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.

UGH!!!

Yesterday was a day of days... ugh! It was one of the worst days that I have had in a long time (and trust me - I have had some bad days). It involved cranky children, loss of a client, reaching late for EVERY appointment, a car accident and a failed presentation.

NOTHING went as planned. TONS of unforeseen circumstances. And to top it off I have the flu so my coping mechanisms were - well - let's just say I was not coping very well.

At the end of the day I couldn't bring myself to deal with NOTHING ELSE (not even proper grammar). I left my poor husband to deal with the house and the children and slinked off to hide under my covers, feeling defeated and sorry for myself.

Goodnight cruel world!

I wish I could give this story some amazing superhero ending where I burst out from under my covers, the S blazing on my chest, ready to face anything else that life threw at me. Alas, this is not the case. I stayed there all night and only came out this morning because my husband forced me. He has threatened to cut off my food supply - and a girl needs her coffee.

NOT ME!

Sigh...

So here I am today again world. Please be gentle with me - I  bruise easily.

The Balancing Act

One of the reasons that I started this business a couple of years ago (yes, it's been two years! How time has flown) was so that I could have a more flexible schedule and spend more time with my four children - especially my last two. At that time they were soon-to-be two years old and soon-to-be four years old. So it seemed that this working from home thing would meet my needs.

I even felt that I could help more working mothers spend more time with THEIR little ones - it was even a tag line on some of my Facebook ads - "Come Home to a Clean House". The idea being that you came home and there would be nothing to do but homework with the children and getting in some much-needed quality time with your family (maybe even catch some of that elusive thing called SLEEP).

Well, as I said it's been two years - and so many changes have taken place that I felt the need just to purge and talk. And I know it's just between us - so I am safe to talk right?

I have had to learn how to be firm, how to be gracious, grateful and humble no matter the situation and I have learned that life really can be a juggling act.

You see in the last two years I have acquired three more children. And yes I mean acquired as they did not come from my womb. So my house is now bursting at the seams with SEVEN children (and NO this is does NOT include my absolutely awesome husband as some like to joke and add).

Additionally, the business has grown, amazingly so. I suspected, but never fully realized just how many families needed a service like Heavenly Hands. And I have been happy to meet those needs. It is that joy that has kept me going through the MANY frustrating moments.

Frustrating because the balancing act has begun. In the circus I prefer the lion tamers - juggling clowns and those who walk the tight rope have always left me feeling anxious. But now I am becoming them - I am walking the tight rope and I am balancing.

Balancing between the visions I have in my head for my company versus the reality of the resources at my disposal. Balancing between my desire to be with my wonderful family versus my growing obsession with my business. Balancing between the "me" I am versus the "me" I need to be.

Starting this business has made me come face to face with my personal shortcomings. Being a "visionary thinker" and "artistic" doesn't help you balance the books. Or keep a proper schedule. Or plan for the year ahead, or the month ahead - heck even the week ahead. So I have had to buckle down and master tasks that make me feel like pulling my eyes out - I am now the queen of scheduling and filing (my girlfriend V would be proud).

Starting this business has also made me realize how others see me (trust me when I say that people who live in their own heads do NOT have a realistic picture of what others think of them). You want to know how people see you - try taking their money.

Starting this business has brought me face to face with what prioritizing REALLY means - I have three hours, should I: go over the schedule for next week... make that call I've been meaning to for the longest while... spend some time with my 16 year old (or any of the seven for that matter)... spend some time with my husband... sleep?

I recently attended a workshop on Multitasking. And even while the facilitator was speaking I was thinking "Lists! Doesn't she know I am the QUEEN of lists?! I have lists on what lists I need to make!".

But really, all joking aside - I realized I needed to pare down.

I have been living and thinking in compartments.

It's time that my family and my Ministry is incorporated into my business. 

I spent this first week since school has closed using my older children as members of staff - and they have been LOVING it! They come home tired but satisfied - and I am able to spend time with at least five out of the seven. We laugh, we talk, we clean.

I have also decided to set aside at least two days a month to help some of the moms who may not be able to afford my service.

I have worked out what I hope is a great schedule with my husband in how we spend time with the two little ones.

But it's only Wednesday.

I think it's working because I managed to get some sleep and I found the time to chat with you guys - so it's working right?

Right?

Life After Death

I felt it only fitting to write this post now - at this time - coming out of the Easter holiday. 

I know I have not posted a blog or anything to my Facebook page for a while but this is because I recently suffered a great loss in my family - my youngest brother passed away - snatched from us too soon and too suddenly.

Following this tragedy I found it difficult to work, to write - to breathe. It's been a little over a month and the pain is as fresh as if I had only received the call today.

However, life goes on. And I must go on. And as a Christian I feel comforted knowing that Jesus conquered death so that we may have life eternal. And it is from this knowledge I draw my strength.

I know I sound sad - and I am. I think that this sadness will occupy the part of my heart that I had saved especially for him - alongside all the wonderful memories of his laughter, his smile and his love. But he was living proof that great things can come out of ANY bad situation - and I intend to follow his example of optimism.

So we press on because there IS life after death - and life goes on - even after the death of a loved one.