I think that I shall never see....

HAH! Wait...I shall see...video surveillance now hooked up in the office and I also have remote viewing on the laptop..oh goodness...I no sooner typed those words...and I lost my viewing...grrr. Huge, potential relief being able to check to see if the ringing in my ears is just that...or someone ringing the bell for service!

Our website is up, its basic, talked to the boss today about getting access to adjust verbiage, pictures and add links :). http://www.innatcalafiabeach.com/ for starters, a few room pics and such. Stop by...

The big action around here is that a big rig hauling cars on a trailer...is stuck, trying to get out of the gas station, has been going on for over three hours now! No shock that I haven't had many walk ins tonight when there are six police cars out front on El Camino Real, flares and all! Midnight is closing time tonight...oof, even with a (delightful) two hour nap, that seems way too late...

Hoping to see some familiar faces soon around these parts, we broke it to Tim's mom tonight that we won't be there for Thanksgiving. Mommie and I talked about it last week- maybe she will come up here...we will be cooking up a turkey in our cool little vintage oven...my first turkey...oh boy!

No Trick or Treaters- which is a good thing...because we forgot to get candy...which is really a good thing now that we haven't had trick or treaters...hehehehe. Its chilly tonight, as is always the case on Halloween, I like it...was quite toasty today. We have 5 out of 17 booked tonight, getting there...the workers from San Onofre are hearing that we are back open and are slowly trickling in. We booked two rooms to guys who were just up the street, they happened to run into the owner and told him why they moved from the other property....wait for it....mmhm, Yes, I know you are thinking that its my sparkling customer service, chipper demeanor and the newly renovated rooms...and great rates...ummm, well, the reason he said, "The person at the desk is WHITE." hmmm, Okay, well I do need a tan....yet...think of all of the advertisting opportunities...hehehehe....remember, I'm just writing about the goings on...that's all.

Two interviews on Monday- think good thoughts for me- I am ready for a day off- though we both fear that I will just want to sleep the entire time! Finding a place for the rest of my clothes tomorrow (so help me...) and going to get this little place more livable, even if the furniture set up is temporary- Feng Shui girl is about to crawl out of her skin! And um, the maid may need to stop in, we want to make sure she has enough hours to keep her here :)- she really is fantastic!

Uniquely Qualified....

So, the fun begins (again) with hiring. I need someone to fill in on my one day off (and a day in November when drag races are in order and a night in December when I am bartending...only Dr. B gets the Bartender-a-go-go doors and shakers to open- he booked me in February and its our 4th year- I really must keep my commitment!) So, I post a basic post and let people know the expectations, what I need etc., I always scratch my head and make faces (that I immediately remind myself "your face could freeze that way" so I unscrunch;)...It's always so interesting...how people respond to help wanted ads....don't get me wrong...I don't begrudge...I had some serious time of resume sending and applying for many jobs that I was overqualified for and a few that I was underqualified for...however, I customized my cover letter to actually relate to the position posted and I never...NEVER...just sent my phone number and said "CALL ME"....I must admit, I just delete those responses. I purposely request certain information to be included in the reply email, I do this when I have a rental too- are you paying attention? Can you follow directions? Many times...the answer is NO. And we all know how I feel about misspellings....OMG....spell check OR at least use the proper word...if you are not available for the hours posted, please don't reply and OH, do not send seven...7...SEVEN emails FOR someone else, in response to a post, don't do this for yourself either...and OMG, do not request a read receipt, I GOT IT...I GOT EM ALL! hehehe. And...when someone is requesting a part time reservation agent...your modeling website, probably not equivalent to a resume...

Okay, this (mostly) concludes my rant. This is valuable advice. Pass it on if you think it could be helpful:).

I am optimistic that Monday's interviews will bring me a smart and savvy individual who will work out just fine. (Speaking of working out...I Really Really need to find a gym here in SC....wish me luck on that!)

Eek...There's a Mouse in the House!

Now don't you worry, we don't have mice in the rooms...the rooms don't have (very expensive, prescription kitty food)! We caught a little bugger last week, shortly after I saw it run under the door and under the fridge (sweeper was put on the door that same day to deter future furry family members from enjoying the hospitality...) I promptly put part of the cat food in a large zip lock in the fridge and the other part in an airtight, heavy plastic storage tote...that should be fine, right?....Well...no. I opened the cupboard today and noticed a line of blue shreddings....THEN, I noticed that the mouse ate through some really serious plastic, a hole the size of a quarter....I was afraid he might be inside so I opened it outside, safe...next was vacuuming up the shredded plastic and cleaning up after Mickey....I located a hole in the cupboard that must make it very easy for him....trap in place...snap...within 10 minutes- terrible, sorry- just awful...then we found a few more in an outside trap, oof, 6 pack of mice....Hoping we got em all...and yes, we too are wondering: "Where are Lodie and Pipie this whole time?"....Did I mention that their toy/ fake mice make me jump and squeal each time I step on one!? Seriously!

We have three guests tonight, I gave the maid the day off tomorrow...uh-oh! Thankfully, we have 16 rooms so I can just make these unavailable and Elsa will have a nice, full day on Saturday!

Dryer, Dryer, Pants on Fire...

Wer'e getting closer! Most rooms have remotes for the TV's that work now, thanks to Tim. I made a little punch list for the owners as well as a pseudo wish list so we can get things crackin'!

Just got a call from a guest that the dryer is only doing the 'air fluff' thing...he was right, gave his money back and distracted him with a few funny stories and I'm back in the house:).

Insane winds this morning, which, initially, caused me to believe that one of our umbrellas blew away...until we noticed that the firepit AND wood...were also gone...this lit a fire under our fannies to get the surveillance system hooked up...say CHEESE! I'm ready for my close-up....no, not really...even with my new BRUNETTE hair!

We get a few walk ins each day and since I am fervently working to change the energy and clientele of The Inn, we also get a few walk outs. Sorry, no trades, work for beds or barter...prices are competitive, rooms are clean and renovated...the surfers (who were disappointed by the high winds today but hoping for a swell tomorrow) and the guys working at the Nuclear Power Plant or Camp Pendleton- they like it...and they are staying...we're on the right track!

Now to interview...I take one day off a week and need to put someone at the desk...hopefully this person will be more reliable than the first maid that I hired, still hoping she's not in a ditch somewhere, worked two days then evaporated...goodness!

Explaining the Title...

So, for many who know me well, the title makes sense. My ultimate goal/ dream has been to own a cool little boutique hotel...this is the first step toward making that happen, and might I add, I have Elyse to thank for the introduction that has led me to this point.

The owners of the property are very cool and I believe I will have autonomy and be able to run the hotel as I see fit. I am excited about the marketing possibilities too.

I have said for many years that I didn't think I would spend my whole life in San Diego, and now, here I am in San Clemente. What an adorable little town this is, nice people, nice beaches and now- here we are!

So, open your heart and mind to Universal timing and pay attention. This has been a long and tough year for me, then in July, things started turning around as my highschool love came back in to my life, and we had time to reconnect since we weren't tied to full time jobs (though it seemed like a very scary and depressing thing at that time...) in hindsight, it was a bit of luxury. Now he has moved from the high desert to San Diego and NOW to San Clemente and here we are, mom and pop InnKeepers...hehhehe. Loving the ride...

Ringing in my ears

So here we are, we have been moved in since October 8th and are officially open for business as of last Saturday. I am trying to get used to the system. Our apartment connects to the front office and we have a dutch door in the kitchen so if a guest comes up to the desk, they "ring the bell for service"...now,I hear the little 'ding' in everything...watching the food network...I will NEVER get a nap! Even commercials, there is a little 'ding' at the end of the Papa John's commercial, it just played...this will be quite an experience!

Our first guests liked the "Retro Room" so much- they stayed a second night. Second guest to check in gave me a box of cookies...so far, we're having a blast! I think a little space clearing is in order once construction is complete and we are ready to occupy all the rooms...I'll explain this later!

Phones are hooked up today, really for the first time, just got a call from a band that will be playing at The OC Tavern in December, looking to book a block of rooms...cool! Great marketing opportunity with OC Tav.

We are trying to change the vibe and clientelle of this little mid-century motel, and I think I am just the girl to complete the mission!