Beginning a professional blog happened to fall on the same week as the unusual "breaking news" at Treat Yourself Right.  For those who didn't hear, the office flooded and was not useable for several days.  It seems we are a go for tomorrow late afternoon, so all told we were only out for 3 and a half working days.  Fortunately, everyone I needed to reschedule was very gracious.

The timing of this was interesting.  I'd decided not to attend an out-of-town event because that would require closing the office for a third weekend out of four.  So what happened?  The office closed itself for me, in the form of half an inch of water everywhere.  Aside from a damp smell I expect the six dehumidifiers the building's landlord arranged  for will take care of, nothing appears to be damaged.

I often encourage people to take time off when they can, especially if there's something they really want to do with that time.  I did not take my own advice in this case, and found myself not working anyway.  That certainly is not to say that I didn't enjoy my days here in Charlottesville, for I did.  It's just a thought, an interesting coincidence.

As for the schedule over Thanksgiving week, (barring further unforseen incidents of course) the office will be open at 2pm on Monday, and the usual hours on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. 

Over the years, I've been flexible with my days off, sometimes to my own detriment. (Try working 18 days in a row without one off...even if you only work an hour, there is an impact.) I've been unyielding with my days off, and lost clients because of it. While I've enjoyed having fixed days off while my office mate has had need of my space in our suite over the last year, I am considering not even trying to find someone to share my portion of the office with when her study wraps up at the end of this month.

At this point, I'm not in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and it's been good to have enforced days off. Since I work weekends, and those are prime days for people who want to come in for sessions, having days off during the week has served everyone well.

Like most humans, I'm somewhat resistant to change, regardless of how much I say I'm in favor of it. Making myself more available will be a good thing, yet remaining consistent with my self care (and a day off is at the very least that) is also a good thing.

For the time being, Treat Yourself Right will have office hours available daily, starting December 1. As has proven true in the past, that schedule is subject to change. Of all the things that have changed over the last ten years, you can rest assured, however, that my love of massage remains consistent. In the coming weeks, I'll roll out holiday gift certificate specials, so please do check back. Also, through the rest of November, veterans and those still serving in the military receive $10 off every session of 60 minutes or more.