My Oops and My Solution

Problem Season

My husband and I created a problem for ourselves this spring.  I saw an ad on Facebook marketplace for a cool utility tent trailer.  (Jumping Jack trailers…check them out) and after going to look at it we bought it.  The problem came when we decided to keep the other utility trailer we already owned, because we didn’t have space in our driveway to park both of the trailers behind our fence and out of sight of the street.  If you live under the sometimes heavy hand of an HOA, you will know why this was an issue. 

The solution we came up with was to move the shed we had previously anchored to our driveway.  This shed had no floor since we had built it on an existing concrete slab, so moving it wasn’t quite as simple as it sounded.  We began in the spring by choosing a new location for the shed on the other side of the yard and pouring a foundation and floor. Eventually, after 10 weeks of not really being at home and one HOA complaint, we got around to moving the shed. 

I’m too cheap to hire it done, so I settled on the date I wanted it moved and started calling family and friends.  My husband began inching it away from its first location on Wednesday, we scootched it a few more feet on Thursday, I started panicking in earnest on Friday, and then Saturday came.  Ten people showed up in my backyard, looked at the problem and started applying their brains and muscles.  One hour and 15 minutes later the shed was sitting on its new foundation and I could breathe again. 

This has nothing to do with taxes or bookkeeping except to tell you that I believe in the value of service and showing up for other people.  I believe in asking for help when I don’t know how to do something or just can’t quite get it done.  I also believe in taking my turn to show up for others to help when they find themselves in a similar situation.  It’s closing the neighbors garage door that they left open accidentally when they went on vacation.  Or showing up and helping someone shovel a load of gravel they had delivered to their yard.  In my business it looks like emailing my clients in the middle of the summer to see if they have any mid-year questions and want to book a call for no additional charge. It’s answering questions for people who want to learn how to DIY their books, and being on time with my service for those who want me to take that burden from them.

The greatest satisfaction I have in my life and in my work is knowing I’ve helped someone else.  I truly believe that when everything else is tallied at the end, that is going to be how I know I made a difference in the world.