In hands-down the worst economy of our generation, I find myself out of work. Not because I got laid off. Not because I hated my job. Not because of any respectable reason. In Elaine Bennis style, there was a new exciting job offer, I took it, I went to it, I got the Hanes account, yadda yadda yadda, I am now not working. (Hey, I mentioned the Hanes account)

I do not do nothing very well.

When I was pregnant with Thane and put on bedrest, I went batty. The first few days in the hospital were spent on the laptop and phone while being poked and prodded by nurses who gave me the hairy eyeball as if each keystroke was endangering my unborn’s life. When I was finally sent home, the next five weeks were spent lying on a couch, counting down until I could get up for my next potty break. The day after we got home from the hospital we took our just born son to a Mexican restaurant for lunch just so mommy could be out in the real world.

Again, I don’t do the stay-at-home thing well.

Today was the first day back at school for Thane and Mara and to work for Jay after the holiday. As I commented to Jay when we looked at the clock and it was only 6:30 pm but the kids were fussy and rubbing their eyes…”They’re tired. First day back at school after break. Exhausting. Everybody had a hard day. I am the only one that had an easier day than last week.”

So, now that the kids are back at school, I am trying to give myself things to do. Now, mind you, I could unpack any of the myriad of boxes from our most recent move. I could put away the holiday decorations (but we wait until after Little Christmas for that). I could shop or pamper myself with a mani-pedi but those require money and not only are we only living on one paycheck, we are living on one paycheck and paying for 2 kids in private school. I could go the gym but we canceled our membership. I could go take Aesop for a walk but it is brrr cold outside.

What I do find is that I am much more unorganized at home than when I am sitting at a computer. My lists are long forgotten, emails go unanswered, and somehow the hours between drop off at 8:30 and pick up at 3:15 just melt away. I envy the mom’s that can get it all accomplished…I am just not there yet. I need a plan and I need a commitment.

So what am I doing??? COOKING! I figure giving myself a commitment is a phenomenal idea and I was recently spurred on by the recent Julie & Julia movie. Instead of Julia Child, I am going through my well-loved Joy of Cooking book. On the menu tonight was chicken breasts over portabella mushrooms drenched in sauce with herb-boiled red potatoes. Tomorrow, a whole chicken stuffed with spinach ricotta stuffing. Last night was a true Asian beef stir fry.

Yum yum yum.

I figure this culinary kick is economical and keeps Fani occupied…we are eating in after all and not splurging on dining out.

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