Since I got up at 5:30 in the morning I thought that I would be able to take a shower but I must have taken too long because one of the staff members said a line was forming. I can't believe I took that long. Well anyway, it bothered me because now I'm thinking about being more faster when I take a shower here.
I took the shower and had my coffee and cigarette. One of the newer residents was arguing with one of the older residents and the newer resident was thrown out.
Breakfast was eggs and turkey bacon.
The church had brought by another breakfast consisting .of scrambled eggs, hash brown and a slice of watermelon.
Yet another church was going to have an Easter service here and a few residents attended. It is now 1:20 in the afternoon. There are cloudy skies and it looks as though it might rain. Some chocolate cake was for a snack
Lunch was minestrone soup and sandwiches but I was full so I didn't have any lunch. With every meal you're supposed to sign in.
I worked on my legal papers. I had to write out a copy of my response so that I could file it and send a copy to the other side. I want to fie it as soon as possible.
Dinner was chicken and some vegetables with stuffing. It was absolutely delicious.
After dinner I finished my legal paperwork because I want to get it done as soon as possible.
I finally finished it and tucked the paperwork away because it has to be neatly presented when I file it. I had to buy some envelopes because this place doesn't readily provide them and if you're wondering a set of envelopes cost me about $2
I also did my local quarterly taxes. Its funny because no matter how bad things may be going in your life you still have to file taxes! Now I need a $2 money order for that!
Went to bed at 9.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Up at 6:30. Groggy but awake. Went outside to smoke a cigarette. Went back insi.de and had a cup of coffee. Breakfast was oatmeal. An argument started between the staff and a resident because the resident had spilled coffee and was using a towel to clean it up.
Right now I'm rolling cigarettes.
Lunch should be in about 2 hours.
Lunch was salami and cheese sandwiches and I had potato chips and grape juice. Afterwards, I rolled more cigarettes.
Dinner was ham and vegetables.
One of the residents had a truck and four of us decided to celebrate one of the resident's birthday today. We pooled our money together and came up with $14 which we used to buy a bottle of whiskey, Then we drove around for a while before coming back to the shelter. We kept drinking for a while then we drifted back to the shelter. I actually didn't got to bed until midnight!
Right now I'm rolling cigarettes.
Lunch should be in about 2 hours.
Lunch was salami and cheese sandwiches and I had potato chips and grape juice. Afterwards, I rolled more cigarettes.
Dinner was ham and vegetables.
One of the residents had a truck and four of us decided to celebrate one of the resident's birthday today. We pooled our money together and came up with $14 which we used to buy a bottle of whiskey, Then we drove around for a while before coming back to the shelter. We kept drinking for a while then we drifted back to the shelter. I actually didn't got to bed until midnight!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013 (Good Friday)
Up at around 5am. There's a woman resident who gets up at 6am every day to go look for work. She even does this on the weekends. She's a quiet person and keeps mostly to herself. She sleeps in the same cubicle that I do and I noticed that she gets up before the 6:30 wake-up call in the morning.
Since I was up so early I made a half a pot of coffee for mu table. One of the residents at my table is a guy that does outside contracting work. (He's he one that I'm doing the spreadsheet for). He got the job from a contractor who drove to the shelter looing for guus who were looking for work. He works six days a week and he's hoping to save enough monehy to get a place of his own. He was the first one (besides me) to sit down to coffee.
It was still early and most of the lights were still off and some of the residents were still in ed sleeping.
Daytime came and the lights came on and the rest of the residents had to gey up.
I had already had my coffee and cigarette for the morning so I was feeling OK.
Breakfast was sausage and eggs and bread - yes you could make a sandwich with it but I didn't think of that at the time.
I had to go out in the van by 8:30 but they were ready to go 15 minutes earlier. My appointment wasn't until nine.
My "appointment" was at Central. I was scheduled for my first official group therapy session.
There were a bout five of us there and we talked. Since I was new, I introduced myself and talked about myself a little.
The topic of discussion was about doing things for others even though you might not be thinking about yourself first. We talked about being taken advantage of and why we let it happen. Is it low self-esteem, wanting to please others, wanting people to like us........ I talked about my court case and the therapist asked me more questions about it and the others commented as well.
During the second therapy session we had a good discussion and it lasted well over the time it was supposed to.
Lunch was next. I went with another resident to the store to get lunch but their card machine was down so we went to a bar that was halfway down the block. I hadn't been to a bar in at least five years so this was an experienced for me. We ordered a pitcher of beer ($7 and some change) and the bartender trook pity on us and we split her uneaten sandwich between the two of use. I saw the ashtrays and it dawnd on me that we could actually smoke inside! Oh Joy! I lit a cigarette right away! I told the bbartender that I hadn't been in a bar for at least 5 years and she was shocked and amused by that. The food and the beer felt good. The bartender, a woman, told us about herself. She was going through chemotherapy and she was also a grandmother and she also works a second job somewhere else.
It was near noon but the bar already had a ew people in it already. I found out that the bar opens at 8am and closes at around 2am in the morning. The music was turned up and the bass was booming and the TV news was on (with the sound turned down of course). We had to finish the whole pitcher of beer so it took a little over an hour because we were finishing it slowing. At first it felt nice and warm a d then I started to feel dizzy and a little nauseated but we finished the pitcher. At $7 and change we definitely were going to finish that pitchdr!
We finished the pitcher and we got enough money together to be able to pay for lunch so we went back to the store but first we donned sunglasses because the bar was dark and the outside was brightl (very) sunny.
We got our cheese steak (we were going to split it) and headed back to Central.
We ate our lunch in the kitchen there and coincidently that was where the next group therapy session was going to start. It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon by now and this would be our third group session today.
This group therapy session was therapy through activity. The activity was art and what we were supposed to do was create an album cover of our life right now. We were supposed to create a collage-type of album cover of how we felt our lives were going right now. We had lots of materials to work with. We had old magazines that we could cut pictures from. We had colored construction paper, colored pens, scissors, glue, paint brushes and water colors. I decided my album cover would be called "Through The Fire" because I felt that was my life right now.
I could only find one picture with fire in it so I used some of the colored construction paper to get mu n\message across. I didn't finish in time but we could continue the session next week. I was so glad that I had a doctor's appointment there next week so That I could make the next therapy session.
Even though I enjoyed the art therapy session the most, I enjoyed all of them as well. It really did seem to help me by talking to others and expressing myself through art.
The art therapy session lasted until 2pm and there was a goal setting therapy group session that I wanted to attend but when I got to the scheduled room there was no one there. I waited until 2:30 but still nobody showed up so we decided to go back to the homeless shelter. The other resident called at 2:45 for the van to come pick us up and I called again around twenty minutes later. The van came at around 4pm. Even though it took a while we finally made it back to the shelter.
I did some organizing of all of my paperwork. I hade so many pieces of paper with things scribbled on them like phone numbers and addresses and names that my poor bag was getting too full and too heavy to carry.
Dinner was at 4:45. Dinner was chicken or fish (I chose the fish), squash stew, carrots, a mix of vegetables and pound cake for dessert. I was quite full!
Back to writing here and a staff member wanted to know if I wanted ply chess again. I reluctantly agreed hoping that he would find more challenging people to play. Hopefully this will happen soon. But first the medication has to be passed out and jeopardy is on.
The minister brought some children by so that they could practice their singing for an Easter Church event here on Sunday (that's what the flyer was for).
I was asked by the agreed. Then I was asked to play chess but a new resident came in. She was Korean and she spoke very little English so the staff member used the computer and a translation program to try and communicate with her. Then it was back to the chess game. I lost again - of course but I really do want to beat him so I have to learn it more. Then he wanted me to play chess with another resident and - of course, I lost again.
I asked to use the computer so I could finish the spreadsheet and the staff member reluctantly agreed so I was able to finish that.
I made the mistake of drinking a cup and then another cu[ of coffee at around 8:30 so I didn't go to bed until midnight!
Since I was up so early I made a half a pot of coffee for mu table. One of the residents at my table is a guy that does outside contracting work. (He's he one that I'm doing the spreadsheet for). He got the job from a contractor who drove to the shelter looing for guus who were looking for work. He works six days a week and he's hoping to save enough monehy to get a place of his own. He was the first one (besides me) to sit down to coffee.
It was still early and most of the lights were still off and some of the residents were still in ed sleeping.
Daytime came and the lights came on and the rest of the residents had to gey up.
I had already had my coffee and cigarette for the morning so I was feeling OK.
Breakfast was sausage and eggs and bread - yes you could make a sandwich with it but I didn't think of that at the time.
I had to go out in the van by 8:30 but they were ready to go 15 minutes earlier. My appointment wasn't until nine.
My "appointment" was at Central. I was scheduled for my first official group therapy session.
There were a bout five of us there and we talked. Since I was new, I introduced myself and talked about myself a little.
The topic of discussion was about doing things for others even though you might not be thinking about yourself first. We talked about being taken advantage of and why we let it happen. Is it low self-esteem, wanting to please others, wanting people to like us........ I talked about my court case and the therapist asked me more questions about it and the others commented as well.
During the second therapy session we had a good discussion and it lasted well over the time it was supposed to.
Lunch was next. I went with another resident to the store to get lunch but their card machine was down so we went to a bar that was halfway down the block. I hadn't been to a bar in at least five years so this was an experienced for me. We ordered a pitcher of beer ($7 and some change) and the bartender trook pity on us and we split her uneaten sandwich between the two of use. I saw the ashtrays and it dawnd on me that we could actually smoke inside! Oh Joy! I lit a cigarette right away! I told the bbartender that I hadn't been in a bar for at least 5 years and she was shocked and amused by that. The food and the beer felt good. The bartender, a woman, told us about herself. She was going through chemotherapy and she was also a grandmother and she also works a second job somewhere else.
It was near noon but the bar already had a ew people in it already. I found out that the bar opens at 8am and closes at around 2am in the morning. The music was turned up and the bass was booming and the TV news was on (with the sound turned down of course). We had to finish the whole pitcher of beer so it took a little over an hour because we were finishing it slowing. At first it felt nice and warm a d then I started to feel dizzy and a little nauseated but we finished the pitcher. At $7 and change we definitely were going to finish that pitchdr!
We finished the pitcher and we got enough money together to be able to pay for lunch so we went back to the store but first we donned sunglasses because the bar was dark and the outside was brightl (very) sunny.
We got our cheese steak (we were going to split it) and headed back to Central.
We ate our lunch in the kitchen there and coincidently that was where the next group therapy session was going to start. It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon by now and this would be our third group session today.
This group therapy session was therapy through activity. The activity was art and what we were supposed to do was create an album cover of our life right now. We were supposed to create a collage-type of album cover of how we felt our lives were going right now. We had lots of materials to work with. We had old magazines that we could cut pictures from. We had colored construction paper, colored pens, scissors, glue, paint brushes and water colors. I decided my album cover would be called "Through The Fire" because I felt that was my life right now.
I could only find one picture with fire in it so I used some of the colored construction paper to get mu n\message across. I didn't finish in time but we could continue the session next week. I was so glad that I had a doctor's appointment there next week so That I could make the next therapy session.
Even though I enjoyed the art therapy session the most, I enjoyed all of them as well. It really did seem to help me by talking to others and expressing myself through art.
The art therapy session lasted until 2pm and there was a goal setting therapy group session that I wanted to attend but when I got to the scheduled room there was no one there. I waited until 2:30 but still nobody showed up so we decided to go back to the homeless shelter. The other resident called at 2:45 for the van to come pick us up and I called again around twenty minutes later. The van came at around 4pm. Even though it took a while we finally made it back to the shelter.
I did some organizing of all of my paperwork. I hade so many pieces of paper with things scribbled on them like phone numbers and addresses and names that my poor bag was getting too full and too heavy to carry.
Dinner was at 4:45. Dinner was chicken or fish (I chose the fish), squash stew, carrots, a mix of vegetables and pound cake for dessert. I was quite full!
Back to writing here and a staff member wanted to know if I wanted ply chess again. I reluctantly agreed hoping that he would find more challenging people to play. Hopefully this will happen soon. But first the medication has to be passed out and jeopardy is on.
The minister brought some children by so that they could practice their singing for an Easter Church event here on Sunday (that's what the flyer was for).
I was asked by the agreed. Then I was asked to play chess but a new resident came in. She was Korean and she spoke very little English so the staff member used the computer and a translation program to try and communicate with her. Then it was back to the chess game. I lost again - of course but I really do want to beat him so I have to learn it more. Then he wanted me to play chess with another resident and - of course, I lost again.
I asked to use the computer so I could finish the spreadsheet and the staff member reluctantly agreed so I was able to finish that.
I made the mistake of drinking a cup and then another cu[ of coffee at around 8:30 so I didn't go to bed until midnight!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Thursday, March 28,2013
I thought if I got up early enough I would be able to take a shower without waiting too long. I was wrong! I finally managed to take my shower and go back to my overflowing locker.
Had a cigarette and coffee and then came breakfast which was cream of wheat. Not long after that the van took me to my X-ray appointment. It wasn't actually an appointment. It seems that you can just walk in and make the arrangements to have your x-ray taken that day. It's been a log time since I made a hospital appointment!
I signed in, they added me to their hospital files system (since I never been there before and I went to the waiting room, sat down and then was told I was in the wrong waiting room. I was shown where the right waiting room was and I waited. First it's off with your clothes and put on the hospital gown. Then you're taken to the x-ray room where they take the x-rays. Since it was my knee that they were going to x-ray I had to lie down on my back and then on my side so that they could get more than one angle and more than one x-ray. Moving like that made my knee hurt more and (And I'm down to m I wish I could have gotten some crutches but they said no.
Still in a little bit of pain they finally finished. I decided to splurge and buy myself a cup of coffee and a soft pretzel. It cost me all of $2 but I still wanted to splurge a little so did it.
It took a while for the van to pick me up. I had to call twice! (and I'm down to mu last 2 phone minutes!)
I finally got back to the homeless shelter but I missed lunch. I microwaved some popcorn (from my bingo winnings) and that's what I'm having for lunch now. I also managed to get an approval sheet for Central tomorrow.
Dinner was chicken and noodles along with carrots and broccoli and pound cake for dessert.
I used the computer here to finish my local taxes and to help create a spreadsheet for someone else.
The movie playing tonight is The Passion Of Christ.
One of the staff members brought out his chess set and I played a game with him. I lost. And then he played with another resident and he won again. Others were watching us and I think that this chess-playing will become a regular kind of thing.
Had a final cigarette before bed at ten.
Had a cigarette and coffee and then came breakfast which was cream of wheat. Not long after that the van took me to my X-ray appointment. It wasn't actually an appointment. It seems that you can just walk in and make the arrangements to have your x-ray taken that day. It's been a log time since I made a hospital appointment!
I signed in, they added me to their hospital files system (since I never been there before and I went to the waiting room, sat down and then was told I was in the wrong waiting room. I was shown where the right waiting room was and I waited. First it's off with your clothes and put on the hospital gown. Then you're taken to the x-ray room where they take the x-rays. Since it was my knee that they were going to x-ray I had to lie down on my back and then on my side so that they could get more than one angle and more than one x-ray. Moving like that made my knee hurt more and (And I'm down to m I wish I could have gotten some crutches but they said no.
Still in a little bit of pain they finally finished. I decided to splurge and buy myself a cup of coffee and a soft pretzel. It cost me all of $2 but I still wanted to splurge a little so did it.
It took a while for the van to pick me up. I had to call twice! (and I'm down to mu last 2 phone minutes!)
I finally got back to the homeless shelter but I missed lunch. I microwaved some popcorn (from my bingo winnings) and that's what I'm having for lunch now. I also managed to get an approval sheet for Central tomorrow.
Dinner was chicken and noodles along with carrots and broccoli and pound cake for dessert.
I used the computer here to finish my local taxes and to help create a spreadsheet for someone else.
The movie playing tonight is The Passion Of Christ.
One of the staff members brought out his chess set and I played a game with him. I lost. And then he played with another resident and he won again. Others were watching us and I think that this chess-playing will become a regular kind of thing.
Had a final cigarette before bed at ten.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Central?
What is Central? At the homeless shelter its a place that they send people to have a mental evaluation. I didn't know it at first but the doctor I spoke with was a psychiatrist. Central also has group therapy sessions as well as one-on-one therapy sessions. I signed up for both! What's more interesting is what happens outside! There's is a sitting area just outside and when I was there was always someone asking for cigarettes. Some even hunt for butts in the ashtray. Sometimes they will even ask for money!
Wednesday, March 27,2013
Slept about 4 hours last night but I got up a little bit early anyway. Had my morning coffee and cigarette. breakfast was cereal a d milk.
My appointment wasn't until 1:30 so I had some time before I had to leave. I decided to do something with my hair but I didn't like it so I changed it back. Time to kill because I didn't want to miss the van at 1:30.
Lunch was chicken tortillas and the hamburger(s) left over from yesterday.
For the rest of the time I worked with stringing some yarn and I met the minister's daughter again. She told me she couldn't find the paper that I wrote my case number on and for me to write it down for her again. Today is the last day to file my appeal. Oh well, at least I still have the trial yet.
My appointment today was just the basic paperwork process to get me into group therapy sessions. My first session starts Friday at 9 am. Though I loath to ask the shelter for another approval sheet. I am going to have to do it. A very nice woman asked me questions about myself and how I was feeling to help determine which groups would be the best fit for me. I wanted the art therapy group for sure! It was basically a painless little process and after it was over I was set to start attending the group therapy sessions on Friday.
I wanted to wait around so I could attend one of the sessions today but I start on Friday.
The van took me ack to the shelter and I found out that while I was gone one of the residents was take out by ambulance because he was acting weird. This is the same man who had to be taken out twice before by ambulance because he had taken too much of his sleeping pills.
Dinner was ham again with some vegetables and cake for dessert. I still have to work on clearing and straightening out my lockers because there is o more room left.
I got my clothes ready for the shower I was going to take in the morning and I went to bed at ten.
My appointment wasn't until 1:30 so I had some time before I had to leave. I decided to do something with my hair but I didn't like it so I changed it back. Time to kill because I didn't want to miss the van at 1:30.
Lunch was chicken tortillas and the hamburger(s) left over from yesterday.
For the rest of the time I worked with stringing some yarn and I met the minister's daughter again. She told me she couldn't find the paper that I wrote my case number on and for me to write it down for her again. Today is the last day to file my appeal. Oh well, at least I still have the trial yet.
My appointment today was just the basic paperwork process to get me into group therapy sessions. My first session starts Friday at 9 am. Though I loath to ask the shelter for another approval sheet. I am going to have to do it. A very nice woman asked me questions about myself and how I was feeling to help determine which groups would be the best fit for me. I wanted the art therapy group for sure! It was basically a painless little process and after it was over I was set to start attending the group therapy sessions on Friday.
I wanted to wait around so I could attend one of the sessions today but I start on Friday.
The van took me ack to the shelter and I found out that while I was gone one of the residents was take out by ambulance because he was acting weird. This is the same man who had to be taken out twice before by ambulance because he had taken too much of his sleeping pills.
Dinner was ham again with some vegetables and cake for dessert. I still have to work on clearing and straightening out my lockers because there is o more room left.
I got my clothes ready for the shower I was going to take in the morning and I went to bed at ten.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Doctor's follow-up appointment today so I had to make sure that I had breakfast today. Breakfast was oatmeal.
I had to get myself ready for my doctor's appointment which was at 9:30. The van got me there at 8:30 and I just knitted something until the doctor called me in.
My checkup was just a follow up visit to my first doctor's appointment. They took my blood pressure. It was still a little high - 156 over 90 so my doctor wants me to take two of the high blood pressure pills a day instead of just one. We discussed about how I felt. I said that my knee and my back were still bothering me so the doctor wants me to get an x-ray of m knee. She went over my blood work and my other levels. She's concerned about my high blood pressure and my sugar levels and I also have a vitamin D deficiency but she is prescribing supplements for that. My other levels are good.
After the van brought me baci to the shelter there was the church with a donation of clothes. they were taking us a few at a time for both men and women. I picked out a nice couple of sweater jackets, some pants and some blouses. I forgot that warmer weather is coming and I should have picked clothes for that. Bit, oh well, I loved what I picked anyway. What a busy day today. (and I still have another appointment for tomorrow!
Lunch was cheeseburgers and I already had the potato chips and soda so it was a very good lunch!
Well right now I'm waiting to get permission so that the van can take me to get my prescriptions. I have three new appointments that I have to make. One to get my prescriptions, two for my nee x-ray and the third for my next doctor's appointment.
I got the permission slip signed but had to wait until after dinner to get my prescriptions.
Dinner was ham and rice and spinach and marble cake for dessert.
At the pharmacy I was shocked to find out that my insurance wouldn't pay for one of h prescriptions. It was for the pain in my knee and I'm guessing that the insurance company wasn't paying because I could buy the pain killer off the counter. I paid for the prescription anyway. It just leaves me with less money for now.
After lunch I played bingo with a few of the other residents and I won a great big giant soda.
I was driven back to the shelter, stayed outside and smoked a cigarette. Talked with another resident about her car and how much it cost (a lot!) to fix it. I don't know where or how she got the money to fix her car and I really didn't ask because it was really none of my business.
With the new clothes I got from the church donation my lockers are quite full. It's not like they are going to give me a third locker (residents get a top and bottom locker only). I have to make more room in my locker to get rid of some things already in the locker. Being able to fit all my things in the locker is going to take a little time. Maybe that's why I stayed up until eleven before I went to bed.bed.
I had to get myself ready for my doctor's appointment which was at 9:30. The van got me there at 8:30 and I just knitted something until the doctor called me in.
My checkup was just a follow up visit to my first doctor's appointment. They took my blood pressure. It was still a little high - 156 over 90 so my doctor wants me to take two of the high blood pressure pills a day instead of just one. We discussed about how I felt. I said that my knee and my back were still bothering me so the doctor wants me to get an x-ray of m knee. She went over my blood work and my other levels. She's concerned about my high blood pressure and my sugar levels and I also have a vitamin D deficiency but she is prescribing supplements for that. My other levels are good.
After the van brought me baci to the shelter there was the church with a donation of clothes. they were taking us a few at a time for both men and women. I picked out a nice couple of sweater jackets, some pants and some blouses. I forgot that warmer weather is coming and I should have picked clothes for that. Bit, oh well, I loved what I picked anyway. What a busy day today. (and I still have another appointment for tomorrow!
Lunch was cheeseburgers and I already had the potato chips and soda so it was a very good lunch!
Well right now I'm waiting to get permission so that the van can take me to get my prescriptions. I have three new appointments that I have to make. One to get my prescriptions, two for my nee x-ray and the third for my next doctor's appointment.
I got the permission slip signed but had to wait until after dinner to get my prescriptions.
Dinner was ham and rice and spinach and marble cake for dessert.
At the pharmacy I was shocked to find out that my insurance wouldn't pay for one of h prescriptions. It was for the pain in my knee and I'm guessing that the insurance company wasn't paying because I could buy the pain killer off the counter. I paid for the prescription anyway. It just leaves me with less money for now.
After lunch I played bingo with a few of the other residents and I won a great big giant soda.
I was driven back to the shelter, stayed outside and smoked a cigarette. Talked with another resident about her car and how much it cost (a lot!) to fix it. I don't know where or how she got the money to fix her car and I really didn't ask because it was really none of my business.
With the new clothes I got from the church donation my lockers are quite full. It's not like they are going to give me a third locker (residents get a top and bottom locker only). I have to make more room in my locker to get rid of some things already in the locker. Being able to fit all my things in the locker is going to take a little time. Maybe that's why I stayed up until eleven before I went to bed.bed.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, March 25,2013
Up at 6:30 and breakfast at around 7:30.
Well I finally did something with my hair. Actually I showed my perm kit to one of the female staffers and she remembered it and she kind of bullied me to get it done today. I wasn't ready for that but the shelter had almost everything I needed to perm my hair. It took me about 2 and a half hours to get it done but at least my hair was clean.
I was still in a tizzy over that and then it was lunch time. We had beef stew for lunch.
A woman minister stopped by the shelter today and I complimented he on her stylish outfit. She kind of brushed it off but she came back to me later saying she thought about what I said and that she might use it in her next sermon.
She also told me that her father is an attorney and that maybe she will be able to help me with my court case. I surely do hope that she is able to help.
Dinner was peppersteak with rice and butter beans.
I'm doing some compiter work for one of the men here is doing contractor work. I'm making a spreadsheet for his client list. Actually using the computer here is a bit difficult because you don't get to spend a lot of time at it - maybe 45 minutes at the most.
Unfortunately one of the residents over took his medication and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Strangely enough he was back at the shelter by 10:30 but I had already gone to bed by then.
I
Well I finally did something with my hair. Actually I showed my perm kit to one of the female staffers and she remembered it and she kind of bullied me to get it done today. I wasn't ready for that but the shelter had almost everything I needed to perm my hair. It took me about 2 and a half hours to get it done but at least my hair was clean.
I was still in a tizzy over that and then it was lunch time. We had beef stew for lunch.
A woman minister stopped by the shelter today and I complimented he on her stylish outfit. She kind of brushed it off but she came back to me later saying she thought about what I said and that she might use it in her next sermon.
She also told me that her father is an attorney and that maybe she will be able to help me with my court case. I surely do hope that she is able to help.
Dinner was peppersteak with rice and butter beans.
I'm doing some compiter work for one of the men here is doing contractor work. I'm making a spreadsheet for his client list. Actually using the computer here is a bit difficult because you don't get to spend a lot of time at it - maybe 45 minutes at the most.
Unfortunately one of the residents over took his medication and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Strangely enough he was back at the shelter by 10:30 but I had already gone to bed by then.
I
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Breakfast was grits and bacon.
I spent the morning rolling some more cigarettes and kept at it right until lunch lime. Lunch was chicken tortillas.
Before that a church brought breakfast plates of scrambled eggs, fish sticks and biscuits - very, very good.
I spent some time rolling cigarettes until I ran out of tobacco.
One of the residets was 't feeling well so he called an ambulance and they came a d took him away. He's back now and he said the doctors said he had bronchitis.
Me and another woman crocheted a little together and I got $5 for folding another resident's clothes while he was out.
It's about 4 in the afternoon. The shift changed happen about an hour ago and since its a Sunday those not watching the college basketball games are trying not to be bored.
Dinnertime at around 5pm. Pepper steak, rice, lima / butter beans, juice and marble cake for dessert.
Had a cigarette outside in the cold air but it felt good.
Checked my phone and I got a message from one of my neighbor friends wondering why she hadn't seen me in a while. I was shocked! I thought that the word had already gotten around? Well it will now because I told her about how I got evicted and I told her to tell everybody and to spread the word. I also checked in with my brother also.
One of the residents here, a sweet, little feisty older woman just gave me a bowl of ice cream. Wasn't that sweet! Two of the men residents are talking about sorts at my table while I writing this now..................
I spent the morning rolling some more cigarettes and kept at it right until lunch lime. Lunch was chicken tortillas.
Before that a church brought breakfast plates of scrambled eggs, fish sticks and biscuits - very, very good.
I spent some time rolling cigarettes until I ran out of tobacco.
One of the residets was 't feeling well so he called an ambulance and they came a d took him away. He's back now and he said the doctors said he had bronchitis.
Me and another woman crocheted a little together and I got $5 for folding another resident's clothes while he was out.
It's about 4 in the afternoon. The shift changed happen about an hour ago and since its a Sunday those not watching the college basketball games are trying not to be bored.
Dinnertime at around 5pm. Pepper steak, rice, lima / butter beans, juice and marble cake for dessert.
Had a cigarette outside in the cold air but it felt good.
Checked my phone and I got a message from one of my neighbor friends wondering why she hadn't seen me in a while. I was shocked! I thought that the word had already gotten around? Well it will now because I told her about how I got evicted and I told her to tell everybody and to spread the word. I also checked in with my brother also.
One of the residents here, a sweet, little feisty older woman just gave me a bowl of ice cream. Wasn't that sweet! Two of the men residents are talking about sorts at my table while I writing this now..................
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Well it's official! I have been here for exactly two months. I didn't think that I would be here this long. At least I know my cat is being taken care of.
I'm running out of cigarettes and I'm running out of money and I'm worried about my court case and getting my house back. I still have a bad cough but I have a doctor's appointment on Monday.
Breakfast was turkey bacon and waffles. I had a cup of coffee and a cigarette before then so I was feeling good.
One of the residents was arguing with one of the staff though I didn't catch what they were arguing about.SS
The woman's husband came back and she went outside to talk to him. The next thing I know they are both inside sleeping on the couch - though not together.
Lunch was cheesesteak on two pieces of bread.
I did some crocheting and got kind of bored with it and then I went outside to smoke a cigarette.
Shift change.
I'm really getting kind of bored here. It's a Saturday and some people are watching the college basketball games on TV and that's just not for me. Normally at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon I would be at my computer with the radio playing soft jazzy music in the background. Spring is slowly starting to come and I would be starting my garden about now.
I'm really betting bored here. I want to take a time out from my legal paperwork though I'm feeling frustrated about it. And I have a few other things that I can do. I'm still feeling quite bored. I have appointments next week so I'll be relatively busy then. I was starting to think about my goals and my purpose in life. I want my home back so badly but I keep getting hit by obstacles after obstacles though I haven't entirely given up. Apartments are so expensive and the rooms for rent are even worse. I certainly don't want a room and if any thing I would have to get an apartment if I don't get my house back. I don't feel like an inspiration to others right now. Right now I'm feeling frustrated and bored.
On the bright side I do have my medical insurance and my prescriptions - with a $1 co-pay. I have had my mental evaluation and have been diagnosed with major depression so I know what (else) is wrong with me. I want my house back. I want my cat back and I want my life back the way it was!
It was spinach, sweet potatoes and glazed ham.
I'm running out of cigarettes and I'm running out of money and I'm worried about my court case and getting my house back. I still have a bad cough but I have a doctor's appointment on Monday.
Breakfast was turkey bacon and waffles. I had a cup of coffee and a cigarette before then so I was feeling good.
One of the residents was arguing with one of the staff though I didn't catch what they were arguing about.SS
The woman's husband came back and she went outside to talk to him. The next thing I know they are both inside sleeping on the couch - though not together.
Lunch was cheesesteak on two pieces of bread.
I did some crocheting and got kind of bored with it and then I went outside to smoke a cigarette.
Shift change.
I'm really getting kind of bored here. It's a Saturday and some people are watching the college basketball games on TV and that's just not for me. Normally at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon I would be at my computer with the radio playing soft jazzy music in the background. Spring is slowly starting to come and I would be starting my garden about now.
I'm really betting bored here. I want to take a time out from my legal paperwork though I'm feeling frustrated about it. And I have a few other things that I can do. I'm still feeling quite bored. I have appointments next week so I'll be relatively busy then. I was starting to think about my goals and my purpose in life. I want my home back so badly but I keep getting hit by obstacles after obstacles though I haven't entirely given up. Apartments are so expensive and the rooms for rent are even worse. I certainly don't want a room and if any thing I would have to get an apartment if I don't get my house back. I don't feel like an inspiration to others right now. Right now I'm feeling frustrated and bored.
On the bright side I do have my medical insurance and my prescriptions - with a $1 co-pay. I have had my mental evaluation and have been diagnosed with major depression so I know what (else) is wrong with me. I want my house back. I want my cat back and I want my life back the way it was!
It was spinach, sweet potatoes and glazed ham.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Friday, March 22,2013
An argument started earlier this morning concerning the coffee. You see, coffee isn't provided here - usually - so one of the residents bought a coffee pot. If you contribute by buying coffee, sugar, etc., then you can have cup(s) of coffee. Of course some people abuse it but for the most part you ask before you take a cup of coffee.
Anyway, breakfast was Cream of Wheat.
I'm still working on writing a copy of my rebuttal because I haven't finished it. I kind of decided today that instead of using it as a rebuttal I would send it in and file it with the courthouse since my hearing isn't until the later part of April. It will mean more money for stamps and postage but I still may do it anyway.
Another one of the residents here is also having problems with his house though our problems are not the same. He's trying to get back into his house which was condemmed as inhabitable. What makes his situation more worse is that someone broke into his house and made the damage worse. He said that I was an inspiration to him and seeing me fight for my house made him want to fight for his house more.
Lunch was bolgna and salami sandwiches with cheese and chicken noodle soup with pound cake for dessert. There are still some pears available in the box.
We had a bit of drama today because one of the men left their wife today. From what I could see he just packed his stuff into a trash bag and left out the front door. For right now the wife is a basket case, just crying and very distraught. (This is all happening during the shift change and the new staff have hardly a clue as to what is going on.
I also got some bad news in the mail today. It seems the Supervising / President Judge is unable to interfere with the case of anothe judge and it looks like he will not help me and I don't have the $125 needed to file the appeal.
Dinner was a nice mix. I had fried fish, macaroni and cheese and broccoli.
It seems that this place is getting to people because some of the residents are on edge. I don't blame them but what other alternative do they have. I'm feeling frustrated myself!
The woman's husband came back and she didn't want to let him go. As he was trying to leave (again) she held on tight to him and she kept screaming "NO". He went outside, she followed and held onto him again. Over and over she kept screaming 'NO'. He finally left and she started to cry. She came inside still crying. She became so distraught that an ambulance came and took her away.
I was able to use the computer here so that I could get my income information so that I can file my 4th quarter taxes.
Anyway, breakfast was Cream of Wheat.
I'm still working on writing a copy of my rebuttal because I haven't finished it. I kind of decided today that instead of using it as a rebuttal I would send it in and file it with the courthouse since my hearing isn't until the later part of April. It will mean more money for stamps and postage but I still may do it anyway.
Another one of the residents here is also having problems with his house though our problems are not the same. He's trying to get back into his house which was condemmed as inhabitable. What makes his situation more worse is that someone broke into his house and made the damage worse. He said that I was an inspiration to him and seeing me fight for my house made him want to fight for his house more.
Lunch was bolgna and salami sandwiches with cheese and chicken noodle soup with pound cake for dessert. There are still some pears available in the box.
We had a bit of drama today because one of the men left their wife today. From what I could see he just packed his stuff into a trash bag and left out the front door. For right now the wife is a basket case, just crying and very distraught. (This is all happening during the shift change and the new staff have hardly a clue as to what is going on.
I also got some bad news in the mail today. It seems the Supervising / President Judge is unable to interfere with the case of anothe judge and it looks like he will not help me and I don't have the $125 needed to file the appeal.
Dinner was a nice mix. I had fried fish, macaroni and cheese and broccoli.
It seems that this place is getting to people because some of the residents are on edge. I don't blame them but what other alternative do they have. I'm feeling frustrated myself!
The woman's husband came back and she didn't want to let him go. As he was trying to leave (again) she held on tight to him and she kept screaming "NO". He went outside, she followed and held onto him again. Over and over she kept screaming 'NO'. He finally left and she started to cry. She came inside still crying. She became so distraught that an ambulance came and took her away.
I was able to use the computer here so that I could get my income information so that I can file my 4th quarter taxes.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Thursday, March 21,2013
Up at 6:30
Breakfast was eggs and turkey bacon. I managed to have my coffee and cigarette before breakfast.
After breakfast I took a nice hot shower but didn't have enough time to wash my hair because someone was banging on the shower door. Later I found out who it was but he was a "friendly" so I couldn't be mad at him.
Today is the day that I start working on my rebuttal for court. It's something I'm not looking forward to but its something that I got to do if I want to get my house back.
Lollipops for snacks were at the snack table today.
One of the favorite case workers is leaving tomorrow. She commutes a long way and she said that it was just getting too much for her. A lot of the people that work here have another job. Some of them work more than one shift and a few of them are interns.
Lunch at around noon - veal patties with bread and cheese.
I finished my court rebuttal. Now all I have to do is copy it.
Dinner was rice, beans and roast beef.
Bingo was tonight and I called the numbers. We started off with a lot of people but it gradually drifted down to a few players. The prizes consisted of sodas and candy.
I wanted to use their computer to do my taxes but I got bogged down playing bingo and mostly forgot about it.
I went to bed at 10
Breakfast was eggs and turkey bacon. I managed to have my coffee and cigarette before breakfast.
After breakfast I took a nice hot shower but didn't have enough time to wash my hair because someone was banging on the shower door. Later I found out who it was but he was a "friendly" so I couldn't be mad at him.
Today is the day that I start working on my rebuttal for court. It's something I'm not looking forward to but its something that I got to do if I want to get my house back.
Lollipops for snacks were at the snack table today.
One of the favorite case workers is leaving tomorrow. She commutes a long way and she said that it was just getting too much for her. A lot of the people that work here have another job. Some of them work more than one shift and a few of them are interns.
Lunch at around noon - veal patties with bread and cheese.
I finished my court rebuttal. Now all I have to do is copy it.
Dinner was rice, beans and roast beef.
Bingo was tonight and I called the numbers. We started off with a lot of people but it gradually drifted down to a few players. The prizes consisted of sodas and candy.
I wanted to use their computer to do my taxes but I got bogged down playing bingo and mostly forgot about it.
I went to bed at 10
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 - (The 1st Day Of Spring)
Went to bed last night around ten. Wanted to sleep more but had to gut up of course.
Hassle going to my locker just to get my cigarettes. Some people have actually gotten their cigarettes stolen from their coat pockets and lockers so I lock mine up at night.
Breakfast was cream of wheat. I didn't want it so I had a granola bar instead.
I'm going to try and stay off my knee today.
I helped mop up the floor (so much for staying off my knee - LOL!)
The shelter found someone an apartment for 30% of their income and that is EXACTLY the kind of program that I want to have for myself!
Lunch was very good today. There was a big variety to choose from and I had the baked chicken, broccoli mix, macaroni and cheese and a slice of pizza.
A bunch of college kids came in today to find out about the homeless. I participated in their group session. Mostly I talked about how I became homeless and about how I was fighting for my home.
Dinner was about the same. The women were supposed to go out for water ice (because it was the first day of spring) but the line was so long that they came back.
I went to bed later - 11 o'clock. Hope I won't be too sleepy in the morning.
Hassle going to my locker just to get my cigarettes. Some people have actually gotten their cigarettes stolen from their coat pockets and lockers so I lock mine up at night.
Breakfast was cream of wheat. I didn't want it so I had a granola bar instead.
I'm going to try and stay off my knee today.
I helped mop up the floor (so much for staying off my knee - LOL!)
The shelter found someone an apartment for 30% of their income and that is EXACTLY the kind of program that I want to have for myself!
Lunch was very good today. There was a big variety to choose from and I had the baked chicken, broccoli mix, macaroni and cheese and a slice of pizza.
A bunch of college kids came in today to find out about the homeless. I participated in their group session. Mostly I talked about how I became homeless and about how I was fighting for my home.
Dinner was about the same. The women were supposed to go out for water ice (because it was the first day of spring) but the line was so long that they came back.
I went to bed later - 11 o'clock. Hope I won't be too sleepy in the morning.
| One of the residents took too much of their medication and left a $10 bill on the table. Fortunately for him, one of the more honest residents found it and gave it back to him the next morning. |
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2012
Today is laundry day. Sheets and linen in the big hamper when you get out of bed.
Breakfast was grits and turkey bacon.
I took my Prozac after breakfast and had to get ready for my doctor's appointment and physical exam.
Breakfast was grits and turkey bacon.
I took my Prozac after breakfast and had to get ready for my doctor's appointment and physical exam.
The van was ready at 8:30 and it took a couple of us to our appointments.
Since I was new to the system it took me some time to fill out the paperwork - it wanted information about my medical insurance coverage - and then I saw the doctor. Actually first came the medical assistant then came the medical student intern who took my blood pressure. My blood pressure was high - 190 over something. The normal blood pressure reading is 120 over 80! So, yes my blood pressure was very high. I was hoping that it was because of stress because of the situation I was in.
The doctor came in, a very pleasant lady, and she examined me and asked me some medical questions. She was concerned about my high blood pressure so she prescribed medication for that - now I'm taking three medications!
I told her about my knee and my back and she saw my swollen knee and told me to try and stay off of it until the swelling went down. I see her again in a week.
I got a "tet" shot and they also took some blood. I have to say that that process had improved in the last ten years since I have been to the doctor because getting that needle barely hurt - Thank God!
Back in the van and back to the shelter. I made it in time for lunch - chicken fingers and lasagna.
It took a while to get my prescription but I got it after dinner. Someone ordered out again and I was able to get some French Fries out of it. A lot of people are hurting for cigarettes so there is a lot of "bumming" around for cigarettes going on.
The staff is kind of acting strange. It's kind of like they are on some kind of sugar high. They are so energetic and talkative - it's downright creepy (and spooky)!
I was just happy to go to bed!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Up at 6:30 and went out to smoke a cigarette. Damn it's cold outside! But I wanted that cigarette so out in the cold I went.
Breakfast was turkey bacon and eggs and one of the residents talked me into going to a therapy group session. When we got to the building there was a list of group therapy sessions to choose from and we chose the art therapy group session. Actually I found out that I had to register to be able to take part in the therapy group sessions but they let me sit in as a guest for today. The topic was mind, body and spirit and how we were feeling in relationship to those things. For me my mind was on my legal case, my Prozack prescription, my cat and my house. My body concerns were the pain in my knee, wanting to take a nap and coffee and cigarettes. As far as my soul was concerned even though I was dealing with a lot of emotions, I could still feel my heart mending a little - meaning that I was slowly getting back to my goals and back to my life the way it was.
We were supposed to express our feeling with color and I hope to post a copy of it here.
I had a lot of fun at that session doing my artwork and watching the artwork of the others there. I enjoyed it very much and I registered and signed up so that I can attend more of them. I have learned since that they are confdential.
Back at the shelter once again.
The weather started to get more worse. I missed lunch but I had half a hoagie left. There' a small grocery store near the center and I was treated to lunch.
The weather got so bad that it looked like there was a storm going on! There was rain and snow and sleet and hail yet we smokers had to have our cigarettes.
Time for bed.
Breakfast was turkey bacon and eggs and one of the residents talked me into going to a therapy group session. When we got to the building there was a list of group therapy sessions to choose from and we chose the art therapy group session. Actually I found out that I had to register to be able to take part in the therapy group sessions but they let me sit in as a guest for today. The topic was mind, body and spirit and how we were feeling in relationship to those things. For me my mind was on my legal case, my Prozack prescription, my cat and my house. My body concerns were the pain in my knee, wanting to take a nap and coffee and cigarettes. As far as my soul was concerned even though I was dealing with a lot of emotions, I could still feel my heart mending a little - meaning that I was slowly getting back to my goals and back to my life the way it was.
We were supposed to express our feeling with color and I hope to post a copy of it here.
I had a lot of fun at that session doing my artwork and watching the artwork of the others there. I enjoyed it very much and I registered and signed up so that I can attend more of them. I have learned since that they are confdential.
Back at the shelter once again.
The weather started to get more worse. I missed lunch but I had half a hoagie left. There' a small grocery store near the center and I was treated to lunch.
The weather got so bad that it looked like there was a storm going on! There was rain and snow and sleet and hail yet we smokers had to have our cigarettes.
Time for bed.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013 (St. Patrick's Day)
I got up a few minutes before the wake-up call but later found out that a couple of people were still asleep in the back only because no one woke them up!
I'm still taking my medication as prescribed so I'm still waiting to see how the Prozac affects me.
Lunch was fried onion rings, chicken nuggets and juice.
A few of the residents went for a walk, a few went to work and most of the rest are watching TV. I made coffee for our table and went outside to smoke a cigarette.
Dinner was baked chicken and vegetables.
One of the residents car wouldn't start and about 7 or eight of us went out to see if we could help but we couldn't so we drank some beer in honor of St. Patrick's Day! We met a couple who had come to the shelter for the first time and they had brought their van, their dog and their cat and the woman was pregnant.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Kind of an uneventful morning - so far. It's almost 7:30 and I'm still waiting for breakfast.
Breakfast came at last. It was oatmeal and rools. But later came the church breakfast. Potatoes, scrambled eggs, scrambled cheese eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, coffee, orange and apple juice - positively delicious!
Since it was the weekend, I decided not to do anymore important or legal paperwork until Monday. I just wanted to do silly stuff today and not have to think about anything important.
Someone here actually ordered a pizza so that is what I had for lunch.
A lot of people were watching a basketball game on TV (the TV stays on all day during the weekends) but I'm not too into sports so I didn't watch it.
I talked with one of the newer women here about my court case and she did agree with me about there being something wrong and that made me feel better about it.
Dinner was turkey ham and vegetables. I didn't eat it.
The police brought in a new guy.
I went to bed at nine.
Breakfast came at last. It was oatmeal and rools. But later came the church breakfast. Potatoes, scrambled eggs, scrambled cheese eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, coffee, orange and apple juice - positively delicious!
Since it was the weekend, I decided not to do anymore important or legal paperwork until Monday. I just wanted to do silly stuff today and not have to think about anything important.
Someone here actually ordered a pizza so that is what I had for lunch.
A lot of people were watching a basketball game on TV (the TV stays on all day during the weekends) but I'm not too into sports so I didn't watch it.
I talked with one of the newer women here about my court case and she did agree with me about there being something wrong and that made me feel better about it.
Dinner was turkey ham and vegetables. I didn't eat it.
The police brought in a new guy.
I went to bed at nine.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
I'm still trying to fight off this cold that I have. I have got that cough and I'm feeling chills every so often. I keep washing my hands to help stave it off but there are a lot of people here with the same symptons.
I took a shower and tried to organize the stuff in my locker. What's in my locker? My clothes including what I had on when I first came here and some additional clothing that I was able to pick up at a nearby donation store. I still need a change of shoes but there were none available in my size. I went to the men's department but they didn't have any available in my size either.
I got a call from one neighbor telling me that my mother's car was no longer in the driveway. It bummed me out and pissed me off but hopefully I will be able to get it backi!
I got a call from another neighbor telling me that she thinks she saw my cat and that she'll keep out a watch for it - thank GOD!
I got mail today informing me that my hearing date is scheduled for Thursday, April 25th. The problem is that the same judge that I'm appealing is the same judge who is scheduled to hear my case. There has got to be something that I can do about that because I just don't think that it is fair. I'm still working on a solution for that one.
Now that my medical insurance has kicked in I can now make a doctor's appointment to get a physical. I really have to mention about the caseworkers here who have really helped me. One, who I explained my situation to was a very good sounding board and she told me that I should continue to focus on getting my house.
Another caseworker helped me today by expediting my permanent medical ijnsurance coverage, making my doctor's appointment and setting up an appointment for me at the Social Security office.
Lunch was ham and cheese sandwiches with crackers and iced tea.
Dinner was roast beef and rice.
There was a bit of a ruckus around eight o'clock. It seems a white girl and a black guy got into an argument. It started to get more heated and since you are not allowed to touch the other residents the two decided to take it outside.
Nothing much happened outside except for them being in each others' faces but when they came back inside they were still arguing and I saw the woman fall down. She got back up and limped back to her table and sat down. About 45 minutes later a policeman showed up and I was later told that it was she that called the cops. I went to bed.
I took a shower and tried to organize the stuff in my locker. What's in my locker? My clothes including what I had on when I first came here and some additional clothing that I was able to pick up at a nearby donation store. I still need a change of shoes but there were none available in my size. I went to the men's department but they didn't have any available in my size either.
I got a call from one neighbor telling me that my mother's car was no longer in the driveway. It bummed me out and pissed me off but hopefully I will be able to get it backi!
I got a call from another neighbor telling me that she thinks she saw my cat and that she'll keep out a watch for it - thank GOD!
I got mail today informing me that my hearing date is scheduled for Thursday, April 25th. The problem is that the same judge that I'm appealing is the same judge who is scheduled to hear my case. There has got to be something that I can do about that because I just don't think that it is fair. I'm still working on a solution for that one.
Now that my medical insurance has kicked in I can now make a doctor's appointment to get a physical. I really have to mention about the caseworkers here who have really helped me. One, who I explained my situation to was a very good sounding board and she told me that I should continue to focus on getting my house.
Another caseworker helped me today by expediting my permanent medical ijnsurance coverage, making my doctor's appointment and setting up an appointment for me at the Social Security office.
Lunch was ham and cheese sandwiches with crackers and iced tea.
Dinner was roast beef and rice.
There was a bit of a ruckus around eight o'clock. It seems a white girl and a black guy got into an argument. It started to get more heated and since you are not allowed to touch the other residents the two decided to take it outside.
Nothing much happened outside except for them being in each others' faces but when they came back inside they were still arguing and I saw the woman fall down. She got back up and limped back to her table and sat down. About 45 minutes later a policeman showed up and I was later told that it was she that called the cops. I went to bed.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
March 14, 2013
Well, after taking the Respiridone it only took me about 45 minutes to go to sleep so it's certainly helping me. My feet and legs didn't cramp up until I got up later at 6 am. I figured that since my cot makes so much noise and I was going to be woke up at 6:30, I might as well stay up.
I went outside, it was cold and smoked my cigarette. Breakfast at 7:30 was blueberry waffles (with syrup) and an egg omlet type thing.
I had some laundry to do today so the rest of my morning was devoted to that. One of the good things here at this homeless shelter is that you can do your laundry here once a week. You can't put your shoes or your coat in the washing machine but mine need to be washed badly since I only have the one pair of shoes.
Lunch at noon was hot dogs, meat patties and french fries.
This afternoon was bingo night and I participated in that. I won the first round and the last round. I think the purpose of the weekly bingo games is not so much winning but just to participate. There are a few people here who basically do nothing all day. A few of them just sleep on the couches all day only getting up for meals and then going back to the couches to lay back down. Some even bring their meals to where they were laying, eat and then lay back down. Sometimes if I'm still sleepy in the morning I will take a nap at the table for about an hour or two and then feel better afterwards.
Dinner was baked fish, mash potatoes and broccoli.
Around 7pm the police brought in a guy. I thought that since there was a code blue in effect he was just picked up off the street and brought here to the homeless shelter. About two hours later the cops returned to pick him back up. He didn't want to go. Then he refused to go! The whole confrontation took about an hour ending with the cops escorting him out of the building.
I went outside, it was cold and smoked my cigarette. Breakfast at 7:30 was blueberry waffles (with syrup) and an egg omlet type thing.
I had some laundry to do today so the rest of my morning was devoted to that. One of the good things here at this homeless shelter is that you can do your laundry here once a week. You can't put your shoes or your coat in the washing machine but mine need to be washed badly since I only have the one pair of shoes.
Lunch at noon was hot dogs, meat patties and french fries.
This afternoon was bingo night and I participated in that. I won the first round and the last round. I think the purpose of the weekly bingo games is not so much winning but just to participate. There are a few people here who basically do nothing all day. A few of them just sleep on the couches all day only getting up for meals and then going back to the couches to lay back down. Some even bring their meals to where they were laying, eat and then lay back down. Sometimes if I'm still sleepy in the morning I will take a nap at the table for about an hour or two and then feel better afterwards.
Dinner was baked fish, mash potatoes and broccoli.
Around 7pm the police brought in a guy. I thought that since there was a code blue in effect he was just picked up off the street and brought here to the homeless shelter. About two hours later the cops returned to pick him back up. He didn't want to go. Then he refused to go! The whole confrontation took about an hour ending with the cops escorting him out of the building.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I decided to "sweat" out my cold by wearing a lot of clothes to bed and covering up with the big spread that was on my bed.
At 3:38 in the morning I woke up and I knew that I was feeling better - less coughing.
Since it was so early in the morning I decided to go back to bed to get as much sleep as I could.
Was awakened (along with everyone else) at 6:30 am. I had to have my first cigarette of the day - outside of course - and then went back inside to have my cup of coffee.
Breakfast today was oatmeal but I really didn't feel in the mood for it and decided to skip it today.
I had a 3 pm appointment with a caseworker today to help me get my tax records together but she came at around 10:30 am to meet with someone else but that someone else wasn't here so she took me instead. She drove me to her office and she let me use her computer to find my income records. It took a while but I was able to find a place online to have it mailed to me by filling out a form. We also took a look at my court docket to see how my trial was progressing and I found out that the court was in the process of scheduling a hearing date.
Immediately this brought a panic throughout my entire body. I am thinking the orse. I have been through so many "motion denied" hearings that I was afraid that this would be no exception. Now I have to wait to be notified of a hearing date. I may have to ask for a continuance because I'm still waiting on an answer from the letter that I sent to the President Judge regarding my appeal.
Lunch was a cheese-tortilla-type thing, along with 'tater' tots. The water machine bottle is still broken and there is no replacement bottle so I just make due with ice in a cup. I'm sure my bad mood has to do with seeing that a hearing is scheduled to be scheduled and immediately I think of the worst and its really bringing me down.
I am so bored here but I know that a lot of this has to do with my mood.
A few of the other residents are watching a new Pope being elected on TV but I'm not interested in that. Maybe if I take a little nap I will feel better and I will know better about what I want to do.....
I got the news that my medical insurance kicked in today! My two prescriptions are for Prozac which is supposed to help with my (major) depression and the other prescription is for Risperidone which is supposed to help me sleep. I told my doctor that it takes a good two hours for me to finally fall asleep after I go to bed so she prescribed the risperidone.
It seems that prescription drugs are a hot commodity in this place so the less you talk about your prescription(s) the better!
Before this the strongest prescriptions that I ever took was for antibiotics and that was it. Now that I am starting to take these 2 medications for the first time I have to see what they will do to my system.
I certainly hope that the Prozac helps my mood because I'm very depressed now. The ongoing court battle with my house is getting to me and I'm worried about it and I am worrying about it excessively which can't be good for me and my situation.
The head of the shelter made an announcement about the shelter and about the state of the shelter (and other shelters) and how the government funding for them has decreased. She wants to get the residents here more involved about raising the awareness of the homeless. I get the feeling that the majority of the people here are just not interested though.
For right now I just want to see how these pills will affect me.
At 3:38 in the morning I woke up and I knew that I was feeling better - less coughing.
Since it was so early in the morning I decided to go back to bed to get as much sleep as I could.
Was awakened (along with everyone else) at 6:30 am. I had to have my first cigarette of the day - outside of course - and then went back inside to have my cup of coffee.
Breakfast today was oatmeal but I really didn't feel in the mood for it and decided to skip it today.
I had a 3 pm appointment with a caseworker today to help me get my tax records together but she came at around 10:30 am to meet with someone else but that someone else wasn't here so she took me instead. She drove me to her office and she let me use her computer to find my income records. It took a while but I was able to find a place online to have it mailed to me by filling out a form. We also took a look at my court docket to see how my trial was progressing and I found out that the court was in the process of scheduling a hearing date.
Immediately this brought a panic throughout my entire body. I am thinking the orse. I have been through so many "motion denied" hearings that I was afraid that this would be no exception. Now I have to wait to be notified of a hearing date. I may have to ask for a continuance because I'm still waiting on an answer from the letter that I sent to the President Judge regarding my appeal.
Lunch was a cheese-tortilla-type thing, along with 'tater' tots. The water machine bottle is still broken and there is no replacement bottle so I just make due with ice in a cup. I'm sure my bad mood has to do with seeing that a hearing is scheduled to be scheduled and immediately I think of the worst and its really bringing me down.
I am so bored here but I know that a lot of this has to do with my mood.
A few of the other residents are watching a new Pope being elected on TV but I'm not interested in that. Maybe if I take a little nap I will feel better and I will know better about what I want to do.....
I got the news that my medical insurance kicked in today! My two prescriptions are for Prozac which is supposed to help with my (major) depression and the other prescription is for Risperidone which is supposed to help me sleep. I told my doctor that it takes a good two hours for me to finally fall asleep after I go to bed so she prescribed the risperidone.
It seems that prescription drugs are a hot commodity in this place so the less you talk about your prescription(s) the better!
Before this the strongest prescriptions that I ever took was for antibiotics and that was it. Now that I am starting to take these 2 medications for the first time I have to see what they will do to my system.
I certainly hope that the Prozac helps my mood because I'm very depressed now. The ongoing court battle with my house is getting to me and I'm worried about it and I am worrying about it excessively which can't be good for me and my situation.
The head of the shelter made an announcement about the shelter and about the state of the shelter (and other shelters) and how the government funding for them has decreased. She wants to get the residents here more involved about raising the awareness of the homeless. I get the feeling that the majority of the people here are just not interested though.
For right now I just want to see how these pills will affect me.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
March 9, 2013
Today was a Saturday and there was finally a nice break in the weather.
I awoke just before the 6:30 am "call" when the lights were turned on.
It still took me quite a few - maybe 15 minutes - minutes to actually "wake up" enough to go to my locker to get my cigarettes so that I could have my first cigarette of the day before the breakfast call. I didn't make it though because by the time I got my cigarettes and sat down at my table it was time for breakfast!
I awoke just before the 6:30 am "call" when the lights were turned on.
It still took me quite a few - maybe 15 minutes - minutes to actually "wake up" enough to go to my locker to get my cigarettes so that I could have my first cigarette of the day before the breakfast call. I didn't make it though because by the time I got my cigarettes and sat down at my table it was time for breakfast!
Friday, March 8, 2013
March 8, 2013
After lying awake for nearly 3 hours I finally fell asleep. I wanted so badly to get up and have a cigarette but once you go to bed you're not allowed to leave the sleep room - as far as I know - until the next morning.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Sunday, March 7, 2013
I didn't sleep in my bed last night. Three of us slept in the truck until about 5:30am. By that time the shelter doors were open and I went inside to use the bathroom but came right back out afterwards. While we were sitting in the truck, a police car drove up to the front of the shelter. We couldn't see what was going on and them the police car drove away.
We stayed in the truck until a bit past 7 and then we went inside. I couldn't find out why the police car had been here.
Cereal and milk were for breakfast but still had half a hoagie left and I ate that for breakfast instead.
I'm feeling a lot sleepy now - probably because I slept for a good two hours in the truck. I did manage to get some cigarettes though.
Tried to take a nap but someone woke me up because the church breakfast was here. Scrambled eggs, toast with butter, chicken nuggets and French fries was the church breakfast - delicious!
The regular lunch was at around 11:45. it was chicken noodle soup and hot dogs. I didn't eat it. I wasn't hungry. I had just had the church breakfast and I had half a hoagie for breakfast.
I took a nap until dinner.
Dinner was fish, noodles and carrots and I had a second helping of fish.
A verbal argument happened over the computer and now nobody can play games on it. Now the computer can only be used for resumes and things like that.
Another argument happened between two guys. One was joking around and the other guy said he was dis-respecting him.
The weather is starting to get a little bit more warmer and some of the residents are enjoying the outside more. Me? I'm feeling kind of bored and frustrated because I don't have what I want. Things are taking a lo g time and I don't like it one bit!
I went to bed at 9.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Saturday, March 6, 2013
The weekend!
I got up around 6am and went out to the front. Had a cup of coffee and a cigarette and I took my medications.
Breakfast was scrapple and grits.
I'm rolling cigarettes now.
One of the residents was sick with bronchitis and a staff member drove him to the emergency room and I went along for the ride.
Back at the shelter I crocheted a little and then I did some more work on the resume on the computer. I can't think of anything else to add to it so I'm going to show it to the staff member on Monday.
Lunch was hamburgers, bread and French fries. There was something else with it. It looked like a meat patty and someone told me that it was turkey.
One of the women residents will be moving to her new place on Monday. She's going to have her own room but she will be sharing a bathroom and kitchen with other tenants. I would love to see what her place looks like so I offered to help her move.
Dinner was chicken, noodles, carrots and pecan pie for dessert.
A couple of us decided we were going to go out. The resident that had the truck was going out to do his laundry and he let a couple of us tag along with him to him company. Well, he got his laundry done and we got some whiskey and get back to the shelter. We slept in the truck.
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