Would you quit working to stay home with your doodles? UPDATE!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Okay, now I think I have gone over the edge. I am needing some serious therapy! In this economy, I am considering leaving a job so that I can be home with my doods.

Well, that's not the whole story. The job is beyond stressful, I have an hour drive in traffic to and from work everyday. Yes, 2 hours a day in traffic. It's a government job with so many responsibilties that I can't be away from it for more than a day without something needing attention. I have to travel around the state for 1-2 nights at a time and often. DH is retired and wants to go off for the summer and travel in our little toy hauler trailer, I have my only grandson (18 months)moving from Florida to be here in Az with son and DIL in March and they could use some grandma babysitting, and I have sorely neglected my own physical health due to this job. But having said all that, I think missing my doodles so much just puts the last straw on the poor camels back.

Could we afford it? Let's just say we wouldn't starve and the dogs would still get Fromm dog food.

SO what's a doodle mom to do? Any words of wisdom DK'ers?

UPDATE:

Well, with much consideration and re-reading all of your posts and talking to DH and mom and kids, I handed in my resignation yesterday. I will be leaving Feb 18th and it appears it will be considered "Mission Critical" by the Bureau and they will try to fill my position ASAP.  On top of that my son is bringing his family to Arizona a month earlier, which gives me just 3 weeks to get ready for them to move in for a few months and toddler proof my house.  I started the Adventure Bootcamp on Tues and now workout 4 mornings a week and a girlfriend invited me to join her stroller exercise club so I can take my grandson with me too!  I have quilts lined up in my head that I plan to do and some for DK as well !

So, I want to thank everyone for helping me to make a very important decision and I can't tell you how happy you have made Murphy, Bella, DH and ME!!!! Thank you again. You are all the best!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Sue please don't  read any judgement into my above statement. I really don't have any and everyone has to follow their own path. I totally respect that.  I was just trying to suggest that there may be other questions that could be looked at in this process.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Oh Ricki, no judgement noted at all, I appreciate you taking the time to give this so much thought and reply. One thing you said that really struck home is "Do you want money to be what is driving you and making your decisions for you? " 

This is so true and in the end, when we have all we really need, I can't let that or the "what if's"  in life be what's holding me back. I've always been a planner and have to have a plan B or plan C and even D at times, for those emergencies that thankfully have been very few in our lives and for those that are true emergencies, the money always came one way of another.

I really am touched by everyone's thoughtful replies and each one has been taken in and considered and again, I can not say how wonderful it is to have so many care enough to take the time. Thank you Ricki.

[Stella]

If you can afford to do it then you should go for it!!  I certainly would if I could.

[Camilla and Darwin]

My vote is to go for it!

[Suzanne & Jack]

Life is way too short not to enjoy your doods and your grandson.  It sounds like your job is extremely stressful and you may not be as fulfilled as you could be.

Go for it!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Seems as though the resounding thread is that life is too short.  I am taking everyones advise and seriously considering taking that leap of faith very soon. Just need to talk to DH when I get home from this business trip Tues. night.  Plus, I just thought I could make Doodle Dog Quilts and sell them on our Buy-Sell-Trade group

[shelly]

WOW!  okay... put ME on that list!!! What a great idea.. you could even stick their pictures on it!  Hope you're feeling better about making a decision!  Everyone here is not only comfort for doodle issues, but in life in general....Isn't it amazing how people who never actually set eyes upon, can be so caring and help in so many ways?!

[Camilla and Darwin]

wow, I love it!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Love it...I would gladly buy one!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes Shelly, it really is amazing and the first time I have ever really reached out on such a personal level. I have to say that I really needed to hear everything everyone had to say and although I have friends who I've talked to, they all just want me to do what will make me happy and none of them have retired yet, so their points of view are very different.

I certainly can put a picture of individual dogs on the quilts. I like the idea of doing that, except that fabric ink doesn't hold up that well considering how often you'd want to wash it. I use mine on the rug in the back of my SUV.

I think I need to look for fabric that has more doodle doggies on it.

[Donna Vee]

I don't believe for one second that at the end of our lives we will ever look back and wish we'd worked one more stressful day, driven another mile, or earned one more gray hair at our demanding jobs. But we would probably give our lives for one more day spent with the ones we love. That's all we can take with us, love.

 

DO IT!

[shelly]

Well put, Donna

 

Sue...Any blanket made with such a love for doodles would be proudly draped on my couch every day!!!  Can't wait!  :o)