Piddling Around In My Craft Space
I was piddling around in my craft space yesterday afternoon, sorting fabric and needles, etc.
And I saw Ivy lurking underneath the table. I knew she was anticipating something on the table falling to the floor where I saw folding fat quarters of fabric.
Once something is on the floor it is hers. That is kind of the unspoken rule around here.
Finally I gave her a length of white ribbon about an inch wide, and she had a blast with it.
She jumped up in the air and practiced all manner of gymnastics with that one piece of ribbon. Ivy is nothing if not entertaining.
Finally she fell asleep in the living room in the new chair with her white ribbon.
Apartment Complex News:
I had heard from Steve that management had leased an apartment to someone with a child.
Then over the weekend I learned that they’d leased to someone else with a child of around the same age; probably 9 or 10 years old. This news was disheartening.
One senior has already moved out who lived beneath one of the children.
They can lease up to 20% younger people I think. I’ve seen young couples around here and that’s fine.
But to lease to children when you’ve got people barely getting around on walkers seems like lunacy to me.
The sign out front says senior apartments.
And in this price range, there are only 3 apartment complexes in Tulsa that call themselves senior apartments. Beyond that you have assisted living, etc.
Many people here are in poor shape and moved here because they thought they would be safer among other seniors. The expectation is that there will be no children living around them.
Liability For Seniors:
If a child ran over me on the sidewalk, where I seldom venture, it would really not be the child’s fault.
The fact is that children are going to run and play. No getting around that because that is a logical assumption.
This can only mean one thing: it broadens the owner’s scope of possible tenants signing up to move here.
I think it comes down to this: people like me aren’t going to rent an upstairs unit. And those are the units that sit here for months and aren’t leased. I see them listed on the Facebook page for this complex.
All it would take is one child zooming down the sidewalk on a skateboard to put a senior in the hospital.
If they didn’t advertise as “senior apartments,” it would be different. But the fact is that they do advertise for seniors.
Of course it’s always about the almighty dollar. But I have to say that I expected more from them.
I just don’t understand decisions like these (okay, I do – $$$), but children do change the dynamic, and if people moved intto a senior-specified community, it doesn’t seem fair.
Brenda, I love your craft room! It’s perfect, as I knew it would be. You are going to have so much fun in there. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you create. And Ivy with her ribbon is so funny! As for your new young family neighbors, I’m so sorry. Sadly, I don’t think there’s anything you can do about it. I’m pretty sure, legally they have to allow a percentage of younger people to live there. My dad used to live in a 55+ community, and there were a couple of families that were younger, and by law, they couldn’t tell them they couldn’t buy in there, but I’m pretty sure it’s only for a small percentage. It sucks, I know. I’m sorry. If they bother you, complain to the management. Maybe they won’t renew their lease, but it might not stop them from renting to another young family. But maybe the next family will have quieter kids. Hang in there. You are still in the best place possible!
I just hope you don’t get noisy kids above you! I’ve had kids, like kids (that aren’t noisy!) and not against kids. When we bought our home here 7 years ago, we didn’t know unitl we had bought, but the neighbors right next door are taking care of their grandkids.. they have guardianship and there are 5! At that time, they were ages 3,5,7,9 and 11! Yup… and boy could they get noisy! Plus yapping dogs! There were many noisy and frustrating days (and years), but I continued to remain friends with them.. as I liked the grandparents and they were good kids.. just liked to scream when they played outside! Now.. 7 years later, I have wonderful friends in them all! I’m glad I didn’t complain and become a mean neighbor! The kids are more grown now, and the 2 boys, ages 16 and 18, are wonderful helpers for me! So now I feel totally blessed to have them as neighbors, and through the years we have had some very memorable get togethers, talks, and swapping of garden vegetables. I’ve even taught the 14 yr old boy how to garden and he loves it! He is a wonderful (and very precise) gardener now and mows and fixes my yard up for me. The 18 yr old boy is teaching me (all over again) to play the piano! So kids CAN be a blessing too! Maybe there will be some in the complex old enough to come help you out, help with the gardening, moving things, watering, carrying things for you. I now call the boys when I need help.. I’m 75 and my husband passed last year, so I’m alone, and boy are they a HUGE help for me! Blessings can show up in places that we thought were negatives at first. Marilyn
Marilyn, that’s a really nice way of looking at that situation. I’m glad it worked out for you!
Marilyn thank you so much for your comment. I turn 70 this year and have had guardianship of 3 granddaughters for 5 years. They’re currently 8, 9 and 17. Since we moved here over 20 years ago our neighbors have passed away and been replaced by young families. We’re now the old neighbors lol. Having the girls here and neighborhood kids in and out of the house seems so normal now. My cell phone is full of entries like ‘Mary’s Mom Sarah’ and we text constantly letting each other know where the kids are and what’s going on. Can’t imagine it any other way. It’s a good life. I never imagined I’d have friends younger than my children when I retired.
Yay! A craft space. Just so delightful. Love it. Lots of color.
Now, Ms. Ivy won’t steal the bobbins and thimbles off the top of the jars? My cats would be playing hockey with them on the floor. They prowl the house at night in search of new things and if they find something, they play around with it. Keeps me on my toes. Anyway, can’t wait to see what you make. So sorry they have rented apartments out to people with kids. At this age, all I want around me is peaceful and QUIET neighbors. Kids certainly aren’t quiet and these days haven’t been taught how to behave and be respectful of others. What a bummer.
My bowl fillers are like little pillows. I am sending you Easter and Christmas ones. I left them flat and unstuffed. Much cheaper to mail.. I have them ready to mail tomorrow. . ENJOY. Stay focused on fun things and creating.
Brenda,
That is disheartening. It’s nicer to be on the ground floor for so many reasons…..unless you have a noisy neighbor above you.
Also, you may know this anyway, but don’t let Ivy have access to any thread or yarn. String foreign bodies (intestinal) are very dangerous. veterinarypartner.vin.com is a reliable veterinary website written by vets for pet owners and they have articles on string or linear foreign bodies.
Love Ivy’s photo and how what goes on the floor becomes hers! Lol!
About the apartments renting to non-seniors, I too find that unacceptable for all the reasons others have mentioned. I don’t believe ALL children and parents are as miserable as some have mentioned, but I just don’t think they belong in a designated senior living area. Is there a contract that you were given when you moved in? It might outline the criteria for those eligible to live there. I live in an over 55 condo community where I bought my unit about six years ago. It clearly outlines the rules and regulations. If your apartments are called senior apartments, there should be no exceptions. This is definitely something I would have to have clarified. They are setting themselves up for lawsuits due to possible injuries, it seems to me. Check your lease. And a group petition sounds like a plan.
These apartments are leased under what they refer to as 20% any age; 80% seniors. I think this is basically so they don’t have to follow and meet the ADA compliance. The other senior apartments in town I mentioned are the same way.
I have so enjoyed the blog posts on your crafting desire. It is a happy time for me to be in my sewing area so I know the delight you are feeling with colors and tools to play with. I love the floss in the mug. I go slow as my hands are very sore but I won’t give up and heck, all we have is time at this point of our lives so why not enjoy the process. I won’t give in when a sharp pain happens if I grasp something wrong, as it won’t last and I can try doing it again so that is what tells me to keep going. I know the state of my mind is better for it.
I love how you say you deal with pain. It’s inspirational.
Your craft space is looking lovely and cozy! Love the mug filled with floss! I know you’re having fun arranging and rearranging. I love containers and such for my sewing space. Always searching for a “better” way. LOL I think it’s just an excuse to buy something new. LOL
I’m sorry the management has made the decision to allow children but there is probably little that can be done about it.
No, there’s nothing to be done about it. But if they run the seniors off, I guess they’ll lose the “senior” designation.
I so understand your concerns with the apts renting to kids etc. Here, probably only about 25% are older. But when there are kids, or young adults, at least here, there is also gang activity, in addition to beyond believable noise if they live upstairs. I would like to move but Hubby is of course, NOT AGREEING to that. So probably I am stuck for now…at least it has been NO VISITS upstairs by the monsters for over a month. I do not dislike kids, had several myself…BUT TODAY NO PARENTS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB…they let them run loose like animals. THAT is the real problem. We were raised to treat others BETTER than ourselves…as we also raised our kids. Our grandkids are pretty much raised the same…but they are definitely a minority now. Unfortunately. I hope that those with kids will not find it a choice they want…and move soon!!
Why on earth would parents with kids want to move to a mostly senior apartment complex? It’s not suited for children here. I just don’t understand it.
You make perfect sense, Brenda! Indeed why?? Likely those with kids have many more choices than do we oldsters…at least that is so here in this area. My son told me if he had the money he would build a large bunch of apts for seniors only. Which do not seem to be anywhere in near driving distance even from this town. Really, if apts are going to be 2 story, they just as well be 4 or more stories, with a good elevator, because then whatever floor one lived on would not matter. The last place we lived in WA state was a locked bldg with elevators as there was 3 stories. For the most part it was very quiet. They did allow people as young as 55 and still working…and some of them were not as mannerly as they should have been…but overall, it was a quiet peaceful place. Nothing here in this area at any price so far, unfortunately. I would consider buying our own place but just not up to dealing with yardwork, repairs, etc…all that goes along with ownership. I wish we could find a good duplex…which by the way its made, would tend to be quieter.
I will mail you some Easter ones. soon.
Thank you!
sorry to hear that children are moving in to some of the apartments in the complex, I am not disabled but at my age I want peace and quiet. When it states senior apartments I wonder that the management can rent to people with children.
Your craft area is looking lovely, its a place I could sit down and make something, it looks so inviting. I have all I need to get on with quilling but somehow I just can’t do it! I have done a few practice pieces but that is all. I am thinking I have chosen the wrong craft.
I am looking forward to see what you make.
Quilling is something I’ve never tried.
That is very concerning about letting rentals to people with children. My back was fused in 08 and when I’m out and hear a scate boarder behind me I start looking for a place to step aside. And i k ow many people are done with kids. I wouldn’t want to live under a family with them. I have a neighbor and we don’t live close but his kids have always been screamers. I can hear them in the house. I think a talk with management might be in order. Can’t wait to see more of your craft area.
It’s up to corporate, they say. And that’s who makes the decisions.
I do love the coziness of your craft center. Everything is there, nice and neat!
I’m disheartened by the admission of children into your complex, too. There’s a place for everybody, this one is for seniors only. I wonder if management would respond to a group petition outlining concerns of senior residents – the ones you mentioned. Would they be open to lawsuits in case of injury when current residents rented a “senior apartment?”
I understand about Ivy’s territorial approach to items that fall to the ground! In my case, I sometimes use my Charlie as a seeing eye cat! My stash of daily meds is on a desk in a dark corner of my bedroom. I occasionally fumble a bottle and a pill falls to the ground on similarly colored carpeting. Charlie, always at my side, zeroes in on it right away! He’s pure white, so I know exactly where to snatch it before he can ingest a blood pressure capsule!
I wish your Charlie had been here about an hour ago. I had put my medication out as I always do and somehow knocked it to the floor and can’t find it all. Ivy has no interest in it.
Your caddy with the fat quarters and the mug with the floss just make me happy as I am sure it does you. Last night I took a little trip down dough bowl filler lane. I used to get magazines years ago but using the internet can be a never ending adventure. Some of the bowl fillers and felted animals are unbelievable. I wish I had a dough bowl but I do make similar displays by adding smalls to the mix of greens, candles etc. Ivy is adorable and I know how much company she is for you. You know, there is always some crap to worry about. I am sorry to hear about the situation with the children moving into your complex. I am happy for you to be there instead of the mess that was and will continue to be probably worst at your last apartment. Take care and enjoy your day!
Yes, you’re right. Much better here than the other place for sure.
Brenda please email me how to send photos by way of text, and your mailing address. I will send you photos if my bowl fillers and a few samples I will mail you. I am using up things I have. I will share.
I just download photos from whatever file I have them stored in to put in an email. Or you can send them as attachments in an email.
Brenda Pruitt
4606 East 54th Street
Apt 105
Tulsa, OK 74135