@Caffeine Addict – I’ve never put Internet over the kids’ well being or needs. I’ve been known to pull them from extra cirricular activities if they get too expensive. I know you may not have been speaking of me in particular but I never mentioned being a single mom, I just happen to be a married mom with 4 children and crappy health insurance (as many Americans do) and a medical disability that the Government doesn’t recognize though I’ve had it since birth. I’ve watched the dollar signs roll through a potential employer’s head when they hear “32 year old mom with a pacemaker” their brains are busy calculating how much it will cost THEM to employ me and provide coverage for me…

There are many ways to afford Internet now a days, and if you are familiar with Freecycle (LOVE IT!) There are many people who have what you need for free as well as you have the opportunity to help someone else.

Again, Interesting topic to learn how many people are making it and their reasons for doing so as well as their drive… Thanks in advance James!

Thanks for all of your hard work.

I get in advance copies of books all the time and there are dozens of authors who have had their family members proofread or “critique” their books and because their family members say it is great, they know it must be–their family would NEVER lie to them. I’ve received numerous “hate emails” when I’ve shot down a book in my review, so I’m not surprised you’ve heard the “their mother says so” line.

I agree that many people are looking for a magic answer and there isn’t one. You have to work at it and you have fail a number of times in order to succeed.

And there’s another thing. I’ve always been willing to help anyone who asks but many people don’t want the advice given. I’ve critiqued the work of many writers who came back angry at me saying I don’t know what I’m talking about. Their work is perfect, their mother tells them so all the time. (Seriously, I get these.)

None of us have all the answers but if you ask for advice be prepared to take it and use it if you want to improve.

I like a lot of what Richardson has to say, but he’ll probably be out of the race by Feb 5.

Not to get into a political discussion, but health care is an issue that all but puts a line in the sand between Dems and Reps.

But I keep looking at what drives stay-home/work-home moms. I made a vow years ago that I would not go back to work until my children were mature. After looking for work when my youngest turned 11 and finding that the secretarial jobs I could easily have qualified for were paying $8.50 to $9 an hour to start, I had to question if buying a new wardrobe, increasing gas consumption (no public transportation in much of Vermont), and paying for the additional wear and tear on the car were worth it. In the end, the answer is no.

I have a mix of high paying jobs and a few that aren’t as high as I’d like but they pay before I do the writing which guarantees the payment up front. My highest paid gig is now a month late paying me and is on the third round of excuses as to why they can’t possibly pay yet. I’ve been promised pay by Friday after threatening small claims, so I’ll see what happens.

But comments about the expenses a new mom faces hits home. My neighbor’s 19 year old just had a baby. Definitely not an ideal situation, and worse is why she did it. She’d heard that if she had a baby as a teen, the state would support her and the baby allowing her to go to college at no charge. As is turns out, she was denied state aid because she had a job paying $8 an hour before the baby was born. They expect her to live on $8 an hour and pay for formula, diapers, car expenses, daycare, and rent (small one-bedroom is $900 a month in this area). Five days after having her son, she went back to work because she had no other choice. She needed the money. She’s now gaining WIC assistance that helps with formula and some groceries, but all in all, her expenses are her own responsibility and she and her boyfriend who have a combined income of $15 an hour are having to survive. That drives me nuts.

As for the presidential elections, it’s funny I’m on dish network and they have this questionnaire right now that takes your answers and matches you to your ideal candidate. I took it and the answer I got was nothing like I’d expected, so it’s caused me to look at the options again. In the end, the questionnaire said Bill Richardson is my best match. I didn’t even know who he was until then.

I will write you separately. It wasn’t no symptoms, but they weren’t very noticeable in the instance (my daughter) I have in mind. Again, turned out to be minor, but I watch health care with a lot of interest as a result.

I’ll write you separately in the am. Thanks.