Stay-at-home moms have had a tough road to tow when trying to re-enter the workplace. Perhaps you are among those at last ready to go back to work after years of changing diapers, being the school shuttle, and longing for an adult to talk to between 9a.m. and 6 p.m. Good news: This may a better time than ever to make your leap.

By Heather Mundell, CPC

You're sitting in another agonizing meeting and glancing at your watch. "I can't believe what a waste of time this is," you say to yourself. "I've got five phone calls to return and probably 25 new e-mails in my inbox. Guess I'm staying late again. I just wish I cared more about what I'm doing here anyway."

If you notice that your complaints about work are becoming frequent and serious enough that you're questioning your willingness to stay, here are seven essential questions to ask before deciding whether to leave your position. Answering these questions is the first step in taking charge of your own career.

In case you hadn't heard, the economy is in worse shape than Artie Lange. So it shouldn't come as a total shock if your boyfriend, husband, or dude-you're-kinda-seeing-but-don't-know-what-to-call-it gets a pink memo.

Ease the pain by avoiding the following NSFAGWOOW (Not Safe For A Guy Who's Out Of Work) phrases. That way you won't make things worse for a guy who's already had a horrible week ego-wise.

By Holly Eagleson for

The term lunch hour is cruelly misleading, since hardly anybody gets a full 60 minutes anymore.

But if you take just a half-hour during the day and spend it on yourself with one of these ideas, you'll feel like you actually got in some you-time for once ... in less time than it takes to buy a latte.

1. Loosen up. Get a 15-minute massage at a nearby nail salon.

2. Tone up in your seat. Watch a "desk yoga" or 15-minute-abs video online that won't require a shower afterward.

3. Head outside. Try a new street food, hit the park and people-watch. If there's no expanse of green near you, churches often have serene garden spaces open to the public.

4. Check out some art ... even if it's artwork in a coffee shop or an office building. Banks, in particular, often purchase or commission interesting pieces by local artists.

Nine more ways to make more of your lunch "hour" >>

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

2008 was a big year: We experienced one of the most debated presidential elections in history; the Phillies won the World Series; Madonna and Guy Ritchie separated; our economy is in a recession; and a man got stabbed for giving an inexcusable haircut. Wait a second -- you didn't hear about that last one? Let me fill you in: A San Diego man allegedly stabbed a barber who gave him an unacceptable haircut. The man attacked the shop owner as he was closing down and slashed him twice in the face. The motive was that the man was unhappy with a previous haircut, according to authorities. (Source: 10News.com) In midst of all the daily chaos that goes on in the world, a different type of pandemonium takes place every day in the workplace. Sometimes you hear about it and sometimes you don't -- on the off chance that you haven't, we've done that part for you. Here are some of the stranger things that happened in the workplace (and out) during 2008: