Mother had a good phone call with the recruiter for the Omaha job. We are now waiting and hoping for the next higher ups to call her. And you know, they don’t always call.
And sure, when I thought about where our future might be I honestly did not think about Omaha. No offense to Nebraska. But me? In a flyover state? Maybe. After talking to some locals and checking out lots of stuff on line I think it could be nice. Keep us in your jobby thoughts please. Seriously.
So a few days ago the last bit of savings left the bank account. The talking heads on your morning shows will suggest that you have 6 months of savings set aside for if/when disaster such as unemployment happens. That we made things last 8+ months is pretty awesome. The fact that the shadow of unemployment has been haunting us for 8+ months sucks huge, giant, epic donkey nuts.
And when the savings are gone and rent is due in a week you end up making sacrifices. Or, more to the point, Mother just sold her car. Now if you know my Mother you know that what is now her previous car was the perfect, iconic, car for her. She was a hot babe in this car. The car also had magical powers and was able to always put her in a wonderful mood.
I think it bought us another two or three months of bills/rent. I hope it did. At least it gives us time to get a bunch of stuff on ebay/Craig’s list. It won’t get either one of us health insurance and we think Mother’s cobra is or is about to be canceled. We’ll find out in the morning when we call to schedule a mammogram.
This isn’t a pity post. This is just our reality. We are putting our heads down and trying to plow through the best we can. As my Mother often says, “we are looking forward to looking back on this.” (but really? no fucking way will I remember this era of the saga fondly)
Honestly I feel pretty numb and sad. I am just gutted that such a sacrifice needed to be made. But at least this should keep the eviction nightmares quiet for a few weeks. And who needs a convertible in Nebraska, right?
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
the times are indeed tough. We feel you in so many ways. The temptations of pawn shops that proliferate our neighborhood are immense. I’m trying to look at it all as massive decluttering.
love and strength and mid west vibes to you, sweetie.
Hi Cali:
Before your Mother gives up on COBRA, I am just making sure that you know about Pres Obama’s COBRA subsidy? The feds are subsidising a big part of COBRA payments and I think there is stuff in there about extensions and pre-exisiting conditions also.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1508773/obama_stimulus_package_65_cobra_premium.html?cat=3
Hope this helps….
Oh God, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I have been on the edge many times in my life, and sometimes I look back and think, how on Earth did I manage to get through that? Somehow everything always works out in the end but it never makes it easier when you’re smack in the middle of it. I’m thinking of you, and hoping that something awesome works out in the nick of time.
This one totally breaks my heart. I hate that she had to give up something that made her smile. I know it’s just a thing and one day she may be able to have another. I’m brainstorming over here about things we can do to help.
What a bummer Cali.
My condolences to Mom.
My heart hurts. And I feel so impotent.
Oh, hon.
somebody else already addressed the COBRA issue so i’ll speak to the eviction process. it takes a LONG time to get evicted from a rental property, take it from me as a landlord who has had her fair share of non paying tenants. with tenants who lost jobs i’ve re-negotiated rent for hard ship. it has put me in a bad situation because in this market i only make enough to cover the mortgage but what can i do if they can’t pay and aren’t. so my suggestion would be to let your landlord know about your moms employment status and see if they’d be willing to grant you hardship/reduce your rent. if not, i’d stop paying altogether. i hate to suggest that but it will likely take several months to get evicted and that time may buy you the months you guys need to get back on your feet! sending you both lots of peace and strength during this difficult time…
Omaha.
I am sending all my thoughts and prayers.
Ack. Sorry it had to be done, glad she had the balls.
I’m so sorry about your mom having to sell her car. I hope something works out soon.
I’m so sorry. I do hope it won’t be long before you’re looking back on this time.
So sorry about the car.
I love your mother’s optimism, but that bites the big one. 
I know you’re not starving or anything, but if there is anything I can do to help, you know where I am.
BIG BIG jobby thoughts and prayers. *hugs*
Oh hon, I’m so sorry.
So sorry. Sending you as many “jobby thoughts” as I can. I am pulling for all of you and wish I were independently wealthy and I could write you out a fat check and put it in the mail. Hang in there, I am blown away by the dignity and grace with which you and mother deal with this. Hugs.
Well, that just means there’s something she’ll look better driving out there. I hope Omaha comes through for you. Think of all the argyle sweaters W will be able to wear there!
I know that spectre of fear very well when the bank account runs dry. In ’01 the job I moved to another city for tanked after 3 months, and in the wake of 9/11, I applied at every temp agency in Columbus, OH, and at every Mickey D’s as well- and got no bites. I put my rent on my credit card, and was behind in my car payment for months. I almost had my electric turned off. I ate lentils/rice, PB&J, and 20cents/box mac n cheese. It was an awful time.
May I send you something- a care package? I have a load of baby food for my son that we no longer use.
That just F*%^ING sucks!!! Damnit I hate this for you. Sending great gobs of jobby thoughts and trying to figure out how long of a drive it would be to Omaha to visit. Love you and keeping you in my heart.
I have my fingers crossed for your family! If it’s any help in inspiring hope, my boyfriend was unemployed for eleven months and on the cusp of losing his house when, suddenly, a great job offer appeared (he only had three interviews during those eleven months). Sometimes the opportunities we need appear at the very last moment. I hope your opportunity shows up sooner rather than later.
So sorry about all these sacrifices you are having to make, and praying that these tough times will come to an end for you soon….
Thumbs up to your mom and you for how you are coping with all this. You are incredibly strong women…!
Oh, Cali.
I am so sorry, this is all so hard and unfair,
x
g
That was a great car. I’m smiling thinking about the time you convinced her to let you drive it up here to visit me for the weekend! Sending good job vibes!!
Ah, that SUCKS. I’m sorry. I will keep thinking good job thoughts for you.
I’m so sorry your mom had to sell her car
But this time of the year here (Omaha) she probably wouldn’t have wanted to ride that has the top down. Unless she’d want it filled with the gorgeous color changing leaves that are all over my yard, and street (that are wet at this time 
) Wishing jobby thoughts and dreams of a new dream car.
Damn sweetie. I’m sorry y’all are in such an tight spot. {{{Hugs}}} and prayers.
Calli, I haven’t been commenting lately but I miss you terribly. I always see your comment to me and kick myself for not getting over and commenting to you appropriately. And another weird thing is I’ve been hearing about calliope lately. The greek goddess and I think someone named calliope. I’ve been just hearing the name lately.
Oh Calli, I’m so sorry your mom had to sell her car. My 6 months savings account is almost gone too. I have only $6k left, which should last us until my unemployment kick in. And then, if you’ve read my latest life changing decision, I’ll be going back to school. The timing is just right for me. Hopefully my husband’s job will hold us for a few years until I can start working after I graduate. Even WITH a plan, it’s scary. I feel almost guilty that I can play a little bit with my life due to help from both parents and your mom is the one needing the help right now. I REALLY am praying and hoping your mom gets the new job. If you move to Nebraska, you’d be in road trip distance and I’ll put me, Ella, Allison and Karl in the car just to come up and see you. As soon as you get here. I promise!
Hey, Calli. Sending you an email. Looking for your tip jar.
She sold her car? That is indeed sad. However, it’s not like there aren’t other beautiful cars out there for her when she gets back on her feet.
Have you considered freelance editing from home? You’re a good writer and you never dangle your participles nor do you split infinitives. The world needs copy editors. Just a thought.