Verify

 Moving right along... I need my lawyer to verify that all my belongings have been under lock and key, so no one has access to them until I can get my 'life possessions.'

My lawyer is trying to find someone, in Winnipeg, to close my file.

But... what I really need for him to do is to make sure I have legal right to my house, in Dauphin, to get all of my belongings and my small business, and my most precious photo boxes of my life in the last 55 years. 

I really need those things around me because my children haven't had much, in life, and I need to help them, here, in Winnipeg.

I, certainly, have had very little, in my life. I have had a financial loss, living in Dauphin. I put last years' earnings, from my small business, in Fusion credit union.

When I come get all  my belongings, I will empty that account. It won't be enough to pay for my gas or anything else but, it is mine.

The only wonderful person, who purchased one of my novels, was a decent doctor. I so appreciated him for the post surgery exams after my two cataract surgeries. I had been on a waiting list before I moved to Dauphin so the timing was quite difficult for me. I did have retina gel detachment of both my eyes but I have managed to get through that without having a retina detachment. 

I became much poorer living in Dauphin so I have a lot of 'financial' gains to catch up on. I am needing my inventory. I am needing a job immediately, if possible. I am needing a few good people to  help me get my 'life possessions' from 225 and wherever anything has been stored so it will be in pristine condition for me to sell at my pace and timing. 

I would like to be protected from a woman whom my husband had been dating before our relationship. Gerd knows who this former Norwex employee is. She threatened me, in 2022, when she came to 225, where I was living. When I announced our wedding nuptials to her she told me... "I am a very unstable person and you have no idea what I am capable of. SE" This woman came with her son who seemed much more stable. I wasn't sure about his friend.

So, I just want to be sure, when I pick up all my belongings, that I am not going to be harmed by Warren's past life.

I have completed a number of projects of upgrades on that property. I did not sit idle in the four years I resided at that address, investing my sweat equity into my amazing back yard. 

The bathroom is also a 'time- match' renovation to the age of the house. 

So, I need all of my 'life possessions' to continue my life in a safe environment and I am hoping for a lot of emotional and financial support as I continue my life.

If Warren decides he wants to live with me, he can approach me about that. I am in a small apartment with very high rent but he has never had an opportunity to get out of Dauphin, you never know what he is thinking.

I have enough clothing, at 225 to last me for 20 years if my finances don't get better.

I am anxiously awaiting a call so I can get a truck and move my stuff to my storage unit, which I have been paying a fee on, since I got to Winnipeg.

I spent this morning sending pictures to one son and my three sisters to prove that all my belongings are in that house. I have another three hundred, or so, photos, to prove that I own almost all the same things I did when I owned 90 Forest Cove Drive from 1986- 2014.

It's amazing how many loads of 'clean up' my truck moved out of 225 and how many loads of furniture, from Winnipeg, my truck moved into 225. 

This is my bike, on Kildonan Drive, before I moved to Dauphin... I still want to use it for years. Please keep it with my things and don't ride it.

My rose lapel pin, on my nightstand, at 225, is a metal piece of jewelry I purchased for my Grade 10 photo.

This is a quilt I have at 225... I made it for my grandchild and haven't had the opportunity to give it to her yet... I think I made it in 2015.

These sandals, of mine, are in the front room but they're not in the best condition because one of toe holds pulled out when I was using flip flops to fix my heel spur, in 2016.

This is that truck that hauled all our stuff, what Warren and I bought together, to 225, in Dauphin. 

Now I just have an old van I bought at a local dealership, in Dauphin. I can never tell which van is mine in a parking lot, Dodge made so many of them.

It's still running but I was supposed to get something fixed that a mechanic said wasn't completely urgent three months ago but, as I drive, wear and tear is happening each day.

I'm ready to get all my 'life belongings.'

My Novel Inventory

I am the sole proprietor of my novel 

The Orchard Walk El Dueck

and the inventory I have produced and curated for over 15 years now.                                                 

My inventory list is quite extensive because of all the little things that I collected, like brooches, and military items that I purchased to sell... I purchased them from antique dealers in Winnipeg, well, quite a few years ago. My project is ongoing... started over 15 years ago. 

It takes quite a long time to make one quilt. It certainly takes tons of time to complete 17-20 quilts and have some fronts done, waiting for me to get to finishing those.

I have a ton of photos I took of my quilts on my Grandmothers' blue stool from the early 1920's. It's one of those heirlooms that isn't worth anything to someone who isn't in my family but the sentimental memory quotient value is substantial as a symbol of the European migration of a Dutch family to Canada. I,  took these photos, very recently, in front of the gazebo.

My really old two suitcases, one that has a 'Holland' shipping label, Holland being the country that my family migrated from, is another 'touch base' of collection that I purchased from a flea market about 25 years ago. I keep all my income tax paperwork in one of them... I know my husband will keep very good watch over all my possessions.

I actually did my husband a huge favour, when I moved to 225, in Dauphin. He was 7 years behind in his taxes so I went through container after container in the basement. It was a huge mess. I organized everything, found old cheques he hadn't cashed, put those in a file... kept reminding him to get them re- issued. I was really amazing in organizing. I didn't used to be good at that but, a previous love, that passed away, had been behind 10 years in his income taxes so, it wasn't my first 'rodeo.'

I know that my husband, Warren, would never sell anything that I own because he is very careful about keeping his personal belongings separate from mine.

If Warren wished to donate to my project for novel II, he may want to photocopy a dinner invitation from 'The Hotel Fort Garry' that was called... 'Wolf something..., it was a dinner for a bunch of old vets that made it back from a war (all passed away now, of course). 

We were, absolutely, careful about that.

I think Warren has to ask the courts' permission for quite a lot of things. He knows he isn't allowed to go through any of my belongings. I am waiting for him to be given permission to contact me so I can go get all my 'stuff.'

I trust he will be allowed to contact me this week as I have already paid for one month of Access Storage, Winnipeg East Kildonan, and I am paying for the next month on Tuesday- ish. 

I was very helpful in making sure all the old photographs from his lineage were preserved in 'Rubbermaid' containers and, wasn't that good thinking on my part, with the flood that destroyed so many basements, in Dauphin, this year? 

So, as soon as he calls, I am arranging for a truck to get all my stuff so I can 'keep working' on my dearly loved project.

This is the old suitcase, with Holland shipping label... I have two suitcases, same style, one smaller than that other.

Here's a picture of one of my 12 pair of boots I have been wearing for 25 years. Thank goodness my boots are well worn to my arthritic feet so I am anxiously awaiting all of them for walking comfort. 

I purchased this from my inventory after going to England. One thing I really wish had been a lot longer... Warren's youngest son arranged our trip and I would have stayed three weeks instead of one if I had been given more of a say in the matter. This is the only trip I will likely ever make 'across the pond' so it is very important to me.

I made this cushion cover years ago, from fabric I purchased at Mitchell Fabrics... when they were still open.

This old Ralph Lauren, Denim Supply jacket is hanging on my hook in my bedroom, at 225.

My Rule 25

My personal life philosophy is that... after the age of 55, when people get re- married, there is no such thing as 'stepchildren,' especially when the four of his, and the three of hers, are all over the age of 25.

Did you know that, in Canadian income taxes, if your children are 'dependents,' living for free under your roof, you or they can only claim 'tuition fees' up to the age of 25?

So, even adulthood is, somewhat, dictated, by government standards.

My little green- ish rug, which I kept under or beside my bedroom armoire, with old 'crewel- work' look, is an heirloom I hope Warren will be careful with. It was a gift I gave to mother, when she was alive, and now it is my memory of her and Dad and how they used this little 2'x3' rug. I bought that when I was working at a store that sold that item.

So, I'm sure the delay isn't intentional. I really do need to move all my stuff this week so I don't run into icy roads.

Call as soon as you can.

Memory Quotient Value

 It's raining today. I really need my navy blue with white polka dots umbrella, in the gazebo, or my 'Gap' umbrella (mini plaid in burgundy),... that handle isn't as nice as my polka dot one.

Here's a little book I purchased quite a number of years ago. I think the saying goes...

As a man thinketh, so is he... 

This can also be said... as a person thinketh, so is he/ she.

So, this is on my bookshelf or in my wooden crate, waiting to be moved to me, in Winnipeg.

You could actually test this statement by your actions. 

So, I  don't know anyone who steals so it is very safe, for me, to speak about stealing because I can't specifically name anyone who has stolen from me, yet.

The steps to fixing something, like stealing... are...

Admit you stole something

Go retrieve it from wherever it is

Bring it back to the person it belongs to

Now, if you steal something, and you follow the three previous steps, you will, forsuredly, know that you are trying to 'think' the right way so you never do this again.

All of life works this way.

Let me give you an example from my own life.

Date: April 1, 1993

Place: Winnipeg

Purchase: Table and 6 chairs

This is a purchase I made. I have photos of my 5, 6, 7, 8,  9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16... all the way to 30 year old sons, sitting at my table, at 90 Forest Cove Drive, holding cake, daily meals,  that I, their mom, made for them.

Now, let's say, I move to a place where I am married to a new individual... I still own my same table and 6 chairs... 29- 33 years later.

The value, to me, is the memory quotient I created, with my family, the children I gave life to, and raised to adulthood.

Ask the question... do I own my table and chairs? Of course, I do. 

So, if the craziest thing in the world happened and somebody tried to steal this old table and chairs... would they be charged with theft at the price of the original purchase or would they be charged with theft at the 'replacement value' of the original purchase?

Would the crime of theft be a hate crime or random?

I am working on an essay... How to legally prove hatred and the crimes that follow.

My Handmade Inventory

 

This cushion, my handmade pillow cover, is in the gazebo.

This handmade pseudo flag blanket is made of my old jeans and it is upstairs, at 225.

These are my journals... the 'tree journal' has 'The Orchard Walk' in my pen printing on it... the other journals are in a heavy vintage case... I have about 38 life journals of my church sermon notes and prayer concerns, in them. I really need those back.

Here are a few pictures of my inventory in my wicker trunk with the wooden slats lid, in the living room, at 225 and in my solid wood sideboard, in the front bedroom...

along with souvenirs of my London trip...

I have two of these glasses... 

crystal... Boston pattern...

My guitar, my weights, my journals...

Please pack this plate carefully. I purchased it at Pineridge Hollow, 25 years ago.

There's my site map, in the back bedroom, at 225. My middle cushion is in the gazebo... my right and left cushions are... in wicker trunk...

That's some of my inventory in my armoire... that armoire is in the back bedroom, currently, at 225, with my clothes and my birth certificate and personal life documents and external hard drive, etc., of photos.

My six- hook rack is in the hallway with my 15 coats and jackets on it (from 25 years of living), at 225.

... to be continued...

My Books

Here's a little help if you need to know where my books are, at 225.

My self- published novels, in boxes, (14-15 boxes) from the printer, are in the basement bedroom along with one of my antique bed frames, double size.

I have them stacked on one of my 'Costco' bakers' racks so they don't get damaged. On the other Costco bakers' rack, in that room, I have a few of my clothes, Christmas wreaths, my wicker basket with my extra Mikasa plates as well as my 'Elizabethan' square plates that I mentioned in a previous blog, that I used for a church fundraiser.

I stacked my Fraiche Christmas ornaments next to that shelf. On the antique bedframe, I have a, somewhat inflated, grey double air mattress, that I purchased at Almost New for $65. On top of that bed frame I also have my 'Sealy' posture bed, brand new, that I purchased at Mega Deals for approximately, $170.00. On top of that is my box of Christmas ornaments, in a square red and white striped box. Inside is my 40 year ornament collection.

In that same room is my paperwork suitcase. They can't miss finding that. It has my income taxes from, approximately, 2008, or so. I need all my paperwork so, please leave everything intact, in that suitcase. In the other suitcase, that is also a brown vintage case, are some of my shoes, etcetera. I have some inventory items in that room. Please just pack them or call me to pack my things.

There are, also, a few books on the shelf, in that room. The rest of my books, in the basement, are in the white bookcase, in the 'rec room' area. My school workbooks are in a clear container, on the righthand side, top shelf. Pictures of my three sons, in picture frames that my Dad made, and were displayed at Cornelius' funeral, are on the left hand side of my bookcase. These are heritage treasures, and I consider them all priceless.

In a list I forwarded to a lawyer, I said that my current husband could keep one of my white pine bookcases, that I and my deceased husband, made, together. That bookcase, in the basement, is next to his rowing machine and a metal locked cabinet that holds our wedding certificate.

My vintage and research books, upstairs, in two dark brown Ikea bookcases, are very needful for me to continue doing work that I chronicle for future possibilities. My old book on 'Kings' is on the right of the righthand bookshelf. Everything on those bookcases is necessary for my research. The only funeral pamphlets, of my Dad Cornelius, are in a clear container in the bottom shelf of the left bookcase. 

I can be contacted, directly, if my husband has trouble packing my things.  

Extremely important, to me, are all my photographs. My photographs, of my life, are upstairs. I also have 1,000 developed photos, from Walmart, which I have in a brown paper bag.

All of my husbands' previous life photos are in the basement, safely in his containers. I made sure of that.

Restorative Justice

What is restorative justice?

Most assuredly, when my husband, who attacked me, admits his wrongdoing, and apologizes and...

when I have all my possessions in my safe vault of storage...

I will have experienced restorative justice.

Isn't it strange that ordinary people don't seem to know what it means to restore something or how to go about it?

When he holds my belongings hostage, he must pay the price for this... and restore my goods and services to me, in perfect condition.  

I had my finished quilts in plastic bags, awaiting my next move. All my fabrics are in very good clear plastic containers. Most of my winter boots are in the grey cabinet I purchased at Canadian Tire last year. I have all my mitts and scarves in there as well.

I have one bottle of L'Air du Temps perfume, one BCBG Sirop de Fleurs, three grey boxes of white diamonds perfume, a Lily perfume, a Paris Hilton perfume, a lily of the valley perfume. Most of them are stored in a basket, bottom shelf, in the bathroom... the Scott McGillivray vanity that I chose for that renovation. The reason it was the most ideal vanity is because the depth really needed to be very slim- fit for a narrow passage bathroom. The chosen vanity is white... the Lakeshore bathroom vanity in this link, has the same toilet that is featured in the photo in the bathroom in my four year home, in the renovation I organized. My Winnipeg workman purchased the toilet, in Winnipeg, and drove it all the way to where I lived to give me extraordinary service. 

We all have to admit that I made things very restorative with two very nice renovations. Now, he should be restorative, to me, and my future living quarters. Don't you think?

Living Expenses

 Let's talk about what happens in marriage regarding living expenses.

Before marriage or after divorce, causing singleness...

A single person has a 'rent' cost, driving expenses, if they can afford a vehicle, utilities, clothing for working, clothing for everything else, laundry expenses, groceries... incidentals. When her husband dies, not leaving her taken care of. His evil family takes everything they can and she eats soup.

So, let's say a woman, who is renting, is asked to marry a man who owns a house. His house doesn't have any debt. She used to own a house but that was lost in a terrible tragedy. Since then she has scraped by, and has lived on a shoe- string. Her life should get better if she marries a man who says, "I have enough for both of us."

The next thing that happens is 'how they eat' after marriage.

Doesn't that almost sound like a fairytale?

The woman says 'yes' and suddenly her life is all about growing a garden, so she can have food for winter. She grows enough tomatoes to make the most delicious soups and stews and lasagna, and so many delicious dinners. If any apples come her way, she makes apple pie filling for the winter.

At the beginning of the marriage, the man does the honourable thing and buys groceries so the wife can cook food for the two of them.

But two years into the marriage, he starts a strange diet and things get a little weird, in the kitchen.

He starts buying meat, meat, and more meat... and cheese, and canned fish,... he loves to stockpile. 

The wife makes all the food which is often 30 pounds of meat, per week.

On one shopping trip, the wife sees that the two pound hamburger packages are a good price. The husband is at work so the wife buys 30 two pound packages of lean ground beef. If the wife had still been single, this amount of hamburger would have been enough, for her, for 150 meals... enough hamburger for a year, so to speak. Because the husband is sharing with her, as well, he eats 120 meals from that hamburger and the wife only gets 30 meals.

So, the wife wonders... does he think that a wife cook, earning $16.03 per hour, should get paid to cook for him? He doesn't offer.

This year, her tomato harvest is stolen. The husband doesn't take care of the wife. He steals her tomatoes and apple pie filling and frozen hamburger and a few frozen roasts and frozen bacon and Java Club coffee beans, her special buy from Costco.

This is very, very bad, indeed.

Due to... no fault of her own... she is pushed into paying a huge rent bill that no person would ever sign for because she has no income.

The harvest loaf, (right) is my special autumn baking treat that I have made for 40 years. Here it is, at 225... I put it on my 'medallion' square plates, 8 or more, I have. I used them for a special fundraiser at Cross Church many years ago when I produced an Elizabethan- style table. I purchased these plates specifically for that event.

That's my basil, from the garden, that you see in the 'Better Homes and Gardens' bowl I purchased at Walmart.

I also have Christmas ornaments that I used for a Cross Church fundraiser, a different year, stuck at 225, awaiting me to get them into a truck, so I can use all I own, where I, currently, live.

My garden box, in the back, must be missing my 'gardening touch.' My son made this for me after the death of my loved one. 

Now, it is back to soups, in Winnipeg... because the wife has been forced to live on 'next to nothing' as she was never offered a job or any means of support for the entire four years awey.

I am, anxiously, awaiting all my things, at my rented storage unit, in Winnipeg. I cannot bake and cook properly because my pots and bakeware are all at 225 as well as all my groceries.

I have was asked if I want a 'diversion' and I thought, well, isn't four years of hard labour, at 225, enough of a diversion compared with working a job I was getting paid for in Winnipeg?