The man's side of it!

This morning the harsh side of reality hit me in the gut with the force of a shotgun blast of double aught buckshot!

 Yesterday after a meeting with our lawyer, we had been discussing our possibility of declaring bankruptcy, we were told by the lawyer that we needed to find out how much and when, or even if I would receive Social Security. The lawyer said we could call or check the website to find out the info. Later that night I tried the website but I was directed to try during the normal working hours. I tried this morning and the website revealed that there hadn't been enough time to process my claim, but added that I should call for more information. So I called and had to wade through fifteen minutes of their stupid computer phone system. I wasn't on hold, I had to answer all sorts of questions before they would connect me. If you've ever had to negotiate with a computer message system you know how frustrating and annoying and inaccurate the systems can be. My anger and frustration was building by the second. Finally I was able to talk to a human. I then had to repeat all the information I had just spent fifteen maddening minutes talking to the computer about because her system went down. And down, and down. each time it went down the "human" and I use that term loosely put me on hold while she rebooted the machine.

We finally got to talk about my case and I was already in tears from the stress and frustration. I don't cry very often or easy, I can count on one hand the times I've cried in front of a stranger in all my fifty-four years on this wonderful world we live in, when I told the woman the information I needed for my lawyer. I explained that I had to make a decision on whether to try to keep my house and declare bankruptcy or try to sell it before the mortgage company forecloses and hopefully make enough from the equity to buy a smaller home in the town where we live so our youngest can finish her last two years of High School. The lady was adamant that I wouldn't be able to get that information until after September and that basically I shouldn't even bother to call them again until then.

Well that was enough to send me into a tailspin that resulted in a complete emotional breakdown moments later. You want to see the Biblical manifestation of "Weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth" that was me! I started weeping uncontrollablely! Kristin heard me and gave me a hug to try and soothe me, but I just kept crying and crying. Cassie came in a few minutes later and tried to help get me under control because our grandson Tomas and our family from Tennessee were going to be here in just a few minutes. I barely got myself under control when Tomas and his dad arrived. Tomas ran into the house and gave me the biggest hug ever which helped a bunch.

We had intended on taking Tomas and the rest of the gang to the lake to swim. And so when Shells (Michele) and the gang arrived off we went. I'll tell you, that seeing my Tennessee family and getting wonderfully giant bear hugs from all of them really improved my spirits. So much so that I have had a wonderful afternoon. Shells and the family will be here for a few days and then they have to go back home. We had a great time today and here are a few pictures of my gang!
Michele my oldest daughter

David, my son-in-law, Nicky, RyanBrandonpn and Michele

Brandon, David, Nicky, Ryan

Brandon, David, Nicky and Ryan

Cassie, Tomas and Taylor Hannah Squarepants, my only granddaughter. Yup we spoil her!

Brandon the man!

David, Ryan, Nicky and my Shells

Taylor, Cassie and Tomas drying off after a great swim together

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I think that the question you need to ask your bankruptcy lawyer has to do with the exemptions available in New Jersey. You need to find out: 1) if Social Security benefits are exempt from the reach of your bankruptcy trustee; and 2) if you are approved during the course of your bankruptcy, how does this affect your bankruptcy budget. I blogged about this here: http://tinyurl.com/4sh227.
Good luck and hang in there.
Jonathan

Great pictures! I especially love the one of Nicky making the "camera face" back at you! :-) I think that's how my great-nephew sees me - with a camera stuck to my face! LOL :-)

Ted,
You are a great father,Pop pop and a outstanding father in law We really enjoyed our mini vacation next yera we will stay a whole week.Thanks again for being such a great man.

we will keep you and Cassie in our prayers.

Love, the Tennessee Gang