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!

Why I FALL in Love with September

September 19, 2013 By Suzette Peterson

“Autumn … the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ― William Cullen Bryant

Last month I confessed that I don’t like change. I have to admit, though, that I do like the change in seasons from summer to fall. You know what I’m talking about, right?

The days start getting shorter. Mornings are cooler … and eventually it’s a pleasant temperature all day long. Leaves start turning those gorgeous reds, oranges, and yellows.

And I know that the holidays are right around the corner! So, yes, Ilike the changes that September brings!

For me, September means the Madera fair (I absolutely LOVE the Madera Fair!) and taking some time to enjoy the coast with my sister in our trailers. It means walks with the dogs become more comfortable. And I look forward to enjoying the simple pleasure of holding a warm mug of coffee between my hands on a chilly morning.

Are you getting the picture? Yeah, isn’t fall nice?

Fall can become a busy time for Mini Mops, and, of course, I look forward to that, too.

Those holidays that I mentioned being right around the corner? Those holidays typically inspire a lot of house cleaning! The more
advance notice you give me, the better I can accommodate your holiday scheduling requests.

In the meantime, I’m just glad that we’ve all survived another of these HOT Fresno summers and can relax into better fall weather.

I do love it. Don’t you?

Suzette Peterson is Owner and President of Mini Mops, Inc. — a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. Mini Mops is currently accepting new clients. Please call (559) 264-6677 to schedule an estimate appointment.

Change Is In the Air

August 19, 2013 By Suzette Peterson

Mini Mops House Cleaning Blog - Time for Change

“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” ~Arnold Bennett

Are you someone who embraces change? Do you view it as a good thing to be accepted and welcomed?

Or are you someone who likes things to remain the same, with little or no change? Does change make you nervous?

I don’t like change. I never have and probably never will. I don’t like to see my grandbabies grow up (one of them just turned 16 this year!), but I know I can’t stop them from doing so. I don’t like to see friends and neighbors move away. I don’t like to lose my employees when they retire or when they move on to bigger and better things. And I have an especially hard time when I lose employees who are family.

Both of my sons (Darin and Ron) have worked for me here at Mini Mops. So have both of my daughters-in-law (Michele and Shelly). Darin moved on to be the Assistant Winemaker at Quady Winery. Michele left last year after 15 years to open her own business as a freelance copywriter, although she still pops in to help from time to time.

I was fortunate to have Ron step back into the business last year, and he is now General Manager. You may have interacted with him if you’ve had questions about your bill. His primary duties are keeping the books in order and taking care of general operations.

Shelly was my Quality Control Manager. She made sure the girls were doing a good job, and she also called you to schedule cleaning appointments. Shelly left Mini Mops this summer because she was accepted into the Radiology Tech program at Fresno City College. I hope you’ll join me in wishing her success as she pursues her dreams.

I know in my head that all of these changes are positive ones. But my heart still wants to hold everyone close and keep them the same. I guess I’m still working through the “discomforts” part of it all. But don’t worry, I’ll get there!

Change happens … even to me.

Suzette Peterson is Owner and President of Mini Mops, Inc. — a professional house cleaning company serving residential and commercial clients in the Fresno-Clovis CA area since 1975. Mini Mops is currently accepting new clients. Please call (559) 264-6677 to schedule an estimate appointment.