When it's time!
This has been a very trying month. This year has been a very trying year. In February we (Donna and myself) were laid off as, The FoodBank for the Heartland closed our facility. I could go into all the background but close enough to say that I have worked with the FoodBank since 1993. First in Kearney Nebraska until 2000. And then opening and establishing the FoodBank in Sidney Nebraska in 2001 until 2011. We were offered jobs if we would relocate in Omaha. Me driving truck and Donna working the warehouse. We have bought a home here in Sidney, and with the current market selling it was next to impossible. So I started collecting unemployment (after several delays) which put us behind on our house payments and several other bills. Also during this time Donna's mother passed away and it was two trips to Texas. Thank god for credit cards. Upon returning Donna got a job as server at the Hillside Bar and Grill; at the golf course. Donna was raised in a truck stop. So she knew what she was doing. It was the clientele that was different. She had her struggles but worked through them and does well except it's only two days a week. I started drawing Social Security. With the SS and unemployment I am making almost what I was, when I was working. Donna not so much but the cash is nice and there is enough to keep us out of the checking account. We get by pretty well.
Then in the beginning of October. Donna got offered a job at Harvey's. This is our bar of choice. Old Timey Bar: Jukebox with 40's through today's music and still 5 plays for a dollar. A pool table for 50 cents. A lot of friends that are kinda like family. It used to have a much older crowd but the last 5 years has been very hard on their numbers. We have seen the passing of some real characters and some really good people. We have also seen the passing of the owners of the bar (Butch and Ellie). The bar has passed to two of the daughters(one whom has sold her half) and one that is still part owner. She is a story herself which I may go into someday. Anyway, Donna has taken the job and is working 3 nights a week on average. She makes considerably more money at Harvey's than she does on the hill. Which we are afraid will cut her hours now with winter coming on.
My mothers birthday was the 23rd of September. I have written about it in another article. Anyway, after her birthday and not being able to go to her grandson's wedding. She just went down hill. I made several trips to see her (235 miles one way) Most of the time in the PST (piece of shit truck) a 1973 rusted ole Dodge. So it takes me 4 hours to get there. She was having a very hard time breathing. She was always so weak and continued to deteriorate. Finally, around the 4th of October she went to the hospital in Minden, NE. I went to see her that weekend and she was only getting worse.
I ran out of clothes and pills. So I went back to Sidney that Sunday. My brother called an Donna and I went back. She passed away Sunday the 9th of October. Monday to the funeral parlor, went to Bethage and cleaned out her room. Headed home. We turned around and came back on Wednesday for her funeral on Thursday. Late Thursday afternoon my two brothers and I went to the lawyers. No surprises. That is always good. I have been back twice and cleaned and boxed things in the garage and shed. Last Sunday my brothers and I went through an split up items that belonged to pass family members. We are going to do this again this Sunday. We are trying to get things ready for a sale (theres so much stuff), so we can sell the house. I personally am having a very hard time in the house. Maybe it is because I am the oldest and have the most memories or the fact that I am the most sentamental. It really bothers me to find some things and then not to just sit there and remember.
So, we have lost our jobs, two mothers and are awaiting the battles that go with that. We are both of good stock and we will make it. To be continued.....
