Friday, August 05, 2011

Mom and dad are out of town for a WEEK!  I feel 16 and want to have a party!!  Now here’s where I’m not so 16.  There is no patio furniture on the deck, the house is a mess and I would be embarrassed to have anyone over.  Then, should I offer just beer or beer and wine?  Shall I cook some fun finger foods or will chips, dips and veggies be adequate?  Mom and dad do not have a stereo, or an IPod. Shall I create an e-vite or just blast it on FB?  For me, an impromptu party is nothing like it was in high school where letting it slip that your parents’ are gone the party “just” happens.

Before my folks left, we needed to haul out the trash.  Mom pulled the cans out of the garage.  I pulled them to the curb.  The wrong curb evidently.  Dad said they were supposed to go on the other side of the driveway.  Where I placed the cans was where the lawn debris was to go.  I thought to myself, “Certainly the trash collectors can see which is trash and which is lawn debris” so I said to dad I thought it wouldn’t matter.

As I barefoot walked into the garage to go back inside the house I stepped on…….white, wiggling rice. OMG!  Seems it is fly season and they found something comfy near the trash can on which to lay some eggs. GROSS!!!  Well, I screamed like my head was being cut off.  My gag reflex engaged.  Dad came running out with a spray bottle of spot remover and single streamed a few wigglers at a time, consequently pushing them into a larger area. Mom came out with a broom and swatted them as if to put out a fire.  Once I regained my composure and we all calmed a bit, we handled the situation superbly with brooms, a shovel, raid and bleach.  And I set out a mouse trap for added intimidation.

I have officially declared myself as a sole proprietor and am no longer seeking gainful employment where I am not my own boss.  Yes, it took six months and two serious job opportunities for me to decide, but I decided.  And now I am scared to death!  No regular income, only a couple of clients, living with my folks much longer than anticipated….no big clothing allowance!!!!

I am working with the Nebraska Business Development Council to receive cutting edge business advice (they are part of the University of Nebraska) and guidance.  Additionally, I am getting certified as a small, woman-owned, disadvantaged business through their Procurement Training Assistant Center so I may be eligible for government contract work.  Nebraska business ranks 43 out of 50 in earning government contracts…our government even gives contracts to other states.  More of us need to get registered I say!  Keep the work at home.  I am ignorantly counting on becoming a large government contractor overnight. J

Today the trash collectors came.  I washed down all the cans with bleach, spot remover and raid.  And later realized they were on the other side of the drive from where I had first placed them.