It seems I always start my posts with "It's been a really long time". Life gets in the way.
I moved half way across the country, after living 'there' for the past 20 years. I sold all 'our' stuff, kept some stuff.. too much stuff.. to live in a one bedroom apartment. It's near my kids and grand kids. I'm happy to be back in my growing up area. I'm closer to my birth place than I've been since I was 3! I should go and look around my Grandparents little town. The place I remember visiting when I was a kid, growing up, going through school. They were a couple hours away, but we visited them at least every summer, and sometimes for Christmas. Driving was pretty treacherous in those days, and my parents (Dad) probably only got THE day off for Christmas. Well, the place holds pleasant memories for me. My sister and I reminisce about it whenever we're together... I see her more often now too!
My apartment living experience was awful this winter...I moved in in October and the furnace was on the blink all winter long. I was not a happy camper or apt. dweller. They were not honest with me when I signed the lease. (are 'they' ever?) I wondered why the husband made a big deal about saying the furnace works.. "we turned it on and it came on!" I should have asked ' why? did you think maybe it wouldn't?' Turns out it, sometimes, didn't come back on, after you turned it on! Sometimes? Just about every time ....and it wouldn't come on unless you turned it up passed 72, which meant it got about 75 before it cycled off... and then wouldn't come back on.. It took all winter to get it fixed, so that it works automatically the way it's supposed to. I can even set it on 68 and it'll kick off at about 70! And come back on at ..yeah, 68! Whach-ya-know!
The thing is.. The furnace I regulate is the furnace that provides heat to 2 other apartments. Yeah, the thermostat I use is the thermostat for the other apartments. I felt really bad when the furnace hadn't been on all night and it was really cold in the morning and I couldn't get the furnace to kick in.......... took 45 minutes sometimes to get it to kick in. I was usually up before the kid next door got up to get ready for work.... At first we thought it was the Thermostat. Put a new one in.. the furnace guy actually said it probably wasn't the thermostat.. but he put one in anyway. He took a look at the furnace and said he'd have to order a part... it could take a while to get it. The first part came in and it was broken! So, waited another while for that one.. then the furnace wouldn't kick in at all, so another guy came and said it was a different part than the one that was on order.. so they ordered a different part. In the meantime, they showed me how to get the furnace to turn on, by poking some wires on the furnace, which was actually easier than turning off and on the thermostat over and over and waiting to see if the furnace kicked on. Anyway, that part finally came and they put 'er in and they got 'er done. It's fixed! Just in time for those chilly mornings in the Spring !
I had troubles with flooding last winter too. Every time the temperature went up and snow started melting, the run off from the snow would gather on my porch area.. water was up to the wall and almost under my door by the time they came and set up a sump pump.. I had to call them several times to do that all winter.
They told me they were going to put in a French Drain this summer... I'm not holding my breath. But, I bet they will be raising my rent/lease come time to re-sign. I think I have reason to object.
Hmmm, they never give me a receipt for my rent I pay. I guess my bank check is my receipt, but I'm beginning to think I have slum lords.. they own something like 80 properties they rent out. Do as little as possible and blame the tenant. They have complained to me that some of the tenants don't pay their rent........ blah blah blah and how much money they've lost. Sounds to me like making excuses is their way.. Oh and they are Christian people! ha ha ha ha ha ha so sorry for those of you who are real Christians. I certainly don't like hypocrites!
On a happier note, my Granddaughter is graduating from High School today. I made a couple of fruit salads she wanted for her party afterwards. That makes me happy that they think my 'stuff' is good! Or maybe it's just that they don't have to make it... I don't care. I am included.
My Children are awesome. They are fun and light hearted. I love their friends. I love being around them. I'm so happy being back with my side of the family. They make up for this crappy apartment I live in! LOL
OK.. I live in this crappy apartment because it's one I could afford and was open (being renovated), when I went looking. (I am very fortunate to have lived with my sister, while looking and waiting for an apt. for 2 1/2 months) I couldn't afford most apartments. Rent has skyrocketed over C-19, and I know how homeless people got that way. I am just a little more lucky than they are. I didn't want to live in the city, and I found this place just 15 miles from the city and 30minutes from my daughter, and 45 mintues from my sister. The other daughter lives 6 hrs away. But it's better than 2000 miles away!
I like my life. I like living alone. I like my photography club. I'm glad I'm back.
I'm HOME again.