I work full time doing partial bookkeeping for a corporate office of a pool supply company now. I understand the time consumption of starting and owning your own business, but I do not want to get into a bookkeeping business because I know someone who does it and they have NO time off they work 7 days a week for most of the year, and they have owned their own company for over 15 years, so its not like they work a lot because it is just starting out. I was thinking about a temporary agency but there is a lot of competition out there especially around my area. I also understand that the economy isn’t at its best, and this probably isn’t the best time to start a business, but I plan on keeping my job until the business I start gets going. Anyone have any ideas on a good business to start? I am open to different ideas, but serious ones only please.

knurpr …no, people here don’t have a "hardon" for religion…what don’t you understand about serious answers only?!

Actually, if you can keep your client base down, you can work as much (or as little) as you like most of the time bookkeeping. As you know, certain times of the years will be super-busy, but otherwise you should be able to control things. You just have to be able to say No to new business.

I really think going into partnership with someone who has fix-it skills is the way to go — a guy or gal who can fix small appliances (breadmakers), or computers or cell phones would be ideal. And they are so busy, they need a secretary/bookkeeper to keep track of the office stuff. You’ll both win with this combo, I think.

Otherwise . . . hmm. Kitchen garden design? Used clothing consignment shops? Lots of rich people in Houston, who may have good things to sell at your shop. (Lots of overextended people in Houston too, who need to make a quick buck, I bet, selling their unneeded things.)

Depends on where in Houston you are wanting to stay.

As the previous person stated, most of them in the Galleria have an indoor pool. I know for a fact that the Marriott off of 610 in the Galleria has one.

Several families will be going on a small trip together. We are looking for a nice hotel with a great swimming pool. The children love to swim together on vacation. We will be going to a baseball game, the zoo, and to several museums.

The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center

I swim daily at LA Fitness in Houston. Two weeks ago I observed for the first time that the pool water was very cloudy during my daily 45 minute swim. I started to cough quite a bit, and I had that itchy feeling on my skin. Several days later, the water was quite clear. But then again yesterday the pool was about as cloudy as you can imagine. I talked to the desk where I was told that the service people had not been there since last Friday. I got the name of the service guy and called. He said they just had taken over the service, but he could not explain what caused the cloudiness. Nevertheless, he assured me it was safe to use the pool. So today, just 12 hrs after the pool was serviced, it was as cloudy as ever, may be more so. I swam for 45 minutes, and once I got home my eyes burned and my legs felt itchy. My skin also smells funny, not like chlorine, but differently. I finally googled on cloudy pools, and what I read should have caused me not to go swimming today. Bad advise I got from the service man. How can they be this careless letting people swim under these conditions? Tomorrow I will call the Houston health department, but this being Texas, there is probably one for all of Texas. Any explanation out in Yahoo land?

Call the board of health for the city of Houston. Most commercial swimming pools have to keep records of pool readings. At least where i live they do. IT is probably the same where you live since it is a public pool and where health concerns can be raised. For the most part if your water is cloudy, you shouldnt swim. It usually means that there is probably a chemical imbalance. It could be from something else, but odds are its a chemical balance problem from not being treated every day.

I suppose it depends on whether or not you have water in it

inground pool prices

You might consider how large you want the pool to be and whether you want it to have a heating option, etc., before anyone can really help you answer your question.

Having a pool, especially during the summer months, can be so much time. It’s a time when kids and adults alike can have a whole lot of fun. However, there are many accidents that occur when it comes to swimming pools, especially when people forget about basic safety tips for pools. You don’t have to deal with accidents if you learn how to keep everyone safe with some simple tips. Here are some important swimming pool safety tips you need to remember if you are going to have a pool of your own.

Tip #1 – Put a Barrier Around the Pool – If you have any kids, or even if there are kids in the area where you live, it’s a good idea to have a barrier around the pool. This way kids are not able to get into the pool if no one is around. Ensure the slats won’t allow a small child through and don’t leave the gate open either. This can help you avoid an accident.

Tip #2 – Have Safety Equipment Available – It’s important that you always have safety equipment available as well if you have a pool. You should have a rescue ring, perhaps a tow bag, and a long pool for rescues as well.

Tip #3 – Always Supervise Kids – When there are kids in the pool, there should always be supervision. Kids should never be left alone in the pool, even if they know how to swim. An adult should be present that is paying attention to the kids in the pool. There have been many kids that nearly drowned or did drown because an adult wasn’t present.

Tip #4 – Ensure Someone is Always There that Can Swim – Someone should always be present that can swim when people are swimming in the pool. If the adult present is not able to swim, then kids shouldn’t be in the pool. This could lead to a dangerous situation if a child needed help and no one was available that could even swim. So don’t let kids, or anyone else, swim in the pool unless someone that can swim is present.

Tip #5 – Cover Pool Drains – Make sure that the drains in the pool are all covered. They should be covered with devices that are anti suction. Many kids have become trapped by the suction of the drain, which has led to death. You’ll find that many areas require that you have these covers on all the drains in the pool.

Tip #6 – Get Certified in Water Rescue CPR – You never know when a pool accident can happen. If you have a pool, get certified in water rescue CPR. This way you are prepared if anything does happen.

Tip #7 – Keep a Telephone Near the Pool – If a pool accident occurs, you need to be able to call for help, so make sure you keep a telephone near the pool when it is in use. This way you don’t have to go scrambling for a phone if an accident happens.