Chad,
I couldn't respond to you while ago, I was just too emotional....but that's exactly why I ranted here....I know how good this board is at taking care of their own.
Malenko, I honestly don't know what to say, except thank you....right now I'm not sure yet what else to tell you. Caught me offguard man...totally.
For those that have asked, I am in the great state of Georgia. I am certainly open to work in neighboring states, if you know or hear of a school that needs a middle school choral instructor and / or math/english / social studies teacher, or volleyball coach, contact me! Anything with music or volleyball would be ideal (ie assistant coach at a division 3 school, choir director full time). I have a BS in Computer Science, but it's from 1990 - probably not worth much to peole these days, but could at least do data entry and some light programming / installation, etc.
To some degree, I have thought about pursuing work in Kansas for a while, but that would mean leaving mom here to grieve basically alone. Yes, I have a sister, but she's about as useful as a fart in the wind. She's "married" to this guy, yet they live apart now for 8 years.
You see how intelligent THEY both are.
Primary goal is to keep the house, definitely. We have plenty of clothing and food; our families will not let us go hungry, so no worries there. The only credit card I have is Best Buy, and they will be happy with minimum payments for a while. The other line of credit I took out, I (smartly, I suppose) have also been paying unemployment insurance on...so as soon as we get the paperwork done there, that one will take care of itself. Our Auto insurance plus our life insurance does not run us much per month, so we're ok there too I think.
As for a second and third job, I am actually / have been working two jobs - I teach piano on the weekends. Problem? I have only managed to pick up two students. But hey $100 every two weeks is STILL $100 every two weeks.

Ford, I could not resist this....I got no trouble being Superman to the wife and kid....it's just this damn kryptonite (see? haven't lost my sense of humor yet - and as the wife put it, "We still have our health!"...true, both of us went for physicals recently and we're fine.

)
Back to the Kansas thing - I haven't ruled it out, in spite of what I just said. It isn't so much that I've tapped it all dry here though as it is that my previous school did not make final decisions until early July. I was counting on being back there but didn't know until around July 3rd that I would not be. By that time, all the schools in the area had filled their slots (and yes, I am blaming it partly on my former school's dilly-dallying). I was horribly frustrated yesterday in that I found a choral director position for a gospel choir at a small college in Birmingham. Problem? The job was only part time....no way to move my family that far for part - time work, unless they'd pay me 40K or better (and I doubt it for a choir director). Yet, if I can find the job again, I may still apply for it.
If I sound confused, it's because I am.

Wife and I talked some more about her going home to Kansas, and I don't think she's planning on staying more than 2 - 3 weeks at a a time, if that long....so working in Kansas might not be best option overall....and she has promised to come back to me, which is the biggest thing in my book.
I appreciate all of the advice and input....quite seriously, it's done me good to hear voices of logic and reason the rest of the afternoon. Rainy days get me down, and I suppose the storms here today managed to do it to me again....Mom said she'd been a bit sad today also.
One thing for sure, though, I've learned never to "assume." You know what happens when you "assume" right?
