What is a girl like me doing in a place like this??

By Cassie

Good question. My goal was to find the perfect part time job while my kids are in school. What defines a perfect job? The perfect job for me is a job that is part time, one that is two miles from my front door, one where I can wear jeans, and one where everyone is super easy going and fun to be around. Why work you ask, to support my Target obsession (that is what my husband calls it), that is part of the reason but mainly because I just want to have my own money no matter how little it may be. All the working moms out there have no idea what it is like to purchase a birthday present or anniversary gift for your working spouse with his money. I, like most stay at home moms, am on a weekly budget (allowance is another good word) and this only covers the essentials (groceries, gas, movie rentals, etc). I know that his money is my money, but this just seems strange when it comes to gifts for him. The mortgage, family vacations, family dinners, and even family members birthdays are easy to justify, or easy for me to pay with his money. This week he turned the big “40” and I am throwing him a big party this weekend, and yes I will pay for a portion (small portion) with my own earned money. I have arrived.

One similarity I now share with the working moms out there is getting the kids to school on time. This is a new struggle I am still battling after only working for 3 ½ months. Just getting them out the door, this means dressed (as in the shoes to the rightful owner on the owner’s feet), clean face (not one smeared with oatmeal or stained with strawberry orange juice), lunches packed (not just with pudding and cookies) and their school work in their backpacks. This I know will take me some time to accomplish in a timely manner, or I may never figure it out. But will I keep trying?? Yes, this girl likes being in this place.