Earth Hour

Not sure how I missed this, but I was browsing the internet aroung 7:50 p.m. tonight when I came across the news headline for Earth Hour. What is Earth Hour? It's a worldwide movement in which we un-plug, turn out the lights, whatever, for one hour this evening - 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The beauty of it is you're supposed to do this at 8:30 p.m. in whatever time zone you're living in. No complicated calculating, 'well, it's 4:30 p.m. there, so...." Simple. Turn off your lights at 8:30.

We spent a nice hour by candlelight just talking. No background noise, no distractions. That in itself was wonderful, but it was especially nice knowing that we were in the excellent company of:

The Vatican
Big Ben in London
The Eiffel Tower
The Capitol Dome in Washington DC
The GW Bridge in N.Y.
The Sydney Opera House
The Pyramids
plus a few billion Earth-conscious folks.

To learn more, visit www.earthhour.org.

I've Been a Bad, Bad Blogger....

(hangs head in shame)

All's well here. I'm just adapting to my new schedule. I work 9 to noon Monday - Friday. You wouldn't think three measly hours a day would disrupt my routine (or lack thereof) but I'm having a tough time getting other things (mostly minor stuff) done.

Perhaps I'm still adjusting to my new sleep and wake cycle. Before taking the job, I'd go to bed around 12:30 - 1:30 a.m. At 6:30 in the morning, I'd roll out of bed, get dressed and bring Son #2 to his bus stop. (Dear Hubby, who has to wake earlier for work, would get Son #2 up and feed him breakfast.) Then I'd wake and feed Sons #1 and #3.

But now ... it's not enough to be merely awake. Apparently being showered, dressed and coherent is considered a "plus" in the workforce. Go figure.

Seriously, though, I'm enjoying the job. The work is fairly interesting, the people are nice, the atmosphere is relaxed -- not 'bunny slippers relaxed' but still... Not a bad gig to come out of 'retirement' for.

"BETRAYAL!!!!!"

Betrayal! That's what my brain *screamed* to me on my drive into my first day into work. I've been a stay-home mom for just over seven years now. But now I'm going back to work, part time. Yet, I feel like I'm betraying my children. Never mind that I'm only working three hours a day or so - hours that the kids are in school. I get off of work a full three hours earlier than my first child arrives home from school.

I worked Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (with a minimum 35 minute commute both ways) when Son #1 and Son #2 were very young. This is no where near as intensive as that. So why do I feel like pooh? And yet, I feel an odd sense of accomplishment (as in, I spent three hours in a law firm and didn't screw anything up).

Re-entering the Workforce

I love being a stay-home mom, but since Son #3 started school last year, I find I have a little too much free time on my hands. It seems the more time I have, the less focus I have. It's so easy to nap my day away. (cue violins)

This morning, I was lounging around - okay, napping - when I received a call from an old college buddy who now has a small law practice. He's looking for part-time admin help. He already has someone for the afternoon, but she cannot seem to work in the morning, so we'll do a job-sharing.

So, I'll work from 9 am to noon on Monday through Friday. That will leave my afternoons free and I'll still be home to greet my boys after school. On days when the kids are out of school and I don't have alternate care, my oldest son is old enought to keep an eye on his younger brothers. Not a perfect situation, but for 3 hours in the morning, they'll be fine.

The pay would be about the same as if I substituted at the schools, but the work is steadier. I plan to save for the photo-refractive eye surgery (assuming I work up the courage). Beyond that, I'll put the money in our savings account and forget about it.

I start tomorrow. It's a pretty casual office, very relaxed atmosphere. Plus it will be nice to have recent work experience on my resume, rather than the 7+ year unemployment gap. I'm feeling a bit melancholy, but I keep reminding myself it's only 3 hours, it's only 3 hours.

Aliases Part IV

Those of you following my blog for a while now, know that Son #3 (age 6) has a penchant for wanting to change his name.

Over the years, he's requested that we call him:

1) Obi Wan Kenobi (kinda catchy, but doesn't go with our last name)
2) Chester (um, no)
3) Michael (okay, not bad once he dropped the "Jackson")
4) Ovento Burrito (what the heck????)
5) Christopher (not bad)
6) Nicholas (still not bad)
7) Logan. Nickname: Lo. He actually said that.
8) Pettiman (again, what the heck?)

and most recently,

9) Inigo Montoya (as in Mandy Patinkin's character in the movie, The Princess Bride)