How's It Goin'?

Lots of updates to tell you about. It's all about our jobs. Now, from these photos it looks like we don't do any work at all. But, we like to balance our work life with a little fun.

Cam's new job.

Well, it's not new any more. He's been doing this new gig for 8 mos. now. He works in the ICU still but is with surgical patients instead of medical. AND...the big change was his schedule. He works looooong shifts but has more time off. A typical week looks like:


Thurs. 6:30 AM-8:00 PM
Fri. 6:30 AM-8:00 PM
Sat. (short day as long as the census is good) 6:30 AM-2:00 PM
Sun. Off
Mon. (short day as long as the census is good) 2:00-8:00 PM
Tues. 6:30 AM-8:00 PM
Wed. 6:30 AM-8:00 PM

Then 7 days off. Yep off! 7 in a row!!

So, the good parts of the schedule.

1. He is home more than the previous job
2. He drives into the city less days per month.
3. He misses all the rush hour traffic coming home to late.
4. The surgical patients are not as critically ill therefore he sees less death.
5. He likes the position.
6. He is available weekdays on his days off to be involved at the kids' schools.
7. He always has Sun. off....unless it's crazy busy or someone needs him to fill in. But, in 8 mos. that has happened 3 times.

The bad parts.

1. Those are seriously long hours.
2. He misses some of the Sat. morning games the kids play in.

We both really like the new gig. When Cam is gone I know he won't be home until bedtime. I don't sweat it wondering if he will be home for dinner, or sporting practices. I can plan accordingly. On the days he is off we have been able to do lots of fun lunch dates (which don't require a sitter). It's nice to enjoy the quiet house together too.

Cam is a big help with chores now that he is home more. He is able to really help with cleaning and errand running on his days off. I'm loving that he willingly goes to Costco! Woot!

If I had anything negative to say it would be that by the end of the stretch he's working I start to feel a bit weary and then at the end of the stretch where he's home (i.e. we spend ALL day together) I'm a bit ready for him to go back to work. Ha! I'm sure he's ready to have some time away from me too.

My new job.

I began substitute teaching in Oct. after not working outside the home for 13 years. It's been REALLY fun!! I am only working one or occasionally two days a week and only work at my kids' schools.

The good parts.

1. I bring my kids with me in the morning and take them home at the end of the day.
2. I know most of the kids at the school...at least at the elementary level.
3. I know the teachers and staff.
4. I get to pick days to work based on Cam's days off.
5. It's fun.
6. The kids like me and it really feeds my ego to have a bunch of Kindergarten kids yell, "Mrs. Wright!!!!!!" as I go by in the hallway. They come hug me and wave at me like I'm a famous person. It's the best.
7. The paychecks help financially and it beefs up my Social Security.

The bad parts.

1. The pay isn't terrific.
2. I won't get to work over the summer.

Things are good! Really thankful for both of our jobs and our time at home together....and lunch dates!