Hey...kat...thanks for the post! I believe you speak eloquently for millions of single parents who are expected to pull themselves up "by the bootstraps" when they have no boots. Dignity?, self-respect? If you are still hanging on to it before setting foot into the "Welfare" system,.... begging for help with hat in hand often destroys it.....Congratulations, katlaughing, on beating it! Must have something to do with wearing purple!