Some Days....

There are days when it is really hard to see the sunshine, even when it is right outside the door.

Today is one of those days as a small business owner that you hate to go through. There are too many bills and too little income. This temporary shortfall is due the February that just passed where we experienced the worst month we have had in 5 years.

Since we have been in business since 1986, I know that we will fight our way out of this predicament as well, it is just a little disheartening to have to experience it at all.

However, will we let this affect the way we treat you? No, of course not! We will not recommend services that you don’t need and we will always follow our mission statement and never, ever proceed to complete work on your vehicle without your permission.

Tomorrow is another month and everything will begin to shine again.

Until Tomorrow.

Is Late Better Than Never?

Of course late is better than never! But, and this is a big BUT! It is not good to be late when you have a brand new vehicle.

Today we had a brand new GMC truck in the shop for it's very first oil change. The reason it came into the shop was because the Oil Change Reminder Light was on. The manufacturer wants you to have your oil changes completed every 5000 km. By completing the oil changes on schedule your warranty is valid.

The mileage on the vehicle in the shop today? 12773. 7773 kms over the manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule! Not Good.

So please - although your vehicle might have a light to remind you to change your oil, remember it is not always accurate and may cause you warranty issues in the future.

Just a little information for you new car owners out there!

Until Tomorrow.

Family

The Universe (tut.com) sent this note to me recently:

Do you know what they all have in common, michelle?

You know, the billions and billions who came before you, who used to live in the jungles of time and space.

Their adventure is over.

You know what else?

Given another chance, they'd take more risks. Not because they'd always succeed, but because from where they are now, the glory of knowing they at least tried, far exceeds any regrets of never knowing what might have been.

it's NEVER too late to try something new.

As we have discovered with recent and ongoing events with our family, life is short. Don’t wait to experience life, do it now.

Until tomorrow.

Home Again

We made it home from Pocatello, Idaho about 6:30 tonight.

What a whirlwind trip. We were gone from Barnwell a total of 52 hours. Of that 52 hours, 21 were driving, 14 were sleeping and the rest were visiting whether at the funeral or with family. Both sides of Verl's family live in Pocatello, so we had to visit with both. Thanks to all for the impromptu get together, it was a lot of fun!

Now, the countdown to month end begins and once again we will be very busy operating the shop and getting those newsletters ready to hit your mail boxes!

Until Tomorrow.

Saying Goodbye

After travelling for many hours yesterday, we arrived in Pocatello, Idaho at 1:30 Saturday morning.

It is funny how a funeral can also be classified as a family reunion of sorts. We have visited with many family members, caught up on children, jobs, health and all the other things that relatives mention when there any kind of a get together.

Today we said goodbye to a man who really did live to serve. Rex served in all 4 branches of the military, was a scout leader, a volunteer fire fighter, a church leader and was always ready to lend a helping hand.

May we all follow his example and give back more than we receive.

Goodbye, Rex, you will be missed.

Until Tomorrow.

Age is Relative

Today I read an article online about Esquire Magazine’s vote for the Sexiest Woman Alive. The results are very encouraging! Helen Mirren, age 62 has beat out Megan Fox, age 22 to be the victor.

Why is this encouraging? Well, it looks like our society is beginning to look beneath the hood as well taking into account the visual beauty of something. Yes, we can turn anything into a car analogy if we try hard enough!

Wit, humour, experience, and knowledge have bested the untested beauty, grace, and charm. Very encouraging to our industry, especially shops such as ours, whose main focus is keeping your car running smooth and reliable for a long time.

This is also encouraging to the author of this piece – there is hope after all for 48 year old women – our time to shine is coming closer!

Until Tomorrow.

A Sucess!

Whew! We did it!

9 ladies left here last night knowing a bit more about their cars and what makes them tick. Verl, Spencer and Ryan did a fabulous job of explaining how these interested ladies could make their vehicles less of a mystery.

For hands on experience each one got to fill their window washer fluid, check their oil and tire pressure. Ryan gave a demonstration on how to change a flat tire safely for those times when help just isn't available. Spencer showed them how to safely boost a car if the situation should ever arise. Verl did the rest, showing dirty vs clean oils, belts, brakes and many other common parts and problems.

We truly enjoyed the experience and look forward to hosting this event again.

Until Tomorrow.

Hurry Up and Wait

Well, with 10 minutes to go we are finally ready for the ladies night. Opening night jitters are now working on all of us.

Is the shop clean enough? Do we have enough information to fill 2 1/2 hours? Will there be enough food? Will the ladies have a good time? Did we forget anything?

Oh well, now with 5 minutes to go we are as ready as we are going to be!

Wish us luck.

Until Tomorrow.

Curve ball

Sometimes life just has to remind you of who really is in charge. Yup, it’s fate! We may think that we have life totally figured out but then something happens and all those carefully laid plans go awry.

We had a phone call last night from Verl’s brother, an uncle has passed away. The weekend we had planned, Verl to the casino for a long shift and Michelle to Red Deer to the Canadian Independent Automotive Association board meeting and to visit with Ariel, has flown out the window. We will be making a low level flight (please let the police radar guns not work) all the way to Pocatello, Idaho to say good bye.

Until tomorrow.

Step Away

Sometimes when you are confronted with a problem whether it be on a vehicle, or an accounting problem, or anything, the best thing to do is to step away.

Now, that doesn't mean dropping it and never going back to it! It means giving your brain a chance to recharge or focus on something else.

Can you imagine if every time we had a problem vehicle we dropped it and never looked at it again? Wouldn't be very good would it! The shop and the yard would be littered with vehicles and YOU wouldn't be very happy with us!

Michelle had that problem today, after spending the entire day writing the newsletter, she had a mental block when it came time to write the blog. So, a trip to town and a brief stop to smell the fresh air means this is what happened! A story for the day! Just like Jerry Seinfeld a story from nothing.....

Until Tomorrow.

Getting Ready

The countdown is on. In 3 days we host our second Ladies Night. We have begun preparing for this event already. The course outline is complete, the name tags are ready, the quizes are ready to go. Today, we began to prepare the food, most importantly - the desert!

We can't wait! And if you have not registered for the course yet, there is still time, just contact Taber Adult Learning at 223-1169.

Until Tomorrow.

Unpredictable

Life is unpredictable and it is often do to the people who you come in contact with every day.

Sometimes you become disappointed in those people and we have had that not so enjoyable experience lately. What do you do with people who disappoint you? Well in our industry we call it “firing the customer” And yes, that is what we will do.

Sometimes you see a person walk through the door that you thought you would never see again. This happened to us yesterday. Someone we had not had the pleasure of calling a customer for over 6 years walked into the shop with a request for service on his vehicle. Was it the newsletter that brought him in? The passage of time that made him forget whatever happened before (before we knew everything we do now and are still learning)? Or was it the fact that we are close by?

Whatever the reason, all we really want to say is Welcome Back.

Until Tomorrow.

Friday!

Yes, Friday has come around again!

Our big news of the day is that Ryan has received his red seal apprenticeship book. Now he is a registered apprentice with the Province of Alberta and is on his way to accumulating the hours he requires in order to go to school. Good for him!

We hope everyone enjoys their weekend, Verl will be spending his dealing cards at the casino, Spencer will be off playing video games with his buddies and Michelle will be walking the dog, taking pictures and planning her garden!

No matter what your plans are, enjoy.

Until Tomorrow.

Time to Lend a Helping Hand

Today we need to support one of our own. Please read the letter I have re-posted below.

Dear Friends,
In support of the Cam and Nikki Francis family there will be a dinner and auction in Glenwood AB, May 8, 2010 to raise funds and support for the family as Nikki prepares for a lung transplant.
Nikki was diagnosed with Leukemia approximately four years ago. She was in her twenties with three small children, ranging in age from two to seven years.
Nikki and Cam have been, and continue to be, community oriented people giving of themselves whenever there was a need. They have sat on numerous boards and have volunteered in the community and schools. They have truly been an example to all those who know them.
Unfortunately the effects of this disease have been devastating to Nikki. One of the worst side effects of the treatments is that her lungs have been harmed to the point that she can no longer perform simple daily tasks without becoming dangerously short of breath and needing to sit or lay down. You can imagine how difficult it is with three small children at home.
Nikki recently returned from Edmonton having finished a boot camp program to prepare her for her upcoming lung transplant. She is now on the transplant list and is waiting for her call to come. In addition to the vigorous therapy needed, medication regimes and the uncertainty of complications the doctors have warned both Cam and Nikki that one of the most devastating effects of the transplant will be the financial burden upon the family. It is to this end that we feel as a community that its time to step in and help.
We are asking you to consider providing an item, or items, for the auction held on May 8. All monies raised will go in a trust fund to support of the Francis family.
We certainly recognize that this time of year individuals and businesses are inundated with requests for donations. With this in mind we offer our sincere gratitude for support of this young family who is dealing with unfortunate circumstances. As we strive to build our community and make this a better place to live we must look to those around us and help to bear their burdens, this will make us stronger to bear our own.
A form has been attached that will enable us to track the items donated. Again, all items are greatly appreciated; this form will also help us to recognize your donation at the auction. Thank you for your support towards this family in need

Sincerely and in behalf of;
The Cam and Nikki Francis family



Saturday May 8 th,2010
Glenwood School Gym

What: Spaghetti Supper, Bake Sale, and Auction

Why: Fund-raising money for Nikki Francis (daughter of Bill and Judy Hansen)to help cover the expenses of her upcoming lung transplant.

We are gratefully accepting quality items or services for the auction, if you have anything you would like to donate or for more information

Please call Marie Koch 403-626-3227 or Chrystal Jensen 403-223-3150

Donated baked goods will be kindly accepted that night for the bake sale.

Pre-purchased dinner tickets available for:
$20/family or $5/person
OR purchase at the door
$22/family $7/person
For ticket information please call Chrystal or Marie at the above numbers.
Supper will be from 5:30-6:30pm
Auction to start at 7:00pm


A Trust Fund has been set up in the name of
Nikki Francis
Donations will be accepted at any
Alberta Treasury Branch location




Brief description of item donated: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Item donated by: ________________________________________

Approximate value of the item:______________________________________

Donor contact information:
Name_________________ Telephone #:_____________________


Until Tomorrow.

An Irish Blessing for You

Being Irish means that Michelle gets indulge herself one day a year. So today we’ll have fun and list some of the more memorable quotes from some rather well-known Irish.

A life making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all. G.B. Shaw

I'm troubled, I'm dissatisfied. I'm Irish! Marianne Moore

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. Oscar Wilde

A lament in one ear, maybe, but always a song in the other. Sean O'Casey

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Oliver Goldsmith

"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers." John F. Kennedy

And now a Traditional Irish Blessing to hold you until this day comes around once again.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Until Tomorrow.

Excellence

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude. -Colin Powell

This quote was posted by a friend on Facebook today. To us, it says it all. To achieve big you must start with the little details. Did we perform your service to your expectations? Was your bill ready when you arrived? Did we greet you with a smile? Did we leave a small gift in your car? Did we wash your car?

These small details are all very important in making sure that your experience here was everything you hoped for.

If we fall short in any area we hope you will point out our errors, after all, excellance is not achieved over night but through practice, practice, practice!

PS. We take lots of training to help achieve our goals.

Until Tomorrow.

Something's Missing......

Today when we arrived at the shop the parking lot seemed a little empty. After a moment or two of scratching our heads we knew what was wrong.

Out of all the vehicles we usually have sitting outside the one missing was our son Tyler’s 1987 GMC. While the key was in his pocket, the truck could start if the ignition was jiggled.

With the nice weather starting and the time change the unsavory element of our society is once again out and about.

So, this is a reminder to all of us, lock your car up and keep it in a well lighted area if you can’t put it into a garage. We don’t want you to wake up to an empty spot too!

By the way, we do make sure that all the vehicles under our care are locked up tight each and every night.

Tyler did tell us today that if the RCMP can recover the vehicle he will sell it to us for 25 cents, after all we sold it to him for $1.00!

Until tomorrow.

Keep Learning

It is important in life to keep expanding your horizons. To keep yourself young at heart you need to keep trying new things, life is short.

Michelle has been trying photography as a hobby lately. She has been taking pictures of oil drips and leaking parts and of course making holiday albums for many years. But it is something else to spend 4 hours photographing a candle!

Do whatever you need to keep yourself young!

Until tomorrow.

Time

Spring ahead and fall back.

It's time! Don't forget to push your clocks ahead. I know we will be setting ours ahead and setting the alarm tonight. We don't want Verl to be late to work tomorrow morning. He will not get home until 2 and will have to leave at 10 for a seven hour shift.

The best news? It will be sunnier later in the day so we can begin to enjoy the outdoors!

Until tomorrow.

And the Answer Is.....

So we have had 9 replies to our quiz in our monthly newsletter - Fuel for Thought.

Wow - that is the most responses we have ever had! The winner has been picked, but I will not be releasing that information until the newsletter hits your mailbox at the beginning of April, sorry!

It sure is a good feeling to know that at least 9 out of 900 we mail out read it! (Just kidding)

Maybe more people read it this month to fill the void after the end of the Olympics? Oh well, thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next edition.

Until Tomorrow.

Keeping Your Car Young a Long Time

We closely watch the trends that you are creating by your auto purchases and repairs. It is really apparent that you are keeping your vehicles longer and want to get the most value for your dollar.

And who wouldn't like to get the most from their buck? I know I do!

That is why NAPA Autopro's new slogan is "We Keep Your Car Young a Long Time".

After all, cosmetic companies have been using this very idea since the dawn of time.

Now it's our turn.

Until Tomorrow.

All In a Day's Work

Today began at 8:00 am, but our end for the day will be when I finish typing this blog, around 11:38 pm. Yup, just under the wire for the day!

We spent the day in Red Deer where we where joined by many of the other NAPA Autopros in Southern Alberta. We discuss many topics in our quarterly meetings, including how to improve the safety for our employees and equipment and more training for owners.

Another topic on today's agenda was blogging and how to use Facebook as a way to communicate to you, our customer.

Yes, today has been very long when you include the time it takes us to drive all the way up there and back.

But our reward, besides the obvious family atmosphere we have developed with all these other shops, is what was in the night sky on the drive home.

Until Tomorrow.

Getting to Know You

One of my Mentors posed this question to us today:

“How well do you know your customers and do they know how much you value their business?”

I hope that we take the time to get to know each and everyone of you. We realize that there are many times that you don’t have the time to “shoot the bull” and neither do we.

But when we both have the time to make that connection with you we truly do enjoy the experience!

Being priveledged to live in a small town means we usually do have the time to hear all about your vacations, kids, pets, home improvements and all your hopes and dreams.

We wouldn’t change small town life for anywhere else!

As for valuing your business, well, that is why we try to give you the WOW factor!

Until Tomorrow.

A Stickler for Details

Twice in the past 2 weeks we have had to deliver bad news to customers about their vehicles.

We are a licensed inspection facility for the Province of Alberta. That means we can perform out of province inspections for those of you who are purchasing vehicles from another province or from the United States.

We have to follow the rules regarding these inspections, and yes, there are manuals and rules and big long forms to complete. We really do understand that sometimes we discover things that will make a vehicle not pass the inspection in Alberta. But we can’t bend the rules, not even for ourselves!

Whether or not you have the necessary work performed here, or elsewhere is always your choice, just remember that we need to see the vehicle again to give it a passing grade.

So forgive us, we are only doing our job.

Until tomorrow.

Rest Day

We have rested up this weekend, but at the same time have accomplished quite a bit.

We have meetings this week in Red Deer that we have to prepare presentations for and we have worked on our ladies night program for March 24.

We hope everyone else has had time this weekend to rest, play and recharge.

Until Tomorrow.

Tale of Two Trips

So many of our NAPA Autopro friends have spent the past week in Buenos Aires, Argentina. While we had a chance to sign up for this trip when it was offered, sometimes your inner mind says "not this time" and that is what happened to us.

Now that the trip has happened (as I write this they are on a plane flying home) both Verl and Michelle agree that it really is a good idea that they didn't go. Family, the shop, and life in general would have made it hard to enjoy ourselves. But because life did calm down this week we have treated ourselves to a mini vacation, so let's compare....(just for kicks)

Argentina trip - beautiful weather Lethbridge trip - beautiful weather
Argentina trip - good food Lethbridge trip - good food
Argentina trip - good friends Lethbridge trip - good friends
Argentina trip - new experiences Lethbridge trip - nope, just chillin
Argentina trip - mucho dollars Lethbridge trip - cheapo dollars
Argentina trip - jet lag Lethbridge trip - how do you get jet
lag in 27 miles?

All kidding and comparisons aside, we hope you all had a great trip and we hope to see lots of pictures and hear all the stories!

Until Tomorrow.

It's Friday!

Yes, Friday has arrived, closing off the busiest week we have seen in a long time!WOW! Hopefully we will be able to sustain this pace, it makes the week go by so much quicker!

We are going to take a break this weekend, as much a break as we do. Verl and Michelle are going to spend the weekend in Lethbridge on a mini-vacation, sort of...

While Verl is at the casino working the night shift, Michelle will be busy planning the Ladies Night for March 24.

Sometimes, it isn't how far away you travel, it's just enough to change your point of view.

Until Tomorrow.

March Forth and Do Something

It isn't any old day that can lend itself to a topic, but today sure can. "March Forth and Do Something" to us means getting it done. And if you saw the shop this week, then we are really getting it done!

For you it might mean completing something you have been putting off, making that donation, or just lending a helping hand....

We don't know what happened, perhaps its because the Olympics ended, or because the weather is nice, but the shop has been extremely busy all week.

Now we know that in order for this to continue we must keep on top of our systems and procedures. We will continue to make our reminder and follow-up calls, continue to wash every vehicle and make sure that we leave a small token of our appreciation in your car.

So March Forth people and in the words of one famous comedian "Git R Done"!

Until Tomorrow.

Laugh and Be Merry

Funny, how the first signs of spring make everyone smile. For now, the winter coats are open and everyone feels lighter.

For us, at least for this week anyways, the shop is hopping, making us smile.

Today is "I Want You to Be Happy Day" (no, we don't make these up, honestly!). Just seeing your faces and vehicles in our shop is making us happy, so thank-you very much.

So, please make yourself happy in anyway you can, open your coat, roll down your window, sing a song, or do the happy dance. Just please enjoy the day!

Be Happy.

Until Tomorrow.

Light Up!

Ok, twice in the past week we have had customers stopped by the Men in Blue for headlight issues.

Guess we should all go out and check our lights. We do this for you when your oil change is done, but it might not be a bad idea to just check them out for yourself once a week. So set specific time each week (perhaps when you get into your car for the first time on Monday morning) turn on your lights and ensure that you are lighting up!

Are we all so trained to wear our seatbelts now that the police need to find something else to bring their revenue up? Just a thought!

Until Tomorrow.

Spring is in the Air

Everywhere you look around.

I know there is a song out there somewhere with that line, just can't remember what it is.... You can tell that spring is in the air here at the shop because they are working with the bay doors open! What a great feeling!

Yesterday, I went for a walk around our village wearing only a sweater. How nice not to have to be bundled up anymore. Will it last? Time will tell...

So start thinking about your springtime travelling needs. We will be happy to help you get on your way to smell the tulips.

Until Tomorrow.