The Real Street of Dreams Ch1

The Blue Star Gazette

PHOTOS: Top down: My lot in the beginning. Hans, leader of the clan. Ken, our building supervisor. Jai's first saw lesson. Megan on dirt duty. Jordan shoveling gnarly gravel.	The REAL STREET OF DREAMS Chapter 1: Book of Miracles by Jai Tiger Reed, Editor There it was in black and white, somehow in following my spiritual destiny it happened, I had fallen into my college daughter’s sociology textbook. “Look mom, this is so exciting! You’re officially what is called a ‘Displaced Homemaker.’ Cool. Hey, how much did you make last year?” Not feeling very glad to be her example of low-income single mothers, I reply. “Mom, WOW! Look at this, you fall right on the line on this chart!” “Oh my god,” she adds indignantly, “This is so unfair, women just don’t seem to recover financially after a divorce. Whew…oh, momma…do you know the chances of you ever getting your own home again?” I interrupt, “What do I have to do to get off that chart?” I ask. She educates me, “Double your income, have equity in your own home, or get married to some rich dude.” “Alright” I laugh, “Now I have some goals! Thanks!” The road to the first cut was lined with paperwork but somehow the day had come. Our building supervisor Ken, handed the skill saw to Brenda who smiled nervously. She had never operated one before in her life yet over the next year, she would be building eight homes. As we cheered her on, Brenda tentatively cut the line in a large board of plywood from which we would paint signs with our names and new addresses to stake out our lots. And a happy lot we were, standing for an hour in the rain with big smiles on our faces at the first Saturday meeting of our building group, the last lucky families selected for the Mutual Self-Help Home Building Program in Port Townsend. Ken asks us, “Are you all okay with the rain? Because…” Brenda interrupts and captures the sentiments of the whole group, “Oh no, we’re happy!” In many cities, the wealthy host an event to showcase the superb beauty and craftsmanship that money can buy. The tour of these million plus homes is called “The Street of Dreams.” As I stand looking at this neighborhood, built by low income working people contributing 30 hours a week for a year or more, I realize I am looking at the REAL street of dreams. For me it gets me off the chart in the Sociology book and into the Book of Miracles. Here are some excerpts from our journey so far and I invite you to follow the whole story on our website, www.thebluestargazette.net. BLOGS September 2004 No way would I ever want to be part of a government housing project. August 2005 I am completely priced out of the housing market in Port Townsend. What am I going to do? Will I ever be able to have a home of my own? September 2005 Look at this wonderful neighborhood the Mutual Self-Help program has created. I’m so excited, I qualify for this program! Oh, it would be so wonderful, I’m going to apply. Oh, please! October 2005 Found out I’m on the waiting list but the list is long. its the last group for Port Townsend and there’s only 8 slots. Deanna emailed me and said “There’s always hope.” November 2005 I just got a call from the KCCHA office -(Kitsap Consolidated Housing Authority) that we should know by the end of the month or at the latest the end of December. December 2005 Well, I was praying Santa would bring us a house for Christmas but we haven’t heard so I guess not. April 11, 2006 They called! Some delays but now they are selecting the eight families! I’m #13. I have to send in my application and all my paperwork right now! April 18, 2006 I’m number 10! April 21, 2006 I’m number 9! April 30, 2006 We get a house! May, 2006 I give up. I have sent them every possible documentation of my financial world and still, my loan is not approved. I’m so stressed out, my stomach is hurting. We should know soon. They plan on closing by mid-June. I can hang in there. Its worth it. May 30, 2006 Diana called. I can not have the house plan I wanted. I have to pick a single story floor plan. Wait, she just called and told me I must be the luckiest person on earth - someone changed and now I can have my sweet little house. Even though our loans are not approved, we signed off on our house plans and were given our addresses. Mine is right next to the spot where Erwin and I made a magic kiss for me to get this. My address will be 2135 Shasta Place! When I realized it adds up to my magic number 11, I felt like the universe was telling me to relax, that it is going to happen. I’m trying to trust more and just KNOW it. June 1, 2006 Diana called to tell us congratulations but that the loans are still not approved so it may not happen. I feel like my mind wants to split in two. Which voice do I listen to? Fear or confidence? I pick “Congratulations!” We start the pre-construction meetings next week. June 20, 2006 Found out at our last meeting that I am the only person whose loan is not approved. I cried. June 27, 2006 Today I feel like there must be some mistake in my paperwork. I am perfect for this program and I deserve this! After the meeting, I ask for a special meeting to go over my case. June 29, 2006 They started the phone conference with saying that I needed to know all the details about the complicated system the USDA uses for loan approval. Suddenly the part of me that understands CONFIDENCE stood up and said “No, I don’t want to know all the rules. I want to know how do we get to YES!” I know it sounds like a manifestation tape, but it was from my heart. So we went through my documentation and it turns out that there was a problem with each one of my part-time jobs. I knew exactly how to fix each problem and by that afternoon, this part of me had gotten everything corrected. Diana called and said that now my numbers are perfect. The USDA office would get my file on Monday and we would know on Tuesday. Hurray! July 4th Got the word today, my loan is approved! Closing will be in a few weeks. July 20th Closing is delayed until August 4th August 3rd Closing is August 10th August 10, 2006 We had closing today! Feels like a big returning. August 18, 2006 They forgot to have me sign some papers. August 28, 2006 They forgot about some more papers. September 2 We had our first Saturday meeting. Everyone is so happy and excited. Ken went over how things will work and we approved our first contractor. No hours this week September 9 Cold and rainy at our meeting but everyone’s spirits are high. They are clearing the lots. I feel guilty to feel happy about trees getting cut down. Yesterday I walked around and thanked the trees for giving way for our homes. I hope they get recycled into The Blue Star Gazette. As the lots are cleared, I think about what I want to clear away as I move into manifesting my perfect life. Ken gives us a lesson on they skill saw and tells us power tool horror stories. We get to paint our lot signs today if the rain stops. Ken asks us if we are okay with the rain and Brenda, speaking for all of us, says “We’re Happy!” 5 hours work this week. September 16 Sunny day today. More power tool horror stories and we talk about group dynamics which seems to become the biggest challenge other than working full-time and putting in an extra 16 to 30 hours a week building. Our group is very jovial and seems to get along very well. We talk about problems the others have had and Kristina wonders out loud if our project will turn into Survivor. We all laugh nervously and elect her and Peter as our group leaders. We shovel gravel. 10 hours work this week. September 23 Beautiful sunny day and we all enjoy it. Some finish the gravel work and most work on learning to build boxes for the foundations. Our group is getting along really well. The foundation framing is in on my house! 10 hours work this week. About the program, you can learn more about the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program at Kitsap Consolildated Housing Authority's website, www.kccha.org. The run the program for Kitsap and Jefferson Counties. The program is through the USDA's rural development program. WANNA HELP? Volunteers and groups are more than welcome to speed us on our journey. Just contact Jai at jai@earthdancepress.com. The Blue Star Gazette Your guide to an naturally inspired, magical lifestyle Brought to you by a community of those involved in the healing arts. Please contact the authors and sponsors of the Blue Star Gazette on-line (www.the bluestargazette.net) and tell them you saw their work here! Don't miss an issue! Subscribe and receive each edition for only $21. Just send your editor an email and we'll get it set jai@earthdancepress.com. Feel free to call me at the office at 360-379-blue(2583).

PHOTOS: Top down: My lot in the beginning. Hans, leader of the clan. Ken, our building supervisor. Jai's first saw lesson. Megan on dirt duty. Jordan shoveling gnarly gravel.

The REAL STREET OF DREAMS
Chapter 1: Book of Miracles
by Jai Tiger Reed, Editor

There it was in black and white, somehow in following my spiritual destiny it happened, I had fallen into my college daughter’s sociology textbook.
“Look mom, this is so exciting! You’re officially what is called a ‘Displaced Homemaker.’ Cool. Hey, how much did you make last year?”
Not feeling very glad to be her example of low-income single mothers, I reply.
“Mom, WOW! Look at this, you fall right on the line on this chart!”
“Oh my god,” she adds indignantly, “This is so unfair, women just don’t seem to recover financially after a divorce. Whew…oh, momma…do you know the chances of you ever getting your own home again?”
I interrupt, “What do I have to do to get off that chart?” I ask.
She educates me, “Double your income, have equity in your own home, or get married to some rich dude.”
“Alright” I laugh, “Now I have some goals! Thanks!”
The road to the first cut was lined with paperwork but somehow the day had come. Our building supervisor Ken, handed the skill saw to Brenda who smiled nervously. She had never operated one before in her life yet over the next year, she would be building eight homes. As we cheered her on, Brenda tentatively cut the line in a large board of plywood from which we would paint signs with our names and new addresses to stake out our lots.
And a happy lot we were, standing for an hour in the rain with big smiles on our faces at the first Saturday meeting of our building group, the last lucky families selected for the Mutual Self-Help Home Building Program in Port Townsend. Ken asks us, “Are you all okay with the rain? Because…” Brenda interrupts and captures the sentiments of the whole group, “Oh no, we’re happy!”
In many cities, the wealthy host an event to showcase the superb beauty and craftsmanship that money can buy. The tour of these million plus homes is called “The Street of Dreams.” As I stand looking at this neighborhood, built by low income working people contributing 30 hours a week for a year or more, I realize I am looking at the REAL street of dreams. For me it gets me off the chart in the Sociology book and into the Book of Miracles. Here are some excerpts from our journey so far and I invite you to follow the whole story on our website, www.thebluestargazette.net.

BLOGS
September 2004
No way would I ever want to be part of a government housing project.
August 2005
I am completely priced out of the housing market in Port Townsend. What am I going to do? Will I ever be able to have a home of my own?
September 2005
Look at this wonderful neighborhood the Mutual Self-Help program has created. I’m so excited, I qualify for this program! Oh, it would be so wonderful, I’m going to apply. Oh, please!
October 2005
Found out I’m on the waiting list but the list is long. its the last group for Port Townsend and there’s only 8 slots. Deanna emailed me and said “There’s always hope.”
November 2005
I just got a call from the KCCHA office -(Kitsap Consolidated Housing Authority) that we should know by the end of the month or at the latest the end of December.
December 2005
Well, I was praying Santa would bring us a house for Christmas but we haven’t heard so I guess not.
April 11, 2006
They called! Some delays but now they are selecting the eight families! I’m #13. I have to send in my application and all my paperwork right now!
April 18, 2006
I’m number 10!
April 21, 2006
I’m number 9!
April 30, 2006
We get a house!
May, 2006
I give up. I have sent them every possible documentation of my financial world and still, my loan is not approved. I’m so stressed out, my stomach is hurting. We should know soon. They plan on closing by mid-June. I can hang in there. Its worth it.
May 30, 2006
Diana called. I can not have the house plan I wanted. I have to pick a single story floor plan. Wait, she just called and told me I must be the luckiest person on earth - someone changed and now I can have my sweet little house. Even though our loans are not approved, we signed off on our house plans and were given our addresses. Mine is right next to the spot where Erwin and I made a magic kiss for me to get this. My address will be 2135 Shasta Place! When I realized it adds up to my magic number 11, I felt like the universe was telling me to relax, that it is going to happen. I’m trying to trust more and just KNOW it.
June 1, 2006
Diana called to tell us congratulations but that the loans are still not approved so it may not happen. I feel like my mind wants to split in two. Which voice do I listen to? Fear or confidence? I pick “Congratulations!” We start the pre-construction meetings next week.
June 20, 2006
Found out at our last meeting that I am the only person whose loan is not approved. I cried.
June 27, 2006
Today I feel like there must be some mistake in my paperwork. I am perfect for this program and I deserve this! After the meeting, I ask for a special meeting to go over my case.
June 29, 2006
They started the phone conference with saying that I needed to know all the details about the complicated system the USDA uses for loan approval. Suddenly the part of me that understands CONFIDENCE stood up and said “No, I don’t want to know all the rules. I want to know how do we get to YES!” I know it sounds like a manifestation tape, but it was from my heart. So we went through my documentation and it turns out that there was a problem with each one of my part-time jobs. I knew exactly how to fix each problem and by that afternoon, this part of me had gotten everything corrected. Diana called and said that now my numbers are perfect. The USDA office would get my file on Monday and we would know on Tuesday. Hurray!
July 4th
Got the word today, my loan is approved! Closing will be in a few weeks.
July 20th
Closing is delayed until August 4th
August 3rd
Closing is August 10th
August 10, 2006
We had closing today! Feels like a big returning.
August 18, 2006
They forgot to have me sign some papers.
August 28, 2006
They forgot about some more papers.
September 2
We had our first Saturday meeting. Everyone is so happy and excited. Ken went over how things will work and we approved our first contractor. No hours this week
September 9
Cold and rainy at our meeting but everyone’s spirits are high. They are clearing the lots. I feel guilty to feel happy about trees getting cut down. Yesterday I walked around and thanked the trees for giving way for our homes. I hope they get recycled into The Blue Star Gazette. As the lots are cleared, I think about what I want to clear away as I move into manifesting my perfect life. Ken gives us a lesson on they skill saw and tells us power tool horror stories. We get to paint our lot signs today if the rain stops. Ken asks us if we are okay with the rain and Brenda, speaking for all of us, says “We’re Happy!” 5 hours work this week.
September 16
Sunny day today. More power tool horror stories and we talk about group dynamics which seems to become the biggest challenge other than working full-time and putting in an extra 16 to 30 hours a week building. Our group is very jovial and seems to get along very well. We talk about problems the others have had and Kristina wonders out loud if our project will turn into Survivor. We all laugh nervously and elect her and Peter as our group leaders. We shovel gravel. 10 hours work this week.
September 23
Beautiful sunny day and we all enjoy it. Some finish the gravel work and most work on learning to build boxes for the foundations. Our group is getting along really well. The foundation framing is in on my house! 10 hours work this week.

About the program, you can learn more about the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program at Kitsap Consolildated Housing Authority's website, www.kccha.org. The run the program for Kitsap and Jefferson Counties. The program is through the USDA's rural development program. WANNA HELP? Volunteers and groups are more than welcome to speed us on our journey. Just contact Jai at jai@earthdancepress.com.

The Blue Star Gazette

Your guide to an naturally inspired, magical lifestyle

Brought to you by a community of those involved in the healing arts. Please contact the authors and sponsors of the Blue Star Gazette on-line (www.the bluestargazette.net) and tell them you saw their work here! Don't miss an issue! Subscribe and receive each edition for only $21. Just send your editor an email and we'll get it set jai@earthdancepress.com. Feel free to call me at the office at 360-379-blue(2583).