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Getting Back to Work
I had my surgery Jan 12 and got back to work about a week ago -- just three or four dogs each day (I used to groom 6-8 regularly) and the first few days were pretty exhausting, but yesterday wasn't too bad. I moved today's grooms up to Saturday because we were SUPPOSED to get up to 4 inches of snow, but it's actually sunny. Oh well. I'm not minding a day off and then two back on. Getting back to work, even for half days, has really helped my mental state. I was getting pretty depressed being stuck in the house. I am struggling with a temporary ileostomy which is also depressing me, but getting out and about has truly done me wonders.
My reversal is scheduled for April 6th and I will be out of work again, but only about three weeks (not going on six weeks like the 1st one). At least working half-days will make the next six weeks go faster!
I am now working short days with small, easy dogs. I am really liking this!! I am thinking I may keep things slow through the summer, then advertise (for the first time since 2004) around August and get the "back-to-reality" post-summer daze business. I also don't think I am going to take back much of the larger dogs - there are few I just am crazy about (either the dog or the owner) but other than those few no new large dogs. Clean up for one thing is A LOT easier with the small poodle and terrier mixes I seem to be doing mostly now.
So, for any of you who have missed me (haven't been too active on the boards lately), I guess I am back. Going to be putting the emphasis on getting back into shape and healthy after struggling with UC for the last almost-four-years. I lost about 15 lbs over the surgery and just about all my muscle tone, so after I get the okay from my surgeon after the next surgery I intend to get back to the gym. For the summer I am hoping to groom 4-5 dogs, which will have me home around noon, walk my own dogs, have a healthy lunch at home, then hit the gym and finish the afternoon at the community pool. Sounds like a good plan, yes?
Financially it means slowing down on the savings, but I think, Big Picture, this year isn't going to make or break our retirement. And if I get healthy I'll be able to do those big grooming days again -- I DID enjoy it. I like grooming, I wasn't getting burned out, and bringing home the big bucks was nice. But I can definitely slow down for a little while and take my time rebuilding my client list to favor small easy dogs within a few miles of my house.
Meesh
My reversal is scheduled for April 6th and I will be out of work again, but only about three weeks (not going on six weeks like the 1st one). At least working half-days will make the next six weeks go faster!
I am now working short days with small, easy dogs. I am really liking this!! I am thinking I may keep things slow through the summer, then advertise (for the first time since 2004) around August and get the "back-to-reality" post-summer daze business. I also don't think I am going to take back much of the larger dogs - there are few I just am crazy about (either the dog or the owner) but other than those few no new large dogs. Clean up for one thing is A LOT easier with the small poodle and terrier mixes I seem to be doing mostly now.
So, for any of you who have missed me (haven't been too active on the boards lately), I guess I am back. Going to be putting the emphasis on getting back into shape and healthy after struggling with UC for the last almost-four-years. I lost about 15 lbs over the surgery and just about all my muscle tone, so after I get the okay from my surgeon after the next surgery I intend to get back to the gym. For the summer I am hoping to groom 4-5 dogs, which will have me home around noon, walk my own dogs, have a healthy lunch at home, then hit the gym and finish the afternoon at the community pool. Sounds like a good plan, yes?
Financially it means slowing down on the savings, but I think, Big Picture, this year isn't going to make or break our retirement. And if I get healthy I'll be able to do those big grooming days again -- I DID enjoy it. I like grooming, I wasn't getting burned out, and bringing home the big bucks was nice. But I can definitely slow down for a little while and take my time rebuilding my client list to favor small easy dogs within a few miles of my house.
Meesh
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