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Spanx and Slingbacks
last word
by Nancy Zintak
October 25, 2007
We hit the jackpot this year in finding new and expensive things to spend money on ... stuff
that we JUST CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT! I know what you're thinking: She bought a luxury car, fully loaded
with a DVD player, wet bar and a sultry British guy giving her directions over the new GPS system.
Nope. I'm still devoted to my '96 Roadmaster station wagon (comes with electric locks!).
So now you're thinking it's an extensive renovation of our gently aging house built in 1917.
Nope. There's still only one bathroom upstairs to be shared among six girls (if you consider me a
girl, that is).
So now you think you have it! Husband John finally posted up with some big jewelry. Nope,
still sporting the same gold band that I actually purchased for myself a week before our wedding at
Fortunoff 's on Fifth Avenue (don't ask, long story). Actually, the big ticket items we're stroking
checks for are: one college tuition, two private school tuitions, and school trips to Europe for
the two that are in public school. While our children enjoy the generous fruits of our labor, I'm
still carrying my John Romain purse from Northside High school. Anyway, I can't really complain
about where our money is going, but I do tend to wonder where our money is coming from.
So like many friends with school-age children, it looks like it's time to strap on the Spanx
and slingbacks and head back to work. What to do? Full time or part time, freelance or contract?
When making a decision as big as this, I go back to my corporate roots and whip out the Big White
Board for some thought-provoking Pros and Cons:
Pro:
One word: money.
Con:
Breakfast dishes still in sink upon return from work.
Pro:
Getting some new clothes.
Con:
Having to put on clothes.
Pro:
Having a nice office to escape to!
Con:
Leaving behind your "home" office where you could fold laundry, do a car pool grid and write
up a marketing report.
Pro:
Getting back in the game!
Con:
Coming home late from work and going straight to a game.
Pro:
Being energized by new ideas at work!
Con:
Trying to get energized by hamburger helper that went in the crockpot at 7 a.m.
Pro:
Enjoying the company of spirited co-workers!
Con:
Enjoying the company of overextended kids who need help with their homework and a lice
treatment.
Okay, where's my EASY button???? Big surprise: It's only an ad for an office supply company.
There is no EASY button. Going back to work is going to be great, hectic, frustrating, fun and
fulfilling. Not unlike the last 10 years hanging with the kids and freelancing from home -- that
too, was great, hectic, frustrating, fun and fulfilling.
But there comes a time when it feels right and good to say powerful things like, "Do it
yourself! Put it in on three minutes, and then wait before you open it because the steam from the
bag will singe off your eyebrows!" or "Put it in with the whites! I know it's your homecoming
dress, but just do as I say!!!" or "Why would you put an empty milk carton back in the fridge????
Rinse it out yourself and put it in recycling...I WORK ALL DAY TOO, YOU KNOW!!"
So maybe going back to work won't be so bad after all...
