Over the last year through a series of diaries, I've detailed how the State had screwed things up so bad that our finances had become so bad that we were facing multiple utility disconnects and possible eviction, not to mention a shortage of food money. If you go through my diaries you'll see a decent running list of them over time. Today, thanks in large part to the people here, we're actually almost out of it.
The rent was paid in full for the first time in a longtime within the first week of the month. All of our utilities are paid current or have payment plans in place that we can actually keep up on. I don't go to bed at night anymore wondering how I'm going to take care of things. We're finally out from under the mountain that we were buried under.
Getting to this point required spending everything we had in the past few weeks to finally get our heads above water, and so I'm asking as the year comes to an end for one last bit of help so that I can feed us through the holiday. That's all I'm in need of, just money for food, and barring a major catastrophe it's the last time that I'll need ask in one of these diaries. Groceries are by far our largest expense, given the very limited diet and multiple supplements that my wife requires. We literally pay more a month for food than we do for rent.
Over the course of the next two weeks, I'm making a point of doing a minimum of four Will Draw For Charity posts, in which I draw pictures every hour for as many hours in a row as I can to raise money for a different charity each time based on pledges for how many hours and drawings I can do. I want to give back to the community and use my skills to raise some money for people that need it, just as people have helped me. I can't afford to donate, myself, but at least it's a way that I can help. I'll be starting on Monday with the Fisher House.
I'd like to do more than just four over the next two weeks, but I'm setting four as my goal. We'll see how they go and how much energy I have, and if I can do more then I will. I've only firmly decided on two of the charities so far: Fisher House and Pretty Bird Women House. I'm still debating with myself on the other two. As I've mentioned before, feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments below.
Again, I want to thank all of you who have helped me, and it is with great appreciation and humility that I ask for help one last time. I already know what my new year's resolution is going to be for the coming year:
To stop needing help for myself and my family, and to be in a position to give help to others.
Thank you all, and happy holidays.
Update [2010-12-17 23:32:13 by The Gimp]: Seriously, you didn't have to recc this, though it's greatly appreciated. I hope you all come back when I start my charity draw-a-thons next week!