Officially Part-Timer

Well, as of today, I am officially a part-timer. No, not a short-timer (keep breathing, James!), but I won't be working a full 5-day / 40-hour work week anymore.

This is probably expected news to a lot of folks given my last blog posting before I went back to work. I actually approached Jeff back at the end of April, one month after I got back to work. In that month, I realized that I do still like my job, I do still like having some spending money, and the kids -- at least Claire -- do enjoy going to school. Just not 5 days a week worth. I felt as though my weekends were just a preparation to go back to work and that my already scarce time to spend with Claire had effectively been cut in half in order to also spend time with Gavin.

I think Claire feels it too; ever since I got back to work, she's been a lot more clingy and needing of my attention. I don't know if it's her (st)age, the fact that she's realizing Gavin's not going anywhere, or just the fact that I spend a lot less time with her now that I did before Gavin was born or while I was out on maternity. Maybe if I'm with her more, she'll be tired of me and want to be with Daddy again more.

I worked out my proposal -- 3 days a week with 2 in the office and 1 from home -- and presented it to Jeff who worked with HR to make it happen. As of yesterday, I am no longer a "regular employee" of Horizon Lines and am serving in a consultant/contractor role. My contract is through next year with the option to extend if this arrangement turns out to be beneficial to both sides.

I feel very blessed to have a husband and a boss that both support my decision. I know there is some trepidition from everyone involved, but the best thing we can do is try. And if it doesn't work out? Well, we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

So look for me and the kids as we traverse the great city of Dallas (and beyond!). I can't wait to get into our next set of adventures ... and to start updating our blogs again!

P.S. No, I did not bill the time it took to write this. ;)