And finally… some good news.

When my husband was laid off, my initial reaction was panic and fear. Mostly because I feared we’d lose health insurance. With 3 kids and an autoimmune disease, that’s a frightening thought.
After the fear and panic subsided, I made a decision to stop with the tears and figure out a way to make sure that didn’t happen.
I sat down and wrote a letter asking for a full time position with a company that I company that I had already been working with for the past year. I put my insecurities and fears of rejection aside and pointed out all of the reasons why I’d be an excellent addition to the company. That kind of confidence doesn’t come naturally to me, it’s much easier (and cowardly) for me to point out my faults and weakness. But I have to say, highlighting my strengths and abilities was empowering. I felt SO DAMN GOOD about myself when I finished that letter and hit “send.”
I also felt scared.
Scared of being rejected. Scared of hearing “Thanks, but no thanks.”
I waited a few days without hearing back. But then, I got a phone call that changed my life. Our lives.
I got the job. A full time job, work at home job with a real salary that will allow me to help provide for my family and that eliminates the fear of losing my health insurance.
Today is my first official day and I am so happy I could scream.

180 thoughts on “And finally… some good news.

  1. Minnesota Matron

    Congratulations!!!! The Matron shares both your autoimmune disease and the job saga. Her husband is a realtor, and this year, she was transformed from a lowly adjunct professor into the tenure track kind — teaching mostly online and from home. Hot dang, she loves that health insurance. And money.

  2. Amy

    Congratulations, Y! That is spectacular. Way to ignore the negative voices in your head and take that chance. I’m so happy for you.

  3. Y

    ah, you guys! You’re making me feel all emotional. Thank you so much for being happy for me. It feels all kinds of wonderful. xoxo

  4. bessie.viola

    Congratulations!! Kudos to you for putting yourself out there, and for realizing that you deserve it. It’s not easy, but it’s so necessary – and so gratifying when you realize that you ARE worth it.
    Enjoy the work!

  5. Kerry

    You know that Toyota commercial where they show the guy playing soccer and the voice over is saying “Be less discouraged, and more determined.”
    It’s a corny line, but I love it and I think it totally applies to you right now. Way to go.

  6. Sugarplum's Mom

    I am totally a lurker on your blog.. but this is enough for me to come out and say Way to go Girl! You totally deserve it! Congratulations for taking a chance and putting out there – well done!!

  7. Jennifer

    I knew it wouldn’t be too long before we saw a post like this, although I am sure it seemed like forever to you! Congratulations, you deserve it!!

  8. Lar

    Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing the great news.
    Also? Thank you for sharing the stripper story, parts one and especially two. It was about the most awesome thing I’ve seen on the internet in a while.

  9. Ginger

    Congrats! You are a very inspirational woman. I love your humor, honesty, and your photography too. Now back to my regularly scheduled lurking. 🙂

  10. Mrs. Who

    I KNEW things would turn around for you because you are such a good person. Congratulations!! I’m so glad you had the confidence in yourself to write that letter.

  11. Claytonia (Cindy)

    Fantastic news! I am so relieved and pleased for you. I hereby invite you to rock on with your bad self. 🙂

  12. mickey

    Way to go! If you’re as good at that job as you are at blogging, the sky is the limit for you.
    *jumping up and down, cheering like a nut*

  13. queenuseless

    Congrats!!
    Adversity = A scheduled appointment to adjust your attitude.
    You did it, and life is good. So proud of you.

  14. Hannah

    Haven’t commented for months, just didn’t know what to say. Have been crying and praying and hoping for you, in silence. Am so happy for you right now, and so proud that you seized life by the horns and twisted it until it worked for you and your family.
    I am inspired by your courage.

  15. Chris

    Well, congrats to you girlfriend. You put yourself out there to the universe and it came back to you tenfold! You ROCK! What kind of work are you doing and did your first day go well? 🙂

  16. jadine

    I am soooooooo happy for you! And you know people don’t hand out jobs to just anyone. You’ve earned it. High-five!

  17. JesseeezMom

    Congratulations Y!!!! I am so Happy for You & your Family!! It is really hard to find a job right now- one of our company’s best sales rep’s resigned 2 month’s ago, so that she would be able to be home more for her family (she was a sales rep for several states) I talked to her today she is considering moving to another state with a girlfriend to find work as she has sent out over 120 resumes and has not even gotten a nibble. You should feel very proud to have found fulltime work-it’s rough out there now. CONGRATULATIONS!

  18. alayna

    Congratulations! That is SO AWESOME! I am pumped for you. Also? That elf and stripper story has got to be one of the best ever. I was laughing out loud till tears streamed down my face. My husband is trying to prepare his sermon in the next room and comes to find out what I am laughing so hard about, and for some unknown reason, he doesn’t think hearing a story about a male stripper will help him in his sermon prep. Maybe not, but it would sure give him a good laugh! Thanks again!

  19. alice

    Congratulations! It’s so hard to be our own advocate for things like this – thank you for sharing it, since I need to get on with doing that in my own life!

  20. Jenn

    Congrats, Y! Not only on the job, but for making that happen for yourself and your family! For saying such empowering things about yourself! You go, girl. What an awesome example you are for your children and for all of us. You really made me smile tonight! Thanks 🙂

  21. Talking Budgie

    Woo hoo! Congratulations!
    This job will give you more than insurance, it will give you more confidence. And that is the most important thing. You would not have been given the job if you hadn’t been doing awesome work over the past year. You EARNED it. Good on you for writing that letter.
    Party time!

  22. becky

    I’ve been sharing your health insurance worries, chica.
    Big congrats on the position. Can’t wait to hear more. That is great news. Woo!

  23. Cindi B.

    Good for you! There are so many levels of good things in this post– your assertiveness, your hope, your go-get-it attitude– just for starters.
    Yippeee for you!

  24. Andrea

    You SO deserve this! Congrats, and let us know how we can help. 🙂 We’ll read and read and click more…just tell us where/when.

  25. emilythemom

    That is so awesome! My husband and I are in a similar situation and I am looking for a full time job [for the first time in 4 years] as well- so this post was very inspiring!

  26. kate

    i was away from my computer the last couple of days…so i just read part two of your stripper story…i laughed so hard i cried…omg…lol!…you have an amazing story telling ability!…thanks so much!…made my day…
    also…SSSOOOOOO HAPPPYYY for your good job news!…truly wonderful news!
    take care,
    kate

  27. Daisy

    Woooooooo!
    Congrats!! You (and your awesome family) deserve this. You deserve it because you are awesome, and even when you highlighted your strengths, you probably didn’t say “And in closing, I’m pretty much an awesome bad-ass”….which is totally true.
    Enjoy your happy day(s)!

  28. Cheryl

    Boy, Y, you should feel damn proud of yourself. The company probably jumped at the chance to get you as a fulltime employee. Great role model for your kids too.

  29. Amy M

    I’m so proud of you for putting yourself out there! Congratulations on the job – I’m so happy for you!

  30. Niki

    Delurking, again, to say F&@#*#k yeah! First of all, I’m so happy and relieved for you and your family. And second of all, it’s so awesome to see you feeling more and more empowered. Congrats, Y.

  31. Y

    I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. It’s amazing to have so many people share in my happiness.
    xoxo
    -Y

  32. Joy

    Awesome! You deserve a break after everything you’ve been through recently. Enjoy the health insurance – and the fun of getting to show what you can really do 🙂

  33. Jessica

    OMG, you rock, I’m so happy for you and so proud that you put aside your fear of rejection and empowered yourself!

  34. PB

    Congrats! What a wonderful wife and mother you are to support your family.
    And by the way, your last post was the funniest shit I’ve read all week- you’re a great writer. Thank you for the laugh!

  35. ben

    I just screamed FOR you, and for that, I think my co-workers would like to have a word with one of us.
    Congratulations, that is so cool.

  36. sair

    Congrats Y. I will visit your blog 10x a day and click on every link to make sure that everything stays amazing for you!

  37. Justme

    I am so, so happy for you!!!! Woo hoo!! um can you make some of that rub off on me? LOL A little late but I have been off line for a bit. Again, so so happy for you Y!!

  38. sendinglove

    YAY! Congratulations! Delurking to say that you are an inspiration, putting yourself out there like that. Your family is blessed to have you (and that is whether or not you have a job or health insurance).

  39. Jackie

    Haven’t checked in for a while but saw this and wanted to send a big congrats your way! Whether life is flying high or hitting rock bottom, your honestly and sense of humor is incredible.
    Take care,

  40. Colleen

    Congratulations!!!
    It just shows that sometimes… all you have to do is have a little confidence and the courage to ask!
    Well done.

  41. mandy

    I was so happy to read this, I had to tell you so. I was lazily catching up-but this demanded a comment!
    Congrats, so happy for you. I know what a relief this must have been for your heart.
    God is good.

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