Category: January 2010

So by now you all know that I am currently not working but am at home with my kids when they are not in school.  To save money we have pulled Peyton from full time daycare and Walker is at the afterschool program for three days instead of five.  Since this is a time when Walker can play with all his friends we didn’t want him to feel punished by taking away playtime with his friends.

So now my schedule of obviously quite different from what it was before.  I used to get up and be out of the door by 6:15 to catch the 6:30 bus to Hartford.  I would be exhausted by 9:00 at night.  After several months I have finally adapted and can sleep later than 5:00 in the morning.  Thank goodness!  I can also stay up much later at night.  That extra time has been used to kill virus’s obtained from Facebook but that subject is for another day.

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday Walker is in the afterschool program and Tuesday’s and Friday’s Walker comes home with Peyton and I.  Peyton is only in school Tuesday through Friday from 10:45am to about 3:00 in the afternoon.  But since I pick up the kids on Tuesday and Friday I need to be at the school at 2:30 but on Wednesday and Thursday the bus brings Peyton home at about 3:10.  This doesn’t include any play dates or other extra circular activities that may be planned.

So this brings me to the fact that I used to make fun of a friend of mine who would call me up at work and ask, “What day is it”?  Are you kidding me?  How can you not know what day it is?  Laugh as you may but I am here to tell you that when your vigorous schedule no longer exist and you have to adhere to your children’s’ schedule it is not as clear cut as you would imagine.   The consistency made it much easier. 

I am certainly up for the change and challenge.  Lord knows my time is much more appreciated and acknowledged.  So Mary… this one is for you… don’t be surprised if I call and ask you, “What day is it”?

Over the past several months there have been many changes therefore adaptability was a necessity.  My website received an overhaul and has been renamed.  I no longer have to balance work and family.  Being home with the boys has been wonderful for me and for them.  I have worked for over 30 years and it is time to take a break and spend time with the ones that actually can appreciate my time and efforts.

I had worked for my previous employer since 1992 in varying jobs.  My last position was for approximately five years.  I worked hard and worked long hours and sacrificed time with my children and husband.  I would tell myself it was for the good of future opportunities.  In the end I was paid a decent wage and received above average performance ratings.

Last September, a day before a weeks’ vacation, I was notified that my position was being eliminated but I would need to work the next sixty days in order to collect my severance.  Since my package was worth 28 weeks of my salary there was no question I had to stay and fulfill my obligation. 

Last spring I notified my manager that I would be looking to post for another position within the company.  He was getting ridiculous in what he was asking me to work on and certainly was not securing a job for me in the future.  The projects I was working on were merely a back door to get items done that he didn’t want to go through the correct channels.  Keep in mind he had made promises of delivery of these items prior to seeking approval or verifying available resources.  In the end he still has a job and I don’t.  The difference is I know I did the right things and rose above the situation and fulfilled each and every obligation.  What goes around comes around.

Last year I offered to go on a business trip.  My boss had asked and I was happy to assist.  I found out later that most people just didn’t want to travel during the holidays. I paid the ultimate consequence.  I missed Walker’s first grade winter concert.  Ten years from now I probably won’t remember the reason for the business trip but I will always remember I missed his concert.  There are some things that just aren’t worth the price.

So in the end I figured I would either find a more desirable job or get to stay home with the kids for awhile.  Either way I win, right?  Well that is the way I chose to see it and now I am home with the boys until further notice.  I have worked for the past 30 years and it’s time to take a break and enjoy the kids while they are young.  I am sure I will be working again at some point in my life but for now let my kids enjoy and appreciate my efforts.  I will miss many people I worked with but certainly not all of them. 

For years many of us hear that the grass isn’t greener on the other side.  I am here to tell you that it isn’t always greener but in this particular case… it is.