Reply #56: This year has been a Lifetime Drama in the making

[haele]

Disability issues; finance issues; job stability issues; child custody issues; child mental health issues all year long. One step forward, one step back. Husband finally starts getting SSI; two months later, I get laid off just as we're starting to get caught up in bills.

Next year - well, my new, stable job starts Jan 3rd - I just got the call today, so my unpaid "vacation" will have only lasted 4 weeks, and we'll still have health coverage with only 3 days non-coverage. And I've discovered that everyone whom I'll be working for is progressive - not a dittobot in the group. Of course, since we'd be working at a military facility, that statement doesn't extend far from my team - but there's still enough Kerry-Edwards and anti-Shrub stickers visible in the parking lot that my DU sticker shouldn't cause too much trouble!
With luck, Workman's Comp will settle before the March court date, and there's over $15K in back payments, not counting fees and non-payment penalties due me by law no matter what happens in court.
If the insurance company decides to settle sometime in January without going to court, we can come up with the money with the custody lawyers here while California can still claim jurisdiction and stop trying to convince the grandparent who initially offered to pay for a lawyer back in September that it's very important that his granddaughter return to some sort of stable home life - or he may end up with a great-grandchild much sooner than he thinks when she starts looking for attention and affection on her own in the next few years. After March, the cost goes up X10 and will take more than my settlement, but as benign neglect and isolation is not a way to raise a tweener girl we still have to try. :(

Anyway things at least seem to have the potential for going up. Crossing my fingers that I'll be able to start taking two steps forward for every one step I'm thrown back. I'm ready to switch channels - even TBS would be better than Lifetime!

And I'm wishing the same for everyone else that may be facing their own little mini-drama.

Haele