Family Comes First -- Enjoy Them All!

so... today I am writing this blog from home. Yes, it is an absolutely gorgeous day and I really need to get some things done while I'm at home, but I would normally be at work during this time of the day anyway, so... first things first... I need to get a little "work" done at home. Enter: THE BLOG...

Working from home is tough in its own right. It's so hard for me to stay on-task with so many outside distractions (and I do mean outside.... Did I mention it's a really, Really, REALLY beautiful day?) Besides, the distractions that're waiting for me "on the inside" are so easily ignored! (dusting, dishes and laundry...ugh. Need I say more?) OOOOOH... I really hate laundry! grrr... a job that never ends! Maybe, for me, staying on-task is just difficult in general... again, another story for another day! :)

So, the reason that I'm home today is because my oldest child is home sick... anyway, she told me she's sick -- the jury is still out... because she's in a really good mood! Maybe she just loves her momma! (ehh... I suppose I shouldn't speak for her... she'd probably say that it depends on the day!) At any rate, she did get me thinking about a few things. Namely: Family comes first! Luckily for me, I work with family, too, so work and family really have no distinctive separation in my life. Plus, the jewelry store is so much a part of me that I don't think that I could separate it even if I tried. Now, whether or not I consider it to be as real as a family member, that's tough to say, but I do love my job quite a bit. Plus, it puts food on our table and allows me to take my kids to the doctor when they really are sick! I love my job so much, that sometimes I really hate being away from the store.

This past week, I've been hit with the thought of "putting family first" from all over the place. Maybe someone's trying to tell me something??? I've been reading a pretty darn good business book written by Gary Vaynerchuck about how to use the computer to reach more people (ie: THE BLOG). And his first order of business is to make it crystal clear (as in sparkling diamonds???) to every reader that he believes that you should enjoy your family first. Love the heck out of them. That makes everything else make sense -- obviously. And last week, I had the privilege to see soldiers happily reunited with their families. (THANK YOU!!!!! I'm so proud of you & your work!) Again, a perfect example of how important families are! Without them, jobs are meaningless. And just today, I spoke with a sales rep. who travels 8 months out of the year and is away from his family all that time... how difficult it is for him to have to talk to his kids on the phone to find out how their day went or to miss a school event or even a birthday.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that in our day-to-day lives, family is the one thing that gives us meaning. So having to stay home one more day with my lovely daughter is really not a bad thing. And don't get me wrong, I'm not upset... I love my kids way too much! :) Sure, I am missing my customers and not getting to the piles of work sitting (or more like, balancing precariously) on top of my desk, but I do know what's important -- even if it is just a little sore throat! I love my kids and the rest of my family, too! And, I do love every minute spent with them!

Thankfully, family is there to cover us at work in times when we do have to be away (Thanks, Steen). And family is there to help out when we need extra hands (Thanks, Mom & Dad). And family is there to support your decisions and to pick up the slack when we're away from them (Thanks, Shannon). And family is there to create a pathway in which we can always stay connected with the past (Thanks, Grandpa & Grandma for showing me your love of the jewelry industry). I can go on, but I'm getting to the end, I think... don't give up yet... we're almost there! Oh... guess, that means we're going on.... (sorry, just a little distraction for me)

Luckily, my passion is my family's business -- and who better to share that passion with than my family?! Family also includes the girls that work (& have worked) at the store, too! They do so much... where would I be without them? It's especially scary when Kiley knows exactly what my little abbreviated notes actually mean -- most of the time, she knows what they mean better than I do! Unbelievable! And family also includes my customers and the people who allow us to open our doors continually132 years and counting! Amazing! They even know what my phone messages really mean to say when I get to talking about something else -- remember how I said it was difficult to stay on task?! Yeah, well... sometimes that happens when I'm speaking with my customers, too. And I am so fortunate that they have the patience to put up with that! THANK YOU! (notice how I just assumed my way into your family? Things could get real interesting, real fast! heheh) And the community -- we've been lucky enough to be a part of downtown Kearney ever since dirt roads and horse hook-up posts were considered "main street."

So, go enjoy your family a little extra today. Just because you can! Plus, it's a really, Really, REALLY beautiful day! :)

And... if you're family's anything like mine... they can make you smile or even laugh out loud just thinking about them... At the very least, a shaking of the head and an eyeball roll! Every family's got at least one of those guys. In my family, "one of the guys" happens to be me! ;)

Have a great...
Erika

Just basic "getting through life" is sometimes very entertaining...

anyway, it's entertaining when you stand where I am and listen to some of the people coming through our door! ;) I love these stories and want to share them with you... besides, I promised that I would, so here they are.
Remember: the statements below are not necessarily the views of myself or the store... so, you can't hold me (us) responsible. Still, the end goal is to at least make you chuckle! ;)

Enjoy...

Customer 1: Comes in and says his engagement ring is being held hostage. He's hidden his engagement ring in the same spot at his parents' home that he used to hide his old "chew" can in... his parents have confiscated it and he doesn't know what to do to get it back. He's never admitted to anything that he'd hidden in what is now, evidentally, a not-so-great hiding spot and didn't even know that they were aware of his stash(es). He's really afraid of getting in trouble for things that were previously hidden there years ago, too.
Moral dilemma: Cop to the goods and get the ring back or buy a new one and ignore that old hiding place once & for all? Hmmm... must've been some interesting stuff! He won't tell me, so instead he buys a new ring just exactly like the old one and the topic is never brought up again... anyway, not to my knowledge. Ouch... so much for hidding spots!

Couple 2: Celebrating their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Amazing... definately something to be proud of, but I was seriously at a loss to offer something useful in this situation. After 70 years, what more could any couple want? Anway, we got to talking and she told me that she didn't know what to do either. At her age, people were amazed that they'd been together for so long... and even more, lived to tell about it! Then she said in this gruff, old voice, "People always ask me if I've ever considered divorce. " Going on, she says, "Divorce? Hmpf. Never. But murder, always!" And winked her eye. Hope the old boy lived to make it to their 71st anniversary!! ;) She was quite the fireball! And made me laugh out loud, too!

(OK, this next one is the last one for today... I'm sure you know by now that I can be a little long-winded, but this one is so funny, I had to include it!)

Customer 3: This is a letter we received from a customer back in 1991.
And, I quote:
"Dear Aub (that'd be my dad.... retired now...),
We received the 24" chain in fine shape. It's fatter than the original one on the cross, but I think it will look great. One problem -- The female dealie on the top of the cross is too small around and the male end of the chain is too big to go through. Every man's dream. I'm afraid to try to open the little circle and take it apart, so even though I'd love to be wearing it, is it O.K. if I just keep it like it is in the box and bring it in when we get back and let you do it? Guess I could take it to a jeweler here or let [my husband] screw around with it.... no, I think I'd better wait and let you do it. O.K.? Sincerely, [our customer]"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, you have to admit, that last one is pretty darn funny. Come on... I'm telling you that this is really funny stuff! The lady that wrote that was a very prim & proper lady and fairly up-there in age, too! It's funny! At least, give me an eyeball roll for this stuff! ;) I'm laughing just thinking about this. I love my customers!!! They completely make my day! And now, I hope they've made yours, too!

If you have a funny story... I don't really care about what... just that it's funny, then post it on here! Come on!!! This is funny stuff. I have tons of funny stories... maybe not all about the jewelry store, but good stuff! Maybe someday, I'll share those with you, too.

Here's my thought for the day: Make Today Special... Share a joke, hum a song, pass some special joy along. And if someone should come your way who doesn't share your joy today... The hell with 'em! ;)

I just love that saying... Life really should be enjoyed to it's fullest. And a good belly laugh is a great way to enjoy life! So, make me laugh... I'll be so happy if you do!

Have a great...
Erika

So, today's a bit dreary...

... nothing that a diamond's little sparkle can't fix. ;)

So, today is a bit dreary making me feel like not working too hard... I'd love to be at home reading a great book or just being lazy! Ehhh... who am I kidding? I'd still be sitting there thinking about all the spring cleaning that I could be doing... if only... If only... I'd actually put down my book or stop daydreaming and get to work! Geesh... my plans sound so great in my head, sometimes it's just the mechanics of getting from point A to B in a realatively painless way.

In a round a'bout way, what I'm trying to say is that Hawthorne Jewelry's in-store Certified Bench Jeweler Technician (or better known to me, my little brother) would love to do a little Spring Cleaning for you... all you need to do is get the stuff down here! Heck, who knows, maybe you could sweet talk him into pickup and delivery, too!?! It might be worth a try. But still, getting out of the house might be good for you. ;) Yeah, I know that can be a challenge, but just think of it... in about an hour, your jewelry will be sparkling and shiny... almost as good as new! How exciting that small thing can be on a dreary day. And, best yet... it's FREE!!! So, go ahead, call up an old friend and meet her for an hour or so for a cup of coffee, tea, Coke, ice cream... whatever your little heart desires. And then before you know it, you'll be picking up your shiny little trinkets and feeling better than ever. Good friends, great laughs and brilliant sparkles almost as bright as the sunlight! (Well, that kind of depends on how strong the light is that's reflecting off your diamonds!)

Oh, and did I mention that our staff is the best ever?! ;) Well, I may be partial about this topic, but I can guarantee you that my staff will do everything possible to make your experience here a happy one! Well, almost anything... Did I ever tell you about the time this customer came in & wanted.... ahhhhhahahahahahaahahaha. I'll save that for the next time...

Until then, come on in and get your Shine On!

"I have always felt a gift of diamond shines so much better than one you buy for yourself."
- -Mae West

Welcome to our Blog!

So, today is the first day for our "Hawthorne Jewelry" Blog... let's see how this goes. I'm excited to learn about a blog... today is the first day that I even figured out just exactly what a blog is -- & I'm not quite sure that I fully understand, but, hey...

Let me tell you a bit about our store... the history (in short form) is that we opened our doors in June, 1878... yep. That's right, we're 132 years old. And, I must say that we look pretty darn good for being that old. Well, at least the wrinkles are at a minimum!
We are a family-owned and run business and absolutely love what we do... my brother, Steen, is our bench jeweler and I try to stay out of his way! I'm the one that likes to talk; therefore, the blog writer, I am (or at least will aspire to be) Go figure...

I won't bore you with all the history of our store. If you're really interested, feel free to check out our website. www.HawthorneJewelry.com We'd love to have you visit! Or, join us as a fan on FaceBook... that's pretty darn cool, too. Or better yet, if you ever find yourself in the middle of Nebraska, stop on in! We'd love to show you around.

I know that this first blog is pretty darn un-eventful, but hopefully with practice (and your patience) it'll improve. By the time I'm done figuring out how this works, who knows? Maybe it'll be a huge sucess and you'll be waiting on the edge of your seat for a weekly update... nothing like wishing big, huh!?

Here's a great quote from John Lennon pertaining just to that --

Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry.

Enjoy...