Holy Moly! I Quit My Job!

Today is the first day of kindergarten. And I'm not there! It may be absolute insanity to quit your job in the middle of one of the worst economies in history, but I had to do it. During this absolutely fabulous summer, in which I hiked, camped, boated, and swam, there was a little thought nagging me. But I ignored it. The thought kept nagging on, and I kept ignoring. Then it was time for teachers to go back to school. I told myself I could do it. By day 3, I knew what I had to do. So I did. It was tough. But once I made the decision, oh what relief I felt! The nagging thought was, "My kids first. Other people's kids second." Not that I don't like other people's kids. I do. But I love mine the most. And I know what you're thinking. But it's not the case. I leave before my kids do. I'm often not home before mine get home. I very often bring my own work home, making me unable or too tired to help them with their school work. In other words, I was putting it all into my job and not saving much for them.

Six years. That's how long I have until my daughter goes to college. We've lived in Utah for six years and the time has flown by like THAT (imagine finger snapping). When I told her I quit my job, she threw her arms into the air and cheered. That was all I needed to know I'd made the right decision.

As I drove my third grader to school this morning, he was almost giddy that he was in the front seat of our Tahoe, rather than on the bus. "This is so awesome," he giggled.

My kids first.

Beyond that, I feel so liberated! My mind is swimming with possibilities. I get to volunteer in my kids' classrooms. I have lots of time to WRITE. There are two pieces of furniture in my basement that I'm going to refinish. I'm going to figure out what the heck that noise is coming from the rear end of my car. It's like the Renaissance is starting and I'm the one holding the paint brush. SWEET! The possibilities are endless. Thankfully I have an awesome hubby who is a much harder worker than I am, and is supportive of whatever I do.

So it's a little like starting over, but in a really, really good way. I'm refocusing. I'm re-prioritizing. If we end up needing the money, we'll find a way. I saw this quote a while back, and I am inspired:

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. AND NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME."

**yay!**

Ah... Summer

We've had some wild weather recently here in the mountains. It seems like we had 7 months of winter followed by a week of spring; and now we're getting some major mid-August thunder storms thrown our way. Major floods have done some major damage. Yesterday I was dodging ping-pong-sized hail as I made my way around Salt Lake City.
And yet, despite the storms Mother Nature throws at us, the flowers still manage to bloom. These purple beauties are blooming in my front yard today.

Aren't they gorgeous? They've been pounded by the rain and blown by the wind, yet they still stand straight and tall, colors bursting. I have to ask myself, am I like those flowers? Do I keep my head up in the midst of a storm? Or do I wither and wilt? Do I manage to blossom and bloom despite the whirlwinds? The answer is, I try. These flowers are strong because their surroundings have made them that way. I guess it's like that with life. Whatever the trial, whatever the issue, we can choose to let it run us over, or we can choose to turn our face to the wind and build up some strength. That's not to say that we won't feel like we've been run over, because, well, life is tough. It's downright painful at times. But it's also beautiful. And the beauty is always there. Just look at these flowers.

Happy 2010!

Well, it's a new year. My accomplishments so far have consisted of sleeping in and cooking a fabulous breakfast of baked eggs with roasted tomatoes, feta, and basil. Now I'm back under the covers for a comfy-cozy writing session. I'd say I'm off to a good start.

I'm going to back up a whole week and tell you what my husband gave me for Christmas (besides a Wii Fit that has been monopolized by my kids). I actually came up with the idea a couple of months ago, and knowing that he HATES to shop, I thought this was a rather ingenious idea. I told him that I wanted 52 guaranteed date nights in 2010. He looked at me with complete skepticism. I reminded him that when we got married, we were given the advice to continue to date throughout our marriage. Not that we haven't. We have a pretty good social life. But the duty of social planning has often fallen on my shoulders. I come up with the plan. I find the babysitter or arrange for a kid swap. He shows up.

Lately, we've fallen into the Redbox trap.
Dan: "Do you want to rent a movie?"
Me: "Sure."
Dan "What do you want to get?"
Me: "I don't know."

So we end up getting something for the kids and fall asleep on the couch while they watch it.

But 52 guaranteed date nights... ahhh. My stipulation was that he doesn't get to call me on his way home from work on Friday and ask, "What do you want to do tonight?" Once a week, he has to plan, implement, and execute something for the two of us to do together. Without kids. Doesn't that sound heavenly?

After a little bit of thought and deliberation, he agreed.

I can't wait.

On Christmas morning I found a list in my stocking of 52 date-night suggestions. Here are a few of the highlights:

#13 draw each other
#14 tae kwon do match
#22 bottle fruit with Grandma
#33 eat soup and talk about nothing
#37 research cures for snoring

Should I be worried?