Strange Days Indeed

I thought I had pretty well seen everything in my 53 years of a very interesting life but the events of the past few days have opened up my eyes and made me see a side of humanity that has amazed me.
Matthew gave us a gift that absolutely saved our arses.  He won't hear of us repaying him, saying that we raised Kate and it's the least he could do.  We were able to pay our rent and catch up on our loan repayment as well as have some left over for living expenses.  And he has been so gracious about it all.  I wasn't sure how to tell Phill about it, I really thought he would freak out.  Kate told me to tell him it was her who gave us the money, but I wasn't going to lie (and she couldn't have afforded the amount we were given anyway).  Phill took it really well, and was so grateful to Matt.  Matthew and I have been in contact since last year and our relationship is good, as parents to Kate, who he has really made an effort to get to know and form a bond with, and in my opinion, he is family and always will be. 
Phill's parents also gave us some money and yesterday, on Phill's 54th birthday, I decided we'd had enough worrying and wondering and took him to the club for a burger.  It only cost us about $9, as he had a birthday voucher from the club and it was really nice to just get out of the house and try to forget about things for a while.  Four or five of Phill's ex colleagues were there and it was good for him to share what was going on and they were all sympathetic and kind.  Most of us are just a bad decision away from losing our jobs and everyone really gets that.  We couldn't give Phill a present, he bought some new shoes with some of the money his parents sent, but he wouldn't even let me buy him a card (he really doesn't care about stuff like that).  Emily made three gorgeous cards for him though with her scrapbooking stuff, she did a wonderful job and he really appreciated it.  I have a photo of them but my camera is out on the dining table and Harley has decided to sleep under my chair here and if I put the footrest down I'll crush her.
The company was finally declared bankrupt on Tuesday.  This means the union can now apply for some Federal funding to get at least 75% of the staff entitlements, which is not just wages, but holiday pay, long service and superannuation. 
Barstard Ray Evans has created a new company which we suspect has been receiving funds for a year or so from our old company.  Worse, two people who we considered friends at one time, and had in our home many times, seem to be in bed with this arsehole and stand to profit from our misfortune. 
Our union guy has been amazing, he rang Ray Hadley, a well known radio talk show host to tell him of our plight, and from that many people got on board to try to get some action happening, and last night the story of El Zorro's demise was lead story on the local Prime news. 
Our neighbour, Val, seems to think we're on the breadline, no matter how often I tell her we're okay and not going to starve.  She came over yesterday afternoon with the promise of two dozen more free range eggs from her Ukrainian friend from Stock, as well as some oranges apparently.  And then later, after I told her we'd be watching the State of Origin football game last night she turned up at the door calling out "Go the Blues!"  with a cheesecake, some boozy fruit cake, a bottle of eight year old Shiraz, and three cans of soft drink for the kids.  I keep telling her to stop giving us stuff, we will be fine but she is unstoppable. 
It's 20 to five in the am, and I've been awake since about 2.30.  I gave up trying to sleep and came out and did some work on the rug I'm crocheting for Emily and turned on the tv.  Phill was snoring anyway, and now I'm sat here with Harley under my chair and Scout on the lounge beside me, both snoring too.
Stress has had some interesting effects on me.  I can never eat when I'm upset/worried, so I've lost weight, it can't be helped it's just the way I am.  But also I seem to be off balance, literally, I keep losing my balance when I'm walking.  Not going to panic, I've had nausea and upset stomach as well, and all are symptoms of stress.  I just need to take better care of myself and have some time out from the worry etc.  Going to the club yesterday was the most normal I've felt in a couple of weeks. 
I know this experience has made me more empathetic and concerned about people in hard circumstances and wanting to give, and help when I can and I have plans to do that.  The kids have been wonderful, they are spoiled rotten I know that, but when times are tough they really shine.  Emily has lifted our spirits with her wit and charm, she just cracks us up every day, and Joshua has been a little trooper, getting up and going off to school every day without complaint.  While we were out yesterday, they decorated the dining room with balloons and streamers for their dad.  We had some party food when we got home, then made home made pizza.  Phill and I watched the footy, but I only lasted half way through and went to bed (which is why I'm up now!) but the Blues won as we knew they would (and about time).
We think we have a buyer for the boat after a couple of crackpot offers.  Phill goes for his medical on Wednesday next week and might have some work before then with the Mickey Mice. 
I had to fish Harley out from under my chair so I got my camera.

Emmy's cards for her daddy.

It's all going to be okay.