I worked for about 4 years before we went through a major transition--my husband lost his job at a startup, was unemployed for about 5 months, found a new job in a different city, and I lost my job! He took the new job and we moved, and since it seemed like a good time to think about starting a family I never looked for another job here. No kids yet, so it's just me and the cats at home most of the time.

I certainly didn't love being a homemaker for about the first year--I really floundered. I had taught myself how to cook while in college, but I never learned a lot of the other skills I needed. It's taken both learning those skills and an attitude change on my part to get things more in shape around here (and they're both still ongoing!) I also look at it as my "job"--my contribution to the household. It may not be monetary, but it's important: I keep things running. I can't say I enjoy housework, but it certainly helps to focus on how much nicer the house looks when I do it and how much better we both feel when the house is cleaner and more under control. It's so nice to be able to invite people in now, even if it's not quite perfect.

My husband is both taking classes toward a Master's degree and working in a demanding job with a long commute, so he can definitely use some help and care. I make sure his work clothes are clean and put away, do the menu planning and grocery shopping, cook and clean up from dinner and pack lunches for him, try to keep the house clean, run errands, and basically do what I can to make things easier for him. He's got enough stress on the job; he doesn't need more at home! I don't always succeed and I can't take care of everything, but I hope it helps.

The most difficult thing for me (aside from learning the basics and trying to get myself going) has been not having much social contact. Even introverts need friends, but it's been hard for me to find new ones since we moved. I should probably get more involved with volunteering or hobbies or something here in our new community, but I haven't quite overcome the inertia yet. That, and there always seems to be some urgent project requiring my attention. I guess there always will be.