It was anything but smooth sailing, but I am happy to annouce that I am back in NEW YORK CITY!

First, please forgive me for not writing sooner. Actually, I don't even have internet yet.  I am working at the office of my ex-boss- which proves the old cliche is true- "never burn bridges"!

Anyway, not only do I not have phone service or internet, I don't have a working stove- the gas company cannot turn on my gas due to a problem with the previous tenant.  As single moms, we learn pretty quickly to improvise, especially when we moms have a large brood.  And with five hungry boys like mine who are used to eating all day, non-stop and are never full, I had to think quickly. So this morning, after having to move my car due to the parking laws in New York City,  I stumbled upon an appliance store and bought a giant microwave oven (which was on sale, dirt cheap) and lugged it back to my apartment.  My strongest son carried it up the two long flights and set it up.

Moving- in and of itself- is a very stressful  time, even under the best of circumstances.  But when you're a single mom, moving 1200 miles away with a lot of kids is downright harrowing!  Trust me.  Granted, I am not the best planner in the world and I admit, I don't know the meaning of the word "organzied" and as a mom of five, well, that's pretty pathetic.

But I do my best.  It was a quick move and one that left me with my back against the wall literally.  I had nowhere to stay once my landlord's house sold, so a friend of mine in N.Y.contacted his broker friend who got me a place without a credit check and all that nonsense which is what had held me back everytime I called about an apartment on my own. Not to mention that nearly half of the management of the rentals I saw nearly closed the door when they saw no husband and five boys in tow!

Fast forward to August 6, 2007, just two days after the movers left my belongings on the streets of Brooklyn; (Affordable Moving)- Here's some advice: Don't ever, ever use them.  I am still without an air conditioner large enough for the apartment, I'm without a kitchen table - (the movers snatched that too- along  with the chairs and my two favorite-ever bedroom lamps- and God knows what else).  There are now about 120 boxes piled throughout the apartment.  I guess it just takes time, but being the impatient "instant gratification" type person I am, I want it all overwith now.  I want it to look like a home and feel like a home.  But I know I'm being unrealistic.

So, I guess I am in for more hard work over the next few weeks with my kids pitching in to make it as comfortable as possible until I find the apartment that meets our needs.  I am thankful, of course, that I am not out on the street.  I have a roof over my head, albeit not the roof I  expected, but  a roof nonetheless.

Yeah, the place is a mess, it's hot as hell inside, I can't cook since there's no gas, but who wants to cook in this heat? There's no couch or much furniture at all, but two weeks ago I had nothing-no prospects as to where we'd all live and feared I'd be homeless with five children. I was scared, very, very scared.

Yet now, even though I am sleeping on the floor, I am not homeless.  I made it to New York just like I said I would- and it's still my favorite place in the world. And this apartment is just a  temporary asylum from the streets of the city.  Still, wonderfully New York is the kind of place where a lifestyle with bedding on the floor is considered normal.

I hope you stay tuned to find out how we fare in the coming weeks.  I am sure it will be far from boring.  I expect good things.  I want my kids to be happy.  That's the most important part of this move.  Maybe by the time you read my next post, we'll be half-way there.

Best always,

Dawn