It’s Not Where You Start…

The lyrics of a show tune from the 70's Broadway musical Seesaw resonates as my daily mantra.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.

                It’s not how you go, it’s how you land.

                A hundred to one shot,

                They call you a klutz,

                Can outrun the favorites, all he needs is the guts.

                Your final return will not diminish,

                and you can be the cream of the crop.

                It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,

                And you’re gonna finish on top!

It has been too long between jobs that can actually support a single woman (and 2 small dogs).  It's not that I am not working at all, I am just working under the poverty level. I'm in danger of losing a home that was purchased in cash in 1979 because the property taxes and utilities add up to beyond my earnings. 

The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless newspaper program helps those who want to help themselves earn their way back one paper at a time.  They buy their Street Speech papers for 25¢ each and we can only ask $1.00 but we can accept whatever someone wants to pay.  Many of the articles are written by the people on the street selling them and the volunteers in the office.  The Coalition also helps refer those in need to other resources to help meet their needs… sandwich lines, legal aid, shelters, HEAP… you know, pretty much the basic human needs.  It is one of the most humbling, best & worst jobs in which I’ve participated.  The following is my article that is published in the current issue of Street Speech.

   

Eating an Elephant with Vultures Looming

“You look like you don’t belong here.”  This was said to me yesterday while I stood on my corner to sell copies of Street Speech.  I wanted to say “None of us BELONG here,” but the fact is we ARE here.  Many of us never believed this would be our fate.  Our economy has widened the chasm between the traditional idea of who the homeless (and near homeless) should be and who we actually are.

Me?  I am an Otterbein College graduate.  I don’t smoke, drink or have any drug addictions (unless you count Dr. Pepper).  I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness that would preclude me from taking care of myself.  I grew up in a “good family” who value a “good work ethic”.  With my first job at the age of 12, I saved half of every paycheck for college.  I worked three part-time jobs at a time to pay my own way through college.  I subscribed to a belief in what we were all taught, “You’ll get a good job with a good education and a degree.”

After several jobs working for others, I took on the reigns of a small shop started by my mother. By 1993 I was sole proprietor, teacher, inventor, manufacturer, marketer and any other position needed for getting my quilting tool into the hands of the public.  I did this all WITHOUT credit cards or formal loans.  I have been a guest on HGTV’s Simply Quilts (1999) and taught my technique all over the USA.  I have even shared this technique with guilds while on quilting vacations in England and the south of France.

Several years ago began the downfall. Sales fell off, expenses keep going up (mostly utilities and booth fees shows), and travels were then limited to wholesale trade shows.  Finally the accumulative effects of quilt shops going out of business or not paying their invoices coupled with inferior copies of my product hitting the market. Yes, I could sue.  However, with attorneys in each of 4 states to pursue patient/copyright/trademark infringers was also financially prohibitive. 

I sold the house in Bexley (2005) and moved into what WAS “the shop”.  The money from the sale of the house put a new roof on the other building and supported me for another five years.

During the same time I have been signed up with four to five different temporary staffing agencies.  Only two of them have placed me on any assignments.  Total earnings through my temporary assignments in 2007 were under $400 for the year.  However, in 2008 it did go up to just under $500.  I only list these two agencies my resume since the others have no way of evaluating my abilities.

I also now work for a retail chain that is about 10 hours a week with the prospect of hours being cut now that the holidays are over.  So I went to the Coalition for the Homeless for help.  Their programs include information of help for which I may qualify and being a vendor for their newspaper.  We buy the papers we sell, making it a legal business venture.  This keeps my business ethics satisfied that I am earning my way back on my feet one paper at a time.

So, “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer, “ONE BITE AT A TIME!”

• Bite one:  Continue to take assignments with the temporary agencies and work the retail.
• Bite two:  Continue to job search by any means available (job fair and “boot camps”).
• Bite three:  Pay what I can on the bills most demanding while seeking legitimate help.
• Bite four:  Days I am not working or interviewing, stand on my corner selling Street Speech.
• Bite five:  Try to keep a positive outlook.

My only vultures are: property taxes (as the building was paid off 30 years ago), AEP, Columbia Gas, City of Columbus Water, AT&T, gasoline, car insurance, and (last but not least) food if there is any money left.

So here's Today's Tally:

Tuesday, February 8, 2011             Time: 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. Columbus Ohio (across from the state house)

Temp: 23°F (12° with the wind chill factor), snow falling at a 60° angle

2 newspapers sold

I believe that people who didn’t have to go out in this stayed in their offices.  My toes got “crispy cold” within the first half hour.  I don’t just stand there; I tend to sing for my supper.  In warmer weather (if I’m still there) I might bring my guitar.  I will feel like I’m doing more to earn my keep.