I'm in a bum funk tonight.

Hazel, Sorry to disappoint. Here is the Christ like perspective. Even Christ got angry. He threw the money changers out of the temple. While some types of anger are a sin (boy with all these kids, I am working on patients and anger ... being more Christ like is always a goal of mine) there are situations wehre you are allowed to be angry. I am not sure how you should respond to her. Is it a let it drop issue. Turn the other cheek??? Forgive and pray for her. Is it an in your face; what is the deal, why are you saying this and why don't you come talk to me instead of behind my back? Throw them out of the temple? Another alternative is to have your atty send her a very nice "knock you crap off now" letter and let her knon that if there are financial damages resulting from her maliscious slander that she will be held accountable. Biblically, you should try to make it right with her before involving the courts... God Bless, Jen

Okay okay okay... I just told the *****oops,did I type that out loud? I told her that if she continued too mess with me and my business,her husband would find out about her boyfriend,her boyfriend would find out about her Herpes and the IRS would find out about EVERYTHING! Well needless to say she stopped talking and appologized (begged) to me. Well about a week later someone let it slip about the boyfriend....hmmm, I wonder who that could have been... All of this started because I would not sell her house for FREE! Similat to your story huh? I tried to explain to her that Real Estate was not a hobby for me. It is my job and how I earn a living. She chose to take it to another level. Karma is a wonderful thing!

I guess this was where I was supposed to get my laughs tonight. That is a "hoot" I would have done the same thing... ~~hugs and well wishes~~ Chris

To funny Valerie!!

Kind of like "what goes around comes around"? Maybe she should sell her corn for $.50 a bushel less, you know for the "good of the community". Hazel

Oh Hazel this situation really sucks. But I think your best bet is to threaten to sue her for slander and DC. Do you know a lawyer that could write a strong letter demanding that she "Cease and desist?" She is effectively trying to ruin your business through slander and that's NOT legal Don't let this one go, if you want to keep the resturant. Sending hugs your way Ronna

TOO FUNNY!!!! Dawn

Hazel, Remember you are a professional and a up standing business women. She is the one in the mud. You could always run a ad in the local newpaper stating just what you told us. Tell the community you would love to have seniors at your place of business. Give a senior citizen coupon. Word it how ever you would like. That would welcome them to your restaurant and give you a change to get to know them better. This way they get a break on a meal and you pull them. Everyone loves a coupon. If you don't run the ad you can still do the coupon and show good faith. Always show the hand of kindness and friendship and take the high road. As you know customers are the blood of the business. Try pulling in womens clubs to have lunch at the restaurant. Also get to know all the other women who have business in this town. They can help you and you can help them get customers. My heart goes out to you. It alway hurt when you are trying so hard to build something and someone is trying to tear it down. My hat goes off to you for being a business women is a big thing in my book. We need more and more women with the courage your to start there own business. I wish you the best and I hope this resolved it self soon. Keep the faith. Keep us all posted on how this turns out.

H----You are Christian and me, too...so although we should turn the other cheek--there's also the philosophy that the lord helps those who help themselves....so I say defend yourself.....though I'm more of a flies-with-honey-kinda gal myself...you know, don't get mean: get very, very nice..... do invite for a meal and do the whole "we've had a misunderstanding and I really want to repair it thing--I'm very sorry for any hard feelings (you won't choke--I promise)--can we work this out, I really want this to be a win-win situation blahbahblah". It's the 'hold your friends close and your enemy closer' type of subtle warfare. It will definitely go your way. Besides, she's very intimidated by you or she wouldn't yack behind your back (hallmark of the weak). Hazel, we are no longer streetfighters---we are now professional businesswomen who stand up to these kind of lowlifes in a classy way. I have these sorts of issues happen all the time at work and my fight-flight reflex kicks in also--I have to suck it up and remember that I will get what I want if I'm the one who keeps my cool. Any woman who can run a restaurant that makes homemade pies and still lose a bazillion pounds has nothing to fear from a low rent bully Just my 2 cents!!!!!! Cathy