I was finally able to move from the area in mid-July, 1987. My house was valued at $6,000.00 and I would owe, between the realtor's fees to sell it at $6,000.00 and what was owed with accrued interest, $7,200.00. I let it be repossessed. By then my frig/freezer had quit working again and I was using the small frig in the garage, my stove had developed a gas leak and was unusable, my dryer no longer heated to dry clothes, my dishwasher quit working and flooded the house when used, the clothes washer was still usable by turning the main water valve on and off to fill the washer tub, and my car still had first and second gears. Both my dogs were deceased. I was working five parttime jobs and the seat in my 1984 purchased bathrobe was becoming threadbare, but still kept me warm. My Mom and Dad's house sold for $18,500.00, minus realtor's fees. I paid to have Mom and Dad's remains buried, finally. I left with my cat and less than $11,000.00, and I've never looked back.
My face will fill again and my cheeks won't be hollowed.
My shoulders will straighten; my attitude will be aggressive.
I will dance in the rain and appear yuppish 'tho I'm older.
As I turn my collar to the wind, no one knows
Or is alive to remember, but me, and my smirk
Will become a knowing smile, and I'll thrive.
It's over! But what of the human waste?
History doesn't repeat itself, does it?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Monday, December 31, 1984
I went to work as usual at Alma's.
I redeemed some December coupons at the grocers. Before I went into my house, I looked around at my neighborhood. Six out of fourteen houses within my view from my driveway are vacant, repossessed and boarded up, over forty-two percent.
My friend picked me up at 7:30PM with a bottle of champagne in hand, and we had a glass before we left for dinner at a local steak house. Afterwards, we went to a local nightclub and had more champagne before we called it a night, well after midnight.
I redeemed some December coupons at the grocers. Before I went into my house, I looked around at my neighborhood. Six out of fourteen houses within my view from my driveway are vacant, repossessed and boarded up, over forty-two percent.
My friend picked me up at 7:30PM with a bottle of champagne in hand, and we had a glass before we left for dinner at a local steak house. Afterwards, we went to a local nightclub and had more champagne before we called it a night, well after midnight.
Sunday, December 30, 1984
I woke up late, then my friend called to invite me to see the movie 'Pinocchio' this afternoon. It's a classic, but my friend was concerned about going to it by himself, because he didn't want to appear perverted. Besides, it was his nickel, so I went with him.
I polished my fingernails after the movie.
I polished my fingernails after the movie.
Thursday, December 27, 1984
Larry and Alma went to the psychiatrist's for a check-up. I cleaned and defrosted their refrigerator while they were gone.
I went shopping for New Year's Eve shoes, but decided to wear a pair I already have.
When I got home, my phone was ringing. My boss at Marie's said that Marie's daughter changed her mind again, and will not pay cash anymore. I naturally won't be able to work there anymore.
I got my $88.50 unemployment check in the mail, and Cilco's bill arrived for $74.00.
I went shopping for New Year's Eve shoes, but decided to wear a pair I already have.
When I got home, my phone was ringing. My boss at Marie's said that Marie's daughter changed her mind again, and will not pay cash anymore. I naturally won't be able to work there anymore.
I got my $88.50 unemployment check in the mail, and Cilco's bill arrived for $74.00.
Wednesday, December 26, 1984
A typical workday and worknight.
Marie said I could have New year's Eve off.
Marie said I could have New year's Eve off.
Tuesday, December 25, 1984
I left Marie's at the usual time after breakfast, but came back at 10:30AM to help her get dressed for Christmas dinner with her daughter.
My friend came to my house to pick me up for Christmas dinner and gave me a 'manure' bust, a figurine supposedly made out of cow manure. He also brought a bottle of champagne, which I chilled while we went to dinner. We came back and drank the champagne. He asked me out for New Year's Eve, and he left.
No work at Alma's today, Christmas.
My friend came to my house to pick me up for Christmas dinner and gave me a 'manure' bust, a figurine supposedly made out of cow manure. He also brought a bottle of champagne, which I chilled while we went to dinner. We came back and drank the champagne. He asked me out for New Year's Eve, and he left.
No work at Alma's today, Christmas.
Monday, December 24, 1984
My Christmas presents from Alma's children were Charlie cologne, Charlie perfume, candy, bath soap and a pendant-necklace. That family is special!
I bought breakfast for Marie's Christmas morning, and talked her into having a real breakfast with me. Normally she eats cold cereal, but I fixed scrambled eggs with cheese, sausage, fried potatoes, half a grapefruit with honey, oatmeal with raisins, milk, toast and butter.
I bought breakfast for Marie's Christmas morning, and talked her into having a real breakfast with me. Normally she eats cold cereal, but I fixed scrambled eggs with cheese, sausage, fried potatoes, half a grapefruit with honey, oatmeal with raisins, milk, toast and butter.
Sunday, December 23, 1984
An old friend of mine killed himself, at the ripe old age of thirty-eight. He has been unemployed for several years. He was an electrician and had worked for Caterpillar until he was laid-off a few years ago. He found another electrician job, but got laid-off from that job too. He blew his brains out, literally. He was extremely bright, witty, nice looking and for the most part, had everything going for him, except a job. Lack of a job and the horrendous job market, made him feel useless and emasculated. I wish I had kept in touch more frequently, but since I've been unable to find a job in my trained profession and work more hours than anyone I've ever known, I have lost touch with many people that I dearly cared about. I am physically nauseated by the news of his death.
I went to work at Marie's tonight to make up for last Wednesday night.
I went to work at Marie's tonight to make up for last Wednesday night.
Friday, December 21, 1984
I exchanged Christmas presents at Larry and Alma's, I broke even financially. I spent $25.00 and I received $25.00.
I got a Christmas card from an ex-employer, who is also a friend, currently living, and apparently thriving, in California. He said he would write after the first of the year.
I got a call about another cash job, but it conflicts with the seventeen hours I'm working, so I referred them to my boss. Maybe she can find someone to work. It's strange to think that I have a boss in this underground cash society, who's also an underground cash employment agency. An employment mafia for the unemployed.
If nothing untoward happens, I'll have enough money for my house payment.
Everything's the same at Marie's.
I got a Christmas card from an ex-employer, who is also a friend, currently living, and apparently thriving, in California. He said he would write after the first of the year.
I got a call about another cash job, but it conflicts with the seventeen hours I'm working, so I referred them to my boss. Maybe she can find someone to work. It's strange to think that I have a boss in this underground cash society, who's also an underground cash employment agency. An employment mafia for the unemployed.
If nothing untoward happens, I'll have enough money for my house payment.
Everything's the same at Marie's.
Thursday, December 20, 1984
I straightened up my house between my two jobs; you never know who will show up during the holidays.
Wednesday, December 19, 1984
I worked my shift at Alma's.
My friend, that I had dinner with Sunday, left a Christmas card in my back door, and then called to tell me that his family, mother and grandmother, would eat at the Holiday Inn on Christmas Day at 12:30PM.
The ex-neighbor, who rented his house out and moved to California several years ago after he was laid off, stopped by. He was in the area to visit friends and family for Christmas. He shares rent on a condominium in California with a roommate, and he's doing auto repair work. I was able to switch work nights with a part-time employee at Marie's. I took off tonight, but will work Sunday night instead. I gave my ex-neighbor a key, and he can crash here while he's in town. We talked about everything, in general. He thinks I'm crazy for working as many hours as I do, and at the wages I make. I do too, but I don't know what else to do right now. No houses around here have sold. His house is rented and his uncle, who lives close by, is the defacto landlord. All the problems and damages I've had with roommates, while I live here too, shows me I can't rent it out and move somewhere else. Besides I already did that when I tried to live at my Mom's with her. I was in the area, and still had a big cash outlay after just one year of renting out my house. I'm already scared about next year and don't expect anything to get better, only worse. Both of the women I take care of at both jobs could die tomorrow, and what then? I don't know! My health is at risk too, although my arms and hands are better, and I don't hurt as much everywhere now. I haven't been able to get a job in my main profession. If I get physically hurt doing this kind of work, I wouldn't be able to work in my given profession either. Unemployment will run out sooner or later.
My friend, that I had dinner with Sunday, left a Christmas card in my back door, and then called to tell me that his family, mother and grandmother, would eat at the Holiday Inn on Christmas Day at 12:30PM.
The ex-neighbor, who rented his house out and moved to California several years ago after he was laid off, stopped by. He was in the area to visit friends and family for Christmas. He shares rent on a condominium in California with a roommate, and he's doing auto repair work. I was able to switch work nights with a part-time employee at Marie's. I took off tonight, but will work Sunday night instead. I gave my ex-neighbor a key, and he can crash here while he's in town. We talked about everything, in general. He thinks I'm crazy for working as many hours as I do, and at the wages I make. I do too, but I don't know what else to do right now. No houses around here have sold. His house is rented and his uncle, who lives close by, is the defacto landlord. All the problems and damages I've had with roommates, while I live here too, shows me I can't rent it out and move somewhere else. Besides I already did that when I tried to live at my Mom's with her. I was in the area, and still had a big cash outlay after just one year of renting out my house. I'm already scared about next year and don't expect anything to get better, only worse. Both of the women I take care of at both jobs could die tomorrow, and what then? I don't know! My health is at risk too, although my arms and hands are better, and I don't hurt as much everywhere now. I haven't been able to get a job in my main profession. If I get physically hurt doing this kind of work, I wouldn't be able to work in my given profession either. Unemployment will run out sooner or later.
Tuesday, December 18, 1984
It was a very normal work day at Alma's.
I vacuumed the carpet and swept and dusted the entryway and kitchen at my house.
I made divinity at Marie's house, half of which turned out and the other half looks like white silver dollars.
I vacuumed the carpet and swept and dusted the entryway and kitchen at my house.
I made divinity at Marie's house, half of which turned out and the other half looks like white silver dollars.
Monday, December 17, 1984
I went Christmas shopping between jobs at Alma's and Marie's. I got Alma's foam mattress and I bought Marie a smoke detector. I bought myself a maroon colored, imitation fur bathrobe that was on sale for $29.00, plus tax, of cource.
Sunday, December 16, 1984
I washed and dried two loads of laundry.
I filled in the new growth of my acrylic nails and polished them, took a bath, shaved the few straggling hairs that were beginning to reappear after waxing my legs, and went out.
I was hunting for a restaurant to eat dinner at, when an old friend flagged down my car. We ended up eating dinner together, had a couple of drinks at a local pub, visited his cousin and then went to my house. He left about 1:30AM after a thoroughly delightful evening. He invited me to Christmas dinner at his Mom's house, and I intend to go. He works the night shift at a local unionized grocery store. I remember a few years ago, when the grocers employees voted to work four shifts instead of five to prevent layoffs. Naturally it was a cut in pay, but they all still had jobs.
I filled in the new growth of my acrylic nails and polished them, took a bath, shaved the few straggling hairs that were beginning to reappear after waxing my legs, and went out.
I was hunting for a restaurant to eat dinner at, when an old friend flagged down my car. We ended up eating dinner together, had a couple of drinks at a local pub, visited his cousin and then went to my house. He left about 1:30AM after a thoroughly delightful evening. He invited me to Christmas dinner at his Mom's house, and I intend to go. He works the night shift at a local unionized grocery store. I remember a few years ago, when the grocers employees voted to work four shifts instead of five to prevent layoffs. Naturally it was a cut in pay, but they all still had jobs.
Saturday, December 15, 1984
I did nothing today, but watch TV, eat and sleep. I didn't get dressed and only left my bedroom to fix food to eat and to use the bathroom.
Friday, December 14, 1984
Our Great Gas God wants to form a holding company to diversify. I understand their reasons for wanting to form the holding company. They'll repay and pay more dividends to their stockholders, since they'll be making less money in central Illinois in the future. Due to government regulation, they will never lose money, because if they lost money, they would go bankrupt, break even or lower their prices so that more people and businesses could afford to do business with them. They refuse to state that they will keep sixty percent of their new businesses in the service area, and want carte blanche. They have raped us until now, and don't appear trustworthy to me; just another rape without a kiss for their existing customers.
The state government of Illinois has okayed the passage of a bill requiring the 'mandatory' use of front seat belts by anyone sitting in the front seat.
Another infringement on my basic, constitutional, very private rights. It's just another way to generate income for the state, counties and cities. Since my car isn't equipped with seat belts, I'll be fined $25.00 whenever the police catch me or I'll have to install some type of seat belt. It's just another form of taxation. I wonder who the Bozos are that sit around and think up these mandates to make money. I find it so difficult to comprehend that the American public can be so gullible. Perhaps P.T. Barnum was right when he said "There's a sucker born every minute". This state apparently has a lot of suckers, and a lot of P.T. Barnums too, figuring out how to rip people off.
Larry paid me today, $90.50, and Marie paid me $75.00, plus Marie gave me $10.00 for my Christmas present.
The state government of Illinois has okayed the passage of a bill requiring the 'mandatory' use of front seat belts by anyone sitting in the front seat.
Another infringement on my basic, constitutional, very private rights. It's just another way to generate income for the state, counties and cities. Since my car isn't equipped with seat belts, I'll be fined $25.00 whenever the police catch me or I'll have to install some type of seat belt. It's just another form of taxation. I wonder who the Bozos are that sit around and think up these mandates to make money. I find it so difficult to comprehend that the American public can be so gullible. Perhaps P.T. Barnum was right when he said "There's a sucker born every minute". This state apparently has a lot of suckers, and a lot of P.T. Barnums too, figuring out how to rip people off.
Larry paid me today, $90.50, and Marie paid me $75.00, plus Marie gave me $10.00 for my Christmas present.
Thursday, December 13, 1984
I was awakened shortly after I went to sleep last night at Marie's by fire engines and police sirens. The house across the street had a fire. I looked at the house this morning, and I didn't see much damage. I will get Marie a smoke detector for Christmas for her house.
I ordered Alma's Christmas present this morning, an eggshell mattress for the loveseat hide-a-bed in Alma and Larry's living room. I keep it unfolded all the time for her to lay down on during the day to nap.
My dogs don't seem to be any worse for wear at 62 degree temperatures, but I am. Even though I'm seldom home, I freeze when I'm there. If my dogs had shown signs of not being able to tolerate the decrease in temperature, I would have had to turn it up again.
Alma is so much calmer and an absolute joy to be around. Larry takes a nap almost every day. Alma still wears him out. She still wears me out too, but I think she's been that way all her life.
I left another note at Mom's house for Sonny and Felicia, this time in the mailbox, with a reminder to pay me. I haven't heard too much about the cockroaches lately. Maybe I've gotten them all killed, I hope, or Sonny and Felicia don't want to talk to me about anything, past due rent included.
I finally received the teeth whitener I ordered for my Albuquerque Trip last July by mail-order. I'm going to order a slightly darker shade, when I get some postage stamps. This bottle has taken so long to get here, that by the time I receive the next one, this bottle will be gone.
I'm looking forward to my unemployed weekend, even though I need the money badly. My two jobs are only seventeen hours a day, five days a week now.
I called about my garage window, the one that rotted, and was told they aren't made in that size anymore. It's only twelve years old, since the garage was built after I bought the house. I'll see if I can find someone to repair it.
I also called about my buffer/shampooer brushes, but they aren't here yet either.
My boss at Ruth's, and now Marie's, has give me a brown, imitation, leather coat with beige, imitation leather collar and cuffs that zips up the front, and has a bust and hip zipped pockets. it isn't as warm as my imitation fur coat, but I will wear it a lot.
I ordered Alma's Christmas present this morning, an eggshell mattress for the loveseat hide-a-bed in Alma and Larry's living room. I keep it unfolded all the time for her to lay down on during the day to nap.
My dogs don't seem to be any worse for wear at 62 degree temperatures, but I am. Even though I'm seldom home, I freeze when I'm there. If my dogs had shown signs of not being able to tolerate the decrease in temperature, I would have had to turn it up again.
Alma is so much calmer and an absolute joy to be around. Larry takes a nap almost every day. Alma still wears him out. She still wears me out too, but I think she's been that way all her life.
I left another note at Mom's house for Sonny and Felicia, this time in the mailbox, with a reminder to pay me. I haven't heard too much about the cockroaches lately. Maybe I've gotten them all killed, I hope, or Sonny and Felicia don't want to talk to me about anything, past due rent included.
I finally received the teeth whitener I ordered for my Albuquerque Trip last July by mail-order. I'm going to order a slightly darker shade, when I get some postage stamps. This bottle has taken so long to get here, that by the time I receive the next one, this bottle will be gone.
I'm looking forward to my unemployed weekend, even though I need the money badly. My two jobs are only seventeen hours a day, five days a week now.
I called about my garage window, the one that rotted, and was told they aren't made in that size anymore. It's only twelve years old, since the garage was built after I bought the house. I'll see if I can find someone to repair it.
I also called about my buffer/shampooer brushes, but they aren't here yet either.
My boss at Ruth's, and now Marie's, has give me a brown, imitation, leather coat with beige, imitation leather collar and cuffs that zips up the front, and has a bust and hip zipped pockets. it isn't as warm as my imitation fur coat, but I will wear it a lot.
Wednesday, December, 12, 1984
After working at Alma's, I checked the mailbox and received another unemployment check for $88.50, but I don't know why it is $88.50, nor why I received anything at all, since the Illinois Department of Unemployment sent me a notice stating that I owe them $88.50. Maybe they got re-funded by the state or someone actually got tired of piling papers on top of papers and re-shuffling them.
I installed new dog door panels, since the other ones literally fell apart. If these fall apart, I'm going to call the company to find out if they are using a different type of plastic. The panels used to last two to three months. I still owe for these dog door panels. I may have to change the type of dog door I have; I can't afford $12.00 every month for new dog door panels.
I've turned my thermostat down to 62 degrees.
A typical workday, or night, at Marie's house.
I installed new dog door panels, since the other ones literally fell apart. If these fall apart, I'm going to call the company to find out if they are using a different type of plastic. The panels used to last two to three months. I still owe for these dog door panels. I may have to change the type of dog door I have; I can't afford $12.00 every month for new dog door panels.
I've turned my thermostat down to 62 degrees.
A typical workday, or night, at Marie's house.
Tuesday, December 11, 1984
I had an upsetting phone call this morning. I won't be needed at my new twelve-hour job on Saturday's anymore. I really didn't like the job, but I have no idea why I won't be needed. I had counted on the extra money. I am frantically refiguring my budget again. I can make ends meet with just the two jobs, but I desperately need a new bathrobe and sunglasses. I also may have to do without the rent at Mom's house, since my tenants, Sonny and Felicia, are getting financially in over their heads and mine. They now owe $150.00 past due rent, $80.00 for furniture, $30.00 for labor that wasn't done to put the ceiling in the breezeway, and $100.00 that was deducted from the rent for my car repairs, $360.00 total. I had to put the ceiling up myself after I had paid Sonny to do it. I don't know how long it would take me to rent it, if I evicted them either, especially in the winter. I can't financially absorb the $227.00 a month I would need just to pay the taxes and house insurance on Mom's house.
Alma was good again today and is much calmer.
I cleaned my middle bedroom.
I made eggnog at Marie's.
Alma was good again today and is much calmer.
I cleaned my middle bedroom.
I made eggnog at Marie's.
Monday, December 10, 1984
Alma is much better. She is friendly, smiling and only somewhat restless. She sat all through lunch. She doesn't seem to have the restless urges at lunch to take one bite and then roam around.
I vacuumed my carpet, swept and dusted my floors, and cleaned all the glass in my living room.
Marie and I made prune cakes for impromptu guests tonight.
I vacuumed my carpet, swept and dusted my floors, and cleaned all the glass in my living room.
Marie and I made prune cakes for impromptu guests tonight.
Sunday, December 9, 1984
I slept in until 3PM. I made out my unemployment form and decided which bills to pay tomorrow. Since my tenants at Mom's house haven't paid the remainder of their rent, I'll be leaving a note there tomorrow too. I only have $16.00 left to buy groceries this week.
I repaired my acrylic nails and watched TV.
I repaired my acrylic nails and watched TV.
Saturday, December 8, 1984
I went to my new twelve hour, $54.00 Saturday job today. I had to leave Marie's one-half hour early. I explained the situation to Marie and she said that I'd be a fool if I didn't take the job, even though I had to leave her house early. The new job is boring. The wife has recovered fully physically and mentally from her stroke eight years ago, but she can't talk well, and I can't understand her. Her husband has the physique of a fifty year old and only looks sixty-five to seventy years old. The recent stroke has left his right side somewhat paralyzed. He probably weights about one-hundred and ninety pounds, but is fairly easy to transfer from bed to chair, because he tries to help himself. They have two dogs. His dog is kept in the heated basement and her dog is kept in the house. The dogs started fighting ten years ago and her dog lost an eye. Since then, the dogs have been separated.
After my Saturday job, I went to Larry and Alma's to see Alma. She got out of the hospital this morning and is much improved.
After my Saturday job, I went to Larry and Alma's to see Alma. She got out of the hospital this morning and is much improved.
Friday, December 7, 1984
This mornimg after I got off at Marie's, I gave myself a pedicure and polished my toenails and fingernails.
The woman, who interviewed me yesterday, called to tell me I got the job. I asked if it was tax free, and she informed me it was. Hooray! $54.00 every Saturday I work, clear. The unemployment office mailed me another form. Apparently I've been overpaid again, by $88.50, but I'm supposed to keep sending in my unemployment forms. Since I'm working for cash, how can I be overpaid? There's no rhyme nor reason, unless they are out of money. I would be out in the street by now, if I hadn't have had under-the-counter, unreported income.
I'm contempleting the recent newspaper headlines: 2,000 dead in India, due to a poison gas leakage in a heavily populated area, by an American company, Union Carbide. A lawsuit on behalf of the families for $15,000,000,000.00 has been filed and the chairman of the board has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of negligence. That's $7,500.00 per person. Can that possibly be right?
Another large company is leaving our area. It's closing one-half of one of their facilities and laying off more people at their other area plants and offices.
President Reagon is trying to cut more benefits in food stamps, energy assistance, winterization programs, medicare, medicaid, and other poverty programs. Our government's policy seems to be the same everwhere, let the unfortunate starve, lack medical treatment and freeze.
The woman, who interviewed me yesterday, called to tell me I got the job. I asked if it was tax free, and she informed me it was. Hooray! $54.00 every Saturday I work, clear. The unemployment office mailed me another form. Apparently I've been overpaid again, by $88.50, but I'm supposed to keep sending in my unemployment forms. Since I'm working for cash, how can I be overpaid? There's no rhyme nor reason, unless they are out of money. I would be out in the street by now, if I hadn't have had under-the-counter, unreported income.
I'm contempleting the recent newspaper headlines: 2,000 dead in India, due to a poison gas leakage in a heavily populated area, by an American company, Union Carbide. A lawsuit on behalf of the families for $15,000,000,000.00 has been filed and the chairman of the board has been arrested and charged with 7 counts of negligence. That's $7,500.00 per person. Can that possibly be right?
Another large company is leaving our area. It's closing one-half of one of their facilities and laying off more people at their other area plants and offices.
President Reagon is trying to cut more benefits in food stamps, energy assistance, winterization programs, medicare, medicaid, and other poverty programs. Our government's policy seems to be the same everwhere, let the unfortunate starve, lack medical treatment and freeze.
Thursday, December 6, 1984
I started putting on acrylic fingernails.
Larry called to tell me that Alma will be getting out of the hospital on Saturday, and to come back to work on Monday.
I had a job interview at my house by a nurse, who works in a local doctor's office. She is looking for someone to take care of her grandmother, who had a stoke eight years ago and still can't talk well. She also has a ninety year old grandfather, who had a stroke in November. It's Saturday from 7AM to 7PM at $4.50 an hour.
I desperately need the money because of my $128.00 water bill, when the street in front of my house developed a water leak, $148.00 Cilco bill, plus other expenses. I also got a letter from the unemployment office. I have been overpaid again, how I don't know, but $88.50 was deducted and I received $23.00. They must be out of money again, since I haven't had any declarable income since July 18, 1984.
I made two batches pumpkin soup from the last pumpkin in my garden.
Larry called to tell me that Alma will be getting out of the hospital on Saturday, and to come back to work on Monday.
I had a job interview at my house by a nurse, who works in a local doctor's office. She is looking for someone to take care of her grandmother, who had a stoke eight years ago and still can't talk well. She also has a ninety year old grandfather, who had a stroke in November. It's Saturday from 7AM to 7PM at $4.50 an hour.
I desperately need the money because of my $128.00 water bill, when the street in front of my house developed a water leak, $148.00 Cilco bill, plus other expenses. I also got a letter from the unemployment office. I have been overpaid again, how I don't know, but $88.50 was deducted and I received $23.00. They must be out of money again, since I haven't had any declarable income since July 18, 1984.
I made two batches pumpkin soup from the last pumpkin in my garden.
Wednesday, December 5, 1984
I vacuumed the floors after I got of work at Marie's this morning. I didn't have to go to Alma's; she's still in the hospital. I bought the piano chair screws and installed the backrest on my new piano chair. I dyed my hair for the first time since I went to work for Ruth in August. I even applied moisturizer all over. I put on the fingernail tips that I bought when Ruth went to the hospital.
It snowed. As the snow hit the ground it melted, then the temperature dropped and the slush froze, and it snowed more. I sprinkled calcium chloride on my concrete driveway. I don't want to slide into my fence again. The streets are sheets of ice.
Before I went to Marie's, I went to the grocers with coupons, and picked up all the toilet and bath aids that I'll need at Marie's house for myself.
For all practical purposes, I have completed all the repairs that occurred during the period of time I had roommates. I have also winterized Mom's and my houses better than ever before, and am about to live totally in my living room and kitchen.
It snowed. As the snow hit the ground it melted, then the temperature dropped and the slush froze, and it snowed more. I sprinkled calcium chloride on my concrete driveway. I don't want to slide into my fence again. The streets are sheets of ice.
Before I went to Marie's, I went to the grocers with coupons, and picked up all the toilet and bath aids that I'll need at Marie's house for myself.
For all practical purposes, I have completed all the repairs that occurred during the period of time I had roommates. I have also winterized Mom's and my houses better than ever before, and am about to live totally in my living room and kitchen.
Tuesday, December 4, 1984
I slept twelve hours last night and felt great today. Before I left to clean Larry and Alma's house, my boss at Ruth's and Marie's called and told me that Marie's daughter decided not to declare me on income tax, and that I would be paid $15.00 a night for eleven hours, if I come back to work for her. I accepted, and start again tonight. the difference between cash and being declared to the government is $4.00, and now I will get it.
I spent three and three-quarter hours cleaning at Larry's. He paid me $70.00 for last week and today.
I went to three different grocers with coupons for staple goods, and spent $60.00, minus $8.00 in coupons. I got my CB radio antenna hooked up in my car. When Sonny is finished with my car, it will be set for winter too. I wish he'd hurry up and do the remainder, especially the transmission. It makes going very far from home impossible.
I cleaned the desk and it's contents today. I made brackets for the piano chair backrest cushion out of hanger iron, and need to buy screws to finish it. I put the repair materials from all the repairs in the garage, or wherever they belonged. My house is looking great again.
My male dog has quit crying in the middle of the night, which he's done since the cigarette burning incident. I am ready to go back to work full time nights.
I spent three and three-quarter hours cleaning at Larry's. He paid me $70.00 for last week and today.
I went to three different grocers with coupons for staple goods, and spent $60.00, minus $8.00 in coupons. I got my CB radio antenna hooked up in my car. When Sonny is finished with my car, it will be set for winter too. I wish he'd hurry up and do the remainder, especially the transmission. It makes going very far from home impossible.
I cleaned the desk and it's contents today. I made brackets for the piano chair backrest cushion out of hanger iron, and need to buy screws to finish it. I put the repair materials from all the repairs in the garage, or wherever they belonged. My house is looking great again.
My male dog has quit crying in the middle of the night, which he's done since the cigarette burning incident. I am ready to go back to work full time nights.
Monday, December 3, 1984
I went with Larry and one of their daughters to an interview with Alma's psychiatrist. Her doctor believes she has Alzheimer's disease, and her confusion is causing her schizophrenic symptoms. He put her on Haldol.
Larry's daughter treated us to lunch.
I cleaned the humidifier at my house, which had a dead, stinking mouse in the water. Ick!
Larry's daughter treated us to lunch.
I cleaned the humidifier at my house, which had a dead, stinking mouse in the water. Ick!
Sunday, December 2, 1984
Sonny and Felicia, the tenants at Mom's house, only paid me $100.00 of the $250.00 rent that was due.
Saturday, December 1, 1984
CHAPTER 12, DECEMBER
I vacuumed the carpets, and washed and waxed my kitchen and entryway floors. The house is almost clean. I spent the rest of the day waxing my legs.
I vacuumed the carpets, and washed and waxed my kitchen and entryway floors. The house is almost clean. I spent the rest of the day waxing my legs.
Friday, November 30, 1984
II fixed enough food to tide Larry over for the weekend.
I cleaned the rest of my living room
My boss, who hired me at Marie's called. She told me I would be declared on income taxes at Marie's, and that if she were me, she wouldn't go to work there anymore. I called Marie and told her why I wasn't coming in to work.
I cleaned the rest of my living room
My boss, who hired me at Marie's called. She told me I would be declared on income taxes at Marie's, and that if she were me, she wouldn't go to work there anymore. I called Marie and told her why I wasn't coming in to work.
Thursday, November 29, 1984
Since my bed at Marie's is a new bed to me, although comfortable, I naturally didn't sleep well. She doesn't keep her house very warm, which I had hoped she would.
I cleaned house and cooked for Larry today.
I came home and cleaned part of my living room before going to work at Marie's house. I'll only be working seventeen hours a day this time.
I cleaned house and cooked for Larry today.
I came home and cleaned part of my living room before going to work at Marie's house. I'll only be working seventeen hours a day this time.
Wednesday, November 28, 1984
I wasn't needed at Alma's today, since she's in the hospital.
I bought two Lawrence Sander's mystery paperback books and a Cosmopolitan magazine to read at Marie's house, and couponed to buy food to take tonight. I dropped off my unemployment form. I bought thee pair of panties at $3.75 each.
I went to work and Marie and I stayed up until 11:30PM.
I bought two Lawrence Sander's mystery paperback books and a Cosmopolitan magazine to read at Marie's house, and couponed to buy food to take tonight. I dropped off my unemployment form. I bought thee pair of panties at $3.75 each.
I went to work and Marie and I stayed up until 11:30PM.
Tuesday, November 27, 1984
I went to the interview and start the job tomorrow night. It's eleven hours, from 8PM to 7AM, and pays $10 cash. It's three blocks from my house, and if I drive there, my car will be sheltered in a car port. Maybe I won't have to scrape windows and put plastic on them this winter.
The lady's name is Marie, she's seventy-three years old, smokes, drinks Pepsi, is hard of hearing, walks with a cane, has no teeth and has an oxygen insufficiency to the heart. She is also quite the jokester.
Larry and I took Alma to see a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist convinced Larry to put Alma in the hospital immediately. In the waiting room, Alma threatened to kill herself "and I'll do it right", if Larry didn't take her home immediately. By the time the psychiatrist saw her, she was at her very worst mentally, totally disoriented, incomprehendable and extremely hyperactive. While the psychiatrist was trying to do the interview with Larry, Alma was riffling thought all the papers on the doctor's desk. The admission process, because she's unable to sign her own name, took many hours. She had to be signed into the hospital on an emergency basis.
Larry stopped at one of their daughters on the way home, and by the time we got back home and I fixed dinner for Larry, it was 5:45PM.
The lady's name is Marie, she's seventy-three years old, smokes, drinks Pepsi, is hard of hearing, walks with a cane, has no teeth and has an oxygen insufficiency to the heart. She is also quite the jokester.
Larry and I took Alma to see a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist convinced Larry to put Alma in the hospital immediately. In the waiting room, Alma threatened to kill herself "and I'll do it right", if Larry didn't take her home immediately. By the time the psychiatrist saw her, she was at her very worst mentally, totally disoriented, incomprehendable and extremely hyperactive. While the psychiatrist was trying to do the interview with Larry, Alma was riffling thought all the papers on the doctor's desk. The admission process, because she's unable to sign her own name, took many hours. She had to be signed into the hospital on an emergency basis.
Larry stopped at one of their daughters on the way home, and by the time we got back home and I fixed dinner for Larry, it was 5:45PM.
Monday, November 26, 1984
My ex-boss at Ruth's wants me to go for a job interview tomorrow morning.
A typical day caring for Alma.
I got a free CB radio antenna for my car from a friend of Sonnys. I want the car ready for any emergency this winter.
A typical day caring for Alma.
I got a free CB radio antenna for my car from a friend of Sonnys. I want the car ready for any emergency this winter.
Sunday, November 25, 1984
I finished washing the hall walls and woodwork. I filled in, sanded and painted all the gouges in the walls and woodwork. I cleaned the hall pictures, figurines and humidifier. I washed the walls and woodwork around the piano and washed the piano. I put one-inch foam rubber on the seat on my new piano chair and covered the seat with the same rug material that I used for the kitchen chair seats. I cleaned the furnace, and water heater closet and filled a hole in it's cement floor that's bugged me ever since I bought the house fifteen years ago. I washed a load of clothes, only to discover that the water shut off in my washing machine is leaking water into the machine all the time now. A least I discovered it before I flooded the house. I temporarily solved the problem by shutting off the water valve going into the washer. I put one-inch foam rubber behind my stove and kitchen cabinet to try to insulate this house more. I caulked the ductwork that goes through he ceiling from the furnace, hot water heater and dryer. I caulked where the plumbing pipes under the bathroom sink go into the wall. I fitted two inch thick foam rubber pieces into an eight inch space between my washer/dryer area and the back of the kitchen wall. I installed the new knob that I had ordered and received on my dishwasher. I washed the dishes and spot cleaned the kitchen. I cleaned the piano light, cleaned the metronome and sheet music bookends, and touched up the paint on the piano.
Tat has caught six mice in the last twenty-four hours. the dogs are the only creatures here that did nothing today.
Tat has caught six mice in the last twenty-four hours. the dogs are the only creatures here that did nothing today.
Saturday, November 24, 1984
I went to work at 7:45AM, after putting $10.00 worth of gasoline in the car. Larry helped butcher a pig today and I got eight and one-quarter hours work. I'm making up being off Thanksgiving by working today.
Larry paid me my underground cash wages of $82.25. I made a $150.00 house payment on my way home.
I pulled my Brussels Sprout plants up and froze the sprouts. My two plants yielded enough for four large servings.
Sonny came over and I signed Mom's car over to him for the work that he is to do on my car.
It needs a lot of work, transmission and bodywork.
Larry paid me my underground cash wages of $82.25. I made a $150.00 house payment on my way home.
I pulled my Brussels Sprout plants up and froze the sprouts. My two plants yielded enough for four large servings.
Sonny came over and I signed Mom's car over to him for the work that he is to do on my car.
It needs a lot of work, transmission and bodywork.
Friday, November 23, 1984
After work I took the base of the living room lamp to a machine shop to have a hole for the flicker light drilled so both of the lamps would be symmetrical.
I bought a new chair to use as a piano chair, since my other one was broken mysteriously when my roommates were here.
I bought a new chair to use as a piano chair, since my other one was broken mysteriously when my roommates were here.
Thursday, November 22, 1984
I spray painted the front of the washer and dryer. They had gotten scratched somehow when my roommates were here, and I was at work. I used carpet tape to tape the bath carpet to the floor. I washed and dried two blankets. I washed the walls around the washer/dryer, and some of the doors in the hall. I also washed some of the hall walls, and did some touch-up painting to them. I vacuumed the hall and hall closet. I spray painted some rust spots on the side of the frig/freezer.
Then I fixed my Thanksgiving dinner of fish, mixed vegetables , yogurt and milk. Larry and Alma didn't need me today, because they will eat at one of their children's house.
Then I fixed my Thanksgiving dinner of fish, mixed vegetables , yogurt and milk. Larry and Alma didn't need me today, because they will eat at one of their children's house.
Wednesday, November 21, 1984
A typical workday at Alma's.
I dismantled the living room lamps, only to discover that one lamp didn't have a hole for a flicker light bulb. They never have matched exactly, even though they were supposed to be matching lamps, and now I know why. I will have to get a hole drilled in the lamp base.
I dismantled the living room lamps, only to discover that one lamp didn't have a hole for a flicker light bulb. They never have matched exactly, even though they were supposed to be matching lamps, and now I know why. I will have to get a hole drilled in the lamp base.
Tuesday, November 20, 1984
Alma was good today.
I bought smoke-gray Plexiglas for my living room lamps. Somehow one of them got broke when my roommates were here. I had to buy, and then have the two pieces cut, because the store couldn't match the previous color of Plexiglas.
I bought smoke-gray Plexiglas for my living room lamps. Somehow one of them got broke when my roommates were here. I had to buy, and then have the two pieces cut, because the store couldn't match the previous color of Plexiglas.
Monday, November 19, 1984
I had an easy day at work. All I had to do was cook lunch and dinner, make beds, vacuum and help the hairdresser give Alma a permanent. I gave Alma a bath in the tub, while the hairdresser applied the permanent solution. We rinsed it out, the hairdresser applied the neutralizer and we rinsed it out, then the hairdresser did Alma's hair. Alma looked nice.
I tried to repair the polyurethane finish on the dresser and nightstand that Steve had scratched. I sanded some of the polyurethane finish off and reapplied polyurethane, but the worst scratches are still very visible. I'm not going to sand it down and refinish it again, at least not right now. Maybe I can cover them up with something when I get ready to rent the room again and wait until I have good weather to refinish the tops of the bedroom set. I doubt if it will rent this winter anyway.
I tried to repair the polyurethane finish on the dresser and nightstand that Steve had scratched. I sanded some of the polyurethane finish off and reapplied polyurethane, but the worst scratches are still very visible. I'm not going to sand it down and refinish it again, at least not right now. Maybe I can cover them up with something when I get ready to rent the room again and wait until I have good weather to refinish the tops of the bedroom set. I doubt if it will rent this winter anyway.
Sunday, November 18, 1984
I finished cleaning the garage. I've got about one foot on each side to get in and out of the car.
Saturday, November 17, 1984
I cleaned one living room wall, and touched up the paint on that wall. I stapled and painted all the wiring for pictures and phonograph speakers to the baseboard on that wall. I hung my other snack bar curtain.
Friday, November 16, 1984
Alma was awful today, kicking and hitting me while I gave her a bath. I recommended to one of her daughters, two of her son-in-laws and her husband that she be hospitalized and seen by a psychiatrist. I already hurt, have an arm problem, and I don't need to be beat up too.
I bought a fifty pound bag of generic dog food and spent $10.00 worth of food stamps for groceries. I bought a metal and rubber bottom edge strip for my front door. The front door really doesn't need it, but the wood on the bottom edge has a chipped corner, and doesn't look nice. I will still need Plastic Wood applied to that corner edge and filled in.
I bought a fifty pound bag of generic dog food and spent $10.00 worth of food stamps for groceries. I bought a metal and rubber bottom edge strip for my front door. The front door really doesn't need it, but the wood on the bottom edge has a chipped corner, and doesn't look nice. I will still need Plastic Wood applied to that corner edge and filled in.
Thursday, November 15, 1984
A nice day at Alma's.
I partially cleaned out my garage until I got too cold and had to come inside the house after I got off from work. I washed a load of cleaning towels.
I heard on the news that the country is going into another recession. How does an area that is in a depression already, get worse? Never mind, I think I can picture it! Just more hungry people and no one other than hungry people caring. I know I won't be in the street personally before January 1, 1985. What happens after that, no one knows.
I partially cleaned out my garage until I got too cold and had to come inside the house after I got off from work. I washed a load of cleaning towels.
I heard on the news that the country is going into another recession. How does an area that is in a depression already, get worse? Never mind, I think I can picture it! Just more hungry people and no one other than hungry people caring. I know I won't be in the street personally before January 1, 1985. What happens after that, no one knows.
Wednesday, November 14, 1984
I paid our Great Gas God $100.00 when I got off from work at Alma's.
I cleaned out my car and put everything that I'll need this winter in the back seat: de-icer, Fix-a-flat, snow scraper, snow brush, putty knife, two rear window heaters that plug into the cigarette lighter, battery starter cables, jack, plastic for the windshield, coffee can with candle inside, towel and a blanket. I put one can of de-icer in my purse, in case my only car door that can be opened freezes shut. I cleaned my entry way and living room portable divider.
I cleaned out my car and put everything that I'll need this winter in the back seat: de-icer, Fix-a-flat, snow scraper, snow brush, putty knife, two rear window heaters that plug into the cigarette lighter, battery starter cables, jack, plastic for the windshield, coffee can with candle inside, towel and a blanket. I put one can of de-icer in my purse, in case my only car door that can be opened freezes shut. I cleaned my entry way and living room portable divider.
Tuesday, November 13, 1984
It's been a typical workday at Alma's.
I bought another tablecloth to make into a snack bar curtain, sewed it, and edged it with fringe. I cleaned the walls around the snack bar and touched up the paint.
I bought another tablecloth to make into a snack bar curtain, sewed it, and edged it with fringe. I cleaned the walls around the snack bar and touched up the paint.
Monday, November 12, 1984
After work at Alma's, I cleaned out my bedroom closet, which was quite a mess due to mice droppings. I still had some live green beetle-like bugs that had infested my bedroom last summer. I boxed clothes, summer and winter, that I haven't worn lately. Some things I boxed are fifteen years old. I assembled my now sparse winter wardrobe.
I took out all the garbage from the closet and wastebaskets for the garbage man to pick up tomorrow. I washed almost all the laundry and dried most of it. Then I took a bath, washed my hair and got ready for work again tomorrow.
I took out all the garbage from the closet and wastebaskets for the garbage man to pick up tomorrow. I washed almost all the laundry and dried most of it. Then I took a bath, washed my hair and got ready for work again tomorrow.
Sunday, November 11, 1984
I did nothing but eat, watch TV and sleep today, all in the middle of my bed.
Saturday, November 10, 1984
I stripped the snack bar wood shelves and polyurethaned them. I made one snack bar curtain and added some decorative fringe at the top. I need one more tablecloth to make the other side of the curtain.
Friday, November 9, 1984
I got paid $90.00 from work and bought a tablecloth to use as a curtain for my snack bar. I called Cilco, and found out the electric bill for August fourteenth through November Ninth was only $164.89. They had estimated the bill to be $237,74 for August fourteenth through October fifteenth. why would they estimate it, instead of reading the meter, and send me an estimated bill?
I bought curtain hooks and painted them to match the kitchen. I'll use them with fabric for my snack bar between my kitchen and living room. I also bought a strip of sticky foam tape to put under the edges of the glass top of my snack bar to keep the glass top from sliding and chipping.
I bought curtain hooks and painted them to match the kitchen. I'll use them with fabric for my snack bar between my kitchen and living room. I also bought a strip of sticky foam tape to put under the edges of the glass top of my snack bar to keep the glass top from sliding and chipping.
Wednesday, November 7, 1984
Forty-six million people are at "risk of hunger".
In 1974, welfare was eighty percent of the meximum necessary to survive. Welfare is seventy-four percent of the mazimum necessary to survive in 1984.
$660,000,000.00 are given in food stamps in Illinois. Food stamps haven't kept up with the cost of living. There has only been a fifteen percent ADC cost of living increase for the last ten years. Only twelve percent of food stamp recipients met government daily minimum requirements of vitamin and mineral intake.
Every county in Illinoid, that responded to a questionaire, replied that a rising need exists for food and housing. What about the boarded up houses?
It took three years before governments of the world relized, knew or cared about the starving masses in Ethiopia, so, I don't see any relief for the underfed masses in the USA.
Why did the Republican Presidential Candidate's wife call the Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate, Mrs. Ferraro, a derogatory name? what type of people are we to applaud and condone cold, mean-spirited, insensitive, apathetic and argumentative remarks.
Why is the Environmental Protection Agency budget being cut in half? Maybe because they want unleaded gas that would raise the price of gasoline, and someone in government is listening.
The water company, ,eter-reader told me I would have to fix and pay for any leak and cost of water lost on my property, but the paved street in front of my house isn't on my property, so why have I received a large water bill for a leak in the paved street in front of my house?
In 1974, welfare was eighty percent of the meximum necessary to survive. Welfare is seventy-four percent of the mazimum necessary to survive in 1984.
$660,000,000.00 are given in food stamps in Illinois. Food stamps haven't kept up with the cost of living. There has only been a fifteen percent ADC cost of living increase for the last ten years. Only twelve percent of food stamp recipients met government daily minimum requirements of vitamin and mineral intake.
Every county in Illinoid, that responded to a questionaire, replied that a rising need exists for food and housing. What about the boarded up houses?
It took three years before governments of the world relized, knew or cared about the starving masses in Ethiopia, so, I don't see any relief for the underfed masses in the USA.
Why did the Republican Presidential Candidate's wife call the Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate, Mrs. Ferraro, a derogatory name? what type of people are we to applaud and condone cold, mean-spirited, insensitive, apathetic and argumentative remarks.
Why is the Environmental Protection Agency budget being cut in half? Maybe because they want unleaded gas that would raise the price of gasoline, and someone in government is listening.
The water company, ,eter-reader told me I would have to fix and pay for any leak and cost of water lost on my property, but the paved street in front of my house isn't on my property, so why have I received a large water bill for a leak in the paved street in front of my house?
Tuesday, November 6, 1984
Larry took Alma and me to an apple orchard, which was about thirty-five miles away. I bought three 'Rome Beauty' apples and a quart of apple cider.
I picked up the motor for the range hood. After studying the new and old motors, I finally rigged the fan to work. The old motor had a threaded shaft and the new motor didn't. I hope I was able to clip the fan blades on the shaft tight enough for them to work okay. I got the hood with the new motor re-attached to the cabinet bottom by laying on the stove and holding the hood with my feet, while I screwed the screws into the wall. One of the gas stove burners pilot lights burnt the bejeebers out of my behind.
I voted today, and most of the local candidates I voted for, have won. It is nearly impossible for me to realize that the "haves" could care less if the "have nots" in this country can't buy toilet paper. I expect the "have nots" to have even less in the future, and more people to become "have not"'.
I picked up the motor for the range hood. After studying the new and old motors, I finally rigged the fan to work. The old motor had a threaded shaft and the new motor didn't. I hope I was able to clip the fan blades on the shaft tight enough for them to work okay. I got the hood with the new motor re-attached to the cabinet bottom by laying on the stove and holding the hood with my feet, while I screwed the screws into the wall. One of the gas stove burners pilot lights burnt the bejeebers out of my behind.
I voted today, and most of the local candidates I voted for, have won. It is nearly impossible for me to realize that the "haves" could care less if the "have nots" in this country can't buy toilet paper. I expect the "have nots" to have even less in the future, and more people to become "have not"'.
Monday, November5, 1984
I worked six hours at Alma's.
I took the range hood motor and the wiring diagram to a local repairman. He will order me a similar motor.
I touched up my kitchen table and chairs with paint. I finished painting the range hood. I re-upholstered three of my kitchen chair seats with kitchen rugs.
My boss and a coworker at Ruth's called, both inquiring about what hours I would be available for work, if they heard of a job opening..
I took the range hood motor and the wiring diagram to a local repairman. He will order me a similar motor.
I touched up my kitchen table and chairs with paint. I finished painting the range hood. I re-upholstered three of my kitchen chair seats with kitchen rugs.
My boss and a coworker at Ruth's called, both inquiring about what hours I would be available for work, if they heard of a job opening..
Sunday, November 4, 1984
I picked up more supplies at the hardware store and bought groceries at the grocers.
I came home, cleaned the baker's rack and touched up the paint on it. I spray painted the inside of the range hood. I washed the bedroom bedding from Don's room and dried it, then made up the bed.
I put metal and rubber strips on the bottom of my three bedroom doors to make them more airtight. I must save on Cilco's bill by closing off all of the bedrooms, and living in the adjoining kitchen and living room, until I get roommates or until next spring when the pool will be attractive to roommates.
I picked up my stove clock and it cost me $20.00 for cleaning it. I reconnected it and it worked.
I ordered a three inch piece of foam rubber, to put on my couch cushions to make it into a bed.
I came home, cleaned the baker's rack and touched up the paint on it. I spray painted the inside of the range hood. I washed the bedroom bedding from Don's room and dried it, then made up the bed.
I put metal and rubber strips on the bottom of my three bedroom doors to make them more airtight. I must save on Cilco's bill by closing off all of the bedrooms, and living in the adjoining kitchen and living room, until I get roommates or until next spring when the pool will be attractive to roommates.
I picked up my stove clock and it cost me $20.00 for cleaning it. I reconnected it and it worked.
I ordered a three inch piece of foam rubber, to put on my couch cushions to make it into a bed.
Saturday, November 3, 1984
I got paid $85.00 for work at Alma's this week. I picked up my rebuilt Eureka vacuum at a cost of $53.00.
I finished washing the kitchen ceiling and walls, and finished touching up the rest of the kitchen paint. I took down the range hood light and fan, tore it apart and cleaned it. I tested the motor, but the motor wasn't working.
My tenant at Mom's house paid me a reduced winter rent, because Cilco's bills are outrageous, and I agreed to reduce the rent by $25.00 a month. Sonny isn't working. They were threatening to move if I didn't reduce the rent, and I don't need that right now. I accepted the $250.00 gladly, rather than have both bedrooms at my house vacant and Mom's house vacant too.
My hands are getting better. If I don't have to have the surgery, I don't know how I'll pay for the doctor bills, tests and X-rays, but I can't worry about that now. The bill will only be paid if I have surgery before December, and I may not need the surgery if it keeps getting better.
I finished washing the kitchen ceiling and walls, and finished touching up the rest of the kitchen paint. I took down the range hood light and fan, tore it apart and cleaned it. I tested the motor, but the motor wasn't working.
My tenant at Mom's house paid me a reduced winter rent, because Cilco's bills are outrageous, and I agreed to reduce the rent by $25.00 a month. Sonny isn't working. They were threatening to move if I didn't reduce the rent, and I don't need that right now. I accepted the $250.00 gladly, rather than have both bedrooms at my house vacant and Mom's house vacant too.
My hands are getting better. If I don't have to have the surgery, I don't know how I'll pay for the doctor bills, tests and X-rays, but I can't worry about that now. The bill will only be paid if I have surgery before December, and I may not need the surgery if it keeps getting better.
Friday, November 2, 1984
I bought a cheap bath shower attachment for Alma's house to make it easier to give her a bath, but the faucet attachment didn't fit. I will need to buy a new faucet too.
I washed more of my kitchen ceilings and walls, until I got a phone call from my boss at Ruth's. Ruth died unexpectedly at 6:25PM.
My remaining tenant, Don, came home shortly after I found out about Ruth's death. He gave me a future dated check for rent and moved out. He got a better job in another area.
I washed more of my kitchen ceilings and walls, until I got a phone call from my boss at Ruth's. Ruth died unexpectedly at 6:25PM.
My remaining tenant, Don, came home shortly after I found out about Ruth's death. He gave me a future dated check for rent and moved out. He got a better job in another area.
Thursday, November 1, 1984
CHAPTER 11. NOVEMBER
Alma's full sized bed rails were delivered and installed to prevent her from falling out of bed in her sleep or when she is mentally in another world and doesn't realize that she's in bed. I rigged a portable bedrail on one side of the foot of the bed with duct tape, and an elastic belt on the other side to hold the foot rail together with the side rails. It will open at the foot of the bed, the side with the elastic belt, just enough for Larry to get in or out of bed to sleep. I hope he doesn't have to pee in the middle of the night and fall trying to climb over the rails.
After work I washed more of my kitchen walls and ceiling, and touched up the paint on the newly washed walls. I washed the top of my frig/freezer. I disconnected my range hood fan switch, because the fan doesn't work, but it tested okay, and I reconnected it. I'll test the motor another day. I caulked my back door window on the inside and caulked several places where the wall paneling had separated at the connections. I added sticky foam insulation around the back door, where there were drafts.
Tat, my new, old mama cat has caught several mice and one of my dogs has tapeworms again.
Alma's full sized bed rails were delivered and installed to prevent her from falling out of bed in her sleep or when she is mentally in another world and doesn't realize that she's in bed. I rigged a portable bedrail on one side of the foot of the bed with duct tape, and an elastic belt on the other side to hold the foot rail together with the side rails. It will open at the foot of the bed, the side with the elastic belt, just enough for Larry to get in or out of bed to sleep. I hope he doesn't have to pee in the middle of the night and fall trying to climb over the rails.
After work I washed more of my kitchen walls and ceiling, and touched up the paint on the newly washed walls. I washed the top of my frig/freezer. I disconnected my range hood fan switch, because the fan doesn't work, but it tested okay, and I reconnected it. I'll test the motor another day. I caulked my back door window on the inside and caulked several places where the wall paneling had separated at the connections. I added sticky foam insulation around the back door, where there were drafts.
Tat, my new, old mama cat has caught several mice and one of my dogs has tapeworms again.
Wednesday, October 31, 1984
Before work at Alma's I dropped my non-working vacuum off to be fixed. I bought cleaning products at the grocers and a staple-gun from the hardware store.
After work I washed part of the kitchen ceiling and wall, painted the tray that holds the dogs food and water bowls, stapled one of my new rugs on a kitchen chair seat, touch-up painted the chair and touch-up painted a wall. I dispensed candy to the Halloween trick-or-treaters, took a bath and went to bed. My arm is improved, plus one of Larry and Alma's daughters told me to take an extra B vitamin. Something is working, not lifting Ruth and/or the vitamin.
One of the happiest days of my life was Halloween 1983. When all the trick-or-treaters were through for the evening, Love and I went dancing, dressed as Egore and witch.
After work I washed part of the kitchen ceiling and wall, painted the tray that holds the dogs food and water bowls, stapled one of my new rugs on a kitchen chair seat, touch-up painted the chair and touch-up painted a wall. I dispensed candy to the Halloween trick-or-treaters, took a bath and went to bed. My arm is improved, plus one of Larry and Alma's daughters told me to take an extra B vitamin. Something is working, not lifting Ruth and/or the vitamin.
One of the happiest days of my life was Halloween 1983. When all the trick-or-treaters were through for the evening, Love and I went dancing, dressed as Egore and witch.
Tuesday, October 30, 1984
After work at Alma's, I splurged on fabric to sew into small kitchen appliance covers.
When I got home, I swept the entryway and kitchen. I also vacuumed the carpet. My vacuum quit working, but Mom's vacuum was in the garage, and I finished the job with it.
When I got home, I swept the entryway and kitchen. I also vacuumed the carpet. My vacuum quit working, but Mom's vacuum was in the garage, and I finished the job with it.
Monday, October 29, 1984
I called in sick to work at Alma's, because I really need a complete day off, day and night. I slept, ate, read and gave the dogs a bath. I basically lounged around all day and didn't even get dressed.
Sunday, October 28, 1984
My frig/freezer shut off this afternoon and had finally frozen the water in the ice cube trays. I transferred all of the food from the garage frig back to the house frig/freezer.
I put all the outdoor tables and chairs in the garage for the winter. I covered the pool with the pool cover, dismantled the pool filter and motor, after saving the sand to use next year, and stored them in the garage. I pruned the tame and wild grape vines, then took them out to the garbage.
I went to Ruth's to meet the co-worker, who had the TV there, because I had the apartment key. She took the TV and I closed the apartment.
I bought three leg-waxing kits, two hair dyes, a nail-tip kit, an acrylic nail kit, and rough and smooth nail filing emery boards. I bought six kitchen rugs, three small kitchen rugs and a sewing pattern for appliance covers.
I felt much better today and wasn't as stiff and sore all over. I felt well-rested too.
I put all the outdoor tables and chairs in the garage for the winter. I covered the pool with the pool cover, dismantled the pool filter and motor, after saving the sand to use next year, and stored them in the garage. I pruned the tame and wild grape vines, then took them out to the garbage.
I went to Ruth's to meet the co-worker, who had the TV there, because I had the apartment key. She took the TV and I closed the apartment.
I bought three leg-waxing kits, two hair dyes, a nail-tip kit, an acrylic nail kit, and rough and smooth nail filing emery boards. I bought six kitchen rugs, three small kitchen rugs and a sewing pattern for appliance covers.
I felt much better today and wasn't as stiff and sore all over. I felt well-rested too.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Saturday, October 27, 1984
Ruth developed an asthmatic, raspy breathing pattern and was drenched with perspiration about 10PM. I sent her to the hospital after notifying her doctor, her niece who's a nurse and has power of attorney, my boss and the day shift woman that relieves me. She was diagnosed as having congestive heart failure. I was correct to be concerned about Ruth's swollen legs and ankles.
I went home, made up my waterbed, turned on the heater and slept like a log. I didn't wake up until 3PM. I still felt very old though.
I woke to a non-working frig/freezer. I cleaned out the frig in the garage that hadn't been used in almost a year, and took all the kitchen frig food to the garage frig. Then I pulled out the frig/freezer. A dead mouse had become wedged between the blades of the fan that cools the compressor coils, preventing the fan from turning. I dislodged the mouse, turned the fan blades and the fan started working again.
I collected my blender, typewriter and all my weekend groceries at Ruth's. I came home, read and went to sleep.
I went home, made up my waterbed, turned on the heater and slept like a log. I didn't wake up until 3PM. I still felt very old though.
I woke to a non-working frig/freezer. I cleaned out the frig in the garage that hadn't been used in almost a year, and took all the kitchen frig food to the garage frig. Then I pulled out the frig/freezer. A dead mouse had become wedged between the blades of the fan that cools the compressor coils, preventing the fan from turning. I dislodged the mouse, turned the fan blades and the fan started working again.
I collected my blender, typewriter and all my weekend groceries at Ruth's. I came home, read and went to sleep.
Friday, October 26, 1984
I stocked up on groceries to take to Ruth's for the weekend.
I filled out an Application for State Social Security Disability Benefits to take to the ADC office. They had instructed me to fill it out and return it.
Last night my hand throbbed and throbbed. It felt like my ring was burning a ring around my third finger, so, I removed the ring and the throbbing mysteriously stopped, at least for awhile.
Otherwise, it was a typical twenty-one hour workday.
I filled out an Application for State Social Security Disability Benefits to take to the ADC office. They had instructed me to fill it out and return it.
Last night my hand throbbed and throbbed. It felt like my ring was burning a ring around my third finger, so, I removed the ring and the throbbing mysteriously stopped, at least for awhile.
Otherwise, it was a typical twenty-one hour workday.
Thursday, October 25, 1984
After work at Ruth's, I fed and watered the animals and went to the hospital for tests. The first test was shocking the nerves to the fingers and thumb, and measuring the response time and electrical charge. The last test was sticking an electrified needle in my hand and arm muscles. Amazingly neither test hurt very much, or maybe I don't feel much due to the numbness. I also had five spinal X-rays.
I went to the ADC office to apply for medical aid. I may qualify for some surgical and doctor expenses, if I have surgery before December 1, 1984, and my October medical bills would probably be included in those expenses.
I went to work at Alma's at 2PM, and lost $12.00 due to hospital tests.
I went to the ADC office to apply for medical aid. I may qualify for some surgical and doctor expenses, if I have surgery before December 1, 1984, and my October medical bills would probably be included in those expenses.
I went to work at Alma's at 2PM, and lost $12.00 due to hospital tests.
Wednesday, October 24, 1984
All I got a chance to do after leaving Ruth's apartment this morning was feed and water my animals, change the kitty litter and stop at the grocers to buy breakfast rolls and magazines.
I got $78.00 worth of food stamps in the mail.
I left Alma's house at 3:30PM and arrived at Ruth's at 4PM, which means I made an extra $9.00 today.
I got $78.00 worth of food stamps in the mail.
I left Alma's house at 3:30PM and arrived at Ruth's at 4PM, which means I made an extra $9.00 today.
Tuesday, October 23, 1984
Ruth repeated herself over and over again all night, and is still doing it today. Larry told me I will grow to hate old women, and I am beginning to believe him.
I bought a paint brush, a can of paint thinner and a can of white enamel. I'm going to paint the front of my frig/freezer when I get time. It became pitted when it needed a new compressor, and even though I've spray painted it with appliance paint, it still looks crappy.
I took a nap on the floor again while Alma slept on the couch. I don't feel quite as tired today, but I feel very old. My ankles, knees, hips, back, neck, shoulders, elbows and fingers are stiff and hurt when I move them.
I bought a paint brush, a can of paint thinner and a can of white enamel. I'm going to paint the front of my frig/freezer when I get time. It became pitted when it needed a new compressor, and even though I've spray painted it with appliance paint, it still looks crappy.
I took a nap on the floor again while Alma slept on the couch. I don't feel quite as tired today, but I feel very old. My ankles, knees, hips, back, neck, shoulders, elbows and fingers are stiff and hurt when I move them.
Monday, October 22, 1984
I fed and watered the dogs and cat, grabbed the newspaper and went to Alma's, after finishing my shift at Ruth's.
Alma napped on the couch today, and I napped on the floor at her feet for forty-five minutes. I am just worn out! I slept nine and one-half hours last night at Ruth's, but it wasn't consecutively.
After work at Alma's, I stopped at the grocers and hardware store. I picked up cat food, all-purpose glass cleaner, c-clamps to affix the pool cover to the pool, two light bulbs and combination coasters/ashtrays in the shape of small skillets.
I saw a man I dated twenty-five years ago. He said he was having to work for cash, even though he is part-owner of a business, and the Internal Revenue Service can't touch him. This country is making everyone cheat.
I got a letter from the unemployment office stating that I've been overpaid $114.00. Thank goodness I'm part of the underground society. Are they out of money again; is every agency running out of money?
I went to Ruth's straight from Alma's, which will pay me an extra $8.25.
Alma napped on the couch today, and I napped on the floor at her feet for forty-five minutes. I am just worn out! I slept nine and one-half hours last night at Ruth's, but it wasn't consecutively.
After work at Alma's, I stopped at the grocers and hardware store. I picked up cat food, all-purpose glass cleaner, c-clamps to affix the pool cover to the pool, two light bulbs and combination coasters/ashtrays in the shape of small skillets.
I saw a man I dated twenty-five years ago. He said he was having to work for cash, even though he is part-owner of a business, and the Internal Revenue Service can't touch him. This country is making everyone cheat.
I got a letter from the unemployment office stating that I've been overpaid $114.00. Thank goodness I'm part of the underground society. Are they out of money again; is every agency running out of money?
I went to Ruth's straight from Alma's, which will pay me an extra $8.25.
Sunday, October 21, 1984
The day shift worker relieved me an hour to go home. I fed and watered the dogs and cat, bought some fruit for dessert at Ruth's and went back to work. I made an extra $12.00 for four extra hours of work.
I took two naps, one hour and one and one-half hours, while Ruth was napping. I've been so tired lately, because the pain in my arms and hand wakes me up so much during the night, and Ruth doesn't sleep, which means I don't sleep.
The new part-time woman, who works at Ruth's, left her portable black and white TV for everyone to watch. I watched the Presidential debate instead of listening to it on the radio. Mondale seems real. He seems to have his feet firmer on the ground than our present President. I don't want 'Star Wars' defense systems at the expense of our citizens. In fact, I don't think I want it at all.
I took two naps, one hour and one and one-half hours, while Ruth was napping. I've been so tired lately, because the pain in my arms and hand wakes me up so much during the night, and Ruth doesn't sleep, which means I don't sleep.
The new part-time woman, who works at Ruth's, left her portable black and white TV for everyone to watch. I watched the Presidential debate instead of listening to it on the radio. Mondale seems real. He seems to have his feet firmer on the ground than our present President. I don't want 'Star Wars' defense systems at the expense of our citizens. In fact, I don't think I want it at all.
Saturday, October 20, 1984
I called about the prescription pain medicine at the drug store after work at Ruth's. The surgeon hadn't called the order to the pharmacist. If he had the pain I have, he'd make sure he had his prescription. Needless to say, he's gone for the day.
I bought paper to write on and white enamel touch up paint for two areas on my stove. I cleaned the rest of the kitchen.
Then I went to work at Ruth's and cooked breakfasts and dinners for Ruth to eat next week.
I bought paper to write on and white enamel touch up paint for two areas on my stove. I cleaned the rest of the kitchen.
Then I went to work at Ruth's and cooked breakfasts and dinners for Ruth to eat next week.
Friday, October 19, 1984
I adopted a cat from Alma and Larry. She's a mama cat and black and white striped. She was the friendliest with their St. Bernard dog. I call her Tat, because her fur reminds me of lace. Tat immediately had no fear of my dogs, and both my dogs were raised with a cat that got run over by a car and died several years ago, so, they had no curiosity about her either.
Larry paid me $80.25 for the week's work: $5.00 for gasoline, $3.00 for doing the laundry, $5.00 for cleaning the freezers and the $15.00 I spent getting his clock repaired, a total of $108.25.
I bought fifty pounds of dog food, and it will last one month. I bought kitty litter, cat food and a cat flea collar. I bought enough groceries to last me the weekend at Ruth's.
I paid the phone bill, finally paid for the newspaper ad that landed me the two jobs, paid for the flowers that I planted in the yard, and bought $10.00 worth of gasoline, which should last me all next week, a total of $125.00.
I dismantled my stove burners, cleaned underneath them, and lined the drip-plates with foil, then I finished cleaning the stove. I discovered mouse-droppings, where I had cleaned yesterday.
One of my co-workers stopped at Ruth's before I went to bed there, and gave me four Darvocet. I slept well for four consecutive hours. Even when my hand/arm pain woke me up, I was able to 'wake-up' my right hand without much pain in five minutes or so. Several times I've sat on the edge of the couch/bed and bawled trying to 'wake-up' my hand. Sometimes it took about thirty minutes before the pain subsided.
Larry paid me $80.25 for the week's work: $5.00 for gasoline, $3.00 for doing the laundry, $5.00 for cleaning the freezers and the $15.00 I spent getting his clock repaired, a total of $108.25.
I bought fifty pounds of dog food, and it will last one month. I bought kitty litter, cat food and a cat flea collar. I bought enough groceries to last me the weekend at Ruth's.
I paid the phone bill, finally paid for the newspaper ad that landed me the two jobs, paid for the flowers that I planted in the yard, and bought $10.00 worth of gasoline, which should last me all next week, a total of $125.00.
I dismantled my stove burners, cleaned underneath them, and lined the drip-plates with foil, then I finished cleaning the stove. I discovered mouse-droppings, where I had cleaned yesterday.
One of my co-workers stopped at Ruth's before I went to bed there, and gave me four Darvocet. I slept well for four consecutive hours. Even when my hand/arm pain woke me up, I was able to 'wake-up' my right hand without much pain in five minutes or so. Several times I've sat on the edge of the couch/bed and bawled trying to 'wake-up' my hand. Sometimes it took about thirty minutes before the pain subsided.
Thursday, October 18, 1984
I went to the unemployment office and got my unemployment straightened out, I hope. I had phoned two prospective employers, and was temporarily disqualified, because I phoned, instead of going in person. Both prospective employers told me to call them back, instead of visiting them again in person. It's a waste of gas too, and gas costs money. I think they aren't funded and doing everything they can to stall paying people. How could an agency forget your appointment, be too busy to see you, lose your files, and make excuses for not paying, if they had money to pay. Here we go again! I am so grateful for my cash jobs, even if they make me physically ill. At least I'm not on the street yet.
Larry told me about a man who fixes clocks. I phoned him and I'm to drop off the clock. Larry had me take his living room clock, when I took my stove clock, to the repairmen this evening. Larry's clock was fixed in fifteen minutes for $15.00, but mine will take two weeks, if he can fix it.
I bought a quart of paint that matches the kitchen walls, for touch-ups.
I ordered a part for my dishwasher.
I cleaned the freezer section of my frig/freezer. I finished cleaning all the frig containers. I cleaned the stove oven and broiler section. I cleaned the exterior of my frig /freezer, dishwasher and front of stove. I finished doing Alma and Larry's laundry and will take it back tomorrow. I put a clean wet load of my clothes in the dryer, before I went to work at Ruth's.
Larry told me about a man who fixes clocks. I phoned him and I'm to drop off the clock. Larry had me take his living room clock, when I took my stove clock, to the repairmen this evening. Larry's clock was fixed in fifteen minutes for $15.00, but mine will take two weeks, if he can fix it.
I bought a quart of paint that matches the kitchen walls, for touch-ups.
I ordered a part for my dishwasher.
I cleaned the freezer section of my frig/freezer. I finished cleaning all the frig containers. I cleaned the stove oven and broiler section. I cleaned the exterior of my frig /freezer, dishwasher and front of stove. I finished doing Alma and Larry's laundry and will take it back tomorrow. I put a clean wet load of my clothes in the dryer, before I went to work at Ruth's.
Wednesday, October 17, 1984
I cleaned Alma's two freezers, because one of Larry's friends is going to butcher his cattle, very large black angus, and Larry is going to buy one, plus a pig.
I folded a load of dry clothes at my house, put a load of wet clothes in the dryer and washed another load of clothes. I cleaned out the refrigerator section of my frig/freezer, and washed some bowls and containers that had been sitting in the frig with food in them for at least a month.
I went to the grocery stor, armed with cents-off coupons, to buy cleans products, and it still cost me $16.00. I bought touch-up paint for different rooms in the house. I took my non-working stove clock/timer and smoke detector to a repair shop, but the repairman said he couldn't fix either item. I pitched the smoke detector in the garbage.
A co-worker at Ruth's stopped by this afternoon to tell me that everyone thinks Ruth had a slight stroke. I think that Ruth has had slight strokes on more than one occasion, including last Saturday. I'm more concerned about Ruth's swollen ankles and partial inability to urinate currently. She acts the same to me, though.
I folded a load of dry clothes at my house, put a load of wet clothes in the dryer and washed another load of clothes. I cleaned out the refrigerator section of my frig/freezer, and washed some bowls and containers that had been sitting in the frig with food in them for at least a month.
I went to the grocery stor, armed with cents-off coupons, to buy cleans products, and it still cost me $16.00. I bought touch-up paint for different rooms in the house. I took my non-working stove clock/timer and smoke detector to a repair shop, but the repairman said he couldn't fix either item. I pitched the smoke detector in the garbage.
A co-worker at Ruth's stopped by this afternoon to tell me that everyone thinks Ruth had a slight stroke. I think that Ruth has had slight strokes on more than one occasion, including last Saturday. I'm more concerned about Ruth's swollen ankles and partial inability to urinate currently. She acts the same to me, though.
Tuesday, October 16. 1984
A typical twenty-one hour workday.
I finished cleaning out my cupboards at home between jobs, sprinkled flea powder and rug deodorizer on the carpet, which I'll vacuum in a few days. I also washed a load of Alma's clothes, since Larry and Alma's children haven't picked up Larry and Alma's laundry lately.
I finished cleaning out my cupboards at home between jobs, sprinkled flea powder and rug deodorizer on the carpet, which I'll vacuum in a few days. I also washed a load of Alma's clothes, since Larry and Alma's children haven't picked up Larry and Alma's laundry lately.
Monday, October 15, 1984
I bought a tube of caulking and a roll of duct tape. I'll use the duct tape at Alma's for her bottom bed rail, to fasten it to the side rails, so she will stay in bed and not wander while Larry is asleep. The head of the bed has a headboard with a wall behind it.
I caulked around one of my back bedroom windows. If it hadn't started raining, I would have caulked around the windshield of my car, since it leaks like a sieve.
I called the ADC office, and they will mail me medical forms to fill out. I made a doctors appointment for 3PM today with a local surgeon. The surgeon wants spinal e-rays, and gave me x-ray forms that I'm to take to the local hospital. The surgeon also wants another local doctor to examine my arm. He also said I could get pain medicine and he would call a local pharmacy.
I went to work at Ruth's, as soon as I could get there at 4:15PM, and will make an extra $8.25, but I lost money at Alma's. Couldn't be helped! I hurt too much to care.
I caulked around one of my back bedroom windows. If it hadn't started raining, I would have caulked around the windshield of my car, since it leaks like a sieve.
I called the ADC office, and they will mail me medical forms to fill out. I made a doctors appointment for 3PM today with a local surgeon. The surgeon wants spinal e-rays, and gave me x-ray forms that I'm to take to the local hospital. The surgeon also wants another local doctor to examine my arm. He also said I could get pain medicine and he would call a local pharmacy.
I went to work at Ruth's, as soon as I could get there at 4:15PM, and will make an extra $8.25, but I lost money at Alma's. Couldn't be helped! I hurt too much to care.
Sunday, October 14, 1984
daI bought plastic for the back bedroom window, instead of repairing the shattered storm window I broke. It's on the house wall, that's enclosed by the garage anyway. I would have caulked that window too, but I ran out of caulking doing the middle bedroom storm window. I put the plastic cover on my air-conditioner. I transplanted black raspberries, goose berries, strawberries and a tame grapevine to the yard at Mom's house.
I'd fogotten to check the mailbox yesterday, and when I checked it this afternoon, $65.00 worth of food stamps were in the box.
At Ruths I had gotten off at 1PM and went back to work at 7PM.
I was exhausted and took two aspirin before I went to bed at Ruth's, with a glass of water and four aspirin on my bedside table. My right arm pain is interfering with any sleep I could get. I was too tired to fix anything to eat, let alone eat it. I just don't have the energy to chew.
I'd fogotten to check the mailbox yesterday, and when I checked it this afternoon, $65.00 worth of food stamps were in the box.
At Ruths I had gotten off at 1PM and went back to work at 7PM.
I was exhausted and took two aspirin before I went to bed at Ruth's, with a glass of water and four aspirin on my bedside table. My right arm pain is interfering with any sleep I could get. I was too tired to fix anything to eat, let alone eat it. I just don't have the energy to chew.
Saturday, October13, 1984
I bought a very sticky, foam insulation tape. I bought some groceries and some giant economy sizes to save money, finally.
I transplanted some of my strawberry plants, black raspberries, wild raspberries and rhubarb to the side of the house. I planted perennial spring flowers in the back yard. I re-did the storm doors with sticky tape, since the other insulation didn't stick well. I caulked the top of the doors, and checked the top of the windows, but the window tops were still caulked.
A co-worker's friend tuned up my car, winterized it, put the muffler that had fallen off back on, and re-installed the rear view mirror that had also fallen off, all for $135.00. He's going to put some kind of gasket on it next weekend to stop an oil leak.
I went to Ruth's at 2PM and cooked most of the food Ruth will eat next week. My boss is no longer at Ruth's in the afternoon to do the cooking, the morning shift woman doesn't do any of the cooking, and the part-time woman only cooks sometimes. I lost an hour's wages, since I wasn't there at 1PM.
I was tired and took two aspirin. I put two aspirin and a glass of water on the table by the bed/couch, since my arm hasn't let me sleep much lately.
I transplanted some of my strawberry plants, black raspberries, wild raspberries and rhubarb to the side of the house. I planted perennial spring flowers in the back yard. I re-did the storm doors with sticky tape, since the other insulation didn't stick well. I caulked the top of the doors, and checked the top of the windows, but the window tops were still caulked.
A co-worker's friend tuned up my car, winterized it, put the muffler that had fallen off back on, and re-installed the rear view mirror that had also fallen off, all for $135.00. He's going to put some kind of gasket on it next weekend to stop an oil leak.
I went to Ruth's at 2PM and cooked most of the food Ruth will eat next week. My boss is no longer at Ruth's in the afternoon to do the cooking, the morning shift woman doesn't do any of the cooking, and the part-time woman only cooks sometimes. I lost an hour's wages, since I wasn't there at 1PM.
I was tired and took two aspirin. I put two aspirin and a glass of water on the table by the bed/couch, since my arm hasn't let me sleep much lately.
Friday, October 12, 1984
I was told by my boss that Ruth has a cold and is now taking medicine for it. I wonder if Ruth's niece, who's a nurse, stopped by to look in on Ruth, but I didn't ask.
Today was payday at Alma's, $95.00.
I got a notice in the mail from the ADC office stating that this month, I'll receive $65.00 worth of food stamps, and from now on, I'll get $76.00 worth. I need to try to apply for a medical card of some kind at the ADC office, if I'm eligible for anything. The pain and numbness in my arms and hands wakes me many times during the night, plus all my other aches and pains now. I got two notices from the unemployment office stating that I should come into the office next Tuesday or Thursday. I hope they don't forget me or lose my files again.
I had a roll of plastic, that I was going to put on the outside of the windows, but took it back to the store and traded it for another indoor, clear plastic, storm window kit, and a pair of needle-nose pliers. Now I can redo the half of my big picture window that I screwed up. My roommate, Steve, stole my two pairs of needle-nose pliers when he moved. I bought two small, Plexiglas storm window inserts, that fit in my small glass storm windows, at a cost of $12.00. My middle bedroom Plexiglas, storm window will cost $40.00, but it wasn't ready yet.
When I got home I tried to put the storm window on the east side of the house, but broke it to smithereens too. I put a clear plastic, storm window on the kitchen window. I applied the leftover clear plastic to the window in the back door. I changed the bead hardware and put on the new clear plastic, storm window on the other half of my picture window.
Believe it or not, I was impressed by Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro in the political debate between her and Vice President George Bush, but Presidential Candidate Mondale can't win with her on the ticket.
Today was payday at Alma's, $95.00.
I got a notice in the mail from the ADC office stating that this month, I'll receive $65.00 worth of food stamps, and from now on, I'll get $76.00 worth. I need to try to apply for a medical card of some kind at the ADC office, if I'm eligible for anything. The pain and numbness in my arms and hands wakes me many times during the night, plus all my other aches and pains now. I got two notices from the unemployment office stating that I should come into the office next Tuesday or Thursday. I hope they don't forget me or lose my files again.
I had a roll of plastic, that I was going to put on the outside of the windows, but took it back to the store and traded it for another indoor, clear plastic, storm window kit, and a pair of needle-nose pliers. Now I can redo the half of my big picture window that I screwed up. My roommate, Steve, stole my two pairs of needle-nose pliers when he moved. I bought two small, Plexiglas storm window inserts, that fit in my small glass storm windows, at a cost of $12.00. My middle bedroom Plexiglas, storm window will cost $40.00, but it wasn't ready yet.
When I got home I tried to put the storm window on the east side of the house, but broke it to smithereens too. I put a clear plastic, storm window on the kitchen window. I applied the leftover clear plastic to the window in the back door. I changed the bead hardware and put on the new clear plastic, storm window on the other half of my picture window.
Believe it or not, I was impressed by Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro in the political debate between her and Vice President George Bush, but Presidential Candidate Mondale can't win with her on the ticket.
Thursday, October 11, 1984
'I put the bead hardware for the picture window on backwards on one-half of the picture window. The clear plastic insulating storm window will have to be replaced.
I rewired my hair dryer and don't have to shake it to get it to work now. Other than that, it's been a typical twenty-one hour workday, between Ruth's and Alma's houses.
I rewired my hair dryer and don't have to shake it to get it to work now. Other than that, it's been a typical twenty-one hour workday, between Ruth's and Alma's houses.
Wednesday, October 10, 1984
I bought some blueberry Danish rolls and a gallon of bleach. Then I bought hair-setting lotion, metal pin curl clips and a hairnet for Alma.
I put my picture window beads in bleach water in the bathtub to soak.
I went to Alma's, bathed her, and washed and set her hair, besides everything else I do there.
After work at Alma's, I rinsed my picture window beads, washed one-half of the picture window, and wood trim around it, took off all the bead hardware and installed a clear plastic storm window on the inside of the entire window frame. I got most of the wrinkles out of the plastic with my hair dryer. My hair dryer has a shut-off switch that shuts the dryer off, when it gets too hot, and I didn't have the time to wait until it cooled down to be able to use it to eliminate the rest of the wrinkles. It's also got a short in it and doesn't heat continuously. I put the bead hardware back on the window frame.
Ruth hasn't eaten well for anyone for two days. I liquefied her dinner food and leftover breakfast and got it down her.
I was too tired to eat.
I put my picture window beads in bleach water in the bathtub to soak.
I went to Alma's, bathed her, and washed and set her hair, besides everything else I do there.
After work at Alma's, I rinsed my picture window beads, washed one-half of the picture window, and wood trim around it, took off all the bead hardware and installed a clear plastic storm window on the inside of the entire window frame. I got most of the wrinkles out of the plastic with my hair dryer. My hair dryer has a shut-off switch that shuts the dryer off, when it gets too hot, and I didn't have the time to wait until it cooled down to be able to use it to eliminate the rest of the wrinkles. It's also got a short in it and doesn't heat continuously. I put the bead hardware back on the window frame.
Ruth hasn't eaten well for anyone for two days. I liquefied her dinner food and leftover breakfast and got it down her.
I was too tired to eat.
Tuesday, October 9, 1984
When I dropped my unemployment form off at the unemployment office this morning, I realized I'm part of the underground society, whose wages President Reagon wants to tax. I wonder how many hours he puts in at work every day?
I went home from Ruth's and caulked the inside and outside of the window in the back door, and caulked the cracks on the outside of the back door. Both outside doors and three windows are completely winterized now. I fed the dogs.
I was late for work at Alma's. Larry informed me we were all going shopping and eating lunch out. After the outing, Larry told me there were plenty of leftovers in the frig for dinner, then he talked Alma into going to bed to rest, while he took a nap. I cleaned the house and swept the leaves off the sidewalk. At 3:30PM Larry woke up and said I could go home. Instead of going home, I went straight to Ruth's. Between yesterday and today, I've made an extra $18.00 at Ruth's. The other employee is sick.
I went home from Ruth's and caulked the inside and outside of the window in the back door, and caulked the cracks on the outside of the back door. Both outside doors and three windows are completely winterized now. I fed the dogs.
I was late for work at Alma's. Larry informed me we were all going shopping and eating lunch out. After the outing, Larry told me there were plenty of leftovers in the frig for dinner, then he talked Alma into going to bed to rest, while he took a nap. I cleaned the house and swept the leaves off the sidewalk. At 3:30PM Larry woke up and said I could go home. Instead of going home, I went straight to Ruth's. Between yesterday and today, I've made an extra $18.00 at Ruth's. The other employee is sick.
Monday, October 8, 1984
Ruth didn't go to sleep until 2:40AM and woke up at 7:25AM.
I told Alma to lay down on the bed to rest with me, and we both fell asleep for over an hour. I slept with my arm over her, so she wouldn't get up and wander without waking me up.
I bought more caulking and weatherstripping to finish winterizing my storm doors, and the front and back doors. I took my broken storm window to be repaired and ordered a garage window to replace a rotted wooden one. I ordered new buffer brushes again: I'll be using them after vacuuming the carpet.
I finished caulking the outside of the storm door and the outside of the house, and weatherstripping the back door and storm door.
As soon as I could, after buying supplies and winterizing at home, I went to Ruth's. the regular employee is sick and my boss has taken a better paying job for a month. I wonder if I could get a month's leave of absence to work somewhere else for more money without quitting.
I told Alma to lay down on the bed to rest with me, and we both fell asleep for over an hour. I slept with my arm over her, so she wouldn't get up and wander without waking me up.
I bought more caulking and weatherstripping to finish winterizing my storm doors, and the front and back doors. I took my broken storm window to be repaired and ordered a garage window to replace a rotted wooden one. I ordered new buffer brushes again: I'll be using them after vacuuming the carpet.
I finished caulking the outside of the storm door and the outside of the house, and weatherstripping the back door and storm door.
As soon as I could, after buying supplies and winterizing at home, I went to Ruth's. the regular employee is sick and my boss has taken a better paying job for a month. I wonder if I could get a month's leave of absence to work somewhere else for more money without quitting.
Sunday, October 7, 1984
I cooked a dinner for Ruth to eat sometime this week, before I left today at 1PM.
At home I put the door latch on the back storm door and have blisters on the palms of my hands from putting on the front and back door latches, because, naturally, I couldn't get them on right the first time. I caulked the Plexiglas panels on the inside of the storm doors, put weatherstripping around the storm doors and around the front and back doors. I caulked three bedroom storm windows and caulked around the windows. I ran out of weatherstripping, before I finished the back door, and I ran out of caulking before I finished the outdoor faux trim. I accidentally broke a medium sized storm window, accidentally demolished the largest storm window in the whole house over my head, then picked up the broken glass from both. I have cuts on my face, hands and legs. I dismantled the pool filter and drained the water from the sand filter. I put the new dog door panels, that I had previously bought, in the dog door. I finished cleaning the sink and took out the garbage. I finished drying towels that were in the dryer, since I had forgotten to turn it on yesterday.
Not a bad day's work for the four and one-half hours not worked or driving to and from jobs.
Without a working TV at Ruth's, I listened to the Presidential debate on the radio.
President Reagon said that he would never cut certain benefits, but Presidential Candidates reminded the public that Reagon had cut all of the vulnerable people once before, when the President said he would never cut benefits. Reagon stated that 10,000,000 people are living in subsidized housing, which is more people than have ever been in subsidized housing before. It makes sense to me, because more people need subsidized housing than ever before, except during the Great Depression, and there wasn't any subsidized housing then. But who's going to buy all the vacant houses those people came from? Mondale said that the deficit will take some work, and Reagon said that the deficit will disappear. Reagon stated that crime has come down in the last two years. That makes sense to me too, since crime came down in the Great Depression. Reagon want adoption instead of abortion, even in cases of incest or rape. Mondale stated that the net farm income is down fifty percent in the last three years. Mondale informed the public that President Reagon only paid twelve and eighty-one hundredth percent in taxes. Mondale said that if he is elected, he won't increase taxes for people with incomes of $25,000.00 a year or less. In 1979 the then President Carter said that the then ex-Governor of California, Reagon, would cut Medicare benefits if Reagon was elected: Reagon has cut Medicare. Reagon bragged that eight-hundred and fifty thousand people were over-qualified to receive food stamps, but added that two million, three hundred thousand more people qualified for food stamps. That means to me that there are a lot of new people who were over-qualified when Reagon took office, that are now qualified during Reagon's tenure, because of an income drop. There are now thirty-five million people below the poverty level, which is fifteen percent of the total population, and eight million more than four years ago. Reagon said that there isn't any connection between the deficit and interest rates, that interest rates are based on inflation. I don't buy that! Ex-President Carter in 1979 only had a $29,000,000,000.00 deficit, in comparison to President
Reagon's astronomical deficit, stated Mondale. Mondale also said that Vice President Bush pays less taxes a year than an average janitor. Four-hundred thousand disabled were terminated of benefits. President Reagon waived a rebuttal to Senator Mondale, when Mondale asked President Reagon what he's going to do about the enormous deficit. I felt President Reagon had no answer.
I remember my ex-tenant, Cecil, and how his benefits were cut completely, then adjusted lower and I am wondering how many disabled had their benefits terminated or adjusted lower or both, if four-hundred thousand had benefits terminated completely.
I still wouldn't let Cecil near my head with a pair of scissors!
At home I put the door latch on the back storm door and have blisters on the palms of my hands from putting on the front and back door latches, because, naturally, I couldn't get them on right the first time. I caulked the Plexiglas panels on the inside of the storm doors, put weatherstripping around the storm doors and around the front and back doors. I caulked three bedroom storm windows and caulked around the windows. I ran out of weatherstripping, before I finished the back door, and I ran out of caulking before I finished the outdoor faux trim. I accidentally broke a medium sized storm window, accidentally demolished the largest storm window in the whole house over my head, then picked up the broken glass from both. I have cuts on my face, hands and legs. I dismantled the pool filter and drained the water from the sand filter. I put the new dog door panels, that I had previously bought, in the dog door. I finished cleaning the sink and took out the garbage. I finished drying towels that were in the dryer, since I had forgotten to turn it on yesterday.
Not a bad day's work for the four and one-half hours not worked or driving to and from jobs.
Without a working TV at Ruth's, I listened to the Presidential debate on the radio.
President Reagon said that he would never cut certain benefits, but Presidential Candidates reminded the public that Reagon had cut all of the vulnerable people once before, when the President said he would never cut benefits. Reagon stated that 10,000,000 people are living in subsidized housing, which is more people than have ever been in subsidized housing before. It makes sense to me, because more people need subsidized housing than ever before, except during the Great Depression, and there wasn't any subsidized housing then. But who's going to buy all the vacant houses those people came from? Mondale said that the deficit will take some work, and Reagon said that the deficit will disappear. Reagon stated that crime has come down in the last two years. That makes sense to me too, since crime came down in the Great Depression. Reagon want adoption instead of abortion, even in cases of incest or rape. Mondale stated that the net farm income is down fifty percent in the last three years. Mondale informed the public that President Reagon only paid twelve and eighty-one hundredth percent in taxes. Mondale said that if he is elected, he won't increase taxes for people with incomes of $25,000.00 a year or less. In 1979 the then President Carter said that the then ex-Governor of California, Reagon, would cut Medicare benefits if Reagon was elected: Reagon has cut Medicare. Reagon bragged that eight-hundred and fifty thousand people were over-qualified to receive food stamps, but added that two million, three hundred thousand more people qualified for food stamps. That means to me that there are a lot of new people who were over-qualified when Reagon took office, that are now qualified during Reagon's tenure, because of an income drop. There are now thirty-five million people below the poverty level, which is fifteen percent of the total population, and eight million more than four years ago. Reagon said that there isn't any connection between the deficit and interest rates, that interest rates are based on inflation. I don't buy that! Ex-President Carter in 1979 only had a $29,000,000,000.00 deficit, in comparison to President
Reagon's astronomical deficit, stated Mondale. Mondale also said that Vice President Bush pays less taxes a year than an average janitor. Four-hundred thousand disabled were terminated of benefits. President Reagon waived a rebuttal to Senator Mondale, when Mondale asked President Reagon what he's going to do about the enormous deficit. I felt President Reagon had no answer.
I remember my ex-tenant, Cecil, and how his benefits were cut completely, then adjusted lower and I am wondering how many disabled had their benefits terminated or adjusted lower or both, if four-hundred thousand had benefits terminated completely.
I still wouldn't let Cecil near my head with a pair of scissors!
Saturday, October 6, 1984
After getting off work at 9AM this morning, I spent $29.00 at the grocers stocking up on food for the weekend at Ruth's.
I installed the back storm door closer. Now the door being left open won't let in too many flies. I put the storm windows in the storm doors, all except the one that was broken. I put the dishes and silverware away, after cleaning the silverware drawer. I cleaned part of the kitchen countertop and canisters. I plunged the sink, since it was plugged up, and cleaned one-half of the sink. I started draining the pool to halfway before I left to go back to work at Ruth's at 1PM.
I bought a new storm door latch at the hardware store, since the old one doesn't completely close the door, without the extra effort of physically closing the door.
I paid Ruth's relief worker $5.00 to stay with Ruth long enough for me to go home and turn off the pool filter. She needed gas money.
I made Ruth's breakfasts for the next week and froze them, and I made lunch and dinner for today.
I'm having numbness in my arms. I have no insurance, no medical card, nor unspent money. I don't know what's wrong with me. It makes it difficult feeding Ruth, because my hand, holding the spoon that feeds her, becomes numb, and I drop the spoon. It's worrisome to me. If it doesn't stop soon, I may spend $12,00 at a chiropractor to see if that helps. I also experience a sharp, stabbing pain, that travels from my middle finger over my elbow and into my shoulder. It comes and goes. I'm falling apart physically.
I installed the back storm door closer. Now the door being left open won't let in too many flies. I put the storm windows in the storm doors, all except the one that was broken. I put the dishes and silverware away, after cleaning the silverware drawer. I cleaned part of the kitchen countertop and canisters. I plunged the sink, since it was plugged up, and cleaned one-half of the sink. I started draining the pool to halfway before I left to go back to work at Ruth's at 1PM.
I bought a new storm door latch at the hardware store, since the old one doesn't completely close the door, without the extra effort of physically closing the door.
I paid Ruth's relief worker $5.00 to stay with Ruth long enough for me to go home and turn off the pool filter. She needed gas money.
I made Ruth's breakfasts for the next week and froze them, and I made lunch and dinner for today.
I'm having numbness in my arms. I have no insurance, no medical card, nor unspent money. I don't know what's wrong with me. It makes it difficult feeding Ruth, because my hand, holding the spoon that feeds her, becomes numb, and I drop the spoon. It's worrisome to me. If it doesn't stop soon, I may spend $12,00 at a chiropractor to see if that helps. I also experience a sharp, stabbing pain, that travels from my middle finger over my elbow and into my shoulder. It comes and goes. I'm falling apart physically.
Friday, October 5, 1984
I took Larry and Alma a pumpkin from my garden to make pumpkin soup on Halloween. I bought dog food, stamps and got a $10.00 money order for new dog door panels. My old plastic ones are starting to break and don't fold to close the dog door anymore. I made a copy of my unemployment form and mailed it to the ADC office, and mailed the order for dog door panels. I bought another automatic door closer for my back door at the hardware store, a key for my electric drill, since the original key was lost or taken by one of my roommates, and ordered brushes for my shampooer/buffer. Then I went to work at Ruth's.
Thursday, October 4, 1984
I fixed Ruth's hair for her birthday party with a curling iron. I left work at Alma's at 1:45PM to go to Ruth's birthday party. Everyone sat around and talked about how ill Ruth was and how poorly she looked. Ruth's relatives seem to want to ignore any unpleasantness about Ruth's care. I got the impression that it's easier to shove her care off on others, while telling the others how to care for her, even though Ruth's relatives have no idea of the real situation, nor do they seem to care. My opinion is: with relatives like Ruth's, Ruth doesn't need any enemies. One co-worker thinks that Ruth's relatives are trying to kill her, another thinks that they don't care if she lives or dies, and still another thinks that they're totally incompetent. I agree with all three of them. I lost $6.75 in wages at Alma's by going to the party, but my boss at Ruth's still doesn't know I have another job, and I don't want her to suspect anything.
I bought a long, spring-loaded, curtain rod that holds a decorative shower curtain and installed it at my house, since my other rod was broken. I finished washing the dishes and the silverware. I put the automatic door closer on the front storm door, which will help keep flies out. Then I was off to work at Ruth's for fifteen hours.
I bought a long, spring-loaded, curtain rod that holds a decorative shower curtain and installed it at my house, since my other rod was broken. I finished washing the dishes and the silverware. I put the automatic door closer on the front storm door, which will help keep flies out. Then I was off to work at Ruth's for fifteen hours.
Wednesday, October 3, 1984
After I left Alma's, I picked up my new $15.00 Plexiglas, storm-door panel. I bought some groceries and went home.
I fed the dogs. I washed more of the dishes and cleaned the cupboard they belong in. I put my stainless-steel silverware in bleach water to soak overnight. I folded the load of dry laundry I'd left drying in the dryer yesterday, laundered some towels and put them in the dryer. I filled the pool just enough to be able to prime the filter pump this weekend. Then I went to work at Ruth's.
The Physician Task Force on Hunger in America was in our area today, and the chairman of the task force said "the group did not like what it saw". He said "the most striking difference here is flying into the breadbasket of the world and finding real hunger". Another group member said that "cuts in federal food stamp programs and reduction in other food assistance deals are burying the local money and morale". The National Director of the Food Research and Action Center in Washington, DC, said "The seven billion dollars that were cut from the food stamp program in the last four years needs to be restored. When you see a need of this scope, it is beyond volunteer means to feed the hungry. People are losing hope." A task force member from the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, said "utilities are very much at the root of the hunger problem. The predatory role of utilities is as much to blame for the hunger problem as anything. People already limping along are being hounded by the utilities." He said The task force will appeal to Congress to help get things back to normal. This is a national problem and we're going to tell anyone who will listen in Washington about it, and we're going to tell some people who don't want to listen too."
I fed the dogs. I washed more of the dishes and cleaned the cupboard they belong in. I put my stainless-steel silverware in bleach water to soak overnight. I folded the load of dry laundry I'd left drying in the dryer yesterday, laundered some towels and put them in the dryer. I filled the pool just enough to be able to prime the filter pump this weekend. Then I went to work at Ruth's.
The Physician Task Force on Hunger in America was in our area today, and the chairman of the task force said "the group did not like what it saw". He said "the most striking difference here is flying into the breadbasket of the world and finding real hunger". Another group member said that "cuts in federal food stamp programs and reduction in other food assistance deals are burying the local money and morale". The National Director of the Food Research and Action Center in Washington, DC, said "The seven billion dollars that were cut from the food stamp program in the last four years needs to be restored. When you see a need of this scope, it is beyond volunteer means to feed the hungry. People are losing hope." A task force member from the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, said "utilities are very much at the root of the hunger problem. The predatory role of utilities is as much to blame for the hunger problem as anything. People already limping along are being hounded by the utilities." He said The task force will appeal to Congress to help get things back to normal. This is a national problem and we're going to tell anyone who will listen in Washington about it, and we're going to tell some people who don't want to listen too."
Tuesday, October 2, 1984
I paid $278.00 for some of the taxes on Mom's house, which included the first month's interest.
I cleaned some of the dishes soaking overnight in bleach water. I folded the clothes that were dry in the dryer, and put in another load.
I went shopping for Ruth's ninetieth birthday, and bought a bottle of sparkling apple cider that's non-alcoholic, ten plastic champagne glasses, two bottles of nail polish and a bottle of spray cologne.
It was a typical, now, twenty-one hour workday.
Another federal agency is in my area to find out if people are hungry here.
Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan has been indicted for filing false government documents and grand larceny.
I cleaned some of the dishes soaking overnight in bleach water. I folded the clothes that were dry in the dryer, and put in another load.
I went shopping for Ruth's ninetieth birthday, and bought a bottle of sparkling apple cider that's non-alcoholic, ten plastic champagne glasses, two bottles of nail polish and a bottle of spray cologne.
It was a typical, now, twenty-one hour workday.
Another federal agency is in my area to find out if people are hungry here.
Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan has been indicted for filing false government documents and grand larceny.
Monday, October 1, 1984
CHAPTER 10, 1984
After I left Ruth's this morning, I paid Cilco, phone and water.
When I got home from Alma's house, I repaired and washed the shower and bath lavatory curtains, and put them back up where they belonged. I put my everyday dishes in a sink full of bleach water to soak overnight.
I collected the rent at Mom's house, minus $45.00: $30.00 for the water leak that was on Felicia's water bill and $15.00 for winterizing materials Felicia had bought. I finished caulking the top of Mom's windows and the crack between the brick exterior and roof overhang, while I was there.
Cilco sent me a bill of $219.00, $191.00 for electricity alone. No one's home to use any utilities, and my new tenant is only home from 10:30PM to 6AM. Greg had a job and was only home long enough to make a mess, and I work twenty hours a day. My dogs must have used all the electricity.
After I left Ruth's this morning, I paid Cilco, phone and water.
When I got home from Alma's house, I repaired and washed the shower and bath lavatory curtains, and put them back up where they belonged. I put my everyday dishes in a sink full of bleach water to soak overnight.
I collected the rent at Mom's house, minus $45.00: $30.00 for the water leak that was on Felicia's water bill and $15.00 for winterizing materials Felicia had bought. I finished caulking the top of Mom's windows and the crack between the brick exterior and roof overhang, while I was there.
Cilco sent me a bill of $219.00, $191.00 for electricity alone. No one's home to use any utilities, and my new tenant is only home from 10:30PM to 6AM. Greg had a job and was only home long enough to make a mess, and I work twenty hours a day. My dogs must have used all the electricity.
Sunday, September 30, 1984
I made and then blended all of Ruth's breakfasts for next week, packaged each in it's own container and froze them. I worked two extra hours, until 3PM, another $6.00.
Greg had moved when I got home. I am glad!
I scrubbed the bathroom tile to get off all of the grout, and the tile scratched. I wonder how to clean them without scratching them. It's too bad, but I can't do it over. I cleaned the tub, toilet, lavatory and bath knick-knacks. Then I went back to work at Ruth's.
Greg had moved when I got home. I am glad!
I scrubbed the bathroom tile to get off all of the grout, and the tile scratched. I wonder how to clean them without scratching them. It's too bad, but I can't do it over. I cleaned the tub, toilet, lavatory and bath knick-knacks. Then I went back to work at Ruth's.
Saturday, September 29, 1984
I took the shattered glass insert, from the back storm door, to the local hardware store to be replaced. I bought a storm door closer, bathtub grout to finish my bathtub tile, flea spray, flea powder, flea collars and flea shampoo for the dogs.
I paid $300.00 for last month's and the current month's house payment.
I went to Mom's and caulked all of the lower parts of the house windows and around the doors.
I went home and did some grout touch-up on the bath tile.
I put the ladder in my car to be able to caulk around the window tops at Mom's house tomorrow, and went to work at Ruth's.
I made Ruth a new laxative dessert and another dessert, that Ruth can eat at bedtime.
I paid $300.00 for last month's and the current month's house payment.
I went to Mom's and caulked all of the lower parts of the house windows and around the doors.
I went home and did some grout touch-up on the bath tile.
I put the ladder in my car to be able to caulk around the window tops at Mom's house tomorrow, and went to work at Ruth's.
I made Ruth a new laxative dessert and another dessert, that Ruth can eat at bedtime.
Friday, September 28, 1984
I stopped at the hardware store this morning and bought six tubes of caulking for the picture window at my house and the windows at Mom's house, clear plastic to go on the windows at my house for added winter insulation, bathtub caulking and two different sizes of pre-cut foam insulation tape.
Larry paid me $84.00 and told me that from now on, I'll not only get $5.00 for gasoline every week, but $3.00 an hour instead of $2.75. It's an extra $14.00 a week and it certainly will be used.
The ADC office sent me a letter in the mail stating they also want a record of my earnings for the last month I worked for the A.C. Neilson Company. I sent the forms that the ADC office gave me to my past employer, and it isn't my fault that my past employer didn't comply with the ADC offices wishes. That company hasn't treated me well! I keep pay stubs, so, I'll send them a copy of those.
While I was home this afternoon, I re-caulked some spots around the bathtub I'd missed, and caulked around the picture window in my living room, inside and out.
I met the new part-time employee at Ruth's, and I told her that after the week of Halloween, I'd like to have Friday nights and from 2 PM to 7PM on Saturday afternoon off. She said she'd try to arrange it.
Larry paid me $84.00 and told me that from now on, I'll not only get $5.00 for gasoline every week, but $3.00 an hour instead of $2.75. It's an extra $14.00 a week and it certainly will be used.
The ADC office sent me a letter in the mail stating they also want a record of my earnings for the last month I worked for the A.C. Neilson Company. I sent the forms that the ADC office gave me to my past employer, and it isn't my fault that my past employer didn't comply with the ADC offices wishes. That company hasn't treated me well! I keep pay stubs, so, I'll send them a copy of those.
While I was home this afternoon, I re-caulked some spots around the bathtub I'd missed, and caulked around the picture window in my living room, inside and out.
I met the new part-time employee at Ruth's, and I told her that after the week of Halloween, I'd like to have Friday nights and from 2 PM to 7PM on Saturday afternoon off. She said she'd try to arrange it.
Thursday, September 27, 1984
I went back to the ADC office this morning, and they want a statement from the unemployment office and a statement from Steve, stating he didn't pay me after August 25th, 1984. I don't have the foggiest idea how to get in touch with Steve. Steve's brother did live a few blocks away, but has moved. His youngest sister got married and I don't know her married name. His ex-girlfriend has an unlisted phone number and I don't know where she lives. I don't know Steve's other sister's name. When Steve applied for food stamps, I gave the ADC office all the information they required, including a statement from me stating that Steve was living at my house, and I wasn't collecting any rent, because he hadn't received any unemployment. Trying to find Steve is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. They lost the information I gave them and are probably just re-shuffling papers again, and maybe haven't been funded either. I missed another hour's work today, another $3.00.
Alma's great granddaughter's first birthday was tonight, so, I spent all day getting Alma primped for the party.
Greg left me a note that he will move by Sunday.
My days and nights are extremely busy. I get up at Ruth's between 7AM and 7:30AM, plug in the coffeepot, put Ruth's breakfast in the toaster oven, make my bed into a studio couch, get dressed, do my personal hygiene, get Ruth up, put Ruth on the portable toilet, wash her face and bottom, comb her hair, dress her and feed her breakfast. By then it's 9AM, and I drive home, put the newspaper in the car to take to Alma's, feed and water the dogs, run errands or work on cleaning or repair projects at home, and leave for work at Alma's at 9:45AM. When I get to Alma's , I wash her face, brush her hair, clean her glasses, feed her a snack if she's hungry, do some house cleaning, fix lunch, do dishes, do some more housecleaning, primp Alma if needed, feed Alma a mid-afternoon snack and start fixing dinner for Alma and Larry. I clean their house with any spare time I have. I set the table, put all the food on the table and leave: it's 4P. If Alma has a bad day, I've also chased her around the entire six hours. I'm home at 4:15PM if I don't have errrands to run or repairs to do at Mom's house. If I don't have to leave early to buy groceries to eat at Ruth's, I leave home at 6:45PM. I start work at Ruth's at 7PM. I make my bed out for the night, which includes unfolding the couch, putting three -inch thick, foam rubber on top of the couch, and making it into a bed with bedding. I take a bath and wash my hair if I have time. I get Ruth up, if she isn't up from her nap already, wash and comb her hair, etc. and start getting her dinner and 9PM snack. I feed her when her dinner gets hot in the toaster oven. I get her breakfast ready to put in the toaster oven in the AM, also snack or laxative foods that I will need the next day. I put Ruth to bed, after putting oil on her skin, primping her, putting her on the toilet, washing her face, washing her bottom, and dressing her for bed. Its almost 10PM. Then it's on to the housework and dirty dishes. If I'm not too tired, I fix myself dinner. Then I write the day's events, go to bed and start all over again tomorrow. If I'm lucky, Ruth will sleep four to 6 hours and I get some consecutive sleep, if not, I nap. Tonight, I wasn't too tired to eat. If Ruth has a bad night, I also have a bad night, and I always get less sleep than Ruth does. Lately, this last couple of weeks, my feet and back hurt, even when I first wake up. I feel very old and arthritic.
Alma's great granddaughter's first birthday was tonight, so, I spent all day getting Alma primped for the party.
Greg left me a note that he will move by Sunday.
My days and nights are extremely busy. I get up at Ruth's between 7AM and 7:30AM, plug in the coffeepot, put Ruth's breakfast in the toaster oven, make my bed into a studio couch, get dressed, do my personal hygiene, get Ruth up, put Ruth on the portable toilet, wash her face and bottom, comb her hair, dress her and feed her breakfast. By then it's 9AM, and I drive home, put the newspaper in the car to take to Alma's, feed and water the dogs, run errands or work on cleaning or repair projects at home, and leave for work at Alma's at 9:45AM. When I get to Alma's , I wash her face, brush her hair, clean her glasses, feed her a snack if she's hungry, do some house cleaning, fix lunch, do dishes, do some more housecleaning, primp Alma if needed, feed Alma a mid-afternoon snack and start fixing dinner for Alma and Larry. I clean their house with any spare time I have. I set the table, put all the food on the table and leave: it's 4P. If Alma has a bad day, I've also chased her around the entire six hours. I'm home at 4:15PM if I don't have errrands to run or repairs to do at Mom's house. If I don't have to leave early to buy groceries to eat at Ruth's, I leave home at 6:45PM. I start work at Ruth's at 7PM. I make my bed out for the night, which includes unfolding the couch, putting three -inch thick, foam rubber on top of the couch, and making it into a bed with bedding. I take a bath and wash my hair if I have time. I get Ruth up, if she isn't up from her nap already, wash and comb her hair, etc. and start getting her dinner and 9PM snack. I feed her when her dinner gets hot in the toaster oven. I get her breakfast ready to put in the toaster oven in the AM, also snack or laxative foods that I will need the next day. I put Ruth to bed, after putting oil on her skin, primping her, putting her on the toilet, washing her face, washing her bottom, and dressing her for bed. Its almost 10PM. Then it's on to the housework and dirty dishes. If I'm not too tired, I fix myself dinner. Then I write the day's events, go to bed and start all over again tomorrow. If I'm lucky, Ruth will sleep four to 6 hours and I get some consecutive sleep, if not, I nap. Tonight, I wasn't too tired to eat. If Ruth has a bad night, I also have a bad night, and I always get less sleep than Ruth does. Lately, this last couple of weeks, my feet and back hurt, even when I first wake up. I feel very old and arthritic.
Wednesday, September 26, 1984
Ruth slept through the night and so did I.
I went to the ADC office for a 9:45AM appointment. I went to the desk and inquired at 10:45AM, and was told I'd been forgotten. I now have another appointment at 9:30AM tomorrow morning. Thanks! I lost $3.00 in wages today.
I went straight to work at Alma's from the ADC office. Larry took us to lunch in a town about thirty miles away. We didn't get back until 2:30PM.
As soon as I entered my house and saw my male dog, I realized that some of white fur on his head had been purposely burned. I called my tenant, Don, at work and questioned him. Don informed me that a friend of Greg, with a yellow car, had been at my house last night, while I was working. I can no longer feel that my animals are safe with Greg at my house. I also noticed a sore on my male dog's tail, that could have been caused by a lighted cigarette being held against his tail. I left a note asking Greg to be moved by Sunday. I talked to two of my neighbors, who live directly across the street from me, gave them the telephone numbers where I work, the hours I work at each, and asked them to call me if the yellow car is parked at my house again. I can't handle cruelty to my animals!
My house will have to be spring housecleaned before I could possibly rent Greg's room to anyone, which on my present schedule, would take at least one month after I finish tiling the bath, if I didn't do anything else. I'll have the bath finished this weekend. I'll start Mom's house next and try to houseclean mine at the same time. I can drain the pool halfway and disconnect the pool filter any day that I have a few hours. I am sick of my filthy house, and this dog deal put the frosting on the cake. I am sick of all the strange people at my house day and night too. Naturally, I will have to pay the rest of Greg's phone bill, but it will be worth it.
I wish I were home every day and night to protect my dogs until Greg moves. I'm glad that Don is there at night.
I re-caulked the wood trim around my bathtub and applied more tile to the small end walls.
I went to the ADC office for a 9:45AM appointment. I went to the desk and inquired at 10:45AM, and was told I'd been forgotten. I now have another appointment at 9:30AM tomorrow morning. Thanks! I lost $3.00 in wages today.
I went straight to work at Alma's from the ADC office. Larry took us to lunch in a town about thirty miles away. We didn't get back until 2:30PM.
As soon as I entered my house and saw my male dog, I realized that some of white fur on his head had been purposely burned. I called my tenant, Don, at work and questioned him. Don informed me that a friend of Greg, with a yellow car, had been at my house last night, while I was working. I can no longer feel that my animals are safe with Greg at my house. I also noticed a sore on my male dog's tail, that could have been caused by a lighted cigarette being held against his tail. I left a note asking Greg to be moved by Sunday. I talked to two of my neighbors, who live directly across the street from me, gave them the telephone numbers where I work, the hours I work at each, and asked them to call me if the yellow car is parked at my house again. I can't handle cruelty to my animals!
My house will have to be spring housecleaned before I could possibly rent Greg's room to anyone, which on my present schedule, would take at least one month after I finish tiling the bath, if I didn't do anything else. I'll have the bath finished this weekend. I'll start Mom's house next and try to houseclean mine at the same time. I can drain the pool halfway and disconnect the pool filter any day that I have a few hours. I am sick of my filthy house, and this dog deal put the frosting on the cake. I am sick of all the strange people at my house day and night too. Naturally, I will have to pay the rest of Greg's phone bill, but it will be worth it.
I wish I were home every day and night to protect my dogs until Greg moves. I'm glad that Don is there at night.
I re-caulked the wood trim around my bathtub and applied more tile to the small end walls.
Tuesday, September 25, 1984
Today was typical, if you can call working twenty-one hours a day typical. I caulked the wood trim around the tub, and glued tile on the end walls of the bathtub/shower in my three hours off after work at Alma's. My traveling time is about fifteen minutes each way, so, it's actually about two and one-half hours off.
Monday, September 24, 1984
Ruth didn't sleep well, so, naturally, neither did I. I cooked enough food yesterday at Almas that I won't have to do anything today, except keep track of Alma, and that's a fulltime job, six hours a day.
I bought more grout and grouted more bathroom tile. Two-thirds of one of the side walls is completed.
I washed two loads of laundry, dried one load, and left a not for Greg and Don stating that the house needs cleaning.
I bought more grout and grouted more bathroom tile. Two-thirds of one of the side walls is completed.
I washed two loads of laundry, dried one load, and left a not for Greg and Don stating that the house needs cleaning.
Sunday, September 23, 1984
Ruth and I both slept until 8:30AM today. My boss called and asked me to work an additional hour: it's an extra $3.00.
I got $10.00 worth of gasoline today. I hope it lasts until next payday. After buying coffee and rolls for tomorrow morning, I have $1.oo in food stamps left.
I grouted bathroom tile until I ran out of grout.
I got $10.00 worth of gasoline today. I hope it lasts until next payday. After buying coffee and rolls for tomorrow morning, I have $1.oo in food stamps left.
I grouted bathroom tile until I ran out of grout.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Saturday, September 22, 1984
My boss asked if I would stay with Ruth until 9:30AM and come back at 1PM. I accepted; it's an extra $1.50 in my pocketbook.
I cemented bathroom tile in place while I was home. I need thirty-six more tile to finish the larger deteriorating wall. They will be here Tuesday, plus enough for the two small walls also.
Greg paid me $30.00, $25.00 for rent and $5.00 to apply towards the phone bill. My new roommate paid me $25.00 for rent. $136.00 was waiting for me, when I went to work at Ruth's.
I cooked all the 'fixins' for Ruth's breakfast next week and froze them.
I cemented bathroom tile in place while I was home. I need thirty-six more tile to finish the larger deteriorating wall. They will be here Tuesday, plus enough for the two small walls also.
Greg paid me $30.00, $25.00 for rent and $5.00 to apply towards the phone bill. My new roommate paid me $25.00 for rent. $136.00 was waiting for me, when I went to work at Ruth's.
I cooked all the 'fixins' for Ruth's breakfast next week and froze them.
Friday, September 21, 1984
Larry paid me $86.00 today, which is like making $114.50, if I were declared to the government.
Pope John Paul has launched a verbal assault on Canada, because of their high unemployment rate. The Pope is saying the same things I have thought for a long time: put people to work! Why do people give to charities, instead of taking their charitable contributions and doing something with their contributions that would put people back to work?
When I went home today, one of Greg's friends was in the house. Greg was asleep and my frig/freezer was making a horrendous noise, when it was running. I told the 'friend' to have Greg pull the frig out from the wall, while I was working at Alma's. I had hoped that Greg had the gumption to look at it himself, but so such luck. He partially pulled it out, but not enough to see behind it. After working at Alma's, I pulled the frig completely out from the wall, and quickly saw what was wrong with it. Two screws, that connect the fan motor to a brace that's fastened to the frig body, had vibrated loose. I screwed the screws back in and pushed it back in place.
I replaced the bath tile around the top of the tub, and put the woodwork on around the tub.
My appearance has gone to hell. My eyebrows need plucking, my legs and underarms need waxed and shaved, my hair and eyebrows need to be colored , my nails and toenails need everything, my feet need attention, and I'm gaining weight eating at Alma's. The weight gain was needed. I hurt physically though.
My car will need replacing soon, since I don't have any third or passing gear now, and I need a fuel efficient car, like a Volkswagen. I was told that many years ago, a car was designed to run on air instead of tires, but it was never developed, because it would have put too many people out of work. I know we have the technology to design a car that runs on sunlight or air, if it hasn't already been designed, but it will not be developed either, for the same reason. "Me" thinks that the government snaps up these new innovative inventions and hides them away somewhere, and the average American isn't enlightened enough to realize it.
Pope John Paul has launched a verbal assault on Canada, because of their high unemployment rate. The Pope is saying the same things I have thought for a long time: put people to work! Why do people give to charities, instead of taking their charitable contributions and doing something with their contributions that would put people back to work?
When I went home today, one of Greg's friends was in the house. Greg was asleep and my frig/freezer was making a horrendous noise, when it was running. I told the 'friend' to have Greg pull the frig out from the wall, while I was working at Alma's. I had hoped that Greg had the gumption to look at it himself, but so such luck. He partially pulled it out, but not enough to see behind it. After working at Alma's, I pulled the frig completely out from the wall, and quickly saw what was wrong with it. Two screws, that connect the fan motor to a brace that's fastened to the frig body, had vibrated loose. I screwed the screws back in and pushed it back in place.
I replaced the bath tile around the top of the tub, and put the woodwork on around the tub.
My appearance has gone to hell. My eyebrows need plucking, my legs and underarms need waxed and shaved, my hair and eyebrows need to be colored , my nails and toenails need everything, my feet need attention, and I'm gaining weight eating at Alma's. The weight gain was needed. I hurt physically though.
My car will need replacing soon, since I don't have any third or passing gear now, and I need a fuel efficient car, like a Volkswagen. I was told that many years ago, a car was designed to run on air instead of tires, but it was never developed, because it would have put too many people out of work. I know we have the technology to design a car that runs on sunlight or air, if it hasn't already been designed, but it will not be developed either, for the same reason. "Me" thinks that the government snaps up these new innovative inventions and hides them away somewhere, and the average American isn't enlightened enough to realize it.
Thursday, September 20, 1984
Today was a routine workday at Ruth's and Alma's. Ruth was Ruth and Alma was her zany, child-like self. Alma is extremely affectionate. Alma and I crawled on the living room floor together. She told me that I didn't have any brains, and then she told me that I didn't have any shoes. We both laughed. I had taken off my shoes to romp on the floor with her; I don't know what I didn't with my brains. Alma's always holding my hand, patting me on the ass or other loving gestures. Because Alma is so child-like, I hug her a lot, nuzzle her neck with my chin, pat her on the back or hand and tease her a great deal. I really like Alma, although she is very mentally ill.
When I went home to work on the bath shower and tub wall, I discovered another place in the wall that needed to have new wallboard fitted and cemented in place. I refilled around the window with wallboard cement. The bathroom will be my project this weekend and next week, or until I get it done. Draining the pool will have to wait.
I get depressed when I go home, because Greg hasn't cleaned anything since I started working, and the house is a disaster again, but this time, I don't have the time to clean it. I hate having roommates, especially dirty ones. The money I save a month by cheating on income is small potatoes in comparison to the tax breaks wealthy individuals get.
When I went home to work on the bath shower and tub wall, I discovered another place in the wall that needed to have new wallboard fitted and cemented in place. I refilled around the window with wallboard cement. The bathroom will be my project this weekend and next week, or until I get it done. Draining the pool will have to wait.
I get depressed when I go home, because Greg hasn't cleaned anything since I started working, and the house is a disaster again, but this time, I don't have the time to clean it. I hate having roommates, especially dirty ones. The money I save a month by cheating on income is small potatoes in comparison to the tax breaks wealthy individuals get.
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