Reflections of My Life

hollydolly said:
I remember that all too well during my first marriage.. going around the supermarket picking up the cheapest items, and then counting it all in my head as I walked around to ensure I didn't go over the little money I had...and putting stuff back that I really needed..
My ex husband was a gambler, so money was scarce, he'd often have gambled his whole weekly salary before he got home from work on pay night. .. . Everything I cooked was cooked from scratch and from the cheapest ingredients. Lots of potatoes, and eggs ( which I made into egg and Bacon or egg and cheese flan) , canned Tuna ( which I made into a flan ) and liver, and Brussel sprouts, was pretty much the staple diet for us.
I was unable to buy any ready prepared food, there just wasn't any spare money for that type of thing. I remember also going almost 5 years before entering a clothing shop to buy anything for myself.., because I could never afford clothes, I got one hair cut in 8 years, what money I had from my part-time job, had to stretch to paying for school uniform and shoes for my daughter, she had to come first in everything and I'd have to buy from catalogues which I would pay for weekly and always robbing peter to pay Paul,,... rotten memories, but I divorced him when dd was 8 years old.. and I raised her by myself..all a struggle, but at least the money that was coming into the house was not being gambled away..
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I think going through stuff like that makes us stronger, but when we are actually going through it, it does not feel that way. At that time, I got all my clothing from a thrift store where all you had to pay was a $2. donation. I felt so low back then.

When I first moved here, Sonny came to take me to the store and at that time I didn't know him very well in person. He used my bathroom and I guess he checked out my closet and vanity cupboard. Then at Walmart he took me to the personal care aisle and told me to get what I needed. Then he kept adding stuff to the cart like shampoo, soap, lotion, etc. stuff a woman needs. He now says he couldn't believe I moved in and didn't have any of that stuff. I was very frugal. If you don't have money for something, you learn to live without it.
 
Today I had a busy day. Vacuum packed chicken and pork chops. I love seeing my freezer full. I keep my ice cream container to the ice cream maker in the back corner just in case I need to have ice cream. Right now, not so much because it is cold out.

My friend/neighbor down the hall bought Rabbit some carrots with the tops on them today! He was quite happy with that. He loves them even better than the actual carrot. I used to grow carrots for that reason in my garden. I would just leave the carrots growing in the ground and clip the tops down every day.

I must say my toes feel so much better since having that appointment yesterday with the foot doctor. Now I can put my compression stockings on without snagging them and they are very pricey so can't do that.

So yesterday, Keto Chow contacted me asked me to fill out a form to be an ambassador for Keto Chow! I did and yesterday I tagged my post on fakebook for them. Then they put $5.00 in my account on their site. I will use it for my future purchases.
 

katlupe said:
I was feeling kind of lazy this morning. My breakfast which today was the chili that I made yesterday for supper. I cheated on it and just added a jar of organic salsa to ground beef and made it in the Instant Pot. Came out very good. But this morning looking at the carbs count for yesterday, that salsa is a bit too high in carbs. I need to develop one with lower carbs though that one is so good or find a different brand of salsa. I do not want to make it from scratch. Trying to make less work for myself.

Today I had a bad experience with Instacart. It was not their fault. The shopper had my groceries and was on her way here. I kept an eye on my phone, on my computer and out the window. Never came. I went outside twice and walked around the building after getting a message from Instacart saying she was outside my door??? No, she was no where to be seen.

Then they cancelled my order! And charged me a $15. cancellation fee!!! So I reordered and a guy shopped the list again and he came to my building with no problem! I sent Instacart a message about this and hope I get my $15 fee back since I did not cancel it and I was right here waiting for it. Shoot I am downtown where anyone could find me. Everyone knows this building. Needless to say, I was stressed. It took up my whole day.

.
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Bummer! Hard to find good help. I really hope you get your 💰back..yet, why do I doubt it?!!
 
katlupe said:
I had good news to share yesterday but didn't seem right in light of worrying about Aneeda. Even though our members here on SF have not met in person, sometimes I forget that fact. I like to write and communicating and getting to know others by writing to me seems like you get to know each other better. Of course, sometimes people do not write displaying their true self, but the self they wish they were. I was really into penpals when I was a child. Always had a few of them and getting something in the mail was always the highlight of my days.

My good news though has to do with my apartment building community and our ex-manager. Turns out she had received the letter from the lady who needed the bathtub changed to a shower so she could use it. It was from the doctor telling the management of our building that she had Parkinson's and would need the tub changed. That was part of the process of getting a "Reasonable Accommodation" to make an apartment suitable for disabled person. It was dated on October 22, 2021. She had it in her office all that time! She said she could not have it changed.

The guy who is working here as our manager presently is actually a manager in another local complex but not in our city. He has worked here before and knows everyone. He actually is the one who trained the ex-manager. He said there are more issues that we do not even know about. He mentioned she is guilty of fraud. So he has been busy in the office trying to clear up the messes she created.

The other two trouble makers who were the ex-manager's friends have been staying quiet so far. Not much they can do right now. Another thing that I believe may come to light is the fact that the ex-manager who had access to our private financial affairs and other information due to the lengthy paperwork we have to do to live here in a subsidized apartment complex, she discussed our information with those friends. And sharing the videos of the hallways of people walking to and from their apartments. She even had that one on her personal phone.

So I am relieved about all that this morning. My friends who were so stressed out were smiling and laughing yesterday. Just because we are senior citizens or disabled does not mean we are stupid. In fact, it looks like stupid in this case did not apply to us.
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Wonderful news!!! I'm happy that things turned out well!
 
katlupe said:
I don't think we had that snowstorm as of right now. Sounds like rain out there right now. The temperature is 39 degrees, which is quite warm for February, for New York. I haven't looked out the windows yet because the blinds are closed and the window is blocked (which I do every night when it is cold out). I am not usually concerned about the weather but today is the 3rd, errand day and I rescheduled my foot doctor appointment for this afternoon.

I am trying to get control of my independence. Sonny does so much for me but he has been doing less and less. I think it is due to his health. I am working on my own health and now I need to work on a few other things. He drives me to all my appointments and to run errands or go shopping. He is still doing that. But I have been saying for awhile now that I have to learn to do things in the case that he cannot do it anymore. There are a few options for medical appointments so not too concerned about that.

Sonny also gets the hay from a feed store for Rabbit. It was not that good that last couple of times. I had to throw it out. It had been baled and got wet and was horribly dusty. Now I order it from Pet Select through Amazon. Beautiful hay! I think it comes from Kentucky or somewhere around there. Yes, it is costly but one box lasts about two months. I started doing that in December and Sonny never even noticed. Has never asked me about the hay or if I need any. So if he does I will just say no I don't need any and see what he says.

The other thing, which I am almost out of today is water. I usually buy it at Walmart in the gallon bottles and many times are limited in how many I can get because it is almost gone. So I found a company called The Water Bottle that is located in this county and had many options and the price was not bad. There was no delivery charge. It said 0 in the delivery charge spot. So I will see. I ordered 12 one gallon bottles and 1 five gallon bottle for the water dispenser in the bathroom. It came to $18.90 and that seems like a fair price when it is being delivered to me.

My only problem will be putting the five gallon bottle into the dispenser. My son could possibly do it. He is strong but clumsy. He is disabled and doesn't easily understand how to do something. So I will see if he can do it or if I can get someone other than Sonny to do it. But Sonny will probably do it for me. He could do it. He did plow snow yesterday. I am excited about this! I use a lot of water and this water will be much better quality than what I have been buying. Not sure what day it will be delivered yet.
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Rabbit deserves only the best! Being more independent is great, and it makes you feel so good. Good for you! 💖
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katlupe said:
Before Rabbit & I moved here, I bought hay by the truck load for my 3 horses. My ex-husband sometimes would work during the summer helping a farmer bale hay in exchange for hay for our horses. It was hard work! So I know if I have to pay more for it to order it by the box it is worth it.

I knew about water companies where you have a contraption in the basement that used salt for softening your water because I lived in a house long ago that had one. But didn't know if there was a water company delivery service. I was so happy to have found one right away! And in my area! No delivery charge either. Must be included in the price.

Rabbit is indeed, living like a king. My neighbor/friend down the hall buys berries at the store for him. She comes here almost daily to bring him about 6 berries. He runs to her and she smiles and laughs at him. Which is good as she is going through a lot of stuff right now so if he brightens up her world for a few minutes I am happy.
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Awwww....Rabbit is a therapy pet! It's amazing how much animals help us to cope with life! 💖
 
hollydolly said:
I remember that all too well during my first marriage.. going around the supermarket picking up the cheapest items, and then counting it all in my head as I walked around to ensure I didn't go over the little money I had...and putting stuff back that I really needed..
My ex husband was a gambler, so money was scarce, he'd often have gambled his whole weekly salary before he got home from work on pay night. .. . Everything I cooked was cooked from scratch and from the cheapest ingredients. Lots of potatoes, and eggs ( which I made into egg and Bacon or egg and cheese flan) , canned Tuna ( which I made into a flan ) and liver, and Brussel sprouts, was pretty much the staple diet for us.
I was unable to buy any ready prepared food, there just wasn't any spare money for that type of thing. I remember also going almost 5 years before entering a clothing shop to buy anything for myself.., because I could never afford clothes, I got one hair cut in 8 years, what money I had from my part-time job, had to stretch to paying for school uniform and shoes for my daughter, she had to come first in everything and I'd have to buy from catalogues which I would pay for weekly and always robbing peter to pay Paul,,... rotten memories, but I divorced him when dd was 8 years old.. and I raised her by myself..all a struggle, but at least the money that was coming into the house was not being gambled away..
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They may not be good memories, but they made you strong & a good roll model for your daughter!
 
hollydolly said:
I remember that all too well during my first marriage.. going around the supermarket picking up the cheapest items, and then counting it all in my head as I walked around to ensure I didn't go over the little money I had...and putting stuff back that I really needed..
My ex husband was a gambler, so money was scarce, he'd often have gambled his whole weekly salary before he got home from work on pay night. .. . Everything I cooked was cooked from scratch and from the cheapest ingredients. Lots of potatoes, and eggs ( which I made into egg and Bacon or egg and cheese flan) , canned Tuna ( which I made into a flan ) and liver, and Brussel sprouts, was pretty much the staple diet for us.
I was unable to buy any ready prepared food, there just wasn't any spare money for that type of thing. I remember also going almost 5 years before entering a clothing shop to buy anything for myself.., because I could never afford clothes, I got one hair cut in 8 years, what money I had from my part-time job, had to stretch to paying for school uniform and shoes for my daughter, she had to come first in everything and I'd have to buy from catalogues which I would pay for weekly and always robbing peter to pay Paul,,... rotten memories, but I divorced him when dd was 8 years old.. and I raised her by myself..all a struggle, but at least the money that was coming into the house was not being gambled away..
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They may not be good memories, but they made you strong & a good roll model for your daughter! You did well!
 
I was happy to see that your neighbor brings luscious treats for Rabbit! Berries and carrots with tops, he must have been so happy. If I was near I would also bring him treats.
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Today was really cold but the sun was shining and that is good enough for me. My apartment gets passive heat from the sun shining in the windows. So I turn the heat way down because I get so hot. Everyone else complains about being cold. Don't know what is the matter with me but the cold always feels good to me. I don't like to go outside when it is icy cold in the morning, but as soon as I see the driveway is wet and not icy, I figure it is time to go outside.

Now I have my windows blocked already because it is feeling colder. Turned up the heat and put a sweater on. One of the heaters is right next to my chair where I sit at the computer so it gets cozy pretty quick.

I cleaned Rabbit's cage earlier today and I want to try to stay on that schedule. It is so much easier for me doing it like that. I think I must have more energy or something at that time. Then it is like I have the rest of the day to just do what I please with nothing hanging over my head except grinding coffee beans and making coffee for tomorrow.
 
Today was pretty cold and icy outside so I did not go outside. I figure there is no reason to go out when it is miserable. The woman who lives above me was out there shoveling off the ramp. She is strong! She was lifting that shovel up over the wall of the ramp. The guy from the snow removal company just pushes it with a wide shovel. So it ends up in the corners and the people who are still driving their scooters and mobility chairs (not me, I won't get my wheels wet) have difficulty getting through those spots. She has showed up that guy who is much younger and gets paid for it!

I did manage to write a blog post even though I hadn't written on it since December. Just was not in the mood. Now it seems things are a bit less stressful here so I felt like it. But I did not get my Best Bread chaffles made. I must do it tomorrow morning. Rabbit is teasing for me to go to bed now, it is strange how a little animal like that can be so demanding. And I do what he wants! Why is that I wonder?
 
Two of my friends that live here are going through serious health issues. I have been trying to come up with a way to make them a little bit happier with all they are dealing with. Both of them were targeted by the manager (who was fired a little over two weeks ago) to be harassed. One worse than the other though. Even though my apartment is very small, I want to have a........what I will call a "Girls Talk" coffee hour. Just three others besides myself. Now that I have my new coffeemaker I am comfortable making coffee for others since it comes out perfect every time.

I am not one to entertain others here since I am an introvert. But we have become quite close. I do not have room for a lot of people nor do I want that many. So I think this would be small enough for me to handle here. I can make a keto friendly snack that would be quite good. Maybe not. I know from all the other events we do, they load up on the sugar. Yet due to all the health issues they have, I know sugar is the worse thing they can put in their mouth. I have none in my apartment and will not buy it again ever.

My idea is to make it fun. Make it light. No discussions about the politics of this building. Just talk about our past life experiences and things we like to do. Laugh. Girl talk! Encourage each other.
 
That sounds like a great idea , katlupe.

We haven't gotten out much due to weather & the pandemic .
After eating out , I suggested we stop in at the Warehouse.

The warehouse is a large brick building that has been turned into antique / new furniture store.
We wandered about looking at new or old items.
In the 'back' room is used bits & pieces.
Guy started chatting with us there for few minutes.

So I have the idea to ask the lady who worked there,,do they get in paintings by my uncle's name?

Answer was no .

By then hubby has gone upstairs ,,,more new living rooms , set bed displays up there.

I spot a small couch/love seat ,, am showing it to hubby.
When the lady from downstairs appears.
Ask can this be brought in different color?

Somehow the conversation got turned to current happenings.
Not sure how long we chatted.

Hubby had to gag me to let the lady escape.
Before we left she did show us picture of couch in darker color.

On drive home I thought about how to sell my two antique pieces of furniture.
While I'm sure hubby was thinking,," can't take her any where ,, she talks to everybody."

Maybe I have cabin fever?
 
Sliverfox said:
That sounds like a great idea , katlupe.

We haven't gotten out much due to weather & the pandemic .
After eating out , I suggested we stop in at the Warehouse.

The warehouse is a large brick building that has been turned into antique / new furniture store.
We wandered about looking at new or old items.
In the 'back' room is used bits & pieces.
Guy started chatting with us there for few minutes.

So I have the idea to ask the lady who worked there,,do they get in paintings by my uncle's name?

Answer was no .

By then hubby has gone upstairs ,,,more new living rooms , set bed displays up there.

I spot a small couch/love seat ,, am showing it to hubby.
When the lady from downstairs appears.
Ask can this be brought in different color?

Somehow the conversation got turned to current happenings.
Not sure how long we chatted.

Hubby had to gag me to let the lady escape.
Before we left she did show us picture of couch in darker color.

On drive home I thought about how to sell my two antique pieces of furniture.
While I'm sure hubby was thinking,," can't take her any where ,, she talks to everybody."

Maybe I have cabin fever?
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I didn't realize how much I actually missed having girlfriends to talk to. It has taken me awhile to get to know the people in my building. But I feel like it is good for me as well as the others. Now we can use the community room but these little coffee gatherings will be just the few of us that have developed a closer relationship.
 

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