Time for a new venture - a job. It's been almost 8 years since I last went out to work, but tomorrow that's what I'll be doing. Don't think I've been keeping it under wraps from you. The whole thing has happened pretty fast. On reflection, this is probably a good thing as my menfolk have already been calculating how my absence from home for a few hours a week is likely to affect me doing their bidding. I've had to do a fair bit of reassurance that normal mothering service will continue.
Now would be a good time to fill me with stories about how marvellous re-entry to the workforce is. Although I am a hundred percent convinced that I have found a top landing zone.
Do you think splitting infinitives is grounds for dismissal from a bookshop? Perhaps I ought to re-think my post title.
Good luck with your new job, hope it all goes well
Posted by: Maxine | 25 March 2008 at 19:14
Good luck with your new job! A book shop sounds like a great place to work!
Posted by: Kajsa | 25 March 2008 at 19:24
Good luck!
Posted by: Sharon | 25 March 2008 at 20:15
Wow. Big step! What I believe is: If it makes you a happier person overall, then it will make you a better mom, too.
And I'm thinking this is a great opportunity for your little guys to grow. (Not that kids don't grow fast enough as it is.) Thinking on my own mothering...here's an example: Often I kept on pouring the milk and snapping on sippy lids out of habit. Then one day I would realize "This kid can pour his own milk and doesn't need a sippy lid. Duh!" And I'd let the child take charge and I'd see their pride when they realized they were strong and smart enough to do it on their own.
I hope going back to work gives you and your family good realizations like that. And not just for your kids but for your husband and yourself, too.
Posted by: Stacie.Make.Do. | 25 March 2008 at 20:27
How exciting - a new chapter!
Good luck.
x
Posted by: Samantha | 25 March 2008 at 20:27
Good luck Ali! You can do it :)
Posted by: beki | 25 March 2008 at 20:29
Good luck, Ali! Are you really working in a bookshop? I hope so... how fun!
Posted by: miss chris | 25 March 2008 at 20:41
Good Luck for tomorrow ... how funny, I too posted about my new job today! I had a very sore head by the end of it, but it's good to be out there again. Have a wonderful time. x
Posted by: Julia | 25 March 2008 at 20:42
Congratulations! I'm sure it'll go swimmingly :-)
Posted by: Veronique | 25 March 2008 at 20:42
A book shop? That's getting paid for pleasure, surely? I get my book fix working in the school library one day a week!
Good luck - you'll be just fine.
Posted by: Dragonfly | 25 March 2008 at 20:57
Good luck. That's so exciting going back out into the big bad world with no children in tow! Hope that you all enjoy the change.
Posted by: Barbara | 25 March 2008 at 21:05
i bet you aren't gonna have to wipe anyone's hiney at work.
which is totally gonna ROCK.
(have a great day!)
Posted by: capello | 25 March 2008 at 21:22
Oh, a bookshop - what a lovely place to work. Wishing you a happy first day. x
Posted by: Florence | 25 March 2008 at 21:24
Well good for you!! It was 8 years for me too and the hardest thing is standing up for so long - my legs ache when I get home. But I'm loving it and I know you will. And a book shop!! Don't you just LOVE book shops!!!
Posted by: Louise | 25 March 2008 at 21:58
Congrats Ali! Welcome to the working world again! I have to say, during my short time back (just 4 weeks), I'm thoroughly enjoying it. It's forcing to be more organised about my life in general, I'm wasting less time with unimportant stuff and I'm more patient with my children when I am with them. The only thing I still find difficult is leaving my children with the childminder... (they're fine, it's me that has issues!!)I guess that just takes a bit of getting used to. Good luck!
Posted by: lina | 25 March 2008 at 22:18
PS Your title made me laugh. I remember my English teacher using that very same expression to explain split infinitives.
Posted by: lina | 25 March 2008 at 22:22
Good luck, I hope it all works out well for you :) I'm looking again after my stalled effort last year, can't find the right thing yet, but a bookshop, speaking from experience, a yummy place to be!
Posted by: raspberry | 25 March 2008 at 22:26
Oh, Ali! Hurrah! I managed a bookstore in my previous life (Before Mommyhood), and I miss being around all those words and pages of promise, interest and discovery. It will be so good for you, and for the menfolk, too, I think, though they may not realize it at first. Oooh, I kind of envy you.
And don't worry about the split infinitives, if it was good enough for a billion dollar industry, I'm sure it's just fine!
Have a great day tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you.
Posted by: Michelle | 25 March 2008 at 23:54
ooh, a book shop sounds like a great idea! Hope it all goes well, Ali.
Posted by: kirsty | 25 March 2008 at 23:58
Congrats! I'm sure you'll have a great time and all your menfolk will be fine.
Posted by: dottycookie | 26 March 2008 at 00:15
oh ali! hooray for you. i hope your first day is smooth and fun. i'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
Posted by: emily | 26 March 2008 at 01:25
Good luck!
Posted by: Dallas | 26 March 2008 at 02:14
good for you!
Posted by: janet clare | 26 March 2008 at 07:44
Good luck, just think of all those crafting books you'll be able to find!
Lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | 26 March 2008 at 07:52
Oh congratulations! You are bound to be a bit petrified, but I'm sure you'll breeze through it. How lovely - can't wait to hear all about it. Good luck. x
Posted by: Kitty | 26 March 2008 at 08:03
How exciting for you! good luck!
Posted by: Toni-Ann | 26 March 2008 at 08:14
Good luck with your new job! I worked in a bookshop part-time for a few years and loved it - the nicest job ever! Enjoy!
Posted by: Helen | 26 March 2008 at 09:01
Good luck. Don't spend all day reading!
Posted by: Simone | 26 March 2008 at 09:09
Very exciting...I work too (part time)and it feels good to have a personality and responsibilities that aren't related to the children and home. It also makes me appreciate home and my family more when I get back....good all round really! And if it's a bookshop you will be working in, I'm SO jealous !! Good luck :)
Posted by: asti | 26 March 2008 at 09:19
A bookshop? Is it our favourite neighbourhood bookshop by chance? I do hope so - I have nurtured dreams of working there one day myself ;) If it is where I think it is, then you couldn't hope for a pleasanter workplace. I'll pop in and see you some time!
Posted by: Kathryn | 26 March 2008 at 09:22
Wow! A job in a bookshop? How fab is that! Can't wait to hear all about it!
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 26 March 2008 at 10:32
great - hope you have a ball. I work a little to much...I think 2-3 days a week (in a bookshop) would be just perfect
ps split infinitives are my favourite kind - I LOVE them and just cannot understand why anyone would choose to use anything else...
Posted by: annieb | 26 March 2008 at 11:04
I think that you will really enjoy it - I know that I would love to meet somebody as friendly as you if I went to my local bookshop. Good luck and don't spend all your hard earned money on books!
Posted by: Alice C | 26 March 2008 at 11:15
congrats Ali - hope you're having a fun first day. What a tempting place to work though - hope you manage to keep some of your wages at the end of the week!
Posted by: julie | 26 March 2008 at 11:52
Good luck! I am sure you will do fabulously!
Posted by: Gemma | 26 March 2008 at 14:31
Good luck. Hope you have a lovely time.
Posted by: Lucy | 26 March 2008 at 14:38
Hopefully you will have time in your day for browsing too, which is work really as I think you need to be familiar with all of the books to help customers don't you?! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
At first glance I thought the picture was a poppadum!
Posted by: French Knots | 26 March 2008 at 14:58
Excellent! well done and good luck!
Posted by: Hay | 26 March 2008 at 17:30
Congratulations Ali and good luck in your new job!
I'm about to go back out into the 'real world' very soon and it is a bit scary.
Working in a book shop sounds perfect - I hope you'll get a good discount!!
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | 26 March 2008 at 18:53
Don't panic, you will be fine. As it's now 'tomorrow' you must have had your first day at work, so I hope you are feeling good. Take it easy this evening and be proud of yourself.
Chat soon, Liz
Posted by: Liz | 26 March 2008 at 19:23
Oh, a bookshop, you lucky thing. You'll enjoy living life in adult land again, I know you will. That it can fit nicely in with kiddie land makes it all the better.
Posted by: Megan | 26 March 2008 at 19:45
I love the photo you posted. Congratulations on your new job. I must say that I'd be poor if I worked in a bookstore. By the time pay-day rolled around, I'd owe them money. It would be the same if I worked in a craft store or a fabric store. I'm safer in a library where you don't have the opportunity to buy things.
The transition will be a tad strange at first but it will all work out to a more comfortable routine. I think your family will adjust, too.
Your splitting infinitives comment makes me laugh.
Posted by: June | 26 March 2008 at 20:19
a job in a bookshop how fantastic. I want to work in my local craftability store but as they pointed out i wouldnt earn any money as i would just buy all the lovely things. Good luck ali
Posted by: Joanna | 27 March 2008 at 08:35
Enjoy!
Congratulations!
May I admit that I am a teensy bit jealous??
Posted by: mary | 27 March 2008 at 11:07
a book shop? how fabulous! have fun!
Posted by: erin | 27 March 2008 at 15:45
Yay for new directions. I hope it is wonderful for all involved!
Posted by: Amy | 27 March 2008 at 18:31
Congratulations! I worked in a bookshop too in a previous life. I know you're going to love it! Can't wait to hear all about it. K x
Posted by: kristina | 27 March 2008 at 20:26