Today is my last day at the University of Chicago and my last day at a dayjob, at least for the foreseeable future. Starting next week I'm beginning a new career as a full-time writer.

I always dreamed of doing this but was scared to and assumed it was logistically impossible. But between the experience and network I've built up over the years and this time in my life as a new mom, I realize now is the time to try. I'm nervous and excited.

When I was pregnant with Paul, Steve and I decided that he should make a go of running his own company. It was a scary decision, as he was happily employed at his dayjob, but we both thought that he had the capacity to go further and do more on his own--and we were right. His company Delahoyde Projects has been successful and it feels like he just keeps going up. I'm immensely proud of him and it's been great for our family--having him home a lot has meant that he's gotten to go to a lot more doctor's appointments and such than a lot of dads do, I think.

In 2013 I started working at the University of Chicago and I felt the pleasure of liking what I did and who I did it with. I received feedback there that taught me to be a better writer, thinker and collaborator (although I'm not using their preferred oxford comma here just to be a brat.) Here are two pieces I wrote for them shortly before leave that demonstrates the kind of work that was really fun to do.

I found being a working-out-of-the-home mom challenging but I had a rhythm, especially when Paul's daycare was within walking distance and the office was a short bus ride away. However the two places got a lot farther from each other as both work and I moved in opposite geographic directions, and then I had James. I intended to go back to work after I had him but towards the end of leave I decided that working from home will be best for my family (which happens to include me.) I was one of those broads who quits after maternity leave. I was really nervous about making that phone call but luckily my manager was very understanding and supportive.

I have some angst about this decision, not just the fear of flopping financially. I feel a sense that I am betraying my mothers-who-work-outside-the-home sisters, that I am conceding that I have to rebuild my life some around a traditional mother role. But I don't know the downside, really. I feel a little guilty that I have this wonderful opportunity. But that guilt is not very useful and I'm just going to plow right through it. Maybe I can write about it for some money (no seriously, everything now is a potential story idea.)

So I hope to write more. A lot, lot more. This might mean there is less original stuff on this site because, ideally, I'll be quite busy. But that will also mean I'll have a lot more pieces to link here. And, I hope, a lot more experiences and lessons to write about.

Anyway. If you need a writer, I know a lady.