I have said two things in my last blog entry. One: I would try and blog at least once a week. Two: A list of stuff I was going to blog about. Well...One outta two ain't bad, right?
Before I get into my list, I have this one to do. I know, I'm a bit scatter-brained, but I just have to get this out before the ideas escape me!
All year long this year, I have been tossing around the idea of going back to work. The only thing that holds me back is Joe. And for several reasons. If I went back to work, he would have to go to daycare, which I don't like. And it would be expensive, which my husband really doesn't like! But, it's times like these that I wish I had never really stopped working in the first place. That I might have just been brave enough to start him off in daycare when he was a baby, and it would have been part of our routine already.
The "times like these" I'm referring to is being broke all the time! I feel so guilty that my husband busts his tail day in and day out, not even coming home to his own bed at night just to provide for us, and we're still broke. And I'm not talking about: "Not having enough money to have my nails done this week" kinda broke. I hope most of you know me better than that! (LOL) I'm talking about: "Replacing my meals with tea or water so the kids have enough to eat" kinda broke. We are SO blessed that Larry has been able to maintain a job through these tough economic times, it's just not enough. Poor Larry is stressed out. He is literally paying for everything we have and use. Our house, the car, clothes, food, Internet/phone. I have been wondering what I could do that would take some of the pressure off him, and I think I have a pretty good idea. That is, if it'll work!
If I went to work at Wal-Mart or any other place here in town where I had to punch a clock from one certain time to one certain time every day, I would really only be making enough money to pay for the time that Joey spent in daycare while I was there. In fact, I'd be spending more in gas money by taking him there. So, what if I had a job where he could come with me? What kinda job would let me bring my toddler to the office every day? The answer is: The kind of job where you work for yourself!
I think by now you all know I love food and I love cooking for others even more. It is such a huge passion. It makes me feel like I am doing my job as the daughter of Christ. Makes me feel like that's my small way of ministering to people. I saw this small, kinda run down building here in our town go up for sale. I looked at it almost every day when I drove by. And on days when I didn't have to drive on that side of town, I would make up an excuse just so I'd have to. Like I said, it was a bit run down. Nothing special. Just a plain, one story little brown square. But, oh, that's so not what I saw. I saw "Riley Dogs". If there's one thing this town needs, it's a place to get a good hot dog. I drop the kids off by 8:30. Joey and me trot on over to "Riley Dogs" and cook up some good locally grown and made sausage hot dogs. Open the store at 10am; right before the lunch rush. Stay open 'til 2pm; just before I got to start picking kids up from school. Make it a perfect place for a struggling college kid to come get a meal for some change off the floor board of their car. Sounds great, right? Yeah, I thought so too. But, did you know that you have to have a boat load of cash just to make a little bit of it? It's true! This dinky little whole-in-the-wall type place that probably couldn't come up to code without a ton of work was selling for $100,000, plus $50,000 worth of equity!
I didn't let it get me down, though. After all, it's not like it was mine and it was taken away from me or anything. It was never really mine to begin with. Sure was a neat idea, though, if I do say so. OK, so, what else do I love? Besides my family and serving others, not really much. Serving others....Hmmmm....
I actually felt kinda guilty thinking this because everything I do as far as service to others has always been a gift. And now I was thinking about asking for money to do it! I asked myself: How could I serve others and still make a little dough doing it?! And here's what I came up with:
Maid for You!
Kind of like a maid service, but there's SO much more I could do! More like a maid/lawn/babysit/run your errands/drive ya where ya need to go service! =) Think about it: Little Ol' Mrs. So-and-So is sick and can't go pick up here medicine. Or, she may need a ride to a doctor's appointment up in Kansas City. Or, Mr. What's-His-Face might need help picking up the yard after he mows the grass. Or, young Mrs. Who's It needs someone to clean her house while she cares for her new born baby. Mrs. Who's neighbor might desperately need a nap after running around with her twins all day. See??
This is stuff I do for friends, neighbors and church members already. I would love to be able to keep doing what I love, and not feel like I'm donating every moment of my time. Anyway, I talked to Larry about it several times, and he feels like he'd be able to breath a little bit if I had (at the very least) a bit more gas and/or grocery money coming in. I even went and talked to some people at the city office and obtaining a business license is fairly reachable. The only real problem is...OK, this is more than one...advertising and is there really a need for this kind of business? Honestly, I really think there is. There are so many older people who are house bound. And so many mothers that wish they had an extra set of hands. You know, when I was a kid, and even a little bit now, but mostly when i was young, I was never told that any of my ideas were any good. It was always: "Why don't you do this instead?". And because of that, I never really told people any of my "ideas". I even kinda invented something once, but I thought it was worthless and wouldn't make any money. Low and behold, now this "thing" is EVERYWHERE! I just don't want this to be one of those times where 10 years from now, I see Sally from down the street having fun and making some cash doing this very same thing, and kick myself.
Well, there you have. My hopeful new business venture! And now for an advertising plug! =)
Between the hours of 9am & 2pm, Monday-Friday, I will be available for you. My interests of help include:
Dusting, vacuuming, washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, mowing grass, taking out trash, doing laundry, cleaning house in general. Helping to organize rooms, file cabinets, or garages, running errands including: personal shopping, drug store pick ups, dropping of or picking up dry cleaning. Driving you to and from shopping, doctor's appointments, church, or anywhere else you may need to go. Babysitting: either while you're away, or while you have your hands full with other things around the house. Sitting with older folks who may need a hand while they're alone. Dog walking, bathing or brushing. (Not grooming because I don't know how to clip fur or nails.) Have I left anything out??
So, please, if you are or know someone in need of a gal and a half pint to help around the house, feel free to email or call me any time! I have to be a stickler about the timing, though. It is extremely important to me that I am home when my children get home from school! Which reminds me...I'd be glad to pick up kids from school. Between 2 & 3pm, I have room for 4 kiddos in my van (so they would have to be either half day pre schoolers, or middle and high schoolers), and at 3:30, I have room for one more since by that time I will have my brood as well.
If you have any feed back, please let'er rip! And like always, thanks for reading!!! =)
