How Big IS My Brave?

 We have some dear friends who, just this weekend, opened a little soda shop in a nearby town.  This is a franchise they bought into and plan on running it as a family.  We have been hearing about it almost since day one.  I have been intrigued.

We spoke with the franchise owners at our friend's soft open last night. They gave me directions to start the process, to at least get more information.

Could I own a little business myself? Could I run a business? Could I handle the stresses of getting something together to do this? It would definitely stretch me in ways I never have been before.  But I watched my parents run a successful business. I've managed small offices and departments. I know enough to either be dangerous or successful. I want to do something that will be small enough to manage and big enough to make us some retirement money.  I want to have opportunities to do things like cater a PTA Teacher's Conference at a local school, and give local high school kids a job in a good environment. I was something positive to be working toward when I get to St George.

This might be it. 

The BIG One

If you thought today's post would be about the earthquake foretold to drop California into the ocean, or the final global warming that melts the ice caps, I am sorry to disappoint you. My post for today is about the BIG Counselor appointment I get to go to with The Girl today. The SEOP.

SEOP is supposed to stand for Student Educational Occupation Plan. It is basically a counselor's appointment where together we map out the last four years of public school for The Girl.

First, How did she get this old? When did this happen? I have flashbacks like Steve Martin in Father of the Bride. Remember, the little girl sitting at the table, telling her dad "I met someone and we're in love and we're getting marrrrried."

Second, I am a little confused about the 'occupation' part. Are we interested in her finishing school first? Are we talking about the occupation she might want after years of college?! It took me 5 years and five majors to decide my 'occupation' and then it was a kindly academic advisor who basically told me that I was taking up space in the university so I had better pick a major and finished it. I was close to earning a couple there for a while. I don't want her to have that kind of pressure NOW.

Third, Our system here has 9th grade at the junior high still, so can we really make a plan that will help her through high school as well, or will the HS counselors want to get a piece of her too when she gets there?

If you ask her, she would like to be an animal trainer when she grows up. That is wonderful, sounding. We don't even have a dog. We have killed fish and hermit crabs. Genius Golfer is allergic to cats (at least that is what he SAYS). We have babysat for a coupe of dog friends--they both made successful escape attempts. We had to run around the neighborhood to find them. I am just not sure she has enough animal experience to choose a career like that at this point.

She is a very good student, so I hope she just finds something that is interesting, that engages her curiosity, and that she can enjoy. But I don't have high hopes for the 8th grade guidance counselor's appointment today to fill in all the blanks.