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I am a mother of three beautiful children, ages 10, 8, and 7. Their father and I separated right after Christmas in 2010. They are having a hard time with the impending divorce and I have been struggling to keep things afloat since then. I started out with a really good job, in an apartment that was $625 a month and doing well. Then, when my oldest daughter had to have an emergency appendectomy, the company I worked for didn't care, and told me that it was not their problem. I chose to be with my child and lost my job. Since then, we have moved into a trailer house (a 2 bdrm) that is $300 a month, but is 10 miles from town. The kids' father won't let us take our clothes and toys and such, so I have done all I could to rebuild some of that.I applied for state aid, and have been in the "Employment First" program. I have no troubles putting food on the table, thanks to them, but I am having a hard time with this monthly bills. Our electric company asked for a $400 deposit since we were new customers. My landlord is very nice and willing to work with me, but I don't know how long she will remain patient. Rent was due on the 1st. My boyfriend, who moved in to help make ends meet, has a job, but it is only part time. He has been working very hard to find a second job, but that is harder than it seems. We have 2 vehicles, but both of them are acting up severely. We are doing our best to keep them running, however, my car payment is past due and up for reposession. Because of the car situation, and the fact that the town we live in has no daycare, I am not able to get to my "Employment First" program, and if I am not there, I lose my benefits from the state. I am looking for work, but have no way to get there, should I find a job. We are just patiently waiting for January. When the deposits are all paid and taxes come in, I will be going back to school to finish my nursing degree. The problem is keeping a roof over my children's heads until then. My mother and father have helped all they can and even brought over a Christmas tree last night so that the kids would have one (their father wouldn't let them take ours). I have no idea what we will do for Christmas, but I have explained to them that this year may not be the best year ever, but that we have to deal with our basic needs first. They accepted it, but were sad. I have never heard of this site before today, and would never ask strangers for help like this. I am shaking as I type this. I hope to find a kind soul out there somewhere that can help, but if I don't, at least I can say I tried. Thank you for reading what I have to say, and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.