I took on a last minute cat sitting job twelve days ago. The owners are clients where I work and one of their cats was diagnosed with diabetes three days before they were headed to Hawaii. I agreed to make twice daily visits to their house to give insulin injections since the house sitter was not comfortable medicating the cat. It has been a big time commitment and extra driving, but I am happy to report that the kitty is doing very well on his insulin injections.

I will make $520 gross. I haven't looked at my gas expenses yet. Their house is 19 miles one-way from my house, but only 2 miles from my office.
I'm so glad the gas prices have come down recently!

On Thursday I cashed in $25.54 points for account credit on a Chase account.

And $125 worth of account credit to a Wells Fargo account.

Next, I need to gift card shop ($600+) with my Southwest points. I don't think there is a cash option there.. I didn't see one.

My paycheck bounced last week. No, I'm not kidding.
The boss deposited the amount plus the $12 fee my bank charged into our account the next day.
I am feeling much more comfortable and excited to move to a new job. Really getting the feeling that the boss just doesn't feel shame at all anymore; he bounces checks to everyone. Before there was one time paychecks were returned in the span of 10 or so years. Now twice in what, six months? Bad business.

My RVT license is due for renewal this month. It is currently $140 and renews every two years. I always pay for this myself; my boss has never offered to pay it or a portion. Whatever.. that way I don't feel like I owe him anything for my license, and I do write it off on our taxes.

Thursday I joined the local veterinary nurse and assistant association. It has been around for about two years I think. I have been meaning to join, but now is really a good time for me to reconnect professionally. I am excited because I already know several gals that are members. It will be fun to catch up with them and to network with new people. The other good thing is that each monthly gathering includes an hour of CE learning. The cost is $40/year.
I have RSVP'd for the next meeting which is next week.

I also looked into requirements to become a certified veterinary practice manager. It is just another option that I could persue to advance myself.
Need to get some college credits in business and accounting, but that would be interesting and fun to me.

My pet sitting website is up and my business cards arrived Saturday. I already handed one out at work and plan to leave some at the nearby pet shops and feed store bulletin boards soon.

Over the past several days I have been looking at business cards for my pet sitting.
Sunday I created one online. I showed it to my coworker yesterday to get her thoughts - she liked it.
I spent just under $20 for 250 cards.



While I wait for the cards to come I will work on polishing the website I am putting together.
I paid $57 for two years of hosting using iPage. The domain was included and I am using their drag and drop templates to put the pages together.
I think it looks very crisp and clean so far.

Putting a lot more thought into doing more pet sitting. Like actually signing up with professional associations, getting insurance & bonded and creating business cards, maybe a website.

KiKi here on SA has been giving me lots of good info via email - Thank You KiKi!

Brainstorming some business names right now...
Any clever ideas? I want something that reflects caring and professional service.
(Leaning toward - Pawsitively Professional Pet Care)


In other news:

DH had a short day yesterday and a short day today.

I had a survey come into work this morning. It was online and I earned a $20 Amazon gift card. The company is supposed to mail it and it could take up to 10 weeks!
It will be a nice surprise when it does show up.

Not much going here. Just plugging along on regular things.

I have been giving even more serious thought to my little business I want to set up. The idea has been nagging at me for about seven years. Recently, it has been forefront in my mind. Any free time I have I am daydreaming and/or researching online.

After reading about business planning I have decided it wouldn't hurt to get a website up even before there is any actual "product". I can start to establish a "web presence" now. Maybe a blog to document my progress of making this little daydream into reality. It would be helpful to get some interest and feedback online.

But who to use?

I don't need much. I have been looking at godaddy, iPage, web.com and similar.

Any advice?