Joseph Heller has nothing on the lending and construction industries, it seems.

If you've been following my trials and tribulations through this blog, you know by now that I have a set of plans for my "Retirement Home For Senior Wieners" and I'm actually ready to build. The sanctuary was designed to be as safe and strong as possible, while also keeping costs at a point where I can actually afford to build on my single salary, since (as you may remember) I am no longer a 501(c)(3) and cannot request help.

Knowing that I would need a back-up plan of some sort, I also looked into (and was quite impressed by) a "systems built" home that would allow me to keep the general lay-out of the building. The home would be delivered as panels to the site and tab "a" would be inserted into slot "b" by a local contractor. The package is actually quite impressive.

Here's where Mr. Hellers famous conundrum comes in...

For the architect drawn home, the banks will lend, but no builder (yet) has indicated it can be built for the amount budgeted. For the "systems built" (or "panelized") home, the builders have indicated they can build within budget, but no lender (yet) is willing to finance construction.

In short, I can build what I can't afford, but I can't build what I can afford.

Since my work with these animals is all out of my own pocket now, I obviously have to keep funds available for their needs. Oh, there are a few dedicated supporters who make regular contributions, who's belief in the dream is as strong as mine and don't care that it's not a deductible contribution, but it's not enough to risk taking on more than I can afford if changes in their lives should prevent them from continuing to help.

Mr. Heller would, I think, be proud of my situation. Looks like the pups and I will be riding out yet another hurricane season in the old single-wide that was on the lot when I purchased it. Keep us in your thoughts and if any of you hit the lottery big time, well...