Baked good and other epiphanies...

So, the job!

I got a job, currently part time hours, at a little local bakery. Because I cannot predict the future and because I am wary of being googled and one day getting dooced, I'm not really going to name it, but it's a cute little joint and is very close to our house. So far, I'm having a good time. It smells amazing, the work is not hard, and I like all my coworkers a lot. I wear an apron and plate cookies and scones and bag fresh bread. My first day I had to wear a hair net, but generous spraying with a gigantic can of Rave Freeze n' Hold has taken care of that. All in all, it's a great way to spend a few hours a day and get paid to scoop cookie dough and stack layer cakes, all things I would probably be doing at home anyway ;)

I'm not helping with any baking, and that's fine with me. I've been told that when it slows down after the holidays they might bring me in back to the kitchen to learn a few things, and that will be cool too, but I've decided it's not really a priority. I'm also not decorating cakes--they have a full time decorator, and she does lovely work. I'm on deck to write names on cakes after she leaves in the afternoon, should anyone come in and buy a blank they need "happy birthday" written on, but so far that hasn't happened :) I do think, though, that when the slow down happens, they'll let her show me a few things and I might eventually end up doing some decorating just to take some of the load off of her, and to be honest I'd rather do that than bake. So, yeah, right now I'm just learning the ropes, but there are a few opportunities for more interesting stuff in the future.

What I have figured out, just a week in, is that I don't want to do this forever. And by this, I mean go out into the world to work. I've worked for 10 years at home, and now it's only taken a week for me on the outside to figure out that home is where I want to be. The hardest part of my day is getting in the car and driving off from my little house, somehow I feel like I'm abandoning my family, my responsibilities at home, even though logically I know that I'm doing what I'm doing *for* my family and my home. This job makes sense for us now, but one day it won't just be Matt and I, and if it's this hard for me to leave for the afternoon, I can't imagine leaving more than just the puppy dogs behind one day. So, I'm still thinking. I'm still brainstorming. I'm still planning. And I've got some ideas.

My calendar filled up rather quickly, and I don't really think I'll be able to get an etsy shop going before the holidays (though thanks to all you who were excited to support that effort, you guys are the best). But in the new year? I've got all kinds of ideas bubbling up, and by then I think I'll be able to start in with some really fun stuff. And I just know you guys will love it. Etsy is where I plan to start, but it's only the beginning. One day, I want to say that I spend all my days at home, cranking out the arts and crafts, stocking local shops with my things, and planning for a few craft shows here and there. I believe I can do it, if I can just bring these ideas to fruition. I've got a goal now, I've found the drive I needed. Wish me luck, and don't forget about this come January. I can't wait to show you all what I can do!