amy55

I've been on this forum since 8/2011. I think many people do remember my ups and downs. For those who don't, to make a long story short, I was divorced in 12/2010. It was an abusive relationship, and I turned to alcohol to help me deal with it. (What a mistake that was, it only kept me in a relationship that was destroying me). I have learned since then that I didn't have the tools to help me for what I was going through, and instead of getting the tools, I turned passive, so that I could just deal with life.

I went through a lot to gain the tools that I needed, for what I needed to do. I'm glad that I did that work. I also had a lot of help there also. I had many people who believed in me. I had good friends that offered me their house to live in, for nothing. I'm not the type of person to accept something for nothing. I started painting their house, inside and outside. They also got me into flea markets, garage sales. They would pick up things, and they needed work, and I would strip the furniture, stain it and varnish it. I had that feeling that, Yes, I can do this, don't tell me that I can't.

I then bought a foreclosure house that was in need of a lot of work. It was a raised cabin. The place had been abused, and I was also abused, and I did the best that I could, and the house and I healed together. Thing was though, the entire inside was wood. I had to hire people to help me rehab the place. I couldn't do it all by myself. I did get it done though, and it is gorgeous.

My children, (older, son now 33, daughter now 30) weren't really speaking to me then. We had a very rocky relationship for about 9 years, since the day that I needed to leave so I could keep or hold onto whatever sanity I had left. I don't even want to talk about my drama queen daughter here, the one that filed the R.O. on me for no reason, and helped my ex turn my other children against me.

So, this year, both my daughter and son bought their own first homes. My son and dtr in law also had a baby in January. Things have changed significantly this past year and this year with our relationship. They want me around. I've been driving 3 to 3 1/2 hours every 2 weeks back and forth to be with them and to help them out. I go there to see my grandson, and also to help out with projects , because they trust me with that, and wouldn't even ask their father for his opinion on any of that. (lol)

I can't keep driving that 3 to 3 1/2 hours, just one way to visit. So, I already decided that I need to move. I'll be moving to the Gettysburg Pa area. Why, mostly because of taxes. My federal pension is not taxed in Pa, but is in Maryland where my children live.

So, I have been looking at single homes, townhouses, condo's in that area. I had spent the weekend with my daughter and we went to a Second Chance store, previously I've been to a Habitat for Humanity Resale Store. I loved those places. We just hung a really nice antique light fixture in my daughters house, had also stripped, stained and rehung an old door. We'll also be making industrial pipe furniture. Never did that before, but really excited to do this with her.

I talked to my daughter tonight, and she kept thanking me for helping her, and I told her, I want to thank you, for giving me my life again. I was getting sedate with my life. If I bought something that needed no work, what would I do? I enjoy creating things. I enjoy looking at old doors or old cabinet doors or pallets ... and to see what I can create from it. I enjoy pipework. I enjoy painting. I would enjoy an older home with nooks and crannies, and to see what I can do with it.

So, yes I can !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))
amy

Ariesagain

Yes, you can!

Rosiepetal

I remember you Amy & I am happy to here this post.
Hugs
Rosie xx

Hummer

Your life sounds so full and positive - I’m very happy for you

Seren

Amy

You go! You are a wonder, and I'm so happy for you

qtpi

Thank you so much Amy for posting!! Yes you did and yes you still can. I think I will be rereading this post for inspiration!

hopeful4

Yes, you sure can! Love this Amy, thank you for sharing, you are an inspiration!

Bittersweetlove

This is an amazing post. Good for you. I’ve found a lot of joy from this as well. Something theurputic about creating/restoring something, I’m not sure if it’s the manual part of it or just the overall joy in the finished product but it’s so much fun. PA has the best little shops to find stuff too.

grayghost1965

You'll like it there - the surrounding area is beautiful and you're not a long drive if you need some city life (Hagerstown, MD, Frederick, MD). I live in western MD and definitely feel ya about the tax situation - best wishes !

maia1234

Yeah Amy, you sound wonderful!!

amy55

I obviously still never learned how to post a picture. lol. I think if this link works it will show you a picture of the work that my daughter and I are doing. This is a small piece because it was the first one, we wanted to experiment. It was very easy to do, just screw the pipes together, and attach something that you can use as a table top. On this one we attached an old cabinet door. We are leaving the hinges on it.

Oh, and Frederick Md is not that far from where I am moving. My son, dtr in law, and grandson live there, my dtr lives in Baltimore, so that would be a little bit further.

(((((((((((hugs))))))))))))
amy

qtpi

Thank you for the update. This gives me hope that I will find a new home and my children will reunite with me!

Mags1

Amy, you’re amazing , all the best wishes for you and your families future. .

Maudcat

Gettysburg sounds perfect.
I have always liked that area.

amy55

qtpi, You will find that house, and you will make it into a very special place for you, and you and your kids will reunite and your bond will be stronger then ever, you have to believe that. It took me about 6 - 7 years, but everything is working out for me.