in response to MagnoliaBlossom...Hi, Starshine...sorry I have not been online for a couple of weeks almost. My computer had a virus and I had to wait until my friend who lives about an hour and a half from here came over and fixed it for me. I couldn't even get windows to come up. I felt like I was all alone on the planet, just me and my animals, lol. So then I had over 300 emails to wade through. I never realized how much my life centers around this computer and how lost I am without it. I have been typing most of the day, trying to get back in touch with all the people I chat with. I just wanted to take a minute and let you know I didn't go anywhere...just a minor glitch. So I hope you are ok. Yes, I did live in New Orleans for many years and even went back after katrina but it is not the same place and I wanted to feel safe. I was born and raised up here in upstate NY but moved south a long time ago. Hope to hear from you that you and your kitties are all ok. Ms. Mike
in response to nini3...Thank you so much for your reply. I never thought to ask the property mgr. but that is a very good idea. I will do that first thing tomorrow morning. Yes, it is hard to live with disabilities and then have to worry on top of that whether or not you will have a place to live. I have animals that are like my children and so that makes it even more difficult for me. But I believe that everything always works out in the end. You just have to have faith that it will. Where do you live? I don't really like the snow here. I lived in New Orleans for a long time so I am used to the warmer weather. I hope you will stay in touch because I can at least lend an ear or a shoulder. Take care and be well, Ms. Mike
in response to susie6...Thank you, Susie, for your reply. I, too, believe that God places people in our path at the perfect time and place. But I just don't feel right about sitting around waiting for Him to do all the work, so I throw my feelings, wants, needs, etc. out into the universe and try to find answers to my problems. I am so sorry to hear of your medical problem and I will keep you in my prayers, as well. I hope you have family or someone around you that can help you. I also have medical problems and my biggest worry is what would happen to my animals should something happen to me. Anyway, I hope you will have a nice weekend and that I will hear from you again sometime. Take care of yourself, Ms. Mike
in response to Starshine...Thank you for your reply...Yes, life can get pretty tough sometimes. I think the point is to learn from every struggle and not to fall into feeling sorry for myself. There are many people who are in need in our society right now and the ones that should get the most help are the children because they are the future. I thank you for the other websites and I will check into them. I'm glad you have a cat...animals are God's way of showing us what unconditional love is. I hope you have a very nice weekend. Take care, Ms. Mike
in response to positive thoughts...Thank you. Like I said, I really don't even feel worthy after reading how hard it is for some of the other people on here...but it's no fun living in fear of not being able to keep my house or my animals so I thought I would just throw it out to the universe and see what happens. I've had many blessings in my life, it's just right now that it's a bit hard. I have faith and I know everything changes...it's what makes life so wonderful. Thanks for answering me and for your compassion. Ms. Mike
This website is interesting and enlightening. Yesterday, I typed something to the effect of "how to find people who help others" into a search engine and this was one of the returns. I joined right away and started to read some of the postings. After reading for a while, I started to feel guilty about my own needs because there are so many people with problems greater than mine. I thought about it all day. When I got up this morning, I realized that you can't really measure whose need is "greatest" and that my story is just as valid as anyone else's. I am 63 yrs old, disabled, widowed and I live in upstate NY with my 2 iguanas and my little dog. I live way out in the country and I don't have a lot of friends here. I used to live in New Orleans but moved after Katrina. My whole life revolves around my animals and my computer. My social security payment is extremely low so SSI adds $137 to it each month so it comes out to be $781 a month. I live in a tiny little cabin where the rent is $750. and I tried to apply for section 8 but they told me it is closed in Ulster County right now. I have a friend who used to be my roommate in New Orleans who sends me $200 a month which is all they can afford to help me with. I get food stamps, so I don't need food. But the total of $981 I receive each month has proved out to be not enough to pay rent, electricity and propane (my furnace runs on it). Social Services told me I would be elligible for HEAP to help with the utilities but they want a copy of my lease and I don't have one. My landlord lives in Florida and every time I try to call him, he picks up the phone and hangs it right back up so he won't have to talk. I know he knows what I want because the property manager told him...he just doesn't want to help me. I think he doesn't want to get involved with Social Services because this house would most likely not pass an inspection by them. I really don't know how to handle all of this. It is hard to find a place that takes animals, let alone 2 iguanas (that's just because people don't understand about them) and they are like children to me. If it comes down to which one of us eats, it's my "kids" every time. I want to be able to live without waking up every day with a knot of fear in the pit of my stomach. I have always been self sufficient so it is very hard to admit that I need any kind of help. I guess I don't really expect to get any help, maybe I just needed a forum to get some of these panicky feelings off my chest. Anyway, thank you for "listening" and please don't think I'm not grateful for that which I do have. Sincerely, Ms. Mike
I certainly hope you are not going through all of the things you decribe in this set of posts you've made. If you are, please get out NOW. There is always a way. Contact your local womens shelter and they will help you plan it so you won't be in any danger. Sorry if I misunderstood but you seem to have first hand knowledge of this type of environment and that concerns me. If someone loves you, they do NOT hurt you. If you would like further information on this subject write back either publicly or privately. Ms. Mike Enson
Honey, I don't know what I could do to help you because I am a retired, disabled widow but I read your story and..no disrespect intended...it sounds like a perfect episode for the Jerry Springer Show. I have lived in TX and I know that there are a huge number of churches there that will help you with whatever you need in any area of your life. Please go seek help from your nearest Pastor. Also, if you were using drugs, I recommend getting yourself into a 12 step program immediately. It's even better than counceling because there are people who have been in similar situations (believe it or not, you are not alone) and people who will help you with almost any issue you put out to them. Good Luck to you and please write back to this board and let us know how you are doing.
