Part of the problem with making writing a full time gig now however, is that my real job often gets in the way. Responsibilities, time, and expectations; it all keeps me from being able to focus on my writing as much as I would like to.
Why do people ever get real jobs anyway?
Oh yeah, that’s right; the benefits. The health insurance, and paid time off, and 401K’s.
For a girl trying to have a baby; walking away from a job with good benefits would be a silly silly move.
Especially when you consider the fact that I really do have a great job. A job that has been extremely flexible with me regarding the management of my endometriosis. A job that I have now been at for over two years, and therefore know exactly what is expected of me at all times. There is very little stress and I really don’t have much to complain about. So leaving right now (and walking away from those benefits I covet oh so dearly)? Probably not an option. At least not as long as I would like to be able to count on that insurance to continue paying for my endometriosis treatments (including acupuncture), and to cover me through what will hopefully be a healthy, happy pregnancy here very soon.
I'm guessing I'll re-evaluate once baby is actually here (because I loathe the idea of packing them off to daycare at only 6 weeks old), but for now; I won’t be quitting my day job any time soon.
That was a wonderful guess though! A guess that seriously had me smiling from ear to ear even just thinking about turning my spare room into an office for me to embark upon a life of full time writing in.
Unfortunately, the truth isn’t nearly as exciting. But the bonus is that some of you actually guessed right!
I am getting a roommate.
Those of you who have been following along since the beginning likely remember that I used to have a roommate; once upon a time. One of my big goals in my baby making plan however, was to start making room in my life for that baby. That meant getting rid of the roommate back in February and figuring out how to make up for that lost income before a baby actually arrived. Finding a way to truly cover the mortgage, and dues, and household expenses all on my own.
And I did it. I made up that income with my writing jobs actually, and I haven’t looked back since.
Until a few weeks ago that is. I have a friend who was offered a job in Anchorage and was given 2 weeks to get here. She has a husband and two kids, but because of the quick move she is coming here first, finding a place for all of them, and letting the kids at least finish out this semester of school. When she was frantically trying to figure out where to stay on such short notice, I remembered that empty room of mine. The one that I used to rent out to Craigslist strangers back before the baby making took over all other aspects of my life.
I remembered that room, and I offered her a place to stay.
The rest of her family will be moving after the holidays, so this will really only be a few months at the most. But, it will give her time to find something more permanent, and it will give me a little financial backup over the next few months when finances were going to be a bit tight going into this second round anyway.
Now keep in mind; my place isn't exactly big. At only 780 square feet, a roommate situation involves being pretty much on top of each other. I love my condo (seriously - it's the first home I've owned, and I have worked my butt off renovating every room but the kitchen so far - I adore it), and the fact that there are 2 full bathrooms makes the roommate situation a bit more bearable, but... don't even think about trying to put two people in that itty bitty kitchen at once!
Plus, I’ve been living alone for the last 8 months, and I've discovered that I like living alone. I like having my own space, and being able to do what I want when I want without worrying about bothering anyone else. I like being able to sleep in until noon on weekends without being disturbed, and I enjoy walking around my house naked if my little heart so desires.
Living alone has turned my condo into a haven of sorts. It’s nice knowing that all the messes are my messes and that nothing is ever moved from where I last put it. This is my space, and I think readjusting to a roommate again is going to be a bit of a shock.
Especially since let’s remember; she's moving into my nursery. The space I've had set aside for my babies in this little head of mine. The room where I just put down new carpeting thinking that their little knees would be the next things to touch that flooring as they learned to crawl.
That room is their room, and it is definitely going to be weird having someone else in there. Even if that someone is a friend.
But, it’s only temporary. Just a few short months to help out a friend and enjoy a little financial assistance myself. It won’t be that bad at all. A few months of having some adult company around, and then if all else goes as planned; I’ll be able to start my baby room decorating as soon as she’s ready to move out.
Plus, it might be nice having that empty room be not so empty for a little while.
And the best bonus of all bonuses? I’ve already made her agree to help me with my tuckus shots when the time comes.
That’s right ladies and gentlemen; part of our deal was that she must be willing to give a 27 year old woman shots in the butt night after night for at least 6 weeks.
This is going to work out just fine.
