Change

A vent

So here's a random probably long entry about misc stuff that is happening right now.

First, Ventura Auto Magic is no longer. 9 years to the day from when it started, it has ended (as we knew it). Mario has teamed up with another distributor who he's been working with for several years, and we've transitioned the territory to him. Mario will still act as the sales manager and oversee day to day sales, interactions, put out fires, smooze, etc. But it won't officially be "our" business any more. We're also still keeping his employee Angel on, as the sales/delivery guy. It is scary and a little sad, but at the same time there is a certain amount of relief as well... This came about for several reasons, not the least of which is the current economic status, but we won't try to blame it all on that. Some of it was from the taxastrophe this fall, leading to a serious cash flow issue. Some of it was from poor business management skills on our part. I will no longer have to do sales tax, enter checks and invoices, send out statements, etc. That is really weird. It's been a part of my life for almost a decade, and I have mixed feelings about it of course. Relief! But also hard to let go... Mario is more involved in the new biz, QCCP, than ever. He's refreshed by the change and challenge, and this is really where his strengths lie... he's an amazing salesman! We're hoping by the summer that the profit sharing we'll be doing with the new situation will start to send a nice quarterly bonus check our way, and we'll be looking at a happy change income-wise. It will be a good thing, is what our guts are saying, it will just take some time to work through growing and changing pains. The pic is of our van after references to "Ventura" have been removed.

Secondly, I am moving my horses. I found a place that will allow them to live with lots of room all together as a (hopefully!) happy herd. I know Hope and Faith will do great, I just hope that Jordan can get along with the girls without pulling ponytails and other boyish things like that... I am a nervous fricking wreck about it. I've been at SHI for something like 8 years now, and I have so many happy memories of it. I bought Jordan there, I started Faith there, I made several lasting friendships as a result of being there. I *despise* moving barns. It's so stressful for the horses (although at least they will have each other) and for me - change! Ah! FIguring out a routine again, where my stuff is, meeting all the new personalities of other owners, etc., etc., etc. Right after I move them I will be going to NY for the AHA conference, so I won't even be able to see them for 4 or 5 days right when I will be most stressed about it. Mario will take care of them though... It's a financial savings to be there, but I need to come up with more money up front to make the move, and it's a teeny bit further than our current barn. Did I mention how much I hate this part??

Mario got into a big fight with a woman at our current barn last night. It was terrible - she acted like a complete sociopath including punching and kicking the wall and screaming and swearing at him (and insulting me and other barefoot trimmers and being racist, should I go on?). Not that Mario said anything bad to her to instigate it, but really - is that how she reacts to anyone that has a different opinion than hers?? So this fight (another huge stressor for me) was the final nail in the decision to leave...

My 37th birthday is coming up and I am a little weirded about that too. 37 is an adult... why don't I feel like one? I find myself wishing I was 27 all the time - not mentally/maturity wise, but physically! My job would be easier on me, and the whole biological clock issue would be a non-issue still. So, that's weighing on me. I am looking forward to the actual day, though, because Mar and I are planning a trip up to Paso Robles to go wine tasting. Paso is known for yummy zinfandels, which are my fave! We used to go wine tasting pretty often but never go anymore (mostly no time!) so I am excited to be able to enjoy that day with him. :) I also asked to go whale watching again, not sure which day we'll do it because we've got more rain on the way, but in the next week or so. I loved it the last time we did it - sooo beautiful going out there and seeing the seals, dolphins and of course the whales. Even just seeing the Channel Islands up close is truly incredible.

So I am just swimming through some life at the moment. Change, fear, milestones, joy, love, aging, challenges, etc. All part of life, I know!

Ending with this picture of Linx and Bogey on the couch. :)