Well, this week has been a BIGGIE because I … resigned from my job.
Here’s the email my boss sent explaining why (because she’s so good at it):
It’s with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you know that Alana will be finishing up at iVillage at the end of the year to spend more time with her family. Which, if she were a politician, would be code for “has become embroiled in an unfortunate sex scandal and was photographed leaving a bathhouse’ but in this case is actually true.With her two girls at school, the demands of editing iv as it’s grown, have out-paced the hours Alana can be in the office and after much thought and discussion between her and I, we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s just no way to make the two match up.It’s no accident that her blog is called House Goes Home and the consolation for me is that she’ll have more time to write on the blog she’s managed to build and maintain while she’s been here and which I’ve always absolutely loved reading.We’ve been so extraordinarily lucky to have Alana working with us for this year – it’s been a big sacrifice to be away from her kids – and she has been absolutely instrumental in growing iv to where it is now. We literally could not have done it without her.
Everything else is a bit of an anti-climax after that, but I’ll go through the motions anyway …
>> My sister spent the week asking if she could keep my dog after having him while we were away at Dubbo Zoo (despite all the widdling he did throughout her house). She was quite taken with him. Bless her. Read about his adventures here.
>> I blogged about stumbling upon yum cha in Rylstone of all places, as we were en route to Dubbo. Read what happened here.
>> Life took an uncharacteristically outdoorsy turn when I camped overnight at Dubbo Zoo (after cycling around it twice during the day). Read how I went here.
>> And I revealed my awesome discovery of Animals on Bikes – a 120km sculpture drive – on our way back to Sydney. Read more here.
As for iVillage (sob!)
There was fun stuff …




There was unusual stuff …



There was my personal RSI stuff …



>> Ever wondered what Kurt Cobain would look like if he were still alive today? Click here for the fascinating answer >>http://bit.ly/1e0E3qr
>> 11 Martha Stewart food fails that will make you feel sooooo much better about your kitchen skills >> http://bit.ly/1dWe2bA

>> Time for your daily dose of cute: Blind dog cuddles brother, totally melts the internet. Click here to see the pic >>http://bit.ly/17K8baF
>> His wife had an affair, he took revenge. The most awesome move EVER or totally out of line? >> http://bit.ly/19EYm8g

>> Health alert: Could you have email apnoea? (Ah! Now I understand my problem!!!) >>http://bit.ly/HYSsbT
And then there was the moment I gave wowsers the shites …

Wow big decision. Well done on maintaining your own blog (and posting every day) while working on iVillage I don’t know how you managed it all. Here’s to (another) new chapter. God a woman’s life is a jumble of choices starts, stops and restarts isn’t it?
Thanks Janine, hope all is going well for you too.
My week was nowhere near as exciting as yours!
Alana, one door closes and another opens! Good on you for giving iVillage a shot. I reckon I’m not alone in saying I’ve enjoyed reading you and will continue to do so at HousegoesHome.
Bet you were up at 6:50am and tuned into Dr Who this morning! 😉
Geoff, you sound like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Mucus with your ‘one door closes…’
Aaah, Julie Andrews…nice one Leanne! I’ll try and be more original next time.
Wish we had been able to see Julie earlier this year. Never mind – maybe next time.
Thanks for the support Geoff, I really appreciate it. As you might notice on the blog today, we held off for the 3D movie at 11am
I’ve often wondered how you manage to keep all the balls in the air with your hectic life. Good on you for doing what is best for you and your family. I will miss iVillage but look forward to lots more HGH.
Thanks Leanne. I feel very relieved
I’m just catching up on all your recent posts. What a big decision to resign from iVillage. I hope you manage to restore the balance you need with some more time at home. I so admire your dedication to this blog too with everything else you have going on in your busy life!
Thanks Lara, I’m looking forward to some balance restoration. I’m all wibbly wobbly at the moment …
Well done you. Putting your family first above your job, even when you loved it, is a great move and one that you will receive rewards from in years to come. Putting balance back into your life, even if it ends up being for the short term is really something positive. I wish you all the best.