>Even if I took four months off at once, I don't like traveling by myself, and my husband surely wouldn't take that much off work. So, I'd be home if I was needed. What I like is the idea that I could take the summer off and not be actively working on a project that takes fulltime attention.

Yes, that would certainly be doable. However, that would mean turning down some clients (if you're lucky!) and those clients might not come back (nor recommend you to their friends). That's why I think it sounds good in theory, but I suspect that most consultants get less vacation time than regular employees.

>I'm glad my dream of working at Sierra never came true. Not that I had a chance or anything...

Actually, you might well have had a chance (if you learned C). It was quite tough getting people to move out here to the boonies. One reason is that if you leave, you're stuck trying to get jobs in Fresno, which ain't exactly Austin. :)

>I used to go on and off welfare between part time jobs during the recession. I know what it's like. But now I'm married and my husband makes enough to live on, so I won't be in danger of starving.

Yup, that's a good situation to be in to try this out. I was lucky in coming away from Sierra with stock options up the wazoo. But after three years, the well dried up. :)