What DO you DO with ALL that FREE TIME????

Come on.  I know that's what you're thinking!  Now that I've got 3, yes ALL THREE, kids in school, what the heck am I doing with all my "free time".  You've probably already guessed, I'm watching tv in my pjs, robe and fuzzy socks, while eating away at some chocolately bon-bons.  Yeah, and then reality slips in!  I couldn't do that even if I HAD the time.  Who could sit still when there's so much to be done???  Well, TRUTH be told, I've actually been sick with my husband AND my mom away and had the luck to not be working for a few days this week so I actually SLEPT.  Yes, I said it, slept.  I know you're jealous.  It's been a LONG time since I was able to just sleep, during the day, while I was sick.  Imagine.  A sick day.  Now granted I had to get Chloe off the bus midday and feed her lunch before putting her back down for nap, but I'm not going to complain, because I know how great I had it for a few days.  (don't get me wrong, I was miserable and felt I was of course suffering, being alone and sick, but looking back, I am thankful a) I didn't get sicker and b) that I had the time I did to rest and take care of myself!!!).  I know there are those of you out there that NEVER EVER EVER get a break (I'm thinking of you Lacey!), and I do NOT take my chance for a break for granted.

Anyway, that brings me to what I do with all my "free time" when I'm not sick. . . can you say, "laundry" and "housework" and "school paperwork" and "household management" and "paying bills" and "cleaning" and . . . you get the idea.  It's amazing how much needs to be done.  And then on top of all that, I've started 2 new part-time jobs.  It's quite exciting really.  I haven't "worked" in over a year (and gotten PAID anyway) and I haven't worked outside of the home in over 6 years!  I'm riddled with fears of inadequacy and incompetence, but I'm pep-talking myself back into the working world.  My 2 gigs are like polar opposites, in some ways, similar in others.  I'll be working as a Local Childcare Coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair helping Au pairs and host families navigate through their exciting relationships together.  I will have about 9 families on my caseload.  It's very part time.  I'm also working in a reunification program for parents of children 0-3 who have had their child removed by the state in hopes of reuniting the family.  This is also starting out very part-time, but will hopefully grow as the program gets more established (it's a fairly new program and represents a change in philosophy by the state to streamlining the reunification process).  It's all very exciting.  I start both positions this coming week, officially, although I've already done some work at both positions over the past several months.  Wish me luck!!!  I feel a little like a fish out of water. ;)

Oh, and by the way, daddy's back!!!!