Thursday, August 6, 2009

The (Unemployment) Party is Over

Now I've done it. I went and got myself a job. I start on Monday. Monday! Remember the Prospective Employer? She called last week and said the waiting list of laid off attorneys has been cleared and she is now free to offer me the position.

I thought, yeah, yeah, I've heard something like this before. We'll see. Her assistant emailed me a contingent offer to which I responded with a contingent acceptance.

They're preparing my office. They gave me instructions about the parking garage. They quoted me a salary.

Oh boy, I think I'm actually going to have to go to work on Monday. How can this be?

Okay, I know you don't feel sorry for me. I know you've had to work right along, sneaking out to appointments and b/w draws. I know you've had to take phone calls at work you'd rather not take. You've been tired and cranky and over-worked and wanted to run screaming from your office at times. Trying to juggle work and all things IF/cycle related has been taxing. I know. I admire you, respect you and don't know how the hell you do it. And I don't expect you to sympathize with my having to get my tired butt off the couch and go to work.

But I want to whine for a minute anyway. Waaaaaah.

Who will lovingly tend my garden all day long? I won't be able to browse the internet and blog half the day. I will have to take the dogs to doggy daycare before work on the days neither my DH nor I are home. I am going to have to get up early. Early! I don't like early. Anything before 7:30 is still "last night" in my book. My life is about to become significantly more complicated.

Oh, I'm such a wimp. I didn't used to be a wimp. Being home has spoiled me - and I loved it. I was in such shock and was horrified when I learned I was being laid off. Looking back now, I truly believe it was the perfect answer to several prayers. I am grateful that I had this time and so many magical experiences. Each of them a gift.

I found our Clinic and was able to freely communicate with, and travel to, them. I found the blogsphere and all of you, my dear friends and sisters. I housebroke our dog who used to have accidents all the time. I planted a garden - for the first time ever! - and have been able to spend a lot of time watching it grow. I have been able to spend a lot more time with my DH, which has been so good for us. I got pregnant! And now I've found a job that I think will be much more fulfilling and worthy of my time and energy. The pay will be an enormous pay cut as compared to my job at the private firm, but I wouldn't trade any of the above for that six-figure salary. My life over the past 9 months has SO been worth the loss of that job.

Once I start the new job, I'll tell you more about it. For now, I have to think about what the heck I'm going to wear and go rooting through my closets! I haven't worn "real" clothes in a long, long time. I suppose shorts and t-shirts are still not appropriate office attire. Too bad.
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15 comments:

Mad Hatter said...

Whine away! I completely sympathize! And, if I might be daring enough to say, I don't think it is any coincidence that fertility has declined at the same time that both women and men are working 12-hour days...Back 'in the day', men worked 9 to 5 and women didn't work at all. They ate healthy, homecooked meals and had a much more relaxed lifestyle. I'm not suggesting women should stay home all the time, but I think temporarily taking it a little easier, working a little less, having less stress, watching the garden grow...I think it would do us all a world of good (as it has clearly done for you). Good for you for taking that time, and congratulations on your job. I am sure you will be able to keep it all balanced now that you have had a taste of the slow life!

Alex P said...

I think that whining is allowed! this is your blog, you can say whatever you choose! If we dont like it, we dont have to read it! I'm a fellow un-employee, and I dont think you should apologize. You have your own stuff to worry about- getting used to your change in circumstance is just the start! 9 months of adjusting, budgeting, and finding your emotional center may be just the worlds perfect amount of time for you to be ready to get back on the horse, or whatever.

You're fabulous, and you can whine all you like!

cindyhoo2 said...

If I could find a way to both eat and be able to be a stay at home person, I would gladly do so. I think the life of a domestic goddess sounds divine. Also I will miss your frequent posts now that you will have paid tasks to keep you busy. Boo to you returning to work! I do hope you enjoy your new job though.

Anonymous said...

at this point, i think i'll freak out if i ever get a job again. lol.

best of luck!! i'm sure its like riding a bike, right?

xoxo

Fran said...

You got the job!! this is amazing! I know it's unsettling a bit now that you have experiences the luxury of being a lady of leasure!! But you'll be fine, and the garden will be too! Lots of love, Fran

Riley said...

Congratulations on the job. I know making the adjustment back to the world of work is going to be difficult but it sounds like you've had an amazing time off and so many wonderful experiences. Reading about them, almost makes me want to get laid off! But I better be careful what I wish for since I work for government as well, and we are undergoing major budget cuts. So glad you got to do so many wonderful things, and it sounds like once you get used to your new routine, this job will be a great one.

Anonymous said...

whine away! returning to the world of work is never fun.

hope your first day goes smoothly.

Bowers Family said...

Definitely whine! I'll whine with you! Everyday I pray that we will win the lottery. I like what I do but I wish I could do it 2 days a week :) Congrats on the job though. At the very least it will make your days go by much quicker during this pregnancy. The appointments will come a tad bit quicker. Faster = good.
Enjoy your weekend!!!

Team Marmanbee said...

Congrats on the new job! I feel like I've missed so much important news! Still trying to catch up.

Anyway - I hope you have a fantastic first day at work, and that it's even better than staying home with the doggies and plants. Might be hard to beat, but you never know :-)

stillhopeful said...

I would whine if I were you, too! But I'll tell you... I'll bet you find that you actually get a lot more done in your personal life than when you weren't working. I know I find that if I take a few days off, I don't have the same urgency, and things tend to slip a little, but when I'm working, I'm so much more efficient.

I think you'll surprise yourself by how much you'll still accomplish. And it sounds like this will be a fulfilling job that will inspire you even more!

tireegal68 said...

I get it totally - I secretly fantasize about being laid off - even though we would be broke!!!
I know I know - it's not a popular view point!
But I guess the good news is that you have about 7 or 8 ? months of employment and then you will be off for a while again, right? Does the state give you maternity leave and / or pay you anything?
It's great that you got pregnant and "relaxed" for a good long time and enjoyed the fruits of your leisure - like the garden. I think it makes us appreciate that there is more to life than just work and there are all kinds of productivity.
I will miss you if you post less often but I hope you enjoy the challenge and wish you well in finding clothes to wear!! Oh boy - I am so lucky i can wear casual clothes to work - though no shorts though!
Enjoy the weekend and your freedom!
(HUGS)

Peeveme said...

So happy you found a job and you'll adjust in no time. My one and only stint of being unemployed I wondered the same thing when I found a job and I was not nearly as productive as you!

Lorraine said...

It will definitely be an adjustment, but you'll probably be back in the swing in no time. Plus, it sounds like such a better fit for you than the private firm.

I suspect you will have to do some kind of shopping this weekend - if you are at all as puffed up as I am there is no way you will fit into your old work clothes!

embieadoptmom said...

Well CRAP! That stinks. I love being a DG!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new job! I'm sure it will be quite the adjustment, but you'll make it through just fine. Any updates on the garden?