Bon Jour Mon Cheri!
Our thoughts become our words. Therefore, it is vitally important that we choose life-generating thoughts. When we do, right words will follow.
Joyce Meyer
Good Evening Beloved, Hectic and wild last couple of days. Monday typical, kinda slow, the day after Easter. Rain, of course. Tuesday am, Two police officers show up and ask me to step outside. It appeared someone had called them and told them I was going to kill myself with pills!! Now, that was a first. Was my ex-husband named Dan? No, I do not know a Dan. Dan who??? I WHAT! I assured them I was not that mad at the world. I wanted to ask them why they did not care when the creep threatened me in front of them, but seem to care now???? My fear was to be carried off and locked up in a loonie bin. When they walked in we girls were all laughing. A friend of facebook said I sure stirred someone's soup. I guess so.
That afternoon, I got a letter in the mail from the court house saying I was being sued by a gent who owned a 73 Vega! We painted it and it was a race car with a fiberglass front end. It was a real mess and the guy wanted it cheap, cheap, cheap. Did not want to do any bodywork, had done his own bodywork, crappy job. We told him several times, it will not look good as the surface sucks. His words, I just want it orange. The suit states, he does not feel it was a good job. I must admit it, I was chapped! Screaming chapped.
Here is another one for the books....A guy brought his son's car in to be painted and he had done the body work himself. Junk yard fender, etc. He also, bless his heart, attached the rocker panel with bathroom calk. Yes, you read it right. Brady, one of my guys came up front as he was precleaning it and it just kept coming off. I told him to take the car outside and leave it there, throw away all the rags and wash his hands really good. You see, beloved, Sylicone will cause auto paint to bubble. Sylicone anywhere in the air will cause auto paint to bubble. We could not get it off enough to assure a good paint job and it would effect the next ten cars if we had let it in our booth.
Abby called the man and told him he had to come get the car and clean the stuff off. He said he bought the alk at Home Depot and it said it was paintable. Abby, told him....SIR, House products stay in the house and auto products are for the car. He asked if we would clean it for 20 dollars, noooo.....maybe 200 dollars. They came and got it. I felt mean, but had to protect the next 20 customers. Bathroom calk. People!!!
I spent one day this week running the shop. I got in at 6 and had two cars done by the time the crew arrived. I made them come in the booth and I showed them what they had done wrong. There were a few other things I caught during the day in the back and I made them do it right and told them to do it this way everytime. I was so dirty and tired, but I think it is a good thing to do on a regular basis. I caught several things that needed to be changed and changed them. The guys worked hard. I told them that too. One of my boys had a car accident last night and got a concussion. He is the same one who the hood slammed on his hand a while back. He has had a rough month. Car was totaled.
Tomorrow, we shut down and are going to clean the booths. Massive job, power washing both of them, cleaning everything and then using pumps to get the water out. Dirty work, but way over due.
With that lovely thought, I will say Bon Nuit. All my love, Lynn, no such luck I won't be killing myself, Moore
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Scar-face, again
Mon Cheri,
my favorite quote, again, (10/5/2009)
This befell and be-happened and became and was, O my best beloved when the tame animals were wild.
Rudyard Kipling
It is 6:00pm and I sit here with you. Everyone is gone, except Hugh who is painting a car. We have an incentive out there and they are running a little short. So, the dedicated are still out there working. Hugh. I will bring it up tomorrow morning who they owe their bonus money to.
We fixed a car for a gentleman and his wife a year ago. He has had something break recently and feels it is our obligation to repair it for free. He has been told no by Maaco Corporate as well as the BBB. He sent me an email today and told me that he feels if a company does a service, they are responsible for life. His final words..."You will pay". Now, how would you take that beloved??? Do I need to dodge rocks flying through windows or does he plan to sue me? Hopefully, it is a pathetic attempt to intimidate me. I did not answer it as it was attached to a letter from the BBB stating to him that he did not have a claim and as far as they were concerned, I had fulfilled my obligations to him fully. End of Story. I love my job. Where is the person who was supposed to warn me about this? Aren't you supposed to be told what you are getting into before you leap? I thought that was how it worked.
Scar-face.....We painted motorcycle parts a beautiful pearl white recently. The gent then took the gas tank to an artist and had a beautiful sepia "Scar-face" airbrushed on it. Ooooo and Ahhhhhh it was. For safe keeping it was in my office, (if I told you this before, sorry, it is the vodka) and yours truly knocked it off a table and Scar-face had a few more scars. Yes, I cried. I picked it up from the artist today and it is back in my office, again, on the same table, again. We need to clear coat it and hopefully put it back in the hands of the owner with no further ado. The artist was really rude and I guess it is an artist thing. Cannot say I have known many.
I spent yesterday am at the jail getting one of my boys out. It is hard and emotional to do that, not to mention expensive. We go to court on May 2nd and hopefully it will be over. Someone has to care...remember when I talked about the throw away animals and kids. Someone has to care. They also did not tell me that when I started my own business. You will care too much. It will take a lot out of you.
I think they are about done in the back. Hugh and Mitch, the shop manager. I am ready for a glass of wine and some time to "do me". ("do me" means to take care of myself, do something nice for myself)
All my love Mon Cheri and if I turn up missing, the paperwork is in my bottom desk drawer on the "you will pay" guy. hugs and kisses me
my favorite quote, again, (10/5/2009)
This befell and be-happened and became and was, O my best beloved when the tame animals were wild.
Rudyard Kipling
It is 6:00pm and I sit here with you. Everyone is gone, except Hugh who is painting a car. We have an incentive out there and they are running a little short. So, the dedicated are still out there working. Hugh. I will bring it up tomorrow morning who they owe their bonus money to.
We fixed a car for a gentleman and his wife a year ago. He has had something break recently and feels it is our obligation to repair it for free. He has been told no by Maaco Corporate as well as the BBB. He sent me an email today and told me that he feels if a company does a service, they are responsible for life. His final words..."You will pay". Now, how would you take that beloved??? Do I need to dodge rocks flying through windows or does he plan to sue me? Hopefully, it is a pathetic attempt to intimidate me. I did not answer it as it was attached to a letter from the BBB stating to him that he did not have a claim and as far as they were concerned, I had fulfilled my obligations to him fully. End of Story. I love my job. Where is the person who was supposed to warn me about this? Aren't you supposed to be told what you are getting into before you leap? I thought that was how it worked.
Scar-face.....We painted motorcycle parts a beautiful pearl white recently. The gent then took the gas tank to an artist and had a beautiful sepia "Scar-face" airbrushed on it. Ooooo and Ahhhhhh it was. For safe keeping it was in my office, (if I told you this before, sorry, it is the vodka) and yours truly knocked it off a table and Scar-face had a few more scars. Yes, I cried. I picked it up from the artist today and it is back in my office, again, on the same table, again. We need to clear coat it and hopefully put it back in the hands of the owner with no further ado. The artist was really rude and I guess it is an artist thing. Cannot say I have known many.
I spent yesterday am at the jail getting one of my boys out. It is hard and emotional to do that, not to mention expensive. We go to court on May 2nd and hopefully it will be over. Someone has to care...remember when I talked about the throw away animals and kids. Someone has to care. They also did not tell me that when I started my own business. You will care too much. It will take a lot out of you.
I think they are about done in the back. Hugh and Mitch, the shop manager. I am ready for a glass of wine and some time to "do me". ("do me" means to take care of myself, do something nice for myself)
All my love Mon Cheri and if I turn up missing, the paperwork is in my bottom desk drawer on the "you will pay" guy. hugs and kisses me
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Noah, get that boat finished! It is raining in Ohio!
Kind and loving Lady, Mon Cheri and Beloved. We had a day so busy yesterday, I, yes I, did a few estimates. We have cars everywhere which is a good thing as it is supposed to rain the rest of the week. Build a boat kind of rain. The shop is humming and I have thrown out an incentive to hit a number. They will be working hard this week. Yes, gentlemen, we still have bills to pay.
During our mad rush yesterday, a lovely elderly lady brought in an old work order which said on it that the customer refused to strip off the old peeling paint and therefor there was no warranty on the paint. It was a year out of the warranty if it had been ligit, but she stood at the desk and got nasty with Abby as the paint is peeling, again. We showed her that her husband declined to fix the problem and to just paint over it and he signed so. Saint Abby offered to fix it correctly this time, but the woman yelled at her, "are you going to do it for FREE?" Abby explained why, nicely, not(I am thinking Hell NO). She then announced she was heading for an attorney and wanted copies of all we had. Abby started to the copy machine and I told the lady to have a nice day. She said what about my copies, I said, "I am sure you have them at home, now have a nice day." Out she went. Like I was going to make copies for her! PEOPLE, Learn, you get so much further ahead by being nice!!!!
We still Have Jeffrie's car. It now has a clear coat over the entire multi color exterior and decals. We are still wondering how much more he can find to do to it. He calls for Abby 10 times a day and I believe is just lonely. Hopefully, he finds a less expensive way to meet his people needs.
My darling Abby retained a large square metal rust box on wheels that used to be an armored car. We have 30 body hours in it to de-rust it and then they want it painted. It is currently not distinguishable as a vehicle of any kind, but the person who brought it in was wearing a weapon, a big weapon and uniform so they must consider it an armored car. Thus, they were armed. So, that will be fun to watch. Perhaps we may find a bill or two tucked in the cracks. We did find a shell casing, 38, under the seat of a car. Had to be a drive by experience.
My Body Guy, Brandy left early yesterday as it was his, just remembered, wedding anniversary. This morning, I asked him if he had a good evening? He said he left here and went and bought all the flowers he could find and filled his trunk. He then went home and asked his wife if she would get the stuff he left in his trunk. awwwwww.... That is what you get on your second wedding anniversary!
All my love my beloved, God Bless, Lynn
During our mad rush yesterday, a lovely elderly lady brought in an old work order which said on it that the customer refused to strip off the old peeling paint and therefor there was no warranty on the paint. It was a year out of the warranty if it had been ligit, but she stood at the desk and got nasty with Abby as the paint is peeling, again. We showed her that her husband declined to fix the problem and to just paint over it and he signed so. Saint Abby offered to fix it correctly this time, but the woman yelled at her, "are you going to do it for FREE?" Abby explained why, nicely, not(I am thinking Hell NO). She then announced she was heading for an attorney and wanted copies of all we had. Abby started to the copy machine and I told the lady to have a nice day. She said what about my copies, I said, "I am sure you have them at home, now have a nice day." Out she went. Like I was going to make copies for her! PEOPLE, Learn, you get so much further ahead by being nice!!!!
We still Have Jeffrie's car. It now has a clear coat over the entire multi color exterior and decals. We are still wondering how much more he can find to do to it. He calls for Abby 10 times a day and I believe is just lonely. Hopefully, he finds a less expensive way to meet his people needs.
My darling Abby retained a large square metal rust box on wheels that used to be an armored car. We have 30 body hours in it to de-rust it and then they want it painted. It is currently not distinguishable as a vehicle of any kind, but the person who brought it in was wearing a weapon, a big weapon and uniform so they must consider it an armored car. Thus, they were armed. So, that will be fun to watch. Perhaps we may find a bill or two tucked in the cracks. We did find a shell casing, 38, under the seat of a car. Had to be a drive by experience.
My Body Guy, Brandy left early yesterday as it was his, just remembered, wedding anniversary. This morning, I asked him if he had a good evening? He said he left here and went and bought all the flowers he could find and filled his trunk. He then went home and asked his wife if she would get the stuff he left in his trunk. awwwwww.... That is what you get on your second wedding anniversary!
All my love my beloved, God Bless, Lynn
Friday, April 15, 2011
A Rainy Friday Night - Do Your Best and Cope With The Rest
Bon Jour Mon Cheri, Another week is over, paychecks handed out to tired puppies. Join me, Mon Cheri in a glass of wine and a few stories. First a quote to wake you up:
Passionate actions and amorous gesticulations or movements, which arise on the spur of the moment, and during sexual intercourse, cannot be defined, and are as irregular as dreams.
Kama Sutra
Jeffry, the flaming Mustang guy just keeps bringing his car back to have more and more bling added. I think he is very lonely and just wants to be around Abby. He has been behaved most of the time.
If you remember, last Christmas a man asked me to sleep with his wife....He stopped in and this time it really creeped me out. I was kind of rude and he left. Then, had the nerve to send an email asking for a picture for his wife. That did it. I told him what I thought of him and told him under no certain terms to leave me alone. Do we think he got the hint this time??? time will tell.
We painted a brass headboard and foot board for a nice gal for her daughters room. It was hers when she was a child and looked really rough. We painted it white and it looked brand new. She was thrilled. I was quite surprised and thought a secondary business could be born. I could hunt the junk stores and repaint a few things and sell them. Perhaps I should advertise such and get into the decorating side of things, not just cars.
Remember the car we redid for the Sisters of Charity?? They brought lunch for the entire crew this week and it was wonderful. The guys were really touched. We all were. God Bless you Sister!
I am tired and afraid I lack creativity at the moment. I will end here before I bore myself to death. It is rainy, cold and there is nothing on tv. This body shop lady could use some_________and then a little_________. Perhaps with some__________and___________I could sleep like a baby.
All my love Mon Cheri, Lynn M.
Passionate actions and amorous gesticulations or movements, which arise on the spur of the moment, and during sexual intercourse, cannot be defined, and are as irregular as dreams.
Kama Sutra
Jeffry, the flaming Mustang guy just keeps bringing his car back to have more and more bling added. I think he is very lonely and just wants to be around Abby. He has been behaved most of the time.
If you remember, last Christmas a man asked me to sleep with his wife....He stopped in and this time it really creeped me out. I was kind of rude and he left. Then, had the nerve to send an email asking for a picture for his wife. That did it. I told him what I thought of him and told him under no certain terms to leave me alone. Do we think he got the hint this time??? time will tell.
We painted a brass headboard and foot board for a nice gal for her daughters room. It was hers when she was a child and looked really rough. We painted it white and it looked brand new. She was thrilled. I was quite surprised and thought a secondary business could be born. I could hunt the junk stores and repaint a few things and sell them. Perhaps I should advertise such and get into the decorating side of things, not just cars.
Remember the car we redid for the Sisters of Charity?? They brought lunch for the entire crew this week and it was wonderful. The guys were really touched. We all were. God Bless you Sister!
I am tired and afraid I lack creativity at the moment. I will end here before I bore myself to death. It is rainy, cold and there is nothing on tv. This body shop lady could use some_________and then a little_________. Perhaps with some__________and___________I could sleep like a baby.
All my love Mon Cheri, Lynn M.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
No sir, paint does not fix dents"
Bon jour,
true questions:
How much is a free written estimate?
Will the paint fix the rust?
Why do you have to mask the windows before you paint a car?
What do you mean there is no warranty if you paint over my peeling paint?
Can you paint my car while I wait?
Can you fix this rust bucket van and paint it for around $100.00?
Beloved, it was a hectic, but good week. Most everyone was happy, customers. The crew started at 6 every morning and by Friday, they were tired puppies, but all had overtime and got quite a bit done. One of my guys had a hood fall on his hand. I took him to Urgent care to get an Xray and it was not broken. He is a very lucky young man, albeit in great pain. I bought his rx and sent him home for a few days. I then spent the rest of the day filling out the workers comp forms. I hate you Government.
There was a storm this week, I was running from one end of the shop to the oother. I had a squeege and was trying to push the water back out the door before it hit the booths. Power went out and ran to the circuit boxes, pulled in freshly painted cars and blew the water off, Now I have a broken paint booth and each week something breaks. Question: How do I gget the crew to have a sense of urgency??? love you, L
true questions:
How much is a free written estimate?
Will the paint fix the rust?
Why do you have to mask the windows before you paint a car?
What do you mean there is no warranty if you paint over my peeling paint?
Can you paint my car while I wait?
Can you fix this rust bucket van and paint it for around $100.00?
Beloved, it was a hectic, but good week. Most everyone was happy, customers. The crew started at 6 every morning and by Friday, they were tired puppies, but all had overtime and got quite a bit done. One of my guys had a hood fall on his hand. I took him to Urgent care to get an Xray and it was not broken. He is a very lucky young man, albeit in great pain. I bought his rx and sent him home for a few days. I then spent the rest of the day filling out the workers comp forms. I hate you Government.
There was a storm this week, I was running from one end of the shop to the oother. I had a squeege and was trying to push the water back out the door before it hit the booths. Power went out and ran to the circuit boxes, pulled in freshly painted cars and blew the water off, Now I have a broken paint booth and each week something breaks. Question: How do I gget the crew to have a sense of urgency??? love you, L
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday Morning and no rest for the wicked
Bon Jour Mon Cheri! Gentle reader, it is 9:30am on Saturday and I have been here since six am. I met here my shop manager, a body man and two technicians hoping to get caught up. It was dark when I pulled in an they were getting out of their cars and one of my guys says, "Don't shoot boss, it is us!" Oh haha. They think it is funny to have a boss lady with a gun. I spent the first two hours working in the shop with the guys then worked on paperwork. Now I am spending time with you.
We are still waiting on warm weather. Everyone is so tired of being cold. Abby has worked so hard this week. We call her Saint Abby now. The endless patience is amazing.
Let me tell you about Jeffry. Jeffry is about 5'4" and weighs about 450#. He is flaming and is proud of it. We painted and jazzed up his Mustang. Jeffry came in one day with a lime green wig on and bent over with his shirt open and pushed his chest together and announced he was a WOMAN. He likes to hang out and I have had to tell him several times, HEY, Church Nice here. He shares his stories with Abby and hits on Hugh. One day, after Jeffry left, Hugh was sitting on the stool staring and said to no one in particular, I am going home and take a bath.....an alcohol bath. Jeffry has made it clear to Abby, he wants her husband. Thank God his car is done. He still calls and I am sure will find reasons to stop by. As long as there are no customers or children in the shop, he keeps us laughing, except Hugh, he did not find him so funny.
We continue to have delightful customers and strange to scary ones. A woman from India, who wanted her daughter's car perfect...(never perfect again after an accident fyi) asked questions for two hours, but would not let Abby answer she would say, now don't interrupt. So, Abby politely listened to questions for two straight hours. She then wanted to take the car without paying and started to talk about how our country trusted her country. Abby said no. period. Brandy is working on a pick up truck we painted bright metalic orange.
I have a young man who works for me who cannot get his driver's lic back until he paid off a debt. I called the people and they said he owed $2800. on the debt that was 1500 and he had paid $500. They said the interest was 57 cents a day!!! I thought that was a sin and illegal. I offered them $1500. to settle and to forget the rest and they took it. They have to fax the release and we need to go to the dmv and get him set up again. I used tough love and told him he does not drive until he pays me back and saves enough to get a car AND insurance. He is not to drive w/o ins again. I told him next time he would be in jail and no one could help him then. He is such a good kid. Grew up in the foster care system, but somehow developed values and a great work ethic. Just got in a mess, told him it would take a while to dig out but it could be done.
So, I am ready to go back to bed for a while today. We did a candy car this week and he is coming to pay for it and take it. My guys are still working, so I am just waiting. With this, my precious, I will wish you a wonderful weekend. Shangri la (my alter ego)
We are still waiting on warm weather. Everyone is so tired of being cold. Abby has worked so hard this week. We call her Saint Abby now. The endless patience is amazing.
Let me tell you about Jeffry. Jeffry is about 5'4" and weighs about 450#. He is flaming and is proud of it. We painted and jazzed up his Mustang. Jeffry came in one day with a lime green wig on and bent over with his shirt open and pushed his chest together and announced he was a WOMAN. He likes to hang out and I have had to tell him several times, HEY, Church Nice here. He shares his stories with Abby and hits on Hugh. One day, after Jeffry left, Hugh was sitting on the stool staring and said to no one in particular, I am going home and take a bath.....an alcohol bath. Jeffry has made it clear to Abby, he wants her husband. Thank God his car is done. He still calls and I am sure will find reasons to stop by. As long as there are no customers or children in the shop, he keeps us laughing, except Hugh, he did not find him so funny.
We continue to have delightful customers and strange to scary ones. A woman from India, who wanted her daughter's car perfect...(never perfect again after an accident fyi) asked questions for two hours, but would not let Abby answer she would say, now don't interrupt. So, Abby politely listened to questions for two straight hours. She then wanted to take the car without paying and started to talk about how our country trusted her country. Abby said no. period. Brandy is working on a pick up truck we painted bright metalic orange.
I have a young man who works for me who cannot get his driver's lic back until he paid off a debt. I called the people and they said he owed $2800. on the debt that was 1500 and he had paid $500. They said the interest was 57 cents a day!!! I thought that was a sin and illegal. I offered them $1500. to settle and to forget the rest and they took it. They have to fax the release and we need to go to the dmv and get him set up again. I used tough love and told him he does not drive until he pays me back and saves enough to get a car AND insurance. He is not to drive w/o ins again. I told him next time he would be in jail and no one could help him then. He is such a good kid. Grew up in the foster care system, but somehow developed values and a great work ethic. Just got in a mess, told him it would take a while to dig out but it could be done.
So, I am ready to go back to bed for a while today. We did a candy car this week and he is coming to pay for it and take it. My guys are still working, so I am just waiting. With this, my precious, I will wish you a wonderful weekend. Shangri la (my alter ego)
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