One of the great things about this online community is that we help each other when needed. Now is one of those times, as our dear MarTigress needs assistance. I will let her explain:
Many of you who know me from PWB Peeps (as The Pootie Princess, or MarTigress) or New Day Cafe already know a bit about my life. I am the widow of an AF "lifer." It was a great life, full of challenges, drama and comedy.
Since my husband's passing in 2005, life has been full of challenges. In 2010, I moved from my home in MD to MA in what was to be a safe environment, with friends. None of those plans worked out, for a variety of reasons. The bitter cold winters of MA in an unhealthy situation convinced me to move.
So, in 2015, I packed up my beloved pootie, HisLordshipOfSnooze, and moved to SC. I'd lived in SC twice before and had loved it! There was the added benefit of the possibility of a relationship with someone here whom I had known and loved for many years.
Over the time since moving, a number of things have changed, none of them for the better.
My health is not improving, so the issues I've had with my spine are worsening. There is no cure, and surgery would only give me about a 15% improvement which isn't reason enough to undergo such trauma. The arthritis that has been my constant companion since I was 28 is an unwelcome guest, but has moved in for good. The chronic pain is getting harder and harder to manage, and SC is not a Medical Marijuana state, so it's either the Opioid Express which has already damaged my health further, or just living with it. My heart isn't getting any healthier, either. Taking care of my basic needs is as much of a challenge as I can handle. And those basic needs have to be spread out over days, so that I can recuperate after running errands, or lifting groceries, or wet laundry. It is getting harder and harder to get by without having anyone to turn to for help when I need it.
The relationship that I thought would blossom, didn't. It happens. Further, the climate is not good for me, with the extreme heat/humidity that was fine when I was young and frisky now doing its best to do me in! And did I mention hurricanes? Having to "bug out" whenever a Cat 3 or more comes along is draining to health, budget, and sanity.
The friends I've had here have all moved elsewhere, and who can blame them? Deep red SC isn't for the faint-hearted, and it is not the less-expensive place of our youth!
Prices for housing are insane here. For the cost of the small apt. I now rent, I could have much more room in MD, and without the issues I've encountered with this property. And I am still paying for storage in MA for things that would never fit in this flat.
When I first moved here, this was THE best place to live! The mgmt treated the residents like partners in a community and it showed. After several changes of mgt, and a sale, it is no longer the place I knew and enjoyed. Worse, it has cost me all of my savings to keep from being evicted when COVID kept me from re-signing my lease in time. The "late fees" piled up and piled up, even while I tried to rectify the situation. Not being able to afford a lawyer...I paid up, and there went what little savings I had.
So, I found myself on my own in a situation where I truly need help. Too much time on my own, living with chronic pain with no one to turn to when there is an issue more serious than "What time is it?" and a climate that is actively trying to kill me.
Several months ago, I started looking into a return to MD, where I was born and raised. There is a town in the next county from where my husband and I lived, which is more affordable than SC. I have friends there, and an opportunity to make more. For what I am paying here for this small flat and the rent on the storage unit in MA, I can have a decent sized place close to the amenities I will need, including doctors and a military base. Even better, MD now has Medical Marijuana, which means a great improvement in my quality of life with at least an occasional respite from the pain.
The quality of my life will be dramatically better, and I will no longer be as isolated as I have been here.
As much as it surprises me, I find that I have to ask for help, as there is simply no other way to make this move happen. I've always paid my own way, and done what I could to help others. Not this time. With my savings gone, and living on a fixed income, there is no way I can afford to make this move without help. The Reed sisters convinced me that my Daily Kos family would be willing to help. I know it's a huge "ask;" I also know that this is the only way I can make this move. After talking it over with Sara and Ann, we have come up with a figure of $15,000 to cover the deposits, the move, relocating the things from storage, etc. Because of my physical limitations, I cannot do the packing/unpacking I've always done in the past. Sadly, that adds to the cost.
For whatever help is given, I am so very grateful!
I have been a MarTigress fan since she was an early booster of my former comic strip, Animal Nuz. When my real-life Daisy went on to the Rainbow Bridge, and I posted an R.I.P. diary, she commented:
As you can see, TheMarti is a loving, compassionate soul. (She’s funny, too.) Let’s shine some of that love and compassion back on her!
If you can contribute, that would be amazing. MarTigress doesn’t have a GoFundMe page, but she does have a PayPal account - martiscott50@gmail.com. Even a dollar will help. We can do this.
Thanks, everybody.
