Reflections of My Life

katlupe said:
I had an awesome day! It was so good to see Carissa, my hairdresser. And all the others. Fun day and a lot of laughing. I told her about the color making my head itch and she used a different process. Instead of a long wait it was only about 15 minutes. It also makes my hair look more natural with a few silver stands coming through. Oh yeah, she also gave me a dozen of eggs from her son's flock.

My hair feels so good! Light and free!
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Congratulations Flowers.gif

And the eggs! What a sweet bonus. 🥚🥚🥚 I always really appreciate unexpected food gifts. Since it's just me, food lasts a long time.

A medical center did a short presentation in our community room yesterday. They gave out either a bag of cleaning supplies or a bag of food to everyone. I chose the food and got a pack of spaghetti, a bag of black beans, a can of evaporated milk and a can of mackerel.

The mackerel was on my shopping list, I like to keep a can of evaporated milk and I like spaghetti. I'm going to learn good ways to use the black beans; I have another bag of them that I got from a food pantry.
 
Waiting for my water delivery. I wanted to wait till that was over with before making my last meal of the day. Keto Chow ice cream........maple in the salted caramel flavor. I have never tried it before just thought it would be a good combination.

Three days in a row of having to go somewhere really knocks me out. I will be so happy to see tomorrow come. Nothing planned. No where that I have to go unless I go for a walk. That depends on the weather.

Water delivery came while I was writing this! Now getting comfortable in my nightgown and making the ice cream in the creami.
 
DailyArtsyCrafter said:
View attachment 503523

And the eggs! What a sweet bonus. 🥚🥚🥚 I always really appreciate unexpected food gifts. Since it's just me, food lasts a long time.

A medical center did a short presentation in our community room yesterday. They gave out either a bag of cleaning supplies or a bag of food to everyone. I chose the food and got a pack of spaghetti, a bag of black beans, a can of evaporated milk and a can of mackerel.

The mackerel was on my shopping list, I like to keep a can of evaporated milk and I like spaghetti. I'm going to learn good ways to use the black beans; I have another bag of them that I got from a food pantry.
Click to expand...
Look up a recipe for 10 can soup. Just a bunch of canned goods that can be mixed to make a great soup. My favorite is the chicken tortilla and it freezes very well.

It is like a couple of cans of chicken breast, can of corn, can of rotel tomatoes. can of ranch style beans, a can of cream of chicken soup, couple of cans of chicken broth, can of black beans.....

I often poach my own chicken breasts, the black beans from dried. When I cook dried beans, I do extra and freeze. They work well for many things latin.
 
Today it is supposed to rain in the morning and be sunny in the later afternoon. I like it the other way around better. Sunny in the morning, rain in the afternoon. Right now I am working on a new blog post. Every time I read a book it gives me ideas for my blog. This one is on aging. Of course, I know something about that. Not that I am old, but I took care of two sets of parents who were. And worked as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) in nursing homes.

Basically I changed my blog from modern homesteading and off the grid living to being a single woman in her 60's living alone (now in my 70's). I sometimes could not figure out how to reach anyone with my posts. I now write it from my own perspective. If someone is going through the same things I am they will understand it. Otherwise it doesn't matter. I just like to write and have always written.

I think aging is something everyone is doing. From the day you are born. So what's the big deal? Maybe the fact that people think about dying all the time, instead of living. My father woke up whistling in the kitchen making breakfast for his whole life and that was the kind of person he was. I know it is hard not to think about dying when that is what you see everywhere you look. Every pain or uncomfortable feeling you have makes you wonder if this is it? Is this going to kill me?

My goal is to not think those thoughts. I just put my life in God's hands and will do the best I can. That is why I went back to therapy. Now my therapy is coming to an end. At least the 3 times a week appointments. I am maintaining now and will be going once a month or less. Now I have other goals to work on. Making life not only good but fun or interesting for me.
 
Yesterday marked my eighth year of living here in this apartment. Of course, it is a bit different than it was when I first moved in. Changes have been plentiful. Seven months of living really alone without my precious bunny boy. Yet in those seven months I think I have made many changes that I could not when Rabbit was here with me. It is like God takes someone you are caring for at the right time so you can devote time to your own needs and self. As much as I would have liked him to keep on living, it was his time. It gave him relief from his health issues and he was old for a bunny.

Change is a part of life and maybe it is a good thing. It keeps life interesting. That must be why I can never settle myself into a set routine. I see my friends who live here have routines and they stick to them. I have tried to do that but never can. If I don't feel like doing something today I just don't. So if I planned to do something today and I can't for some reason it does not upset me. My friend who lives upstairs is a very routine person and she was beside herself with worry over the laundry room when they took out the old equipment. I think she was at my door every day to voice her worry about that.

Maybe that is why I find having all these therapy appointments difficult. Had to go somewhere three times a week! Now I am down to one. What made me push myself to follow through was the fact that it was working (and still is). I was lucky to see results fast. My therapist, Lexy said so too. I saw other people going in for therapy who still have swelled up legs and can barely walk. That vision helped me also.

I made a list of all the things I want to take care of and then picked one. My one was the Lymphedema. Even with bad knees I can walk better now. My goal is to be able to walk better and farther. With my walker is fine. In fact, I love my walker! Being able to sit down at any moment when I am out is reason enough to keep using it. I don't care what other people think.

Does it make me look old to be using a walker? Who cares? Not me! Another benefit of using a walker is that you can carry your purse out of sight. Plus whatever you buy while you are out. I can load at least six bags of groceries on the seat to bring up to my apartment.
 
katlupe said:
Yesterday marked my eighth year of living here in this apartment. Of course, it is a bit different than it was when I first moved in. Changes have been plentiful. Seven months of living really alone without my precious bunny boy. Yet in those seven months I think I have made many changes that I could not when Rabbit was here with me. It is like God takes someone you are caring for at the right time so you can devote time to your own needs and self. As much as I would have liked him to keep on living, it was his time. It gave him relief from his health issues and he was old for a bunny.

Change is a part of life and maybe it is a good thing. It keeps life interesting. That must be why I can never settle myself into a set routine. I see my friends who live here have routines and they stick to them. I have tried to do that but never can. If I don't feel like doing something today I just don't. So if I planned to do something today and I can't for some reason it does not upset me. My friend who lives upstairs is a very routine person and she was beside herself with worry over the laundry room when they took out the old equipment. I think she was at my door every day to voice her worry about that.

Maybe that is why I find having all these therapy appointments difficult. Had to go somewhere three times a week! Now I am down to one. What made me push myself to follow through was the fact that it was working (and still is). I was lucky to see results fast. My therapist, Lexy said so too. I saw other people going in for therapy who still have swelled up legs and can barely walk. That vision helped me also.

I made a list of all the things I want to take care of and then picked one. My one was the Lymphedema. Even with bad knees I can walk better now. My goal is to be able to walk better and farther. With my walker is fine. In fact, I love my walker! Being able to sit down at any moment when I am out is reason enough to keep using it. I don't care what other people think.

Does it make me look old to be using a walker? Who cares? Not me! Another benefit of using a walker is that you can carry your purse out of sight. Plus whatever you buy while you are out. I can load at least six bags of groceries on the seat to bring up to my apartment.
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Kat, I really want to mind my own business, but I fear you may have forgotten something essential.
Walking can only improve leg strength by so much. To further increase leg strength requires more. Your bad knees are prohibiting exercises like squats and lunges and ballet exercises, and machines like the leg press, rowing machine, and others. And smart use of weights.
I'm sorry I'm so nosy and bossy, but you could maybe start with very slight and gentle use of some of the above, like very slight squat reps to be increased as your strength increases. But squats have to be done correctly, or you can hurt your knees.
 
gruntlabor said:
Kat, I really want to mind my own business, but I fear you may have forgotten something essential.
Walking can only improve leg strength by so much. To further increase leg strength requires more. Your bad knees are prohibiting exercises like squats and lunges and ballet exercises, and machines like the leg press, rowing machine, and others. And smart use of weights.
I'm sorry I'm so nosy and bossy, but you could maybe start with very slight and gentle use of some of the above, like very slight squat reps to be increased as your strength increases. But squats have to be done correctly, or you can hurt your knees.
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There are also many YouTube videos that show how to exercise at home using different ready available things to assist several types of needed exercise for seniors. Long sentence... :)
 
gruntlabor said:
Kat, I really want to mind my own business, but I fear you may have forgotten something essential.
Walking can only improve leg strength by so much. To further increase leg strength requires more. Your bad knees are prohibiting exercises like squats and lunges and ballet exercises, and machines like the leg press, rowing machine, and others. And smart use of weights.
I'm sorry I'm so nosy and bossy, but you could maybe start with very slight and gentle use of some of the above, like very slight squat reps to be increased as your strength increases. But squats have to be done correctly, or you can hurt your knees.
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There is no way I can do any exercise that is centered on my knees. I know most people would get the replacements but I choose not to do that. I can work with my dumbbells at home but my plan is to join the YMCA and use their exercise equipment. Maybe someone there can give me some exercises that will help me. Whenever I do anything, even walking, will cause me to not be able to walk at all the next day. I have a book which is called The McKenzie method and he details some easy ways to work on the knee. I have not had a chance to get into it yet. But will see if it can help.

You are never nosy or bossy. Love you and your insight!
 
katlupe said:
There is no way I can do any exercise that is centered on my knees. I know most people would get the replacements but I choose not to do that. I can work with my dumbbells at home but my plan is to join the YMCA and use their exercise equipment. Maybe someone there can give me some exercises that will help me. Whenever I do anything, even walking, will cause me to not be able to walk at all the next day. I have a book which is called The McKenzie method and he details some easy ways to work on the knee. I have not had a chance to get into it yet. But will see if it can help.

You are never nosy or bossy. Love you and your insight!
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I agree with you 100% on avoiding knee replacements. To paraphrase Murrmurr, foreign objects placed in the body can reach out and bite you later.❤️💕 Thinking of you often in these difficult and dangerous and painful problems.
 
@katlupe God knows what is best for us. Sometimes that involves changes that make us sad. I'm glad you're accomplishing the things you need to in order to improve your life and I think it's helping you to grow.

Funny how growing pains change from the kind we had as children. I prefer life growing pains over those terrible ones I had in my legs when I was younger. 😁
 
Today is going to be a busy day for me. Getting my grocery order this morning. Then hoping to do laundry........finally! After I write this I am going to get it ready. Then when the groceries are delivered and put away I can take the laundry downstairs. I stay down there in the laundry room the whole time so I hope it is quiet. I like to color while I wait but every now and then people stop in to talk to me. It gets me out of my apartment for awhile.

I never have my air conditioner taken out of my window for the winter. I have mentioned on here how I block it so the cold air doesn't come in. Well since hot weather is coming people are trying to get our maintenance man to put their air conditioners in. He told them they have to wait because he is too busy getting apartments done to be rented. And fixing more important things. The lady from upstairs is upset about that because she is on the 3rd floor and it is very hot during the summer.

I told her last fall that would happen. She said she could not leave it in because it would get too cold. I told her the other day, well that was your choice to have it taken out. So now you have to wait. She has no patience. Very anxious and fearful. I keep trying to encourage her to relax and don't worry so much. I used to be a worrier at different times in my life. I learned it doesn't get you anywhere or change things.

I showed her how my pedestal fan is keeping my apartment cool and told her she should get one. She said no, she hates the sound of fans and air conditioners too (but puts up with that due to being hot). People limit themselves. I might be able to run my air conditioner less this year due to my fan doing such a good job. I love it being on a remote control!
 
It is suppose to get very hot today. Hot for me is the 70's. Very hot is the 80's. So I already began the process of changing my furniture around a bit and doing some dusting. I want the air conditioner to have a clear path to me. It was something I kept planning to do. Always on my list but never got it done. Today it is done.

I did not want to get rid of my bunny's cage. I just cannot part with it. Or his water dish and blanket. I found it fit perfectly in half of my closet. So I now store paper towels, tissue and toilet tissue in it there. I really like it because nothing is on the floor and is easier to get to. In my mind I see him in his favorite spots everywhere here. It may sound sick but it actually comforts me. He was my very last pet of my life. I miss him but know that at this stage of my life I cannot take care of anyone else.

As most of you know, I rarely ate any vegetables. Eating ketovore, which is animal based and very little carbs. I have experimented in the last two weeks of eating a bit more carbs. Carbs as in vegetables. I am no longer tracking the macros now so not sure how many carbs. Not a lot and mainly from some lower carb vegetables. Eating them raw in a chopped salad. I feel fine and even feel better than before. Of course, with the swelling down in my legs and feet helps too.
 
Blessed said:
Look up a recipe for 10 can soup. Just a bunch of canned goods that can be mixed to make a great soup. My favorite is the chicken tortilla and it freezes very well.

It is like a couple of cans of chicken breast, can of corn, can of rotel tomatoes. can of ranch style beans, a can of cream of chicken soup, couple of cans of chicken broth, can of black beans.....

I often poach my own chicken breasts, the black beans from dried. When I cook dried beans, I do extra and freeze. They work well for many things latin.
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That sounds really good. Are those all of the ingredients? I have everything mentioned in my pantry and it sounds quite easy.
 
katlupe said:
It is suppose to get very hot today. Hot for me is the 70's. Very hot is the 80's. So I already began the process of changing my furniture around a bit and doing some dusting. I want the air conditioner to have a clear path to me. It was something I kept planning to do. Always on my list but never got it done. Today it is done.

I did not want to get rid of my bunny's cage. I just cannot part with it. Or his water dish and blanket. I found it fit perfectly in half of my closet. So I now store paper towels, tissue and toilet tissue in it there. I really like it because nothing is on the floor and is easier to get to. In my mind I see him in his favorite spots everywhere here. It may sound sick but it actually comforts me. He was my very last pet of my life. I miss him but know that at this stage of my life I cannot take care of anyone else.

As most of you know, I rarely ate any vegetables. Eating ketovore, which is animal based and very little carbs. I have experimented in the last two weeks of eating a bit more carbs. Carbs as in vegetables. I am no longer tracking the macros now so not sure how many carbs. Not a lot and mainly from some lower carb vegetables. Eating them raw in a chopped salad. I feel fine and even feel better than before. Of course, with the swelling down in my legs and feet helps too.
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Now that the hot weather is here it’s a good time to try some simple marinated vegetables.

I usually have sliced cucumbers and onions, or tomatoes along with pepper strips, carrot strips, celery sticks but some of the inexpensive canned and frozen vegetables make good summer salads. Marinated green beans, kidney beans, etc… or frozen mixed vegetables with chopped eggs, mayonnaise, onion, etc… make a passable substitute for some of the higher carb traditional summer salads.
 
katlupe said:
It is like God takes someone you are caring for at the right time so you can devote time to your own needs and self. As much as I would have liked him to keep on living, it was his time. It gave him relief from his health issues and he was old for a bunny.

Change is a part of life and maybe it is a good thing. It keeps life interesting. That must be why I can never settle myself into a set routine. I see my friends who live here have routines and they stick to them. I have tried to do that but never can. If I don't feel like doing something today I just don't. So if I planned to do something today and I can't for some reason it does not upset me.
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You both are blessed by his departure, though it was painful for you. 🐰💐 I have to have a routine schedule to get things done, especially the things that I'd rather not do. But like you, I am flexible. It's my life and I'm free. I can change my schedule at the drop of a hat and do what I want when I want. 🎉🎊

katlupe said:
Even with bad knees I can walk better now. My goal is to be able to walk better and farther. With my walker is fine. In fact, I love my walker! Being able to sit down at any moment when I am out is reason enough to keep using it. I don't care what other people think.

Does it make me look old to be using a walker? Who cares? Not me!
Click to expand...
The most important thing in our aging lives is comfort. So happy that you can walk better! 🚶🏽‍♀️💓 That's exciting!

katlupe said:
I stay down there in the laundry room the whole time so I hope it is quiet. I like to color while I wait but every now and then people stop in to talk to me. It gets me out of my apartment for awhile.

I never have my air conditioner taken out of my window for the winter. I have mentioned on here how I block it so the cold air doesn't come in. Well since hot weather is coming people are trying to get our maintenance man to put their air conditioners in. He told them they have to wait because he is too busy getting apartments done to be rented. And fixing more important things. The lady from upstairs is upset about that because she is on the 3rd floor and it is very hot during the summer.
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Did you buy an adult coloring book? I am going to print off some coloring sheets from online. I have a box of 64 Crayolas. I treated myself because we couldn't afford anything like that when I was a child. I made sure the box had silver and gold and a sharpener.

I wouldn't have my air unit taken out either. I'd be too concerned that what has happened to your upstairs neighbor would happen to me. As you said, simple fix to block cold air. And you end up being able to use it when you want and not having to wait. I wouldn't be happy that it blocked light and views but I'd accept it year 'round.

katlupe said:
I showed her how my pedestal fan is keeping my apartment cool and told her she should get one. She said no, she hates the sound of fans and air conditioners too (but puts up with that due to being hot). People limit themselves. I might be able to run my air conditioner less this year due to my fan doing such a good job. I love it being on a remote control!
Click to expand...
Yes, fans do a great job for much of the year, spring and fall especially. I prefer to open my windows for fresh air and use fans as long as I can, in Autumn for sure. Mine are more quiet than the central air.

katlupe said:
I did not want to get rid of my bunny's cage. I just cannot part with it. Or his water dish and blanket. I found it fit perfectly in half of my closet. So I now store paper towels, tissue and toilet tissue in it there. I really like it because nothing is on the floor and is easier to get to. In my mind I see him in his favorite spots everywhere here. It may sound sick but it actually comforts me. He was my very last pet of my life. I miss him but know that at this stage of my life I cannot take care of anyone else.
Click to expand...
Sympathy2.jpg
 
katlupe said:
Yesterday marked my eighth year of living here in this apartment. Of course, it is a bit different than it was when I first moved in. Changes have been plentiful. Seven months of living really alone without my precious bunny boy. Yet in those seven months I think I have made many changes that I could not when Rabbit was here with me. It is like God takes someone you are caring for at the right time so you can devote time to your own needs and self. As much as I would have liked him to keep on living, it was his time. It gave him relief from his health issues and he was old for a bunny.

Change is a part of life and maybe it is a good thing. It keeps life interesting. That must be why I can never settle myself into a set routine. I see my friends who live here have routines and they stick to them. I have tried to do that but never can. If I don't feel like doing something today I just don't. So if I planned to do something today and I can't for some reason it does not upset me. My friend who lives upstairs is a very routine person and she was beside herself with worry over the laundry room when they took out the old equipment. I think she was at my door every day to voice her worry about that.
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I liked this phrase you gave: "Change is a part of life and maybe it is a good thing. It keeps life interesting!" I agree with you wholeheartedly! I enjoy reading your posts, @katlupe !
 
GoodEnuff said:
That sounds really good. Are those all of the ingredients? I have everything mentioned in my pantry and it sounds quite easy.
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Make that 2 cans of cream of chicken soup. Yep that should be it, 10 cans. I also like to add a dash of dried cumin.

THE BLACK BEANS SHOULD BE DRAINED AND RINSED, the ranch style not needed as the sauce is what will give it latin flavor and make the broth a pretty color. Serve with broken tortilla chips and cheese if you want.
 
DailyArtsyCrafter said:
You both are blessed by his departure, though it was painful for you. 🐰💐 I have to have a routine schedule to get things done, especially the things that I'd rather not do. But like you, I am flexible. It's my life and I'm free. I can change my schedule at the drop of a hat and do what I want when I want. 🎉🎊


The most important thing in our aging lives is comfort. So happy that you can walk better! 🚶🏽‍♀️💓 That's exciting!


Did you buy an adult coloring book? I am going to print off some coloring sheets from online. I have a box of 64 Crayolas. I treated myself because we couldn't afford anything like that when I was a child. I made sure the box had silver and gold and a sharpener.
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Yes, I am addicted to them. I get them on Amazon and now have favorite brands and artists. I only use glitter gel pens. When I buy sets they include others that I don't particularly care for so I give them to my friend downstairs. I can't begin to tell you how many books I have. I color the pictures inside the book. Starting from 1st page to the last. Even if I hate a picture I make myself color it. Many times a picture I hate turns out to be one I love before it is done. Kind of reminds me of life!

DailyArtsyCrafter said:
I wouldn't have my air unit taken out either. I'd be too concerned that what has happened to your upstairs neighbor would happen to me. As you said, simple fix to block cold air. And you end up being able to use it when you want and not having to wait. I wouldn't be happy that it blocked light and views but I'd accept it year 'round.


Yes, fans do a great job for much of the year, spring and fall especially. I prefer to open my windows for fresh air and use fans as long as I can, in Autumn for sure. Mine are more quiet than the central air.
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I cannot open my windows anymore. They allow people to smoke in the backyard and my apartment overlooks that area. So smoke comes in my windows. Nope, can't tolerate the smoke at all. This was and has signs around it saying it is a no smoking community but that is a lie since Bryten Real Estate Partners took over managing it. That is because the managers all smoke.
DailyArtsyCrafter said:
View attachment 504148
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Thank you! Thank you! He is always with me.
 
I am considering washing my clothing and then hang them up here in my shower and on my laundry rack. It would save me money and also the clothing lasts longer not going in a dryer. Someone told me the dryers are not drying heavier items, like her husband's jeans or thick bath towels. I used to hang all my clothing up here.

Another benefit is that the damp clothing cools off my apartment. In fact that is why I stopped doing it because of the cold weather and then never back to it. Just dry bedding and towels in the dryers.

Today instead of coloring while I am down there I am going to try to get rid of all the empty boxes in my storage locker. I want to work on emptying that out. So going to be putting stuff on the free table little by little. Tomorrow I have therapy so need to get laundry done today.

This is the 2nd time I got up in the morning and looked out my door and someone has changed the sign on my door from IN to OUT. And put it up high in the center of the door. I know I did not do it. Unless I did it in my sleep. That is because I am across from the elevator. I should have suspected it last night. I keep the peep hole covered from inside here and I saw the little piece of fabric that hangs on it had moved to the side. It didn't fall off but I could see the hole was not covered. I fixed it but didn't check outside to see if someone had monkeyed with my door.
 
Well I did it! I see I wrote that post above at 7:03 AM. It is now 10:45 AM and my first load of laundry (dark) is done and hanging in my shower. Some is on the clothing rack. I will do the other load on Thursday or Friday. I need to give this load time to dry. I have fans going though. And soon the AC. It saves me $2.25 every time I dry it up here and not in the dryer. That can add up. I just put $25. more on the card using my debit card this time. I did not want to use a credit card for laundry.

I am watching a new YT channel about a young 29 year old woman (though says she is called a "left over" because she is not married yet) who lives in a studio apartment too. Last night I watched how she did her laundry. Using a small washer and then carrying it up to the roof of her apartment building (she is on the 7th floor at the top so didn't have too carry to far) to hang it to dry. There was a lot of other people's laundry up there too. There is no elevator in her building so she has to walk 7 flights of stairs daily. She is in good shape maybe that is why.

Now it is time to fix something to eat.
 
katlupe said:
I am considering washing my clothing and then hang them up here in my shower and on my laundry rack. It would save me money and also the clothing lasts longer not going in a dryer. Someone told me the dryers are not drying heavier items, like her husband's jeans or thick bath towels. I used to hang all my clothing up here.

Another benefit is that the damp clothing cools off my apartment. In fact that is why I stopped doing it because of the cold weather and then never back to it. Just dry bedding and towels in the dryers.

Today instead of coloring while I am down there I am going to try to get rid of all the empty boxes in my storage locker. I want to work on emptying that out. So going to be putting stuff on the free table little by little. Tomorrow I have therapy so need to get laundry done today.

This is the 2nd time I got up in the morning and looked out my door and someone has changed the sign on my door from IN to OUT. And put it up high in the center of the door. I know I did not do it. Unless I did it in my sleep. That is because I am across from the elevator. I should have suspected it last night. I keep the peep hole covered from inside here and I saw the little piece of fabric that hangs on it had moved to the side. It didn't fall off but I could see the hole was not covered. I fixed it but didn't check outside to see if someone had monkeyed with my door.
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Hello, hidden camera.
 
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