things I'm working on
I'll be starting my job on the 29th. Or the 25th or 26th. It's not settled yet.
I'm trying not to think too much about what a huge transition it's going to be - I'm looking at the clock at 7pm and trying to imagine what it might be like to come home at that time.
Last night I asked Middle if he would have been able to marinate the pork if I called him when I got on the train.
Tomorrow I'm putting the summer clothes in the attic and assessing my wardrobe.
I've ordered new shoes for a couple of the kids and some things for me and still need some kind of laptop tote bag - I have my eye on one, I just need to give myself permission to order it.
I've been experimenting with different shoes - my ballet flats are pretty but by 5 or 6pm they kill my legs - will I be sitting more at an office? I have no idea.
I'm over thinking everything.
I don't think I can have a cup of coffee and then get on the train for 36 minutes.
I hardly ever eat lunch, but I don't mind having a small bag of chips at 4:00.
I think I can drive the boys to school and then hop on the back of the scooter and take the 8:09 with K.
It hadn't occurred to me that I might be on the same train as my husband.
I have no clue how I will get home from the station - K tends to work until at least 7. I'm hoping I can leave my office before then.
Maybe he'll still be freelance and can pick me up at the station.
Or, I could walk - it's just under a mile.
My mom can bring Youngest to see the pulmonary specialist in November. I've worked that out.
She can also drive the boys home from school if the weather is bad - but not too bad, I don't want my mom driving around in the snow.
If I put a load of laundry in the washing machine when I wake up and move it to the dryer when I get home I can probably stay on top of that, right?
You don't think I'm over thinking much, do you?
I'm trying not to think too much about what a huge transition it's going to be - I'm looking at the clock at 7pm and trying to imagine what it might be like to come home at that time.
Last night I asked Middle if he would have been able to marinate the pork if I called him when I got on the train.
Tomorrow I'm putting the summer clothes in the attic and assessing my wardrobe.
I've ordered new shoes for a couple of the kids and some things for me and still need some kind of laptop tote bag - I have my eye on one, I just need to give myself permission to order it.
I've been experimenting with different shoes - my ballet flats are pretty but by 5 or 6pm they kill my legs - will I be sitting more at an office? I have no idea.
I'm over thinking everything.
I don't think I can have a cup of coffee and then get on the train for 36 minutes.
I hardly ever eat lunch, but I don't mind having a small bag of chips at 4:00.
I think I can drive the boys to school and then hop on the back of the scooter and take the 8:09 with K.
It hadn't occurred to me that I might be on the same train as my husband.
I have no clue how I will get home from the station - K tends to work until at least 7. I'm hoping I can leave my office before then.
Maybe he'll still be freelance and can pick me up at the station.
Or, I could walk - it's just under a mile.
My mom can bring Youngest to see the pulmonary specialist in November. I've worked that out.
She can also drive the boys home from school if the weather is bad - but not too bad, I don't want my mom driving around in the snow.
If I put a load of laundry in the washing machine when I wake up and move it to the dryer when I get home I can probably stay on top of that, right?
You don't think I'm over thinking much, do you?
Comments
I've gradually moved to only wearing Dansko shoes to work. I can walk in them, stand in them, climb stairs up or down, and my feet are always fine.
You might be hungry at different times sine your whole schedule (and energy output) will change. Pack a lunch? I keep nuts, chocolate and tea bags in my desk. And COOKIES.
I try to do the laundry on the weekends, but if needed, I've found I can put it in the wash first thing and move it to the dryer right before I leave, and fold at night.
I think those boys might need to take on some dinner responsibilities?
I also bought myself a zojirushi bento box and I tossing some various things to have for mid morning and lunch. Just because i work at a cooking school doesn't mean we ever have time, or kitchen space, to cook for ourselves. I cannot eat before I get out the door in the morning, it is just too early to think about food yet.
Shoes are not an issue at the moment since I am still in Berks, but soon I will require sock and given my plantar faciitus issue,coupled with how much time I spend on my feet and shoes are a HUGE consideration. Wardrobe? Not so much. Catalogs are piling up next to me, but I can't commit.
As for middle, the entire reason I cook now is because both my parents worked until late and I was responsible for starting dinner. Consider it early training for his college years, he will thank you for it later.
You will be brilliant and we all know it!
You won't stay on top of the washing. Just accept it and move on.
Sorry about that.
Thanks.
Somehow the cleaning of the toilet will always remain the mother's task. Sigh ...
I keep thinking of Middle and hoping he is better.
Do we get to see a photo of the new laptop bag?
Of course, if you really want to help them with growing up and taking responsiblity, you could always insist that they remove the clothes from the dryer, hang up, fold, and put away the clothes. Then clean up the kitchen, start dinner, and run you a nice hot bath. Then you can come home and have a nice glass of wine and put your feet up.
Except when there is.
This isn't one of those times. G'head.
I am so excited for you.
jbhat
About the laundry; in a few months, get a washer/dryer that does double loads each time. That one thing has changed my life considerably. In the meantime, have the boys do their own laundry. In fact, their helping with the entire house would be a great thing for them -- the cooking, cleaning, laundry - these are things they need to know how to do, anyway. Because, you know; their wifes/partners will work and will expect them to help, too.
(See! More benefits to your returning to the workplace!)
1. Delegate, delegate, delegate.
2. Do whatever it takes to stop overthinking at bedtime.
3. Be really, really kind to yourself. It's a cliche but it's one of the true ones.
It'll all be fine
paola
Also, I'm thinking that maybe if you get college student you could afford a little house fairy, he/she could keep the laundry going, dust, vacuum, etc. Maybe less expensive than you think.
It is a huge relief to see so many people have issues with laundry.
As I am fairly new to the juggling of child/home/work, I cannot offer any advice. Just lotsa luck!
Hopefully this will get you there:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/books/review/Allen-t.html?8bu&emc=bua2
(Once a bookseller, always a bookseller, I'm afraid)
I love lists.
Lists can be printed out and handed out at a family meeting. The family then draws up a preliminary schedule for household tasks, one of the kids will then type it up in a table - days of week, names, tasks. The table is printed and stuck on the fridge.
If you can all make fire this will be a breeze.
P.S. Nothing will get done the way you think it should, but you will have to bite your tongue.
P.P.S. This is in no way a solution, but it is a very helpful process.
P.P.P.S. I'm very happy and excited for you bb!
-The first few months, you will be EXHAUSTED
-This too will pass
-You will be very organized in the beginning, with lunches, dishes, laundry, and then about week 3 or 4, everything will fall apart
-This too will pass
You will feel tremendous guilt and angst the first time someone is home sick or has the day off and you can't be home with them
-This will not pass as quickly.
In about 6 months, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about and you'll be drinking coffee on the train, know the best and quickest lunch places, begin to relax and enjoy your job and your commute, and your boys will become adept at roasting a chicken, putting the water on for pasta, and understanding the difference between turn the oven on and turn the broiler on.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!
Morning meditation for two, please.
ErinH
Anyway, I can't wait to hear your work stories.
Everyone's rooting for you, honey.
I'm with the bloggers who are telling you that the boys can step up to the plate. Not to go all Obama fangirl on you, but I've met them, and YES, THEY CAN.
Our job as moms is to birth them, then get them off the boob, out of diapers, out of the carpool, and out of the house. During this process I don't think it's too much to ask that they learn how to launder clothes and cook food. After all, their former housekeeper is off earning their college tuition.
I think it's a good idea to come up with menus and dinner plans for a couple of weeks, because if you're anything like me, the strain of learning a new job will wipe you out. Just trying to remember everyone's names and titles is hard enough, let alone factoring a commute and new domestic routine. I don't think I ever had a new job that didn't find me passing out cold at 7:30 p.m. on the first Friday night.
I can't wait to hear about it all! You'll be great and so will the boys.
Also, a glass of wine is better on Friday or Saturday evening--alcohol and tired don't mix.
The trade off is the bills get paid and I occasionally have "green money" in my purse.
I hope it all works out smooth and fine for you.