For those who don't know, after years of slaving away for jobs with ZERO job security, I have been working quite diligently at being self employed. It seems to suit me, and, I'm not likely to "downsize" myself.

The paper route has been the "meat" of our income. Collecting cans and various other scavenging (which will probably improve once we can afford to purchase a metal detector) have been the chief second source of income. I have been trying to get together the tools to do lawn service as well.

So, over the winter I scored two used mowers from pawn shops. They aren't much, but they'll do until I can afford better. I have one small lawn job, and my neighbor told me of a second possible job the other day.

So,I went out in search of a weedeater. With diligence, I should be able to earn enough money to pay back my savings account before the summer season is over. I shopped around, and purchased the smallest, cheapest gas model I could find.

Problem #1: it didn't fit across the back seat of the car. I had to manipulate it until it went from the front to the back of the car, and my oldest daughter had to spend the ride home seated in a precarious position.

Problem #2: when I went to start it, I immediately broke the flimsy throttle switch. While I can still manipulate what remains of the switch, it's a royal pain in the rear.

But, it's one more step towards financial solvency.