My Writing These Days

  So much has been going on in our lives lately I haven't had much time to write.  I've been donating my plasma at CSL twice a week, calling a billion organizations and churches all over Tucson for rent and utility assistance to avoid getting our electricity shut off or getting evicted.  We've enlisted the assistance of the offices of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in our attempts to get our SSI, Disability, VA benefits or GI Bill to come through.  We always run out of food stamps before the end of the month and, without income, that is not a good thing.  We have a yard sale every week and still we struggle.  My psychiatrist just doubled my anti-depressant dosage and will be getting me into therapy soon.
  Good news is that we're still writing plenty of music.  We have several new songs in the works.  Our productivity with our creativity helps to keep us sane.  I've decided to put 'The Nocent part 3: Revenant War' on hiatus for a little while after Monday's debut of Chapter 19.  I have also put 'The Nidus Initiative' on hold indefinitely.  I plan, however, to start writing 'The Greater Number 2: Devoid of Souls' soon.

Food Stamps and Plasma

  Lately we've been struggling financially since I got out of the Navy.  I've applied for VA benefits, joined the DAV, applied for the Post-911 GI Bill, applied for SSI, Disability and unemployment benefits.  The problem is that most of those things take time to process.  I've been going to all my appointments at the VA office.  The unemployment office has been giving me grief.  I haven't been able to get any help from them so far.  I've started donating my plasma regularly, which provides some income.  We've also sold several items on Craigslist.  We plan on having a yard sale.
  Earlier this month, I applied for food stamps, spending hours at DES.  I got approved yesterday and was told that my card was sent in the mail.  The problem is that my benefits have started, but the card hasn't come in the mail yet.  There's something very wrong with the system when we've got money set aside for us, but have no access to it.  Has anyone else been through this out there?