The Family Concierge

I love hotels and love concierges who can magically find sold-out theatre tickets or a reservation at a place that usually has months long wait-lists. He or she also knows the best restaurants and shopping therapy venues. As life is rarely fair I am trying so hard to suppress my little green jealousy gnome as my friend now lives in a rarified air condo in the sky with its own concierge for condo owners and a full 4 star restaurant on site that offers room service.

In days gone by working for the Fortune 500 companies, I had perks galore and travelling was almost pleasant. I booked spa days and golf games and still got my work done. Perhaps that is why I am experiencing some lack of enthusiasm about being the concierge myself. Kids, grandkids, guests (invited or otherwise), dogs, cats and over 10 acres calling my name every spring is daunting. The previous incumbent in our home was a very talented gardener and set up 6 magical perennial beds - this was delightful until it became evident that I, the concierge, must also ensure these beds look stunning (last year was pretty iffy).

As we breed and board dogs, days like today (snow on April lst) are a challenge. Though I have accepted my role as concierge, it appears this b & b lacks a maid (how was THAT overlooked) so floors and upholstery compete with requests for lost shoes, chauffeuring et al.

Also, this lonely family concierge still must run the business and write (partly for sanity).

When we moved to a village from the city, we learned many new life lessons. I was particularly awed by one couple who seemed to run various and sundry businesses while working and still doing renovations and dining out regularly. Yes, you guessed it -- dinks -- while we are still paying off tuition for one of the four boys. Why are there no warnings when we embark on raising children? No one, absolutely no one, ever showed me a spreadsheet showing where all my money would go for the next 20 or more years.

Well, this concierge is off to try to find some pallets for the senior family member, m!!ake dinner and drink wine - not necessarily in that order! (Just for fun, I also peeked at the multitude of seed packets ready to be planted soon (with epsom salts, I just learned)..