Welcome to My World: Home Business, Homeschooling, and Animal Chaos (a.k.a. Everyday Life)

Welcome to My World: Home Business, Homeschooling, and Animal Chaos (a.k.a. Everyday Life) Ever have one of those days where you feel like you’re juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle? That’s pretty much my daily life running a home-based business, homeschooling, and managing a small herd of animals. Just when I think I have everything under control, the universe laughs and throws a curveball (or five) my way. Take today, for instance. I had my usual lineup of clients, Paige was squeezing in her schoolwork, and the animals were doing… well, whatever animals do to keep things interesting. It started out manageable, but then things escalated quickly. Between clients, Paige popped in to lend a hand. This girl has become my right-hand (wo)man, and let me tell you, she knows the routine better than I do sometimes. Just as I’m wrapping up with one client, she’s already prepping for the next. Today, she helped rotate out the treatment area, organized my supplies, and somehow managed to get a math lesson in between. She makes it look easy, but it’s like we’re playing a game of How Many Tasks Can We Squeeze into 60 Seconds. Then, just as we’re high-fiving over our seamless transition, we realize the last client left her jewelry behind. Of course!And if that isn’t enough, the vet calls—yes, the hard-to-get-ahold-of vet who seems to operate on a schedule no human understands. It’s like a scene from a sitcom: I’m fumbling for my phone, Paige is bolting out the door to catch the client, and the dog is giving me that “Can we play now?” look. I wish I could say this whole juggling act was a one-off, a quirky little episode in an otherwise smooth routine. But no, this is basically the routine. Life here is like living inside a circus tent with multiple acts running simultaneously—and no ringmaster to keep it all in order. From the moment the first client walks in the door to the last lesson of the day, we’re on our toes, ready for the next surprise. The jewelry incident? Not the first time. The vet calling at the worst possible moment? Practically a weekly event. In fact, I’m half convinced the vet has a radar that detects when I’m elbows-deep in skincare treatments. And then there’s the rotating cast of animals demanding food, attention, and their own spot in the chaos. As exhausting as it can be, there are perks to this lifestyle. For one, Paige is learning things no textbook could teach. She knows the art of quick cleanups, the magic of multitasking, and she’s got the agility of a track star when it comes to chasing down clients who forgot something. And honestly? As chaotic as it gets, there’s something satisfying about making it all work (even if just barely). Our “all hands on deck” approach teaches us flexibility, resilience, and a healthy sense of humor. You can’t take life too seriously when you’re half-running a business, half-wrangling animals, and half-chasing down clients. (Yes, I realize that’s three halves, but at this point, who’s counting?) Some people might call this chaos, but to us, it’s just life. It’s messy, it’s unpredictable, and sometimes I question my sanity—but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sure, maybe one day I’ll figure out how to keep everything perfectly organized, how to never miss a vet call, and how to not have any clients leave their jewelry behind. But today is not that day. So here’s to the juggling act, to Paige the fastest jewelry retriever in the house, and to every animal, client, and phone call that keeps us on our toes. And if you’re reading this while surrounded by your own delightful brand of chaos? Know that you’re not alone, and maybe grab a cup of tea before the next “adventure” starts.