Being Strong Armed

  Hello all, well, here's my story so far. We're supposed to be getting a big snowstorm this Sunday. Everybody is in a panic. Come on, it's New York, it's not like were not used to snow.  We basically get it every winter.  The news stations broadcasting this big snowstorm every twenty minutes. People are in a panic; there are long lines to get gas for your car. Being knocked over at the grocery store for that last container of milk. You know crazy stuff. I had already planned ahead this past Tuesday; I got my stuff already. The most we would be in the house for because of the storm would be two to three days top. So why panic? We stayed in the house longer than that with Covid.

Anyway, New York City is strong-arming people. Just like the mafia. Except it's legal. If you don't do this, then I'll come back and not only fine you big money, but I'll also have you arrested for not complying. I got a letter from the water department yesterday stating they need to come into the house to check the water meters. If I don't make an appointment by Feb 15, they will fine me $500 the first time, if I still don't make an appointment, they will fine me $1000, and so on. You see, the water department is trying to find ways to get more money out of you. Crazy, right? Why am I still living in a place that's always in your pockets?

Not to mention last Sunday, around 2 in the afternoon, my whole house went dark. I mean, nothing electric worked. I went next door to see if they had any electricity, thinking it was just my house only. On my side of the block, all the houses were without electricity. I called Con Edison they said it was something they had to fix. It took them a day to fix it. I asked about my food since the refrigerator was out. They said they would pay me up to $250 if my food was spoiled. That's it, what a pack of steak and chicken costs with inflation now. Thank god the power came back on before the food got spoiled but I know now to get extra batteries for the flashlights I have at home and to be ready for anything. Did I mention Con Edison wanted to raise the rates even after they shut the power off? Why am I still living here!!!

                                                     That's my story what do you think?  

Money In 2026?

  Hello all, well here's my story so far. It's nothing like a new year to give you a financial wake-up call. Every new year, I try to go over my checkbook entries from the previous year to see how much I spent on stuff. This way for the new year, I get a running account of what I can cut back on. Can I tell you I gave Visa almost as much as a down payment on a new home last year! Yep, it was a lot, but it was my partner who automatically wipes out the visa card even if it's for something like $5.  I told him this has got to stop. With Con Edison and everything else talking about a price hike, it's too expensive for Visa to get more money than our normal bills. So that's the financial road I'm on this year, not spending has much money on foolish stuff and sticking to paying the basic bills and maybe a little bit of extra money for fun if necessary.

Let me give you a little warning if you don't like a lot of noise, kids, or crazy people, don't go on cruises on major holidays. I went on a Christmas& New Year's cruise with 4500 people, and 1/3 of those were kids and pre-teens. The cruise ship was overcrowded and crazy. I kept saying never again. I went on vacation to avoid all of the crazy stuff and got it cruising. The ship NCL Breakaway, leaving out of New York, the food was bad, drinks ok, the entertainment bad, and the balcony rooms were small. At least the one I was in.  Overall, they weren't giving you anything special for the money you were paying. That's just my opinion. 

                            So that's my story for the week what do you think?   

                                       https://coinqueensyardsale.ecrater.com/        

  

Happy 2026 Family!!

  Hello Family, Happy 2026. So, here's the story for the New Year so far. I decided to spend the holidays on a Christmas cruise. Big Mistake, even though the price was right under $4,000 for two people. The ship carried 4500 people, and 1/3 were kids who were so noisy I could hardly hear when I got off the cruise, and it was a 10-day cruise at that.   Why aren't some of the parents who have children teaching them simple words like excuse me, thank you, " and " sorry? I had so many children bump into me because they were running, stepping on my toes, and kept going, you get the picture. Did manners go out the window?? I'm just asking??

 The cruise itself on a mega ship was a disappointment. I went on NCL Breakaway. The food was bad, too crowded, shows not good. They also nickel and dime you to death. Everything had a fee attached to it. The only thing they had going for them was the casino, which was good, and the mudslide drinks.  Think chocolate milkshake with alcohol in it. They were good too.  

The island that I visited, which were 5 of them are struggling with the tourist are there, but they are doing tours and not shopping much. So, the island's economy, just like here, is suffering. You would think will all the cruise shipping coming to the island, the people living there would be rich. They're not, and it's sad. What's sadder is that the workers on the ship work 70 hours a week with no overtime pay or holiday pay. Plus, they have to deal with the public, which is not fun. I know I used to deal with them when I worked in social services.

So that was my story I spent Christmas and New Year's on the sea, which I love the water. So, how was your holiday? I hope.

                                                 That's my story, what do you think?.