Sorry dear :(

I don't know what to say.
I'm sorry things are so hard for you right now.

How come the credit score is too low? Will it go up any time soon?

Was today some kind of absolutely necessary date or deadline for something? Is there a problem is waiting at all?

Sometimes a place just gets to you.

Sorry, Ardiril.

Today is when my disability check hits, and rather than pay rent, that money was going to pay for the car rental.

Melismata: Moving to Fresno did a surprise tap dance on my savings in ways I could not predict prior to leaving Boston.

Crap. . .I hope that something develops that allows you to get out of there. . .at least it's not summer.

So see what happens in a month.

Not summer, true, but I still have to deal with the sun here. Sunshine is what makes me the sickest of everything. I could stir 2 tablespoons of salt in 12 oz of water, drink it down, and not even that compares to what 20 minutes in the sun does to me.

The biggest hurdle in moving is my cat. Placing her in a local no-kill shelter is my cheapest option, but my standard for loyalty (even toward a pet) precludes that.

Anyway, the good news is that I have a pretty firm handle on managing this water retention, and I can spot warning signs days in advance and take corrective action. So, no more really stupid bullshit like the previous kitchen accidents.

I use to call it that evil thing in the sky. The hated fireball. I was very nocturnal at the time.

Damn, dude, that sucks... so sorry. :(

It's good of you to want to do right by Sookie, though.

:(

The flipside is chances are better than even that Sookie will outlive me, and what happens then? I have no one in this town who will ensure she is placed in a good home despite my will. I really will not survive another summer here because the heat is too bad for me to get to doctors' appointments. I went five months this summer without seeing my doctors, and look how bad things got.

I think I have a kernel of a plan, but it's not coming together easily.

OK, as long as Sookie does not need an emergency vet visit, I think I can save a grand and clear out of here by March.

I know how it feels. To pursue my radio dreams I idiotically left a job as a Sidekick to a semi-popular L.A. disc jockey to run an automated FM station in Visalia/Tulare. After a year, I gave up my radio dreams just to get out of the San Joaquin Valley. But while I was there, my love of the San Luis Obispo area blossomed as it was the closest place to go to GET OUT on my days off. (My failure to get a radio gig here was a major part of the despair) It wasn't until after I qualified for SocSec Disability myself that I could finally move to SLOtown.

Have you tried every car rental company? I had very good luck with Enterprise after losing my car, and when I talked deposits with them, they advised me against using a debit card only because they'd take the money right out of the account and not refund it for a week or more after returning the car. (A moment of honesty that was just part of their super good service)

Where were/are you planning on fleeing TO? All the way back to Boston? I can recommend places near me or north of me for reduced sunlight and moderate temperatures. In SLO County, expect higher rent than Fresno (almost L.A. level) and the most expensive gasoline ANYWHERE, but if you can qualify for the Seniors/Disabled Runabout Service like I do, it's great for car-free mobility. If you do move to the coast (WEST), let me know and I may find ways to help.

I'm so sorry, Ardiril. That feeling of being stuck is so frustrating --- I wish you tons of luck with your kernel of a plan!

I'm sorry Ardiril....would it be cheaper to take a bus? Also, when I was in college and under 25 I was able to rent from used car rentals, which didn't have as strict requirements. Rent-a-wreck is the best known, but there are others.

I was trying to get to Seattle. I have talked to other places else over the last couple hours, but no one can help. They all tried too, because apparently they all seem to need to move cars out of Fresno and into the northwest, even if it meant a huge discount. Budget was going to give me a Lincoln Continental for the price of a midsize, just to get it out of Fresno. Enterprise was going to knock off $100 off a 4-day rental. The problem I have too is these types of phone calls are the kind of stress I am supposed to be avoiding at all costs, because right now, my heart is an absolute wreck.

What's really whacky is my credit score is better now than it was 3 years ago when Hertz rented a car to me using the same debit card and without requiring any additional holds whatsoever.

I can't take a bus because of my health. I need to be able to both lay down or walk around as needed, or I lose my battle over the water retention.

My plan now is to save up for a down payment in March or April at one of those rip-off joints.

I'm really sorry to hear how much trouble you're having to get out of there, Ardiril. Your new idea sounds workable. All the best!

Oh Ardiril, that sucks balls, I am so sorry to hear that. I wish I had some brilliant suggestion to give you. I commend you on your commitment to your cat, big ups for that. When you say "save up for a down payment in March or April", what do you mean? A down payment for a car rental?

Jesus Creepers! I just pricelined Fresno to Seattle on a whim, and saw that the cheapest is US$ 106 a day. I had no idea car rentals had gotten so expensive in the United States.

Train?

Why not go on Craigslist and see if someone would drive you up? I bet you could find someone to do that for less than a rental costs.

Not a bad idea. Craigslist is surprisingly serendipitous.

If you get the sense that I am being vague about some things, you are correct. To give my son something I felt he deserved, I took a huge financial hit and became the guardian of a nasty, closeted skeleton. When you choose to become a parent, you must accept unimaginable sacrifices and then live with those decisions.

Well, now all I have are questions.
So far, what I know of parenthood involves drastic hormonal and perspective alterations, not to mention a whole new set of buttons.

Damn. Hope you find a way.

Well that's a bucket of suck

This is one of those things where if I were unemployed right now and could afford the fare, I'd fly to California just so I could help you get a rental car and drive with you and the cat (and some of your things) to Seattle. I've always wanted to do a "crossing states" road trip and I've also always wanted to see Portland.

So sorry :( You are a good owner to Sookie, and a good dad. You are doing a lot of good, so I hope some comes back to you soon.

I'm behind with what's been happening online but I'm really sorry to hear this.