Thanks for the help!! Me and the girls are having a great time. ❤️

Well folks, I have to move out of this shelter by June 1st. The other shelters in this city are dangerous. Rife with drug use and crime. Just this week there was a multiple victim stabbing at one of them. +

Elaine and her sweet little nephew spoiled me tonight with this awesome cake that Bill picked out. He sang Happy Birthday to me and helped blow out the candles. Him and I got the biggest, corner pieces...lol. This was a healing moment for me.

The mentality that I’m a burden is roooted in the idea that “I’m not your problem to have to solve, I have to sort things out for myself by myself.” You’re not a burden because you’re not a problem. You’re a human being going through things as a human being. And the right ones will walk it with you

Hi y'all. I have a birthday coming up. On Thursday. It's bittersweet. I've made it through another year. And fought hard to do so. It cost me in loss of strength and mobility. If you are feeling generous, or would like to bless me as a group, here's a wish... fashionablecanes.com/en-ca/produc...

April in Ontario....blah....

Her mother tried really hard to keep me away, but she continually underestimates my commitment to my children. This kid turned 5 on Saturday. Elaine and I picked her up today to celebrate. A trip to Costco for an Easter dress and iced cream cone and an afternoon of cuddles on the couch with her dad!

Here's something positive. For about two months now, Elaine and I have been hosting "dysfunctional family dinner". Armand and Kris, friends I made at the shelter who have found permanent housing, come over each Saturday or Sunday evening and the four of us eat together and hang out. It's really nice

It's my daughter's birthday today. I've been trying all morning to get her mother to have her video chat with me. Her mother keeps making up excuses to prevent this. I know this is intentional. Trying to manipulate a five year old. Her mother will prevent this interaction and then blame me. 😡🤬😥😢

Think Canada is a socialist utopia of universal health care and government assistance? Think again... The third floor social worker here at the shelter told me yesterday that I can't have a mobility scooter in the building. Although our government will help pay for one, they won't let me use it...+

It's my baby girls birthday tomorrow. She'll be 5. Her mother has taken the kids phone away, called the police to get them to tell me I am not allowed to enter their house, and made plans to take my daughter bowling to celebrate my dad's birthday and hers. He won't acknowledge my existence. I am +

So....I gave my kids a phone so that they could keep in contact with me. I spoke with them last week about the changes to my health and mobility. They are concerned. But their mother took their phone away from them. She told me it became a problem... The problem is that she and my family and their +

Life can be hard some days. If you are feeling this way, turn up the sound to full, and play this a few times. It sure helps me feel a bit better. I hope it helps you too.

Here's something positive to add to my previous post. I've been made to feel like a burden and complainer by people close to me. I'm used to figuring stuff out on my own and was prepared to take a long bus trip to my doctor's appointment in another city. Until Elaine took a day off work so that she+

A side effect of having to cut ties with my family of origin has been loneliness. I have 5 siblings still alive and living locally. Plus both of my parents. And right now I am very worried about my health and future and just wish I could share that with them. A pain flare has lasted too long and +

Day two of this pain flare. I am getting pretty tired of this tiny room!! I'm also out of money and could use some more help getting through the rest of this month. Please help if you are able. www.paypal.me/helpmyfamily...

This morning I woke up in extreme pain. The type where it's hard to breathe. I've been basically stuck in my bed in this tiny room and it kinda sucks. And is making me feel very alone. Why is my stupid body trying to take me out??!!

It's been a long winter for me. Full of darkness. But with spring on its way comes new growth. For the earth. And for me. I've survived my worst days so far. They can only get better. Right?

I could really use your help this month. I had some bills to pay and have used up my monthly income from welfare. I have a negative bank balance currently. Even a few dollars will go a long way. Please help if you can. www.paypal.me/helpmyfamily...

It feels really good knowing that I will get out of this shelter soon. It might be a couple of weeks or more. In the meantime... I'm all out of money. And still homeless. Here's my PayPal link if you'd like to help for a bus pass and other essentials. www.paypal.me/helpmyfamily...

Guess what? I met with the intake coordinator at the YMCA yesterday. We spoke a bit about the facilities and supports available and she got to know me a little. And then told me that I will be getting a room there!! I'm meeting my housing worker later today to get the paperwork started!

Empathy isn’t harmful. People who say it is are.

I went to my daughter's school play this evening. It was at the church that recently excommunicated me. My youngest was sitting with her mom and her mom's friend. I went to say hello. My daughter tried to get out of her seat to hug me and this friend grabbed her and held her telling me I can't have+

Out of curiosity, I added up the days that I have been sober. December 15, 2012 was the day I had my last drink. I'm at the end of day 4,457. Homeless. Poor. Depressed. Still sober!

I'd like to share some hopeful news. I haven't been able to hope for anything better lately, but this is something with a real possibility of actually happening. I've been able to secure an application for housing at the YMCA in our downtown core. They provide men's rooms with access to their+

You people are so amazing! I just unboxed this really nice cane to replace the one that broke. And was thrilled to receive some extra funds as well!! Thank you all so much for taking care of me 🫂

Hey friends, I found a new cane for Mike, it will be delivered tomorrow morning. Would anyone like to chip in a few dollars? I think it's so important to care for eachother however we can DM me for my p@yp@l, or if you're in Canada my email for e-tr@nsfer

So...this just happened. Walking around the icy and snow covered city is hard on my body and mobility devices. Usually I would just fix this, but I don't have any tools and the shelter doesn't have any to borrow. I can't really walk anywhere without this. As if I needed more hardship...🤷

My siblings and ex are still doing all that they can to ruin me and make me look like a monster. It's hard on me. But then I spend another lovely day with Elaine, who always makes me feel supported and loved and needed and wanted, and I feel a little bit of healing. Every time. She's my best friend.

Had a little break from shelter life yesterday and spent some time with this amazing lady at our favourite hobby farm. We took Esther the alpaca for a stroll, hung out with some baby goats for cuddles, and had a really wonderful time.

When I first came to this shelter it wasn't so bad. I made some friends. A few good men who looked out for me as I looked out for them. They have slowly moved on and been replaced with more addicts and troubled people. There is open fentanyl use. Zombies everywhere. And it no longer feels safe here.

On Tuesday my kids had a day off and Elaine helped arrange a visit at her house. She made pink pancakes and afterwards we couldn't find the food colouring anywhere. We searched the whole place! I'm here cleaning today, and found a stash that one the cats has been hiding treasures in... 😂

Crazy cuddles and kitty kisses today with these two. The oldest one informed me that she and her counselor looked up family law together to see if her and her siblings were allowed to see me when they wanted to. She found this to be true, and asked her mom, who said it wasn't so. My daughter is +

Silly face time with my girls today is the balm my soul needed.

@kaliko88.bsky.social This is the one we named Fatty! 😂 He bullies all of the others away from the food dish...

It's been 8 years since my brother passed away. I stood right beside Pieter as he took his last breathe. And I miss him every day. 💔

Here's the thing. I've lost my family of origin. I've accepted that and the fact that I will never have closure. However, that doesn't change the grief and heartbreak this has caused. It's been heavy lately. I still wish they cared. But know that they don't.

A new friend who was also harmed and discarded by the same church that abused me, has been helping me out from time to time. Yesterday he sent me some money so I could get meds and treat myself. This little cafe is down the street from the shelter. It's nice to enjoy a coffee in a warm place!

I spent the day at Elaine's house today. Her water pipes froze, so I went over to help with that while she was at work. While there I installed this sign that I got her. She feeds the racoons and skunks in the area almost nightly. A possum shows up sometimes. Thought I'd class the place up a bit 😂

Saturday at the shelter. It's warm but raining. I've responded to countless rental ads and had no responses. I am bored and tired. And running low on hope.

I went to the mall this morning to pick something up for Elaine. She treated me to a Cinnabon and a coffee! Delicious 😋

Welp...another potential housing opportunity fell through. We had a verbal agreement. He was communicating, but now that I need paperwork, the landlord is ghosting me... Back to the search I guess. This is discouraging. 😫

Housing Up is a city funded program providing down payments and essentials to newly housed residents. I meet with my caseworker today. They can provide a bed, dresser and night tables, tv, and some vouchers for groceries and kitchen wares. I'll find out today what I qualify for. 🤞

Today's viewing went well. And if I can get the housing worker to move quickly, I may be moving in on February 1st! I've been disappointed too many times to hope, so maybe you can for me. I need this to work out.

I have another viewing today. A bedroom in a shared house. I've looked at many places. Been denied the application based upon my homeless status a few times. Some places have been smaller and less maintained than stated. It's frustrating. And tiring. But I have to get out of this shelter.

The view from my room isn't that bad...

Getting some kitten love at Elaine's house today. It's good for my soul.

Y'all! I got moved to the third floor of the shelter. A private room!!! This also comes with more avenues for assistance finding housing. I have 4 months here before I'll have to leave.

Today an old friend of my older brother showed up. He picked me up and took me for lunch. We spent a couple of hours together and had a great chat. And arranged to do it again soon. He also left the fundamental church community I was born into. And lost all connection. I'm glad we could meet.

It's only Jan 8th and I have used up my meager monthly allowance. $300 doesn't go very far these days. If you'd like to help me survive the rest of the month, I have attached a PayPal link. Please help if you can. www.paypal.me/helpmyfamily...