Reflections of My Life

It is official now, Tops grocery store that was about 2 blocks away is no more. Grand Union moved in there and my Tops rewards card is no good. My friend just told me that she heard it is quite pricey and has no sales. It does not show on my Instacart as a store in my shopping area. So I guess it will be Aldi's from now on. The only thing is that I liked to go there on Jazzy. I will check it out in person eventually.

Too bad though because even though Tops was not cheap, they had good sales and deals for the poorer people in our area. People who do not own cars live in the area and that store was where they shopped. I will miss Tops.
 
katlupe said:
Grand Union moved in there and my Tops rewards card is no good.
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Oh, sad Kat. But I'm thinking GU will issue it's own cards, Or maybe give the sale price without that silly card, that people forget and allows stores to charge full price.

Over the years, it seemed to me, that newly opened grocery stores offered really low prices to "hook" customers away from the others. If they do, enjoy it while you can because the prices will sneak up.

All stores have sales.. Grand Union has been around for many years, right? What puzzles me is how they can open and stock a new store with today's inflated prices!

Maybe they can and is why Tops went out and Grand Union comes in with high prices?
 
RadishRose said:
Oh, sad Kat. But I'm thinking GU will issue it's own cards, Or maybe give the sale price without that silly card, that people forget and allows stores to charge full price.

Over the years, it seemed to me, that newly opened grocery stores offered really low prices to "hook" customers away from the others. If they do, enjoy it while you can because the prices will sneak up.

All stores have sales.. Grand Union has been around for many years, right? What puzzles me is how they can open and stock a new store with today's inflated prices!

Maybe they can and is why Tops went out and Grand Union comes in with high prices?
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I have no idea what happened. Grand Union opened in another Tops store that I know of. In Owego, NY. So maybe they are taking over the Tops stores? Maybe the Tops stores were in trouble. I used to shop at Grand Union years ago in Vestal, NY which is where I lived at the time. I liked it then.

I hope they will participate in the Instacart program so I can order from there like I did with Tops. Of course, mostly what I am thinking is what other people have told me. I need to see for myself. Can't believe everything you hear, which I don't.
 
I was feeling kind of lazy this morning. My breakfast which today was the chili that I made yesterday for supper. I cheated on it and just added a jar of organic salsa to ground beef and made it in the Instant Pot. Came out very good. But this morning looking at the carbs count for yesterday, that salsa is a bit too high in carbs. I need to develop one with lower carbs though that one is so good or find a different brand of salsa. I do not want to make it from scratch. Trying to make less work for myself.

Today I had a bad experience with Instacart. It was not their fault. The shopper had my groceries and was on her way here. I kept an eye on my phone, on my computer and out the window. Never came. I went outside twice and walked around the building after getting a message from Instacart saying she was outside my door??? No, she was no where to be seen.

Then they cancelled my order! And charged me a $15. cancellation fee!!! So I reordered and a guy shopped the list again and he came to my building with no problem! I sent Instacart a message about this and hope I get my $15 fee back since I did not cancel it and I was right here waiting for it. Shoot I am downtown where anyone could find me. Everyone knows this building. Needless to say, I was stressed. It took up my whole day.

.
 
I had good news to share yesterday but didn't seem right in light of worrying about Aneeda. Even though our members here on SF have not met in person, sometimes I forget that fact. I like to write and communicating and getting to know others by writing to me seems like you get to know each other better. Of course, sometimes people do not write displaying their true self, but the self they wish they were. I was really into penpals when I was a child. Always had a few of them and getting something in the mail was always the highlight of my days.

My good news though has to do with my apartment building community and our ex-manager. Turns out she had received the letter from the lady who needed the bathtub changed to a shower so she could use it. It was from the doctor telling the management of our building that she had Parkinson's and would need the tub changed. That was part of the process of getting a "Reasonable Accommodation" to make an apartment suitable for disabled person. It was dated on October 22, 2021. She had it in her office all that time! She said she could not have it changed.

The guy who is working here as our manager presently is actually a manager in another local complex but not in our city. He has worked here before and knows everyone. He actually is the one who trained the ex-manager. He said there are more issues that we do not even know about. He mentioned she is guilty of fraud. So he has been busy in the office trying to clear up the messes she created.

The other two trouble makers who were the ex-manager's friends have been staying quiet so far. Not much they can do right now. Another thing that I believe may come to light is the fact that the ex-manager who had access to our private financial affairs and other information due to the lengthy paperwork we have to do to live here in a subsidized apartment complex, she discussed our information with those friends. And sharing the videos of the hallways of people walking to and from their apartments. She even had that one on her personal phone.

So I am relieved about all that this morning. My friends who were so stressed out were smiling and laughing yesterday. Just because we are senior citizens or disabled does not mean we are stupid. In fact, it looks like stupid in this case did not apply to us.
 
katlupe said:
I was feeling kind of lazy this morning. My breakfast which today was the chili that I made yesterday for supper. I cheated on it and just added a jar of organic salsa to ground beef and made it in the Instant Pot. Came out very good. But this morning looking at the carbs count for yesterday, that salsa is a bit too high in carbs. I need to develop one with lower carbs though that one is so good or find a different brand of salsa. I do not want to make it from scratch. Trying to make less work for myself.

Today I had a bad experience with Instacart. It was not their fault. The shopper had my groceries and was on her way here. I kept an eye on my phone, on my computer and out the window. Never came. I went outside twice and walked around the building after getting a message from Instacart saying she was outside my door??? No, she was no where to be seen.

Then they cancelled my order! And charged me a $15. cancellation fee!!! So I reordered and a guy shopped the list again and he came to my building with no problem! I sent Instacart a message about this and hope I get my $15 fee back since I did not cancel it and I was right here waiting for it. Shoot I am downtown where anyone could find me. Everyone knows this building. Needless to say, I was stressed. It took up my whole day.
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It only takes a few people having a bad day, to allow convenience to turn into inconvenience. Maybe that first shopper was confused or lost. I hope the same bunch work together to whip you up a good day!
 
katlupe said:
I had good news to share yesterday but didn't seem right in light of worrying about Aneeda. Even though our members here on SF have not met in person, sometimes I forget that fact. I like to write and communicating and getting to know others by writing to me seems like you get to know each other better. Of course, sometimes people do not write displaying their true self, but the self they wish they were. I was really into penpals when I was a child. Always had a few of them and getting something in the mail was always the highlight of my days.

My good news though has to do with my apartment building community and our ex-manager. Turns out she had received the letter from the lady who needed the bathtub changed to a shower so she could use it. It was from the doctor telling the management of our building that she had Parkinson's and would need the tub changed. That was part of the process of getting a "Reasonable Accommodation" to make an apartment suitable for disabled person. It was dated on October 22, 2021. She had it in her office all that time! She said she could not have it changed.

The guy who is working here as our manager presently is actually a manager in another local complex but not in our city. He has worked here before and knows everyone. He actually is the one who trained the ex-manager. He said there are more issues that we do not even know about. He mentioned she is guilty of fraud. So he has been busy in the office trying to clear up the messes she created.

The other two trouble makers who were the ex-manager's friends have been staying quiet so far. Not much they can do right now. Another thing that I believe may come to light is the fact that the ex-manager who had access to our private financial affairs and other information due to the lengthy paperwork we have to do to live here in a subsidized apartment complex, she discussed our information with those friends. And sharing the videos of the hallways of people walking to and from their apartments. She even had that one on her personal phone.

So I am relieved about all that this morning. My friends who were so stressed out were smiling and laughing yesterday. Just because we are senior citizens or disabled does not mean we are stupid. In fact, it looks like stupid in this case did not apply to us.
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wow..Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive ! Sounds like your ex manager has been involved in lots of dodgy practices.. and her chickens might be coming home to roost with any luck!!
 
Supposed to have a major snow storm tonight or early morning through Friday. I have a doctor's appointment, of course tomorrow. That is what always happens to me in the winter. I don't know why I even bother making appointments till winter is over. If I could walk, it is really close by. Oh well, I will see what tomorrow brings.
 
I don't think we had that snowstorm as of right now. Sounds like rain out there right now. The temperature is 39 degrees, which is quite warm for February, for New York. I haven't looked out the windows yet because the blinds are closed and the window is blocked (which I do every night when it is cold out). I am not usually concerned about the weather but today is the 3rd, errand day and I rescheduled my foot doctor appointment for this afternoon.

I am trying to get control of my independence. Sonny does so much for me but he has been doing less and less. I think it is due to his health. I am working on my own health and now I need to work on a few other things. He drives me to all my appointments and to run errands or go shopping. He is still doing that. But I have been saying for awhile now that I have to learn to do things in the case that he cannot do it anymore. There are a few options for medical appointments so not too concerned about that.

Sonny also gets the hay from a feed store for Rabbit. It was not that good that last couple of times. I had to throw it out. It had been baled and got wet and was horribly dusty. Now I order it from Pet Select through Amazon. Beautiful hay! I think it comes from Kentucky or somewhere around there. Yes, it is costly but one box lasts about two months. I started doing that in December and Sonny never even noticed. Has never asked me about the hay or if I need any. So if he does I will just say no I don't need any and see what he says.

The other thing, which I am almost out of today is water. I usually buy it at Walmart in the gallon bottles and many times are limited in how many I can get because it is almost gone. So I found a company called The Water Bottle that is located in this county and had many options and the price was not bad. There was no delivery charge. It said 0 in the delivery charge spot. So I will see. I ordered 12 one gallon bottles and 1 five gallon bottle for the water dispenser in the bathroom. It came to $18.90 and that seems like a fair price when it is being delivered to me.

My only problem will be putting the five gallon bottle into the dispenser. My son could possibly do it. He is strong but clumsy. He is disabled and doesn't easily understand how to do something. So I will see if he can do it or if I can get someone other than Sonny to do it. But Sonny will probably do it for me. He could do it. He did plow snow yesterday. I am excited about this! I use a lot of water and this water will be much better quality than what I have been buying. Not sure what day it will be delivered yet.
 
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katlupe said:
I don't think we had that snowstorm as of right now. Sounds like rain out there right now. The temperature is 39 degrees, which is quite warm for February, for New York. I haven't looked out the windows yet because the blinds are closed and the window is blocked (which I do every night when it is cold out). I am not usually concerned about the weather but today is the 3rd, errand day and I rescheduled my foot doctor appointment for this afternoon.

I am trying to get control of my independence. Sonny does so much for me but he has been doing less and less. I think it is due to his health. I am working on my own health and now I need to work on a few other things. He drives me to all my appointments and to run errands or go shopping. He is still doing that. But I have been saying for awhile now that I have to learn to do things in the case that he cannot do it anymore. There are a few options for medical appointments so not too concerned about that.

Sonny also gets the hay from a feed store for Rabbit. It was not that good that last couple of times. I had to throw it out. It had been baled and got wet and was horribly dusty. Now I order it from Pet Select through Amazon. Beautiful hay! I think it comes from Kentucky or somewhere around there. Yes, it is costly but one box lasts about two months. I started doing that in December and Sonny never even noticed. Has never asked me about the hay or if I need any. So if he does I will just say no I don't need any and see what he says.

The other thing, which I am almost out of today is water. I usually buy it at Walmart in the gallon bottles and many times are limited in how many I can get because it is almost gone. So I found a company called The Water Bottle that is located in this county and had many options and the price was not bad. There was no delivery charge. It said 0 in the delivery charge spot. So I will see. I ordered 12 one gallon bottles and 1 five gallon bottle for the water dispenser in the bathroom. It came to $18.90 and that seems like a fair price when it is being delivered to me.

My only problem will be putting the five gallon bottle into the dispenser. My son could possibly do it. He is strong but clumsy. He is disabled and doesn't easily understand how to do something. So I will see if he can do it for if I can get someone other than Sonny to do it. But Sonny will probably do it for me. He could do it. He did plow snow yesterday. I am excited about this! I use a lot of water and this water will be much better quality than what I have been buying. Not sure what day it will be delivered yet.
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I enjoyed reading your post, Kat. Back in our grandparent's day, people made hay when it was Sunny. I think they would have a hard time grasping the idea of ordering hay by the box, or water by the bottle. I'm sure that Rabbit has a better life now than he would have had back then.:) He's living like a King!
 
Before Rabbit & I moved here, I bought hay by the truck load for my 3 horses. My ex-husband sometimes would work during the summer helping a farmer bale hay in exchange for hay for our horses. It was hard work! So I know if I have to pay more for it to order it by the box it is worth it.

I knew about water companies where you have a contraption in the basement that used salt for softening your water because I lived in a house long ago that had one. But didn't know if there was a water company delivery service. I was so happy to have found one right away! And in my area! No delivery charge either. Must be included in the price.

Rabbit is indeed, living like a king. My neighbor/friend down the hall buys berries at the store for him. She comes here almost daily to bring him about 6 berries. He runs to her and she smiles and laughs at him. Which is good as she is going through a lot of stuff right now so if he brightens up her world for a few minutes I am happy.
 
Yesterday was my errand day. Sonny picked me up and we did everything we had to do except the Walmart shopping. Then I had my foot doctor appointment. It was not as bad as I thought. I just hate having anyone touch my feet. Just the grinder thing was not my favorite part......I jumped and he laughed!

It has been snowing pretty much all day. Okay with me, I haven't even left my apartment. And don't plan on it either. No trip to the dumpster today. I will have to do that tomorrow.

I know I have told many times of how miserable I was before I moved here. I couldn't help but think about that yesterday while Sonny and I were shopping for groceries at Walmart. Because of the weather, everyone had finished their shopping earlier so by the time we went, after my 3:00 appointment, it was almost empty. I loved it! I took my time. I remember I didn't actually have a budget for grocery before moving here. My husband had so many credit bills to pay that there was barely anything left and that usually had to go for gas.

So when I managed to sell a number of things on eBay, I'd have a certain amount I could use for groceries. I would carry a tablet with me and write down every single item I put in the cart and how much it was. Then I would be adding it up to see what the final amount would be to make sure I didn't go over. Many times I had to put stuff back because it was too much. It is hard to decide when you are buying essentials to put some of it back.

Of course, only cooking for one person is easier on the budget. As is the fact that I don't buy any of those extra snacks or foods I used to buy. The one thing that was really hard for me to give up was the ice cream. In fact, it was the last. Now I use the Keto Chow to make my keto ice cream and it is really good. So I don't feel like I am depriving myself. I also find I can afford better types of meats and ingredients or seasonings since I don't have high carbs or sweets on my list.
 
katlupe said:
Yesterday was my errand day. Sonny picked me up and we did everything we had to do except the Walmart shopping. Then I had my foot doctor appointment. It was not as bad as I thought. I just hate having anyone touch my feet. Just the grinder thing was not my favorite part......I jumped and he laughed!

It has been snowing pretty much all day. Okay with me, I haven't even left my apartment. And don't plan on it either. No trip to the dumpster today. I will have to do that tomorrow.

I know I have told many times of how miserable I was before I moved here. I couldn't help but think about that yesterday while Sonny and I were shopping for groceries at Walmart. Because of the weather, everyone had finished their shopping earlier so by the time we went, after my 3:00 appointment, it was almost empty. I loved it! I took my time. I remember I didn't actually have a budget for grocery before moving here. My husband had so many credit bills to pay that there was barely anything left and that usually had to go for gas.

So when I managed to sell a number of things on eBay, I'd have a certain amount I could use for groceries. I would carry a tablet with me and write down every single item I put in the cart and how much it was. Then I would be adding it up to see what the final amount would be to make sure I didn't go over. Many times I had to put stuff back because it was too much. It is hard to decide when you are buying essentials to put some of it back.

Of course, only cooking for one person is easier on the budget. As is the fact that I don't buy any of those extra snacks or foods I used to buy. The one thing that was really hard for me to give up was the ice cream. In fact, it was the last. Now I use the Keto Chow to make my keto ice cream and it is really good. So I don't feel like I am depriving myself. I also find I can afford better types of meats and ingredients or seasonings since I don't have high carbs or sweets on my list.
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I remember that all too well during my first marriage.. going around the supermarket picking up the cheapest items, and then counting it all in my head as I walked around to ensure I didn't go over the little money I had...and putting stuff back that I really needed..
My ex husband was a gambler, so money was scarce, he'd often have gambled his whole weekly salary before he got home from work on pay night. .. . Everything I cooked was cooked from scratch and from the cheapest ingredients. Lots of potatoes, and eggs ( which I made into egg and Bacon or egg and cheese flan) , canned Tuna ( which I made into a flan ) and liver, and Brussel sprouts, was pretty much the staple diet for us.
I was unable to buy any ready prepared food, there just wasn't any spare money for that type of thing. I remember also going almost 5 years before entering a clothing shop to buy anything for myself.., because I could never afford clothes, I got one hair cut in 8 years, what money I had from my part-time job, had to stretch to paying for school uniform and shoes for my daughter, she had to come first in everything and I'd have to buy from catalogues which I would pay for weekly and always robbing peter to pay Paul,,... rotten memories, but I divorced him when dd was 8 years old.. and I raised her by myself..all a struggle, but at least the money that was coming into the house was not being gambled away..
 
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