I agree with Annie (edit: and the angry white man surprisingly) and would like to suggest that those people here offering 'help' remember to watch their tone. With out meaning to I am sure, some of you are coming off as a little rude.

Vic is putting his situation out there, and such an act of trust should be met with understanding and a willingness to put yourself in his shoes.

Hopefully none of you have had to deal with such financial difficulties or living in such an isolated area, so you will have to rely on your imagination and remember that your own experiences are very unlikely to map directly onto Vics.

Disclaimer: I haven't read the rest of the posts so I don't know what replies have been posted.

Vic brought the subject up himself. I see those who have "given advice" as
people who want to help him from making serious mistakes (myself included).
I know what you mean that some of the posts sound "a little rude." I see
that as the equivalent of tough love. There's no point in not being 100%
forthright, even if it does sound a bit rude.

As for myself, I have had to deal with a situation that is similar to Vic's,
including buying and keeping things that I don't really need. I'm trying
very hard to break that habit (and have had a little success). I know that
I need to help myself before I ask for or expect help from other people. I
wish Vic would learn this. It would mean breaking some bad habits (the buying
of unneeded things, much as I did, and the getting rid of unneeded things,
which I'm still working on), and that's the hardest part.

I don't have the weight problem that Vic has, but I have depression and
chronic fatigue, which make it extremely hard for me to do things that really
don't "need" to be done. I'm saying this because there are a few things Vic
could do about the boxes/cord-chewing-cat that would take a little effort and
exertion/energy that he might not have.

That being said, I'm trying to help Vic, but only insofar as my own experience,
I feel, makes me qualified to speak up.

I don't buy unneeded things and the tank I've had for a few years, I buy what I need to complete or to fix something, things I don't buy are things I wouldn't have a use for. I had inherited a broken table and a lamp, the table was My brother's and the lamp My sister's, the lamp just needed a new 3 way switch of the right type, I found it and installed it Myself, the table I had to fabricate a whole new part(out of a piece of 1"x6" type pine, works perfectly), to replace the piece of plywood that held the top to the pedestal with a bolt screwed into a T-nut(which in the old one had been pulled through the plywood when My brother fell on the table one day in 2003), I used the old plywood part as a template for where the old screws went, drilled new holes to match the old ones exact positions, put the old screws and a new T-Nut in the new part and attached the part to the underside of the tables top, then attached the pedestal to the top with a long bolt and now I have a working end table. I own three monitors, two of which needed new power boards, I bought and replaced the power boards and now both work perfectly, the TV will be the same way when I have ShopJimmy do the work on the dead TV power supply board that I bought a month or so back, but that's for later, since the way the TV is now, is not perfect, but it's better than the old hunk of junk, which will be removed soon.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

It's much easier to write solutions to other people's problems than it is to solve them when they are your own and you're on your own, I think, however well-meant it is. And when you're not able to throw money at a problem to fix it, necessity is the mother of improvisation *blink at setizens* yes, I know I changed it :) so I understand box blockades to protect wiring, etc. In my case it was when a four month old kitten, abandoned on my doorstep, launched fifteen newborns *still-shocked blink* into my home a few weeks after I took her in. But that's not why I'm posting. I'm posting to say:

Vic, I wish you every success in reaching your goal :)

edit: and keep thinking out loud here about it - because we do care and practical advice and solutions will be useful to bear in mind.

FIFTEEN KITTENS??!!!! Holy crap!! I had a cat that had ten and I thought
that was a lot.

Yeah I found one with ear mites and with internal parasites to be more than enough at one time, 15, wow, someone must be doing a Jedi mind trick on the kittens or something.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Vic,

I was under the impression that the aquarium was something you
wanted, and that you'd not had one before buying this one on ebay.
Am I wrong?

No one needs an aquarium.

Aquariums are a LOT of work. I have trouble with my 55-gallon
aquarium, carrying water back and forth. You have to do frequent
water changes. First you have to vacuum out the dirty water and
then replace it with fresh, non-chlorinated water. The most I
can carry is five gallons, and that's a struggle. If you're having
trouble moving, carrying, and bending, an aquarium is not a good
choice for you. (Once my two remaining fish have died, I'm not
getting any more!)

I have considered "building" a fiddler crab aquarium. You use (clean)
sand on the bottom, building a little hill on one side. You put water
in it, but only a few inches. This allows the crabs to climb out of
the water. (They don't like to be underwater all the time, contrary to
how some fish stores house them.) It wouldn't be as heavy as a fish
aquarium and would require a little less maintenance. There is also
less concern about leaking. It's only an issue if the leak is at the
bottom.

---

~Sue~

Ok, I've had this aquarium for a few years, considering it uses nothing outside of space, it's not important right now. Yes, I've had aquariums in the past, I know how to take care of fish, I've even bred fish, they were the only pet that I could have when I was a kid. I even cured a sick Black Molly of ICH, where others would do nothing.

Crabs? No thanks.

Also, bedroom doorknob ordered from Amazon, it's not the type finish I'd like, but it's better than nothing.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Thank you Suzie, someone with their feet on the ground at last!

Oh my goodness. Please don't let that info get out!

We say "fixer upper." (Just FYI. I'm very interested in the differences
between British English and American English.)

Me too :-) We need a new thread for that!!!

I think I sent you a PM about that. But it's tired and I'm late.

;-)

---

~Sue~

It's been 37 years since I could run, over hill and dale without falling on My face, so walking is one thing, I need to strengthen My back too, there is a gym in Victorville that could help, here there is nothing, beyond gas stations, hotels, fast food, a few stores, some other establishments and mesquite bushes, not to mention a road runner or two.

I for one would not advise you to even think about running until you've got some very basic mobility and strength. A gym is great if you can get to it, but just now you can't, so let's park that one. However consider your home as a gym of sorts.
Looking at the pictures you've posted you've got the basics of what you need - a lowish chair and a higher straight backed "kitchen chair", plus a few bits you can lift, push, or use to stop you falling over (most important as I'm sure you don't want to land in a big pile on the floor - and I don't want you to).

I spoke to a friend who is a physioterrorist (or at least that what I call her behind her back), she suggested a few very simple moves that are used to get people mobile again.
In addition to the two I suggested a few days back is "can rolling", really simple, put a can on the floor and roll it backwards and forwards under you foot, do about ten with each foot, then take a rest for as long as it took to do the first ten, now do it again. This will help to get the knees and ankles moving if you do it sitting down, or if you are feeling brave and do it standing up add the lower back and hips to the list (personally I would do it sitting down to start with - see earlier comments about falling over!). As you get more mobility you can progress to a ball - a hard tennis ball is about the right size. The can may be full or empty, although I've found that a full can isn't going to get squashed so easily (I use this one to get my left knee moving when the bone chip that resides there gets into the wrong place.)

She gave me a list more, but said most would not be advised to start with, as there need a higher degree of mobility, stability and strength, or need things you probably don't have like a hard beach ball.

---

Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

And that list would each cost Vic money he cannot afford, remember the USA does not have the generous healthcare service we enjoy in the UK.

---

Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Ok, I've had this aquarium for a few years, considering it uses nothing outside of space, it's not important right now. Yes, I've had aquariums in the past, I know how to take care of fish, I've even bred fish, they were the only pet that I could have when I was a kid. I even cured a sick Black Molly of ICH, where others would do nothing.

Crabs? No thanks.

What about lizards and snakes? Some people like keeping them, although they too take a lot of work.

Also, bedroom doorknob ordered from Amazon, it's not the type finish I'd like, but it's better than nothing.

Did you think about checking any abandoned trailers as Dull suggested? I think his advice was worth looking into.

---

Reality Internet Personality

Gosh what a lot of posts since I last looked in!

The door locks are on their way(surprise), the old TV will be out of here in a week or so,

Found the bedroom door knob on Amazon, a metal sleeve, good, I might be able to get that this month, but no promises

Glad to hear it, positive news at last :-) Well done!

I see you have posted the pics of this other house a second time. I don't really know why, we've already seen them, but there we are.

Even so I still buy all my furniture used, simply because around here you get better quality for less money.

You often find that "old fashioned" furniture is made to a much higher quality than modern mass produced stuff, and that good quality second hand items are indeed a better buy.

I was lucky that I lived in England which has (or rather had) a wonderful safety net that looked after me until I was able to get on my feet. I am very aware that is not the case in America, and being poor there can be a real trap, especially if you are disabled like Vic.

That is the difference between UK and American society. They don't care about their poor and needy, whereas we do. As long as everybody has got a gun in their pocket to kill each other, they're happy.

He also can't pop out to the stores like people in England of on big cities can, because he lives in an isolated area.

Another relevant point. Because of the sheer size of America, apart from the Eastern and Western Seaboards, many people live in basic isolation, with the care needed very sparse.

Ebay is an excellent option for people who are isolated, and unfortunately you do need a credit card to shop there.

It's a double edged sword, yes carriers will deliver heavy bulky stuff to your door in the middle of nowhere, but if you have to return it for any reason, it is an arm and a leg job to get it sent back e.g. Vic's scales.

I'm not going to judge him on what he buys because people do whatever they need to do to keep themselves happy. Building computers makes Vic happy and I am glad he found something that does.

Yes Vic does have a hobby of building computers, he also has a secondary hobby of repairing broken electrical stuff (more later). But Vic has a history of regaling us in one post with a list of computer stuff that he has has bought and had delivered. Then in the next post complaining something like he's only got $1.78 to last 10 days until the end of the month, and is living on powdered eggs. Faced with that it is very hard not to form the opinion that on occasions he doesn't spend his money very wisely.

If Vic gets into trouble with his debts I can absolutely give him some good advice and check out the consumer protection laws in his area if he needs it. Bankruptcy is not the inevitable end to defaulting on credit cards and the bank isn't likely to call in such small amounts anyway.

That is a kind offer of practical help which I am sure that Vic will appreciate. How much he owes on the cards is his private business, and not for us to know. In the UK your limit is usually twice your monthly income. If it's the same out there I can take an educated guess as to the total owed.

Advice is helpful, being judgemental is not.

Ah yes, "judgemental" the buzz word of 2015. If you can't mount a suitable response, just call someone judgemental and rude to sidestep the issue at hand.

There is a difference between being empathic and being judgemental. Certainly what you have learned from your own experience is useful and I am sure Vic appreciates the sentiment.

Yes I think he does.

Vic brought the subject up himself. I see those who have "given advice" as people who want to help him from making serious mistakes (myself included).
I know what you mean that some of the posts sound "a little rude." I see that as the equivalent of tough love. There's no point in not being 100% forthright, even if it does sound a bit rude.

Thank you Suzie, someone with their feet on the ground at last!

We say "fixer upper." (Just FYI. I'm very interested in the differences
between British English and American English.)

Me too :-) We need a new thread for that!!!

All this talk about jogging, I have to say that walking would be where Vic needs to start. First slowly, trying to increase his stamina and distance. As that increases then, maybe, some jogging.

You are probably right, but what Vic sorely needs is a full medical and a tailored fitness program to suit.

It depends a lot on money. If someone is rich or has good health insurance, they get the best of care. If you're on medicaid (for the poor) or have bad health insurance, you get bupkis. (Yes, America is in serious need of health reform.)

Which is what we in the UK thought Obama was trying to do with the ACA program. Particularly as where under the ACA you can't be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Yet America is universally against it???

One of Her bad habits was not using a scratching post

I remember buying you one for $30 about 3 years ago?

My front door I think has warped some since I lost the front awning over the front door in some gusty winds a few years back, I've got the locks on the way, the bottom one I can install right away, the deadbolt's hole needs some adjustment and that is a metal door jamb and I have no tools to grind or cut into metal, My dremel makes My hand go numb, it needs work, so I don't use that, so I'd rather pay the $55 for a locksmith to install the deadbolt.

Metal tends not to warp, PVC does. Unless this bolt was badly fitted in the first place. But if you've sold the place back to the park, why are they not doing it?

Well I don't reveal everything behind the curtain, that's too much work, but I am making some progress.

I've known you for 6 years Vic from your previous posting name. There is stuff you've posted way back you've forgotten about that I can still remember. It's hard for others to help when they never get the full picture from you. This is why I treat the mortgage quotes with some scepticism.

I own three monitors, two of which needed new power boards, I bought and replaced the power boards and now both work perfectly, the TV will be the same way when I have ShopJimmy do the work on the dead TV power supply board that I bought a month or so back, but that's for later, since the way the TV is now, is not perfect, but it's better than the old hunk of junk, which will be removed soon.

Ah!! I was waiting for the monitors to show up! One computer and 3 monitors, yep makes sense when you are short of space. Also makes sense to buy two broken ones that you don't need, and which require even more money spent on them.

But OK, a partly working piece of junk is better than a non working piece of junk.

I don't buy unneeded things and the tank I've had for a few years, I buy what I need to complete or to fix something, things I don't buy are things I wouldn't have a use for.

Yes Vic if you say so.

Living in A Mobile Home Park where Many or Most Mobile Homes are Not Occupied and Never Again will be Occupied would Give A Great Opportunity to Strip Available MBHs of Door Nobs, Faucets or Any Other 'Item' for Replacement in An Owned Mobile Home in Park.

Also, Abandoned Mobile Homes in Park are GREAT for putting One's Junk Into.

Certainly an Owner of Such A Park would not care if Needed 'Parts' were 'Robbed' and Vacant MBHs used as 'Storage'.

Dull that is rubbish! The current park owners have enough trouble with empty homes as it is without stuff being cannibalised. And they would charge Vic for extra storage which be cant afford.

Now lets look on the positive side at the start of a new year.

The door is getting fixed +1
The knob is getting fixed +1
The old TV is going +1
The tank is accepted as not wanted +1
Boxes may soon be redundant +1

+5 is a good start. And I'll tell you what is even better? 12-18 months ago Vic would have red x'd every post here and complained bitterly to the mods to have it all shut down. Now? he has taken all comments with good grace, listened to some, discounted others, and generally maintained a positive outlook. Well done Vic, I am pleased to see it :-)

All we need to do now is get rid of the train crash rubberneckers, and help to get Vic well on the way to his goals. It can be done if he really wants to, and meets us halfway.

Happy New Year Vic, 2016 is shaping up to be a good one for you.

I bought a door knob for the bedroom(Amazon) and 20' of 1/2 split loom tubing, hopefully that will do, if not it's only another $5.92 total. I should be able to get rid of most of the boxes soon, at least the ones in My living room.

Of the 3 LCD monitors(no tubes here), 1 is an old 4:3(18"), then I upgraded to a 16:9 which died eventually(19"), then I bought the present 20", the smaller 16:9 I use for the other PCs so that I don't need to bother this PC, the 4:3 is old and the backlighting isn't as good as it used to be.
No monitors were broke when I bought them, but then I don't buy broken monitors.

The park under the current owners stopped in writing the transfer of ownership to the park over a year back(I signed it), the previous owner didn't complete the transfer cause He didn't want to pay any additional property taxes, the current owner was being fined and such for that incomplete transfer, so I have all the paperwork and such back, the place never left My name, the county says I'm the owner of record since 2007, all the park wanted was for the mobile home to stay in the park, which is not too hard to do, since I couldn't find anyone to move this place from here and I've looked.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Ok, I've had this aquarium for a few years, considering it uses nothing outside of space, it's not important right now. Yes, I've had aquariums in the past, I know how to take care of fish, I've even bred fish, they were the only pet that I could have when I was a kid. I even cured a sick Black Molly of ICH, where others would do nothing.

Crabs? No thanks.

What about lizards and snakes? Some people like keeping them, although they too take a lot of work.

Also, bedroom doorknob ordered from Amazon, it's not the type finish I'd like, but it's better than nothing.

Did you think about checking any abandoned trailers as Dull suggested? I think his advice was worth looking into.

None are abandoned, all are park owned, 13 are slowly being demolished, others that are empty are slowly being refurbished and rented out as money allows, old knobs made by some mobile home makers have plastic sleeves around the bolt, when the sleeve breaks, the knob has to be replaced or if the door is open, repaired with an aftermarket kwikset part. The sleeve saves on labor costs and is a friction fit, instead of having a flange around the bolt with two screws to secure the bolt in place.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Like James, I'm in need of a new roof and siding. I'm considering a reverse mortgage as I paid my home off before I retired, and using the funds to do a remodel. I'm fortunate enough that I bought in in 1992 before RE went sky high. The comps in my neighborhood are three times the price I paid in '92 so I may sell and downsize(can't do the stairs to the basement for many more years). But downsizing would still be very expensive if I stayed in the area.

Lots of options but none are cheap anymore.

---

"Sour Grapes make a bitter Whine." <(0)>

Even so I still buy all my furniture used, simply because around here you get better quality for less money.

You often find that "old fashioned" furniture is made to a much higher quality than modern mass produced stuff, and that good quality second hand items are indeed a better buy.

The only thing that bothers me about used furniture is the cleanliness factor.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Even so I still buy all my furniture used, simply because around here you get better quality for less money.

You often find that "old fashioned" furniture is made to a much higher quality than modern mass produced stuff, and that good quality second hand items are indeed a better buy.

The only thing that bothers me about used furniture is the cleanliness factor.

Eric and I got a real steal on an extremely well made used dining room set about 15 years ago. The components are SOLID!!! They really don't make furniture like that anymore... at least not in an affordable price range.

Instead of "wear and tear", we prefer to refer to age marks on the finish as "patina". We've had many a happy meal with family and with friends around that table.

---

Even so I still buy all my furniture used, simply because around here you get better quality for less money.

You often find that "old fashioned" furniture is made to a much higher quality than modern mass produced stuff, and that good quality second hand items are indeed a better buy.

The only thing that bothers me about used furniture is the cleanliness factor.

Eric and I got a real steal on an extremely well made used dining room set about 15 years ago. The components are SOLID!!! They really don't make furniture like that anymore... at least not in an affordable price range.

Instead of "wear and tear", we prefer to refer to age marks on the finish as "patina". We've had many a happy meal with family and with friends around that table.

I'm thinking more along the lines of upholstered furniture. I like to know who's been sitting on my sofas.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Chris S Said:

Dull that is rubbish! The current park owners have enough trouble with empty homes as it is without stuff being cannibalised. And they would charge Vic for extra storage which be cant afford.

All we need to do now is get rid of the train crash rubberneckers,...

I Want An Apology NOW.

People in MBH Parks All Over U S A do as I stated. At NO COST.

Rubbernecking? Your Neck is Reaching Over The Atlantic and Thru The Woods of Whole of U S A. Grandma is Laughing Her ASS Off.

Seems This 'Exercise' 'is' For Your Benefit, Not OPs.

Yup to Da Yep.

---

May we All have a METAMORPHOSIS. REASON. GOoD JUDGEMENT and LOVE and ORDER!!!!!

Even so I still buy all my furniture used, simply because around here you get better quality for less money.

You often find that "old fashioned" furniture is made to a much higher quality than modern mass produced stuff, and that good quality second hand items are indeed a better buy.

The only thing that bothers me about used furniture is the cleanliness factor.

Eric and I got a real steal on an extremely well made used dining room set about 15 years ago. The components are SOLID!!! They really don't make furniture like that anymore... at least not in an affordable price range.

Instead of "wear and tear", we prefer to refer to age marks on the finish as "patina". We've had many a happy meal with family and with friends around that table.

I'm thinking more along the lines of upholstered furniture. I like to know who's been sitting on my sofas.

All my upholstered furniture is used and it seems fine. My sofa was only $25 from the salvation army, I also got a dining table and lazy boy at the same time. My husband sits on an ikea chair we got for $3 from a garage sale. I tend to judge by the house I got it from, if the owners look clean, then we're probably good.

On moving days at the end of the month you can often find really good stuff just thrown away in the back allys. I have a nice folding book shelf and some kitchen chairs I got that way. I paid $50 for a lovely chest of drawers that is really well made and would probably cost about $1000 new. I don't have much at all that I bought new and that also means I don't stress too much when the cats shred it.

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Reality Internet Personality

I Want An Apology NOW.

People in MBH Parks All Over U S A do as I stated. At NO COST.
...

Try not to rise to it. I doubt you will get an apology so I suggest you just ignore it.

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Reality Internet Personality

All my upholstered furniture is used and it seems fine.

I guess I'm thinking about a Seinfeld episode. ;~)

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Ok, I've had this aquarium for a few years, considering it uses nothing outside of space, it's not important right now. Yes, I've had aquariums in the past, I know how to take care of fish, I've even bred fish, they were the only pet that I could have when I was a kid. I even cured a sick Black Molly of ICH, where others would do nothing.

Crabs? No thanks.

What about lizards and snakes? Some people like keeping them, although they too take a lot of work.

Also, bedroom doorknob ordered from Amazon, it's not the type finish I'd like, but it's better than nothing.

Did you think about checking any abandoned trailers as Dull suggested? I think his advice was worth looking into.

None are abandoned, all are park owned, 13 are slowly being demolished, others that are empty are slowly being refurbished and rented out as money allows, old knobs made by some mobile home makers have plastic sleeves around the bolt, when the sleeve breaks, the knob has to be replaced or if the door is open, repaired with an aftermarket kwikset part. The sleeve saves on labor costs and is a friction fit, instead of having a flange around the bolt with two screws to secure the bolt in place.

Vic I went to home Depot and bought a Shlage front door lockset. It came with a brass sleeve and a flange plate. My old door had the brass sleeve but I elected to use my dremel tool and hog out the door for the flange plate. Tem minutes. I also realize you dont own a dremel tool.
As for the record I also live in a mobile home park. I bought a double wide. MY avatar is my house.
Vic is right about some things being nonstandard in a MH. Its window size for my house. Its realy hard for me to find 44" wide venitions blinds for two of my windows. Doorknobs and my electrical needs are standard. But then I bought my home in 97.

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[/quote]

Old James

Ok, I've had this aquarium for a few years, considering it uses nothing outside of space, it's not important right now. Yes, I've had aquariums in the past, I know how to take care of fish, I've even bred fish, they were the only pet that I could have when I was a kid. I even cured a sick Black Molly of ICH, where others would do nothing.

Crabs? No thanks.

What about lizards and snakes? Some people like keeping them, although they too take a lot of work.

Also, bedroom doorknob ordered from Amazon, it's not the type finish I'd like, but it's better than nothing.

Did you think about checking any abandoned trailers as Dull suggested? I think his advice was worth looking into.

None are abandoned, all are park owned, 13 are slowly being demolished, others that are empty are slowly being refurbished and rented out as money allows, old knobs made by some mobile home makers have plastic sleeves around the bolt, when the sleeve breaks, the knob has to be replaced or if the door is open, repaired with an aftermarket kwikset part. The sleeve saves on labor costs and is a friction fit, instead of having a flange around the bolt with two screws to secure the bolt in place.

Vic I went to home Depot and bought a Shlage front door lockset. It came with a brass sleeve and a flange plate. My old door had the brass sleeve but I elected to use my dremel tool and hog out the door for the flange plate. Ten minutes. I also realize you don't own a dremel tool.
As for the record I also live in a mobile home park. I bought a double wide. MY avatar is my house.
Vic is right about some things being nonstandard in a MH. Its window size for my house. Its really hard for me to find 44" wide venetian blinds for two of my windows. Doorknobs and my electrical needs are standard. But then I bought my home in 97.

I do own a dremel, mine makes My hand go numb, so it doesn't get any use since the thing vibrates too much and I have metal door jamb, I think My door is a bit warped from the weather(metal skin, wooden frame inside the door).

The locks I bought are ones that a stick built house can use, mine is setup this way, most of My interior doors(except for 1 door) are not setup with a flange securing the bolt to the door. The deadbolt's hole needs more adjustment than the knob does, what I bought is below. I own a singlewide. Mine is a 1987 Fleetwood Westfield that I bought used in late 2006, Fleetwood went bankrupt in 2009 and became a different company legally. Mine was a rental before I bought it from a closing park.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's