Help the Homeless?
Monday, April 9th, 2007
Well, it’s official:
I’m homeless.
Those of you who’ve been around since last summer probably remember my house-selling woes. Yes, we were among the poor, unlucky slobs who tried to sell a house during this horrific housing slump…which is bad everywhere, but especially bad in Florida.
BUT…16 months later…we’ve finally sold! 
I honestly never imagined how awful this slump was going to be. When we listed our house in December 05, it was valued at quite a bit more than we owed on it. Today, these many months later, we’re walking out without a penny…and, in fact, having to bring money to closing. But honestly, it’s worth it. I fear things are going to get worse before they get better, and I just can’t stand living with this uncertainty and confusion anymore.
I am fortunate enough to have an amazing family, and my two sisters in Maryland have opened their doors and homes and families to us, so we were lucky enough to not have double housing expenses. And honestly, in some ways it’s been like a big slumber party…I have loved spending so much time with them. But I am ready to be in my own home again. I’m ready to see the china I packed up and put in storage in anticipation for our move in the summer of 2005. Ready to unpack my own Christmas decorations and Halloween stuff. Ready to give my poor youngest daughter all her toys back…now that she’s no longer interested in Barbies & Bratz. (I sense a yard sign will be among the first things we do whenever we get into our own house!)
It’s been a very long road. Seeing the light at the end of this tunnel has breathed new life into all of us, and I am greatly looking forward to house-hunting for a new place up here in MD. In the meantime, as you read this, today, I’ll be busting butt with Bruce and the girls and more members of my amazing family, packing up all the rest of our stuff and preparing to say goodbye to Florida for good.
After 15 years, I am a little sad.
But then I read the hurricane predictions for this coming season…and things don’t look so bad. 
Anybody else out there hit with this mess? If so, I wish you all the luck in the world!
The Plotmonkeys are THRILLED to have romance super-star, Julia London, guest blogging TOMORROW! Please make sure to make her feel welcome!
