Why Lord? WHY?

I woke up today in an absolutely FOUL MOOD. 

Sometimes I wonder what have I got myself into? Or why am I doing this again?

We just finished a house and the client was not happy with the work done. Why should this get me angry? Okay well let's see shall we?

Firstly the house had been left abandoned for THREE YEARS. This is NOT an exaggeration. No one has lived in that house for three years. And before being abandoned the tenant living there (a relative of the client) had gone a little loopy and had started hoarding TONS of stuff, whilst NOT CLEANING the house.

Have you ever tried not cleaning your home for a week? Imagine not cleaning it for a year. 

Then add to that image your husband coming home each day with an item of garbage he found during the day. He does that for one year.

Now add to that image the "little" termite problem you've been trying to ignore.

Now leave that untouched for three years....

THAT'S what we walked into! 

At the Site Visit it took everything in me not to begin feverishly scratching my hair.

And we only had SIX DAYS to undo the damage of years!

But it gets better...

The client's relatives did not give us access for a full two days - which cut our time down to FOUR DAYS. Four days to undo six years worth of damage.

We spent the first two days just clearing rubbish from the front of the house...it was one of the worst jobs ever undertaken.

And yes it was worse than the time we did the house that had a fire. And worse than the time that we did the house that had a dead body for a week. And YES it was worse than the time we did the house that had a flea infestation. It was worse than ALL of those houses! 

Why? Because it had all the stains and difficult cleaning found in the fire damaged home COMBINED with the smells from the dead man's home COMBINED with the itchy-crawliness of the flea infested house.

But we finished it! Yep - ON TIME - by working until 10 every night.

But the client was not happy. He expected MORE.

Sometimes I think people forget we use dust cloths and toilet brushes not BULLDOZERS!!!

Kitchens 101: The G-Shaped Kitchen

See how the Peninsula is used as the "eat-in" function?
Can also be used as extra counter space.

THE G-SHAPED KITCHEN, also called a Peninsula Kitchen, is a U Kitchen with an island or peninsula added in at one of the ends. Usually the island acts as an eating area and therefore connects the kitchen to the dining room/space because of this common function (eating). It is also a great use of space for those who want an eat-in kitchen but cannot accommodate a full dining/breakfast set. Because the kitchen is almost completely enclosed traffic CAN build up – so not too many chefs in this layout.

SIDE NOTE: In case you were wondering what is the difference between an island and a peninsula? An island is stand-alone and unconnected to the other storage areas and counter tops, whilst a peninsula is connected to the other storage areas and counter tops.

Kitchens 101: The U-Shaped Kitchen

U Kitchen Layout and the Work Triangle in one image

THE U-SHAPED KITCHEN has all appliances and counter-tops laid out in the shape of the letter U, therefore the mom/chef is physically surrounded by the kitchen. Also, if space allows an island is often included in this kitchen.

In this layout the work triangle is easily executed, storage is at a premium and more than one person can be accommodated. The best deal for making a West Indian Sunday Lunch!

In my previous post I mentioned that the L shaped kitchen is the third most popular kitchen that I have seen in Trinidad, well the U is the most popular! Once space is tight most Trinis opt for the One Wall, but once space is not an issue the - U is the go-to layout.

Kitchen 101: The L-Shaped Kitchen

THE L-SHAPED KITCHEN has all appliances and counter-tops laid out in the shape of the letter L. This layout requires more space than the One Wall and the Galley but the design is really great, in that it allows for more than one person to work in the kitchen at the same time. There is TONS of counter space and the work triangle is easily executed – no disruptions because of foot traffic.

Like the One Wall this is popular in Trinidad. In fact it is the third most popular kitchen layout that I have seen in my exploits over the last four years. 

Kitchens 101: The Galley

THE GALLEY also known as the Corridor is the second simplest kitchen layout available and like the One Wall, is often used when space is limited.  It consists of two parallel work spaces – with a counter and sink on one side and the appliances on the other – with an aisle 

running between them (or some similar arrangement). This layout is named after the style of kitchens found aboard ships, trains and aircrafts.

In this layout counter space is very limited and you can usually have only one cook in the kitchen at a time. On another note, strange but true, although I have seen a host of One Wall designs in Trinidad – the Galley is not as popular, even in smaller spaces. Most builders simply opt for the One Wall. Maybe because as Trini we do not encourage a FLOW of traffic through our kitchens – we get in and we get out. Do any of you have galley kitchens? Please feel to send me your pics!

Kitchens 101: Layout

This week we are going to talk about my favourite spot in the home - The Kitchen!

Specifically we are going to chat about Kitchen Layouts and the Work Triangle.

Simply defined - the KITCHEN LAYOUT is the shape that is made by the arrangement of the countertop, major appliances and storage areas. This floor plan creates the kitchen's WORK TRIANGLE, i.e. the path that you make when moving from the refrigerator, to the sink, to the stove to prepare a meal.

There are several types of kitchen layouts. This week we will feature the top 5 most popular layouts – the One Wall, Galley, L, U, and G. This will help you identify what is your current layout as well as what may be best suited for your space (in case you’re thinking of renovating).

So keep posted!

Be Strong And Courageous

So here I am sitting in my brand new office space extremely excited... and extremely scared out of my wits!

It's been over three years since I started this journey and there has been so many ups and downs. From staffing issues, to finances, to getting the product just right.

When I began I had a vision of creating a company that could help two sets of persons. 

On the one hand I wanted to provide a professional, reliable, quality cleaning company that could help meet the needs of busy working moms who couldn't seem to get it all done in one day. I wanted to provide cleaning, food preparation, laundry services and even care services for their loved ones. Freeing them to continue the climb up the corporate ladder as they met a need within themselves to create and pursue something outside of their family life.

On the other, I wanted to help a distinct class of women who found it difficult to earn a living to support themselves and their loved ones. Women whose lack of qualifications made it difficult for them to find an 8-4 job that they could go only Mondays to Fridays and have the weekend and evenings free for them to take care of their loved ones. Rather than being stuck in shift work, or working six or seven days a week to make ends meet.

Needless to say that has been harder than it looks. 

Those same ones I have been trying to help have been also trying to help themselves. I have had clients solicit my staff to get the service cheaper. I have had staff solicit clients to see if they can get a better deal for themselves. And I understand this...I think. But each time it happens I feel very discouraged, because I pour so much of myself into recruiting and training staff, and into building relationships with clients. And I keep thinking, "What are you doing?! You're missing the big picture here!"

Still I press on. And it's been slow - but there has been progress.

Right now as I write all this I can see that we've grown and learned so much. Right now as I write all this I feel sad and discouraged as we have lost another staff and client. Right now as I write all this I wonder "Is it worth it?"

I have been using Joshua 1:9 as my inspiration: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I even have a little token with the scripture given to me by one of my lecturers on my desk. And I glance at it at least 12 times per day. Still... it's hard being strong and courageous when you feel that no one but you sees the vision of what you're trying to build. It's hard being strong and courageous when you don't know if it's all going to work out.