Where we stand right now
Because people seem fascinating by the situation my family has found ourselves in, and ask me tons of questions, I figured I would just post this and hopefully answer them all for you.
Why did you leave your job if you didn't have another one lined up?
I didn't leave my job. I was on a two year contract which is up on August 20th. The boss man and I had an agreement that this was a temporary position, and two years is more then temporary in my book. He found someone who would be a permenant employee, so we mutually decided not to renew my contract, as this is better for the program in the long run.
Why are you waiting on Scott to find a job?
Because Scott knows what he wants to do with his life. He wants to teach band, it's his passion. Me? I'd be happy sitting around reading books all day. I just have to figure out how to do that and get paid for it. We might as well take this chance and let Scott find a job, then to just coast by (by the skin of our teeth mind you) on whatever work I can find.
But you have a science degree. Couldn't you find something better paying then he can?
No. For two reasons. 1) I have a degree in Plant Pathology. When you hear "Plant Pathology" what is the first thing that comes to mind? Plants, right? Yeah, I suck at plants. I work with DNA. However, no place that does Molecular Biology wants to hire someone with a plant degree. I try to explain myself, but they still get hung up on plants. I've heard "Don't you want to work in a nursery or something?" more times then I can count. And 2) while public school teachers are still extremely underpaid for what they do, they make better money then you would expect. A full time teaching position will pay about $15,000 more a year then what I make now.
When do you have to make a decision?
Our lease is up July 31st. We will be moving out the weekend before that. Spud and I will stay behind to clean the place up, and finish up our contracts (mine at work, his at daycare and Wiggle Worms). So I guess we will need to know where to send the truck on July 27.
What will you do if he doesn't have a job by then?
Back up plan is to move to the TriCities and live with the in-laws for awhile. Might not be ideal, but it would be a good homebase for him to keep applying. Schools will be hiring until the beginning of the year. Starting August 1st you will start seeing what Scott refers to as the "Oh Shit" hires, where the district realizes there are only X number of days until school starts and they need someone in those positions. Things move very fast once August starts. That means that while we may move away from Pullman before we have jobs, we may go in to the school year with a new position for him (I'll deal with a job once we get settled). Worst case scenario, we stay in the TriCities for a year. He subs with the school districts there. I go begging until I find something that pays some of the bills.
What is taking so long?
We have recently realized that a former employer is making it nearly impossible for him to find work. Said employer is on vacation until August 1st, so we are hoping that helps. Scott is also now leaving the guy off of his reference forms, but the dude is still on the application as a former supervisor. He probably would have had a job a long time ago if we had realized this sooner.
Why don't you expand your search area?
I am very attached to my family. The thought of moving away from them is scary to me. Also, I refuse to live anywhere with a natural disaster season (hurricaines, tornadoes, etc) though earthquakes don't bother me as much. I am a west coast girl. Always have been, always will be, and it will be a cold day somewhere before I move east of the Rockies. There are also certain parts of the state I won't live in. Sorry, not living in Chewelah. If Scott wants to, he can go by himself (though he refuses to live up there also). Still, that leaves 75% of the state of WA as well as OR, CA, ID, CO, NV, and AZ. That is a lot of area. Something will work out.
Is this why you are so cranky all the time?
This, and the fact that I recently had a HUGE fight with my brother. Oh, and the bank screwed up all our accounts, so we had no money for two weeks, until we finally canceled the account and opened a new one. But yeah, this is the #1 stressor in our lives.
Are you insane?
Yes, or just really F-ing stupid.