I’m going to be 81 next week (March 4th). I’m not in great shape. As if that’s not enough to attract a thief, I’m what most folks would think of as “financially comfortable.”

But I live in a lovely gated community with guards. Unfortunately even within our gates, folks have been robbed.

I have a monitored Simplisafe security system which, if tripped, will notify the sheriff’s office. For several years, I have had three cameras (one in the garage and two in the great room). I also have three “Alexas” which I installed because if I fall and can’t get up, I can ask Alexa to call the Emergency Squad. Recently I added a new outdoor camera on my lanai and I have another to set up asap. I also have a panic button beside my bed.

I’ve had folks say that I don’t need all this and I hope they are right, but I feel I’m better being over rather than under protected.

My condo isn’t the most valuable (only about $300,0000, but I won’t begin to estimate what things are worth in my condo. I have jewelry, bonds, cash, and electronics. I have a flashy 14kt gold chain that weighs well over 20 grams. My little dog, was nearly $5,000!!!

I dress nicely and have a late model car. I have a regular cleaning lady and a handyman. My musical instruments are worth well over $10,000. I don’t owe a penny. All my expenses are covered monthly by my investment income.

I won’t tell you what my investments are worth but more than I ever imagined.

So do you think I’m being overly protective? I feel like I’m the most vulnerable I’ve ever been.

I purchased a new outdoor camera that also turns on a flood light if it picks up motion. I had a scare one night and I decided the camera would help me sleep and feel safe.

That night Sophie stood at the door and barked. She usually barks only when someone comes to the door but that night she continued. Thinking back on it, I believe it was wind blowing stuff around.

I purchased a new Simplisafe outdoor camera that I had Rick mount in my lanai. From it I can see anyone who enters my lanai and/or goes to my door. It arrived a few days ago but it wasn’t installed. Today I determinedly got it working.

Simplisafe also made a new wireless camera available so I got one of those. I’ll probably put it on the top of my kitchen cabinets. I’ll be able to see anyone who is moving around inside my condo.

I know my condo is extremely safe but since I’m a wealthy widow, I figure I should protect myself. I have lots of valuable jewelry and other items that could attract a thief and I’m totally alone. I don’t mean to flaunt it but people who know or have seen me know that about me. Sophie would warn me but she’s so friendly and tiny that no one would be scared away.

I love autopayments for reoccurring charges, but changing card information is a royal pain in the butt. Even though I gave Hillsborough County new card information an old card was automatically used when I renewed my car’s license tabs this morning.

While checking on that problem, I discovered my Verizon account is still using an old card. I just finished making sure my new card is used everywhere. It took over two hours!!!!! I think the secret is CANCELING the old card and starting over. Updating isn’t possible. Thank heavens I discovered that when the old card is used, if you’ve requested, it will forward to the new one for a lengthy period.

Prices are sky-high. My investments have lost a lot of their value. Why?

It all started in early 2020 with the pandemic. Jobs were lost, government expenses went up. We have recovered some but things are still a real mess.

And the pandemic isn’t over. The Squad was informed today that because of a huge surge in cases, we must re-mask. I’m willing. I don’t want to catch Covid. I’ve been protective of myself and after being so careful, I’m not willing to risk catching it. So I’ll mask as long as necessary.

I wish I could blame someone, but I can’t. Trump didn’t help the situation by hesitating to respond but I realize it would have hit us no matter who was in charge.

Here in Sun City Center, the cost of renting has gone up for businesses and several have closed: the bulk food place, the German restaurant, Fiore’s Restaurant, and now Tuesday Morning, a novelty store.

Because of hurricanes and an apartment building collapsing, insurance has risen by about 40% for everyone. My HOA fees have been impacted.

They tell us that our places are worth 40% more so it’ll all even out, but I don’t want to sell so the increase in value only costs me more in taxes. My condo owners fees have gone up over $64 a month

My finances are a mess!!

Shoppers complain about the cost of meat, eggs and milk. Restaurants have raised their prices.

I hope life returns to the successes we felt before. My million $$ in reserve may not last like I’d expected.

Maybe I should examine my personality. I have been sorta involved with Ken and Gene and they’ve both disappeared from my life.

I attribute the lack of continuing interest to the fact that I’ve informed these fellows that I don’t really want to be in a “relationship.” My little dog is more important to me than they are. I’m not interest in sex and truly don’t mind being alone. I guess that’s enough to discourage even the most interested of suitors.

Or maybe I’m fooling myself. Maybe they tire of me because I’m lacking some quality men want. I guess there’s no reason to be too concerned. In both cases I knew they weren’t right for me.

With Gene out of the picture, my quiet life has resumed. I don’t mind. I’d like an occasional date but I don’t mind my time alone. It’s going to be chilly for a few days so staying in will be fine. I have nothing coming up until a meeting Wednesday at 3:00 and a morning meeting Friday. Maybe I’ll go to the Euchre game at the North Clubhouse tomorrow evening.

I was genuinely sick for over a week. I didn’t go any place nor did I want to be with anyone. My only time away out of my condo was Wednesday, February 1st. when I went to Tampa Downs Racetrack. (Since I’d purchased the four tickets for my party, it had cost me $128.) I felt I had to go because others were counting on me and by that day and I did feel a lot better.

I have been completely honest with Gene.

The 8th he said he was sick and we decided that our date that day to go to Front Porch Pickers was off. I had purchased tickets for the Michigan Club party on the 10th. We canceled that date too.

I had no reason to feel he wasn’t being honest. Before I was ill, we had been talking or texting several time a day but it’s stopped completely. I haven’t heard from him at all. I finally called and emailed him. He replied but just that once. He doesn’t seem to be interested any more.

Is he ghosting me?

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Yes, he ghosted me? I even sent him a message: “Will I ever see you again?” NO REPLY!!

For the past few weeks I’ve enjoyed the company of a sweet fellow and excellent musician. He seemed to understand when I couldn’t see him because I was in the bathroom most of the time. He was playing his guitar every night near his rental unit in Winter Haven (which is about an hour away).

Wednesday (yesterday) he woke up with Covid symptoms. (At least my diarrhea wasn’t one of the signs of Covid.) He had night sweats and a bad headache. It’s still hanging around.

I purchased tickets for a Michigan Club dance at the North Clubhouse tomorrow night featuring an excellent, fun duo, Latitudes. This morning Gene and I cancelled our plans for tomorrow. I don’t want to risk being with him, if there’s a chance I could catch Covid or the flu from him.

I’m planning to go by myself. I probably won’t stay very long anyway so asking Pat, or someone to go with me, doesn’t make sense. I plan to go by golfcart and there’s a good chance of rain about 9:00 pm. The dance starts at 6:00. I’ll plan to leave before 8:00.

After reading what causes the kind of gastro intestinal distress I have been suffering from, I’ve decided it may have been an application of dental fluoride to my teeth. I had the treatment just before I started feeling badly. According to posts, some people have a reaction when it’s applied to their teeth. The article said, you may have queasyness and sensitive reaction.

Or maybe it was the sleep aid I’ve been taking. I’ve decided to cut out those capsuls.

My symptoms make it look like I’ve been exposed to something I’m allergic to.

After too long, I finally think I’m feeling better. I’ve had diarrhea since last Saturday. I’m feeling almost normal today. I still had a session early this morning but nothing since then and I have a bit more energy.

I know Gene, the fellow I’ve been seeing for a couple weeks, has felt neglected, but I couldn’t entertain him while running to the bathroom. We have two dates coming up on Wednesday the 8th and Friday the 10th. Hopefully by then I’ll be normal. He’s been pushing me to come over, but I’ve been firm that I need to rest up and get over this first. I don’t know if he realized how sick I’ve been but finally I see the end of it.