so that child support angst

[Zoe Girl]

sooo not feeling it today. And i am not missing my old life either. it is a nice neutral to the whole thing actually. i am able to put a lot of child support money into savings for whatever the kids may want as far as school or training, or just a cushion since my financial cushion took a hit for awhile. i am spending some on getting me and my son into a really nice place to live and some ease with taking a few weeks to overlap and not stress us out. i used to feel angst for not being able to survive without this money and because i felt my ex had some power. but child support is to make sure kids are cared for and both households are not so disparate in what they can offer.

in any case my ex stopped by yesterday to drop off a check, certified funds only thank you, no call ahead of course. i wonder how he will do this in our new secure entry building. we talked about the kids and then he had to get to Boulder for his wife's haircut. apparently the hair dresser is one who has been flown to Dubai to fix someone's hair. Very special. just so not my lifestyle, not a lifestyle i would want, and not a lifestyle he had with me because i kept putting money in savings and buying cars cash. ahhh, i don't wish him any harm but it is nice to have my own life.

[Packy]

I know this is off-topic, but I'll tell you what--I spent the last several days, off and on, working on a set of Boxed lower rear control arms for my '80 Caballero Project. I pulled a set of nice, clean LCA's of a 1994 Camaro at the wreckin' yard, bought a set of new India-made bushings at OReilly's, and used some scrap steel I'd hoarded to a)make stabilizer bar bolt bosses; and B) enclose the open channel of the arms. Then, prepped them and used self-etching primer and then truck bed liner on them, topped with wally world black. All aerosol. So, I've prolly got upwards of $70 in a set of used lower rear control arms. Even though the 94 Camaro used an entirely different mounting arrangement for the rear stabilizer, the arms are the same length and have the holes for the stabilizer that G-bodies used. It is a carryover. Also, I cleaned up the 2wd Blazer spindles, brakes, & hardware, and got a pair of new china-made hubs, sealed them up and painted them. These will fit on G-body chassis; as an upgrade. They need upgrading, those G-bodies; and it just is time-consuming but not terribly costly. I must go to the vet, and pick up the kittens. They must think I've 'bandoned them. She has had them since Thurs., and bumped our appointment twice on account of "emergencies". It is different around here, without 'em. Then, I'll swing by Oreilly's to return the loaner ball joint tool I used to change out the control arm bushings. Then, back to the wreckin' Yard. They got a '95 Roadmaster there & I can pull some parts off it while the have a 15% off sale. You kids need to Wish me luck.

[Packy]

Well, I got back from the wreckin' yard; I arrived late & they closed at 6. I took the front bumper, radiator, ecm, hood, grille, lights off. Ran out of time, and took everything up front for my 15% off, which ended today. Was able to pay for the whole front, and come back first thing tomorrow for the fenders and core support, oil cooler and mirrors. Yes, I know its a little old(1995), but they were an extra-good car that used a special engine in that series of car. It was based on the 5.7l chevy & was an engineering exercise; it used "reverse flow" cooling, and tuned-port fuel injection and hi-flow cylinder heads. It was used in Roadmasters, Cadillac(can't recall which model) Chevy po-lice cars; Z-28 Camaro & Pontiac Trans Am, and an aluminum-headed version was in Corvettes. So, since I got the whole works faily cheap, I'll get that car going again. The one that I've got, not the one at the wreckin' yard. Sorry. Hope that helps you kids some. Thankk Mee.

[Radicchio]

So what exactly do you think is causing the angst?

[Zoe Girl]

i think my feeling is that i am not angsty, i am calm and fine and not missing the life that my ex has. i have felt angst before, feeling at risk that my income has been so dependent on another person who really has not liked me. But i am closer than ever to affording things on my own (i could take care of myself but my son still lives with me which is a factor).

[Radicchio]

Okay ... I went back and re-read your post and I clearly misunderstood. Well, that's good then that at least you don't have that feeling of angst. I think anyone with children has at least some sense of concern about their needs being met, much more so than our own. Glad to hear things are improving for you though.

[Packy]

I tell you what: Two things; 1) Go to the wreckin' Yard, bring your tools, and pull your own parts & install 'em in the 'partment parkin' lot. That should help overcome your budgetary income shortfall, from not havin' no chile support. 2) Axe your Iowa relatives to see if they have a print of the infamous "The Scream" painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. If they will loan or give it to you, hang it on your wall, right over the fireplace. Hope that helps you some. Thankk Mee.

[Packy]

I'm just sitting here thinking: I did a minimal amount of "lawn care" today; but I feel terribly guilty about leaving that LT1 & the 4l80e transmission out there at the wreckin' yard, where the crusher will get it. Someone had already cherrypicked the distributor off it. The car was pretty clean, and I don't know zackly why it was junked. It had a willie nelson cassette tape on the front seat, so that should tell you something. Such as: it had a minor issue, and the pothead owner was too lazy to fix it. The engine turns over, by hand. I would bet that the 4l80e needs freshened up; that was the GM way. Build a transmission that is strong, works great; but needs a periodic overhaul. See? Stlll, it is worth having. I just need to get over there and pull it, if it isn't gone.