Hi All. On Sunday, April 1, I wrote a diary about my financial problems and my inevitable eviction from my apartment. Many of you came to my rescue with good advice, job search help, financial help, and a place to live.
The outpouring of love and compassion floored me. Lots of my friends and family who don't know what Daily Kos is were amazed that "strangers" offered so much. But we aren't really strangers. We share our stories (and pet pictures!) with each other. We share our outrages and triumphs. We mourn our losses.
Many of you sent me money--about $1200 all together; some gave their last $10, someone gave me $200. That cushion will allow me to rent a storage space and a U-Haul, and pay some bills. I do have a couple of part-time jobs (tutoring and work for my brother) which brings in some money and has allowed me to keep up with car payments, for example.
SwedishJewfish and Roxine have started the Tree Climbers and invited me to help them launch this project. I have non-profit management and fundraising experience, so that is what I will be doing for them. Hopefully, we can get enough money raised to turn my volunteerism into a paying gig (hint, hint!!).
And blue jersey mom had offered her home to me. She and her husband have some space that will be perfect for me and my cats, Jane and Ralph.
I have to leave my home. I have to quit my position on the School Board (which, in this day of charters and privatization and tenure reform, really pisses me off!). But I have a new home, a place for my babies, and a new-found appreciation of the wonders of this community. My sig line is
I wonder what Markos thought when he started this blog? Sure, come for the politics, but stay for the friendship and cat pics!
and I mean it.
If anyone is interested, my paypal account is lindamastellone AT comcast DOT net, but I really am fine for now.