Holiday Rush

It was the first week in October and I was pricing floor tiles in one of the big box stores. I overheard the manager explaining to his crew that they would be getting their Christmas Holiday merchandise in by the end of the week. They were to start making room for it so that it could be out on display as soon as it arrived.

Now, in addition to being on line, Laurel Mountain Basket Company has a retail gift shop located in Easthampton, MA. I know I have to start planning for the Holiday Season early. We need to start creating our new designs in July and August so that we can order our supplies for an October delivery. But, I am NOT going to put our Holiday designs out on display in our store before Halloween!

I love all of the Holidays and I want to enjoy each of them to the max. I celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day! So I think it is a shame to rush over any of them.

Celebrate Halloween! Make a huge bowl of pop corn, turn down the lights and cuddle on the sofa with your family while you watch scary movies together.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorites. Roasted turkey and pumpkin pie are the best. And in our family there is always a birthday cake. I was born on Thanksgiving day so it is a really special holiday to me.

I absolutely love Christmas!!!! Only my friend Jeannie out does me with Christmas decorating. I do think she starts decorating around now because every nook and cranny in her beautiful home is filled with the Christmas spirit. And then, she bakes enough cookies and sweet breads to feed the town.

So, my advice to you is that you savor each day because each one is a holiday. Don't rush over Mad Hatter Day, Cookie Monster Day or Cat Herders Day. Enjoy each one to the fullest.

What Makes a Good Boss?

"The first thing the secretary types is the boss." Donald Trump

Friday, October 16th is Boss's Day. In 1952, Patricia Haroski while working as a secretary, registered National Boss's Day with the US Chamber of Commerce. It was a day that gave employees the opportunity to recognize and thank their bosses. Ten years later October 16th was officially proclaimed National Boss's Day.

Those of us who have worked outside of the home have had experience working with a boss. I encountered my first boss at the age of 11 when I worked a summer job picking cucumbers. Yes, it was legal for children to work on farms for pay in Massachusetts in the 1960's. Since then, I have held a number of jobs and have had a number of bosses.

I guess I have been lucky because, although there were one or two that I will be happy never to have to work for again, most of the bosses I have had were what I consider "good" bosses. One or two I'd even consider "exceptional".

While researching Boss's Day, I found the general criteria for considering someone a good boss, is that they are kind and fair. I agree that both kindness and fairness are excellent qualities to have in a boss but found the best bosses I had were good communicators and good listeners too. They were also generous with their time. They encouraged me to grow and were willing to teach me the skills I'd need to do so.

I am self employed at this time so I don't have a traditional "boss" to celebrate with on October 16th. But I will say thank you to all of my bosses. Each one is very special to me.

May be you will share with me the qualities you believe make someone a "good" boss. I'd love to hear from you.

(Simple Elegance Gift Basket shown above)