Relief

Good news! I may have found housing! I had been in contact with a woman over the weekend and while chatting with her on Monday afternoon, arranged to see the place that evening. The location is exactly what I was looking for-3 blocks to public transportation and 4 to I-5 access. I will still be able to walk to a grocery store and there is a park down the street. My old running route is nearby and my favorite Thai restaurant is within walking distance as well. (Not that I have the funds to eat there though. :-)) The church were some of my acquaintances go is also just a couple of miles down the road.

The owner is 20 years older than me but a young spirit. It was very easy to chat with her during the 1.5 hours I was there and we didn't run out of things to say. We have a lot of common interests and socially/politically are on the same page. The way she lives seems to be in alignment with what I was looking for and she has two very friendly kitties. There is a peaceful back porch and the yard has raised beds for planting. She cleans primarily with green products and was excited when I asked about a clothes line. The house itself will be just right for two people as the rooms are smaller sized. The space I will be renting is actually two rooms upstairs in an attic space, which will allow me to still have a "sitting" space to have the occasional guest over and out of the way. The only real catch is trying to maneuver my furniture up a 26" wide staircase that switches back on itself. I've been assured a split box spring will make it and the mattress should be able to be smooshed. My love seat should just fit, but one chair won't. I'm trying to devise a way to hoist it through one of the large windows into the space. :-)
Until I'm actually in the space I'm still slightly apprehensive, but I'm hopeful it will all work out fine. The irony of this all is that I was contacted by 3 other great people within 24 hours of meeting with this possibility. Two of them were other incredibly ideal situations. However this space will work out well and I'd already accepted her offer to move into the space. If it falls through, both of the other situations are willing to be recontacted. I appreciate all the continued support on all of this!

I'm finally, after 3.5 weeks of searching, feeling relief. It feels great! My other good news of the day is that I received a small refund from the court because of the parking ticket I got when the whole car registration situation occurred. Sometimes it's worth it to voice dis-satisfaction! Now I just need to do so with AT&T.

It's back to packing and working on my midterm. Hope everyone is having a good week!! Thank you so much for your continued support and concern!