bummer

Well, we had our meeting this morning. The meeting in which to discuss the status of our staff interpreter positions for the upcoming fiscal year. They've decided that they can't continue our guaranteed hours, claiming silly things like they can't pay us for hours we haven't worked, that it is falsifying our time sheets to have guaranteed hours.

They are, however, fine with us cutting our availability to them. We agreed to be available during work hours, four days a week. No more on call, no more nights or weekends. That will be better for my family.

And although I was furious and indignant (How could they?! Don't they know who I am?!) throughout the meeting, I'm not sure if I need to be so worried. Granted, starting July 1st (that's this Friday--what are we going to do!), I have absolutely no income. That's a slight exaggeration; I will have some work. Not enough to pay our bills, though. But I’m not sure that this is completely a bad thing. The limited availability is going to be very nice. They are continuing our benefits, that is important. And taking away my guaranteed hours also takes away all the guilt I feel. When they call me at the last minute and expect me to jump, I won’t feel guilty telling them to find someone else. This may give me some control over my schedule again.

I came home and freaked out to Brett, ordering him to get a job and sell everything he owns. But then I ate lunch and had a long shower. (-sigh- I could tell that Brett was being patient with me while I ranted about not being able to pay our bills. At one a pause in the scolding, he asked when I’d eaten last. Ha.) I’m still not happy, and I’m anxious about making ends meet. But we’ll be okay.