Friday, February 28, 2014

After Sunset

Jalál (Glory), 4 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 170 BE - Friday, February 28, 2014 about 6:37 pm Pacific Standard Time

After sunset
damp air penetrates my bones
is it still raining

Its rained off and on all day here in Las Vegas. On days like this I don't want to do anything except huddle under a blanket.

I'm tired of winter
tired of the dampness and clouds
I want spring to come

I decided to stay home this evening and finish up a few things. I sit down to say prayers and took a short nap, which lasted longer then I planned. Maybe I should set an alarm when I take a nap.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Thankful Thursday To Do List: February 27, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 2 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 170 BE - Thursday, February 27, 2014 about 6:58 am Pacific Standard Time

1. Post Gratitude list on Poet 999's Thoughts about Writing and other Stuff.

2. Go to laundromat and do laundry.

3. Check g-mail inbox for surveys.

4. Check Cox inbox and respond to any mail from family.

5. Post updated status to Facebook.

6. Make entry in pen & paper journal.

7. Go to gym at 3:00 pm

8. Check bank accounts

9. Respond to prompt "What is the kindest thing someone has done to you this week?"

10. Check writing.com inbox.

11. Answer question "What else do I have to do today?"

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Making Changes in my life

‘Idál (Justice), 1 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 170 BE - Wednesday, February 26, 2014 about 3:21 pm Pacific Standard Time

Two days left in February 2014 and then March begins. March the month of winds; will it come in like a lamb or a lion? I am making some drastic changes in my life and attitude. I have decided to go the the gym four days a week to work out. Right now my workout schedule is Monday and Wednesday at 1:00 am and Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 pm.

I have two doctors appointment scheduled in March. The first is on Tuesday, March 11, at 1:00 pm and the second is on Monday, March 17, at 1:00 pm. I also have a grief counseling meeting on Wednesday, March 5. at 4:00 pm, and another on March 19 (also a Wednesday) at 4:00 pm. The other things I have to do, is go to a couple of the food banks to pick up food and do laundry, either once a week or twice a month. I don't know what the laundry schedule will be as yet because it depends on having quarters for the washers and the dryers.

My finances are going to be tight again in March, but I think this may be a continuing theme. I have to find a way to make some more money, so I need to schedule time to do paying online surveys and submit some of my stories and poems for publication. I wish I could get a part time job outside the house, but that may have to weight until I've had several gym sessions and built up my ability to walk for more then a few feet before becoming winded and tired.

Before I go to bed tonight, I'll set up my March calendar with the things I know I'll be doing. It's the unknowns that usually throw the schedule off. No matter how busy I am in March, I still have housework and writing to do, so I'll need a schedule rather then just taking thing hit or miss.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tuesday Anternoon Thoughts

Fiḍál (Grace), 19 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Tuesday, February 25, 2014 about 1:29 pm Pacific Standard Time

It's Tuesday afternoon and I spent most of the morning out of the house. I went to see the dentist about some issues I'm having with my gums. He can do something for me, but it's going to cost a good amount of money. I'm not ready to say how much yet because I have to pray about this situation. Prayer always helps me make a decision about anything I do. Prayer also helps me find the money to accomplish the goal.

After I left the dentist, I went to the gym. The last time I saw my regular doctor she said I needed to lose weight. The problem is that I won't lose weight unless I have some assistance, which is one of the reasons I went to the gym to see what they had to offer. The other reason was that I could get a free membership, which will help me lose the weight, but I'm still going to need a physical trainer.

I'm going to go back to the gym tomorrow to talk to a trainer and see how he can help me. I know what the gym I went to has to offer in equipment and stuff like that. I still have to purchase some shoes and the appropriate clothing. I also need to go to the laundromat to do some laundry. I think I'll put the dirty clothes and laundry detergent in the car before I leave the house, that way I can stop at the laundromat after I leave the gym.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

At the beginning of a New Week

Jamál (Beauty), 17 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Sunday, February 23, 2014 about 9:35 am Pacific Standard Time

It's Sunday again, a day that reoccurs every seven days on schedule and without any huge announcement. Ayyám-i-Há begins on the evening of Tuesday, February 25 and ends on the evening of Saturday, March 1. At that time ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) begins and last for the next 19 days until the evening of March 20, which the year 170 BE comes to an end. On Naw-Ruz (March 21) a New Year begins, it will be the year 171 BE.

Today, Sunday, February 23, I begin a new pen and paper journal along with my new week. I realized, as I was sipping my coffee, that this also marks the true beginning of my New Normal, which I though begin on January 1, 2013. The truth is that my new normal begin when I moved out of the house my mother and I shared. I'm living in my own apartment and it's frightening because taking care of only myself is much more difficult then taking care of someone else.

I'm responsible for everything and not just material resources. I have to make myself get up in the morning with no one for me to get up except myself. I have to get out and go to the laundromat at least once a week. I have to attempt to shop for one  person instead of two, when everything is geared toward families of three or more. I have to... there isn't any sense in going on with that thought because I have to do everything myself.

Today I start a new pen and paper journal, I think I'm going to experiment with the entries. I want to make each entry interesting and slightly different from the last. This means that one day I may write a letter and the next a poem or I may write letters to a different person each day.  I know one thing I have to do right now and that's to fix me something to eat.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Grocery Shopping on Friaday a Family Tradition

Istiqlál (Independence), 15 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Friday, February 21, 2014 about 3:47 pm Pacific Standard Time

I went grocery shopping this morning about 11:45 am and returned home about 1:45 pm. When I returned home, I parked in front of the apartment building so that I could unload the groceries. Then I drove the car around to the back of the building and parked in my spot.

When I came into the house, I put the groceries I purchased in the National Consumer Panel scanned and then put the groceries away. After I put the food in the refrigerator, I sliced a small tomato and ate it with a little mayonnaise. I'm still hungry, but I don't think I want another tomato. I still have some peanut butter from the senior food allotment I picked up the first of the month. A peanut butter sandwich sounds good and it would hit the spot this afternoon.

I realized, as I was putting the food away, that my grandparents always went to the grocery store on Friday afternoon. Grandpa would get off work, change clothes, and they would go to the store every week. Then on Saturday, if they did not go to the Lake, Grandma Mary would do laundry. I still have laundry to do, but I don't think I'm going to the laundromat this Saturday. Instead, I think I'll go either on Wednesday or Thursday.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Midweek Refections on telemarketers

I've had it with telemarketers who call and won't let me get a word in edgewise. I know they probably get a commission on every thing they sell, but no matter how fast they talk I'm not going to purchasing anything from anyone who won't at least listen to what I have to say. For the past two and a half weeks I've been getting calls from an injury lawyer and a dental  plan. I don't want that type of lawyer (even if I did need an injury lawyer I'd find one locally). I have a full set of denture, so I don't qualify for whatever dental plan the telemarketer is attempting to sell.

Another thing is that every time I get one of those calls, it sounds like the same woman calling. The unsolicited call I've responded to in the past couple of weeks was a telephone survey. A nice young man called asking my opinion on some sort of voters' survey. At least, with voter surveys, I'm sure that the person is getting my number of a voter registrations list and probably dialing the number himself. I don't my voter surveys because the people are pleasant and they listen to me.

I don't like telemarketing calls where the people sound pleasant and polite, but are not polite enough to listen to me. I may be 67 years old, but I assure you I know what I want and I don't purchase from telemarketers. If I need any type of similar product then I will search for it locally rather then purchasing over the phone. I've gotten to the point, that if the person talks so fast that I can't get in a word edgewise then, I hang up.


Monday, February 17, 2014

It's Amost Sunset and I'm Almost Caught up

Kamál (Perfection), 11 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Monday, February 17, 2014 about 5:33 pm Pacific Standard Time

 I was ill for nearly four day, I started getting ill on Wednesday afternoon and it progressed to the dry heavies on Thursday afternoon and most of the day Friday. On Friday I went to the grocery store for supplies and on Saturday evening I went to a fund raiser. I spent the day Sunday attempting to catch up on projects between bouts of sleep.

I'm almost caught up on everything except reading e-mail and doing surveys. I think the best thing to do is stay home tomorrow and finish catching up, at least on the surveys because some of them pay cash, while the one that don't pay cash offer useful items for the point I earn. I've already received a 15-piece cookware set and am working towards a flatware. I have over 20 piece of flatware, but from several different sets and I only have about three or four spoon (if that). While I live alone I can use more spoons especially if I would have a visitor, so I'm either going to have to purchase spoons or earn enough point for a new flatware set to replace my mismatched pieces.

Fortunately, it should take me only one more day to get my schedule back to normal, if I'm not interrupted. I can just hope and  prayer for another non-interrupted day sot that I can plan a trip to the laundromat, to the doctor, and to one of the local food pantries this week. If I were younger those three items would be easily accomplished in one day; however at may age I can do only two of them in one day. I also have a grief counseling meeting this week, which gives me four items to complete in three day.

If you want to read more about my illness and its difficulties see After four days of whatever is going around I back on a writing schedule.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Thankful Thursday: February 13, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Thursday, February 13, 2014 about 3:13 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today I am thankful...

1.  ...that my telephone is next to my computer so that when I'm on hold and listening to pleasant and tiring hold music, I have something to do.

2.  ...that I accomplished the monumental task of changing my address at several websites and customer service line.

3.  ...that I feel much better this afternoon then I did this morning. I'm not sure, but I suspect I have a cold as a results of the stress of moving.

4.  ...that the sun is shining this afternoon so that I can look out my window and see the beautiful blue sky.

5.  ...that I was able to change my address at the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles without the necessity of going to one of their offices.

6.  ...that I received coupons in the mail today for $2.00 of two bags (10 oz. size or larger) of Starbucks® Coffee. I can now replenish my backup coffee supply, which is now down to a jar of instant coffee.

7.  ...that I have the second laundry basket empty in order to sort the laundry so that I can plan my first trip to the laundromat either this weekend or next Tuesday.

8.  ...that I now have a plug for the tub so that I don't have to stuff a washrag in the drain to keep the water from running out when I take a bath.

9.  ...that I have a large plastic container empty to use as a file cabinet until I get my regular file cabinet cleaned out .

10.  ...that I'm a member of writing.com..

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Midweek Reflections on Settling into My New Apartment

Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Wednesday, February 12, 2014 about 7:21 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's after sunset here in Las Vegas and a new solar day has begun. I'm not feeling well and I'm not feeling ill, I don't know what's causing my problem. I fixed myself a couple of cups of hot, hoping that would solve this issue, but it hasn't. I'm still feeling sluggish and blue.

Perhaps it has something to do with settling into my new apartment. I haven't accomplished as much as I wanted to this week, but I did receive four checks in the mail. Two of the checks I expected; however, I didn't expect them this week. The other two checks were refunds because I moved out of the house and closed those accounts. They will help me settle into my new apartment, especially with upcoming bills.

I have a basket full of laundry waiting for me to take it to the laundromat, which I'm not looking forward to doing. I have to plan a day next week to go before I run out of clothes. When I hung the rest of my clothes up this morning I found that I have over a dozen top, but only one skirt, and six pairs of slacks. I also have three dresses, two of which I can wear out in public. The third dress I'm not sure about, so I'll have to check it out tomorrow to see if I can fix it so I can wear it out or if it just a house dress.

Maybe I'll feel better in the morning after I take the trash out. I'll drive the car around in front and load some of the stuff I have to give away in it. I have to leave the trunk empty because I'm going somewhere on Friday morning and I'll need an empty trunk.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

I Need a Schedule

Fiḍál (Grace), 5 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Tuesday, February 11, 2014 about 2:41 pm Pacific Standard Time

I either need a schedule or to set the alarm clock, maybe both. I can't seem to make myself get up of a morning. I used to get up at 4:00 or 5:00 am, but for the past week I've gotten up at 6:00 am. I can't seem to make myself get up earlier and I'm not sure why. Perhaps it;s the new surroundings or my body is just tired from moving and going through boxes. I still have stuff to go through and send off (when I get the money) to siblings in Colorado and California.

I don't know if setting the alarm will help because usually I have to move the clock about every other day or I turn it  off and go back to bed. It could be the chilly mornings that make me reluctant to get out of bed. I don't sleep under heavy blanket or quilts, but the ones I have over me are warm and the morning air is chilly.

Another reson could be that I don't  sleep well at night and when morning comes I'm just getting to sleep. I could try staying up until 10:30  or 11:00 pm.  That way I don't toss and turn for as long, but I don't know if that would help. I think my biggest problem is physical and the type of bed I'm sleeping on. I'm sleeping on a love seat instead of a couch. It's better then the couch, but I still don't think I'm sleeping comfortably. I think I'll see if I can find a recliner, maybe I could sleep on one of those better then on the love seat.

I have so much work to do that I need to get up and get it done, but instead I just want to stay bundled  under the covers. If I don't get to work I won't have anything accomplished before mys sister come into Las Vegas next Monday. I have some things to give her and some stuff she can put in storage (if I decide to put it in storage).

Sunday, February 09, 2014

I need a Tea Kettle

Jamál (Beauty), 3 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Sunday, February 9, 2014 about 3:56 pm Pacific Standard Time

I need a tea kettle! I heated the water for my hot tea in the microwave because I don't have enough space on the kitchen counter for the electric hot water pot and I don't have a tea kettle to heat water on the stove. I don't have enough room in my cabinets to store the electric can opener or the water pot. Right now, those items are in the same cabinet as the sauce  pans, which means that when I use the sauce pans, I have to move the other things out of the way to get to the pan.

I think I'll purchase a tea kettle and a hand operated can opener that way I won't have to worry about storage. I can put the can opener in the drawer with the silver wear and t he kettle can sit on the stove. That will solve one storage problem. That way I won't have to worry about moving things off the kitchen counter when I want to open a can or heat water. I also won't have to move something out of the way every time I want a sauce pan.

It's going to take me a couple of weeks to get everything straightened and arrange in a way that satisfies me. I'm just going to have to take it a little at a time and keep moving stuff from place to place until it's arrange properly. I'm sure I can be comfortable in this apartment, but it's going to take a while  to get things arranged properly.

Saturday, February 08, 2014

In my New studio Apartment: Part 1

Jalál (Glory), 2 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Saturday, February 8, 2014 about 4:34 pm Pacific Standard Time

In my new (new to me anyway) I have clothes hanging in my closet and CDs sitting on one shelf of my computer desk. I still have boxes to unpack and stuff to send to my brothers, but I'm getting settle. Tomorrow is Sunday, so I'll probably start the week out  by going to the store because I have to purchase a $10.00 phone card and I want to see how many miles Smith's Food and Drug store is from my present location.

I have a working electric range, but I can't remember where I put the three sauce pans I brought with me. I  think the may be in a cupboard behind my electric can opener and electric water kettle. There isn't much room in this apartment to store things and most of the storage is above my head, so I have to have a stool to put things in the top shelves. I have a small step stool, but I'm not sure it's enough to reach some of the upper cabinets.I may have to purchase something a little sturdier and tall to get to the top shelf in the bathroom.

I know I'll eventually get  everything organized, of course it may take me six months to do that. I hope I can get it organized within the next couple of weeks, but to do that I need more money then what I have because it  costs to send stuff to Colorado and California. My sister can drive into Las Vegas from Searchlight to pick up the stuff I need for her to store, which I hope isn't very much more  then she already has in her garage.

Friday, February 07, 2014

Two frist in my new apartment

Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Mulk (Dominion), 170 BE - Friday, February 7, 2014 about 3:10 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today, for  the first time, I made jello in my new apartment. I had  to boil the water in my Microwave because I don't have a tea kettle  to use on my electric stove and I didn't have room on my counter to use my electric kettle. At the moment, I have only three sauce pans I can use on the electric stove (which is now working) unfortunately I don't remember where I put them.

Anyway, I got the water boiled, the jello dissolved, and put a can of mixed fruit in it. The mixed fruit has only 75 mg of potassium, so it is on my new diet. I'm just waiting for the jello to set so that I can have a small bowl for a snack.

For lunch I made a three egg omelet with ham, cheese, and mixed greens (and no, I don't know how much potassium was in the omelet). After I cooked the omelet I put  hot sauce on it, but I think the next time I make it  I'll put the hot sauce in while the omelet is cooking. I used my electric skillet to cook my lunch because I don't have a nonelectric fry pan of any type. I doubt I could have make the omelet  in one of the sauce pans even if I could find them.


Thursday, February 06, 2014

Thankful Thursday: February 6, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 170 BE - Thursday, February 6, 2014 about 4:25 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today I am Thankful...

1.  ...that I have finally moved out of the house and into my own cramped studio apartment.

2.  ...that someone else carried everything into the apartment for me.

3.  ...that I had assistance organizing some of the cabinets in my kitchen.

4.  ...that I received some frozen sliced fully cooked ham with senior commodities today.

5.  ...that I was able to tell someone about the Baha'i faith and read a healing prayer for her.

6.  ...that the sink in the bathroom of my apartment did not overflow today.

7.  ...that my sister bought me a large canister of coffee when she was in Las Vegas on Monday.

8.  ...that I received a jug of grape juice with my senior commodities today.

9.  ...that I have a working computer so that I can rest between bouts of organizing my apartment.

10.  ...that I have three whole days of organizing and writing to look forward to without worrying about something to eat or coffee to drink.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

I'm beginning to question my sanity

‘Idál (Justice), 18 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 170 BE - Wednesday, February 5, 2014 about 3:41 pm Pacific Standard Time

I'm beginning to question my sanity! This, of course, could be one of those minor issues that comes along with moving from a six bedroom, two bath house into a studio apartment with one bathroom.This question arose in my mind when I returned home from loading stuff from the house into my Kia Sephia. I was sitting by the computer sipping water from a mug (I don't have any glasses) and I realized how insane it was to attempt to keep all the stuff I'm lugging from the house.

The problem is that I don't or I think I don't have any other choice. A lot of the stuff I can send to my brothers or sister because it's family heirlooms. It will remain with me only until I can save enough money to ship it to whoever I decide to ship it to. That's going to take a while because some of the things are family pictures. I'm just tired from moving and attempting to get situated in a studio apartment.

I just have to keep plugging away. I have to get up when I wake up, rather then sitting under the covers thinking I'm cold. It isn't cold in this apartment, so the problem is me; the problem is physical.  I'll just have to deal with it. Perhaps start the day off with a cup of hot water when I take my morning meds. I may even start heating water or apple juice in the microwave to drink in the evening rather then drink just cold water.

I'm tired, but it's too early to go to bed. There for I think I will take another stab at doing something with my clothes. I'll have to fold them and lay them on  one of the televisions stand I brought until I can get some more hanger from the house so that I can hang them up.

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Day Two In my New Apartment

‘Idál (Justice), 18 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 170 BE - Tuesday, February 4, 2014 about 8:10 pm Pacific Standard Time

It's late Tuesday evening and I'm attempting to catch up on the writing and reviewing I didn't accomplish yesterday. Since I had no internet because of the move I couldn't get on line yesterday or half of today. I'm not sure how much I'll catch up tonight or tomorrow because I still have somethings to move out of the house and then I have some business to attend to before getting back to my apartment or going to my grief counseling meeting tomorrow afternoon.

I'm tired because moving is hard and painful work. I think the move this time was more stressful then the last because I had to downsize and Mom wasn't there to encourage me.  My sister helped, but the move was still stressful. The pain was mostly in my knees because of the osteoarthritis, but even with that this move seemed harder then the last. I have other health issues so that could have cause some of the problem.

I'm in the new apartment now. I'm getting used to the noises of a new neighborhood. The newness of the neighborhood and living in a studio apartment should give me some new subjects for my writing. I know I'll have to increase my income. I know I'll have to get used to living in a small apartment. I've started a list of the things I'll need if I ever get the money to purchase them. Sometimes I wonder how I'll get by financially; however, I can't let worry interfere with finding a solution to my financial problem. The only thing I can do is pray and work.

Sunday, February 02, 2014

Tomorrow is moving day in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 15 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 170 BE - Sunday, February 3, 2014 about 1:20 pm Pacific Standard Time

Tomorrow is moving day, so when I go offline tonight I won't be back on until late Monday or Tuesday . At least, those are the days I hope to be back online; however, God or the Fates have a sense of humor and I may not be back on line until Wednesday or Thursday.

One day is going to put me behind in my writing, submission, and blogging goals. I can't help that because I have to move. I have be out of this house this week, so there is no choice but to get offline until after I get the computers and the internet connections going at the apartment.

I have a mammogram appointment in the morning at 9:15, so I can't begin moving until after I keep that appointment and pay the first months rent. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing, which is normal for me. It's just that I want to get into the apartment, get my equipment set up so that  I can plan  the rest of my moth. I still have to come up with the money to cover a couple of things coming out of  the bank account. I'll deal with that when I get into the apartment.

This may be the last entry I make for a couple of days, so everyone have a happy week.

Saturday, February 01, 2014

Thoughts on Moving

Jalál (Glory), 14 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 170 BE - Saturday, February 1, 2014 about 4:17 pm Pacific Standard Time

I'm finally going to move into my new apartment (I think I mentioned this in yesterday's post), which means I have a lot to do on Saturday and Sunday. I put my four wooden television dinner stands in my trunk, but I think I left the trunk open after I put the last one in. I'll have to go out and close it in a few minutes.

I look out the living room window and realize that this is one of the last sunsets I'll see in this house. I will miss viewing the setting sun. The window in my apartment faces north rather then south, so I do not have a good view of the sunset. Watching the sunset is a good way get ideas for writing. All I have to do is sit and watch the sunset, while I mediate on t he sunset ideas come to me.

 I have a lot more work to do online and in the house before I go to bed tonight (actually I'm sleeping on a love seat). I haven't slept in a real bed in several years and I probably will not sleep in one for a few more years. I'm taking the love seat because its shorter and will fit better in the apartment then the couch.

I'll attempt to make another entry on Sunday, but with so much work to do I don't know if it will be possible. This may be the last entry I make for a couple of days because I'm not sure how difficult it will be for me to connect the computers and the modems. I've never moved computers from one house to another, so I don't know how difficult it's going to be.