Thoughts and notes from Bonnie's Desk

7 years ago I had a minor surgery (it felt major to me) and I return each year for a quick recheck of the site as a preventative measure and every year the same kind and competent nurse named Mary is there to greet me. It always brings me comfort to see her and this year was no exception.  Mary was there with a smile and a wave from down the hall as a different nurse was responsible for me that day but I was happy to see that Mary was STILL there. That kind of loyalty and dedication is rare these days, I guess that’s why it makes such an impression on me.

I have an employee like Mary at Finders Keepers and her name is Patsy Sanders. February marks her 15 year anniversary with the shop and I know so many of you are glad to see her when they come in, even if all she has time for is a smile and a wave. Patsy is one of those true blue, dedicated and loyal employees who weathers passing storms, changing policies, computer updates and all the things that happen at a small business each year, with dignity and grace. Whatever personal hardships she is facing will never be shown in her tone or demeanor, her actions or her words. She always just soldiers on with a smile.

In fact, Patsy soldiered on through breast cancer and did not miss a day of work while receiving chemotherapy. She has been in remission for 12 years now as of last month and the port near her collar bone has finally been removed. So we have much to celebrate with Patsy, 15 years of service at Finders Keepers and 12 years in remission from breast cancer.

So in honor of Patsy, our charitable giving this month will be to the Atlanta Chapter of the American Cancer Society with a designation to breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from our $1 $3 $5 $10 racks will go to this charity in Patsy’s honor and we will have jars at each register for cash donations to this important cause.

We will celebrate with cake and punch on Valentine’s Day so please join us and be sure to congratulate Patsy on her 15 year anniversary with Finders Keepers, but more importantly, on her survival of breast cancer. Please give this month in honor of Patsy so that more women will have the chance to be breast cancer survivors instead of breast cancer statistics.

Always be giving,

Bonnie Kallenberg

SURPRISE - Jessica's Surprise Wedding Shower!

We had a manager's meeting last night, which was also going to serve as a surprise wedding shower for Finders Keepers Fashions' manager: Jessica. Our fearless leader is getting married next month. And while she didn't want a lot of fuss made over her big day, we couldn't let her get married without a single shower! Here are a few pictures from the fun event:

I think she wanted me to stop taking pictures so she could actually cut the cake...

A beautiful cake decorated to match Jessi's wedding invitations! The cake was done by our favorite bakery: Sweet -n- Sinful in Avondale Estates!

It took Jessi until after the shower was over to realize that the cake had been designed to match her invitations! Wedding planning is stressful!

A shower is not complete without an inside joke - or, in this case, a bottle of detergent.

Dana and her daughters were a surprise arrival for Jessi. Dana will be officiating the ceremony!

Jessi read every card! Etiquette points for the bride to be!

Such a classic Jessi-face, I just had to include it!

Dana with her wonderful daughter

Congrats to Betsy on 20 years with Finders Keepers!

Furniture and decor comes and goes - but one face remains ever present at Finders Keepers Furnishings: Betsy Johns, the manager of one of the best furniture consignment shops in Atlanta. This month marks her 20th anniversary with the Finders Keepers company. It's no secret that Betsy works HARD - but I learned the story of her history with Finders Keepers yesterday during a surprise - congratulations we threw for her during a managers meeting last night.

20 years ago, Betsy worked full time for Atlanta Dental - and not just full time, but 60 hours a week. Bonnie, the owner of Finders Keepers, had recently purchased the little, 600 square foot space from its original owner, and was quickly becoming busier than one person could handle. Betsy began working on Saturdays in the little store to help with the rush of incoming merchandise and new customers. So that's how she started: tacking on eight more hours to her 60 hour work week.

A few years later, the store hosted a couple of "late night" shopping days a week. Betsy would work at Atlanta Dental during the day, and then drive to the store to help them close from 6pm - 8pm. And she maintained her Saturdays with the store, of course.

Six years ago, Betsy left her Corporate America job with Atlanta Dental and came on full-time for Finders Keepers. Her eye for staging quickly created a buzz in the consignment world. The fantastic furnishings and decor come to life through her artful combinations. Our furniture store has even drawn the interest of TV and movie set producers who are filming in Atlanta.

So Betsy, here's to 20 years! We couldn't have done it without you.

Surprise!

She's taking a trip to Nashville to celebrate! (She'll jump at any chance to put on her cowgirl boots)