Pollyanna
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Going to remain anonymous for now - feels more comfortable. I'm afraid of some of the posters I've read while lurking! Some of the comments do cross the line from snarky to near-vicious. Not very many, the forum seems very positive and helpful for the most part. I'm joining because I hope to just add some positive encouragement and sharing of experiences from time to time. As my user name implies, I aim toward the sunnier side of the street, whenever possible. And yes, to the point of being naive at times. Chose the name because two of my college age kids just saw the Haley Mills version of "Pollyanna" and noted the similarities. They wondered why I had not forced them to sit through this film as children, since I did feed them a steady diet of Shirley Temple, hoping to inspire the sweet gratefulness and cheerfulness she embodied.
So, my background is: married a long time to a good man who makes me better than I would have been without him. We're mid 50s, just entering empty nest this summer (2010). It's a good thing I have guests because I seem to need to take care of people. My DH helps a lot with the B & B but is no handyman and we have to hire repair people.
In previous life I was a long term foster parent (adopted 8 of them!) and director of a non-profit agency, and an author and speaker. Too tired for most of that now, but still do some speaking and occasional article writing. I write for family publications like Ladies Home Journal, non-profit organizational journals, and Christian publications like Focus on the Family and Christianity Today. I have books as well in the Christian Living genre. I have not been keeping notes on my guests to write a book, but perhaps I should!
We live in a western town with a lot of old west history. Guests lean toward weekenders from nearby large cities, tourists from all over the world and college parents. I have not listed our B & B on this site because that would be just too easy to connect the dots. We've been running the B & B (4 guest rooms) for almost 3 years now. When I'm not busy with guests, I'm marketing like mad. I come up with a lot of creative ideas. Some work, some don't, and I don't mind sharing what works.
I appreciate this forum, it's educational, and more importantly, comforting. And yeah, it's inspiring too! Love reading it, and will now contribute from time to time.
So, my background is: married a long time to a good man who makes me better than I would have been without him. We're mid 50s, just entering empty nest this summer (2010). It's a good thing I have guests because I seem to need to take care of people. My DH helps a lot with the B & B but is no handyman and we have to hire repair people.
In previous life I was a long term foster parent (adopted 8 of them!) and director of a non-profit agency, and an author and speaker. Too tired for most of that now, but still do some speaking and occasional article writing. I write for family publications like Ladies Home Journal, non-profit organizational journals, and Christian publications like Focus on the Family and Christianity Today. I have books as well in the Christian Living genre. I have not been keeping notes on my guests to write a book, but perhaps I should!
We live in a western town with a lot of old west history. Guests lean toward weekenders from nearby large cities, tourists from all over the world and college parents. I have not listed our B & B on this site because that would be just too easy to connect the dots. We've been running the B & B (4 guest rooms) for almost 3 years now. When I'm not busy with guests, I'm marketing like mad. I come up with a lot of creative ideas. Some work, some don't, and I don't mind sharing what works.
I appreciate this forum, it's educational, and more importantly, comforting. And yeah, it's inspiring too! Love reading it, and will now contribute from time to time.