Surviving and Thriving

When I first left my home, I had almost nothing of my former life. I managed to get a single hour at my house to grab what I could. So, I grabbed a few items that were important to me and some clothing. To furnish my new apartment, I searched for used furniture, or knock-down, cheap cabinets. It wasn't fancy, but it was mine. Simon and I (and later Cali) called a one-bedroom apartment home for a couple of years. The apartment was nice and comfortable, I enjoyed the geese and ducks that called my complex home. But the large mature trees, which were truly lovely and housed numerous squirrels and birds, also made my small balcony dark. I was unable to grow anything.

Gardening was always an important part of my life. Some of my earliest memories were of my mother's vegetable garden, looking at the broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, and zucchini. I remember the sweet taste of a crisp fresh pea pod taken straight from the vine. I longed for a garden of my own. I learned of a new community garden going into a friend's neighborhood. I signed up immediately. I really enjoyed the community garden -- sharing stories with the other gardeners, swapping vegetables, exchanging tips for better plant production. I was so grateful for this garden plot.

I also decided that I wanted a home of my own with room for my hobbies - pottery, painting, and gardening. I began to search for a home. I decided that with the amount I was paying for rent, I could pay a mortgage for only a few hundred more per month. I needed to cash in some of my IRA for a down payment, but I could do it. But of course, the market was crazy. I put bid after bid on houses only to be rejected because I wasn't in the top 3, making offers that were tens of thousands above asking price. Finally, I found a place, next to a park, a very small yard, but with a cute little courtyard, and lots of natural light. The previous owner had died of cancer and the house sat empty for a while. The yard was nearly dead. There were some problems with the place (naturally, it was a 40 year old house) but I knew that I could make it a home for myself and my two cats. My offer was accepted! With much excitement I moved into my new home.

Things were definitely looking up!