‘Tis the Season

On Wednesday, I ran into the 93-year old (now 94) I’d helped after she’d taken a tumble on the way to the market last month. She looked well, seemed cognizant but was in a foul mood ... admittedly so.

I’d jokingly asked, “Why are you in a foul mood … Is it your time of the year?”

No particular reason, said she, “I’m just pissed off because people aren’t friendly around here. No one will talk to me.”

She doesn’t remember me from the day she’d fallen. In fact, she’d come into the Community Room the day after and recounted to those assembled, myself included, how she’d fallen, been put in a car, driven to the market, helped to make groceries, driven back to the complex and had her groceries put away.

Since then, I always stop to chat her up and ask how she’s doing when I see her out and about. So, even though she doesn’t remember me, she has said, “I like you. You’re very friendly. Not many are.”

Then, very late evening Wednesday, the next door neighbor knocked and asked, “Do you eat cake?”

Because I’m off sugar, I politely declined, went back to my television program and thought no more about it until Thursday evening, when I learned the neighbor had expressed to someone how unhappy she is, how depressed, demoralized and lonely. That she “can’t live like this” and, having just moved into her unit in January is looking to move someplace “More active” because “I need to be around younger people.”

That’s when it hit me … ‘Tis the season.

It really is that time of year when people tend to become depressed, demoralized, lonely -- especially the elderly.

Though she lives right next door, and though we don’t talk or interact all that much, she’d made her unhappiness clear early on. In fact, I’d blogged in March, “I’ll be very surprised if my new neighbor renews her lease next year.” (This is the woman from North Carolina who’d moved into the deceased neighbor’s unit.)

I feel sad for her and bad now that I realize the offer of cake was her reaching out for a sit down and conversation but, on the other hand, I have to say she’s not very interesting to talk to and is a bit of a downer.

She sat with me back in March at the Easter Celebration and got on my last nerve complaining about the need for better security here at the complex, because of people she’s observed in the area, that … we need to call the police and have them patrol … we need police to come in and give safety seminars … we need a community committee to discuss issues … I’m trying to find out who plays canasta around here … yada yada yada.

I’d let the neighbor know the issue of security had been brought up multiple times, management was not going to provide it, it wouldn’t be much help if they did, so it’s up to us to be observant and take responsibility for our own safety insofar as questionable people in the area and the coyotes.

Why did I mention coyotes because then it was “Coyotes!! Now you’re scaring me. Are their snakes?”

I found the new neighbor annoying, but was patient and dosed her with reality that this isn’t Beverly Hills so you can call the police today and, unless it’s an emergency, they might show up tomorrow … We do have safety seminars. I haven’t attended, but the police do come in so watch your calendar of events … Game Day is Friday at 10:00 if you want to check on the canasta thing … We already have a community committee. You have a lot to say so you should check the calendar of events and go to the meetings.

Of course, she never did -- 1) pay much attention to the calendar of events because, while now complaining about the lack of activities and wanting to be around younger more active people, she rarely attended events this year -- the casino once and a potluck twice. When I’d pass her on the stairs and say, you missed this event, that event, she’d say, “Oh, was that today?” and 2) she never attended community committee meetings to offer up ideas, get involved in resident sponsored activities, rarely checks into the Community Room, yet complains about the lack of activities.

I can understand the 94 year old feeling lonely and friendless, but the neighbor is only 70, has a car, family nearby, appears fit enough to exercise, walk, but is never seen doing so and, to my knowledge, has no hobbies.

Sorry if I sound insensitive, but she’s a boring dull human. Consequently, moving to where there’s a younger more active crowd isn’t going to solve anything because 1) young people are not going to enjoy her boring complaining company and 2) “No matter where you go, there you are.”

On tap today is needlepoint, still trying to catch up on recorded TV programs and driving the granddaughter to run an errand.

It Takes All Kinds

Scrapbooking not completely caught up, but under control, I got out this morning and spent time in the Community Room chatting with the folks. Having not spent much time there lately, I got caught-up on some disturbing goings on.

It seems we have a thief or thieves.

First, decorative items placed in the Community Garden have been going missing.

Of course there are cameras everywhere, taping our every move and, should the office be so inclined, they could roll tape to find out who’s been absconding with planters, garden gnomes, etc. The office had no problem viewing the tape when that leftover strawberry pie, Nurse Ratched declared was “MY PIE”, went missing; but can’t be bothered with our missing items.

Second, the thieves showed up at last month’s Harvest Breakfast and smooth walked out with an entire tray of enchiladas and swiped a take-home plate The Seer had put together, covered with foil, and placed on the table in front of where she had been seated.

I didn’t see a thing and, if I did, it didn’t register at the time that anything was amiss.

Such was the case with others as the woman who walked off with the tray of enchiladas and the woman who walked off with The Seer’s take-home both were observed. Observed, but no one thought anything about it until the resident who’d brought the enchiladas noticed a tray was missing and went …. hey? And The Seer noticed her take-home plate was gone and went … hey?

In fact, The Seer tells me she actually saw the woman walking out with the foil covered plate but didn’t realize it was hers until after the fact.

The thieves are two of the three new residents I’ve described in previous posts as running in a pack, unfriendly, dark auras. After having not signed up for the Harvest Breakfast, after having not contributed, the three walked into the Community Room with a man who appears to be related, and all four helped themselves to what the rest of us had brought.

I saw them walk in with nothing and, at the time, there was some grumbling among the other residents at their arriving dish less. I didn’t think it a big deal and said 1) We had more than enough to go around and 2) Frankly, they don’t look like the kind of people whose food anyone should eat. The fact one of them later smooth walked over, picked up a tray of enchiladas, walked out, and the other stole The Seer’s foil covered take-home right from under The Seer’s nose is crossing a line.

Now that I think back on that day, no wonder one of the three – the woman I went out of my way to engage and got her to where, as she was leaving, to finally smile and wave at me. It was the old look normal, don't draw suspicious attention to yourself as you walk out of here with what I now vaguely recall was a foil wrapped plate in her other hand.

It takes all kinds to make a community, but I have a hard time understanding just where it is some people come from and why they’re necessary.

The shenanigans of the three have already had an impact on future resident sponsored gatherings. A fish fry had been planned, Apache had already purchased the fish, then the others decided they did not want to give the three another opportunity to pilfer, so the fry was cancelled.

Going to be interesting if the pack shows up to next week’s management sponsored Thanksgiving Potluck -- as I’m sure they will. I’m going to keep an eye on my deviled eggs, so that the trays don’t go missing.

You saw the video of tennis star Serena Williams following that old guy out of the restaurant who’d stolen her cell phone? That will be me. I don't have a problem following, yelling "Stop Thief!" to turn all eyes on them, demanding return of my melamine egg trays.

I have a feeling, now that everyone's on notice, all eyes will be on them anyway.

I Spied With My Little Eye

Entering Starbucks this morning, I spied what appears to be a compromise to the red cup controversy.

That’s right. Starbucks has issued a styrofoam holiday cup.

Of course I bought one, not because it’s a holiday cup, but because, at the Harvest Breakfast, a resident saw me nuking my regular cup of Starbucks and suggested I purchase one of the styrofoam cups that keep coffee warm.

I wasn’t inclined to do so until I spied these and thought it would come in handy at the upcoming Thanksgiving Celebration.

The cups are not free, but $2.00 is a fair enough deal. I, of course, didn’t even have to pay  because I had what is called a “Treat” which appears on my card every so many cups of coffee and can be used for any item … even the more costly items.

At any rate, maybe this new cup will shut everyone up.

I also spied someone else who’s anxious to put up Christmas Decorations.

I didn’t see the front of the car but, seeing reindeer antlers on the side, one can assume there’s a red nose on the hood.

A little early, but as anxious as I am to reorganize the storage closet, I'm a traditionalist and will wait until the day after Thanksgiving to start decorating.

Count Down

Nothing much going on these days. I’m still trying to work myself through recorded TV shows, while simultaneously working on that never ending needlepoint project – the one I began back in February, catching up with the scrapbooking, and counting down the days until I can pull the Christmas decorations from the outside storage and deck the patio.

I’ve been waiting months for this time of year to come, not just because I’m anxious to put up Christmas decorations, but because I need to get to the storage bins, discard craft and costume materials, reorganize and, with all the Christmas decorations in the way, I can’t easily do so.

One of the ladies in the complex months ago asked to have my old needlepoint patterns. I know they’re in there, somewhere in one of the bins, but won’t be able to look through the bins until after the 26^th, when decorations go out and up.

The storage project looks a little less daunting, minus the three containers of scrapbooking supplies I’ve pulled out, but still will go much easier once the Christmas stuff is out of the way.

My body is adjusting to the change in time and weather, so I’ve not been out walking since the Halloween 5K and have barely been out of the unit, except for grocery shopping, and a run through the Community Room to check how many have signed up for the Thanksgiving Potluck. I even skipped the daily Starbucks run a couple times.

Really missing my morning brew, I determined to head out for a cup this morning after checking email. I booted up and saw there’s a huge controversy over the Starbucks Christmas Cup. Evidently, some don’t feel the red cup is Christmasy enough.

I can’t remember what last year’s Christmas Cup looked like, but red works for me. In fact, any color cup works for me, so long as there’s coffee inside.

At this point, so many of us are addicted to Starbucks that there’s little chance of this movement to Boycott Starbucks, over the red cup, will get very far.

I did notice, while at Starbucks, that the red theme is consistent throughout – the pods, the packs and the whole bean blends are all packaged in red. So aesthetically and feng shui speaking, the chi is balanced.

The seniors are off to the Casino today.

The sign-up sheet indicated only twelve, and two have been crossed out. So I’m not sure if enough showed up to ensure continuation of the event.

Time will tell.

As for me, red cup in hand, I’m snug as a bug in a rug working on scrapbooking photos of the Bacon Run.

Can you believe I actually found 12x12 bacon themed paper.

She Went There

Nurse Ratched put on a show yesterday and brought ME into her act.

I did try not to participate in the play, but she found a way to give me a role yet and still.

In the office yesterday, working with the new Assistant Manager who came on a few months ago, I was signing recertification paperwork.

I don’t know if all senior apartment building have to go through this process. I’ve lived in three, but only the last two have gone “income restricted” required recertification paperwork to verify eligibility. I’m over the income limit, but was fortunate enough to be grandfathered in prior to the conversion in both instances; in which case, I don’t understand why I have to go through the process yet and still, but so be it.

At any rate, the new female Big Boss from Corporate was over in the corner doing something, I was seated at the desk, across from the Assistant Manager, when along comes Nurse Ratched.

In an attempt to demonstrate to the Big Boss what a wonderful friendly person she is, Nurse Ratched paused by my side and greeted me … “Hello, how are you?”

I pretended to be so engrossed in the paperwork that I did not hear her, so she stood there for a second, then moved on.

Unfortunately, Nurse Ratched walked by again, just as paperwork was finishing up, stopped directly in front of me and said, “I haven’t seen you around for a while. Where have you been?”

Those are the most words she’s said to me in the entire four years I’ve lived here.

Year 1, when her management company took over, I’d wave, she’d look down her nose and ignore me.

The remainder of Year 1, I no longer waved. She ignored me, I ignored her.

Year 2 through Year 3, she ignored me, I ignored her.

It’s just been this year, after her protector – the former male Big Boss was let go, that she began making an effort to prove to Corporate she’s much nicer than residents make her out to be that she began passing me, looking me in the eye, and sometimes saying hello.

No lie … the first time she acknowledged my existence scared me.

Right away, I started thinking “Oh, oh. What’s going on? What’s she up to?”

So there I was yesterday, with the Assistant Manager and Big Boss in the room trapped into playing a role in Nurse Ratched’s performance … “I haven’t seen you around for a while. Where have you been?”

I froze.

Couldn’t even think.

Which is probably a good thing because, had I time to think, I might have called her out on pretending to be friendly because her boss was looking on.

I can be blunt like that, and usually am ... having once told a woman, "I don't want to play this game with you."

This time, when I unfroze, what came out was, “I’ve been round”.

I can’t tell you what was said or done after that because I went blank.

It’s been bothering me since that I allowed her to use me.

Squeaky Wheel

A short stop by the Community Room yesterday found residents fussing and fuming that here we were on Day 5 of the new month with no Monthly Activity Calendar in sight. Two of the residents indicated they’d begun calling the office on Day 2 about the calendar.

One of the resident indicated she’d just come from questioning the office in person as to why no calendar.

The reason given was “problems with the printer”.

We all scoffed, because not one of us believed that story. Discussion all around was, should it be true, there were alternatives … like having printing done at Staples.

As a result of the squeaky wheel nagging by residents, we got greased this morning with calendars posted to our doors.

Along about 9:30, I saw Maintenance Man coming up the stairs with a stack of papers in his hands, which turned out to be the calendars. Along with everything else he has to do, since he is now the ONLY maintenance worker assigned to the complex, he has been tasked with posting Monthly Calendars to 178 units.

God forbid Nurse Ratched gets off her lazy arse and handle the postings or hire a temporary worker to do so.

At any rate, notice of the November 10 Casino and November 17 Thanksgiving Potluck have been brought to everyone’s attention. Still there’s the problem of WHERE the sign-up sheet is located and there’s sure to be even more backlash due to the late posting because, according to the calendar, an organization came in on November 3^rd to take a Needs Assessment of the seniors.

No one knew.

The organization even came in offering a “Free Lunch” and raffle for completing the survey.

No one knew, because the calendar was not issued until today, November 6.

I don’t know what more I can say about the incompetence of this management group. The high turnover has a lot to do with it, and the high turnover is attributed to the way Nurse Ratched treats staff, residents, her own incompetence, and yet she’s still here.

The squeaky wheels complaining about smokers got a little grease in the calendar, as there’s an insert reminding smokers “Effect of Breach and Right to Terminate Lease” if found to be smoking on “property grounds, including inside apartments, patios, walkways, common areas, etc.”

We’ll see if that fixes Maintenance Man’s problem of being sandwiched between two smokers, and complaints of other residents about violators.

There’s also a nod to squeaky wheel complaints about the fact access to the Community Room is tied to the presence of office staff. The Community Room is closed to residents on weekends because there is no office staff on weekends.

We previously had a resident assigned to opening and closing up the Community Room, giving us access seven days a week. However, Nurse Ratched behavior towards him was such that, when he moved, no one else was willing to step in. Consequently, access was tied to office staff.

We didn't like being locked out on weekends, but adjusted to it.

THEN, office staff began taking an inordinate amount of time off during weekdays for one reason or another.

We REALLY didn’t like that, but adjusted to it.

THEN, more recently, there were three weeks where office staff posted a notice they would “only be available from 2:00 to 4:00 until further notice.”

This was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

There were so many squeaky wheel complaints to Corporate that someone, probably Maintenance Man, has been tasked with unlocking the Community Room doors allowing access to residents, according to an insert in the calendar, from “8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day of the week, Monday – Sunday.”

Oh, and by the way, the reason Corporate gave for office staff only being available from 2:00 to 4:00 was that "They're busy". 

"Busy doing what?!" asked the squeaky wheels.

"Well, they have a lot of work to do, backlogged paperwork" says Corporate. 

"Well, of course" said the squeaky wheels. "It's easy to be backlogged if you're out of the office all the time."

Thus, we now have access Monday - Sunday to hang out in the Community Room.

That’s a lot of grease. Going to make the seniors happy, but still pissed off about Monthly Calendars not being processed in a timely manner.