Why Get One Job When You Could Have Two? // April Newsletter
and why you want to pay your water bill
After a day of work at my new part-time job, I walk back to my car and check my phone. I read a text from my daughter from an hour earlier:
the water in our house is not working.
That’s weird. (But also, it wouldn’t surprise me if she accidentally … didn’t turn on the sink right?)
I get in the car and text my son about the water.
Son replies: yeah, it isn’t working.
Huh! Super weird.
Immediately, my husband, who was also on the text thread, texts: what water isn’t working?
Son: All of it.
Me:
My scalp starts to tingle from my forehead to my neck. Every hair stands on end, activated and alert, as if I’m about to be struck by lightning. All oxygen leaves my body and my mouth drops open.
For just a moment, time suspends long enough for me to remember — like a movie montage — every action that led to this moment: me, weeks ago, opening the mail and seeing a doubled amount bill, putting it aside — I’ll deal with this later — then forgetting about it, later seeing it, I’m too busy-ing it again, forgetting about it, seeing it, forget/seeing, the next day, the next, the next) until right this very second when I realize—
I forgot to pay the water bill.
I forgot to pay the water bill.
I FORGOT TO PAY THE WATER BILL!
Fine.
I put off paying the water bill.
But there’s a grace period. Right?
Yes, there is a grace period. I will affirm this as fact. There IS a grace period. I know this because this bill was not the first, but the second (hence the doubled amount) we received. And we’re billed quarterly, friends — so every load of laundry and shower and pot of coffee for months and months and months (!) has all been grace.
Last fall, I started to get casually focused about getting an out-of-the-house job. I love teaching my writing workshops and writing essays, but it was time for steadier income. I dusted off my resume, circa 2007, and eventually — because updating resumes are a thing in and of themselves — started to apply for jobs. All part-time, mostly in the nursing field. I heard nothing but crickets.
So I widened my search.
By November, I got a few interviews, the first of which I absolutely bombed. But even as I got better, more confident, position after position, I heard things back like “you have great experience, but…”
I was on Indeed daily. Monster dot com. I kicked myself for being ‘out of the traditional workforce’ for so long. (Too long?) I said ‘yes’ when friends offered to make introductions. I networked. I applied with abandon. Imagine that’s a basket full of resumes.
By late January, I was offered a position as a per diem nurse educator.*
Then, a week before I started this dreamy job in February, one of the writing jobs I’d applied for late last year reached out. Though they didn’t have work for me then, they had some now, and wanted to know if I’d be open to a short-term, part-time contract — to start a week after I started my other new job.
Two flexible part-time dream jobs?
Of course I said yes.
Remember my water?
Within a minute of arriving home that day, I was on the phone with the water company, making apologies and an S-O-S payment to the nice lady in customer service. “It’s not that we didn’t have the money, I just …” I just what? Wanted to test the water company the same way I do with my light-on-for-two-days empty gas tank?
I wanted her to tell me it happens all the time! She didn’t. Instead, she said someone would come out as soon as possible because, it turns out, they recognize water is important.
I got off the phone then sat my younger two kids down and explained why they can’t drink a glass of water.
Seasons of change, even really really good change, can be a challenge.
I tried not to beat myself up and decided to embrace the night off from running the dishwasher. But that didn’t stop me from sprinting to my front door, wildly waving and yelling “THANK YOU!!!!” to the loveliest, most hard-working, over-time earning young gentleman from the water company who arrived in the dark, after kids were in bed, who lifted the man-hole cover, and with one twist of a wrench turned our beloved water back on.
I can’t tell you why, exactly, I didn’t pay the water bill. But I will tell you work is great. Both works are great, actually. But also, yes, it’s been an adjustment. And if I ever say otherwise, please remind me about the seven hours we couldn’t flush our toilets.
In The Kitchen
Never in my life would I have attempted to make Dal Makhani at home. Until this recipe. Everyone — ages 9, 10, 14, 16, and two 40+ year olds ate two bowls each. (Heads up: this is easy, but a ‘think ahead’ meal involving soaking the lentils—I did mine for 6 hrs and it turned out great.)
This winner = easy weeknight meal + *fish sauce* magic
On the Bookshelf (of My Ears)
REAL big fan of Bono and U2, so my brother sent me “Surrender” for my birthday. But due to my sincere fandom (and a recommendation), I also got the AUDIOBOOK. And might I just offer you this nudge? It was like hanging out with Bono + listening in on a creative journey of a lifetime + being at a personal concert for 20ish hours. The actual best.
Just started listening to Beth Moore’s All My Knotted-Up Life. Will report back, but so far, her accent is adorable and since everything she touches is perfection, I’m already loving this book.
Before We Go
I’m on team always, always, always sweet.
*nurse educator job = through the professional development department for a major hospital system, I help train nursing support staff. Per diem = I choose the days I want to work.
Until next time, friends.
This made me laugh and also - congrats!
Loved the “how to feel better instantly” photo, and it sparked an interesting convo with my teenager. ❤️