|
Post by yellowhouse on Aug 25, 2009 22:48:39 GMT -5
Hi Fivecat  When I first stumbled onto the original SS page a few months ago....it was your story that really resonated with me. My husband and I bought a neglected historic home a few years ago with all sorts of starry-eyed dreams of restoring it. We started tearing it apart the day after we moved in. Then my husband realized that remodeling a home actually entailed WORK and he decided it was all too much for him. He announced he was finished and the rest was up to me. It was pretty much a downhill slide after that. We were living in what was essentially a construction zone with a small child. I was working and had gone back to school. My husband also finds household chores to be too much work for him so that is also my responsibility. I was overwhelmed...and the house descended into a pit. The part of your story that hit home for me was that you realized you were on your own. Nobody was going to come and save you....no matter how bad it was. When I first stumbled across the SS page I read all of the stories like a starving woman who had just discovered manna from heaven. But it was your story that stuck with me...because I realized that if I was going to change my life and my house....I was going to have to do it on my own. No amount of begging, pleading, yelling, threatening, fighting, or tears was ever going to convince my husband to help me. I realized that he would be content to just sit in this pit of a home...watching television...until we both got old and died. So I have started working on my house. I don't expect that my husband will ever join me in this...but I can't let that hold me back. So....thanks for sharing your story, yellowhouse
|
|
|
Post by queencobweb on Aug 27, 2009 0:05:18 GMT -5
WOW, I had read your story too! It's inspiring to know that squalor isn't someething you are doomed to deal with the rest of your life. I have been feeling so resigned.
|
|
|
Post by Meme on Aug 27, 2009 0:32:30 GMT -5
You are amazing-- and a princess to me- hugs from Meme
|
|
|
Post by disarray on Aug 27, 2009 12:05:28 GMT -5
Fivecat, I just read your story!
WRITE A BOOK!
Seriously! You could turn that short story into an actual autobiography. You're story is important. It's amazing. You're writing style is beautiful. If you have any actual desire to write a book, I'd say go for it 100%
|
|
|
Post by wendy on Aug 29, 2009 18:29:40 GMT -5
Dear Fivecat,
As a new member, I just wanted to let you know that your story has really inspired and comforted me, and I so much appreciate your sharing it. It will undoubtedly help hundreds of people! And I agree with disarray, you should definitely write a book. Not only is your story amazing, you are a very good writer.
Wendy
|
|
idahoguy
New Member
Joined: August 2009
Posts: 16
|
Post by idahoguy on Aug 30, 2009 12:39:09 GMT -5
What a great story about acceptance of reality. Life sucks sometimes, but we can make it beautiful. I love how you realized that your OWN happiness was too important to wait around for anybody else. I'm finding that taking pride in one's self... knowing that even in the midst of extreme ugliness that many people cannot begin to understand.... you are a true value and your happiness means everything. I love the fact that you "cornered out a space in your mind" as you cornered out a space in your house to handle what's in front of you. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
Post by Lucky Laura Loving Life on Sept 2, 2009 12:20:21 GMT -5
Dear Fivecat, What an amazing journey! You are an incredible writer just like everyone has said before me. It is so hard to face the facts sometimes and you have really inspired me. The real truth that all we can control and depend on is ourselves is SO hard to accept (at least for me) but it is also a great opportunity to pull myself up by the bootstraps and move on. Thank You for sharing your story!!! 
Love,Laura
|
|
|
Post by Moodle on Sept 14, 2009 0:11:57 GMT -5
Fivecat!!! I love you so, so much!! ~Moodle
|
|
scottiemom
New Member
Joined: January 2012
Posts: 11
|
Post by scottiemom on Feb 8, 2012 18:58:31 GMT -5
I wish people who watch those TV shows about Hoarders could read this post. It might actually give them more understanding of what really happens to people instead of just being shocked.
|
|
|
Post by def6 on Feb 9, 2012 10:14:42 GMT -5
Dear Fivecat, Thank you for choosing to get better that fateful day and then sharing it all with us. You are a huge part of my recovery.
|
|
|
Post by hangers on Feb 9, 2012 18:24:02 GMT -5
I did not know the Fivecat story until today. Thanks for sharing with us. Very inspiring.
And I just love "knocking a piss ant off an elephant". Gotta use that one around here soon!
|
|
|
Post by jessidon on Jul 14, 2013 13:19:30 GMT -5
Thank you for your story Fivecat. Poppa always told me if you want something done, do it yourself. I don't know why I never thought of it for my house situation. I've put off so many thingsaround here bc I wasn't strong enough or didnt know how. But, your story gives me hope that I can. It may not be as quick or nice as others but it can be done. Thank you again.
|
|
|
Post by mafixit on Aug 21, 2013 8:43:32 GMT -5
What an inspirational post, thanks so much for sharing your story, you're an amazing woman!! I'm humbled by your story, it's an amazing testament to the power of one.
|
|
ameline
New Member
Digging through the muck daily
Joined: March 2014
Posts: 4
|
Post by ameline on Mar 13, 2014 17:47:51 GMT -5
I'm glad people still respond to this because I'm doing a necromancy here. I needed to read this, I'm also a princess (still, at this point) and starting to see exactly what you have described. Life sucks and I am alone and that is okay. I just need to deal with it and dig myself out of this. I actually have five cats, too, not sure how many you have but your name really stuck out for that reason. Other members directed me to read this and I'm glad they did. Thanks so much for your story!
|
|
|
Post by paristoday on Jul 6, 2014 7:04:27 GMT -5
So inspiring, and so much courage, FiveCat. Thank you for sharing your story.
|
|