panhandling

I finally swallowed my pride and added a PayPal "Donate" button to the sidebar of this blog.

Both Lisa and I are feeling a bit better since visiting our respective physicians. She wasn't able to afford all of her meds, but at least picked up the basics. Her doctor poked and prodded and declared that she probably just strained some large muscles in her back when Rocko pulled her down. He did slightly increase the number of pain and muscle relaxer pills in her scripts, so she will have a few extra on hand in case of emergency.

Since her alimony was cut in half, Lisa's food stamps were increased to about $100. This week we will have to eat up most of what we have in the freezer (mostly chicken and vegetables) since there is a good chance that it will all thaw out come Friday.

A few days ago, while walking Frank's dog, I encountered the girl who could be his new dog-walker. I gave her his name, address and phone number; as of yesterday, he still hasn't heard from her. Perhaps her parents are wary and aren't allowing her to take the job; I am hoping (for the dog's sake) that she simply hasn't gotten around to calling Frank yet.

Yesterday I applied for a job with a home care company. If hired, I will work from home doing billing and customer service. That job requires internet access. But, if we can't come up with $330 by the end of the week, our internet will get cut off because we are so far behind on that. And of course $125 more for the electricity.

Our only hope there is that we can convince the electric and cable companies to maintain our services until her disability and alimony payments come in on the 3rd. I will get paid $100 by Frank around the 1st; Norman will give us the same amount in rent next Saturday. Lisa's son Jacob will be moving in to the laundry room sometime soon and that will give us another $50 per week.

Lisa has convinced me to apply for financial aid for further education. I began the process yesterday and will continue filling out the online forms today.