You know those people who seem to have really great luck? You know, the ones who find money on the ground or who always win on scratch off tickets. Well I am not that person. My whole life my father has always said if you have any luck at all it will be bad luck, it's just the Deomes way. And by golly I am starting to believe him. 

In the last month (days not calendar) I have been in a vehicle accident, I fell through a soft spot in my bathroom floor, my oven took a crap, my Doberman was diagnosed with cancer, my father had a heart attack and I was turned down for yet another job I applied to. All of this would be manageable if only....

Two years ago I was working for my local community college making a decent living as an adjunct instructor for the adult education department. Then Obamacare happened and I could no longer work my full time hours so I was cut to part time (less than 25 hours) and could no longer pay my bills. I have a Bachelor's in English so I took on some subbing jobs for the local school systems. However, raising 3 teenagers (one with Tourette Syndrome and one Type 1) is costly I was not making ends meet. Having just divorced their father after 16 yrs of marriage, I was down an income and a half. 

So I took a part time job at a not for profit and entered the world of social services. They pay great per hour, but again, won't employ anyone full time because they'd have to insure you! So between that job and my meager child support we make it. Most of the time. Until my oven craps out and there is no extra money for another one. Or money to treat my dogs cancer. Or money to repair the gaping hole my leg put in the bathroom floor. 

I have perspective. It helps to have perspective. I work in a food pantry and operate all the social service programs also. I see people much worse off than I am, daily. And it humbles me. It also helps me keep a sense of humor. Not in a "haha what a loser" kind of way, but in a "if I don't laugh at this then what is the point" kind of way. My clients worry when they see I am having trouble putting on a smile. They ask, with conviction and concern, if I am okay and they hug me! 

I don't want my life to be run by the need for money. I do not want to live to work. I am working on a balance. How to show my kids that struggling is okay, but never to settle and to always find time for fun, no matter what the cost. 

My name is P.J. and I am a divorced Mom of three great kids.