Struck

M is on strike. I think today is day 20. We are trying to enjoy it, and of course he is trying to "get things done." We are not hearing any news about the progress of GM and the UAW...it seems we are completely in the dark. It would be nice to know SOMETHING, so we could, say, take a vacation, or plan DINNER. But no...we can't plan a single thing, because M could be called back to work at any minute.

I have been so spoiled on maternity leave, with both of us taking the Family Leave Act...12 "extra" weeks off (without pay, of course). Now with this strike, we are getting even more time together in the evenings, dinners at the dinner table, and daddy gets to put E to bed. How will I adjust again to a second shift lifestyle? I put both the kids to bed tonight because M is on strike duty...the obligatory 4 hours required to get strike pay. I just have to keep telling myself, "Be calm. Be un-anxious. You will need to do this by yourself every night, and soon." And I MUST stick to the 2 book rule with E. She would have me read all night if I wasn't careful.

Truth be told, if we won the lottery tomorrow, I would not go back to work...and I'm pretty sure that M would not either. I never understood those big money winners who say, "My life won't change...I will got to work tomorrow just the same as yesterday." No. I don't know exactly what I would do, but this family time is priceless, and I would pay a lot for more of it. So thanks UAW, for giving me this gift.