So many of these ideas are wonderful, but I am so behind the "8 ball" right now that I can't even get to these places. I've got to come up with $300 by Saturday (our utilities are on a computer-managed system, so if our account is not current as of Saturday, the computer at the central offices simply sends a notice to the line workers, in the case of the power utils, and sends a signal to our line, in the case of the phone and PC. Either way, by noon on Saturday, we're either caught up or things start getting shut off.

I can't ask the family members who are helping us already for another red cent, as the utilities and gas for the car are OUR responsibility. If those bills were also being paid by others, we would lose all our county assistance (food stamps) support.

I understand what everyone is saying about not selling instruments, but I have no choice when there are no jobs to be had and I have no other avenues through which to get any funds together.

There are people here on the Mudcat who have helped in the past, even the more recent past, but all that help has just gone from their hand to the bills. I've never been in a worse position before in my life.

If it weren't for my wife and kids, I could go on the bum and make my way elsewhere in the country and try to busk or whatever, but I have them to take care of and so I have to hustle every day like this.

It sure sucks, but it's going to be better than losing our services.

I can't even imagine what looking for work would entail without the internet. Our local papers don't even have very large classified sections anymore, and even those ads all tell people to apply at so-and-so-.com and all that.

I can't be sentimental or dream too big right now, folks. I have to do what I have to do, barring a miracle of some sort.

Again, all my thanks, all the same. You are a wonderful, colorful and interesting bunch, to be sure.