Optimistic, and Proud Of It!

March 26, 2014 By Suzette Peterson

Spring flower to illustrate the Mini Mops House Cleaning blog about optimism

“An optimist is the human personification of spring.”
― Susan J. Bissonette

Most of us are optimistic when we begin something new, especially if that something new is of our own choosing …

We’re optimistic when we begin a new relationship, start a new business, buy a new house, go on vacation …

So why does that optimism fade over time? Why do some people become jaded, while others retain their optimism?

I believe it comes down to being a matter of choice.

You see where this is going, right?

I was feeling a little down and discouraged about turning 65 last month. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself that I physically couldn’t do the things I was able to do a few short years ago.

Then my son Ron threw me a surprise birthday party. He gathered together family and friends who are important to me, and they all surprised me with a celebration. I played football in the front yard with my grandsons. I ate jalapeño poppers and cake. I had fun.

That day reminded me that life is about the choices we make.

It also showed me I still have a lot to be optimistic about. Yes, I’m starting a new phase of my life. Yes, there are changes ahead.

Yes, I choose to be optimistic about all that the future holds.

Suzette Peterson is the “semi-retired” owner of Mini Mops, Inc. She founded the company in 1975 and is looking forward to a bit of a break.

Happy New Year! Here’s to New Beginnings

January 20, 2014 By Suzette Peterson

2013-2014 Happy New Year Here's to New Beginnings

“Let go of yesterday. Let today be a new beginning and be the best that you can, and you’ll get to where God wants you to be.” ― Joel Osteen

As we start another year together, I’m thinking about new beginnings.

Are you beginning anything new this year?

I’m not talking about a simple New Year’s Resolution. I’m talking about beginning a new stage of life — you know, the biggies like getting married, having a child, starting a new job, moving …

The biggie for me this year is turning 65. I’ve signed up for MediCare, and I’ve started looking at retirement.

Now, I’ve told friends and family that I’ve been “semi-retired” for the past few years. But I really haven’t been. In fact, I’ve been busier and have worked harder than ever … at least it’s felt that way!

But now my doctor is telling me that I have to seriously start making plans to slow down. And that really is a biggie for me.

So, to begin with, I’m going to schedule more time away. I’ve got a little trailer in Pismo that I’ll visit more often. I’ll take more time to have coffee or lunch with my “girls.” Maybe I’ll start taking naps!

Luckily, I won’t have to worry about the business. God has blessed me with excellent employees, and my son Ron has taken over a lot of the day-to-day operations.

So as I transition into really being semi-retired, I’ll get to do the business stuff I enjoy most … like talking to you! Next time we talk, please let me know if you’ve read any good books lately!

It’s All About the People in Your Life

December 23, 2013 By Suzette Peterson

“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I think Christmas means a LOT more, don’t you? Christmas is special because of the people you share it with. It’s not about the presents, or about how your house looks …

It’s not about how the house is decorated, or even if it’s clean or dirty. Who has ever looked back on their memories of past Christmases and said, “Boy, I loved how CLEAN the house was!”? (Unless, of course, the homeowner was a hoarder and the cleanliness of the house truly was remarkable … But that’s an entirely different topic for another article.)

No, holiday memories are all about the people who help you make the memories.

Don’t get me wrong … you definitely should make sure your house is clean for your guests. You certainly don’t want them to remember the holidays because of how dirty your house was.

I just mean your relationships are more important than the material stuff like the presents under the tree, or how clean the floor is.

Personally, in addition to my family and friends, I value the relationships I’ve developed through Mini Mops over the years. This year has been a good one because of PEOPLE … our hard-working employees, our vendors, and YOU, our clients.

I hope you make it a point to celebrate your special relationships this holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Thank You!

November 19, 2013 By Suzette Peterson

“‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” ― Alice Walker

This is the month that prompts so many people to become publicly thankful. With a national holiday like Thanksgiving just around the corner, how could giving thanks not be on our minds?

While I am thankful every day for all of the blessings in my life, I am just as guilty as the next person of not always expressing that thanks often enough. Do you know what I mean? I feel it, but I don’t always say it.

I’m working on changing that.

Thank you! from Mini Mops House Cleaning

So let me tell each of you here and now that I am truly thankful for the trust you’ve placed in me and my company to take care of your home for you.

Our newsletter has given me a chance to connect with you on a deeper level (at least it feels that way to me). Many of you have called me as a result of receiving it, and we’ve had a chance to chat and catch up … I love that! Thank you!

Some of you have been with me since the very beginning of Mini Mops, when my partner Lillian and I did the cleaning ourselves. (I can hardly believe it, but that was nearly 40 years ago!) As a matter of fact, one of you reminded me just recently of how we’d pile out of our little orange car with all of our equipment and supplies … just like clowns piling out of the itty bitty clown car at a circus.

We’ve come a long way. And I thank you for it.

I am so very thankful that Mini Mops has survived the tough economic times our nation and our state have gone through. We’ve been able to provide jobs and an income for many families over the years.

I am thankful, also, for my employees, who take such pride in a job well done. As many of you know, it takes a team effort to maintain a successful business. I think we have a pretty special team here at Mini Mops.

Don’t you?

I know this month’s message has been longer than my others. for bearing with me, sticking with me, and reading all the way to the end!

It’s Beginning to Look Like the Holidays

October 31, 2013 By Suzette Peterson

“Sharing the holiday with other people, and feeling that you’re giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism.” ― Caroline Kennedy

I enjoy the holidays as much as the next person, but they’ve become pretty commercial … don’t you think?

Go into any store these days, and you’ll see Christmas decorations, along with Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. I’ve even seen New Year’s decorations. And it’s October!

Remember when Christmas stuff didn’t hit the shelves until AFTER Halloween? The good old days!

Maybe people just like to plan ahead and get things taken care of early. Many of you have already called me to confirm your holiday house cleaning schedules (Thank you for that, by the way! I hate having to disappoint people, but there’s only so many houses we can clean in a day. And we get booked to capacity at the holidays.), so is it the same thing for stores? Just planning ahead?

Maybe. I’m not entirely convinced, but … maybe.

As a grandma, I enjoy seeing the kids during the holidays. Most of my grandbabies aren’t babies anymore, and the oldest is driving! But the holidays tend to bring out the “kid” in all of them.

As for my kids … Now that my youngest son, Ron, is working in the business with me, I get to see him often. Darin, my oldest, works at Quady Winery in Madera, and I don’t see him as much. I look forward to spending more family time with all in these coming months.

Commercialism aside, the holidays are a special time of year. I hope you share yours with people who make them special for you!