Follow the Yellow Brick Road

By
Life is tricky – I mean, we’re all trying to get it right, and even figure out what right is. And obviously, that’s something different for each of us. And then it changes as we go along.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I have no idea what I’m even doing here.

At various times in my life I felt sure about where I was going, and what I was doing. Now, I really have no idea whatsoever – I’m making this shit up as I go along.

At the same time, I totally have to tell myself #firstworldproblems. Seriously, there is no part of me that doesn’t recognize how lucky and privileged I am. Not that I haven’t worked hard for what I have, including the time and space to try and figure out what the hell I want to do. Yeah, I’ve worked hard, but it helps when you start out in a good place.

Meanwhile, here I am. Trying to figure out where I go from here.

This blog has been a loose collection of stories from my perspective as a working mother – which is a stressful, hectic gig. And, that hasn’t changed. I’m still working – it’s just that that work looks a whole lot different now.

Seriously, so different I’m having trouble even recognizing myself.

Times, They are a Changin’

My co-workers and employees are delightful
I had a networking lunch today and it was really weird getting dressed up in business clothes since I now live in yoga pants and sweatshirts. Though I’m currently wearing a puffy vest and gloves as I sit here writing – it’s remarkably cold in this room. Nobody cares though because my clients can’t see me. I’m a voice on the phone and an avatar or picture on their screen. It’s a huge life change. I’m trying to ensure it stays a positive change, and I don’t turn into an un-showered slob anchored to a computer (which is an actual risk, especially when I have overlapping deadlines).

Besides my work habitat and style, this change has had an enormous impact on my family. For the most part, it’s reduced overall family stress. Everyone is less frantic, more organized and calmer.

Except me.

I mean, seriously, I’m trying to start a business, drum up clients, complete paying projects, deal with school drop off and pickup, negotiate the whole working from home with kids around thing (I’ve found that my children actually spend very little time in school), constantly remind everyone (including Mr. Puff) that I AM still working and I have not, in fact, become a stay at home mom, teach my six year old to read…oh, and I joined the PTA board and volunteered to produce the monthly PTA newsletter.

Help, I appear to be drowning.

Honestly, I spend every other minute feeling desperate and frantic, while reminding myself that I need to calm the hell down and realize how #blessed I am. And now I need to go slap myself.
Anyway, things are changing over here in the Puff patch.

For the better, I hope.

I’ll keep you updated.

Popular posts from this blog

Action Princesses Save the Day

By
Image
Three kids is only one more than two. I know, it's simple math.  It's amazing how hard that one extra kid can make parenting sometimes, especially now that we're outnumbered and none of our kids are what you'd call sedate, but it's just one more kid. Yet, the real difference between two and three is how people react to seeing me out and about with my three girls. I was mom to two girls for four years before number three joined the troop, so I've noticed the difference in commentary and reaction from the judging public (and it's amazing how many people feel compelled to say something). With just the two girls, I got a lot of compliments on the cute and how great sisters are. With three, I get a lot of, “whoa, three girls!!!” And then one of two follow-ups; either, “Wow, that’s going to be really rough when they’re teenagers,” or, “Well, you're lucky, at least girls are more cautious and quiet, three boys would be so much tougher.” I want to smack the...
Read more

Cheetahs, and Dragons, and Angels, Oh My!

By
Image
One of the things I love best about having kids, besides the unquestioning acceptance of whatever weirdness I feel like dishing out at any given moment, is that they remind me to be imaginative and see wonder everywhere. Sure, I dump water on some of the magic with facts and science-y explanations, but they always bring the wonder. But then, when I consider the science from a child’s perspective, it reminds me that the cold hard facts are pretty miraculous too.  Simple things like lightning, wind and how a cloud forms are fantastic and amazing again – they remind me to look and notice and marvel at something as simple as the sparkling dew on our windshield this morning. And then there’s Quokka, who drives me to rediscover my creativity and reminds me that I was once a fantastical kid before adult responsibility sobered me up like a hard slap to the face. Some part of me let go of that wild, impractical imagination because it didn't serve a purpose. I spent more time on “real” ...
Read more

Floored

By
Image
The dog died and our last reason for not doing something about our awful, disgusting carpet died with him. When we bought the house 12 years ago, we were informed the owner had installed the cheapest possible carpet to sell the place. It was indeed cheap, and crappy, and really light beige. But, you know, kids and dogs, and potty training, and chocolate milk, and juice, and muddy shoes… We just…let it ride…for more than a decade. Once, in a fit of exhaustion, I ripped the carpet out of the dining room, which was also the main traffic pattern in the house – path to the kitchen and all – because I couldn’t face the futile task of cleaning it one more time. We polished the slab, applied some sealer, and had a “designer” cement floor for a couple of years. The rest of the house was a scruffy calico of cheap oak veneer, tile, and fraying carpet mottled with stains. The stairs in particular were bad – both ugly and approaching official bio-hazard designation. I was repelled...
Read more