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April 30, 2010

Dear Friends,

It is a bittersweet time for Statements and for me as I announce the retirement of Penny Everhart.

Nearly twenty years ago, I found myself interviewing this exciting woman who had spent a number of years working for ‘The Bon Marche’.  Penny had progressed as far as she could with The Bon and was looking for a new career.  Eager to prove to me that she could be the best salesperson ever, we began a wonderful journey.  During these past two decades, Penny has been an irreplaceable part of our work family at Uniq and at Statements.  Through the years she influenced the decisions about product we would purchase.  Traveling to stateside exhibitions and to Italy on buying trips she always focused on what her customers wanted and her design sense produced many exciting offerings.  We worked hard and laughed often as Penny would lighten the moment with a family story about her dog chewing up a shoe or another story about her husband Tom, who we’ll miss nearly as much as Penny.  And yes, most years she was our top producing salesperson.

Of course I will miss her but I am excited when she talks of more time for family and for travel and for being available for those who need her.  Penny heads to Florida this week to kick off this new season in her life.

I know Penny has shared her news with some of you.  Our hope was to celebrate with a retirement party, but that is not what Penny wanted.  In her usual unselfish way, she just wanted to say goodbye without fanfare and tears.  If you want to send a congratulations card, you can mail it to Statements and we will be sure to pass them on for you.

Thanks to all of you for supporting Penny and Statements through the years.  Tony Etzkorn, who has been with Statements for nearly ten years (many as a salesperson in the north end), will be taking over Penny’s accounts.  I am sure you will be comfortable with the transition as I have the utmost confidence in Tony.

May the road rise up to meet you, Penny, and the wind be always at your back!

Best regards,

Steve Calkins

This is our dog, Molly. You couldn’t pack more life into a 15 pound package. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking this is going to be one of those “dogs are like zen masters”-type posts, a la Marley and Me. Well, you’re right.

I could talk about how she is always glad to see us, how she has her priorities in order (food, sleep, walk, play, protect, and don’t worry about anything else), or any number of other lessons she teaches us. Or I could talk about how Molly is helping get us ready to be parents (less than two months now!).

But today I was appreciating how Molly keeps us in a routine. “Routine” is usually disparaged; we think of the daily grind, of punching the clock, of the boring tedium of doing the same thing over and over. But with Molly, I’ve learned to enjoy the routine of our daily walks. We live in the city without much of a yard, so we’re compelled to take her out first thing in the morning, at least once during the day, and then right before bed at night. There’s never any forgetting that routine, because Molly reminds us when it’s time for her walk.

The routine reveals the subtle changes of the seasons in unexpected ways, it unveils hidden details we would have missed just rushing past, and it creates an anchor in our day when everything else seems unhinged. Over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed the green shoots of daffodil bulbs slowly emerge.

Molly changes her habits according to the seasons, too. During the fall and spring, she’d walk until she collapsed, if it were up to her. Her curiosity is insatiable. During the coldest weeks of winter, though, she’s a homebody. I’m hardpressed to get her to go more than a block before Molly begins tugging on the leash toward home.

There’s never a dull moment at Statements, especially on holidays. Check out three of our best dressed this year, including Steve, our CEO, as Ozzy Osbourne.

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Tom also has his own distinctive sense of style. Most fathers would wear a stodgy wingtip or a patent leather shoe in a high polish. Boring! Instead, Tom broke out a pair of Air Jordans that he has been saving for just this occasion.

Let’s face it decos are expensive, but oh so pretty, and we at Statements know you love them. So we have added to our “tile stimulus package” by selling these decos for $3.50 each. Can you believe it, we must be mad?! There are 16 of each in stock, so as you can see quantities are limited. Come get them while they’re hot and stay tuned for more tile stimulus package deals.

Tile Chic is on twitter come check me out and lets tweet about tile.

Tweet you soon,

Tile Chic