All blessings aren't made of gold

As low as I feel everytime I read the news, I know I am one of the lucky ones that I am living in a home surrounded by people (I count my dog as person) who love me.  I have a friend, financially secure, but has no family, no children.  He is used to it and doesn't feel sorry for himself.  He may like it that way-but I know he thinks about getting old and wondering who will help care for him, drive him around, check on him.  I have several relatives who have plenty of money but rattle around alone in big houses.  Their homes scream "Room for more!"  They have outlived spouses and spend time thinking of the days their loved one was still with them. 
Me? You don't hear loose change rattling in my pockets, but at night when I lay my head down, hubby is laying next to me snoring. I know that tomorrow I may throttle the rattle brain for some idiotic thing, but he is my rattle brain and I sleep soundly, knowing I am not alone. 

Creative money making ideas

I have often wondered if I would have the moxie to do anything necessary if I was desperate for money.  I would do anything within the limits of the law.  I considered being in the pokey at least two steps below being unemployed.  I never thought I would feel so low about myself being unemployed.  So when I am in panic mode( which usually happens in the middle of the night when I wake up with a jolt, in a cold sweat, screaming "I don't have a job!' ), I make a list of things I can do to get money.

1. Sell the Dallas Cowboys charm I bought when I really believed they were America's Team.

2.  Take the Oly Ball keg filled with pennies to Coinstar.  We have been filling it for over 25 years-obviously since the big round plastic kegs are a treasure from the past.

3.  Walk around and collect returnables.  Laugh if you will, but there is a tiny Oriental lady that walks everywhere around here with a plastic bag attached to a stick with a big plastic bag attached.  She picks up any bottle or can she finds.  A cashier at our local grocer told me she redeems $300 a week in the summer.  I think I will need to shadow her for a day or two, find the bottle hotspots. 

4.  Win the lottery.  Again, this has been an empty pursuit for over 25 years.  Same with the Publisher's Clearinghouse.  Someone has to win-I will accept the burden of what to do with excess cash. 

For the sake of everyone, I hope the economy starts hopping, make that high jumping, real soon. 

Trying to Stay Up When Everything Seems Down

On this gray depressing morning, I am trying to remain positive about my future but it ain't easy!  Job searches for positions that call for unlimited sarcasm and tons of life experience have turned up nothing.  I was aghast-seriously?  When the company is in upheaval-wouldn't it be wise to have a top notch employee provide some levity?  I have led Cub Scouts through a physical fitness badge.  I have bravely embraced a position few would dare tackle, that of an elementary school lunch monitor.  Give me a whistle and order will be restored. I have worked the call center of the bank's overdraft department tackling each irate customer.  I am fearless!!!