Random randomness

[Kraken]

Is GoFundMe worth a shot?

I have a GFM..Its seen zero interest and I was about to delete it. I know no one and I dont have a net footprint or base. So no one sees it anyways.

I think they work best when they have a specific dollar goal for a specific need, and when they're new.

[Jaymon]

Some time back, we replaced a portion of the yard with rocks. Bunch of our neighbors have already done it also. Easier to maintain and uses less water, etc.

But, its not that appealing, so in the past few weeks, we have been painting some of the rocks. Some are just solid color, and some are bugs, and some are other fanciful designs. Its fun, and entertaining. But, they tend to disappear. Then we discovered that new ones appear as well.

Seems we have entered into some sort of new community of rock swappers, people wander by, take your painted rocks, and leave different ones.
Some of the new ones have names or hashtags on the back. This is a lot more pressure than I was expecting.

[Smoove_B]

Seems we have entered into some sort of new community of rock swappers, people wander by, take your painted rocks, and leave different ones.
Some of the new ones have names or hashtags on the back. This is a lot more pressure than I was expecting.

Painting rocks and leaving them in random, unexpected places has been a thing for years, at least around here and it's connected to social media and the "feel goodery" associated with doing it.

SEE: here. Remember, it doesn't count unless you post about it on Facebook or Instagram.

[dbt1949]

This sounds like a cool idea.

[hepcat]

Man, I should just collect all the rocks people throw at me and do this!

[Daehawk]

Have you tried contacting your local branch of Habitat for Humanity? Because they provide a specific program for critical home repair services for situations like yours.

You should probably also contact your local HUD (Housing & Urban Development) office. They provide various resources to assist with home repairs for those on disability or on limited incomes, including grants and low-interest loans for home repairs.

I gave him a link to a federal loan program, but yours might be better. The problem with all of this is that none of it is fast. I don't know of a quick way to resolve this and I can't think of a single situation I've been involved in where the property owner doesn't have water for an extended period of time where it ends well.

If I knew of any quick way to help, I'd say it. That is the issue with home ownership. If you don't have money or reserve (or the ability to get money), you're always one issue away from serious problems.

Called Habitat for Humanity here. They cant help. They only build people a home. They are actually going to build the lady I spoke to a home. Nice. They will build a person like me a home even though I have one...makes no sense. But they wont even take an application until Oct.

Called HUD they wont answer. Left msg. Pretty sure they wont help...almost 100% sure.

Called Human Services where my food stamps come from. They cant help.

Thanks for more idea but NO ONE HELPS...it seems that way anyways. Its ridiculous.

[Daehawk]

Got up to find my little dogs soaked food spoiled. I soak it because he is old and it doesn't stay fresh but a few days that way. Couldn't wait for new food to soak so opened and gave him a small can of the chicken I had bought for save water with. He ate great this morning lol. Bet he was super happy hahah. He is important though.

[Anonymous Bosch]

Called HUD they wont answer. Left msg. Pretty sure they wont help...almost 100% sure.

What makes you so certain? I understand your pessimism, and the act of reaching and conversing with a live human being at a federal agency like HUD is likely to be an exercise in frustration and persistence. But here's the HUD listing of some of the available HUD home repair services in TN:

The programs and resources listed below help homeowners with home repairs and improvements.

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Contacts - some communities use CDGB funds from HUD for home improvement assistance to homeowners
• HOME Program Contacts - some communities use HOME funds from HUD for home improvement assistance to homeowners
• HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies
• Local Homeownership Assistance Programs - some of these organizations may provide assistance for repairs or rehabilitation
• The Nashville MDHA - Community Development Office provides emergency repair and home improvement programs.
• Tennessee Association of Community Action Weatherization and Social Service Programs
• Tennessee Department of Human Services Weatherization Assistance Program
• Tennessee THDA Weatherization
• USDA Rural Development - home improvement, general repairs and/or rehabilitation loans for low-income rural residents
• Weatherization Assistance East Tennessee (ETHRA)

[stessier]

[*] USDA Rural Development - home improvement, general repairs and/or rehabilitation loans for low-income rural residents

Just picked one at random - USDA Rural Development.

What does this program do?
Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

...

Who may apply for this program?
To qualify, you must:

Be the homeowner and occupy the house
Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county.
For grants, be age 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan

...

How may funds be used?

Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize homes or remove health and safety hazards
Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards

How much money can I get?

Maximum loan is $40,000
Maximum grant is $10,000
Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance
What are the terms of the loan or grant?

Loans are termed for 20 years
Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
Full title service is required if the total outstanding balance on Section 504 loans is greater than $25,000
Grants have a lifetime limit of $10,000
Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
If applicants can repay part, but not all of the costs, applicants may be offered a loan and grant combination
Is there a deadline to apply?

Applications for this program are accepted through your local RD office year round
How long does an application take?
Approval times depend on funding availability in your area. Talk to a USDA home loan specialist in your area for help with the application

Who can answer questions and how do I get started?
Contact a USDA home loan specialist in your area

And for reference, for someone in Clevelend -

Code: Select all

Cleveland, TN MSA
GRANT INCOME      13,750 
VERY LOW INCOME   32,650 
LOW INCOME        52,250 
MODERATE INCOME   103,500 
38 YEAR TERM      39,200 

Edit: If I used my loan calculator correctly, a $10,000 loan under those terms would cost $45.99/month

[Smoove_B]

Yes. That's the program I linked him to 5+ days ago. No idea why it's not an option.

Regardless, it doesn't give him money *right now*. That program might be good for bigger picture repairs and trying to future-proof other problems, but I don't think it would work for emergency (what this is) resolution.

[Daehawk]

I will look into all this. Im not ignoring anything believe me. And I appreciate each and everyone one of you and your suggestions.

Way way down on my list of ideas Im going to add 'Find and marry rich old lady with not long to live'. Im sure thats doable. Just may take time as I dont meet people.

[Daehawk]

Star Trek TOS - The Paradise Syndrome.

That was SO not fair.

[Blackhawk]

Some time back, we replaced a portion of the yard with rocks. Bunch of our neighbors have already done it also. Easier to maintain and uses less water, etc.

I think this is going to become a lot more common in the near future. Dry landscaping, geoscaping, terrascaping, whatever term they end up with. Different rocks (I've seen some cool yards in the past with fist sized gray stones and sections of red lava rock), chipped wood/bark, a few low-water plants. It can be surprisingly attractive, and is much nicer looking than a field of brown grass.

[Sudy]

I mixed orange Crush with their cream soda and it seriously tastes like a Creamsicle, it's great. Though I suppose I could just buy a Stewart's Orange & Cream.

[stessier]

I mixed orange Crush with their cream soda and it seriously tastes like a Creamsicle, it's great. Though I suppose I could just buy a Stewart's Orange & Cream.

Drink more water!!

[Sudy]

Hey, I'm not drain pouring what's left in the pantry.

I did start recording my consumption though, and I picked up a case of Fresca (sugar free) today.

[stessier]

Hey, I'm not drain pouring what's left in the pantry.

I did start recording my consumption though, and I picked up a case of Fresca (sugar free) today.

Nice! I was hoping the smilie would be taken as light ribbing. Good luck - I know it's gonna be a challenge.

[Blackhawk]

If you do switch to flavored carbonated water, keep in mind that the trick is not to think of it as a substitute for pop, or as an alternative to pop. Rather accept that pop is gone, and this is an entirely new drink, to be approached on its own terms. "If I'm not drinking pop, I can find a new thing to drink - how about this?" Or possibly do a 'palate reset' when you're finally done with pop - get rid of every sugary drink in your house, and make yourself stick with plain water for a month. Afterward, your mouth won't be expecting sugar when something wet goes in, and you'll be able to better appreciate other things. And, from my experience, pop will then taste like painfully sweet super-syrup. I can't stand the stuff anymore, save for the occasional small drink.

Whatever you do, don't fall for other sugary drinks (sweet tea, Kool-Aid, lemonade, sports drinks, juice, etc), or large amounts of high-calorie drinks (milk - this was a problem for me for a while.) Or compensate with sugary snacks.

[dbt1949]

And remember chocolate is not sugar.

[Smoove_B]

I've done it! I have hepcat bingo!

Mark Wahlberg, Jersey City, J.K. Simmons and I'm using my Golden girls free space!

The Netflix film about a construction worker being thrust into the international spy world by his ex-girlfriend features the versatile Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry and J.K. Simmons.

Wahlberg and Berry have been shooting scenes in Jersey City and Bayonne all week.

...

Wahlberg joked to the fans across the street “There’s nothing interesting to see here!”

[Daehawk]

The poor social worker at the caring place yesterday after asking me about my snap benefits and money and food gave me a 2nd bag of food to take home. I had already gotten my allowed 1 bag earlier in the week. Bless her. Ive lost 20lbs lately just due to lack of food. Its not a fun diet but it does work. Who woulda thought to lose weight you just dont eat...or eat less. Amazing!

[Daehawk]

Heaven. This should be illegal.

Take thick texas toast bread and butter it up. Toast it . Let it cool a min, Then spread on some mayo. Then you top it like I did with some Walmart pouched pork bbq meat. DEElish. Could have used some slaw but I don't have any. And I ate it open top not as a sandwich.

[Skinypupy]

We took the kids to see the new Minions movie today. Holy crap, that was TERRIBLE.

I’ve got a pretty high tolerance for crappy kids animated movies, but that one was particularly painful to sit through. It’s pretty rare that a kids movie doesn’t at least get one chuckle out of me…don’t think I even cracked a smile at that one.

[Daehawk]

Oh no so the Minions have run out of funny? Well bound to happen as studios try to suck up all the cash they can.

[dbt1949]

I love the Minions but their first movie wasn't all that funny either. They do better with that evil genius guy.

[dbt1949]

When I was young I dreamed about having a bevy of beautiful young women around to have sex.
Now a days I want a bevy of young women around to mow the lawn, wash clothes, keep the house clean and fix food.

[Daehawk]

If you find any let me know. I usually just encounter herds of them taking pictures of their butts. Some kind of monkey ritual I reckon.

[Madmarcus]

Now a days I want a bevy of young women around to mow the lawn, wash clothes, keep the house clean and fix food.

I'm easy; I'll do the cooking if they clean the kitchen, clean the house, and deal with the lawn!

[hepcat]

Do you think you'll be able to fit into the bikinis that dbt bought for such purposes?

In other news:

I saw the winner for the most clever personalized license plate in 2022 (so far):

Cats R 42

Spoiler:

if you're not a Douglas Adams fan, you might not get it

[dbt1949]

Just got a phone call from Arkansas department of human services. They want to talk to my wife. I said she's dead. They said then that I should fax them a copy of her death certificate. I said okay but am not going to do it of course. What do I care?
Then they say "Have a nice day."

[Pyperkub]

The history of alright alright alright!. Pretty awesome in fact!

[Jaymann]

Just got a phone call from Arkansas department of human services. They want to talk to my wife. I said she's dead. They said then that I should fax them a copy of her death certificate. I said okay but am not going to do it of course. What do I care?
Then they say "Have a nice day."

Send them a picture of George Costanza.

[Daehawk]

I got a strange email from Charter Spectrum tonight. It was thanking me for my order and updating the service I requested. Showed my new charges would be around $55 more..so over $100 next time. Well I didn't request anything. Ive been without tv for 2 years and it was SpectrumTV that was added. I thought it might be a fake scam but it looked pretty real.

I called them and sure enough it was real. They couldn't see to tell me where the order came from all they could see was it was from a ROKU 6. They said if a person had requested the order it would show their name but nothing was showing. So no idea how it did it or where in the world it came from. I dont have a roku anything or a smart tv.

So with no idea how it was added without my permission I asked that a note be added to my account that they have to speak to me to make any changes to my service from now on. They also removed the service and the charges.

Then without me asking they found they could get me faster internet for less than I was already getting with my deal. So by Thursday I should go from 400 down and $55 a month to 500 down and $49 a month. Nice.

Both ladies were SUPER friendly and kind. One talked with me 10 min about our dogs. So amazing. Ive never had a better yet strange customer support call with anyone.

[Fardaza]

That's great that they could get it straightened out.
I'm envious at your 500 down. I'd be ecstatic to get your 400. I'm lucky if mine pulls 35.

[Blackhawk]

I did something similar recently - I went from 300 down/10 up to 900 down/25 up at about a 30% reduction to my bill.

[Jaymann]

If you don't think big brother is listening in every second, try this one on for size. I was talking to my daughter and asked her what that noise was (it was construction). A few minutes after the call, out of nowhere, a message popped up on my phone: Learn how you can reduce background noise on your phone.

[stimpy]

Just got a phone call from Arkansas department of human services. They want to talk to my wife. I said she's dead. They said then that I should fax them a copy of her death certificate. I said okay but am not going to do it of course. What do I care?
Then they say "Have a nice day."

Send them a picture of George Costanza.

A friend of mine posted this picture on Facebook:



I posted this in the reply:



For some reason they were not amused and removed it.........lol.
Hence the blurring for posting it here.......

[Daehawk]

I realized something about my life sitting here late last night. I feel centered. For maybe the first time in my life I feel totally at peace and calm. Good energy, karma, chi whatever it is. I feel good. Im not mad about anything or sad or upset really. The pump had made me stress but Im good now. It really felt good to be centered. I like that.

[Holman]

I realized something about my life sitting here late last night. I feel centered. For maybe the first time in my life I feel totally at peace and calm. Good energy, karma, chi whatever it is. I feel good. Im not mad about anything or sad or upset really. The pump had made me stress but Im good now. It really felt good to be centered. I like that.

That's good to hear.

I think we all know that you've been feeling the loss of your wife for years now. I know it has to hurt still, but I think you could find some peace in the knowledge that she would certainly want you to feel happiness.

[dbt1949]

Speaking of wives. As most of you know my wife and I both believe in re-incarnation. She always said she'd find a way to contact me after she died. So far it's a no show.
That's okay tho I never thought showing up right after death was possible any ways.