Times are really hard for everyone right now. And now more than ever I am grateful for you all reading my site. You all contribute to my financial solvency just by being here. You do not have to click ads to help, it really doesn’t make a difference. Just being here is all I need.
However, I’m really worried about my friend JoJoFLL and well all of you. This is something we didn’t see coming. So I am looking for ways to give back. I am trying to figure out how I can help as so many of us are losing their means of employment. I am particularly concerned about people like JoJoFLL who are in the restaurant industry.
I am going to be fine, but others are not. If you need help or if you can help, I am going to be paypaling people. If you trust me to help others send some cash. If you need help, send me a request. You guys are my people. I think we can get each other through this. We are going to need to trust each other an help each other if we can. We all need each other right now. So I need you to trust me. We will get through this together, as a community who has come together.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And if you can help, paypal me. And I will get it to people who need help. Let’s take care of each other. xo, tt.
Count me in TT. I am watching our401k tank and we just paid cash for this house. My work has slowed to a trickle but the DH is a heavy equipment operator and is still working. So I can squeeze out a little here and there to help others. I know what it is like to be a single mother and broke and every single dollar counts.
Oh sweetie. I am still drunk. We shall not look at our 401K s I just threw $100 bucks and a thing of Ben and Jerrys, Pistachio Pistachio at my neighbor whose name is apparently YAN. YAN???? Ye has the best tree in the hood. He left to buy toilet paper or something, , lol Yan?????
This is absolutely a time to come together and support one another. My husband lost his job a month ago so funds are a bit tight but I can definitely contribute something. Please let me know how to donate. Love and blessings to all, we WILL get through this! And maybe, just maaaybe, we will be a kinder, more compassionate society having lived through this crisis together. ♡
yeah you are one I will be sending money to .
She is proof that you can still see the good when times are hard
It’s a fun enjoyable part of my day to visit with you. thank you
Thanks so much all I need you to do is keep reading!
Count me in!! I’m terrified and very out of sorts. Helping some people would make me happy!!
lol Yan i s hot and works on his car a lot right out side.
YanTV
We have set up 2 groups in Spain for our local community.
Restaurants etc, sending gift vouchers and a Go Fund Me for the local homeless/single mothers/the elderly/people who can no longer leave the country via our local Red Cross…
We have also set up a site to allow our community to get the correct information i.e Restaurants who can deliver food, emergency plumbers etc, flight information, legal information i.e. 1 person in supermarkets however single mothers can take children and or the disabled, how long can you walk your dog, to prevent repeat questions on our local Facebook page as we are getting fines ranging from 60 to 30,000 Euros if we disobey.
When I left the supermarket yesterday for my neighbour who has COPD and is 84, I got stopped by the local police ( I do not drive ) and I had to produce my supermarket receipt to avoid €100 fine, Bless one of the police got out of the car so I could sit in the back seat and get a lift home. Before you get into the supermarket the police give you gloves, masks, anti-bacterial gel and they no longer accept money just your card which is wiped down twice, once by the shopper and once by the cashier.
I am totally behind and fully support our Lock Down.
One neighbour does a 10 min dance excercise online each morning which we are all enjoying. ( even in Australia) people are getting frightened as stuck in doors and if false information is given via people who are only trying to help however if that information is incorrect, people are getting a tad upset,
I am on Day 5 of our Lock Down, keeping busy however as my husband works in health care he goes into Gibraltar every day so I have had to remove myself into a separate bedroom from him, It is like we are on nightshift. When I make his lunch I am putting a Post IT with little love notes as he is working under a lot of pressure
Please support your local community and remember not all people are tech savvy i.e. OAP’s Look after the elderly, and please stay indoors as it will slow down the spread of the virus.
Many people from many countries love your site so let’s all share positive suggestions and ideas to help our neighbours,
Perhaps Tamara will allow us a MID WEEK MADNESS DAY to vent our frustrations as there will be issues,fears, etc.
We have alot of border workers who due to Brexit can get into Gibraltar to work however once in they cannot get back over the border to Spain as they do not have the correct paperwork which was not required until December 2020 but is NOW required today with no-way of getting it until after we are released from Lock Down and live month by month. Support your community.
Please be patient and kind to your fellow human beings even if they are a*seholes because as some point everyone of us will be an a*sehole during this situation as we are only human.
I even have a little sympathy for LaLa over her BIG wedding being cancelled…..just a little. LOL.
OH I am such a liar over that… Serves the Bitch right. ( that’s my midweek madness moment)
Thanks Tamara, we need you just as much as you need us.
Sorry for such a long post, 5 days in LOCK DOWN – 25 to go maybe a little longer however at least I have a little garden, other people do not,,
Your post is eye opening about other parts of the world
Once again, I marvel at the wonder of the web. A dispatch from across the world in minutes, This is an example of using our powers for good, not evil. Including the LaLa snark! Thanks or sharing.
Ugh… I just thought of this … I bet Kax and Brit think they are among the Lord’s elite because He waited until after they got married to smite us lowly beings.
tuatha12, your post is beautiful and informative. Thank you.
You are a super kind person. your altruism is so admirable. I know it comes from the heart, too.
I am not able to work for the most part here, though soon we will be doing telehealth and that will bring back about half of my caseload, hopefully. We are not looking at the 401K, a friend who works on wall street (well now at home) told me dont even look at it for 6 months.
My husband earns enough for us to get by, and he still has to work, (he’s a cop), so we are going to be okay. I am also lucky my family is doing well, my sister works from home anyway, my mom is healthy and staying put. It is a scary time, esp right in NY where there are thousands of cases, but we will hopefully be okay.
Love you, keep posting, makes us feel connected.
(as an introvert this is a moment I have always been prepared for!)
Totally agree do not look at 401K, ( I believe that is linked to your pension ) for at least 6 months will just give you the heebie jeebies.
WE stopped looking at the exchange rate as paid in GBP and then exchanged into Euros.
High 5 to your hubby and a big thank you to all the staff at supermarkets, chemists, hospitals etc for looking after us.
You stay at work for our benefit and we will stay at home for your benefit.
Take care Ingrid
Thank you!
I’m retired and my husband is a judge. They just closed most of the courts here in Connecticut, so he’s going to be home a lot more. He’s currently a juvenile judge, so he will cycle through one of the two juvenile courts left open in the state. Our son is 26 and lives with us. He’s on the Autisim spectrum and works 2-3 mornings a week. Yesterday, I drove to Marshall’s to pick him up because I didn’t want him ride the bus home. Despite the fact that schools and restaurants and our town hall and library are closed, there were way too many cars at Marshall’s. People—what are you thinking!! My 88-year-old mother has been on lockdown in her nursing home. I wonder when and if my father will get to see her again. People, please stay safe. We’ll need you to rebuild when this is over.
You’re a swell broad, Tamara. You do yourself proud. I’ll be right here under the bed swigging hand sanitizer.
For the love of GOD STOP WITH THE HAND SANITIZER i CAN SEND SOAP IF YOU NEED IT.
My family and I are very lucky right now. My husband is the GM of a local, long standing popular place so we have a definite paycheck coming in. But it has been mentally hard on him telling employees not to come in and he doesn’t know when they can work again. Here, restaurants are still take out only so he is working insane hours by himself. Luckily our governor has set up so that people in the restaurant industry can file for unemployment. I am doing ok stuck inside with my 6 and 1 year boys. Sorry for the long post, just a little stir crazy!
i am here. just a bit drunk and crazy if any of you need any thing.
I need something…Please tell all the fucktards with double digit IQs and zero critical thinking skills in Texas and Oklahoma that following recommendations is as good as a mandate as we’re going to get. I need someone with a voice to tell them all that it’s not some made up hoax by democratic media. providers are risking their lives hourly, and many without enough protective gear. It’s not too much to ask ppl to stay inside and close small nonessential businesses for a few weeks. If we can have the foresight to understand climate change, why is two weeks seem like eternity? Sofa king selfish. Don’t even get me started on the dumbass spring breakers on the beach who will inevitably have to fly home. Oh, and if ppl don’t know how long twenty to thirty seconds is to wash their hands an easy rule is to sing the ABC song at regular speed in your head. It’s also not a “Boomer Remover” (in case y’all didn’t know that’s what the millennials are calling it) seeing as most Boomers are following the rules and staying home— recent hospital cases are majority aged 18-49 and even seeing young toddlers testing positive. I’m gonna need more than a weekly forum for venting! And I might start drinking again which will not be a good look for me or anyone else. But they are delivering liquor here now! #Fuckit
Thanks for the forum, TT. Still reading and avoiding looking at my portfolio as I could be on the street too before it’s over. No one is immune to the virus or the financial situation. Sorry if I sound like Debbie Downer today. I’m just SUPER PISSED OFF AT THE WAY MANY ARE BEING SELFISH AND COMPLETE FUCKING IDIOTS! GRRR! I even cried today bc I’m so upset and concerned. My family is in the trenches here and in DC and this control and germ freak is on verge of breaking down. I never cry. But it’s getting to me big time.
That is all. xo
It’s too bad the virus doesn’t discriminate based on idiocy. All those “Typhoid Mary” spring breakers would be smote in one fell swoop. Maybe a rogue wave will get them. I hope you feel better soon.
Nooo! Don’t call them Typhoid Mary! Lol. That poor woman was discriminated against for being an Irish immigrant and unmarried. They wanted to operate on her to stop her from being a “healthy carrier” (she infected people but had no symptoms) but she didn’t trust them not to just kill her while under after they arrested and abused her. So, she spent the rest of her life on an island with tuberculosis patients. Mary Mallon hated that nickname.
As for us, husband has to decide in one day to take his aunt off life support, my grandma is coughing up blood but can’t get tested because “she hasn’t been in contact with a positive covid person” (uh, it’s called community spread and you just don’t have enough tests. Call a spade a spade.) Husbands job is off of grants and he will lose his grant if he doesn’t get back to work in two months, we have a 4 and 2 year old at home stir crazy, lost tens of thousands of dollars in stock market and we were going to put our house that we hate (1800s piece of shit on the south side of Chicago) on the market and are can’t now. I’m a writer And I’m hoping reading will pick up soon in quarantine but it seems ppl only Netflix, because our internet isn’t working either. Only phone data. Pretty much, I go cry in The pantry during nap time every day.
I love this idea to help those very vulnerable people who work in the service industry!
My friends in the service industry in New Orleans are also setting up a bartering system amongst themselves. I have already told them I will be “tipping” them whenever I can afford it!
Thank you Tamara.
What a great idea!
What a great plan TT
I’m a healthcare worker so things are a bit crazy right now. I chose this work a long time ago but never imagined this would be happening
I’ve been reading and posting here since you first started when I was home myself recovering from surgeries
I’m grateful to you for giving me some relief from the stress
Thank you Tamara! I come here for sanity and to read recaps of the nonsense I can no longer bear to watch on the misogyny channel.
Also – I am highly anticipating your Tomato talks. I am actually going to try growing a few things this year. I get a cilantro plant every year, but kill it within a few weeks. At least I keep the farmers market folks in business.
cilantro sucks.lol. I want it every year though. GROW A TOMATO PLANT!
God I love cilantro. It’s probably my favorite herb.
Boom.
And just like that, 2000 people in our restaurant company are out of work including my husband and myself. All the GMs, the Chefs, servers, dishwashers, company that cleans the restaurants, etc.
All done.
Most heartbreaking are the dishwashers who speak very little English but have come to this country for a job and a better life do not understand why they are now out of work.
All done.
No idea how long this will last.
What is the silver lining.
I will have quality time with my husband.
Two weeks ago I was planning a trip to Italy. Now I wonder if I will be homeless.
I have been thinking of you most of all. I worked in food/bev service for many years. Back then, I could pay my rent with minimum wage! Those days are gone. But I needed my tips and shift meals to live. The dishwashers were the ones often overworked and overlooked, so I feel extra bad for them.
Do you sell gift cards or paper gift certificates? That is what some of our restaurants in Sacramento are doing. People pay now, collect later. If you don’t have any, I could make some for you that match your logo/theme in a pdf file that can be printed. (In my last jobs I was graphic designer and editor.) I am going to send Tamara an email JUST IN CASE.
If you have food in the freezer, could you make up some “meals on wheels” that people could pick up? Simplify from menu.
I still like the carhop option because it generates tips. Sometimes, I send out weird ideas and those give someone else a working solution.
Most options likely would need a social media presence even if it is just your own FB/IG or community FB/IG. Our NextDoor app has been helping us barter and help each other.
I hope this is over soon. For you and yours and all of us.
Nanette, we actually are a scratch kitchen so don’t have freezers in the restaurant.
I don’t know how long it will take but we will reopen the second we can.
Thank you so much for the lovely thoughts. It means so much!
I’m so sorry to hear this Jojo
Thank you Ingrid.
Forgot to add that we just donated thousands of pounds of food to Faith Farm Ministries for their soup kitchen. They feed the homeless.
Ugh Jojo I feel you. My husband is a bartender and I was too until I had spinal surgery and had to stop for awhile. I was supposed to have a second interview for a management job this week but, that’s on ice. Now we’re both out of work and it’s tough. But in happy news, our dog is beyond thrilled that we’re both home all the time. I hope you’re doing well today!
TT and everyone here you’re the best. For so many of this site is important in so many ways. It’s a community, an escape, so so much more. I’m so happy to be here with you all. Xx
I work for a museum and I drive for Uber on the weekends, both closed for the time being. Which is hard and very scary. I also recently started romance novels (what I’ve wanted to do my whole life) I’m self-published on Amazon and believe it or not people are reading less during this crisis. So if it’s okay with you Tamara my pen name is Laura Sutton. I write really steamy romances and have three books published. If you enjoy steamy romance and want to escape for a bit pop over to Amazon and read my book (or any really) on your device.
Thank you for providing us a fun escape not just now but all the time!
Looks steamy! 🙂
Will check you out. Steamy novels are the best. I used to get my grandma really steamy audio books and she would play them loud in her assisted living place. All the ladies loved them
Audiobooks are my next goal. I will probably be your grandma when I’m older! Thank you!!!
I’m in a small town I. Washington, I am a hairstylist and the governor shut down all restaurants, and bars, they can do take out and that’s it. He also shut down all salons, barber shops and tattoo parlors. Thank god im not self employed, I am an employee and I can get unemployment. That’s a fraction of what I actually make but I’ve tried for 2 days to open a claim and the site keeps crashing. My husband works in a wood veneer plant and so far they are still working but that could change at any minute. He keeps telling me to not worry about the money, we’ll be fine, he is a super great money manager and stash’s for a rainy day. We are shut down for 2 weeks so far but I’m sure that will change. My sons college is all online now and he works at a restaurant and church and both are shuttered. Our 16 year old daughter just made varsity tennis and was so excited for the season and now she is crushed but she understands. Our schools may not reopen until the fall. So we are hunkered down and I am reading, coloring and catching up on the DVR. Y’all stay well.
Where do we send money or toilet paper? I want to help. TT how is your yard boy? Does his family need anything?
pay pal me and I will be send to jojo first.
I love you TT!
Can we put tequila on the list?
Airlines are canceling their flights. My son is stranded in Australia. Did rebook his flight several times, but they are canceled within hours. He cried on the phone today. I can’t remember the last time he cried.
This post breaks my heart. I pray your boy makes it home soon.
My son is a junior and his uni sent them all home and he is scrambling for an apartment, desperate to stay close to the labs. It is hell for college kids. Physics, Calculus, and Pandemics. No good!
My husband and I are in a little cabin in the woods, so we _should_ be okay. Who knows?
Love to you all.
Thank you! I would love to know more about your cabin. I have been flipping out all day about the airline stuff. I have never experienced anxiety like this before and cannot do anything further. I tried watching an episode of Love is Blind, but it is all bull shit to me. Maybe dateline murder stories is the way to go before I commit one myself.
relax there are worse things than being stranded in Australia. We probably have someone who knows someone. And he is fine.
I am so relieved to know my son is within an hour’s drive. If he were far away, I would panic. Not smart, perhaps, but I know myself and my greatest weakness is fear for my kids. Tamara is right: Australia will take care of your young man. I am sending strength and prayers for your expedient reunion!
Love is Blind gets better and more addictive each epi. Took me three to be hooked.
Damn! I wondered when this part was going to touch “our” community. I am so sorry for you and your son. There JUST MUST be some option in Australia — the recent fires have depleted some resources but emergency measure procedures have been improved because of recent necessities. At least we have the web to stay in touch. I hope your son finds a way home or some companionship, if he is alone, soon.
Hi kdwagz,
That happened all over Europe which caused massive panic, people advised tickets booked, then cancelled, 5/.6 hours later.
Flights turned back to their original country 30 minutes before they landed in Spain
On a positive note 48 hours later, planes arrived from Norway, UK, Austria, Germany etc to pick people up and take them home.
Keep us updated please especially when he arrives home to a big hug from his mum.
Remember the people but also the animals. While you are sitting at home off work, consider fostering an animal from a shelter. Even a short term foster will help.
Another thing to help is to walk a dog for someone sheltering or sick. NextDoor is good for hooking people up.
Hi Nanette
Great idea however not possible as we have to self quarantine.
It is going to get a little crazy, people will be offering money to walk neighbours dogs or toilet rolls.
In Spain 1 person, 1 dog, 10 minute walk, stay close to your home.
We had people out on the street 4 days ago with henry hoovers on a leashes dressed as dogs attemting to break the curfew as they refused to take the lockdown seriously.
A little 74 year old spaniard gor 2 fines, 1 for breaking curfew and the 2nd for solicitation.
You will be amazed at what certain people regard as a priority.
We started on Saturday Stage 1 – State of Alarm we got upgraded this evening to Stage 2- State of Emergency – Reason: today is San Jose and 3000 Spaniards went on party mode, jumped in their cars and attempted to leave Bilbao to another province to celebrate.
Army called out and action taken and lordy,lordy, lordy they managed to raise my temperature in their tight fitting uniforms and bulging muscles.
We have given our neighbours green and red cards, if they are OK – Green card in window
If they need assistance switch to – Red Card.
Red and green cards are a good idea. But that makes it even more real. Scary real, not just inconvenient real. Best wishes to you over there.
This post shows you are not really impacted.
That’s bullshit, do you watch the news ? We are all impacted Shelter workers are still going in to take care of animals. People are turning them in because they think they can catch it from animals. Elderly people still need help. They are isolated and their pets mean everything to them. Hospital workers and others are still going into work. No reason you can’t safely do this if you follow the cdc guidelines.
HEY NOW! I am the biggest cunt of all. WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THIS NOW. WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER OR I WILL THROW YOU OFF THE ISLAND,,
EVERYONE CALM DOWN,
And we can all paypal each other.. all we need is your email addy. if you post it doesn;t need to go through me at all!
Also next door is probably the worst thing I ever did. only do it if you live in a nice place.
Throw me off if you need to. As an RN, I can tell you it is impacting everyone…hence term pandemic. But people and animals ( and the people that take care of them ) also need help.
I’ll keep you company on the island. See my rant up thread. Bless you.
Around here grocery stores are hiring immediate help. They are also hiring at restaurants that provide delivery service.
I read something online that said you can file a claim of some sort if you work as a bartender or cocktail server. Its like a bartenders union.
I am thankful that I work part time from home. I might have to get a furlough though because I am now responsible for my job and homeschooling my kids. One of which is in a special needs class and requires a good amount of “teacher” (me) direction.
Please keep recapping shows! I am trying to avoid the news as much as possible. Coming here and to other sites keeps me off social media and away from the news. It is helping to calm my anxiety!
please watch Family Karma. we nee people to watch the good shows.
Took you advice, watched 2 episodes and I am hooked, Will take me a bit of time to put names to faces,
Is this just a one off season like Mexican Dynasties?
I loved that show.
TT, you are the swellest broad.
Spouse still has Boeing job and we committed, as long as his job doesn’t change, to buy every meal or grocery item locally. And tip in cash. No, we are not going out all the time. To be honest, I am ill over all that is being lost.
Since I am an introvert, this is a very odd time for me. I overcame a bunch of health issues, and I must be really careful about how I talk about it to people who ask.
My daughter, a while back, created a step by step to teach teachers how to teach class online. She is busy getting everyone comfortable with the system. Her college is more training-based vs pure academics. The students need training for jobs (that are still waiting for them in the biotech and med fields). And she is in the process of buying a house. Weird how one week shifts life priorities.
I continue to pray, alot, for good outcomes and sensible people in charge.
I am terrified. I am 50. My husband is a photographer, I am an hourly worker and just lost my job as my industry is getting no work.
All his events are obviously canceled. I’m sitting here frozen, no clue what to do. I’m not sick, I know people have it worse, but I have no idea how we are going to get through this.
Last week i was happily just watching bravo and reading recaps, now I dont know how I’m going to pay my rent.
Squirlife, we will get through this.
We will. Thank you for taking time for those simple words.
Hang in there. These are scary times but you are not alone. Best wishes, be safe.
I want to contribute!!! Please email me your PayPal account info. I don’t comment often but I love this community and I want to do what I can to help.
i love you all. if you need cash I will send it. i just threw a pint of ben and jerrys and $100 to my neighbor. lol. He was I want the ice cream but I can;t take the money. too bad said I. lol he has the most beautiful tree I look at every day.
I may be a little drunk..
Girl, I am a lot drunk. I love tequila!
I could use tequila. But hey, I can’t complain. There’s wine in the fridge, so I’m using it! 😀
so it is a good time to ask for money.
You have such an incredible hear TT. I just donated to Bethenny for more masks to be made for healthcare professionals but I’ll send some your way on payday. Did you include Venmo as a way to receive also by chance?
no i did not. and I am not supporting Bethenny please support he directly.
I already did support her and was offering to support your cause as well but whatever.
I’m really hopeful this will be over in a couple of months, I have Covid-19 but I’m young and healthy (relatively), it’s like flu combined with being run over and having deflated balloons for lungs, while you’re head feels likes you’ve taken far too much nytol. However I am only five days in to proper symptoms and am starting to feel better, if a vaccine or cure is figured out soon and people stock to social distancing and isolation, this will all go away much quicker. There is some really effective use of anti virals going on internationally. It’s the older people and those with underlying health conditions I am worried for, this has knocked me for six so I can only imagine how it would affect my 90 year old grandfather.
Wow God bless and watch over you
hang tight carrot! we got you.
Thanks for all the wishes and prayers people. Feel like I’m coming out the other side, breathing still a challenge when moving but temperature is back to normal and the dreadful aching and cough are subsiding. It’s horrendous and I didn’t have it badly enough to warrant hospitalisation. My fifteen month old and my husband have also had it, so it’s been pretty horrific all round, but we’re all ok! Husband and I need to get better as soon as we can to get back to our frontline keyworker jobs. Thankfully our nursery are staying open just for keyworker children and vulnerable children. Stay safe everyone, I think more of us will end up contracting this than not, hopefully like it was for me and my family it’ll be awful but we’ll all get through it.
Hugs and prayers, Jasper.
I’m so sorry! Hang in there!
I’m so sorry! Best wishes for a full recovery!
Please keep us advised on your healing. You are one of the smart ones who is taking steps to heal and not pass it on to others not as strong. I hope you feel better and stronger every day.
I don’t ever comment but I read every day! You guys are my comfort zone. I’m very much self isolating because I just spent a week in the icu and I’m either getting sick or I have Munchausen… which is a direct possibility. So I’m spending my days in my bedroom and away from my poor child. I just love this post so much. It’s a nice change from all the uncertainty around us. Thanks TT!
I’m so sorry for everyone who lost their job and everyone who is sick. I made the decision to not go back into work today after hearing the staggering fact that 58% of California residents are expected to get the covid-19. It’s a really scary time but we are all in this together. Please everyone stay home if you are able to.
That warms my heart. I trying everything I can, which is mostly intellectual and emotional support and help. I don’t have extra funds at all, however I did just find out that my job is even going to end up covering the pay of part time employees at least until mid April. To be honest though, I will only believe it when I see it. Luckily I have enough to get by for my family at this time and I was also more ready than most in my area. I was one of those that was “panicking” and trying to warn others while being told to “relax” and being called “crazy”. Meanwhile I was just trying to prepare mentally and physically…no actual panicking at all.
With that said, I am a former elementary school teacher and current preschool teacher. If anybody needs help or ideas on what to do with your kids that are driving you crazy I will be happy to help and give ideas or be someone to vent to with no judgement. I’ve got twin toddler boys at home with me now too that have more energy than you can imagine, so helping other people between helping myself is how I am able to connect with others and escape my craziness. I may not be available as often as I would like, but I will always try to respond.
Good luck everyone. We are all in this together.
We have e learning & homework packets, but considering we just got more snow, it’s pretty hard 2 make the kids get the up or out & play!
I work in health care so am busy AF- but my husbands job is at risk. Scary times – tell me where to send a contribution TT and I will. We need each other and while I don’t comment often I am a loyal reader.
So bad news: I found out today that the biggest funder of our site had to pull out (temporarily, hopefully?), since this funder has properties that have been shut down (due to our Governor’s order that all non-essential businesses close shop).
Good news: We have some emergency reserves online, so our site will stay afloat for the time being.
Still, it’s scary AF. It’s even scarier when I see colleagues here who are having to take pay cuts, and colleagues who are losing work entirely. It’s infuriating that some folks out there still refuse to acknowledge how real this is, but it’s heartwarming to see others who are stepping up and helping in this time of need. Thank you for everything, TT. You’re truly giving us hope.
Tamara, I just love you, your site and your followers. Wonderful people are here! Everyone stay healthy, I’m going to crash and try to function tomorrow then back to work again Saturday am. I haven’t had a chance to read through all the comments but what I have read made me tear up. I’m worried too but I just keep telling myself I cannot get sick, not now, too much to do!
You are the best Tamara. You have such a big heart. I would truly be lost without this place, and that is no lie!
Hey.. I’m that annoying gay guy that made fun of Amanda Bynes ( and got sent to WLS), and also hated when “justjenn”said that thing about looking under the bathroom stalls for mans feets
I also survived the 2018 Camp Fire in California.
I live in a trailer in the Santa Cruz Mts now..and worked in San Jose..
Blah. Hanging out with my dog now.
Can we create a site where we can all se each other’s dogs?
Wanna see Banjo, and show you My Sunny!!
I never said anything about looking under the stall for men’s feet lolol. I replied to someone who said it. I’m 5’10 with Paris Hilton sized feet, if anything I’m trying to NOT look over the stall with heels on.
i am willing to help others who are in need. my work is probably going to furlough people and my work is being in the forefront of EVERYONE most likely sick and not. it is scary, i wear gloves and wash my hands literally every 5 mins at work and i have been praying. i hope i do not lose my job too but i’m hopeful and trying to stay positive.
please let me know how i can help. god bless
Life is scary right now. It’s hopeful to find strength here! Single mom of ten years, girls don’t know their dad. It’s just me. Hard to be out of work and put food on the table. I tried shopping today. Our staples are gone! We live in a small town and most shelves are empty. Just to make breakfast… eggs and potatoes is nearly impossible. Bought egg beaters, organic potatoes and paid over $12! And I purchsed last of both. That won’t last long! I won’t eat but it’s a few days worth for growing girls. And gives them a sense of normalcy to have a usual breakfast. Especially since they need to eat breakfast before virtual school. This should be interesting.
I am only asking for help in the form of a question because I am not sure how things work and maybe someone here does… so my husband and I got furloughed until June 1st. We can collect unemployment but the max payout is $440 per week less taxes (a fraction of what we made in the hospitality industry) but at least its something w kids and all. My question is what happens w our insurance? Do we lose it or have to pay Cobra pricing to keep it out of that $440? Or are we going to be forced to go into a pandemic uncovered so we can eat and keep the house? I have never had to file unemployment so not sure how this work. If anyone knows please comment. As a family of 4 insurance was already expensive when working. Thanks much
My company went through furlough several years ago before i was with the company, my co workers have said they were able to keep their health benefits but i think this depends on the company and the state you live in (i’m in CA). i wish your family luck! if you have to get Cobra then that’s great too! sorry i couldn’t be more help
If your insurance is cut off, apply for Covered California or whatever state program you have as Obamacare. COBRA is very expensive, call your HR person ASAP so you can plan. I keep thinking if this pandemic had occurred 6 months ago, we may have had Bernie for president.
Thank you. So i just got all of my info. I will get $260 per week and Cobra for just myself, not my kids , is $792 per month. Lol, nope that is not happening. Just as an Fyi I live in Nebraska and was making $50k+ until furloughed.
So when I got laid off, I had unemployment for 6 months ($450 per week) and had Cobra through my employer for 6 months. I couldn’t afford the $500 health insurance after that. I didn’t have them take any taxes out due to I needed everything I could get (mortgage). Even though they will tell you that you have a year you really only have 6 months of fund, You can reapply on that 12 month if you haven’t found work yet. They will probably extend unemployment for longer.
y’all are overwhelming me. And I too am drunk. we are going to get thru this together, I promise. I will get us all through this. My sleep schedule is going to be a little off. But I am here. Also I get the mom with the son stuck in Australia thinks that is a problem but it is not a problem. One day he will be rocking on his porch talking about that one time he was stuck in Australia….calm down he is FINE,
I totally wish I was young and stuck in Australia with my alive mom freaking the fuck out.
we all need to take a breath. Here is something funny and I feel like I already told you this but today or maybe yesterday I threw bag with $100 and a pint of Ben and Jerrys to a kid I have never spoken to before,
In the meanntime I need JoJo to set up a go fund me
Sending love and well wishes from the sheltered state of California. You were my first internet crush. Take care of yourself xoxo
Sequoia,
My entire family lives in CA. I hope you are well and stay well.
I was supposed to be there for my daughter’s 30th (today) and my only grandchild’s first birthday (next week) . . . even though the flight wasn’t cancelled, I did. So much sadness, guilt, and fear. Who knew separation would be so painful? I literally ache for that baby.
I am most worried about my mom and dad, both in their late seventies. I can tell they are scared, and this is the very first time I couldn’t get to them, can’t be with them, and they need me. I am their only child.
Then there is the very first international trip we paid for for our 25th wedding anniversary this May. We have been so busy taking care of everyone else all our lives, we hoped to FINALLY take that European vacation everyone we know has taken. . . Man plans, God laughs. It was just canceled, too.
No matter the circumstances, this COVID thing has screwed up everyone’s plans and hopes and everything has to be postponed.
We will get through it. I am just bitching. Woke up thinking, “So, do I have it yet?” How many of us woke up with that thought today?
I work at 5 local colleges and am home for the foreseeable future. Was supposed to get married in May, but can’t even get a license at this point since everything is closed. Feels selfish to be so sad, but mostly just scared. Trying to care for my parents who are in their 70’s but afraid to get too close. Online communities are so important right now. Thank you for keeping this one going.
Lentil season kinda went kerplatt. I was even looking forward to my therapy sessions to voluntarily leave the house. Nope. Mandatory telehealth. Hate it. Tried it last week. Realized my new therapist of three months is still mispronuncing my name :(.
Good news. I got to the dentist as her very last appointment before all nonemergency visits were shuttered.
I’m already unemployed and supposedly ramping up on my job hunt. Um..?
My apartment building is old and 3 of the 5 are vacant cuz the owner desperately wants to gentrify this wreck. My one remaining neighbor took off to Florida as soon as her classes were canceled (to be with her own family).
It could be much worse, but I hate this and I feel very alone and very scared.
Hang tough sweetie. We are all getting though this together. Continue to post and vent and do whatever you need to do. We all hear you. It’s okay to be a little bit not okay.
I so get where you are coming from. This site helped me so much last year, it got me out of my depression and anxiety. And please do what TT says, vent and comment. We’re all here for you! Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
You are one terrific lady, even though you don’t like to admit it!!