So many guests so little time.

Hi everyone! It’s been a super busy summer at Woodford Rest. I really don’t know where the summer has gone! We’ve been working so hard on our summer projects and learning the intricacies of online booking. Since we’ve only used online booking as travelers, we have had a lot to learn. We are now listed on Air B & B, VRBO, Booking.com, as well as direct booking on our website. We are a real motel now with real guests!!!

Pathway to the suite.

We had several bookings within the first week of putting the suite on Air B & B. After that, our bookings really took off. We are now booked most weekends August through the middle of October! We also have several weekdays booked too. I knew there would be interest in our little place, but I didn’t realize just how much. One of our first guests even said that our suite is one of the best rooms he’s stayed at and he will definitely be back. When Matthew told me that, I started crying. It was so nice to hear that this long journey might actually pay off:) And then, the next week he was back!!

During this time, I finally got some relief for my back. I had a third steroid injection in a different location and finally got the pain to calm down. I still have some pain most days, but it is way better than it had been. I can function again!!! My endometriosis is still problematic as ever, but at least I don’t feel so overwhelmed by pain.

Freshly painted and gorgeous!

Matthew’s garden next to the office.

Matthew has been busy as always:) I swear he never stops moving! He really is the most amazing man ever:) Matthew has been working on scraping and painting the street side of the motel building. He purchased a shed that he will be assembling in the area next to this wall. His plan is to store our riding mower, snowblower, and some other large pieces of equipment in there so we have more room in the garage. I’ll share some pictures once it gets completed. He also has been planting flowers all over the property and creating a lovely vegetable garden. I feel so spoiled getting to eat lettuce that we grew on the property almost every day. Have I mentioned how amazing Matthew is???

Some of the cards I’ve created.

I’ve been trying to figure out different ways to make our suite memorable and fun for our guests so that we stand out in their minds. One of the ways I’m doing this is to create little welcome cards using some of the flowers and leaves from our property. I can’t remember if I spoke about it last time, but I took a class on drying flowers and I have been obsessed ever since. The press I have dries the flowers in the microwave and really preserves the vibrant colors of the flowers. It’s been really fun to explore this area of art and to let my creativity flow. I’ve always felt like I’m not a very artsy or creative person, but I think I was limiting myself for a long time. Since moving to Vermont, I’ve really tried to push myself if I have an interest in something. It’s not perfect by any means, but I’ve really started to enjoy the new unafraid me:)

One section of the library before…

One section after…

I’ve also started work on what will be my library!!!! I’ve been waiting to do this for two years! Now that we have some income coming in from the suite and the longterm rentals, Matthew and I decided it was finally time. Since we are trying to spend a lot of our time upstairs when guests are staying in the suite, it makes sense to start putting some love into the upstairs portion of our house. We are trying to stay up there to reduce any noise that might bother our guests in the suite. We have sound dampening curtains and a solid wood door, but we don’t want to jeopardize our guests relaxing time while they are here. I still have to install the wallpaper on one wall, finish painting the trim, and replace the outlets, switches, and ceiling lights. As time presents itself, I’m trying to do these little tasks here and there. I’ll post a video once it is all finished:)

This is how we feel most days when we rest:)

Matthew and I have been feeling a little run down. When we do take time for ourselves, we kind of feel like this picture:) I took this picture when we went to the New York Renaissance Faire this last weekend. As soon as I saw this place, I started laughing. It so perfectly summed up our lives. Don’t get me wrong, we absolutely love the life we have and wouldn’t trade it, but the last two years are definitely starting to catch up with us. Before we burn out, we have decided to start doing more fun breaks. One of which being the Renaissance Faire. Matthew went in full costume, but I tried to do something cooler. It was crazy hot when we were there, but we had such a great time:)

Matthew in his finery.

I forgot to take my picture at the Faire so here is my sunburned photo at home.

Well, I better get back to cleaning the suite and getting ready for our next guests. As usual, so much to do, so little time:) I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves and remembering to take care of those around you. I’m still trying to do a small act of kindness to those that are not in my normal circle at least once a week. It’s one of the ways I can contribute to the crazy world we live in. Take good care of yourselves and don’t forget to rest!