In the words of the great philosopher, Phyllis Nefler, "I'm starting my new 'meaningful life'," and, after 25 years of working up the courage to do this, I'm actually moving forward with moving to Orlando. My "second family" is being generous and letting me stay with them until I can find something down there, but I also don't want to mooch off of them, and I'll still have bills to pay in the meantime so I'm hoping that some of you will be generous and contribute what you can to help me make this gigantic move. I'm going to be taking some money out of my retirement, but I don't want to empty it, but I'll need a few months of savings to pay bills for things like the mortgage, car loan, Charlie's medical insurance since I'm at the vet every day with him lately, gas, groceries, and at least one stop at a motel along the drive down. I won't be moving until early October (I don't know yet whether I'll be able to sell my co-op since it's not a buyer's market right now; or if I'll try to rent with an option to buy...one of the millions of scary thoughts running through my head), so I've got some time, but whatever I can save up I want to put into a high-yield saving account to try to make the money earn money, if that makes sense.

I am completely humiliated and embarrassed to even ask for anything like this, but I've always told my students, if you need help, ask...so I'm doing what I told them. If I've ever done anything to help you, brighten your day, make a sassy comment at someone who offended you...please consider helping me. You have no idea how much it will mean to me.

Love to you all,

Jeremy