SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

I would call every temp agency in the state to see if there are any opportunities for typing, editing, or doing books as a telecommuter from home. There has to be something that will allow you to pick up some work to make more cash.

If you can't telecommute, maybe there are some places where you can bring your daughter to work. Our health care clubs around here offer babysitting services. Maybe there is a local gym where you can do the books or handle memberships and Piper can be there with you.

Rest up so you can feel better and start making some calls and trying to make this change. Even if you just do one thing every day to try to reach the goal, it's a start.

Hang in there..I am sorry its so difficult for you. Start looking for work for bookkeeping and babysitting. Your reasons might be legitimate but you may just be in the right place at the right time. Have you thought about taking a loan out on your 401k. What about finding accomodations with another single parent. Shared rent, shared utilities, not being the only adult all the time.

You need rest to recover. Its better to to run the race with a slow time verses no time. I think all this stress is making you sick. Its unreastic to continue on your training schedule. Your body needs a modified schedule. What if you collapsed and really hurt yourself on race day.

And PLEASE do not ever talk about not being here for Piper. She would *never*ever*ever* get over that. She needs and deserves a healthy mom more than anything.

You will survive this difficult road.

Possibly answer to Envoy low-beam problem.

Link: http://www.justanswer.com/gm/57l54-gmc-envoy-xuv-sle-head-lights-won-t-turn-on-worked.html

Thanks for the tip on this! My dad is pretty good with cars and said he would check this out after work today! Keeping my fingers crossed its something simple! All the other lights work fine! Just the low beams are not! WEIRD!

Could you move Piper into your bedroom with you and get a roommate?

Shelly....just reading all the suggestions is overwhelming for me, so I can only imagine how you are dealing with it all. And being sick on top of it.

Please realize that we all love you and adore Piper and we are just trying to help the best and only way we know how.

Hang in there girl. It WILL get better.

{{{hugs}}}}

k9

PM sent, She11y.

((((Shelly)))) Hugs from Wales!

You can do it!

Nothing more to add than has already been said.

What about care.com? Could you add yourself there as a babysitting provider? I used to have to pay $5-$10 an hour plus tip for one kid on Friday and Saturday nights when I worked those shifts. You could probably make a nice bit of grocery/gas money babysitting.

If you haven't already take an infant CPR and regular CPR class. Not sure what else you would need for babysitting?

try elance.com or other online sites to find contract book keeping work.

laydown the law to XH. he needs to sign the forebearance form. seriously what is he going to do if you quit paying? take you to court? so what? he gets a court order? you're going to pay with what money? he can pull his head out and protect everyone's credit or he can deal with the hassle and headache of you not paying.

you may not know where to start with babysitting or freelancing but start trying something...anything to get the ball rolling. It sounds like a couple hundred dollars a month could make a difference.

Take care of your bronchitis first. I had it last month and it is debilitating. Don't try to suck it up and start running again until you are cleared of the bronchitis because that will only make it worse.

If you are already working full time, that is enough. You have a baby and you have to be exhausted all the time. And basically you will only make a bit more that will go into taxes and childcare...

I know you don't qualify for food stamps. The restrictions are pretty strict and it isn't easy to get them so if you are full time in accounting you aren't going to qualify. However, look into your churches, food pantries, and soup kitchens. I just volunteered at one last week and it was actually very nice and they don't turn anyone away. The workers are very cheerful, the food is good, and it is kept very clean. Do you qualify for W.I.C.? They have a higher income bracket and you may make that cut....

Food pantries are not just for the unemployed. They are also for those working and struggling to make ends meet. Also, find the Community Action Agency in your area and make an appointment with your family development specialist (if they have one). If they don't have one, just let them know your circumstances and see if they can help in any way.

Head Start is a nice program that feeds the kids and helps educate them and is great for working single parents. Also, look into energy assistance (through your community action agency, or ask your energy provider). They can help you out also with a little relief for your energy bill.

There's help out there and it's rough right now. There are so many people working hard and struggling. There are lots of resources but you just have to know where to look. Good luck!

ETA: Oh, also, check if there is a SHARE organization in your area. In our area, for a $20 fee, you would get around $50 in groceries plus all the bread products you could carry.

[This message edited by NaiveAgain at 7:52 PM, October 7th (Monday)]

It sounds like you might qualify for a forbearance from your student loans (probalby not deferment if you are working).

There are also Income-Based Repayment plans that limit the amount you have to pay in student loans to 15% of your income.

Some of those programs add years, and therefore more interest, to your loan. But if you are really struggling now, you might be better off lowering your monthly payments now.

Medical bills can be negotiated. Tell them your story and ask for a discount or waiver of fees.

Today my sister called me at like 11am and told me my daughter had a temperature of 100.9. I immediately called my doctor's office who told me that if it went up anymore to bring her right in but for now to monitor her and give her baby motrin and tylenol, plenty of rest, and fluids..... so my sister did. I went out to my car...because I felt like crap...and was upset....and fell asleep in the fetal position in my drivers seat... A. because I didn't really have the gas money to spend to drive to visit my daughter during my lunch break and B. because I could barely keep my eyes open at my desk I was so tired from being sick myself and not having the sick leave to take to stay home and rest. That's how I spent the last 40 minutes of my lunch hour.

It killed me not to be at home with my sick girl.

THEN...to top that off... my boss knew that she was sick and at 4:45pm gave me a project. I asked her if she needed it today and she said yes...... so I called my sister ....who was thankfully very understanding and kind and told me not to worry and I stayed at work an extra hour over finishing up the project.

I think I cried for a solid 20 minutes in my cubicle.....silently.....while I did my work. I cried because I wanted to be with my sick daughter. I cried because I wanted to be a good employee. I cried because its so damn hard to be the ONLY parent. A GOOD parent....a GOOD employee.... and balance all of those things.....

I can't imagine having 2 jobs..... I would probably never see my daughter....which is the only thing about a 2nd job that bothers me.

My eyes have been bloodshot for a month now.... my sister said I have bags under my eyes. I don't know if its lack of sleep....the bronchitis....worrying.... or dry eyes.....or all of the above.....

but....I'm tired. Tired of being tired.

[This message edited by She11ybeanz at 8:17 PM, October 7th (Monday)]

Please call the business office of wherever you owe medical bills. We do not like turning over people to collections.

AND you need to be evaluated again, if you try to run that marathon that sick you will get pneumonia.

Please get yourself to a doctor and your daughter. You sound as if you are so sick you can't function. You need to rest. Please forgo the marathon training for now. I understand it's something you love but if you can't get yourself well you won't be able to run for a very long time. Please look after yourself Shelly.

I notice you have a habit of ignoring your body's calls for rest and pushing through. You went to that hash party when you were sick and ended up sicker. Now you're training when you're sick. Really, rest rest rest rest rest! How do you expect your body to recover if you are always telling it to stuff it and keep moving. Respect yourself. There will be other races.

First Shelly, (((((HUGS))))) to you. I'm so sorry you are so miserable. I have to second the suggestion that you stop training and just rest. You sound just about worn out.

As to the financial situation, I've been there. Try your local food bank. They usually don't ask you to prove need, but even if they did I am sure if you showed them your obligations they would agree that you deserve some help. The food usually isn't great, but when I had to do this I got enough staples to help me get by. I even got milk and some fresh produce. And they had toiletries and other household items that helped a lot. I wasn't able to completely feed my family on what we were given, but darn close. I know it's hard to swallow your pride and the first time you go you may feel very out of place, but I promise you that it is OK. This is exactly why food banks were started. To fill the need where food stamps weren't available. You are the ideal recipient. A single working mother who just needs a little extra help.

Hang in there. You can do this. You've come this far, you can make it through.

(((((HUGS))))) one more for the road.

(((Shelly)))

I had my students loans stretched out longer (like 40 years... which, yes is ridiculous!! but my payments became really low and I my plan is to later pay double to cut that 40 year plan down...later, when I have spare $). I also downsized living, and cut cable and phone, and also sell stuff on cragislist/ebay.

You are not alone.

I know what it's like to be poor - it's exhausting and depressing. So many gave great ideas for you. I'll add that I think you need some little luxuries added to your life. I aim for online freebies (usually I get a really good one a month). They are small things like a free granola bar or something. But it sure helps to have something fun in the mail instead of bills.

sorry if that is lame, but it's helping me get through these "lean years" as a single parent. I also hit the library for their story times with my kids (its free) and there are so many city events in the parks for kids. Heck HomeDept and Lowes has awesome FREE kids clinics where kids build pirate ships and toy cars- Piper will love those in a few years.

Hang in there Shelly. Piper wont remember how fancy your house was, or whether you drove a sports car. She'll remember that you helped her memorize the lines for the school play... and sat there front and center with a big grin on your face! And she'll remember you taught her to ride a bike... and gave her band-aids and a hug when she fell off and and scrapped her knee.

Hang in there Shelly. Piper wont remember how fancy your house was, or whether you drove a sports car. She'll remember that you helped her memorize the lines for the school play... and sat there front and center with a big grin on your face! And she'll remember you taught her to ride a bike... and gave her band-aids and a hug when she fell off and and scrapped her knee.

::sniff sniff::

She started walking less than a month ago and today I got down on the floor and held my arms out and she walked over to me and wrapped her little arms around me for a big hug and I picked her up and wanted to snuggle her to death....it was a nice moment. Perfect. She is my world.... my life. The only thing that matters to me.

She's a lucky girl to have you and your amazingly lucky girl have her too!

Can't help but be a little jealous of your Piper updates.

Really miss my little girl....! Hang in there for her Shelly! It will get easier.