The quiz made me do it

This weekend marked an unprecedented event in my house:  Nolan went out of town, out of state, without us.  Specifically, without ME.  

His school band travelled to California for a band festival and they left on Friday.  They spent Saturday at Disneyland, and he came back early this evening.

Initially, I wanted to chaperone, but of course, being an 8th grader, he asked me not to volunteer.  Then I plotted a trip with me and Mr W, but I ultimately talked myself out of it.  We were just there.  Who would watch the other kids?  Who would watch the dogs?  When am I going to trust I've been raising him right and let him go?  He is going to be in high school next year.  I gotta learn to do it sometime.

Not only did I let him go, but I made him pack his own bag.  That I lovingly picked out for him, complimented by travel sized toiletries.  Because nothing says lovin' like a teeny travel sized deodorant. 

I didn't even call him.

Which was fine, as he called us.  When he got there.  In the morning.  A text or two throughout the day, all of which made me smile; while he may not have been willing to admit it, he missed us.  He missed ME. 

Hey, everyone knows Mama is the most important.

He returned, triumphant (the band did well in the competition), tired, hungry.  His siblings were ALL over him, and the only loud noises I heard were the cheers they let out as they played their games.  Not a bicker in sight.

I think he even let Ben get a couple of digs in, without retort.

Good times.

Speaking of which, I was reading another journal and stumbled on the Saturday Six.  I've not done it for a while because the last few have not floated my boat.

And I am tired of the Sunday-night AOL purge that usually eats my entries.

At any rate, I took the quiz Patrick included this week, and after that, I could not resist doing the whole thing. 

Saturday Six - Episode 211

1. From your earliest memories, how many different career choices did you seriously consider?

Two. (Doctor.  Scientist.)  

2. Is the career you actually wound up in among those early possibilities?

The one I'm in was never on any list, although, I guess technically, I'm a scientist.  I kinda fell into it and it wound up working for me.  The Mom-gig, I always wanted; while I never considered it a career, it has turned into one.  The toughest job I never knew I'd love...and to be honest, sometimes hate. 

3. What’s more important to you: being successful in your professional life or your personal life?

I decided a long time ago that if one had to be sacrificed, it would be the professional one.  Do I grit my teeth sometimes, because I know I could do other things or advance within my field?  Of course.  But my personal life is what I have to live with, what I come home to each day.  Children are only children for a while; it's not time you get back.  Besides, Mr W's job is hard enough, without my pushing my career goals ahead of everything else too.  It's a delicate balance we have here, but it's a balance.  I've got my foot still in the door, I can conquer the world after recess.

4. Take the quiz: What’s your priority?

Here, it is, the culprit....(and, hell yes, that's accurate :p)

What's Important to You... And What Isn't:

For you, sex is usually your number one priority. You find getting things done to be fairly satisfying. You like feeling accomplished. You attend to almost every priority in your life. You don't neglect much. You want thinking to be a high priority, but you don't take enough time for yourself.

5. Are you more likely to let your personal life get in the way of your career, or to let your career get in the way of your personal life?

I answered this already, but personal trumps professional, every time.  It all works out in the end.

6. If you were to make a list of things you will look forward to doing on Monday morning, would going to work be at the top of the list, the middle, the bottom, or not on the list at all?

I'm off on Monday.  The only work I have to worry about is getting kids out the door on time.  And keeping Mr W out of trouble.

Because it's his day off too.