I am...

I am a....
Secretary

which includes: all the filing of receipts that can be written off, making the phone calls if we have extra berries that haven't been sold (HA, haven't had to do this yet), most the planning for the day's events and make sure everything is set.


I am a....
Human Resource Manager

which includes: all the scheduling for our employee(s), record when they arrive, leave, and when they take breaks on an excel sheet, communicate with them for needed days/times off.
(I'm a very laid back HRM, they have pretty much come and go as they like and let me know at the end of the week what they've worked. Before, when we had several workers coming and going, I was there with a paper and pen recording their hours. It's just not exactly necessary to do that anymore, now that we have trusty Edward as our one employee.)

I am an....
Organizer
which includes: making sure everything is packed that needs to be packed for farmers markets, plan ahead of time stops that need to be taken and how to do it efficiently, prepare outfits to be worn, pack beverage and/or food to be taken with, remembering specific things to be brought to markets upon request of a customer or for the market manager, making sure there are enough business cards to hand out, rewriting the "Prices" sign according to what we will have at each market

I am an....
Accountant
which includes: counting money after markets to figure out what was brought in and recording it in an excel sheet, preparing the till for the next market, bundling bills in an orderly fashion for quicker counting and depositing, paying the employees and recording it, collecting checks and getting them signed, always making sure James has at least $40.00 in his wallet - unless there is a knowledge for needing more, being aware of bills that need to be paid to be sure they are paid on time, and stamping WIC checks that need to be stamped before depositing:

Pre-Stamped

Going to be Stamped
Being Stamped

Stamped

(Of course, I am not responsible for ALL that ALL the time! James does help, for sure!)

I really enjoy my job! It's so fun to have all these jobs wrapped into one and being able to be my own boss, instead of working for an accounting firm (or to go to college for such a thing.. ew!) or trying to organize how someone else wants things organized. Having employees, but not have to obey rules like "Don't talk about religion", because God has probably been the center in a lot of our conversations this year. It's fun to plan out my own business day and take an afternoon off - if I just so need one. I honestly love it and I'm sad to see the summer come to an end.

What might I do next, you ask?

...maybe a teacher's aide? or substitute for teachers aide's? or work in a daycare? I am just not sure, but I'm looking into all of the above. Pray with me about it? - I would appreciate your prayers greatly!

Sweet and Simple Update

Things have stayed the same for the most part this last week, but just for good blogging measures, I'll update you.

Last Monday, we didn't pick blueberries, because Stan's Berry Patch is closed on Mondays, which is okay, everyone needs a day off. We were planning to go to the Monday evening market with green beans, raspberries, zucchini, and maple syrup, but we just didn't feel like that was worth sitting there with not quite a full table, so we didn't.

Last Tuesday, we picked blueberries all day, well more like 4 hours, but that's long enough. Mandee's mom and two brothers came with us and certainly helped, so did Stan and some of his pickers. We left with a total of 127 quarts of blueberries, anticipating we'd sell them over the course of several days.

Last Wednesday was the day of Market Drama. Even though there was drama, God did wonders! We sold all but 20 quarts! Do you remember what happened on Tuesday? We picked enough blueberries to last several markets. Nope, God had better plans!

Last Thursday, being short of blueberries, I went picking, by myself. It was quite nice actually, even though it was very hot - and that's not a complaint! Stan and one of his pickers helped me, so that was nice! I left with more than enough for the nights market. If I'm not mistaken there was 6 flats (48 quarts). Sure enough, God surprised us again with another market of selling more than we though! We sold all, but 7 quarts.

Sunset in Clayton after farmers market

Last Friday, BEING SHORT OF BLUEBERRIES, we went picking AGAIN! Can you believe it? Well you best, because it's true! James and I, with the help of Stan and one of his pickers, picked 55 quarts in 2 hours. Friday evening's market helped us get rid of 20 quarts of blueberries and a lot of apples (yes, we've picked apples at James's grandma's house) and some green beans.

Last Saturday, having some blueberries left, James went to the Saturday market and sold all but 12 quarts of the blueberries and some apples. When he came home he brought me something:

Then, Saturday evening, James and I went to the creek to cool off!


Sunday, of course there aren't any markets and we didn't do any selling, but we did enjoy a lovely supper date - probably the best one I've ever had.

and...

Today, Monday, we spent the morning getting ready for the afternoon farmers market. We sold the remaining blueberries in 10 minutes (that's not a joke) and a quart of maple syrup, a few quarts of beans, and a couple quarts of apples. We even left early, because it wasn't worth sitting there with so little on the table.


See? Sweet and Simple.... okay I tried. : )