Help Create a Safe Haven for an Artist and Her Cats

Hello!

Thank you for visiting this fundraiser.

I am a 63 year old single woman, living solely on meager SSA disability payments, due to PTSD. When my life is in order, meaning primarily having a stable and quiet housing situation, I can increase my income a bit by making art. Making art is also good therapy for me. I live with 6 rescued cats, 3 of whom are elderly, and 3 quirky individuals who came to me in desperation off the city streets. They are sweet, and loving, and appreciative of my ministrations.

A few years ago, I inherited an uninhabitable farmhouse, which I sold after many months of hard work. I even conquered the mold! After paying all the debts that were incurred during that adventure, I came away with a little extra money. For a few months I was able to start catching up with necessities, including things like veterinary needs and brakes for the car. I was also food secure for the first time in my life. It was such a relief to grocery shop and not have to keep up with the math as I filled the cart. Very importantly, I put away enough money for a downpayment on my own home, away from the traumatizing, urban party neighborhood I'd been living in for several years. My rescue cats and I were really suffering there.

After several months of searching for affordable housing, either to rent or buy, I found for sale an interesting little acre of land with a partially gutted church (c.1900) in a rural county - it was love at first sight! It was also the closest to affordable housing that I could find, so I decided to purchase it with the main goal of converting it into a family home, with an art studio and food gardens.

With the help of some wonderful friends and my realtor, we worked to make it a minimally functional home. Having been a church throughout its entire existence, it had never been set up for cooking, bathing, and other aspects of modern daily habitation. It had also been neglected for several years, so siding, gutters, and other essential aspects of property care required attention. We worked very hard, and everyone did a great job installing some basic, essential electric wiring and plumbing needs.

Upon the last of our possessions being moved to the new place, the cats & I have settled in nicely. Neighbors have stopped by to welcome us to the neighborhood, and one even offered to mow when the grass got out of hand and my back was out (to this day, he still mows my yard, just to be nice). What a change from living in Lexington - I now have kind and caring neighbors.

We have Amish in the area, and they have been kind, friendly, and welcoming as well. They trot by in their carriages, or roll past on their bicycles, smiling and waving every time. Sometimes they stop for a chat. In the background, rather than traffic and miscreants, are sounds of sheep and cows, dogs and chickens, guinea hens and crows. Except for thickly grey days, the dawns and dusks are phenomenally colorful and beautiful. Night skies are starry; fireflies plentiful. All members of the household are recovering nicely from the stresses of the city, and our lives are generally happy.

Once this place is a bit more up to "modern convenience" standards, such as bathing and laundry facilities, I'll have time and energy for creative work, and will be able to bring in money with my artwork which will further enhance the quality of our lives. I am looking forward to that on so many levels. Clients are eager for me to get back to work.

If all goes well, I would like this place to be a fun & relaxing getaway for my urban and faraway friends. I would also like to reliably grow enough food to share with my neighbors, many of whom have even less money than I. If all goes well, it would be wonderful to have this place be a community hub of some sort (perhaps a farmers market and/or arts center), as the main structure was built to be in its beginning. With a little help getting this place together, I can then help others.

Immediate Financial Needs

Housing expenses currently require about 70% of my disability monthly income (mortgage, property insurance, utilities). The household is always short on other living expenses.

Our Immediate Needs Include:

• Food (me and cats)

• Household supplies (cleaning, maintenance, kitty stuff)

• Veterinary (dental, IBD, geriatrics)

• Human medical (dental, vision, basics)

Intermediate/Long Term Needs:

• Refinancing

The current home loan is through the previous owner. That contract is short-term, due to expire this summer. I must refinance soon, or lose my nifty home-in-progress. Certain updates & and repairs are required in order to pass refinancing inspection. Ideally, the refinance will also lower my monthly housing expenses, aiding the progress of creating a better home.

• Creating a Minimum Standard of Modern Life

Living quarters are currently limited to the newer (c.2004), attached annex, which is in need of a heat system, bathing and laundry facilities, and storage. This will entail running electrical wiring, plumbing, and some carpentry. There are other repairs and maintenance issues requiring attention, such as storm door replacement (current door non-functional), a bit of roof and gutter repair, and so forth.

While much of the labor costs can be avoided due to my friends and I performing the work, all materials and some tools will need to be purchased. Some tasks will require professional labor.

Thank you for reading my story, and for any assistance you may be able to contribute to our housing needs and vision for the future. A donation as small as $10.00 buys a carton of eggs and a loaf of healthy bread.

Please feel free to share this GoFundMe on social media, and with anyone who may be interested in contributing.

Wishing much love upon you & yours, with gratitude, from me, Mighty Mink, Miss Rabbit, Little Leaf, Butternuts, Harry, and Miss Nina.