Mobil Blogging

After a couple loaded weeks we haven't had much time to update our blog. Thinking of all the things we needed updates on and wondering when in the world I would have a moment to catch up, I realized I could do this from my phone! These things still amaze me sometimes!
Ok. So a quick recap of what we've missed: last weekend was the Komen Race for the Cure. Although I was terrified the day before that I wouldn't be able to finish, I made it across the finish line (2min. Before the old ladies on our team... And Mallory)!
Maggie got stung by a bee, again. She had an allergic reaction but luckily we gave her some benadryl and eventually she calmed down.
Currently, we are back on the road again. Batteling the traffic & rain on our way to South Carolina.
Let me catch you up on our schedule of events for the weekend. We drove to Loudon last night & left at 7:30 thisv morning heading to Gaffney for lunch. We'll be in Greer tonight for dinner and on to Greenville Saturday morning for the Alzheimer's Walk. After the walk, we head to Clemson to see the gang after the game.
On Sunday we part ways as I head to the Charolett Airport and Jonathan back to Tennessee. I'm flying to Memphis that afternoon for a training class on Monday & Tuesday. Wednesday I make my way back to the Boro. Whew!

Hampton Employee Party Photos

Yesterday we threw a little party for the staff to celebrate our OUTSTANDING INSPECTION! The owners of the property even came in to thank the staff personally and David explained the significance of the recognition. Here are some of my favorite photos.

This is Brian Nearn, the CEO of our management company. I think he looks a lot like Jack in the Box here!

Camping

Its been a really long time since I've been camping and I think I honestly forgot how much fun it can be! We had great weather and the park was beautiful!

Maggie wasn't really sure about this whole camping thing. Normally when we go on a road trip she sleeps quietly in the backseat sitting up only when we enter a city she hasn't been to before. She look out the window and take it all in but as we drive out she lays back down and goes back to sleep.

This trip, we weren't far out of Murfreesboro before we were in an area none of us had been to before so Maggie didn't get any sleep at all on the ride. Even though Jonathan had cleaned the truck before we left the back windows were covered in nose prints before the day was through.

She did much better then I thought she would do on the trails. I had worried that since she was use to sleeping all day everyday we would end up carrying her half the trip but instead she trucked right along and was loving every minute of it! She would run ahead on the trails and then stop and look back at us to catch up!

There was only one bank that she had some trouble with but the third time was the charm and she was good to go. The swinging bridge was a different story... just think about Donkey on Sherk when trying to cross to get to the castle to slay the dragon!

Friday night it got really cold and I felt horrible because I forgot to bring her a sweater. She was shacking all over and we were constantly putting blankets around her trying to keep her warm.

Saturday morning we made a trip down to the General Store and found a kids fleece hoodie. It was a little big on her but so cute and she was stung as a bug in a rug that night.

We even made some friends on the trip! The couple next to us were originally from East Tennessee. She was a school teacher at Lenior City Elementary and he was actually working in Murfreesboro! Small world! We got together Saturday afternoon for a little corn hole challenge and listened to the UT Game on the radio.

All in all we had a great trip and I can't wait to go back again.

Here are some pictures of our trip.

Heading for the Woods

Yesterday was a ruff day for the Parris House. Jonathan's been anxiously awaiting a call back about his interview and the my hotel inspector showed up.

After a full week of waiting, we found out that the position had gone to someone else. Of course he was a little bumbed out about it but I think that just grew to frustration when he started wondering what he could have done better. Second guessing every move and looking for answers is never fun.

But, we have been learning to deal with disappointment a lot lately and have to remember that its not always our plans that matter. There is a reason he didn't get this job and that reason will make him more successful then he ever dreamed. I'm still extremely proud of him for trying and putting himself out there to let them know he's ready to step up and take on new challenges.

As for the hotel, the inspector was extremely impressed with the property and said that we were definitely in the Top 10 of Hampton Hotels Nationwide BEFORE ever calculating our scores.

What he didn't know when saying this was that one person from the property is REQUIRED to take a certain sales class within 90 days to pass, I am scheduled to take that class later this month which would cause the property to FAIL INSPECTION!

So what would happen if we failed an inspection? Well, since management bonuses are based on a passing inspection those would not be an option. Myself, David, & Tim would probably all loose our jobs. Oh, and the huge loan we took out in order to build the hotel has a stipulation that the hotel must remain in good standing with the brand. Humm - not exactly the pressure I wanted to come on my shoulders.

Before we had the change in management, Sandra had been certified in this required training. When she left, we were so caught up in trying to get the hotel working as it should with the new changes we had no idea that neither of us were certified.

It wasn't until David was recommending me for a Hilton Sales program that he realized I hadn't taken the first class and what that could do to the property. He called me immediately and I got online, completed all the pre-work and registered for the class. The problem was, there were no classes available until mid October which was past the 90 day requirement!

I sent request to all the instructors of previous classes asking to be on a waiting list for cancellations. I called the corporate office making these same request and nothing came up. The hotel would fail and although I feel like I did everything I could since I found out but that didn't keep me from feeling like I had cost the hotel their "outstanding".

After a roller-coaster day, Hilton Corporate called and agreed to grant me an extension on the class to be completed by Nov. 30, 2008!!! The hotel received a 97.11 on their inspection which classifies us in the TOP 5% of the Brand and an Award to recognize the staff at Conference!!!!!!

This is a huge achievement for the property and staff and you better believe their won't be another instance where I could stand between them and that award.

Now, we are leaving town. Heading for some much deserved peace and quite in the mountains for our first camping trip! This is Maggie's first camping experience as well so I hope she enjoys it.

We'll have pictures to post upon our return to civilization which will come all too early on Sunday.

Until then...

The Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we took our favorite little man to the Pumpkin Patch. I'm not really sure who enjoyed it more; me or Hunter. There is SOOOOO much to do there and we basically had the place to ourselves so I think Hunter was a little overwhelmed.

Imagine being a little kid and having a fields full of corn & pumpkins, kid size tractors and wagons everywhere you look, AND tons of animals you can pet & feed without your mom telling you "NO"! It had to be a lot to take in.

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