Back to Work Thurdsay

Today, Wednesday, is my last day of maternity leave.
I chose to go back to work on a Thursday. If you ask WHY, you are one of many to wonder why I would choose to go back at the end of the week rather than wait until the following Monday.You might also be curious why I would go back to work so soon (6 weeks!).
My job gives me only 6 weeks of paid disability/maternity leave, however in NY state, disability pay is 1/3 of your salary, but it caps out at $170 maximum (before taxes?). As such, over the past 6 weeks, I "came home" with a whopping $800, which must cover our regular expenses plus the new addition. And believe me, SHE is precious and costly!
In addition, being home means spending a lot more money because I am able to accomplish more than I usually can. Cooking, cleaning, organizing, and shopping are all expensive habits. I have bought food, clothes, supplies, gifts, kitchen gadgets, games, and more! Thank G-d for credit cards!
Do you still want to know why I must get back to work so soon?!?
The real reason is that our big fund raising dinner is June 5, and I am behind in getting started. The design work is in progress but there is a ton of work needed to complete before we can begin the campaign. I usually begin Feb 1, and I am starting March 1 instead. My 6 weeks of recovery, vacationing, shopping, nursing, relaxing, reading, cooking, baking, and pampering is O.V.E.R.
And so, I return to work on March 1. Does it matter that it is a Thursday?
I am thrilled to have the weekend right away so that I can adjust to the intense schedule and brain power required to do my job well. I will also have a slight break when Purim comes around the following Thursday.
WISH ME LUCK!
p.s.- Today is Feb 29! My blog is now complete.

What's in a Name: Naming After Grandma

I mentioned in the previous post that I would eventually post my feelings about naming my own daughter after my beloved grandmother, Hilda. Grandma's Hebrew name was Chaya Sarah, so my daughter now bears her name. I hope that she will be as amazing as her namesake. Click here to see what my grandmother was all about. Though Grandma lived a difficult life- losing her father at a young age, loving a husband who was sent to fight in World War II, fertility struggles, losing her brother and then most of her friends at an older age- she was the strongest woman I know. She was smart, funny, caring, very honest, kept her sense of self-worth and style, and made sure to always keep a happy face on even when things were not going her way. She always knew when to give advice, and when it was best to withhold it.
I wish that my daughter, Chaya Sarah, will have all these amazing character traits as well.
Being a mom is hard work. Instilling good perspective, optimism, and positive self esteem is even harder.  If I can teach my daughter even a quarter of what her great-grandmother lived each day, I will have succeeded.  As I write this, I am reminded of the great loss we all felt when Grandma passed away. I wish she got to know Chaya Sarah, and wish I did not have to name my baby after her at all.  I know Grandma would be proud of Siri and that she would bring her so much joy, just as the other 3 kids did.  I kiss my little girl and pray that she carry on Grandma's legacy.