Lets just give it all away!

Mon Cheri,

I guess there is a list somewhere that I do not know about. On that list is Maaco. It is a list of places that a customer can come in and name their own price. Treat you like you were dirt and be rude and snotty. Now, Gas Stations and Grocery Stores are not on that list, people know their prices are their prices. I want to know who wrote that list and how do I get my name off! I had two customers walk out because we would not do the work at THEIR price. (could not) well, well, one just came back in. Lord, give me the wisdom to know when to stand my ground and when to give.

A couple of days ago, a lady called that we did an estimate for her accident at around 4 grand. We had done the estimate 2 weeks ago. She had gotten a check from her insurance and it was made out to us and her. That is what they do when there is a loan on the car. This gal asked me if I would endorse her check so she could have the money. I told her NO. It was against the law and I would not risk losing my license, nor, break the law. I got a song and dance about how she plans to fix her car...soon. The next day, the bank called and wanted to know if I endorsed the check she cashed, No, I said and gave them the info. A few hours she is calling me again. I told her I was with a customer and she never called back. She committed Insurance Fraud and forged my name. I am sure they do not have phones in the cell she probably is in. PEOPLE, YOU CANNOT MAKE MONEY ON YOUR CAR ACCIDENTS! It does not work that way. It is late and time to try to find my way home. There must be a full moon tonight, so I will follow the path home and lock all the doors. It is only Monday and I have had the same three guys in here, with DRAMA. Men, you are not supposed to be the emotional ones...Remember?! Bon Nuit, Mon cheri. oxox Miss Lynn

Jingle Bells - Paint Smells - I just want to sleep

It is 3:00 on December 23rd. Abby has been out sick all week....It has been Les and I up front and now Les cannot stop sneezing and blowing her nose. I FEEL FINE! And...by the way, Mon Cheri, am twice as old as both of them put together. I am glad it is almost over. The Holidays. Owning a body shop really KILLS the Spirit of the Season. Sadly.. Lets go over a couple of things today.

This week, I had a man ask me if I would sleep with his wife.....I shit you not!!! He said he thought we would hit it off and she is shy so he does the "front" work for her. Let me think about that.......NO!

We have had quite a bit of Shop Drama. SHOP DRAMA. Remember, the shop is full of men. The house husbands of %%#@$%^&**. I can handle a gaggle of women, but what is wrong with men that I have to act as a counselor???? Pissy, Pissy, Pissy. Is it the Holidays? Cold? We have tons of cars, it is not the lack of money...I think we need to sit around a campfire and sing and drink. I came dressed to work in the shop to get a Gage on what is actually going on and Abby is sick. I am stuck up front.

I had a sit down in my office with two of my managers back there and they vented and came to under stand that they were saying and angry about the same things. The oldest and most experienced man in the group is causing 90% of the problem and the younger ones are the best workers and have the best attitude and ethics. As soon as I can, I am back there to work and observe. I am going to work with each guy. (except paint, I am not that good yet)

Mon Cheri! My legal problems are over, I feel like I can breathe and all I want to do is concentrate on my business and employees. God has been so good to me. Thank you My Lord! Merry Christmas my friends and do not forget That the Reason for the Season is not the Tree or Gifts, it is the Gift of Forgiveness that our God loved us so much as to send his baby Boy to suffer the penalty of sin, death, for us so we do not have to, to be forgiven. Thank you, Lord.

Tomorrow, we have a pot lunch and many wrapped gifts to be handed out. In the spirit.....Tonight I sleep. Bon Nuit. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

keep your hands off my bodywork!

Bonjour Mon Cheri! Happy Sunday Morning, here is a funny one for you. A friend of mine, a vendor, Rox called and her passenger door window wouldn't go up. Lynn can you help it is cold and raining....Sure, Rox, bring it in. My body guy, The Dr. took her panel off and found a screw had fell out and was in the bottom of her door. You know a door is an outer skin and inner skin and welded all around and inside is mechanics for locks, windows, etc.

Anyway, my helpful self decided to try to stick my hand into the door and find the screw. Did not, but heard something clink when I was doing it. Looked at my hand and did not see anything missing. Doctor fixed the car and Rox was thrilled. Later that night, at home I am taking off jewelery and realize a pearl bracelet IS missing.

I need to call Rox and ask her to bring her car back and Doctor said he would take her door panel off again and we can get my bracelet back.

No wonder they want me to stay in my office.

It is near Christmas and I am my usual humbug self. Business is slow, but better than last year as we have more trade business. I worked on Saturday, (we are closed) my body man, Brandy was there and then the Doctor came in and we sat around and Bull shitted for a while and it was great. Did not talk biz, just shit. For some reason it was uplifting for me just to talk to a friend.

I gave everyone a bonus in a Christmas card on Friday. I sat and wrote the cards in the am. I must have gotten distracted because the Doctor came up to me and whispered that one of the guys did not get anything in his card. The Doctor has been with me since day one and knows me and thought it was a mistake and that I should know. Meaning, he knows I am a cluster at times. OMG, I felt terrible. I ran and got the young man, gave him his money and told him I was so sorry and it was a mistake on my part. How bad he must have felt when they all opened their cards. One of these days, I will get something right. Thank God for Abby and Hugh.....and the Dr.

Brandy and I talked about doing an assembly line, with employees, on our very long picnic table, make sandwiches, a piece of fruit and a drink and going downtown and handing out to homeless. I will discuss it at Monday staff meeting. I will call police to find out if there are homeless in my own town. I am going to get as involved in the community as I can in hopes they stop robbing me.

I have an intern. He is 15ish, going to trade school and comes in two afternoons a week. He sweeps and cleans, poor child, as they just won't let him touch cars anymore. He is as sweet as a button and everyone loves him. I saw him in the back so I got on the intercom and said, "Markie to the front! Markie to the front now" I heard the guys razzing him as he walked up, "Uh Oh, whad you do" He got up front and said Yes, Mrs. Moore. I said HI, I just wanted a hug. He was shaking, and sweating and had to actually sit down. I felt bad, I did not mean to scare him that bad! We all ended up laughing and Markie laughed the hardest. Needed a little levity that day.

Next post, more on the hit and run punk..... TTFN Mon Ami, Lynn Moore

Does Dawn really Crack?

Bonjour Mon Cheri', I got in and opened the shop, turned on the compressors, turned on the lights and heat and my body guy is going like mad in the shop. It is still completely dark outside and I am waiting for the "Crack of Dawn" I guess somehow I will know when it happens, I hope that it somehow will help me to WAKE UP. My Son, Hugh, sweet talked me to come in two days at this ungodly hour that Abby calls the butcrack of dawn. He is sleeping in today. He opens this early daily and seldom leaves early. I am sure he deserves a break. I know he was deliriously happy. Does this mean I get to go home early today!

OK, I am back, I now have a cup of coffee....still no cracking.

We called every trade customer we have yesterday and asked if they had any work for us. This week and next will be killer. I can send everyone home and have no payroll and get by as a business person. As a person, I see the look in these young men's eyes and I cry at night. They are getting hours, but not full time and it is Christmas. Please God, The Son and The Holy Spirit help us. For their sake.

I go to court in 11 days. Heavier and Heavier I feel. I am going to break my driving rules and go to confession on Saturday and if I feel brave enough Mass on Sunday. Then I will do private acts of worship for a day and beg for forgiveness. I am afraid Lord Jesus, please help me.

Did I mention that the young man who hit me has the car that did so in his garage at his house? I knew in my gut it was him.

I so miss my California friends. I lived there 20 years and had friends that long. You cannot move and replace those relationships. I have been here two years. Well, this is getting pathetic, poor me.

Abby has been coming in everyday wearing a MAACO hat on backwards all day. She looks so darn cute, I can hardly keep from laughing. I am wearing black tight pants with knee high black suede stiletto heel boots. There is a visual for you. Now lets hope I do not break my neck.

I have yet to care for the town I live in. It seems rude and rough. I seldom venture out. (come on coffee, kick in)

We have several customers who are in twice a year with fender benders. One gal is so cute! I just cannot imagine riding in her car. How would you like to be on first name basis with your body shop! People are tense this time of year. We are getting the irritable group. Isn't it true that the hinky get worse during the holidays? Only two more weeks Mon Cheri'. Just two.

Friday - 1/2 hour to go

Mon Cheri. It is 5:00 on Friday and almost time to go. What a wonderful feeling. I have recovered from my malaise. Punks will be punks. My car is in the process of being repaired. Life goes on. It has been on the slow side. It is the Season to think about Christmas, not cars. In January, we will be back to busy. I have got the rhythm down now. My big push will be to make money next year. It will be out third year. When I talk to other business owners, they say it was several years till they made money. As long as we break even, I can live with that.

It has been a good week. We have had some colorful characters in. Those who just need someone to talk to, the estimate goes on and on. So many people, many seniors, so need someone to talk to. We listen and have many friends. There should be volunteers of people just listen and talk. It seems that need is greater than food in so many people. (including me sometimes)

We had 4 people this week in or on the phone complaining about the previous owner. It has been over two years and customers still are angry at him. Once in a while they take it out on me, I quickly remind them, I did not do that, but they just need someone to listen to how bad they were treated. I do. Some times, they are just trying to "theft by deception". Does not work on us anymore. But, God Bless their little hearts for trying. Keeps me on my toes. A lady came in today. We painted her car 4 months ago. Her door lock is not working right now. "It worked before you painted my car!" Can you imagine? Do other companies put up with that? Why do they do it to me, just so I can tell them we did not do it and listen to them scream. That is another need people seem to have, to scream and cuss at someone. I am sure there will be no volunteers to line up for that duty.

Merci mon ami for listening to me and my wacky stories. This year I have gone through a divorce, been attacked by a 22 year old, fired several men, been arrested, saved a young black family from jail from fines, prayed a lot. and have lived alone for two years, have loved having cats, done everything I can to grow a business. I am looking forward to next year as being MY YEAR! To grow and blossom in all ways.

Monday I have a new company rep arriving at 8 am. He will be here all day. Lets go man! whip us all in shape. I am ready. Bring it on. We have the cleanest shop in town. We decorated the office today for the Holidays. Sweet. We pray as a group and I explained to the whole group why Our Lord and Savior died on the cross for us and I watched one young man's eyes grow wide. I could see he got it for the first time. That should be a wonderful thing to have shared that understanding. I want to grab him and share more and more. But, I do what I can, I am a body shop owner and manager and have to stay one. But to see his eyes light up was God's gift to me. Love you, mon Cheri. me