Tuesday, October 27, 2015

How to Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast (book review)

When I think about retirement - I see myself running a BnB somewhere near ski resort.
Is it a crazy dream - or can it be actually done?
I will start with some research. Found this book in our library:

How to Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast  by Jan Stankus
Linked to an even newer edition on Amazon.

Pros:
- Informative
- Short and to the point
- Practical
- Lots of examples
- Good advice and where to start and where to run

Definitely a good thing to start with. Contains all kind of worksheets and checklists.
Will they be useful? You have to start with something and then create your own.

Cons:
- A bit outdated - seriously discuss modem internet access. Makes me think about other reference information given in the book - how up to date it is

Am I a fit to be a host?
hmmmm...
not with my current housekeeping style.

What scares me the most?
- Getting up early.
- People (love people but not sure to what extend)

Thoughts:
- BnB better survive in a 4 season attractive areas.
- Location matters
- House layout - separate business from private
- Pets (what to do with our crazy dog?)

Next move:
- Need to check out other BnB - especially in our area and in the area I would like to have a BnB.
- Research areas
- Apprenticeship

Can I open my house to guests? Definite No-no:
- Location - deep residential area, not walk-able, far from public transit. Nothing will ever change





Friday, September 25, 2015

Математика страшная штука



Я тут погрузилась во вспоминание матанализа - дети учат его в школе.  
Вчера вечером  перебирала дифференциальные уравнения. Никакого криминала – простейшие давно забытые вещи – бактерии там размножаются, проценты по кредиту и т.д. 

На одной задачке застряла с начальными условиями. Поймала утром Андрюху, пока он брел из спальни в душ, помучала. 

Потом стою такая на кухне и наливаю себе кофе. На секунду погрузилась в осмысление y0. Глотнула из кружки –жидкость холодная, вкус некофейный, цвет белый... 


Оказывается, пока я была вся в уравнении – налила себе полную кружку молока. Вот так вот...

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

The Beaches of Mexico

Sorting out my old clippings... 
This CAROLYN GRAHAM's Jazz Chant is from  my 2004 English class.

Have you ever seen the beaches of Mexico?
Have you ever walked the streets of San Juan?
Have you ever been to Haiti?
Have you ever been to Spain?
Have you ever walked barefoot
In the pouring rain?

Have you ever been in trouble?
Have you ever been in pain?
Have you ever been in love?
Would you do it all again?

Well, I've never seen the beaches of Mexico.
I've never walked the streets of San Juan.
I've never been to Haiti.
I've never been to Spain.
I've never walked barefoot
In the pouring rain.

But I've sure been in trouble,
I've sure been in pain,
I've sure been in love,
I'd do it all again.

A Strange Story Told by a 6-year Old

One time pirates went for a far-far away trip. They went there because they wanted to guess the things that were happening to the Earth. it was always nighttime and the little kids had not time to play. The only way how to stop this was to find the treasure and a key to open a treasure and bring it back to Earth and give it to the richest man of the whole world.

They traveled and traveled for 100s and 100s of days.

They came to the highest mountain where was the treasure and a key. They took it to their boat and then gave it to the richest man of the world.

And then everybody lived happy ever after.

Friday, August 29, 2014

A Few of My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things