Okay, now that I'm at a proper computer and not replying on my overpriced iphone.... I'll try to address everything!
Also a factor is the route of the commute. The university position has the shortest commute but it's a very indirect route with a lot of stops, etc., and not the best maintained in the Michigan winter. A quick highway route is often the better choice due to time versus miles. I love NPR so that helps a lot!
I am in therapy and take meds - starting something new that should hopefully help a lot. (My personal life has been through a lot of upheaval this year.) Spending is a pretty typical issue for people with bipolar, and communicating with my husband about money is a very difficult thing for me. It's a project for this year.
I think any of the options - other than where I'm at now and being a housewife - would make me feel valued and like I'm contributing. I'm smart and a hard worker and upbeat and usually very successful in environments where expectations are clear. One of the hard things about leaving where I'm at is that I know I'm needed by the people under me and they will be hurting when I'm gone, but the upper management's style just isn't a good match for me.
I am gluten free and on a strict sleep/wake schedule, but making additional adjustments like getting back off soda and increasing my exercise. Hubby and I are training for a warrior dash type obstacle course run this summer. I also play ukulele for fun and sing in a women's barbershop chorus.
I had the second interview for position 3 today. It looks like they're starting around $14/hr. When you factor in my gas costs, I would only see a net loss of $80/week. Which I think is worth it when you look at it as more of a lifestyle change decision than a "career" decision. Also, that pay rate is just the initial rate/initial position that I would have for a while as I learn their way of doing things and company culture. Then I'd be promoted and get a raise. The personality match with the manager seemed good and I am really interested in the structure of the program they are running. I kind of think I want it!! :D
We leave on vacation tomorrow for ten days.... Paris, Dublin, and Kentucky! So they will have an offer in hand when I get back and I should have a decision. I need to check in with position 2 and see if they want to get in the game or not.
Unlike a lot of people, aiming for "peaceful" isn't necessarily a healthy goal for me. That peace often translates into lack of stimulus, which leads to depression. I tend to run high, and am happiest and most productive when I'm doing four things at once. It's like being completely run by inertia. If I'm doing a lot, I can do a lot! If I'm doing little, I am capable of doing very, very little.
Will follow up on those reading recommendations.