Sell, Sell, Sell!!!

Things are starting to move.  I found my mother a new doctor who specializes in Gero Psyche and I'm moving forward with the sale of her house.  The house is a thorn in my side that I would love to remove.  Permanently!

The biggest obstacle has been what to do with a lifetime of possessions that no one seems to want.  My mother was convinced everything in the house was worth a lot.  Anytime she talks about them she says, "they're worth billions, I tell ya. Billions!"  Well maybe in 3012, but in 2012 it seems like they aren't worth a whole lot.

I called an antique shop to have them come out and take a look.  He paid me about $100 and took a handful of items which left me one empty corner.  He suggested talking with another antique shop.  After a 5 minute phone call with the other shop owner I felt my Irish blood boil and I promptly hung up on him.  My good friend, Google, led me to an auction house in Virginia Beach who filled a 15 foot truck with household items and left me with some empty floor space finally. The auction is at the end of this month so we'll see what the items sell for.  There is still a room of furniture that I can't seem to give away. I can't even donate it! Firewood anyone?

It makes me happy and sad all at the same time.  But I have to get rid of these things.  And they are just things.

My mom is more aware these days and has been asking about her house.  It makes it really hard for me to say "I sold or gave away your things."  I know it's hard for her to hear too.  But she can't keep a houseful of things in her tiny room and there's not enough extra money to pay for a storage unit.  It's simply what has to be done.

So on to the repairs.  I've had two conflicting quotes for the repairs to the foundation so I called in a home inspector on a suggestion by auction house guy.  The verdict was better than I expected.  I am getting one last quote on Monday and then I will work on the financing part of the equation.  Because of the bad housing market it has been suggested I fix up the house prior to putting it on the market so I'll get more money for it and hopefully it will sell faster.

And one little side note.  I am working on spacing things out with my mom and reducing the work load of at least one of my volunteer jobs.  I started taking Yoga classes and I feel a whole lot better.  I just need to take time for me.  It's hard to think of that when someone needs you so much, but if I break down from the stress I'm no good to anyone.

If I say that over and over again in my head I'll eventually believe it.

Time To Take Action

One of the most important things anyone can do to increase awareness of Mental Health care funding is to make sure our elected officials are aware that it matters to you, the voter.

This goes for anything that you care about: bad roads, making sure mothers can breastfeed in public without being hassled, school funding, vaccination requirements, light rail etc.  The only way to make a difference is to make yourself heard.  So this is a public urging for all of you to tell your elected officials at the State, Local and Federal level what matters to you.

I'm in Virginia and Gov McDonnell just announced his new biannual budget for 2012-2014.  You can read it here.  The part relating to Behavioral Health is on page 6.  It calls for a $30 million increase to the budget, which is not near enough to help everyone who needs it.

So speak up.  Lots of people are counting on you.  If you don't know who your representatives are in the General Assembly here's a link to find out.  And if you need to know who your Federal representatives are click here.

It will take so little of your time, but if enough of us spend that time it will make a difference.