I am, once again, a member of the working-class stiffs club. Here's the scoop.

I called Joy Monday morning to find out how Finn was doing since he had been exposed to strep throat. She said he could barely swallow, and she planned to get him into the doctor's office right away. So, no Finn for the day.

That worked out fine because I needed to go to the courthouse to pay our real estate taxes. Going in the morning made a lot of sense since we had a heat advisory. (For the record, at 9 a.m. the temperature sat at 88, then climbed up to 102 by 1 p.m. with humidity around 60%. The heat index (what it feels like in the SHADE) lounged steadily at 106 for most of the afternoon. I think I'll write the National Weather Service a note letting them know they need to change it to a "DAMN HOT" advisory.)

So, I piled Alden and his paraphenalia into the van, and headed into town.

After stops at the bank and the courthouse, I wandered over to the library. On my way to park, I saw a former co-worker from the Daily Press. He came over to greet me.

We talked a bit about how things were at work, then I asked if he knew if the night typesetter/proofreader position might be open. I had overhead a woman who works there saying that she had been promoted to reporter, which meant her job (the one I was asking my friend about) might be available. He replied that he wasn't sure, but that I should talk to the editor about it since there seemed to be quite a bit of shuffling happening in the editorial department. I told him I would do that, and said goodbye.

Once Alden and I finished a quick cruise through the bookstacks, we zipped on over to the Press. After the obligatory baby greetings, I asked the editor if the position had opened up. Her eyes widened a bit, and she said, "Yes, but it's only a part-time position from 7 to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday."

I said, "Hmm. Really? That sounds like it would be perfect for me. I'll definitely apply."

She replied, "Or I could just hire you now. Want the job?"

Of course, I took it.

So, now I'm a wife, mommy, artist, farmer and proofreader. And, I am, quite possibly, the only person ever to leave The Daily Press and come back THREE times.