Valerie:

We've done it! After everything we can open the doors and enjoy finally being open. It was a push at the end to get it down but we did. Underneath my layer of exhaustion is a relief. And pride. I can't remember a time I've been so proud of myself. I proud of what Clayton and I have accomplished. We've come a long way and it's only going to get better...

Valerie:

We are exhausted, I don't believe we have stopped moving for awhile. We jump out of bed and go immediately to work. That's not good for me. I like a nice big cup of coffee to help ease me gently into the real world.

Everything else is both exciting but frustrating. We have the feeling that we will be open in the next couple of days, of course we have felt that way for over a week now. We're waiting on one building inspection and approval. This city is killing us! Just let us open...

Valerie:

We're getting to part I've been most looking for..the wine tastings. Deciding on what to serve by the glass or bottle and what avenue to take as far as pricing and regions. One thing we both have decided on is that we want to be off mainstream, I don't want someone to enjoy a nice glass of wine at our bar to find it later in the supermarket. We have also decided that it's best to do the tastings later on in the day because there is no chance of getting anything done after...

Valerie:

We're getting so close I can almost taste the wine.

We're pretty much down to 4 inspections, going to the mainland to get our beer and wine license, finishing the electric, put in a hand sink, install the ice maker, get a beer cooler, and wine cooler, find a table for the banquette, set up all the software, finalize the merchants account, set up liability insurance, get locks for the door, decide on a wine list, paint and sand the railing, install a handicap door bell, have the banquette cushions made, wait to have the carpet installed, get wine accounts set up, order the wine, run the stereo cables, talk to local artists about consigning work, decorate the bar, buy stemware, set up beer accounts, organize and hire staff, label the wines, stain the bar, construct the bar top, paint the deck, paint the outside, and of course pay all the bills.

So it's you can imagine my face when I go through my pile of mail and notice I've been called for jury duty in 2 weeks...

Valerie:

We're getting them, starting to build some real steam. We have most of the outside done, just needs a good paint job and touch up. It's bigger than I thought the outside area would be. I can almost taste the zinfandel now as i relax on the porch with some good friends and solve all of the world problems..

I actually did some physical labour at the shop today. I linseed oiled the bathroom cedar wall. And it looks good. The extent of my work has been helping to haul materials about and cleaning. I have logged many hours doing paperwork, organizing, banking, ordering, pretty much everything but construction. There is nothing more satisfying as actually seeing a finished product. Seating in front a desk and filling out forms doesn't give the same feeling as accomplishment.