i start work tomorrow and ode to Table & Main

Hi guys. I just cleaned the house. The littlest ones are in bed. Dakota is winding down before lights out and Jason is out picking up groceries and cocktail elements which we shall consume while we fold five loads of laundry together and watch The Walking Dead. 

Earlier today, we hit up the Goodwill for some new work clothes for me since tomorrow is my first day back to work full time... daytime... corporate big timing time. I scored three pairs of GAP pants, two Ann Taylor blouses and one Limited blouse, TWO Banana Republic blazers one silk blend, one linen blend, a pair of Nine West black leather pumps... easily $500 worth of clothing for $35. Booyah!

So yeah. I am officially a working mom again as of 10AM tomorrow morning. I plan to walk to work in my Toms and put my high heels on when I get there. I am actually not overly excited, nervous or sad. I kinda feel like I got this, and I am at peace. I have a deeply rooted trust in God - given how he brought me here that this is going to be a good gig. I am looking forward to having evenings and weekends and to be able to go to the doctor and maybe the beach, and get some debts paid and get this condo fixed up and get a place with a yard someday. For now until work comes in, Jason will be home with the kids. He is hopefully going to have some kind of work in the next few weeks, which works out because we wouldn't be able to afford childcare for almost three weeks anyway, and Dakota and Shiloh will be in school for another month... I dunno. I was originally freaking out that he wasn't working too right away, but now I am more at peace with it. 

And last night I said my goodbyes to Table & Main. Let me just say, I had a really hard time holding back the tears all night and excused myself to the bathroom a few times. I can't really figure out why, especially since it seems like I should be happy that I was leaving and moving on to the next chapter of my life. But it just goes to show that when you feel like you are a part of something so meaningful and wonderful; when you are a part of a collective that is working together towards something that really means something in a community, even with that being a restaurant, it becomes a part of you in a little sort of way. I mean, guys, this restaurant excels on so many levels. Not only is it critically acclaimed but behind it is a guy who has vision for excellence like nobody's business (literally) that is going to take it even further. I loved everyone that I worked with, especially my sidekick Katie, and I loved the friendships and conversations that I was able to have being at the front of the house, getting to know everyone. Working at Table & Main was one of the more meaningful experiences I have had in my life. Sure, I missed my family and having weekends, but I enjoyed work while I was there very much. Ryan Pernice is an inspiring human being and friend. He's a darn good singer and has mad people skills. I will miss everyone so, so much. The good news is I get to see them all again in a couple of weeks when I come in for dinner after Jason and I go see the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit at the High Art Museum for my Saturday-before-Mother's-Day-Mother's-Day. Yay!

If you think of me tomorrow, say a little prayer. For my kids, for my husband and then for me. In that order.