2014/06/02 -- 03 Monday and Tuesday

I am writing this post about 9:30 PM on Tuesday. I’ve had some difficulties the last few days, but that’s not to say that the Kitty Kids and I haven’t had some really good things happen.

Because the first day of June fell on a Sunday, my pension check was not posted in my bank account until Monday. That may not sound like a big deal unless you realize that both the Kitty Kids and I have been virtually out of food since the middle of last week.

May was a terrible month financially: not only was it the first month I had to pay the

additional $100 in rent, but again the Department of Education had the Treasury Department withhold over $200 from my Social Security check. (More about that below).

$300+ is a lot of money taken from our limited income, which usually has not covered more than 3 weeks at the best of times. We would have been out of food sooner had not to dear friends assisted, one by donation via my PayPal account and the other via a Walmart gift card.

Sunday night I was restless and unable to sleep, anticipating my pension being available on Monday morning. About 4 AM I gave up completely and began checking my online account to see when the pension had been credited. That marvelous event was confirmed at about 5:15 AM. I was dressed, caring my portable oxygen condenser, and out the door by 5:30 AM. That’s when the first crisis struck.

Because I only had enough gasoline in the car to drive the half-mile or so to the service station, I had not been in the car for some time. Thus I did not know that I had left my keys in the ignition and the ignition set in the position to roll up my automatic windows. The battery was dead as it could be.

I almost panicked before I remembered that a couple of months ago I had invested in my renewing my American Automobile Association membership. After searching through lots of unopened mail, I found the AAA card and telephoned for someone to jump-start my battery. It took about 2 ½ hours for the service man to arrive, during which I nodding off at my desk.

After I was able to start the car I drove to the gas station, but in $40 worth of gas (about ¾ of a tank), drove around another half hour to fully charge the battery, and then went where I wanted to go for staying in the morning: the grocery.

 

Upon my return I was greeted by three very animated and excited Kitty Kids, who are aware that when I carried bags in the apartment there is usually something special for them. The first something special was their favorite wet cat food gravies. Following breakfast, they continued to surround me begging real Kitty cat treats. That continued until I was too exhausted to stay awake.

My adventures unfortunately had their negative affect on my body; not only was I exhausted all day, but I was plagued with a headache, and earache, and my bum leg so painful and weak that I could not easily move around.

I did sleep long last night and took several naps today, including one during which I had a very realistic and exciting dream. My week leg continues to be weak and my ear continued to ache, as did my head periodically.

 

The damnable part of today was that when I checked my online bank account, I discovered that again my Social Security check was $202 short. I was overcome by a sadness—almost a severe 
depression. Thoughts of another month like last month brought me to tears.

Now to the Department of Education: the best way I can explain the mess I am in is by quoting from the cover letter I mailed with my third or fourth request to have my seminary student loan discharged since I am, and have been, totally and permanently disabled since 2003.

This is at least the third time I have filed for discharge of my student loan since 2006. The only response I have ever received has been a telephone call stating that I must provide the reason the Social Security Administration determined me to be disabled. Following which, I contacted the Social Security Administration and was informed that the “reasons” are confidential and even Social Security employees cannot access them. I replied to the Sallie Mae representative with a letter from the Social Security Administration so stating.  I am 68-years-old, living alone, and have difficulty understanding bureaucratic workings and communication, even though I worked as a bureaucrat for the Commonwealth of Kentucky for twelve years, ending in 1983 when I entered seminary. It was only in the past few weeks that I learned my funds were being withheld by the Department of Education and again began this disability application process.

 

I have received one 3 ½ page letter regarding my application which was so complex that I needed to make three telephone calls to find someone to explain it to me. What I finally learned was that (1) my application has been received, (2) is being processed, (3) I will be notified of the results within the next 120 days. I thought the letter and the woman explaining it said that during the application process no further withholding from my Social Security check would occur. Unfortunately, as I learned today, that is not true.

The Kitty Kids and I are happy to have food. I am happy to again be able to purchase the nonprescription medications that I require. We have faith that we shall survive the month of June at least as we did the month of May.

Tests

I feel as if I am being tested:

• I have been quite ill—nausea, body aches, headaches, muscle weakness, exhaustion, sore throat—for the post three weeks.
• I have not had a VA-supplied—or anybody else supplied—care giver in 3 months; I thought that I could do it all by myself, but being ill haa gotten me far behind.
• My hearing aid has fallen from my left ear and I haven’t been able to find it.
• For each of the past two months, unexpected (once a year type) automatic withdrawals have been taken from my back account leaving me overdrawn and without funds for the last three or so weeks of each month.
• Today my 14-year-old washing machine began leaking.
• My 11-year-old TV is losing its picture.

Those are the issues. I am handling them the best that I can, which hasn't been too great thus far.

Kitty Kids Update:

Alex is now nesting on the comforter that I keep on the floor beside my lift chair, leaving me kinda cold.

Little Girl has recently been following me everywhere, including napping on my chest and/or face when I sleep.

Sugar is well-named: all she wants to eat these days is kitty treats and Catmilk

I have decided that I shall be victorious over these challenges!

Day Eight

This morning was beautiful, not too hot and a cool breeze blowing. I decided to take a drive to get some kitty cat treats for Alex and Sugar. Unfortunately the way I wanted to go was blocked by not one but two trains on the railroad track up the road from my apartment complex. [SIGH] I ended up driving in a direction that didn't take me near a store that sold the kitty cat treats that 

Sugar and Alex love.

This afternoon I was cuddling Alex when I discovered two wounds on his back and neck that were covered by scabs. Hmmmm... has the little fellow be in cat fights while adventuring outside. Or, do these wounds come from his relationship with Miss Sugar, our kitty cat apartment mate? Alex refused to tell me. He also jumped from my arms after I spread a bit of antibiotic gel on the wounds.

Why do idiot websites not understand that because I have a cell phone I have text functions? I had the texting turned off intentionally because (1) I do not send texts; (2) I do not read texts; (3) not have the texting saves me almost $150.00 a year in the cost of my cell phone. Therefore, no you cannot text me the password I have forgotten!

I'm still lacking energy. I need to complete tomorrow's Nick's Bytes post but can't seem to remain awake. Now I shall attempt it again as I close out this journal entry for the day.

Alex is on the back of my lift chair, waiting for me to sit and raise my feet so that he can sleep on my uplifted legs. I feel more ill than I did; my body temperature is up to 100.1 F. I need to rest, but must await midnight so I can post Too Bad It's Monday on Nick's Bytes. Then I'll rest.


As for now, I'm closing down this journal post. I'll do another tomorrow.

Day Seven

Yesterday's adventure wore me out. The drive in extreme heat without air conditioning overheated not only me but my portable oxygen compressor. I had no oxygen the last 20 or so miles of the trip. So, I have been recovering today with sleep and occasionally awakening to watch the Olympics. 

Sugar had escaped yesterday morning  when Timmi, my new caregiver, left the front door open. Alex and I went out on the patio in the wee hours of this morning. I called her and Alex left the patio and returned with Sugar following him. However,  she wouldn't enter the apartment. Finally, I cornered her in a corner of the patio and snatched her up by the nap of her neck. She must have had quite an adventure today because Sugar has been sleeping all day, too. 

There is a thunderstorm new (4:30 PM). We need the rain and I'm hoping it cools things off enough so I can make a run to the grocery.

This evening, while awaiting something of interest (not talking heads) in the TV coverage of the Olympic Games, I have been rereading The Gospel of Thomas. I find in these 114 saying of Jesus insight into the spiritual dimension of Christianity that I believe in lacking in the canonical New Testament.  For example,

#29

            If the flesh exists because of the spirit, it is a miracle; but if the spirit exists because of the body, it is a miracle or miracles. I marvel at how such great wealth  established itself amid this poverty,

#62

            I tell my mysteries to those who are worthy of my mysteries. Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

#63

            There was a rich man who had considerable wealth. He said, “I will use my money to sew and reap and plant and fill my warehouses with fruit so that I will lack nothing.” Such we his intentions, but that night he died. Whoever has ears, let him hear.

#67

            He who knows all but fails to know himself lacks everything.

#95

            If you have money, do not lend it at interest but give it to those from whom you will not receive it back.

#113

            His disciples said to him, “When will the kingdom come?”

            He said, “It will not come when  it is expected. They will say, ‘look here,’ or ’Look there.’ Rather the kingdom of the father is spread out on the earth and people do not see it.”

 

 The Kindle Edition:

Day 6

Good morning, World! I'm off on a new adventure today. First, to the VA Hospital regarding the increased pain in my left leg and foot. Then I'm driving Anne and Lyndi to Campbellsville, Kentucky, to purchase a very cheap car. I've advised against the purchase, but 20-somethings don't listen, even when they have have not passed the driver's license test. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a fiasco!

I'll update this post upon my return from this adventure.

The trip to Campbellsville did turn into a fiasco. Anne purchased a 1986 car for $640.00, which I believe is about 3 times what it is worth. She also purchased a battery for it ($100.00) plus insurance ($280.00). That's over a thousand dollars for a car that still needs a lot of work. I believe she was taken badly in the deal. However, she is an adult and all of the decisions were hers. I wonder if the car will run for 90 days. [SIGH]

Timmi, my new caregiver, left the apartment door standing open this morning and before I could close it, Sugar escaped to the outside. She;s been out about 12 hours now and I'm worried about the little girl!