Buttons

It took my Mom & me 1 hour to sew on a button and snap on thing to my Capri's... a whole hour. We were so frustrated and couldn't help laughing through most of it, in between poking our fingers with the needle and intense swearing (mostly from me). However, it's now securely fastened and luckily still fit. We both said that it would have been done in 5 minutes if my Dad was still there. He was a great sewer. But, we did it with team work and may or may not pop off mid-trip.

Guns

I went shooting with Cousin Mikie today. I was so nervous! My hands were sweaty and I was shaking like a leaf. I couldn't work the cartridge release button thing...and the cowboy gun (as I call it) scared the shit out of me (almost). I wouldn't do another round with that one. I went back to the easier gun. I understand the draw, because it's a little exhilarating when you get going but I can't see myself doing it as a hobby. I was too scared to do it again. At least not on my own. I also have no hand strength at all which was embarrassing. And, there were guys watching from the window which made me slightly more embarrassed.

I now have to pack but I think I'm ready for the big trip. I got the extra camera battery today at Don's Photo - thank goodness for Don's, they were my last hope. So, now I'm kind of set. Kind of...

Moderate progress

My week off did not go quite as planned. Due to external delays with things like the mail service and other people, as well as my continual overestimation of my abilities I just could not do all the things I had hoped. BUT, I did manage to get some critical things done so it's not a complete bust. I finally got my certification exam done and it took 4+ hours! I have to say I was in quite the panic about it, since I really haven't taken a proper test in over a decade. So after 2 1/2 days of cramming I tackled it and it was pretty intense. My friend was my 'proctor' (a supervisor so I can't cheat) and she fed me potato salad and made me chocolate chip cookies so that really helped. I think I did okay, it was open book, but there were some questions that were a bit tricky so I am not sure if I got every question correct. Hopefully I did well enough to pass. I definitely don't want to take it again, but I suppose it would be a bit easier the second time.

I had my pet first aid course as well this week. I was very nervous about it as well, not being particularly inclined to handle gory things and emergency situations. But, it was actually great and helped reinforce or understand some of the course material regarding pet first aid I had for my test. Reading about first aid is really hard to get, until I actually see it in action. I can now, assuming I don't panic, muzzle an animal (long snout, short snout, and no snout techniques), split a broken leg, bandage a cut, treat shock, perform CPR... I also got one of the kits. It was only $25 so a good start. The one from the pet-sitting organization I belong to was more, plus shipping. I highly recommend the course, through St. John's Ambulance, if you just own pets. It's really helpful info, and very practical.

I have a bunch of stuff still to do, but I have finally accepted the fact that the majority of marketing, website, and other businessy things will have to wait till I return. It's just not possible, and I guess that's ok.

4 days left

Another wonderful long weekend so I am relatively relaxed and content. As of this coming Friday I am on a leave from work officially which means 4 days of work to go! 4 days to go out of 7+ years...I have to say I'm more excited about that then anything else going on. Ideally I would be done already but I need the extra money desperately so I'll just have to make due. Technically I'm not unemployed, just 'on leave' and then when I go back in January I will be working part-time. This means that assuming I can make a success out of my business plan I will never have to work for 40+ hours a week there again. This is beyond liberating and I hope I can pull it off. Ideally if I work at least 12 hours a week there I can have enough money for rent and maybe car insurance which are the 2 big bills. Ideally I would like to phase it out completely by the summer so I do not have to be involved in the chaos of the 'busy season' ever again, but my contingency plan is to continue working part-time through the summer if needed. I have had a mixture of reactions as I keep telling more people, but most people seem to actually care & are happy for me. I am hoping that after 3 months I may not be a miserable pile of crap when I go back - and even perhaps enjoy my hours there. But, that may be way too much to hope for. I will settle for simple indifference.

I told my Mom finally - minus some details of course. I had it planned in my head and thought that it would end up being best if I segment the announcements. First - I'm visiting! Second (while visiting) - I'm going to Africa and here's my itinerary, and I'll be completely safe & don't worry! Third (after Africa) - I'm working at Christmas, sorry I can't visit! I love you, etc.! Fourth - I am running a successful pet-sitting business on the side so will only be at the office a few days a week and I'm making a crapload of money...!

Then last minute I opted to take the enforced furlough route since everyone has to take 3-4 weeks unpaid before the end of the year anyways. However, this was a major tactical error and I ended up blurting out that I would do some traveling when my Mom asked what I was doing with the time off, and then she kind of flipped out and then I said I wouldn't be back for Christmas and then she was upset. Luckily I managed to reign it in and not mention the business/work scenario. I am determined not to say anything about it at all until it's mid-January and actually happening. After a few brief and angry questions my Mom hung up. Then called again with a question and then hung up. And, then called again with another question and hung up. I was so pissed off, despite the fact that I know how she is I still wish for a more logical and supportive conversation which is crazy and unreasonable on my part.

Despite the rocky start she's actually dealing quite well now, though I get a call every day with another question. She called before work one day and asked if I had my passport, the next day was if I had my shots, that sort of thing. So she is processing it all in her own time. I am very thankful that she is doing okay with it and being moderately supportive. What I had to lie about was the full cost - I did not tell her the cost of the Safari (just the amount of my first deposit) because I don't want her to freak out. She has the most important details so that will be enough. I am not mean, I just have a strong sense of self-preservation.

Anyways, 4 more days and then crunch time. I was writing my to-do list for the next couple of weeks and it's massive so I am hoping I can pull it all off in time.