I shared bits and pieces about losing our baby, but I didn't tell you Zac was out of work for the whole thing.
There, I said it… Ten months of being unemployed has been rough.
We both strongly believe there was a reason. And that reason was that I needed him home during a difficult time. The timeline was too perfect to be coincidental.
I will say, ten months of being a pretend middle aged retired couple while still in the prime our lives has been pretty darn fun, though. Zac's back to work now and traveling like crazy. We've gone from Zac all the time, to Zac very little of the time.
The exciting new development is that what started as a "job" for me (and at times this last year has been very heavy) has now turned into the coolest hobby with a pay check…and requires that I file monthly taxes. Eh.
The impulsive, over-night decision to sell furniture was planned as temporary. The original plan was to bring in a little each month until the pocket book went back to being less "tight". Now that we're there, I've had to stop and think about priorities. Do I want to continue painting? Do I want to go back to being exclusively a stay-at-home mom? What's best for my family?
I've given it much thought and the answer is yes to the first and no to the second. My little side business makes me happy. I love my "nap time" job. It's perfect for me.
This had me scared for a minute! I'm so glad that you are able to keep us with this. You are amazing! I'm so glad you shared :)Really you amaze me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amber. :)
DeleteI know how scared you felt. My husband was laid off on July 1, 2010 and just this last week was finally able to get a new job (after hundreds of applications everywhere!). We are so happy. But I just text him this morning that it was weird for me not to be able to call him whenever I want during the day. Ha!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you and that you are going to keep up with your "nap time" job :)
Wow! That's six months longer than we did! I can't imagine. It's rough times all around right now for, for sure.
DeleteMy husband was out of work for six months when my first daughter was between eight months and fourteen months old. And it was a huge blessing at the time, even though we had to move in with my parents to save money. I had MASSIVE postpartum depression with my first daughter as well as my second (my third is due in less than a month and I'm terrified of PPD returning). Just having my husband in the same house every day, even if he was glued to the computer searching for a new job, was a tremendous help. And my parents were home every evening to talk and play with my baby and give us the occasional date night out. What seemed like a horrible time for us was actually a reprieve from a very hard time in life. And I am so, soooo grateful for other moms who occasionally share their struggles. The most rotten thing about depression is that you feel utterly alone in your trials, and knowing others have gone through it, too, makes all the difference in the world! Reality is filled with both ups and downs, and it's always okay to be open about that! I just love your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how looking for a job is a full-time job in and of itself! I'm so glad your husband was home - I can totally see what a blessing that would be. Good luck with baby number three! I had connection issues for the first three months with my second and I've tried to be very open about it because it's hard to have to endure something so common, but that's shameful and no one talks about. I sincerely hope you get a PPD pass with this next baby!
DeleteWhat a great blog entry!! Keepin' it real for sure! Painting is my "nap time job" too...although no one in this house is napping anymore...Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGotta love a good nap time job! Charlotte still naps for THREE hours every afternoon. How lucky is that?
DeleteLive life to the fullest I say!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear things are looking up and you are able to make these choices for yourself instead of having your hand forced due to circumstances. My husband has also gone through a long period of on again off again employment and it has taken it's toll. I'm sure we will look back someday and see how we grew during this time and learned invaluable lessons. Some of them we already recognise and some are probably yet to be seen. I commend you for being brave and sharing a little bit of "reality" with your readers. It's scary! Best of wishes to you and your family. :) HUGS!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a honest post, I'm a newer follower so I didn't know about you losing the baby. I miscarried our baby at 8 weeks in June. I actually wrote a post about it, about how hard it was and is...and it's still sitting in my "drafts". I thought nobody wants to know about this, so I posted a recipe instead. Maybe I can get the courage to be brave like you. I also feel sometimes blogland is a place where unrealistic perfect life is often portrayed. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAt what point do you have to file taxes for the side biz?
casadesoria.blogspot.com
It's so hard to know how much to share. I'm so sorry!
DeleteI started filing taxes about six months in when I felt like painting wasn't going to be short-term - you will need to get your business license first.
I love the honesty. I agree that as bloggers we try not to be the 'downers' but life isn't always full of rainbows. I have written my 'real life' type post over and over in my head and I think I am almost ready to share.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that your husband is back to work and follow your heart!
Truthful. Pressure of keeping up with how things "were" is hard. Everyone was all doing better and now that things are harder it's actually hard to admit that they're harder. We all want to make it seem it's the same but it's not and we're all in that boat. Being honest is a breath of fresh air tho and hopefully a sigh of relief. Feel proud of enduring and sticking together!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. My husband and I have never been unemployed, but we are self employed which can be scary too. I'm glad you will continue painting and doing what you enjoy. Life is too short not to enjoy life everyday!
ReplyDeleteI love your honesty. Some days I just feel too tired to work in my shop, but knowing how much my "nap time" business helps my family gives me more motivation. My husband is self-employed and our income is down due to the economy. Everyone is doing what they can these days to make ends meet. Hopefully, now that there is less pressure it will feel fun again and less like "work". ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree, no one likes a fake "perfect" blog. I'm glad Zac's able to work again though! And that you're going to keep painting- we all need hobbies and outlets. Especially us stay at home moms!
ReplyDeleteWow natty I'm with you. My husband has been unemployed for almost a year now. As well as my furniture was doing I'm going to have to quit due to the fact that after depleting our savings (we prepared for 8 months of unemployment) we are going to move our family into a small apartment with no place to paint. I hope he finds a job soon and one day ill get myself a small studio so that I can paint. One can wish right?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry! Unemployment is so rough. Hang in there girl!
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