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Sale: Free Chibis with Full Colors; also, rant.
13 years ago
Alright stalkers, listen up. >.=.> My husband did a dumb and got a traffic ticket. We have NO money at all to spare (still need to go apply for foodstamps - we have no food money, and I'm living off Ramen).
So...
I've been doing commissions to make up the amount. So far between Oklacon and what I've gotten, I've gotten enough money together to cover my personal bills through December 31st and an extra $110. His ticket was $173. That means I need another $63 to pay off the ticket. Of course, that's the tip of the iceburg, but it's a necessity. Once that's taken care of, I can start saving up to pay off my $3000 of debt I'm already in (from my one credit card and student loan). Once that's paid off, then my commissions can go toward things like better food, Christmas gifts, and getting to more cons and such. X.=.x It's a far-off goal, but if I have commissions to keep me busy all the time, I could draw that much in 3 months easy. >.=.> I'm at home all day guys, seriously. I can do it. o.=.o!
Now...
*rant*
On a related but different note, I've had several people ask me why I rely on my commissions to pay for my bills. I've been reminded more than once that I'm not /that/ good that I should use it as a full-time job. To this I say, I am disabled. Art is all I'm terribly good at and can do for long periods of time. "But Shayla, I've seen you. You don't look disabled. What's wrong with you?" they say. Well, I'm not disabled. "Wait, what? You just said you were." It's complicated. X.=.x
Short answer: I'm disabled.
Long answer: I'm not disabled.
Explanation: I /should/ be disabled. However, I don't qualify. I have over 100 health problems, but none of them individually are that bad. It's the stacking of them that makes my life miserable and most jobs beyond what I can handle. There is no applying for disability under the title "I'm f***ed up." You have to have a specific health problem that hurts/disables you to more than a certain degree. I understand this logic, but I also think there should be allowances for those of us unlucky enough to have a lot of problems at once.
"But Shayla, you still haven't told us what's wrong with you. I don't know if I believe you. You're just taking your problems out of proportion." Let me start listing, and then decide if you really think I can hold the average job.
Health Problems (in no particular order):
PTSD - If you don't know what it is, look it up. Usually only seen in war vets and rape victims. My triggers are common things like policemen, large amounts of blood, needles, people yelling, guns, etc.
Anxiety - I have panic attacks in crowds, around strangers, or when most people yell at me or in most other high-stress situations. I ball up on the floor and cease to function.
Depression
Deafness - I am a little less than 1/4 deaf. I cannot hear low tones on my right side.
Poor vision - I need glasses, but I can't afford new ones. I have an astigmatism and really shouldn't be driving since I can't read the signs until I'm right by them. >.=.o;
Poor joints - I've injured nearly every joint below my hips, including damaging my left ankle so badly I needed physical therapy and breaking my big toe so badly the bone healed as a little cloud of bone dust (I saw it on an X-ray) with the nerve inside it, which hurts sometimes, especially when the weather changes. The damage I've done to my joints makes it hard for me to walk sometimes as well as making me unable to stand without pain for more than a few minutes at a time.
Spine - I have a hole in my spine from a poorly done spinal tap when I was 7. It hurts at random, sometimes just being still, more so when moving, and mostly when I try to lift any large amount.
Immune system - Mine is poop because - oh yeah - I had leukemia when I was 7...
Asthma
Allergy to Sulfates, including several antibiotics, raw onions, eggs, and diet anything.
Allergies (seasonal) - mold, dust, grass, certain smokes, etc.
Bone spurs - I have bone spurs in my feet and ankles, including one that stabs my Achilles tendon, one under the muscle connecting my ankle to my big toe, and one on the side of my ankle. All of them hurt randomly when I walk.
...
The above is not /nearly/ a comprehensive list. That's just some of the more severe ones that came to mind. I have plenty more problems and horror stories to go with them. But the above alone is more than enough reason in my mind why I should be allowed disability and why I don't feel capable of holding a job other than staying home doing my artwork. That said, I need to do more of it.
*/rant* >.=.<
I need commissions. As a bribe to get more, I'm offering free chibi drawings of characters done in full color (traditional or digital) to be handed out with your sketch.
Please note that all full-color images come with a free sketch version for your approval before the sketch is inked or lined and colored. To claim your free chibi, be sure to post here or mention it in your PM asking for a commission. Thank you. =3
So...
I've been doing commissions to make up the amount. So far between Oklacon and what I've gotten, I've gotten enough money together to cover my personal bills through December 31st and an extra $110. His ticket was $173. That means I need another $63 to pay off the ticket. Of course, that's the tip of the iceburg, but it's a necessity. Once that's taken care of, I can start saving up to pay off my $3000 of debt I'm already in (from my one credit card and student loan). Once that's paid off, then my commissions can go toward things like better food, Christmas gifts, and getting to more cons and such. X.=.x It's a far-off goal, but if I have commissions to keep me busy all the time, I could draw that much in 3 months easy. >.=.> I'm at home all day guys, seriously. I can do it. o.=.o!
Now...
*rant*
On a related but different note, I've had several people ask me why I rely on my commissions to pay for my bills. I've been reminded more than once that I'm not /that/ good that I should use it as a full-time job. To this I say, I am disabled. Art is all I'm terribly good at and can do for long periods of time. "But Shayla, I've seen you. You don't look disabled. What's wrong with you?" they say. Well, I'm not disabled. "Wait, what? You just said you were." It's complicated. X.=.x
Short answer: I'm disabled.
Long answer: I'm not disabled.
Explanation: I /should/ be disabled. However, I don't qualify. I have over 100 health problems, but none of them individually are that bad. It's the stacking of them that makes my life miserable and most jobs beyond what I can handle. There is no applying for disability under the title "I'm f***ed up." You have to have a specific health problem that hurts/disables you to more than a certain degree. I understand this logic, but I also think there should be allowances for those of us unlucky enough to have a lot of problems at once.
"But Shayla, you still haven't told us what's wrong with you. I don't know if I believe you. You're just taking your problems out of proportion." Let me start listing, and then decide if you really think I can hold the average job.
Health Problems (in no particular order):
PTSD - If you don't know what it is, look it up. Usually only seen in war vets and rape victims. My triggers are common things like policemen, large amounts of blood, needles, people yelling, guns, etc.
Anxiety - I have panic attacks in crowds, around strangers, or when most people yell at me or in most other high-stress situations. I ball up on the floor and cease to function.
Depression
Deafness - I am a little less than 1/4 deaf. I cannot hear low tones on my right side.
Poor vision - I need glasses, but I can't afford new ones. I have an astigmatism and really shouldn't be driving since I can't read the signs until I'm right by them. >.=.o;
Poor joints - I've injured nearly every joint below my hips, including damaging my left ankle so badly I needed physical therapy and breaking my big toe so badly the bone healed as a little cloud of bone dust (I saw it on an X-ray) with the nerve inside it, which hurts sometimes, especially when the weather changes. The damage I've done to my joints makes it hard for me to walk sometimes as well as making me unable to stand without pain for more than a few minutes at a time.
Spine - I have a hole in my spine from a poorly done spinal tap when I was 7. It hurts at random, sometimes just being still, more so when moving, and mostly when I try to lift any large amount.
Immune system - Mine is poop because - oh yeah - I had leukemia when I was 7...
Asthma
Allergy to Sulfates, including several antibiotics, raw onions, eggs, and diet anything.
Allergies (seasonal) - mold, dust, grass, certain smokes, etc.
Bone spurs - I have bone spurs in my feet and ankles, including one that stabs my Achilles tendon, one under the muscle connecting my ankle to my big toe, and one on the side of my ankle. All of them hurt randomly when I walk.
...
The above is not /nearly/ a comprehensive list. That's just some of the more severe ones that came to mind. I have plenty more problems and horror stories to go with them. But the above alone is more than enough reason in my mind why I should be allowed disability and why I don't feel capable of holding a job other than staying home doing my artwork. That said, I need to do more of it.
*/rant* >.=.<
I need commissions. As a bribe to get more, I'm offering free chibi drawings of characters done in full color (traditional or digital) to be handed out with your sketch.
Please note that all full-color images come with a free sketch version for your approval before the sketch is inked or lined and colored. To claim your free chibi, be sure to post here or mention it in your PM asking for a commission. Thank you. =3
I haven't looked into that, no. But Eevee is still too young to care much about Christmas. I have a tub full of toys to hand her anyway. ^.=.^; The biggest cost we have with Eevee is formula. We get WIC, but it doesn't cover the formula she uses. =/ At least she's finally old enough to start eating what we do in tiny bites. ^.=.^; More food = less formula. =D
Amazingly, I haven't seen any churches close to where we live, and we only have one breaking-down car that Travis takes to work with him. >.=.>; By breaking down, I mean the engine fan is broken, one tire is almost entirely bald, and another tire is damaged from hitting a curb. X.=.x It's also a 2001 Ford Focus with over 130k miles on it, which means according to a mechanic friend, it's got about 30k miles left before it just stops running completely and starts falling to pieces. >.=.o;
We should theoretically qualify for food stamps, but I haven't had a chance to make an appointment or get down there. My GPS was stolen right before we moved here, and I have no idea how to get there. I'm horrible with directions. >.=.< I'm sure we'll figure it out soon though. If we can get this ticket paid off, we should be able to work out our bills well enough after that. >.=.>; I don't mind living off Ramen and cereal. At least they taste good. And we do get the occasional WIC foods as well. My dad is in the same boat, and he goes around to the churches in his area. He gives us what he doesn't want/can't cook. He doesn't know how to cook and is diabetic, so that's anything that he can't eat fresh, anything with too much sugar, or anything that requires cooking and doesn't come with detailed instructions. lol That, and we invite everyone over to drink and whatnot on Fridays. People generally bring alcohol, snacks, or food to share, and then we keep the leftovers. Can't afford meat, but dammit if we don't have a fridge-full of soda and liquor. o.=.o;
I could potentially do it during Thanksgiving week since the kids will be out of school all week. Would just need to find someone to watch some or all of my kids for the day, if possible, since it'd make it a whole lot easier to get things done. No big deal if I can't find someone though, seeing as my car is plenty big enough for everyone.
Is this similar to coming down with the stupids?
You have mine and Kabal's support, Shayla! *Hugs to both you and Ragnar from both of us*