Week 2 - Monday

Changes and more changes...the story of my life! I guess that is really the story of most people's lives. I'm no different.

Well, I left a very stable position with a large company to explore the growth potential at a smaller, newer company. And, when I say small, I mean it. I was the fourth person in the office - two of which are owners. I knew it was a risk but it seemed like the perfect opportunity and I felt I could excel at the position and make a difference!

Well, as with most risks, this one didn't pan out. I don't want to bash anyone for anything - more because of the fear of a law suit. However, let's just say that expectations were way out of line, there was a lot of lying to set me up to fail and the office felt like something out of a James Bond movie - moving security cameras that would alert one of the owners if something moved in front of it, security doors with fingerprint coded locks. And you think I am kidding!

I am really summing this up in a short story so that I can move on to the present. Everyday I would drive an hour into the office with an upset stomach and tears in my eyes. I was poked and prodded most days and told things like I wasn't a good return on investment (this was 2 months into my employment) and that I needed to make $50,000 a month by selling a service that most people have inhouse. I never felt like they (the owners) saw me as an asset to the team. Not to mention that they have very poor leadership skills and one has absolutely NO people skills whatsoever. Todd labeled them as "professionally immature." I don't think I could have thought of a better description.

Bottom line, they were planning on giving me a "review" which I believe was just a set up to trash me yet again. In the meantime I was asked to come up with my goals as to how I was going to make them $50k a month - with a note that they have to seriously look at my position and how it is viable to the company. And I think there was something mentioned to the fact that "immediate action must be taken" regarding my numbers. I asked for profit and loss statements in order to determine how they made a supposed $1M in 2006 and 2007 because I knew we weren't billing that kind of dollar in 08. But I was told they had no time to do this for me and basically left me to fend for myself. Which, after many in depth conversations with Todd, I did...I quit.

My job now? I am a stay at home wife, mother of 3 furry babies and step-mom to one gorgeous four year old. I was really worried that I wouldn't know what to do with myself not going into an office. But I am finding many projects to work on here at the house and, with one week under my belt, I can already feel myself accomplishing more than I thought I would. I feel very lucky to have the husband I have - let me tell you!! He was so supportive during the six months of abuse at that job and he loves having me at home. We are lucky enough financially to allow for this to happen. Todd has mentioned many times that he would love for me to stay at home...forever! Let's take it one day at a time to see how that goes. But, with the thought of adding another human kid among the rest of the family, it may be perfect!

So...what the heck? I thought that I would take a few minutes each day to keep you abreast of my projects, accomplishments, how the family is doing, what next steps are taking place and just feel like I am closer to those I miss daily!

Last week was great. Monday was tricky because I felt a little lost. Wasn't sure what to do with myself. Especially since Todd was out of town. But I found my groove and started working on laundry (what an ongoing project that is). I can't remember which project I did which day but Wednesday I focuses on getting the house nice, clean and comfy for when Todd came home from his trip. I fixed his favorite spaghetti sauce and cookies! He was really surprised and I think that this having me at home thing is really spoiling him! Already!

Thursday Todd headed to Pheonix for work. I decided to take on the task of organizing Tatum's room - no easy feat! And I thought it would take a couple of days to really get it done. And I thought we were getting her the usual Friday/Saturday combo. Well, around noon I was talking to Todd and asked him what time he would be home. He said around 5 or so after he picks up Tatum...WHAT??? I had her room totally torn apart and now I realize that I have to have it all done in a half a day. Yikes!

I have never cleaned/organized so fast in my life. I had taken out all of her baby toys that she never really plays with anymore and had it lined and stacked all the way down the hallway. The plan was to get it in the garage. I took everything downstairs in the foyer with the next step of taking it to the garage. I went outside, used the code to open the garage door and that's when I saw it. A large gray spider that was about the size of the palm of my hand. Ummmm, I didn't know if it was alive or dead but I did know I wasn't going to chance an encounter! So I punched in the code and watched the door come down. Now what was I to do with all that crap?? I decided to stack it in the laundry room and made a mental note to put that on Todd's project list!

Tatum loved her new organized room! She was so excited. And, to top it off, we now have a prize bucket. What is a prize bucket? The most awesome way to get her to clean up after herself!! I can't believe how great it works.

So, what I did...I went to Target and hit the $1 section. I got about 5 things - an activity book, two puzzles, a hand puppet and stickers. I put all these items in a cute little bucket. I talked to Tay about how when Daddy works real hard he earns a paycheck so that he can buy things. I told her that, if she works hard to keep her room clean, she earns something from the prize bucket. This is sort of like the start of an allowance idea! So, every night before bed, she helps me clean up her room. Then she gets to pick a prize. The first night was funny - she wanted to go to bed at like 7!! Only because she wanted a prize from the bucket. But it didn't take long for her to really catch on to the concept. I couldn't believe that I didn't have to clean up a huge mess after we took her home. She did such a great job and I gave the prize bucket a kiss!!

Well, this is week two. My goals for the week are:
1. Get the provisioning done for our sailing trip - DONE
2. Organize the linen closet
3. Start my blog - DONE
4. Work on some Hermitage Cat Shelter stuff (I am on the board)
5. Clean the bathrooms real good (including vacuuming the cobwebs from the window sills)
6. Organize our closet a little better - need to get rid of some things we don't use
7. Get my hair cut tomorrow
8. Meet up with a friend of mine (the only one I had at that place of employment) for lunch
9. Help take care of Tay Thursday and Friday
10. Get my name changed on my license

Those are the goals but I will add more if time allows.

So this is the beginning of The Chronicles of a Housewife. Leave me some comments - I love to hear from you. I don't know what time each day I will write or if I will write more than once a day. But I promise to make this a commitment beginning now. And it may be fun to see where it goes from here!