Yesterday we had to go back to the food stamp office. My replenishment never happened, which made me go over my paperwork to see what further documentation was needed. I had to keep J out of school to go, because you just never know how long it might take when you go there. Last time I had to drop off more documentation, it was really quick- 15 minutes from start to finish. Not so much yesterday. I'm guessing the time of month has everything to do with how long you're going to wait.
The first time I went was the 15th of the month. I was there for several hours, which didn't really phase me. I had to do the whole application process, so I figured it would take time. Plus, my parents were watching the boys, so I didn't feel anxious about having to sit around waiting.
The second time I went, I just had to drop of our home's power bill. I was in and out. 15 minutes, tops.
So yesterday, I had to take the boys with me to drop off the last bit of papers that they required. J is normally in school from 11:45- 2:15. Right smack in the middle of day. I couldn't risk going before or after school. He was just going to have to miss a day. We take the train to get there. We have a car, but the neighborhood that the office is in has NO parking. There's plenty of places to park if you're willing to pay, which I'm not. This worked out in my favor because the boys LOVE taking the train. Or at least, they love the idea of the train.
The office is in the ghetto. Like, for real, the ghetto. I'm probably one of the only people there that had to commute there. The rest of the folks in line with me looked like they could be from that neighborhood. Yes, I'm judging again. I know. But it's true. They all looked pretty ghetto. Funny thing is, this being my 3rd trip to the food stamp office, I feel completely comfortable there in the neighborhood-- walking to and from the train to the building and back doesn't phase me now. Make no mistake, it's a rotten neighborhood. High crime, and low real estate appeal. And yet, I feel like I fit right in. I don't feel like a fish out of water anymore. I realized that there's not really any difference between my situation, and the situation of all the other moms standing in line along side me.
I supposed the one good thing that can be found from having mob thugs show up on your porch on a regular basis is that it's not easy to scare me anymore. I had to look these assholes in the eye day after day while the threatened me and my husband. They called my phone and left horrible messages detailing what they thought of my husband. They burned my husband's arm with a blowtorch while they flashed pictures of me and my baby to him... after that, the local junkie looks pretty harmless.
So, hey, thanks for that guys. Seems you're not good for nothin after all.
I wanted to answer your note, and was not sure if you would check Lily for a reply, so here it is:
ReplyDeleteYou, my friend have a real ability to hold a reader's attention, at least this reader! I also think that your decision to toss out all the divorce details is a comfort to all the spouses, dads or moms, who are going through a split, dealing with their kids, dealing with a new strange relationship to their spouse, playing games just to get a damn check in the mail, hauling their lives through a court system, and worst of all, rebuilding a now-strained life from the cramped corner of mom and dad's house. I personally would rather die than move back with my parents. They're great people, but I can't imagine trying to squeeze my broken and hurting self into their lives again. I read your posts usually when I post mine. I also read Erin's. You both are struggling up unbelievably horrible hills and then I look at my blog that yacks about the stars and sunset or some stupid thing and I think, holy crap. I am so petty!
I really think you would have a ton of luck creating a true-story account and publishing it. Make some money for yourself, then forget to mail a single cent to you-kno-who!!!! My thumbs up to you for sitting down and making something productive of all your heartache. That seems to be who you are.
Thank you Kendra. Your compliments mean a lot to me-- I think you're an amazing writer, so to have YOU compliment mine is a great pat on my back. I would love to publish and make some money from all this nonsense. Wouldnt know where to begin tho...
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