Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Broke again
Tue Dec 09 2003

I have a brand new radiator in my car, and a new tire to replace the one that went flat all of a sudden. The tire had a crack on the side the faces in, so that's why I missed seeing it. I was checking the tread thinking I might have picked up a nail or some other kind of trash inimical to tires.

So not only am I broke, I'm in the hole.

I'm still trying to figure out what I'm supposed to learn from all this. The only thing I've come up with is that I need more income, which means a job. I think I've mentioned that businesses love elderly volunteers, but when it comes to paying us for the same kind of work...well, that's a different story.

If I can hold out until the new Walmart is open for business, I'll go there and see if I can get on as a greeter. I know they don't pay too well, and there's been a lot of criticism about some of their merchandising practices. But they hire elders. And that suits me fine.

Oh, yes, I finally got the old heater replaced--the one that was putting out carbon monoxide as well as heat. It sure is a pretty one. But...the old one was turned on manually, and the new one is controlled with a thermostat. So the heater man had to carve a groove up and over the door frame, across the wall, and over another door frame, and down the wall to accomodate the wire from the heater to the thermostat.

Not only that, but there's a blank space between the top of the heater and the wall. So now, the handyman has to come in and cover the wire, and make some kind of a frame to cover the space where the new heater doesn't quite fill the space available. Maybe I'll get a whole new paint job.

Oh, dear! more problems. The apartment could use a paint job. I've been here more than five years, and some of the paint really is beginning to look kind of shabby. But, I have bookcases full of books along just about every wall. And pictures on the walls not covered by bookcases. I don't even want to think about moving all that stuff just for a paint job. Maybe I'll ask that paint be applied only to that corner of the apartment that contains the new heater and new wiring. That corner will have to be painted when the wiring and gap are covered over. I think I'll be satisfied with just that.

I think I've babbled on long enough now.

Happy Holidays.

9 Comments
  • From:
    CovertOps (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 09 2003
    Dear Chaya,
    Again, let me thank you for the birthday wishes. You are a thoughtful friend, and your kind words are much appreciated. I won't forget this.
    I'm sorry to hear of your money problems. I think ageism is a bigger threat to social justice than racism is. It is dreadful that people pay lip service to the idea that the elderly are still useful members of society, but refuse to give them salaried jobs. The corporations will, of course, never fail to make excuses such as those regarding health and medical benefits and that an elderly person is unfit to work due to medical conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. Corporations will never run out of pompous-sounding excuses, will they ever?
    If I lived close by, I could get my friends to help you with painting the apartment.
    Take care, my friend. I hope things get better soon.
    Love,
    E.L.
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 09 2003
    just keep thinking about those curtains, they'll arrive someday!

    sez
  • From:
    Thubten (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 09 2003
    Oh Chaya, I think we MUST be soul sisters! I'm in a financial hole, too.lol
    My car's battery keeps going flat and I don't have enough money to pay for my mortgage this month or the rates that are due. No one's getting presents this year.
    I'm EXTRA glad you got the new heater.*big grin* That's great.
    Shalom
    Jenny
  • From:
    Fairywishes (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 09 2003
    Sorry to hear about your car problems and all the money spent to fix them. Car's are so vital to us all now and rely on them so heavily, unfortunately they go wrong.

    I think maybe the lesson from the experience was actually for the young man that helped you, one good turn deserves another and this was time for you to take a credit!

    take care on the roads

    *fairywishes*


  • From:
    Ozone (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 09 2003
    That sure seems like a lot of work to connect a heater to a thermostat. Couldn't they have just moved the thermostat to a more convenient place? I know that you can not just put the themostat anywhere but I would think that it could have been done a little better than it was. I have the same problem as you with a paint job....and also with replacing rugs. I don't have the energy anymore.
  • From:
    MagicWhiskey (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Dec 10 2003
    A magic carpet would save so much money. I'm not nuts. I really think something along those lines should be developed. Good for the environment, not many accidents since you can't go very fast on one and no money for gas. Tune ups consist of beating the carpet with a stick to get the dust out. Good idea right? Okay I'm going. Don't hit me!
  • From:
    TraumaMama (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Dec 10 2003
    I'm glad to hear your car is fixed.
    I can't wait to be working to bring in some more money. It's not that I want a bunch, but a bit more would be nice.
  • From:
    Kelpie (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Dec 11 2003
    Dear Chaya,
    What a tough time you're having just lately with so many unexpected expenses. I'm sorry for your troubles and hope that, if it is really necessary, you will be able to find some tolerable work to help the bank account look a bit healthier sometime soon. I'm very glad that you have your new heater and will be able to keep warm in the Winter months.
    Take care, (((hugs))) and 'bye for now, Kelpie.
  • From:
    Monstergue (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Dec 11 2003
    I agree, moving everything for a paint job is a hassle but maybe you could talk them into doing one wall a month. That way you won't get bombarded with moving everything at once. Just a thought....

    Hugs,
    Bobbi