I’m at a Fork in the Road
Once again I’ve come to a fork in the road in my life and am faced with a tough decision about what way to go. It’s times like these that I wish I could crawl in bed, pull the covers over my head and not face ‘the light of day’ until someone came along and made all the decisions for me.
Things have been busy lately – I was in Toronto Canada for a few days meeting some AWESOME women that I’ve been interacting with online for the last few years. I’d love to go back someday and visit again! Then I was camping and tubing right after I got back. Let me just say that tubing down the AuSable river was quite the adventure! It was 3 hours and by the time we reached our ending destination I was exhausted. I had arm muscles aching that I didn’t even know I had those muscles. But it was a blast and one I’d easily do again in a heart beat.
But putting my fun adventures aside I”m at a point in the road that is serious on more than one level and decisions need to be made as quickly as possible. Aside from being busy and not having time to post I needed to have a conversation with my best friend about things before posting here. The conversation we had this morning so I can share what’s going on.
Almost one year ago I moved into this totally adorable, comfy, cozy, inviting, warm, perfect for Caleb and I house. I was in love with this house far before the possibility of me renting it was even talked about. I shared that shortly after moving in my car was broken into (well I guess I can’t say ‘broken’ into because back then I had a car that the doors didn’t lock). There have been other things in the neighborhood that have happened but none that directly involved me until the other night.
There was someone outside my bedroom window. I didn’t confirm that it was a person until the next morning when I walked to the side of the house by my window and found a print (it was really weird it was only one footprint) and could see where someone had stepped on some of the shrubbery/leaves type stuff that surrounds that area of the house. The normal thing would have been to call the cops. I didn’t. I figured what are they going to do now?
Last night there was some fighting going on at a house a few houses down from me and I stepped out onto the back deck to listen (yes I’m a nosy neighbor!) and the lady behind me came out as well. She called me over to the fence and we got into a lengthy conversation which led into me telling her about what happened with someone being outside my window. She then asked me if I had heard anything around 2:30 that morning. I had slept at my best friend B’s house that night because we had just gotten back from our tubing trip. But anyways she shared with me the noises they heard and the fact that someone was outside their house. I didn’t ask if they called the cops. I was a little too freaked out to even think about asking her that question.
So the fork in the road that I’m at – I don’t feel safe in the house and can’t stay there. But I don’t have a lot of options for places to move to unless I go back up North. And I don’t want to but at this point I guess I’m just like if that’s what I have to do then I have to do it.
I’m overwhelmed, frustrated and wondering why this is happening, what’s the lesson in all this and why does life have to be so difficult sometimes?
1Angie (Losing It and Loving It)
wrote on 21 July 2009 at 9:41
Tough decision to make there Tishia. Have you thought about possibly getting a home alarm system? Not only do you have an indoor system but you get signs for windows and sign stakes to put in the ground. Maybe that would help deter the peeping tom. You should still call the police and tell them about it and see if they could take a few nights to drive around to check things out. Can’t hurt at this point!
I remember when we first moved in our home over 10 years ago, Kev’s car was broken into (he left it unlocked too) and we got ADT security system not long after. Never had any more problems!
Just remember, it is what it is. You will get through it!
Angie (Losing It and Loving It)’s last blog post..30 Day Shred: Days 19-20 Level 2
2Michelle
wrote on 21 July 2009 at 11:03
I agree with the calling the cops. It may be after the fact, but you can explain to them what happened and request extra patrols. I have actually done that in my neighborhood. Not for the same reasons you have, but they did comply with the request. They started patroling my street quite frequently as a matter of fact. It did slow down as nothing occured. If you can afford it, look into the alarm system as Angie suggested. I would also suggest some personal soul searching though. Do you really not feel safe? Or is it only because of the last few days that you feel unsafe. I have also had times of concern in places that I have lived in, but was not concerned enough to try to take on rent I could not afford to get out. I found that the extra patrols and the calling of the police tends to stop minor harassment. One place I lived in, the neighbor used to threaten me through the wall. I complained to my landlord and they would not do anything. One evening when I came home from work and my porch light had been stolen, I called the cops and they immediately came out and talked to the neighbor that had been yelling at me and I never had another problem.
One simple fix if you cannot afford an alarm system would be to install motion detectors with lights on them all around your house. It will drive your neighbors nuts, but will make you feel better knowing that if someone comes up to your house in the dark the lights will come on and alert you. That will also keep peepers away cuz obviously they don’t want to be seen.
Michelle’s last blog post..Site of The Week Saturday
3Aurelia
wrote on 21 July 2009 at 11:03
Oh my!! I will be sure to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I love Angie’s suggestion of a security system. There has to be a way to deter the crime!! Its a shame that your home isn’t more of a safe haven for you and your son.
Curious, why is up north your only other option?
HUGS
Aurelia
Aurelia’s last blog post..Coaching Corner: Self Esteem Building
4Kim
wrote on 21 July 2009 at 11:07
That’s scary, Tishia. I pray that you will make the right decision. If you decide to stay there, you might also consider getting motion detector lights. Maybe you can ask your landlord to pay for them. He can probably save on insurance if the the house is equipped with a security system and/or motion lights. Just a thought…
Just be careful.
Kim’s last blog post..Kids Get Cancer Too!
5Kim Smith
wrote on 21 July 2009 at 11:26
I think I’ve exhausted all of my advice to you on our trip. Just remember, very little in this life is worth putting yourself and your son in harm’s way. If you need to move back up north temporarily, God will give you the grace to handle that situation…and He will bless you for your obedience, if this is where he wants you to be for the moment.
Praying for you, as you make a very difficult decision!
Kim Smith’s last blog post..Elijah Bossenbroek Piano Music — FREE CD
6Bobbi Janay
wrote on 21 July 2009 at 14:44
I don’t know what to tell you other then in the end whatever decision you make needs to be right for you and Caleb.
Bobbi Janay’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesay
7Christie
wrote on 21 July 2009 at 16:16
Wow that sounds creepy Tishia, so sorry you are going through this. I hope you can figure out a solution like an alarm, or borrowing a big, mean dog for a few days. But I agree, the police should know so they can send extra patrols, it is the safest thing for the entire neighbourhood (as we Cdns spell it). I hope something works out asap.
Christie’s last blog post..My Favorite Productivity Tools – Part 1 – Images
8Anne Schrock
wrote on 23 July 2009 at 9:03
Tishia, what is most important. A sense of security or independence. As I recently commented to my (older) sister, vying for one’s independence does not always mean making good decisions.
Going back home doesn’t need to be a feeling of going backwards. Who knows what God knows? Perhaps you’ll be needed back home. Perhaps God is the one moving you.
Be willing to move where He wants to lead you.
9Admin
wrote on 23 July 2009 at 12:17
Angie – As anxious, nervous and paranoid as I am unfortunately an alarm system wouldn’t do me any good. I still wouldn’t feel safe.
Michelle – I actually miss the crazy neighbor I had because when she was there the cops were patrolling our neighborhood ALL the time – they literally were on our block at her house like every other night. I felt safe knowing they were there all the time. LOL And no it’s not just because of the last few days/recent events I feel unsafe. It’s been an issue since I moved in and my car was broken into. I’m just a very paranoid person and unfortunately the events that have happened in the neighborhood have made me very unsafe feeling and anxious.
Aurelia – Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I appreciate it. As for moving up North being an only option it has a lot to do with the fact that I can’t afford the gas to keep traveling back & forth every other weekend to meet my son’s dad. It boils down to some other stuff as well so for right now realistically moving back up there is the best option.
Kim – Thanks for your suggestions.
Kim Smith – I know there has to be a reason that God is leading me back up North. What that reason is I have no clue. lol We shall see.
Bobbi Moving back up North is definitely good for my son. He can see his dad whenever he wants. It will also help make my life easier in regards to not having to spend so much money in gas traveling back & forth to drop & pick my son up. So for right now the best decision for the both of us is moving back up North.
Christie Thank you for your comment.
Anne I think you hit the nail on the head about the independence thing. I’m having a very hard time swallowing the fact that I’m giving up a lot of independence to move back into my parents house. But I’m trying to remind myself over and over it’s not a permanent thing, I can get that independence back once I’m back on my feet. And yes I agree perhaps God is the one moving me for a reason!