posted January 05, 2010 09:18 PM         

I'm so happy to hear things are looking up and working out now.
AG said it:

"This is the most touching thing I think I've ever seen here."

Yes.

I hope you are relaxing a bit and really know how much youre loved.

posted January 05, 2010 09:24 PM         

And Yin - that was amazingly sweet of you!

When I'm down I like starring into the ocean.. Somehow, it makes me feel safe.

posted January 06, 2010 09:05 AM         

And Yin is right, Section 8 in a lot of places are very well maintained because they have to subscribe to Governmental standards, and if there is a child involved, there will always be help available.

Good luck, Mel!!

posted January 06, 2010 01:53 PM         

Section 8 does have some nice places, I wasn't able to ever use them because my legal status is married, however, there are some VERY nice ones out there. I looked at one, for "Moms and children ONLY" (in other words, if you get a bf, he can't stay the night more then 3 times a week, or that would be considered a "live-in" and they ask you to leave..) and they were very well maintained. There is a waiting list though, so you should check that out, and get on that list. For one child, you would need a two bedroom, and those move the fastest, I was told. So, your wait would probably be short. If you don't want it, you can decline, but better to be on the list then not.

posted January 06, 2010 06:14 PM         

I would like to sign up for section 8, I hear they have a two year waiting list but I should have gotten on the darn list two years ago when I first thought of it, but at the time I loved my place... still do but it needs so many repairs.

I am signed up for all Government grants as far as I know... but since I applied late I won't get all that I could have if I would have been organized and got it done sooner. My durn phone is still clicking away and I wonder if they shut it off because I am a month or two behind. Usually they bug me with automated calls for a week before at least and then just turn off the internet first but as you can see my internet is still on but for some reason the phone line isn't working. My aunt called it yesterday to tell me about a job message and it said they were "working on" my line, so who knows. Either way, I can't call the college like I am supposed to and time is running out. I can call places from work on my 10-15 minute breaks but not at lunch because we have an hour, but they lock us out of the office. : / That is one of the things I am worried about...

Which brings us to the great advice of "one thing at a time".
I am going to write down everything I can think of and do just that. At least if I write down the numbers I can make one or two calls tomorrow out of the 4 or so I need to make. I was getting assistance at a couple places... food wise and help with the electric bill etc and then had to fill out all new paperwork when I had the good job for a couple months and then I didn't qualify anymore because I was working 11 hours a day sometimes 6 days a week. So, they took everything away and now I have to reapply for everything so I have no help with food this month etc which is STRESSING me OUT. Also, I had to pay the YMCA the registration and then the fifty for the week and I just went to the bank to verify the amounts from paypal so I can go to their site and confirm my bank account so I haven't paid the landlord anything yet... and even though I will give him the $125 tomorrow he has already sent out the registered letter he sends when you don't pay rent immediately so this month it will end up costing me the $30 late fee for not paying it all on time and an ADDITIONAL $15 for him sending out the letter. And I missed the energy assistance appointment all together and have no idea even when it was and I have no idea if they are making new appointments so that is a worry. I will write down the four places I have to call and call two tomorrow. I know I sound nuts and I hope to God none of you are actually reading all this (SKIMMING IS GOOD LOL) because I am just pouring it out to get it out of my nutty mind. ♥ It helps because before this I was just thinking all of this over and over (in addition to other things) and getting more and more upset.

I just scrolled back up this and added the thing at the top, the warning to just "skim" hehe. This is ridiculous. This all is seriously playing over and over again in my head all the way to work and all the way home. With more stressful things added... like it is my daughter's birthday next week and I don't have the money to buy a class treat and wondering if there is anything I can make etc... I have a cookie mix that will probably work but it is just another thing I have to WRITE DOWN so I quit THINKING about it.
Which reminds of the quote AG posted and Pire liked. :^D Trying... I'm trying... :^D

Thank you everyone for the congratulations. The job is realllly challenging. I guess we make about 150 calls in a day and are supposed to get 15 acceptances but the girls that had been there forever were only getting 10. So, that is a lot of people saying NO. That will be rough for me but I am determined to do this anyway. I couldn't do it for a regular telemarketing job but I will do it for a non-profit organization. I read some of their magazines in the office this morning and they really do some fabulous things for people. The money goes not only to research but this money in particular goes to sending kids to camp. I read a letter in one of the magazines about a little girl who got to go to camp there for many years and she talked about how the girls did their hair and make-up every Friday for the dance and how she never would have done that or experienced that if it weren't for the camp. Another part of the magazine showed things they did for offices so people with muscular dystrophy could still work in their offices etc., like using desks that were only two foot from chair to wall that wrapped around the side of the office or cubicle area so there was no unused desk space that was out of reach etc. Interesting things I had never thought about.

So, I am still jazzed about the job though I feel nervous making the calls because I am not an expert yet and flounder around some... but the belief in the good cause (and the fear of starving and living in a card board box haha) will keep me at it no matter what. I really appreciate the advice and I'm still hoping an excerpt or two will appear. :^D I listened to a book on tape before work but I won't have time tomorrow because I have to wake and get both of us ready and then leave immediately.

I will check in later... thanks for being here everyone!!!!!!!

posted January 06, 2010 06:55 PM         

If she is 7/8 plus - a homemade voucher promising something in the future will work eg a horse-riding lesson, a trip for her and a friend skating/swimming etc.

I will probably get shot down for this (again, just being honest) it has to be something the kids at school would appreciate/covet when she tells them about it, and you HAVE to deliver.

posted January 06, 2010 08:52 PM         

Well, my college now is online so I can't do daycare at the college, have to stick with before and after school program while I work and turn in the scholarship/aid form for the after school program. I have it done (one of the things I used that extra loving energy from y'all for yesterday) but they want a letter of reference from someone in the community. I have a great one from my last job but I don't know if that will fly since it is not specifically a reference for the Y, but maybe they will take it for now.

I saved two of the presents I got for her at Christmas for her birthday so I am covered there. One is a Littlest Pet Shop hermit crab and we already discussed if she wanted a guinea pig, hermit crab, or her ears pierced for her birthday and she picked the crab. So the plastic "Pet Shop" toy one will be her promise that the real one is coming soon. I gave her the choice of pig or crab about 6 months ago when I finally caved in and said she could have a pet and by the grace of all that is good she chose the crab, because I certainly don't want to clean a guinea pig cage and now I can't afford the stuff the thing would need anyway so it worked out well.

She was jazzed about getting her ears pierced (girls at school have it) until we talked about how it would hurt a bit (then she got to thinking...) and then actually went to Wal-Mart and talked to the lady, who then said they always have two people there to pierce ears at that age because then they can do it at the same time... so the kid doesn't get one ear done and then cry and refuse to have the second ear done! hehe Makes perfect sense and also gave my daughter more to think about. hehe

So, I have to go to sleep now because I have to get up at some horrid time in morning to get ready for work and get Rose ready for school etc etc.

Ohhhhh... I'll just check out LL for just a minute or two... ;^)

posted January 06, 2010 09:19 PM         

I wanted to give you one more from my book. This one works like a dream. Money comes in from the oddest places at the last minute.

Just remember....

God never fails.

FINANCES

I allow my income to constantly expand, no matter what the newspapers and economists say. I move beyond my present income, and I go beyond the economic forecasts. I do not listen to people out there telling mehow far I can go or what I can do. I easily go beyond my parents income level. My consciousness of finances is constantly expanding and taking in new ideas - new ways to live deeply, richly, comfortably, and beautifully. My talents and abilities are more than good enough, and it is deeply pleasurable for me to share them with the world. I go beyond any feelings that I do not deserve, and I move into acceptance of an entirely new level of financial security.

I am financially comfortable. Financial security is a constant in my life.

posted January 07, 2010 09:34 AM         

Spanky, I love your affirmation idea! I read once that you have to say your affirmations in all "positive" language and "never" <---don't ever say that <--- use words like "don't" or "not" etc. because your subconscious mind does not recognize the negative so if you affirm every day for 3 weeks that "I will not worry about money" your mind really hears "I will worry about money." So, I have to re-work the affirmation to suit my paranoid mind so I don't create some crazy results but you have me thinking about a green "money" candle I have and how I should do the affirmations and burn the candle!!!! Thank you, Spanky!! And did you have another user name? because you seem so familiar but I don't really know you by this name.

posted January 07, 2010 09:57 AM         

The jeans on ebay seem to be all plus size which explains the enormity of my favorite sweatshirt. It is perfectly massive.

posted January 07, 2010 03:44 PM         

I think the affirmations help to re wire our brains. I noticed when I first started doing them that I would say the new affirmation & then right after it all my old money worries would come galloping after it like a freight train. It takes a while but you soon get there if you keep at it.

posted January 07, 2010 04:20 PM         

I actually have the Sarah book, so I need to open it up again! ♥