So, the New Year has rolled in once again, can you believe that? And I’ve got some new and exciting things in store for me this year. I’m officially home again….as in, I quit my job right before Christmas. Yep, that’s right. That wonderful, cushy, good fit for me job is no longer. You see, it seems my dear sweet hubby would much rather have me home again than to have another paycheck, so home is where I’ll be. He values my time at home more than money. At first, I was reluctant (kicking & screaming is more like it!). It was a great job, really decent paycheck, & I enjoyed the people. But, I had to make the decision that was going to be best for my family, so I gave my notice. They were very sorry to see me go and I was a good fit for that position. After all, I had only been there a short time, but all in all, they were very understanding. And now, I’m excited about the new year ahead.
My hubby has been very supportive of me trying to do something at home, using my talents and abilities, so I do very much appreciate him encouraging me with this venture. I know a lot of women are prodded to go out & get jobs by their husbands (I have witnessed that firsthand), & I’m thankful that mine is old-fashioned when it comes to that and he loves me being home and having the time to do what I want to do, as well as being a homemaker. I was momentarily blinded by a nice, steady paycheck & would have probably stayed there several years just to keep that going & give us extra income. My hubby works at home and is very entreprenurial in spirit, whereas I go the safe route. We are an interesting mix, to say the least. It might be time for me to get out of my box. Did I mention that I have worked 30 years in corporate jobs, in large corporations and small companies as an Administrative Assistant? I’ve always done pretty well with it, but he also hated to see me getting up at 5:30 every morning to get to the office by 7:30, just so I could leave at 4:30 & rush to do all I needed to do at home too. And I was too tired to get it all done. I know all of you who work full-time know exactly what I’m talking about. I can’t even imagine how you working moms handle all of this. You girls have my utmost respect.
So, it’s time for a change….again.
I‘m now excited about what the New Year might hold for me. I’ve loved decorating for a long time now and have always wanted to do something with that. So, I think that now might be the time for me to really explore that in more depth and figure out how to launch myself in a decorating business from home. I’m not quite sure how to do that yet. I’m asking lots of questions from other friends who are in this business and starting to do some research, so I’m very excited about the possibilities. I know there are a lot of people out there who love decorating too and it’s not that easy to start a business up from scratch, but that’s where my interests lie and that’s what I’d love to do. I’ll never know if I don’t give it a try. I’m going to look at taking some courses, where that will be online or here at a local college, I’m not sure yet. I will have to do some research on what will be the best course of action for me. I do have 3 months of some good, in-depth training from Ethan Allen when I was a design consultant for them for a few short months back in 2003/04. Retail, I discovered, was not my thing. It was way too much “sales pressure” and way too hard to making a living like that, so I know that is not the direction for me to go. I don’t claim to be an interior designer, I didn’t go to school for that. But, I think I can decorate pretty well, and I think I can help the average woman with putting her home together, so we’ll see where that leads me. I’d like to focus on redesigning & helping women rearrange rooms, using things they have in different ways, color consultations, shopping for something special & maybe even redoing some furniture. I love taking something that is not that great & turning it into a treasure.
I’ve got plenty to keep me busy for awhile at home. I’m looking forward to not having to get up at the crack of dawn, getting to the gym several mornings for workouts (instead of having to fit it in after work in the afternoons), having time to plan & prepare meals, getting my cleaning done during the week, & having some girl time with some of my friends too. I’ve got closets & drawers that need cleaning out & reorganizing…funny, we just moved in here 2 years ago & that already needs doing! I’ve also always wanted to have some time to give to volunteer/ministry opportunities & because of working fulltime, have never been able to do much of that. So, I’m trusting the Lord to lead me in all of this. I know He has a plan & he will take care of us, all I have to do is trust Him. That’s been so hard for me at times over the years, as I tend to jump in & try to control things by doing it MY way. I can figure this out & I will fix it, by golly! Any one else relate to that? That is something that the Lord has been teaching me this past year…to rest in Him. How hard that is sometimes. I think I’m finally learning that one, but it’s taking me long enough.
I‘d love to hear from all of you too! I know many of you work fulltime or part-time. Do you like what you do & if money were no object, would you quit work & stay at home or pursue something else that you love? I’ve heard a lot of women make the comment that they could not stay home, they just feel like they have to work for their own well being & satisfaction. I have never felt that way. I have always worked too & looked enviously at the women I saw who did stay home. For those who do stay at home, do you feel totally fulfilled by being a homemaker and/or mother? I know homemaking is almost a lost art these days, as most couples are struggling to stay afloat & most of the time it means 2 paychecks are needed. Finding that balance is hard sometimes.
Y’all will be on this journey with me too, so you can hear all the ups & downs as I figure this all out! Thanks for all the support from each and every one of you this year. This time last year, I barely knew what a blog was, much less thought about starting one. Blogging has really opened up a lot of doors for me too and I’m very excited to see what is ahead of me this coming new year. Thanks for tagging along with me and thanks for all the support I’ve felt from this wonderful blogging community. That’s one thing I’m really grateful for this past year. Moving to a new city two years ago was more challenging than I had imagined. Making new friends was difficult at times, but 2007 brought some wonderful new friends into my life, all of you included. Hope y’all have a very Happy New Year! I’m geared up for some decluttering & hopefully some fun projects this year, so I hope you’ll all stick around! (signs from Art.com)
Steph says
I have a small decorating business that I do out of my home. Email me if you would like and I can tell you what I did to get started!
Mary Lou Weidman says
Hey, this was insprirational and fun to read for the New year. It is always hard moving somewhere new or even being a new person in a group of girls that all know each other. It;s easy to look at your fingernails alot and smile when someone walks by to refull their coffee. Your blog is lovely and I love the feel and colors and positive nature of it. I’ll be back often.
Cheery and Colorful New year to YOU,
Mary Lou
Marylouweidman.blogspot.com
Tonja says
New year…new path! I think you will be just fine whatever you decide to do. You seem like the kind of person who can ‘make things happen’…so go for it! You’ll be great at the decorating business…this is most evident by the lovely pictures on your blog. And word of mouth is the best advertising there is, so word will get around, and then you’ll have more to do than you ever thought.
I just work part time, but I do it for my sanity. I am a creative person and I need to be doing something other than ‘homework.’ However, with the situation I find myself in with Alex, I must be available to him first. God blessed me with the most perfect outlet, and the most understanding people to work with. I don’t think I would be happy to stay at home all the time.
Anyway, Happy New Year to you…and may the year be full of fun surprises!
bs honey says
Happy New Year, Rhoda. You know I’m,also, happy that you are home. From reading your blogs, I’ve known that you are a”happy doing your thing” at home kind of person.
Yep, two paychecks are definately better than one. I’ve been there and done that. But my way of seeing it is that you learn to live with what you have. That the more you make, the more you spend, and then the next thing you know, you’ve bought a new car, or some extravagance, and you have no choice, but to earn a salary.
All this said to say this. I’m happy for you and hubby. Enjoy your life and go after what you want. You’re a great decorater, and if you were in Mississippi, I would surely give you a call.
Kelly says
Do you know how lucky you are that your husband WANTS you to be home more and asked if you would stay home and not work?! Many wives would LOVE that opportunity!!! Consider yourself very fortunate. I stay home as a mother of 2 children and I enjoy it very much. I used to work full-time and then part-time. I prefer staying home and being available for my children and not having to juggle work and rush hour traffic etc. My husband is a fireman and has his own business on the side which allows me to stay home. When my youngest is old enough to stay by himself, I’ll probably go back to work part-time doing something fun but not a corporate type job like a used to have. Too many office politics for me!! Enjoy sleeping in, taking care of your home and husband, getting things accomplished when you feel like it rather than squeezing it in, go on trips together (since now you have all the vacation time you want) use your time more creatively and relax for a change! Go out and celebrate your new freedom. I look forward to reading about your new life in 2008.
Kelly
Sandi McBride says
Oh Rhoda, welcome home, but it won’t be easy, Darlin’…I have the urge to choke the breath out of my true love at least once a week, but luckily he gets the hint and goes fishing or gardening or just anything that takes him out…I think it may be the sight of my cleaning my gun that puts the juice in his gogo machine, lol…Happy New Year and again…Welcome Home
PAT says
Hi Rhoda…I came by to wish you the best for 2008! And found your message. Best of luck with whatever your endeavors!
Happy New Year!
Pat
Fran says
Welcome back home! I am a stay at home wife. Our kids are out of the house now. We tend to move every few years and it seems like just when I would find a job that I really liked, we would move. Not working works for me. My husband does like to have his dinner ready and appreciates having the house clean. And I want to be able to go visit the kids when I want to and that is not possible with a job. Did I enjoy the extra money? Oh yes! But like another person commented, the more you make, the more you spend. How true.
You seem to be able to keep yourself busy. And I think you would do a wonderful job doing some sort of interior design. I volunteer to be your first customer!
Fran
Lynne says
I’m sure that the new year will bring much happiness to you. And I know that you’ll be successful in whatever you choose to do.
Have a wonderful new year!
DebraK from ~the Bunnies Bungalow~ says
Good for you! You’re lucky to have a H that wants you at home. Getting up at 4:30 is not fun….I did it for 28 yrs!!!
I know you’ll succeed in whatever path you take, XOXO DebraK
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Rhoda,
Since you and I have talked about this a bit already, you have heard some of my thoughts and congratulations on your new direction! So exciting to see it happening! I am sure you will do great in whatever you decide to do! I’ll be rooting for you!
I can say (since you asked for our thoughts!) that I think there are all types of women. Some women are just “hardworking” people whether they work outside the home or not. Some stay home theoretically to “not be so busy” and before you know it you’ve volunteered to help at school or church, started a business, clean more than is really necessary, cook more elaborate meals, entertain more or shop more, and blog a bit more and lo and behold, you are too busy again! But if those are the things that make you happy, fulfilled and bless others, so be it! !
You can always fill up whatever time you have available to you and be exhausted or unhappy, or spend every dollar you make and still feel you don’t have enough!
Or you can waste precious time every day just because it is available to waste and feel like you have had a great day, but misuse the time and talents God has given to you.
Working for a paycheck or your own business, or not having a job at all doesn’t guarantee a balanced life, happiness, productivity, a clean house, well-adjusted children or a happy marriage. It is all in your management of what you have, and your own personality mixed in.
Life is always a delicate balance between being productive in life, effective, happy and managing what you have. That is my experience having been both a stay at home mom and a working mom! There is no one size fits all answer, we are all going to handle things differently.
Hmm, looks like I just wrote a blog post right here in your comments, guess I need to move it to my own blog from here on out! LOL! I’ll be quiet now!
Wishing you the best in all you choose to do in 2008! Blessings!
Melissa
Susie Q says
Welcome home dear Rhoda! Bill is the same way for now…especially while Grace is younger. I also help care for Mom and my nephew so it is never boring! : )
It IS so hard to work and run a home too. I remember the days of wearing myself out and I was in my 20’s and 30s! When Dan came along I worked part time for awhile and that was often difficult too.
Something always has to give and it always seemed to be sleep or my favorite past times. You ARE wonderful with home decor and I know you will do so well wherever life leads you. I know you will find your niche.
It IS out there.
I want to change up what I do as well…something small for now but
something that I can enjoy while making a bit of money for trips, etc.
Good luck sweet Rhoda. May 2008 be a year of bliss for you!
Love and hugs,
Sue
Betty says
Rhoda,
Haven’t been on line to read blogs much the last few days…..so I was surprised to learn that you have given up your out of home job….
I’ve been on both sides of the fence…I love staying at home…I never get bored or caught up. Always something to do or go….
I’m thankful to be able to stay home….and to pursue projects that interest me……
Wishing you and yours a blessed, joyous, healthy and prosperous New Year…..Betty
deputyswife says
After reading your post I have to tell you a story. I will try to make it short. My father operated farm for 25 years. He farmed the land with my grandparents. He was an only child, and they started the farm with the mindset that would be their only child’s living. (They did this because he is deaf. At that time (in the 30’s) they felt this was the only decent living he would ever be able to have because of his handicap. (I am glad times have changed.)
When my father was 45, after 25 years of farming, he knew he wanted to do something better. Something he loved to do. His passion was restoring antique furniture and upholstery. At 45, with a wife, baby (me) and two teenagers, he sold the farm and started his own upholstery business.
Never once did he ever regret it. It was a rough start for him and a few rocky years after that. Though, his business grew along with his well respected reputation. All the while, he was able to do what he loved.
He had to retire two years ago at the age of 76. If it wasn’t for his Parkinson’s disease, I know he would still be restoring furniture and upholstering.
I wanted to tell you that if you love doing it, and are good at doing it (which you are judging by all your beautiful photos), the rest will fall into place.
Good luck to you!
Thrifty Miss Priss says
Hi Rhoda,
I admire what you are doing, following your bliss! If money were not object I probably would not be in the job I have. I do enjoy working and seeing people every day. I was a stay at home mom for a long time and my focus was too much on a clean house and not really “playing” with my kids. Lesson learned (for me) You have stretched your brain so much this year with blogging etc..you will find your path in the decorating field. Maybe you could be a home stager- go in and stage it for Real Estate companies or private owners that are trying to sell or rent? Just my two cents! Happy New Year!
Mary Isabella says
Sounds like you are going to busy this next year with things that you like and want to do. I am a homemaker . My husband likes me to be home to do the things I like and to take care of the house and I have many health issues which would make it hard for me to work outside the home. I have I worked with special needs children. It has been hard on one pay check but the Lord has seen us through and I do volunteer in ministry areas to the less fortunate. Blessings for a Great New Year and may our Lord bestow his riches blessings upon you and your’s Mary
Anonymous says
Hi Rhoda,
I have not made a comment to you in a while; however, I have one today. Have you ever considered working at “Staging” peoples homes for sale or maybe decorating model homes for a builder? You would be excellent doing either.
Love and hugs,
Judy (in McDonough)
the feathered nest says
Happy New Year sweetie! I know you’ll be successful at whatever you do and there are lots of people in the blog world who will give you wonderful advice!
xo,
Manuela
Becky K. says
Happy New Year to you, Rhoda!
I am so excited for you! Your husband sounds like a gem. I, too am very much for having your own business and love my part time financial advising and then the hobby candle making business. The flexibility is absolutely the best but you have to work to maintain the ability to keep that and not turn it into a job. When you have built up a clientele, and I am very sure that you will, make sure you keep your schedule at a manageable pace. Enjoy it! Your product will be freshest and most quality of you are passionate about it. If you overbook and wear yourself out you will lose the passion.
Oh My Goodness,
I just preached at you… I am so sorry. I am just so excited for you and want you to succeed!
Becky K.
Lancaster County, PA
Jen says
I think starting your own business slowly will be a good idea. Take some classes. I started staying home before Miller was born…boy was it hard….it was summer time though and Madison was home from school so that made things easier..we did alot. I think you staying home in January will be a struggle. My dad retirees Friday after working for 40 years…they are going to Florida for 2 months to help him and to golf of course. My Advice to you since it will be winter…immediately get a schedule and throw yourself into a project. I think the decorating business would be great…I have a friend who does it on side..she is a hairdresser. I look forward to seeing what you do.