My neighbor accidentally called me today. Her home phone and my phone number are only one digit different. She filled me on what she heard about this whole city buyout of our houses. Last week I was told by the city administrator that the sale would close on 9/15 but that nothing was certain on when we'd have to move out. I called my landlord. He said nothing was for certain yet and he'd believe it when he sees it, and that I wouldn't have to move out any time soon and that I'd just change my rent payments to the city.

My neighbor told me today that SHE talked to the city administrator and they told her that now the sale closes on the 20th and that they were originally hoping to break ground by the end of September, but definitely by October.

That means I have just over a month to find a place that's big enough for three people, has room for an office, and will hopefully accept 2 cats and the dog, AND come up with the rent and security deposit and all of the utility hook-up fees, moving expenses, and taking at least a few days off of work unpaid to get this all done. Oh, and it has to be affordable. Like, I'm paying $400 now and I have no extra monthly income to pay higher rent. I checked our weekly paper today. There's nothing available in our area. They're all small 1 and 2 BR apartments that don't allow pets.

I'm feeling upset and helpless because I've gotten so many stories the last couple of weeks plus there's no way I'm going to pull a couple thousand dollars out of my butt in the next five weeks.