Just checking in

When I signed off at Thanksgiving with… “… here's to a year like no other, to new memories and to having a crazy 2020 story to tell our grandkids.”… I was naively unaware of what was around the corner.

Randy experienced quarantine!  Even from me!!  He quite literally lived in the basement for 12 days… any other year of our marriage, if my husband were locked in the basement, I am certain I’d have law enforcement or “well check team” knocking on my door.  Thankfully, he never tested positive and is back to his adventurous self.

Waterfront and the outdoor living industry lost a gem with Alyssa’s decision to move on after working with us for the past 9 years. I know many of you will miss her knowledge and beautiful smile as much as we will.  As sad as it is, we wish her life’s absolute best in a less demanding work environment. 

As we look at the 2021 schedule, it’s nothing short of amazing!  We have a full new build schedule and a good start on reservations in place for 2022 backyards.  We are blessed with an endless stream of referrals that will keep us busy doing what we love!

Like the rest of the world, we’re not exactly sure what 2021 is going to bring. But we can promise you a few things. First, we’re ready.  The opening schedule is already set. Building permits are in place and materials arrive every week for all our projects big and small.  New orders still have long lead-times, but our newfound patience has prepared us well.  Second, you can count on us as your resource for all outdoor living!  Whether you need renovation, a new outdoor living feature, service repair or just helpful advice, we’re here for you.

Going forward, it is my hope that we can enjoy more calm in place of the hectic.  More peace instead of noise.  More compassion and understanding without judgement.  More simplicity where chaos prevailed.  More love for all!

xoxo

Michelle

PS How about a little chuckle…

Season of gratitude

Giving thanks and reflecting on what's important...

I'm writing this from my desk with a "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" playlist in the background.  I would like nothing more than to be preparing for my family gathering but it'll be just the two of us ... again.  We haven't gotten used to this yet.  The exceptionally busy summer was a welcome distraction to all the curveballs of 2020, but 9" of snow in mid-October brought that to a screeching halt.  Instead of complaining, I keep my focus on gratitude.  My family's healthy, I have a wonderful group of clients, an already full schedule for 2021, and a husband that loves me and brings clever adventure to each day!  I hope each of you has discovered something new this year that feeds your soul and brings you joy.  

And you know what... Thanksgiving is going to be okay!  We can do this... staying home, making new memories this year is an important change we all must do.  We'll have some funny stories to reflect on in the years to come.  

I can speak for all of us at Waterfront... we are grateful for you!  You keep us all inspired and engaged!  Thank you for all of your support.  So here's to a year like no other, to new memories and to having a crazy 2020 story to tell our grandkids.

I wish you the happiest Thanksgiving,
Michelle
xoxo

What a long strange trip it's been...

As we marked 2-months of Waterfront “business as UNUSUAL”, I’m so pleased with our new procedures! We had no time to waste when it was implemented and our entire client list afforded us the opportunity to do it right!

Looking forward as Minnesota starts to open I cannot imagine Waterfront without our new practices! We will allow in-store essential traffic with a heads-up that you’re here and we’ll put a mask on to wait on you or you can relax in the car and let us do the running!

• EZshop, EZpay, EZpick-up and EZdelivery

• EZdrop (water sample drop-off)

• Texting service

• Automatic scheduling for opening, routine maintenance and winterizing services

Our goal is to make it “EZ” to be a pool and hot tub owner! If you have any ideas that would make it easier for you, please share them!

Reflecting over the past weeks, you’ve given me a glimpse into your lives, sharing your insights, and coping skills! What I see is resilience and fortitude… we’re all figuring out what works!

Homeschooling is a full-time job that none of you trained for! I’m not sure if my teacher friends would agree that a trip through the fast-food drive-thru qualifies as a field trip. But if it afforded you sanity for the moment, then it counts!!

Most kids don’t take naps. They love you and aren’t trying to make you crazy… they’re just kids!

There are 16 steps up to my loft office and my Apple Watch hasn’t had to tell me to pick up the pace of the day to reach my goals while my gym is shuttered.

Masks and gloves are hot to wear for everyone, not just middle-aged women.

Life is just too damn short and always unpredictable. Not just during this crisis, but always! Live your best life and enjoy the journey.

We will come out of this eventually, until then, some days are going to be easier than others. Just make it your intention to be the best you can today. My hopes are the next weeks are filled with good news, many blessings, new opportunities, lots of healing, and an abundance of love!

… just one final note… I need a haircut desperately!!! But my husband looks a little like this!

Gratitude

Although we’re all a little anxious in these unsettling times, our values will always remain at our core and guide us through!

I am focusing on gratitude, you know, the things we sometimes take for granted and only with reflection, realize just how lucky we are.

This morning, while getting ready for the day, I couldn’t stop making my gratitude list in my head. It started simple; I am thankful for our health, this delicious Nespresso coffee, my extensive wardrobe from lulu, my husband that wakes up happy, my daughters’ phone call to tell me she misses us so much that it hurts, the sunshine (yesterday was brutal), a roof over my head,…I got to my office and replied to emails, voicemails, text messages and it started again! I think the universe was telling me to WRITE IT DOWN… SAY IT OUT LOUD! So, my gratitude list continues.

• Our employees who are giving everything they’ve got to be productive for us at home. Many of you can relate… when your energy level has depleted to 20% from being spread so thin, you’re hoping that someone else in your home can make up the 80%

• My banker and accountant and have provided guidance to stretch our money and be sure our employees receive their full paychecks. Their teams were grinding it out on a Saturday to make our promise work!

• All of the Outdoor Family Rooms I’ve gotten to build over the past 22 years that are now providing a wonderful STAYcation to our family of clients… and for our new 2020 projects. We send our gratitude to all :)

• My dear friend and client who made masks for our entire team. She found herself with an abundance of time, an enormous amount of fabric (she’s an amazing quilter) and the desire to help others.

• and… the clients that have taken the time to give us early warning during this crisis and all of the business and support you’ve gifted to us! Many of you have kept us healthy over the years… removing a piece of metal from my eye on their kitchen table so I could still see and keep moving through my daily schedule, giving Ron knee surgery advice to avoid complications longterm, and quite literally, diagnosing a blood clot in Randy’s leg over a cell phone call!

• The 4-minutes of straight laughter yesterday when I watched the Bill Connolly - Colonoscopy video: https://vimeo.com/24340828 (you may not find this as funny as I did if you’re not at “that age”) Try to laugh today! It’s good for the soul :D

There is so much more! I just can’t take more of your precious time when you are trying to stay on top of your daily tasks! If I can just ask you to reflect, for just a moment on the things you are grateful for. And just maybe, you’ll be amazed at your list too!

Be well and take care of each other, Michelle

P.S. Just one more chuckle to share

Please stay inside where you're safe...

The Waterfront Team has been religious about social distancing and everything that comes with it. It’s been fun to play a game of Yahtzee on FaceTime with my daughter that I haven’t seen. Having a virtual happy hour with friends to stay in touch was a nice break from the 24-hour news cycle that tends to be a source of great anxiety! Going forward, we are limiting news to 1 hour a day, enjoying our extra clean house and being grateful for the family in our home we are gifted the extra time to hang out with :)

It’s been sort of hard figuring out how to do business, but with our implementation of the text message service and our EZshop plan, it seems to be working! As soon as this was put into place, we received “virtual hugs”, “thank you’s”, “thumbs-ups” and so many clients reaching out to see if we’re healthy and confirming they are well. This further confirms just how lucky we are to have such a wonderful Waterfront Team and client family. Thank you so much for your support, it means so much to all of us!

As we arrive at your home to open your swimming pools or do service work, we have to ask you to stay inside while we’re there. This has been tricky …. as humans, we are starved for interaction, but if we all do our part now, it will shorten the time we have to stay apart! We miss all of you, and in the meantime, we’ll wave if we see you in the window!

EZshop, EZpay, EZpick-up and EZdelivery

I hope all of you are healthy and taking care of each other. Many of you are selflessly taking this pandemic head-on, while we are doing our part by working from our couches, balancing work, family, and dreaming of outdoor activities!

I would like to say a sincere “THANK YOU” to everyone that reached out over the past 2-weeks and scheduled service, ordered supplies, used our delivery service and made the trip to our curb to pick-up items! We have always been blessed with loyal customers that support us and other local business. Thank you so much!

Last week, you should have received the email notice of your swimming pools’ opening date! With the season kicking in, we are focusing on a WorkSAFE, ShopSAFE and ProcessSAFE way of doing business…ENSURING the safety of you and our staff.

EZshop: you can call (507)529-8484, text (507)223-4144 or email poolanswers@gmail.com with your order

EZpay: we will take your credit card payment over the phone for those of you that don’t have a card on file

EZpickup: call, text or email when you’re here and we will load it in your car

EZdelivery: we offer TOUCH-FREE doorstep delivery free of charge for Rochester addresses or at the time of scheduled service

EZdrop: If you have a credit card on file, place your water sample in the dropbox outside our entryway, we’ll run the lab process and call, text or email you with the results

Mon-Fri 10a to 5p and Sat 10a to 3p

We're in this together!

I hope this finds you and your family healthy and safe.  As our retail store is temporarily closed to help flatten the curve....

• Our team is working from home to service your needs with full and timely paychecks. 

• We have implemented a safe service plan for our weekly pool and hot tub customers.  

• We are closely monitoring email communication and providing free deliveries to your doorstep.  

• Technical service requests are scheduled after meeting the CDC guidelines to keep both you and our staff safe.

• Ron, Randy and I are closely monitoring any developments and adjusting procedures required to keep us all healthy!

As we approach the first day of Spring tomorrow and just a few days with your children at home, I want to share a glimmer of light...  It won't be long before your swimming pools can be opened for the season.  Once the ice/snow melts from the cover and the pool water thawed, we can start openings!  Next week, Alyssa will email you with the opening service schedule. 

We have noted the CDC guidance: "There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs.  Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g. with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19." www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html  

• Please limit the people in the pool and surrounding area to 10 or less.

• Confirm none of your guests have had a fever, cough or have been exposed to the virus.

• Perform proper and regular disinfection of common entry points (handrails, ladders, gates, latches, doorknobs, etc.).

We would like to recognize how fortunate we are at Waterfront, we are privileged with our health, economic stability, a community that supports our company, a dedicated staff that cares for each other like family, and the comfort that most of our work is outdoors.  We are blessed with this amazing health care facility!  Many of our clients are in the front-lines, risking their well being to help those in need.  To all of you, we are grateful!

Let's all do the hard thing of social distancing, care about others enough to stay away...Together, we can win this fight! 

Please reach out with any questions or concerns, take care of each other and watch for your opening schedule email next week!

Be well,

Michelle Petersen - General Manager
414 Service Court NE
Rochester, MN. 55906
www.waterfrontspaandpool.com
(507)529-8484