Fibromyalgia Support Group

I have a small landscape design & installation business but due to my pain, the horrible economy and my lack of motivation, I'm seriously doubting if I can make it through the season. I've reached a point where I'm afraid to try. I think I would just be setting myself up for failure. I'm not eligible for dissability because I've worked for myself and had cash jobs for too many years.

We need my income. My husband is in construction and has'nt had a full week of work all winter. We're still paying the mortgage, but had to give up all the extras. (I'm a little spoiled from having a good income in the past and very resentful that the current government screwed things up so bad.)

I'm not quite sure what to do. I've been looking for a part-time job but they're all paying close to minimum wage and after taxes, that would barely pay my gas.

Well, Ive rambled long enough. Thanks for listening.

psk

I understand. I used to be the one who made the bulk of the household money. But now, since I had to quit, it has been very very hard to cut back. We just bought a new house though, with the help of our local rural development office, we were given 10K to put down on it and our payments are very low. As for extras, we used to spend so much money on stuff we didnt need and at first I really missed the manicures, pedicures, etc. But I dont anymore. I feel happy when I can treat myself to a $4.00 Starbucks. I have learned to be happy with what I have now.

If you cannot continue full time, maybe part time... or hire someone to help you???

Debbi

I dont mind cutting back. I'm a cheap date, but I feel sad that my husband has to. He's the one with expensive tastes.

I understand where you are coming from. I used to earn the bulk of our income. We used my husbands income to pay the bills amd mine for fin. When we wanted something I just worked overtine$$$$$$. I worked 58 hrs the last week before I as in the car accident. We had quite an adjustment period. We had to file bankruptcy, I stood on the porch while they took my jeep and there were times where my parents fed us. We learned what is really important. We learned how to go to the market with coupons. When we look back, it has been a hard but good lesson for our kids. THey have lived both ways and have matured so much. I learned to trust God for what I needed. I learned to be thankful for the small things.

Amen, Sandi, I am with you on all you said.

Sandi,

We had a similar experience. We had a house fire 7 yrs. ago. Coincidentally (or not actually), that's when my fibro. symptoms showed up. Anyway, the house was a total loss. Our two kids (with #3 on the way), lost all of their clothes, toys, and most pictures. It was devastating. Even with insurance covering most of our loss, it took years to build back up. Our kids are very humbled by what they have now. And they know not to ask for excessive things. They love hand-me-downs from relatives and friends. We're doing fine financially, don't get me wrong. But, now our perspective has changed so much.

One memory of the fire that will always stick with me is sitting in the ambulance with my four yr. old daughter clutching a teddy bear (given to her by a fireman), my other toddler (also a girl) snuggled up next to my big pregnant belly and having a talk with them about how their things might not make it. My beautiful little 4 yr. old looked up at me with her big, brown eyes and said, "That's o.k. mommy. We can get new stuff. But we can't get a new you, or me, or Katie, or daddy." Talk about seeing the world through a child's eyes!:

Post edited by: teach123, at: 03/03/2008 23:57

aw what a sad sad story, im so very sorry that u and ur family had to experience such a terrible ordeal. Your 4 yr.old baby is so right.

Wow, im sure that was very hard to have happen to u. Happy ev1 made it out ok ev1 is ok and What did u name the #3 baby? I will pray for u and urs and wish u Good luck in the future. Gentle Hugs to u, and daddy and the kids.

Now about u, how are u feeling, looks like u have ur hands full. did u say u worked also?. Let me know how ur fibro is doing and i will tell u alittle about myself. Gotta go for now but we will talk soon ok.

Children see things diffenently then we do. Many times I would grieve over what we didn't have and my mother would say that the kids have so much more than material things. I realised this when I go to my kids school. The kids have so much---cars, clothes, money and yet they want to come to our house because it is fun and Scott and I hang out and play guitar hero and eat pizza with them. We don't have as much to offer the kids, but our door is always open and they are always welcome. WE have learned to make the most of what we have. Sometimes it is hard though.