I’m so sorry your childhood was like that. My late husband also had parents who always had their cigarettes and alcohol while the children wore hand-me-downs and many times went hungry.
I loved #3 pencils as a left-handed child in school. (Yes, way back before computers.) I write “upside down” and the #3 lead wouldn’t be smeared by my hand moving over what I’d already written.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find family, friends or community resources that can help with the structural issues. As a last resort, try a Go Fund Me appeal. I’m a widow also, so I know how difficult it is to deal with the loss and to figure out how to cope without him. Blessings on you.
kamoolah, I should probably be ashamed of myself, but your comment made me laugh more than any of the comic strips today!