I am officially unemployed!

[tripperfunster]

After much deliberation and then waiting, and then paperwork and then MOAR paperwork and lawyers fees and moar paperwork and accounting fees and moar paperwork, we have SOLD OUR PET STORE!

I"m still not sure how I feel about this. Part of me is very excited and relieved. 17 years of coddling this baby and working with it and helping it grow has been wonderful and rewarding, but the responsibility of hiring/firing/ordering/customer service/ paperwork/taxes/payroll etc can be a bit crushing. I am totally free of that now.

On the other hand, THIS IS MY BABY! Except that now it isn't! The new people seem smart and capable, but THEY'RE NOT ME! How could this universe keep going without me fanning the flames every day? (illusions of grandeur not withstanding.)

And with the proceeds of the sale (and building) it looks like me and hubby might end up being 100% debt free. WHAAAAAAAAAT? Inorite? I can hardly even imagine what that might feel like.

And now I have to decide what I want to be when I grow up, since this money is NOT enough to buy a small tropical island and retire there. DAMN!

So what do you guys think? Pirate? Movie Star? Astronaut? What the hell should I do with my life now?

Comments

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

The local indy pet store in my neighborhood went under when a new mega pet store opened up but a lot of the people who used to work there wound up working at the new one and getting raises too.
Actually I think you should do your art professionally, you're certainly talented enough.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

For us, it's the opposite! We've have lots of indie stores go under around us, and one big box store too. And now there's a rumour that another big chain has filed for protection.

Our numbers have continued to be strong, even after the recent switch! Yay!

As for art, thanks, but nope. I want to continue to enjoy it!

[moonpupy.livejournal.com]

Congrats on your new life as a Pirate! Seriously, whenever the option to become a Pirate is given, choose it.

Yarrrr, matey!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Let's hope I don't get sea sick easily! I honestly have no idea!

[charisstoma.livejournal.com]

You have my permission to be anything you want. *grins* You could even write advice geared towards pet owners for your local newspaper until you found your new grown up possibility.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Ha! There's actually another small store owner that does that, and he's an insufferable blow hard! ;)

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's quite a thing.

Pirate, definitely. Arr.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

*shakes hook*

[foxestacado.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a life change! I look forward to what you come up with next, whether it's pirate or astronaut or professional fan artist :)

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thanks dear! Nope, I don't think I'd want to be a professional artist. I honestly don't think I'm good enough but I also want to continue to enjoy my art.

I think my job will involve animals some how. Zoo? Farm? Who knows?

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

How much of a cushion do you have? Because doing something like stained glass making might seriously be an option for you....whether selling via Etsy or having a studio and taking commissions, I think it's really worth considering!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

A bit of a cushion, but not much. We plan to move somewhere warmer (and sadly, more expensive) so we have to sell our house and find a new one, so I honestly don't know what the state of our finances will be when this is all said and done.

I wouldn't mind working in a stained glass store, but I don't think I'd want to just work from commissions. Too much pressure, and its a guaranteed way to suck the enjoyment out of anything. ;)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yeah I can understand that. Creativity isn't something that enjoys being forced.

[evilmissbecky.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! You've done something few people can do, which is to run a business and have it stay profitable and afloat. You should feel very proud.

The world is your oyster now! Would you want to do art for a living? You're certainly talented enough.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, many stores have opened and closed in the time we've been around. Big AND small ones! Even my PARENTS have told me they're proud of me, and trust me, this is quite an accomplishment. ;) That would make a total of once, my entire life. (with my Dad, anyway.)

As for art, nope. I am def not talented enough to make a living at it. Plus, I want to enjoy it. :D

[synn.livejournal.com]

I have few ideas for you (someone, I see, already mentioned stained glass) --
but wow, what a change! Congratulations!
I have no doubt that whatever you decide to do, you'll excel at it - and I say that not in the generic platitude sense, but based off what I've seen/ know of you, as you always seem to put in the effort and energy needed to succeed.
Given that, if I were you, I'd probably pick some kind of work i've always wanted to try but never have.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think zoo keeper/sea world trainer would be on the wish list from my childhood. And movie star. Maybe I can make a go of that! ;)

[alexicyn.livejournal.com]

OMG! I'm so happy this message went in another direction! I saw the headline and my first thought was "Do I need to send chocolate? Maybe I can hide a few dollars in the package." Yeah... My need to 'help' even when I'm not in a position to is strong in this one. LOL

**HUGS** I'm so glad that your sale is a *mostly* positive thing. HUZZAH!!!!! :) And I vote for pirate. ARRGHHH! Then all the booty can be yours! :D

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I don't now about pirate. I"m pretty keen on oral hygiene and regular bathing! :D

And thanks for the concern! Yes, unemployed isn't usually an exciting thing!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! There's a life change for ya. I'm so glad the sale is a successful thing for you!

I vote for Museum Curator! You'd be so terrific to follow around. Tour guide would be great too!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'm patient enough for museum curator. It works just like 'Night at the Museum', right??

Tour guide, though … I could totally rock that!

[tealightwhimsy.livejournal.com]

I'm so excited for you! I know you'll be effin' awesome at whatever you decide to do :-)

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear! I'm pretty excited to see what shakes out!