Friday, August 12, 2011

Things I Know

Some days, I feel like I don't know nothing at all, but here are some things I *think* I know this week about combining paid & other work with young families, after doing some solid contracting hours and also some writing / reviewing.

I know that doing paid work again after a 6-month hiatus feels strange, a little uncomfortable, but also surprisingly a great relief as the thin stream of extra cash starts flowing into my bank account.

I know that we can live, and well, without what I earn ... but that it makes sudden financial crises a lot less scary if there is a bit of cushion in our budget.

I know that 2 days a week at creche is OK for the toddler and OK for me, but not really ideal for either of us, and I know that once I settle into a routine with my home-based contracting, I'm going to drop her back to only going on her beloved Thursdays, which works beautifully for us both.

I know that you should be careful what you acquire expertise in and a reputation for professionally, for once you are known as That XXX Person, you will never escape being asked to do work in that zone unless you change industries (and, preferably, countries ;-)

I know that, looking around my house, it's obvious that I am not a superwoman who can juggle both paid work and cleaning. This week was paid work, so, yeah, bombsite.

I know that the warm and genuine positive comments of readers of my NaNoWriMo book from 2010 have made me feel like a million dollars this week, and I'm so grateful to all of them. What a massive confidence boost for my writing!

Hop over to Yay for Home! to see what other people know this week.
Posted by at 8:34 AM
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13 comments:

  1. Rhianna August 12, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    I know I love bumping into fellow NaNo's! I didn't finish last year or the one before that actually but I have once :) and hoping to again this year. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you

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  2. tiff(threeringcircus)August 12, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    I know that my house looks like a bomb has hit it too and I'm not working right now. I think you are too hard on yourself or maybe I am just lazy :)

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  3. Gemma @ My Big NutshellAugust 12, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Ahhhh, well at least you know you've got the budget cushion, that's a relief.

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  4. Gemma @ My Big NutshellAugust 12, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    I know what you mean about not knowing anything. It does fell like that sometimes! I have tried to participate for a few weeks now and I didn't know anything!

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  5. KathyAugust 12, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Hi, Rhianna! *waves enthusiastically at fellow Nano* Maybe we should be writing buddies this year?

    Tiff ... In a million lifetimes I will never juggle what you juggle every week Miss Ivy is hospital-bound. A bit of contracting work is a walk in the frickin' park compared with that.

    Gemma, yeah, I feel that way MOST of the time, truth be told.

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  6. Nurture the Little PeopleAugust 12, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Hi! Stopping by from 'Yay for Home', things I know.

    it certainly is hard to juggle the work life balance. I have been back at work for a year now. I work 25 hours a week, all at night time.

    Somedays are better than others and I have loads of energy where I can be a super woman who does it all. Other days I am lucky to get anything done round the house, as at least once a month, I need a day of doing absoulutely nothing.

    As the kids get older, it gets easier.

    Nicola

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  7. Veronica FoaleAugust 12, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    I'm not superwoman either. I'm pretty sure being superwoman is overrated anyway.

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  8. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    mmmm bomb site....sounds like my place......LOL

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  9. Kellie @ Three Li'l PrincessesAugust 12, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    I'm so glad you can't see my house at the moment! ;)

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  10. UnknownAugust 12, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Mine too is a bombsite!

    I know what you mean about the XXX person but in a smaller scale: I became known as the Excel Queen in a few previous lives, and though it was nice helping out people with their formula problems, sometimes I had my own deadlines to meet without having to worry about someone else;s spreadsheets...

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  11. amandaAugust 14, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Oh, yay for the positive feedback on your writing!

    And I am dreading getting paid work next year, I just don't want to do it! I am still trying to find that happy place inside my head, I really don't want to be stepping outside that door yet.

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  12. DeborahAugust 14, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    I don't do paid work and still my house is a bombsite. Not sure if it's an achieveable goal for most mothers. You're doing really well to be juggling. :)

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  13. shaeAugust 14, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Hope you settle into a rhythm soon. FWIW my house is a bombsite too!

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