New Journeys

Isn't it funny how strange twist of fate shape our lives? Or could it be that fate or luck is only preparation meeting opportunity. I think Oprah said that. She may have something there. My hubby and I are embarking on a new journey. We are starting a new journey together, in business. He and I are about to enter into uncharted waters, for us .

Huicho is an outdoor kinda guy. "I'd rather be outside with the horses, goats, chickens and dogs than 'stuck' in an office" were to be his famous last words. He was never afforded the opportunity of a good education as a child. He started working for a company that made bricks by hand when he was about 9 or 10. He broke his back, quite literally, hauling those bricks from fields to ovens then from ovens to wherever they were needed. Sometimes he would be lucky enough to have a wheel barrel, sometimes it was pure brute strength, well as much brute strength a ten year old can muster anyway. He emigrated here to the united states at the ripe old age of 18 and has only been back to visit. He has been a laborer all his life, making a living with his physical self. He once told me that his job as ranch manager for Circle B Ranch and Collaters Inc., was the cushiest job he'd ever had. These words were strange coming from a man who unloaded trailers full of straw, hay, and packing by himself. A man who would work from sun up to sun down and occasionally round the clock via closed circuit TV when it was foaling season for the mares. A man I had seen get kicked in the chest by a horse while trying to 'mansar' (hard to translate, because it's more like bend than break) the horse and get him saddle ready. As I watched him place these huge sprinklers that must have weighed at least 30lbs. on his shoulders as he ran off jumping over fences, that cool jump where they plant there hands on the top rail and sort of swing their body over the fence like an olympian on the pommel horse, to change the sprinklers for each pasture of the 80 acre ranch, I couldn't help but wonder what he would consider hard work. After the job he had on the ranch for 16 years came to an end, he started a job indoors. He enjoyed, much more than he thought he would, the freedom his new m- f, 7-3:30 job gave him. Freedom to kick-it with the kids and me! To go on vacation, although I truly don't think he really grasps the idea of rest.

After years of nagging and prodding and poking, we went to Disneyland as a family. I'd taken the kids before alone. This time was different, Daddy came. I wish I could have been more aware of what was going on then, so that I could have taken pictures. I didn't forget the camera, I couldn't help myself, I just could not stop staring at my husband. He was a three year old with a sparkle I had never seen before in his eyes, an innocence once lost, found. He was staring, mouth agape at the little dolls of the 'It's a small world' ride. We went into the 'Tiki Room' and as the show ended, he asked if I had brought the umbrella. I remember my first trip to Disneyland and wondering how it had dried up so fast outside after the horrible storm in the Tiki room. I also remember being terrified of the Jungle Ride. We tried to see everything, but it was all too much for Migui and my husband to take. They both fell asleep before I could pull out of the parking space. Upon arrival at home, I was told that we needed to invite Migui's Godparents to this incredible place and we were going back the next weekend. We all had a great time at Disneyland, even Javi who claimed it was just for little kids. Isn't it funny how the simplest of things can bring out the little kid in us all? I love Disneyland. God bless you Walt Disney!!!

So now, I have worked behind a desk for about 25 years. The only job remotely close to manual labor was a part time job at the Straw Hat Pizza in Ventura. I have been trying to get my husband to quit his job and come work with me. He has been vehemently apposed to this idea, since he has no computer knowledge. My argument, always, is that when I started the business 15 years ago, it went nowhere until he used his salesmanship to grow the business. I am always amazed at how, on a dead Saturday afternoon during tax season, he can pull people off the street to come in and do their taxes. What's more amazing still, is that they actually have their tax information handy. Or when we just know it's going to be slow the next month, he brings in a new payroll or bookkeeping client. The man was built for business development. He is so not the pressure tactics sales monger with the beige polyester leisure suit that normally comes to mind when I think of salesmen. He is the kind of guy I would trust with my child or my investments. Okay, I know he's my child's father, but even if he wasn't. He has an honesty about him, that if you even try not to trust him it bothers YOU. He is what my gramma called 'de sangre libiana' light blooded literally, but it means he's easy to talk to and puts you at ease right away, light hearted maybe. My husband is one of those rare individuals like Javi, that just knows right is right is right. Meaning, if you see someone walking on the side of the freeway, you might not pick them up, but my husband if with his family, won't stop to pick them up, but will bring them back a can of gas. If he's alone, he would pick them up and drive them to the gas station. With me, you're lucky I notice you at all, I'm too busy singing at full volume to my Cd's.

This is where I think we make a good business partnership. I am weak, at best in the sales areas, but very strong in the product knowledge and accounting and tax laws. Huicho on the other hand is a quick learner and is very good at sales. He never ever pressures anybody into anything, in fact we were invited to a get together at a friends where they sprung a seminar invitation pressure cooker session on us. Huicho, who has spent 15 bucks more times than not for whatever cause comes knocking at the door, whatever newspaper is outside of Vons regardless of wheather we already get it and Ive been charged 5 bucks more times than I'd care to remember changing my long distance carrier back to the one that doesn't charge me just to charge me. I try not to let him answer the phone anymore. I've tried to see the neon sign (that says 'I've got cash for your cause: whatever it is') everybody else sees on him. Once, while at the movies, and a group of young kids, 16ish, came up to us and asked if they could have $2, so that they could all get into the theater together. Naturally, Huicho handed them a 20 dollar bill, what fun are the movies with out popcorn and a drink! Every new arrival from south of the border who has ever even heard of Huicho, has stopped by to 'let' us help them out. No one stays for less than 2 months and after 6 I have to show them the door. The more distant the relation to my husband the more help they are, the closer the relation the more burden they become. Even my own sister had lived off of us for a little to long. Huicho is more than okay with it all. I guess it's the fact that he's used to the close proximity. He did come from a family of 14 that lived in a 2 room (kitchen and bedroom) home. okay, I'm rambling, back to the friendly pressure cooker get together. The salesman had really got my husbands attention and he wanted to sign up for this seminar, so he did. It sounded like something I might also be interested in, but with my Allstate U travel schedule, tax season and a new staff to train, it was not to be in my foreseeable future, anyway. Huicho signed up for the seminar, but there was a woman who was struggling with the decision. The salesman kept telling her that she had to sign up for this seminar. He couldn't leave knowing that she indeed needed this seminar and hadn't signed up. He kept on and on. Finally, Huicho got up and sat between the woman and the salesman. He told the woman if she needed to sleep on it she should, and that she should not sign up just because the salesman told her to. She should give it a night and think on it. The decision should be hers and hers alone. He also turned to the salesman and told him that high pressure tactics only lead to regretted decisions and animosity toward the salesman and the company and that he should respect her decision to sleep on it. Mr sales monger backed off, and after pie and coffee the woman decided to let my husband know it was the money that was holding her back and nothing else. Any guesses here as to who lent her the deposit?

One thing I've been very clear about is that moneys, especially cash, coming in from business sales or invoicing needs to be properly handled. No till tapping. Even with that being very clear, I'm sure that we'll have a time discussing how much charitable contributions should be divvied up among his family member's causes and other worthy causes. It is very exciting for me to finally start to see my dreams come true. I have always wanted Huicho to be my business partner. I do so enjoy a great conversation at work to make the time pass (outside of tax season, of course) more quickly. I am looking forward to these conversations being with him. I am positive that that with the assets we both bring to the business, that it's a great opportunity for the both of us. Hopefully within the next 4 months he will be able to quit his day job and work here full time. The only reason I give him 4 months is that it is a big leap for him. He has never worked in an office setting, and feels a bit uncomfortable the times he has come and helped out during tax time. I know working your mind is sometimes more exhausting than working your body, but the healing time is so much less to recharge your mental capacity than to heal a hurt back or sour muscles. My husband has been working for about 7-8 months with an injury he sustained at his job. It just pains me. He has waited in the truck on occasion at Migui's soccer and basketball practices because the pain was intolerable. He has missed family functions to stay home with an ice pack on his back. It is no way to live. He was absolutely in heaven this past long weekend. He really felt so much better after the four day respite. I'm looking forward to traveling more with my Huicho! He is so much more willing to see the things that I've been telling him about. I told him for years about Disneyland and the Grand Canyon and Half Dome, but it doesn't compare to being there. Seeing with your own eyes.