Hot Mess Moments
Matlin’s Furniture was a family business, and at one time, all the Sidetracked Sisters played a role in the store’s daily operations. To keep us on the same page, we held weekly sales meetings that started half an hour before our regular workday.
Since each of us had been late at least once, we introduced a $1 fine for anyone who wasn’t inside the building by 8:00 sharp. No one wanted to be caught strolling through the parking lot with seconds to spare. We drove in four separate cars from different parts of town, all swarming the back lot in a mad dash for the closest spot. Honestly, I’m amazed we never had a fender bender. One morning, Lisa was driving with her right foot on the gas, and her left foot was already out the door, ready to hit the pavement.
It’s funny how a simple $1 fine created such chaos. We were all responsible, capable adults, yet no one wanted to be crowned “Hot Mess of the Day.” Punctuality was never an issue the rest of the week—just on Sales Meeting Days.
For me, this wasn’t exactly new behavior. My tardiness was rarely a five-minute problem, more like a one-minute or even 30-second scramble. I often wondered why I pushed things so close. Once I arrived, I could jump straight into work without setting down my purse or even stopping to use the bathroom. I had all that covered.
Looking back, my true “hot mess” moments were few and far between. The big ones? Being disorganized at Christmas, last-minute vacation packing, or racing to finish prep before guests arrived.
One unforgettable moment was our bank Christmas open house when my husband and I were both in banking. The event started at 1:00 pm, and I was still at the grocery store at 11:00 that morning. I was assembling trays and hors d’oeuvres long after guests had arrived. That day, I was the Hot Mess. I swore I’d never let that happen again.
To this day, I strive to avoid the Hot Mess syndrome at all costs. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes not. This concept still needs some fine-tuning.
So, if you ever find yourself breathless in a parking lot, hair flying, keys in one hand, and dignity in the other… Just remember, at least you’re not still at the grocery store when your party guests arrive.
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