Khandi, I agree with you. I told her to look for a roommate (or two). She has two extra small bedrooms but only one bath in the house. But if she took a few hundred of her severance and recruited my husband, her nephew (my son) and a few friends, we sould put a simple bathrrom in her basement for pretty cheap. I know there are ways to make it during times like these. Because I had to make it through tough times. I remember taking a calculator to the grocery store in the 80's (when I had two roommates, by the way...) because I had $30 to spend on groceries! Ya know what? I made some really decent meals for me and my kids on that $30 food budget! She hasn't had that kind of challenge until now. And she obviously is not as resourceful or motivated as she could be. Someone told her that foreclosure was the easy way out and it appears that she agrees. Personally I would be too proud to ever take that way out. I'd go down with one helluva fight. I agree woth you, too Duane, there are jobs out there. One just has to be determined that this thing isn't going to beat them and take what they must until things turn around. Like so many of you have said earlier in this thread, swallow your pride, take any job you can get, it is a quick fix until something better comes along. Geez, I hope she doesn't do the wrong thing..... Linda

If Noah had lived in the United States today the story may have gone something like this: And the Lord spoke to Noah and said, "In one year, I am going to make it rain and cover the whole earth with water until all flesh is destroyed. But I want you to save the righteous people and two of every kind of living thing on earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark." In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark. In fear and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the ark. "Remember," said the Lord, "you must complete the Ark and bring everything aboard in one year." Exactly one year later, fierce storm clouds covered the earth and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard weeping. "Noah!" He shouted. "Where is the Ark?" "Lord, please forgive me," cried Noah. "I did my best, but there were big problems. First, I had to get a permit for construction, and your plans did not meet the building codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans. Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a sprinkler system and approved floatation devices. Then, my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission. Then, I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S. Forest Service that I really needed the wood to save the owls. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me take the 2 owls. The carpenters formed a union and went on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board before anyone would pick up a saw or hammer. Now, I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls. When I started rounding up the other animals, an animal rights group sued me. They objected to me taking only two of each kind aboard. This suit is pending. Meanwhile, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the Universe. Then, the Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed flood plain. I sent them a globe. Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking atheists aboard. The IRS has seized my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got a notice from the state that I owe them some kind of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a 'recreational water craft'. And finally, the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it's a religious event, and, therefore unconstitutional. I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another five or six years." Noah waited. The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine, and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully. "You mean you're not going to destroy the earth, Lord?" "No," He said sadly. "I don't have to. The government already has."

Having dh's friends/family over is always incentive for him to help out around the house, but then he acts like he is the hero and does things all the time (and it is such a farce). I can put in 50 hours preparing, but he helps the day of the party and acts all put out from the effort (usually, manning the bbq grill, buying ice and loading coolers and maybe sweeping the floor if I am lucky). Now that our house is shaping up, I see how psyched he is to have his "people" over, so I will get some help at some point, but that will be after I paint everything and refinish the hardwood floors all by myself. I mentioned needing help with WT installation and he said that we should hire that out. We have blown through our budget and then some, so there is no extra cash to pay for anything we can't do ourselves at this point (stuff that isn't already in the contract with our gc). I told him I'd help him put them up, but I see that I should have had the reno done in the summer when he is off from school so that he has no excuses. I work year round, but that does not seem to count for as much.... He is smart to pretend that this work is all because I want it and not because he thinks it was needed (as had been agreed before we moved in before he changed his strategy, lol). This way he can critique if something goes wrong and say that since this project is my idea, it is on me. Of course, when the compliments come in, I bet he takes some of the credit, lol....

thanks everyone. last night on the equifax site that rajun posted in SamKaren's post, DS did the 90 day alert. And it was sent to the other two credit companies. He won't be able to get a replacement DL until Tuesday. He has his old license that expired in 2005 in his new wallet. He had the spare key to his truck in his wallet also. Thank goodness the bad guys didn't find that and steal his truck. He drove my car to work this morn. The bad guys charged a redbox dvd. They tried to get a $100 cash advance that was declined, but they DID charge a little over $102 at a (as the chg card co. says..) convenience ret... I'm assuming that is convenience retail, lol So they are doing a fraud report. He spoke with the police department. I'm guessing the bad guys bought gas, what else could you buy for that much money at a convenience store? Beer and gas maybe? DS is soooo angry. Not too many people will match his pic and description on his drivers license! 6'6" 280 lbs. big BALD white guy! scary looking! lol he was in Hayden Lake, Idaho (the home of many neo=nazis) with his summer baseball team a few years ago. And the owner of a little convenience store confronted him and told him to get out, he didn't serve people like him. DS was like, "Ummmm, baseball players?" lol It took the coach and other team mates to talk the guy down and let DS buy dome food for lunch.