Hi everyone!
So, it's been quite awhile since I have posted, and I am here to report that it is not for lack of intent! Here is what happened:
I was sitting around having cocktails with a bunch of girlfriends one evening, talking about how I'd like to re-enter the workforce, and how, although it presented some challenges (ie: resume writing, child care issues, "what the heck I want to do with my life", etc.) I was gung ho and ready! My wonderful friend, who is the head of her company, not in title or responsibility, but in spirit, suggested that I come in and work a couple hours a day, a couple days a week, for minimal pay, at her company to get something current on my resume. I found out that she is like the hero of the working woman, the one who rescues those who have lost their jobs, or are unhappy in their current employment state. She is currently helping at least 3 other people pull together their resumes!
She is also CRAZY! Not crazy in the unbalanced, need a straight jacket sort of way (although she might think otherwise), but she has endless amounts of energy, which she doles out to her job, her family, and, as you will see, her friends! This is the superwoman who will catch you in the tornado of her excitement, and you will want to let go and be carried away.
So, I agreed to go to work with her, at her company - she had to talk the owner and the accounting people into it, and I am sure, at first, that they were like, "what sort of lunatic is this, and why is she here"?! After the first week of part-time, basic work (read: research, filing, etc.), they were asking me to work everyday, part-time. I gladly accepted, even though I was referred to as "little buddy" and no one was still quite sure about how I fit into their organization.
After another week or so, again, I was asked to step it up to full-time, temporarily - big projects... etc. And I, like any person with a work ethic was willing to go the extra mile to make sure that the company was being supported (just as I had done before I had kids). I did, however, have to make some changes at home:
- Had to get wonderful hubby to take on many household responsibilities
- Had to figure out child care after school for my kids on a regular basis
I missed (or was late to) dinners with my friends on friday evenings, PTA meetings, homework went unchecked, laundry and housework went undone (one day I actually wore to work not one single article of clothing that had been cleaned between wearings!) I did not watch a single TV program during which I did not fall asleep. My kids became cranky (more on that later), my husband became cranky, my friends missed me, and I am sure that the PTA was cranky about my lack of upholding my responsibilities.
Of course, I am sure that this crankiness was all because everyone on the other side viewed my "job" as temporary, one that would end one day, and I would return to the world of the stay-at-home mom. Even I, at one point, missed my kids, my family, and my friends, and wondered why the heck I was doing this!
However, the pinnacle of my temporary position was just last week. I had the opportunity to see all of my hard work, and that of everyone else working on that project, come together. Coming back from that business trip, I felt like a rock star! We were brilliant, and amazing, quick-thinking and creative. It was an incredible feeling, that I have to say, I rarely, if ever get from being a stay-at-home mom. Sure, it has its triumphs, but people aren't kidding when they say that being a mom is a thankless job.
So, where does that leave me now... confused, divided, yearning... Part of me wishes to come back home and be with my kids, and part of me (now that I've gotten used to it) really wants to continue to be the rock star... the question is, which one do I want more?
Monday, April 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Don't Blink by Kim
Here we are 3 weeks after my last post and I'm not entirely sure what's happened. Di's been absolutely swamped with the projects that she's been working on. Her previous post vividly describes the challenges that she's been facing, as well as the validation that comes from being someone outside of wife/mom. And me? Well, I've been co-chairing the Spring Book Fair: "Carnival - Your ticket to read!" dontcha know. Book Fair essentially sends me down the rabbit hole for a solid 2 weeks and makes me long for the days where it was socially acceptable to start drinking at lunch (breakfast) and continue through the dinner hour. But we managed to get together for lunch last Friday and it was a rapid fire exchange as we crammed 3 weeks of news, laughter and commiseration into an hour and a half - it was AWESOME!
In my last post, I was weighing a couple possible job/career possibilities and needing to pick a direction. After several conversations with Honey, we decided to add an Operations Program Manager (that's me!) to The Sublime Group. Basically, we're going to tag team at companies that are looking to streamline, troubleshoot, and improve the relationship between Procurement and Operations. On paper it will allow us to:
1. Provide a client with a more fully integrated solution to Production issues since both are crucial to process improvement and overall success. (Look at me using the "Business speak" already...it's like I never left)
2. Provide me with the opportunity to put on my Career Hat (thus ending the existential / identity crisis that I've been having since quitting work).
3. Provide a way to manage at home so that Shorty's life isn't greatly affected by the change (thus alleviating some of the guilt I feel about getting back to work. Some.).
As I sit here, gloriously optimistic, I see a way to have my cake and eat it too. Time will tell, but irregardless, it's a step closer towards the balance of life that I've been looking for.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tips for Leaving the Nest
Congratulations Kim!! I too have been out of the blogging loop for awhile, so much so as I forgot my login and password! As you mentioned, because I took a temporary contract position. I have learned so much from my experience to share with everyone thinking of going back to work, after being a stay-at-home mom for so long. Here's my story:
A few months ago, I was sitting with a group of girlfriends talking about work. I mentioned that I was looking toward going back to work, being in the land of people who talk about more than just their children, their children's school, the state of education, etc. I have a fabulous friend who pretty much runs her company, while being mom to two terrific kids, and one ornery husband. She said, "if you are serious about this, come and work for me for a little while to get your resume current and brush up on some skills".
TIP #1: Most of you already know this, but it's not what you know, but who you know. Reach out to those former employers, employees, friends and acquaintances!
So, I took fabulous friend up on the offer. Part-time, while children were in school and still allowing for the workout in the morning. Perfect! I was sitting in on meetings, mostly feeling lost, and was going to be substitute for a project manager who was going to get married and be on her honeymoon at the end of a project. It was a win-win for both the boss and me - he gets cheap, really skilled labor (though a bit rusty) and I get out of the house, into the land of the working, and some current experience on my resume!
TIP #2: Going back into the workforce may result in a temporary cut in pay. If you can, be sure you are really going to love the job you'll be doing and that it will support your priorities (which are usually more important than the money!)
After a couple of weeks, fabulous friend came to me and asked me if I could work on another project, with a tight deadline of 5 weeks for a client. I was offered an increase in pay for the added headache and increased responsibility. Sure, for a few weeks, that's okay - an occasional late evening here and there, working from home. No problem.
TIP #3: As soon as they see how truly awesome you are, they'll be pleased with their decision and start giving you more responsibility and respect!
I set the expectation with wonderful hubby and kids. Wonderful hubby agrees to step things up a notch on the household responsibilities and starts grocery shopping, doing laundry, picking up the kids and taking care of them when he's home. I start having to ask my friends to take my kids on evenings when he's not home, and realize that I am racking up the "IOU"s. A little guilt settles in, and I start taking on a few playdates of my own to repay the IOUs. Now, I am swamped. Responsibilities at work are increasing, I feel guilty about the time I miss from work, and the begging for people to take care of my kids when hubby's traveling.
TIP #4: Set your limits, but know they are always going to ask for more
The next week, they have increased my rate and asked me to work full time until the completion of the project, which is a very important project and potential for a whole bunch more projects in the future. How can I refuse?! I discuss the matter with wonderful hubby. Not sure if we still both see eye to eye on this, but it's only temporary. I enroll the kids in after school care, reminding myself that it is only temporary. Now the guilt really sets in... I get up, get kids ready, get myself ready, drop them at school, head to work... check in to see what I missed from the day before, work all day until dinner time, still leave before anyone else, sit in traffic until I can pick my kids (starving and tired) up from after school care. Fix them ridiculously unhealthy meal, check their homework, put them to bed and drop myself in bed and fall immediately to sleep. I have had no workout, no me time, I haven't called my best friend (who had a baby a week ago) to chat, haven't had couple time, and haven't even spoken at my kids except to bark at them to do their next chore or to stop whining. Feel guilty all around... just to start it up all over again.
TIP #5: There's no avoiding the guilt, just embrace it.
So, what have I learned through this "project"? I have learned a bunch! I have learned that I don't want to be the big career woman that I was before kids. The one who could work until 8 pm and not feel guilty (or tired). I want a career that is manageable alongside my family life. Honestly, I think that a lot of companies say that they are considerate of families, or that families matter to them, but when it comes down to it, there are very few who practice what they preach. (I do happen to think that my current employer is this sort of company, but they have just had a temporary influx of work - pretty good in this economy) There are also positions in which it is going to be required that you are in an office. These tend to be less flexible than those which do not require you to be in the office.
So, if you know of any part-time, flexible positions out there, please share with the rest of us! It'd help to narrow down the focus of our job search!
TIP #6:
A few months ago, I was sitting with a group of girlfriends talking about work. I mentioned that I was looking toward going back to work, being in the land of people who talk about more than just their children, their children's school, the state of education, etc. I have a fabulous friend who pretty much runs her company, while being mom to two terrific kids, and one ornery husband. She said, "if you are serious about this, come and work for me for a little while to get your resume current and brush up on some skills".
TIP #1: Most of you already know this, but it's not what you know, but who you know. Reach out to those former employers, employees, friends and acquaintances!
So, I took fabulous friend up on the offer. Part-time, while children were in school and still allowing for the workout in the morning. Perfect! I was sitting in on meetings, mostly feeling lost, and was going to be substitute for a project manager who was going to get married and be on her honeymoon at the end of a project. It was a win-win for both the boss and me - he gets cheap, really skilled labor (though a bit rusty) and I get out of the house, into the land of the working, and some current experience on my resume!
TIP #2: Going back into the workforce may result in a temporary cut in pay. If you can, be sure you are really going to love the job you'll be doing and that it will support your priorities (which are usually more important than the money!)
After a couple of weeks, fabulous friend came to me and asked me if I could work on another project, with a tight deadline of 5 weeks for a client. I was offered an increase in pay for the added headache and increased responsibility. Sure, for a few weeks, that's okay - an occasional late evening here and there, working from home. No problem.
TIP #3: As soon as they see how truly awesome you are, they'll be pleased with their decision and start giving you more responsibility and respect!
I set the expectation with wonderful hubby and kids. Wonderful hubby agrees to step things up a notch on the household responsibilities and starts grocery shopping, doing laundry, picking up the kids and taking care of them when he's home. I start having to ask my friends to take my kids on evenings when he's not home, and realize that I am racking up the "IOU"s. A little guilt settles in, and I start taking on a few playdates of my own to repay the IOUs. Now, I am swamped. Responsibilities at work are increasing, I feel guilty about the time I miss from work, and the begging for people to take care of my kids when hubby's traveling.
TIP #4: Set your limits, but know they are always going to ask for more
The next week, they have increased my rate and asked me to work full time until the completion of the project, which is a very important project and potential for a whole bunch more projects in the future. How can I refuse?! I discuss the matter with wonderful hubby. Not sure if we still both see eye to eye on this, but it's only temporary. I enroll the kids in after school care, reminding myself that it is only temporary. Now the guilt really sets in... I get up, get kids ready, get myself ready, drop them at school, head to work... check in to see what I missed from the day before, work all day until dinner time, still leave before anyone else, sit in traffic until I can pick my kids (starving and tired) up from after school care. Fix them ridiculously unhealthy meal, check their homework, put them to bed and drop myself in bed and fall immediately to sleep. I have had no workout, no me time, I haven't called my best friend (who had a baby a week ago) to chat, haven't had couple time, and haven't even spoken at my kids except to bark at them to do their next chore or to stop whining. Feel guilty all around... just to start it up all over again.
TIP #5: There's no avoiding the guilt, just embrace it.
So, what have I learned through this "project"? I have learned a bunch! I have learned that I don't want to be the big career woman that I was before kids. The one who could work until 8 pm and not feel guilty (or tired). I want a career that is manageable alongside my family life. Honestly, I think that a lot of companies say that they are considerate of families, or that families matter to them, but when it comes down to it, there are very few who practice what they preach. (I do happen to think that my current employer is this sort of company, but they have just had a temporary influx of work - pretty good in this economy) There are also positions in which it is going to be required that you are in an office. These tend to be less flexible than those which do not require you to be in the office.
So, if you know of any part-time, flexible positions out there, please share with the rest of us! It'd help to narrow down the focus of our job search!
TIP #6:
Friday, March 4, 2011
It's time to leave the nest (again) by Kim
Recently I was approached by a colleague whom I worked with in my prior life. He's tired of working for the man and has a great idea for starting up a new company - he just needs someone to market it (that would be me) and help provide a non-engineering view of how to structure and package it (also me). We met last weekend and I'm not going to lie - I'm pretty excited about the potential. I'm also surprisingly giddy at the prospect of getting in front of customers and doing what I'm pretty damn good at. Not to mention it would feel pretty stinking good to truly contribute financially to our household.
Then, while discussing this with Honey, he got a somewhat hurt expression and says "well if you're going to go out and market in the industry, I'd rather you sell for me" - (amazing what a little competition will do). Of course this leads to the question of whether we could work effectively together....but that's another blog post.
And so I've been obsessively contemplating what it is that I want to do now. Di's had a great opportunity to get back into the work place over the past months - and while there have definitely been challenges- it appears that she's thoroughly enjoying reestablishing that part of herself that isn't wife or mom and I'll admit it, I'm envious of that. Don't get me wrong, I've got a great life and I love the flexibility that I now have to try things out but at a certain point I'm just spinning my wheels - it's time for me to put on my big girl pants and fully commit to a course of action! So I'll be making lists, looking at the family logistics and weighing various possibilities over the weekend but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll be opting for the opportunities that get me out of the home office and back in front of clients...stay tuned.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Dropping the Ball(s)
I have to apologize. I've been gone, absent, MIA, and AWOL for the past 2 weeks. As good as I get at juggling, there are times that life just kicks the crap out of me while I'm looking the other way. Since the holiday break that closely followed by The Great Blizzard of 2011, it has felt like I'm slipping, hanging on by my fingertips sometimes and not quite able to catch my balance. 2 weeks ago I completely careened off track.
It doesn't feel like it's always been this way. When I was a single, working mom, I could do it all. I was able to keep a (relatively) cleanish house, the laundry caught up, dinners on the table (so what if Shorty and I ate out so often that when we did eat at home she was looking for the waitress), and my work/life obligations handled with aplomb.
Then Shorty and I moved to Thailand and it became pretty darn easy to be a single working mom. In fact, I can't honestly say that I was a single mom there. After all, get the violins and hankies ready, we had a maid, nanny and driver (K. Pim, Kwang, and K. Tanin) who were with us all the time and in fact made up a family of sorts for us. When Shorty learned to ride a bike, it was Khun Tanin who ran up and down the street with her. And when I got home in the evening, Khun Pim had dinner made and the laundry done, and we could all sit down and eat dinner together. The time that I could spend with Shorty was the "quality kind" because Kwang made sure that she was bathed (along with any other children that were at our house! (But that's another story!)) and that homework was done. I knew that she was loved and cared for and played with and so while there was always the pang of guilt that comes motherhood, I didn't worry as much as I had before. We were spoiled and it was awesome.
Then we met and married Honey and it turns out that I didn't know what awesome really was! We moved back to the US and are a real family, he was the piece that was missing. But.....it seems that I lost that ability to multitask - to get the laundry done, the groceries stocked, the dinner on the table in a timely fashion, all while excelling at my job (I know, I know the violins are playing). And even though all time spent with Shorty is the "quality kind", I spend more of it fussing about homework, trying to remember when her last shower was, and getting after her to do her chores. Some days I'm sick of myself so I can only imagine how she feels! And so things slide through the cracks.
Last week Shorty has a stomach ache and a fever. After trying to let it fix itself for a day or so, Honey took her to the doctor where she was diagnosed with strep...and extreme constipation. The strep...ok, fine, it's been going around. But the doctor asked when the last time Shorty had pooped was and when neither of them knew, proceeded to give him the full lecture that really should have been given to me. Turns out she's been so constipated that her colon is stretched out and she's full of poo, she doesn't get enough fiber or water and I'm a terrible mother. OK, she didn't say that last part but it was implied. How did I miss this? Since I don't have to wipe her butt anymore, I have to say that my observations about her regularity (or irregularity as the case might be) are solely based on making sure that she has toilet paper in her bathroom. But shouldn't I have noticed or asked or...something? Is it because I've been so busy trying to get it all together and working and exercising and being all things to all people? Am I bad mother?
Right on the heels of that Honey and I got the flu. Bad. He's been completely knocked out of commission this week, suddenly the partner that I rely on to help me juggle was out of the game. So I dropped all pretense of trying to do it all and concentrated on the basics - Shorty, food, school. Screw work (which I realize it a luxury most don't have) and exercise. Surely I could handle those few things, even with the flu myself - I once worked/parented for 3 weeks with dengue fever for God's sake!! But all I can say is thank God for friends because they pitched in and helped to take care of Shorty so that we could mend. I guess that I can't do it all any more and that's hard for me to admit.
But as I sit here typing this post, I see pretty clearly that I don't have to do it all by myself anymore. I have a wonderful husband (who usually doesn't have the flu) and fantastic friends and an amazing daughter. I'm disappointed in myself for dropping so many balls, but I have the support structure to be able to pick them up again. And I guess that's the important thing for any mom who's going back to work - find those supporters, be they husband, family, or friends and let them help!
So this post started as one thing and during the very long, drawn out way has become something else. Find your support, allow yourself to appreciate it, and utilize it. And talk to your kids about their poop every day.
It doesn't feel like it's always been this way. When I was a single, working mom, I could do it all. I was able to keep a (relatively) cleanish house, the laundry caught up, dinners on the table (so what if Shorty and I ate out so often that when we did eat at home she was looking for the waitress), and my work/life obligations handled with aplomb.
Then Shorty and I moved to Thailand and it became pretty darn easy to be a single working mom. In fact, I can't honestly say that I was a single mom there. After all, get the violins and hankies ready, we had a maid, nanny and driver (K. Pim, Kwang, and K. Tanin) who were with us all the time and in fact made up a family of sorts for us. When Shorty learned to ride a bike, it was Khun Tanin who ran up and down the street with her. And when I got home in the evening, Khun Pim had dinner made and the laundry done, and we could all sit down and eat dinner together. The time that I could spend with Shorty was the "quality kind" because Kwang made sure that she was bathed (along with any other children that were at our house! (But that's another story!)) and that homework was done. I knew that she was loved and cared for and played with and so while there was always the pang of guilt that comes motherhood, I didn't worry as much as I had before. We were spoiled and it was awesome.
Then we met and married Honey and it turns out that I didn't know what awesome really was! We moved back to the US and are a real family, he was the piece that was missing. But.....it seems that I lost that ability to multitask - to get the laundry done, the groceries stocked, the dinner on the table in a timely fashion, all while excelling at my job (I know, I know the violins are playing). And even though all time spent with Shorty is the "quality kind", I spend more of it fussing about homework, trying to remember when her last shower was, and getting after her to do her chores. Some days I'm sick of myself so I can only imagine how she feels! And so things slide through the cracks.
Last week Shorty has a stomach ache and a fever. After trying to let it fix itself for a day or so, Honey took her to the doctor where she was diagnosed with strep...and extreme constipation. The strep...ok, fine, it's been going around. But the doctor asked when the last time Shorty had pooped was and when neither of them knew, proceeded to give him the full lecture that really should have been given to me. Turns out she's been so constipated that her colon is stretched out and she's full of poo, she doesn't get enough fiber or water and I'm a terrible mother. OK, she didn't say that last part but it was implied. How did I miss this? Since I don't have to wipe her butt anymore, I have to say that my observations about her regularity (or irregularity as the case might be) are solely based on making sure that she has toilet paper in her bathroom. But shouldn't I have noticed or asked or...something? Is it because I've been so busy trying to get it all together and working and exercising and being all things to all people? Am I bad mother?
Right on the heels of that Honey and I got the flu. Bad. He's been completely knocked out of commission this week, suddenly the partner that I rely on to help me juggle was out of the game. So I dropped all pretense of trying to do it all and concentrated on the basics - Shorty, food, school. Screw work (which I realize it a luxury most don't have) and exercise. Surely I could handle those few things, even with the flu myself - I once worked/parented for 3 weeks with dengue fever for God's sake!! But all I can say is thank God for friends because they pitched in and helped to take care of Shorty so that we could mend. I guess that I can't do it all any more and that's hard for me to admit.
But as I sit here typing this post, I see pretty clearly that I don't have to do it all by myself anymore. I have a wonderful husband (who usually doesn't have the flu) and fantastic friends and an amazing daughter. I'm disappointed in myself for dropping so many balls, but I have the support structure to be able to pick them up again. And I guess that's the important thing for any mom who's going back to work - find those supporters, be they husband, family, or friends and let them help!
So this post started as one thing and during the very long, drawn out way has become something else. Find your support, allow yourself to appreciate it, and utilize it. And talk to your kids about their poop every day.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Achieving the Work-Life Balance... how will your life look when you go back to work?
I was recently in a meeting with the Wellness Council for our school. This is a group of volunteers that don't run in my social circle, but with whom I enjoy chatting and they offer me a different perspective on many topics of discussion. All of the members of this committee are working mothers (and grandmothers), who have numerous commitments, but who feel passionately about the health and wellbeing of children. Wellbeing - such a robust word.
As we were finishing up the meeting, one of the members mentioned that her new boss at work, during an annual review and goal setting meeting, asked her what her priorities for the upcoming year would be. She responded with a few goals for her areas of responsibility, but her boss told her that no, her responsibility for the year would be to achieve a work-life balance. My friend explained to us that she had always had managers who didn't care how much you had to work, or what was going on at home, but they were results driven individuals. Her new manager gave her a list that went something like this:
1. Learn to say No
2. Attend ALL of the school functions
A little while later, my friend's manager brought her aside and told her that she had heard she was doing a great job saying no at work. And it was a compliment! What a great mentor to have!
Sometimes, we get so focused on achieving results that we forget to look at the big picture, and to make life-work balance a priority. Take a moment to picture how you want your life to look when you go back to work. Do you want full-time, part-time, flexibility to work from home, a family oriented company, something close to your neighborhood? When you go out on your job search, keep this in the forefront of your mind, so that you will only look at positions in which you can achieve the balance and find your wellbeing.
As we were finishing up the meeting, one of the members mentioned that her new boss at work, during an annual review and goal setting meeting, asked her what her priorities for the upcoming year would be. She responded with a few goals for her areas of responsibility, but her boss told her that no, her responsibility for the year would be to achieve a work-life balance. My friend explained to us that she had always had managers who didn't care how much you had to work, or what was going on at home, but they were results driven individuals. Her new manager gave her a list that went something like this:
1. Learn to say No
2. Attend ALL of the school functions
A little while later, my friend's manager brought her aside and told her that she had heard she was doing a great job saying no at work. And it was a compliment! What a great mentor to have!
Sometimes, we get so focused on achieving results that we forget to look at the big picture, and to make life-work balance a priority. Take a moment to picture how you want your life to look when you go back to work. Do you want full-time, part-time, flexibility to work from home, a family oriented company, something close to your neighborhood? When you go out on your job search, keep this in the forefront of your mind, so that you will only look at positions in which you can achieve the balance and find your wellbeing.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Managing HOME when you go back to work, or, what we can learn from Kramer v. Kramer
The other evening I had the rare privilege of sitting and watching an entire movie on TV without falling asleep half-way through. The movie was Kramer v. Kramer which, everyone should know, stars a young Dustin Hoffman and absolutely beautiful Merryl Streep. In a nutshell, it's about a couple with a young child going through a divorce in 70's. I was blown away at not only the performances by the actors, but by how this movie reflects what any family goes through when there is a major change in the home.
The story goes something like this: A self-absorbed "bring home the bacon" man comes home from the office to find that his stay-at-home wife is leaving him and their child. She is unfulfilled by being a stay-at-home mom, and needs to be more than a wife and a mother. Fortunately, we don't have to divorce our husbands and leave our children in order to have a job and feel complete.
For most of the remainder of the movie, we see the father bumble through all of the childcare, household chores, and responsibilities that, until then, had been handled by the mother. Many of us would probably like to see how our wonderful husbands would manage being the sole care-giver. I have an enormous amount of respect for single moms and dads. Here are some other revelations that I had:
We ALL expect our kids to be resilient to change, when in fact, they shouldn't be expected to just "buck up". Deal with the attitudes and the temper tantrums with a little bit of patience, understanding, and love. Everyone needs a little time to adjust to a major change, like mommy going back to work.
Dads, expect your children to test you! This is part of the process of change that the kids will have to go through. Even if they should know better, that was in the "old" world, and with a major change, you are now entering the "new" world. Don't get mad, just stand your ground.
They even had those dreaded goody bags after birthday parties in the 70s!
Can you believe they bought milk in quarts back then?! Today we buy everything in gallons or in bulk. A quart wouldn't last a day in my house and I'd have to add another item on my TO DO list. No thanks! But, this is interesting on many levels... I will spare you the soapbox (today).
Poor dad had to go to a PTA meeting at the school at 4:00 (taking time from work) because it was his responsibility! I know that this is one of the first things to be crossed off of the list when both parents work, but, (and here I will get on my soapbox) make sure that, when you go back to work, that one or both parents are still actively engaged in your child's school and education. This should be as much of a priority as homework, or feeding your family nutritious meals. I'm not saying to go out and overcommit and volunteer for everything. Know your limits, of course. But, studies show that parents who are involved in the education of their children (beyond homework) have children who take their education seriously. Pass it on!
The story goes something like this: A self-absorbed "bring home the bacon" man comes home from the office to find that his stay-at-home wife is leaving him and their child. She is unfulfilled by being a stay-at-home mom, and needs to be more than a wife and a mother. Fortunately, we don't have to divorce our husbands and leave our children in order to have a job and feel complete.
For most of the remainder of the movie, we see the father bumble through all of the childcare, household chores, and responsibilities that, until then, had been handled by the mother. Many of us would probably like to see how our wonderful husbands would manage being the sole care-giver. I have an enormous amount of respect for single moms and dads. Here are some other revelations that I had:
We ALL expect our kids to be resilient to change, when in fact, they shouldn't be expected to just "buck up". Deal with the attitudes and the temper tantrums with a little bit of patience, understanding, and love. Everyone needs a little time to adjust to a major change, like mommy going back to work.
Dads, expect your children to test you! This is part of the process of change that the kids will have to go through. Even if they should know better, that was in the "old" world, and with a major change, you are now entering the "new" world. Don't get mad, just stand your ground.
They even had those dreaded goody bags after birthday parties in the 70s!
Can you believe they bought milk in quarts back then?! Today we buy everything in gallons or in bulk. A quart wouldn't last a day in my house and I'd have to add another item on my TO DO list. No thanks! But, this is interesting on many levels... I will spare you the soapbox (today).
Poor dad had to go to a PTA meeting at the school at 4:00 (taking time from work) because it was his responsibility! I know that this is one of the first things to be crossed off of the list when both parents work, but, (and here I will get on my soapbox) make sure that, when you go back to work, that one or both parents are still actively engaged in your child's school and education. This should be as much of a priority as homework, or feeding your family nutritious meals. I'm not saying to go out and overcommit and volunteer for everything. Know your limits, of course. But, studies show that parents who are involved in the education of their children (beyond homework) have children who take their education seriously. Pass it on!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Big Sexy
I think about Big Sexy every once in a while and I'm envious of the sheer balls that it takes to proclaim yourself "Big Sexy" for the all world to see. Because not a day goes by that I don't beat up on myself for my weight OR what I've eaten OR the amount of exercise that I (did or didn't) get OR the way my clothes fit... I've been in a constant losing battle with myself for as long as I can remember. And it sucks.
I mean really, there are so many things in my life as a working mother/wife that I can legitimately feel guilty about, for example:
- Not knowing the last time Shorty took a shower.
- Not having anything in the house to eat because I haven't gone to the grocery store in 2 weeks.
- Not realizing that what Honey really needed was for me to be his cheerleader, not his drill sergeant.
- Realizing on Monday morning that none of us has clean underwear.
Those are things to feel kind of guilty about...but I can pretty easily forgive myself for stuff like this. In fact, I'm pretty laid back and forgiving about most things, whether it's me or someone else, I mean we're all just doing the best we can, right? But when it comes to my body and weight I'm brutal to myself, in a way that I would never, ever be to anyone else (even my ex-MIL or Gwynyth Paltrow).
And I'm not the only one, I can't think of a single woman I know who is completely happy with her body. And I have to say...my friends are total babes!
I know that these aren't original thoughts or issues. Books and articles galore have been written on the topic, Oprah and Dr. Phil have done countless shows, and there are more diets out there than people in China. But none offer a real solution or a magic fix and I've just sort of accepted it as part of my psyche.
Until this week, when Shorty told me that within her group of friends, girls have been calling themselves and each other fat. They're 8. And I have to wonder, did our own self-hatred and discontent get transferred to them, because even if I never say a single word about it in front of her, guilt this pervasive has to be obvious on a subliminal level.
So I'm going to start being nicer to myself because this isn't what I want for my daughter. As she grows up, no matter what her size, I want her to always know, without any doubt, that she's Big Sexy.
But it will be ok if she doesn't write it on her car.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
What I learned in THE BIG EXPERIMENT! by Kim
It was an interesting week and while there was a part of me that viewed it as a lark, I learned quite a bit about how I do things and where my priorities lay.
First let me say that Honey is one of the good ones...typically helpful and engaged. That being said...knowing that the blog was going on and that we were openly discussing husbands did make him step up his game. It was fantastic to have him identify what needed to be done and just do it. Of course I know that he'll do anything if I ask but sometimes, especially after a day of being after Shorty to do this or get that done, I already feel like a big, old nagging shrew and I don't want to be that person. Not having to ask felt AWESOME and more like we were a team instead just me being the taskmaster. I definitely prefer the team approach.
I need to find a way to get Shorty to do her chores without me being on top of her. It stresses me out, makes me "unpleasant" and is a huge time suck. I don't want to have to ask her to put her laundry away more than once - by twice I'm annoyed - by the third time my head spins around and I'm yelling (which makes me feel like crap because it's just laundry....however). It's a situation that needs to be resolved, I'm just not sure how to do it yet.
Like Diane I also ran out of milk (although never wine!) and we definitely ate out more than usual since I didn't go to the grocery store. My typical routine is to decide what we're going to have that day and shop specifically for that dinner. I've got to start planning ahead for the week, shopping for it on the weekend, and then actually cooking the things that we planned. My problem is that what sounds good on Sunday rarely appeals to me when it comes time to cook it on Wednesday - I'm going to have to get over that and find some ways to get all of us engaged in menu planning.
Having scheduled commitments made me accountable in a way that allowed me to meet my work goals.
Grouping errands together by task and proximity saved me a huge amount of time and driving.
Getting a workout in is the single best indicator of how my day is going to go. I feel more alert, confident, relaxed, energetic, and positive. Yet it's the first thing that I let go if I feel overwhelmed/busy, which is ridiculously self sabotaging! I've got to actively work on changing that mindset.
Having my days scheduled out along with the caveat that we stick to the schedule as closely as possible, really allowed me the freedom to be actively engaged with Shorty when she got home from school instead of trying to fit in all the little tasks that I normally would, like cleaning up the kitchen or folding the laundry or answering emails. It was good for us and I'm just going to have to find another time to get those things done....over a glass of wine in the evening?
I'm pretty damn lucky to have the support of my husband, daughter and friends, something that I already knew but came to truly value and appreciate last week.
First let me say that Honey is one of the good ones...typically helpful and engaged. That being said...knowing that the blog was going on and that we were openly discussing husbands did make him step up his game. It was fantastic to have him identify what needed to be done and just do it. Of course I know that he'll do anything if I ask but sometimes, especially after a day of being after Shorty to do this or get that done, I already feel like a big, old nagging shrew and I don't want to be that person. Not having to ask felt AWESOME and more like we were a team instead just me being the taskmaster. I definitely prefer the team approach.
I need to find a way to get Shorty to do her chores without me being on top of her. It stresses me out, makes me "unpleasant" and is a huge time suck. I don't want to have to ask her to put her laundry away more than once - by twice I'm annoyed - by the third time my head spins around and I'm yelling (which makes me feel like crap because it's just laundry....however). It's a situation that needs to be resolved, I'm just not sure how to do it yet.
Like Diane I also ran out of milk (although never wine!) and we definitely ate out more than usual since I didn't go to the grocery store. My typical routine is to decide what we're going to have that day and shop specifically for that dinner. I've got to start planning ahead for the week, shopping for it on the weekend, and then actually cooking the things that we planned. My problem is that what sounds good on Sunday rarely appeals to me when it comes time to cook it on Wednesday - I'm going to have to get over that and find some ways to get all of us engaged in menu planning.
Having scheduled commitments made me accountable in a way that allowed me to meet my work goals.
Grouping errands together by task and proximity saved me a huge amount of time and driving.
Getting a workout in is the single best indicator of how my day is going to go. I feel more alert, confident, relaxed, energetic, and positive. Yet it's the first thing that I let go if I feel overwhelmed/busy, which is ridiculously self sabotaging! I've got to actively work on changing that mindset.
Having my days scheduled out along with the caveat that we stick to the schedule as closely as possible, really allowed me the freedom to be actively engaged with Shorty when she got home from school instead of trying to fit in all the little tasks that I normally would, like cleaning up the kitchen or folding the laundry or answering emails. It was good for us and I'm just going to have to find another time to get those things done....over a glass of wine in the evening?
I'm pretty damn lucky to have the support of my husband, daughter and friends, something that I already knew but came to truly value and appreciate last week.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
You're freaking amazing - be sure that they know it!!
The final post in our series on resumes, how to handle the holes and other pitfalls that cause us heartburn as we try to get back into the workplace. We feel that this post was the most important and also the thing that we're all least likely to do - so work on bragging!
Our guest blogger for this series is Sue Campbell, 1st-Writer.com, a professional resume writer and career strategist with over 18 years experience helping job seekers of every level achieve their career goals.
What do you think is the biggest mistake that women make when writing/rewriting their resume?
Not taking full credit for all they bring to the table and not fully recognizing or appreciating their own worth or corporate value. Using “I’m just..,” or “I’ve only…” at the beginning of any sentence.
Women sometimes dismiss or internally diminish incredibly valuable skills and abilities, thinking they have less value, somehow, or mistakenly believing that openly recognizing their own value and worth equals arrogance.
Of all the times in your life where humility may pay, writing your résumé is not one of them.
Monday, January 31, 2011
The BIG Experiment! What I've learned
Kim and I both believe that the BIG experiment was a great test of how we will spend our days once we go back to work. It was a wonderful learning experience, both about us, and our families. Here is what I have learned:
A blog is a wonderful way to get your husband to do stuff around the house without being asked. Not only are they afraid of what we'll write if they don't help out, but they can see exactly what needs to be done because we write it in the blog!
I am going to make a point of teaching my children to be more independent and work on a schedule. If I need to get up in the morning and take a shower while they are getting ready (and I don't want to wake up earlier) then they are going to have to learn to get ready without my constant reminders. Likewise, I am going to have to come up with a system so that they can do their chores without being reminded. Hmmm, a blog maybe?!
My house is a bit messier than I like to see it. It isn't as bad as I expected, but I am going to have to lighten up a bit. If I truly want to keep my weekends free from household chores, like laundry, I am going to have to make a point of doing them in the evenings during the week, and engaging the kids in helping after school.
I am out of milk. I am going to have to learn to plan out my weekly meals and grocery shop. Grocery store trips are pushed by the wayside during the week... I'm gonna have to buck up and do this on Saturday, same as everyone else. I am not too happy about this prospect.
I am out of wine... nuff said.
I didn't get my workouts in everyday as planned. This was one of my biggest fears about going back to work, and it turns out it is well-founded. I will have to work harder at scheduling this in, be more flexible with my workout routine, let go of a little guilt.
I am going to need to say "no" to some of those volunteer activities. One thing I feel good about is that I am better at gauging my time when I am on a schedule. Unfortunately, I have overcommitted and need to let some things go to find a balance.
Multi-tasking: Those little "oh, I'll just start a load of laundry quickly before I sit down to work" moments really add up to a big time suck. The more distractions I allow myself to have, the more time that gets shaved off of my day, and my productivity actually suffers.
I am amazed at how much my family has pulled through this week. The kids are aware that I have other responsibilities than just being mommy now. But I don't think that they felt abandoned or unloved. I did make a point of planning playdates and spending time with them, which made me feel good, and although it was less time than I normally spend with them, it was higher quality time.
I think I'm gonna keep the schedule going!
A blog is a wonderful way to get your husband to do stuff around the house without being asked. Not only are they afraid of what we'll write if they don't help out, but they can see exactly what needs to be done because we write it in the blog!
I am going to make a point of teaching my children to be more independent and work on a schedule. If I need to get up in the morning and take a shower while they are getting ready (and I don't want to wake up earlier) then they are going to have to learn to get ready without my constant reminders. Likewise, I am going to have to come up with a system so that they can do their chores without being reminded. Hmmm, a blog maybe?!
My house is a bit messier than I like to see it. It isn't as bad as I expected, but I am going to have to lighten up a bit. If I truly want to keep my weekends free from household chores, like laundry, I am going to have to make a point of doing them in the evenings during the week, and engaging the kids in helping after school.
I am out of milk. I am going to have to learn to plan out my weekly meals and grocery shop. Grocery store trips are pushed by the wayside during the week... I'm gonna have to buck up and do this on Saturday, same as everyone else. I am not too happy about this prospect.
I am out of wine... nuff said.
I didn't get my workouts in everyday as planned. This was one of my biggest fears about going back to work, and it turns out it is well-founded. I will have to work harder at scheduling this in, be more flexible with my workout routine, let go of a little guilt.
I am going to need to say "no" to some of those volunteer activities. One thing I feel good about is that I am better at gauging my time when I am on a schedule. Unfortunately, I have overcommitted and need to let some things go to find a balance.
Multi-tasking: Those little "oh, I'll just start a load of laundry quickly before I sit down to work" moments really add up to a big time suck. The more distractions I allow myself to have, the more time that gets shaved off of my day, and my productivity actually suffers.
I am amazed at how much my family has pulled through this week. The kids are aware that I have other responsibilities than just being mommy now. But I don't think that they felt abandoned or unloved. I did make a point of planning playdates and spending time with them, which made me feel good, and although it was less time than I normally spend with them, it was higher quality time.
I think I'm gonna keep the schedule going!
The BIG Experiment Day 5 TGIF by Kim
6:30-7:30 Get up 10 minutes earlier to get Shorty's spelling worksheet done. Neither one of us is especially excited to be awake this Friday morning! Totally my fault though for staying out late last night...
8:00-9:30 Answer emails, work on those slides that won't end...
9:30-10:00 Lightning fast shower. It ain't pretty but I'm clean!
10:00-12:30 Go with Honey to get allergy shots and then to grab some lunch. Pretty much ready to write off the rest of the day...but....
12:30-2:00 Sit my ass back down to finish the week out meeting my work hours goal. Didn't hit all the workouts OR the showers but I finished out strong with my work responsibilities!
2:00-ON Picked Shorty up from school and started the weekend... And that's all I have to say about that!
Tomorrow I will fill in what I observed about my parenting, the way this house runs, how my husband and I operate, and of course how work went...
Surely it hasn't been THAT long!? *@#!! I'm old!
This week we're continuing our focus on resumes, with special attention to the areas that make us want to pull our hair out, kick the cat, and consider a new career as a carny. Our guest blogger for this series is Sue Campbell, 1st-Writer.com, a professional resume writer and career strategist with over 18 years experience helping job seekers of every level achieve their career goals.
What about dates? Do I have to put the dates I received my degrees?
For employment, you don’t need to include months, you can just list years (i.e. 2005-2007), but you have to include dates.
For college degrees, you can omit dates in your résumé, but expect to provide this information at the interview or application process. Understand, too, that while your reader probably won’t give this too much thought, he or she is likely notice that the dates have been omitted.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The BIG Experiment!! Diane's Final Day!!
6:30-7:30 Wake up. Let Wonderful Hubby know that it's time to get up. Start coffee, wake kids. Go take shower and get ready for 7:30 meeting at the school. Upset to be missing another day of working out. Decide to wear stretchy comfy jersey wrap dress. Decide that dresses are the best! Wonderful Hubby has gotten kids all ready to go to school.
7:30-8:15 Stop car and take kids into school. Get stopped by principal in lobby who has questions about "very important stuff". Late to meeting.
8:15-2:30 Head to office. Worried that I will not add value and sit there mute in the corner. Meeting with client #1 goes very well. Actually had valuable input! Am amazed by my AMAZING friend and her abilities. Office is fun and I like it. Invited to join in meeting with client #2. Call Mr. Wonderful to see if he can pick up the kids and a playdate after school.
2:30-3:00 Head home. Drive like crazy person because I am running late. Find that everyone has arrived home from school safely. Kids are playing but have not had a snack. Hubby is on iPhone. Everyone survived.
3:30-4:00 Make appointment with vet for dog. Feed snack to kids. Loving the pre-packaged snack foods today. Put kids on Wii. Sit down to computer. Check emails, blog about my day, which I have all forgotten by now.
4:30-6:00 Finally take dog to the vet. Explanation for that terrible smell earlier in the week. Feel really guilty that it has taken me this long to get the dog to the vet. Wonderful Hubby takes kids to friends' house for dinner.
6:00-10:00 Drop off dog at home. Feed dog. Alone in my messy home. Consider staying home all by myself, sigh...Grab all of the things that Wonderful Hubby has forgotten and head over to friends' house for dinner. Enjoy house full of wonderful friends and a terrific dinner. Extremely exhausted. Head home with kids to go directly to bed. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. So tired I think I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.
All in all the day was great. Wonder how things would shake out if Wonderful Hubby wasn't there to pick up the kids, but figure we'll have to take each day one at a time.
7:30-8:15 Stop car and take kids into school. Get stopped by principal in lobby who has questions about "very important stuff". Late to meeting.
8:15-2:30 Head to office. Worried that I will not add value and sit there mute in the corner. Meeting with client #1 goes very well. Actually had valuable input! Am amazed by my AMAZING friend and her abilities. Office is fun and I like it. Invited to join in meeting with client #2. Call Mr. Wonderful to see if he can pick up the kids and a playdate after school.
2:30-3:00 Head home. Drive like crazy person because I am running late. Find that everyone has arrived home from school safely. Kids are playing but have not had a snack. Hubby is on iPhone. Everyone survived.
3:30-4:00 Make appointment with vet for dog. Feed snack to kids. Loving the pre-packaged snack foods today. Put kids on Wii. Sit down to computer. Check emails, blog about my day, which I have all forgotten by now.
4:30-6:00 Finally take dog to the vet. Explanation for that terrible smell earlier in the week. Feel really guilty that it has taken me this long to get the dog to the vet. Wonderful Hubby takes kids to friends' house for dinner.
6:00-10:00 Drop off dog at home. Feed dog. Alone in my messy home. Consider staying home all by myself, sigh...Grab all of the things that Wonderful Hubby has forgotten and head over to friends' house for dinner. Enjoy house full of wonderful friends and a terrific dinner. Extremely exhausted. Head home with kids to go directly to bed. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. So tired I think I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.
All in all the day was great. Wonder how things would shake out if Wonderful Hubby wasn't there to pick up the kids, but figure we'll have to take each day one at a time.
Friday, January 28, 2011
The BIG Experiment!! Day Four by Diane
6:30-7:30 Wake up with small child in bed next to me. Wonderful Hubby calls. Make small child answer phone so that I don't have to get out of cozy bed. Happy there is smell of fresh coffee coming from kitchen. Get up and throw uniforms at children. Check email to see that I have another meeting this morning that I am unprepared for about "very important stuff", but throw papers in a bag and rush out the door.
7:30-8:15 Drop kids off barely slowing and rush back home to shower and prepare for presentation. Read email from enraged neighbor about "very important stuff". Put on LOTS of deodorant in preparation for presentation at school and subsequent meeting. Squeeze into terribly out of date clothing and rush back to school.
8:15-10:30 Have horrible presentation. Realize I am much better in small groups than in front of a crowd. Rush off to make 11:00 meeting. No workout today.
11:00-12:00 Meet with important people about "very important stuff". Worry that I'm not communicating my position on important stuff so that they hear what I am saying. Worry about performance when I go back to work.
12:00-2:30 Check emails, have string cheese. Sit down and actually do some work, finally. Schedule playdate for children. Feel like having a glass of wine. Have a glass of wine with lunch. (Hey, I'm a big girl, deal with it!) Return phone call. Have headache about "very important stuff"... or maybe it's the wine? Still have another hour to make goal of 3 1/2 hours of work/day.
2:30-3:45 Feed kids, help with homework, put dishes in dishwasher
3:45-7:45 Take kids to indoor play-gym with friends and then out to dinner. Kids have fun. Eat pizza for dinner, feel very guilty, but kids are happy. Get home, put them to bed. Find out I have to go in to "work" tomorrow, and can't work out, but Wonderful Hubby will be home to help me out in the morning.
7:45-8:00 Check emails, blog. I am exhausted and sore (shin splints from uphill walk yesterday). Would go to bed if it weren't only 8:00. Go to set up coffee maker for the morning. Accidentally brew coffee instead of programming it. Brain can no longer function. Think of staying in bed all weekend. Smile.
8:00-9:30 Fall asleep in front of TV. Wake up when hubby comes home. Go to bed exhausted.
7:30-8:15 Drop kids off barely slowing and rush back home to shower and prepare for presentation. Read email from enraged neighbor about "very important stuff". Put on LOTS of deodorant in preparation for presentation at school and subsequent meeting. Squeeze into terribly out of date clothing and rush back to school.
8:15-10:30 Have horrible presentation. Realize I am much better in small groups than in front of a crowd. Rush off to make 11:00 meeting. No workout today.
11:00-12:00 Meet with important people about "very important stuff". Worry that I'm not communicating my position on important stuff so that they hear what I am saying. Worry about performance when I go back to work.
12:00-2:30 Check emails, have string cheese. Sit down and actually do some work, finally. Schedule playdate for children. Feel like having a glass of wine. Have a glass of wine with lunch. (Hey, I'm a big girl, deal with it!) Return phone call. Have headache about "very important stuff"... or maybe it's the wine? Still have another hour to make goal of 3 1/2 hours of work/day.
2:30-3:45 Feed kids, help with homework, put dishes in dishwasher
3:45-7:45 Take kids to indoor play-gym with friends and then out to dinner. Kids have fun. Eat pizza for dinner, feel very guilty, but kids are happy. Get home, put them to bed. Find out I have to go in to "work" tomorrow, and can't work out, but Wonderful Hubby will be home to help me out in the morning.
7:45-8:00 Check emails, blog. I am exhausted and sore (shin splints from uphill walk yesterday). Would go to bed if it weren't only 8:00. Go to set up coffee maker for the morning. Accidentally brew coffee instead of programming it. Brain can no longer function. Think of staying in bed all weekend. Smile.
8:00-9:30 Fall asleep in front of TV. Wake up when hubby comes home. Go to bed exhausted.
The BIG Experiment Day 4 by Kim
6:15 - 6:35 Honey gets up to pee which fortunately wakes me up because I set my alarm for an hour later than I meant too. Rush to get dressed and out the door - put on yesterdays' workout clothes because all the others are downstairs in the basket of laundry I've been contemplating all week. Feel a little gross but whatever.
6:45-7:40 Walk with friend. It's a bit of a rough start since it's effing cold out but by about 10 minutes in I'm glad that we persevered. Legs are sore from the hilly (lost) portion of yesterday's walk!
7:45-8:00 Run into the school to drop off Cokes for the Open House for walking buddy so that she's not late for work. Run into people I know and am acutely aware of being a little ripe, try to keep downwind...
8:00-8:30 Clean up the kitchen a (very) little bit. Going to have to spend some time on the house this weekend. Discover that Honey cleaned the kitty litter - God I love this man!
8:30-12:00 Work on blog and other projects. Try to get signed up for Daddy/Daughter Dance but having problems with their website...#@&*! - I often miss the boat on these type of things so it really pisses me off when I get my act together and am thwarted!
12:15-1:00 Eat lunch with Honey then take a quick shower.
1:00-4:30 Work on Slide presentation for seminar - it seems never ending! Break it up with some Words with Friends. Incidentally, Jeff is a ringer and is soundly kicking my ass even as he claims "I haven't played in at least a year". Whatever Jeff - What. Ever.
4:30-8:15 Honey goes with me to pick the girls up from their AfterSchool. We drop La off and go in for a quick chat. That turns to a couple glasses of wine which then turns into dinner out with both families. I don't have to cook which makes 3 nights this week, Suzy Homemaker I'm not! I don't get the stuff done at home that I'd planned to do, like folding the laundry (haha who'm I kidding) and putting away the box of Christmas stuff still sitting in my office. It's worth the trade off though.
8:45 Realize that we didn't give Shorty her spelling test but decide that we can do it in the morning if we get up 10 minutes early. Not going to garner me Mother of the Year but still seems like a good plan since I'm walking into walls!
9:00 Early mornings and exercise have officially kicked my ass - I'm going to bed.
My Mission Statement: To get a job.
This week we are focusing on resumes, with special attention to the areas that make us want to pull our hair out, put on the stretchy pants, and consider a new career in competitive eating. Our guest blogger for this series is Sue Campbell, 1st-Writer.com, a professional resume writer and career strategist with over 18 years experience helping job seekers of every level achieve their career goals.
Is it absolutely necessary to have a mission statement? If so, how do you write a mission statement for your résumé (especially if your mission is to just get a job)?
First of all, never forget that your résumé is a marketing piece or that you’re writing your résumé for the sheer and complete benefit of your reader.
Imagine, for example, an ad for vacuum cleaners that begins with the statement, “We really need you to buy this vacuum cleaner so we can pay our electric bill.”
Later, at the interview stage, your needs and interests will become more important. But for now, it’s all about the reader.
So if you include a mission statement, or preferably a summary of qualifications section, keep the focus on what you bring to the table and how your skills, abilities and characteristics will benefit the company and meet its needs and expectations.
“To secure the position of ________________________ at (Name of Company) where my skills in ______________________, _______________________ and _____________________ may best benefit (Name of Company)’s ____________________ goals and expectations.”
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The BIG Experiment!! Day Three by Diane
4:38 am Wonderful Hubby wakes me up with his snoring. This is a recurring theme in our household. Move to spare bedroom. Spend half hour worrying about interview. Fall back to sleep.
6:25 am Woken by small dog who wants food. Wonderful Hubby comes to wake me up as well, since my alarm has gone off, and then goes to wake the kids. I am grateful for having prepared the coffee to start automatically.
6:30-7:30 Take out recycling, drip stale beer down my shoulder. Not going to ruin my mood, however. Got the kids out the door on time and with most of their morning chores completed! Even stopped the car before pushing them out at school!
7:30-8:45 Have a walk with Kim. Good discussions of why our hubbies are helping out MORE than usual this week. BOTH husbands have pointed out that they'd do whatever around the house, we only had to ask. Strangely enough, we haven't had to ask them to do anything so far this week, they've just seen something needing to be done and done it. Think the blog is great in more ways than one! Got a bit lost and had to use the iPhone to find our way back to our cars.
8:45-9:30 Yikes! Gotta hustle to shower and prepare for interview. Try on aforementioned out of date suit. Marvel that it still fits (see that scheduled exercise really pays off!) and looks okay. It is a bit uncomfortable because it has a waistline that goes over the navel, and I have been wearing low-rise pants for the last 5 years, but, with the jacket on, no one will know but me!
10:00-11:00 Meet with a wonderful friend who has a need for some part-time contract work. (It really is all about who you know!) Work out a win/win for both of us. If CFO agrees, I start next week! Really great company with bright engaging professionals. Got to use big words! Head home, starting to really HATE suit and want to pull an Al Bundy.
11:00-1:15 Voicemail from teacher who says son might have pink eye. Ignore it. They'll call again if they need to send him home. Panic about what happens now that Wonderful Hubby is traveling. Emails from volunteers in a panic. Get home, want a stiff drink, settle for what's left of the coffee, RIP off evil suit and throw it into a pile - climb into comfy jeans and slouchy sweater. Sit down to work.
1:45-3:00 Realize that I forgot that I'd help out at kids' school and hustle out the door so that they don't wind up riding the bus home to find that I'm not. Have kids do homework while volunteering.
3:30-5:00 Take kids to Toys R Us. Need birthday gifts, and kids are dying to spend gift cards. Curse gift cards given by well-meaning family members. Tell kids only 1/2 an hour. 1 and 1/2 hours later, leave store.
5:30-7:00 Yay! Awesome brother comes to rescue and grabs kids for dinner. Work on volunteer projects in peace. Have glass of wine! Forget to make to-do list for tomorrow. Remark that I need to 1. take dog to the vet, 2. take car in for repair, 3. am almost out of milk. Wonder when the heck I'm going to do that!?
7:00-9:00 Friend time! Enjoy get-together at friend's. Feel connected with other women/mommies.
9:00-10:00 pick up sleeping kids from Awesome Brother's and try to sneak them into bed before they wake up too much. Have LONG conversation with emotional (and tired)7 year old. Realize I have only had string cheese, coffee, and wine to eat today. Have another glass of wine, eat frozen dinner and a bunch of potato chips while catching up on DVR TV(so much for that workout). Feel guilty, throw away bag of chips.
For the most part, this was a good fulfilling day. Didn't spend enough time with children, which seems to show. Plan on making up for that tomorrow!
6:25 am Woken by small dog who wants food. Wonderful Hubby comes to wake me up as well, since my alarm has gone off, and then goes to wake the kids. I am grateful for having prepared the coffee to start automatically.
6:30-7:30 Take out recycling, drip stale beer down my shoulder. Not going to ruin my mood, however. Got the kids out the door on time and with most of their morning chores completed! Even stopped the car before pushing them out at school!
7:30-8:45 Have a walk with Kim. Good discussions of why our hubbies are helping out MORE than usual this week. BOTH husbands have pointed out that they'd do whatever around the house, we only had to ask. Strangely enough, we haven't had to ask them to do anything so far this week, they've just seen something needing to be done and done it. Think the blog is great in more ways than one! Got a bit lost and had to use the iPhone to find our way back to our cars.
8:45-9:30 Yikes! Gotta hustle to shower and prepare for interview. Try on aforementioned out of date suit. Marvel that it still fits (see that scheduled exercise really pays off!) and looks okay. It is a bit uncomfortable because it has a waistline that goes over the navel, and I have been wearing low-rise pants for the last 5 years, but, with the jacket on, no one will know but me!
10:00-11:00 Meet with a wonderful friend who has a need for some part-time contract work. (It really is all about who you know!) Work out a win/win for both of us. If CFO agrees, I start next week! Really great company with bright engaging professionals. Got to use big words! Head home, starting to really HATE suit and want to pull an Al Bundy.
11:00-1:15 Voicemail from teacher who says son might have pink eye. Ignore it. They'll call again if they need to send him home. Panic about what happens now that Wonderful Hubby is traveling. Emails from volunteers in a panic. Get home, want a stiff drink, settle for what's left of the coffee, RIP off evil suit and throw it into a pile - climb into comfy jeans and slouchy sweater. Sit down to work.
1:45-3:00 Realize that I forgot that I'd help out at kids' school and hustle out the door so that they don't wind up riding the bus home to find that I'm not. Have kids do homework while volunteering.
3:30-5:00 Take kids to Toys R Us. Need birthday gifts, and kids are dying to spend gift cards. Curse gift cards given by well-meaning family members. Tell kids only 1/2 an hour. 1 and 1/2 hours later, leave store.
5:30-7:00 Yay! Awesome brother comes to rescue and grabs kids for dinner. Work on volunteer projects in peace. Have glass of wine! Forget to make to-do list for tomorrow. Remark that I need to 1. take dog to the vet, 2. take car in for repair, 3. am almost out of milk. Wonder when the heck I'm going to do that!?
7:00-9:00 Friend time! Enjoy get-together at friend's. Feel connected with other women/mommies.
9:00-10:00 pick up sleeping kids from Awesome Brother's and try to sneak them into bed before they wake up too much. Have LONG conversation with emotional (and tired)7 year old. Realize I have only had string cheese, coffee, and wine to eat today. Have another glass of wine, eat frozen dinner and a bunch of potato chips while catching up on DVR TV(so much for that workout). Feel guilty, throw away bag of chips.
For the most part, this was a good fulfilling day. Didn't spend enough time with children, which seems to show. Plan on making up for that tomorrow!
The BIG Experiment Day 3 by Kim
6:30-7:20 Crawl out of bed and Shorty is already up - she's definitely a morning person unlike her old mom. Try to see if it's raining as Di and I text back and forth to see if we can walk. Decide to suck it up and do it - this is why having a workout buddy is so effective, no one wants to be the first to puss out. Drop Shorty at school after a breakfast of Rice Krispies over which we discuss why the milk should be put on before the sugar.
7:30 - 8:40 Walk with Di. It ends up being longer than we planned since we managed to get ourselves lost in the neighborhood. Wonder if maybe we should change our tagline. :)
8:45-10:57 Take out the recycling and chat with Honey about what our days look like. Sit down to finish and post The BIG Experiment Day 2. Answer emails about a project I'm currently managing and remember that I need to invoice them so I can get paid! Contemplate folding the laundry. Send Di a good luck text about her interview today!!!
10:58-12:30 Friends pick me up to grab a quick lunch. No one has showered yet so we take a table in the corner.
12:30-1:45 Work on a seminar presentation that's coming up in February - is closer than I realized.
1:45-2:15 Shower and contemplate folding the laundry.
2:15-4:15 Grocery store, enroll Shorty in the tumbling class, Trader Joes, and B12 shot, finish all errands with about 20 minutes until time to pick up kids, so crank up the music and just drive around singing and being blissfully alone. Wave sheepishly at the cars next to me who notice me singing.
4:30-5:30 Pick Shorty and La up at their after school program. Drop La off at home and go in for a quick glass of wine and some conversation.
5:45-6:00 Bring in groceries, kiss Honey, change shoes.
6:00-11:30 Go to a movie and dinner with girlfriends. Honey and Shorty seem happy to have me out and are able to hold down the fort without me. Reflect on how lucky I am.
11:45-12:15 Answer some design questions that have come up with a project in the Central time zone with a brief phone call.
12:30 BED!!!
Again, not so great with the actual schedule...BUT still hit my goal of the tasks that I wanted to accomplish , the number of hours I wanted to dedicate, and getting in the workout. Laundry is still being contemplated, maybe tomorrow, which will also include additional home stuff - like cooking dinner and some clean up since Honey carried the bulk of it today (but I'm pretty sure that he'll still clean up the kitchen for me!).
As much as I like to think I'm pretty disciplined, this experiment is teaching me the wisdom of clearly defining tasks and carving out the time to complete them. As well as making me notice how much time the little stuff can suck up if you don't group it together and actively limit the time you spend on it.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The BIG Experiment!! Day Two by Diane
6:30-6:45 Hit snooze button several times, wake up late
6:45-7:30 Find that wonderful hubby has done most of the laundry AND the dishes while I was in a coma last night! Wake up children who complain of stomach aches and cry about having to go to school. Check emails, try to drink coffee in between yelling at kids to get a move on.
7:35-7:45 Still in pjs, scramble into car and push kids out at carpool. Go back home. Planned to run this morning, but since it is raining, opt to stay in pjs and get to work. Sigh at the thought of having to workout on Saturday instead.
7:45-8:45 Look at presentation that I have to give this week and realize that I am SO not prepared! Anxiety runs amok and I decide to get ready for my 9:30 meeting (volunteer activity) instead.
9:30-11:00 PTA meeting.... get so much information and added to my to-do list for volunteerism.
11:00-noon Start going through all of the emails that have ended up in my in-box. Get caught up in it, send Kim a note that I am running late (gotta love technology)
12-12:45 Meeting with Kim at coffice very productive. Realize that I forgot to brush teeth this morning. Resolve to be better tomorrow. Go home and RUN mail to the mailman, who has decided to be kind and wait for me. Get upset at morons who can't do their jobs thoroughly and now have to make another phone call/write letter/send it in AGAIN.
1:00-2:15 Brush teeth. Eat. Blog. Determined to finish resume.
2:15-5:30 Kids come home and immediately ask what we are doing today. Pout when I tell them "nothing". After getting them settled with snacks and homework, pretty much ignore children. Research and work on my resume. Children interrupt on occasion, and I have a notedly short temper with them. Resume working on my resume. (remark that resume and resume are spelled the same, less the accent - I think it's time for a break!) Youngest watching his 30 minutes of TV (turns into an hour). Resolve to manage time better tomorrow for second time today.
5:30-6:00 Wonderful hubby is already preparing dinner. Youngest upset that we couldn't go to Toys R Us today. I set out to tackle the mount of folded laundry that covers the dining room table. Enlist children to help, when I notice it's all MY stuff. Put away laundry, have children set table, feed dog, etc. Scan and email document to friend, return phone calls from friends. File some of year's worth of bills so that I can finish taxes for accountant.
6:00-6:30 Sit down and enjoy wonderful dinner. Food is so much better when someone else prepares it, don't you think?
6:30-7:00 Dishwasher still running (again! this never used to happen!) so dishes are rinsed and left in sink for tomorrow. Wonderful hubby irons his new shirt (?!) I sit down to do more research and work on blog. Kids playing Wii and don't interrupt.
7:00-7:30 Get kids ready for bed after tearing them away from Wii.
7:30-8:00 Write to-do list, check email. Panic about meeting tomorrow - more about fitting into my old business suits, which are probably VERY out of date, than the actual interview/meeting. Panic about presentation on Thursday. Resolve to take tomorrow one step at a time. Have glass of wine to calm myself.
8:00-10:00 Exhausted and ready for bed, but somehow manage to watch film with subtitles in its entirety. Overall an okay day. I'll be better tomorrow!
6:45-7:30 Find that wonderful hubby has done most of the laundry AND the dishes while I was in a coma last night! Wake up children who complain of stomach aches and cry about having to go to school. Check emails, try to drink coffee in between yelling at kids to get a move on.
7:35-7:45 Still in pjs, scramble into car and push kids out at carpool. Go back home. Planned to run this morning, but since it is raining, opt to stay in pjs and get to work. Sigh at the thought of having to workout on Saturday instead.
7:45-8:45 Look at presentation that I have to give this week and realize that I am SO not prepared! Anxiety runs amok and I decide to get ready for my 9:30 meeting (volunteer activity) instead.
9:30-11:00 PTA meeting.... get so much information and added to my to-do list for volunteerism.
11:00-noon Start going through all of the emails that have ended up in my in-box. Get caught up in it, send Kim a note that I am running late (gotta love technology)
12-12:45 Meeting with Kim at coffice very productive. Realize that I forgot to brush teeth this morning. Resolve to be better tomorrow. Go home and RUN mail to the mailman, who has decided to be kind and wait for me. Get upset at morons who can't do their jobs thoroughly and now have to make another phone call/write letter/send it in AGAIN.
1:00-2:15 Brush teeth. Eat. Blog. Determined to finish resume.
2:15-5:30 Kids come home and immediately ask what we are doing today. Pout when I tell them "nothing". After getting them settled with snacks and homework, pretty much ignore children. Research and work on my resume. Children interrupt on occasion, and I have a notedly short temper with them. Resume working on my resume. (remark that resume and resume are spelled the same, less the accent - I think it's time for a break!) Youngest watching his 30 minutes of TV (turns into an hour). Resolve to manage time better tomorrow for second time today.
5:30-6:00 Wonderful hubby is already preparing dinner. Youngest upset that we couldn't go to Toys R Us today. I set out to tackle the mount of folded laundry that covers the dining room table. Enlist children to help, when I notice it's all MY stuff. Put away laundry, have children set table, feed dog, etc. Scan and email document to friend, return phone calls from friends. File some of year's worth of bills so that I can finish taxes for accountant.
6:00-6:30 Sit down and enjoy wonderful dinner. Food is so much better when someone else prepares it, don't you think?
6:30-7:00 Dishwasher still running (again! this never used to happen!) so dishes are rinsed and left in sink for tomorrow. Wonderful hubby irons his new shirt (?!) I sit down to do more research and work on blog. Kids playing Wii and don't interrupt.
7:00-7:30 Get kids ready for bed after tearing them away from Wii.
7:30-8:00 Write to-do list, check email. Panic about meeting tomorrow - more about fitting into my old business suits, which are probably VERY out of date, than the actual interview/meeting. Panic about presentation on Thursday. Resolve to take tomorrow one step at a time. Have glass of wine to calm myself.
8:00-10:00 Exhausted and ready for bed, but somehow manage to watch film with subtitles in its entirety. Overall an okay day. I'll be better tomorrow!
"She said what?!?"
This week we are focusing on resumes, with special attention to the areas that make us want to pull our hair out, get loaded, and consider a new career as a rodeo clown. Our guest blogger for this series is Sue Campbell, 1st-Writer.com, a professional resume writer and career strategist with over 18 years experience helping job seekers of every level achieve their career goals.
What are some key words should you include in your resume? What words should you avoid?
Include terms that are relevant to the field, position and industry you’re targeting and the positions you’ve held in the past. For example, an engineer should use the verb “engineer” (or “engineered”) somewhere in his or her document. A manager should be using the verb “manage” (or “managed”) when describing his or her work. And yet you’d be surprised how often this doesn’t happen. Other strong verb choices for someone in a leadership role include: Guide, Direct, Drive, and Lead, among others, and yet you’ll see résumés that have bullet point after bullet point leading with “Responsible for…”
When you’re writing your statements of responsibility, lead these statements with strong action verbs that show your reader your direct role and level of responsibility. Avoid phrases such as “Responsible for…” or “Duties included…” which dilute the strength of the statement.
Avoid words that feel inflated or are words you’d never use in your normal speech. When I read “Elevated Customer Satisfaction,” I wonder, “Would this person actually say “elevated” in an interview or any other situation describing his work?” Probably not.
Despite a variety of career related articles suggesting that phrases such as, “Proven record of achievement in…” or “Extensive experience in…” should be omitted from the résumé, I disagree. Include these kinds of declarations, but back them up with proof. If you have extensive experience in any area that’s vital to the position you’re targeting, it’s good to let the potential employer know this, but don’t stop there; tell the reader how this expertise will benefit him or her. Example:
“Extensive experience in brand building and market share. Consistently penetrate competitive target markets and increase revenue growth, even in challenging economic climates.”
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The BIG Experiment Day 2 by Kim
5:45 - 6:20 Curse as the alarm goes off but drag my ass out of bed. Get 4 layers of clothes on, eat a piece of PB toast, and head out the door to meet a friend for a workout.
6:25 Curse as the first raindrops hit my windshield pulling up in front of her house.
6:30-7:30 Walk and talk and walk and talk. It's what I needed - both the exercise and the camaraderie. Who cares if I'm looking like a drowned muskrat (no, I don't know what a muskrat looks like either but you know what I mean).
7:30 - 8:15 Hubby (from here forward to be known as Honey except when I'm ticked and then it'll be @#!Honey) took Shorty to school so I take the trash out, pour a cup of coffee and finish then post The BIG Experiment Day 1). Answer a couple of emails and make a list for the day.
8:15 - 9:30 Take Honey to get allergy shots. *He's allergic to cats (plus everything else - the man should live in a bubble!) and Shorty and I moved here from Thailand with 2 cats and then adopted a kitten a couple of months ago. The kitten pushed him over the allergy cliff he was perched on so we had to do something. Since he opted to get the allergy shots from the start and never even entertained the idea of getting rid of the cats, I feel like the least I can do is go along with him. Update our twitter and facebook feeds while I'm waiting. Swing by Fresh Market on the way home so there's actual food in the house that we want to eat.
9:30-11:00 Work on posts, read a couple of other blogs that I follow to be caught up, read through some business sites and journals to find future Post ideas. Still ignoring kitchen. Double fisting Diet Dr. Pepper and coffee...starting to twitch.
11:00-11:45 Have a meeting with Di and our graphics person today at 12:00 at the coffice, so a shower is necessary.
12:00-12:45 Meet with Di and Helen - make huge strides in nailing down a logo. It's pretty cool - we're almost legit. Di and I reflect that with the spotlight upon them both of our already helpful husbands have stepped it up into SuperHusband territory...contemplate a recurring piece on this topic....
12:45 - 1:00 Pick up the drycleaning, drive it home and haul all 900 lbs upstairs to the closet. Wonder how long it's been since one of us picked it up...
1:00 - 2:10 Researching other blogs/websites that operate in the same arena that we do - both inspired and intimidated.
2:30-4:15 Picked Shorty up from school and came home. Managed a healthy snack of smoothies and hummus - yay me!
*For people (like me) who are incapable of keeping fresh fruit alive and edible, the Yoplait packaged smoothies are AWESOME - the berries are already portioned out and it has frozen chunks of vanilla yogurt in it. (Disclosure: Yoplait has never heard of me and isn't paying me to endorse their product, however should they decide they want to I wouldn't say no.)
Then homework - more fractions...did we do fractions in 2nd grade? It seems that it was much later....
I cleaned up the kitchen and sat down to try and find a gymnastics program for Shorty since I didn't get it all together to get extracurricular activities planned for her once the cheerleading season ended. Found one but am going to have to go by tomorrow to register since their website doesn't allow for that...that's obnoxious.
4:15-5:15 Veg with Shorty. Contemplate folding laundry.
5:15 - 6:30 Go out for dinner. Try Ethiopian for the first time - it's awesome!! Not sure which one us has the most fun eating with our hands.
6:30-8:00 Contemplate folding laundry especially since Honey has kept it running all day and it's now done. But instead flop on the couch and watch the end of a DVR'd movie as a family. Recall at 8:00 that I'm not sure when Shorty had a shower last but it's too late to do anything about that now as she's got to go to bed.
8:00-8:15 Receive (and answer) some complimentary emails about the blog, marvel at the fact that one of the founders of iRelaunch has become a twitter follower (how cool is that!) and put together my To-Do list for Wednesday.
8:15 - 10:30 Contemplate folding the laundry. Watch a movie with Honey and have a glass of wine (or 2)
11:00 Bed and to sleep
Again, the thing that I noticed the most about today is that by stating that I had to dedicate a set amount of time to work/family/self I was able to meet my goal. I didn't follow the schedule to a T as promised, but I did get all the important stuff in - including both a workout and work. I also am much more aware of grouping errands along with times that I'm already out, as opposed to making multiple trips, which has me feeling less frazzled. And I even showered! Feeling like a bit of a badass!
Function versus Form?
This week we are focusing on resumes, with special attention to the areas that make us want to pull our hair out, eat a tub of Ben and Jerry's, and consider a new career as a balloon animal engineer. Our guest blogger for this series is Sue Campbell, 1st-Writer.com, a professional resume writer and career strategist with over 18 years experience helping job seekers of every level achieve their career goals
How do you organize a functional resume, as opposed to a chronological resume? Is that the best way to go?
A functional résumé is typically used by job candidates who:
- Have gaps in employment they want to hide.
- Wish to bring relevant, but possibly less utilized, skills to the forefront.
- Want to bypass titles which poorly reflect actual work responsibilities or accountability levels.
- Hope to change career paths and therefore want the reader to recognize transferable skills.
All of which are great reasons. The problem with using a functional format is that most hiring managers and HR directors know why candidates use functional résumés, too, and often will look for the very problems the candidate is trying so hard to hide.
A functional résumé is typically organized by skill groups or areas of expertise, with examples of these skills applied (but not where or when), followed by a brief outline of job titles, company names, locations and dates (without description). Example of order of information:
- Name
- Contact Information
- Summary of Qualifications (brief)
- Functional Headings (such as: Marketing, Management, Project Leadership, etc.) in the order of their value and relevance to the position and company being targeted – with bulleted details showing these skills applied, and including the results of the candidate’s efforts and contributions
- Employment History (in reverse chronological format, with little or no detail)
- Education
- Relevant Professional Associations (optional)
- Community Service (optional)
The BIG Experiment!! Day One by Diane
6:30-7:30 Getting kids ready for school: Went generally well for a Monday. Reconsidering the chores assigned to children.
7:30-7:45 Slowed down, Opened car door= pushed them out
7:45-9:00 By some small miracle traffic was slight for a Monday. Had great work out, feel good!
9:00-9:45 I am clean and pretty. Wonder what will happen when I have to wear something besides jeans and slippers, however.
9:45-11:30 Sit down in home office. Odd smell in seldom used room. Resist urge to investigate. Resist urge to answer emails. Post blog. Read blogs. Resist urge to look at emails. Work on resume. Hubby comes by to see what I am up to. Response: "Working"
11:30 Finally succumb to incessant chiming of emails. ACK! Email from hubby (who works in the other room, no less) to check out some $10 socks he wants to buy. Resist urge to scream.
11:35 Back to work on resume. Research resume writing tips.
12:00 Hubby comes by to see what I am doing. Response: "Working"
12:10 Hubby comes by to ask if he can make me a sandwich. How nice- good husband.
12:15-1:15 Continue to work on resume and research. Still wondering about that smell...
1:15-2:15 Proud of myself, actually did answer all of my PTA emails and worked on volunteer activities!
2:15-4:30 Was worried about this part of the day. Fortunately, hubby helped son with homework and I continued to clean around the house, including finding and cleaning source of strange smell. Got one load of laundry folded while children put their clothes away, and managed to return a phone call and some emails, most of which were volunteer related (so much for sticking to one hour).
4:30-4:40 Forgot to pay a bill due tomorrow. Thank goodness for online banking.
5:00-6:15 Wonderful hubby prepares meatloaf while I fold laundry and order children to put it away. Remind children of their chore responsibilities while making potatoes, salad and green beans to go with aforementioned meatloaf. Play words with friends while cooking. Pour glass of wine.
6:15-7:30 Clean up while wonderful hubby bathes kids. Unfortunately the dishwasher is still running, so rinse dishes and pile in sink. Wonder if I will get to them tonight, or wait until the morning. Program coffee maker (bonus!) for early start. Another load of laundry done. Pour second glass of wine
7:30-8:00 Read kids a book, worry that 5 year old will never read because his mommy never reads to him. Check email and I have an interview on Wednesday! Wow... then the panic sets in...ah, hell, lets have another glass of wine! Make to-do list for tomorrow (finish resume!)
8:00- 10:00 Wow, today wasn't so bad. I'm thinking that this might be do-able. I still have laundry piled in the hallway, my bed isn't made, and the dishes are still in the sink, but feel I have accomplished more than I expected. Then again... tomorrow is another day!
7:30-7:45 Slowed down, Opened car door= pushed them out
7:45-9:00 By some small miracle traffic was slight for a Monday. Had great work out, feel good!
9:00-9:45 I am clean and pretty. Wonder what will happen when I have to wear something besides jeans and slippers, however.
9:45-11:30 Sit down in home office. Odd smell in seldom used room. Resist urge to investigate. Resist urge to answer emails. Post blog. Read blogs. Resist urge to look at emails. Work on resume. Hubby comes by to see what I am up to. Response: "Working"
11:30 Finally succumb to incessant chiming of emails. ACK! Email from hubby (who works in the other room, no less) to check out some $10 socks he wants to buy. Resist urge to scream.
11:35 Back to work on resume. Research resume writing tips.
12:00 Hubby comes by to see what I am doing. Response: "Working"
12:10 Hubby comes by to ask if he can make me a sandwich. How nice- good husband.
12:15-1:15 Continue to work on resume and research. Still wondering about that smell...
1:15-2:15 Proud of myself, actually did answer all of my PTA emails and worked on volunteer activities!
2:15-4:30 Was worried about this part of the day. Fortunately, hubby helped son with homework and I continued to clean around the house, including finding and cleaning source of strange smell. Got one load of laundry folded while children put their clothes away, and managed to return a phone call and some emails, most of which were volunteer related (so much for sticking to one hour).
4:30-4:40 Forgot to pay a bill due tomorrow. Thank goodness for online banking.
5:00-6:15 Wonderful hubby prepares meatloaf while I fold laundry and order children to put it away. Remind children of their chore responsibilities while making potatoes, salad and green beans to go with aforementioned meatloaf. Play words with friends while cooking. Pour glass of wine.
6:15-7:30 Clean up while wonderful hubby bathes kids. Unfortunately the dishwasher is still running, so rinse dishes and pile in sink. Wonder if I will get to them tonight, or wait until the morning. Program coffee maker (bonus!) for early start. Another load of laundry done. Pour second glass of wine
7:30-8:00 Read kids a book, worry that 5 year old will never read because his mommy never reads to him. Check email and I have an interview on Wednesday! Wow... then the panic sets in...ah, hell, lets have another glass of wine! Make to-do list for tomorrow (finish resume!)
8:00- 10:00 Wow, today wasn't so bad. I'm thinking that this might be do-able. I still have laundry piled in the hallway, my bed isn't made, and the dishes are still in the sink, but feel I have accomplished more than I expected. Then again... tomorrow is another day!
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