Lifestyle Ensurance

 Today I'd like to talk about something I have termed 'lifestyle ensurance.' I don't think you're going to be able to phone any insurance company and get something called 'lifestyle ensurance' with the definition I have come up with. 

Ensurance- make safe.

Lifestyle- day to day living.

Why would anyone want to have something called lifestyle ensurance?

I will answer for myself here. 

                                             I highly value a safe day to day living.

I am going to list a few ways that I maintained a safe lifestyle for myself and my family.

When I first moved to the city, at age 17, having grown up in a hamlet that was approximately twenty minutes outside of Winnipeg city limits... I lived in a townhouse-style rental on a street called Keenleyside. I lived on the second floor which had only a stair walk up. You can live in places like this when you're young enough to climb stairs. Now, what do you think is the first item that was stolen from my balcony on Keenleyside? If you guessed 'bicycle,' you are right. I was very naive in those days and I was very shocked that someone would trespass on the balcony that I was renting and steal my bicycle. I decided to make an insurance claim because, in 1982, my deductible for a stolen bicycle was $50. Because this was my first 'home living' insurance claim, I was not aware that my insurance the next year would have a 'we remove the reward of a claim- free year' so your insurance will be more than the previous year. So, you must ensure that your claim is actually worth it because the next year will be calculated according to the previous year. It's so exhausting to learn all this. If I had never been stolen from or had my vehicles vandalized, I would not even know any of these rules.

Now, the reason my bicycle was important to me, in those days, was because I would work for home care directly downstairs for about 5- 5 1/2 hours and then I would cycle to Greene Avenue to work another 2 1/2 hours for a different client. I was 18 years old when I got that job. In winter I drove a gas guzzler because it only takes about ten minutes to drive that distance but it takes way longer to cycle and it wasn't always possible to take the time to cycle if I needed to be at another client at a certain time. I think I was also paid 'traveling time' for that government job. In winter, I had a client on Kildonan Drive.

So, in the first year of living in Winnipeg, in that rental, there was a humongous rent increase that so shocked me I started saving and saving and saving my wage for a down payment on a house. I attended a meeting to 'fight the rent increase.' That was downtown Winnipeg. I genuinely believed that the 'renters' (myself at that time) would win this travesty of a rent increase. We did not win... a corporation won. So, I decided to move out of that rental.

Now, when I think of shelter... I think of a safe place. I think of a warm house, safe from thieves, safe from inclement weather, safe from harm. So, to ensure all these lifestyle safety comforts, the first home I purchased was on Culross Bay.

It was a Greentree Homes purchase and my father worked for that company, at that time, so I was able to get a little help from my Dad in the 'finishing' department. I also was able to choose all the colours of the products that were available for that tiny home.

So, now life was going a bit better than in a high- priced rental townhouse. Now my vehicle could be parked right beside my house where I could keep an eye on it. These very significant changes made my lifestyle much better.

So, this was the beginning of what I term, my lifestyle ensurance. In order to ensure a safe place to live, it was of paramount importance that I didn't spend beyond my means. So, I purchased a new washer but I didn't have enough money for a dryer. So, I line- dryed all my laundry in the basement of my tiny new home.

My sister was throwing out an old stove that was in her 1930's house and she asked if I wanted it even though the oven didn't  work and only three of the four elements worked and the amount of greasy soil on the back of the stove was a shock to both of us. I accepted that dilapidated stove and it was cleaned and wired and the good Lord only knows how I cooked on that old Westinghouse for over 20 years. I didn't spring for a thermometer to test the temperature of the oven compartment until I was living at 90 Forest Cove Drive. I was so shocked to find that the old Westinghouse was baking at 100 degrees hotter than the dial indicated. This oven was manufactured long before the digital era.

I almost feel like I'm writing my biography.

So, before this story gets too long... I believe that to ensure something is vastly more crucial to my lifestyle than to insure something. Why? Because I have to decide how much insurance is necessary if I ensure that my safety follows some intelligent basics... 

Like...

Don't let dangerous people into my house. That kept my family safe from theft as well as attack.

If you have a dog, let your dog patrol the yard around the house while you get a little sleep.

Insure what you can't replace outright... with your financial means.

Fences are a great investment.

Be kind to neighbours.

I always tell people that I lived in Winnipeg for over 40 years, uninterrupted.

Now, I could tell about all the vehicles I have owned, all the accidents that ruined my finances, but, yet, how some vehicles probably saved my life and all the license plates that I had to find a way to remember... with something I call acronym memory... create an acronym that you can remember. 

But, that story is for another day. 

 

Some of my Family

 My son and grandson were able to come visit me in 2024. I really need to see them again. I don't know if their home at 775 Fleming in Winnipeg, Manitoba is still looking the same as the last time I was there. I go by every time I drive to Winnipeg. If you, from Cross Church, could drop in at 775, I would appreciate a note to check on how my little family is doing. Please pop in and see if their phones are working. I can't seem to get any communication out here in Dauphin. I am really concerned about that. I still know quite a number of family names from Cross Church but my phone is having a really hard time reaching them as well. I have also tried calling the Cross' and that landline is also not connecting. So, please check on my family for me. I can rescue anytime if a rescue is needed.

The brown Ford truck, just a six litre, I think, was the vehicle these fine folks owned and it made the long trip here. I didn't see it last time I drove by so maybe it is getting old... over nine years old I think that Ford is. Maybe it isn't in perfect condition. When you stop by, be a gentleman or a lady and ask, kindly, if the Ford is still working alright. That's such a caring thing to do.

I make my rounds to my three sons' homes every time I go to Winnipeg. There was a time when we all attended Cross Church... quite some time ago. So, whoever still remembers all three of my sons... feel free to go by Winterton, where my oldest lives... with an old t-shirt...

as well as my middle son's home... the middle son married the youth pastors' child. Might be hard to know which one of those cute kids he is but I assure you... he's in those pictures. Whatever you do, don't imagine I'll ever get on a horse again. So, don't get any bright ideas.

Please contact me when you visit them. I'm very lonely so far away. I really appreciate this.

Any pictures will be temporary if my sons wish to be more anonymous.

The Orchard Walk versus The Orchard

 

Well, I am going to talk about this novel of mine, again. 

When I first published my novel, in 2012... I had 2013 printed on the inside because the company couldn't guarantee that they would have it ready for Christmas 2012. I self- published so I made that decision because I didn't have the 'coming out' debut at McNally Robinson until May, 2013.

Now, I had a rather long- time friend who lived quite close by in those days. She was actually from Dauphin, where I currently live. I can't believe I live here some days, really. 

So, shortly after I had my novels in hand... I wasn't having much success selling them. So, my long- time friend said maybe she could help. It has been a long time since that conversation but I do remember writing a note, in her basement, saying... well, if you can help, I would like to keep any monies from what comes in separately from the actual selling of my novels so... if you do anything via email, could you please just call this part of the 'fundraising' The Orchard so as to differentiate it from the name of my novel. So, I wrote that on a note and signed it... I am almost sure. 

Time went by and I didn't hear from my friend so I thought, well, that 'fundraising' effort is obviously not working. I had also given her an email of my sisters' who had moved into the city after years of living in Cartwright. This sister and I had been very close for many years. I recall how she was always concerned about our financial well- being. She encouraged me in my 'possible ventures' and one card she gave me years ago has a tea room table and two tea room chairs on it with blue shutters and a blue door with a wreath on it. On the inside of the card it says, "With appreciation for the warmth of your home, the conversation, and the good time... 

and then, on the inside of the card, 

... but most of all, with appreciation for you! Thank you for your hospitality. May God's Blessing Continue Upon Your Home!"

The Scripture on the third page says, "The house of the righteous contains great treasure...." Proverbs 15:6

Then she wrote, in her own handwriting, "Thank you for all your hospitality towards us all in the past few weeks. It is always a pleasure to spend time with you. I really treasure our friendship and the way that God has allowed it to bloom and grow. Then she wrote out Isaiah 58:11 Love, Eva.

So, I think I told my sister to watch for an email from my long- time friend, originally from Dauphin, in case any monies came in for my novel.

Well, I suppose they haven't been successful in helping me because I haven't seen even one penny.

I have sold a few novels. I recycled $7,000 dollars worth of my novels after a very difficult move from Horace to Bowman. There is a very easy recycling depot just off Marion Avenue in Winnipeg. I think that is where I put all those books. That was a very hard day. 

So, I have never heard from my friend or my sister regarding 'The Orchard' which was to be a separate venture trying to make a little money. 

I soldier on. Writing is hard work. So is making pillow cases. So is making quilts. 

So is raising children... and above all, that is the greatest treasure of most of us. 

Mobile Telephone Problems

                                                       Mobile Telephone Problems 

So, I thought this was so weird the other day. I thought two of my sons still had real telephone numbers... the same ones they had when they lived at 90 Forest Cove Drive but...

"Manitoba" called me the other day and I thought... what the heyday is that? I thought the politicians were playing a joke on me... you know how nobody can get through on the line except the people that aren't remotely related to you.

Then, just now, I phoned all three sons and two of them have a phone number that says, 

                                                          "Manitoba"

 and I think that is so strange. The normal number that I can still get through to has, 

                                          "Mobile ________________ under it.

So, I haven't had a call from the son who was contacting since November, 2024. The next year, 2025 was the first year I remember "Manitoba" calling me but of that I'm not sure.

                                           

If I ever move again...

 

If I ever move again, I would need so much help. How would I ever move a gazebo? The winter tarp is still on but I counted about 21 2x8's just for the floor, top boards, not frame. We built that from scratch... dragging lumber from the store... Heavy!

So, I haven't been given any opportunities so no worries yet... there won't be any moving until we see an upgrade and the problem with that is...

this gazebo was a huge upgrade for the value of the original property.

So, the biggest two projects on this property were the gazebo and one small room inside, a very expensive room... all the rest of the elbow- work I did was basic removals and paint/ stain work.

Some builders, renovators, fixers... have a saying... "Don't over- renovate."

A quick calculation is... take your renovation expenditures, labour included, and divide that into the property tax assessment and... there's your answer as to whether, or not, you spent too much money renovating a house/ property.

Waiting, waiting, waiting

 This is a photo of my 'stuff' when I lived at 3 Donegal Bay. I actually sold the armoire, on the right, because the move from 90 Forest Cove Drive to two rentals to Donegal Bay was very expensive to pay for. If you have ever had to pay for the moving of a heavy armoire you will soon realize it is better to sell it because, by the time you pay $250 for each move for a ridiculous piece of heavy furniture, it makes a whole lot more sense to look for a new piece when and if the finances become available to do that.

 So, I am still waiting for a settlement from this address, 3 Donegal Bay. Some estates are so long in settling. The photo, above, was taken from a transport truck, the company that my dearly departed was, at that time, working for. Have you ever agreed to a 'ride- along' with a transport company? Well, I agreed to the experience, riding along, with B-trains. That is a very frightening experience in winter, in particular. For those of you who may not know what a B- train is... it is two 53' trailers coupled and pulled by a 'tractor...,' which is the word that is used in the transport industry for the cabbed truck that pulls these trailers. I went on two or three of these to experience what my, then, truck driver would be required to make a living. I went through this during    'Covid- 19' and that was rather traumatic.

I really appreciated my son when he agreed to walk from Fleming to 3 Donegal Bay to give me the bad news of the death of my transport driver. I had put my son as a 'emergency contact' in case of injury for my 'ride- alongs' so when Dear B died, my son dutifully gave me the sad news. I was very grateful that my son lived close by to be able to console me that day. 

Another son who lives on Winterton was a little further away. And, I can't recall if my third son was living at his newest residence which was even further away.

When I was at 3 Donegal Bay, I was busy renovating the basement.

This is a door I purchased from the Re-store on Watt Street. I found two of these solid wood doors. One of them I was  able to use at the full 36" width. The other one had to be cut down to fit the basement bathroom. 

I really loved the way the stain was received by the wood. 

The result was such a rich colour. The full door, 36", was able to fit the entrance to the 'rec room.'

It really looked like a lovely library door. 

This photo is of my gardening boxes, built on site, as a gift for me... it was my Mother's Day gift.

This was my gardening, looking from the London street entrance towards the shed.

I was able to walk to my sons' house from this address, it was so close by.

I also purchased quite a few historical books at the church, on the way, when they had a summer sale.

So, I'm still waiting for a settlement from my time here. I hope it comes soon. 

Protected, Protected, Protected

 

The Orchard Walk- El Dueck page 357

"Room Service."

"... got out of bed looking for his robe and grinned lopsidedly when he realized he was still wearing it from the night before."

This past year I have purchased three robes with the name 'Room Service.' I am using all of them because the fabric is so different from the white robes to the blue robe.

I also sent a robe to my son. That was a designer name but, where I purchased, they were all a very good price. So, the photo, at the right, is my stool that my Dad made for me... it is easy to identify because it has a little heart shape in the middle where I put that bowl of flowers... my sister has protected it for a while. She hasn't managed to return it to me yet even though my Dad fixed it for me, before he left for heaven.

I hope she's not in a fugue state. That's my latest researched lingo into a temporary amnesia brought on by a traumatic event. Of course, the passing of a parent is always a traumatic event.

The significant amnesia event that happened in my life, I mention in The Orchard Walk...         El Dueck, page 47 "... that very first car my father bought me when when I turned sweet sixteen. You remember what happened to me in that tin can," Simmy held a bit of a grudge for weightless cars. "The ruts were too large on that dirt road..."

So, the wonderful thing about surviving hardship is that these traumatic events make for good novel scenes. I really did suffer a fugue state from that vehicle rollover. The amnesia I suffered from a head injury has hidden the memory of that accident in the deep recesses of my mind. Fortunately, all was stitched up and 46 years has passed since then and my memory seems very good. 

So, what is there to be learned from this particular story? Well, some rules are impossible to circumvent. For instance, due to a receipt mix up, (for my little light blue used car) my father was only able to claim the amount, for my 'gifted' (pun here) car that he had written on the receipt. At that time, 1979, there was a time frame within which you could claim the entire amount of a purchased vehicle if it was, accidentally, written off by the insurance company but you could only claim what was on the receipt of your purchase. 

Advice for my sons... Always make sure you are protected with receipted paperwork. It's such a good practise.