Caveat Emptor

Let me explain.

by: paris barrie


The purchase. I suspect that when there's an economic downturn, there's a greater interest in self-employment. Now, mind you, I've never done a formal study. So, please don't check statistics here. It just makes sense to me. When one has lost one's job, and the replacement job is not waiting in the wings, one feels the need to take control.

I have some advice: SIT ON IT, FIRST (entrepreneurs.about.com/.../buyingabusiness/Buying_a_Business.htm). Don't make any rash decisions. Weigh the options. Explore the territory. Just maybe, you are taking control, when you decide NOT to act on a purchase.

Because buying a business is first and foremost, an expensive proposition.

But, if you decide to proceed, move ahead with caution. In other words, caveat emptor.

Yes, that's right. Be aware of what you are buying (http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/03/26/businesspropicks-us-findlaw-buying-a-bus-idUSTRE52P6KP20090326.) Kick the tires, so to speak. Cause you're going to be living with this decision for a period of time, right or wrong.

And in our case....well, it wasn't the best decision we ever made. It was, when all was said and done, a decision based upon fear. Never the optimum basis on upon which to formulate a purchase.

Downsized. Now what?

Let me explain.

by: paris barrie

First, you take the painkillers, OTC of course. Then, maybe a drink, or two.

I know from personal experience, because I know what it's like to lose a job. Only this time around it was different. It was my husband who lost his job and we had two kids. Downright objectionable. Life wasn't supposed to be like this. I always had heard that if you work hard.....things would work out...for the better. Not like this.

So here's the back story. Talk about adjusting to life. And, recognizing you don't always have control.

After the new reality set in, we set about attempting transformation. Ever tried it? It's a bitch. Well, put more politically correct, it's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Not always the easiest thing to do.

Let me explain further. We both had corporate backgrounds. You know, where there's often a thousand people working for the good of one entity.

But now, the landscape had changed. Gone was the large corporate entity with its safety in numbers philosophy.

And we were on our own. Ouch!

So what did we do? We bought a business. After all, if you can't get a job IN the business world, what's the next best thing to do? You got it. Buy one.

17....and counting

by: paris barrie

Let me explain.

It was going to be an epic night.

I danced in front of the mirror for awhile, turned the lights down low in my room, shut my door, pulled out my laptop and texted Joe and Ken. Spring Breeaaak. Sank into my favorite J brand pants, moved from bedroom to bathroom and back again to make sure I looked good.

I studied my face in the mirror, the way the girl down the hall studies for exams. Looked at myself from every angle to make sure he would like, would think, I’m beautiful. Hair’s perfect. Stretches down to the middle of my back.

Natty, Jess, Mel, they all dropped by, one by one, ready to get ready to go out. No rush. No problems.

My mother called. Loudly. She asked me something. Can’t make it out. Something about finishing, what?? She was always calling my name.

Passed the mirror. Saw the reflection. I looked good, and nodded approvingly to myself. Even winked. I loved the brilliance to my hair, the way it drapes to the side. Maybe I should cut it a little, but otherwise it’s perfect.

The car pulled up. Never getting out of the car, he stood up into the night, straight out of the car seat and up through the car roof, and smiled at me. We all piled in, ready for the city. The top was down, still. It was gonna be a good night.

My mother called again. This time her voice was clear. She said my name.

And then I woke up.

Okay, it WAS a DREAM.

Age wise, I am something after Bombeck, but before Dooce.com.http://www.dooce.com/. I haven’t had an epic night in well, can’t remember what year. Not completely true, but it’s not going into print.

When did this happen? When did the doorbell stop ringing for me to go out?? When did it start that the car honking its horns was for the neighbors’ kids? When did carpooling replace commuting?? Or rather, when did I add on carpooling in addition to commuting, and drop like a rock at the end of the day. When did 6 AM become a part of the morning schedule and not just a number on my clock, one that I would scoff at an hour before, and roll over for more sleep.

Brings me back to the line, it’s never just one thing. (And it never is.) Well, that’s why I am here. Two kids, one dog, okay one husband, a house, a mortgage, and it all adds up to TAKING 6 AM, well, seriously.

Is it time to change the sheets?

by: paris barrie

Let me explain.

When is it the right time to change the sheets? An old timetable for this routine household duty was once a week. Makes sense. Or does it?

I remember my own mother ironing those clean sheets each week, bless her. If she was ironing, it had to be a Sunday. This was a ritual that took place after Sunday Mass and breakfast, but before Sunday dinner. Out came the iron, the ironing board and spray starch, for that crisp, "new" to the touch feel.

But then came no wrinkle, no fuss sheets. And my own personal perspective on this is the day of changing and ironing those sheets once a week has come and gone. Pretty much up there with the laundry line and writing your checks. Gone. Passe. Yesterday. Everyone has come to know and love online banking. With just one click, ya’ pay a bill, monthly.

So, in my own personal quest to strip myself of time-consuming household duties, I hereby declare the weekly ritual of changing the sheets, outdated. History. It’s time to change the time frame. Create a more realistic schedule, if you will. I’m up for suggestions. But, I’m all for once a month, at best.

My advice: stay flexible. Don’t pen yourself in to any particular set of rules. After all, as they say, rules are meant to be broken. In this case, updated to fit the new reality.

I think it was Erma Bombeck who was quoted as saying that housework done properly might kill you. I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with anything more. So, what about switching things around, and going without any sheets just for the night or two? You’re downright frugal that way. Saves on the water bill.

And how timely--talk about going green. And the clean sheets are right there in the closet for the next night.

PB Quote

by: paris barrie

Let me explain.

Raising kids is like running a marathon. You start out full of exuberance, fresh water bottle in hand, but by the half-way point you’re dogging it and by the end you’re just hoping you’ll have the stamina to cross the finish line. Today, I'm dogging it.

The Morning Routine

by: paris barrie

Let me explain.

I don’t know about you, but what gets me up, what ensures that I WILL get up just a tad early, to be on time for work, is my solitary cup of coffee. It’s part of my routine. I should say it is the apex of my morning routine.

I nod my head to all those tea and decaf drinkers out there. But, I know I am not alone. Just take a look at what sells at all the Dunkin' Donuts, Seven 11s, bagel shops and Starbucks in the morning.

The thing is, no matter the drink of preference, we all have the Morning Routine in common. It provides the stability for the day. It acts as the anchor for the day. If the morning routine goes off without a hitch, the fact is, the day has a greater chance for success.

For some of us, the apex is the morning run or walk. Even the A.M. workout. Honestly, my benchmark is not that high. Just give me a cup of Joe, to my liking, and a few moments of solitude. For those 10-15 minutes, all my problems evaporate into the air, like a snowflake on the hand. I’m in the moment, Oprah.

Like many, I’ve tested all coffee haunts within a 10-mile radius. There’s nothing like a drive-thru, especially on bad hair days (here’s hoping that doesn’t happen often to you). And what about those donuts? And, all the locales with their never ending array of flavorings for the cup that goes out of the door with you.

In point of fact, I pay you all homage…

However, I have my own little corner of the world that, on a daily basis, serves up just the right cup of coffee and camaraderie to help me make it through the day.

I am such a constant there that there’re times I pull up in the car and my cup of perfectly brewed, piping hot coffee has already been poured, and is waiting for me to scoop it up and pile into my car…..

Ya’ gotta know that’s going to be a good day.

going Green/final thoughts

by: paris barrie

Let me explain.

Let’s face it, cleaning the fridge is a thankless task. No child or husband will ever remark on the thing of beauty that is a clean fridge. Frankly, it is a fading art, with the possible exception of those impeccable insides of refrigerators on the likes of MTV Cribs. But let’s face it, they’re only clean because of the show.

We’re all into streamlining. So, my latest tactic is to, once a week, clean out the most vile object inside the fridge. And, job well done. I think you’ll see, if you take this sound advice, how much time you ultimately save and just how much time opens up in your schedule.