Plan X: I've gotten a job

My beautiful twin sister, Heather, with her very handsome family,
husband Allen holding Preston and Pierce.

I feel like I've been cheating on my blog with my new J-O-B. When I have to do things like interviews and make deadlines it's not as easy to sit and write about myself.

I'd hoped to find a way to make blogging pay, And it has in exposure with some great opportunities. I've accomplished goals that I never thought I would survive to even try for.

But as far as feeding my family and giving me the peace of mind I so desperately needed, it hasn't done that.

 It hasn't allowed me to go to the grocery store without a handful of coupons and a gift card from a sympathetic loved one (aka known as readers I've met through here ;)) and go crazy buying the healthy food my body wants. I naively thought at one point that if I just let people know how difficult surviving was financially with a disease that people would help fill in the blanks, but that just didn't happen.

There are too many rumors and myths about reimbursements that even some of my former closest friends believe.

For example, I do get to write-off all of my expenses, but that doesn't mean I ever see any of that money back. Instead, I opt to not have any taxes taken out of my social security check so I can have the money immediately. I, essentially, pay those taxes with my write-offs.

We still do not receive any form of entitlements other than social security, such as food stamps that many childless, healthy workers receive. My SSDI is also less than my medical expenses every year. By definition, this means I am bankrupt and will never recover financially. If we get a $1000 back from the government we're extremely lucky, but that's quickly eaten up by more health care costs.

My fabulous family, Jon and Xander.

And as much as I love The Huffington Post, I'm not paid for those articles either. I'm a lowly blogger who does it for the exposure and excitement of being published. Maybe, someday, I'll find a way to make it pay, especially since writing is really the ONLY thing I can do professionally.

I was offered a job as a jewelry making instructor! But JoAnnes in Lebanon is too far away and my health still too fragile to commit to a certain time and date to teach closer.

When I was younger, I told myself I'd never, ever throw those crazy tupperware parties. I didn't understand them. I Didn't see the incentive.

Now, I realize I was just born to professional parents who had options to work instead.

I don't like the complaining, whining tone this post is taking. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I guess these thoughts have been weighing heavily on me for a while now. I had an awful incident recently where someone meant to care for me took advantage of me financially and my need to travel, but ditching the chick wasn't all I needed.

It was time for plan X, since Y has been over a long time now, and get a job while sick.

Since treatment has ruined my body and therefore the option for me to do barely legal porn (just kidding) I started thinking about a job.

Again, the big guy came through with a sign. I dropped the paper I was reading and it opened to a big advertisement for freelance writers in The Claremont Area for The News Review, which I'm so excited is working out really well.

The two that started it all: Mom and Dad Nancy and Vic
with the grand-kids and our grand-dog, Nika. 

My job has given me the peace of mind. I was able to do some Christmas shopping, obviously during sale time because I'm frugal and that's just how it is, but it wasn't with the guilt of thinking I'd leverage our ability to pay our taxes or eat.

SSDI is also trying a new program that, gasp, allows sick people to work without immediately cutting off benefits! Not a surprise now since SS has tightened their practices, previously they threw SSDI at just about anybody, and since I submitted tax forms to work, I was sent an offer to join recently.

I can now make up to $12,000 a year without being penalized. Previously it was $10,000 with immediate cut-off for making more.

This was a serious reason for many disabled people who wanted to work but couldn't do their previous profession or even part-time to not work at all.

Now, if I make over $12,000 (not likely) my benefit is decreased by $1 for every $2 I make over the amount. I think this is a great start to overhauling the Social Security system without affecting needed benefits.

Something needs to be done soon without being drastic. If SS had the restrictions health insurance companies do it'd be a for-profit business.

I'm excited we may be headed for some good times. Hopefully I can keep you all updated. If not, at the very least, I'll submit my columns to you. I don't have the benefit of writing a general article yet, but I do get to pick topics in the news.

I'm always in need of ideas so comment or facebook me.

The whole family together for the holidays. 

And I'm happy to report that we're healthy and
happy even though we still have finance charges that top what I bring home in a week, We're going to have a very merry Christmas this year.