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I lost my only true love in this world, so I ask for your help!

Posted by winwithsports on 2012-05-15 12:58:32

I married the love of my life and now i broke her trust. i stole her life savings to help pay my stupid credit card debt.
I beg for your help, but the help i beg for is not for me nor my wife, but for charity.
Visit https://www.charitymania.com/give/e200b
With a small purchase of $20, you get to download your favorite music and a chance to win cash prizes weekly in the free sweepstakes while watching your favorite sports.
Please help me fix my trust with my beautiful wife again.
Thank you for your support.

I am the 2%, or My Life as a Teen Mom

Posted by educatedsinglemama on 2012-05-14 02:58:09

Since today is Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my journey thus far and what it’s meant to be a mother for me. My story is unique in that I’ve overcome various obstacles to gain what some may call normalcy. Now I’m facing a struggle in which I’m hoping to tap into the kindness of the internet in order to help me through this hurdle.

I was raised by a single parent and grew up in a town where most families were on some sort of government assistance and could barely make ends meet. I was always taught to value what I had and that hard work will always bear its fruits. My high school was filled with kids who didn’t care about getting an education. I was a introverted “nerd” who took Honors and AP classes and saw education as a way to get out of a town that didn’t have much opportunity for growth. While I valued my education, I was also bored to death, even in my “accelerated classes,” so I stupidly acted out and started to party as high school kids do. I ditched class to drink and dabbled a bit in drugs because there was nothing else to do. Even as I partied, I still managed to remain on the honor roll for all 4 years. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year, our class had 250 kids and throughout the year approximately half of the student body dropped out at one point or another, giving up on their 14 year investment in their education. I made it to the end, but while everyone was excitedly responding to college acceptance letters, I had to throw all of mine out. Why? I was pregnant. I fully accept responsibility for my actions, but sex was not talked about in my household. I had no idea I had access to birth control or condoms and foolishly made a mistake that would change my life. I went to my prom and graduation 3 months pregnant without anyone knowing aside from my family.

The summer after graduation was spent brainstorming options and finding a job to help support my unborn child. I decided to keep the baby, thinking I would give it up for adoption. I was too immature to take care of myself, and now a baby? No way. As the months progressed, I fell in love with the baby and decided to keep her and raise her with the help of my family. I was excited but deep inside I was depressed. I really wanted to go off to college and live the life of a student living on campus, making new friends, staying up late to cram for midterms and possibly travel a bit. I couldn’t do that anymore and the thought of experiencing college in any other way didn’t entice me. I also knew if I didn’t get an education, I’d be stuck in a cycle of dead end jobs all my life. I knew I didn’t want to struggle like I’ve seen my family fight just to put a decent meal on the table and keep the lights from getting shut down.

I started college two months after my daughter was born. She was perfection and an incredible motivator. I’ve always thought that she deserves something better, beyond what I can give her but I decided to try my best to give her an amazing life. Since I just had a baby, I wanted to explore the opportunities I had outside of a traditional classroom in college. Luckily, the local community college offered online courses which only required me to be in class on the first day, at midterms and during finals week. I did this for a year and a half until I took every online course possible. Then it was time for full immersion into college. Here came daycare and having to balance college life with working and a small child.

My average day in college looked like this: we’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn so my daughter and I could ride a 45-minute bus to school. Unlike most of my classmates, I had to dash straight from work to class or go to work right after class so that I could pick up my daughter from school at a proper hour. I was very fortunate to land a job in a small office as an office assistant during college that would later prove invaluable. The pay was ok, but I was allowed to tailor my schedule to be compatible with my changing class load every semester. After our day was done came another bus ride. Once we got home, I’d have to make dinner, pack us lunch for the next day, prepare her backpack with extra clothes plus wash and prepare a day’s worth of bottles for my daughter. After I put my daughter to bed was the only time I had for homework. I’d stay up until about 2am every night doing my reading assignments or writing papers only to have to get up 3 ½ hours later to start my day again.

I did this every day for 5 ½ years.

Was it worth it? Heck yeah. I got my bachelor’s degree on my wall as proof. I am the first person in my family to ever get a degree. I have multiple relatives my age who ended up dropping out for various reasons yet I managed to graduate (with honors!) while juggling a small child and a demanding job. Aside from raising my daughter, this is what I’m most proud of thus far. I read online that less than 2% of teen moms attain a college degree before age 30. I’m stoked beyond words to be a part of that 2% (Source) I hope that this struggle and success will set an example to my daughter and show her that hard work does pay off.

After college, I worked a few jobs that I wasn’t too keen on. Too corporate, too stuffy, too bureaucratic to evoke any change and make an impact. I wanted to wake up every morning and feel inspired to go to work. I didn’t just want a paycheck, I wanted to engulf myself within organization so that I could kick ass and take names. I also wanted a 401(k), health benefits and life insurance so that my bases could be covered in old age. But mainly I wanted to wake up invigorated every morning and be able to pay my bills. After college, my daughter and I moved into our first home. I loved waking her up in her room filled with the girliest of things. I was a proud mama–on my own, college educated and living life as an independent woman.

Independent but unfulfilled. That is, until I was introduced to the CEO of my most recent employer. We hit it off immediately and within two week was offered the chance of a lifetime. I was invited to join his multimillion dollar company and close-knit team as his right hand. I’d learn all the in’s and out’s of running a business in a dynamic industry and receive a nice salary. After a bit of contemplation, I decided to resign from my stuffy job to join a company I was proud to be apart of. My job was great. It was flexible, nurturing, educational and insightful. In a few short weeks, I was in the trenches with my boss handling everything from sales to contracts to finance to HR. That is, until the company suddenly went out of business. I won’t get into the details but I was told I’d have a month before we were all let go. This was the job I wanted to settle in and dedicate years to, not just a job really but a mission to which I was dedicated.

I was laid off in March with no severance pay as the company had nothing. I had a small savings which I tapped into as I began searching for a job. I had to file for unemployment for the first time, which was hard as I’ve prided myself on not having to use government resources to pay my bills. I have almost a decade of solid work history and yet I’m struggling to find a job. Places are hiring but they’re scarce and don’t always offer pay that can support a family.

My bills are piling up and I have family and friends that are in no position to help me out. Unemployment can only pay so much and it isn’t enough to put a home-cooked meal on the table or keep everything paid. I’m in the process of starting up two businesses–one that peddles vintage finds and another that provides folks with stellar resumes to land their dream job so that I can increase my cash flow, but in the meantime, I’m asking for any donations to my cause. I’m willing to offer any services in return for a donation over $30 via paypal. There’s a button below where your transaction will be processed safely and gratefully!

Please pass this on and +1 it, favorite it, retweet it and share in any way possible! No action is too small or unappreciated.

Thank you so much for letting me share my story with you.

I am the 2%-My Life as a Single Mom

Posted by educatedsinglemama on 2012-05-14 02:58:08

Since today is Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my journey thus far and what it’s meant to be a mother for me. My story is unique in that I’ve overcome various obstacles to gain what some may call normalcy. Now I’m facing a struggle in which I’m hoping to tap into the kindness of the internet in order to help me through this hurdle.

I was raised by a single parent and grew up in a town where most families were on some sort of government assistance and could barely make ends meet. I was always taught to value what I had and that hard work will always bear its fruits. My high school was filled with kids who didn’t care about getting an education. I was a introverted “nerd” who took Honors and AP classes and saw education as a way to get out of a town that didn’t have much opportunity for growth. While I valued my education, I was also bored to death, even in my “accelerated classes,” so I stupidly acted out and started to party as high school kids do. I ditched class to drink and dabbled a bit in drugs because there was nothing else to do. Even as I partied, I still managed to remain on the honor roll for all 4 years. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year, our class had 250 kids and throughout the year approximately half of the student body dropped out at one point or another, giving up on their 14 year investment in their education. I made it to the end, but while everyone was excitedly responding to college acceptance letters, I had to throw all of mine out. Why? I was pregnant. I fully accept responsibility for my actions, but sex was not talked about in my household. I had no idea I had access to birth control or condoms and foolishly made a mistake that would change my life. I went to my prom and graduation 3 months pregnant without anyone knowing aside from my family.

The summer after graduation was spent brainstorming options and finding a job to help support my unborn child. I decided to keep the baby, thinking I would give it up for adoption. I was too immature to take care of myself, and now a baby? No way. As the months progressed, I fell in love with the baby and decided to keep her and raise her with the help of my family. I was excited but deep inside I was depressed. I really wanted to go off to college and live the life of a student living on campus, making new friends, staying up late to cram for midterms and possibly travel a bit. I couldn’t do that anymore and the thought of experiencing college in any other way didn’t entice me. I also knew if I didn’t get an education, I’d be stuck in a cycle of dead end jobs all my life. I knew I didn’t want to struggle like I’ve seen my family fight just to put a decent meal on the table and keep the lights from getting shut down.

I started college two months after my daughter was born. She was perfection and an incredible motivator. I’ve always thought that she deserves something better, beyond what I can give her but I decided to try my best to give her an amazing life. Since I just had a baby, I wanted to explore the opportunities I had outside of a traditional classroom in college. Luckily, the local community college offered online courses which only required me to be in class on the first day, at midterms and during finals week. I did this for a year and a half until I took every online course possible. Then it was time for full immersion into college. Here came daycare and having to balance college life with working and a small child.

My average day in college looked like this: we’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn so my daughter and I could ride a 45-minute bus to school. Unlike most of my classmates, I had to dash straight from work to class or go to work right after class so that I could pick up my daughter from school at a proper hour. I was very fortunate to land a job in a small office as an office assistant during college that would later prove invaluable. The pay was ok, but I was allowed to tailor my schedule to be compatible with my changing class load every semester. After our day was done came another bus ride. Once we got home, I’d have to make dinner, pack us lunch for the next day, prepare her backpack with extra clothes plus wash and prepare a day’s worth of bottles for my daughter. After I put my daughter to bed was the only time I had for homework. I’d stay up until about 2am every night doing my reading assignments or writing papers only to have to get up 3 ½ hours later to start my day again.

I did this every day for 5 ½ years.

Was it worth it? Heck yeah. I got my bachelor’s degree on my wall as proof. I am the first person in my family to ever get a degree. I have multiple relatives my age who ended up dropping out for various reasons yet I managed to graduate (with honors!) while juggling a small child and a demanding job. Aside from raising my daughter, this is what I’m most proud of thus far. I read online that less than 2% of teen moms attain a college degree before age 30. I’m stoked beyond words to be a part of that 2% (Source) I hope that this struggle and success will set an example to my daughter and show her that hard work does pay off.

After college, I worked a few jobs that I wasn’t too keen on. Too corporate, too stuffy, too bureaucratic to evoke any change and make an impact. I wanted to wake up every morning and feel inspired to go to work. I didn’t just want a paycheck, I wanted to engulf myself within organization so that I could kick ass and take names. I also wanted a 401(k), health benefits and life insurance so that my bases could be covered in old age. But mainly I wanted to wake up invigorated every morning and be able to pay my bills. After college, my daughter and I moved into our first home. I loved waking her up in her room filled with the girliest of things. I was a proud mama–on my own, college educated and living life as an independent woman.

Independent but unfulfilled. That is, until I was introduced to the CEO of my most recent employer. We hit it off immediately and within two week was offered the chance of a lifetime. I was invited to join his multimillion dollar company and close-knit team as his right hand. I’d learn all the in’s and out’s of running a business in a dynamic industry and receive a nice salary. After a bit of contemplation, I decided to resign from my stuffy job to join a company I was proud to be apart of. My job was great. It was flexible, nurturing, educational and insightful. In a few short weeks, I was in the trenches with my boss handling everything from sales to contracts to finance to HR. That is, until the company suddenly went out of business. I won’t get into the details but I was told I’d have a month before we were all let go. This was the job I wanted to settle in and dedicate years to, not just a job really but a mission to which I was dedicated.

I was laid off in March with no severance pay as the company had nothing. I had a small savings which I tapped into as I began searching for a job. I had to file for unemployment for the first time, which was hard as I’ve prided myself on not having to use government resources to pay my bills. I have almost a decade of solid work history and yet I’m struggling to find a job. Places are hiring but they’re scarce and don’t always offer pay that can support a family.

My bills are piling up and I have family and friends that are in no position to help me out. Unemployment can only pay so much and it isn’t enough to put a home-cooked meal on the table or keep everything paid. I’m in the process of starting up two businesses–one that peddles vintage finds and another that provides folks with stellar resumes to land their dream job so that I can increase my cash flow, but in the meantime, I’m asking for any donations to my cause. I’m willing to offer any services in return for a donation over $30 via paypal. There’s a button below where your transaction will be processed safely and gratefully!

Please pass this on and +1 it, favorite it, retweet it and share in any way possible! No action is too small or unappreciated.

Thank you so much for letting me share my story with you.

http://educatedsinglemom.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/i-am-the-2-or-my-life-as-a-teen-mom-2/

I am the 2%, or My Life as a Teen Mom

Posted by educatedsinglemama on 2012-05-14 02:58:08

Since today is Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my journey thus far and what it’s meant to be a mother for me. My story is unique in that I’ve overcome various obstacles to gain what some may call normalcy. Now I’m facing a struggle in which I’m hoping to tap into the kindness of the internet in order to help me through this hurdle.

I was raised by a single parent and grew up in a town where most families were on some sort of government assistance and could barely make ends meet. I was always taught to value what I had and that hard work will always bear its fruits. My high school was filled with kids who didn’t care about getting an education. I was a introverted “nerd” who took Honors and AP classes and saw education as a way to get out of a town that didn’t have much opportunity for growth. While I valued my education, I was also bored to death, even in my “accelerated classes,” so I stupidly acted out and started to party as high school kids do. I ditched class to drink and dabbled a bit in drugs because there was nothing else to do. Even as I partied, I still managed to remain on the honor roll for all 4 years. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year, our class had 250 kids and throughout the year approximately half of the student body dropped out at one point or another, giving up on their 14 year investment in their education. I made it to the end, but while everyone was excitedly responding to college acceptance letters, I had to throw all of mine out. Why? I was pregnant. I fully accept responsibility for my actions, but sex was not talked about in my household. I had no idea I had access to birth control or condoms and foolishly made a mistake that would change my life. I went to my prom and graduation 3 months pregnant without anyone knowing aside from my family.

The summer after graduation was spent brainstorming options and finding a job to help support my unborn child. I decided to keep the baby, thinking I would give it up for adoption. I was too immature to take care of myself, and now a baby? No way. As the months progressed, I fell in love with the baby and decided to keep her and raise her with the help of my family. I was excited but deep inside I was depressed. I really wanted to go off to college and live the life of a student living on campus, making new friends, staying up late to cram for midterms and possibly travel a bit. I couldn’t do that anymore and the thought of experiencing college in any other way didn’t entice me. I also knew if I didn’t get an education, I’d be stuck in a cycle of dead end jobs all my life. I knew I didn’t want to struggle like I’ve seen my family fight just to put a decent meal on the table and keep the lights from getting shut down.

I started college two months after my daughter was born. She was perfection and an incredible motivator. I’ve always thought that she deserves something better, beyond what I can give her but I decided to try my best to give her an amazing life. Since I just had a baby, I wanted to explore the opportunities I had outside of a traditional classroom in college. Luckily, the local community college offered online courses which only required me to be in class on the first day, at midterms and during finals week. I did this for a year and a half until I took every online course possible. Then it was time for full immersion into college. Here came daycare and having to balance college life with working and a small child.

My average day in college looked like this: we’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn so my daughter and I could ride a 45-minute bus to school. Unlike most of my classmates, I had to dash straight from work to class or go to work right after class so that I could pick up my daughter from school at a proper hour. I was very fortunate to land a job in a small office as an office assistant during college that would later prove invaluable. The pay was ok, but I was allowed to tailor my schedule to be compatible with my changing class load every semester. After our day was done came another bus ride. Once we got home, I’d have to make dinner, pack us lunch for the next day, prepare her backpack with extra clothes plus wash and prepare a day’s worth of bottles for my daughter. After I put my daughter to bed was the only time I had for homework. I’d stay up until about 2am every night doing my reading assignments or writing papers only to have to get up 3 ½ hours later to start my day again.

I did this every day for 5 ½ years.

Was it worth it? Heck yeah. I got my bachelor’s degree on my wall as proof. I am the first person in my family to ever get a degree. I have multiple relatives my age who ended up dropping out for various reasons yet I managed to graduate (with honors!) while juggling a small child and a demanding job. Aside from raising my daughter, this is what I’m most proud of thus far. I read online that less than 2% of teen moms attain a college degree before age 30. I’m stoked beyond words to be a part of that 2% (Source) I hope that this struggle and success will set an example to my daughter and show her that hard work does pay off.

After college, I worked a few jobs that I wasn’t too keen on. Too corporate, too stuffy, too bureaucratic to evoke any change and make an impact. I wanted to wake up every morning and feel inspired to go to work. I didn’t just want a paycheck, I wanted to engulf myself within organization so that I could kick ass and take names. I also wanted a 401(k), health benefits and life insurance so that my bases could be covered in old age. But mainly I wanted to wake up invigorated every morning and be able to pay my bills. After college, my daughter and I moved into our first home. I loved waking her up in her room filled with the girliest of things. I was a proud mama–on my own, college educated and living life as an independent woman.

Independent but unfulfilled. That is, until I was introduced to the CEO of my most recent employer. We hit it off immediately and within two week was offered the chance of a lifetime. I was invited to join his multimillion dollar company and close-knit team as his right hand. I’d learn all the in’s and out’s of running a business in a dynamic industry and receive a nice salary. After a bit of contemplation, I decided to resign from my stuffy job to join a company I was proud to be apart of. My job was great. It was flexible, nurturing, educational and insightful. In a few short weeks, I was in the trenches with my boss handling everything from sales to contracts to finance to HR. That is, until the company suddenly went out of business. I won’t get into the details but I was told I’d have a month before we were all let go. This was the job I wanted to settle in and dedicate years to, not just a job really but a mission to which I was dedicated.

I was laid off in March with no severance pay as the company had nothing. I had a small savings which I tapped into as I began searching for a job. I had to file for unemployment for the first time, which was hard as I’ve prided myself on not having to use government resources to pay my bills. I have almost a decade of solid work history and yet I’m struggling to find a job. Places are hiring but they’re scarce and don’t always offer pay that can support a family.

My bills are piling up and I have family and friends that are in no position to help me out. Unemployment can only pay so much and it isn’t enough to put a home-cooked meal on the table or keep everything paid. I’m in the process of starting up two businesses–one that peddles vintage finds and another that provides folks with stellar resumes to land their dream job so that I can increase my cash flow, but in the meantime, I’m asking for any donations to my cause. I’m willing to offer any services in return for a donation over $30 via paypal. There’s a button below where your transaction will be processed safely and gratefully!

Please pass this on and +1 it, favorite it, retweet it and share in any way possible! No action is too small or unappreciated.

Thank you so much for letting me share my story with you.
I'm a single mother aged 35. I've lived in California for almost 14 years ( it will be 15 this year on memorial day weekend.)
I’m going to be a little blunt, because I'm tired and I want to give up so bad, but I can't. I'm better than that and my kids are my motivator. I wake up everyday and remind myself of 2 things :1) Faith is what you have when you all your beliefs are blown to hell. 2) What doesn't kill you makes you stronger -Nietzsche

I am a 35 year old educated, ambitious, head strong woman. I have owned my own business with my soon to be ex. I know what hard work and determination are. I went to private school and I am educated. I value my community and have always given back and will continue to do so. I also know that I have the drive and determination to get myself back on track. I'm not ASKING for a handout, I'm asking for help up! I also know what loss is. I don't have the business, a house or EVEN the car anymore. We lost everything. He bounced back , I didn’t. All I have is HOPE, that someone or some program can help me carve a path back to self sufficiency.
It's gone continually downhill.I am amazed at the allotment of programs for both housing and employment for all different walks of life. However, what about those that are just struggling. No hang ups, no record, just struggling and are LOW INCOME. I'm not writing this to make you feel sorry, I'm writing this because I have exhausted possibilities that I have researched both on my own or been given the information to do the work with.
There are people who struggle everyday through no fault of their own. They don't want a hand out, but help up would be a relief. Society doesn't need band-aids they need solutions.
Not every county, city or state program fits everyone's needs.
First of all Section 8 has been closed since BEFORE I left my marriage so that idea could never work. The list has been closed for years. Because I have limited time with my children, I do not qualify for CALWORKS. I have tried getting assistance in every way possible. I had very little unemployment left since I have been struggling to find work. I was delayed for about 3 months because they needed verification and I had to appeal and request a hearing. I have won my appeal but will only receive $91/week and for a short period of time.
I took a project management class through WIA in 2011, and I was able to get CTB benefits. I NEED HELP. I have hit the absolute worst point in my life and still refuse to give up. I have been looking for work and am now HOMELESS.I am in week 3 of staying in an extended stay hotel (paid for by my mother back east, who makes maybe $26,000/yr in PA) I recently sold my car because I needed to pay bills and rent. I have maybe $75 to my name.
The fact that they say there are services for low income/ homeless is frustrating. I say this because there is no category for me. I'm not a drug addict or in recovery. I don't have a mental illness. I wasn't in prison, I don’t' even have a RECORD. I can proudly say I've never been arrested or even in the back of a cop car. I'm not a victim of domestic violence and I do not beat my kids. Why aren't there programs in place for single parents struggling to make it? Everyday people that are responsible and respectable. I understand the need to assist those that may not have the capacity to take care of themselves. However, I have a huge problem with the fact that Santa Clara County & all programs (private, govt or state funded) will rehabilitate and reintroduced felons into the community, but if you're poor, homeless, no record, are looking for work, have high intelligence; sorry, you can't get help. This sounds extremely cynical and jaded, but I am a little after going through all I have.
I have been told constantly “I wish I could do something but we don't have any programs to help you.” My favorite reply is: "Yeah and you have done everything. I'm surprised you even knew about all the programs you did"
I have talked to employment counselors, program coordinators, program advocates and case managers, volunteers, just about anyone. The bankruptcy is hindering my chances of securing housing, even if I had employment.

The icing on the cake has to be with food stamps and General Assistance. I qualified for Cal-Fresh. However, at the time I had a car worth $2200. So I wasn't able to get General Assistance. Fast Forward a year later, I HAD to sell my car to pay bills. Now this month when I went for General Assistance, I qualify.

It's a never ending cycle, a constant push down. I can take public transportation to work, but to get around and see my boys and being able to transport them would be extremely difficult, not to mention financially stressing. I have scoured employment books, read articles, searched the library, spent hours online trying to find a job, program, a company, anybody who could be a resource whether for low income assistance or employment.
I can probably tell you about a plethora of services this county (Santa Clara) offers for both income assistance and job services.I am registered with CALJOBS; I know all the career sites and have my resume there. I get interviews, however I am starting to think the bankruptcy from loss of business is holding me back when employers do background check.
I also could teach the business writing class or the resume writing classes they offer at Work2Future, I practically did when I took them. I could do the same at Sacred Heart. I've been to InnVision and EHC. I’ve talked to Sunnyvale Community Services. Boy he was a treat he sounded older then my 80 yr old grandma. When I said I need housing and employment help, he gruffly told me to check the newspaper and hung up. I've called St Josephs in Gilroy. I've talked to a program coordinator at West Valley Community Services. I called the Sobrato Organization hoping they had ties to something and one the employees just by grace of god happened to pick up and take my call. I was able to talk to someone at HIF (they couldn't help)
.
I am responsible, respectable and just want to work, have a place to live, and be able to have my children 50/50. I have no police record. I am not in recovery, nor have I ever had to be in a program
I want to work and am attaching a compilation of ALL my work skills. I would not send this out otherwise, I would tailor it specifically to the job I am applying for.

I used to volunteer as much as I could I like being active in my community and helping others. I'm still about that I believe in PAY IT FORWARD. I believe the good you do comes back to you tenfold and that no matter what is going wrong in your life, someone else is struggling just as much if not more; so be thankful for what you have.
I attend church and was a hospitality volunteer for that as well.
I just need help getting on my feet. I have no family, other than my children here in CA.
I do not want to move back east and be far away from them. I want to work, I want to live again. I want to smile and mean it.

I hate what my life has become and know that I am SO MUCH BETTER THEN THIS.
Please help me : money is fine, but it's only a temporary fix, please help me find a program that can assist me in getting on my feet, direct me to employment, and most of all afford me the opportunity to have my children much more consistently so I can be a mom again.
Thank you
Courtney DiMiceli

First live concert

Posted by hopelesscowgirl on 2012-04-30 02:58:05

I would love to have enough money for my mother and I to go to a live country music concert, but I just can't save enough money for the plane tickets, hotel, dining, transportation, and everything else we would like to do. Please this would be my very first live concert and it would be from my favorite singer too. Please help me as much as you can it would be so nice to get away for a while.

Help Us Start Over

Posted by openyourheart4me on 2012-04-14 13:58:58

My daughter and I are in need of finding a place of our own. These past couple months have been extremely hard because of the death of my mother. We were all living together and my mom was splitting the rent with me and I was working to take care of her. She was sick with Cancer and she had the operation and we all thought she was going to be okay. She did not recover like we expected and she ended up going in a Rehabilitation Center and we visited her often until she came home. I am the youngest of her children. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister and we are called the Berry 5. We were allways known as the Berry Family from the time we were little. My mom started to do better and we were so happy to have her home. It came time for her to Start Chemotherapy and Radiation. She was scared but I and my sister talked her into it because we knew the doctors had told us that she needed it because the cancer had spread to her lymp nodes and when they did the surgery they were not able to get everything. My mom had done one week of Radiation and she went in for one session of Chemo. The same day she had Chemo she seemed fine and then 2 days later she was having fevers, throwing up and so extremely weak. I thought it was because of the Chemo because that is what was explained to us. My concern was she couldn't keep anything down. I needed to give her medication for her Diabetes and High Blood Pressure but everytime I gave her anything, it all came up and so I was so scared because her blood sugar was high and I didn't want it to get any higher. She began to complain of stomach pain and I thought it was another side effect of the Chemo. For a couple days of her vomiting and having diarrhea, I was able to get some fluids down her and it seemed to stay. Little by little we both thought she was doing better. Her strength was not there though, it was difficult for her to even get up to go to the bathroom. The following day she continued to vomit and I was scared so I told her she needed to go to the hospital, because I felt that they could help her more. They could give her medications through an IV and they could find out why she was so weak and everything. She was scared and did not want to go but I convinced her. The ambulance came and took her to the hospital. I tried to follow her but I had to pick up my 11 year old daughter from school. I did go and they would not let me go back right away. I told them my mom had been brought in and they told me she wasn't checked in yet. About 20 minutes passed and I went back up to the window and they told me they would see if the doctor would let me back there and they were saying my daughter couldn't come back there because she wasn't 14, I told them she is only 11 years old and I'm not leaving her in the waiting room with strangers and that she was coming back there with me. They finally let us in and we went back to see my mom. I couldn't believe they had her hooked up to so many machines and she was on morphine and so out of it. I walked up to her and I said Ma, I'm here and she turned and looked at me. She was happy to see me, but then she told me that they told her, they found blood in her stools. I told her it was probably just do to her Hemorrhoids. but she said they told her it was positive for something. I asked her for what and she didn't know. I began looking for the doctor so I could ask questions but he wasn't around and everyone I talked to told me the doctor would be in soon to go over my mom's condition. I stayed with my mom, just holding her hand, telling her I loved her and that she was going to be okay. They came in to take her to have an ultrasound and my daughter and I waited. The doctor finally came in and told me that my mom had an abcess in her stomach that had burst. I said what are you talking about? He said that she had a condition called peridonitis and that the abcess burst and was releasing all this poison inside her stomach and her blood pressure was dropping dramatically. He then told me it was too dangerous for them to operate at that time because her INR level to to high. My mom had been taking Cumadin for a blood clot that she previously had and the cumadin made her INR level extremely high and her blood was not clotting so they said if they did surgery, she would bleed out. They said they needed to correct it by giving her lots of blood products and they gave her all kinds of strong antibiotics and blood and plasma. They were pumping so much stuff into her, I didn't know what to do. Her blood pressure was like 85/60 and then like 76/40 and it was getting lower and lower. They had her hooked up to so many IVs and then they told me that she was the sickest person they had in the ER. So many doctors and interns and students and nurses overcrowded my mom's room. I called my sister and told her what was going on and she came down to be with me and my daughter. They told us they would do all they could for my mom but that it didn't look good. I began to pray, my mom had always taught me to pray and give things over to god. As the night went on, they decided to put an IV in my moms neck, they said it was more direct and if and when she went to surgery it would be better to have that in place. They made us leave the room and they had like 10 people in there with there machines and cameras and equipment to help guide them where to put the IV at. I had never gone through this before and I was so scared but I was keeping my faith. One doctor wanted to talk to me and my sister alone and I didn't want to hear him telling me anything negative. He asked us a lot of questions concerning my mom's health and history. He then told us that she was in acute renal failure and that her colon was damaged where the abcess bursts and fecal was being released into her abdomen. This is the last thing I wanted to hear. I asked him if they could fix it, he said they would do all they could but that their main focus was trying to bring her INR levels down because they were dangerously high. She was also anemic and that is why she was so weak, her blood level was extremely low. They were continuously giving her blood products, antibiotics and plasma. My sister decided to take my daughter home with her. I told her I would call her when I knew when they were going to do surgery. The surgeon had spoken to us and said that it was a good chance, and that operating was her only chance and once her blood level was corrected that they would go in and repair the damage. I felt some what relieved but as the night went on she was in a fight for her life. The main doctor working on my mom's case came and told me that her breathing was not getting any better and that he needed to put her to sleep so he could intubate her and put a breathing tube down her throat. He said it would be good to have anyways so that she would be ready when they went to surgery. There was nothing I could do except walk out of the room and wait. I continued to pray and wait and pray and wait. Hours went by and I would walk and peek inside the room and see my mom's blood pressure increasing some, this gave me hope but then the doctor would come and tell me it wasn't looking like she was improving and that we needed to prepare that she might not make it through the night. i couldn't believe what he was telling me. I called my sister and my brother and told them , they were praying as well. I didn't know who to listen to, one doctor is telling me it's hopeless and the surgeon is telling me it's a good chance she would be okay once taken to surgery. I sat in the hall because they wouldn't let me back in and they stayed with her at all times, monitoring her and giving her medicine and all the blood and stuff back to back. Then they came out in the hall and told me they were ready to take her to surgery. They said she might not hear you but you can still talk to her. I walked up to her lying there, so still and I told her how much I loved her and i told her to fight and that we would do it togther and that I would be here when she woke up and that I was not leaving her. The surgeon put me in the OR waiting room. I was all alone in there by myself. I waited and waited and only 20 mins went by and a security guard told me there was a cafe there and if I wanted to go grab a cup of coffee that I could. I went downstairs and got the coffee, as soon as I reached the OR floor I saw the surgeon standing there, he walked over to me and he said, I'm sorry but your mom's heart stopped during surgery and we revived her but then it stopped again and he said I don't we can get it back. My whole world just crumbled, I began screaming and crying and I fell to the floor. I was just askig God why. Why is this happening? This security lady came over to comfort me and began telling me how sorry she was and asked me if I had any family I could call. I called my sister and told her and she said she was on her way down. She lived in another city about 45 mins away. I was still on the ground just broken and this lady began to tell me that God would help me and give me the strength to go on. She asked me if I had any children, I told her I had a daughter, and she told me I needed to be strong for her. I wasn't trying to hear all that. My whole world was ripped right from under me. A couple of doctors and this lady helped me off the floor and the surgeon that came out , came out again and told me they would take me back to see her. They brought out a wheelchair and wheeled me back there and when they opened the door, my god I just saw them on top of her doing chest compressions and I was just screaming and then the surgeon is telling me I need to make a decision because everytime they do that, they are hurting her and he said, you don't want her to suffer anymore. I was just waiting on my sister4. I didn't want to make that call but I didn't want them pounding her chest in so I told them to stop. It killed in me inside. They wheeled me over to her and I just cried. My mom was only 60 years old and she had her whole life ahead of her and I don't understand why any of this happened. She was such a beautiful person and she had been a christian for 33 years. SHe loved the lord and she raised me and my siblings up in the church. I couldn't believe that she was gone because I had prayed and prayed and I just knew that God would spare her life. I lost my real father at the age of 16 and even then I didn't know him. I always had my mom and she remarried when I was 11 years old. She had been married for 19 years and my step father passed away in July of 2008. He was a sickly person and she took care of him and nursed him for all those years. He had diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, he was on dialysis for kidney failure, he had a four by pass surgery and he was in and out of the hospitals for years. She suffered so much seeing him suffer and taking care of him, he took what little strength she had. But because he was her husband she did all she could to help him and she loved him so much. So now all remains is just me and my siblings. It's hard because my mom was my best friend. I can't remember a time when she wasn't around. We did everything together and we lived together for years and I took care of her. I wanted so bad for her to be okay and to make it through surgery, I had been taught for years about the love of Jesus and I couldn't understand what he chose to take her away from her children and grandchildren. We had a two bedroom apartment and she had her room and my daughter and I shared a room. After she died, I went home that morning with my sister and I stayed over there for the remainder of the day. The whole day was just hurting, crying and calling the rest of the family. I felt so bad because my youngest brother, say youngest because he is the youngest of my 3 brothers, even though they are all older than me. He came to the hospital to see my mom but he thought she was still alive and the doctors didn't tell him, they let him in the room and she was already covered up and he walked in and was like, it's over ?? he couldn't believe it , he just broke down. One of the nurses that was in the OR called my sister and he was crying, apologizing to us because he thought my brother already knew. He told us how sorry he was. Now my family is broken, my mom was the rock that held us all together. We didn't have money growing up, we didn't have a lot of the finer things in life but we had love. She loved us like no one could. She did it all for her children and most importantly she taught us about God. She lived her life for Jesus, she would pray on a regular basis, read her bible daily, go to church often as she could and when things looked hopeless she took them to god in prayer. She prayed not only for her children, grandchildren and siblings but for people all over the world, she would pray for all the countries and for the sick and homeless and anyone she could pray for. She gave over the years endlessly to Trinity Broadcasting Network, Feed the children, CBN, David Terrell Ministries, Boys Town, Children International, Food For All and to so many others. Month after month, year after year she was giving. She taught us how to give and there were times when we would just make food and take it to the park to give to the homeless, bottled water, sandwiches, noodles, chicken or whatever we could. She would never turn down a person needing help or asking for spare change, she would give freely. She would tell me all the time, it's better to give than to receive and that god would bless me. So I began giving as well, I would call and donate and try to help whenever I could. My mom was also a big giver to the goodwill. Over the years we gave so much, and everytime they would ask if we wanted a donation paper for a tax write off she would say no. she didn't want that, she was giving freely and she didn't want anything in return. That's who she was, she was the person who would mentor you and talk to you about Jesus and how over the years he brought her and our family through so many trials and tribulations. SHe praised god for everything, for the good times and the bad. She used to always tell me to be thankful and to praise god. Now there were times when i was suffering so much and I didn't want to praise god, I wanted god to help me and at the time it seemed like he wasn't. My mom was always there to tell me baby, hold on.. give your burdens over to the lord and he will help you and supply all your needs. I realized that he did just that. I remember when she had surgery for the cancer and she was wondering why god allowed her to come down with that. It was hard for her because her faith was shaken then. She couldn't believe after she was faithful to him for so many years that he would allow her to suffer so horribly and there my sister and I were telling her that she would be okay, that God loved her still and he had not forsaken her and that he would bring her through this. She was so discouraged at the time but we would not let up. She couldn't believe this was her children mentoring and encouragiing her as she had done for us over the years. She told me, she was happy and she felt relieved that her living and everything she had taught us was not in vain. She was thankful to God that we were listening to her and by example we followed her footsteps. She began to get better and we thought she would be okay. My mom was a pure Christian, she didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't do drugs, didn't curse. She would make you turn the tv channel if you were watching something that cursed. She loved her cowboys though. Her favorites were Bonanza, The rifle man, High Chapparal, Wagon Train, The Virginian and so many others. She also loved the old shows, the clean shows, the original dennis the menace, columbo, family affair, petticoat junction, I married joan, hawai five o, the streets of san francisco, i spy, murder she wrote, in the heat of the night, matlock, the big vally, dr quinn, little house on the prairie, family ties, good times, 227, what's happening, the jeffersons, the brady bunch and so many others. Her favorite game shows were The price is right, deal or no deal, let's make a deal, the newlywed game, match game and who wants to be a millionaire. I loved spending time with my mom, she was someone I could always talk to and she would never judge me, she would tell me how much she loved me and how proud she was of me. She taught me how to carry myself as a lady and she taught me how to stand up for myself and I owe her so much. I felt like I let her down that night she was in the hospital and I told her she would be okay and that I would be waiting for her when she woke up but she never woke up. I felt that made me a liar. I had been taking care of my mom for months and I was preparing her meals, giving her medications on schedule and was taking her to her appointments and running errands for her. My mom had been weak for so long because before she found out she had cancer she was bleeding perfusely having vaginal bleeding and they made her very anemic. Before surgery she had 4 transfusions and then after surgery she had 2 more. She never got all her strength back and after she had the first surgery, she was too weak that they sent her to Ballard Rehabilitation and they were working on getting her strength back and getting her up and walking. She did so much better when she was in there and when she came home, they sent out a home health nurse, a physcialy therapist and an occupational therapist. They began doing exercises with her and the physical therapist thought it would benefit my mom to have some help with getting around. So she ordered her an walker , the kind that had a seat on it, she ordered her a wheel chair, a raised toilet seat with the rails and a shower chair and shower bench. So when my mom started walking more better she was using her walker all the time, it was helping her because she had the support to keep her from falling and when she got tired , she could just sit down. I did all I could to take care of her, on a daily basis. She was not strong enough to shower herself, so I bought the shower hose and I began to shower her daily, dress her and do everything for her but I loved her so much and I didn't care what I had to do, she was my mom. There were days when she thought she was a burden to me and she would tell me, that I work to hard and that she was sorry she was not able to do things for herself and i would immediately tell her to stop talking like that. I would tell her, she was my mom, I loved her and wanted to look after her and that she wasn't a burden on me. That she took care of me when I was little and over the years and now it was my turn to take care of her. She told me a couple weeks before she passed away , you said, you really stood by your mom, when all the others went on their way. you stood by your mom. She said, I don't know what I would have done with out you. She said I don't know how I would have made it and she said god is really going to bless you and he will remember everything you did for your mother. She told me how special I was and now that she is gone , I remember everything she ever told me. It has been so hard, going through all her things and seeing all the cards and letters she gave me over the years. Everybody keeps telling me it will get better but I don't see that happening. I can't go one day without crying for missing her so much. I am grateful because she is not in any more pain but I am hurting so badly without her. I have a big sister but we have never been that close, she seems to want to spend more time with me now but nobody could ever feel that empty space inside my heart for my mother. I recently moved in with my brother and I want so desperately for me and my daughter to be able to get a place of our own. It costs so much to pay for first and last months rent and I have this old 1994 car that has been giving me so much trouble and I am barely scraping along , just trying to make it. I would appreciate any help I am given. If anyone can find it in their heart to help me and my daughter move out and get our own place or simply help us with the day to day necessities, it would be greatly appreciated.

Help Us Start Over

Posted by openyourheart4me on 2012-04-14 13:58:55

My daughter and I are in need of finding a place of our own. These past couple months have been extremely hard because of the death of my mother. We were all living together and my mom was splitting the rent with me and I was working to take care of her. She was sick with Cancer and she had the operation and we all thought she was going to be okay. She did not recover like we expected and she ended up going in a Rehabilitation Center and we visited her often until she came home. I am the youngest of her children. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister and we are called the Berry 5. We were allways known as the Berry Family from the time we were little. My mom started to do better and we were so happy to have her home. It came time for her to Start Chemotherapy and Radiation. She was scared but I and my sister talked her into it because we knew the doctors had told us that she needed it because the cancer had spread to her lymp nodes and when they did the surgery they were not able to get everything. My mom had done one week of Radiation and she went in for one session of Chemo. The same day she had Chemo she seemed fine and then 2 days later she was having fevers, throwing up and so extremely weak. I thought it was because of the Chemo because that is what was explained to us. My concern was she couldn't keep anything down. I needed to give her medication for her Diabetes and High Blood Pressure but everytime I gave her anything, it all came up and so I was so scared because her blood sugar was high and I didn't want it to get any higher. She began to complain of stomach pain and I thought it was another side effect of the Chemo. For a couple days of her vomiting and having diarrhea, I was able to get some fluids down her and it seemed to stay. Little by little we both thought she was doing better. Her strength was not there though, it was difficult for her to even get up to go to the bathroom. The following day she continued to vomit and I was scared so I told her she needed to go to the hospital, because I felt that they could help her more. They could give her medications through an IV and they could find out why she was so weak and everything. She was scared and did not want to go but I convinced her. The ambulance came and took her to the hospital. I tried to follow her but I had to pick up my 11 year old daughter from school. I did go and they would not let me go back right away. I told them my mom had been brought in and they told me she wasn't checked in yet. About 20 minutes passed and I went back up to the window and they told me they would see if the doctor would let me back there and they were saying my daughter couldn't come back there because she wasn't 14, I told them she is only 11 years old and I'm not leaving her in the waiting room with strangers and that she was coming back there with me. They finally let us in and we went back to see my mom. I couldn't believe they had her hooked up to so many machines and she was on morphine and so out of it. I walked up to her and I said Ma, I'm here and she turned and looked at me. She was happy to see me, but then she told me that they told her, they found blood in her stools. I told her it was probably just do to her Hemorrhoids. but she said they told her it was positive for something. I asked her for what and she didn't know. I began looking for the doctor so I could ask questions but he wasn't around and everyone I talked to told me the doctor would be in soon to go over my mom's condition. I stayed with my mom, just holding her hand, telling her I loved her and that she was going to be okay. They came in to take her to have an ultrasound and my daughter and I waited. The doctor finally came in and told me that my mom had an abcess in her stomach that had burst. I said what are you talking about? He said that she had a condition called peridonitis and that the abcess burst and was releasing all this poison inside her stomach and her blood pressure was dropping dramatically. He then told me it was too dangerous for them to operate at that time because her INR level to to high. My mom had been taking Cumadin for a blood clot that she previously had and the cumadin made her INR level extremely high and her blood was not clotting so they said if they did surgery, she would bleed out. They said they needed to correct it by giving her lots of blood products and they gave her all kinds of strong antibiotics and blood and plasma. They were pumping so much stuff into her, I didn't know what to do. Her blood pressure was like 85/60 and then like 76/40 and it was getting lower and lower. They had her hooked up to so many IVs and then they told me that she was the sickest person they had in the ER. So many doctors and interns and students and nurses overcrowded my mom's room. I called my sister and told her what was going on and she came down to be with me and my daughter. They told us they would do all they could for my mom but that it didn't look good. I began to pray, my mom had always taught me to pray and give things over to god. As the night went on, they decided to put an IV in my moms neck, they said it was more direct and if and when she went to surgery it would be better to have that in place. They made us leave the room and they had like 10 people in there with there machines and cameras and equipment to help guide them where to put the IV at. I had never gone through this before and I was so scared but I was keeping my faith. One doctor wanted to talk to me and my sister alone and I didn't want to hear him telling me anything negative. He asked us a lot of questions concerning my mom's health and history. He then told us that she was in acute renal failure and that her colon was damaged where the abcess bursts and fecal was being released into her abdomen. This is the last thing I wanted to hear. I asked him if they could fix it, he said they would do all they could but that their main focus was trying to bring her INR levels down because they were dangerously high. She was also anemic and that is why she was so weak, her blood level was extremely low. They were continuously giving her blood products, antibiotics and plasma. My sister decided to take my daughter home with her. I told her I would call her when I knew when they were going to do surgery. The surgeon had spoken to us and said that it was a good chance, and that operating was her only chance and once her blood level was corrected that they would go in and repair the damage. I felt some what relieved but as the night went on she was in a fight for her life. The main doctor working on my mom's case came and told me that her breathing was not getting any better and that he needed to put her to sleep so he could intubate her and put a breathing tube down her throat. He said it would be good to have anyways so that she would be ready when they went to surgery. There was nothing I could do except walk out of the room and wait. I continued to pray and wait and pray and wait. Hours went by and I would walk and peek inside the room and see my mom's blood pressure increasing some, this gave me hope but then the doctor would come and tell me it wasn't looking like she was improving and that we needed to prepare that she might not make it through the night. i couldn't believe what he was telling me. I called my sister and my brother and told them , they were praying as well. I didn't know who to listen to, one doctor is telling me it's hopeless and the surgeon is telling me it's a good chance she would be okay once taken to surgery. I sat in the hall because they wouldn't let me back in and they stayed with her at all times, monitoring her and giving her medicine and all the blood and stuff back to back. Then they came out in the hall and told me they were ready to take her to surgery. They said she might not hear you but you can still talk to her. I walked up to her lying there, so still and I told her how much I loved her and i told her to fight and that we would do it togther and that I would be here when she woke up and that I was not leaving her. The surgeon put me in the OR waiting room. I was all alone in there by myself. I waited and waited and only 20 mins went by and a security guard told me there was a cafe there and if I wanted to go grab a cup of coffee that I could. I went downstairs and got the coffee, as soon as I reached the OR floor I saw the surgeon standing there, he walked over to me and he said, I'm sorry but your mom's heart stopped during surgery and we revived her but then it stopped again and he said I don't we can get it back. My whole world just crumbled, I began screaming and crying and I fell to the floor. I was just askig God why. Why is this happening? This security lady came over to comfort me and began telling me how sorry she was and asked me if I had any family I could call. I called my sister and told her and she said she was on her way down. She lived in another city about 45 mins away. I was still on the ground just broken and this lady began to tell me that God would help me and give me the strength to go on. She asked me if I had any children, I told her I had a daughter, and she told me I needed to be strong for her. I wasn't trying to hear all that. My whole world was ripped right from under me. A couple of doctors and this lady helped me off the floor and the surgeon that came out , came out again and told me they would take me back to see her. They brought out a wheelchair and wheeled me back there and when they opened the door, my god I just saw them on top of her doing chest compressions and I was just screaming and then the surgeon is telling me I need to make a decision because everytime they do that, they are hurting her and he said, you don't want her to suffer anymore. I was just waiting on my sister4. I didn't want to make that call but I didn't want them pounding her chest in so I told them to stop. It killed in me inside. They wheeled me over to her and I just cried. My mom was only 60 years old and she had her whole life ahead of her and I don't understand why any of this happened. She was such a beautiful person and she had been a christian for 33 years. SHe loved the lord and she raised me and my siblings up in the church. I couldn't believe that she was gone because I had prayed and prayed and I just knew that God would spare her life. I lost my real father at the age of 16 and even then I didn't know him. I always had my mom and she remarried when I was 11 years old. She had been married for 19 years and my step father passed away in July of 2008. He was a sickly person and she took care of him and nursed him for all those years. He had diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, he was on dialysis for kidney failure, he had a four by pass surgery and he was in and out of the hospitals for years. She suffered so much seeing him suffer and taking care of him, he took what little strength she had. But because he was her husband she did all she could to help him and she loved him so much. So now all remains is just me and my siblings. It's hard because my mom was my best friend. I can't remember a time when she wasn't around. We did everything together and we lived together for years and I took care of her. I wanted so bad for her to be okay and to make it through surgery, I had been taught for years about the love of Jesus and I couldn't understand what he chose to take her away from her children and grandchildren. We had a two bedroom apartment and she had her room and my daughter and I shared a room. After she died, I went home that morning with my sister and I stayed over there for the remainder of the day. The whole day was just hurting, crying and calling the rest of the family. I felt so bad because my youngest brother, say youngest because he is the youngest of my 3 brothers, even though they are all older than me. He came to the hospital to see my mom but he thought she was still alive and the doctors didn't tell him, they let him in the room and she was already covered up and he walked in and was like, it's over ?? he couldn't believe it , he just broke down. One of the nurses that was in the OR called my sister and he was crying, apologizing to us because he thought my brother already knew. He told us how sorry he was. Now my family is broken, my mom was the rock that held us all together. We didn't have money growing up, we didn't have a lot of the finer things in life but we had love. She loved us like no one could. She did it all for her children and most importantly she taught us about God. She lived her life for Jesus, she would pray on a regular basis, read her bible daily, go to church often as she could and when things looked hopeless she took them to god in prayer. She prayed not only for her children, grandchildren and siblings but for people all over the world, she would pray for all the countries and for the sick and homeless and anyone she could pray for. She gave over the years endlessly to Trinity Broadcasting Network, Feed the children, CBN, David Terrell Ministries, Boys Town, Children International, Food For All and to so many others. Month after month, year after year she was giving. She taught us how to give and there were times when we would just make food and take it to the park to give to the homeless, bottled water, sandwiches, noodles, chicken or whatever we could. She would never turn down a person needing help or asking for spare change, she would give freely. She would tell me all the time, it's better to give than to receive and that god would bless me. So I began giving as well, I would call and donate and try to help whenever I could. My mom was also a big giver to the goodwill. Over the years we gave so much, and everytime they would ask if we wanted a donation paper for a tax write off she would say no. she didn't want that, she was giving freely and she didn't want anything in return. That's who she was, she was the person who would mentor you and talk to you about Jesus and how over the years he brought her and our family through so many trials and tribulations. SHe praised god for everything, for the good times and the bad. She used to always tell me to be thankful and to praise god. Now there were times when i was suffering so much and I didn't want to praise god, I wanted god to help me and at the time it seemed like he wasn't. My mom was always there to tell me baby, hold on.. give your burdens over to the lord and he will help you and supply all your needs. I realized that he did just that. I remember when she had surgery for the cancer and she was wondering why god allowed her to come down with that. It was hard for her because her faith was shaken then. She couldn't believe after she was faithful to him for so many years that he would allow her to suffer so horribly and there my sister and I were telling her that she would be okay, that God loved her still and he had not forsaken her and that he would bring her through this. She was so discouraged at the time but we would not let up. She couldn't believe this was her children mentoring and encouragiing her as she had done for us over the years. She told me, she was happy and she felt relieved that her living and everything she had taught us was not in vain. She was thankful to God that we were listening to her and by example we followed her footsteps. She began to get better and we thought she would be okay. My mom was a pure Christian, she didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't do drugs, didn't curse. She would make you turn the tv channel if you were watching something that cursed. She loved her cowboys though. Her favorites were Bonanza, The rifle man, High Chapparal, Wagon Train, The Virginian and so many others. She also loved the old shows, the clean shows, the original dennis the menace, columbo, family affair, petticoat junction, I married joan, hawai five o, the streets of san francisco, i spy, murder she wrote, in the heat of the night, matlock, the big vally, dr quinn, little house on the prairie, family ties, good times, 227, what's happening, the jeffersons, the brady bunch and so many others. Her favorite game shows were The price is right, deal or no deal, let's make a deal, the newlywed game, match game and who wants to be a millionaire. I loved spending time with my mom, she was someone I could always talk to and she would never judge me, she would tell me how much she loved me and how proud she was of me. She taught me how to carry myself as a lady and she taught me how to stand up for myself and I owe her so much. I felt like I let her down that night she was in the hospital and I told her she would be okay and that I would be waiting for her when she woke up but she never woke up. I felt that made me a liar. I had been taking care of my mom for months and I was preparing her meals, giving her medications on schedule and was taking her to her appointments and running errands for her. My mom had been weak for so long because before she found out she had cancer she was bleeding perfusely having vaginal bleeding and they made her very anemic. Before surgery she had 4 transfusions and then after surgery she had 2 more. She never got all her strength back and after she had the first surgery, she was too weak that they sent her to Ballard Rehabilitation and they were working on getting her strength back and getting her up and walking. She did so much better when she was in there and when she came home, they sent out a home health nurse, a physcialy therapist and an occupational therapist. They began doing exercises with her and the physical therapist thought it would benefit my mom to have some help with getting around. So she ordered her an walker , the kind that had a seat on it, she ordered her a wheel chair, a raised toilet seat with the rails and a shower chair and shower bench. So when my mom started walking more better she was using her walker all the time, it was helping her because she had the support to keep her from falling and when she got tired , she could just sit down. I did all I could to take care of her, on a daily basis. She was not strong enough to shower herself, so I bought the shower hose and I began to shower her daily, dress her and do everything for her but I loved her so much and I didn't care what I had to do, she was my mom. There were days when she thought she was a burden to me and she would tell me, that I work to hard and that she was sorry she was not able to do things for herself and i would immediately tell her to stop talking like that. I would tell her, she was my mom, I loved her and wanted to look after her and that she wasn't a burden on me. That she took care of me when I was little and over the years and now it was my turn to take care of her. She told me a couple weeks before she passed away , you said, you really stood by your mom, when all the others went on their way. you stood by your mom. She said, I don't know what I would have done with out you. She said I don't know how I would have made it and she said god is really going to bless you and he will remember everything you did for your mother. She told me how special I was and now that she is gone , I remember everything she ever told me. It has been so hard, going through all her things and seeing all the cards and letters she gave me over the years. Everybody keeps telling me it will get better but I don't see that happening. I can't go one day without crying for missing her so much. I am grateful because she is not in any more pain but I am hurting so badly without her. I have a big sister but we have never been that close, she seems to want to spend more time with me now but nobody could ever feel that empty space inside my heart for my mother. I recently moved in with my brother and I want so desperately for me and my daughter to be able to get a place of our own. It costs so much to pay for first and last months rent and I have this old 1994 car that has been giving me so much trouble and I am barely scraping along , just trying to make it. I would appreciate any help I am given. If anyone can find it in their heart to help me and my daughter move out and get our own place or simply help us with the day to day necessities, it would be greatly appreciated.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MOTOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Posted by bori83 on 2012-03-23 23:58:23

Hallo!!! I need money to my favorite moto!!!

Thanks!!!1

Please help with a wheelchair ramp

Posted by Trapped_In on 2012-03-23 12:58:20

On March 27, 2011 (my mom's 73rd Birthday) she suffered from a hemorrhagic stroke (ruptured aneurysm) She had her 1st & 2nd brain surgey within the next few days and she spent 5 weeks in ICU then 6 weeks in Rehab. She made a great recovery.

In Sept 2011 she had another brain surgery to repair a second aneurysm which she also recovered well from. In December of 2011 she suffered another minor stroke.

this time she is not recovering very well. she is having a lot of difficulty walking and climbing the stairs. She is physically capable of taking the stairs, however she is absolutely terrified that she may fall and will not use the stairs.

I'm unable to get her out of the house to go to doctor appointments and to physical therapy. We can't even go out to eat (mom's favorite thing to do) Since she cannot safely climb the stairs anymore we need to build a wheelchair ramp or get a wheelchair stair-trac lift.

With me missing so much work do to moms situation and my own health conditions I've lost my job. Unemployment barely pays my bills and moms social security covers her bills we cannot afford to buy the lumber required to build a ramp.... I have volunteers to build a ramp but no building supplies :( If anyone could help us even with $5.00 it adds up.

I've desperately been searching the globe for any resources whatsoever to help build a ramp for our home. any organizations out there want to put a lien on the home and mom does not want that to happen.

Could really use some extra money

Posted by helpchloe on 2012-02-29 18:58:04

I don't have a sob story to tell, just could really use some extra money. I'm trying to improve myself in a few ways and everything (school, fitness training - to name two) costs $$$. So if you have a dollar (or a few) to share with me I would be very grateful and appreciative beyond words. If you donate and like banana bread, I'd be happy to email you my favorite recipe as a thank you!

Losing weight, need new clothes

Posted by rosequarter on 2012-02-08 17:58:40

I've been losing weight for the past six months and most of my clothes no longer fit me as well. I'm looking to be able to browse Goodwill for smaller clothes; it's my favorite place to shop! Any donations toward my clothing fund would be greatly appreciated.

Need Help with BDay Party for 10 yr old girl

Posted by PunknzMom on 2012-01-29 12:58:03

Hi Everyone
I don't really know how else to do this so I'm just going to ask
My daughter is turning 10 in September and she LOVES My Little Pony EVERYTHING However Fluttershy is her absolute favorite This year her Birthday Wish is to have a My Little Pony themed sleepover for her and about 10 girls This would be her FIRST REAL Birthday Party until now they've all been cake and family because we just really can't afford it but its all she wants for this milestone Birthday so I thought I'd ask and maybe I would be able to get some help from someone that remembers a special Birthday wish of their own
Thank you for your time and your donations

Help my daughter live her dream of going to university

Posted by simemsaa on 2012-01-26 19:58:30

I have never done anything like this in my life before but times are hard and if it helps get my daughter her dream i am willing to give it a go. I am a 44 year old single disabled mum of the most beautiful 2 daughters. emma-louise who is 17 and sarah who is 16. I have numerous health problems one being cause by my ex over ten years ago hurting me so bad i ended up in a wheelchair for over a year. I am no longer in a wheelchair but struggle with daily pain. I have many other ailments but this isn't about me. My girls have had a lot to contend with i am ashamed to say i tried to commit suicide a few time over the last 6 years because of numerous problems i stupidly believed that my girls would be better off without me. However we pulled through together they both left school with amazing results 14 and 16 gcse,s respectively. I did my best throughout everything to make sure they did well at school. Then tragedy struck our family. My dad came to stay with me as he had become ill only 2 weeks earlier he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer my girls went to a firework display with there dad i went to take my dad his favorite fish and chips i walked in the room and he had died i stood on the spot for what seemed like an eternity and was saying out loud omg omg omg. My girls new as soon as they walked in the door an were hysterical they loved there granddad an amazing musician. we arranged the funeral his jazz band were to be there me and my eldest brother ken and my dad were called the 3 amigos we were so close but my brother who was only 44 had been ill as well. it was the 5th of november 2007 that my dad died his funeral was to be for the following monday. Then early friday morning the 9th of november my phone rang it was my mum my brother had died in his sleep to say we were devestated is an understatement. we had to cancel my dads funeral and held a joint service for them both. our lives have never been the same. my eldest daughter emma has been offered a place at university but as a single disabled mum there is no way i can pay for her. she really wants to be a fashion designer and has made some amazing items a university has seen her potential but i cannot nearlly afford the fees etc. I would ask for anything at all pennies would even help. Emma has made a amazing dress photos can be sent and some non wearable items which are also amazing that she is prepared to autcion to help. also if anyone would like to read what our local paper reported please go to the following link http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/family_struck_by_double_tragedy_1_422364 i know there are many many people in a worse position than us but at the moment i am even struggling to pay our rent and utility bills in fact our rent is due in a week and i dont have it now. please if anyone could help it would be amazing but if not thank you for reading my plea yours sincerely simone wood

Help my daughter live her dream of going to university

Posted by simemsaa on 2012-01-26 19:58:30

I have never done anything like this in my life before but times are hard and if it helps get my daughter her dream i am willing to give it a go. I am a 44 year old single disabled mum of the most beautiful 2 daughters. emma-louise who is 17 and sarah who is 16. I have numerous health problems one being cause by my ex over ten years ago hurting me so bad i ended up in a wheelchair for over a year. I am no longer in a wheelchair but struggle with daily pain. I have many other ailments but this isn't about me. My girls have had a lot to contend with i am ashamed to say i tried to commit suicide a few time over the last 6 years because of numerous problems i stupidly believed that my girls would be better off without me. However we pulled through together they both left school with amazing results 14 and 16 gcse,s respectively. I did my best throughout everything to make sure they did well at school. Then tragedy struck our family. My dad came to stay with me as he had become ill only 2 weeks earlier he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer my girls went to a firework display with there dad i went to take my dad his favorite fish and chips i walked in the room and he had died i stood on the spot for what seemed like an eternity and was saying out loud omg omg omg. My girls new as soon as they walked in the door an were hysterical they loved there granddad an amazing musician. we arranged the funeral his jazz band were to be there me and my eldest brother ken and my dad were called the 3 amigos we were so close but my brother who was only 44 had been ill as well. it was the 5th of november 2007 that my dad died his funeral was to be for the following monday. Then early friday morning the 9th of november my phone rang it was my mum my brother had died in his sleep to say we were devestated is an understatement. we had to cancel my dads funeral and held a joint service for them both. our lives have never been the same. my eldest daughter emma has been offered a place at university but as a single disabled mum there is no way i can pay for her. she really wants to be a fashion designer and has made some amazing items a university has seen her potential but i cannot nearlly afford the fees etc. I would ask for anything at all pennies would even help. Emma has made a amazing dress photos can be sent and some non wearable items which are also amazing that she is prepared to autcion to help. also if anyone would like to read what our local paper reported please go to the following link http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/family_struck_by_double_tragedy_1_422364 i know there are many many people in a worse position than us but at the moment i am even struggling to pay our rent and utility bills in fact our rent is due in a week and i dont have it now. please if anyone could help it would be amazing but if not thank you for reading my plea yours sincerely simone wood

Sweetest Beagle in the world "Angel" Needs your help

Posted by beagleangel on 2011-12-24 17:58:51

Three years ago we adopted a beagle from the local SPCA. She was 27 pounds and had her ribs poking out. We got her upto a healthy happy 50 lbs. She has stomach issues, is timid.. But she is the sweetest girl. She comes up to everyone she meets sits and waits to be loved on. Doesn't bark at all. Wags her tail every time you talk to her. She runs to the door when it's time for a drive. Her favorite treat is beggin strips. Her favorite spot in the house is daddy's side of the bed.
She is in all matters our baby. I came home today to find her left shoulder swollen and she was having a hard time walking. I took her to the Vet ER. They shaved her and believe that she was bit by a spider. They are keeping her overnight. Giving her fluids, antibiotics, and pain medicine. Even though she is hurting, her tail is wagging.
The total vet bill is over 700.00 dollars so far. I will be picking her up in the morning. Over the past year we have pushed our credit cards to the limit. I was able to come up with the money. But now I don't have money for the rent. And the vet is expecting her to need more care over the next couple of days as the skin "sluffs" off.
My husband and I don't have any family to turn to. I have never begged for money. I've always been able to push through any of life's difficulties. I cried all evening that I'm unable to come up with any more money. Any help will go towards the 700 dollars that I've shorted my budget and to prevent bounced checks.

May God Bless you this Christmas.

Angel's mom & Dad

Need some help getting unstuck and going back to school.

Posted by kaybee on 2011-08-25 23:58:06

Hi All,

I recently turned 30 and it has been my dream to go back to school and dive into a field where I can ultimately do GOOD for the world. I am more than willing to devote myself, my time and my hard work to get this accomplished. Money, however, seems to be the one limiting factor.

I currently work full time and it is very scary to consider quitting and taking the leap to being a student again. However, I am working up the courage to do this! I have always been stuck in the situation of not qualifying for financial aid, yet not making enough income to pay for school myself. Any help, whether financial or purely inspirational, will be paid back in hard work and good deeds towards others in need.

I know there are so many people out there who have medical bills, disasters, and much more pressing needs. I am so grateful to have a job and a steady paycheck but also KNOW that it is time to follow my dreams, so here I am reaching out to do so. As my favorite books says, "the Universe always conspires to help the dreamer" and I have no choice but to trust that is true.

With a grateful heart,
KB

NEED HELP TAKING CARE OF MY FAMILY

Posted by dupree on 2011-08-19 08:58:46

MY NAME IS SIDNEY, HOW ARE YOU PEOPLE I HAVE A 6 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER A 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND A 3 YEAR OLD SON. RIGHT NOW WE ARE STAYING WITH SOME FAMILY IN HOUSTON BECAUSE WE COULDNT FIND WORK IN NYC AND WE WAS FACING EVICTION.NOW WE ARE STAYING WHERE THERE IS REALLY NO SPACE BUT HAVE NO PLACE TO GO MY SON HAS TALENTS THATS NOT BEEN SEEN BY EVERY 3 YEAR OLD AND BECAUSE OF STILL NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND WORK HE CANT DO MODELING AUDITIONS ETC... THE ONLY WAY THAT WE EAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE ON FOODSTAMPS PEOPLE PLEASE ANYTHING YOU CAN LEND WOULD HELP US TO GETTING A PLACE FOR OUR FAMILY A CAR TO GET THEM AROUND AND TO PUT CLOTHES ON THEY BACK AND SHOES ON THEY FEET AND FOOD IN THERE MOUTH ALSO TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING I NEVER HAD AND THATS A STAND UP DAD PLEASE I DONT WANT TO TURN TO THE STREETS BECASE I STILL LOOSE WITH MY KIDS SO I SEARCHED AND SEARCHED AND I FOUND THIS SITE PLEASE IF ANYONE CAN HELP WE WILL BE VERY THANKFUL I TRY MANY THINGS AND NONE SEEM TO WORK FOR ME PLEASE HELP OUT THE ELLIOTT FAMILY MY OLDER DAUGHTER NEEDS THINGS MY SON NEED AND OF COURSE THE BABY GIRL NEEDS ALSO AND DADDY HAS NOTHING AT TIMES I CRY IN FACT IM CRYING AS IM TYPING THIS BECAUSE IT HURTS TO NEED TO COME TO THIS BUT I MUCH RATHER ME COME TO THE WORLD FOR HELP THEN TO LET MY KIDS END UP AS I DID COMING UP AND THATS WITHOUT MY SON HAS HIS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL COMING IN OCTOBER AND DONT HAVE MONEY TO GET THE THINGS HE NEED HE TURNS 4 OCTOBER 5TH AND I CANT PLAN A PARTY BECAUSE I CANT CANT TAKE THEM OUT TO NORMAL THINGS KIDS LOVE MY SON TOLD ME IM HIS FAVORITE DAD I CANT LET THEM DOWN PLEASE IN GOD'S NAME IF NOT FOR ME THEN FOR THE LORD PLEASE WHATEVER YOU CAN LEND MAY IT BE A DOLLAR OR FIVE IT WILL MEAN THE SAME TO US A CHANCE AT HAVING I MAKE HAND MADE SHIRTS TO SELL TO MAKE SOME KIND OF MONEY TO PROVIDE AND THATS NOT WORKING ANYMORE FOR US I HAVE DREAMS OF HAVING A COMPANY BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO PAY FOR THE NAME I GO OUT TO RAP CONTESTS TO TRY TO WHEN ANOTHER DOLLAR TO MAKE MY KIDS SMILE AND IT DONT HAPPEN BECAUSE I CAN PAY TO AMOUNT NEEDED TO MAKE THE MUSIC SOUND AS IT SHOULD IF I HAD ONE THING WORK FOR ME WITH THE FAITH OF THE LORD I KNOW I CAN KEEP IT RISING IF I ONLY HAD START UP FUNDS IT HURTS TO ONLY BE ABLE TO GIVE LOVE BECAUSE ALL ELSE HAS ENDED TO THE POINT NOW ITS LIKE OK THEY NEED MORE THEN LOVE AT THIS POINT MY SON LOVES GAMESTOP SO HE ASK ME THE OTHER DAY DADDY I WANT A NEW SONIC GAME CAN YOU TAKE ME GAMESTOP AND THOSE GAMES NOW ARE ONLY ABOUT 4 DOLLARS AND I COULDNT WHAT KID DONT LIKE MCDONALDS HE ASK I CANT BECAUSE I NEED TO WAIT FOR THE FOODSTAMPS SO I CAN TAKE HIM IN S SUPERMARKET AND MAKE MYSELF BELIEVE THAT ITS SOMETHING WHEN HE DONT UNDERSTAND SO IT MAKES HIM HAPPY UNTIL HE SEE THE TOYS OR SOMETHING FOR CASH AND ITS LIKE DADDY LET ME DOWN AGAIN I SWEAR TO YOU NOT MY KIDS IS ALL I HAVE IN THIS WORLD TO KEEP ME HOLD AND IF I CANT HAVE THEM THE SAME THEN I FEEL THERE IS NO REASON OF BEING BUT BEING A GOOD HEARTED PERSON I STAY TO FIGHT WITH THE PRAYER AND THE DREAM DADDY WILL SOME DAY MAKE THINGS BETTER SO THEY WONT NEED TO WANT AND CANT HAVE ASK AND GOT TO ACT AS IF IT WASNT HEARD TO CHANGE THE TOPIC BECAUSE DADDY CANT TAKE THEM OR GIVE THEM IM 31 AND IM STILL TRYING TO MAKE IT THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAS BEEN IS NO LONGER THE ONE THING THAT I DO HAVE IS MY FAMILY SO AS A MAN I NEED TO START PULLING THE WEIGHT OF TAKING CARE OF THEM PROVIDING I TELL THEM WHY I CANT GET OR TAKE THEM T THE THINGS THEY LIKE BUT REALLY THINK BACK TO BEING A CHILD HOW MANY TIMES DO DID YOU WANT TO HERE DADDY DONT HAVE IT DADDY CANT RIGHT NOW DADDY HAVE NO MONEY DADDY CANT DO THAT SO LET GO TO THE PARK HOW MANY TIME CAN YOU DO THE FREE THINGS FOR FUN THE ANSWER TO THAT IS WHEN YOUR 3 YEAR OLD TELL YOU TO YOUR FACE DADDY THATS BORING OR DADDY CAN WE GO NOW BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO WHAT THEY SEE THE OTHER KIDS GETTING OR DOING I PRAY SOMEONE WITH A HEART SEE THIS AND UNDERSTAND MY FAITH TO MY FAMILY IM ONLY DOING THIS FOR THEM THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO CALL HOME SO THEY ARE THINKING WHERE AND HOW WE ARE LIVING IS HOW ITS GOING TO BE ITS BEEN YEAR MY MY SON CALLS SOMEONE ELSE TV HIS TV BECAUSE I CANT EXPLAIN THAT MUCH TO HIM I SAY WE GOING TO TRY TO GET OUR HOME SOON HE SAY BUT DADDY WE HOME ME MY SON HIS MOTHER AND BABY SISTER SLEEP IN A SECTION OFF IN A HOUSE WITH A CURTIN TO MAKE A DOOR FOR US MY DAUGHTER IS GETTING BIG SHE NEED A BED CAN NOT GET ONE BECAUSE HOW CAN I AND ALSO NO SPACE TO MANY PEOPLE IN A 4 BEDROOM HOME THAT EVERYONE IS STARTING TO ACT LIKE WE IN THERE WAY OR MY KIDS ALWAYS PLAYING LIKE I NEVER BEEN AROUND PEOPLE THAT NEVER WANTS A CHILD TO DO WHAT A CHILD DO WHICH IS PLAYIT HURTS IM NOT ASKING FOR ALL AND DONT NEED TO KNOW WHO GOD WILL KNOW AND HE WILL BLESS YOU EVEN GREATER THEN I EVER CAN BUT PLEASE HELP ME HELP MY FAMILY. THANKS SO MUCH HAVE A BLESSED DAY

Need Help Please - Lost Home and Husband To Suicide

Posted by YoungWidow on 2011-08-06 16:58:53

There is no easy way to tell this story. I know that this letter is long and I wish it were a simple matter, but it is not. 3 days after my husband and I lost our home to foreclosure, I lost my husband of almost 16 years to suicide.

Joe and I bought our home in 1999. We had rented it for 3 years since we had gotten married on June 1, 1996. We were a happy couple and in love and we created many memories there, happy Christmases, a lot of laughter and a growing togetherness that at the end, rendered Joe and I not just husband and wife, but best of friends. Joe was my best friend.

We both worked, but the layoffs began in 2007. For years, we struggled and worked hard to make ends meet. In 2009, we were working with our mortgage company on a loan modification program. Still, bankruptcy had to be filed in late 2009. But, in October, 2010, Joe was laid off again. For the next six months following the last lay off, we worked with the mortgage company in trying to find a buyer for our home to possibly rent it back to us. Ultimately, the mortgage company auctioned our home for $98,000. All of our equity was gone and we had no home. Both of us were out of work and Joe was receiving unemployment benefits.

During that time, I watched Joe change. He had always been an optimistic person. One of his favorite things to say was, 'it doesn't have to be this way'. He was the life of the party, he made everyone laugh, and he was a good person. Joe was a genuinely sincere, loving, sweet, hardworking man who cared about others.

Even strangers. Once, driving home from work, he heard a girl screaming from a deserted parking lot behind Safeway. He pulled over and got out of the car, as two men ran by him. He said he wanted to chase them, but did not because he felt he needed to check on the girl. She had been beaten. He stayed with her and comforted her until the police arrived. They thanked him for stopping. He said he told them, 'Of course. Anyone would'. They assured him that was not true. But, that was the way that Joe thought.

I watched Joe struggle more than I had ever seen someone do to take care of our home and of me. Sometimes he would still laugh, but those times began coming fewer and farther between. Sometimes, he would cry. He would sob in my arms. It tears my heart out now to think of it. I will never in this lifetime get over this or recover completely. Joe had been in my life for a total of 18 years, 16 married, almost (this last June 1, 2011 would have been our 16th wedding anniversary), he was a good man, and he was my friend. He was my life.

Joe and I lost our home. We packed our home of nearly 16 years into a storage building. (I have since lost that building and all of our belongings).

3 days after losing our home, Joe committed suicide. He jumped off of a bridge. Despite a hospital stay and efforts to save him, he ultimately died.

The buyers of our home have turned it over or flipped it already in this short time. I sometimes go by it and look at it. I see Joe tinkering in the garage or I look through the front window and picture us having dinner together. I see where our Christmas tree stood. I look at the front door and remember when we first walked through it, when we were engaged and looking for our first (and only) home. The very first thing that went into our home, before furniture or belongings, was a small statue with Jesus and a little plaque that read 'Bless Our Home'. Joe hung that in the hallway. I still cannot comprehend that this happened. Joe was always a positive, happy person. Our wedding song was 'You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me.' by Gladys Knight. I can't listen to it now. I know you don't know Joe and he's a stranger to you, but he was my life.

I lost my husband and my home in a period of 3 days. Joe's unemployment checks have ceased and there is no income. I have applied for dozens upon dozens of jobs, everything from picking up trash at a park to a waitress to an errand runner. I have not been hired. I have few skills and he was always the major earner. He had years of experience in various outside sales. I am not a college graduate with few skills and what I have to offer is very limited. I cannot afford to go back to school. Social Security will not help because I am not old enough. Joe and I couldn't have children so often, public assistance cannot help. New creditors are coming after me, such as the homeowners association for the house we lost, his time in the hospital in their efforts to save him (due to circumstances, there was no medical insurance, however by law they were required to treat him), the ambulance and rescue team that pulled him from the water and the list and cost is too measurable to detail here. I do not know where else to turn. I am alone. So, I am turning to you.

Joe used to say, 'sometimes bad things happen to good people.' When he said that, I never imagined this. Can you please help? I am lost.

Thank you.

All My Best,

Christina

Help an author get recognized

Posted by LittleLulu13903 on 2011-06-17 10:58:22

I am an avid reader and writer since I was a teenager. While I write and read on a variety of topics, my favorite genre is fantasy.

To keep things short and simple, I finally got my first novel-which is geared towards teenagers and young adults-published and it is for sale through the kindle store. I decided after several years of rejection through taditional publishers, to go the kindle (and other handheld device) route. Doing it this way gives the average lover of fantasy the opportunity of reading my book.

While I will not get rich with this book-I am offering this at the lowest cost possible-I want to become recognized as an author. I know it will not happen over night. However, I believe that if I can sell at least 1,000 copies of my book-which is highly probable with the amount of individuals who own a kindle or have a kindle app on their phones-I will be heading in the right direction.

So please help me reach my goal of selling 1,000 copies.

By the way I am in the middle of editing a second fantasy novel, which I also plan to distribute to Kindle.

Puppet Rescue

Posted by Lioness on 2011-04-21 21:58:23

Hi,

I would like to start a career in puppetry. My 3 favorite puppets were recently stolen and I don't have the funds (approximately $105) to replace them.
Here's a video of my work. Thanks for your time and consideration!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mJ0KnQVZ5c

Working Mom w/IRS Garnishment - About to be Evicted...

Posted by lmb219 on 2011-04-07 14:58:17

Hello...

This has got to be the most humbling, humiliating experience ever. I just spent days creating a free website, not even knowing a site like this existed...Arrgghh!!!! Story of my life! Anyways, if you want the full gist of our story, please go to http://payitforwardtoday.webs.com. I'll try to be brief here. I figure if I'm going to ask total strangers for help, they have a right to know a little (or a lot!) about who they are helping. We are a family of 4 (plus our little Mini Daschund, who we'll call "Puppers" for the sake of privacy!) that have fallen on really hard times. We are not looking for hand outs; we are looking for a hand up! If you think it's not seriously earth shattering to realize that the best and only hope you have left is to air your dirty laundry to the world, and hope someone shows up with some detergent, then I really hope you never go through anything like this. I wouldn't wish our situation on my worst enemy on their worst day. It is truly soul crushing.

I am a wife and mother of 2 children, ages 9 and 21. Long and short of it, my oldest struggled A LOT. He was expelled from his school, and I forced him into the only other school that would take him, made him go every day until the time he got arrested. I picked up his diploma for him at his school, as he was in jail and couldn't go get it, but I am, to this day, glad that he has that diploma, and now, 4 years later, so is he. He was diagnosed as Bi-Polar while incarcerated, and mental can be so much tougher to deal with than physical. I'll always wish I had known the exact right point where his road changed to the one he travelled, and stopped it before it started. Now he is going to be a father himself, and all I can do is believe things will be ok (and wait anxiously to kiss all over my new Grandchild!!!!)

I got into trouble by with the IRS by filing taxes with my ex-husband for a couple of years. I didn't know any better, and though we were only married for a few years, and eventually had to part ways, his neglect to file or claim anything has haunted me for years. As I continued to work legitimately, his interest and penalties grew, and since the debt was considered uncollectible from him, the IRS opted to come after me. I was a single mother, unable to get child support, and losing my tax refunds to the IRS. When I reached 30, I met my current husband.

My husband has always been a hard worker, but he too has had his share of bad luck. He is a recovering alcoholic with 11 years of sobriety under his belt. His favorite catch phrase is "I'm the hardest working broke guy I know!", and it's so true. He is CONSTANTLY going; making phone calls, doing estimates, meeting with people to try to network and pick up more business. He does great work, and has had to really struggle to get his licenses, and maintain the insurances required to operate his business. He is in construction, and has had his own business (along with his partner) for about 5 years now. The past year has shown devastating loss. Basically, 9 out of 10 jobs have paid just enough to pay his 4 employees, and he and his partner end up taking home less than their employees. They are also having a hard time competing with "fly by night" construction companies who come in, promise the world for pennies on the dollar, and when they have problems a year later, the company is nowhere to be found. It's a constant battle to convince people that your workmanship and the warranty that backs it up, in addition to being a local contractor for 25+ years with a stellar reputation is worth it's weight in gold.

I am working at a really decent company now, and was thrilled to get my foot in the door. I wasn't there a month before the IRS decided to garnish my wages. Now, instead of the $500+ I would be taking home each week, I am bringing home a meager $123 per week. This has been our sole income for many weeks now, and after reviewing all of my paperwork, it appears the IRS feels I owe them in excess of $50,000!!!! This does NOT include the state taxes, which haven't caught up with me yet, but I'm sure they will. So, I have decided to stay working, even though unemployment would pay me more, because jobs are tough to come by. However, it's impossible trying to run a family by borrowing money from everyone we know, and no way to pay it back, because the money we bring in doesn't even pay the bills, the rent...it barely covers the groceries.

Can I add one more thing here? My husband, who's job is primarily getting up on a roof every day, was recently diagnosed with Vertigo. He can't drive right now, and even if jobs come in, he can't get on a roof anytime soon either. Reading through what I've written, I'm thinking to myself "I would SO think this is fake if I were reading it". I assure you, it's not. I'm not looking to bilk money from anyone, and I'm not promising anything to you in return. The only thing I AM promising is that you would honestly be helping a family in need. I know there are people worse off than us, and I thank GOD every day that I got to wake up in the morning, and that I have a family to love, and that loves me. I hope you never know how painful it is to tell your daughter that she can't go to gymnastics this time around because we don't have the money. I hope you never have to sleep on someones' couch with your child because your electricity is off, and you can't find anything valuable enough to pawn so you can pay it. I hope you never have to look in your husbands' eyes and see the pain and humiliation there because he feels he has failed your family. None of these things are things we asked to happen, but they all did. Could we have done anything differently? Sure. But who out there reading this right now has always chosen the right path? Who has NOT made errors along the way?

We are not looking to get rich. We are looking for a helping hand. We have always helped others when we have been able to, and are hoping there are others like us out there that feel the same. My primary goal is to collect enough to retain a tax attorney to help negotiate a settlement for me, so that I can finally contribute to my family, and take some pressure off of my husband. I am also hoping to pay off some utility bills we still owe, and March and Aprils' rent. That's it. Just looking to keep the little roof we rent over our heads. If we are able to get back on our feet, we'd like to pay it forward ourselves...one person, one family at a time.

Thanks for listening to the story of a stranger, and if you've got even a dollar or 2 to spare, we'd be really grateful. I'm sorry this is all over the map, but I'm not a writer, nor even a college grad. I'm a regular person fallen on hard times, and doing anything I can to get some help for my family.

Peace.

Invisible Children Fundraising Page!! Please help!!!

Posted by laurin on 2011-03-30 22:58:11

Please read and donate to my fundraising page http://www.stayclassy.org/member/ic-fundraising?fcid=9192
Anything will help! Please sign up for this event and join me for the 25 hours of silence

Thank you for supporting me as I raise money and awareness for the THOUSANDS of children in central Africa who have been abducted by Joseph Kony and his rebel army. The money I raise will fund The Invisible Children Protection Plan -- a strategy to protect innocent people from the brutal violence of the LRA.

I will be participating in Invisible Children's national awareness event called 25, on April 25th. Thousands around the world will be silent, using our voices (by not using them) to speak out against this 25-year-long war.

Please donate and tell others about my page any way you can: Facebook, Twitter... or even word of mouth (you remember what that is, right? Phone calls. Knocking on doors. Whatever you've gotta do.)

And join me on April 25th, wherever you are, in staying silent for 25 hours. Together, we will put an end to 25 years of war. Sign up at www.invisiblechildren.com


Together we can help these innocent children and their families not have to live in fear. Any donation will help. Living by my favorite quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world." i know i am making a diffrence and you will be too!
Namaste

Invisible Children Fundraising Page!! Please help!!!

Posted by laurin on 2011-03-30 22:58:11

Please read and donate to my fundraising page http://www.stayclassy.org/member/ic-fundraising?fcid=9192
Anything will help! Please sign up for this event and join me for the 25 hours of silence

Thank you for supporting me as I raise money and awareness for the THOUSANDS of children in central Africa who have been abducted by Joseph Kony and his rebel army. The money I raise will fund The Invisible Children Protection Plan -- a strategy to protect innocent people from the brutal violence of the LRA.

I will be participating in Invisible Children's national awareness event called 25, on April 25th. Thousands around the world will be silent, using our voices (by not using them) to speak out against this 25-year-long war.

Please donate and tell others about my page any way you can: Facebook, Twitter... or even word of mouth (you remember what that is, right? Phone calls. Knocking on doors. Whatever you've gotta do.)

And join me on April 25th, wherever you are, in staying silent for 25 hours. Together, we will put an end to 25 years of war. Sign up at www.invisiblechildren.com


Together we can help these innocent children and their families not have to live in fear. Any donation will help. Living by my favorite quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world." i know i am making a diffrence and you will be too!
Namaste

Invisible Children Fundraising Page!! Please help!!!

Posted by laurin on 2011-03-30 22:58:10

Please read and donate to my fundraising page http://www.stayclassy.org/member/ic-fundraising?fcid=9192
Anything will help! Please sign up for this event and join me for the 25 hours of silence

Thank you for supporting me as I raise money and awareness for the THOUSANDS of children in central Africa who have been abducted by Joseph Kony and his rebel army. The money I raise will fund The Invisible Children Protection Plan -- a strategy to protect innocent people from the brutal violence of the LRA.

I will be participating in Invisible Children's national awareness event called 25, on April 25th. Thousands around the world will be silent, using our voices (by not using them) to speak out against this 25-year-long war.

Please donate and tell others about my page any way you can: Facebook, Twitter... or even word of mouth (you remember what that is, right? Phone calls. Knocking on doors. Whatever you've gotta do.)

And join me on April 25th, wherever you are, in staying silent for 25 hours. Together, we will put an end to 25 years of war. Sign up at www.invisiblechildren.com


Together we can help these innocent children and their families not have to live in fear. Any donation will help. Living by my favorite quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world." i know i am making a diffrence and you will be too!
Namaste