Homeless again (opinions)

[oldmunchkin]

I think all of you know the bullshit I've been thru the last few months. I now, again, find myself in the position of possibly being homeless. I have had a roof over my head because Amy is a cool lady who owns the motel I am in at the moment. Well, she needs this room for workers who called and reserved the entire motel for a month! I love to see a small business get something like this!

Anyway, GGT and I were talking, and she seems to think I should have told the gentleman I went to Casper with that I needed the money for general groceries instead of me letting him take me out for lobster today. He can afford both lobster dinner AND a month or two in basic groceries! He is the one that is going to guarantee my rent in the low-income apartment building I might have an apartment in on the 1st of March. I guess I fucked up when I told her I hadn't eaten in 2 days until Don took me out today! She asked me, "Why don't you go to the food pantry?" Problem is, in my tiny little hole in the universe, we don't have a food pantry, a goodwill, a salvation army, or any other place to help with food.

No I'm not actually asking for advice, etc, just wanting a general opinion of what people in my situation could/should do!

[Being]

Convert to Mormon and move to Utah?

[Angel_Mapper]

If you need a place to stay, let me know. Seriously, I mean that.

[oldmunchkin]

If you need a place to stay, let me know. Seriously, I mean that.

OMG Angel! I love you for that offer! Are you on MSN right now?

Convert to Mormon and move to Utah?

Naw...I lived in Utah once...that was enough!

[termite]

Don't let yourself become truly homeless, if that means getting out of your home town to find opportunities then FFS do it before it's too late.

Failing that, "Discarded pizza boxes are an excellent source of cheese."

I am so tanked right now...

[ar81]

I wish you luck... Someone wants you to be fine.

[Hazir]

Eh, the most important part of getting help is that people can see you are doing your part in getting out of your situation. People are really willing to go bloody far in helping out people who are making an effort themselves. If they get the impression that you don't do anything or not enough to improve your situation they're more likely to simply cut you off.

I see it with myself; in Istanbul I let somebody stay in my house without asking for rent or even money for utilities. But the person in question has a job and works 60 hours a week, making around $500 a month + tips. I am entirely ok with this situation.
Other people I know there haven't got a penny to scratch their ass, but they only mope about not being able to find a job that pays a decent wage (true, there aren't many of those in Istanbul) but the bottom line is that rather than taking a low paid job they are freeloading continuously. This is the kind of person whose calls aren't always answered by me.

Bottom line; make an effort and help will come.

[GGT]

Well....you know what I've been saying for years now, munch.

Things being what they are for you, my OPINION is to stop thinking of what you can't do (that sounds like excuse-making), but what you CAN do. You've already decided you can't/won't move, in order to stay close to your mom. Why not team up with her, sleep on her sofa if she doesn't have an extra bed, help her clean house and cook....while you re-apply for disability and/or other safety nets like food stamps or subsidized rent, and job-hunt?

Take your computer and use it as a tool to earn some income, instead of 'just' social networking--use it to field jobs you can do, even a call center, proof-reading news sites or blogs, or something. Use it to write letters to Wyoming social services, ask them your options, get a case worker to help you. If there aren't any charities in your town, ask your doctor's office how to find/get assistance (you're taking Rx meds, right?) If someone gives you cash to buy smokes or black velvet, use it for food instead.

It's nice your friend will co-sign for that apartment, but at $25/month one goal could be to figure out how to pay it yourself, since relying on others (even your mom) bothers you.

Asking for help is hard, but you can do it, and help is out there. Try not to let pride get in the way.

[GGT]

Wanted to bump this, assuming it's buried on page 2 or something, and those who "know" munchkin haven't seen this thread.

We've got threads about Internet Human Connection, Joblessness, and the Health Care Debate, etc. Decoupling? WTF?

[Being]

So is Munchie living in Yuba City now? Come party at my ranch, you're only 30 minutes away. Bring tequila and beer and I'll provide the chips and salsa.

[Ominous Gamer]

All the churches down here run a food pantry. I learned that from my mom when she started talking about the way I eat and people started bringing shit over and invited me to grap a bag or two from their collection.
I know its kinda of rough to walk into one you've never paid attention to before, so abuse your friends of friends vine to get inside one perhaps.

[GGT]

No, she's still in butt fuck small town Wyoming and has no job, money, or car (as far as I can tell). She doesn't want "advice" but our opinion on what we'd do if we found ourselves in her spot.

Partying at your ranch sounds fun, but impractical. IMO

[Being]

No, she's still in butt fuck small town Wyoming and has no job, money, or car (as far as I can tell). She doesn't want "advice" but our opinion on what we'd do if we found ourselves in her spot.

Partying at your ranch sounds fun, but impractical. IMO

I'm offering free food.

[GGT]

In exchange for tequila and beer? No money, no car, can't work due to physical ailments....now what?

(I still have a hard time believing she can't find charities that provide food and water, but that's what she claims.)

[Being]

Okay, for Munchie I'll provide the tequila and beer that Angel brings with them.

[GGT]

Then what? When the punch bowl is empty and the party is over, how do you refill it and begin again? Rely on your good looks?

[Being]

Then what? When the punch bowl is empty and the party is over, how do you refill it and begin again? Rely on your good looks?

My good looks won't get us far. We can grow strawberries.

[GGT]

But munch has a bad back, can't bend to pick and harvest, can't stand too long either. Now what?

[Ominous Gamer]

I wonder if craigslist for her area requires creditcard information before making posts...

[GGT]

No idea, but glad you're not a social worker.

[']['ear]

I notice that the social darwinists go silent in situations like this.

[GGT]

I notice that the social darwinists go silent in situations like this.

Either that or it's the theorists that come up mute when given a real life problem.

[']['ear]

Both. It's easy to be a dickhead when you're talking the virtually non-existent "lazy welfare cheats" (usually conveniently portrayed as black, to get that little racial juice flowing)

[GGT]

*Still waiting for the talking heads to post their opinions*

[ar81]

In the middle of whatever situation you have, try to gain inner peace.
I have discovered that when we run into trouble outside, trying to get some inner peace.

This forum has nice people who are really helpful for people in trouble.

[GGT]

In the middle of whatever situation you have, try to gain inner peace.
I have discovered that when we run into trouble outside, trying to get some inner peace.

This forum has nice people who are really helpful for people in trouble.

The next time munchie logs on, you be sure to remind her of that. No shelter, no job, no money, sit in lotus position--breathe deeply--focus on Inner Peace. With enough mental fortitude she can ignore the hunger pangs in her stomach or the pains in her back, stop taking her meds, and feel at One with the Universe. Like a "real" Indian. Yeah that'll work.

[oldmunchkin]

Don't let yourself become truly homeless, if that means getting out of your home town to find opportunities then FFS do it before it's too late.

Failing that, "Discarded pizza boxes are an excellent source of cheese."

I am so tanked right now...

Getting out of town is easier said than done!

Pizza cheese is GREAT!

Rule 12 violation anyone?

Eh, the most important part of getting help is that people can see you are doing your part in getting out of your situation. People are really willing to go bloody far in helping out people who are making an effort themselves. If they get the impression that you don't do anything or not enough to improve your situation they're more likely to simply cut you off.

I see it with myself; in Istanbul I let somebody stay in my house without asking for rent or even money for utilities. But the person in question has a job and works 60 hours a week, making around $500 a month + tips. I am entirely ok with this situation.
Other people I know there haven't got a penny to scratch their ass, but they only mope about not being able to find a job that pays a decent wage (true, there aren't many of those in Istanbul) but the bottom line is that rather than taking a low paid job they are freeloading continuously. This is the kind of person whose calls aren't always answered by me.

Bottom line; make an effort and help will come.

The places I have bunked for more than a night, I always make sure I contribute something to the household. (I also make absolutely sure that I clean up after myself at all times, whether I have cooked a burger or taken a shower. Someone else could come in 10 minutes behind me and it would be clean and ready to be used!) It might not be money, per se, but I will clean the house or walk the dog or cook the evening meal or something to "earn my keep". When I was at the motel, I did outside cleaning, cleaned the dog pen, emptied the community garbage cans, helped move snow, did laundry when the maid was busy, etc. I don't like being in this spot, so I sure as hell want to "pay my way" even if I have no cash.

In addition to things like that, I also spend 3 or 4 hours a day looking for housing and trying to find out about job retraining and such to be able to support myself in the long run. I do NOT plan on depending on other people's kindness for shelter/food forever.

Well....you know what I've been saying for years now, munch.

Things being what they are for you, my OPINION is to stop thinking of what you can't do (that sounds like excuse-making), but what you CAN do. You've already decided you can't/won't move, in order to stay close to your mom. Why not team up with her, sleep on her sofa if she doesn't have an extra bed, help her clean house and cook....while you re-apply for disability and/or other safety nets like food stamps or subsidized rent, and job-hunt?

Take your computer and use it as a tool to earn some income, instead of 'just' social networking--use it to field jobs you can do, even a call center, proof-reading news sites or blogs, or something. Use it to write letters to Wyoming social services, ask them your options, get a case worker to help you. If there aren't any charities in your town, ask your doctor's office how to find/get assistance (you're taking Rx meds, right?) If someone gives you cash to buy smokes or black velvet, use it for food instead.

It's nice your friend will co-sign for that apartment, but at $25/month one goal could be to figure out how to pay it yourself, since relying on others (even your mom) bothers you.

Asking for help is hard, but you can do it, and help is out there. Try not to let pride get in the way.

I KNOW you think I am making excuses. I also KNOW that you have no idea what life is like in my part of the country. It is totally different than the East Coast!

There are completely rational reasons why I can't stay with Mommymunchkin. One of those reasons is The Kid!

Do you really think I haven't spent countless hours researching ways to try to make an income online? FFS, I don't spend ALL my time on social networks!

I am looking into Vocational Rehabilitation Training. The only snag is...I have to be declared disabled before they will help me. I can't move forward on my disability thing until I have another evaluation done by the doctor in Ft. Collins. Well fuck! It's gonna cost me $245 for the evaluation alone, plus I gotta come up with gas money and food and whatever for the driver to take me down there. And do NOT suggest a doctor in BFE, since the only real doctor we had just quit last week!

Wanted to bump this, assuming it's buried on page 2 or something, and those who "know" munchkin haven't seen this thread.

We've got threads about Internet Human Connection, Joblessness, and the Health Care Debate, etc. Decoupling? WTF?

Hell no, it's REAL LIFE here, so no one has an opinion. Remember, all the opinions here are based on educated guesses as to what it might be like to be homeless, not what is really is like to be homeless.

So is Munchie living in Yuba City now? Come party at my ranch, you're only 30 minutes away. Bring tequila and beer and I'll provide the chips and salsa.

Ok, on my way. If I start walking this week, I might get there next week. Which door do I knock on?

All the churches down here run a food pantry. I learned that from my mom when she started talking about the way I eat and people started bringing shit over and invited me to grap a bag or two from their collection.
I know its kinda of rough to walk into one you've never paid attention to before, so abuse your friends of friends vine to get inside one perhaps.

Seriously, there is NO food pantry here other than the miniscule one run by the Welfare Office! And, the Ministerial Association here only helps tourists who go spend all their money on beer and forget they need gas money or motel money to get the fuck outta BFE!

No, she's still in butt fuck small town Wyoming and has no job, money, or car (as far as I can tell). She doesn't want "advice" but our opinion on what we'd do if we found ourselves in her spot.

Partying at your ranch sounds fun, but impractical. IMO

I really don't think anyone here would want to be in my spot. Frankly, it fucking sucks!

Parties are usually impractical but damned fun!

I'm offering free food.

Food is goooooood!

In exchange for tequila and beer? No money, no car, can't work due to physical ailments....now what?

(I still have a hard time believing she can't find charities that provide food and water, but that's what she claims.)

GGT, you KNOW the actual name of BFE! You google it and see what you find. Then let me know and I'll tell you the response I got from whatever charity it is.

BTW, tequila and beer aren't in my vocabulary anymore!

Okay, for Munchie I'll provide the tequila and beer that Angel brings with them.

You, and Angel, are sweeties!

Then what? When the punch bowl is empty and the party is over, how do you refill it and begin again? Rely on your good looks?

MY good looks won't even get us an ice cube to cool the damned tequila!

My good looks won't get us far. We can grow strawberries.

Me love strawberries!

But munch has a bad back, can't bend to pick and harvest, can't stand too long either. Now what?

I can be the bookkeeper!

I wonder if craigslist for her area requires creditcard information before making posts...

WTF is a credit card?

No idea, but glad you're not a social worker.

I notice that the social darwinists go silent in situations like this.

I noticed that.

Either that or it's the theorists that come up mute when given a real life problem.

It's the real life part that confuses them!

Both. It's easy to be a dickhead when you're talking the virtually non-existent "lazy welfare cheats" (usually conveniently portrayed as black, to get that little racial juice flowing)

True!

In the middle of whatever situation you have, try to gain inner peace.
I have discovered that when we run into trouble outside, trying to get some inner peace.

This forum has nice people who are really helpful for people in trouble.

Gee, thanks!

The next time munchie logs on, you be sure to remind her of that. No shelter, no job, no money, sit in lotus position--breathe deeply--focus on Inner Peace. With enough mental fortitude she can ignore the hunger pangs in her stomach or the pains in her back, stop taking her meds, and feel at One with the Universe. Like a "real" Indian. Yeah that'll work.

I already ignore the hunger pangs. I am down to 85 pounds, or thereabouts! I can't ignore the meds, because if I do I am seriously fucked!

Since I was last here, I have had to move out of the motel. I spend one night on on of my ex hubby's couch, (at his girlfriend's house no less!) and spent two weeks living with the associate pastor (and his wife) of the Baptist Church! They were the most INhospitable people I have had to deal with thru all this shit. My 3rd ex (and girlfriend) were nicer to stay with! I spend last night on Mommymunchkin's floor, and an off with The Friend right now for the night.

I am on 2 "waiting lists" for housing right now, but keep getting bumped to the bottom since the managers of the places assume I must either be able to stay with Mommymunchkin or I have money since Mom is selling HER house!

For GGT: I have applied for, taken the test for, and am waiting on a call for a training session, for the census bureau. That is a job I can do, even tho it is only temporary!

[Hazir]

The places I have bunked for more than a night, I always make sure I contribute something to the household. (I also make absolutely sure that I clean up after myself at all times, whether I have cooked a burger or taken a shower. Someone else could come in 10 minutes behind me and it would be clean and ready to be used!) It might not be money, per se, but I will clean the house or walk the dog or cook the evening meal or something to "earn my keep". When I was at the motel, I did outside cleaning, cleaned the dog pen, emptied the community garbage cans, helped move snow, did laundry when the maid was busy, etc. I don't like being in this spot, so I sure as hell want to "pay my way" even if I have no cash.

In addition to things like that, I also spend 3 or 4 hours a day looking for housing and trying to find out about job retraining and such to be able to support myself in the long run. I do NOT plan on depending on other people's kindness for shelter/food forever.

You can be certain those things are noticed and it really makes a difference. The last thing you want is somebody who tells you all day how great you are for being so generous, but you'd want to feel like the relationship is somewhat symbiotic for it not to be a burden in the long run.

[GGT]

MUNCHIE! Good to see you back, and good luck with the Census job

As for the charities, I'm surprised at the lack in your town (not that you didn't look). Or that Medicaid or SSDI is so hard to qualify for.....you've been talking about your health and income problems for what-- two years now, shouldn't it be 'easier' to find help now that you're divorced and your health problems have escalated?

Who knows when the new various legislation kicks in or how it actually works; do you think Wyoming will have a better safety net that you can rely on?

[Dreadnaught]

The Census job sounds more promising than trying to get new layers of disability declarations...unless you're really and totally disabled. But remember that the Census job is very short-term.

Why can't you live in the same house as your kid though? Not to pry, but it seems like these are the moments when people cram in unless they've had a massive falling out.