Welcome Back Fandango,
So well done on your 300 days don't stress to much about your little slip at least you recognised your slip and used it to make you stronger from what you have said about your self I think you should be so proud of the fact it did not drag you back down, I think you should give your self a big pat on the back cause reading your old posts and from the time I have been posting you, you have grown and are now a person you should be mighty proud off.
I am glad you are at least got a short break, but I can understand the frustration of wanting more time off, That is the worse thing about working for yourself, my husband is the same if he don't work he does not get paid, worse bit is for ten years he was in a job that had holiday pay and sick days etc, he took off 2 sick days in 10 years, and as for his holidays he would work through them, cause he always wanted the money, anyway in our 14 years together we have only had 5 days off together and that is when we got married, how sad is that. Anyway now when he wants time off and he cannot. due to the money. but we did enjoy the public holidays so that was good. and hopefully down the track sometime.
I feel for you in the broke department though, as I am sure we all can, I know with us when I say I am broke I mean not a cent, and it can be hard and frustrating, so I really I hope it goes well for you at the bank another thing that is hard being sub contract trying to prove you actually earn money, but mind you banks are getting more helpful in that department, don't stress to much about $7000, It is not a huge amount to be in debt these days, but then I freak at $2000 on a credit card and I have a friend that owes $30,000 on credit cards how she sleeps I have no idea LOL, but sounds like you have the means to cover it. so don't panic.
I am glad you had a nice Christmas though, I know for me I was a little sad that it was not with my parents, but then I spent New Years with my sister and the drunker she got the more she said about what went on at my parents, so I was grateful to miss out LOL, and they actually never said a thing about me it was everyone else they where annoying, we actually decided next year we are spending it here her family and mine and some friends together, My brother in law said to my husband now tell me exactly what you did to make them stop speaking to you and I will give it a try. so I think both you and I should be grateful we avoided unhealthy situations.
Now I hope I have helped to pump you back up for 2007, cause in 75 days when all you money problems are settled you can say I have been gamble free for a year, and then this time next year you can say 2007 I did not touch a pokie machine. so look forward to it, 2007 is going to be a better year for all of us.
Take Care