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2016, amirite? From the deaths of multiple beloved public figures to one of the nastiest Presidential races in history and everything in between, it seems like no one can catch a break. And the same is true for us.
About six months ago, you may remember, we ran a campaign to save our house from foreclosure. A lot of generous people chipped in, enabling us to exceed our goal and get back on our feet. We thought that would be the end of our financial struggles. Spring was on the way and the construction season was starting, which, we thought, would soon see Michael with a steady income. Michael had also put his teaching degree to use, applying and being accepted for a substitute teacher position in the local school district. We heard many stories of people being called in on an almost daily basis and making decent livings from substituting alone.
Life didn't meet our expectations. Calls for substitute teaching were sporadic, maybe two or three a month paying $75 per day. The construction trade has been, if anything, worse. The North Fork Valley of Colorado, where we live, is undergoing a radical shift of economic basis, from an infrastructure built on coal mining to green industry, organic agriculture, and tourism. On the Culture Wars front, the entirety of Delta County is torn between those who see industrial hemp and legal marijuana as having the potential to give a much-needed boost to the region and those who don't want them anywhere within its bounds. How much this affects the construction trade, we can't really say. However, although reasonably-priced properties seem to be selling well, no one is building. Since April, Michael's had maybe six weeks of work all told. It's work that pays well, to be sure. But six weeks' pay in four months isn't enough.
So here we are again: Three months behind on our mortgage, four months behind on our second loan, with unpaid medical expenses in excess of $1000 and $2500 owing to the IRS. Yes, even as bad as last year was for us, we still owed income taxes. Go figure. Katherine's prescriptions alone cost $500 a month after Medicare, and Michael has no health insurance at all. In June, we lost our beloved cat Obsidian to what turned out to be cancer, and the vet bills for his final treatments are in excess of $150. We have gotten as much help as possible from our families, but they're tapped out, too. Katherine's mother is in Hospice, and Michael's mother is currently in a rehabilitation facility with a medical condition.
Some good things have happened. Michael is playing with a Blues band, Hoodoo HEDZ, who are very well-received. He also crafts wands and pendulums which are popular at the local magic store. Katherine has completed the seventh book in her Caitlin Ross series, and has slated it for an August 2nd release. All of these things may develop into something bigger and more profitable in time, but it will take time. That's why we need your help to hold out until the point where they do.
Last time we did a campaign, a couple people asked us, "If you can't make ends meet where you are, why don't you just move?" I want to take a minute to address that now. Being able to pick up and move to a place with more opportunity is a privilege we do not have. You cannot "just" move. Moving costs money. It's true we might be able to get a good price on our house, were we to put it on the market. However, we've had to let some things slide around the property and whipping the place into the shape it would need to be in for us to get that good price would cost at least $10,000. Between paying off the current loans, Michael's outstanding student loans, the IRS, and other debts, once we sold the house, we'd have nothing to take into the future. In addition, after years of pursuing good mental health treatment, Katherine has finally connected with both a therapist and a medication manager who are helping rather than making things worse. It is not an option to leave those behind. We are expanding our scope to explore employment options for Michael outside the immediate area, but results will take time.
Currently we are seeking $5000. This will pay off both the outstanding mortgage amounts and numerous medical bills, and give us a little to live on while we get sorted out, hopefully once and for all.
This is Katherine speaking. I believe people should help each other, and no one should feel ashamed of asking for help. All the same, I am sick at my stomach and full of guilt for having to compose another campaign so soon after the last, and for so many of the same reasons. I pray daily for a world where people of all kinds have the resources they need to live their lives and no one is made to feel lesser for not fitting into a particular mold.
If you can, please help. We will appreciate any amount. Thank you.Save
About six months ago, you may remember, we ran a campaign to save our house from foreclosure. A lot of generous people chipped in, enabling us to exceed our goal and get back on our feet. We thought that would be the end of our financial struggles. Spring was on the way and the construction season was starting, which, we thought, would soon see Michael with a steady income. Michael had also put his teaching degree to use, applying and being accepted for a substitute teacher position in the local school district. We heard many stories of people being called in on an almost daily basis and making decent livings from substituting alone.
Life didn't meet our expectations. Calls for substitute teaching were sporadic, maybe two or three a month paying $75 per day. The construction trade has been, if anything, worse. The North Fork Valley of Colorado, where we live, is undergoing a radical shift of economic basis, from an infrastructure built on coal mining to green industry, organic agriculture, and tourism. On the Culture Wars front, the entirety of Delta County is torn between those who see industrial hemp and legal marijuana as having the potential to give a much-needed boost to the region and those who don't want them anywhere within its bounds. How much this affects the construction trade, we can't really say. However, although reasonably-priced properties seem to be selling well, no one is building. Since April, Michael's had maybe six weeks of work all told. It's work that pays well, to be sure. But six weeks' pay in four months isn't enough.
So here we are again: Three months behind on our mortgage, four months behind on our second loan, with unpaid medical expenses in excess of $1000 and $2500 owing to the IRS. Yes, even as bad as last year was for us, we still owed income taxes. Go figure. Katherine's prescriptions alone cost $500 a month after Medicare, and Michael has no health insurance at all. In June, we lost our beloved cat Obsidian to what turned out to be cancer, and the vet bills for his final treatments are in excess of $150. We have gotten as much help as possible from our families, but they're tapped out, too. Katherine's mother is in Hospice, and Michael's mother is currently in a rehabilitation facility with a medical condition.
Some good things have happened. Michael is playing with a Blues band, Hoodoo HEDZ, who are very well-received. He also crafts wands and pendulums which are popular at the local magic store. Katherine has completed the seventh book in her Caitlin Ross series, and has slated it for an August 2nd release. All of these things may develop into something bigger and more profitable in time, but it will take time. That's why we need your help to hold out until the point where they do.
Last time we did a campaign, a couple people asked us, "If you can't make ends meet where you are, why don't you just move?" I want to take a minute to address that now. Being able to pick up and move to a place with more opportunity is a privilege we do not have. You cannot "just" move. Moving costs money. It's true we might be able to get a good price on our house, were we to put it on the market. However, we've had to let some things slide around the property and whipping the place into the shape it would need to be in for us to get that good price would cost at least $10,000. Between paying off the current loans, Michael's outstanding student loans, the IRS, and other debts, once we sold the house, we'd have nothing to take into the future. In addition, after years of pursuing good mental health treatment, Katherine has finally connected with both a therapist and a medication manager who are helping rather than making things worse. It is not an option to leave those behind. We are expanding our scope to explore employment options for Michael outside the immediate area, but results will take time.
Currently we are seeking $5000. This will pay off both the outstanding mortgage amounts and numerous medical bills, and give us a little to live on while we get sorted out, hopefully once and for all.
This is Katherine speaking. I believe people should help each other, and no one should feel ashamed of asking for help. All the same, I am sick at my stomach and full of guilt for having to compose another campaign so soon after the last, and for so many of the same reasons. I pray daily for a world where people of all kinds have the resources they need to live their lives and no one is made to feel lesser for not fitting into a particular mold.
If you can, please help. We will appreciate any amount. Thank you.Save