From The Jar... #24

This was supposed to be a relaxed day and it turned into anything but relaxed. But it was good. (Thanks again, Maria, for watching my kids, feeding me and my kids dinner, getting them to eat SALAD(!), substituting for me for choir, having a "lesson" with me, and for being my friend!) So, needless to say, I didn't get to my jar post. But... staying up late is what I do best so without further ado...


Would you choose differently if you could choose your occupation again?

No. My occupation is being a mother and I wouldn't ever trade my kids. They are incredible. Sometimes motherhood kicks me in the shorts, (OK, on a daily basis) but it's what I've always wanted,I learn everyday from them, and I love my "job".

This is me at "work" several years ago. Mac painted on the wall in our old house.

As for my other things that I do (landlording, pretzel dipping), I'd have to say yes on the pretzels, no on the landlording. I've dipped enough pretzels to last me for two or three lifetimes. Landlording, challenging as it's been, I wouldn't choose differently for the education I have received. I've learned so much about so many different things including learning about myself. It has been invaluable. I'm sure these things will serve me in the future. And for that matter.... the pretzels have taught me alot about myself too. They just so happen to be what I was procrastinating upon yesterday. So, really, I probably wouldn't change anything. I've said it before, my life is exactly perfect. Everything has been for my good, including the hard things.

If I had to have an "occupation" as in a job I would love to be a writer or a graphic designer, or a blogger. Can I get paid to blog? lol! I'm working on that one since I spend so much time doing it! :)

From The Jar... #11

What is your principle occupation and what circumstances led to it?


I am a mom. That is my principle occupation. It all started when I met this cute guy named Dustin... Naw. Just kiddin'! I don't think any of you really want to know the circumstances that led to being a mom.

If your principle occupation is the same as mine and you still want something to write about, tell about your husbands occupation or your secondary occupations (see below).

I have a few other things that I do... chocolate dipped treats, property management (aka- landlord). They are certainly not my principle occupation but they do bring in some income (sometimes, anyway!). We got into property management because of a house that fell into our lap that had an incredibly cheap mortgage. We knew we could rent it and cashflow on it, so we bought another house to live in and rented that one. Then we thought, "Why not buy a duplex?" So we did. When we have good renters it's the best job in the world! When we don't, it is one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Chocolate dipping is a longish story. When I was in high school my next door neighbor had a little business where she sold chocolate dipped pretzels, apples, etc. My friends and I worked for her. It was a great little after school job. When my parents moved to Idaho my mom started doing it too. She did it for around ten years and got tired of it. By then she had a "fan base" so to speak and she didn't feel like she could just walk away from it. So, she offered it to me. I took it and have been doing it for almost four years myself. And, as I said in a previous post, I am now building a website for it, so maybe I can generate some more business. *insert mental image of me chewing my fingernails in nervousness here*