Weekend Update

Hello, loved ones. I have some news! I’m looking for a new job. I don’t have one yet, but I have actually told my Firm that I want to go. This is not something that would ever have occurred to me, but after speaking with several other moms who left the Firm recently, I learned that this is How It Is Done. The Firm has made the business decision that if they seed large corporations with former associates who were assisted in finding their next career move, then those associates will have warm feelings for the Firm and those corporations will become or remain Firm clients. (God knows they don’t want us to be partners, then they’d have to share profit! This is a much better business model if you never want to quit or share!)

So after a particularly brutal December led to daily panic attacks that my various anxiety medications could not entirely curtail, I decided that I had to let them know, before my performance started really suffering and they fired me. And it was definitely the right move. They’ve been wonderful. They are paying for a career counselor, making room for interviews, and I really only have to bill a nominal amount. Job searching is just as awful and difficult as always, but I’m doing all the things one must do. I have several months to find something, and a lot of resources to assist, so I’m feeling hopeful.

Since the announcement, a weight has been lifted, and I have already begun achieving my New Year’s Resolutions. My first resolution was to read more books, and I’ve started on two – Olive Again, by Elizabeth Strout; and City of Girls, by Elizabeth Gilbert. So far I like both, but have not become absorbed in either.

My second resolution was to do more mundane kid stuff, which I really enjoy and could never make time for. I went to Jack’s basketball game last week, and tomorrow I’m taking him and some buddies to a movie. I’m reading Craig two chapters of a Magic Tree House book most nights before bed – something I haven’t done in years because I am billing when they go to bed. We are inviting friends over tonight for grilled ruby red trout, and Liam is having a sleepover that I never could have agreed to a few weeks ago, because I was subject at any time to being put on an assignment. It’s so odd and heartening to have fun things on the calendar and not dread them, because of the risk of having to cancel or try to squeeze in work at the same time.

My third and fourth resolutions are fitness goals – obviously the year just started, but I have gone to the gym 3 times a week at least. Feeling good – better than ever. My core strength is unreal – I can plank now for several minutes. Still heavier than I like, but strong underneath the chub!

While I haven’t started writing the novel (my fifth goal), it’s amazing how many ideas I’ve had in the last couple of weeks, since I’m only billing 4-5 hours a day. I have brain power left over at the end of the day to think! I am thinking of something set in ancient Rome – revisiting my undergrad degree with that one – or a mystery series set here in NOLA. I can’t wait to describe mosaic tile floors of a Roman home, or the bustle of the forum, or trace the path of a P.I. down a French Quarter alley.

With the sixth goal, I have started researching fitness training. I’m getting CPR and AED certified through work, oddly enough (it’s offered and I’m taking it!) I used to be a CPR and AED trainer, actually, though that has long since expired. Anyway, that’s a first step for all of the various certifications – so we’ll start there and take it one step at a time.

As to my seventh and eighth goals – I’ve been meditating for ten minutes a day most days at work. Now that I’m not pestered constantly by needy partners, I can have an uninterrupted ten minutes. I’ve also signed up for a four hour meditation retreat here in NOLA next weekend. The same company offers 2-5 day silence retreats, but I thought I’d start small and ease into it. If I don’t like this one, I can try another group.

And my last goals – the Indian curry and the baking – I haven’t yet done. There are still 11.5 months in the year. 😉 However, I do have an Instant Pot now, and I’ve been learning my way around using that over the past few weeks. At first it was a little freaky, as the safety instructions on this thing are twenty pages long. But now I no longer fear the pressure cooker, and it’s really helped me get decent, tasty meals on the table before 8pm.

I will definitely have more time to record things here again. I haven’t billed a minute this weekend and don’t intend to – so I have time for more important things. I kept some notes (as did the Prof) on our holidays, so I’m hopeful I can go back and describe those, so we don’t forget the special moments. I’ll also record some recent favorite meals – so you can see how me and my Instant Pot are getting along.

Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork

Crock Pot Red Beans – I made this in the instant pot

Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagna – I had to use acorn squash for this, as that’s all my grocery store had, but man was it good.

Mexican Chicken Pasta

Balsamic Chicken – as recommended by Lag Liv. I made it in the instant pot and sped up the cooking accordingly. It was pretty good – we had it last night with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots/broccoli.