Many mouths to feed...

Consistency... what a word, huh?! It would be very safe to say that in the *front of the house* restaurant world there is very little consistency in terms of the day to day expectations.

• Working hours- varies from day to day depending on the "needs"
• Reservations- NEVER the same from day to day
• Carryout orders- phew, exhausting unpredictability
• Customer attitudes- well, is it rainy or sunny or hot or cold or Monday or Saturday or July or November....
• Employees....sorry, don't even get me started on employees right now...

And that is how it goes. Everyday is new. Everyday is unpredictable. And everyday, no matter what was originally planned, will change exponentially. I like it that way. It keeps things interesting & fun & I never dread going in to work because everyday its like getting a surprise! So, the lack of consistency has never been a big deal....

ENTER TENNY.

Yes, this little ball of love knows what he wants & when he wants it.... And nobody better mess that up! 

So the past few months have been an arrangement of consistency for Tenny while keeping up with the rocky road of the restaurant world. To say that life feels like its moving at the speed of light may be an understatement- or an overstatement. To be frank, we are just trying to keep up. Everything is so new, so captive, so unpredictable. 

• We had 4 managers- I had to let one go
• I had a fantastic nanny- she just left to student teach
• We were sleeping through the night- then came the baby teeth
• Our schedule was finally fully staffed- then school began to start

So, the word you may be searching for is chaos & that is absolutely correct. We have been maintaining consistency amidst the chaos. 

A few things we have learned:

1. As soon as you know an employee is not going to work out, let them go. Don't belabor the inevitable even on high hopes, it doesn't help anyone. 
2. Dreaming something into existence is completely possible despite the odds. Even the smallest idea can produce the largest reward. (& yes, I am referring the Vespers concert when everyone said there is NO WAY they will come to the Garden & play... but they did) Check em out!
3. Children get more & MORE FUN every week they are alive.
4. A bulldog (or 2) will act out with fits of destruction when everyone & their mother comes over to see the baby but not them. 
5. A smile does always win... whether its with a customer or a baby.
6. Dancing around the room not only relieves restaurant stress but makes babies laugh. And in a world with little time to spare, a twofold outcome is greatly welcomed. 
7. Blogging comes low on the priority list when there are emails to return, calls to make, & a baby to play with....

However, it is a new mission to get a little more organized, a little more routine & yes, maybe a little more consistency. There are many mouths to feed & only so much time to do it sooooooo- the game is on & this chica is ready! Bring it!