As you have probably heard by now, I love my job. Really, I love being a pharmacist. I went back to school after being a lifetime student (so basically I was totally over-educated and not qualified to do anything). After pharmacy school I worked full time for a grocery store chain for a few years. It was a great company and I really enjoyed the people, it was the hours that killed it for me. During the week I wouldn't get home until 10pm most nights, plus I had to work every other weekend. One saturday I had to go to work early and my husband was out of town. My daughter (#5) was 11 or 12 at the time and was taking an art class at the local university. I drove her over there and walked her to the art building. I had a couple minutes so I went in with her and showed her to her classroom. There was no one there. So, we walked around the building for a little while looking for her teacher, and again, there was no one there.
There was no one in the building. No one. Not a student, a teacher, or even a janitor. At this point I had 20 minutes to get to work (a 30 min drive) and I was frantic. Daughter was very brave about everything and told me she'd be fine and to leave for work so I did. And I cried the whole way. I couldn't believe that I was leaving my 12 year old daughter in an e
mpty building at the university. I put in my notice the following monday.
Now I do relief work according to my own schedule. I decide when, where, and how long I want to work. Mainly it is for my friends who have pharmacies, thru word of mouth for their friends, and there is also a temp agency in the area that calls me. It's really the best of both worlds and I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out.
However -- there's always a 'however' -- lately it's been just about killing me. Ok, that's a little harsh, BUT, I've been covering a maternity leave and it is 43 hours a week and I am sooo freaking tired. Serious poopedness going on here. I like to work about 20 to 30 hours, so the extra hours are really taking their toll. I know, I know, many of you full time workers are thinking
'what a wuss' and I'd say you are so right. I am a total wuss and I know it. It's been 7 weeks now, and I am desperate for the next 5 to go quickly.
My question is this: How do you do it? How do you find time to clean the house, do the laundry, go to the grocery store, make dinner, drive kids around, etc etc? I leave for work in the am and get home close to 11 or 12 hours later. When the hell am I supposed to do everything else? When do you do everything else?
Sometimes it just feels like I am chained to the pharmacy counter...
