<p>I had been thinking about going back to school, now that D#2 isn’t quite so much work, and possibly going into education.
I recieved a lot of support & I really appreciate that- but I still was hesitant because while I enjoy tutoring, it doesn’t come easily to me, and I don’t think I am as communicative as especially the younger students need.</p>
<p>Anyway, after spending the summer ripping out my sod, and replacing it with garden beds and having a * great* time doing it, it hit me that I could do that for a living. du’oh.</p>
<p>Its even more artistic than doing hair ( which I used to do, but I couldn’t get into the whole salon thing- plus shrubs don’t squawk when you trim them , unlike some Bellevue matrons who thought they should look like Audrey Hepburn with short hair), more chance of playing in the mud since not so many people have hennas anymore & H is actually quite excited about the prospect.</p>
<p>We can go into business together- he would love to retire early, and he has already been building arbors to donate at local auctions.</p>
<p>Several local community colleges have programs, but of course I like best the program that is a little farther away- ( still not more than 20 min though)
And as I told him- I already have my business name- Emeraldkity Gardens
( I also use it as a screen name for local message boards- so free advertising!)</p>
<p>I think I will start out with the 20 somethings in Ballard- they have money- cause their computer start up is going well- and they take advice!
( at least I convinced the ones living in back of me- who are originally from the East coast, that Northwesterners don’t plant scotch broom in their yards on purpose thank goodness- and they dont complain about all the lilac runners I must be sending out under their fence- what great neighbors;) )
[url=<a href=“http://www.arthurleej.com/a-scotchbroom.html”>http://www.arthurleej.com/a-scotchbroom.html</a>] some people don’t think scotch broom is a weed- some people think the moon is made of chees<a href=“emerald%20city%20is%20one%20of%20the%20%22names%22%20for%20Seattle-%20thats%20how%20I%20originally%20came%20up%20with%20emeraldkity-%20there%20probably%20already%20is%20an%20Emerald%20landscaping-%20Ill%20have%20to%20check”>/url</a></p>
<p>EmeraldKity…I really admire you! I think you have landed on a good plan. The plan to work in education was also a good one for you but I think this other area might be a quicker path to a career and require less schooling on your part, plus your hubby could eventually partner with you if he wants (as you mentioned). I know a lot of people in the gardening biz where I live. Here it is very seasonal, however, and so they have other jobs in winter (such as related to skiing or the resort area). If you enjoy this work and can get some gardening training/courses, as well as some business training, I think you’ll be on your way! You also could start out small or slowly while your D is still in HS and be really rockin’ when the nest empties. Bravo to you and keep us posted.</p>
<p>Scotch broom was deliberately brought to this country by Thomas Jefferson… who thought we needed a source of broombrush… which just goes to show that not even smart people can be right all the time.</p>
<p>Wow, the second time today I’ve run into the words Scotch broom. (I have been reading Ken Kesey’s Sometimes A Great Notion). Now I need to Google it because my first thought was that it was some kind of Celtic sweeping device.</p>
<p>Emeraldkity that’s so cool, congratulations. It’s so much fun, and so interesting to be in control of your own enterprise. You’ll be terrific with clients too, I can just tell. There is enormous satisfaction in collecting happy clients…don’t forget to design and print some awesome business cards, and maybe later some brochures and a website, you can do lots of creative things with that name…</p>
<p>LOL, SuNa. If you lived in the Pacific Northwest, you’d know what the dreaded Scotch broom is! It is a horrid huge dark green weed with pretty yellow blossoms all spring. Looks similar to forsythia in bloom. It was planted along many highways around here before those in charge thought about how much it spreads and how allergic people are to it. I am very allergic to it.</p>
<p>EK: gardening sounds great for you. Are you looking at the Edmonds C.C. program? It’s supposed to be excellent. I have had gardening help this summer (a 16-year-old girl I have trained) and it has been just wonderful. My garden is in perfect shape right now–for the first time since I started it!</p>
<p>good luck on your venture…I wanted to tell you though that I always think Emerald City when I see emeraldkity…have a block on that one…just like that Mom in California is the mom of 2 Incas to me.</p>
<p>I always think it’s Emerald Kitty spelled wrong. Oh well! Good luck on the landscaping biz. I have a friend who did a similar thing - she also got a landscape arch. certificate from the Bronx Botanical Garden. She seems to be doing very well - an early client was a golf club.</p>
<p>I am so excited for you! This sounds like a wonderful plan. Perhaps terrariums, indoor gardens, commercial indoor gardening (atria and such) for the winter. I wish I had your energy. Best of luck!</p>
