[asphaltgambler]

Thanks all! - your replies do mean a lot because I know a few others here that have gone through some rough, life changing times and then were brave enough to post it. I don't want pity from anyone.........................really more of me 'venting' about my frustration.

I have always worked hard and played hard. I put myself through college on my own dime and time but my mom became ill and other life obligations forced me to make a choice of continuing college or live/survive. I did quite well in the auto industry but became very disenchanted by the late 1990's. That's when I went back to school and brought my non-existent PC skills up to par. In the spring of '99 after much hard work I landed a Help desk job at a growing attorney's firm. I quickly moved up to administrator position due to my dedication and high employee turn-over. Then the firm was sold to a mega-outfit in late 2001, they streamlined the admin & IT positions. That coupled with the implosion of anything IT related led me back to the auto industry.

I then developed a 12 year plan to maximize my potential and then by my early'50s I would make a career change with already owning a home, paid down debt and money in the bank. Then came 2008.............................................. ...........

At this stage of life I'm tiring of trying and risking my time and money to 'get ahead'. I am keeping with the govt job and pursuing the classic car flip/restore for extra income. Possibly building on that until I can do it full time. That's plan "B". Plan "A" is to keep going here with the county.