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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2023 12:52:15 GMT -5
@rags If I didn't know you weren't from Texas, I might think this was your vehicle... -M
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Post by Cei-U! on Jun 7, 2023 15:07:43 GMT -5
You've all been remarkably tolerant of my not following up on my vague postings about the utter chaos this last month has been for me, and I appreciate it, but it's time to fill you in on what's going on.
Just under a month ago, my caregiver turned in her two weeks' notice. She'd been offered a job by a friend that would both pay better (in salary and benefits) and fit her schedule better. I ws disappointed but I understood. Then, on the Saturday between her last two weeks, she called me in tears to tell me that, due to a death in her immediate family, she wouldn't be able to work that last week. I'd already been scrambling to find a replacement and this news accelerated the urgency. My brother and nieces stepped into the void as best they could--my brother's stepdaughter in particular did an outstanding job--and my pal Dino (known better round these parts as occasional CCFer Dr. Cyclops) came over from Ellensburg two weeks in a row to stay with me for a few days to give the fam a rest. But I couldn't continue to ask my family and friends to keep taking time away from their own jobs and families to take care of me, especially for free. So my Aging and Adult Services caseworker put me in touch with several home care agencies and finally, as of today, they assigned me a caregiver. There are still some details to work out but, for the moment, I'm covered.
But that's only part of the problem. There were several incidents that occurred in the last couple of weeks that have convinced me that it's no longer safe or practical for me to continue living alone. The night before my new mattress was delivered, I got stuck in one position in bed and couldn't move despite several exhausting hours of trying (in 90 degree heat, no less). I was stuck like that for over seven hours, unable to reach the phone or use my medic alert pendant. There was a point where I was genuinely afraid they would find me dead of heatstroke in the morning. When my niece arrived at 9, in fact, I had her call the paramedics to make sure I didn't have heatstroke. I didn't, thank Odin, but I was so weak and exhausted that I had to be lifted into my wheelchair. Now that my new mattress is here, the chances of my getting stuck like that again are very slim but I still saw it as a wake-up call.
To hammer the point home, someone tried to break into my apartment the other night and it was only dumb luck that e or she failed. As it was, they broke my doorknob, necessitating a hasty call to our maintenance folks to replace the locks on my front door ASAP. This has always been a fear of mine: that some lowlife would figure out I live alone and decide it's open season on me and my possessions (a not unreasonable fear, given that I've been burglarized twice before, once while I was in bed asleep).
All of the above, and a couple of other factors I won't go into, has led me to conclude that my continued health and safety depends on finding some other living arrangements. Alas, none of my family has the space for me to move in with them and it's unlikely I'll find any local friends who do either. So I'm beginning to explore some alternatives, such as an assisted living facility or adult group home. Yes, it means giving up some of my privacy and independence but let's face it: I'm 65 years old and my mobility is on a steady and probably irreversible decline. Better I do this now while I have all my faculties and can make an intelligent, informed decision than procrastinate until something bad enough to force a quick change happens.
So that's where it's at. I'm marginally less stressed out than I was a month ago but I won't be able to truly relax until this situation is resolved to everyone's satisfaction, hopefully before the end of summer. I'll keep you all posted as things happen. Until then, keep your fingers crossed for me.
Cei-U! I summon the colossal pain in the ass!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2023 15:13:01 GMT -5
You've all been remarkably tolerant of my not following up on my vague postings about the utter chaos this last month has been for me, and I appreciate it, but it's time to fill you in on what's going on. Just under a month ago, my caregiver turned in her two weeks' notice. She'd been offered a job by a friend that would both pay better (in salary and benefits) and fit her schedule better. I ws disappointed but I understood. Then, on the Saturday between her last two weeks, she called me in tears to tell me that, due to a death in her immediate family, she wouldn't be able to work that last week. I'd already been scrambling to find a replacement and this news accelerated the urgency. My brother and nieces stepped into the void as best they could--my brother's stepdaughter in particular did an outstanding job--and my pal Dino (known better round these parts as occasional CCFer Dr. Cyclops) came over from Ellensburg two weeks in a row to stay with me for a few days to give the fam a rest. But I couldn't continue to ask my family and friends to keep taking time away from their own jobs and families to take care of me, especially for free. So my Aging and Adult Services caseworker put me in touch with several home care agencies and finally, as of today, they assigned me a caregiver. There are still some details to work out but, for the moment, I'm covered. But that's only part of the problem. There were several incidents that occurred in the last couple of weeks that have convinced me that it's no longer safe or practical for me to continue living alone. The night before my new mattress was delivered, I got stuck in one position in bed and couldn't move despite several exhausting hours of trying (in 90 degree heet, no less). I was stuck like that for over seven hours, unable to each the phone or use my medic alert pendant. There was a point where I was genuinely afraid they would find me dead of heatstroke. When my niece arrived the next morning, in fact, I had her call the paramedics to make sure I didn't have heatstroke. I didn't, thank Odin, but I was so weak and exhausted that I had to be lifted into my wheelchair. Now that my new mattress is here, the chances of my getting stuck like that again are very slim but I still saw it as a wake-up call. To hammer the point home, someone tried to break into my apartment the other night and it was only dumb luck that e or she failed. As it was, they broke my doorknob, neccessitating a hasty call to our maintenance folks to replace the locks on my front door ASAP. This has always been a fear of mine: that some lowlife would figure out I live alone and decide it's open season on me and my possessions (a not unreasonable fear, given that I've been burglarized twice before, once while I was in bed asleep). All of the above, and a couple of other factors I won't go into, has led me to conclude that my continued health and safety depends on finding some other living arrangements. Alas, none of my family has the space fr me to move in with them and it's unlikely I'll find any local friends who do either. So I'm beginning to explore some alternatives, such as an assisted living facility or adult group home. Yes, it means giving up some of my privacy and independence but let's face it: I'm 65 years old and my mobility is on a steady and probably irreversible decline. Better I do this now while I have all my faculties and can make an intelligent, informed decision than procrastinate until something bad enough to force a quick change. So that's where it's at. I'm marginally less stressed out than I was a month ago but I won't be able to truly relax until this situation is resolved to everyone's satisfaction, hopefully before the end of summer. I'll keep you all posted as things happen. Until then, keep your fingers crossed for me. Cei-U! I summon the colossal pain in the ass!
Sorry to hear that you are having to deal with all of this, Kurt. All I can do is try to send some positive vibes your way and hope that things will work out for you. Be well, my friend. -M
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jun 7, 2023 15:24:26 GMT -5
Crom and Mitra, Kurt, I am in awe of your resilience. Here's hoping the storm will abate sooner rather than later. Thanks for keeping us in the know.
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Post by EdoBosnar on Jun 7, 2023 16:58:42 GMT -5
Best wishes to you, Kurt. I hope you indeed get everything resolved to everyone's and - most importantly - your satisfaction.
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,069
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Post by Confessor on Jun 7, 2023 18:57:21 GMT -5
Sounds like a real bad run of luck and series of calamities there, Kurt. Well done you for getting through it all and for having the wherewithal to be proactive in sorting your problems out in a way that is satisfactory and safe for you.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 7, 2023 20:00:57 GMT -5
You've all been remarkably tolerant of my not following up on my vague postings about the utter chaos this last month has been for me, and I appreciate it, but it's time to fill you in on what's going on.
Just under a month ago, my caregiver turned in her two weeks' notice. She'd been offered a job by a friend that would both pay better (in salary and benefits) and fit her schedule better. I ws disappointed but I understood. Then, on the Saturday between her last two weeks, she called me in tears to tell me that, due to a death in her immediate family, she wouldn't be able to work that last week. I'd already been scrambling to find a replacement and this news accelerated the urgency. My brother and nieces stepped into the void as best they could--my brother's stepdaughter in particular did an outstanding job--and my pal Dino (known better round these parts as occasional CCFer Dr. Cyclops) came over from Ellensburg two weeks in a row to stay with me for a few days to give the fam a rest. But I couldn't continue to ask my family and friends to keep taking time away from their own jobs and families to take care of me, especially for free. So my Aging and Adult Services caseworker put me in touch with several home care agencies and finally, as of today, they assigned me a caregiver. There are still some details to work out but, for the moment, I'm covered.
But that's only part of the problem. There were several incidents that occurred in the last couple of weeks that have convinced me that it's no longer safe or practical for me to continue living alone. The night before my new mattress was delivered, I got stuck in one position in bed and couldn't move despite several exhausting hours of trying (in 90 degree heat, no less). I was stuck like that for over seven hours, unable to reach the phone or use my medic alert pendant. There was a point where I was genuinely afraid they would find me dead of heatstroke in the morning. When my niece arrived at 9, in fact, I had her call the paramedics to make sure I didn't have heatstroke. I didn't, thank Odin, but I was so weak and exhausted that I had to be lifted into my wheelchair. Now that my new mattress is here, the chances of my getting stuck like that again are very slim but I still saw it as a wake-up call.
To hammer the point home, someone tried to break into my apartment the other night and it was only dumb luck that e or she failed. As it was, they broke my doorknob, necessitating a hasty call to our maintenance folks to replace the locks on my front door ASAP. This has always been a fear of mine: that some lowlife would figure out I live alone and decide it's open season on me and my possessions (a not unreasonable fear, given that I've been burglarized twice before, once while I was in bed asleep).
All of the above, and a couple of other factors I won't go into, has led me to conclude that my continued health and safety depends on finding some other living arrangements. Alas, none of my family has the space for me to move in with them and it's unlikely I'll find any local friends who do either. So I'm beginning to explore some alternatives, such as an assisted living facility or adult group home. Yes, it means giving up some of my privacy and independence but let's face it: I'm 65 years old and my mobility is on a steady and probably irreversible decline. Better I do this now while I have all my faculties and can make an intelligent, informed decision than procrastinate until something bad enough to force a quick change happens.
So that's where it's at. I'm marginally less stressed out than I was a month ago but I won't be able to truly relax until this situation is resolved to everyone's satisfaction, hopefully before the end of summer. I'll keep you all posted as things happen. Until then, keep your fingers crossed for me.
Cei-U! I summon the colossal pain in the ass!
Good luck with everything and I hope it works out for the best for you. I understand, to a point, where you are coming from. Barb's mobility, in her latter days, became compromised and my greatest fear was of something happening, while I was at work and that's just what happened, leading to her hospitalization and the end.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 7, 2023 20:24:10 GMT -5
My current problems, seem small by comparison. There is a drain issue under my building, that affects the units at my end. We got a notice over the weekend (which I didn't see until Monday) asking us not to put anything down the drains, so they can dry it out and find the problem. It sounded like it was isolated, Monday; but, this evening, I got the notice not to use the dishwasher or kitchen sink, until further notice, possibly a week. The landlord says he will give us a rent credit, for the inconvenience. I am on vacation and at home; but, I haven't felt like cooking much and have been eating out. I do need to wash dishes, but he only said not to use the kitchen drains; so, I can wash them in the bathroom, using dish tubs (or the bathtub, in a pinch).
I've been through worse than that, between a week without power, after an ice storm, in 1978 (we cooked over a Coleman stove and used the fireplace for warmth), the same after Hurricane Hugo (we used the same stove and a gas grill and temperature wasn't an issue) and I have been camping all my life and slept and bathed in the field, during Marine Week, as a midshipman (and handled water restrictions on board ship). You adapt, like your pioneer ancestors.
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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 7, 2023 22:23:43 GMT -5
Best of luck sorting it out, Cei-U!. Surely you deserve a turn of good fortune in this situation.
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Post by Icctrombone on Jun 8, 2023 4:38:38 GMT -5
Cei-U!, so sorry for your predicament. Let men know if there's anything I can do.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2023 13:26:11 GMT -5
Sorry to hear of your experiences, Cei-U!, especially regarding vermin trying to break into your home. I do hope you get it sorted soon, on every count.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jun 8, 2023 13:38:45 GMT -5
I'd really love to be able to buy a bag of tortilla chips that's not at least 1/3 crumbs. Really...is it that hard?
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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 8, 2023 13:47:14 GMT -5
I'd really love to be able to buy a bag of tortilla chips that's not at least 1/3 crumbs. Really...is it that hard?
Ever tried Mission chips? Their packaging is sturdy paper w/poly liner, and they use a little more nitro in the bag so they seem to ship better and stand up to damage better than plastic-bagged chips. I like their flavor too... way better than anything Frito-Lay puts out. Several varieties available; my personal favorites being the restaurant style and the strip style. The Rounds are a wee bit thicker than I like. The Organic Blue Corn chips are good too, but they are a little harder to find.
Of course, nothing is perfect. They may be under the same orders as F-L to purposely jostle, stomp and crush every bag destined for Idaho.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Jun 8, 2023 13:50:53 GMT -5
I'd really love to be able to buy a bag of tortilla chips that's not at least 1/3 crumbs. Really...is it that hard?
Ever tried Mission chips? Their packaging is sturdy paper w/poly liner, and they use a little more nitro in the bag so they seem to ship better and stand up to damage better than plastic-bagged chips. I like their flavor too... way better than anything Frito-Lay puts out. Several varieties available; my personal favorites being the restaurant style and the strip style. The Rounds are a wee bit thicker than I like.
Of course, nothing is perfect. They may be under the same orders as F-L to purposely jostle, stomp and crush every bag destined for Idaho.
Yeah, I've tried them and I'll buy them when they're on sale. But then tend to be a bit more expensive than most others. The rounds are definitely too thick. In a better world I'd just fry up my own...but I'm too lazy to do that about 98% of the time.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 8, 2023 18:16:13 GMT -5
Ever tried Mission chips? Their packaging is sturdy paper w/poly liner, and they use a little more nitro in the bag so they seem to ship better and stand up to damage better than plastic-bagged chips. I like their flavor too... way better than anything Frito-Lay puts out. Several varieties available; my personal favorites being the restaurant style and the strip style. The Rounds are a wee bit thicker than I like.
Of course, nothing is perfect. They may be under the same orders as F-L to purposely jostle, stomp and crush every bag destined for Idaho.
Yeah, I've tried them and I'll buy them when they're on sale. But then tend to be a bit more expensive than most others. The rounds are definitely too thick. In a better world I'd just fry up my own...but I'm too lazy to do that about 98% of the time. Sounds like the Corn Mafia is sending a message to the Potato State.
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