Shoes and Other Addictions

No, the shoes are not my addiction....they are my SON'S addiction!! He is 28 months old and he is so particular about shoes...which ones he wants to wear, what shoes other people are wearing...in books, he immediately looks for/at the shoes and we hear about shoes contstantly! He wants shoes on first thing in the morning and I ask him to pick out his shoes...if I choose them there will inevitably be a tantrum. I know this is probably a phase, along with a million other phases we will ride through and I mostly get a kick out of it...but there are many mornings when the word "shoes" is the last word I want to hear.

My recent "addiction", of sorts, is this job. The "non-perks" of the last post aren't so prolific anymore, and it is becoming quite routine and enjoyable. However, a day does not go by where I am not thinking or talking about this job and the "market". It feels good and it feels very strange to have something other than motherhood and Sam to think/talk/dream/obsess/worry about. I do find myself looking forward to the end of the market season already, but only because I am so physically tired at the end of my work days. That is largly due to the pregnancy and my ever-growing belly (of which I have recent photos and will post very soon). The weather is cooling and that helps a lot, but I still find myself quite drained by the time I get home.

Non-Perks of the Job

Ok, so "non-perk" probably isn't even a word, but I needed something to describe the things that I do not like about this job. And they seem a lot like what a "non-perk" would be if it existed.

1. I am SO incredibly tired at the end of my work hours! My body basically shuts down and on the weekends my boys are anxious for me to return home and once I get there I need a cold shower, lots of water and a nap. It is 5 pm or later before I am ready to be social and the part-time hours aren't so part-time when you consider all of that.

2. Sam is really noticing my absence. He is either very clingy or testing old boundaries when he's around me OR he wants nothing to do with me. I know with time he'll adjust, but it is hard for me to not feel guilty about enjoying my time at the market, when I know that his world has been shaken.

So there are the two major "non-perks". I feel like they are pretty big ones, but I still really enjoy the job. With time, both will become less evident.

Perks of the Job

Along with the time away from Sam and the non-mommy socialization I am getting with this market job...there are some great perks!

1. A laptop computer that is Wi-Fi compatible. I have been using it at home and it is so nice to be able to get little things done while Sam is in the living room playing or outside where I can see him. I no longer have to wait until nap time!


2. Lots of free organic veggies and fruit. I don't even need to elaborate!


3. A cute business card...


4. A market cell phone...though I have my own and it almost never rings (thank goodness), it is nice to have the option to make long distance calls on the market dime instead of mine.


5. Radio time! Yes, I did a radio spot on Tuesday afternoon. It will be a weekly event...granted, it was AM radio and it lasted only 5 minutes...but nontheless, it was radio!


6. The proud title of Market Coordiantor for the "most progressive farmer's market in the nation", according to Columbia University. (which Columbia Univ., I am not sure...heh)

Anyway, I am really enjoying the job and I didn't even realize how much I needed something outside of the home and my mommy circle. I have been floating on clouds the last week. I feel so much more fullfilled...and I still get to be at home with Sam! I am such a lucky gal!

Farmer's Market Gig

Today I was officially hired as the new Wenatchee Valley Farmer's Market Manager! I am excited and nervous about the job...as one usually is about a new job. I think it is going to be a very good addition to our family socially, and financially. Wish me luck and if any of you have any suggestions for me about what a good market manager should be, please let me know!

When It Rains...It Pours!

I wasn't even looking for a job. According to "Dear Abby" I already have a handful of positions as an at-home mom that could receive an annual salary of over $100,000/year!! I am about to get a "promotion" of sorts, being 6 1/2 months pregnant...so additional, out-of-the-home, work wasn't a top priority for me.

Then I heard about this opportunity to help a pottery studio get up on it's feet out at the Tierra Learning Center, a retreat center celebrating cultural diversity. I spoke with their interim director and had meetings with the staff. It looked as though I might have a part-time job!

When I returned from my visits in Maine, I had emails and calls from friends involved with our Farmer's Market. The market manager had resigned and the position was open...many folks thought I would be great at the job. I initially thought, NO WAY!! But, as I read more of the job description, then shadowed the interim market manager, hadn't heard from Tierra in a number of weeks...I decided to apply. The board decides tonight and it looks as though I will have a part-time job beginning Saturday.

This afternoon I had a call from the director at Tierra. They are still interested in getting me involved with their pottery studio! When it rains, it pours! I had a brief discussion with them about my availability and it looks as though we'll work something out....very, very part-time...teaching a class here and there in the pottery studio!

I really wasn't looking for a job, but I found some very positive opportunities I can't decline.

New Things

Yes, as mentioned in my last post, there were many new things in and happening at my house when I returned from my trip. Some new items, new looking things and new behaviours!

Tonight was a first in bedtime history! I read Sam two books, sang him two songs, kissed him goodnight and left the room with him AWAKE...and not a peep from him!! He just went to sleep on his own. Absolutely amazing for me! I knew that Matt's mom had achieved this while I was gone, but I was not sure that he would do the same for me. I am so happy that we have reached this milestone! Thanks Pat!



Now, for the new things!

This is the deck with our amazing view from the backyard.

Here is a close up of the deck. I tried to find a before picture, but couldn't...so just imagine a pale gray, weathered deck! Much improvement!



My new laundry line. I love it!



These are the brick steps that Matt's dad built for us during a previous visit. It is pretty bare around them now, but try to imagine nice flowers and greenery around them!



We had a volunteer pumpkin plant grow from the compost. We have about six pumpkins this size and more to come. I am so excited!

WHEW!

WHEW! That is the only word I can think of to express how I feel after the last month. I don't think I have even processed everything enough to write about it in depth. I feel like a different person...more adult, more like a "woman", more like the mother I imagine others to see me as and less like the mother I saw myself as (in a good way...just more grown up...seasoned).

Some highlights:

• I flew home to Maine to help my mom and dad adjust to thier lives after my mom's stroke. The stroke left her unable to speak and with difficulty communicating through words (though she is getting better at it). I was there almost 2 weeks, the longest I have been away from Sam.


• While there I went through a myriad of emotions ranging from fear and sadness so strong I vomited to guilt for leaving Sam to elation after hearing my mother say my name. The days crept by and the weeks flew by.


• I flew home the day after the terrorists were arrested in England...needless-to-say my travelling experience was far from relaxing and uneventful. 24 hours after I left Maine I arrived in Wenatchee to Sam running across the train station parking lot screaming "mama" in a half happy, half scared voice. His smile wiggled on the edge of frown. I am still not sure how I feel about being apart from him for so long. After Matt's mom and dad left this morning, Sam is still quite confused about who is supposed to be here and who is not.
  


• When I arrived at home major changes had occurred... a newly refinished deck, a new laundry line, a new toaster oven. All wonderful gifts, but my house felt very different. I am certainly not complaining about the changes, I just haven't settled in yet.


• I started teaching a one week art camp at our local coop preschool today. It is only an hour and a half 4 afternoons this week, but it feels like so much of my time is consumed by it. I am enjoying it so far, but am glad that I do not teach elementary art full time anymore!


• I am meeting with our Farmer's Market director tomorrow morning for an informal interview for the new market manager's position. This position will be 3, 1/2 days a week, May-October, and pays very well. I think it will be a great part-time job for me with some social time away from Sam and he will only need a sitter one morning a week. We'll see if I am hired, but I have a strong feeling I will be.

To those of you who have called and I have not called back...I will...I promise. I feel like I am going and going and running to stand still. Once I can catch my breath I will call and visit. I am thinking of you all.