Today's chores included returns: returns of the jewelry I didn't buy; returns of the many cords we had to use at the rehearsal dinner. More laundry, a bit more cleaning, taking out the garbage with unusually full cans.
A friend sent a photo of wedding centerpiece flowers on her sister's table. The gifts that keep on giving.
I think by this weekend, we'll have most of the big things organized and tucked away. KT will have to decide what to do with the wedding decorations. They're really something. You could decorate for an entire wedding with what we have left. It'd be nice to hang onto and lend out to people with very few resources to decorate for their wedding. That'd be some work to coordinate but a nice ministry or non-profit idea. Emphasis probably on the non-profit part.
*****
We had a few meetings today at work. If I could have known how different things would be a year ago...
I remember years ago, wondering if we could change the culture at work or create a culture that honored people and also meant we were profitable. I tried to lead that. Sometimes Jay was onboard, sometimes not.
Sometimes we clashed, sometimes not.
Our styles didn't mesh too well on a regular basis. We were both guarded. We were both trying.
Now he's leading the culture in a way that works for him. Sometimes, the way he approaches things still drives me crazy. Overall though, I think anyone that works for us has a good job. They're treated well and have a say in how things are done.
I still hope someday he has more regular peers at work. He stands alone, unless RC is around. I don't think that's healthy for anyone, but it is often how it ends up working out in small businesses. I'm no longer a decent balancing force.
He's a good man, that's why I stayed with him and why our business is still around, thriving, growing. I'm proud of that, proud that we made it through.
We talked last night about what made the difference, between last year and this year, what specific events and people turned things around.
This was my list and it's mutually exclusive, meaning I think we had to have every one of these events occur for us to be on the more solid footing we're on now:
- I stepped down from more active involvement starting last spring
- RC and DR became involved in sales, marketing, and general business direction
- Several key staff left that needed to leave
- A few key staff we needed to stay, stayed
- We hired an amazing, experienced operations manager
- We hired a sales person
- Jay grew and changed
That's how it unfolded. All those things seem pretty unspectacular and unsexy. That's how it works. No soundtrack playing, just me clapping and smiling.