[Nammu]

Originally Posted by Mendingmysoul

There was a period in my life I was scared to drive a car.So I decided not to own one anyways.I got calls regarding car insurance,warranty,other vehicle related offers.I would listen to them blabbering on then say I don't even own a car.Complete silence on the other side ,then click. Lol.

Lol 😂 lol 😂

[Skeezyks]

Don't have a smart phone... just a dumb phone. It does, however, block robo-calls and it tells me who's calling or gives the phone number of the person calling. (Come to think of it, perhaps it's not such a dumb phone after all!) I never answer unless I recognize the name or phone number... just let it go to voice mail. If it's a legit call, they'll leave a message and I'll call them back.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Don't have a smart phone... just a dumb phone. It does, however, block robo-calls and it tells me who's calling or gives the phone number of the person calling. (Come to think of it, perhaps it's not such a dumb phone after all!) I never answer unless I recognize the name or phone number... just let it go to voice mail. If it's a legit call, they'll leave a message and I'll call them back.

I don't answer numbers I don't know either, but even if I think it might be legit, I wait for the machine to get it. Thieves can "spoof"numbers, emails and texting codes too!

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Mendingmysoul

There was a period in my life I was scared to drive a car.So I decided not to own one anyways.I got calls regarding car insurance,warranty,other vehicle related offers.I would listen to them blabbering on then say I don't even own a car.Complete silence on the other side ,then click. Lol.

I was going to do that, but I've read it's better not to even answer---even to "waste their time" or "beat them at their own game", because it proves it's a "live" number. I think that's the word. It means a human will answer, so they could give/sell your number to other scammers or telemarketers.

Same with texts. Don't send STOP because then they know a human read it. I once got a text from some company claiming I "opted in" to get texts from them. I did not. And I didn't respond either, and I never heard from them again. And I won't click on "unsubscribe" on an unsolicited email either, as the same thing can happen: They know it's a valid or active email....

Speaking of texts, I just got another one of those banking scam texts, this time from "Bank of America". And it started with 1410000. And had some toll free number to call immediately. Right.....

[Mendingmysoul]

Yep,I agree and I knew I shouldn't pick it up.But I was in such a dark place and isolated at that time ,I just wanted to hear a real person's voice.

[*Beth*]

Thank you, Trav, for starting this thread. What a nice idea

Weather. After our absolutely bizarre three solid weeks of heavy rain storms, the past few days have been bright and sunny, though quite chilly. Today is 51 degrees (low tonight will be 41), but there's a gusty wind and it's cold. I'm concerned that more trees will fall due to the drought-dry undersoil with the rain-soaked topsoil + the strong wind.

In February we will see the very first blossoms of spring on some trees. Sometimes by Valentine's Day the temperature is nice and there's a feeling of spring around the corner, and that is an absolute joy!

Cars seem to be a common theme of this thread. So what do I drive? A 2002 Saturn Vue (SUV) that was handed down to me by a relative. It is pretty much scrap metal on decent tires. It does have a radio and the a/c works well, thankfully. I would love to own a reliable car, but the Saturn is all I have and believe me, I am grateful for it.

Finances? I receive less than $300/month SSDI and for any additional money I am entirely dependent upon my husband. I don't have a bank account of any kind at this time. Needless to say my financial situation is quite desperate. I really wouldn't be terribly concerned about that, except I worry terribly about my cats, should they need emergency veterinary care, for example.

I've been married "on paper" for 40+ years. My husband and I have not lived together for nearly twenty years. He lives 1 mile from me. The choice to live separately is his, for the reason that he hoards. His "collections" fill the good-sized (3 bedroom, dining room, living room, etc.) house he lives in. He has narrow paths through his boxes and stacks of books and other collections. His situation is unsafe, but no one knows what to do, so there it is.

I live in a tiny apartment, which is fine with me because I can keep it decently clean and tidy without tremendous effort. That it has large windows, including a (smaller) window in the bathroom and some lovely, old trees (including a redwood tree!) outside is meaningful to me.

We have 2 adult children, a daughter who lives in NYC and a son who lives in San Francisco. Both children are doing well professionally. I have not seen my daughter in four years. I see my son 2 or 3 times/year. I terribly miss having my family all together under one roof but, of course, children grow up.

Oh, phone. I am quite fine with using a landline. I have no way to afford a smartphone or whatever they're called and besides I have zero desire to figure something like that out. I carry a government-issued "Obama phone" with me when I drive so I can call roadside assistance (which I am immensely grateful to have) if need be. The phone is a barely usable piece of crap. Oh, well.

There's a synopsis of Beth's life

[Nammu]

It’s very, very pretty out. All the trees and outside things have ice crystals covering them and there’s fog so the outside is very pretty. Dangerous but pretty. The back roads where I live have packed snow on them so it’s like driving in a halo of white.

Beth, welcome to the conversation.

[Travelinglady]

Hi, Beth. Welcome!

Typing hurts my shoulder that I injured falling in the bathtub, else I'd write more.

[Nammu]

Ohhh travel, I hope you’re ok.

[*Beth*]

Thank you, Nammu. That does sound so pretty, the icicles and the fog.

Thank you, Trav. Ooh, I'm so sorry you've hurt your shoulder. I tore my rotator cuff (shoulder) years ago, it's easy to do if you fall or even lift something too heavy (which I did). I'm mentioning it just so you're aware...I hope you haven't done that.

[*Beth*]

(Forgive me for the double post, Nammu)

My best friend sent me this photo of the American River, one little stretch of it. The American is a very wide and wild 120-mile long river that begins up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains east of here and ends by flowing into the Pacific Ocean, west of here. It was in that river where the gold was discovered that enticed so many men to come out west for the gold rush.

Part of the river runs through my home city, Sacramento. This isn't the most gorgeous part of the river at this time of the year, although I do love it, but my friend was showing me where it had flooded during the heavy rains. Made me homesick, so many great times near the river or in it, and happy memories living in a neighborhood near the river when my kids were growing up. The American River was such a normal part of day-to-day life and I miss that.

[Nammu]

I had no idea you could tear your shoulder so bad just lifting something! Thanks for the heads up.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Mendingmysoul

Yep,I agree and I knew I shouldn't pick it up.But I was in such a dark place and isolated at that time ,I just wanted to hear a real person's voice.

I get that too. I can make a withdrawal online from my account but prefer to talk to a human. But since I’m initiating the call I KNOW who I’m dealing with. . And after the last 3 years I need the contact.

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[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I had no idea you could tear your shoulder so bad just lifting something! Thanks for the heads up.

I’ve had “frozen shoulder” in both shoulders and they aren’t even sure of exact causes. Incredibly painful with months of physical therapy.

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[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I had no idea you could tear your shoulder so bad just lifting something! Thanks for the heads up.

Actually, I wasn't specific. I didn't exactly lift something, I caught and then lifted a broken double-paned, old, heavy glass refrigerator door that had come off its hinges. It happened in the coffeehouse where I worked.


That said, I do think lifting something that's too heavy could certainly tear a rotator cuff. They're vulnerable.

[MuseumGhost]

Hi, everybody.

At least for us, this latest big storm has turned out to be our average Winter experience (so far). Knock on wood.

I feel like I have pretty much told everybody an awful lot about my life---everybody here, anyway.

I feel fortunate to have a warm, dry home and a roof over my head. We do have two older used cars, but I'm grateful for them, too.

We have suffered at the hands of some pretty unscrupulous people, and have lived with tight finances far longer than we had planned to do. So our retirement will have to involve a miracle or two.

Who would like a cup of tea?

[Nammu]

love a cup of tea.

I’ve been looking into getting grab bars for the shower. Had no idea it was so hard. I’m going to have to do it the hard way. Drive to the lumber store and ask them in person. Hopefully they have a handi-man list of people who know how to find studs and drill though tiles. And hopefully they have the grab bars I want.

[MuseumGhost]

Nammu, grab bars are a great thing to have around the home.

I think all the big box stores offer installation for many things. If not, they most likely can recommend people, or you could check through sites like Angi, Yelp, and Houzz. (Make sure they are bonded, and can prove it.)

[Nammu]

Unfortunately we have no big box stores here but I did use angi to ask for quotes. So far no calls.

[Samicat]

Hi all. I'm Sami and I'm within a year of retiring. I like to write so I'm looking forward to doing more of that!


Unfortunately both myself and my husband have had periods of illness and disability so we are far from rich although we do own a small townhouse and recently paid off the mortgage. I'm really grateful for that. I'm hoping not to have to work post-retirement but I may need to have something part-time. It seems like money is a worry for so many older people although of course many are well off.


Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I have no kids BTW but two sweet cats.

[Nammu]

Welcome Samicat

My one sister chooses to work past retirement, she’s 70 and works part time to afford her frequent trips out of state to be with her son and be part of the grandkids life. Her husband has been disabled a long time so his SS isn’t that great but she makes pretty good SS but chooses to work for the extra $$ my other sister and her husband said they did their time so now they spend winters down south and summers up here. I hope you don’t have to work but that it can be a choice.

[nonightowl]

I take online reviews with a grain of salt. They can be bogus or biased and it’s hard to tell. Bad online reviews can ruin a good business.

SS isn’t enough for many people to live off of. Add the draconian restrictions to get or keeping MediCare or MediCaid and you have a recipe for disaster. The “jobs” they tout are too physically demanding for some older people. Or the hours are too volatile such as “any shift to accommodate business needs.” And don’t even get me started on trying to get approved for disability….

They keep saying we need an economy that works for everyone but so far it’s just talk. Older folks that need to work are limited in their options and there’s ageism to boot.

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[*Beth*]

A cup of tea sounds quite lovely, @MuseumGhost Think I'll have Lavender Honey.

Hi Sami, and welcome I share my home with 5 cats.

Speaking of tea, I have a neighbor who has received my mail countless times because the mail delivery here is unpredictable. Last week she received a box (gifts) my son and DIL sent to me. The neighbor is a quiet woman, and is so kind. She has been bringing my mis-delivered mail (including the box the other day) for over a year. She lightly taps at my door and when I open it I am always greeted with her warm smile. I would like to give her a token gift for dutifully bringing my mail to me. I used to bake, but don't do so at this time. Any ideas? I'm thinking a box of nice tea?

[MuseumGhost]

What a kind and thoughtful gesture, *Beth*. Time -honored, and considerate!

Our mail was forever being delivered to the same house number, one street over. They'd walk over in the evenings when their young man was still in a stroller, and let him drop it in the mailbox. I'd love to see them again, to see how he grew up. Nice people, always smiling and waving.

I am currently doing a big push as far as organizing goes. I'm looking forward to Spring and Summer, and our return to selling at flea and antique markets. I'm re-purposing this middle room into a proper office (not a slap-dash, half-office, as it was), because I'd like to be ready to be selling online, during the colder months. It feels great to have a vision (and some energy and support) for all of this, at long last.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by MuseumGhost

What a kind and thoughtful gesture, *Beth*. Time -honored, and considerate!

Our mail was forever being delivered to the same house number, one street over. They'd walk over in the evenings when their young man was still in a stroller, and let him drop it in the mailbox. I'd love to see them again, to see how he grew up. Nice people, always smiling and waving.

I am currently doing a big push as far as organizing goes. I'm looking forward to Spring and Summer, and our return to selling at flea and antique markets. I'm re-purposing this middle room into a proper office (not a slap-dash, half-office, as it was), because I'd like to be ready to be selling online, during the colder months. It feels great to have a vision (and some energy and support) for all of this, at long last.

Thank you, MG. How sweet, about the little boy.

Selling at flea and antique markets sounds like such fun! Long before there was an internet, my husband and I sold used books at antique markets. Ha, I just remembered- David rented a space in an antique "mall" during the mi-80's and sold used books there. I'd all but forgotten those days. We were thrilled, back then, when the books brought in an extra $65 or so per month. And I loved that place, so many fascinating curiosities.

I can't wait to hear about your selling adventures.