Six months
July 5, 2007 – 4:28 pmToday marks 6 months since I packed up my boxes, turned off my computer, and shut off the light in my office for the very last time.
Six months since I quit my job to stay at home with my son.
Six months since I stopped receiving a paycheck
Six months since I had that first taste of freedom.
Six months since I had to answer to a boss other than myself.
Six months since I had to get up, showered, and presentable in order to get to work by 8 (or 9…)
How quickly time goes by!
This is a major milestone! A life event! A truly momentous occasion! (Hopefully my dear husband will read this post and bring me something fantastic to commemorate.) In the meantime, I feel that I should say something profound.
But profound is not my bag, baby. At least not right now. So instead, I’m going to play a little game I like to call “In and Out.” It’s like the thing they do in fashion mags… In: wedge sandals. Out: Birkenstocks. You know…
Here goes.
OUT: Requiring medicinal assistance just to go to sleep
IN: Sleeping soundly through the night
OUT: Panic attacks and high blood pressure
IN: Yoga
OUT: A whole day of meetings without so much as a bathroom break
IN: A whole day at the beach
OUT: Shaking hands with the sweaty palms of middle-aged businessmen
IN: Sweet, sticky kisses from my adoring son
OUT: Reading email
IN: Reading novels, biographies, non-fiction, blogs…
OUT: Writing email
IN: Writing blog entries, articles, my book
OUT: Spending inordinate amounts of time with people I really don’t like that much
IN: Getting together with the friends whose company I enjoy
OUT: Spending money on lattes, clothes, car payments, lunch…
IN: Not spending money
OUT: Wearing clothes that have to be dry-cleaned
IN: Wearing the same clothes every day
OUT: Living and breathing WORK
IN: Living and breathing PERIOD
OUT: Fluorescent light
IN: Sunshine
OUT: Recirculated air
IN: Fresh air
OUT: Sitting at a desk for hours and hours
IN: Walking, running, jumping, skipping, leaping
OUT: Guilt
IN: Happiness
“Now is the time to live your ideal life.” — Cousineau
I believe it now more than ever.
***
Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to email updates or the RSS feed. 
Random Posts
Mother. Coffee drinker. Information seeker. Skeptic. Creative. Dreamer. Schemer. Absolutely Bananas.
By Karen on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Love it! So many great points and there are probably 100 more!
[Reply to this comment]
By Lene on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Oh Jenny! I love this post!
Congrats on making it to the 6 month mark.
I will be going back to work soon, and I am not really looking forward to it. This post gives me words as to why. Thanks!
[Reply to this comment]
By Sunshine on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
A very lovely post.
And I think your “Ins” are a great reminder about some of those nice simple wonderful things that we take for granted.
[Reply to this comment]
By Annie on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
A great post! I think in those times I find myself wondering ’should I go back to work?, soon?’ I’ll just come here and read this post :)
[Reply to this comment]
By Brillig on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Awesome, awesome post. Thanks for the reminders. This really IS the time to live the ideal life. Love it.
[Reply to this comment]
By JaniceNW on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
In Seattle Birkenstocks are never ever out!!!
Happy Anniversary!
[Reply to this comment]
By Jennifer aka Binky Bitch on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Great post! Very timely, as I’ve had the urge to get a job.
You’ve reminded me why I don’t really want to do that! Thanks!
[Reply to this comment]
By Kimberly on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
I thought you said it wasn’t going to be profound? That was amazing! And I don’t mean read it once and think “Oh, that’s kinda neat” amazing…I mean, “Wow! I want to print that out, frame it, and hang it on my wall amazing!”
Thanks so much for reminding me why I love my new job so much. =)
[Reply to this comment]
By sam on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Oh I so LOVE this post!
It’s perfect, perfect, perfect.
I am longing to be a SAHM more now then ever!
Oh, gotta go… meeting time. Ugh.
[Reply to this comment]
By Worker Mommy on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Congrats…perhaps one day I’ll be able to join the world of the SAHM’s.
Oh wait I like money too much. Totally kidding :)
How great for you !!!
In my perfect world I’d only work out of the home about 10-15 hrs per week and still make the same income!
[Reply to this comment]
By Mamma on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Whoa! Major envy!
Congrats! I loved your in/out list.
[Reply to this comment]
By Jo Beaufoix on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
I agree so much AB.
I’ve been a SAHM for a while now.
I suppose at work I wouldn’t be playing hunt the poop, or where’s my mobile phone gone, but even so, your list makes up for all that.
love it.
[Reply to this comment]
By Gledwood on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
hi what’s your book about? fiction/non
i’m gonna write a book soon
i’ve already written one but didn’t like it so am starting on another
oh what was i going on about… fireworks at your friend’s blog… well i posted the story there some people are so stupid!
good day to you!
come to my blog and say hi!!
gleds
[Reply to this comment]
By Oh, The Joys on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Lucky you! So glad the SAHM role is working for you - sounds amazing.
[Reply to this comment]
By andi on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Great post. I so wish I felt that way about staying at home with the kiddos. Sadly, I think I may go back to work at the end of my one-year maternity leave, though, as I’m just not sure I’m cut out for this 24/7 thing. I’m so happy that your choice to stay home has worked out for you.
[Reply to this comment]
By Lisa on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
YEAY YOU.
Can I link Ya? You are one of my favorite new finds. If you don’t want to be linked, just let me know. K?
[Reply to this comment]
By Mama Zen on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Staying at home does have it’s moments, doesn’t it?
[Reply to this comment]
By bellevelma on Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Nicely put!
[Reply to this comment]
By Cathy on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
Loved this post. (and the one you wrote when making the decision)
[Reply to this comment]
By www.nolanotes.com on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
Great post! It is nice to be grateful. Glad you are happy with your decision. Good luck with the book writing.
[Reply to this comment]
By Jenn on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
Excellent! I’m all jealous and stuff now.
[Reply to this comment]
By Midwest Mommy on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
This is great! I do wish my husband could enjoy all of this with my daughter and I. Life as a stay at home mom would be perfect if that could happen.
[Reply to this comment]
By Queen Heather on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
Awesome! Congrats on your no work anniversary.
[Reply to this comment]
By Mert on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
I loved this post! I loved your list of ins and outs:)
[Reply to this comment]
By Cate on Jul 13, 2007 | Reply
Hey…we have the same life! Well, kinda…I left my office job over 2 years ago when I had Zander…and I never went back! SAHM Life is sweet, ain’t it?!?
[Reply to this comment]