Reflections of My Life

I have the keys to Jeff's apartment. He has always said it was him and me against the world. It is now. No husband to interfere. Due to his disability the men in my life never understood him. They always wanted to make him like themselves. Well, he was not their child. I have high hopes of him moving in upstairs. At least we will be in the same building but not living together. Should work out fine.

So many times when he didn't answer his phone I would be scared to death that something happened to him. I am going to work on being more a part of his life instead of just giving him his money or buying stuff for him. Maybe I can get him to do things. He loves to shop but will only go in the little grocery/smoke shop near his apartment or the Dollar Tree. Maybe I can get him to go more places if he thinks he has to help me.
 

Of course today has to be a rainy day because I was going to walk to the post office as soon as it opened to get my son's money orders for his rent and his deposit. Now I will have to wait for Sonny and he is not an early bird. Jeff is moving his speakers and didn't want to get them wet. Has to rain when we least need it. I ordered a bed and bedding and towels for him on Amazon and everything should be delivered tomorrow and the next day.

Presently I am doing my budget sheet because I did not do it when I normally do. I couldn't think because I was worrying about Jeff and his moving in. Now I am catching up.
 
Yesterday I felt like a chicken with its head cut off! No joke. I am always organized and my days are usually planned and follow the plan. Not yesterday. Sonny came up to help Jeff move into my building. You know how he kept saying he didn't have anything? Well, he had two car loads of stuff. Sonny could not lift anything but Jeff did it all. At my building they unloaded the car into 2 grocery carts and took upstairs on the elevator. Did that twice.

Jeff stayed here while Sonny and I did my errands (that I usually do on the 3rd). Had to take Jeff's modem back to Spectrum. Sonny had to say he was Jeff or they wouldn't take it back. Now I have to call them today and give them a number to get them to shut it off (even though it is not going through a modem or anything). Once you get them it is hard to get rid of them. Jeff won't be having a computer at first. This time I am replacing his phone (digital through Spectrum) with a cell phone probably like mine. Nothing fancy.

I was worn out last night. Washing my dishes this morning. Just could not stand up another second. I will try to get some pictures of Jeff's apartment for you all today. It is really, really nice! Not what someone would think was low income housing. My friend is giving him a set of dishes she has and doesn't use. I have to order some pans to cook with. I only have what I use. The bed and bedding I ordered for him from Amazon should be here today and tomorrow. Last night he made a bed on the floor.
 

I haven't been able to keep up with you Kat, as I have not been here much lately. Let me get this straight:
Jeff is you son's name? Your son moved into your building? Did I get that right? If so, How Fabulous!
 
Pepper said:
I haven't been able to keep up with you Kat, as I have not been here much lately. Let me get this straight:
Jeff is you son's name? Your son moved into your building? Did I get that right? If so, How Fabulous!
Click to expand...
Yes, his name is actually Michael Jeffrey but is called Jeff. Too many Michaels in my family.

I said I would not let him live in my building but I think God told me to do it. His apartment building was what I call a "ghetto apartment" and not a good place for him. I will be trying to help him to live a better life here. My life will change now but I feel like this is something I, as a mother, need to do.
 
My oldest son told me I could decorate his home when he first moved in.

I was surprised .

He & I picked out the kitchen pots & pans cooking items I thought he would use.

He had bedding from his various moves on job changes.
I think we picked out sheets & a quilt for his bed.

He picked out his living room furnishings.

At times mothers have to tread lightly when helping sons.

Hope all goes well with his moving in, settling down.
 
Not sure what my day will be like. The last few days have been topsy turvy due to Jeff being here now. One of things that happened was with that bed I ordered from Amazon. On the listing said it was heavy but would be in a box and can be moved easily. Not really!

It sat by the mailboxes on the floor all day Thursday. The maintenance man said he would get it and then kept forgetting about it. I watched a bunch of videos about getting these compressed mattresses (queen sized) unboxed. Nobody showed how they moved it into their house or apartment. It was a long box and very heavy. It took two people to bring it into the building. Then yesterday morning I reminded the maintenance man and he came back and said it was not there! How could that be? It was too heavy to steal!

Then I found out Jeff had gone down there at 2 AM and somehow got it on the elevator and pushed the button for his floor (He will not ride on an elevator). Then ran up the stairs to meet it on his floor. Got it into his apartment and even though I had told him not to take it out of the box before the frame came..........he did. He did not follow any directions that came with it and slept on it as soon as it inflated (you are supposed to wait 24-72 hours to let it fully inflate).

Yesterday the steel frame came and he put it in the elevator with me and then met me on his floor. That was not as big or heavy as the mattress. All the bedding, pillows, sheet set, blanket and pillows came yesterday, as well as a set of towels. He is set as far as sleeping goes.
 
katlupe said:
Not sure what my day will be like. The last few days have been topsy turvy due to Jeff being here now. One of things that happened was with that bed I ordered from Amazon. On the listing said it was heavy but would be in a box and can be moved easily. Not really!

It sat by the mailboxes on the floor all day Thursday. The maintenance man said he would get it and then kept forgetting about it. I watched a bunch of videos about getting these compressed mattresses (queen sized) unboxed. Nobody showed how they moved it into their house or apartment. It was a long box and very heavy. It took two people to bring it into the building. Then yesterday morning I reminded the maintenance man and he came back and said it was not there! How could that be? It was too heavy to steal!

Then I found out Jeff had gone down there at 2 AM and somehow got it on the elevator and pushed the button for his floor (He will not ride on an elevator). Then ran up the stairs to meet it on his floor. Got it into his apartment and even though I had told him not to take it out of the box before the frame came..........he did. He did not follow any directions that came with it and slept on it as soon as it inflated (you are supposed to wait 24-72 hours to let it fully inflate).

Yesterday the steel frame came and he put it in the elevator with me and then met me on his floor. That was not as big or heavy as the mattress. All the bedding, pillows, sheet set, blanket and pillows came yesterday, as well as a set of towels. He is set as far as sleeping goes.
Click to expand...
Smart to use the elevator!
 
Sliverfox said:
I think Jeff just proved this.
If there's a will, there's a way.

He didn't want to waken you when he moved the mattress.

Main thing is that he is happy in his new apartment.
Click to expand...
He told me that he is happy here yesterday.

One of the guys who lives here brought a box of food that the food bank had brought on Thursday for Jeff. He also told me to tell him that nobody goes hungry in this building. If anyone is out of food for any reason to contact him or his partner and they will make sure that person eats. They feed one elderly lady every day. Every month the food bank brings 2 boxes of food for whoever signs up for it.
 
RadishRose said:
Jeff is a pretty resourceful guy! Maybe skipped over some details but managed the main events just fine. I'm so glad he feels happy to be there. I know you are. :)
Click to expand...
He was just here! He told me he spent most of the day trying to get the bed frame together. Now he wants me to ask Sonny when he comes here on Tuesday to come take a look at it. At least he knows who to ask for help.
 
katlupe said:
Not sure what my day will be like. The last few days have been topsy turvy due to Jeff being here now. One of things that happened was with that bed I ordered from Amazon. On the listing said it was heavy but would be in a box and can be moved easily. Not really!

It sat by the mailboxes on the floor all day Thursday. The maintenance man said he would get it and then kept forgetting about it. I watched a bunch of videos about getting these compressed mattresses (queen sized) unboxed. Nobody showed how they moved it into their house or apartment. It was a long box and very heavy. It took two people to bring it into the building. Then yesterday morning I reminded the maintenance man and he came back and said it was not there! How could that be? It was too heavy to steal!

Then I found out Jeff had gone down there at 2 AM and somehow got it on the elevator and pushed the button for his floor (He will not ride on an elevator). Then ran up the stairs to meet it on his floor. Got it into his apartment and even though I had told him not to take it out of the box before the frame came..........he did. He did not follow any directions that came with it and slept on it as soon as it inflated (you are supposed to wait 24-72 hours to let it fully inflate).

Yesterday the steel frame came and he put it in the elevator with me and then met me on his floor. That was not as big or heavy as the mattress. All the bedding, pillows, sheet set, blanket and pillows came yesterday, as well as a set of towels. He is set as far as sleeping goes.
Click to expand...
Glad it worked out!
 
I changed my mind about using the Magic Chef convection oven. One of the things I didn't consider when buying it was the fact that it is very heavy (for me). The bottom is an oven safe glass that can handle very high heats. I finally got around to washing it yesterday and was going to experiment with it. It was all I could do to wash the thing! Heavier than a cast iron chicken fryer!

It is pretty with white around the glass but after using it a bit it would not be that pretty. I had also washed the NuWave to put away downstairs because I did not want to get rid of it.........just in case. Super light and easy to wash. I put it back in its rightful place. Glad I only paid $10. for it.
 
The hardest thing I have had to adjust to as I got older is my mobility issues which is caused by my knees. I was used to being independent and taking care of myself. I never minded doing physical work. Over the years I worked jobs that I had to be on my feet and lift things (or people). Now having to always ask someone help me is so frustrating.

Tomorrow Sonny is supposed to come here and call Spectrum for Jeff and tell them to shut his account down. Has to be a male voice so they think it is Jeff. I am thinking I might have Jeff try to do it today. I can sit right here and then take the phone from him and answer their questions. Jeff does not do well on phone calls. Then have to do the same with the electric company except we are changing it to the new apartment. So frustrating that these businesses will not let me do this when I am the one who's name is on the debit cards to pay them.
 
So I started watching a new physical therapist and this video shows someone getting up from a low chair. I just did it and it works for me. Just remember do not get up with your knees together. That was the key for me. Bob & Brad probably did one on this too. I think I remember they did.

 
Well, I am proud of myself! I called these places, Spectrum and NYSEG and took care of Jeff's accounts on my own. Both times I got lucky with the reps I got. I know God must have been watching out for me. Was able to close Jeff's Spectrum account. That was the hard one! Then felt so confident I thought I would attempt NYSEG. He asked if I was an authorized user on the account and I said yes (I don't know if I was or not but last time Sonny had to do it by saying he was Jeff). Got his account closed at his old apartment and the new one goes into his name on Wednesday. Whew!

Now I am on my way over to social services to put in a change of address for Jeff there. SNAP and Medicaid (he has partial along with Medicare). So much stuff to think of! My brain is worn out already. I haven't even tackled his phone yet..........
 
I did not go to social services yesterday but will try this morning. I do better in the morning than afternoon. Especially when going out. Since Sonny will not be coming here today, I am going to order some groceries because Rabbit needs more spring mix.

The maintenance man fixed my shower so it is not blocked anymore. What a difference that made! He is going to put in a new kitchen faucet since mine is leaking and has been for a long time now. He ordered new blinds for two of my windows. I will be very happy to get those. I will be reminding him about them if it takes too long.

Yesterday there was a party for the eclipse outside at the picnic tables. I guess they had food and drinks. I did not go because I don't like that sort of thing. Especially sitting outside at the tables they use for smoking. It is nice though that our manager encourages that sort of thing because she thinks isolation for some of the tenants is not good. I agree with her about that. I just do not think of myself as being isolated. Most of them do not have or use computers so when they are inside they are watching television most of the time.
 
I walked to social services today. It was empty. Glad I did not have to wait because I was just giving them a change of address form. It was so hot. 75 degrees and I could not wait to get back home. I took the way through the park because I hadn't been in that park in quite awhile. It was so quiet there except for the guy with the leaf blower. It was a nice day though.

dss.JPG
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top