Yes, I am still here! It’s been two months since I wrote anything, I think that’s the longest I’ve gone without writing on this blog. Of course I’ve been writing a ton for my other work, which coincidentally is sort of why we’re here today, I was recently terminated from it. Unceremoniously, and without cause, and without compensation for some time. 

It’s ok, I hated the job with such a passion. Actually the job was ok, the guy I worked for was an asshole. I can say that now and it feels pretty good. 

I’m still in panic mode, I have to replace the income, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t look at other opportunities. There are a lot of things I want to do, writing SEO stuffed blog posts may not be one of them anymore. Unless they’re for me. 

I’ve been doing a lot more web design lately, and it’s something I really enjoy. It’s also something that people appreciate, need, and can make a big difference for someone just starting a new venture.

I’m actually pretty grateful I got fired. It gives me time to do some of the things I’ve been wanting to do, but just never had the time. And who know, I might end up on a completely different path.

If you follow me on Facebook, you know the last few months have been kinda difficult. Hell, the last few years have been challenging with all the court the ex drags me to – we’re in a lull right now, but will return to court next month – hell, the last few decades have been filled with burning hoops to jump through. Thankfully, I’ve been fortunate to have help along the way.

Recently, my dishwasher broke. For the last month, I’ve washed dishes by hand. You don’t realize how much you take your dishwasher for granted until you have to start washing everything by hand and there’s a big meal holiday on the horizon. My hands are raw. I had plans to replace it with the last paycheck, but then the guy “screwed up” the payment so I couldn’t replace it before Thanksgiving. Of course after I found out a huge chunk of my income was now gone, I was nervous about spending any money on something that wasn’t a necessity. Even though it really was a necessity. 

If you want to remove any wind from your sails, take a gander at your kitchen sink filled with dirty dishes when you get home from a long day of working, parenting and cracking the whip at the nursing home (that’s a story for another time). It’d be 8pm, dinner had not been prepared and dishes had to get done. At one point, and due more than to just the overflowing sink with dishes, I actually crawled back into bed. I have never done that. I cried for about an hour and watched shows on the murder channel until I was ready to once more wash dishes. 

So I bought the dishwasher and loaded it into my car. Drove around that way for a few days until a friend offered to install it. Something I am incredibly grateful for. 

I’ve been very fortunate, when the chips have been down there’s usually someone who has reached out to help. Usually someone unexpected or a stranger, but there’s always been someone who has been willing to lend a hand. 

When my son was an infant I took him to Mexico for the holidays, with my parents. I was supposed to go with my husband, but he had decided he wanted a divorce and didn’t bother coming, he ended up cleaning out the house we shared while I was gone so there’s that. I didn’t want to go, I knew it would be less vacation looking after an infant in a tropical paradise than it should be and I wasn’t in much of a mood to have fun in the sun. However, my dad needed my help with my mother because of her limitations.

My mother used a wheelchair so they always boarded the plane early. I did not use a wheel chair, but I had the port-a-crib, car seat, diaper bag, baby and carry on with me as we took the bus to the boarding area. I was struggling to carry everything and get off the bus in a timely fashion. Most people aggressively ignored me as I tried to carry everything. Except for one man who simply picked up all but my son and the diaper bag and walked with me to the plane. He got everything on and then just disappeared. I have never been so grateful for anyone’s help in all my life. I did the ugly cry pretty much the whole flight home. 

My point is, after nearly 800 words, I want to do something as helpful as people have done for me. I don’t have cash, I can’t donate to most charities that are in need, but I have a skill, I can build websites. 

What I’d really like to do is offer to build a website for someone who needs one, but is struggling to pay for it. In my mind it’s a single mom who dreams of doing more with her life than just a 9-5. Maybe she’s got a book in her that needs promotion. Maybe it’s someone who is a maker that needs an online presence to promote her art, craft or whatever it is that she is passionate about. It doesn’t have to be a woman, it’s just that I identify with the single mom struggle. 

If you know someone who is in need of a website, or you are someone who needs a website, please nominate them/yourself in the comments or by emailing me at jen [at] redheadranting.com (no spaces and swap out the at for an @). Tell me why you or the person you are nominating needs a website, what kind of website they need, and any other pertinent info you think necessary. I want to hear your stories. 

I’ll build a fully functional WordPress website. I’ll install necessary plugins, and teach you how the site functions. Domain and Hosting are not included, but I can point you in the right direction if you don’t have hosting, don’t know anything about hosting etc. If the winner of the Pay it Forward contest needs a website with a shopping cart I will install WooCommerce, and show you how to add your various products. You would have to connect it with your POS or bank, though again, I can point you in the right direction for those things. 

I’ll take nominations through December and announce the winner on January 1st, 2019. 

Please share this post with anyone who could use a free website.