For several years Brice has worked as my primary Home Care Aide, bringing home $16 an hour. That’s after everything is taken out. That took the home income up to $1800 a month. Added to my $595 in Social Security, that gave me a healthy income to buy generously.

The Home Care Company called earlier this month, telling us the Governor had signed budget cuts that take away salary for family members acting as care givers. I realize the state is trying to balance the budget and everyone has to pitch in; this will be our $1800 contribution to keeping Montana solvent. It was nice while it lasted.

The Home Care Company also can’t provide any equipment or supplies. That would have included my new wheelchair back, or year’s supply of Glucerna shakes I drink to try to gain weight. I had other supplies provided by them also, but not anymore.

In past years, when I had the Chamber Calendars printed, they went on my credit card, and I paid the first $500 of that cost, charging the Chamber $250-$270. I won’t do that anymore; the Chamber will find a cheaper printer and use someone else’s credit card.

At Christmas I went crazy and spent too much money; now I’ll have to save for holidays and birthdays. When we had the Eagle and I was applying for a loan, the charge card was limited to $140/month. I should try that again. Dish TV is $82/month; that doesn’t leave much room for extras.

In addition to keeping the home checking account solvent, we were saving for Brice’s retirement. I figured that would be after I died. I may not literally be kicking but I’m still alive and the extra income died.

We are on a fixed income. In emergencies, we have savings for things like home owners insurance or taxes. My folks were poor; farmers have all their money in land. We never bought a new car when I was growing up, not until my folks sold the farm.

I’ve been poor before; I can remember. But it’s harder to be poor and handicapped. Everything a handicapped person needs is just more expensive. At least we have savings. And we inherited savings from Brice’s parents.

PS We didn’t go to Billings on the 8th and come home on the 9th; weather postponed that trip. Maybe March will be better. Oh, and I just forgot to send in a Bright Idea before the paper’s deadline last week. Sorry.