Introduction

Hi all, I spend most of my day in front of a computer for work. It is also the place where I make connections, find out about all sorts of topics, do much of my shopping, etc. I have had in the back of my head an idea for a blog and thought what have I done and what do I do that I can help others with? I became a working mom 2 1/2 years ago and at that time also did a whole bunch of things concurrently - I moved from Kansas to Kentucky with 2 of my children while living in a graduate student apartment. I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation. I homeschooled my kids. I went house hunting without my husband (although he did a lot of research online) and found our house without him. I coordinated a move of the rest of our household including my middle child, my mom, our pets, our household belongings, and my husband. I defended my dissertation. I did a lot of things that most people do if they are not working - most graduate students are paid by their advisor while they are writing their dissertation, at least in chemistry, which my degree is in. All they do is write. Not homeschool. And have a full-time job which is not in dissertation writing. I personally try to read everything I can on that work-life balance; how do working mothers do it all (or not), and so on. I thought I would offer my insights and start a discussion on how do you work and have a life? We have recently started working towards more sustainable food - starting a garden, started raising chickens and ducks. Let me tell you - these things are also tasks that take more than part-time effort! SO I would love to hear from others your thoughts on working and living. What do you do? What do you not do? Peace, CEM