1. < Mental Health

~ Depressed and scared, not making it financially ~

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Feb 26, 2019

I'm 74 years old and moved 3 years ago from MD to VA. My girls had hounded me to come down for several years so I finally did it. I sold my condo (at a loss), and a job with a dentist. Well, here I am, and financially I'm just not making it. That amount I earned from the dentist covered me with just a little left over. Now, more than often, I don't have enough. I eeked out just enough for my rent this month, and now there's not even enough for a quart of milk. I get S.S. and what I get goes right out for my rent (usually there's enough), and my son sends me money each month. I'm sickened, depressed, and scared. I live in low income housing, and have a budget that practically squeaks. I'm thinking of starting to sell some of my furniture.
I so wish I'd have stayed in MD, for so many reasons, this being one of them. I have applied for oodles of jobs (they're all on line now), and legally they're not supposed to ask you how old you are (although many do), but they all ask when you graduated from either high school or college .... well, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out how old a person is. I'm so depressed about this, and .so upset that my stomach.constantly churns.
Thanks for letting me vent.
abby

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Barb | @amberpep | Jul 5, 2020
In reply to @jimhd "@amberpep Good to hear from you, Abby. I spent much of my day assembling a rock..." + (show)
@jimhd

@amberpep Good to hear from you, Abby.

I spent much of my day assembling a rock puzzle. I started making a path from the main deck stairs several years ago, but in typical fashion for me, I've been procrastinating finishing the job. My wife would be the first to say that I often don't complete things. I suppose it's a sign of my depression.

I've gathered rocks from several places, focusing on ones that have a flat surface. Mostly, they've been free. Going to Lowe's and buying a pallet of rock pavers would have made the job a lot easier, but you know why that's not an option. I have only 6 feet to go, and then I can clear away the meds. Some of the rocks are 2" thick, while lots of them require some digging up to a foot deep. I always wear gloves for outside work, but they still are hurting, and my feet are at 8 or 9.

I didn't get to sit down and look through my inbox until a half hour ago, and I still need to take a shower before contaminating the sheets with the dirt that acquired. And since it's almost 11, I have to turn off my phone. Maybe tomorrow won't be such a long, hard day.

Jim

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I absolutely love rock walkways .... they are beautiful. I know they take a lot of time and work ..... my SIL put one in from his parking space to the house (they live on the Blue Ridge Mtns.) and it is beautiful. I admire your efforts to do this. It sure wouldn't be something I'd ever attempt, but then ..... I can't even put together the simplest of puzzles! Go for it .... finish it and send us a picture if you can.
abby (the harp player)

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1 reply
marjou | @marjou | Jul 5, 2020
In reply to @amberpep "Prarie dogs????? abby" + (show)
@amberpep

Prarie dogs????? abby

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There a type of ground squirrel that lives underground.

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marjou | @marjou | Jul 5, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "@marjou, Wondering if your prairie dogs in New Mexico immigrated to TX or vice-versa? vbg We..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@marjou, Wondering if your prairie dogs in New Mexico immigrated to TX or vice-versa? vbg We even have a "visitors" area" next to a large recreational facility and park that is designated: "Prairie Dog Town". It is well tended and supervised. No fees but children and visitors are allowed to "feed" the little guys whose antics can be comical. I know they can become a problem for some of our farmers but this designated area is another activity my grands enjoyed when visiting. Of course that was immediately followed up by the exciting rides for the boys at the park.

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In doing some research they also live in Mexico, made it to Texas around 1900 and New Mexico. But I think also lives in Arizona.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 6, 2020
In reply to @amberpep "I absolutely love rock walkways .... they are beautiful. I know they take a lot of..." + (show)
@amberpep

I absolutely love rock walkways .... they are beautiful. I know they take a lot of time and work ..... my SIL put one in from his parking space to the house (they live on the Blue Ridge Mtns.) and it is beautiful. I admire your efforts to do this. It sure wouldn't be something I'd ever attempt, but then ..... I can't even put together the simplest of puzzles! Go for it .... finish it and send us a picture if you can.
abby (the harp player)

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Welcome back to the discussion, @amberpep. I'm afraid the conversation got off on a tangent about flora and fauna for a bit, but now back to you. How are you doing? What hobbies or activities keep you occupied these days.

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kla1960 | @kla1960 | Aug 10, 2020

Is there food pantries or mobile food drops you can access? It is strength to ask for help and resources not weakness or a sin. We have a failed system that sets us up for failure from birth. I learned this . I rewired my thinking.

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lioness | @lioness | Aug 11, 2020
In reply to @georgette12 "Re home health agencies, there are definitely some that try to take advantage of employees. I..." + (show)
@georgette12

Re home health agencies, there are definitely some that try to take advantage of employees. I work for two agencies part time now. One is great. The other definitely has issues and frankly has tried to ask me to do what I will not do. They haven't fired me for my assertiveness yet. But I finally have figured out I need to stand up for myself or allow myself to be used. I do think that wherever you work it's the same thing . Employers will push those they think are weak. I just cannot let that happen anymore as I have in the past I will admit.

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@georgette12 Good for you to standing up for yourself Im a retired LPN and refused a 12hour job went same day and got hired that same day .Agencies same way Did that too so stand up for what you want

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mothergoose76 | @mothergoose76 | Aug 20, 2020

Keep reaching out. To Senior Help line. To AARP. To your local Congress person. Use your local food shelf and Meals on Wheels. Each will give you more groups who will help you. Best yet, making those calls will reduce your fear. Just making the calls empower us. Moreover, all of the knowledge you gain you can pass along to others in your spot. More empowerment.

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1 reply
marjou | @marjou | Aug 23, 2020
In reply to @mothergoose76 "Keep reaching out. To Senior Help line. To AARP. To your local Congress person. Use your..." + (show)
@mothergoose76

Keep reaching out. To Senior Help line. To AARP. To your local Congress person. Use your local food shelf and Meals on Wheels. Each will give you more groups who will help you. Best yet, making those calls will reduce your fear. Just making the calls empower us. Moreover, all of the knowledge you gain you can pass along to others in your spot. More empowerment.

Jump to this post

Yes, try AARP here's a number 1-888-388-0303 for questions and resources. Good luck

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Barb | @amberpep | Aug 30, 2020

Right now I live in a low-income apartment - no place for gardening. I will be moving to the Senior building which is cheaper and about half the size of this one (also no place to garden). I am trying really hard to get used to living down here, but I think all I can do is just resign myself that it's a fact. I recognize it was a mistake to move from my home in MD, but done is done and I absolutely must adjust, hard though it is. I've seen more confederate flags than I care to even think about. If I had the money I would move back, but .... that's not reality. I'm 75, in excellent health, looking for a job. My 2 grown daughters live down here, and my son lives outside of D.C. I see one of my daughters maybe once a week and that's OK for them as they have families. I hate the thought of moving into the Senior Building as most of them, from what I've observed, just sit and gossip about other residents. It's too easy for a woman to get caught up in that, and I don't want to. I've not found a church yet, but I've got 2 I'm interested in.
abby

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3 replies
Barb | @amberpep | Aug 30, 2020

This is a medical question and I'm not sure where it should go, so I'll put it here to start. I have got plantar fasciitis in my right heel. I've been wearing all my shoes with those rubber things you get at the drug store, and that helps as long as I keep shoes on. I'm a "barefoot runner or sock runner" in the apartment and I'm sure this is how I did it. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to heal this besides the shoe inserts? Thanks much.
abby

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