Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Jase...thank you!

It wasnt the ending i wanted either, i'm just thankful i'm in one piece (i think) :confused:

I have not resigned that this is the end...more of a hiccup (albeit it a very big one) I promise...i am not and will not give up, i just need some time to refuel my batteries..hence a little time out. My neighbours have been very very supportive (only met them shortly before i left too) They are helping me tremendously to come to terms with everything what has happened recently, and i thank god for them every day.

Thank you again Jase.
Beth

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Beth....what can I say!!!
I just wish you had my number we could have arranged something.
I may be thousands of miles away now but I am always available to chat..if you need to.
Please keep posting and don't be sorry...you have nothing to be sorry for.
Keep positive and like you said take each hour as it comes.

Lynne x

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Hmm. :blink:

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Beth

I'm very sorry the first go did not work out.I feel kinda guilty for advising you to leave for the UK. Truth be told I have heard so many times from Brits that there is a true safety net in the UK for a person down on their luck. I clearly thought you would be able to find help from the appropriate agencies. Your experience has proven what ever safety net the UK might have it doesn't catch people when they are starting from scratch.

The fact you needed to be in the UK to secure certain services only made setting them up that much harder. Unfortunately the situation will require that you have money for a place to rent(a clean safe boarding room) some where at least for a few months or a friend you can stay with in the UK. Don't feel like this attempt went for not.You learned some things and that will help you when you are ready to try again. Recharge your batteries have a good cry and remember a lesser person would not have tried. People on this board care what happens to you!!!!!!!

My thoughts are with you:)

Yankeeabroad

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Thank you Yankee

You are 100% right, only please don't feel guilty...the decision was all mine. Just as no one forced me to come here, no one forced me to return. Once my mind was made up to leave i just wanted to go there and then, its just not as easy as packing a suitcase and leaving...i should have planned more and for longer! Emotions can cloud your judgement and is not the best time to be making such major decisions. Although i was already aware of the housing crisis (especially in my home town) from the phone calls i had made previously, and was also aware i could be placed anywhere....what i was unaware of was just how many other people were in the same situation...hence it was very difficult to place me...and especially with physical needs. There had been 4 people (all with children) placed in the same refuge before i arrived, they were not from that area either. Its a huge crisis and can happen to anyone, anywhere and at anytime.

Whilst sitting in Sue's office waiting for housing to call back she had the unfortunate task of informing (to whoever was on the other end of the phone) that she didnt have any units available at all and she could only refer them to another refuge who may be able to help. They also house people in guest houses or in my case the local pub (bed and breakfast) but even that depends on availability.

Yes, i did indeed learn some very valuable lessons. You must have enough money to secure accommodation first (if only for a few months) I had enough to stay in a hotel but not for a few months, and where i would have ended up after that is anyones guess? Unless you have family or friends willing to help (and not everyone does) you really are on your own!

When i booked my flight i purposely bought a round trip, it costs a whole lot more to purchase a single ticket! If you buy a round trip then cancel at the other end, the airline can usually resell your seat (airline dosen't lose out that way) and hence the reason for round trip been cheaper. I had picked a date 3months out for the return portion obviously thinking i wasnt coming back and would just cancel, it cost $250 penalty for changing the date and without a credit card, i was relieved when they said i could pay on arrival at the airport. I had initially paid for my flight by money order.

I had also spoke with a DV counsellor plus the court advocate who had helped me with the previous incident before i left Seattle. I'm so glad i did and at least am aware of my options here. Because the mortgage payments were current (up until now) i do have some time to rethink my options before the foreclosure process begins. First of all i need to re-register with a doctor and hospital, my old doctor had given me 90 days worth of medication so i'm ok for meds, but 2 flights in a very short time has affected my sinuses pretty bad, and now have another infection. I put the fact i was so tired down to jet lag but along with a sinus infection i'm totally drained.

Ive cried till i cant cry anymore and at present i'm just feeling totally numb. Things will get better i know, but for now, i just need to recover and recharge, only then can i think about 'what's next'. Thanks again yankee...take care.

Beth

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Wow, I can't believe what I've just read it's unreal, a living nightmare!

Get your breath back for a few days before you even attempt thinking of anything.

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

I think everyone is too gobsmacked to reply !!!

At least you are safer now Beth, than being stuck in that pub. what a nightmare.

Ok - just ignore this if you don't want to answer. How come you left your mother's place so quickly? I assumed (and I reckon that others did too) that you would stay there for some time, maybe 1-3months, or even longer, until you got yourself sorted out? I know that you briefly touch upon the reasons in your post, but I don't really understand why?

Well, I guess you should always take the positives from your experiences. You now know that you are capable of taking actions to change your situation...and you've got the benefit of hindsight too, so that if you decide to make a 2nd attempt in future, hopefully next time it will be a success. :)

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

OMG BETH!!!! I have been waiting for 2 weeks to get my internet up and running so I could see how things are for you, This is not what I expected to read. I am so sorry things haven't worked out the way we had all hoped, I don't really know what to say. I have cried buckets reading your post. I wish I had given you my mobile number before i left, I would have come and got you.
DON'T YOU EVER GIVE UP! I think you have proved to yourself just how strong you are.
loads of hugs to you
Christine x

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Wow just wow, what a horrible experience. I too was hoping for the happy ending. I'm so sorry you were robbed and it didn't work out at your Mums.
But now you know whats what and if you do decide to try again, you'll know whats needed ahead of time.
Now you'll be a wonderful resource to others who are in bad situations and need to go back.

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Oh my word!! :ohmy:

You poor thing!

Mind you, I know just how you are feeling. I have made 2 unsuccessful attempts to go back in the last 18mths. Although my circumstances are very different to yours, it is somewhat demorailising thats for sure.

At least you now know what you are dealing with. It is a shame it didnt work out with mum.

Can i ask if there is a particular reason why you have to go back to these areas? When i was back there last year staying with my daughter. I became very ill in hospital with pnuemonia. I was told by staff there that I would be entitled to sheltered housing due to my diabetes etc and if i wanted to, i could seek help from the local housing association. I was also told that i would have my own home within 6 weeks!! :ohmy: I really didnt want it at that time, but maybe the areas you are choosing are particularly bad for help right now?
Worth a thought.

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

I appreciate people don't know what to say...it certainly wasn't easy for me to explain what happened either. However as stated previously, it was for those who had supported me that i posted an update, just sorry it wasn't happier news. I hope you can understand, that something's are just too upsetting to talk about (although i did try) i'm now just trying to concentrate more on the positive things i learned from this whole experience. I chose those area's, as one was where my mother lived and the other is where i was born, i had been away from England for quite some time (nearly 7yrs) and thought familiarity would help with the transition.

Christine...i have thought of you often and am so happy to hear you and the family are safely home. I know you will have been extremely busy, so just wanted to say a very special thank you for taking the time to post whilst in the process of resettling yourself...hope everything is going great for you and your family? Welcome home Christine :)

Best wishes
Beth

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Beth it was an experience and one you will learn from.

You will have either realised that you still want to go back to the UK in a different area, you will have realised that you can/cannot live with your Mum or you will have realised you can make a life for yourself in Seattle - only it took a trip back to the UK to discover that.

Either way, it was your own personal journey and you are still here to tell the story.

Nothing will keep you down for long Beth, seriously - you are the type of person to always find a way.

And you will succeed.

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Just read this whole tread start to finish....

What a horrible situation :ohmy:

But you have such strength and will power :) I am sure you will find your place in this world! Just take it day by day...

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

Oh no I'm so shocked and sorry to read this and really feel for you, fair play to you for writing such an honest heart felt update that must of been so hard.

I hope that the future holds true happiness for you you are a wonderful person and deserve to be happy :)

Re: Silent in Seattle!
 

I also have just read this thread form start to finish and I cannot believe how awful it turned out. Everything seems to be working out great for you and then.... What a shame your Mum didn't have a bit more , well sense I suppose, and realise that you were exhausted and really just needed a few days to rest and come to terms with the move.

I really hope things start to look up for you from her on in.

Susie.