Sunday, December 08, 2013

New Normal (154.8)

Tomorrow I start my new job.  I was looking at my schedule for next week and realized (again) it's been 8 years since I've worked a 40 hour week.  I'm more than a little intimidated by the idea.

And it's not just the time at work.  It's all the things I did during the day when I was self employed that I now have to do after work hours, like opening our mail, paying bills, making appointments for haircuts or the doctor, calling the insurance company when there have been issues (I still have to deal with our insurance claiming the Children's Hospital is out of network), talking to my mom or friends, talking with my husband, sitting in front of my SAD light (this one worries me--I have to get up 30-45 min early, and early mornings & me don't go together, yet).  The smart thing to do would be to go to bed early, get up early, do the household bills & computer stuff while using my SAD light (like I am now).

It's going to be an intense new normal for a while.

But then I remind myself that millions of women work 40 hours a week and manage to someone get everything else done.  They may be frazzled, crazy, out of control women some days, and I know I will be too, but they manage. 

I've spent the last few days getting my house ready for the New Normal. I cleaned out our kitchen closet, which housed the kids craft projects and school supplies--4 shelves of stuff that has accumulated over the past several years since the last time I cleaned it out.  I filled 4 big garbage bags and put everything in bins (as opposed to cardboard boxes or shopping bags); now we can get to what we need easily and all the junk is gone.

That allowed me space to move my scrapbook supplies--of which there is a ridiculous abundance--to the top shelf and off my desk in the front room.  I mourned the incomplete albums and photos I haven't done anything with while I relocated them.  I have no idea when I'll get pictures sorted and put in albums.  Someday.... (code for never).  And now I have a desk ready to take care of all the household stuff at home instead of at work.  It took me all day Friday and was totally worth it.

I keep telling myself, the busier and more active I am, the busier and more active I'll be.  An object in motion stays in motion. I have no idea when I'll fit in exercise.  I haven't fit it in for months.  Now when will I do it? 

Just like with Sophie's surgery, the anticipation is probably way worse than the reality will be.  So many unknowns, and I don't do well with unknowns.

Sophie is doing incredibly well.  Everyday is better.  She can get in & out of bed and in & out of the car without hurting herself.  She can do everything herself except pick things up off the floor (she uses her feet a lot and tries, though).  She met with her homebound teacher twice last week.  Since the first several rough days at home, it has been fairly smooth and easy.

Thursday's follow up visit to St Louis was cancelled.  We were 20 minutes out of town when the nurse called & said the sleet and ice had already started and we should probably turn around.  I wanted to just go ahead and risk it, but my wise husband told me to turn around.  Glad he did.  Getting there probably would have been fine, but coming home would have meant driving through a wintry mix the entire way. 

So Tuesday, Mark is taking Sophie to the appointment.  This does not sit well, but I have no choice.  Can't very well ask for a day off on my second day of a new job.  I will make a list of questions, prep him on how to get to the office, and let it go.  It will be fine.

It's all going to be fine.

7 comments:

Vickie said...

Have husband record the appt so you hear exactly what is said.

I too had to let the scrapbook concept GO.

I now use plain old albums where each picture just goes in its sleeve and nothing is fancy. No words, no trim, no papers, no cut outs.

Do you have the pictures printed?

Is this something Sophie would like to do?

Jill A said...

You will be fine Laura. I do it all day every day and have for the last 6 years. Yes it's an adjustment, but you are smart and capable and you'll get into a rhythm in no time. I think also you'll find that you have pockets of time during the day to take care of personal things. You'll make it work and it will be great.
Let us know how it goes!!
xoxox

Vickie said...

Have been thinking about you, your first work day is probably about half way finished by now. Hope it was not too stressful. This might end up being a much better fit for you in general.

Vickie said...

Even if you do not take care of personal things during the work day, you will have time to jot yourself notes and prioritize, which may end up being a real time saver.

Laura N said...

Prob will post as unknown but it's Laura. Love my new boss. Think I'm really going to like it here. People are great. They like to have fun. The work is always changing and each students case will be unique. I love new things and keeping busy so this is a great fit for me. Slow training period right now. Still don't have an email so I can't get into a lot of the systems but Tech should have it soon. Was hard for Mark yesterday but we had a good talk last night.

Sophie's trip to StL postponed again to next Tuesday. Ice patches on interstate.

Vickie said...

I can imagine it was hard for him, but might be the best thing in the long run. Very glad you like the people.

Vickie said...

How did the rest of the week go?