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Nov242009

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There is a downside to working for yourself:  there are far fewer vacation days.  When you have an employer, you know you can pretty much take your allotted days off with impunity (or at the very least, feel righteously indignant if you can't), but when your employer is yourself, it can be a lot tougher (particularly if it means that you're not going to get paid if you don't get your work done).  And so, it can be tricky to get "time off" for the holidays.

I am nothing if not a hardass boss, apparently.

Luckily, I have an understanding family, and while they drove south to check out Galveston beach yesterday, I stole away to my favourite coffeeshop to get some work done.  For the most part, I was successful -- I made my deadline, and even managed to get a shot of my keys for NaBloPoMo purposes.

And it looks like I'll even get to take Thanksgiving Day off.


SongLullaby by the Dixie Chicks.  Yesterday while I was working, a friend sent me a link to a gallery of photographs of her recent wedding, and this song was playing.  It made me very happy.

Reader Comments (12)

Ha! I hear you.

That is the ONLY thing I miss about working in the corporate world. Since I started working from home four years ago it seems like Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only true work free days. The upside is that I don't sit in my car every morning and think, "Shoot. I'd rather poke out my own eyes than walk into that building."

Here's to making our own way. Happy Thanksgiving.

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterErin

I know what you mean, I'm my own boss too, and I'm a real bitch. Never a day off, and always nagging to do more. It this goes on for much longer I just may have to resign.

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMomfever

I think I would be a terrible boss to myself. I'd either treat myself like I was a slave in a sweat shop or laze about eating ice cream. That sounds a little bi-polar, I know.

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCindy

How is Galveston these days? I lived there for four years during college and was sad to see so much in peril during the hurricane.

I've been researching the whole own your own business thing...what a lot of work. Bravo to you for your discipline!

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered Commentermisti

Planning your days when you work for yourself is a dicipline that you have to get use to. And with that comes planning as you did and you accomplished your goal. That is not something that happens out here in the corporate world everyone else dictates our time. Not easy not being in control...Love the Lullaby

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMichelle G

I so feel you when it comes to taking the time off. Do take at least one day for yourself, Miss Hard Ass Boss.

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterLu

I too recently started freelancing after being a corporate employee (I'm a translator, so I know ALLLL about deadlines). I've never worked so hard in my life, so I guess that makes me a hard ass boss too.

p.s.: I sent off my photos for the photo drive today! Woohoo! Fingers crossed for the Italian postal system.

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMauryn

have a wonderful thanksgiving...don't be so hard on yourself!!! you are wonderful at what you do.

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjacqueline

Karen, I want to ask you a question. I can't find your email addy. Can't find one of those handy dandy click here if you want to email me buttons either.

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTyra

Don't I know! Who knew a shot of keys could be so lovely?

November 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterWanda

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