phers for centuries. Needing
diaper changes of epic propor-
tions.
I won't go into the depres-
sing details of our financial
situation during this period.
Suffice it to say that we were
in no position to hire a baby-
sitter so that I could do my
freelance work. Which left me
in the Catch-22 situation of
not being able to afford
childcare in order to work,
and not being able to truly
work for lack of childcare.
So I became a Yelling
Mother.
Fortunately, my reign as Y.
M. was brief as I was able to
immediately recognize what I
had turned into. Hearing
myself utter phrases I swore
would never pass my lips,
such as "Just wait until your
father comes home, you little
monsters!" I quickly came to
a decision. In short, I gave up
my work in order to save my
sanity and return to my origi-
nal status as Laid-Back
Mom.
So I became a laid-back
F.T.M. period. No freelancing,
at least, for a while. I turned
down writing assignments
and started spending more
time in sandboxes. Things,
were certainly more placid.
I would like to say that my
return to the world of work
was a carefully orchestrated
move, following months of job
and soul searching. The truth,
however, is that after taking
a temporary summer position
I answered a Help Wanted ad
on a whim, demanded an out-
rageous (for me) salary and
was shocked to be called back
two days after my interview
with a job offer at the salary
I requested.
I accepted the position, of
course.
So here I am, able to meet
my deadlines without chil-
dren crawling around my feet,
earning a respectable salary
which helps to pay the bills
my husband has shouldered
for the past two years that I
was self-employed. Here I am,
dressed in skirts and blazers,
planning publicity campaigns
instead of play dates. I would
be lying if I said that the
transition was an easy one.
For the first three days I sat
at my ,desk and had to choke
back tears as I stared at the
pictures of my children which
grace the top of my desk. For
those first three interminable
days I went through the soul-
searching most people go
through prior to making dra-
matic life changes. And by
the fourth day, I felt at peace
with my decision.
Having found an exception-
al young woman to care for
my children while I am away
from home is not a small part
of my peace-of-mind. Having
a seven-minute, traffic-tree
commute is another impor-
tant factor. The company of
my employ is small and all-
female which is a plus, so far.
Three-quarters of us are
mothers and when a child-
related emergency comes up
we don't have to start cover-
ing up.
True, the pressure starts
cooking each day at about
three and deadlines are not
always easy to meet. Clients
can be obstreperous and fax
machines break. But I'm not
kidding myself. I chose the
easy way out.
Invites You To Our
CHAMPAGNE & WINE OPEN HOUSE!
December lst, 2nd and 3rd
Come in and tour our facility in style!
FEATURING
* Free Champagne & Wine * 1/2 Off Initiation Fee * Free CMI Gym Bag with Regular Membership ($50 Value)
* Free Limousine Service Certificates with any Membership (Limited Supply) * Music • Aerobic Demonstrations
* Posing Demonstrations * Kickboxing & KaerobicsTM Demonstrations * Door Prizes
SPECIAL GUEST HOST
Na'amat Raises
Chanukah Funds
"No child in Israel without
a Chanukah gift" is the
slogan of the Greater Detroit
Council of Na'amat USA's an-
nual Chanukah campaign,
Dollars for David.
Na'amat USA raises funds
for Chanukah gifts to send to
the children in the 500 day
care centers and nurseries
maintained by Na'amat in
Israel.
The Dollars for David Cam-
paign will culminate in a lun-
cheon to be held at noon Dec.
5 in the Sutton Place club
house. Musical enertainment
will be provided by Dino Valle
and Christina Lybecky, lead
singers of the Verdi Opera
Company.
There is a charge. For infor-
mation, call Na'amat USA,
967-4750.
ELI ZARET
Famous Sportscaster & CMI Member
Appearing
SPECIAL GUEST
Friday, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
ALSO APPEARING
Parkwood ORT
Chanukah Party
Parkwood Chapter, Wo-
men's American ORT, will
have a Chanukah latke party
noon, Dec. 6 at the Knob
Woods club house. An after-
noon of nostalgic musical
memories will be presented
by Paul Becker, pianist-
vocalist. There is a charge.
For reservations, call
Lillian Goodman, 357-5254;
or Cele Jacobs, 546-0294.
Women's ORT
Fund Raiser
Michigan Region Women's
American ORT will host a
jewelry designer showcase
7-10 p.m. Dec. 2 at 'rapper's
Fine Jewelry & Gifts. Na-
tional jewelry designers will
be in the store to display their
creations. One percent of all
proceeds will benefit the ORT
school operations in the
United States.
Primrose To Meet
Primrose Benevolent Club
will meet 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at
Lincoln Towers club house. A
petite lunch will be served.
LEDA MURRAY
Professional Body Builder
1989 North American
Body Building Champion
Posing Demonstrations & Autographs
Friday. 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday. 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.
KEN LEVY
a)
a)
30333
■
Southfield
CMI Fitness Director
Martial Arts Champion
Kick Boxing Demonstrations
Saturday & Sunday, 1 p.m.
Also Special
Kaerobics' Demonstrations
Saturday & Sunday, 5 p.m.
WATCH FOR OUR LASER SEARCH LIGHT & 3-STORY BALLOON
*Mention The Jewish News and receive a free guest pass to the club (first time visitors only)
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION
30333 SOUTHFIELD • SOUTHFIELD, MI • 646-8990
CLUB HOURS: Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sat. - Sun., 8 a.m. 8 p.m.
HEALTHY OPTIONS, INC.
• Weight Control
• Individual
Counseling
• Eating Disorder
Specialty
647-5540
DEA FARRAH
m SW, ACSW
BINGHAM CENTER, BIRMINGHAM
David B iber
CRISSMAN CADILLAC
FINEST PERSONAL SERVICE AFTER
AS WELL AS BEFORE THE SALE.
Specializing in Employee and
Executive Car Sales and Leasing'
LEASE RATES AS LOW AS 2.75% FINANCING
644.1930
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
73