It was easy to decide to sell the house. I certainly didn't want to be on the road and have to deal with the needs of renters, nor with the needs of a house, and I needed the little bit of equity I had in the house as travel money. So I started telling friends and neighbors that my house would be on the market in the Spring. In September, I got an email from a couple who wanted to see the house and possibly make an offer - right away, not in the Spring. I told them that wasn't likely to work since it would mean that I'd have to move into some temporary housing for 7 or 8 months, but they were politely insistent.

They toured the house, which was pretty wrecked since Joellen had just moved out and I hadn't rearranged yet, and I learned that they had lived in my neighborhood some years ago and had had their eye on this house for some time. The design was good for their needs, for lots of reasons. They liked what they saw and asked again to make an offer. So I got a realtor friend to help me assess the value, and when their offer came in over that number, I said yes.

With the house selling in early October, and me not leaving until June, I expected to have to scramble to put together a housing plan. Luck was with me - along with helpful friends. I had made arrangements for several months, piecing together a month here and a couple of weeks there, but it was going to be complicated... when (ta da) I got an email that My friend Carol wrote: "Please help me find someone who would live in my house - for free, no rent - until June so I can take this great job overseas. And they'd need to move in soon, like early October!" Yep, perfect for me.