MAY 2018

                                           

Goodness it has been a while since I stopped by here and blogged. Life gets busy I guess. We had cold weather into April and some places got SNOW. I thought that Spring would never get here and then we had NO Spring to speak of, it went straight into Summer. 
It feels like JULY or AUGUST already. We are breaking records for heat, as are other places in the USA.  I got my AC put in just in time. 

      Earlier this month, my niece's daughter turned one.. my how the time flew by, she is almost walking on her own and saying words and answering us. Growing up so fast.                                  

                                  

I have been spring cleaning all the closets and getting rid of clutter.  Finding things that I totally forgot I had and things that I surely  don't need any more. Our town has a brand new very large Goodwill store, so I have donated a lot of it.  There is  now room for me to collect more.. The cycle returns.. LOL  Can't pass up a great deal..no way. 

Well, whatever you are doing this Spring, Summer, I sure hope you have fun doing it 

IS IT REALLY SPRING???

APRIL 2018   IS IT REALLY SPRING?

                                           

                                                                             

A lot of people all over the country are asking that very question. 
Blizzards in April..cold winds and day after day of below normal temperatures.
The calendar says Spring but mother nature has different ideas. Just means to me that those trees and flowers are going to be blooming later in my neck of the woods and our summer will either be long or really really short, I hope for the long one. 
All I know is I sure don't want another repeat of this winter. I am looking forward to warm breezes, sun and spring flowers. It might be in MAY or June but it will come eventually. Hope where you are things are warm and you are enjoying it! 

BEFORE GOING HOME...

                                     

HOME...in my long journey to get there, I landed in several different cities, places, and situations. One was a tiny apartment that smelled like smoke and cats. No telling who lived there before me, but I was so glad just to be there for awhile. It lasted 4 months.I went out of state for a few weeks to check some jobs and places out. That lasted 3 weeks. I stayed with a friend for 4 months near the lake and that was a joy. I had no money to contribute much to bills and such and felt it a burden to stay on. I filled in many many applications and could not find work so I left there with an offer to stay with my sister. That was when the nightmare began. 

I HAD no idea what I was getting into. Sister had a large home full of "stuff". My mother's stuff,some of my stuff, her stuff. It ended up being rooms full of stuff. She
had many rooms sealed off and there was little heat. I stayed in my clothes and coat and slept in a chair in the living room for three days. When I got tired I would go upstairs and sleep in her bed when she got up. I would stay up there and try to move things around in the other room so I could put a bed in there. On the fourth night I had had enough. I made a call to social services to get some help. I used her car to go get some information the next day. When I got back home, there was a bed in the bedroom and I could finally make a space to rest. Social service could put me in a motel for awhile, but the ones in my town were not that good and one was actually dangerous.Sis figured she might get into trouble, so she moved the bed in the room while I was gone.  So I called them and told them I had decided to stay there. 

                               

                  

WHAT we didn't know was that Sis was getting sick. Very sick. I would be needed to help her out and was glad I was there to help. 

 I am a believer that you are where you are supposed to be. I don't question it. 

SO I stayed there at least 3 years. Three LONG years. I had my applications in for apartments and just waited. It was all I could do. I was sick so much of the time, that I could not work. I just did not have the energy to do it. I was looking for an apartment with a "voucher" attached so I could get a section 8 break.Those are so hard to find and with my income I just had to wait.  I got offers to leave there several times for visits with others for awhile. I took them gladly. When I would leave it was like a whole new world. Space, and I could breathe. I hated to go back, but knew I had to. I was beyond thrilled to get the call about the apartment. The ordeal where I was, made me feel like I had been so restricted. I was finally able to wake up from the nightmare and move on.  BUT NOT YET... 
                               

                   

                                             
 In the meantime, Sis had to go on STEROIDS. They changed her, and the sister I knew was no longer. She gained weight rapidly and was so easy to irritate that the cat and I gave her all the room she needed to try to deal. I hope I NEVER have to deal with that stuff EVER.  Several years later my sister is still not the person she was, it is a sad thing. Many trips to doctors and being transferred to larger hospitals helped find what was wrong with her. Her life changed drastically. She was forced to go on disability and stop working, she had been working since she was 18. So as she lingered there in the ICU I got the call for the apartment. I told her I would take it sight unseen. I had to wait to see if Sis was going to recover well. She had many appointments and could not drive.
                                

                    

 I had to wait and that was hard. It was in another town 15 min away. I chose the town because I had no car and could use the transit bus to go out.  It was July and it was hot. A nice older lady had lived in the apartment for  24 years. She was transferred to a nursing facility and that gave the manager time to give the apt a makeover. ALL new everything. It was a real blessing. 
I took the keys and had to get directions on how to get to the place.It was like buying a car or a house sight unseen. I did not know the city well and did not know where to go.  I opened the door and was smacked in the face with the odor of fresh paint, fresh carpet and linoleum. The maintenance man was there still painting. He said I would have to wait til the paint "cured" some. In the heat of the day the smell was overwhelming and I could hardly breathe. There was NO air conditioning. I was so relieved that this new "home" was light, bright, and CLEAN!! I sat in the car and wept. How blessed I was to get this wonderful place, I hated to leave it but had to. Over the next month Sis improved and I began to move things from where I was to the apt. I had to start over. I had no dishes, no pots, no glasses. No furniture only a blow up mattress, two folding chairs and a folding table. I made a list and shopped the Goodwill  and the dollar store for items. It was a long time before I felt like the place was really mine. Sometimes I would wake up and be relieved it was not all a dream. 
It really does take time to make yourself a HOME.. mine has been a real pleasure more than most know. 
                       

        

EASY TO PLEASE...

Not long ago someone said to me.. "You sure are easy to please...why don't you ask for a better selection?". I was standing in a store looking at some items and there was not much there to choose from. This total stranger had no idea of what my life had been like or where I had come from. 
She had no idea that when you have NOTHING, you are homeless, not by choice, and are grateful for anything..you are EASY to PLEASE. 
                                    

               

  

It changes your whole existence. You look at life and things around you so different from others. A simple thing like eating out to others is just really exciting to you. 
Going into a grocery store and buying ANYTHING in the store you want is just a dream to you. Watching others talk about going to movies or other activities is something you would only wish to do. You MAKE do with what you have or your situation and you adapt. I learned to adapt and move on day by day. 

When I found myself sitting inside my storage space looking at my life's possessions and having to throw them in a dumpster because I could not sell them and had no way to keep them anymore. It really changed me. You have to totally start over. You suffer from depression and feel helpless and alone. Even with others around you, you still feel alone. They don't really  G E T  how it is to be where you are. You try everything you know to help yourself out of the situation you are in. You go to sleep praying for a miracle.
                        

              

I got my miracle, the one I had been praying for in June of 2014. When my sister was sick in ICU at a hospital out of town, I sat there waiting to see what was going to happen to her and my cell phone rang. One of the apartments I had applied for
finally was available after 3 years of waiting. I was going to have a HOME again. MY own place to be. 
The excitement was overpowering to me, I cried thinking about how nice it would be to have a place of my own after all this time. I cried learning that my sister nearly died in that ICU. Dealing with her illness put my life second. I had to make a decision, do what I could to help myself. So yes with help, I took the apartment. I signed the papers for my own place just 6 days shy of my birthday. It was the greatest present I had gotten in my life. I got it sight unseen. Something I never would have thought of doing but given the circumstances, I just was grateful to get it. I was easy to please all right.. just to have a place of my own. I thought I will just deal with it the best I can. Day by day...one day at a time. I had it one whole month before I could move in. 
...... more later....  

            

             

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

FEBRUARY is half way over. Our winter rolls on.. cold and snow and then warm and rain. I must say it has been a weird one. One bright light is that our little LILY is now standing on her own and  getting ready to walk around any day now. It is then that the fun starts.. trying to keep up with her. I love toddler years..so exciting watching them experience things for the first time. How their face lights up with joy seeing Mom and Dad when they have been away. 😊

                                                     

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 

TO YOU ALL...

HAPPY 2018!!!

                                                     

My first entry in 2018...  HAPPY NEW YEAR.. 
WE MADE IT... we actually made it through 2017.. what a year it was! 

Made my list last night of goals for this year. One is for health, and one is for making each day more organized. Yeah, started off great..in my closet..getting rid of old stuff and finding more room in there. Felt great to get it all done. Horrid weather, very cold, so I took my walk in the hallway of my building. At least it is warmer than outside!!

So I know there are going to be some real changes this year.. I just hope we all survive them safe, happy  and healthy. 

HAVE YOU MADE SOME GOALS FOR 2018? 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL...

As the years roll by.. the holiday takes on a new meaning to me. I am not a HUM BUG person, I just am not as JOLLY as I used to be. This year I am not baking my cookies and making fudge. So many cannot have the goodies any more or are making their own. I found that people could not have the treats and just did not want to tell me. Sooo I decided this year I would just stop doing it.  Sad I know, but better than wasting all the money and time and work doing all the baking etc. 

LIFE sure changed after leaving the old house and neighborhood and so I learned, I guess, to just adjust to another kind of lifestyle. In our apartment building we all exchange cards and that is about it. When I first moved here there was a Christmas party thrown on the second Saturday of December. The whole 24 apts were invited.
That stopped in 2015, people moved away who did the planning and paid for most of it. Even a potluck sort of thing was passed up. We don't have a community room for such a gathering here anyway, it is up to individuals to plan to use their own apts.

So life goes on, another holiday is almost past. I like shopping for bargains, but this year will wait til AFTER the holiday for the best deals. My best present to myself was
MY PILLOW... I got a great deal and got two and they are wonderful. I am hoping they help me sleep better. Well, hope wherever you are, you and yours have a wonderful 
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

FIRST SNOW AND COLD WEATHER..2017

I make a habit of trying to take at least one photo of the first snowfall of any season. Don't really care how much just get the shot. WELL after getting up early the other day I got one. Some say it was heavy frost, but NO, we did have flurries. We have had such a weird fall with  late leaves turning. Makes me wonder how long the winter will last. It's too long as it is. Funny thing the city is picking up leaves and most of them are still on the trees. Guess it will be a very late pick up season for them.

Course the afternoon sun melted it all away and the trees began to lose their leaves. We had 18 degrees for two nights and it felt like January instead of November. This roller coaster of temps is crazy. Lots of folks coming down with colds and flu. 
I got the flu shot but still need to get a pneumonia one. Been putting that one off, but after last winter.. oh I am getting one.  Sis got one and they told her she might have to have a booster next year. WHAT?  I have never heard of getting a booster for a pneumonia shot. Most doctors say one shot lasts 4 or 5 years. WEIRD?

Been on a vacation from upstairs neighbors for about three weeks. It was great. New tenant moved in with a small little dog after the first though. Hardly know they are up there and that is just fine with me after the last 4 I have had above me. Maybe I will get to keep this guy for awhile. Most move out before their year lease is up. It gets very hot up there in the summertime. I hear  their AC running all the time. We get NO shade at all so the summer sun full blasts through the windows..very hot. 
                                             

Lily (niece's child) is now 6 months old. Such a cutie..she is not quite sitting up my herself but it will be very soon. Her brother likes to push her around the house with her sitting in a laundry basket. She loves it. Speaking of brother..He is now  in the cub scouts and won first place in a gutter regatta. You make a little boat and sail it down a gutter filled with water. First one to the end wins..  Good Job THEO..
                                   

           Well I am going to wrap this up for now.. Hope you all have a wonderful week and a 

                        

FALL HAS ARRIVED....

This year..very little color on the trees..We have been in a drought zone and so they are all yellow, brown and falling off the trees. Such a weird fall. Warm a few days then cool and then COLD..then back warm again.  Crazy. 
Wondering what the winter will be? Guess we will find out soon. I think our hot days are now over for the year.. bring on the winter. 

LILY MARIE is now 5 months old. She can roll over and is almost ready to sit up by herself. So cute to watch. I just love to watch babies grow at this age. How they discover the challenge of walking and talking, it is exciting. I have enjoyed my time seeing and helping her grow. 

Getting ready for fall and winter..heat was finally turned on here after a long wait from the tenants. Stink Bugs and boxelder bugs have invaded the place. Spraying and trying to keep them away, all part of fall around here. Nothing much phases them but SNOW..LOL .Been making over my closet , reorganizing and making room for all the summer stuff, and finding winter clothes etc. Baking more and eating dishes like casseroles means fall really has arrived.

                           ~~~HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL FALL~~

AUGUST UPDATE

I can never remember an AUGUST like this one. In all my years living here in Michigan it was always hot and humid the whole entire month. Something you could count on. Sometimes even in September it would be like that. This year the whole month has been below in hot days and some down right cool ones. There has been little rain here so there is very low humidity. Some trees here have brown leaves and some are trying to turn color so early. Very confusing. Really makes me wonder what our winter will be like. 

HURRICANE HARVEY..
What to say?  I just see those reports and think of Katrina all over again. Hopefully our country has learned something from mistakes from the past and it will help in the recovery. Such a tragedy to see so many suffering. A nationwide telethon to raise money is being planned for SEPT 12 on all the major networks. Texas STRONG.. is a good word for it.. they are resilient and will rise up from all this. The nation is behind them all the way.

LOOK WHO IS 4 months old!!  She is not yet sitting up by herself but getting there.
                                   

LILY MARIE

BREAD...CAN WE TALK...?

IT'S SO HARD... . I quit bread.. something I love.. I mean L O V E...WHY?It's not a gluten thing I  just don't need those carbs..I quit sandwiches, I quit cornbread with butter, toast, hamburgers, subs,

GARLIC BREAD

OH MYYYyyy it's tough... I mean it. I try to not think about it.. I mean HOT biscuits with butter or honey or gravy.. ACKkkkkk   I heard Oprah say.. I LOVE BREAD.. well I feel her pain. Especially when you don't have it any more. You think maybe I will sneak just a roll or just a slice.. NOooo that leads to my weakness..can't do it. I do have a few slices of bread in the freezer in case someone comes and wants a sandwich but NOPE not eating it. It has helped me for sure to cut this out. 

I avoid places where I can smell it baking.. Subway and that fresh bread smell at the grocery bakery. It's like a real killer... BINGE.. nope I have been happy not to do that.. SO FAR 

They do say though, if you cut one thing out of your diet you will crave something else.. 

Wellllllllll...

Winter will come soon and then it will be 

COOKIES!!! 

OH NOOOOOO!!

JUNE 2017 UPDATE

WELL here it is JUNE already.. it has felt a lot like July. Humid, hot and rain too.
So many days indoors for me since that humidity is NOT my friend. Asthma sucks in the summertime you just cannot do what you want to. I am sure feeling my age and my limits this year more than usual. I have found some days hard to get around with a bum knee that is wreaking havoc with my mobility. Have had others helping me with some chores and thank GOD for canes and carts. One minute it is fine and the other..wham.. can't walk good at all. I try to do what I can while things are good. 

I have new tenants upstairs and AGAIN they work Nights sleep days and well walking around in the nighttime when they come home from work. Ohh... my best friend these days is my earplugs! They work too well according to my Sis who came by early one morning and could not roust me up. I was not expecting her soo I slept away! I told her to let me know next time. HA! A notice we are getting ANOTHER new manager here. WHAT? This will be my 5th one and I have only been here 3 years.What the heck? Does this happen everywhere? Maybe they are not getting paid enough for the job they are trying to take on. I have no idea. 
ANSWERS to inquiring minds who might want to know...
YES I am still living in the same place
YES I am still collecting shells and beach or coastal decor.
YES I am babysitting my niece's cute little girl. Only occasionally though..she will be two months old in July. My how time flies....

YES I still get updates on the old home place..OH MYyyy they did find the lead leeching out of the paint on the house and had to cover it with siding. We suspected that lead...never had money to do anything about it. ..The house was very pretty green and now it is dark gray.To the left is the big pine tree standing still and the HELL HOUSE is now GONE.. vacant land.

So at least it is getting a makeover from the roof to the siding.. it remains standing and that makes us happy. Family of four living there now. They are digging up the sidewalks and completely replacing them now. It has not been done since the 60's!

 Time moves on..sometimes fast and others at a snails pace. I find myself being grateful to be still here enjoying my life. Blessings to you all..
                                 

 

LILY IS HERE!!!!

Our family have anxiously awaited the birth of this little bundle of joy. She is a doll and reports are she has blue eyes. Neither parent has blue eyes but her grandmother and great grandmother both have, had them.

LILY MARIE was born on MAY 8th at 7:55 AM…she weighed 7lbs and 2 oz. She was born on my late mother’s birthday and that made several of us very happy. Mom would have been thrilled to have another girl in the family.

Big Brother Theo (almost 6) first time meeting his new sister. .”wow, are we taking her home?”He wanted to hold her right away but they told him he would have to wait. I think he will be a great big brother.