DEEDEE'S POLL OF THE WEEK...HOW ARE YOU DOING?

The reason I have been thinking about this poll is because I was getting a little depressed. My finances are in the mud right now. I mean this is prolly the most broke I have been in a long long time. but I got to thinking that really...just because my finances are terrible, i am actually doing better in other places than I was a year ago this time.
You see, it is kind of easy to gauge yourself when you look at major holidays because it is one time of year that you can recall pretty vividly where you were and what you were doing.
So last year at this time of year I was homeless. i was homeless for about 4 months. And it was TERRIBLE. I didn't know when I was going to get a place of my own, and it looked pretty bleak. I was homeless from October to the very last day of January. I stayed with my cousin for a short time, I stayed in motels for awhile. I even stayed on Ldl's couch for about a month.
So, I am going to say that compared to last year, I am doing BETTER this year. Just because I know where I am laying my head tonight!

But how about you guys? I know some of you have lost your jobs. I know some of you have moved into your own homes after waiting for years to buy! So there have been ups and downs for all of us. try not to base your life on your bank account...that isn't where its at. the question here is HOW ARE YOU DOING?

I feel like my walls are coming down. I try to hold it together, but everyday it seems like something even worse happens. I put on a happy face and pretend Im great, but thats not true. It is really hard for me to say this. Last year at this time everything was great, but this year its not.

Financially.....the same...I'm always broke Hey, all you can do is laugh it off right? Other than $$$$ I am doing much better......much, much better. For many reasons!!

Personally I try not to sweat the small stuff. I do wonder where I will be a year from now. I sure as heck never thought I would be where I am now last year. I have been worse off before and because of that period of my life I am better off.
Gotta stay optimistic and put my faith in God and his plans for me. This goes back to Deedee's comment about Patience & wisdom.

One of the things that helps me get through rough times is something i learned in a 12 step meeting. They told me to think about whether this would be important one week from now, one year from now, five years from now. Our entire lives are up and down and then back up again. We can't see the hills from the valleys. I think people need the down times in order to appreciate the up times. it is when we are there, but once we come up for air again then the sky is that much bluer.

i am sorry Patty that you are going through this right now. Hold on, sister, your time will come.

Wow I just posted something for Patty in her thread .....go see. And I did it just before I came to this thread to post here. Wow, what a coincedence.

Oh, I forgot to put what I voted for...better.
We haven't put up our christmas tree like in 3 years or so, only because we just were giving up on it. But this year, I had to show my daughter that christmas isnt a time of year to hate, so I put up the tree with lights and all, and we are gonna each have some presents under the tree this year and not be so grouchy about it. So things are better in that aspect.
The same as for finances until I get a job.
And my daughter will be graduating from high school in 2010. So that will be monumetal to us. Don't know the outcome for us in 2010 but hoping it will be much better than this year, also I've been having some personal issues with husband so hoping all goes better next year with that too.

Deedee wrote:One of the things that helps me get through rough times is something i learned in a 12 step meeting. They told me to think about whether this would be important one week from now, one year from now, five years from now. Our entire lives are up and down and then back up again. We can't see the hills from the valleys. I think people need the down times in order to appreciate the up times. it is when we are there, but once we come up for air again then the sky is that much bluer.

For me, it is hard to say. Last year I was in limbo due to the divorce proceedings which weren't going well. Believe me, it has been horrible being screamed at, verbally abused by and played games by my now ex-husband. It was especially hard on my daughter. I just took it day by day and tried not to show fear to him.

Now, it is a new chapter in my life and I don't know where I am going. First, I have to adjust and then just go on. My only saving grace has been my children (18 & 27)

Hey, I really should not complain....I am alive and have family and friends. Most people do not know what has gone on in my private life due to my always being happy and smiling.

Am broke and trying to figure out how to pay the rest of my lawyer's fee. Even though the divorce is final there are still things that remain that have to be resolved.

I am sorry to be rambling on! I could go on for pages and pages... hahaha. Thanks to all of you here that make me smile and feel accepted.

Kathleen wrote:For me, it is hard to say. Last year I was in limbo due to the divorce proceedings which weren't going well. Believe me, it has been horrible being screamed at, verbally abused by and played games by my now ex-husband. It was especially hard on my daughter. I just took it day by day and tried not to show fear to him.

Now, it is a new chapter in my life and I don't know where I am going. First, I have to adjust and then just go on. My only saving grace has been my children (18 & 27)

Hey, I really should not complain....I am alive and have family and friends. Most people do not know what has gone on in my private life due to my always being happy and smiling.

Am broke and trying to figure out how to pay the rest of my lawyer's fee. Even though the divorce is final there are still things that remain that have to be resolved.

I am sorry to be rambling on! I could go on for pages and pages... hahaha. Thanks to all of you here that make me smile and feel accepted.

Kathleen wrote:For me, it is hard to say. Last year I was in limbo due to the divorce proceedings which weren't going well. Believe me, it has been horrible being screamed at, verbally abused by and played games by my now ex-husband. It was especially hard on my daughter. I just took it day by day and tried not to show fear to him.

Now, it is a new chapter in my life and I don't know where I am going. First, I have to adjust and then just go on. My only saving grace has been my children (18 & 27)

Hey, I really should not complain....I am alive and have family and friends. Most people do not know what has gone on in my private life due to my always being happy and smiling.

Am broke and trying to figure out how to pay the rest of my lawyer's fee. Even though the divorce is final there are still things that remain that have to be resolved.

I am sorry to be rambling on! I could go on for pages and pages... hahaha. Thanks to all of you here that make me smile and feel accepted.

I'm so glad thing are better for you Kathleen ....you give me hope that things will be better for me as well. THanks for sharing your story.

I am Blessed this year, and always. The passing of my mother and brother so close together is devastating, and, my sister is terminally ill, and continues to worsen. I am Blessed to have her with me, one more Christmas. So, I'm about the same, if not more, in the Blessed department.

I love coming here and to be able to express my feelings, and opinions at times. I enjoy reading what everyone has to say and contribute to this site. It's a special kind of bond between cyber-friends. It helps to have that extra kind word and encouragement.

Sooooo, I wish everyone a very, Merry Chrismas, Happy Chaunakah, and a prosperous 2010, and for all the years ahead.

Well, I must admit...I started the "DEEDEE'S POLL OF THE WEEK" basically just to get people motivated to speak on here. But they have turned into so much more than that. I have really found a special place in my heart for each of you who finds enough safety in here to come and bare your soul. I know there are a lot of jokes about people that you meet online being "friends", but I truly believe that we all have a special bond on here that is beyond the run-of-the-mill cyber friendships that you see on other sites.
I was a little hesitant about putting this particular poll up, I even talked in RL with LDL about it....I thought it may be a little of a bummer for those of you who aren't doing so well. But I think that it ha been a good opportunity for most of us to get it out and share with the rest of our friends what we feel grateful for.
I want to wish all of you a Merry Chrismahanukwanzakah And a Happy New Year. i hope that 2010 can and will be everything that 2009 was not!!

wicked1 wrote:I am Blessed this year, and always. The passing of my mother and brother so close together is devastating, and, my sister is terminally ill, and continues to worsen. I am Blessed to have her with me, one more Christmas. So, I'm about the same, if not more, in the Blessed department.

I love coming here and to be able to express my feelings, and opinions at times. I enjoy reading what everyone has to say and contribute to this site. It's a special kind of bond between cyber-friends. It helps to have that extra kind word and encouragement.

Sooooo, I wish everyone a very, Merry Chrismas, Happy Chaunakah, and a prosperous 2010, and for all the years ahead.

You sound like a very strong, loving person. I am very sorry about your losses and my prayers are with you and your family. Your family is very lucky to have you in their life. I wish you a very Blessed Christmas!

I want to wish all of you here a beautiful Christmas and to thank you all for just being you!

Thank you Kathleen, and thank you all!