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by Hope

In the last few weeks, the number of calls on the house have picked up dramatically. With the fresh paint, greener outside, reduced price, and increased requests for showings, I am certain the right family will see the house. Or a investor, I suppose. (In fact, the couple who viewed it this past week are supposed to put in an offer. Their realtor called me after the showing. But nothing yet.)

I’ve turned down more showings than I’ve accepted lately due to my availability to get the dogs out of the house. Work and mother/daughter responsibilities have picked up significantly as well.

I wrote a summary of the house situation not to long ago.

Here’s where we are now…

The electric work was completed on Thursday. And the electrician has committed to addressing anything an inspection might bring up at no additional charge. Yeah for that. At the time of writing this, I don’t have the final bill, but it should come in around $1,200.

The interior painting is still in progress. I’m very grateful that my contractor is squeezing me in around other jobs. He’s the same man who has helped me throughout my ownership of this house and I trust him implicitly. That, in and of itself, is worth it’s weight in gold. He is charging me $1,200 for labor and the supplies cost me $278. He has agreed to take a partial payment now. And I will pay the rest when the house sells or sooner.

As soon as the painting is complete, a realtor, a different one that the one I originally chose, is taking over the listing.

I will move out completely the weekend of May 1 and the dogs will be boarded. My stuff will be in my car or in storage. I am taking my plants to Princess apartment for the time being.

The family will be in Georgia for Princess’ college graduation through Mother’s Day. Then I will pick up the dogs from the kennel and head to Texas.

Challenges

In addition to the mental challenges of this season of life, I have now been physically sick for over three months. First the cough that wouldn’t quit, then the flu, and now, it seems like I’ve suddenly developed seasonal allergies. Or have a terrible cold that just won’t go away.

I have no energy, can barely breathe, and don’t sleep well. Getting the house off my plate and getting some stability in Texas will help my physical recovery…I hope.

Hope

Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.

But life has a way of rewriting your plans.

A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.

Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.

Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.

She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.