Do you have an iPod Touch or iPhone? Those are really great to use Skype on when you are away from the computer. I was just out of the country for five months, and I would use my ipod and wifi to skype people at home. Skype can also just be used as a normal phone service for voice call. Really cheap rates like 2 or 4 cents a minute. You could sit outside and pick up your house's wifi or find somewhere private near a cafe with wifi. Or if you have an iphone, you can just use the data connection.

I hope things get better.