Reading Books and Other Things

I know I just barely wrote yesterday and I basically never post two days in a row...but I just feel like writing. So, there you go.

So, lately I've been thinking...Hey! Maybe I should get a job.

Because in case you didn't know I haven't been working since June. I quit my job in June. It's a long story, but just in case you're wondering I was pretty happy about it.

So, I've been voluntarily unemployed all Summer. And you know what? It's kind of the been the best thing ever. For some reason I feel really weird and pathetic saying that, but it's the best. It's not that I just love to bum around all day (although some days that is nice). But, I've loved having things to do that I've always wanted to do. I'm learning to actually love to cook. I love getting things around the house accomplished (well, sometimes). I love that I'm able to babysit so often for my family and friends. I have more opportunities to serve. I started sewing and crocheting again, things I've been wanting to do for FOREVER. And I've been reading. Sometimes I forget how much I really love to read!
But, more on reading later.

So. Yes. A job.

It's not that I really hated my previous job. The people were really wonderful, the benefits were really nice, the PTO was fantastic, and it was a good company to work for. But, man, the actual job I was doing...well. Let's just say it wasn't my very favorite. It was my this-job-is-just-temporary-until-I-have-a-baby sort of job. And, well. It was a 3 1/2 year temporary job is what it was. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't quit sooner, but then I remember that trying to find a job whilst putting all of your energy into infertility treatments/adoption process/foster care process really just wasn't going to happen anyway.

So, I feel like I'm at some sort of crossroads/maybe quarter life crisis sort of point. Not a quarter life crisis in a regretful sort of way, but more of a confused sort of crisis. I liken unto that fact that this past month I've bee SO ready for Summer to be over, but then not at all ready for Fall yet, so I've just been sitting in Limbo and really confused about what I actually want things to be. Which is super weird because Fall is my favorite and by the start of August I'm always ready for it to be here. (Worry not though, we're over that. We're in full let-it-be-fall mode over here.)

Because, for the most part, I don't regret my choices. I just don't really know what to choose next.

So, let me just tell you. I want to get a job (well, ok, half of the time I want to), but it's confusing. I really really want to be a stay at home mom once I have kids. It might seem really weird and silly to many, but it's my life's ambition. That's my dream job. I know it's not glamorous and some might think I'm not reaching high enough or that I'm not achieving enough. I know it's not everyone's goal and we all have different dreams. I'm not saying that it better be your dream too or else. I'm just saying it's mine. But, of course, the timing of that is a mystery.
And, here's the thing. I know I shouldn't put my life on hold waiting for things. But, also, there is a good chance that we might be doing foster care (more about that later.) if adoption doesn't work out soon. And, working is not highly recommended when you're a foster parent, especially if younger children are placed in your home. Also, when you're a foster parent you don't usually have much notice of when a child is coming, so what do you tell your employer? "Hey, we had a foster child placed in our home last night, so basically I'm not working anymore, Peace!" I mean, I just really don't know.

Also, I feel like I've finally gotten into a really great grove of this being at home thing where I'm actually pretty productive most of the time and accomplishing most of the things I want to. And loving it. And being pretty good at it. And those sorts of things.

Anyway, I've been job searching tonight and there are quite a few jobs that look really appealing. Like, ones that would use my degree and everything! But, again, I just don't even know what to do.

I could just get some temporary jobs or something. But, I don't want to get stuck at a job I don't like very much again, thank you very much.

What I actually want to do instead of make money is to spend it on school. I think it would be so wonderful to study literature (we'll get to the whole reading part of this post eventually, I swear). I have a few friends that are really passionate about art history and they always make me want to study that whenever they talk about it. I also want to get a degree in Social Work. And writing! I have learned that I love to write. And people have told me I'm pretty good it. I never really knew! So, what I really want to do is to never work, but to always learn. But, well, school doesn't pay for our really expensive COBRA insurance. Without which, I might not be so stressed about this job thing. Because, you sort of have to have health insurance to adopt and insurance companies aren't very keen to insure infertile people. Another time though, it's a story for another time.

And, don't worry. We're not starving or anything. We're fine. It's just that extra money would be very helpful. Especially for saving up. Especially if we decide do adopt through a private agency because...shoot. That's expensive.

Although, if I were I student I could probably get student health insurance. Now, there really might be something there...

But, the semester has already started, so really there isn't anything that can be done about that right now. I always tend to think of these sort of things too late in the game.

But then, somewhere in the midst of job searching I got distracted by books and decided that I think the best solution is that I stay home and read all of the time because I have now compiled a list of no less than 30 books that I want to read right this very second. I want to get lost in their lovely stories while I soak in the tub, lay in the sun, or snuggle up on the couch with my big white afghan with Ruby at on the floor next to the couch, also snuggled up in my big white afghan. Man I love that afghan. I love the way it feels, the way it looks....anyway. Now we're getting way off topic.

What I really meant for this post to be about was reading. But, I guess I just needed to get that job stuff out of my system or something.

So, I want to show you my list of books.

• The William Joyce books (the ones that the movie The Rise of the Guardians was based off of.  I've actually already read a couple of them. They're delightful.)
• Chronicles of Narnia- Obviously I've already read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but still.
• Great Expectations
• A Tale of Two Cities- I sort of read this once in High School and I really liked it, but I never finished it. I have a bad habit of not finishing books.
• Peter Pan- I've actually read this a couple of times before, but it's one of my very favorites.
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• James and the Giant Peach
• The Grass Harp-I've also read this. It's another favorite.
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer- I can't believe I've never read this. My dad loves this book. You guys, my dad does not read. Well, actually he reads hunting, fishing, and taxidermy magazines. But, not books. So, this is a big deal.
• Winnie the Pooh
• Little Women- I started this one and never finished it. You guys, it's a problem.
• The Secret Garden
• Matilda
• Anne of Green Gables
• The Little Prince
• Alice in Wonderland
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Mary Poppins
• East of Eden

And a few that I've never heard much about, but just found on lists on the internet that look fun

• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
• Boy by Roald Dahl
• The Witches
• The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

So, apparently I'm pretty into children's literature. 

And, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that there are not thirty bullets. But, let us remember that some of the bullets are series, so I promise there are at least thirty. What are your favorite books? What books do you recommend? I kind of want to do something crazy like read fifty books in a year or something. Probably that won't actually happen, but still. I just want all of you to tell me what books you love. Or what books you think I would love. I want a book list that goes on forever. 

For a second I thought about starting a book club. Some of you may remember that I tried that once. It was pretty small and we read one book and that was the end of that. So, obviously I'm the worst book club president ever.

Also, there are about a hundred crafts that I want to make, but I will bore you with that some other time.

Sorry you guys. I know, I know. This post is the craziest.

Over and out.