When this blog began, its purpose was rooted in helping other working moms. I’ve diverged from that path here and there to share bits of my own story, for better or for worse, as a working mom. It’s also been a way for me to capture stories along the way, and keep friends and family up to date on our lives, now that we’re so far away.

So, back to the blogroots, here’s a bit of advice for working moms, or moms looking for work. Every year, Working Mother magazine publishes its list of the best companies for working moms. If you’re looking for work, or tired of working for a company that doesn’t support the life you’ve chosen (or fallen into) go apply for a job at one of these. I’ve known happy working moms who have worked for several on the list, and respect the research that goes into “making it.”

For companies that have no hope or interest in being a candidate for a “best place” list, be warned, the best employees don’t want or need to work for you.

Fortune released their list of the 50 Most Powerful Women. I’m disappointed that I’ve only heard of two of them (Oprah and Martha). Why aren’t we reading more about these women on a regular basis? Why don’t they grace the covers of magazines, contribute columns, appear on television news programs and write books as often as their male counterparts? Martha and Oprah aside, the other 48 have to be just as interesting, talented and smart . . . don’t they?

What’s just as interesting is the list of nine who fell off the list, and why. Bumped for new blood; quit; jumped ship after being passed over for promotion; all the reasons those of us with a bit less power have moved on or fallen off the “slightly less powerful” list.

Personally, I don’t want to appear on the “powerful” list, partly because making it onto the “fell off” list is inevitable, but this is not the list for me. At one point, I wanted to be on a 30 under 30 list. Having passed that birthday, 40 under 40 still holds some appeal. Reality says I’ve got a shot at one of these lists:

• 50 Least Punctual Moms
• 50 Tallest Work at Home Moms
• Worst-Dressed Non-Celebrity Working Moms
• Most Powerful Woman Who Works in My Basement

Dare to dream! Oprah wouldn’t make a single one of those lists.

Since I’ve whined about this cold to everyone I know, I decided I’d be remiss if I didn’t whine about it to the blogosphere as well. I called in sick today, for the first time with this job. As a work-at-home, telecommuting employee, I didn’t even know this was something I could really do, but it turned out after working sick all last week and throwing everything I had in me at getting better over the weekend, I just needed one more day to rest and recuperate. Honestly, tonight, I’m finally starting to feel like I’m on the road to recovery.

Of course, I couldn’t go an entire day without a bit of work, so I did obsessively check e-mail and participated in one conference call, but other than that I napped and marvelled at the wealth of crap on daytime television — the same garbage that’s been on for twenty years.

My doctor managed to not laugh at me Friday when he told me all the ways people get over colds and how they often last up to 10 days. I’m sure I seemed as if I’d never had a cold before. I’m not sure the last time I did have “just” a cold, not a sinus infection, bronchitis or the flu. I’m hoping I don’t get another one for a good, long time.