Salute to Spouses Blog

We're excited to be blogging about the latest topics in military life. We want to keep you informed on topics such as current events, education, career advice, etc. Feel free to post comments or questions to any of our entries.
How to turn your life upsidedown, in one easy lesson

By Amy Nielsen

I am not quite sure how many times I will be speechless with this new job. Where to begin this week’s post? I returned home from Colorado with a new understanding of my role in this business adventure. I am taking on a much larger role than I had intended. This is a terrific development. It means this is a career not just a fun amusement for a few months.

After the festival I ran last weekend, I now understand the nature of this business and the nature of this industry much better. I have bitten off a lot here and it is going to be hard to make sure not to choke. We have settled on the majority of a good team and we have one more position to fill. I know we will fill that position quickly. At least I hope we do. We need them in place - yesterday. The team as it stands is diverse yet cohesive and has the resources to build a strong foundation and get some amazing funding. It will take time and polish, but we can get there.

I flew back on the red eye from Colorado to be home for exactly one week. In that week I have to acquire an RV, or something to live in on the road. That something has to be able to tow a big utility trailer with our kitchen in it. I have to then turn around and drive that rig back to Colorado to fill it with the kitchen and festival booth equipment in a week. Then turn around and drive it to Iowa for our first road festival of the tour.

To say the turn-around is fast is an understatement. We have a lot of work to do to get this booth running like the clock work that is possible. We are a bit short on equipment and time to get new equipment. We have a stock issue in the town we will hit first as there are no large box membership stores within a reasonable driving distance for us to purchase our perishable products. The health inspector is already calling me asking if I know exactly what oven unit will be delivered for his inspection. I haven’t ordered it yet.

Back on the homefront as it were, I also have to organize and plan much more of the school year for our homeschooled girls. My husband is excited to take on the challenge of being the lead teacher. We had already chosen a specific box curriculum for our older daughter, but have not chosen for our kindergartener. This is the perfect opportunity for him to choose what he wants to teach her within the parameters we have already set up. It’s a huge step for him as a parent. Until this point it has always been me at home while he deployed.

The hardest part is knowing that I won’t get to see everyone I want to see before I disappear over the hill until the new year. I have been gone a lot lately which hasn’t been the case for me for the last 10 years. This new set of friends is used to me being home and extremely active in our daily tribe life. I have worked hard to build this particular tribe. They get me. They get us. Leaving them knowing that my kids and husband will be well cared for and checked in on is a huge relief.

Honestly without that knowledge this wouldn’t be happening. I trust my husband, but I also know what it takes a tribe to raise kids these days.

Tomorrow I go pick up my new road home. She is a 21-foot motorhome that I will be sharing with my best friend and now business partner. I spent the last day searching thrift stores and my home for stuff to outfit her with in the most economical way possible. I have a 2-hour lesson planned in how to operate everything about this rig. I have never even stayed overnight in a motorhome much less owned one. I have driven large trucks for a living so I am not daunted by her size. In fact she is a full 5 feet shorter than my last big rig.

Here’s to speedy new adventures!

$6,000 SCHOLARSHIP
For Military Spouses
Apply for the Salute to Spouses scholarship today and begin your education! You’ll be on the way to your dream career.
BLOG CATEGORIES
MONTHLY ARCHIVES

Salute to Spouses Scholarship Recipients

© 2013 SALUTE TO SPOUSES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED