So, I stand before you a free woman.
I didn't actually think this could happen, because the house was underwater on the mortgage. And if I'd had the money to fight them, it probably wouldn't have happened, but the estimate to fight was between $40 and $75 thousand dollars in lawyer's bills, which I don't have, and even if I did, piling it on top of the existing "underwater" debt on the house would have been, well... even more financially nuts than trying to hold onto it in the first place.
I'm pretty heart-sick. I've had to spend a small fortune in legal fees, it's been agonizingly stressful at a time when I was already stressed out over a lot of work issues (fortunately TOO MUCH work, not too little!), and I feel like I'm losing a part of my life and the place where I lived with my mother and cared for her while she was dying. This is where I lost Rebel, too, and my beautiful deerhound Rosie, who died shortly after my mom and I moved into this house.
I can't say too much about the case, as in my experience, blabbing about your legal woes on teh interwebz tends to bite you in the ass, but believe me, I had lawyers and they were aggressive and thorough.
Despite my misery, I realize I'm also lucky. Lucky this didn't happen while my mom was still alive, as she'd have never been able to stand it. Lucky that I was making enough money to care for my mom when the economy went to hell -- even two years earlier that wouldn't have been the case. And lucky that my sister in law's twin sister just happened to have a small house for rent -- she'd wanted to sell, but decided to wait for a better market, and had decided to rent the house out just days before this all happened.
The house is darling, it has a yard, it has an ocean view, it's in my same general neighborhood, and while it's no longer walking distance to the park -- boo -- it's only two blocks to my brother, sister in law, and nephew's house -- yay! It's a safe place for me to get over this and decide what's next in my life. The rent is a little more than I'd have liked to spend, but I can afford it. And it has no stairs, which considering I'm about to have knee surgery is a definite plus.
Anyway, that's my sad story, certainly not the first I've posted, but hopefully the last. This last year and a half has been the most hellish since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, and my mom's final illness was worse even than that. I'm torn to shreds and don't think I could handle one more disaster, and am just hoping I can keep it together enough to get myself and the dogs through the move.
I don't normally like to post these big long personal things, and I certainly know MANY of you are dealing with worse situations than this. I just haven't been as active lately as I normally am, and every day I feel such powerful nostalgia for those elusive things called "free time," "sense of fun" and "creativity," and I wanted to let you know what was up.
No, I was not recently released from prison.
I'm simply trying to put the best frame I can on the reality, which is that the collapse of our economy took my mother's estate with it and got my house.I didn't actually think this could happen, because the house was underwater on the mortgage. And if I'd had the money to fight them, it probably wouldn't have happened, but the estimate to fight was between $40 and $75 thousand dollars in lawyer's bills, which I don't have, and even if I did, piling it on top of the existing "underwater" debt on the house would have been, well... even more financially nuts than trying to hold onto it in the first place.
I'm pretty heart-sick. I've had to spend a small fortune in legal fees, it's been agonizingly stressful at a time when I was already stressed out over a lot of work issues (fortunately TOO MUCH work, not too little!), and I feel like I'm losing a part of my life and the place where I lived with my mother and cared for her while she was dying. This is where I lost Rebel, too, and my beautiful deerhound Rosie, who died shortly after my mom and I moved into this house.
I can't say too much about the case, as in my experience, blabbing about your legal woes on teh interwebz tends to bite you in the ass, but believe me, I had lawyers and they were aggressive and thorough.
Despite my misery, I realize I'm also lucky. Lucky this didn't happen while my mom was still alive, as she'd have never been able to stand it. Lucky that I was making enough money to care for my mom when the economy went to hell -- even two years earlier that wouldn't have been the case. And lucky that my sister in law's twin sister just happened to have a small house for rent -- she'd wanted to sell, but decided to wait for a better market, and had decided to rent the house out just days before this all happened.
The house is darling, it has a yard, it has an ocean view, it's in my same general neighborhood, and while it's no longer walking distance to the park -- boo -- it's only two blocks to my brother, sister in law, and nephew's house -- yay! It's a safe place for me to get over this and decide what's next in my life. The rent is a little more than I'd have liked to spend, but I can afford it. And it has no stairs, which considering I'm about to have knee surgery is a definite plus.
Anyway, that's my sad story, certainly not the first I've posted, but hopefully the last. This last year and a half has been the most hellish since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, and my mom's final illness was worse even than that. I'm torn to shreds and don't think I could handle one more disaster, and am just hoping I can keep it together enough to get myself and the dogs through the move.
I don't normally like to post these big long personal things, and I certainly know MANY of you are dealing with worse situations than this. I just haven't been as active lately as I normally am, and every day I feel such powerful nostalgia for those elusive things called "free time," "sense of fun" and "creativity," and I wanted to let you know what was up.
I was just thinking this morning that I have lost all sense of "free time", "fun" and "creativity" due to personal/financial woes. I hope you are able to regain the fun & free aspect of your life...and soon!
Posted by: Amy | 20 August 2010 at 09:51 PM
All the best to you Christie. Sometimes we can't see it in the moment, but it all works to our highest good. All is well. You are safe.
Posted by: Pamela Picard | 20 August 2010 at 09:52 PM
Oh Christie, this is just heart-wrenching. Having the house be available is, I hope, a sign that all is not lost. Still, the totally senseless pain of this, AFTER everything you've already endured....In your shoes, I'd just look up at the universe and say "Really? This too? Seriously?".
Hang in, and know your friends are right there next to you (and would be happy to play with Rawley, you know, if you were busy, and some of us weren't 3,000 miles away).
Posted by: David S Greene | 20 August 2010 at 09:55 PM
Christie - I can send you loads of HUGS and GLOW for you right now. I wish I could do more. But please know that every day I see the sun come up (OK its usually already up when I first see it) and every day I see the sun go down I will have you in my thoughts.
Portia
Posted by: Portia | 20 August 2010 at 10:53 PM
I'm so sorry, Chrisite, that you are going through such awful stress after an already awful, awful period of major life trials galore. I only hope that the move goes very very well and this becomes a safe and good place for you to heal and recover. Hugs.
Posted by: Kasie | 20 August 2010 at 11:03 PM
Christie, so sorry to hear that things have been so rough. Trust in the strength of your friends and family who love you and will help you through your time of need.
{{{hugs}}} to you and yours.
Posted by: Vicky | 20 August 2010 at 11:22 PM
Saying I'm sorry for all the badness you've been dealt the last couple years is hardly enough. So instead I shall just wish you good luck with your fresh new start. Sometimes when things work out like this (you happening to know someone with a house for rent that fits your needs, just when you most need it) its fate pushing you on the path you are supposed to follow. Go with it and have faith that good things are on the horizon.
Posted by: haley | 20 August 2010 at 11:35 PM
Well, all I can say on your behalf is, crap, crap, crap. Thanks for sharing the latest woe. You didn't deserve this. I'm so glad you had some friends with a house to rent. Thank goodness for hounds.
Posted by: Cate | 21 August 2010 at 01:27 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss--losing a home is rough. Sounds like you landed on your feet, but with a bad knee...ouch! Maybe not such a good analogy.
Good luck with the move. Hug the pups. Often.
Posted by: KathyF | 21 August 2010 at 02:17 AM
I'm wishing you all the best with this new chapter and loads of good luck with the move. And the knee surgery!
Posted by: Ellen | 25 August 2010 at 06:19 PM
All I want to know is do you still have a couch for me to crash on when I'm visiting. ;)
Posted by: Travis | 14 September 2010 at 06:03 PM
... because it really is all about me. hahaha.
Posted by: Travis | 14 September 2010 at 06:04 PM
Oh no. I am very sorry. I hope things turn around for you soon! I'm glad to hear that you are having the "problem" of too much work--it's the opposite for me. Do take time to be in the moment with your dogs.
Posted by: Donna | 25 September 2010 at 12:26 AM