A Note From the Boss

To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.

First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY :

I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, someday, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally=2 0check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom.. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... you never realize the Back Story and the sacrifices I've made.

Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bailout all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.Yes, business ownership has its benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds.Unfortunately, the cost of running20this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes.. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.

The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here.. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.So where am I going with all this?It's quite simple.

If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple.. I'll fire you and your coworkers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about....
Signed, THE BOSS"

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher

A Lot of Laughter

I wish I could count the number of times I laugh everyday. I mean seriously, I laugh almost all day. They say that laughter is the sign of a healthy marriage and if that's true, we must have one of the healthiest marriages in the world. I just look forward to waking up everyday to see what charades we can get into. From wild horses, moving, starting our own business, camper buses.....the list is endless. I am completely in love with my husband and I think marriage is the most fun I've ever had. I highly suggest it. Oh geez, there goes my smile again...=)

The Camper Bus

So.....my husband is amazing, which is code for crazy too. Today on craigslist he spotted a 1969 vw camper bus for sale. That's right. I said camper bus. He has now decided since we want to go to the Grand Canyon this summer and we are gonna get into Jeep Jamborees that we need a RV or something and the camper bus caught his eye. I don't know why it caught his eye. I love the wilderness just as much as the next guy and I'm totally excited about off roading with a caravan of jeeps for the weekend, but seriously, I'm sleeping in the jeep before I'm sleeping in the camper bus. Get a mental pic of this. Green, 3 speed, wood grain walls, shag carpet, and a pop up which "allows" you to sleep on top of the bus. Also, for nostalgia, it has a little tire on the front of it. I have to admit it's kind of cute, but I'd personally rather have an RV. This incident just goes to show, you never know what Jay will think up. Oh, and we are NOT buying a camper bus. Geez Jay...=)

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere!

Did I mention I hate moving? And this is why...

Surprise Visitor

So....first night in the country and already critters are taking over. After unpacking on Saturday night, Jay and I notice something in the front yard. We thought we were delirious with exhaustion and seeing things, but alas....we weren't. It was a horse in our front yard! (Later identified as Goober the horse) It was midnight and we couldn't find the owner, but Jay fearlessly tamed the wild beast and haltered it. We figured out it was the next door neighbors, but they wouldn't come to the door....even though their T.V. was blaring! To make a long story short, the cops were called and horsey was put in the in-laws round pen until the morning so he didn't get ran over. The next morning, the neighbors got the horse, but he kept getting out! I think we saw Goober like 5 times today! Each time Jay haltered him up and called the neighbors to get him. After the 5th time, the redneck neighbor told us..."I think we're gonna tie him up, until we fix the fence." Yeah, that would be a good idea Bubba. Gotta love rednecks, and out first night in Winnie. Never know what you'll find!

Moving On Up!

So after a grueling weekend, we are FINALLY finished moving! Well, at least for 2 months. Since our new house isn't ready yet, we moved our stuff to a rental. It's a nice rental, but I hate the fact that in a mere 2 months, we'll be packing up again....at least it will be in the same town this time though. I'll tell ya, it' been great being in the country already! So quiet. No cars, no noise, nothing. Just the crickets. I LOVE it! The bad thing is, I'm still teaching and having to either drive back and forth, stay at our old house on an air mattress, or stay with friends. You know me, I don't like being in limbo or unorganized, so this is difficult. Oh well, here are some pictures of the rental. It's cozy and cute!