New Beginnings

There is something very attractive about starting anew. Whether that be January 1st, a new school year, a new job, or even Monday morning, the ability to reflect on what you can change, on what you hope for the future, on the possibilities is quite amazing. I start my new job Monday and I am going to take this as an opportunity to revamp my wardrobe. It's not that it needs replaced, it's just that I need to put a bit more effort into my self. Take some time to do my hair and makeup.....step out of my black and grey box......wear more dresses. Here are some inspiration shots:

Quite possibly the most awesome tote ever.

Where could a librarian wear this? To catalog?

This would be my go to cardigan.

Winter Florals - Erin Fetherston Collection 2014

Or maybe this would be my go to cardigan.

Classy and Warm!

Simplicity.

Transitions Pt. 1

I have been on vacation from work the past two weeks. This has allowed me a bit of insight into what daily life may be like once my time is up at JW.

Suffice it to say, I have issues.

My husband is already second guessing his desire for me to stay home. I just don’t understand why he cannot line up his shoes properly in the closet and is it that much to ask for him to wipe down the shower when he is finished ;) 

Seriously though, this is reminiscent of how I used to be. I learned to let go once I started working because there was no way I could keep up with the house and a full time job and the kids. Now that my domestic diva is back in full force, I am a bit too anxious to start changing things up again. I didn’t realize that it was going to be such a cause of concern but after mopping the floors for the third time this week, my manly man took me aside and said, “We need to talk. You cannot do this. If you proceed, I will be forced to sleep in my kennel with the coon dogs.” I thought about it for a moment….I’m not gonna lie. 

So I have to scale back. This need to clean is a need to feel necessary. To have something that shows results of hard work and if I will not be filling this need in libraryland for a time, then I need another outlet. Housecleaning need not apply.  I am going to create a weekly agenda that puts other important things, like writing and spending time with my daughters at the forefront. And after some time, I am sure we will have a system that includes keeping the house orderly.  I find pleasure and peace in a tidy home so I do not want to exclude it. I just have to make sure that I don’t drive my family insane in my quest for tidiness.  

 I have three weeks left. I am starting to get nervous. After I have done all those projects that have set by the wayside , like organizing my pictures and painting the “office”, will I long for my job back? I need to remind myself that this is not permanent.  Everything is possible. Enjoy where I am at this moment.  This is where I am supposed to be.

 Have a great weekend!!

Taking the Leap

I am on countdown. A month ago, I put in my resignation as the Assistant Director of Library Services. The reasons for doing so were numerous, including an hour commute and lack of family time, but some of my reasoning stemmed from feeling. The feeling that I was being sucked into a routine of dull, a life of blahness.  I was too tired to pursue all of those things that make life worth living to me. Creativity? Gone. Energy? Gone. It was the same wake, work, eat, sleep every. single. day. Millions of people are okay with this lifestyle (or maybe they are not but they are too scared to change it) but I am not. I want to be fearless and that meant taking a deep breath and resigning. I am losing my salary and family health insurance. I may have irrevocably hurt my career. I am losing camaraderie with amazing colleagues. And I am okay with that. Because I am gaining freedom. I am seeking out creativity. I am finding myself. No amount of money can compensate for that. Am I scared? Do I wonder at least three times a day if I have made the right decision?
Absolutely. That's why I read this article (and others like it) when I start to feel a bit worried and then I know   my family and I will be fine.

You Can Break the 9-5 Grind