Yeah. Go everywhere, Windy. Exposure in the Exchange alone won't help. Many users won't touch it with a ten-foot pole. Maybe go to Nations and send a PM to a few owners explaining what you're doing and asking if they'd be so kind as to mention it to their regulars or something.

It's just with avatar sites in general, you get people who want to collect everything (like me), people who want to collect just the items they find visually appealing, and then people who don't care about the items at all and don't even pay attention to what's rare or otherwise. I just hope it works either way. I mean hey, people are donating ANYWAY, so they might as well know they can enter a raffle for doing what they're already doing.

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@Izumi
Did they say how long the extension is for? I haven't read up on it.

Do you think they'll just end up finding me rude if I send a PM asking for help in advertising? ._.

Uhm till Nov. 30th. Then I think the benefits officially run out sometime into next year? All I know is Nov 30th is the deadline date they were showing on C-Span, but then the Democratic Senators were making reference that it would be until the new year and I'm like "oh really?"....

I know it doesn't add onto the max 99 weeks though, so if you know anyone in that boat keep your fingers crossed for them... So far they're just extending it for everyone who got cut off prematurely.

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Oh and just finishing watering and weeding my garden. I find it kind of cathartic. I don't mind tending my flowers as much as doing dishes. :P

@Windy
It's all about how you approach it. :3 It shouldn't be rude if you present it politely enough.

@Izumi
At least that would get you to about the end of the Fall term. You'd know then if you needed to get a part-time job to help pad the income.

I am unfortunately jaded with the people I know on unemployment, but I can see both sides to the issue. On one hand, some people are out there applying to EVERY SINGLE JOB they can find from custodial work/janitor to fast food worker to degree work and beyond. Anything to pay the bills because their situation is that dire. Others aren't looking because they are waiting it out for an "ideal" job. That's not the purpose of unemployment, you know? Especially if they could get work at a fast food restaurant (however unappealing) to make ends meet.

So that being said, yes, I will gladly cross my fingers for those who have been scraping the barrel for months and months.

Admittedly I'm sitting here wondering why I didn't apply for unemployment when Red Tide hit. I probably could have as I had made enough over the weeks. But then, I could have applied elsewhere (could have) and worked while going to school. Not ideal, and definitely time consuming, but I could have. As it is, we're taking out the loans anyway because we're not going to be able to make it work without them. He'd have to work full-time and I'd have to work part-time, and with the baby on the way it's not feasible.

Cole wants help making Rice Krispie Treats, so here I go. :P I'll be back.

Have fun making treats!

I'm trying to finish up my school without pulling out loans. I'm being an opportunist, but at the same time it isn't like I'm just sitting on my ass doing nothing with my time.

I am thinking that if he and I are eligible, we are going to look into food stamps once the baby's here. I looked at other programs available and a lot require proof of job hunting. Do they do that for your state? We can't just take unemployment here, for example. We're meant to be looking and show proof if asked.

Well if your line of study is approved by the government in Michigan you can get an educational waiver which makes you exempt from looking... ^_^ *hint hint*

Hopefully that helps. I'm sure your state will have something similar. I'd be surprised if they didn't.

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Basically they make a list of the most needed jobs projected in some report. If it's on there, they will approve the waiver and you can also apply for state funding for education up to a Bachelors.

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Give me a second and I'll see if I can locate the booklet and provide you linkage. It obviously won't apply for you but what I would do is take a glance and have a look at your state jobsearch center, whatever it is called, and ask about work for 'dislocated workers'. If you can prove your job work has dried up and you're on unemployment you can go on a list and they'll give you money to go to school. It's a pain in the ass all the paperwork they require, but any financial help is a godsend when you're bootstrapping. ^_^

ALSO, apply for Pell Grant every single time AND if they reject you, speak to you Financial Aid department and let them know the circumstances change (if you are eligible for unemployment). They will give you a form to fill out to fill a Personal Judgment and can work towards getting it appealed and possible maximum Pell Grant awarded. That's 2.6k a SEMESTER. That right there is enough to fund my schooling and then some. :) (Well at 12 credit hours...)

Mmm, our state has a program where people going to school can receive a lot of assistance, but they also have to have X amount of hours on top of X amount of student work hours in order to receive the benefits. I'd have to go look at the particulars again, but it also meant he'd not have a summer off.

And anything for me is non-applicable. They don't view grad school as necessary.

I don't think Cole is eligible for unemployment. Technically he quit TO go back to school, and he can't prove it's dried up. ;-;

This is the Michigan website for the "No Worker Left Behind" incentive which I originally applied for -
No Worker Left Behind - No Worker Left Behind

I was told by my university that they don't offer grants for grad school, too. Just scholarships (which I have applied for, though they were too competitive).

What I know we DO have is tuition reimbursement programs for AFTER you've graduated and gotten into the work force. Buuut, it depends on where you work and whether or not that establishment accepts a program like that. You just have to contract yourself in for 2-3 years and then X portion of your student loans will be paid off. I know my field and his field are two jobs in ME that would accept that.

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*clicks link* D:

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I Googled some stuff and I guess ME is considering getting a program like that implemented for the state. That'll be helpful to others in the long run.

Concerns me though since ME's budget just got sliced. It's knocked down a lot of benefits for those on state insurance. x.x; The limitations and such, due to the budget cuts.

Well you should look into it and give it consideration. If it doesn't apply to you, then there are other options. You're pregnant, Chi, and should be eligible for WIC assistance. I would DEFINITELY apply for that as they will help you with all sort of pregnancy issues and make sure you are getting things like milk, peanut butter, and cheese for your child. Also definitely try your DHS and try for Food Stamps. With you both not working (well you working few hours) your income coming in is probably very likely to be approved. They have a formula they'll help you work through...I even applied for mine online.

I guess bottom line, Chi, is don't think these programs might not be beneficial to you. You and your husband are doing what you can to improve your situation and you should find some government assistance to help you guys. Oh oh TAX RETURNS. You rent right? In Michigan, there's a formula to get a percentage of your rent back if you make under a certain amount. If you self file, make sure you look into your state regulations and see if something similar is offered (Aaron makes too much and since we're married we can't claim it anymore. Boohoo.)...

Also, you'll get a 1k tax credit for child too on your Federal Filing, as well as possibility to get EIC for all three of you.

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About the budget cuts -- Michigan Works has had the same issue. T_T I didn't get in, BUT it was because of that setback that I went to the school's Financial Aid department and explained the circumstances and the head of the department helped me file. She was really understanding and helped me tremendously with filling out the paperwork, and even answered some tax filing questions. (Although quickly pointed out that it was off the books since she's not technically suppose to give tax advice. :P)

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I guess you realize these programs have benefits...I think it's the whole stigma attached. I know my mom probably looks down at me through her nose by going through the means I have.

I personally write it off as seeking oppertunity and looking for help any possible way to make it easier to get a head start on life. I don't think there's anything to look down on for that.

I looked into WIC. I have to give proof of my food allergies to be applicable. I need to see if they'd take my Enterolab report, or if I need to go to a physician in ME to get it done. I refuse to get an intestinal biopsy when it's unnecessary. Blood tests aren't accurate unless you're consuming mass quantities of the allergen, too.

So, I can't tolerate cow's milk nor over half of the cereals on their accepted list. :sweat: Getting soy milk vouchers would be handy, but again... depends on the above. Baby isn't getting milk or cheese until her allergies are checked, too. Not when Mama gets anaphylactic(sp) responses. D:

I've no doubt we'll be able to get food stamps. I've already checked guidelines. It's just other assistance we'd probably not be eligible for. Despite both of us in school, one of us COULD work. We just don't want our studies to suffer or to lose time with our daughter. (Let's face it, the studies would be the one to suffer.)

But, we COULD work. Time is crunched, and it's not ideal, but it COULD be done with added stress to our situation.

Thanks for the rent tip! I hadn't realized that's there in some places. I also applied for a program when I was in undergrad. It's where graduated students in Maine who work (even part-time) can get student loan reimbursement via tax returns. So there's that. With Cole in school, he can also claim an education credit. Plus having the baby, we should get something bigger back anyway.

There is definitely stigma attached, but the thing is... assistance like this is meant to be temporary. I mean hell, that's why they call it Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. TEMPORARY. Too many people stay on it for life because it's convenient. And for multiple reasons. (I mean let's face it... would you want to go looking for a job if it meant you'd lose your free health insurance and not get any additional money in the long run? I can't think of many people who would sacrifice the wellbeing of their families to do that. If they could get into a job that made more than enough to pay for health insurance and all the bills, that's another story.)

Yah it's temporary, but it will help. I think trying to raise a family, go to school, AND work is a recipe for burnout. I'd rather that people REALIZE help is out there and try for it. Especially if it means they will have more time to devote to raising their children properly. Also, as long as the system isn't abused. That, unfortunately, is very difficult water to tread as there really isn't an easy solution for these places to prove that.

I'm all for state requiring drug testing for food stamps. At the same time I strongly believe LESS money should be invested in putting people in prison for drug related offenses, and more money focused on programs to help individuals become drug free. I've watched enough educational programs on drug use and that they have the hard cold facts that when you let them out they will just GO BACK TO IT AGAIN. D:

Anyways, if you need more help or ideas for getting by let me know. I also thought if you really are struggling with getting food on the table that there are ministries who will help you (and not require background checks or proof of income) on getting food boxes for relatively cheap prices. The local one here does special allergen boxes with items consciously picked for those with common food allergies.

About the proof needed for WIC - I would try to contact them and ask what they take as proof. I don't know if your doctor would know, and more importantly I've been burned by a doctor's office TELLING ME SWEAR UP I was not going to be charged for a pap smear while on the Plan First program. And you know what happened? They did. It was a coding issue, and despite numerous phonecalls and me getting extremely frustrated they're STILL sending me bills in the mail.

At this point all medical bills are on hold. They'll have to take me to court before I'll pay given our circumstances now.

Yep, I agree with what you're saying. Burnout is bad. It's just frustrating when the current system is geared toward enabling and not really helping those who are working toward something higher. It's just too difficult to fix, as there are so many factors surrounding system abuse, and even harder to prove the flaws.

Agreed on the substance abuse issues. Jail doesn't do shit for SA. Especially if the person goes right back into the same environment they left. That's not rehabilitation. You can't punish a fucking addiction through means of jail. Grrr @ some situations.

Thing is, we won't be struggling to get things where they need to be. It's just that we'll be living comfortably while accumulating a buttload of debt, which isn't all that beneficial. I do know that if we keep living here, living the same lifestyle we're living (which is comfortable), upon graduation and getting into the work force it won't take us more than 5-6 years to pay off every cent. That's the plus side. We're not going to go looking for a house or new (as in NEW) vehicles until we're out of student loan debt or have it chipped down to the point it's not taking over half our monthly income. :b

I'd have to call WIC themselves to see their allergy policies. I'd also want to know specifically how much of this and that they cover, and if they allow substitutes. (For example, if I can't eat the cereal due to the gluten, would that money then be able to be used for additional soy milk, or would it just be non-applicable? Same for the cheese. There's also a double-whammy in that the places that carry vegan cheese do NOT accept WIC vouchers. And come to think of it, the store that would accept vouchers and has the soy milk I need, unsweetened since the sweetened stuff wrecks my stomach, is an hour away. Not doable in the winter with poor roads.)

Sometimes, just sometimes, living in a city would have benefits. :XD But truthfully, in all seriousness, we've managed to get our food choices picked out so it's really not that expensive to eat healthily without going too expensive. For what the grocery store lacks, we can get bulk orders through our health food store for much less. Instead of soy milk for over $4 a half gallon, we can get it for $3. (Just an example.)

I really hope this kid doesn't end up with my allergy issues. I'll be stoked if she can avoid them!

Fingers crossed she takes after dad as far as that goes.

Well Aaron has jumped into bed. I'm gonna go join him so I can get some cuddles.

Take care and I'll talk to you tomorrow. :)

Her dad has a milk and egg allergy. :XD We're doomed. Poor kiddo!

See you tomorrow! <3

Still buying/selling!

*rolls into thread and rubs her eyes*

Man I really struggled to fall asleep last night. Finally won the battle after 4:30am, and then woke up at 11am. Feeling still really tired but I'm hoping that if I force myself to stay up I'll be able to sleep earlier tonight.

I have a really rotten headache. I kinda want to go lay down but I have too much crap to do today.

I feel you, Chi. I have only gotten about 4 hours of sleep last night. Luckily, though, I should be able to fill a prescription for some new meds that might help fix a couple of my problems. Doc seems to think I've suffering from anxiety and IBS and prescribed me some Seroquel XR to hopefully ween me off of Venelafaxine (HORRIBLY addicting anti-depression drug) and fix my inability to get a restful sleep.

The downside is I might not be able to get it filled until Friday at the soonest...Aaron has $20 left in his account and he may need to put a little bit of gas in the tank before then. Also, I don't know if he filled it for the generic...if it's name brand it'll be something outrageous like $40 a month. :S

I'm really tempted to curl up in bed and nap but then I will just suffer when I try to sleep tonight. Sucks when you get your sleep cycle totally out of whack.

D: That sucks.
maybe take a sleeping pill?
Those always make my sleeping schedule go back to normal.

My mother won't let me get a job. =/
She won't let me spend money because I don't have a job, but she's not letting me get one. Wtf? I wanted to apply at McDonald's, because it's really close by and I wouldn't be wasting my time doing nothing at home, but she was like "not till you get straight A's, you don't have a car, etc."
...but I DO have straight A's, and I can walk to this place - it's only 2 miles away.

I'm just jealous of all my friends that have nice clothes and extra accessories, while I can only wear the cheap stuff my mom buys me because I'm not allowed to spend money.
=/

I've gone to sleeping in 20-30 minute bursts unless I'm lucky and get 2-3 hours in one go. I sleep, and I keep dreaming so I know I'm sleeping, but it's been so scattered. It's nothing going on emotionally, but just bodily. Chubbs over here likes to butt-bump me and keep readjusting herself, plus my hips in general have been aching. Only when sleeping though, go figure!

Speaking of IBS, I think I've been having a lot of crappy health days this week because I'm almost two weeks into my gluten and dairy detox. I should be done by the time the baby's born. But it's no wonder I kept cheating. I get so miserable (headaches, muscle burning, brain fog, stomach cramps, almost like the flu) that I just go back to the bad foods so it goes away. I'm sure I'll feel better for it in another 2 weeks from now.

Did they prescribe you anything for the IBS, or just the med switch? Hopefully the weaning goes well.

I did get my online course's homework done for the week. Next week is the final week, and if he puts it up early on Saturday like he has been, I am so getting it done and OVER with. I'm ready for it to be done. ZzzZzz-material at best. My aunt called this afternoon and said the business is back open as there's a small area without the algae affecting the shellfish now. I will probably be going back to work tomorrow, which makes me both happy and sad. I think I've gone on before on all the "whys".

Wow, Windy. Sometimes parents have to fight to get their kids to want a job. I'm wondering if your mother just doesn't want to accept you're slowly gaining independence. :P Out of curiosity, are you going away for college? Or will it not matter and you'll still have to answer to your parents while you're going through college anyway? I didn't get financial help from my mom, and I moved out, so... that's why I ask.

(If I could do it over again I'd have probably waited a bit before moving out, to help the loan debt. e_e M'ah well!)

WINDEH!! <3
CHI!! <3

What up? : D

Not much. Just did some homework, now I need to do more. The usual for mid-week. I figure on the chance I work tomorrow I need to get my stuff done up tonight rather than before I leave for class tomorrow. :P

How are you?

Nothing for IBS, Chi. Just the SEROQuol or however it's spelled. (Closed down the website..) Sucks though as I might not be able to get it as insurance apparently doesn't cover it.

On the upside - I found out my textbooks are worth $200 in amazon vouchers. I'm thinking of saving it for xmas and do a big family present. I'm thinking of getting Fullmetal Alchemist Season 1 and 2, the movie, and the Brother set 1 and 2 with it. There would still be a little left over. Season 1 and 2 are 60 bucks for both, the movie is 15 and the brotherhood is 40 for both part 1 and 2....It'd blow the majority of it but still I know the kids would GEEK as they LOVED it.

I'm thinking about it. I might wait on brotherhood until the price goes down somewhat.

Otherwise, I'm kinda at a loss. I really don't want to buy shitty toys that they may play with a couple times then loose or not take care of. Anime is enjoyed by everyone and we watch it as a family though. :)

Anyways I need to go for a bit. I'll pop on later tonight. Take care!