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Life Drama

Sometimes, no matter how kind of a person you are or how you try to keep your life drama free, unkind situations seem to find you.  I live a relatively low key life.  I mind my own business and stay neutral in all situations.  This is a story on bad business on my part but also a life learning one.

This week, I have been dragged into a little drama.  I inherited my mother’s house after she passed away.  I live in another state and I really didn’t have the time or energy to be there to try to sell it.  So, I decided to let family stay in it.  I only have two requirements for living in this house.  The first requirement is to pay the rent and water bill on time.  The second requirement is to keep the house up.  That’s it.  If they are able to do that, I let them stay for low rent (only the mortgage).  I’m not trying to make money off of it.  Just want to offer something nice to family members and close friends.

Well, I know that if my mom knew all the situations that I would be in by just holding on to her house, she would have sold it.  I know this because she asked me if I wanted her to and I told her NO.  I was already losing her.  I didn’t want to lose something else that she took pride in having.  Anyway, I have a cousin that I decided to let move in.  I love him!  He is one of my favorite people in this world.  His wife, however, is not. My cousin got into trouble almost two years ago and is now in jail.  His wife is still in the house and now responsible for paying the rent and taking care of things.  Well, here is where things start on a downward spiral.

Since the very beginning of her taking over, she has been late with the payments.  Her husband even paid her ahead, unknowingly to her.  But she used up those payments within the first year.  She didn’t pay one dime on the water bill which then got tacked on to the taxes causing the mortgage cost to raise.  She is constantly making plans that she doesn’t keep.  For a while, I would pay the mortgage so that it would not be late because she would say she would pay by a certain date.  She frequently reneged on those promises so I had to stop doing that because it was causing me financial stress. Well, this woman has frequently told me that she can’t afford the mortgage because she’s not making a lot of money.  So, I’m thinking well she’s going to move out.  I would have completely understood.  But she stays and continues to pay late, then suddenly she will catch up and start the non-paying all over again.  I explained to her several times that she has to pay on time because I’m getting letters from the bank.  The bank has also sent letters to the house, which she unlawfully opens and does not mention them to me.  She even took them to other people to look at, but I digress!  Now, she has told me several times that if I want her to move that she would.  So after the last month of continuous lies and non-communication, I took the initiative and gave her notice to move. I explained to her previously about what my expectations for the month of July was and she broke her promises.  Well now she has a problem with it.  She tells me that she’s not going to move and that I will have to take her to court!  This is what I am dealing with.  A chronic liar with no morals.  I just have no words for the situation.  Does she even realize that getting evicted through the court mean that no one will rent to her?  NO ONE.  Where is she going to stay?  So now, I have to take time off and head to another state to take her to court.  Part of me just want to call the bank and tell them to foreclose and part wants to proceed with the court process.  Either way, doing business with family have proven to be a mistake.  I have heard it said before, but didn’t listen.  Now I will.  Now I will try to learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others.

End of Story.

 

 

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone who has taken time out of their schedules to read this blog.  I appreciate it very much that you have spent a moment of your time reading my scattered thoughts.  I look forward to sharing more with you next year. The photo above are just a few of the favorites on my tree.  The pine cone is over 30 years old.  I know that people now purchase these in stores, but the ones on my tree actually belonged to my grandmother. My mom and her siblings actually went outside and scrounged these up and painted them as part of their decorations.  Yes…this was back when kids still strung popcorn and handmade ornaments.  I also still have a handmade one (not pictured).  Sometimes, the simplest thing can make the holiday that much more special.

Talk to you all soon.

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Holiday Cheer. Day 2

Every year around this time in Town Center mall, we shoppers are treated to kids doing their piano recitals.  Yesterday, I actually sat down while eating a soft pretzel and listened to about four kids do their mini concert.  This year was the first time I saw a sign for it.  They called it to pianothon.  It was nice to see and hear.  It was the perfect opportunity to relax during the hectic shopping season. #holidaycheer

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Holiday Cheer. Day 1

I remember my first Christmas in Georgia about 18 years ago. I had just started working for a temp agency after two months of interviewing for jobs with no luck.  I finally received my first check and I was so excited. While riding in my car listening to Christmas music on the radio, I looked over to the car next to me. The lady on the passenger side in the car beside me and I made eye contact and were both singing Have a holly jolly Christmas. We laughed and started singing loudly while dancing in our seats. Welcome to the South! That’s probably the moment I realized that I had made the right move. (Still a northerner at heart though). I think her husband (atleast that is who I assume the driver was) might have thought we both had lost our mind because he was laughing at us. ‪#‎holidaycheer‬

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Summer Revisited

As the leaves start to turn colors, I decided to do a final goodbye to the summer.  It was a beautiful one.  Summer has always been my favorite season.  There is just something about staring out at the summer skies with the smell of fresh cut grass. Or in my case, sitting in my car (away from the bugs) at night with the sunroof open and the seat leaned all the way back staring up at the stars.  Sigh!  Well goodbye summer.  I will see you in a few months. Attached is a picture of one of my favorite outfits of the summer.  The jumpsuit is from the Vera Bradley for Target collection, the denim vest is from Lane Bryant, the denim shoes are from Nine West, the studded wrap watch is from Francesca’s.

Until next time…..

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pur Love Your Selfie palette

My best friend asked me to buy her an all in one palette for her birthday this year.  She wanted to not have to carry a lot of stuff in her handbag, so I went out to search for one.  Ironically, I have seen plenty of these type of palettes in the stores, but suddenly I couldn’t find a single one.  I went into Ulta, and luckily they had just gotten one in.  They said they get the majority of this type of item around the holidays.  So, of course, being the makeup obsessed person that I am…I “borrowed” this from my BFF so that I can take pictures and swatches for this blog.  The shadows are pretty buttery and swatched well.  The lighter colors may not work for me, but she’s a little lighter than me so I think she can pull it off.  The blush and highlighter are pretty good as well.  This palette also comes with mascara and gloss.  Pretty nice, if I do say so myself. Has anyone else tried this one out?

Talk to you all soon,

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National Lipstick Day 2015

Today is National Lipstick day.  Last year, I posted the lipstick that I was wearing that day, and decided to do the same this year.   This is Flirty Fuchsia by Milani.  I love this color.  A bold lip color can make quite a statement and be a reminder of how great rocking one can be.  What lip color are you wearing today?

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Life is hard

Life is a difficult thing to figure out sometimes. I have so many questions and fears.  I never really pictured my life where it is right now.  When I was younger, I thought I would have children, a husband, a career. I guess I pictured a perfect life.  Man, did reality slap me in the face.  I don’t have any of these things.  Is it my fault? Where did I go wrong?  I guess I just assumed that that it just naturally happens if you follow a certain path in life.  Throwing my finger up to paths!  I’m a little lost today.  I’m sure I will feel better soon, but I get these downward spirals that just have me thinking about where I wanted my life to be….and where it is.  Then I think about my mom, who had such a short life.  Who am I to complain?! I’m alive.  I have the opportunity to change my life if I want it bad enough right?  Is that it?  I don’t want it bad enough? So many jumbled thoughts going through my head.  I get sad, then I get mad that I’m sad.  I’m envious of people who got it all together..  But then again…envy is a sin.  My head is going to explode.  My heart might explode too.

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3 days in outfits

This was fun to do last week, so I am doing it again.  Here are three outfits from last week.  All of the clothes are from Lane Bryant.  The yellow shoes are an old classic that I purchased from Boston Store in Wisconsin about three years ago.  The strappy sandals with the flowers on top are also a classic from a few years ago. I believe they are Aerosoles, but unfortunately I believe they are past their prime.  The sandals with the gold details were featured on my blog last year.  They are from Lane Bryant.  Hope you all enjoy!

Talk to you all soon!