First Booking!

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Posted on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 12:13am

Proud Texan

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WE GOT OUR VERY FIRST BOOKING!

We're both excited and a little anxious about it, but we just need to remember that we had enough confidence in ourselves to start this venture. We've done our homework and received a lot of great advice from this forum. I think we're ready.

Nice comments from the person making the reservation about our website with its descriptions and lots of pictures. Hopefully, they'll enjoy the real thing. I work this 72 acres everyday and finished out the cottages and our home myself, so I see the place warts and all. I banking on them seeing the charm of the place and overlooking what I deem areas that need work on. I a bit of a perfectionist. It drives DW crazy!

This comment (10070) was in reply to the Original Topic on Sun, 08/24/2008 - 9:16am

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JunieBJones (JBJ)

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That is funny, we get excited about EMPTY rolls of Tp. Whowouldathunk. But yes, that means $$ in the bank.

Just in case any one who is secretly writing a book of memoirs of their B&B experiences please use that somehow in the title! I will wait in line to buy it!

I just reread that sentence and this is WHY you should not stream music at your desk while typing,...or singing along, even worse. DOH!

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This comment (10946) was in reply to comment 10070 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 7:50pm

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Proud Texan

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Our First Review:

What an absolutely lovely place! Words can't describe the hospitality, kindness and the attention to detail the Tarins supplied. From fishing off the bridge to laying in the hammocks, the peacefulness and relaxation have been rejuvenating! The well-cut trails are an adventure and offer a bit of exercise if your in the mood for that. The room was immaculate, the bed so comfortable it was hard to leave it. I think the sheets must have been Egyptian cotton. The internet photos don't do the cottages justice. Breakfasts were to die for! ... A gourmet meal each morning. We enjoyed our visit with Marilyn and Randy, they feel like old friends. The best B&B as yet! We'll be returning.

And the best thing is that we have another reservation for this weekend. By gosh, this Bed and Breakfast thing just might work!

This comment (10968) was in reply to comment 10946 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 8:59pm

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swirt

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That's great! A good review, and a tip on what needs work on the website (making it so the web photos do the cabins justice)

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This comment (10979) was in reply to comment 10968 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 11:31pm

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Proud Texan

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swirt wrote:

That's great! A good review, and a tip on what needs work on the website (making it so the web photos do the cabins justice)

I've got to get access to a better camera with at least a good 28mm lens. All I've got is a 3.2 Pixel Canon Powershot. It never gets the color right and there is terrible spherical distortion.

This comment (10963) was in reply to comment 10946 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 8:51pm

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JunieBJones (JBJ)

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ProudTexan wrote:

Our First Review:

And the best thing is that we have another reservation for this weekend. By gosh, this Bed and Breakfast thing just might work!

EXCELLENT! Made ya feel great. We're proud of you and all your hard work. Always proud when another innkeeper gets good kudos too!

This comment (10028) was in reply to the Original Topic on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 5:59pm

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Cathy

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Very exciting. The stress and all the fretting are all well worth it. The first guests will always be special. How wonderful. Congratultions on your first of years of successful breakfasts.

I still get nervous for some reason, I want every one to be happy and leave the breakfast table full.

Funny comment about the TP ... I don't think we have had very many NEW fresh rolls in our bathroom since we started. Does every else use them up in their personal bathrooms?

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This comment (10048) was in reply to comment 10028 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 11:19pm

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swirt

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We close for the season around the middle of November .... I usually don't get to use a fresh roll until mid January. It is cause for celebration .... what?? it gets really quiet here in the winter...even the very little stuff is cause for celebration

This comment (11007) was in reply to comment 10048 on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 12:02pm

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Morticia

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swirt wrote:

I'll keep that middle of November in mind now that I have family in your neck of the woods! When do you reopen?

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This comment (11047) was in reply to comment 11007 on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 9:08pm

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swirt

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Usually we open mid-April. We plan it based on DW's school. They get an April break so we open the weekend at the tail end of that. Gives us the week to get the place cleaned up from the winter. Though next year is a bit up in the air right now. We may be scaling back a bit more to make room for ....other things

This comment (10037) was in reply to comment 10028 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 8:52pm

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Morticia

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Cathy wrote:

Very exciting. The stress and all the fretting are all well worth it. The first guests will always be special. How wonderful. Congratultions on your first of years of successful breakfasts.

I still get nervous for some reason, I want every one to be happy and leave the breakfast table full.

Funny comment about the TP ... I don't think we have had very many NEW fresh rolls in our bathroom since we started. Does every else use them up in their personal bathrooms?

At this time of year I have a drawer full of half-used rolls, they're stacked in a basket on the back of the toilet AND they're stacked 3 at a time on the TP holder! They run out around mid-September.

This comment (10031) was in reply to comment 10028 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 6:49pm

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copperhead

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It's sort of a sign of success

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This comment (10029) was in reply to comment 10028 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 6:04pm

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gillumhouse

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It is rare when an innkeeper has a NEW roll of TP in their bathroom!

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This comment (9967) was in reply to the Original Topic on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 11:09am

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YellowSocks

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May your guests always show up when they say they will, think all food you put before them is delicious, and leave lavish gifts behind!

=)
Kk.

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This comment (9872) was in reply to the Original Topic on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 9:38pm

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The Tipsy Butler

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Huge CONGRATS !!! You're on your way .... and I'm sure you're doing everything perfectly. You may look back on your first days and cringe, but I am very very sure that your guests will have nothing but THE BEST memories. Wait 'til they come back - you'll be convinced so much has changed and they'll do nothing but rave about how wonderful you were .... and still are.

This comment (9904) was in reply to comment 9872 on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 10:41pm

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Proud Texan

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All I know is that we are pooped and headed to bed. Up early tomorrow to prepare our first breakfast. We've had several dry runs with friends, so we're ready.

This comment (9962) was in reply to comment 9904 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 10:57am

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JunieBJones (JBJ)

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ProudTexan wrote:

All I know is that we are pooped and headed to bed. Up early tomorrow to prepare our first breakfast. We've had several dry runs with friends, so we're ready.

We're all waiting to hear how it went.

Swirt that was a good new innkeeper blessing, may I add, may your water pressure be strong, your beds filled with happy guests,and may your half empty toilet rolls runneth over!

This comment (10005) was in reply to comment 9962 on Thu, 10/30/2008 - 1:28pm

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Proud Texan

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JunieBJones (JBJ) wrote:

ProudTexan wrote:

All I know is that we are pooped and headed to bed. Up early tomorrow to prepare our first breakfast. We've had several dry runs with friends, so we're ready.

We're all waiting to hear how it went.

We fretted about the coffee....they loved the coffee. We were nervous about the fruit and main dish, they cleaned their plates and ooed and ahhed (sp?) everything we presented down to the orange juice and the biscuits and condiments. They've complimented us so much we're blushing.

At last ~~being anal~~ having an eye for detail has paid off!

This comment (10013) was in reply to comment 10005 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 2:26pm

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Morticia

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ProudTexan wrote:

JunieBJones (JBJ) wrote:

ProudTexan wrote:

All I know is that we are pooped and headed to bed. Up early tomorrow to prepare our first breakfast. We've had several dry runs with friends, so we're ready.

We're all waiting to hear how it went.

We fretted about the coffee....they loved the coffee. We were nervous about the fruit and main dish, they cleaned their plates and ooed and ahhed (sp?) everything we presented down to the orange juice and the bisquits and condiments. They've complimented us so much we're blushing.

At last ~~being anal~~ having an eye for detail has paid off!

Isn't it a wonderful feeling? Good job!

This comment (10009) was in reply to comment 10005 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 2:11pm

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muirford

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The performance anxiety of serving breakfast lasted for about six months for me, and still gets me occasionally, especially if I am trying out a new dish or if I have several special diet issues.

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This comment (10006) was in reply to comment 10005 on Sat, 08/23/2008 - 1:54pm

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Samster

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Good job!! May all your guests be as wonderful as your first guests

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This comment (9869) was in reply to the Original Topic on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 9:29pm

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Samster

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Congrats! Hope you have a great weekend with your first guests!

This comment (9846) was in reply to the Original Topic on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 7:11pm

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Proud Texan

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Well now! They've arrived and not only did they NOT see the warts but all they could do was go on and on about how beautiful everything was.

The lady is a flight attendant for American Airlines and he's, well he's a good old country boy. He was the one that wanted to stay at the Best Western, but was so glad that his wife talked him into coming here. They just got here and they are ready to come back!

We'll see how the weekend plays out and see if they still want to be our NBFFL!

This comment (9870) was in reply to comment 9846 on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 9:30pm

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swirt

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Well done! Your bathroom is destined to be stocked with many a half-roll of toilet paper. (an innkeeper blessing of sorts)

This comment (9851) was in reply to comment 9846 on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 7:17pm

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Morticia

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ProudTexan wrote:

Well now! They've arrived and not only did they NOT see the warts but all they could do was go on and on about how beautiful everything was.

We'll see how the weekend plays out and see if they still want to be our NBFFL!

Very nice!

This comment (9482) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 12:16pm

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Samster

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Congratulations! You'll always remember your first guests Good luck!

This comment (9496) was in reply to comment 9482 on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 1:48pm

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Sunshine

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Congratulations! Don't forget to enjoy it !

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This comment (9445) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 10:27am

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Cathy

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We just celebrated our 6 month anniversary and over 100 guests ... I remember being excited and nervous before they arrived. First breakfast ... so much stress. I too want everything to be perfect.

Each time a new reservation comes in it is exciting. We are still smiling.

Congratulations!! How very exciting!!

This comment (9438) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 10:07am

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MTLLodge

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Best of luck to you. We are doing the same thing that you did. Building it ourselves. LOTS of work. Glad so see you made it!

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This comment (9428) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 9:40am

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Morticia

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Yay! When do they arrive?

This comment (9424) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 9:32am

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greyswan

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Wow! how excited you must be... I can remember our 1 guests - it's an awesome experience!!

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This comment (9422) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 9:27am

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gillumhouse

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Congrats!! Yes, I still remember our first guests. In year #13 and I still get excited whenwe get a reservation.

My theory is that when taking a reservation no longer excites me, it is the day to close up shop.

This comment (9411) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 8:42am

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catlady

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Best wishes to you. May this be the first of many

This comment (9410) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 8:40am

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Redbirds

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Congrats! We had our first guests in July, and as was said earlier, you'll remember them always.

We took pictures of the first guests and posted on our blog!

This comment (9385) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 7:07am

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JunieBJones (JBJ)

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No one will see any warts!

Congratulations. You will always remember your first guests. They will feel special as well.

This comment (9383) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 6:45am

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egoodell

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Relax and enjoy them! Don't hover if they want to do their own thing. I still have to hold Chris back!!

Riki

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Come! Let us show you the beautiful Monticello Appellation!

This comment (9382) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 6:39am

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YellowSocks

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CONGRATULATIONS!!

That's great!! I still get excited about reservations, but that first one is the most exciting (and nerve wracking)!

YOU'LL BE GREAT!

=)
Kk.

This comment (9380) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 6:16am

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GeorgiaGirl

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GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!

This comment (9376) was in reply to the Original Topic on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 5:29am

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seashanty

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wonderful! congratulations!

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