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)
Rhoda,
I think you will do great in whatever the Lord has in store for you. I love the decorating that you have shown all of us in your blog so I think you would be terrific at that. I’ve worked from home since May and at first it was an adjustment. I missed my co workers and talking things over with them but it’s working out. I just kind of take it one day at a time. Happy New Year!
I think you are quite lucky to do what you want to do and to have someone support you to do it! I love my job as an elementary principal but I do think if Bob gave me the nod to stay home, I just might! I have worked for 30+ years so I don’t really know if I have what it takes to stay at home!
Good luck with your new career choice…sounds wonderful an exciting…you have a fabulous eye and we know you will make a success of it!
We just wanted to stop by and give you the warmest wishes of the season! Hope you have a wonderful and prosperous 2008!
smiles, kari and kijsa
Wow Rhoda! It looks like you have the most exciting New Year ahead of you! How fun to go out and discover a new you! I am looking forward to hearing about your journey.
I worked in the advertising industry for 25 years and 7 years ago, I quit and moved to another state. It took me a couple of years to get my mosaic business off the ground, but it was fun the whole time trying and still is!
Have Fun!
Penny
Rhoda – thanks for sharing your heart with us. I am a 3/4 time working mom – but I get to do it from home, which is a huge blessing. I’m excited for newness for you in 2008 – maybe we’ll see a Southern Hospitality book be birthed!
Love Sandy
Rhoda:
WOW I think you are starting the year off wonderfully. I am so excited for you (and a little envious:) but trust that the Lord has marvelous things for you as you embrace this new endeavor with Him at the helm.
God is blessing you and you are blessing us with your talents.
Lookind forward with you to the year ahead.
Debbie Kennedy
What you’re choosing to do sounds very exciting to me! I had a part-time job after my children got older, until last March when I broke my ankle and couldn’t work. I still haven’t gone back, and in the meantime have been pursuing my dream of getting my website off the ground (what a chore that is!). I’ve had little artistic side businesses since I was a teenager, but my dream now is to have a successful full-time-from-home business. My goal for 2008 is to make it happen.
I wish you the best in finding your niche!
Happy New Year Rhoda! I wish for you many blessings in 2008. I remember us discussing this when we were together in Birmingham and I know it wasn’t easy for you to leave a job you truly enjoyed. It’s wonderful though that you might get to do something you enjoy even more plus have more time at home. Pray and place it in God’s hands. He always knows exactly what is best for us.
Hugs sweet friend!
Kat
Rhoda, thank you for stopping by and the sweet comment you left. I must say WOW…I read your latest post and then I had my sweet husband come upstairs so I could read it to him. This could have been so written by me. I feel exactly the same way you do. I am so proud of you for making this decision…God will lead you, and I am so envious of you (in a good way) because I have been debating the same ideas as you have…
I love your house you are so talented and your decorating skills are just very natural…Go with you God given talent.
You have so imspired me tonight, and blessed me beyond measure. Thank you so much.
I hope you have a very healthy, happy, and wonderful 2008.
I want to add you to my bloglist of friends, because I want to follow you on your journey.
May God continue to richly bless you and your family…
Smile,
shiela
I’ve done both…been a working mother and a stay-at-home mom. I enjoyed working outside the home in that it gave me a way to meet other adults and talk to someone besides my kids during the daylight hours (lol), but I really have loved staying at home most. However – I think I’ve always felt kind of like I disappointed some people because I didn’t chose a “career”. My mother had a career, my sister has quite an amazing career and me? I’m still sitting at home, worrying about what color to paint the guest room. Sometimes I do feel like I just didn’t live up to my potential, but most of the time, I just feel very, very lucky that I’ve been able to stay home and raise my kids and make a comfortable home for them and my husband. Whenever I’ve worked over the years, our home life has suffered one way or the other. And really, I guess it comes down to what matters more to you…living “better” because of more money coming in or living “better” because you’re able to focus more on your home than your job? Raising 4 kids, there was a lot of times when a double income would have come in handy, but life just made more sense for ME to raise our kids instead of a daycare. Besides…I really don’t like having to answer to a boss! lol
Hi Rhoda…I am enjoying being a SAHM only for the past year after working in retail management and as a receptionist in a Dr office…I LOVE being at home and now my kids are schooled at home. I DO miss my paycheck and at times have considered getting a night job to supplement our income without sacrificing the school at home…but I do feel that this year in 2008 I am going to try to start my own business from home….I’m still tossing it around in my head….
Blessings,
Robin
First of all, congrats! I love being a “freelancer”. Even while editing 12 or more magazines yearly, I only went into the office a few days a week. After I moved 400 miles from NYC, I only dropped in one or twice a month.
The key to survival, in my opinion, is being organized– with stuff AND time. Making a daily routine and stick to it. Enjoy sleeping past 5:30 but always have that alarm clock set for 8, 9 or whatever. Good Luck and enjoy the freedom.
Barbara
COME ON LADIES!! this is 2008? Why would one give up something they love because “the man” wants them home???
Rhoda, I’m so excited to see how your new venture develops. You are a natural fit to do something with decorating. How sweet that your hubby wants you at home! Hope 2008 is great for you!
Rhoda,
Happy New Year! Well, I applaud you for giving up that paycheck and doing what will ultimately make you and your husband happy. I too am fortunate to have a husband that wanted me at home, I worked off and on before our son was born but the goal was always for me to stay at home. I work now, driving children back and forth to school (including mine) and I have summers and all school holidays off. Now that I’ve gone back to school it’s a little hectic here, but we all know it’s temporary and I will work from home which is what we all want. I think that you would be wonderful in any area of decorating. I think you should think about helping people see the potential in the things they already have-verses buying all new for their home. Congratulations on a new road for 2008-you’ll do great!
Rhoda,
Good for you. Life is full of adventures. I stay at home with my 3 girls and work my murals and furniture around my hubby’s schedule. I got started by doing friends homes for free and taking pictures for my portfolio. You’re home is beautiful and you have a great eye.You can start out by being a “redesigner” and move from there. I think you would do amazingly great. Follow your heart and listen to your gut. with your talent, there’s great success in your future!
Rhoda, this seems such a great direction for you — everyone in town will want you to help them pull their homes together. You have such a strong design talent and by checking out classes and asking lots of questions is very smart. I can’t wait to see how this journey unfolds.
Jenny
Happy New Year Rhoda! It sounds like you are getting ready for a wonderful adventure. I look forward to reading about it.
happy new year
Hi Rhoda- There are some very inspiring comments here. I’ve never NOT worked, so I honestly don’t know how I’d like staying home and I always say that I’ll always work. With three young kids, I relish more flexibility and some “me” time. The rushing and racing against the clock wears me down after awhile. I know good things will come your way and I do wish you all the best in the year ahead. I’m excited for you. You have a great outlook!