I can try a temp agency. The problem with other places are that the hours are not fixed or would have me working overnight, putting a huge burden on my husband. And the stupid M.S. degree I have eliminates me from virtually every low stress job out there since you have to apply online for nearly every job nowadays. I get weeded out before I even get a chance.

Actually, I don't have proficient computer skills any more. I got my M.S. in 2004. I have not used any of Microsoft Suite except Word since then. I have totally forgotten how to use Excel. I can type 50-60 wpm. I have to look at the temp agency ratings. Some are better than others; I've heard one around here is awful.

There are a lot of jobs in Houston, but I can't drive there. Not only is the commute God awful both ways (back to back traffic) and making it to the Metro van carpool (which runs around $30/month) on time is very stressful. There are no easy bus routes near my house into Houston. Public transportation here sucks. The whole driving on freeways with no easy offs especially while stuck in rush-hour traffic makes me anxious. I get a lot of panic attacks driving into Houston proper on the freeways (taking the feeder roads could easily turn the commute into 2 hr. at rush hour,; there is always construction & detours to deal with along with confusing one-way roads (made even worse by popup construction). There are just a few Houston addresses I drive to that really tend to be closer to other cities than downtown Houston. There is a town called Baytown nearby, but driving there is the same deal; it is not straightforward and makes me anxious & panicky (lots of big rig trucks on the freeways that way too) and has caused me to have panic attacks while driving, which I hate. And what would I do with having to see the pdoc all the time?

I also need a low-stress job nearby that would make it possible to get my daughter to school on time (can't trust that she could catch the bus herself). Otherwise, there would be childcare costs. The earliest parents can drop kids off at her school is 7:15, which adds some limitations. My husband cannot drop her off because his high school starts at 6:50 AM, and he needs anywhere from 20-30 minutes to drive there, depending on how he hits the traffic lights.