Sabbatical: Day 1

I woke up early this morning.

Irwin was draped across Jason's legs while Bindi was happily nestled in the small of his back. Jason was covered in cats... a common occurance in our house.

Golgi bounced up on to the bed and announced his presence with a rolling chirp, "I'm here! Entertain me! Please me! While you're at it, FEED me!"

I am now an unemployed person. I've worked since I was 16. My identity has been wrapped in my job for half my life, I am full of butterflies and vultures! It will be good to separate the two. My friend asked me if I hoped to reinvent myself when I move away. I told her I want to be more of myself. I've been stifled by my sense of responsibility to my work. Being free of that, I hope, will help me figure out myself a little better.

While on a self reassuring rant last night in the truck, I reminded myself that I have a pretty good skillset to fall back on! Just because I'm not working for a while doesn't mean I'll never be able to. I can always find some middle management job in many fields, but I'd rather not!

I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom for our children. Truthfully, I would be HORRIBLE! Not in a mean way! Just in a complete-lack-of-skills way! I'll be a loving, attentive and nurturing mom, but the kids will eat the same thing over and over! I hope to take this time to develop some home-ec skills! Cooking? Only in a microwave, right? Sewing? Uh, maybe a pillow form! Cleaning skills? Uh, no.

So, here are my plans for Canada to keep myself busy as I practice becoming a homemaker! Sewing classes for skills, vocal lessons to help me on my path back to the theatre, volunteering at the Royal Jubilee Hospital where my sis-in-law works, and exploring my new home.

Oh, I'll also spend some time catching up on movies! Perhaps my inner movie critic will emerge. I may even start reading again. I'm not the best reader, or even a good one, so, maybe I'll throw down two books during my sabbatical!

I really want to explore my craftiness. Since I was in high school at B-CC I have been very crafty with sculpture and embroidery. I've pretty much abandoned the embroidery, but I've had my spark reignited by looking at Princess Lasertron. http://www.princesslasertron.com/

I figure if I have a set goal then I will be able to avoid the pitfalls of inevitable boredom. There will be a Holiday Craft Show in Oak Bay. I'd like to try to sell some of my pieces at craft shows. Depending on how that goes, I'd like to see how I do on Etsy. I'll focus on craft shows first. I've only done two before! I have much to learn.

We will be living across the street from Jason's mom's houe. She has a nice little garden. I'm looking forward to learning some skills from her. Jason's dad is quite the chef. I hope to learn some cooking skills from him! Jason's step-mom volunteers at a museum very close to where I live. Maybe I'll look into museum volunteering!

Today I have to work on packing away my little nest of crafts. I am not looking forward to this!

I have to have it done soon! My mom arrives tomorrow afternoon. I'd like to have everything done in the house so that we can just play while she's here!

We leave for Canada on Friday with the kids, Irwin, Bindi and Golgi. I will be able to relax once they are safe in our new apartment, but not until then!