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Laptop Crashed

10/19/2016

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You know, it is horrible when your laptop crashes.  Mine did and for about an hour, I felt like I was back in the 80's.

​You see, I do everything on my computer.. I compose my blog entries in Word - gone now. I keep track of my expenses on a spreadsheet that goes into the future for one year - gone now. I downloaded my photos from my camera - gone now.

​I also do all my banking and bill paying online. This created a horrible few days for me. I had a list of all of my passwords on a Word document saved to my desktop for reference - gone now.

​I have spent the last 3 days trying to remember passwords to my emails, my bills, Facebook, grocery stores, drug stores, my bank account, my health insurance, my car insurance, and even this website. Of course, I could not remember these passwords because I have had to change them many times over the years  - hence the shortcut to the list on the desktop.

​I now have them all written down in a book that I have had for years and will not lose. I am glad to be able to communicate with you again and to pay my bills when the time comes.

​I am now back in the 21st century. That time travel to the 80's was terrifying. Now to get another laptop with my limited funds. Who knows when? Thank goodness for public computers; they will have to hold me over until????


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That Certain Age

10/5/2016

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Getting to a certain age, which is different for each person, is not a piece of cake, by any means. The actual age in years is different for everyone; I envy those individuals who make it to their 80’s and 90’s before the “bad stuff” starts. But when the pain begins and the “conditions” develop that make it necessary to take numerous meds every day just so you can cope, life is not so great.
To make things even more difficult, when those “conditions” that require all those meds develop, chances are your income has dwindled, and you are locked into a “fixed income.” (Don’t you just love that term?”) Life becomes really complicated when you are not at your “fighting best.”
I have reached that place. Luckily, because I am so poor, I qualify for a certain insurance to go with Medicare and I have to pay very little for my meds. So I guess my old age (that I am not really enjoying) is a good financial thing. However, food, clothing, special shoes, entertainment, a new cane, gas for my car, utilities, rent, and so much more are not adjusted to accommodate my age, physical conditions, or financial standing. I exist, but existing is not really living.
I know some individuals, where I live, have found the perfect balance, and everything is provided because they are poorer than I am. Some have no income to speak of and our government takes very good care of them. Others were in the military or were married to a deceased military spouse, and they are taken care of pretty well, also. And there are those with savings for old age that they can use (mine disappeared years ago when I was very ill). But those of us who worked in lower paying careers (in the South especially) for 40-50 years have made too much to really benefit from the “free” existence. And if we no longer have savings, we are literally “up a creek" without that paddle.
Now this is my dilemma. I have always been a positive thinking individual; I believe with lots of thought I can figure out a way to overcome my problems. So far, I am not even at the bat much less at batting average. EVERY idea I have come up with to supplement my income has fizzled. I wonder if it is where I live or if this is the way it is everywhere.
Some attempts are:  I have tried to provide rides for older individuals who cannot drive and I did for a while. Then they found a “free” way to get where they wanted. I tried pet sitting. That has not worked out. I even tried to get part time work in an office. I was called overqualified (a euphemism for old) every time by a young person who was scared of my experience. I even applied to the US Government office designated for senior employment, and they never called. I think I would have a better chance if I had never worked.
So this is going to be my life from now until…? I am trying to decide if it is worth doing any longer. So far, I have not given up, but I feel that might be on the horizon if something does not give. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I need it.
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Well, It's October

10/2/2016

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Although technically I am a summer person, I like this time of the year because there seem to be more celebrations coming up in the next couple of months.

​Starting with Halloween, I become so excited. I do not have grandchildren and in my present residence, we do not have "trick or treaters," but I love it. I used to have a Halloween party to kick off the upcoming season of  festivities and parties. I LOVE planning and making all of the food, and it was fun to see who would "dress up" for Halloween. I have some great pics of years past and I look at them now, since I do not have those parties any more.

​And after Halloween, there is the preparation for Thanksgiving. Since I am on a fixed income, I have to start buying for Thanksgiving early. Yes, the answer to your question is I do still prepare a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, even though I rarely have guests. I found out years ago, that it fills up that week to prepare for the dinner - this week of family togetherness. I have no real family close so I do it for myself. Sometimes, if there are neighbors with nowhere to go, I invite them over. I turn on the football games for "background music" and cook, I usually start my cooking on Monday of Thanksgiving week.

​Now, December is a special month since my birthday is that month, as well as Christmas  and New Year's Eve. I treat myself on my birthday with breakfast, lunch, and dinner out (usually with coupons sent me by restaurants) and now, with a trip to the beach, too. I celebrate my "birth." For Christmas, I prepare a dinner, quasi-traditional foods but not as involved as Thanksgiving. I get some champagne and snacks for New Year's Eve (but rarely stay up to watch the ball drop).

​New Year's Day I prepare all the traditional southern foods, invite people over to watch games, or just go it alone. I enjoy the cooking and the fun, even if it is sometimes just me.

​So you see, I love this time of year. I put aside the fact that I am alone and go ahead and try to remember how fortunate I really am. And as a result, I have created new traditions for myself and I look forward to them. Happy Fall to all of you.


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    I am a retired teacher and IT trainer who has travelled a bit and learned many life lessons.

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