My full time job has started in the public schools. First off, I love this job, truly I do. The perfect mix of students, parents, college kids, and the community. And it's more hours than last year so yay for me!
But since we're so strapped financially I've also taken on two part time jobs. They are both fun and interesting, but working 50 or more hours per week is crazy! Especially when I have three busy kids to raise.
Why you ask? Well one is we really need a 3rd car. The truck takes Johnny C to work, out of town, 10-12 hours days. The van is all we have left to get me to work 9-5, 3 kids to school 8-3, two teens to work 4-9, me to part time gigs, and all our other activities. Did you notice the time overlaps in there? Yeah bikes work but not past October. We have a "bus" of sorts but it doesn't run like you'd expect.
And although we need a 3rd car, financially it will about kill us. Ever tried to get even basic insurance for a junker that will have TWO teen drivers? And there's something illogical about getting a 3rd job to pay for a car you need to get to your 3rd job.
A clean tidy house is very important for my sanity, but evidently not so much for Johnny C and the kids. Actually what I should be saying is: it really hasn't dawned on them that I'm not around to pick up after anyone and that clutter won't put itself away.
And while juggling all this, I think about the AIG cretins and others who failed miserably at their jobs but are stuffing multi million dollar taxpayer bonuses into their pockets. They haven't a financial care in the world. They can eat in restaurants, they can hire cleaning staff, they have multiple cars and drivers at their disposal. And I'll bet they don't worry about the oil pump going out or the insurance costs.
My husband and I were doing our jobs with flying colors, putting 150% effort into our end of the social bargain, and were content with our middle class placement. In return we get slapped around and thrown out with the trash. On top of that we get GOP politicians telling us we're lazy, spoiled, and otherwise negligent.
As I write this, a friend that I admire greatly is dying of breast cancer. She may not even last through the month. She is leaving three beautiful children including a 7-year-old. So I feel guilty complaining about my jobs and money when I know her family would all run to Texas and back if it meant she'd live. I can't stand the thought of her leaving.
Somedays it's really damn hard not to be bitter. Really damn hard.
10 comments:
So sorry to hear about your friend. That is rough. I know I've complained more than I should about my own life. There but for the grace of God...
Best to you, teen drivers. eek. I'm not there yet. Whew.
Oh my goodness. It's perspective. And you have every right to be bitter. I hate that for your friend. And I hate it for you and me and everyone else who played by the rules and got screwed.
To quote one of my favorite bloggers, and a good friend, life is, in general, self-adjusting. I believe the AIG people will get the (bad) things they deserve, and you and yours will get the (good) things you deserve.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. We've had a spate of deaths in my family lately, including a 4 year old and a 28 year old. I keep in mind that we've got a roof over our heads and that I'm in the last laps of a journey to get this nursing degree. You keep in mind the good too!
Man, all that does suck! Working three jobs is just too many. You ought to get some help from the family on the housework though, that would help. Good luck.
Oh my God. Seriously, how can you even do it, with those schedules and not enough vehicles? I cannot even imagine. Nor can I imagine having the energy to work 50 hours per week at 3 jobs with 3 kids to raise. I am freaking out for you. :(
Although I'm not personally in a bad position financially, I know that it would take only an accident or something to change that. And I know how hard my parents struggled to stay above water back when the politicians may have come from the same background and weren't rubbing poor people's noses in what they can't help. Sheesh, I like that word-picture. I KNOW what it was like when my father couldn't work for 6 months because of health reasons and I'll never stick my nose in the air thinking it couldn't happen to anybody. I'm just hoping that these arrogant politicians will get the notice they deserve when we go to the ballot box.
So sorry to hear about your friend. I told my girls they had to pay for their own insurance. Even with one full time job, mowing lawns and giving plasma, there's no way I could ever cover that.
Some days, don't you just wish you could pack your family up in that van and drive north? Find a little spot in the woods and set up camp. Just leave it all behind. I do. And my life is much simpler than yours, but there are those days I just want to run away.
Thinking good thoughts for you, your family and your friend.
Sorry about your friend.
I am so sorry to hear about all the troubles going on and your friend. I wish you some sanity, and some peace.
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