A GOOD END TO ANOTHER YEAR?
I wanted to drop in and wish everyone a happy new year. As usual, I am trying to stay positive and look forward to what's in store (hopefully more good than bad
I got myself all stressed out because I HAD to make some cookies before Christmas otherwise I had none to take for Christmas day or to give as gifts. My nephew's oven was not working but my housekeeper knew how upset I was and said she'd come help and a few of us were going to get together down in the activity room and bake there. It turned out we postponed several times because someone was sick or date didn't work.
Well you know me, impatient Nelly! I had all the ingredients and got the kids to bring me mixer, cooling racks, tins. I muxed 5 different doughs but again things got put off til last minute.Two friends from here helped me from 4-6 then My nephew and the kids came from 6 to 9 pm we baked our hearts out.
The thing was nephew and his kids were all starting with colds... so Merry Christmas to me.... guess what I got? lol So I have been in exile ever since I got home (started with cough and sore throat next morning) There have also been lots of people here passing cold/ flu around so I'm not putting all blame on them.
Several years ago we had to postpone Christmas because of covid til January and it sucked. They thought about it but decided to have it anyway. I'm still glad they did because it did us all good to get together and we had a ball. I called him the next day and told him I must love them lots because germs or not I wouldn't have traded either day with them.
My sister did not come because she fell and since then has not been moving around much so unsteady and afraid to leave but I did send her a tin of cookies and a card. I also just heard my sister in laws both fell. 1 is in the hospital, the other refuses to leave her house or leut anyone in. For starting out being a kind Christian woman she has turned into a bitter, hopeless judgemental person who's just waiting to die. It's very sad.
I also just lost 2 close friends who moved from here (actually 3.... one guy and his service dog SKY... a beautiful Husky with the most gorgeous blue eyes... and another friend Deb.) Both are wheelchair bound and this place is hounding all for a rent increase The guy is a vet and was told he would get his VA check to cover the rent on this place. Til all was said and done, the organization and this place did not work out the kinks so the VA refuses to pay here. He could not afford to stay here with just Medicare, so another resident bought a place and they are renting from her. I miss them all.
There are others leaving too. I am looking as well. Still fighting against the rent increase .$300 after being here 5 months. The thing is, 3 OF THOSE 5 months WE WERE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION, HALF STAFFED so making due with some crappy food and some irregular cleaning schedules. They finally got another driver and have hired more people so things are improving, but they do not deserve an increase. Our new manager said she is negotiating them down but I plan on going if they do not waive mine. She did say she thinks she can do more since I was not here long, but that is because she knows I'm halfway out too. It is a shame because I have made new friends here , love my apt, have my safety pendant deal in case of an emergency, I just HATE the way CORPORATE TREATS US ALL as a rent check rather than people.
Alright then, enough of my bitching. lol I'm still planning on looking to the good . Call me crazy. haha
Would love to hear how your years are ending/ new ones starting....
Happy New Year! Love, Kim
Replies
Hi Kim moving is expensive and changes are hard to make....good luck
You do have a lot of "chaos" going on but your story of making cookies just brightened my day. I also had some kind of virus last week, like flu, like covid, but the home tests were all negative. My PCP called me yesterday to talk about a recent knee MRI I had right before Christmas and he told me they are flooded with covid and flu cases. My knee is bad, bad, damage to the inner parts and I go to the orthopedic knee doctor on Friday.
Since you rent, do you have a lease or contract? They can't raise your rent so quickly unless it says so on the lease contract. Pull that out and read it. If you don't have a copy, ask the manager to make a copy of your lease. Put it in writing and keep a copy if the lease doesn't allow rent increases BUT I have heard this is common in senior living places.
I have also "lost" many friends in the last few years. Two died recently, and one a dear friend I just loved who made it almost to 100. Her friendship has been leaking away the last few years as she really hit dementia and inability to walk. But I loved her and so I grieved in advance that she was so near the end of life. Ambiguous loss its called. But now I am so sad and I miss her which is normal to the situation.
Anyway, I hope you have the phone numbers of these people who moved out because maybe you can find out if they like their new places or not. Give you some information about places not to move to. You are such a good person, a joyous person which feeds my own joy and happiness thinking, and I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you Hasty. I do have the phone numbers and have spoken to one and texted the other. We do plan to stay in touch. It is hard without others we love and miss as well,(My sister is one like your friend with escalating dementia and deteriorating health) , but I am getting through it.
I am sorry to hear of your knee issues (after having both of mine done can understand what you're going through. It seems this is the season for the cold/ flu covid deal. I was "fortunate" enough to have my crew who knew what baking together to use up those doughs meant for us all. And we really did have a great, silly, fun filled day on Christmas (instead of postponing it)
I checked and my original lease is based month to month and said no increase (I thought for first year but says through Dec 31st.) I already asked manager at a previous meeting when she said there would be some sort of increase but possibly lower for those of us who spoke up (They are not even including everyone I don't think) I asked how long I could stay here paying the exact amt I am now before they throw me out. She very quickly said she would work with me because she doesn't want to see me leave.
As of last we spoke, she said the amount of increase will be lower and she also said she would see if they could not do better (possibly waive ) for me since I was not there long before things went downhill.. I am not holding my breath though because they do promise the world to lure you in. lol But I am content and not worrying ... just believing their will be a path pointing my way.
Wishing you all the best in the new year.
Hey Kim, You baked five kinds of cookies while sick, surrounded by chaos, and still managed to love your people through it? Honestly, I’d nominate you for Saint Snickerdoodle if I could.
I’m sorry about all the germs, the rent nonsense, and the friends moving away, but I’m glad you’re still swinging, still hoping, and still showing up with that fiery spirit of yours.
Here’s to a New Year with fewer colds, better cookies, and management that remembers humans live there too.
You’re not crazy, you’re just real, and that’s rare.....Hugs
I really admire your advocacy for yourself. Not giving up in anger and bitterness. I bet you do get some kind of decrease.
This tells me I need to remember to really read the contract in a senior living thing. It is not like a regular apartment with a one or two year lease.
Thank you both for the support and kind words. (And Bob, I rather like that nomination for Saint Snickerdoodle. lol) I'm still sick, but went to urgent care and am STILL PLUGGING.
Love and hugs, Kim
feel better soon,,,,I would not want to catch anything from you when we get together and kiss with passion....LOL