last day. last week?

Today is my last day at work.  A bittersweet moment.  I have dubbed it my early retirement.  Instead of a retirement package of $X each month though I will be getting:

• less stress... anyone that knows me knows that I will still be stressed regardless, but there is something to say for the amount of stress that is about to be taken off of my daily agenda from my job.
• more outdoor time... unfortunately this week the best weather was on the 3 days I worked.  I just feel less stressed and happy when I can actually enjoy a sunny day.
• more time to rediscover old hobbies... I haven't painted in years and only been marginally crafty
• plenty of time to discover new hobbies... I can't wait to garden, learn how to can food, maybe bake my own bread, volunteer somewhere, fix up old furniture.  Who knows, maybe I could go crazy and save up for a bike?
• the ability to be home when my husband is home...this is a big part of my decision to stay home.
• and eventually... the new job of stay at home mom will be the main focus.

What am I losing in this?

• daily interpersonal interaction... I'm a bit of a homebody so it will take a little forcing on my part to make me get out and make friends when we move.  Having a full time job has been my reason to get out and see people everyday.
• a pretty cool job... I started my science career working with plants.  I love plants.  But this being the only job offer I received...I had to get out of my comfort zone and get used to animals.  Specifically rodents.  And I have loved it.  No more will I be able to shock people with descriptions of what I do on a normal basis... spinal cord injury microsurgery, animal care, histology, staining, working with expensive microscopy equipment, injections into a mouse's tail vein, behavior testing, dissections... just a few things I have done in the past 3.5 years.  My normal day for a while is going to be along the lines of "oh yeah I cleaned the toilet and fixed dinner."
• an amazing work family... these people are hands down the best people I could have spent my last 3.5 years with.  We have laughed and cried and supported each other over the years and I will really miss them.
• a paycheck... Kyle's new income is going to be enough for us to live on without me working, but we are definitely going to have to tighten our belts a little and change up our budget.  I think it is going to be well worth it though.  Sure we won't be able to do the fancy vacations that others in his class may can handle with working wives, and shopping is going to be a more extravagant luxury, but the ability to see Kyle during his crazy schedule and be there for all the "firsts" of our kid are a pretty good trade to that stuff I think.

So is this our last week in Louisville?  We are still waiting for that to be answered.  The underwriter hasn't gotten back to us yet about an approval and closing date.  I'm still really hoping for early next week like they said our best case scenario is but who knows... We have to be out of our apartment by the 14th though.  

One day at a time.