As you guys probably know, after Maryellen and I sold our house in Hillsboro and closed Coach Vic's Batting Cage, we bought a 28 ft travel trailer in the hopes of traveling around the US. Well, my health problems kept the traveling from happening. We ended up living in the trailer (which has been challenging hahaha) outside of Woodland, Washington. We're living on private land with just a small house next door with a nice family of seven (it's been fun watching the kids grow up).

Maryellen started working at the local Safeway which helped to supplement both of our social security checks. But, she started having severe C-spine issues and had to stop working in December 2021 because of the pain. She needs surgery but this was put on hold when I was in and out of the hospital for 4 months last year. Now, I'm going to need a heart procedure so her surgery got put off again.

We've been doing relatively okay with just our social security checks since Maryellen stopped working (plus going to the local food bank every Saturday). THEN, ON SEPTEMBER 3RD THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR HAD A MAJOR HOUSE FIRE. The fire department was required to turn off the electricity next door and, since we shared electricity, this means that we also have no electricity.

We contacted Red Cross and they were able to provide some financial assistance which paid for a generator. While we've been looking for a place to move, the generator has been great but we can only run it from about 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to ration the daily gasoline (until the generator came, we were spending our evenings playing Yahtzee by battery operated lantern light while drinking camp-style coffee ). The goal to move is by November 1st. Our landlord has been patient because none of this has been our fault.

This has been quite a year, especially with Bullet passing away in March followed by Ricochet passing away in May. Marley, our little 12 pound Terrier tornado, has eased some of that pain and has been a bright spot through all of this.

Our rent is going to go up by $450 a month, but we're just going to have to make that work. However, for the move we're going to require a $1,000 security deposit plus other costs to move (we need to hire a couple of people to help - we've become quite "nested" with outdoor furniture, gardening equipment, etc.). We also have a major leak under the kitchen sink that needs repair (this is obviously not a moving expense, but is much needed). And, Go Fund Me charges 20% for the service. WE'RE MOVING ON NOVEMBER 1ST. This money is something we just don't have. We've reached out to my family, and with the exception of my son and daughter who've been able to give us very short-term loans that we have to pay back with the next check, none of my family has been able or willing to help. The same goes for some of Maryellen's family.

So, we're in a pretty bad way with regard to finances. This is quite embarrassing, but as a last resort we're reaching out to friends. We completely understand if you can't help. Whether it’s $5, $25, or $50, we are hoping that a little bit from each of you will add up to what we need.

Here's the link to donate: gf.me/u/433ng9.