So I've learned that summer isn't really "blogging season" in Bar Harbor, which would explain my recent absence from the blogging world. But I TRIED! Between work and work and family and work and life and weddings and family in town... I really did TRY. I pulled up my blog list and saw 5 drafts that I started late at night over the past few months but never had the mental stamina to finish. Just like anything in life, I will need to ease back into it and just give a basic rundown of the past few (insane) months.
This has been a summer of sacrifice in many ways. We asked Lexi to move with us to a teeny 500 square foot / 1 bedroom apartment that's attached to the restaurant. We asked her to work 3 days/nights each week all summer as a babysitter to Kiera while we work. We all gave up our fancy free lifestyle to buckle down and dedicate our efforts to both of our businesses, we've given up our Sleep Number Bed, our laundry room, our privacy, and our ability to take a full day off. Lexi has been a trooper and we have made the best of everything. Jeff and I sneak away for "dates" whenever we can and we are loving the fact that we don't have to drive back and forth from Hall Quarry to Bar Harbor multiple times per day. In fact, I think I will miss this little place once we move back to our house in October!
This has also been a summer of new and exciting experiences for Kiera. As busy as we may be, we're still having fun with her. We have been escaping to our boat on the pond, taking her to the swimming pool, playing in the park, watching her master walking (which has turned into running), and seeing her bond with all of her family members grow... especially Lexi. I'm not really sure where or how we found time for these things, but occasionally, we did.
To be honest, I want to write little stories from the past few months like I would in a normal blog... but I can't. I blame the month of August. I'm embarrassed to say that this time period in my life was officially a blur. I hope that it is the last blur that I experience, because it all goes by so fast anyway (without the help of 16 hour work days and anxiety attacks.) I've learned a lot though, and I will be more prepared for next year. I will know my limits, I will know my staffing needs, and I will be able to take care of myself a little more.
Every day was about the restaurant and the kids. Jeff and Lexi were super stars who helped wherever it was needed. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but it was almost like we went into survival mode, like everyone was just doing whatever had to be done to get the job done. We fell into a sort of routine as a family. I woke up most mornings saying something like, "OK Jeff, what is the game plan for today? I will start feeding Kiera if you can bathe her while I open the restaurant. I can take her to Jillian's while you head off to work but then I'm serving lunch, so how will she get picked up? Can we get Lexi on that? Also, Lexi wanted to go tubing with some friends so maybe we can run over to the pond in between lunch and dinner. Do you think maybe your mom can take Kiera for a few hours afterward while you wash dishes and I bartend during the dinner rush." That was a fairly standard day.
At times I'm super jealous of stay-at-home moms and at other times I'm not. Both lifestyles have their pros and cons, just like anything in life. Both lifestyles are very hard work, but just in different ways. I will say that owning my own business has allowed me to work for a living while also keeping Kiera close by... sometimes right in my arms....and that's pretty special for me. When I was opening the restaurant and 6 months pregnant just about everyone told me that I was crazy. I didn't agree at the time, but I stand corrected. But here we are and we are making it work. Some days are easier than others and BOY don't I appreciate those times a lot more now.
The big news this week is that Kiera is turning ONE!!!!! Her B-day is this Saturday, but we are having a party for her on Sunday. I'll be sure to post photos :)
Oh and other big news is that Side Street Cafe won and placed in MANY categories on the "Best of the Best of MDI ballot." Our amazing customers voted us for the Best Burger in town AND the Best Lobster Roll in town. We were also voted for Best Business Lunch, Best Healthy Lunch, Best Chef (Kris), 2nd Best Wait Person (Megan), we placed 2nd and 3rd in many other categories as well. It was fun to participate and to be recognized. Young's Building Contractors was voted as Best Building/Remodeling Company and he was voted Best Carpenter! It almost makes us feel like our hard work this summer really paid off!
I did manage to take some pictures this summer, but uploading them hasn't quite happened. Here is what I could come up with for now:
The famous Side Street Lobster Roll.... lobster straight from the boat to the cafe, handpicked, lightly tossed in mayo and then LOTS of it stuffed in a grilled roll.
A sprinkling of a "secret ingredient" on top :)
One of our 1st boat rides of the season out to Spectacle Island with our great friends
Our nephew Evan graduated high school and entered the Army. This photo was taken before he left for boot camp.
He made us all proud by graduating and has been stationed in Texas for more training. We miss you Evan!!!
This is how I felt at the end of most days.
