dellac's blog: Reaching out

So much has happened since I first joined this community. It goes hand-in-hand with becoming involved in the Claremont Summer Flower Show. I've had a life-long passion for hybridising liliums, and it was so exciting then to work with other growers and gardeners, as I made space for breeding more lilies. So, I crossed paths with @gwhizz, and was led to this little garden of tranquility on the internet! Excited about sharing pictures and stories with other lily breeders, I joined and soon the lilies forum became a big part of my life and the bulk of my 'social' life. I enjoyed the happy friendship of other gardeners around the globe.
It came to pass though, that I was encouraged by another grower to join Facebook and discover an even bigger international community of lilium breeders. And I eventually did! However, being the introvert that I am, I discovered I didn't have the energy for more than one social platform, and the FB community became my internet lily 'home'. As much as I missed being here, I wasn't able to remain active. But I started this blog as a way to focus the little spare energy that I did have, on writing and sharing photography. I still wanted to stay in touch with the community, and I really wanted to share my flower photos. Well, I've been a less than consistent poster! Thank you to anyone that has kept an interest in my blog posts, anyone who still enjoys the pics I contributed to the database, and anyone who is reading this now! I'm reaching out for help...
Of the many things that have happened since joining this community, finding myself in an abusive relationship, fighting to get myself and my children safely out of it, and starting life again, have all been the biggest challenges. Every gardener knows how much it matters to be able to put down roots and grow in good soil... well, I've suffered more storms and been uprooted more times in my life now than I want to recall. I've wanted to just give up, but I'm too stubborn to die.
Here I am, on a piece of land that no one can take away, and finally I feel safe somewhere. But we only have temporary shelter and it's been more than 4 years now. In fact, we're approaching our 5th winter. When we landed here, I was full of momentum to build, and nothing felt insurmountable. I would save money, build bit by bit, and in a few years would have a new home and shelter, and a garden safe from all the hungry possums! I would be thriving in my home-based business and life would be prosperous, peaceful and gentle. ohh,, haha... dreams.
For every bit of money I've saved, there's been a major expense or emergency just to stay afloat. Despite years of online study for a new career that I can manage around my commitments and disabilities, I have yet to make business a success. And this summer, my body decided it would rebel, and all the hard physical labour required to keep my building project moving, was suddenly off the cards. Autumn has somewhat rejuvenated me, and I've resumed chipping away at things, but I have now reached an obstacle I simply can't move on my own.
In order to make my house site safe, there are half a dozen huge eucalypts that have to be felled, and they have to be felled really carefully by professionals. For over a year I've been trying to find someone willing to take the project on, but it's a big, daunting job in a remote place. And I was scared to know what it would really cost. Well, this week, a competent team finally said yes! Hooray! But the cost is so much more than I was hoping. It's $10,000.
For years I've tried to do this without asking for help, but I'm spent and I can't meet the cost alone. It has taken so much agonising and courage, but I've started a fund-raiser. And now it has come to this, I have also written about and asked for help with the other big financial obstacle that is holding us back from getting our home built - the help to buy our hired shipping container outright first. Put an end to the monthly hire bill, and give us the freedom to modify the container so that it can be made a healthier environment for my son who lives in it. While it is lined, insulated and fit out as a site office, it was never intended for habitation. It doesn't ventilate properly and fills with mold during the cooler months. If we could raise enough, my son could breathe clean air!! With the trees on the ground, I can go ahead with completing earthworks and footings, and put up our post and beam frame! For a total of $30k, we could really turn things round!
I'm can't remember the rules of sharing outside links here, so I'm going to put the fundraiser link in my signature quote and start a comment thread. If you're still reading... Please, and thank you, for any support you could offer at all, and for sharing this fundraiser far and wide. We need to this to reach thousands of people to have a chance of raising all the funds - sharing is the greatest gift... please share!
Many humble thanks. I'm posting some images. Please enjoy.

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