and somehow it got to me really badly. And November 17 is the 2nd anniversary of my husband Bud's death, and I got a letter in the mail today that the bank won't re-negotiate my mortgage. Some days life is really not so good. I can't lose my kids, they're all I've got. I won't go anywhere without them, and with 7 cats and a dog, where would I go? So I can't leave here, I have to find some way to stay. And I don't want to leave a place that I've known since I've been probably 6 years old, that holds the memories of so many people that are now dead. This is the only place I can see my parents, my brother, my aunts and uncles and cousins that are gone. And all my cat children that are buried here from all those years, because this was the only place I could count on as 'permanent'. Surprise surprise, nothing is permanent. And the economy couldn't have picked a worse time to tank, and take my retirement savings with it. Did you know the government guideline for housing cost is that it should be 30% of your income? Um, any of you paying only 30% of your income for housing? I wanted to ask the guy from the bank if I had accidentally wandered into the 70's again, I think that's about the last time the 30% thing happened. If I follow that guideline, I should be paying about $340/mo for a house. Are you rolling on the floor laughing yet? I would find this house in which slum, in which country? Lord, we have a pretty fine slum in Erie, and apartments are more than that there, of course they come with the entertainment value of possibly getting mugged or shot. Guess that's worth something. And, get this: if I could find a roommate who could pay $300-400/mo toward the mortgage, why then they wouldn't re-negotiate because I'd have enough money to pay my loan! Um, did I miss something? Did I take a detour thu the insane asylum? That still wouldn't be any 30% of my income for the mortgage. And this bank is actually a nice bank, a hometown bank, not one of those big corporate things. I wish they'd just say no before they make you fill out dozens of papers and stuff, it would be easier, you wouldn'd have any hope to be dashed. I'm sorry, girls, I'm still going to fight, now with the courthouse to see if I can get the taxes lowered, that would help. We had a re-assessment here a few years ago that put everybody into a tailspin, I don't know how they valued this land, it's not in Las Vegas. Maybe the appraisal company they hired was from there, or Manhattan. Um, this is a 'farm', and more than half of it is real true 'swampland', because it's a creek valley. They're appraising as if I could make this a subdivision and sell off lots at $50,000 each. Well, not unless somebody wants to build another "Fallingwater", hee hee hee. Sigh, I knew the government was crazy, but this is getting rather ridiculous, all of it. For this I have worked since I was 14 years old? Heck, I should have just had an illigitimate baby and gone on welfare, then I'd have an apartment, a car, childcare, food stamps, job training, and in one case I know of personally, a cleaning lady! I messed up, I guess, I thought you were supposed to work and be a responsible person. Oh, moan, groan, gripe. Sorry, but it is rather unfair. I know this isn't as important as people's health and things, but if you could spare a little prayer, I'd appreciate it. Just so God doesn't decide to trade Minou's health for any good he'd do me, I won't make that trade! Sorry, it's just lonesome here, guys. Thanks, love you, Marji

Oh my goodness, I agree you need a lot of hugs, I will be praying for you, and hope that all will get better soon. I know how you feel, as we also nearly lost our house. God was good for us, and my husband (who was on pension) got a good job just in time.
I also feel so glad that there are so many cuties that can at least listen to us, and pray with us.
My prayers are with you and Minou. Just believe.
Lots of hugs from me, and God bless.
Marietta

Oh, wow, Marji. That is just a LOAD! Have you tried another bank? I'm sending you a hug and a prayer. These are just the craziest of times.....

Wish I can hug you, just thinking and prayin for you Love Marie

Marji oh, I'm sorry to hear that ... laws are often poorly done. And the government people, who earn as much money and should take our place from time to time to see what life really !!!

I hope everything works out for you soon, I'll pray for that,

Sissi
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(='.'=)
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SO sorry to read about your problems Marji, You are in my thoughts an I will sen you an angel to look after you. Please try to think positive and we all do care about you.

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Marji, so sorry to read this, I am trying to catch up on the personals-
You will be in my prayers, hope things work out - Hugs Yvonne

hope to give you here a lot of hugs and hope you will feel less lonesome with all these cuties who will give you love,hugs and prayers.thinking of you*

Thinking of you, Sandy

You'll be in my prayers, take care. Cis

Marji, honey.....GOD made it very clear we would not have an easy time in this life.....He alos says nothing last forever.....If you were here by me, I would take you in in a heartbeat...you and all your babies.....I cannot know how to lift your spirits except to tell you I will gladly pray for JESUS to show you what, where or how to go about what he wants for you.....All here care about you and will step forward and pray for you......Don't get discouraged.....close your lovely eyes, be silent and listen to the sound and comfort coming from above......whatever happens here in this world has already been planned out far from when we were born....We just have to learn to go with GOD'S plan and give him the leadway....May you find comfort in knowing he is taking care of you....Hasn't he kept your little Minou safe so far....Sending you all my LOVE and SUPPORT from afar....may you also find courage and strength to accept whatever may come your way...deanna

Marji, I am so sorry for your troubles I just wish I could do something to help you. I will keep you in my prayers that all will work out for you. Linda

Marji, I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. Life can be so ANFAIR and you seem to have had your lot.
the banks are being pigs also in other countries. Human feeling do not come into it any more and I often wonder why we worked so hard, because people on wellfare just get everything, they just know how to play the game so to speak.
It also makes me mad that the guilty persons who have created this mess are walking around free mostly and with pots of money.
You are right to fight. I will pray that a good solution will be found to help you

Hugs Edith

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by marjialexa 11 Oct 2009

Thanks, Edith, I appreciate your prayers. I know, it seems like the people here in the USA who bought million dollar homes they knew they couldn't afford, and ran the credit cards up with huge new TV's and furniture, they're the ones that get the help, too. We bought a house we could afford, had no credit card bills, no car payments, and now I'm told "too bad, tough luck". And our lawmakers here are so much overpaid, they have no understanding of what 'real' people have to go through. They make laws about Social Security, Medicare, health care, etc, but they don't have to worry about using any of those systems, they have a system of their own. So, they can take everything away from working people, and never hurt themselves at all. And the appalling fact is that less half of the people in the USA who can vote do it! I think of the Africans, the people in Central America, who must walk hours or days to vote, who risk being actually shot or beaten for casting their ballot, and yet the apathetic Americans, who could change everything in one election, simply don't bother. Ah, well. Thanks for your prayers, and for caring enough to even read the message. Something will happen, that's for sure. Hugs, Marji

Dear Marji, I'm sorry I just read this, and I wish it was something I could do for you! You are often in my thoughts and now in my prayers. I love you, Yoriko

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by marjialexa 11 Oct 2009

Thanks, Yo, I appreciate it so much. There are just so many of us in bad positions because of the economy, and plain bad luck! You've got your share, too, we'll pray for each other. I love you, too! Marji

Marji, I wish there was something I could do to really help you. Only thing I can do is pray things work out well. Thinking of you, with love, Martine

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by marjialexa 11 Oct 2009

Thanks, Martine, prayers help, however they're answered. Just good to know I'm worth your taking the time, that means a lot. Hey, wow, maybe your Dad would like somebody to help him set up his computer? Hee hee hee, I can cook, too, more or less. If you put enough wine in anything it tastes pretty good.... Thanks, really, something will break one way or another. Much love, Marji

Oh Marji, Im so sorry to hear this, you always reply to my posts & you seem like a beautiful lady & if I could wave a magic wand & wish for all your troubles to go away I would do this for you my love Life has its twist & turns & I will pray for you for life to turn out for the better Love to you & your little furry friends
LUV&HUGS YVONNE XXXX
This is KARMA my youngest kitty x

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by marjialexa 11 Oct 2009

Thanks, Yvonne, if you find that magic wand let me know, I seem to have lost mine! I appreciate the prayers very much. And your Karma looks just like my Polly, such mischief in that little face! Imagine what the 2 of them could get into together! Hope you're doing ok without your blinds, hee hee hee. If Polly were there, they would not only have taken them down, they probably would have sold them to buy tuna fish! Your caring helps, thanks so much, hugs, Marji

by marjialexa 11 Oct 2009

Thanks, Yvonne, if you find that magic wand let me know, I seem to have lost mine! I appreciate the prayers very much. And your Karma looks just like my Polly, such mischief in that little face! Imagine what the 2 of them could get into together! Hope you're doing ok without your blinds, hee hee hee. If Polly were there, they would not only have taken them down, they probably would have sold them to buy tuna fish! Your caring helps, thanks so much, hugs, Marji

Marji, I know there isn't a thing that I could say to help you feel better or make this work out for you. But please know that I care and I will be praying for you dear one. *4U

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by marjialexa 11 Oct 2009

Shirlene, thank you so much. I know you care, and prayers help so much, even if we don't get what we want, prayer does get answered. I will never complain again about the way things turn out from praying, y'all convinced God to save my Minou, twice even! Her life is so important, I just need to be somewhere I can keep these little guys, keep them happy. Something will happen, I'm sure. Thanks, love, Marji

HI Marji,

Sorry to read you are going through such a tough time. I pray that there will be a solution for you - there just has to be. I do hope your bank can come up with another solution - just keep pestering them.

What about seeing if someone can share with you. It's just an idea - I don't know if there are any relatives on your husband's side who could assist as well. Keep your chin up there just has to be a way that you can keep your home. You're right it's just not fair.

I'll keep praying for a solution for you. Love and blessings Chris

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by marjialexa 10 Oct 2009

I guess I should have picked men with better relatives, Chris, hee hee hee. Richard's people are mostly passed away, and they are all from Chicago, anyway, and that's more than 500 miles from here. Bud's sister has her own problems, her husband has cancer. Being a second marriage for him after a first marriage of some 30 years (divorce was his wife's idea), the loyalties lie elsewhere anyway. And his daughter & her husband live pretty much in a slum, we were helping them out when Bud was alive, they haven't even called in a year. Oh, well. Something will happen, something always does. Thanks for the prayers, hugs, Marji

Wish I could wave my magic wand and make this all go away for you, Marji. You're such a sweet person, and now you're going through another really horrid time.
My prayers will be with you and your family, and I pray that you can stay in your home place, with your loved ones, memories and kitties.
Wish I could offer you some comfort, too. Please join me in prayer; God does answer prayer.
Love,
Jacqueline

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by marjialexa 09 Oct 2009

Jacqui, if you find that magic wand, let me know! I appreciate your taking the time to pray, and most certainly prayer is answered, look how my Minou came thru her cancer and stroke. It is the utter lack of family, human companionship of any kind that gets hard. Sometimes I don't hear a human voice for days. This land is all I've got left, and the fur kids. I know it's hard for people with families to imagine. Even if you don't get along with your families, they're there. I have none. My parents and only brother are gone, I have no children, my 2 husbands are gone, and the friends I have left are all in other states or countries. That's why I cling so to this place, for the memory of peace. Ah, well. Thank you for taking the time to pray for a crabby old bag. I had to giggle, really I did, I've been called lots of things, but I don't think 'sweet' has ever been one of them. You are kind to think so, even if it is a delusion, hee hee hee. Hugs, Marji

My dear Marji, What can I say except I am so sorry. There are times in our lives when life just isn't fair is it. I will pray for God to provide a solution for you. Surely there is someway out of all this so you can stay right where you are. flowers & more flower for you. *

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by marjialexa 09 Oct 2009

Thanks, Lilian, I don't know how I'll weed all those flowers! No, life isn't fair. I just wish it were a little more logical, or that people in charge of things had a few more brains. Thanks for the prayers, I do need them. Hugs, Marji

Whoa Marji...Sit down, take a deep cleansing breath. In thruthe nose, out thru the mouth. It sounds as tho someone just yanked the rug out from under you. I know you probably don't want to hear this right now but I believe it with all my heart. "God won't bring you to it without providing you a way to get thru it!!" You WILL get thru this. Put yourself in God's hands. I will pray that you find an acceptable solution to your present situation. Until then please try to relax. We don't want you making yourself ill over this.

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by marjialexa 09 Oct 2009

Thanks, MaryJo, I appreciate your reply. God didn't bring me to this, actually, my husband's cancer did. He couldn't get life insurance because of it, and when he died there was nothing left because we spent it fighting the cancer, and my illness. No way I'm blaming that on God, any more than I would a tornado or earthquake. That's life, stuff happens. Some days you're the lioness, some days you're the zebra calf. Indeed God can help, but only if I get off my duff and try to help myself, too. I like the idea of finding an 'acceptable solution', I can pray with you on that one. And I appreciate your taking the time to say the prayer for someone you don't even know. Hugs, Marji

by maryjo 09 Oct 2009

Oh Marji, We all know you. You're part of our Cute family. And as such, when you hurt we all hurt with you. I can't imagine being in your situation but I do know it's hard to see the forrest for the trees when you're in the middle of it. Sometimes the solution is right in front of us and we can't see it because we're too caught up in the chaos. I pray that God will ease your stress to the point that you can clearly see a solution.

Whoa Marji...Sit down, take a deep cleansing breath. In thruthe nose, out thru the mouth. It sounds as tho someone just yanked the rug out from under you. I know you probably don't want to hear this right now but I believe it with all my heart. "God won't bring you to it without providing you a way to get thru it!!" You WILL get thru this. Put yourself in God's hands. I will pray that you find an acceptable solution to your present situation. Until then please try to relax. We don't want you making yourself ill over this.