The difference is....

Yesterday was a really interesting experience. After getting the kids off to school, I ran across town to look at a couple of jobs. While I was out I got a call from a friend of mine that is a contractor. I had bid a job for him that is a pretty major remodel project. The project was to take an existing pool, jackhammer out the floor and install an in-floor cleaning system. The existing spa was 9' but they wanted it larger, so we will rip out the spa and install something larger. The equipment on the pool is in working order, but they want to put all new equipment in. They have a fountain, but the fountain needs to be cleaned up, re-plastered new nozzles put in etc.... The homeowner wants to also build a fountain for the dogs so that they will have something to drink out of. This is one of the more interesting projects that we have been asked to do, but I am looking forward to it. As soon as I was finished with this project, I rushed over to the new job to meet with the outgoing employee, and figure out will be needed for me to start. I walked the project, with him and realized that it is going to take a while to figure out all of the things that he has learned to rig up, and what is going to be needed to fix some of the existing issues.
After leaving there I ran over to the Union hall to become a union member so that I could then get a referral slip to take to the new job to start the hiring process. This is so new to me, because I have never had to work for anybody, ever. I have always been self employed and don't understand the corporate world. It was explained that there are mandatory breaks and lunch breaks. I don't like breaks. If I start a job, I just want to finish it, so I will see how this works out. Finally I had to go over to a couple of repair jobs and service jobs that I needed to finish up. I did those, ran home, and grabbed my laptop to go design a pool for a potential client. It was such a busy day, but it reminded me of how things used to be. I am so grateful for the work, and as I get in a new groove I am sure that I will be able to schedule things better.
Kathy is almost done with her classes for the season and should have a slight reprieve from some of the day to day grind. I can't wait to get going on this and try to restore some order to life. I think we are all glad for the opportunities, and the kids will definitely be happy to have some more time with their Mom through the Holidays. In the meantime I hope that anyone reading this is doing well, and weathering the storm. There are lots of things that get us down, but I like to focus on the things in life that make us happy and make life worth living.