Perspective

Perspective is a funny thing – ever changing depending on where you’re sitting at the moment.

I’ve been going back and forth and back, and forth some more, trying to decide what to do with my house in Atlanta. I’ve only had it a year and the real estate market is a bit soft right now. Selling it will guarantee me a loss. How much? I’m not sure yet – but I’m guessing it will be what I consider hefty. Of course, for a woman without a dime to her name, anything over $20 could be considered hefty. This will be SUBSTANTIALLY over $20.

Renting the house will cause me to have to purchase Landlord Insurance, re-key the doors, have the house professionally cleaned, pay a steep sign-up fee with the leasing agent as well as 8% of each month’s rent. The rent BEFORE the 8% deduction won’t cover my house payment. There are a ton of other miscellaneous expenses that can hit without notice as well. Bottom line there is that I can be assured of losing my arse in slow chunks of about $500 per month rather than a hefty sum all at once.

I am not one for prolonging agony – so I believe I am going with the ONE LARGE POUND OF FLESH loss rather than many smaller nibbles. It’ll hurt a lot more…but it will be over a lot quicker.

After wrestling with this decision for a few days, I’ve come to question my sanity. By moving to Florida I have halved my salary and doubled my debt. That’s bright, isn’t it? No – I was not a finance major in college. I was facing the huge I TOLD YOU SO neon sign that my father has erected and feeling pretty stupid and inadequate as a human being and beginning to wonder if I’ll ever have $10 to my name.

Then I stepped outside my office. There was an older woman sitting on the ground in the parking lot. A small girl was standing next to her and wailing. A perplexed looking man was standing near her rather helplessly. I watched for a moment. The young man was trying to help the woman stand up. Apparently there was something wrong with her knees and she was having an awful time. The little girl was terrified.

I went over and offered to help. Between the young man and I we got the woman to her feet and she was able to contine (albeit it very slowly and cautiously) on to the office she had been about to visit. As we were trying to help her the woman was on the verge of tears and kept saying over and over – “I have arthritis in my knees. I’m so embarassed.” No amount of reassuring or empathy on my part had much effect.

So I came back inside and sat down at my desk. You know what? I don’t have a pot to piss in. But I have knees that will still support me and a father who will help me weather my hefty loss. I have two great kids who love me and a sister who does, too.

I’m sitting in the same chair I was sitting in just a few minutes ago – but not in the same spot I was sitting in. And from this spot… the view looks entirely different.

Mns

July 30, 2002

hmmm… wondering if we’re able to leave notes now… this is a test…

omg.. lol.. all last night OD was so messed.. couldn’t do anything.. now, what was i gonna say.. oh yeah, i’ll send ya $10 🙂 hehe… ya know, many times something similiar happens to me, when i’m wallowing in the depths of self pity, i’ll see that person who has no arms. or, like in your case, the woman with bad knees. kinda like a splash of cold water in the face to straighten me out!

about the housing stuff, when dad died last year i had to decide what i wanted to do with their house, sell or keep renting. i would have taken a huge loss if i sold it, and i simply coudln’t bring myself to do that so the renters remain… dirt cheap…lol.. but they’re decent renters. unfortunately, i’m gonna raise the rent in a few months to help bring it up to market value…

along with doing much needed repairs on the place. i really don’t like being a landlord but i don’t think i’ll be selling the place for a very long time. good luck on your decision~

Funny how that works. With a warm smile…T the U

FINALLY, I can leave a note! LOL at your note–I love how your mother took care of the Mormons. Another sure-fire way to scare ’em off: “How ’bout a cup of coffee??” LOL!! Well, it’s interesting how perspective can turn in a trice. I have this experience frequently with my patients. I’ll be feeling sorry for myself about something or other (cont’d)

and then one of my patients will tell me a truly tragic tale. Makes me get off the pity pot. Still, I do hope you get close to the asking price for your house! And bless you for helping that poor woman…..

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading your notes! I laugh myself silly over all of them! You need to take your act on the road–you are absolutely hilarious, Woman!!! PMSL, LMFAO, LOL, and all that!!!

(ACK…couldn’t leave notes yesterday!) You are one brave chica! Great entry…~:) ArtImp, nsi

blondragon

it is amazing how we can see things differently sometimes. i hope you don’t lose too much. ryn: thanks for the laugh with the train…

darkart

=) it is good to take a step back and appreciate how much we have as compared to others. ryn: *grin* i’ll definitely be scratchy!

Could not leave a note last time as Fod wouldnt let me in! Knock and the door will open…Now way. Anyway thanks for recent notes… Do not be alarmed at my latest epic as I intend to survive. If Gloria Gaynor can so can I….Alexias

Sometimes we do forget the good things we have. Thanks for reminding me that I don’t have it so bad. 🙂

BlueEyes

July 31, 2002

Something like that always happens to me when I get worried out of proportion. Remember, the good times don’t last – neither do the bad ones.

*~*Lady Moon*~*

Great entry. I am so glad to see you – have missed you lots! Thank you for the warm & kindnote. Lots of huggles and cuddles

Yup perspective is where you are {:o)

Nectar

I vote keep the house…equity must go up surely…huggles you warmly

I too have been considering that emotions and life are a matter of perspective… I am amazed at how different mine was during vacation.. you wrote it so well though… i dont have to do that entry now 🙂

Dear Sunny thanks as ever for notes and thoughts. I will keep moving along and write more re testing results…. On with the writing….Alexias

PS It does occur to me that YOU are Therapy for my soul…Alex

and a frog and toad who love you as well! :0) oh, and the jangly doggie! 🙂

A friend of mine is in the same situation. She moved to North Carolina and left a house and an alcoholic husband behind in Alabama. He stayed in the house and made payments for a while, but now they’re divorced and the house is her responsibility again. Dunno what she’s going to decide…