Hello my friends, we are still having the most glorious weather...unbelievable really but I am not complaining. Hope you all had a wonderful day.
Well I have finally resolved my curtain issue. I called the company and said they were almost $2000. over my budget.....I told them I only had one solution and that was put my own verticals back up on my new door (these were custom made only a year and a half ago and are very neutral and will match) and that I would purchase their curtains and toppers for the living room but only if they could do them for $1000. She said she didn't think they could as the hardware was expensive and they had to pay people to hang them, she said she would have to call me back. Anyway she did and said they would do it and that I had to give them half of the money today and the other half when they finished. I was very happy, I still can't believe that it means they were charging me $2000, just for the French Doors. I think they were way out of line with their quote and you know they still have to be making money on my $1000. offer or they wouldn't do it. I wonder what they really are worth, probably $400 if not even less than that. Anyway they will be completed by mid October. I almost think I should of gone to Sears and bought curtains and had the handy man hang them for me. I talked with him tonight and he is coming over to put up the verticals on Friday and is charging me $15.00........note to self: don't hire professionals until I check out all other options.
We had a bit of sad excitement this morning, someone broke into the condo 2 doors down from me. Apparently they went in through the basement window (we only have one and it's really tiny)and they took all of my neighbor's electronic equipment except for the TV. Her video camera, a digital camera, blue ray CD player, microwave and her computer. I was shocked as I have lived her for 10 years and this has never happened before. The police think it was a young person who acted on his own. They managed to get clear fingerprints so hopefully this person will be found. It had to be someone who knew they were both working to go in through the basement window. The police asked me if I had seen or heard anything but unfortunately I didn't notice anything different this morning. Most of the time I don't even lock my back door but I always do the front. We are all more aware tonight for sure and I think even a bit nervous and probably will be until they catch this person. I feel so bad for my neighbor, her husband is in a wheel chair and they have enough to deal with. Fortunately he is well and able to work, and I am thinking it may of been a good thing that they weren't home at the time. We can always replace material things and no one was physically hurt although emotionally I could tell they were really shook up, I know I would of been as well.
While reading one of my favorite blogs today, a person I have grown to love quoted something to me: she said there is a Mandarin saying there are only 3 days in a person's life "yesterday, today and tomorrow". Her brother told her "Life is just that simple". I have been thinking about this quote all day and I realize how much I love it. We spend so much time cluttering our lives with the what ifs, or wait to call someone next week or plan so far ahead we forget to enjoy the moment we are in. Thank you Silver, it has given me food for thought and makes me more aware to appreciate the here and now.
Am off to read my favorite blogs and comments.......Good Night, God Bless and as usual I am sending you all many, many hugs.........:-)
42 comments:
What an awful experience for your neighbours. I am glad it is a rare thing, in the context of some neighbourhoods, but it can and does happen, and we should all be aware of that fact. I hope the police catch the culprit soon, it sounds like an amateur, old ones know not to leave fingerprints around. It happened to me in 1982, some young boys after school, passing by, just fancied their chances. They were caught very soon.
About your window dressing and the prices thereof, I think they DO make a lot of profit. My sister's daughter in law, makes the curtains up as ordered, the firm supplies the fabric and such and she does the rest. Her payment is so minimal in comparison, and she knows the fabric and other supplies are bought in such bulk and therefore cheaply. Mind you, the curtains are beautifully made, and customers are always thrilled.
I have heard that old Chinese saying about yesterday, today and tomorrow, so true, and something to think on.
We had a lovely day yesterday, a visit from David's brother and his wife, it fair wore me out, but was so enjoyable. I slept so well last night, I was so exhausted.
Really enjoy your daily diaries, but I realise I do miss one every now and then, I try and catch up on the reading , if not on the commenting.
Bless you dear Bernie.
Love Granny
Simplicity works for me too.
Even too many words at times choke our spirit. Maybe that's why God always want us to be still.. and to know He is still God no matter what the circumstances..
i love you too, Bernie.
~Silver
Hi Bernie, sorry to hear about your neighbor, I hate when their is an invasion of privacy. I had my car stolen once. As long as no one got hurt. Glad your curtain situation turned out good. Good you told them...the differences in prices can be amazing sometimes. Glad you are well, Enjoy that beautiful weather Bernie. Big hug!
There are so many over charges in life. I think you are right about the actual cost and that it may be even less than what you are guessing. Hopefully you will at least get some beautiful results.
Sorry to hear about the break-in at your condo units. That always feels so invasive. My mom's apt. door was taken off (the hinges must have been 'exposed') when they robbed her many years ago! Hopefully they will catch the person.
Will you be able to take pictures of the new 'curtains' when you get them? Is your camera doing okay?
blessings and hugs,
marcy
Oh Bernie, how very sad for your neighbors! Yes, the loss, the material things can be replaced, but it's just the feeling of being violated in your place of respite.
Another wonderful post, my friend.
Hugz to you this day!
Good morning Bernie...Well, I think that's an outrageous price for drapes...best to rehang the verticals at the door...I'm sure the door is pretty on it's own.
Our 12'X 8' window in the livingroom that is at the second level height was an expensive dilemma for us...till we went with a garden type woven roll-up blind...lets in just the amount of light needed and blends in well...only $25...the hardest part was hanging it...took three ladders...glad you have a reasonable handyman!
You know, to go one step further Bernie...we don't really even have yesterday or tomorrow only today...
I live this way with my own saying...don't worry too much about yesterday, just hold it dear...don't worry too much about tomorrow, for it's not here.
Smiles always Bernie,
Wanda
I'm not sure about that saying. Maybe it's just today.
thanks for dropping by my post "No Hope.." I agree, bad behavior has no place. disagree but do it with respect. glad you got you curtains fixed up,, lol my "fun" blog, glnroz33.blogspot.com is more active and NO POLITICS.. lol. thanx again, glenn
Good Morning Bernie,
I seem to remember my parents having custom drapes made for them 30 years ago in Chicago. I remember then being shocked at the cost! So I guess that's the business to be in ! At least you were able to talk them down on the price but I would most definitely try Sears next time.
So sorry to hear about the break in Bernie. Maybe you should keep all your doors locked for awhile. Coming from Chicago, this is natural for us. Doors and windows locked all the time unless we are sitting in the room of coarse. Not that locks would stop some one if they wanted to get in. My husband has our lawn mower locked up with a chain and small lock. He says he knows that someone could easily get it off but it's there to help keep an honest man honest! Anyway I hope that they are able to catch the person and put some worry to rest. Enjoy your day Bernie, I will go wash walls today!
Love Di
My daughter has been burgled TWICE! The first time was in college and a friend of the kid next door broke in and stole some stuff (she arrived seconds later, thank god she didn't interrupt him!). The second time was when she and her husband were on vacation, and someone came in the doggie door and took some really special sentimental jewelry plus a gun (hunting rifle I think). They're just plain folks, not rich or in upper scale housing or lifestyle, so it was unexpected. You just never know.
Oh no, that would be a scary thing for the entire neighbor. Kids looking for money to buy drugs probably. I can't wait til you finished your redecorating, I hope you can sit back and enjoy. The weather is so beautiful her. Sunny and a light breeze, makes you really appreciate the goodness of God. Blessings
QMM
Hi Bernie! Pardon my absence on the past few posts. Suddenly I find myself all consumed by work. I am glad to know you are doing well. A $1000 is still a hell of a lot of money even though they brought down the rate to a half!
The economy is still so bad that people have to resort to things like this. But if people are in dire need, all that they must need is cash. I don't understand the need for the other items! I hope your neighbors recover from their loss soon! Take care and loads of love :-)
Good Morning Bernie,
Glad to hear that you will now have your curtains up.
Enjoy your day.
Take care.
Hi Ganny, sounds like you had a wonderful day yesterday....so nice to have family close by.
I haven't been up very long this morning so I haven't heard if they know who broke into my neighbors or not, I really hope so.
I do realize that they way over charge for curtains, it is unbelieveable really, I also think there is a lot of greed involved. These people either don't know or don't care that we are all living on pensions.
Have a great day Granny and stop in whenever you can, you are always welcome.....:-) Hugs
Whew! That's a lot of "dough"! But I have heard that custom window treatments are costly.
The break-in was certainly the wrong kind of excitement for your little community! One can't live in fear and paranoia, but things like this remind everyone to take another look at their security systems and how the house if fitted to be burglar-proof (though nothing will deter a skilled and desperate person, I guess.)
Hi Silver, that is something I am always working on, just to be still. It seems I am always in a hurry and really there is no need for it.....I love your simplicity of life, we all need more of your way.......:-) Hugs
Hi cinner, I think that was the worse part of the whole thing, that feeling of invasion. I know they were very shook up about it and I understood as it frightened me and I am two doors down. Have a great day......:-) Hugs
Hi Marcy, I will absolutely post a picture when they are up and finished. I know I have been over charged, and it could of been much worse if I hadn't called them and gave them my allowed budget, I still know they are making money.
I feel very bad for my neighbors, they are a very quiet couple and don't bother anyone, so sad that desperate people do desperate things not thinking about the people they hurt.
Have a great day my friend....:-) Hugs
Hi Tamara, so nice when you pop in to visit......all is well today so far my friend.....:-) Hugs
Good Morning Wanda, now you know why I was glad to be sitting down when I saw the $3000. quote. I was in shock, still think they are charging too much but I have found that being on my own sometimes I have to bite the bullet. I do know a man who will come over and help me once in a while but he works full time and can't always come when I need him....I still appreciate him whenever he manages to fit me into his busy schedule. Sometimes I wonder how these people sleep at night....don't think they much care if one lives on a pension or not.
I like how you think about there being only today, I always thought that way as well but I kept thinking about Silver's quote and it kind of hit me that what happened yesterday brought me to today and what I do today will shape tomorrow. It did make me think throughout the day my friend.
Have a great day..luv ya.....Hugs
Hi A/C, I too always thought that today, this moment is what mattered, but after thinking on it most of the day yesterday I understood what she was saying...what I did yesterday affects today and what I do today will pattern tomorrow. It did make me think for sure....have a great day my friend.....:-) Hugs
Hi ginroz, will pop over to your fun site, especially now that you told me there will be no politics. Have a great day....:-) Hugs
Oh Diana, please be careful today, you work so hard. I almost feel guilty hearing how hard you work with your arthritis as there are days I can hardly move especially first thing in the mornings... like today!!!
It is quite ridiculous what they charge for curtains, and I am questioning myself now about not going to Sears first. The closest Sears to me is in Edmonton and I hate driving in the city also I would of had to buy the rods, etc and then hope that the handyman could fit me into his schedule. It is difficult at times as I live on my own and have to depend on others especially with my arthritis. I shouldn't complain at all as I realize so many others have it worse than I do....I am thankful for my life Diana but I do get discouraged at times.
I haven't heard anything about my neighbour this morning, I know I woke up a couple of times through the night thinking I heard something which I didn't, so I can only imagine how they must of been feeling.
Have a good day my friend, please take care....luv ya....:-) Hugs
Hi Wayside, I do not live in a rich area either but I feel if someone has it their mind to steal from others they will find a way somehow....my poor neighbours must of had a horrible night. My heart goes out to them for sure.....Hugs
QMM, I too will be glad when I am finally finished with all this Fall cleaning and have my curtains up.....it takes me so much longer now to do these things. Oh well, I am thankful to be able to do what I can do. I am also thinking of my neighbors this morning, hope they didn't have too bad a night as I know they were quite shook up. Have a great day.....:-) Hugs
Hi Stillness, I have missed you but I understand when you are working so hard.....it is a good thing to have busy hands.
Actually I had them come down 2/3 of the original quote....and I am happy to have it all settled. Will never go the Custom route again though as it is way to expensive.
Have a great day sweetie.....Hugs
Hi choices, oh yes all should be finished by mid October and it will be great to have everything finished finally. Have a great day my friend.....:-) Hugs
Rebecca, I found myself waking up a couple of times last night, so much more alert since the break in. I feel so bad for my neighbors who are a very quiet couple and were quite shaken up by it all. My heart really feels for them.
I will never go the custom route again should I need curtains, way to expensive....should of looked at other options first. It is a lesson learned my friend. Have a great day.....:-) Hugs
Bernie....I loved your 'note to self'... It's a shame that people overcharge....and to me, that's simply another way to 'steal' from people. They can call it what they want to...but when they know that what they are charging is absurd, they are not only taking advantage, they are in effect stealing...(I'm referring to the window curtains, etc.)
Regarding the break in near you....please, please tell me you are going to lock all your doors. There are some bad people out there in the world today....and in days gone by, we could leave our doors unlocked and be safe....but sadly, not in today's world. Please, take care of you. I hope the perpetrators are caught.
Smiles and hugs from Jackie
I was going to say that I was surprised in this economy that you weren't offered a lower rate, but then I remembered that you don't live in the U.S., I guess Canada's economy isn't as bad as here.
I've noticed a lot of 'custom work' services here are low-balling their estimates.
I'm sure you'll be happy with the final results though, and I think your verticals will be fine on the garden doors.
I loved both sayings (the one that you discovered on another blog and Wanda's too). Both so true.
I had read on another blog how our memories help to shape us and to help us grow, and I loved that thought too, and thinking of my Mom with her Alzheimer's I realized that's true, without her memories she did cease to grow. So there's something to be said for yesterday too I guess. And the hope of tomorrow is always a beautiful thought.
So sorry to hear about your neighbors trouble. That's always scary. I hate when I hear about a rash of burglaries in the area. And now yesterday with that news of FBI/anti-terrorist task force raids on apartments right near us. (I used to walk right past those apartments when I walked to visit my Mom in the nursing home.) And now they are telling us to be on the lookout for anything that looks explosive or anything out of place, and to look for anyone with burn marks on their hands!
Well, what can we do? Go live in a cave? Live in constant fear and be suspicious of everyone?
I guess it's all in God's Hands. He Is our only hope.
Also, Bernie, thank you for your kind notes. I so appreciate it.
Love, Eileen
Hi Bernie, sorry to hear about your neighbor...I pray it was isolated and doesn't happen again, especially to you. So happy to hear that you are getting your curtains, and that you were able to negotiate the price with them. It does pay to ask! As for the Mandarin saying, I love it; we fret over what happened yesterday and worry about tomorrow before it even comes...I think, though, that in reality, we really have only one day...today. I love the song that says "this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it and be glad", and also the scripture that God's mercies are new every morning. And of course the old saying, "live one day at a time". Our lives are a series of days and choices that take us on our journey, but we still can only live it out one day at a time. I have to remind myself of that constantly.
God bless you, Bernie!
Mary
Hello Bernie
I'll be back later to leave a comment on your post...no time now as I'm heading to a Dr's appt.
A hug to you!
Margie:)
I like that quote too! I know that I have become older, the "now" is much more paid attention to and I force myself to forget about yesterday and not worry as much about tomorrow, because many times we cannot control that anyway. And the past? We can only control how we react to it.
It has made me a much happier person to revel in the NOW and enjoy it. I think my photography has helped me so much with that. Because when I am out there taking photos, I love the details like the lighting, the textures, and the minute wonderfulness that nature provides in the now.
Have a wonderful evening, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Jackie, when I think of what some of these people do it makes me angry....I can handle it for a while but there are so many people who cannot.....those are the ones I feel bad for.
I am well locked up my friend, I think last night was the first time ever this summer that I closed and locked my windows...we are having a real heat wave here almost 90 today but they are calling for it to begin to cool down...it was good while it lasted....Have a great day my friend....:-) Hugs
Eileen, I love any quote or words that cause me to think and ponder on it....
I heard on the news earlier that it was a false alarm called on those aparatments in New York, (I hope I heard it right) either way it must be a horrible way to live, I still have a hard time dealing with the evil in the world, some people are totally wired differently than most of us.
The break in yesterday was also a shock....sometimes I just have to shake my head and wonder what is happening to our world, so, so sad. I don't want to change how I feel about people but when certain things happen it does make me wonder what planet I am from, I just cannot believe some of the things I read or hear about.
Have a wonderful evening....:-) Hugs
Hi Mary, I think it's time I took my head out of the sand and realized that all people are not as kind and loving as I thought. I so want to believe that but I am seeing so much greed, destruction and rudeness in the world lately.. it does give me time to think about everything, and I have to say I don't like what I am thinking, at least today I'm not.
I have locked everything up tight which is kind of awkward as we are having the hottest day of the summer so far this year....I do have A/C in my bedroom which keeps that room cool anyway....The weather is suppose to break tomorrow.
Have a wonderful evening...:-) Hugs
Hi Margie, I will be here whenever you get back, hope all went well at the doctor's....:-) Hugs
Hi Joan, we are having the hotest day this summer ever!!!!!since they began keeping those kind of records anyway. I have kept the doors locked, it's times like these I don't like being on my own. I'm sure all will settle down soon.
I too loved that saying. I hope you are getting lots of photo's Joan, I am so looking forward to your Fall pictures.....:-) Hugs
Well, I'm back again, Bernie but only have a minute as I'm just so exhausted and going to bed early tonight.
That's too bad about the break in at your condo...very scary!
Hope the person or persons that did this will be caught soon.
It's great you will soon have your curtains in mid October.
I'm glad that it's costing you S1000 and not $2000...$2000 is just way too much!
Bernie, when I think about time all I really know is that this moment is all I really have and I never want to waste it ... as that moment will never come again.
And I may not be granted a tomorrow so I just focus on today and make the very best of it.
Well, must go.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Hugs!
Margie:)
Margie, the quote was actually $3000 but they are going to do living room windows for $1000. I still think they are charging me too much.....hope you are okay and are going to have a great sleep.
Take care....luv ya....:-) Hugs
want to know a secret? I literally felt over whelmed this evening with all of the sites that I follow and knowing I did not have the attention span or time to visit them all and just as I was getting ready to just log off, I thought, wait, Bernie, what is she up to anyway...fast forward just go to her site and see... :)
So, that being said, sorry about the neighborhood vandilizim, it probably was just a 'bored' teen or something, but definatly lock that back door now!
What a deal on the blinds, you did the right thing, too many people just accept it for what it is and waste the money, so consider yourself a smart shopper.
Have a great day! :)
Kay, you have moved me so much by your loyalty to visit me even though you were feeling so tired and overhwhelmed. I am honored my friend...thank you for doing this and making an old lady proud to have you as a friend.
The mystery of the break in has been solved but there is so much pain involved. I have just posted about it.
Stay well my friend, luv you..Hugs
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