I can't help but start planning for my 'time off'. It will only be about six weeks from when I stop working outside the home to when the baby arrives, and there are several deadlines before then. In fact, a good chunk of deadlines are happening between RIGHT THIS MINUTE and next week. I fully admit that I've been putting some things off because it's getting very difficult to write in the evenings when my eyes are heavy and my belly is aching.

But next Monday I shall wake up bright and squirrley and all ready to begin my new life as Work At Home Mom.

I know a little bit about myself ... enough to know that I need structure in my day. So I have to come up with a plan to get everything done. In the morning I will enjoy my coffee and watch some news, check emails and spend some time on the email lists I love.

And, ok, that's as far as the planning has gotten. That's it.

Somewhere along the line I need to plan my writing day, when to do interviews...when to edit... which deadlines to give the attention to... when to work on the book...

But for now I think I'm just going to think about how wonderful my mornings are going to be, knowing that I don't need to rush my son into his clothes and remind him to eat his breakfast with every second breath.

I won't need to check email, put on earings, comb my wet hair, get my son breakfast and type all at the same time...

I'll be able to have coffee in the nice ceramic cup rather than the leaky' go-mug'.

I will be able to check the mail when it arrives.

I will be able to know which phone number to give out because I will have only ONE office.

I will be able to stop working when my son needs me and cuddle on the couch to talk about whatever our hearts desire...

I will be able to take reading breaks. Imagine that! The ability to finish a book!

I may even get out for a walk so my son can learn to ride his bike.

I can't wait.