Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Another Update

I haven't wrote in a while and I think that I am the only one following this blog.  I keep trying to get ahead and it seems like something is keeping me from doing that.  The lady came to get the bird on the 7th of December, but since she paid little payments until she got him they were used for other necessities, and I didn't have the lump sum to give to my landlord.  But he is still working with me, even though I am 4 months behind.  I did mail a 600 payment to him this past weekend, so I am actually 3 months plus 150 behind...but January is right around the corner and I will be back to four.  I am going to send another payment on Dec 31st,  so it will keep me at 3.  And as soon as I file my taxes and get the refund I am getting it current along with all of my other bills, and then I am going to stay current.  That will give me breathing room and I won't be stressing about money(hopefully).

My ex husband did finally turn in paperwork to his employer to start taking money from his checks for child support.  I got almost 200 a couple weeks ago, and hopefully will get some more in a couple days so I can pay the light bill. 

I did buy the kids some Christmas presents this year, not a lot, but last year I didn't even have a tree.  I wanted to make this Christmas special.  They are old enough to know that we have had financial problems, and they are happy to see something under the tree.  I am excited for Christmas to get here so they can open them. 

I am still single and plan to stay that way for a while.  I want to get everything caught back up and start saving some money.  I know come summer I will have to have more for the light bill, and just in case of emergencies.  I want to get back on track, so that money won't continue to be a stress in my life.

I appreciate all the prayers and things continue to look up everyday.  God is watching over my family, and I know he will provide.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

What's Next

Well things seem to be improving on a daily basis, but not neccessairly in the way I thought they would.  I was able to sell my bird and the lady buying him is mailing payments for him until she can come pick him up on November 15th.  The sale of my bird is helping to pay one month's rent, which means I still had to come up with 2 other months.

My landlord is working with me on it, and I already sent one payment to come from my last paycheck.  Then I am sending another month on November 15th and another on November 30th.  Which then puts me owing for November and December, but hopefully I can get that caught up before the end of December.  Christmas might be a little tight this year, but my kids will understand and appreciate whatever they receive. 

On October 24, 2011 my boyfriend, now EX, and his daughter moved out.  This does eliminate 2 mouths to feed, and all the other expenses they had.  But it wasn't exactly what I wanted to happen.  I would have rather him be able to find a job and help support the family.  But I guess that was not in God's plan and I just have to accept it.  It is hard, because we were together almost 4 years.  Yeah we had our share of problems, but I still love him and consider his daughter one of my own.  I miss them both, and wish he would realize that the answer was not running away.  But for now I just have to continue working on getting my stuff caught up.

My ex husband is still not paying his child support, but he said he mailed 100 to me yesterday.  I have contacted CSE and still don't get any answers on why they don't push harder.  My ex has been working at this job since August and they will do nothing to get him to pay.  I keep calling frequently to try to get them to push it, but so far I have not got anywhere.   It just makes no sense to me whatsoever.  He is also going to try to have his support lowered, which I don't agree with either.  Because he could be making the money he was, he just doesn't want to.  He says he wants to support the kids, but sometimes I feel like he doesn't think he needs to.

I still haven't found a part time job, but I keep looking and praying something will come along.  I thought maybe Wal-Mart would be hiring for extra help during the holiday season.   But with my ex boyfriend moving out it would be harder to be working a second job.  At least while he was there the kids still had a parent around.  If I get a part time job I would be going from one job to the next, and that isn't fair to my kids.  But if it would get us out of the financial bind then it would just be temporary.  I know two jobs would wear me out pretty quick.

Thank you for the prayers and keep them coming.   My family appreciates it and the prayers have been working.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Another Prayer Answered

Last night I received a phone call from a lady interested in my Goffin Cockatoo I have for sale.  We called and talked more today and she is going to buy my bird.  This means I will be able to pay one of the past due rent payments, plus on the 31st I will be paying another past due rent payment.  Granted she is not going to get the bird until November 14th, but she is sending a deposit.  So I am going to put the deposit in the bank and not touch it until she gets the bird and then I will send an additional payment to the landlord.  That will leave me to pay October and November rent, but at least I am getting closer. 

I am still waiting to hear on the child support issue, because now my ex husband says if he stays as a contractor his employer can determine how much they send to child support.  So I may have got excited over that news a little prematurely.  But so far my landlord has not sent anymore eviction emails or listed the property(that I am aware of), and I keep him updated on what is going on.  I am hoping to send a little extra to the landlord on November 15th, so that maybe I can get the rent caught up sooner than expected.

I appreciate anyone that is reading this blog and praying for my family.  I still haven't found a part time job and my boyfriend is still unemployed.  Please continue to pray about those two things so that our family can get out of the hole we are in.

Friday, October 14, 2011

One Prayer Answered

Last night I was speaking with my ex husband and found out that he is now going to be a taxable employee, instead of being an independent contractor.  This means that the state will now be able to garnish his wages for the back child support he owes.  Granted it is not going to all be coming at once, but at least I will start receiving something soon.  When I got to work this morning I called child support to advise them of the change, so that hopefully the garnishment can take place with the first check he receives.

My boyfriend still hasn't had any luck with the job search, and I have not heard anything from the other jobs that I have applied to.  I keep praying each day that one of us will hear something, and by having one prayer answered I know more will follow.  I also emailed my landlord this morning to advise I should be receiving child support soon.  My landlord didn't respond to the first email I had sent after he had sent the email about eviction.  So I am also praying that is a good sign.  Maybe if I just keep him updated on what is going on that he will continue working with me. 

Today was payday and after paying the light bill and phone bill, and buying a few groceries there isn't going to be much left.  But I will make do and stretch it as far as I possibly can.  But hopefully, my ex husband also wasn't lying about mailing a payment to child support this weekend. 

I hope that everyone has a good weekend, and keep the prayers coming!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Update on Situation

Well today I received a phone call from one of the places I applied for a part time job and they wanted me to come in for an interview.  However, once they found out that I was only availabe to work in the evening they were not interested.  Now my thinking is I would be asking if any of my current evening employees would like to move to days, but I know things can't be changed just to accomodate me.  But that is the manager in me thinking.  I used to be a manager in a fast food restaurant and I had several employees that would have rather worked during the day, but there wasn't an opening.  So I will just wait and see if I hear anything from the other companies I applied for.  I had a brief feeling of relief when I received the call, but then hearing they are no longer interested it brings a little despair. 

My boyfriend is still not having luck in finding anything either, and the 15th just keeps getting closer.  I have no idea how much my check is going to be and my ex has indicated that he is sending 500 for child support, but I can't believe that until I see it credited on my account.  And he also said he is trying to work as much as possible to be able to send another full payment with the check he gets on the 20th.  I am praying that he is not lying about this, because that would help tremendously.  But as many times as he has lied to me in the past about sending money, I just can't believe it until the money is actually on my card.

Please continue to pray for my family that God will help us through this time and continue to provide for us. 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Anything will help

I have recently been looking anywhere and everywhere to get assistance for my family.  My family consists of my boyfriend and our four children.  Our children are a 13 year old girl, 13 year old boy, an 11 year old girl and a 9 year old girl.  Right now my boyfriend is laid off from his job which is putting a strain on the family.  I am working full time, and I was able to work overtime and I was working as much as I possibly could, but that has now ended for a while.  I am currently looking for a part time job in order to get things caught back up, and my boyfriend is looking for full time work.  So far I have received no responses to my applications, but I know I just have to be patient and keep applying anywhere possible. 

Over the weekend I received an email from my landlord that if something is not received soon for rent, we will be forced to look for somewhere else to live.  This makes me feel like a bad parent, because since I can't pay rent means I don't have the money to move somewhere else.  So in essence I feel like I am putting my kids on the streets all because I can't get all the bills paid.  Another reason my family is in the hardship is because my ex husband is to provide child support on three of the children and I haven't received a full payment in almost a year.  Currently he owes me over 6,000 and the state is not helping in going after him for that.  They have told me that in January it will be turned over to the prosecuting attorney, but in the mean time I just keep getting further behind.  Which is why I decided to get a part time job until I am able to start getting the child support again and to get ahead.

I have been robbing Peter to pay Paul, just to keep the utilities on and I am faced with having to pay 342 by the 15th or my lights will be turned off.  This is very frustrating and I am reaching out to anyone that would be willing to help.  I have contacted the ministrial alliance in my hometown and they provided some groceries recently.  My sister is also going to be helping with groceries, and I am trying to pay whatever I possibly can.  But with the 15th being just a few days away, I worry I am not going to have enough to pay what I need to pay in order to keep food on the table, the lights on, and to avoid being evicted.  I have faith God will see my family through this rough time, and I appreciate any and all assistance I receive as well as prayers for my family.

I also know there are families out there that are even worse conditions I am in, and I pray someone helps them too.  I hope when I get caught back up again I will be able to do the same for someone else.  Thank you for taking the time to read and God Bless.