Life has really been showing me how much I can take lately.

I was unhoused for several months and getting settled into a new place has been a huge relief but very expensive, and it's left me without funds for several important things.

I set the goal at $3,000 which would cover roughly:

$500 overdrawn account

$500 vet bills

$500 medical and dental needs

$1500 General life upkeep (groceries, gas, rent, utilities)

If you'd like, you can keep reading to hear the full(er) story.

I came out of the closet and left my marriage to save my mental health at the end of 2022. It took about 4 months for me to get my own place in 2023 and just when me and my two kids were settling in there, I got long covid which caused an autoimmune condition to begin regularly causing symptoms and flares. I limped along keeping my small landscaping business going by myself for about a year, the 2024 season. But my reputation and income plummeted from frequent health call outs.

In early 2025, I tried hiring someone to do the physical labor of the work while I run backend and do designs, but I was too late. We had already missed rent often enough that we were being encouraged to leave our home. In my stress to pack and move, I failed at training this employee so they quit and kept the tools I provided them.

I also failed to find housing, so my kids went to live with their grandma during my parenting time and I was unhoused from June 2025-Feb 2026. My health has been so erratic and unpredictable that keeping steady work is nearly impossible. It's also impossible to get the diagnosis that may prove I need government assistance, especially without health insurance and a bunch of extra time.

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During the hopeful, healthy time of our new home in 2023, we adopted two kittens who have become my emotional support animals. They slept in my car with me and kept me warm all winter. They notice when my heart rate increases and come to help calm me when I'm doing too much or starting to have an anxiety attack. I can not imagine parting with them and surviving. And they need vet care as soon as possible.

I now have a very cool roommate and landlord that I'm thankful for, as they helped get me out of homelessness. Sleeping in a bed instead of my car is something I will never take for granted again. And they need my share of bills immediately.

My two awesome kids are nearly teenagers and they're my world. They've been so kind and caring as I navigate spending time with them while trying to shield them from my situation as much as possible. They have birthdays this time of year. Id love to get gifts for them, though thats not a need. But I do need to stock the pantry with food for them urgently.

I've been wearing the same pair of contacts for at least two months over their recommended 1 month lifespan. I've had a severely broken tooth in my mouth for at least that long. I need medical care and disability support items before these issues worsen or cause other problems.

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So I am hoping, maybe even begging, that the many instances of me making mistakes and falling short will not prevent folks from helping me again. So many have been supporting me for so long, and while having stable housing feels like a major turn in the right direction, I am not done needing help and its hard to ask for more than I've already received.

It's so hard to come up with a plan when you're constantly in survival mode!

But so far, here's what I'm thinking:

1.) The very part time WFH income I have just got confirmed for another 4 months. I am constantly combing websites for more WFH positions to supplement those hours.

2.) I am hoping to get some landscape design clients this summer. 1 design a month would cover nearly 1/5 of my monthly expenses.

3.) I'm trying to sell whatever I can live without (I was just homeless, so its not much). I am considering asking friends to donate unwanted items for a yard sale next month.

4.) Offering garden/landscaping consultations for DIYers who just want some guidance/advice (one of these already lined up)

5.) And honestly another half dozen little ideas that won't make much but may still be worth it as my time and capacity allow.

But I need your help! We're already behind on so much. I can't dig out if it keeps piling on.

Every dollar helps. Every like, share, and comment on social media helps. Knowing folks care really helps. Thank you for helping.

Much Love,

Ziz