Thursay

So I emailed the lady and told her there was no way I could buy the car and make the repairs. They cost too much.

There's a place in Naugatuck that Anthony had told me about so I'm going to check there. They have cars for $2000 which is my price range. Carlton said he'd take me.

That's about it.

Oh -- I tortured the cat by cutting his claws. You would have thought I was pulling the nails out. LOL!!

No matter what

God is with me and I'm staying strong in faith. The credit counseling thing went belly up. Two of the creditors -- the biggest ones in collections, won't work with them. And I certainly am not going to pay them unless its through the credit counseling. So I told them to forget about it and I'll file bankruptcy. At least that will cost me less in the long run. I have no other choice.

And I found out that replacing a head gasket can cost up to $1,000 which means the $1,000 car is probably not a good idea. She did email me back and now Carlton is going to figure stuff out.

Ordered Chinese tonight and am sitting in my room with Ruffio, the psycho kitty. LOL!!

Waiting

Waiting for Laura to call so we can get the crap out of the apartment and up to Naugatuck. She said five o'clock. It's almost 5:30. I'll text her at 5:30. This has got to be done today. And waiting for the person with the car to email or call me. Again nothing. Lessons in patience, I guess.

And waiting for this stomach bug to go away from us because I really don't want to get it. That and the flu are going around and if I have a choice, I'll take the flu although I don't want either, of course. But there's a note on the door for Addie -- Rita had to go to Lindsey's because she's really sick with a stomach bug. Praying hard that she doesn't bring it home. :(

And I am without a book to read because somewhere along the line I read Kathy Reichs' Flash and Bones and forgot. I was just reading it and it's way too familiar. Damn! I hate when I do that!! I'm going to put it on my read list for this year even though I must have read it last year and forgotten to list it. That way I won't do this yet again! Grrrr!!!

And we went. Got everything out of the apartment, into Laura's suv and up to Naugatuck. Thank God that's done! Also found a book to read that Peggie had given me. Witch and Wizard, by James Patterson. Hope the library has it so I can use it for my Winter Reading Program

No answer yet

I emailed that lady about the car again and gave her my cell number. No answer yet. Carlton said he'd go with me.

Went to the library for the second part of the reiki thing. We all had reiki done on us and the lady, Cheryl, zoomed right in on my right ankle that almost broke when I went the the ceiling. And my head -- all the headaches. That was cool. I want to take lessons but it's $350 and I don't have it.

A niggle on a car

So there's been a little Honda on Craigslist -- Carlton thinks I should get a Honda and I agree with him. It's only $1,000 and only has 75K on it it and it's like 20 years old. I emailed the person and she still has it. I will talk to Carlton tomorrow to see if we can go look at it. It needs a water pump but Carlton said that was ok when I mentioned it to him last week. Praying that this is it!

State tax refund should be in the bank tomorrow and Tony has his money, so this could be a good thing.

Went out with Sandy today -- Cracker Barrel, Christmas Tree Shop, Harmons and A.C. Moores. We had a good day.

A long day

Just tired. I did laundry although Rita dried my clothes. Organized my clothes, went up Peggies and ate and tried to teach her to crochet. That wasn't quite successful but we'll get it. :)

Almost forgot

I took my pill and am about to go to sleep and almost forgot to post. We to the Elks with Chris. I guess it's our Friday night thing. Rich, the landlord/apartment manager at the apartment, called me today. Laura and Joel thought he was going to give me my money back but he wanted to know when I was getting my stuff out. I wanted to say excuse me ... but I paid you for a month! I didn't. I just said it would be out tomorrow. Laura and Joel are supposed to help me so I hope they do. If not, it will stay there. So that was my day.

Sandy doesn't want to go out tomorrow because it's supposed to snow. That's good because I was going to have to tell her forget it so I can wait on Laura and Joel.


This stupid cat is going to electrocute himself one of these days. Whenever he sees a wire he chews on it. He's really, really stupid.

The ex mayor

I'm not sure why he's running the city from the town clerk's office. The president of the cultural commission is acting like he's doing all kinds of stuff for us. I am not thinking the same thing. I've been dealing with city stuff for years and he's telling them stuff that I am fairly positive isn't right. Whatever. I need to not say what I think I know until I can prove it.

Work delay

Work was delayed until 10 a.m. which threw my whole work day off. I have my routine and get most of my daily work done from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. I did get a little done but not what I'd have liked.

Laura, Joel and I went to the Board of Alderman meeting. VERY interesting. Especially the stuff about Sullivan's Island. I'm quite mind-boggled about it. Rick Dunne said he hasn't taken his family there since 2010, which means he knew it wasn't safe. And yet he never told the BOA about it. And he has something to do with the environmental stuff for the city. How can that be possible? Even the Aldermen were flabbergasted.

Storming & Memories

I had Rita drive me into work this morning because they were predicting this huge snowstorm. No way would I have driven her car - or any car -- back in a storm. So they let us out at 12:30 and Carlton drove me home. It just started to snow before we left work and wasn't too bad. But now it's really coming down and they're predicting 5-8" by morning. Bob said we'd probably have a delay but if it's that bad, I hope we get off.

Thinking about plays since Monica and i are going to see A Night With Janis Joplin, on Broadway, on the first. I've been blessed over the years to see some excellent plays. There was one we went to see with the group from the leadership program at Longwharf. That's the only one I can't remember the name of. I got to see Richard Dryfuss in two fantastic plays. With Allen, I saw him and Stockard Channing in A Day in the Life of Joe Egg - a two person play and we had second row seats and it was wonderful. And then with Arlene, I got to see him in a one man play by Arthur Miller - All My Sons. Another fantastic play. Then I saw Aresenic and Old Lace with Allen in New Haven at the Shubert - again second row seats and a start studded cast. I saw both Lord of the Dance and Riverdance with Sandy.

Now I'm finally getting to go to see a play on Broadway. God keeps answering my prayers or dreams really. I think that everything I've ever daydreamed that I'd love to do, God hears me, and makes those dreams come true. Pino -- the loving dog that's big enough that I could pet his head without bending down. Seeing a Broadway play. Working at a newspaper. Working at a university. There's more. Lots more but I can't think of them right now. I took my sleeping meds.

Saturday on Monday

Wen tout with Sandy like it was a Saturday. We went to Bruegger's Bagels and then had lunch at Ruby Tuesday. We ate like pigs and I spent a fortune because I bought expensive and I paid for her for her birthday lunch. But we've not gone out in a long time and it was worth every cent!

Karla came by with Sam and Kayla for a little bit. We had to go get her some money. But it was great seeing them for a few minutes.

And I've been moving stuff around today and trying to at least organize/find some of my knitting stuff.

Now I'm hungry.

Yvonne

God is good. God is amazing. Answered prayers. Today was the benefit for Yvonne and she walked in on her crutch -- ONE crutch. And she was on her feet for hours and she looks wonderful. There's nothing more to say. Except thank You God.

Meeting and stuff

Used the Blazer this morning and went to the post office, cigar store, Big Y and Marshalls. Then I came home and did my taxes at the H&R Block site but the IRS won't start until the 31st. I can file state this coming week -- I hope.

We had a mini Cultural Commission meeting tonight at Heavenly Donuts. LOL!!

Back from the Elks

Chris and I went to Archie Moore's and then the Elks. Tommy was supposed to come down but never showed. Vinny came down to meet his friend, Daryll. We had a really nice time. Chris was mourning the death of her friend and today was the 7th anniversary of her boyfriend's dying so she had some ups and downs but mostly ups.

Jimmy (One Eye) asked me out as friends to eat some day. I said just friends and he said yes. I told him up front that I do NOT date. He said he doesn't either. He asked again. I said if it was just friends and NO expectations of anything more, I'd like to. We'll see. At least this time I was right up front and out with it. I don't want to date. Period.

Card swap

My half of the partners went out. I PMmed them all after I showered and when Denyse left. She brought my t-shirt for Nina's fundraiser. Why does a child, ok, a teenager, have to have brain cancer??? I was praying for her in the cancer novena. I need to believe she'll be ok.

Anyhow I sent out my half of the cards and emailed Barbie to see if she needs me to do more. I'm enjoying myself with this.

Talked to my boy and he texted me a picture of a six month old pure bred German shepherd -- completely white -- that a friend of Karla's bought. Oh my God. It's my Pino. I look at the picture and can't help crying. I miss him so much.

I miss my kids and my Laney Bug so much it hurts. At least I get to see Anthony every few weeks but I don't know when I'll see my Carol again. And Anthony #2 and my Laney. She'll have no clue who I am or even care. Now I'm depressing myself. Done. I'm going to bed. Tomorrow is Friday and it's out with Chris to the Elks. The hopefully Saturday out with Sandy and Sunday is Yvonne's benefit.

Regular day

Rita drove me in since the roads were sheer ice and she's used to her car in that. We fishtailed a few times but made it in. By the time work was done, it was almost 50 degrees. Carlton drove me home.

Rita has a virus -- running to the bathroom every five minutes. I pray I don"t get it. I have to go to work and I have to go to Yvonne's benefit on Saturday.

Clipped claws

So I actually managed to clip Ruffio's claws by grabbing him, wrapping his back legs in a towel and having at it. He was NOT happy. I did his back claws too -- well most of them.

Going to a cultural committee meeting in an hour. We're having pizza. Yum!

Drove the Blazer again today. Can't wait until I get my own vehicle.

Drove today

Rita let me take the Blazer and I did fine. She's letting me take it again tomorrow. Carlton is going to help me get a car for the money I have.

One of Chris' best friend just lost her battle with MS. I feel so bad for Chris.

Went to a talk, first of two parts, on Reiki at the library. If the classes aren't overly expensive, I'd like to learn and get certified.

Not sure if it happened or not but I will be keeping an eye on my right ear. I've been losing hearing for a long time now -- not going deaf but like it's got water in it and when I push it open I can hear. But when the lady, Carol, did reiki on me tonight I felt a little pop and it was gone. It seems to be coming back but she didn't know about the ear. So it's kind of strange. I hope it did something to my ear. I'd rather have reiki than doctor stuff.

Out with Chris

Chris and Normand were talking so much food on Facebook this morning that they made me very hungry. And I told them. So Chris suggested we go out for breakfast. She picked me up and we went to the diner and Walmart.

Rita had me take the Blazer out for a test drive so I went down to Shop  Rite with it and will be driving myself into work tomorrow. It does stop ok but just have to be careful. The worst part is getting it start after its been sitting awhile. It felt really good to be driving again. I need to get a vehicle!

Face first -- who knew

It's for real. I went out with Peggie to Olive Garden -- YUM! Much yummier than I thought it would be, then Savers and then back to her house for a few minutes while she showed me a pattern she wants to crochet. She dropped me off at home and I slipped in the mud and literally hit my face to the ground. I have a lump under my nose on my upper lip and my hand and knee are skinned. I'm hurting. I will be ok though. Nothing that I have to have checked out.

Almost forgot -- Talked to a counselor from the credit counseling agency. I will be paying $540/month for the next 3.5 years but I will not have to do bankruptcy. As soon as I get the paperwork from them, I will be letting the lawyer know. I will as for a refund of any monies owed me but I doubt I'll get a cent. I will ask though.

My best friends

Tommy met me and Chris at the Elks tonight. We had a great visit for a few hours. I love him so much and he's one of the few people in my life who never stopped loving me. We had a few drinks, he was already a little buzzed, and we called and left Denise a voicemail. LOL!

He's going to come with Chris and I to Yvonne's benefit and he'll drive us. He also wants to go to Mohegan and see the bands from The Sing Off on March 8. He said he would drive to that too.

I do love him. I've been blessed to have some wonderful people in my life.

Broken pipes

So the pipes broke in the apartment and water killed it and the garage. Lots of my stuff is damaged too. Rita says her insurance guy will get us money. She was freaking out but now she's ok with it.

I had to get a ride home from Anita Iacomacci. I feel bad that she had to come all the way from Derby to Southern and back but I had no choice. Hopefully Judy can get me home tomorrow.

We had a Cultural Commission meeting tonight and will have another one on Tuesday.

The owner of the apartment building I was going to move into died. Dr. Loria.

A regular day

Got a bunch done in work and hope to continue. Just sitting here online checking Ravelry. Me and a girl named Barbie are running the card swap at TOK from now on. We just started and we already have close to 30 people signed up! This is so cool!

Holy shit!

She's seriously wants $600. I told her that's not going to happen and I hope it doesn't ruin our relationship but she better decide fast. Because if she is adamant about $600, I'm calling to see if the apartment is still free. Cripes! $500 is bad enough but I thought that would be helping them out and that's still more than half what my full rent would have been. If she insists on $600 -- figure it this way for $200 (if I'm paying for storage too) or $300 more, I can have a whole apartment with nothing extra to pay unless I really want to (Uverse). And really, I can watch almost anything I want to online so all I'd need would be internet.

Wow!

I will tell her I'll do the $600 if she puts the electricity in the apartment in her name like she said she would AND I don't get a storage. Otherwise it wouldn't be worth it. :(

$600

Yea, right. Seriously? Tony tells me that RITA wants $600/month for me to live here. I told him I could do $500 but not six. He said his thought was $500. I'm thinking it's bullshit. But I'm here and this is home and I can do $500 even though I was hoping for $400. I hope I at least get two rooms for that and I won't pay more than $40/month for the electricity in their apartment especially since we both use the freezer now.

I'm calm. I'm not angry. But I will be adamant. There's no way, even without having to buy a car, that I can pay $600.

Stuff

Spent the day with Ruffio just reading and chilling and starting chameleon number two (actually #3).

Found some affordable cars at a buy here, pay here place in Wallingford and Hamden so hopefully we can check them out in the next few days.

Tony wants me to drive Rita's Blazer this week. I'd be all for it except the roads right now are slick with ice and might be that way all week. I'd be petrified!

I baked a chocolate dump cake for Tony for his birthday. They were out all day at church things.

That's about it. Can't wait to get my own vehicle.

Good things

Called the landlord and he was ok with me not going there. Especially after I said I wasn't going to ask for the rent back. Called and left a message with Laura and Joel.

I went to Chris' holiday party and had a nice time there.

Goodbye Milo

Went to Daddio's. They put the $500 for the transmission back into my bank account and gave me a check for $250 for him for junk. Milo is gone. Tony had me keep the $500 he lent me so I can use it, along with the other money, for a down payment on another car.

That's about it. I'm definitely going to stay here and it should work. I'll try to put away as much as I can for an emergency fund.

I made a barley casserole today and baked mac and cheese and monkey bread. The monkey bread came out doughy but the others came out good.

It started

Not sure what started but I'm not being stressed and I'm going to be calm and happy this year no matter what (I hope!). Anyway I had the Jeep towed to Daddio's. They called me and said it's got a broken axle and many other fatal problems and the mechanic doesn't feel right putting in the transmission. He said they'll refund me the money and pay me around $250 for the Jeep.

So now I need to get a vehicle. Tony said he'll help somehow.

And I decided to stay here -- they're still ok with it. I hope I can give them no more than $100/week. Then maybe it will help me too.

Anyway I'm thrilled that I get to stay here. I love here and this part of town and I can walk anywhere in this side of town.

So now I have to tell Laura and Joel and call the landlord. Thank God I didn't sign a lease this time.

And a new one just begun

Wonder how many people titled their blog that? Billions probably.

We went to Osbornedale to the enclosed pavilion to Angelina's annual family outing. We had a really nice time. Didn't make it to the apartment.

Winter storm warnings are in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday (that would be tonight, right?) until late Friday night. We can get up to 12" of snow. Wish Pino were here to enjoy it.

The Jeep will be getting towed to Daddio's tomorrow morning and I'm praying that a new transmission will be the last fix needed, except tires, for a few years.

Finished the parts for one chameleon and have another to go. When I'm done with all the parts, I'll sew them together. That's the worst part for me. I'm glad I'll make Tell and Jenn happy!