Reflections of My Life

Life is so funny. What I have come to the conclusion is that no matter who or what comes into your life the only person you can really count on is looking in mirror at you. Yourself. I have been married three times and never had someone I could count on. I thought I could at the time but it turned out I was wrong. Even if you have a happy marriage, there might come a day when you are alone and then you have to learn to do everything you did not have to do before.

At times it is tough to learn these things but I didn't have to learn them all at once. Sonny has helped me when I first came here but now, due to his health problems (and his racing addiction) I am really on my own. Plus he could not help me with my computer stuff........I helped him way more than he helped me in that area. I will get back into these computer problems but maybe after the new year. I am doing some other things right now. Organizing and decluttering my apartment and storage locker. Soon that will be all done.
 

I belong to a group called The HungryHorde on fakebook. It is another keto community that I think I have mentioned before. They are having a challenge for January, a no spend month. I have done these myself quite often. So doing it with others is no big deal. The issues with people on keto though is meat is mainly what you eat. The other stuff is just in small amounts.

Even though I use SNAP benefits, I still make a food budget which includes that amount. Then divide it by 4 and that is what I spend for the month. Rabbit's food though falls in that category not counting his hay and other things I get for him on a regular basis. A rabbit does not seem like they would cost more than a cat or dog but their needs can amount to a good chunk of change. Most important with my bunny is that he will not eat pellets under any circumstance. He hates them and spinach too.

Anyway, back to the no spend challenge. I have made much progress in paying down my debt in this last year. I have two more accounts to pay off and I think I can do it. As long as I do not use them again. Which is easy to say but hard to do. I found myself using them both this month. Not a lot so it is still a doable goal. You can still buy the things you need or for me, regularly put in my budget.

The hand written budget is the #1 thing that has helped me since moving here. Before I moved here I had no budget at all. Now I have everything I need and still can pay down that debt. It makes me wonder how my husband has done with his finances that were a mess (and the biggest reason I left).
 
Today Sonny picked me up and took me to Walmart. It was pretty busy but didn't stress us. I FINALLY found the new spot they are hiding the Equate sugar free cough drops in! So I got 2 bags and Sonny got one. I have looked and looked for it every time I have been there lately. Maybe I should have asked. I just thought they didn't have it in stock since the cherry ones were in a different spot.

I splurged and bought myself a ribeye steak for my Christmas dinner. I usually only buy steak if it is one of the marked down packages. This time I had planned for it. I figure I needed to treat myself. I also got a package of sirloin steak tips that was marked down for a quick sale. Marked down $13. from $30. I grabbed that too. I vacuum packed them in 4 packages.

When I got home there was a notice on my door that a new maintenance man has been hired and will be starting his job on Jan, 8th. So that is good news. I need him to take a look at my shower drain because it is slow. I put vinegar and baking soda down it but it doesn't work forever. So I think it probably has hair down in the pipe. I think I will turn in a maintenance request now before he starts to get him early.

I am going to get off the computer as soon as I finish this. I am watching the whole season of St. Elsewhere again. It was one of my favorite shows. I just wish the other seasons would become available. They are not even for sale anywhere as a DVD.
 

katlupe said:
Today Sonny picked me up and took me to Walmart. It was pretty busy but didn't stress us. I FINALLY found the new spot they are hiding the Equate sugar free cough drops in! So I got 2 bags and Sonny got one. I have looked and looked for it every time I have been there lately. Maybe I should have asked. I just thought they didn't have it in stock since the cherry ones were in a different spot.

I splurged and bought myself a ribeye steak for my Christmas dinner. I usually only buy steak if it is one of the marked down packages. This time I had planned for it. I figure I needed to treat myself. I also got a package of sirloin steak tips that was marked down for a quick sale. Marked down $13. from $30. I grabbed that too. I vacuum packed them in 4 packages.

When I got home there was a notice on my door that a new maintenance man has been hired and will be starting his job on Jan, 8th. So that is good news. I need him to take a look at my shower drain because it is slow. I put vinegar and baking soda down it but it doesn't work forever. So I think it probably has hair down in the pipe. I think I will turn in a maintenance request now before he starts to get him early.

I am going to get off the computer as soon as I finish this. I am watching the whole season of St. Elsewhere again. It was one of my favorite shows. I just wish the other seasons would become available. They are not even for sale anywhere as a DVD.
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Do you not clean your own drains.
My hair clogs my bathrooms drains so quickly. I pull the screen off, grab the hair, use the toilet brush to clean the drain. Then I take boiling hot water and pour it down followed by vinegar and salt , then boiling hot water ago.

The bathroom sink gets taken apart under the cabinet part of the sibk. The latch is taken off which opens up the drain. You clean it out and rinse with boiling water , salt and vinegar. Then you put it back together again. I usually do this every 2 or 3 months.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Do you not clean your own drains.
My hair clogs my bathrooms drains so quickly. I pull the screen off, grab the hair, use the toilet brush to clean the drain. Then I take boiling hot water and pour it down followed by vinegar and salt , then boiling hot water ago.

The bathroom sink gets taken apart under the cabinet part of the sibk. The latch is taken off which opens up the drain. You clean it out and rinse with boiling water , salt and vinegar. Then you put it back together again. I usually do this every 2 or 3 months.
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No, I cannot get down on the floor to do that. That is what we have a maintenance man for. But my former man quit his job right when I was filling out a request for him to come do that. I can remove my hair from on the top of the drain but if any gets down below I can't get to it. I use the vinegar and baking soda method and it has worked before but not so much now.
 
katlupe said:
No, I cannot get down on the floor to do that. That is what we have a maintenance man for. But my former man quit his job right when I was filling out a request for him to come do that. I can remove my hair from on the top of the drain but if any gets down below I can't get to it. I use the vinegar and baking soda method and it has worked before but not so much now.
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Right. I’d forgotten that you were somewhat disabled. It does require a lot of bending and twisting. You’re luckily you don’t have to do it. It’s a really yucky job. The vinegar really freshens up the pipes though. It’s good that you have people in your apartment to do that.

That’s definitely a plus for apartment living which I’d forgotten about.
 
Talking about the maintenance man made me realize how much we rely on them. Maybe they feel like it is a thankless job for a bunch of people who at times are quite critical and selfish. Last year we did take up a collection for our maintenance man at Christmas time. He deserved it and I had planned on giving him a cash gift before anyone mentioned collecting for him. The problem with where I live is that our maintenance man is not here all the time. He was responsible for several buildings each in a different city or town.

So many things we took for granted were not being done since he left so suddenly. He got stressed out about something and quit on the spot. I felt like he died. The food bank delivery this month was a nightmare. He always took care of it and all we had to do was go downstairs to the community room and pick up two boxes. Our new manager is an older lady and could not help carry the boxes to the community room. Two tenants had to do it.

The management of these buildings, not the manager, who is actually working here, but the head of the management, have no idea what goes on in the day to day life of living in these buildings. They hire and fire at will or change rules and policies without even discussing it with the people who live here. Even though it is not an assisted living building, the people are seniors and/or disabled. Our lease explains management/owners can do anything they want within 24 hours or 30 days. Tenants cannot do anything and have no right to change anything.

Like the fact that there is a public restroom downstairs on the lower level. It is locked from us using it. I don't use it often so it does not affect me. When people are in the puzzle room, laundry room or community room and need to go to the bathroom they now have to go up to their apartment (IF they can make it that far).

People coming in from outside, shopping or appointments in a hurry to get to their apartment to use the bathroom cannot use that bathroom. So there have been a number of accidents on the elevator going upstairs. Housing code said there is nothing we can do about that. It can be a employees' bathroom and I guess that is what it is now.
 
I am quite aware of the dangers of using a mobility chair. In my bathroom when I move it away from the shower so I can use the shower I keep my eyes on my feet. It would be quite painful indeed to run your foot over! My neighbor/friend across the hall was in the grocery store and her coat sleeve got caught on the control stick and her chair went crazy. She said it happened so fast before she could even react. It hit something and it threw her right off onto the floor! She was sore from it but not hurt.

The biggest problem I see with people who use one is that they mistreat them. Leave them outside in the rain while shopping. You can do that if you have a way to cover them up. They drive too fast and hit potholes and keep going. I am so careful with "Jazzy" going really slow over or around bumps and holes. I don't like to drive it when the streets are wet with rain, snow or ice. Since I got my new tires and casters I am even more super careful. These mobility scooters and chairs cost a lot of money and to replace one would be a lot.

If Medicare pays for it, they are not going to be replacing it that easily. They may pay for repairs but it is up to you to take care of it. There are several people here who have one but some cannot use their mobility chair or scooter due to it being broke down. I think they are worth the money as long as you are responsible for its well being and drive safely. I have not driven mine in a month or so now due to the wet weather. I do not want to get it rusty. Sometimes I use it when going downstairs if my knees are acting up.
 
Kat. there's a guy lives somewhere near me.. who I see every day going out .. and he races that mobility scooter like it was a race car on the road.. and not the pavement . he's always carrying a take-away cup of drink in one hand so he's not in complete control of the scooter, IMO .. His scooter is really big, One day I'm sure he's going to have an accident..
 
hollydolly said:
Kat. there's a guy lives somewhere near me.. who I see every day going out .. and he races that mobility scooter like it was a race car on the road.. and not the pavement . he's always carrying a take-away cup of drink in one hand so he's not in complete control of the scooter, IMO .. His scooter is really big, One day I'm sure he's going to have an accident..
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I see people doing that and it is so dangerous. If mine flipped over or was hit by a car I can't imagine what shape I would be in. Mine is quite heavy but feels safer to me then the scooters or light weight chairs. Mine cost over $3000. new and I got it used for $300. so I am going to baby it as long as possible.
 
katlupe said:
I see people doing that and it is so dangerous. If mine flipped over or was hit by a car I can't imagine what shape I would be in. Mine is quite heavy but feels safer to me then the scooters or light weight chairs. Mine cost over $3000. new and I got it used for $300. so I am going to baby it as long as possible.
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yes, I'm sure you will be careful with it.. :)

..I just don't understand this guy, this scooter is really large and I imagine it cost a lot, but maybe he got it from a mobility company and doesn't have to pay for repairs.. either way if he tips over or crashes into a car, he's going to be very hurt..
 
Merry Christmas to everyone who reads this today. I appreciate every person who does so.

I expect it will be a very quiet day here today. For the people who live here, most will be having quiet dinners in their apartments. The others will be going out to their families' or friends' homes for the day. I believe we had someone pass away last night and just waiting to get the official word. So I did not plug my snowman in this morning. Seems like it is disrespectful. Our tree in the hall was unplugged in the early afternoon so I think maybe that was why.

As for me and my day, I will be just living like I do every day. In fact, I plan on vacuuming as soon as I know everyone on my hall is up. I did laundry yesterday so did not get the vacuuming done too.

It was a year ago today that the elevator was broken down and I had to stay on my floor for over a month. Every day I include the elevator in my morning prayers. So far it is working!
 
Sorry to hear you've lost a neighbour , Kat.. somehow it always seems to be Christmas and because of that always seem even sadder.

Good lord, doesn't time fly ?.. a whole year since you were stuck indoors due to that broken lift... wow... I can hardly believe it...

Have a lovely day 🎄
 
hollydolly said:
Sorry to hear you've lost a neighbour , Kat.. somehow it always seems to be Christmas and because of that always seem even sadder.

Good lord, doesn't time fly ?.. a whole year since you were stuck indoors due to that broken lift... wow... I can hardly believe it...

Have a lovely day 🎄
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Thank you, it was very sad especially for her mother who lives across the hall from me. Though it was expected it always is a shock when it happens.

This year certainly did fly by! Yesterday is the day I call my half birthday..........6 months to my birthday. I always added that half to my age when I was a teenager.
 
It's nearly a year done with husband gone and 6 years with son gone too. However, the last few years of husband's work, he'd be gone for months on end, before he'd popped in for 3 days.

This year, there's been no visits at any weekend BUT daughter says that we've done great and that's good enough for me. Kitty Kat is happy.
Looking forward to end of year to write on 2023 simply THE END...

2024 brings on hope of another lonely year but a survivable one as well.

Miss you SonShine and you as well Darling, brother and Papa... We know that you're watching over us, so it'll be smooth sailing... 💙💕
 
katlupe said:
Life is so funny. What I have come to the conclusion is that no matter who or what comes into your life the only person you can really count on is looking in mirror at you. Yourself. I have been married three times and never had someone I could count on. I thought I could at the time but it turned out I was wrong. Even if you have a happy marriage, there might come a day when you are alone and then you have to learn to do everything you did not have to do before.

At times it is tough to learn these things but I didn't have to learn them all at once. Sonny has helped me when I first came here but now, due to his health problems (and his racing addiction) I am really on my own. Plus he could not help me with my computer stuff........I helped him way more than he helped me in that area. I will get back into these computer problems but maybe after the new year. I am doing some other things right now. Organizing and decluttering my apartment and storage locker. Soon that will be all done.
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This is the first time I’ve been sick since I have been alone. My son will do errands for me if needed but he lives across town so I would have to be extremely sick before I asked him to help. In the past I would have sent my husband to the store for stuff instead of going when sick.

I also didn’t realize bunnies can be expensive. Dogs definitely are as they age needing special food, vet visits , medications, dental’s for little dogs, etc.
 
Teacher Terry said:
This is the first time I’ve been sick since I have been alone. My son will do errands for me if needed but he lives across town so I would have to be extremely sick before I asked him to help. In the past I would have sent my husband to the store for stuff instead of going when sick.

I also didn’t realize bunnies can be expensive. Dogs definitely are as they age needing special food, vet visits , medications, dental’s for little dogs, etc.
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I am sorry you are sick. I am fortunate to have a Instacart for delivery so I don't have to go to the stores if I don't want to. Get better soon!
 
I am with you Kat, it is so nice to have a grocey delivery. I don't use instacart but I do have Walmart plus. I could go but I am going to place an order for delivery
 
Sorry, the computer locked up during my last message. I am going to place an order for delivery to avoid the crowds. I have plenty of meat in the freezers but will need some produce and dairy to see me through.I will also get another bag of dog food as I am down to one in my stash. I also need some fresh green bean and the little carrots for doggie snacks. I have dog cookies but I like for them to have fresh veggies in their diet.

I will admit that I like my ice cream, I am out of chocolate and just a little of vanilla. I love malts and just got a new container of malted milk powder from Amazon. All of the places around here don't offer malts anymore so I make my own.

I tend to place a large order for delivery, I have to give the driver a tip so I stock up on some canned goods, dog food, water and other pantry staples,

The new Covid, and other things are running rampant here. I do not know how bad it may be there but I would be careful it you have to go out. Wear a mask and wash you hands when you get home,
 
Blessed said:
Sorry, the computer locked up during my last message. I am going to place an order for delivery to avoid the crowds. I have plenty of meat in the freezers but will need some produce and dairy to see me through.I will also get another bag of dog food as I am down to one in my stash. I also need some fresh green bean and the little carrots for doggie snacks. I have dog cookies but I like for them to have fresh veggies in their diet.

I will admit that I like my ice cream, I am out of chocolate and just a little of vanilla. I love malts and just got a new container of malted milk powder from Amazon. All of the places around here don't offer malts anymore so I make my own.

I tend to place a large order for delivery, I have to give the driver a tip so I stock up on some canned goods, dog food, water and other pantry staples,

The new Covid, and other things are running rampant here. I do not know how bad it may be there but I would be careful it you have to go out. Wear a mask and wash you hands when you get home,
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I'm curious about the Walmart Plus. Do you think it's worth the price since you still have to tip for the delivery? I had Aldi deliver one time because we were in the middle of renovations and didn't want to leave the workers here alone. It seemed kinda pricey to have groceries delivered from Aldi. There was a delivery charge plus a tip. I haven't done that again.

I have been ordering groceries from Walmart online and then go pick it up. The store is only about 3 miles from my house so I don't spend much on gas. I don't like going in the store because there's too many people (and I'm very leery about being around people too much since Covid) and I spend more than I intended to because I see things that I really don't need but I want....know what I mean?

There's more Covid going around than what you think. My neighbor, who's a nurse, came down with it just before Christmas. Be careful.
 
Blessed said:
I am with you Kat, it is so nice to have a grocey delivery. I don't use instacart but I do have Walmart plus. I could go but I am going to place an order for delivery
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Walmart delivery has just become available in my area! I am SO excited! Walmart is MY store (no matter what anyone says against it)! I can get a discount for the subscription to it but I can't get the company they use to verify SNAP accounts to recognize my card. They said it is over a year since I got it. Well, the truth is that once you get a card it is the only card you get unless you lose it. The funny thing is that I can pay for Walmart purchases with it even online but I can't get the discount. Oh well, I told them Amazon and Instacart is much easier to use then they are.
 
I do not own a car so using the delivery for groceries is worth it for me. I give a 15% tip on my deliveries. On Instacart my delivery fee is only about $2.99 or something like that because I have a subscription to it. Now for Walmart I am using the free trial presently so there is no delivery charge yet. I guess the tip was 10% ? It was only $3.50 and they charged it separate from the groceries. I have only used it once so far. The subscription to it is $98. or half if you have a SNAP benefit account.

If I get transportation to Walmart, I go inside. I would much rather go inside to shop than pick them up outside the store. If I am there in the parking lot I want to go inside.........I like to shop for groceries! Crazy I know, but I really do.
 
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