Spaghetti Days
There is a chapter in the book MAKING A LIVING WITHOUT A JOB, where the author exhorts the reader to treasure their "spaghetti days" - those days before they make it big and are living on spaghetti. She says to chronicle them, because one day you will look back and remember them fondly, even if they are difficult at the time.
Well, I'm entering into spaghetti days right now (though in our house, it's more like rice & beans with the occassional enchilada thrown in.) :) I handed in my resignation for the fourth time in three years, and while they once again tried to suck me back in, I only agreed to work two days a week through the end of October while my replacement gets up to speed.
You see, I realized that there are other things that are far more important to me than working for an outfit that I can no longer emotionally support. Things like taking care of my daughter and myself. Things that make me happy like writing and painting. The arthritis in my hands is getting so bad that there are days when I take my hand off the mouse and it remains in that clawed shape for several painful minutes after while I try to massage it loose.
It occurred to me that I don't want to spend years being unhappy and lose the use of my hands when I could be using them for things that I enjoy while I still can.
However, what that means, is that for a while I'll be quite entrenched in spaghetti days. And only when I can buy boxes 4 for a dollar. :)
I've been planning on starting a small publishing company, as well as sell my artwork online and elsewhere, but have run into a couple of small legal snafus which I hope to smooth out in the next month or two. I'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, Magical Musings recently posted a link to the inspiring account of Sherrilyn Kenyon's journey to publication and all she went through. You can read it here. (Scroll down to the part called "And here's the story of how I got to where I am." It is worth the read.
Wish me luck as I move forward, as I'll be wishing it for all of you.
Great to see you back, Kate! And enjoy those spaghetti days. I love spaghetti btw. Good for me, eh? Keep us posted on your exciting adventures too.
ReplyDeleteMine were called mac & cheese days. You'd think after eating nothing but that and canned chef boy r dee for years that I'd hate the stuff.
ReplyDeleteBut I will grab a can or a box to have for lunch every so often.
Good luck with your choices!
Thanks, LaDonna! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Travis, I went through mac-n-cheese days in my early twenties when I was living on my own for the first time and had almost NO money. I used stop and buy about 8 boxes at 4/$1.00 along with a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly and live on that for a month. Total monthly food bill less than ten dollars.
Of course, I was much thinner then too. ;)
I'd do that now, but my daughter would complain. She's probably the only kid in America who never liked macaroni and cheese or peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. :)
Hi Kate, I found you from Stewart's blog . . . anyway, I'm glad I did! Your life sounds like mine right now. I am a single mother, out of work (trying to do what means something), had to move from my home (so I was without a computer/internet for a couple of months) and I have been living the spaghetti days (aka rice, potatoes, mac and cheese . . .)
ReplyDeleteIt is kind of comforting to know there are others out there going through these changes like me.
All the best!
We'll have to share recipes sometime!
Lindy
Hi Pythia/Lindy - thanks for the reply. Always nice to know we're not alone, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteI think I have a million potato recipies. Good thing I like them. :)
Kate, I've been coming to your blog about every week, hoping you were back. I'm wishing that a whole lot of good things start happening to you now, from money coming your way to a cure for arthritis. I know you've had a lot of magic moments, so it can all happen. And soon!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Kate....we will be here if you need us...
ReplyDeleteHUGZ:)
Mine are the rice days. A ten dollar monster bag of jasmine rice from Sam's Club, some onions and saffron from the Indian store (about a third of the price the grocery store charges). I'm a rice-eating fool.
ReplyDeleteOf course you have my well-wishes. Let me know if you need anything in getting your publishing company up and running. I may be able to help or I may not, but I'd be happy to try.
hot dogs on wheat bread for me. i spill the spaghetti on the floor. things will work out. at least, thats what the voices in my head always tell me.
ReplyDeleteEdie, your support and good thoughts are always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Etain - I hope you're doing better over there!
Avery, that rice sounds good. :) I'll definitely keep your offer in mind.
Wayne, for once, I'll tell you to listen to those voices. :) Hot dogs used to be a splurge back in my mac-n-cheese days.
Sorry to hear about the arthritis, but glad to hear you're not letting "the man" get in the way of your life. Earlier this year I left my job for something part time & closer to home. I don't bring in the $ I used to, but;
ReplyDelete1. I'm still making enough to cover my mortgage,
2. My new job is not only less stressful, it's completely NON stressful,
3. I finally have time to enjoy life, which is more valuable to me than anything in the world.
Best to you & yours. Enjoy your "spaghetti days." ;)
Thanks, Lana - good to see you 'out and about' again. :) Your new arrangement sounds wonderful.
ReplyDelete