Reflections of My Life

It seems to me that I always run out of things I need a few days before my check is due to be deposited. Or a few days before Sonny is coming up. Since I now have Instacart, I can always use that to get what I need. But it does cost me some money for the tip plus the food. About ten bucks most of the time. That is why I really need "Jazzy" fixed! I am lost without it. We had some nice days when I could have gone to the store on my own. I just wish there was a easy way to remove that stubborn tire.

Everyone is telling me how beautiful our new dollar store is. The store isn't actually new, but the location and building is. It has been moved closer to me and is right in the middle of the downtown area. The aisles are now wide like Walmart's and the doors going in are electric so I can drive Jazzy right in. It is next door to Walgreen's so I could go to both stores at the same time. It is too far for me to walk. Maybe after it warms up and winter is gone, I could walk by taking many breaks before I get there. With my walker I can sit down and rest a bit. But I am afraid of what the after effects would be like.

Most of the time, I am not desperate for any particular food item. That is........unless it is the spring mix that I feed to Rabbit. He eats a few handfuls of it through out the day. I normally buy the biggest organic one at Walmart and it is the best of all the stores I get it at. But it is almost empty today and I will try to give him less and just more hay. I have a handful of parsley left so that will help.
 

kat,

Would the local bus service be a workable compromise?

I remember you talking about learning to use the bus system in earlier posts.

I have thought about doing it here, but haven't screwed up my courage to give it a try.

In this area, the bus fares have been lowered to fifty cents for seniors in an effort to help with the increased cost of gasoline.
 
Aunt Bea said:
kat,

Would the local bus service be a workable compromise?

I remember you talking about learning to use the bus system in earlier posts.

I have thought about doing it here, but haven't screwed up my courage to give it a try.

In this area, the bus fares have been lowered to fifty cents for seniors in an effort to help with the increased cost of gasoline.
Click to expand...
That is something I must learn to do! Our bus service is fifty cents if you have a medicare card.
 

For some reason, I have always hated night time. I think that is why I have always gone to sleep early. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I was always afraid of the dark as a child. Yet I did outgrow that. I never noticed it much till I lived at my house (just before here) because it was off the grid and for most of the time that I lived there we had no lights on at night. When my husband decided it was time to turn off the inverter.......we were done. No lights. In the beginning we had kerosene lamps but eventually we did away with those.

Then we had LED lights in the kitchen that did not need the inverter. But they were only on if I was in the kitchen. My Kindle saved my sanity and my life. Once I got that I read constantly. Between the Kindle and my mp3 player I found my happy place once it got dark. The dark there was scary since it was out in the forest and not many cars went by. So when one would drive by at night it would frighten me. My husband would go upstairs and he never would offer comfort to me at those times or during storms when I was highly anxious and fearful. Now when I think about it...........he was mean!

I wonder what makes a person be that way? And especially to their spouse, someone he claims to love? When I told him I was moving out, he did everything he could to try to get me to stay. It was too late. I knew if I backed down and stayed everything would go right back to the way it was in just a few weeks.

I don't know what got me thinking about that except that is night time and I wish it was morning.
 
Aunt Bea said:
Sometimes I think about the difference between dark in the city and dark in the country.

It's never really dark in my little apartment.

In the country, I wouldn't be able to see my hand in front of my face.

“The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.” - JohnGreen
Click to expand...
yes it's dark here in the countryside that's true.... but nowhere near as dark as it is at my daughters' place in the mountains, where there's not the tiniest bit of light pollution and the stars are in such abundance you can almost not see the night sky beyond them..
 
Last edited:
Aunt Bea said:
Sometimes I think about the difference between dark in the city and dark in the country.

It's never really dark in my little apartment.

In the country, I wouldn't be able to see my hand in front of my face.

“The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.” - JohnGreen
Click to expand...
Yes, my apartment too! The outside lights around my building shine right into my apartment and I don't mind one bit. At my house there were obviously no outside lights either. So if someone came to the door after dark I could not see who it was before I answered our door. After my dog had died, I would be very frightened if someone pulled in the driveway.
 
hollydolly said:
yes it's dark here in the countryside that's true.... but nowehere near as dark as it is at my daughters' place in the mountains, where there's not the tiniest bit of light pollution and the stars are in such abundance you can almost not see the night sky beyond them..
Click to expand...
That was the way it was at my house. The sky was magnificent! My son used to stay outside for hours and when I asked what he was doing out there in the dark, he'd answer, "Looking at the sky."
 
katlupe said:
That was the way it was at my house. The sky was magnificent! My son used to stay outside for hours and when I asked what he was doing out there in the dark, he'd answer, "Looking at the sky."
Click to expand...
oh I love it, it's just as if you live on a different planet than earth when the sky is so full of stars , and you can almost reach up and touch them.. but yes I remember once my DD went to visit her F-i-l..while I was visiting ..she had no near neighbours on the mountain , . and I was alone with the dogs in the pitch dark and every little noise had me spooked..
 
Today turned out to not be my day. Maybe being April Fool's Day had something to do with it. In the very beginning of the day it was going to be a good day. I made beef short ribs in the instant pot (for tomorrow's supper) and they came out perfectly. I was happy. Then in the middle of getting ready to go with Sonny and do my errands, I had to go downstairs to get my packages that were delivered. One was the case of Zevia and it was heavy. Someone helped me with it and I brought the packages upstairs and then I had to hurry (I hate hurrying, makes me hot).

I left and as I went out the ramp door I realized I forgot to get a coat or jacket. Didn't even have long sleeves on. I can stand it since I'd be in the car anyway. Then I found that I forgot the envelope for my son's rent money order. Two strikes against me so far. Sonny goes in the post office to buy two money orders like he always does. One for my son is which is almost twice what mine is and pay for it with my son's debit card. The other one for me with my debit card. He had the amounts written down on a paper. I had that moment as he got out of the car that I thought I should write the color of the debit card on each amount.......nay, he is already out of the car and on his way.

As soon as he comes out and hands it to me, I see the receipt to my rent was paid with my son's card! Yikes! After that I had to go inside my son's credit union and get the difference in cash. Then after we gave my son his cash and had lunch at the Chinese Buffet, went to my credit union which is across from Walmart and deposited that money in my account. I know it is my fault for not doing the transactions myself but walking has been hard and he is much faster than me. He felt terrible because he could see how upset I was. I tried not to show it. I could not relax until I got that money in my account. Thank goodness I hadn't paid any of my bills yet.

I feel bad that I also ate Chinese food today. Forget finding anything keto on a buffet in a Chinese restaurant. And especially if it is your favorite food. So I ate it but only one plate. I did not need to get seconds or dessert. I bought a pint of ice cream at Walmart and ate that when we got home. I figured I messed up with the lunch, I may as well have ice cream too, but a small amount. Limited how much I could eat. I am an ice cream addict.

Earlier I went to the manager's office and signed my new lease. It went up $14.00. Nothing to complain about there. I see people posting on fakebook how much their rents have gone up. Some a few hundred dollars. I have a beautiful apartment and life is good here. So it is fine with me.

So that was my day........praying for a better one tomorrow.
 
Kat...is that a rise of $14 dollars a week or a month ?

yesterday we had huge rises in Utilities, ( Gas and Electricity) Fuel.. council Tax, National Insurance... over 50 % rise on utilities alone, which are already very expensive.. Millions of people in a panic about how they'll find the extra money...
 
hollydolly said:
Kat...is that a rise of $14 dollars a week or a month ?

yesterday we had huge rises in Utilities, ( Gas and Electricity) Fuel.. council Tax, National Insurance... over 50 % rise on utilities alone, which are already very expensive.. Millions of people in a panic about how they'll find the extra money...
Click to expand...
A month. I am just thankful it is only that much. It could have been more.
 
I don't usually have trouble sleeping. It is not that I can't sleep it is that I can't stop thinking of everything I want to do this week. On Sunday nights, it is always difficult to not think about the coming week. So when I go to bed I make a list for the week of everything I need to do and calls I want to make. Then everything I need to do in the morning. It gives me the feeling of having everything under control. Whether I do or not is another story.

In Endicott, NY, which is the next county over (Broome County) the owners of the apartment building I live in has purchased the huge IBM Country Club. It is a big deal in Broome County since so many families spent much of their time there long ago. It has to be demolished and just doing that alone will be millions of dollars. It will not be just for seniors and disabled but for families also. A fitness center, community center, outdoor gardens, etc. Didn't mention a pool but that would be nice too.

Of course, they get tax credits and grants to do this. I think they said it would have 75 one and two bedroom apartments. Sounds nice. The company, Conifer, LLC, owns many apartment complexes in the northeast and this is what they do. Get these old buildings and remodel or rebuild them and then offer subsidized housing to lower income people. They just finished one in Rochester, for veterans that is really nice. I look at them all on their website. My building has not had much modernizing done to it. Maybe because it is small with only 32 apartments. I like the school building but it would be nice to update it. Our laundry room needs new machines for sure.

I would not consider moving to it though because I like living in Norwich. And not needing a car here is good thing for me. Just thinking about it and how it will help the people there. I guess I will try to sleep now.
 
Today I cleaned out the top shelf of the lazy Susan in my kitchen. Where I keep the spices, herbs, seasonings, etc. It was a mess! I found extra garlic powder, smoked paprika and pepper.....lots of pepper! Now it all organized and I added new containers to hold the bottles and keep them neat and orderly.

My next door neighbor stopped it for a bit. It was the first time she ever came here. I think she liked Rabbit. I have a feeling she might go to Bingo next time we have a game downstairs. At least I will invite her.

I FINALLY straightened out the mess of Fidalis Care. I accidentally voluntarily took myself out of their program. So I had to make some calls and get back in it. Not till May 1st. So I had to cancel my dentist and appointments for this month. Next month I will start the dental journey which I dread yet I want very badly. Does it make any sense?
 
bingo said:
my teeth went bad at young age...high iron content in well water...
just like new set of tires....all out...but a little at a time...gums had time to do the shrink...now...nothing needed to hold em in🤣
Click to expand...
I always took good care of my teeth and my health in general. Went for the six month check-up like clockwork. Did the same for my pets. Then when I was with my last husband (3 total and no, I am NOT bragging.....mistakes and horribly unhappy with all of them.) I had no money or insurance to do anything to do with health care. Money for solar and wind systems, money for a big truck I could not drive and money for two motorcycles (one brand new and one 66' sportster being rebuilt), money for computer and video related items......... but nothing for my health care. My teeth got bad and there was nothing I could do about it. Now I can and I am. But it makes me so mad when I think about it.
 
katlupe said:
I always took good care of my teeth and my health in general. Went for the six month check-up like clockwork. Did the same for my pets. Then when I was with my last husband (3 total and no, I am NOT bragging.....mistakes and horribly unhappy with all of them.) I had no money or insurance to do anything to do with health care. Money for solar and wind systems, money for a big truck I could not drive and money for two motorcycles (one brand new and one 66' sportster being rebuilt), money for computer and video related items......... but nothing for my health care. My teeth got bad and there was nothing I could do about it. Now I can and I am. But it makes me so mad when I think about it.
Click to expand...
it's gonna be great!...i know about the mistakes we make...sacrifice for others...it's okay...now......
Forge ahead!....plus...you have a best friend in Sonny...he sacrifices to help you...that's God blessing you back....brand new pearly whites...soon!...get that yogurt churnin hon!
;):LOL::LOL:
 
I agree that getting your teeth fixed is one of the best investments you can make for your future health :) Eating is critical to your overall health and if one needs to restrict their diet due to poor dental health, that can affect your overall health negatively, not to mention the pleasure we have in eating things we like. There also the benefit of being able to smile confidently again and smiling is always a good thing :D

I also understand the anxiety almost everyone feels before having major dental work done but with todays modern methods and pain control options, there's really not much to be concerned about, other than a short period of convalescence after the fact.

I know you will be very happy you did this for yourself once it's done(y)
 
MrPants said:
I agree that getting your teeth fixed is one of the best investments you can make for your future health :) Eating is critical to your overall health and if one needs to restrict their diet due to poor dental health, that can affect your overall health negatively, not to mention the pleasure we have in eating things we like. There also the benefit of being able to smile confidently again and smiling is always a good thing :D

I also understand the anxiety almost everyone feels before having major dental work done but with todays modern methods and pain control options, there's really not much to be concerned about, other than a short period of convalescence after the fact.

I know you will be very happy you did this for yourself once it's done(y)
Click to expand...
Thank you! I am sure I will be. I have missed smiling the most, but due to wearing the mask I got used to it.
 
I am doing a challenge in a group on fakebook of recording every bit of food I eat in Chromometer. I do that anyway and have since November. So not really a challenge for me. This week it is about recording every bit of food but not checking the macros on it. Just eat what you eat (keto) and then at the end of the week take a look at it and see how you did. Getting enough protein without getting too much fat has been the biggest problem with most everyone in the group. Even though you can eat fat and other keto so-called "experts" will tell you that you can eat more fat and moderate protein that is not true. Protein is the most important. So I add in lean meat proteins to try to get enough.

I had the worse fingernails my whole life. For years I had the acrylic nails. After years of neglect in my last "life situation" I started getting the gel nails. I loved them, I really did. Then the quarantine happened and my nail place was closed. Then it opened and I went back a few times, then the building caught fire and was gone. Twice I had to remove those darn things from my nails and it was not fun!

When I decided to start having my hair colored at my salon instead of doing it at home (too hard now for me to do it) I figured the money I was spending on my nails could go toward the hair appointment. I go every other month so it is affordable. I figured my nails would look horrible but between the two I felt the hair was more important. Instead my nails have become pretty strong and I am able to just use Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails to polish them. Clear. Look just fine. I think I owe it to following the keto food plan and using collagen and beef gelatin in my meal replacement shakes.

If I get anything done to my nails now, it would be just a simple manicure. I just bought some polish at Walmart that was on a sale shelf so I may be doing that myself. I will see how it looks and if I like doing it. But I don't want to make another job for myself. If I polish them it won't be all the time, just sometimes or maybe for special occasions whatever that might be (I have no idea).
 
My new chair was delivered today. I am very happy with it. One thing I especially like is that you have trouble getting out of chairs because they are too low, this one is no pain to get up. Even for me with bad knees! Even for my friend with Parkinson's! Now Sonny can watch television here with me and I know he will fall asleep in a second. I know it appears crowded a bit but it is a small apartment.

queen_anne.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top