Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

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Craving change

arfie
arfie
I have not had my own income since 1995 when I left construction work to take charge of out-of-control adolescents. They are adults now and I spend entirely too much time rattling around an empty house. I have held volunteer positions, studied abroad and done geo field expeditions since then, but not much that shows on a tax return. Nothing independent of the family budget. When money gets tight, mama stays home. I hate it when life gets in the way of living...

Still, we all remember the stresses of a two income family. It is how our adolescents came to be out-of-control.

Even now, with no children in the family, we enjoy the benefits of a family member (me) being available for rapid response to emergencies and random nuisances that are tough to handle on a time-clock schedule.

But the empty days are killing me...

I stopped in an auto parts store to buy a tire gauge this morning. They had a Help Wanted sign in the window. I am only a fraction of the mechanic I was when I committed pregnancy and matrimony, but... That could change... Got me chewing...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Why don't you teach spanish or english to SSL students??
deleted_user
deleted_user
I meant to ESL students.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Or work as an interpreter.I tried it but it wasn't as easy as i thought and i've forgotten some of my spanish frankly...i think in english now all the time.
arfie
arfie
Nice suggestions, uno, buttttttttaaaa...

Burned out on teaching ESL. Did it for allot of years. Volunteer, of course. The need remains huge, but one body only goes so far.

Here in Texas, you need to a degree and/or an approved skin color for translating Spanish. Even understanding Spanish can be dangerous for wrong color folk here, even if it is their only language. Totally wish I was delusional on that score, but I have been attacked myself and had it erupt more than once in my ESL classes.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Apply for that mechanic job, doesnt hurt to apply or look for something else suitable to you.

You know that there wont be much change when you arent applying or looking out for any job or something to do and get out of house, which being there most of the time isnt very good, or being there and in a way to wait will there be need for any rapid response from you.

I dont have much choice now, im not funtcional enough to seek or do any job. Im in limited abilities what i can or cant do.

You can do it, you are functional and having any job or volunteer you will have less of the empty days, something to do other than go around empty house, for money or income it is thight now, and that gets into life too unfortunately.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh yeah i forgot about that...they give priority to hipanics..but a lot of the 'bilingual" hispanic people in Texas do not speak good spanish...is "hillbilly" spanish...i heard them before.
arfie
arfie
In my case, the income won't really solve anything. Adult offspring are our biggest expense and it is always easy to spend more of somebody else's money. My husband earns enough that the rest of it will go to our 2nd biggest expense: taxes. No shortage of folks spending other folks's money in our lives.

My deepest craving is to get back to my Mississippi River Valley project. IF... Unfortunately I can't seem to get the if out of it...

Meanwhile I am going stir-crazy... On top of my usual crazies...
arfie
arfie
uno, Texas has every flavor of Spanish in the world, including Polynesian and European. The biggest thing all those flavors have in common have in common is a deep conviction to their flavor being the only "perfect" flavor.

Que cosas! Todos los seres humanos son locos!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Arfie,

Maybe you need to design your own project, to be completed on a flexible schedule and solely for the purpose of manifesting a bit more traveling money.

I know that rattling feeling and have started an unlikely new pass time as a horse trader- not literally trading horses, but buying and selling for profit on eBay, and selling my own creative productions on Etsy. It lets me play with stuff in a new way and I like the ideas of recycle, reuse, and specifically up-cycle.

With the internet we have opportunities to work flexibly from home.

Just a thought.
MillaSofia
MillaSofia
Arfie, I'm with you. I remember jobs and good incomes. Think about the little job you saw. My friend across the street was a Diplomat, then injuries later and a oouple jobs, he worked as a delivery person for a local pizza place, and now he's manager of all the drivers and one of the store managers, trusted to close up. I'd do any job at this point. And if you can get around, meaning, have transportation, do whatever you can, my friend. You will be wonderful at it, and your self respect will return and your life will open up and change. Sending you good good thoughts.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Yes, in my own life schedule wise, nature does abhor a vacuum. I can imagine the stir craziness. I yearn for the school year's end so I can recoup my energy, but then even the hard-earned empty days of summer can be hard to adapt to. Sending good vibes your way so karma will send along the right opportunity, be it as a mechanic or whatever it might me......

muji
deleted_user
deleted_user
Go for it Arfie. You'll be an example for all of us! I need some courage to look for a job. The longer I'm home, the more nervous I get.
arfie
arfie
I sure did hit allot of gender skids in my science and engineering pursuits. More skinned feelings than I care to count. On all sides. Enough to cause four day trances at the "chore" of changing a headlight. More "demon eyes."

And yet... I can't seem to let it go. I still dream the dream...

Still want my '62 MG... Dings, rust and all...
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