Moving to Plan B

Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way you plan. When I moved to Maryland from Missouri I had intentions of making a big turn-around in my life. I was going to get a place for the kids and me; and Ellen and I were going to do what we could to offer our paralegal services, on a freelance basis, to the attorneys in the community. Unfortunately, things aren’t working out that way. Nobody in the State of Maryland has got any place for me to live. Not one waiting list for subsidized housing has my name anywhere near the top. That pretty much sucks.

I’m spending a ton of money on gas because I have to drive the kids to and from school on a daily basis. Six trips to and from three different schools is killing me. The boys can’t get a bus because we’re within the two-mile range and Dolly’s schools don’t offer buses to her – the Head Start because the funding isn’t there, and the Pre-K because she’s out of district. That sucks too.

I’ve tried applying for jobs everywhere I can think of but, because applications are done via the Internet these days, I can’t just walk into a place and apply or even get a call back for an interview. Not only that, but I’m not allowed to call the places about the status of my applications. “We receive so many applications a day that we can’t possibly get back to everyone. If we wish to schedule an interview with you, you will receive a call from the Human Resources Department. Otherwise we will keep you application on file for…” whatever the specified number of days/months is for that particular company.

I went online to send emails and resumes to local attorneys offering my services. I got numerous “Thank you but we’re not hiring at this time”s and one attorney, I think I mentioned this in another post, told me not to use the company email as it was specifically for potential clients. All right then. Even the online transcription companies aren’t hiring – after I spent umpteen hours transcribing their crappy tests and submitting them. What the fuck is up with a State-wide, or in the case of the transcription companies – Nationwide, hiring freeze? Maybe I should walk around collecting cans and bottles to make a living.

So I had to go to Plan B. Looking for housing and work outside the Maryland area. Just this morning a friend of mine from Long Island, K., contacted me and told me she’s got accommodations for the kids and me. K. lives out in Rocky Point, where I first lived when my mom moved my sister and me back to NY from Florida when I was ten. It’s about an hour from the kids’ dad, rather than the six hours he has to drive to get them now; and K.’s father and brother are both attorneys so she may be able to hook me up with work connections. Her dad I never really knew too well, but her brother I’ve known since he was three. Imagine that. When K. and I were discussing the schools I realized that Tyler will be going to the same school I attended for the fifth grade. I wonder if my old teachers are still there. They were young at the time so it’s quite possible. It’ll be fun to find out.

I also found out that, after 30 days, I can apply for benefits there and, not only will I still be able to receive Foodstamps and Medicaid, but I’ll also get a rental allowance to help me pay my rent. They don’t have a rental allowance here in Maryland. With the rental allowance I’ll be able to offer more than the $100 plus bartering than I’m offering now. I’ll be able to find a place of my own within a couple of months and, with luck and a lot of hard work, I’ll be able to get out of the system once and for all. So, as of October 15, 2010 I will officially be back on familiar turf, and a Long Islander once again.

I’m excited with the prospect of being able to get back on my feet, and of being in familiar territory; but I’m disappointed that things couldn’t come to fruition the way Ellen and I wanted. I also don’t like moving so far away from her. She’s a dear friend and I truly love her and all that she’s done for the kids and me. If it wasn’t for her I’d still be back in Missouri bitching about the shithead grown-ups and nasty kids that were my neighbors. I know, I’ve thought a time or two that moving from there was a mistake given how hard things have been for me here; but if I didn’t leave there, I wouldn’t have the opportunities that are opening up for me now. I guess things really do happen for a reason.

I will miss Ellen and Sonny but we’ll remain friends and I’ll still be able to take a road trip every now and again, when the kids are with their dad, to come back and visit. And perhaps, once I’m in my own place, they’ll come to visit us and I can show them the sights of Long Island or take a trip to The City.

My heartfelt thanks go out to these two wonderful friends who have sacrificed so much for my family, and I hope that someday I’ll have the means to repay such a huge favor. To Ellen and Sonny, I love you both dearly and can’t express how much your generosity means to me. Thank you for everything.

Until next time…peace to all.