I am very happy to report that my daughter is now talking to me. Not always stuff I want to hear, but the chasm has closed and we are speaking again.
I have the keys to my new place, moving in in the morning. I ravaged all the charity places in town so now have a fridge, washing machine mattress (no base yet, that’s tomorrow’s task) plus a massive lounge-suite that I bought for a song at a local op shop.
All the administrative stuff needed has been done, and tonight is my last night sleeping in a shed. And whilst I have been extremely grateful to my host, I’m thinking he’s happy to see my arse out the door too. Best to leave on good terms, just in case of future catastrophes, right?
@scudsucker, I wish you all the best. If you have the energy, or friends that can navigate the safety networks on your behalf, USE them. Use every resource you can, and nag them again and again for support. The more they get to know you, the more likely you are to get the help you need. Be a thorn in their side (but a very polite and appreciative thorn) and hopefully things will get better. You’re in my thoughts mate. I got lucky, maybe you can too.
I’m here in my new home, comfortably warm (it’s cold and rainy outside), I have all the things I need (except so far a washing machine and fridge) but hey, handwashing isn’t so bad, and I have a little ‘esky’ with ice keeping my perishables cold.
This place has more cupboard-space that I could ever imagine filling (not that I intend to, I’m loving a minimalist life now having lived out of a suitcase for the past 8 months). I have a lovely view outside of vast green grass and deciduous trees, a couple of small plots for me to plant some herbs of my liking (when the rain stops) and overall, just so contented to be in a place that is safe, warm and as permanent as I want it to be.
Today I went shopping for a couple of colourful cushions from the opportunity shop. The cost me $3 each. And then I needed to head to a supermarket to get some supplies, because this afternoon, a fridge and a washing machine were heading my way.
Now I thought they’d be second-hand re-conditioned appliances, but no, they were brand new. I was somewhat humbled, but also a bit peeved off when I’d asked the lady who IS IN CHARGE of this stuff to send me a smallish fridge. I’m just one person, I don’t need a big fridge. But I got a 410l fridge which takes up half my bloody kitchen. GAH.
I AM happy with the washing machine though, because it’s big enough to wash doonas and blankets and shit. Very chuffed.
But the fridge, oy vey, I could have a household of 8 and still not fill the fucker.
C’est la vie. I’m not about to complain because I am eternally grateful, and what I might do in a few weeks is prepare meals for people down on their luck,I’ve got the bloody strorage to keep meals fresh for a few days!
While staying with some new friends (people who offered me a place to stay for a couple of weeks, I met them randomly and they invited me in) - this was a very healthy thing for me to do. We made food and donated it to a local soup kitchen.
There but for the grace of god go I, etc
Sadly they were moving out so I had to do so too.
Anyway, I am less homeless than before… a friend asked me for help with transporting her and her several dogs (she has five, not sure if they are all coming). She runs a student digs, and fortunately there was a free room this month, so I am in it, with the possibility of a longer term stay.
It is cheap - roughly half the cost of a backpackers - and has internet, a pool, a kitchen, and most important for me, people. Plus a place to put my meagre possessions that is not “my car” from which someone with even less might wish to steal.
There is a reasonable chance that this can become more permanent.
Survivng alone is lonely. I can do it but I really appreciate some form of social activity, and the people here are pretty cool so far. Merry Xmas!
That’s great @Scudsucker. Sometimes it’s baby-steps, but at least it’s movement forward and who knows what other opportunities might come along. Because, as you say, PEOPLE.
Good luck, and have a wonderful Yule season. Cheers
Oh, crap. There’s no way to see that but as cataclysmic. I imagine it’ll be a few days for the shock to wear off and to find what, if anything, survived. I’m hoping hard that the cats made it.
I"m so sorry these terrible things happened to you.
