a perfect ending....{after a new beginning}....

First, thank you to all of you who commented and voiced your

support of my returning to part-time work.  I have really experienced

a plethora of emotions.  'Cause while the opportunity is near-perfect, at just 20 hours

per week, in the industry I have significant experience and success, time off when my 

children are off {including summers!}, it was a week of mixed emotions.

I returned to work as a Development Director at a private school.  I worked

in  not-for-profit  management, specifically fundraising, before I had

my children.  This job opportunity was brought to my attention by the 

Development Director at my daughter's school - she knew about

my prior experience and my desire to return to work, albeit part-time.  

It was quite the serendipitous road back to work.....

I admire those of you who are "pursuing the work of your dreams", acting

on your desires to put your creative talents out there.....I dabbled in

what I had thought were my creative urges and was lucky to 

be able to work with an amazing editor of a national magazine

{Ki Nassauer}, realize the long held dream of having

 my home photographed for a magazine, have

a "behind the scenes" role for a large antiques show {Junk Bonanza}

and help friends and neighbors style their homes.

I am a lucky girl.

But I am also a practical girl and steady professional work is 

probably best suited to me.  My creative side will be practiced in my own

home...oh, just you wait!  I will continue to devour every decorating/styling

magazine, e-zine, and blog I can get my hot little hands on.

For now, working 20 hours per week and tending to my family life

will fill my bucket and my time......

And blogging......yes, I have no intention of stopping this quirky, unpredictable,

frivolous online journey with you all.....

It was a busy week, an emotionally draining week, but also a good week.....

On Friday {my day off!}, I ventured to a holiday open house at local 

antiques mall!  It was a wonderfully indulgent day but much needed after

my stressful week!  I don't know what it is about strolling the aisles

of an antiques mall with a good girlfriend - chatting and laughing and saying, "oh

that is cute" about a hundred times - that fills my soul and charges my battery, but

I am so glad it does!

I can't say I am entirely ready for the holiday season.  I love Thanksgiving and loathe the rush

to Christmas that the retail community seems to do.  However, I did buy

this pretty little angel......Isn't she sweet?

After returning home from my day spent with a good friend, my husband

insisted we go to a 'Happy Hour' - just like old times before kids.  When 

we were first married and living in Chicago, we often met after work for

Happy Hour, catching up on our day and making a dinner of it! {I don't

believe we even ever had food in our apartment!}

Friday was my best day.....so far.....

***** I updated my Blog List on my sidebar with some new friends and

blogs who have inspired me lately!  Go check them out!