I'm in a bum funk tonight.

I don't know what I am going to do. I am hurt discouraged, disgusted and yes dare I say it, angry. As you all know I own a restaurant in a small town (village) of 150 people. I love the town and I love the people and I love what I am doing. I have poured everything I have into it. As most small towns here in the mid-west, it is very cliquish. If you weren't born and raised there and your parents before you and their parents before them, you just aren't a part of the community to many of the old timers that were born there, as were their parents and their parents before them. Don't take me wrong, not everyone is like that, but a lot are. I have fought like a dog to make the business grow. The people I bought the restaurant from had done a pretty good job of destroying the business. I thought I had done a pretty good job. And then a month ago I made a business decision that has proved to be the decision from hell. The people before me supplied the meal for the community senior dinner once a month at a price of $4. I continued to do the meal and cater it to the community hall, but raised the price to $4.50. That meal consisted of meat, potatoes, vegetable, salad and desert. All homemade. Although people were suppose to make reservations, very few did. So I really had no idea how many to prepare for. Two months ago, I prepared for the usual 18 to 20 and 6 showed up. No, I didn't get paid for what I prepared for, I got paid for the six that showed up. The excess food cannot come back once it has left the restaurant. So I am just SOL. Anyway I decided that I could no longer do it that way. I wrote the lady (I use the term lightly) that there had to be some changes. First I was going to have to start charging $5.50 instead of $4.50. I had to have an exact count and be paid for that count as that would be the count that I would be preparing for. Or they could have it at the restaurant in the dinning room and I could then afford to be more flexible on an exact count. Well she wrote me back and insulted everything about me and my cooking and my restaurant. I hear rumors that she was bad mouthing me to anyone that would listen. This week business has been horrible. Today I found out from people that she talked to just what she has been saying and believe me it isn't pretty. I really don't know what to do. Every fiber in me want to revert back to the street kid and retaliate. But the Christian in me knows that that isn't the right thing to do. But I can't let my business go down the tubes. Like I said I am in a real bum funk. Hazel

Hazel, I am SO sorry about what is going on. I know exactly how you feel. I have been through a very similar experience. I would tell you how I handled it but let's just say...I'm not a christian ...and leave it at that. You could probably sue her for slander and defamation of character. (or at least threaten to!) I don't know what to say other than keep your chin up. Regards, V

email me and tell me how you handled it. Please. Hazel

I wanna know too. ~~hugs and well wishes~~ Chris

AAAhhh Hazel I am feeling for you. I do not know what to tell you but try to take the high road. Perhaps it will die down pretty quickly. Here is a to make you feel better. ~~hugs and well wishes~~ Chris

Would it be possible to get on your local new station and have them interview you about your restaurant? Then you could explain why you have to make the changes. People should understand what the costs are to you also. Not just them. Good luck, Anna

I wanna know too!

Hazel, Offer her and her family a meal on the house...... then put a really strong laxative in her food. God Bless, Jen

Too funny! ~~hugs and well wishes~~ Chris

And I counted on you for my Christ like perspective. But I love the idea. You're such a sweetie. Hazel