Not Working [Out]

Well, my ankle is doing better, I'm getting around with the help of a cane, but the back and hip pain on my right side is pretty bad if I go too far. Ugh. If I overdo it, then my ankle swells up and throbs. Like I did today.

But the shit just keeps on coming. I have a new health crisis that requires me to go out of state next week to meet with a cancer specialist. Yeah, possible cancer. *sigh* I really didn't see that coming. I'll post about it more when I have a better idea of what the diagnosis is.

But, work. I emailed my two bosses to let them know that I needed work. 1. to keep busy; 2. to make income because my husband gets laid off in June, and starting in July we'll need to be on COBRA for our health insurance and it won't be cheap.

And, with my disappointment in the slow way they pay their sub-contractor's, I'm equally disappointed in their response.

I asked for either short projects, or an author who would be understanding if I needed to pass their project to another member of the team, or wait for me to feel better if I have radiation therapy with a malignant diagnosis.

I was told that there are "no short projects"; and that it wouldn't be fair to ask a client to wait until I felt better to finish their project.

Frankly? I call bullshit on both. I realize it's not personal, it's business, but I've done plenty of short projects, and I can edit very quickly now. So they're waiting to find out what my diagnosis will be. I think that's kind of shitty that they just didn't come right out and say it instead of some bs about there being "no short work." And I may not even be ill! This is all conjecture at this point.

There is no disability insurance in the state I live in like they have in California--it comes right out of your paycheck--but I would have had to purchase a policy on my own to receive benefits. So essentially, I have no income and no money in the pipeline. That really sucks.

I have registered with e-Lance again; they no longer charge a monthly fee to join and why I left the first time I belonged; an author friend has promised to recommend me to any of her writer friends who need a book e-formatted AND she pointed me to some websites where I can post for gigs. Cool; and a good friend from college called me last week to let me know she's moving back to California, and I got the impression that she was feeling me out for a job--she needs to hire someone when she gets to California. I would move back to California, an area that I don't even like, for this job. So it's not for sure, but it would be awesome if it were. *fingerscrossed* I could be wrong, but I hope I'm not.

So I'm looking around to see what's out there. Evidently the job I love just isn't really going to be able to provide me with enough money to really make it worth the while. That's disappointing. I just can't make it on $8,000 a year. Not in the United States.

Moving on.

Dialogue

I had an open, honest, thoughtful, and courteous email conversation with my boss/friend (briend?) last night after an opening presented itself to ask about payment. It was awesome. I offered my skills as a bookkeeper, rusty though they are, and was told thank you, but maybe--the problem is time to train someone. Evidently the business is growing in leaps and bounds (and yay!), and more processes and policies need to be designed and implemented. It's just getting too big for her to handle AND do her editorial work, which she loves, as I do. So that's a good problem to have.

Bottom line? I'm picking up "checks" today at 5pm. Yes, checks, plural. Evidently another one came in for me. I can't imagine what it could be for. The last project I finished only finished late last week...but I suppose it's possible. Do I get my hopes up? NO. No hope up-getting. Just accept what you receive, go to the bank, and pay your new cell bill, Jewels. Doih.

I'm so grateful, and so well-trained by my sorority sister mother to never go empty-handed to a friend's house--I baked her a chocolate cake. From scratch. Well, not the frosting. It's buttercream from a can. But the chocolate cake is SO delicious. And my briend needs to gain weight, really, she's underweight, and she loves chocolate, and she has a school-age child who must love cake, so I made a cake. It's what I do. And I have the pleasure of making it without all the added calories from eating it. Heh.

(Email me if you'd like the recipe. SO easy to make.)

So. I am still learning how to be a grownup. Aren't we all?

The Waiting

Tom Petty said it best, "The waiting is the hardest part..."

Yep.

Still no check / payment.

By the time I get it, I should be getting paid for the last job I did, which I finished two weeks ago, and is for about the same amount.

I haven't gotten the $200- I get every month from a client last fall, either. It was late last month, too (the client paid on time, it was the disbursement, i.e., my boss, who held up payment).

But here's the thing:  My boss?  She's got health issues. And as someone with health issues? I get it. I totally do. She's had a migraine for about nine days. She's going to the doctor tomorrow. I wouldn't have waited that long, but I'm not her. So I feel a bit guilty about leaning on her about my payment, which I've not done so far (due to the guilt). But I need that money. I switched phone carriers last month, and my first payment is due tomorrow--they're not going to let me slide a few days like my previous carrier who I'd been with for over seven years. I don't want to get on their bad side, knowhatImsayin'?

So if it's not here tomorrow, I'm going to have to borrow it from my husband, and I'm going to have to ask for it. I can't wait any more. I can't feel guilty, I can't feel pity, this is business, that is all. And I'm sorry she's having health issues--but if that is the case, then you need to have a backup or alternate plan. It's that simple.

I also never received a 1099 for work I did last year. I asked about it, twice, but never received it. So I put the money on my tax return anyway as "payments received for which I did not receive a 1099." I'm not about to play with the IRS. Ugh.

So the business side of this business is not getting handled. They need to hire a bookkeeper. And not having time to train your mother-in-law, who was going to do it, is an excuse.

I would not treat my employees this way, and I don't like being treated this way.

So. Tomorrow. Will I have the brass ovaries to ask for the money? I'd better. Time is flying. Bills are due.







*** Update 8:47pm So soon? I know, right? Well, an opening presented itself--cranky client emailed me with some questions so I Bcc'd my bosses, and the check-cutter wrote me back, so I asked. I also offered to help with the bookkeeping services (I worked in accounting for 10 years--hated it, but can do it) or anything else she needs. So, we'll see. *fingerscrossed*