Saturday, August 19, 2006

Miffed

So much legal mumbo jumbo going on with the kids, I can't even explain it all. Suffice it to say that they are now backpedaling on their offer to give the girls daycare. The conversation went like this:

Caseworker: "I'm not sure about five days a week daycare. We really want the children to be in your home most of the time."

Me: "Are you telling me that you don't certify duel income households, where both people work outside the home?"

Long pause

Caseworker: "Well, yeah, we do. And we often pay childcare for them."

Me: "Then can you tell me what the difference is?"

Another very long, heavy pause.

Caseworker: "I guess there really isn't one."

Me, the light dawning on me. "Just because I work at home, doesn't mean I don't work!"

GAWD! They should see my monthly invoices. June: $2200 July: $1100 August: $550! I work on nonfiction and fiction a total of 35 to 40 hours a week. Or I did. Now I am down to maybe five total weekly hours. FIVE! Do they want to talk to my editors to prove I am a writer and make money? My tax preparer? Or maybe I should have my agent call them from New York?

Just wanted to let you know, fellow writers, that we aren't really working. What we do isn't really a job. It must follow that publishing isn't really a business.

Just to let you all know.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well sure. Cuz you're at home so you can't be really working. TV on so you're watchin' Oprah. You can do laundry, take naps. You know, all those things we writers do while at home during the day.

Grrrrfreakin'grrrrrrr. I can only imagine your blood pressure during this conversation, Teri.

Shannon McKelden said...

Oh, man! I"m sooo sorry! That just completely bites doesn't it? Try to do someone a favor and see what you get? Hope you get it sorted out soon!
Shannon

Rachel Vincent said...

I'm sorry, Teri. That's infuriating.

Annie said...

And they wonder why we "little" people are so suspicious and leary of the state!

Oh, and the martinis is on me as soon as you can get out!

Anonymous said...

So glad you put that woman in her place! I can't imagine how frustrating that would be!! Hang in there,
Carrie

Lexi said...

Ouch! Rise above it, Teri. That's all you can do. (After maybe killing off a caseworker in a book!)