Husbands? Boyfriends? Kids? Friends? Relatives? Please. If I really really had to, I guess I could do without one or two of these. Although I obviously wouldn't want to.
Seriously. I'd rather starve than not spend money on those who help me run my life and home. They are my life line, for sure. Mind you... I am always the absolute responsible leader for everything, knowing exactly what is going on and what needs to be taken care of but without help in organizing my household?? I'd be VERY unhappy.
Granted, I once mistakenly called the police on Teresa one winter morning about 4 years ago, but that's only because I thought a burglar had broken into my house and disarmed my alarm and was robbing me blind. Turns out of course it was Teresa merrily going about her business, cleaning my kitchen, when the police shined a light onto her. That's a whole other story, however. I even blogged about it way back when for I'm totally telling you... it was one of my alltime scariest moments ever. Jesus. What an idiot I was that morning. Anyway...
What I haven't blogged about... until now... is Bonnie. That's her you see up in the picture. Bonnie is the last in a line up of about 5 different personal assistants I've had in the past 20 years. And I've adored them all. There is no way I could have lived a life of calm and serenity without a one of them. Apparently... left on my own, I'm a friggin' mental mess. Even to this day, Luz calls me on my birthday every year.
For years and years I naturally managed my entire household on my own. When it was hardest, too. When all the kids were still young, when my hubby was first beginning his practice, when I even had live in help for five years, let's say. I took care of EVERYthing basically on my own. Kinda. Even when I was still working part time. Then one day my girlfriend Beth said to me: OMG. I'M SO THRILLED. I HIRED A PERSONAL ASSISTANT WHO COMES IN ONCE A WEEK AND WHO DOES EVERYTHING I HATE AND... I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER.
That's all I had to hear. What?? NO MORE HAVING TO RUN ERRANDS? NO MORE HAVING TO ISSUE CHECKS EACH MONTH? NO MORE HAVING TO DO MY GROCERY SHOPPING? NO MORE HAVING TO TALK TO INSURANCE COMPANIES?? NO MORE HAVING TO RESOLVE BILLING ISSUES WITH ANY COMPANY?? Totally count me in!
Which is how I started with Lorena, worked up to Luz, Delinda, Pat and now arriving at Bonnie. Man. I finally found heaven here on Earth. Bonnie is absolutely perfect for me. She does all the bullshit I hate on the phone, she does what I need regarding errands and best of all, she totally calms me down when I get crazed. She once left me a wonderful note, like a loving Mother would do, telling me to relax and enjoy the day after I became NUTS from AT&T one day. She is like my personal PMS specialist. Of course NOW there is no longer a PM deal going on, but trust me... it's effects can apparently still be brought to the surface every now and then, regardless. Whatever.
All I can tell you is that Bonnie is one of the sweetest, most patient people you'd ever meet. She has this notion in her head that if anything ever happened to her, I'd be able to manage just fine, which is SO not true. For believe you me, if God forbid anything ever happened to Bonnie, I'd be lost. Of course I DID have to carry on alone for four months when Bonnie had partial knee replacements a couple years ago but I guarantee you... I was counting the DAYS until her return. Seriously. When the day comes that Bonnie says to me OH YEAH. JUST WANT TO TELL YOU I'M MOVING you can bet your sweet ass that I'll have to slit my wrists imMEDiately. Same thing for Teresa, now that I think of it.
For I must admit... I can handle plenty of adversity when needed. And, indeed I have. But when it comes to maintaining balance in my personal life, I SO need the grounded help Bonnie offers. Left to own resources, heaven only KNOWS in what state I'd find myself. DEAR GOD: PLEASE DON'T EVER MAKE ME HAVE TO LOSE TERESA OR BONNIE. IF SO... I JUST MAY BE SEEING YOU WAY SOONER THAN I THOUGHT. THANK YOU GOD. AMEN.
What a very heart-warming post you got there. I've seen a lot of people who take their great support staff and assistants for granted. You took time to show how much you appreciate them, which is really amazing and kind. I hope you get to keep those two, as your assistants and as your friends. Thank you for sharing that wonderful post! All the best!
ReplyDeleteMary Hughes @ Sorted-PA
Thank you Mary for your very kind words! You're in England, yes??
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