I have possible job options. I got a letter from psych stating that yes I am okay to work and got that faxed to the doc at the Navy. Now it is up to her if she wants to pass me. There is an opening expected in the there possibly in January, whenever the disability goes through for the person who is working there now. If the doctor decides to pass me now, that job could potentially be mine.

I also got *two* offers from a very large, local mail-order pharmacy. The schedules are regular, but something to be desired. One is Monday through Friday 3-11:30pm--I would never get to see my T! My T only works in the evenings. In order to see him during the day I would have to be a criminal inpatient at the county mental health facility and that is NOT my option. One of the offers includes every Saturday, but I have my kids every other weekend so that is out. This place also requires mail-order prescriptions in their health benefits (of course), and I hate the idea of doing mail-order for several reasons. I am a pharmacy tech--I know what can happen so I prefer getting prescriptons filled face-to-face. Health benefits would start at 90 days, and I don't think they cover pre-existing dx's--for a year, I think. I am SCREWED if that's right. It would make for easy tax deductions.

I am not sure how the government health benefits work around pre-existing and everything. I know they have several plans to choose from.

The Navy job is in a different county, and the cost of living is cheaper there--cheaper for the Chicago area, that is. More crime and "bad" areas. The traffic is horrendous! It is also by Lake Michigan, so I would be in for alot of lake-effect snow/weather.

The other place is local, and this area is expensive. But we don't have as much for the lake-effect weather, and there aren't as many "bad" areas. Of what we do have, they aren't as bad (from what I hear) as some of the areas near where I would go to for the Navy job. The pay rates for the jobs are similar for dollar amount. But take in the cost of living factor, in that then the Navy would pay more because rent is cheaper up there.

A local area Target also called me today asking for an interview--for a team leader! That's about the minimum pay position I'd even consider so I scheduled the interview. Their pay is really cheap. If she was calling on something else, I may not even think about it. I know that a team leader starts around $9-10. I'm not much for them. I know their benefits suck, besides other things about how the place is run. I would have to make sure that me being homeless is top-secret if I ever do work there because they already "fired" me once at a new employee orientation a couple years ago when I was homeless then. I had to mention it because of something about scheduling that came up, and my caseworker back then said it had to be done a certain way for people who needed job/late arrival privileges. As soon as they found out, I was told, "Sorry, we don't need you." and was firmly asked to leave. So, with everything I know about and have seen, I would be very particular about working for them. Even then if I did, I'm not sure I'd stay for long.

I'll keep you updated. Still freaked about money--very freaked! I have no clue what to do about the car. I couldn't drive to my usual shelter site last night because the snow was freezing to my car window, even with the wipers going on high. I have got to get that blower fixed somehow! I have no heat/defroster or anything for air in the car right now. It's too dangerous to drive with it like this. And there's the rear brakes that started squealing. I still have to think about Christmas presents for my kids. And doctor bills, and other bills, and oh my! I need to start a job *NOW*, not in January. I won't have anything left by then. I wish I knew what to do about these jobs!