There were several lawyers I talked with.  I did a search for Flint bankruptcy attorney, and their names came up.  I went and talked with three of them, but was afraid to be away from the business for any length of time.  Though it probably would  have been good for me to be away, as the collection phone calls never stopped.  Now some creditors were actually coming to the restaurant, and even some have come by my house!  I have to do something, but I wan to keep a level head about it.  If I pull the plug too soon, I could regret it.  I want another opinion or two to see if we can't get out of trouble.  I'm thinking it's too far gone.  I owe too much, and business has fallen off so much that I don't think I can put it back together again.  It's strange how it all happened.  One day business was good; the restaurant was full.  The next day it was empty.  I check around town to see if some new place had opened, and none had.  No great specials at other restaurants.  Nothing.  It was very strange.  No additional big layoffs had happened, either.  It was like there was an imaginary barrier keeping people from coming in the door.  I was at a loss, and it couldn't have come at a worse time.

I finally got done sorting through all my health records. Instead of relying on my doctor to get certain documents I need I was able to figure out my own data storage solution. This way when I need something I don't have to keep calling her office. I always feel like I'm inconveniencing them in some way. I can access everything really easily now. I can see what shots I've had and which ones I'm still going to need. I wanted to be more organized because I'm planning to take several trips this year. My friend happened to see how I was able to compile everything and now she wants to do the same thing. It really inspired her. She wants to do some of the same volunteer programs overseas that I want to do so she is also going to need to be able to access her information as easily. I think once I help her set up a similar data storage solution we're going to research the programs we'd like to do more carefully and then make some final decision about it. There is plenty to do in Africa and India and I think we can both barely wait!

As the head of the welfare agency in my town it is my honor and privilege to serve my community. I just recently added a new service; my slogan is ‘Stop collection harassment and collection agency abuse’. I did not in my wildest dreams imagine such long lines of people waiting to get in the door in order to sign up for appointments. For a moment I was left baffled for I thought I was helping them all out as much as possible. What were these long lines of in debt people doing barging in? I did not even know such debt existed until a few hours. It turned out that as soon as people received their welfare money they went out and spent it on unnecessary things like big expensive instruments or a fancier car. Large purchases on electronics were also a big cause of the severe debt. It was then that I decided to correct this problem straight from the beginning. I immediately set up sessions and workshops on money management. It was to my great disappointment that there was such a little turnout. It was then that I realized, the main problem is these people don’t really want your advice, all they want is your money.

For reasons that I’ll never understand and probably will never be able to explain if I did understand them, there are an awful number of imposters and con artists who pass through our neighborhood.  Last year, there was this supposed golf expert who was giving away a free set of golf lessons, claiming that then anyone would want to buy the next set.   Of course there wasn’t a next set or even a first set.  He basically took your money and ran.  Then there was the guy who claimed to be an orthodontist.  He even set up an office in one of the medical plazas and had a whole list of clients he saw for about a year and a half.  He even put braces on people and looked over their monthly checkups and passed out retainers, though where he got them I have no idea.  One day, his office suddenly didn’t open and no one could find him anywhere in town.  The local paper talked with his landlord and his lease had ended about a month ago and he’d claimed to be moving into a better part of town, but had just vanished.  The paper did some more digging and eventually found out that not only was this guy not a orthodontist, but he had no medical training at all.  I’m only glad I never went to him to get braces.  Almost everyone that did had to get their braces put on by a real orthodontist and wore them another two years. 

One of my friends is freaking out over seeing what she claims are signs of aging on her face.  She’s even going through phone books and looking up sites on the net about Chicago Laser Skin Resurfacing Clinics.   She’s only 27 years old!  She looks perfectly fine.  She thinks she’s seeing wrinkles in her face and that the skin has hardened around her chin and cheeks, whatever that means.  I’ve tried telling her again and again not to worry about it, but she still frets and frets.  I realize everyone gets older, but there’s no point constantly worrying about that.  It’s literally happening every second of your life.  That’s no reason to go looking for a Chicago Laser Skin Resurfacing Clinic.  Besides, if you take care of yourself, work out enough, and eat healthy food, there’s no reason you can’t stay looking youthful even as you advance in age.  I’m not saying you can’t eat junk food, smoke cigarettes, and drink beer, but you have got to limit it and watch out for yourself.  There’s a reason they’re called indulgences.  You don’t have to cut them completely out of your life.  There wouldn’t be much pointing living then.  Just don’t indulge them too much. 

Learning how to file bankruptcy is one of those things that every person wishes they never have to deal with.  Another thing people hope they never have to do is to ask friends or family for money.  Probably the worst thing of all, is a parent having to bury their child.  It is a pain that I never wish to experience.  I recently had the misfortune of having to attend the wake and funeral of a good friend of mine from high school.  It was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do in my entire life.  I felt so awful for his parents and his younger brother, who I know quite well, and I did not know what to say to them.  The amazing thing was, I found strength in them.  They seemed to be dealing with the whole tragedy so well, and really consoled me.  They took solace in their religion, and the company of their family and friends.  His mom took the time to thank me for being such a good friend to him, and that really touched me.  The funeral service was incredibly sad, but really beautiful.  The preacher cried through the eulogy he delivered.        

For years now I have wanted to become a famous chef. And wear one of the very best chef hats.  But sadly I was never the learning type, and even if it’s learning how to make food, that still involves a type of school to go to. Many years ago I was a child myself in school, and I have to say that I couldn’t sit in my desk for more than five minutes straight. The teachers always got so annoyed with me and I always told them that they are not patient! I would always look out the window and imagine what types of food I would make when I would be older. I love all types of food, the smell, taste, and texture. Even preparing it is fun! But because I couldn’t fulfill my dreams, I became a waiter in a restaurant. Then at least I can smell the food and look at it. I even encourage my children to go in the ways that I have always wanted to. With my black and white uniform that I have to wear every day, I almost look like a chef. The only thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that I can go home and relax, making food for my children and knowing that they love it—no school involved!

The ladies and I have been discussing the recent elections and hoping with all our might for a national health candidate.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could pay that much less for health insurance.  Gladys had a knee operation last month and it literally COST her both her knees.  Sharon has a mammogram coming up at Doctors’ Hospital and she’s already trying to save up for what she’s sure will be a tough expense.  Well, don’t you know we’ve been daydreaming about an executive health program—executive, that is, meaning coming from The White House itself.   Imagine the federal government paying for most of your medical benefits, the way it does in the nation of Canada, for example.  I suppose I’m lucky that my mother has Medicare, but she still has to pay partially for many of her medications.  I just do what I can to help her out when she has a rough time, to try and supplement her widow’s benefits and her Railroad Retirement Board pension from my late dad.  It’s the least I can do; they tried so very hard to make my life better than theirs was.  You know what?  I think it’s time for our coffee klatsch again.  This time, it’ll be at Leigh’s house.  I hope no one’s allergic to cats!!!