I got an awesome email the other day from Care.com, a quiz entitled, “Do you Need a Housekeeper?” Well, I don’t need a quiz to tell me I do, and I don’t need a banker to tell me I can’t afford it, and I don’t need a weather man to know which way the wind blows… because I have Bob Dylan.
But anyway, it’s all “the blanket,” (am I the only one who loves “I heart Huckbees” ?) so it all comes together and means something important.
Around November I wrote a blog post about how much my life sucked, and how my shitty ass car had broken down at a major intersection and had to be pushed to the nearest place, which happened to be the entry way to the swakiest spa in town and I waited an eternity for the tow truck while all these snooty spa ladies looked down on me.
Thursday night I drove into the parking lot of that spa, walked inside, and got a manicure. It wasn’t meant to be symbolic, not really. I had a business meeting Friday afternoon and wanted my nails to look reasonable, and after calling around, the spa was the only place with an opening Friday, so I had the first manicure I’ve had since my wedding. I doubt anyone at the meeting noticed, but I felt better about myself, and that counts for something.
I feel like I’ve come full circle. The SUV is finally in the shop (though its been there over 2 wks, which thoroughly terrifies me), I have a new wardrobe of business-y clothes and I go to work most days. Things have changed. I have a new job I love, that’s in my field, that makes me excited and confident and able to afford the occasional manicure and babysitter. And it’s becoming such a big part of my life, I now have to extricate myself from my other job, which is tricky, and I feel bad for leaving, but I feel good about feeling wanted, and about not giving up when things were terrible.
And now the house is sold (at a huge loss, but at least it’s gone) and hopefully, with a lot of work, we can buy another. I feel like I have come full circle. There is a lot of work to do, there are many things still to be settled, there is much trauma from the 5000k + miles move still to overcome, but for the first time, I feel like we can have the life, the opportunities, the contentment we hoped we could.
And honestly, I enjoy my children so much more now that I’m working 32 hours + a week. I feel a bit guilty writing it, but it’s true.
I’m positive I would enjoy my children a lot less if I wasn’t working. In fact, I might go so far as to say that it wouldn’t be pleasant for any of us. I even like the amount of travel I have to do for work, because the occasional night in a calm, clean hotel room is sometimes balm for the soul.
A sane mom is the best mom. Sounds like you’re really taking your world by the horns!
I also enjoy my children more with a break from them. I don’t feel guilty about it because not every woman was born with the desire to be a full time homemaker. Life is too short to not pursue your passions!
PS. My company makes software for auto repair and I work on the data warehouse team. I’ve analyzed millions of claims. The most important metrics are how long each step takes to repair the vehicle. Most likely cause of long time in the shop is waiting on parts. And most shops work with wrecked vehicles… those are first repaired because an insurance company pays more based on shorter times to return the car to the customer.
I’m glad things are looking up! Now that my girls are going to be in school full-time I’m looking forward to expanding my hours at work… not because I like my job, but because it will be nice to have a slightly bigger paycheck to deal with all the things that need dealt with!
Very glad for you! I have been at home for nearly 2 years now and am excited to get back to work… if I only knew what to do? 32 hours+ sounds pretty ideal… good for you!
Hooray for being done with the old house, even at a loss. My brother recently unloaded his house in Las Vegas. Also an awful loss, financially, but it was still a relief not to have it hanging around their necks.
Go you on getting your manicure on. Sounds like things are really settling in nicely. HOORAY! Now we just have to get together one of these days…