seasons change.. and so do we:

 I guess it's fitting that I just got this tree mug for "Mother's Day"...(the leaves change from brown to green when hot drinks fill it).  Because the times, they are a-changing.

As I hinted at last week, there's some new developments happening here.

Namely, this stay-at-home-mama is now going back to work!

Only part.part-time that is.

But, literally back to work... at my past workplace ~ Benjamin Moore Paint Store!

It's been a recent whirlwind of coinciding coincidences that brought us to this point.

+ Our baker Ben has been trying to find more work in a city (in)famous for unemployment.

+ Both our Mom's suggested that maybe I could pull a few shifts somewhere - and they would help watch the kids.

+ My old boss kindly (generously) took this prodigal worker back (after the various times I have 'quit/traveled/left' in the past nonetheless!).

+ Ben is also home early enough in the morning to watch the kids for the couple days that I go in to work now too.

So, yah, that was all a bit sudden.

I'm still processing how I feel about it all...

 The mushy-sentimental-mama-side of me is feeling some abandonment issues.

(Yes, especially when I picture them sitting at the window awaiting my return..!).

I want to be home with them.

But sometimes I remember these moments too....

...and am eager to have a small escape from the chaos.

Heh.

But, I do know that I will be so eager to run home and hold them extra tight on work days.

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So, back to work.. for the first day - TODAY!
(So, of course the babe has been up every two hours since 2am.. woo!).

Back to work also means BIKE to work... so that's going to be a great motivator to get me back in shape!

Paint is in my blood.

I'm a 'colour geek' and still have so many names/codes locked in my head.

So I am excited to be back in that creative element.

With ol' co-worker friends I know.

Back downtown in my home city.

A lot of familiar things to return to.

But I feel different.

I've changed... it's been about 7 years since I've been there.

(I ran an art studio for youth after this job, before having kids).

 I've grown, stretched, lived, learned.

Maybe I'll be a bit less of a dork this time around... maybe.

(Oh, and thank you Value Village 50% sale for supplying my back-to-work wardrobe... no more yoga pants and snotty sweaters for me!).

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You mamas out there, do you remember your first day back to work (if you've returned?).

I'm really curious - if you need to have you kids watched (i.e. PAID care, daycare, etc) how does it even add up?  I don't get how one works, and pays someone to watch their child.. but still makes a profit in the end to live off?  Am I missing something?
Unless your job pays double what your 'sitters' hourly wage is I suppose?

Just wondering.....

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Ok, so there you have it!

Interior design, colour consultant, paint mixer - mama:

Mel ;o)