Gotta love those firefighters

While I was watching the fires in Ca. last week, it reminded me of this spring when the south Ga. and N.E.Fla. area was burning-especially the Okefenokee Swamp. It was scary and incredible. There were many days that ash would rain on the whole county. The smell of smoke was everywhere. We lost more land, but Ca. lost many more houses. Firefighters came from all over the country to help. Some of the teams stayed at our motel. These guys were putting in 16-18 hour days. One of the teams that was here came from Oregon. This team was mostly young-in their 20's, maybe. They had never seen a swamp like the Okefenokee. It amazed them. One of them came in one night and said, "Miss Sue, I saw an alligator-a big one". I asked him how big it was and he said at least 5 feet. I just busted out laughing and when I could breathe again, told him that he saw a baby. His eyes got big and round and he wanted to know how big they got. I told him that over in the swamp, they used to have some that were about 14 feet long. Before he choked on his tongue, I told him the average size was about 6-8 feet. They talked about how much easier it was to fight a fire here than out west because the land is flat and they weren't packing 80lbs. of gear uphill and down into valleys. One guy left early because his wife had their firstborn 3 weeks before schedule. The sacrifices these guys make to tame these fires just amaze me. While I was watching the news last week, I wondered if any of the firefighters I saw were ones that had stayed here. We also had crews form Ca.,Colorado, Idaho and Montana. I tried to let them all know that we were so appreciative of them being here. I know the people in Ca. feel the same way. So if you are a firefighter, thanks again and stay safe.

I Am a Front Desk Clerk

This supposedly originated from the Fairfiled Inn in Des Moines, Ia. It pretty much sums up what I do.
I am a Front Desk Clerk
I have degress in accounting, public relatons, marketing, business, computer science, civil engneering and Swahili. Of course I have the reservation that you booked 6 years ago even though you do not have a confirmation number and you think it was made under a name that starts with "x". It is not a problem for me to get connecting, non-smoking, poolside, downstairs/outside suites (with 2 king size beds in each), four rollaways, and yes, I would be happy to install and stock a wet bar at no extra charge. Oh yes, I know it is my fault that we do not have a helicopter landing pad. I am a front desk clerk. I am expected to speak all languages. It is obvious to me that when you booked your reservation for Friday, you really meant Saturday. My computer has entrusted me with all your financal information and descisions. And yes, I can tell you from memory that your bill from March 16, 1989 contained a 24 cent phone charge because obviously, you never pay your phone charges. I understand that "McGillergerty's Manufacturing"is a vast empre that will make or break our hotel. Yes, I am lying to you when I say we have no more rooms available. It is not a problem for me to quickly construct several more guest rooms. This time I will remember the helicopter landing pad.I am a front desk clerk. I am quite capable of checking 3 people in, 2 people out ,taking 5 reservations, answering 15 incoming calls and plunge the toilet in room 121, all at the same time. I always know where the best vegetarian, kosher, Mongolan, and BBQ restaurants are. I know exactly what to see and do in this city in under 15 minutes without spending any money. I take personal blame for airline delays, traffic jams, rental car flat tires (and the national debt as well.). I realize that you meant to book your reservation here; people often confuse us with the "Galaxy Delight Hotel". Of course I can "fit you in"and yes, I would be happy to honor that special "one dollar rate" because you are affiliated with the Accounting and Bagel Club of North Africa.Yes, I will be happy to cash your "Japan Traveler's Cheque" for real American dollars, even though it is for 10,000 yen. Of course I know the exchange rates, after all, I am a front desk clerk. We are expeced to smile, empathize, console, psell, downsell (and know when to do which),perform, sing, dance and fix the priters (all at the same time). I am a front desk clerk, I can do all thngs....(and try to look busy when the boss is around).
This will be especially true this weekend since it's the Fla.-Ga. football game in Jacksonville. Since we are only about 40 miles from the stadium, we get very busy. It's fun, though since I'm a Gator fan and most of the guests are Ga. fans. I love ribbing them when they lose. GO GATORS!!!!!!!

The Christmas muse needs a vacation

There are some shops in the area who want some of the beaded ornament drapes I make. I've been working on them and have about a dozen made and have about 6 weeks before I need to have them all finished. My Cmas. muse won't leave me alone. I have a beautiful cherry burl wood cabachon (cab) that I got from a friend on a beading forum. I want to make a necklace out of this cab, but Cmas. muse keeps running through my head like the freakin' sugar plum fairy. All I need is about 3 days to do the necklace-once I get it figured out what beads I'll use. Anybody want to take a holiday muse to the Bahamas for a long weekend?

Introducing myself

My name is Sue, a.k.a. subeeds and I'm a jewelry designer who creates with seed beads. I have a job that helps pay the bills-I'm a desk clerk in a small economy priced motel by the interstate. I have done desk clerk work for years. When you come from Fla. you deal with tourists in one form or another.I like my job because it has let me meet people from all over the world. I've worked in 500+ room resorts, places with fancy golf courses and now here. I have lots of stories to tell in the days to come. When you work with the travelling public, life is usually not dull. I want to get my jewelry business, Dancing Wind Designs, going well and then I hope to weave beads full time. I think that covers it for now. See you later in the week.