Sweep the leg, Johnny

Woke up feeling better. Calmer. Stronger. Ready to get back on my feet.

Then the mail came.

SC has ruled I will only get 14 weeks of unemployment benefits, instead of 26. Not just that, but I have to wait out the 12 weeks first. So no income till mid-August unless I get a job before then. I can (and will) appeal, but there is little chance of overturning the ruling. Been on the phone for hours with banks and creditors, passed around from department to department, supervisor to supervisor. Apparently, no help or temporary payment arrangements can be made until I have an income again for them to base it on. Figure that one out. So the bills, interest, and late fees continue to rack up at current rates. The protection plans I had in case of loss of employment? Gone when the banks scrambled and changed all the rules and rates right before the feds cracked down on financial regulations. Fucking wonderful.

Thanks to everyone who has called, emailed, commented, visited, and offered a shoulder to cry on and an ear to vent to. I love all of you and appreciate it more than you know. I will probably be incommunicado for a few days. It's not personal. Right now it's just too exhausting to talk about, and I have a lot of thinking, planning, and work to do. Apply for anything I can, send resumes to everyone in the Yellow Pages, and figure out what I can sell.

I am, and will be, okay. I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about losing the house, and generous parents who will make sure I can pay for my medication (retail price - ouch), and won't let me or the critters go hungry. That's a whole lot more than most people in my position have, and I am acutely aware and extremely grateful for it.