I received an email last Thursday requesting that I call the Health Dept. regarding my application, at least that is what I assumed, because the email didn't really give me that much information, and it didn't even specify the exact name of the person I was to talk to - meaning I only got a first name. Too bad I don't check my email very often, or else I could have taken care of what ever it was they wanted during the weekend, because I read the email on Sunday. Anyway, when I called the number Monday morning, as it turns out there are two people with the same first name that work there - that figures.
Now keep in mind that I had just spent an infuriating morning already at the DMV, trying to get Timothy's driver's permit. First I found out that we needed his birth certificate since he didn't already have an I.D. card. I was not happy, since we were not told we needed it on the website where I made the appointment, you know that page that is supposed to tell you what you need to bring with you. I was told we had a 20 min. grace period so I raced [I mean drove carefully] home to retrieve the official document, and race back to the DMV, guess what? Their computers just happened to crash state wide while I was impersonating Speed Racer.
That is when it occurred to me that they should really have sound proof booths at the DMV so irate and frustrated customers can scream their heads off before getting into their cars to drive home angry. Can you imagine the line for that thing? It would be almost as long as the line to get in when they open!
So, by the time I called the Health Dept. I had just about had enough of dealing with public officials. And as to be expected, this phone call didn't go over very well either. For some reason I couldn't remember the name of my business, I honestly drew a complete blank. Probably because I was still reeling from the DMV experience. I should have waited a little while too cool down first. Then the official went on to lecture me about how many applications they have to go through ...yad yad yad, Then I was told, not asked, that I was going to be put on hold. Well you know what that means right? I was going to be ignored while other calls were taken. Being that I was on my cell phone with limited minutes, I simply wasn't going to let that happen. So I hung up and called again. And miraculously I wasn't on hold anymore, because the official picked up my call.
After our strained conversation, I then spent the next three or so hours doing a lot of revising on my labels. Why did it take me three or so hours you may be wondering. As it turns out, not only did I need to list my ingredients by weight, but apparently I also needed to list the net weight of the product on my label as well. Something not found on the list of label requirements, it seems that government officials think we regular folks can read minds. The list of requirements I received must have gotten revised and I didn't get the memo. Anyway, since I don't have a scale that works [something I will have to order], and since the official apparently needed the weight information a.s.ap., that meant that I had to do a lot of math - and I hate math.
There were other things that rubbed me the wrong way as well, but this one took the cake. Now all I have to do is go to my city hall and tell them about my cottage food business - Lord give me strength - more public officials! What will that be like? I have no idea, but I sure it will be ridiculous and involve more money. At least this is no where near as bad as having to open a store front. I can only imagine the horrors some have experienced with that venture.
Well, at least I finally got my licence number, which has to be on all my labels with the words "County of Los Angeles" as if there isn't enough information on the label already. Now I have to take and pass an ANSI approved California Food Handlers Certificate Course. That will be easy as pie compared to the rest of this journey so far, at least I think it will be.
Now keep in mind that I had just spent an infuriating morning already at the DMV, trying to get Timothy's driver's permit. First I found out that we needed his birth certificate since he didn't already have an I.D. card. I was not happy, since we were not told we needed it on the website where I made the appointment, you know that page that is supposed to tell you what you need to bring with you. I was told we had a 20 min. grace period so I raced [I mean drove carefully] home to retrieve the official document, and race back to the DMV, guess what? Their computers just happened to crash state wide while I was impersonating Speed Racer.
That is when it occurred to me that they should really have sound proof booths at the DMV so irate and frustrated customers can scream their heads off before getting into their cars to drive home angry. Can you imagine the line for that thing? It would be almost as long as the line to get in when they open!
So, by the time I called the Health Dept. I had just about had enough of dealing with public officials. And as to be expected, this phone call didn't go over very well either. For some reason I couldn't remember the name of my business, I honestly drew a complete blank. Probably because I was still reeling from the DMV experience. I should have waited a little while too cool down first. Then the official went on to lecture me about how many applications they have to go through ...yad yad yad, Then I was told, not asked, that I was going to be put on hold. Well you know what that means right? I was going to be ignored while other calls were taken. Being that I was on my cell phone with limited minutes, I simply wasn't going to let that happen. So I hung up and called again. And miraculously I wasn't on hold anymore, because the official picked up my call.
After our strained conversation, I then spent the next three or so hours doing a lot of revising on my labels. Why did it take me three or so hours you may be wondering. As it turns out, not only did I need to list my ingredients by weight, but apparently I also needed to list the net weight of the product on my label as well. Something not found on the list of label requirements, it seems that government officials think we regular folks can read minds. The list of requirements I received must have gotten revised and I didn't get the memo. Anyway, since I don't have a scale that works [something I will have to order], and since the official apparently needed the weight information a.s.ap., that meant that I had to do a lot of math - and I hate math.
There were other things that rubbed me the wrong way as well, but this one took the cake. Now all I have to do is go to my city hall and tell them about my cottage food business - Lord give me strength - more public officials! What will that be like? I have no idea, but I sure it will be ridiculous and involve more money. At least this is no where near as bad as having to open a store front. I can only imagine the horrors some have experienced with that venture.
Well, at least I finally got my licence number, which has to be on all my labels with the words "County of Los Angeles" as if there isn't enough information on the label already. Now I have to take and pass an ANSI approved California Food Handlers Certificate Course. That will be easy as pie compared to the rest of this journey so far, at least I think it will be.