New term, new priorities: Edna gears up for reentry

As I count down the days until the start of a new semester, I look back on my family leave and marvel at what a difference a new bundle of expenses joy makes to my overall outlook on work. Your mileage may vary, but I thought I'd share a handful of my personal revelations:

Proffie parents: taking crap at home and at work.

As much as I enjoy academia, this is, at heart, really just a job.

A job can be left for another one if circumstances require it.

I could totally leave academia if I needed to. Someday I might even want to.

It is OK to put family first, whether for a while or forever. This time (or any time) doesn't come back once it's gone, and if one is lucky enough to opt for seizing these moments, one must consider these options very carefully before proceeding.

It is also OK to like work and return to it. If only I could bottle the thrill I got the day I finally returned to my office to sit down and actually do something that required my training and experience rather than a pack of wet wipes and a noseplug.

Cheers to everyone on CM who have kept the misery flowing these past few months--I've been lurking while on leave, and it has been (perhaps strangely) comforting to check in with the goings-on at the compound. I propose that Darla and I begin regular inspections to check the facilities for family-friendliness, and report our findings to management.

P.S. The spawn loves hir alpaca fur booties. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness!