Be sure to read the first part of this series if you haven’t already!

After a whirlwind trip filled with meetings, I boarded my 7 a.m. flight home the next day with a scenario-packed brain.  Over lunch with my husband, I verbalized those scenarios.

“What do you think?”,  I asked him.  “This is more travel than I’ve done before, but we can re-evaluate after the initial project setup is finished.”

“I told you I’m okay with it”, was his response.  “I know this is the perfect job for you.  You’d be bored doing anything else, and this kind of opportunity isn’t going to land on your doorstep every day.”

I contacted the company and asked them when they’d like me to start.  My husband and son figured out how many nights per week they can order pizza and watch wrestling.  (I kid.  The man I married is a much better cook than me!  I’m certain they’re watching wrestling though.)

And so, after nearly 8 weeks of sleeping in, I re-entered the working world. I dusted off my heels, checked my pantyhose supply, and made sure I still fit in my dress pants (it was touch and go there for a while).

I’ve learned a lot merely a week and a half into this.

1. Packing is truly an art.  Especially when the company you’re working for insists on a business wardrobe.  Unstructured jackets and cardigan sets are easier to fold into a carry-on than suits.
2. Black pants are a working woman’s best friend.  So are slip-on shoes.
3. Find a hotel that doesn’t charge extra for every little thing – even if the nightly rate seems to be a bargain.  My first trip, I stayed at a place that wanted $18/day for use of the fitness center and $14.95 for internet access.  All of that adds up.  I found a new hotel.
4. A canvas laptop case is much lighter than leather.  When you’re walking from one end of an airport terminal to the other, you’ll thank me for this tip.
5. Use your airline’s online check-in and bypass the lines at the self-serve kiosks at the airport.
6. If possible, have two sets of makeup/lotions/other liquids – one for home, one that you leave at work.  Getting through security will be faster!

I’ve also learned that although my family is pretty self-sufficient, we appreciate each other even more when I walk in the door on Thursday evenings.

Perfect?  Almost.

Photo by Ben Ullman