How nice it was to know that upon waking up today after 7 weeks and a few days of motels, plus all the moves I’ve made in the last 20 years, we didn’t have to move today! And we’re not going to have to move tomorrow or the next day either!

How nice it is not to have to dodge unwanted service, too.

Anyway, I can’t believe I forgot to mention the asthma attack. It happened our first night here. I noticed I was suddenly tighter than usual. Like Arizona tight. Then I started wheezing! I couldn’t believe it. I haven’t wheezed since I quit smoking. With growing alarm, I got tighter and wheezier by the minute. If I’d had my inhaler here, I’d have taken it, that’s how bad it got. It was quite an attack. I wrote it off to all the work I’d done, but Tom insisted it was the chemicals in the new carpet. I guess that explains it cuz I’ve been working hard ever since, yet I’ve been fine since that night. I hope I don’t ever have an all-out attack like that again! It got a little scary there for a while, struggling to breathe like that. I’d gasp for air and try to cough up the gunk that was lodged in my lungs. It was no fun at all. I remembered to close my lips and blow as if I were blowing up a balloon and that helped. I also made myself yawn as much as I could and that also helped.

There is a crawl space here for sure. I can tell by the way the floor sounded hollow, plus I saw a vent out back. I’m surprised the floors don’t creak for as old as this place is.

There’s a gate that attaches from the edge of our garage to a small fence that connects to the edge of mom and daughter’s place. When I heard it slam shut earlier, I thought, ah, someone’s home there all the time too, huh? But then I realized it was flapping in the rather intense winds we’re having today. I went out to try to latch it, but the latch is broken. The gate’s not even flush with the fence either.

With all the tables and chairs they’ve got back there, I worry they may get a little backyard-happy in the warmer weather, but we’ll see.

I missed having a normal tub with a shower in it. The garden tub in the last house was simply too big, taking too long to fill, and used too much water. I also hated not having a shower to rinse it with.

I still can’t believe how big this bedroom is. Despite all I’ve got set up in it, there’s still plenty of open floor space. I like having everything in one room too, like my two computers, my bed, my exercise ball, etc. I don’t like how we have to use boxes for doll props and old weathered tables, but it sure beats motels. I used to say big bedrooms were a waste if all you’re going to do is sleep in them, but in our situation, it’s perfect.

I really put my computers in the right spot; 5 feet from the electric wall heater. It sure feels good to have that warmth blowing on me.

Another pro is that the tap water is drinkable. I only use the water dispenser for hot water, and what’s cool is that we can just fill the jugs up right here in the tub!

No icky odors yet either.

There’s a dog across the street, but so far I’ve only heard it a few times and it doesn’t go on and on for hours like in Arizona.

Anyway, looking back on the last 5 months; I’m still mad at God for allowing us to fall down so low, and I’m still pissed at his mother for being so damn selfish and compassionless, but it all sure makes for some pretty interesting journaling, memories and story-telling, that’s for sure. I think Paula would get a kick out of the confusion that went with finding out that Tina had a “twin.”

If I could know how long we’d be here and where we’d move next, would I want to know? Yeah, I think I would. Just natural curiosity, I guess you could say.

Now I can begin something I haven’t worked on since we left Bly Mountain – my stories! I think I’ll tackle No Escape before I get to Traces of Hope.