Career? Kids? Both?

I have always worked somewhere. When I was 15 years old, I snuck out of my house and took the car without permission then drove down a couple of miles to the local skating rink. I was lookin' for a job! Got it! So proud of myself! I worked at that skating rink from the summer of my 15th year until my senior year in high school. From there I have gone on to many other jobs such as, taco bell counter person, waitress at the catfish place, sales person at the clothing dept (in Calif!), Microwave Salesperson/cooking demonstrator, Secretary, Visual Merchandising Person, all before I finished my bacheor's degree (at the ripe old age of 32!) Once I finished that degree I immediately went on to the Master's degree and at the same time began my career in research and teaching.

I immersed myself into my career. I loved what I was doing and I worked all the time! I could do this since my only child was close to finishing high school and moving on to college and she wasn't a troubled person - never giving me a moment's unrest. She made my life easy. When she went away to college, I began working on my doctorate while continuing to further my career in research - I could do this because I didn't have any kids at home and I had a very supportive hubby. Many times I would meet myself coming and going but I loved every minute of it. Then one day at my office I looked around and realized that I wasn't happy here. This is not where I want to be working - not with people who are negative about everything....so I left. I was still working on my doctorate and a lot of contract work and had more time to focus on that aspect of my life. Then a horrible tragedy occurred and I found myself blessed with a 3 year old and a new baby to take care of.

Career on hold!!! Kids became career!! Playgroups, therapy sessions, potty training, diaper changes, physical therapy, developmenal therapy, tears, hugs, kisses, tons of laundry, forgetfulness, messy house, loss of loved ones, more therapy, changes, more love, hugs, kisses, pre-school, 1st grade, homework, swimming lessons, and on and on and on.....

Four years later I have two healthy boys, a successful daughter living on her on in a large city and a healthy life. With the prospect of both boys being in school this fall and a phone call from an old colleague I am finding myself drawn back into that old life again, you know the one where you are wanted to work outside the home. I went to a meeting a couple of days ago and found myself craving that life again, missing wearing the suit and heels, missing the meetings, the past pace, the deadlines, etc, but also realizing that I can't immerse myself back into it like before.....I must find the balance (if there is one). Compromise: I will work for you but I must have it on my terms - I only work in the office two days a week and they are half days, the other days I work at home where I can still schedule swimming, play groups, piano lessons, etc. Can we do this? Ok, then you have a new employee.

WOW, I'M BACK!!!!! I just hope I can survive! Can we really have it all? The career, the kids, the life with hubby? Or do we end up burning candles at both ends and accomplishing nothing at all? I guess I will find out soon enough....for now the doctor is out....wondering if I have enough diet Mt. Dew to help me through this new change in schedule where I will probably be burning the midnight oil so I can still swim with my kids....

Skiing is better than Marriage!!

While shopping for t-shirts today I found one that I really liked so I bought it for myself as my new workout shirt!!

Top 10 Reasons SKIING is Better than MARRIAGE:

1. New skis are cheaper than a diamond.

2. Skiing allows you to have multiple partners.

3. You can pick out new skis every year.

4. You can always have more than one set of skis.

5. Skis don't have an opinion about your family.

6. When you decide to stop skiing it costs you nothing.

7. The mountains are always faithful.

8. Skiing does not give you a to-do list.

9. Skis do not need flowers, chocolates or cards.

10. Anniversaries are not important to skis.

I love to ski. I go every year in the Spring. I usually go with my aunt (who is 70 years old and skis!). We have a ton of fun when we are on the slopes. Yesterday was our first day on the slopes and we had about 2 hours of sleet/snow mixture which is extremely painful to the face!! We are tough skiers since we just battled the weather and kept at. If finally just turned into snow which is a lot better for skiing. Today, we had beautiful weather, the sun was shining but it was extremely cold (especially for this time of year). Tomorrow, we will ski in the morning and see how the weather goes...they are expecting 2 foot of snow and 50 mile an hour winds...could be a bit touchy.

For now the doctor is out......hoping for good weather tomorrow so she can ski all day before coming home.

He Cleaned My House!

I just spent a week with my sweet daughter in New York City where she now lives. I had tons of fun with her throughout the week doing all the fun things there is to do in NY. Susie Q took me to some new restaurants and we went to the Cloister's museum which I had never visited before. I also had a chance to spend time with a couple of my friends who live up there as well. Sri and I went to Long Island one day and we discussed our research plans that we are working on. My friend Nita who lives in Connecticutt came down on Saturday and we spent the day together shopping on Canal Street. While I am doing all these fun and relaxing things in NY my sweet hubby is holding down the fort here at home.

Sweet hubby was left in charge of Franklin for the week (Cole spent the week with his grandmother who was visiting here from Austrailia). Sweet hubby and Franklin made their "manly" visit to that placed called Chucke Cheese (that mom does not venture into). They watched movies together at night and I think sweet hubby forgot that Franklin has a nightly schedule that includes bed at a regular time - not at 10:30 or 11:00 after the movie is over!! Oh, well, I guess it isn't everyday you get to break the rules so they need to take advantage while mom is out and about.

While I am gone on trips (business or pleasure) I have always come home to a clean house. Sweet hubby always makes sure that everything is back in order before my plane lands. This trip was no exception. In his exuberance to make our home comfy and clean I think he went a little overboard this time. Sweet hubby decided that the hardwood floors needed to shine for me when I walked in the door. What a sweet thing!! So sweet hubby looks in the cupboards to find the shiny floor stuff so that he can clean those drasted hardwood floors. Lo and behold, he comes across a bottle of Orange Glo for hardwood floors, etc......hey, this makes the dining room table sparkle so it probably will work on these floors!!!

Now I come home and my house is all sparkly and clean. I take my shoes off as I come in the door (this has always been a request of sweet hubby that I happily ablige). With socks on I am trekking across the carpet to go into the kitchen, which I must venture across that hardwood floor in the dining room in order to get there. Imagine my surprise as I hit that floor in my socks at a fast speed......acrobatics!!! Mind you I did not go completely down, but I came close. What the heck did you put on these floors?!!! Next morning, Cole is getting ready for school and decides to run into the kitchen (again, across the floors to get there) and boom, crash, splat.....down he comes.....he looks a little startled like what just happened here.....we all laugh and agree that Orange Glo is NOT for hardwood floors!!!

I am glad that I have a sweet hubby who tries to make my homecoming a pleasurable one without laundry to do, clutter to pick up, floors to vacuum or mop.....but maybe I need to label the cleaning supplies a little better.....for now the doctor is out....trying to stay afoot.