Reflections of My Life

katlupe said:
True. But it seems every time I ever tried to remain free of it there was some reason it would sneak into my life. Moving into an off the grid home in 1999 with no running water and no wires to it I felt excited and positive about my life there. Then my husband got into solar and building a system to power our house. Eventually I was working online and homesteading at the same time.

By the time I left there I could not handle that life anymore due to my mobility issues. Must be I worked too hard there. Now I just accept it since everyone else does and it is how I live here without having to depend on others. I am not a phone person but a computer person. The phone though is my safety net so I carry it with me everywhere I go.
Click to expand...

You got to do what I was striving for and still am. I lived on the road van-dwelling and boondocking for a year. Was going to buy land in NM, AZ or TX and start with an RV or shed-to-home. Ended up changing my mind about settling in the southwest because of the increasing water crisis.

Didn't want to build up landscaping and gardening only to need the water for myself when the real shortage hits. Reduction of the water in the CO river is shocking but was predicted decades ago. It's good that my plan went bust, because I ended up deciding to move back to FL.

Will still be looking for land in north FL but there's a big difference in price between here and there. In AZ, small plots can be had for a song and dance almost. And also in other states where real estate is not at a premium.
 
katlupe said:
Not today. I didn't expect them today because our manager and maintenance man do not work in our building on Monday.
Click to expand...

Jumping into your diary here, when Kaila asked, Did the new washers and dryers arrive yet?, I thought you were getting them installed in your unit. I was so happy for you and wished that my unit had washer/dryer connections like you have. 🫤

But I am happy that your building is getting new machines in your laundry. I hope you can find a way to use them so that you won't have to go out. My next share at my Senior High-Rise Living diary will be our laundry room.
 
Aunt Bea said:
That is the same company that my complex uses.

Ours operate with a plastic card or with a smartphone. When they installed our new machines they gave us a card loaded with $5.00.

We have a kiosk that we can use to load
money on the laundry card using a credit card.

It works great for me but many neighbors don’t have a credit card or smartphone so they now use a local launderette that still accepts quarters.

I like the high efficiency washers but the dryer design tends to roll sheets towels etc… into a tight ball which can be a bit annoying.

I can get by with one wash split between two dryers each week, if I’m careful.

Sounds crazy but I now spend more on doing my laundry than I spend on gas for my car, life changes and we just keep going. 😉🤭😂
Click to expand...
I hate to be mean but I do not want to have people give me cash for me to put money on their cards with my credit cards. So I am trying to figure out if there is another way they can put money on their cards without credit or debit cards.

I just had the lady from upstairs here and she is a nervous wreck over this. She only has a savings account and gets cash and buys money orders to pay for her bills. I told her she needs to open a checking account with her bank. That would solve her problem. You can use a debit card if it has the Visa or Mastercard logos on it. She gets SSI and said to me that SSI does not allow you to have more than $2000 in your account. ???? I asked her if she was going to have that amount and of course, she said no. The only money would be what is in her check.

People do not want to get out of their comfort zone without screaming and crying.....
 
katlupe said:
I hate to be mean but I do not want to have people give me cash for me to put money on their cards with my credit cards. So I am trying to figure out if there is another way they can put money on their cards without credit or debit cards.

I just had the lady from upstairs here and she is a nervous wreck over this. She only has a savings account and gets cash and buys money orders to pay for her bills. I told her she needs to open a checking account with her bank. That would solve her problem. You can use a debit card if it has the Visa or Mastercard logos on it. She gets SSI and said to me that SSI does not allow you to have more than $2000 in your account. ???? I asked her if she was going to have that amount and of course, she said no. The only money would be what is in her check.

People do not want to get out of their comfort zone without screaming and crying.....
Click to expand...
I’m not aware of another way.

It may sound cold but I would stay out of it and refer them to the manager of your building or to Hercules for additional options.

I’m afraid that if you help one person word will spread and you will end up being viewed as some sort of unofficial bank, it will probably not end well. 🤗
 
The laundry kiosk in our building , also takes paper bills for money to put on the card, in addition to a debit or credit card.

Check to be sure, if you're does or not, katlupe.

I agree with you and with aunt Bea, that you should not be changing people's money for them. That could lead to lots of problems.
And i agree that they need to go to building management's, with their concerns with the new system.

You can give them your understanding or support, but not fix this for them.

When our building had a similar change, we didn't want to use a credit or debit card for laundry, but we adjusted.
Though we can also use paper cash, as i said.
 
Kaila said:
The laundry kiosk in our building , also takes paper bills for money to put on the card, in addition to a debit or credit card.

Check to be sure, if you're does or not, katlupe.

I agree with you and with aunt Bea, that you should not be changing people's money for them. That could lead to lots of problems.
And i agree that they need to go to building management's, with their concerns with the new system.

You can give them your understanding or support, but not fix this for them.

When our building had a similar change, we didn't want to use a credit or debit card for laundry, but we adjusted.
Though we can also use paper cash, as i said.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately our new system does not take cash. I wish it did. I live on a very strict budget and paying off credit cards is the only way I can give myself an increase in income. So I have to be very much aware of what I use for laundry and make sure I pay extra on the card payment to cover it. It seems to me this a way to increase low income people's debt. It would be one thing if they were normal people but they are not. Sadly many of them were homeless, in jail or suffering in some other way. Not very much into computers or bank accounts.
 
Today is errand day. Sonny is coming to pick me up this afternoon. So I have time to get some stuff done this morning. Mainly my budget sheet. I never got it written up last week. I usually do it by the last week of the month for the next one. Might make up the Keto Chow for the freezer.

Everybody keeps asking me about the laundry room. Like I work here or something. I see some people have used it. In fact, it has been pretty busy down there due to not being able to get their laundry done since they took out the old machines.
 
Trying to take care of my son's bills this morning. NYSEG is a bill I pay out of his money every month. Previous months I thought it was high at $324. for a one bedroom apartment. Today manage my surprise when it is $645. ????????? I can't call them today but will call on Tuesday and try to make some kind of payment plan. If I pay that he will not enough money for food this month. He gets a very small amount from SNAP. I just hope it won't be that big every month.
 
I've been to the park today ... My friend picked me up so we could go collect an item I had delivered to M&S... and then afterwards we went for a little stroll around the park....it' such a beautiful day . hope these lifts everyone's spirits today... 🥰

IMG-0901.jpg

IMG-0900.jpg


IMG-0881.jpg

IMG-0902.jpg
 
hollydolly said:
I've been to the park today ... My friend picked me up so we could go collect an item I had delivered to M&S... and then afterwards we went for a little stroll around the park....it' such a beautiful day . hope these lifts everyone's spirits today... 🥰

IMG-0901.jpg

IMG-0900.jpg


IMG-0881.jpg

IMG-0902.jpg
Click to expand...

It has lifted mine. I love trees, water, fowl and walkways....nature in general!
 
katlupe said:
Two different people came to me today with complaints about noisy neighbors making so much noise they can not sleep. One was about a woman outside the building (but under this guy's windows) talking on her phone while smoking outside. Talking loudly, I might add. They all talk real loud for some reason.

The other is the lady from upstairs. She has a new neighbor that makes all kind of noise in his apartment at night. He now has a homeless druggy guy living with him. The manager is working on trying to get him out but it is not that easy. He put the guy on his lease and she had to qualify him. And of course he qualifies because he has nothing. Well after talking to this lady, I think these guys are being noisy on purpose because they want to annoy her.

What does this have to do with me? I don't really know. They think I know what to do. Not really. The lady was going to talk to someone's aide about it and see what she advises. I told her not to talk to the aide. Talk to the manager. She is the only one who can do anything about it. She just gave us notices last week about keeping the noise down but it was about playing music and televisions late at night loudly.

I think this is the problem with senior housing that allows younger disabled people to move in. Does not feel like a senior building at all and I wish it was. Though I did move my son in here and he is a younger disabled. He is 56 and not anywhere near the youngest.
Click to expand...

I'm so glad your son is near you in that way, living at the same property. So much easier for you to manage his affairs.

My heart goes out to you about the problems that younger disabled are causing there. There are no separate housing opportunities for them in smaller towns. I would not feel like I was living in senior housing either. I don't like living near disturbance. Excess noise drains my energy. I have refused to live in straight affordable housing because it is mainly for families and singles. I can't stand children screaming and yelling everyday.

As I shared in my diary, larger senior income-based properties set aside a small # of units for younger disabled. It's a very small % compared to the total # of units. Also, mobility-impaired, disabled units are usually a very small percentage, since they have to have special layouts.

To those to whom it is important and who have a choice to go elsewhere, when seeking senior affordable housing, ask what % or how many of the units are set aside for under-62 disabled. If it is a large % or if every unit is open to them, you might want to look elsewhere.
 
Last edited:
hollydolly said:
I've been to the park today ... My friend picked me up so we could go collect an item I had delivered to M&S... and then afterwards we went for a little stroll around the park....it' such a beautiful day . hope these lifts everyone's spirits today... 🥰

IMG-0901.jpg

IMG-0900.jpg


IMG-0881.jpg

IMG-0902.jpg
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us! I miss the days I spent in nature so much living here. You always post lovely pictures and they lift me up too.
 
Are those washing machines extra tall. All the new ones in the stores are 7”+ higher than the old style. I can’t even reach to the bottom of them. One person ordered a new one, on sale and non-returnable, and found out the lid wouldn’t clear the cupboards above it. It was no savings by the time a contractor was brought in to fix the cupboards.
 
Jules said:
Are those washing machines extra tall. All the new ones in the stores are 7”+ higher than the old style. I can’t even reach to the bottom of them. One person ordered a new one, on sale and non-returnable, and found out the lid wouldn’t clear the cupboards above it. It was no savings by the time a contractor was brought in to fix the cupboards.
Click to expand...
No, actually they look small to me. But maybe the same size but look very modern. I will check them out today and ask for help if I need it to get money on my card.
 
Did not do my grocery shopping yesterday. Just the errands that had to be done. Sonny was not in shape to do much but drive and even that was not a sure thing. Maybe tomorrow or Monday. Today I don't want to do much but maybe at least one load of laundry if it is not busy down there.

This week I have no therapy appointments! So I feel free! Hopefully I can take the bus to Walmart just to try it and see how it goes. I ordered a new under the seat basket/bag for my walker. The snaps on this old one come undone constantly. Sometimes I carry my camera in it and worry about something happening to it. The one I ordered has buckles instead and all the reviews were promising. Supposed to come tomorrow.

I am about to get started on making more Keto Chow for the freezer. I tried adding some collagen to it to get even more protein in it. Not going to do that again. Ruins the taste even though everyone says it has no taste. It does to me.
 
I did order my groceries this morning. I ordered some salad things for a change. I wanted some meals that I do not have to cook. No lettuce of any kind. It is the grossest thing they sell in the store! I spent so much time trying to get a decent amount of various lettuces or greens for Rabbit. It was and is horrible in the store. The plastic bags and containers are not the right way to store it (or anything else either). That is why it does not last very long once you get it home.

So for supper I had a salad with some fresh vegetables, some shredded cheese, some cold cuts and Chosen Foods keto ranch dressing. It was very good and I enjoyed it. Sometimes I get tired of cooking and standing in the kitchen. Though I did make 5 batches of Keto Chow shakes to put in the freezer. Don't have to cook them either. If I cook a breakfast and then eat cold food for my supper I am happy.

I have not gone anywhere today except to get my grocery delivery early this morning. The lady from upstairs was at my door practically begging me to buy her a laundry card with my credit card. No! I am not doing that. I was thinking that just because she does not want to have a checking account I shouldn't have to be responsible for providing her with a laundry card. Everyone has to learn to step out of their comfort zone and do what they need to do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top