  Corporate marketing for coffee and espresso machines to making coffee and espresso - ironic.  Of course I can tell anyone the exact ratio of espresso to milk in their drink order but do they care?  Of course not - they just care how it tastes.  So I give myself the satisfaction of knowing that not only do I know exactly what I've given someone but I've given them something they like.  Coffee.  Is.  Life.  Especially at 7 am in the morning.  So I tell myself that I've added value to someone's day and given them a caffeine-induced smile.

Life in a grocery store is a far cry from life behind a desk - actually quite a far cry.  So far that cry echoes.

Well, that's it in a nutshell - welcome to my journey with its ups and downs - its been a bumpy ride and I'm letting you on at one of the bumpiest points to date.  So grab that cup of coffee and tighten your seat belts!