Hard work! in Majimaze Musing!

Hi there Readers!I thought it was about time I wrote again and didn’t let it lapse to where it almost became irretrievable!
It has been an eventful month with a sting in its tail for me.I was feeling good,having managed to keep paying my debts and finally paying a biggie off!I had done my presentation and that WAS an achievement and I made an appointment ot get a new fridge with WINZhel.Yes,I LOVED Jimmy’s birthday, and managed quite a delightful ,rather deep and meaningful conversation with Janet’s partner, and that WAS an achievement as well, because after Richies death.I lived with he and janet for a while with disastrous results and on the birthday, many bridges were repaired and some new ones built.
I used some money from our power company well, with new curtains for my main room and washed down kitchen area and bathroom which was a surefire morale booster!I also got new shoes and undies,(don’t laugh!) The state of my undergarments was appalling!) and a few new items of cosmetics,something I love!So was riding high.
As I said, I made this appointment.The day before I was due to go, my younger and favourite brother texted me to say that he and his wife were coming over with two of their friends for the same day as my appointment.I thought about cancelling the appointment, however, THAT seemed a bit drastic as my old fridge is leaking and building up ice which raises the power bill.The brother etc weren’t arriving til 10.30 and my appointment was 9.30.Should be over by then.
A bit of background here:
I have never really hit it off with my brother Stuarts wife,Lindy. We definitely march to different drums.Unfortunately,she is married to my lovely brother whom I sort of brought up after my Dad died and my Mum went nuts!Oh yes!Psychiatrists would have a field day with this one, a subject I left out when pursuing counselling!Ha ha!Luckily.he loves me dearly,however, his wife does not in any way shape or form.I think she secretly disapproves of me to the extent that it shows.After all,I was alcoholic for 10 years and that didn’t fit her design.I am hopeless with money, she teaches accounting and economics.Another trait not in her design.I am not crafty (knitting etc) ,she is a whizz, I smoke,(the worst!) and I think for myself, and I am outspoken and in your face!mmm-mm!See what I mean?Any one of those traits shold have rendered me, cringing,dicky-licking,(sorry!) and eternally grateful for Stuart still loving me or anyone loving me for that matter!And I actively ppursue this philosophy.
So, this was only going to be for a couple of hours; OK?Ah wrong!
The appointment went on and on.The new lady is lovely, however, she had never done an application for white ware before and kept making mistakes so half an hour went to an hour and at the last minute she said,’Oh, because you have had 3 hardship food grants this year, I have to give you a plan for budgeting!’What?I have been under Budgeting advice for 10 months!I told her this.Nope!New policy!So I told her about the brother and said I had to go.She made me an appointment for the following Friday.I go to my regular Budgeting session beforehand then go to her .All to get a fridge.I will get my budget advisor to write a declaration for me before I go.So I left and waited and waited for THE VISITORS!Finally got a text to say they would be there 11.30.So went to loo,chatted to dear Polz and quite a few others. who were in Oneroa that day.
They finally arrived.From then on was a nightmare.Remind me guys,never have anything to do with that woman again!!I was windblown,very hungry,hacked off and delighted to see my big bear of a brother.He is 6‘4’‘ and big!Hugs from him, air-kisses from her, and brief handshakes from the other two.Then all crammed into a small 4wd, we went for coffee.Now, I have my breakfast at 5.30am.By midday I am RAVENOUS!And I hadn’t had a drink or food since brekky!We went to where Polz was having refreshments with friends and Polz knows Stuart so that was lovely.However, they left soon after.Ye Gods!I should have left with them!
There were 5 of us.I was asked what I wanted.Coffee and something to eat.Now,my bro his wife and friends are all very moneyed.So,I mistakenly thought I was in for a treat!
WRONG again!

3 long blacks ,water for Lady Lindy,and a cappucino for me and 1 savoury muffin and one date scone between 5 of us!
I must have looked bewildered as Lady Lindy said,’ We share!’ DOH!
I could have scoffed the lot and asked for more.
She then said ‘We are going for lunch somewhere nice!
I was speechless!
Luckily I sort of got the feeling I wasn’t included in the lunch date, so allowed Stuart to divide the scone and muffin between 5!Eee—ek!I was then asked what my appointment for.Was I unwell?I said no, I was at WINZ for a new fridge.
That was what made me a fool!Oh,can you get new fridges just like that?Yes,while trying to eat! ‘Oh ‘ says Lady Lindy.’Is this because you have a Gold Card?’ I replied ,yes,and before I could add anything she was away! “Oh Stu’ she says,.’You can get a fridge!!!” ‘Which house shall we put it in??”
Uproarious laughter from all!
I waited.
When the merriment died down I wiped my mouth and cleared my throat.
They had been with me for 10 minutes:already I was furious and wounded. ‘There is 2 qualifications required here Lindy.You have to be a ‘hardship’ case and you have to pay it back.You don’t qualify for the first and in terms of money and debt,you might have to raise the rentals on one of your properties and I wouldn’t want that on my cons.’ience
Silence.
Yep!I was not supposed to say that.Alas,I have a long history of saying stuff that I shouldn’t.
I SHOULD have been dead meat.
I used the silence instead.
I said,’Just for the record folks,I get Superannuation and I live on that.After tax,I get $800 a fortnight.I pay $400.00 in rent.The rest is to pay for power and phone and food and other bills.At Winz, a fridge is a necessity and in Auckland it IS.The fridge is $432.00.I will pay that back.Oh and a fortnight is 14 days.Do the Math.And to finish this conversation on what for me is a reality,walk in my shoes!”
Stuart reached over and patted my hand.Then they talked about their houses.
I was hurt and bruised and so I said, “well, I guess you want to get to your lunch now,and there is a bus soon so i’ll have to go.,.Sorry for holding you up!’ Stuart said, ‘No Angela,we want you to show us some of you beautiful Island.Do stay.’ Ouch!
So I did stay ,in the car,sitting beside Lady Lindy in the back and it was so goddam awful I came home and wept!I won’t tell you it all.I held up against these ‘WONDERFUL’ people who compared everything to where they have been all over the world,including their holiday places in, Florida, south of France,Noosa Australia etc,was told how lucky I was to live here to which I replied I had lived here for 30 years.I fought all the way while weak with hunger and howling inside.
All because of my love for my brother.
Her parting shot came when they dropped me off home before they went ;somewhere nice for lunch ‘ was, when she saw the view from my place out onto the bay, ‘How come YOU can live HERE?’ Stu butted in,when he saw a pile of horse droppings on the path, ‘Big dogs you have here!’ ‘My reply,she was beside me for a photo,(shudder!) was, ‘Oh do be careful Lindy, that pile is just from the chooks!’ I didn’t answer the question.
No ,I didn’t invite them in.She might have mistaken my little abode for one of their rentals!Quelle horruer!

So, Thankyou if you are still reading.This is not a rant.It is a howl of pain!My sister-in-law is a cruel, heartless,unthinking snob and her friends were a rapt audience.And I am a fool for taking the bait and answering her back and holding up my side and if they think I am going to text or email them to say how lovely it was to see them, well ,hell will freeze over before I do.Sorry dearest brother, that includes you!I am slowly recovering,and writing this has helped.I am ashamed to say that New Zealand has changed because of the love of money and my family has changed because of that.
I am proud of me,my family, the love and loyalty to each other we hold so dear and VERY glad they weren’t with me.I managed to hold firm and get in a few nasty replies and am not proud of being pushed so hard that I did that.
NB:I should not be left in a small room with my sister-in-law.It could and would get very MESSY!!
Lots of love and God Bless and, ‘Be kind to each other!Majimazexxxxx