Waiting... Day 21

Uncle, Uncle, UNCLE!!

Just another day around here. Let's see: the second vehicle ( that my son is itching to drive once he secures his license tomorrow) began to sputter and barely got us home yesterday. I drove it over to my mechanic's place and crossed my fingers. I figured it was something in the catalytic converter, just hoped it wasn't major.

The call came this morning: its plugs and a wire and a tear in the air hose- for starters. Gulp! And how much is that going to cost? How about 300.00 as a ball park figure. I had to tell him that I was unemployed and could only swing for the plugs and wire repair. He told me he would fix them.

I hung up the phone and sighed. Here I was right back in the same leaky boat. One small repair, like one small hole, set my little financial boat to sinking. Last month it was the a/c that went on the fritz. 250 bucks and multiple visits later, we had a new fan motor. The water in the bottom of the boat is getting the best of my little vessel. I am begin to sink again.

And, in the midst of all this, I wait. No word about the job. I have now applied for five more jobs, many of them will pay a fraction of the amount I need to survive, but I am getting more desperate.

The letter came today from the Unemployment Office. I have been approved for the emergency extension. I will continue to draw the whopping 200 every two weeks for six more weeks. After that, I may or may not qualify for another extension (or the money to fund this runs out.)

My neighbors and only real friends in the neighborhood put a for sale sign on their lawn today. They are going to sell up and move somewhere cheaper, perhaps even rent for a while until their finances and the economy stabliize. My neighbor was in tears when she told me the other night, "We can't do this anymore." I know what she means.

Twice in the last few days I've seen the term, "The Great Recession." I believe it.