Reflections of My Life

katlupe said:
Today I am calling HIICAP (Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program) to figure out these various insurance programs that are supplementing the Medicaid program. Even if I can't change from Fidelis Care now, I plan on changing as soon as possible. It is so complicated. One of the reasons is that I think the counselors talk to us older adults like we don't know anything. Well that is not happening with me. I research everything so I usually know more than they do. I ask a question and they have to put me on hold to find out the answer.
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That was a waste of time. I will go another route.

There was a lot of activity yesterday around town. Even though the street is being worked on there were people and traffic everywhere. I went to the Grand Union and got some groceries. I was lucky and they had the right type of spring mix for my bunny boy. He refuses to eat spinach and if it has that in it I end up taking all of it out and throwing it away. I think they only put that in if they don't have enough of the other greens. Same brand will have none one time and the next time it is full of spinach.

This morning I am cooking up some ground beef for burger bowls for the next couple of days. Since tomorrow is errand day with Sonny, I like to eat before I go out and having that ready helps. Shopping will be major since I am out of everything. If possible I like to limit my shopping trips during the month. Writing out the budget page in a few minutes. I usually do it the last week of the month for the coming month but never got to it. So today it is.
 

No matter how much trouble or stressful situations I have to go through in the rest of my life, I plan on never reacting in anger or becoming a grumpy person. When people attack me online of course, I don't know them in person so if it is on fakebook, I block them. In person, of course that is a whole different story. I suppose I avoid them. Lately I have others in my building trying to get me to want to move from here because they want to. I let them talk, rant and rave about the situation or person and then go on my way. I don't want anyone quoting me or saying I said this or that. I know better than burning my bridges.

I suppose the only thing that would make me move from here is the elevator. If it becomes unusable than I would have to go somewhere else. Can't imagine where! This is the most affordable and nicest apartment I could get and my location is the best. Especially without a vehicle. I look at my friend across the hall, she has lived here for over thirty years. She said she has seen many owners, managers and conditions change throughout the years. If you can wait it out, things change with time.

In my mind, the best thing I can do is to mind my own business and don't gossip.
 

My building is similar to yours, Katlupe.
Not in as excellent a location as yours, and mine has particularly difficult management.
But very similar, in the rest of the ways.
That is very good for me, to read your outlook,
along with your helpful input, on how you manage the best you can, while living there.
 
I am worn out. I think it is because it was hot out. We went to the post office and got the money orders, one for my son and mailed his out right then. Then got mine which I buy a month in advance. Got Jeff his cash, he gets a bit of cash so he can buy what he wants or needs. Then we dropped that off to him at his apartment. After that we picked up his 2 bags of tobacco at the smoke shop. Sonny goes in and does that for me (as he does the post office too). Then to Walmart. I was out of everything. Had to stop at Price Chopper on the way back because Walmart's spring mix was full of spinach and Rabbit refuses to eat it (plus I read it is not good for him). Sonny pulls up to the door and I can go in without the walker just pushing a cart.

I usually only buy 4 bags of groceries because it fits right on the seat of my walker. Today I had 6 counting the tobacco bag. I managed it with the walker. Everybody uses the grocery carts that are downstairs to transport stuff to and from your apartment. But I don't want to use one because.....well first of all, I have my walker with me. Then I do not want to have to bring the cart back after getting to my apartment with the groceries. I do it fine by myself. Sonny offers to help but I hate to make him have to park the car and then walk all the way to the building and then he'd have to walk back to his car. His knee is hurting him and he is having issues with his pacemaker. So..........I do it all myself and I really like doing it.

Now I am probably going to go to sleep.
 
Yesterday we had storms through out the day. I know everyone thinks I am weird but I unplug everything in my apartment. I have lost a printer due to lightning at my house and it was not even on. My friend who works from home has lost too many modems due to storms. So I unplug and don't have to worry about it. It rained a good deal of the day. So needless to say, I did not leave my apartment all day.

Yesterday I vacuum packed the meat I bought. Had no trouble with the ground beef and chicken. But the Italian sausages gave me a time (for such a small product!). For some reason they would not tighten around the sausages. I think the first one did but not the others. I ended up putting them in a zip lock freezer bag. I hope nothing is wrong with my vacuum packer. I will see. It is quite old since Sonny gave it to me. It belonged to his ex-wife and she left it behind.

Today I hope to get outside, which I will because I have to go to the dumpster for sure.
 
Yesterday morning, I went to the park on the corner and sat in the sun near the fountain. It was peaceful, even though it was very noisy and dusty. Peaceful in my mind. The construction of Route 12/Broad Street was still going on, even on a Saturday. I sat there watching them operate their equipment. Amazing how they can take apart a road and rebuild it. Often times I wish I could do that with my life. You can't take it apart since those past mistakes are there and not going anywhere. I can just manage today and hopefully tomorrow.

Almost every day now, a group of other tenants here sit in the lobby and talk. Sounds like fun but I understand it is more a whining, complaining session. About our building, how it is managed and other people (especially new ones). I don't join them because I cannot stand negative people and especially sitting through a whining conversation. In my opinion, if that is what you talk about all the time and associate mainly with others who are the same, then you must be a miserable unhappy person. Especially if you seek out something to complain about every chance you get. No, that is not for me. Maybe that is all they have in common to talk about.

Today I want to clean off my window sill. It is long, pretty wide and white. I have thought about buying shelf paper in a pretty color or design and putting it on it with the edge hanging down. Even wrapping paper or wall paper might work. I don't want contact paper because I don't want to stick to the surface. I don't want the color to overpower my curtains though. So I am going to look around online and see what might work. I have a string of fairy lights I want to add to the bottom of the windows. I love my fairy lights in the kitchen though I never turn them off.
 
katlupe said:
Yesterday morning, I went to the park on the corner and sat in the sun near the fountain. It was peaceful, even though it was very noisy and dusty. Peaceful in my mind. The construction of Route 12/Broad Street was still going on, even on a Saturday. I sat there watching them operate their equipment. Amazing how they can take apart a road and rebuild it. Often times I wish I could do that with my life. You can't take it apart since those past mistakes are there and not going anywhere. I can just manage today and hopefully tomorrow.

Almost every day now, a group of other tenants here sit in the lobby and talk. Sounds like fun but I understand it is more a whining, complaining session. About our building, how it is managed and other people (especially new ones). I don't join them because I cannot stand negative people and especially sitting through a whining conversation. In my opinion, if that is what you talk about all the time and associate mainly with others who are the same, then you must be a miserable unhappy person. Especially if you seek out something to complain about every chance you get. No, that is not for me. Maybe that is all they have in common to talk about.

Today I want to clean off my window sill. It is long, pretty wide and white. I have thought about buying shelf paper in a pretty color or design and putting it on it with the edge hanging down. Even wrapping paper or wall paper might work. I don't want contact paper because I don't want to stick to the surface. I don't want the color to overpower my curtains though. So I am going to look around online and see what might work. I have a string of fairy lights I want to add to the bottom of the windows. I love my fairy lights in the kitchen though I never turn them off.
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Loved reading about your stroll in the park, @katlupe ! Interesting that you talked about taking apart a road and rebuilding it and tying it to your life. Quite philosophical and wise at the same time. Yes, we cannot undo past mistakes (I think we all have them), but "just manage today and hopefully tomorrow." I also would not do well with complaining people. Have a wonderful rest of your day!
 
katlupe said:
Today I want to clean off my window sill. It is long, pretty wide and white. I have thought about buying shelf paper in a pretty color or design and putting it on it with the edge hanging down. Even wrapping paper or wall paper might work. I don't want contact paper because I don't want to stick to the surface. I don't want the color to overpower my curtains though. So I am going to look around online and see what might work.
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Sometimes I use a piece of fabric with a color I like, or a design that appeals to me, on a sill or on top of a set of shelves, or such.

Or I also like to use the old-fashioned crochet doilies, of various sizes and shapes, (even rectangle ones) that are often found at second-hand places, and are easy to wash.
I like arranging and seeing both the fabric pieces and the crocheted items; plus, I can change them very easily, whenever I am tired of any of the specific ones.
Or I can use one for a short time, that seems seasonal or special, to me, for any reason. It's just to make the environment more pleasant to be in.
Just possible ideas for you, @katlupe ;)
I enjoy reading about all of your ideas, so I thought I'd share a few of mine with you, too.:)
 
palides2021 said:
Interesting that you talked about taking apart a road and rebuilding it and tying it to your life. Quite philosophical and wise at the same time. Yes, we cannot undo past mistakes (I think we all have them), but "just manage today and hopefully tomorrow."
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I too, found that very interesting, @katlupe
It was a very good way to word it.
I would like to do that, as well, with parts of mine!
💌💌💌
 
Kaila said:
Sometimes I use a piece of fabric with a color I like, or a design that appeals to me, on a sill or on top of a set of shelves, or such.

Or I also like to use the old-fashioned crochet doilies, of various sizes and shapes, (even rectangle ones) that are often found at second-hand places, and are easy to wash.
I like arranging and seeing both the fabric pieces and the crocheted items; plus, I can change them very easily, whenever I am tired of any of the specific ones.
Or I can use one for a short time, that seems seasonal or special, to me, for any reason. It's just to make the environment more pleasant to be in.
Just possible ideas for you, @katlupe ;)
I enjoy reading about all of your ideas, so I thought I'd share a few of mine with you, too.:)
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Thank you Kaila, for the ideas. I like you sharing your ideas with me.
 
I have come to the conclusion that people now do not have or know what tact is. They say things to hurt people, sometimes on purpose and maybe other times because they don't know any better. Why do people go out of their way to be critical of others and try to hurt their feelings? I see this on fakebook all the time. The very people who post memes about being kind and caring about others are ones who react with anger toward less fortunate people in real life. It has become that showing a bit of compassion toward someone is rare.

You know what this reminds me of......when I worked as a CNA in nursing homes, we would be working short handed for weeks and then someone new would be hired. From their first day, they would be picked on and given the worst jobs to do. Maybe to test them? Instead of welcoming them and taking them under your wing to assist them, the others would get done with their residents and sit in the break room laughing about the new person. It was a rare one who would stick it out. I did because I was fortunate to have another CNA on my unit who did welcome and help me. As did my charge nurse who became a good friend.

I am not blind that I do see that sometimes I must avoid a new person I don't know yet because of their demeanor. Lately I have stepped back into my apartment rather then ride on the elevator with a person who gives me an uneasy feeling. If I hurt their feelings in that case, I am sorry, but I have to look out for myself first. Though I did not say anything out loud, just skipped getting on the elevator. With the possibility of the elevator stopping between floors and being stuck with someone I am nervous around I am not taking that chance.

For me, I am more accepting of people with mental and developmental disabilities because my son was in special ed all through school. Those were the people that were his classmates and friends. One reason I do not have my son living in the same apartment building as I do is because he has trouble following rules........he can't read notices or signs and he does not remember anything. So if they tell him something he won't remember it the next day. Unless it is something he really wanted to do or find out about. I do not want to have other people or managers hounding me with complaints about him. So he lives in a bad apartment building but he can live there without anyone picking on him.
 
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Those all sound like very good decisions, that you've made
@katlupe
and again, I thank you for sharing them, here.
That was also helpful to read your words and ideas about tact, and the other experiences you shared.
Thank you so much!
 
Today we had a storm with thunder and lightning. So I unplugged all my electronics. Now everything is plugged back in. Right now I am making hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot and cooking bacon in the NuWave oven. I try to keep some hard boiled eggs in the refrigerator in case I need a fast food meal. I would say a snack except I never eat a snack now.

The other day in Walmart I saw the batteries and was going to buy a package of AAAs but Sonny said don't buy them I have a ton of them I just bought on Amazon I will give you some. So I didn't buy them............wouldn't you know my mouse quit working and the batteries are dead!!! The only other thing that I use batteries for is the Amazon Firestick for my television. I stole them from that till later. I placed an order with Amazon for a package of AAA batteries and they will be here by tomorrow night. I will get by. I have no idea when I will see Sonny again so will get my own supply.

Now I have a feeling another storm is on the way. So excited about that......
 
I have this battery case and organiser.. so I never run out of batteries...

It all started after covid when our electric bills went sky high.. so to prevent HUGE bills I invested in Motion sensor lights for all the main areas of the house... all the way upstairs, in the bathrooms.. kitchen etc.. so that at night, I didn't ( and don't).. have to put the main lights on... However all these lights rely on 2 batteries each. They do last a long time but , I never wanted to be without batteries for them..hence the storage case which is full ...

513vGKFKS3L.jpg
I do have USB powered strip lights too, but the charge lasts a very short time.. I also use batteries for my wireless keyboard and Mouse.. this organiser comes with a battery charger for rechargeable batteries as well.. the box on the left of the picture.
 
hollydolly said:
I have this battery case and organiser.. so I never run out of batteries...

It all started after covid when our electric bills went sky high.. so to prevent HUGE bills I invested in Motion sensor lights for all the main areas of the house... all the way upstairs, in the bathrooms.. kitchen etc.. so that at night, I didn't ( and don't).. have to put the main lights on... However all these lights rely on 2 batteries each. They do last a long time but , I never wanted to be without batteries for them..hence the storage case which is full ...

513vGKFKS3L.jpg
I do have USB powered strip lights too, but the charge lasts a very short time.. I also use batteries for my wireless keyboard and Mouse.. this organiser comes with a battery charger for rechargeable batteries as well.. the box on the left of the picture.
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I have the very same case Holly. The battery tester works real good and I always have batteries on hand.

Kat..The Amazon batteries are very good. Have used them a long time.
 
hollydolly said:
I have this battery case and organiser.. so I never run out of batteries...

It all started after covid when our electric bills went sky high.. so to prevent HUGE bills I invested in Motion sensor lights for all the main areas of the house... all the way upstairs, in the bathrooms.. kitchen etc.. so that at night, I didn't ( and don't).. have to put the main lights on... However all these lights rely on 2 batteries each. They do last a long time but , I never wanted to be without batteries for them..hence the storage case which is full ...

513vGKFKS3L.jpg
I do have USB powered strip lights too, but the charge lasts a very short time.. I also use batteries for my wireless keyboard and Mouse.. this organiser comes with a battery charger for rechargeable batteries as well.. the box on the left of the picture.
Click to expand...
The only batteries I use now are AA or AAA's. In the Firestick and my mouse. Not sure what I use AA's in.
 
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