My needs have been met regarding "money issues with bank & AT&T." Thank You!

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Friday July 14, 2023 · 2:14 AM PDT

2023/07/14 · 02:14

Single hand of drowning man in sea asking for help

Hello Kossacks, I need a little help. Four days ago I paid my phone bill thru my cell phone. I had an extension payment of $143.00 which I agreed to pay (my total bill was $525.00). Following the automated prompt, when asked what amount I wanted to pay, I clearly said $143.00. The amount AT&T deducted was $525.00.

I didn’t realize this error until the next day. I immediately called AT&T and spoke to someone telling them they had deducted the wrong amount — that I clearly said I wanted to pay $143.00 but At&T took too much money from my bank account. The person was very helpful and she said no worries — she would cancel that payment right away since it was still “pending” and hadn’t yet been processed by my bank. She told me I still needed to pay the $143.00, which I then did. Whew, disaster averted.

Later that evening, I received an email alert from my bank saying that my account was below $500.00. What???! I went online to check & sure enough it was true. Not only that — but AT&T now had TWO payments pending. They had charged me for both payments. I called my bank and explained the situation and they said no problem — they would put a stop payment on the $525.00 since it was still in the pending category but it would cost me a $30.00 fee to do so. Okay, fine.

The next morning, I checked my bank account — the two payments were still pending. And NOW there was a $30.00 stop payment included as well. Upset, I called the bank and spoke to a different person who told me that whoever I’d spoken to the day before had told me wrong because the bank couldn’t stop a payment that had been made with a debit card. I had never been told that. But you charged me $30.00, I said. He apologized and said he would remove that fee. Okay, but what about the 2 payments? I told him I needed that $525.00 canceled. He told me I’d have to take that up with AT&T. When I told him I’d spoken to them the day before and AT&T said since they could see it was pending & not cashed they canceled it. The guy at the bank put me on hold forever only to come back and tell me that the $525.00 was no longer pending & had been put thru. As well as the $143.00 payment.

I was so frustrated — I told him things were going to bounce if this didn’t get straightened out asap & then I’d have even more fees. He said he would put a note on my account as to what was going on and that they would hold bounce fees for a couple days but he reiterated that I needed to take it up with AT&T, which I did.

AT&T assured me that they had already canceled the $525.00 payment. I even spoke to a supervisor, who told me the same thing. I told them what the bank said and asked if they would hold on while I got my bank on the line because I needed this situation handled immediately. They said yes & I called my bank. Unfortunately, I was in an automated queue and told I had 18 people in front of me. I hung up & went back to the AT&T call and they said try calling them again tomorrow. I asked the agent if I could make an appointment for a specific time so I could call them back with the bank on the line but they said they didn’t make appointments.

Without dragging you back and forth thru more drama, suffice it to say that as of today, the situation has not yet been resolved. I’m sure it eventually will be and I’m not letting up until it does. However, in the meantime, this is really messing me up and putting my finances in a bind.

I am a 70 year old widow living in a senior apartment building. My only income is social security. My rent is $1,650.00 and it’s due in a couple days — July 15th (which I can pay on Monday since the 15th falls on a Sunday). I have only around $1,180.00 in another account which I’m holding onto for my rent & a few groceries. I cannot access money from my main account because of the mess I described above.

So, the amount I need right now is $525.00 to cover the erroneous AT&T charge, $206.00 for 2 automated payments I know are coming in early next week as well as $60.00 for two bounce fees (in case that does actually happen), and $100.00 for groceries until I get my next social security check at the beginning of August. The total needed is $891.00.

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UPDATE: I have received ~~$25.00~~ $35.00 so far. Balance needed is $856.00. Thank you for your help!

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UPDATE: My need has been met. Thanks to everyone for all of your help and sound advice!

My needs have been met! Thank you.

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday September 08, 2020 · 8:28 AM PDT

2020/09/08 · 08:28

Hello Kossacks. I am asking for help to get three prescriptions refilled. I can't afford it until I get my SS check next week. I've been without this medication for a week already because I was trying to hold out until next Wednesday but I'm starting to get nervous about being off these meds for so long.

I need to refill Hydralazine, Atorvastatin and Levofloxacin, as well as purchase a few groceries.

If you can help at all, I need $144.00 to take care of all of the above.

I am an artist. Because sales at all of my online stores have been extremely low since the start of Covid, someone suggested I add a link to my ETSY store. I also have a Zazzle store and one on Society 6 if you’d like to browse my artwork.

Whatever you can do to help, I would sincerely appreciate it. If you can donate, please send money via PayPal at cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com. Thank you so much.

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UPDATE: I have received $79.48 so far. Balance needed is 65.52. Thank you to everyone! I really appreciate it.

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UPDATE: My need has been met thanks to you Kossacks. I received $189.48 which gives me a little buffer. Hugs and thanks to everyone for your help!!!

MY NEED HAS BEEN MET - THANK YOU!

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday July 07, 2020 · 3:33 PM PDT

2020/07/07 · 15:33

Hello Kossacks. I find myself in a dire situation and need your help. Even though I was able to get a box of free groceries from my local library a couple weeks ago, I now have 2 days worth of groceries left and need money to buy more, plus paper towels and toilet paper. My phone bill ($315.00) is overdue and my cell phone and internet access are connected to it. I called AT&T last month and tried to get the bill lowered but all they could deduct was an additional $10.00 a month. It’s not enough but something’s better than nothing I suppose. I have 3 prescriptions that were filled last week (one for high blood pressure) but are still at Walgreens because I cannot afford to pick them up. I’m out of Tylenol but still have some Aleve left (for the pain in my leg) but the doctor told me Aleve was not good for me and would only increase inflammation. However whenever the pain gets too severe, I take them anyway. Lastly, I only had $80.00 in my checking account (living on the edge is no fun) which I was hoping that since I was being frugal and not buying anything (not even groceries or medicine), would cover me until I receive my social security check next week.

Alas, I had forgotten about monthly autobilling for Cloud Adobe Photoshop (which I need to do my artwork for my Zazzle and Etsy stores), an Etsy bill from one of my shops for $2.99, a couple of other small bills (also autobilled) and an Amazon order that had taken so long to deliver I had forgotten about it (they don’t take the money until they ship) that the $80.00 I’d been sitting on got eaten up and then the bounce fees began at $34 a pop!!! Every day turned into a horror show as I watched the bounce fees rise and couldn’t do anything to stop it. I contacted Chase Bank but was told they could not remove any of the fees because they were legitimate purchases. It’s crazy! I got so stressed I had to call a County Assistance Stress Counselor to talk me down because I couldn’t stop crying and stress causes the pain in my leg to escalate so I try really hard not to let myself go there. Clearly, I cannot wait until next Wednesday — I need help now. Please.

Altogether, I need $825.00 to settle my current situation. I hate to ask because I know that these are terribly tough times for everyone, but if you can possibly donate even the smallest amount, that will really help me. If you cannot, I totally understand. If you do wish to donate, please send money via PayPal at cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com.

THANK YOU very, very much.

===================

My need has already been met! Kossacks are wonderful. Thank you thank you thank you — sincerely. I truly appreciate it.

NEEDS MET! THANK YOU, KOSSACKS.

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday March 12, 2020 · 7:12 PM PDT

2020/03/12 · 19:12

Hello Kossacks, I am so, so sorry and embarrassed to have to ask for help again but here I am. My rent is $1,500 (plus a $50 late fee) and I only have $200.00 of it. My building manager just gave me a 3 day notice (an hour ago) saying she couldn’t wait any longer without getting into trouble herself. I will get my Social Security check on Wednesday, March 18th. The eviction notice I got today requires me to vacate the premises by Monday, March 16th at 5:00 p.m.. I asked the manager if I could post-date a check for the 18th, but that was a no go.

I used to make a supplemental income from Etsy of at least $1,800 to $2,500 a month but after my husband died I went into a spiral of depression and had to temporarily close my shop, causing sales to come to an end. I re-opened my shop this January and had to start from scratch. When I closed the shop I had a 5 star rating, when I went back almost a year later — I had a two star rating. Disasterous! Because even though I did repay customers who had open, unfinished orders back in February & March of last year — several left me nasty comments & one star ratings anyway, and others were mad that I hadn’t responded back to them. Having a low rating means you don’t get seen and if people can’t see your products, they can’t buy them. So I went from having up to 400 — 500 or more views a day down to 8 or 10 views a day. Yesterday I had 24 views!! Oh boy, was I excited — progress!!! Most of those views were generated by my Pinterest account where I’ve been daily posting pictures of my products that prompt potential customers to visit my Etsy shop. Next promotional stop — Instagram!

All that being said — progress is verrrry slow — I only made 3 sales over the past 60 days and two of those were from friends (who thankfully left me great reviews). Those two nice reviews took me from 2 stars up to 2-½ stars and now my products are finally beginning to show up in Etsy searches again, Hallelujah! I’m only 2-½ stars away from getting my 5 star rating back. All that being said, my current Etsy sales aren’t helping me right now either.

So I am asking for your help. I need $1,300 by Monday, March 16th at 5:00 p.m. so I can keep my apartment. Otherwise, I am homeless — I truly have nowhere else to go. And being a senior citizen with Covid 19 percolating out there and escalating daily, I am terrified of ending up in a crowded shelter or worse, being on the street.

Please, please help if you possibly can, no matter how small the amount — every little bit will help. You can send money via PayPal at cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com. The account is in my late husband’s name, Sean Devoreaux. If you like to shop (or even just look at pretty things), please visit my Etsy store for yourself and refer to friends too if you will, that would be AWESOME. Here’s the link to my shop: Glam Pretty Weddings. Thanks again!

Even if you are not in the market to shop or purchase anything, if you could just click the Glam Pretty Weddings link above and visit my store (and “favorite” it and a product too if you’re so inclined) it would really help me because it counts on Etsy’s tally sheet as a “visit.” All those clicks add up.

My Glam Petty shop started out as a wedding shop but soon people started requesting anniversary, graduation, baby shower invites, birthday invitations, wine labels and candy bar wrappers too so now I pretty much do it all. If you don’t see something there you like or need, just ask and I’ll send you a link or a sample to whatever you like. I do custom artwork too.

I have other stores too — Zazzle, Society6 — where I carry everything from prints, posters & calendars, bath towels, notepads, journals, duvet covers, throw pillows, baby blankets, shower curtains, coffee mugs, paper plates and more — all with my original artwork. I’m a one-stop shop, lol! So if you’re ever in the market for any of those kinds of things, or need a gift for someone else, please consider me. I’d love to assist you in finding what you need.

I’m going to take DixieCollie’s advice and list the links to my art shops below.

The link to my Etsy shop is HERE: Glam Pretty Weddings.

The link to my Society6 store is HERE: Cheryl Daniels Art

The link to my Zazzle home decor store is HERE: Art Studio Home

The link to my Zazzle throw pillows store is HERE: Art Studio Pillows

The link to my Zazzle business cards store is HERE: Stylish Business Cards

The link to my Zazzle vintage store is HERE: Vintage Vintage

The link to my Zazzle invitations, cards, cocktail napkins, etc. is HERE: Glam Pretty Wedding (Zazzle)

I make just about everything — including business related materials: business cards, custom 3-fold and 4-fold brochures, stationery, direct mailers, expo banners, billboards and book covers — if it’s art-related, I do it. If you’re a new business or simply want to refresh or rebrand your former look, I also design logos and signage. Interested? Kosmail me with your email address and I’ll contact you.

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UPDATE: So I got pretty sick on Friday — horrible pain. My cousin wanted to take me to Emergency at the hospital but I was so terrified of going to there because of the virus because you have to wait for hours, sitting around lots of sick people in the emergency room that I refused to go and gutted it out in bed all day taking pain meds.

I was in bed most of the day on Friday and pretty much all day Saturday and didn’t get a chance to do as much legal research as I planned. But I was able to find out one thing about my rights regarding a 3-day notice. First my landlord did serve me the paper legally even tho it wasn’t a court document. However, if the landlord does not wait until the notice period runs out to file the eviction case in court, I can ask the court to dismiss the case. To count the days in the notice period:

The first day is the day after the notice is served. That would be Friday, March 13th.
Then count every day on the calendar. Do not count Saturdays, Sundays, or court holidays.

Since my landlord physically gave me the notice on Thursday evening (4:45 pm) the first day that starts the 3-day countdown is Friday. Saturdays and Sundays don’t count. Therefore, Friday, Monday and Tuesday are counted as the three days — NOT 5pm on Monday as the Landlord told me would be the time I would need to pay up or leave the premises. So there’s that. I now have a little more time to make more calls on Monday to find out what else I can do about my situation.

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UPDATE: Also on Friday, I discovered that Lyft had billed me for damages to my driver’s car when I rode with him last month (my car was in the shop). $100 got snatched out of my bank account without notice, causing 2 of my bill checks to bounce, which cost me $34.00 each. That’s $68.00. Actually, that’s $168.00 in total, which almost wiped out the initial $200 I had set to the side towards my rent.

When I was getting out of the car with the Lyft driver, I put my elbow on the armrest and his armrest shifted. He said I broke it. I said "what?!!! how did I break it - I barely touched it." He lifted it up and showed me. The armrest was all taped up with duct tape. I didn't break it - it was already broken. I probably just loosened the duct tape he had holding it together. I even told him - I didn't do that - you already had it all taped up. I took a photo of it, it's on my cell phone. You can see all the silver duct tape. If wasn't already broken in the first place, why was it all taped up? This charge is bogus. The driver said I broke it and he was going to have to bill me for it — unless I could give him $20.00 cash right there on the spot. What???!! I told him I didn’t break it, plus I was a senior citizen on a fixed income and that I didn’t have any extra money to give him. I thought that was the end of it, especially since he saw me take a photo of the duct taped armrest. I forgot about it.

When I found out last Friday I immediately called Chase to dispute the charges and get them reversed. The bank said there was nothing they could do — even after I told them I had a photo I could send them. They said I needed to take it up with Lyft and if Lyft decided to withdraw the charge, the bank would reverse the two $34.00 bounce fees.

So I contacted Lyft and told them that it was a bad faith claim and sent them the photograph, sure that I would prevail because I had proof. Lyft said no. In fact their exact words to me were: “We require our drivers to follow strict guidelines when submitting claims. This was reported within the hour of your ride ending, and the driver met all the requirements listed in our Help Center, including not taking any other passengers before submitting the claim. Due to the overwhelming proof that the damage was caused during your ride, we will not be able to reverse this charge.”

I could not believe this. So what can I do now — any suggestions? What should be my next move? Can I sue them? I have a photograph which clearly shows a ton of silver duct tape all around the inside of the driver’s arm rest. I wish I had recorded him asking me for $20.00 to drop it!

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UPDATE: So far I have received ~~$420.00~~ ~~$490.00~~ ~~$520.00~~ $570.00 — new balance needed is ~~$730.00~~. Updated balance now includes $168.00 from bogus Lyft charges — so total needed is now $898.00. I’m sorry — I am so frustrated by this!

UPDATE: I just received a generous donation of $400.00 — new balance needed is $498.00.

LATEST UPDATE: I just received a $25.00 donation — new balance needed is $473.00. Thank you to everyone who sent a donation.

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UPDATE — 4/9/20: I’ve been pretty sick so I haven’t been around — lots of pain. In normal times I would have gone to the hospital weeks ago but with the current situation, that’s not a smart option for me so I’m dealing with it the best I can until this Virus lets up and frees us a bit.

To update — I never reached my fundraising goal from last month. My balance needed is still $473.00. I DID pay my rent — I borrowed the rest of the money from someone and am now paying them back so without the $473.00 I am really in a pinch (as we all are) and cannot buy food right now or get my prescriptions filled.

On a brighter note — I FINALLY got the 5 star rating back in my Etsy store, so Yaay! I’m very, VERY happy about that!! Since my store predominately sells party and wedding invitations I haven’t been making any sales because no one can throw parties right now.

To the 2 Kossacks who purchased notepads from me — thank you again so very much for your purchases and kind reviews! It all makes a difference. I can see from my Etsy stats that visitors from dailykos are still coming my way, so I do appreciate all of you who visit my store. When you visit — if you could “like/fave” the store, and “like/fave” at least one or two of my products as well, that would help me get ranked higher/found faster within the Etsy search engines. Every thing you do makes a difference and I truly appreciate all of it, so thank you from the bottom of my heart! The link to my Etsy shop is HERE: Glam Pretty Weddings.

Also, I opened a new Etsy store a couple weeks ago. Since I’ve been under the weather, there’s not much in it but I plan to add more products soon. Here’s the link: Exhortations Art.

If you can possibly donate even the smallest amount toward my $473.00 balance — that will really help me. If you cannot, I understand because these are terribly tough times for everyone. If you do wish to donate, please send money via PayPal at cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com.

THANK YOU very much.

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UPDATE — 4/12/20: A wonderful Kossack donated the final balance I needed. THANK YOU so, so very much.

My Wages Were Levied - PLEASE HELP

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 11, 2019 · 11:59 PM PST

2019/11/11 · 23:59

I am an artist designer who has an online store on Zazzle.com. I’m paid by them every month on the 15th. Last month my paycheck (that gets automatically deposited into my PayPal account) was short by $95.00. In 12 years of working with Zazzle, this had never happened before. It took a couple weeks of calling & writing them but I finally got a response: it was due to a State Levy on my wages.

My Zazzle account is in my husband’s name and the state taxes are his. I should have straightened this out earlier but to be honest, because I haven’t been working on it lately, I forgot all about changing the account over. I usually upload artwork several times a month to my Zazzle account and create new items (which is how you stay relevant on that website) but ever since my husband died a few months ago, I was depressed and grieving and just hadn’t been in the mood or frame of mind to create any new artwork..

As an online seller, this is my busiest time of the year. If I’d been working regularly on my artwork as I usually do, my paycheck (based on past yearly averages) would have been between $1,200 to $1,600. Fortunately for me, because I’ve been part of Zazzle for so many years, I have tons of artwork already on their website but you only get more sales from being visible and the only way you stay highly visible is to be engaged on a frequent basis. Therefore my check will be a lot smaller than it usually it’s still major to me since my only other income is Social Security. I sorely need this check to pay bills and I’m terrified to be without it.

I need $~~837.00~~ $~~807.00~~ $~~797.00~~ $~~792.00~~ $~~155.00~~ $~~80.00~~. [CHALLENGE WAS MET]

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UPDATE 11-28-19: Thank you Kossacks for all the donations so far and Happy Thanksgiving to all. My final balance needed is $80.00. It may not seem like a lot but $80.00 is a whole lot to me right now. It would make a difference. If you can — please, please help me get to the finish line. Thank you.

If you can help me in any way, please send your donation via PayPal via my cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com email address. Thank you very much.

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UPDATE 12-04-19: Thank you Kossacks for all the donations — my challenge has been met. Thank you.

====================

MY GOAL HAS BEEN MET! THANK YOU KOSSACKS!!!

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday October 04, 2019 · 1:14 AM PDT

2019/10/04 · 01:14

Kossacks, I need your help to keep my apartment. Ever since my husband unexpectedly died earlier this year I have been having a terrible time trying to deal with all the bills and upheaval. I’ve been trying my best but it seems there has been one thing after another almost back to back.

My deadline is October 14th. My rent is $1300.00 with an additional $100 late fee. I need $~~1400.00~~ $650.00 (see updates below) in total to avoid getting evicted.

I know this isn’t much advance notice and I deeply apologize for that. I am in a dire situation. Any donation, no matter how small would be of great assistance to me. If you can help me in any way, please send a donation via PayPal with my cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com email address (my husband Sean’s PayPal account which I am still using). Thank you.

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UPDATE: I am happy to report that so far I have received $~~550.00~~ $575.00. I still have a ways to go but I'm optimistic! My new total needed is $~~850.00~~ $825.00.

Thank you everyone for your concern, your donations and for your willingness to help with great advice! :)

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UPDATE: A little bit of good news, kinda — after I called to tell her I had a partial payment ready but would need a few more days to get the rest, my building manager said she would give me a couple more days to get the balance together but then she’d HAVE to give me the 3-day notice — however, that delay gives me a teeny bit of breathing room, so that’s something. My new total needed is $~~825.00~~ $650.00. I’m optimistic.

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LAST UPDATE 10-11-19: My Goal Has Been Met!!!

Thank you wonderful Kossacks for all your help! :) God bless you!!!

GOAL HAS BEEN MET! Thank you to everyone who helped me.

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday July 22, 2019 · 9:10 AM PDT

2019/07/22 · 09:10

Hello Kossacks. I really need your help. This is an update to my previous diary (story below). I have been able to substantially to reduce my goal amount down to $~~1,195.00~~ $~~525.00~~ $~~430.00~~ GOAL HAS BEEN MET.

When my husband died a few months ago while we were staying at an hotel. We’d just bought a car (the Saturn Ion pictured above) from a private owner a week before my husband’s death. We began the registration process then found out the car needed a smog test before we could get the tags. When he went to have it smogged It didn’t pass because the car needed some kind of hose. My husband planned to get the hose fixed but that never happened because that was that day he had a major heart attack and was admitted to the hospital. I ended up being admitted to the hospital too. Three days later he died and I was released from the hospital the next day. Traumatized, I agreed to go leave Southern California to go to live with my cousin in Northern California. I now reside in a seniors building not far from San Francisco.

When I left the hotel, I told the manager I’d come back for my car but where I live now is over 400 miles from where the car is and I’ve never been able to afford to go pick it up. I stayed in touch with the hotel manager, telling him I would get the car out of his parking lot as soon as possible. Last time we spoke he was upset it was taking so long and said if I did not come get it within the week he was going to have it towed. That was almost 3 weeks ago.

I was shocked to get a call from the hotel manager on July 20th asking if I was going to pick up that car. He still had it on the parking lot! This news gave me renewed hope to persevere. I wrote this diary on July 22nd because I needed your help. I still need help to reach my goal. Not only is my car down in Southern California, my stuff including most of my clothes, my microwave oven, TV, all my art portfolios and art supplies are in storage down there too.

I need help. I can't stop crying. I feel overwhelmed and really, really low. This year has been super hard — it’s been one gut punch after the other. I desperately need a win.

If I can get down to Southern California, not only can I pick up my car & my husband’s death certificate from the Recorder’ Office, but also finally get my property out of storage and bring it home — which would knock out a $185.00 monthly storage bill that since I’m on a fixed income, I really can’t afford either. Sorry for rambling.

I don't know what if anything you can do to boost the visibility of this diary but if you can do anything at all, I'm begging you to please do it. I have only a couple more days to raise $~~1,195.00~~ $~~525.00~~ $~~430.00~~ MY GOAL HAS BEEN MET.

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday June 01, 2019 · 12:29 AM PDT

2019/06/01 · 00:29

Dear Kossacks, — once again I need your help. Last year a lot of you wonderful people graciously came thru when I needed a computer for my business last year. Thank you again for that. It really saved me. At the time I was living in an awful situation — renting a room from a terrible landlord who was ignorant, mean and abusive. He stressed me out. I used to keep a folding chair jammed underneath my bedroom doorknob because he scared me! Fortunately, I ended up reuniting with my ex-husband when I called him last December to wish him Happy Birthday. We had been together for 20 years but had been separated for the last year. Talk about answered prayers — we recommitted ourselves to our marriage, we were in love again and I was finally able to escape an awful living situation when I moved into my husband’s apartment. We made plans to save up and buy our first house, a small one would do. I knew it would take time and sacrifice but I was thrilled about the future and elated to be back with my husband. It was a great way to start off the hew year.

Four and a half months later, my husband was sitting on the bed casually talking to me while I worked at my computer. Suddenly I heard a weird gurgling sound and then silence. I looked over to see him slump down on the bed. I ran over to my husband screaming his name. He was unresponsive. Hysterical, I called 911 and the operator told me to give him CPR until the ambulance got there. Fortunately they got there fast and took over. His heartbeat stopped twice but finally the paramedics got him stabilized enough to put him in the ambulance & drive us to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, they said he’d had a massive heart attack and they needed to operate right away. I started hyperventilating and could not breathe so they ended up admitting me into the hospital too. I called my cousin who lived in Northern California and she drove down the next day. The doctors said my husband had a 30/70 chance of survival and that it didn’t look good. He died the next day. I was devastated. I was in shock. I’m still in shock. He was only 55 years old.

I was released from the hospital the day after my husband died. I was so inconsolable that my cousin suggested that I come stay with her at her home up north. I could barely think coherently let alone make any plans so I said yes. Three weeks ago she said she needed my bedroom back because her son was moving back from Chicago. That didn’t give me a lot of time but she helped me to search for an apartment in Northern California. I found a nice apartment building for Senior Citizens. I had considered moving to Las Vegas or Arizona because the rent was so much cheaper there but my cousin convinced me to stay here because she would be only 30 minutes away and would be able to take me to all my doctor visits. Because I have mobility issues and need to use a walker, that was a valid concern for me, so I agreed.

Right now I am only receiving Social Security. I used to have extra income from my Etsy store but once my husband died, I put my store into vacation mode because I haven’t been in the mood to create art right now. Without that extra income, I didn’t have enough to pay the first month’s rent AND the security deposit so my cousin offered to loan me the $1,300 security deposit. I paid the $1,300 rent and the apartment manager agreed to let me go ahead and move in and give her the remaining $1,300 on June 3rd — Monday. Today I called my cousin to see when I could pick up the $1,300 from her and she said she couldn’t do it because her son was coming and she promised to help him buy a car. What??? I was stunned and told her “but you said you would loan me the money for the security.” She started getting an attitude and told me “well, my son needs my help. You’re grown, you gotta stop being so sad all the time and help yourself — just pray to God.” I was shocked. I said, “but you told me to my face that you would do this. You were the one who offered. You know I was counting on you. When were you even going to tell me?” She was very cold with me. She said, “Look, I can’t do it now. Pray. God will work it out.” I just hung up the phone and cried. And cried and cried and cried. Thank God I had some anti-anxiety medication to help me finally calm down.

I feel numb, alone and abandoned. In addition to reneging on her promise, the unexpectedly callous way my cousin spoke to me both shocked me and hurt my feelings. I’m still grieving. I really miss my husband. I can’t stop crying about it. I’m scared to be in such a vulnerable position. I need the $1,300 security deposit or I’ll lose this apartment. I don’t know what I’ll do if that happens because I have nowhere else to go. If you can help, please send a donation to me via PayPal using my cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com email address.

Any donation at all, no matter how small would be so much appreciated — please, please help me if you can. Thank you.

==================================

UPDATE: MY GOAL HAS BEEN MET!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you generous, caring Kossacks!!! This is a serious blessing.

Matches made - Goal has been reached! Thank you Kossacks

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday November 24, 2018 · 10:00 AM PST

2018/11/24 · 10:00

broken-computer-design_1133-30_(1).jpg — Oh nooooooo! Don't die on me now....

Dear Kossacks, — I'm still here and I still need your help. My need of a computer is way past dire. After my iMac died I started using my pitiful backup Dell Latitude laptop. It’s been trying to hang in there but it’s on its last legs too. Even with using the ice packs that njm1000 suggested, it stays cool a little longer but still overheats every 30-45 minutes or so and I inevitably have to shut it off for 20 minutes so it can cool down. I cannot work like this. I’m very close to just temporarily closing my Etsy store out of frustration. I’ve already had to return money to over a handful of customers who were upset that I was “talking too long”. Unfortunately, I cannot close the Etsy store because Etsy supplies the bulk of my income. Worse — this is my busiest time of year and soon I will start losing sales. So I’m between a rock and a terribly hard place.

I’m beyond stressed about this situation. I had found a certified refurbished Dell computer that I really liked but I have since downgraded to a much cheaper one and therefore now need less money. Before, I needed $1,745.00. With the downgrade, now I only need $1,150.00. If it is possible for you to help, please send donations to me via PayPal using my cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com email address.

If you can donate anything at all, no matter how small — please, please help me reach this goal. Thank you.

===================

AWESOME UPDATE: An anonymous donor has graciously offered to match any donation I receive up to $575.00 until I reach my goal!!!

===================

Another AWESOME UPDATE: My anonymous donor has matched donations of $250.00 yesterday, bringing it to $500.00. I have also received donations of ~~$430.00~~ ~~$535.00~~ $595.00 so far from today’s fundraiser. THANK YOU Kossacks!!!!!!!!!!!!

===================

Final AWESOME UPDATE: Along with the generous matching donations of my anonymous donor, my final count put me over the top to a final tally of $1420. Sincere thanks to each and every one of you for your support, for hugs, tips & great ideas, and for sending donations that helped me to reach my goal!!!!

STILL AN EMERGENCY: Need computer for work - Anonymous Donor will match any donation up to $575.00

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday November 21, 2018 · 1:12 PM PST

2018/11/21 · 13:12

Ohhh nooooooooo..... don't die on me now

If you can donate anything at all, no matter how small — please, please help me reach this goal. Thank you.

===================

AWESOME UPDATE: An anonymous donor has graciously offered to match any donation I receive up to $575.00 until I reach my goal!!!

Emergency - Need a computer for my online business. Can you help?

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 12, 2018 · 5:28 PM PST

2018/11/12 · 17:28

Dear Kossacks, I still need your help. I wrote about my computer a couple of days ago but unfortunately I also had a critical rent situation GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME. Thankfully, my rent crisis was resolved thanks to you, but my need of a computer remains dire.

I had a 2008 iMac that was old but working until it finally conked out for good a couple of days ago. All my desktop icons started flashing at once, I couldn’t hit the start button, I couldn’t “grab” anything on my desktop, I couldn’t even initialize system restore. I think a virus terminated my computer — it’s a goner.

My backup Dell Latitude laptop is trying to hang in there but it’s on its last legs too. It overheats every 10 minutes (or less) and I have to shut it off to let it cool down. It’s darn near impossible for me to get any work done, not to mention frustrating. When my iMac died it took all my graphic software programs with it — as well as my extensive font library. The laptop has a few programs but not nearly to the extent that the big computer had. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will now have to “rent” Photoshop, et al from the cloud. Something I really didn’t want to have to do but ya do what ya gotta do.

Since my business income is made 100% online thru my Etsy and other stores, this whole computer thing is a fiasco. Bad, bad timing — this is my busiest time of year and I need to keep my stores updated and my orders fulfilled. I’m stressed. I have great online stores with excellent 5 star ratings and I don’t want to lose them. I desperately need a new computer. For the type of computer I need with the space I need for my graphics, it’s going to cost me around $2,500.00 but I have been researching certified refurbished units instead that would cost half the price. If there is ANY way you can help me with this, I would really be grateful. This is urgent. If you can help, please send donations to me via PayPal using my cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com email address.

==================

Orlaine

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 09, 2018 · 5:52 PM PST

2018/11/09 · 17:52

Hello fellow Kossacks. It is with a heavy heart and much embarrassment that I find myself turning to you for help once again. This is a two-fold request. I was initially going to ask for help regarding my computer, but as critical as that situation is, my immediate rent situation is much more dire.

I requested and received help from the wonderful people of the Daily Kos community a few weeks ago. At that time I described my living situation, and in particular — the awful person I am renting a room from. He (the landlord) is still awful — a jerk, possibly even moreso. Thankfully, I know I will finally be able to move soon. Before the end of this year. Thank God. In the meantime, I’m still here. The problem is I need $460.00 to make the rent and I need it TODAY. Before 11:00 pm PST — which is when my landlord gets home from work tonight and wants his money. A point he made clear when he banged on my door today (loud & obnoxious like the police or something) and yelled at me to have his money tonight.

I’m scared of this man. He is loud, ignorant and he is a bully. I keep a folding chair propped up against my bedroom door at all times.

I thought I had this money situation covered but a friend of mine who was going to loan me $500.00 today tearfully called me an hour ago to tell me that her husband said no.

I understand but I am devastated. And scared. I was counting on her and now I literally have NO place else to turn. I need $460.00 by 11:00 pm tonight or else. If you can possibly help me at all, with any amount, my PayPal.com account email is cheryl@cheryldanielsart.com. I thank you so much in advance for anything you can do to assist me.

The second part of my request is about my computer. My 2008 iMac (I know, I know, it’s old but it was working) died a couple of days ago. All the desktop icons started flashing and I couldn’t “grab” anything. When this first started happening, I was able to find a backdoor way in to get to system restore. When I did reach there — the system restore function would only let me go back 1-2 days to when the trouble began, not earlier. Not even manually. I think it’s probably a virus. My computer is dead in the water.

I do have a crappy backup Dell Latitude laptop but it really sucks. It gets hot every 10 minutes (or less) and I have to shut it off to let it cool down. It took me over 2 hours just to write this diary with all the on and off again drama.

Since my business income is made 100% online thru my Etsy and other stores, this is a fiasco. I have already had to refund 4 people in the last 3 days who got upset that I was taking too long with their orders. If any more people do this it will be a disaster. I am beside myself. I have a great online store with an excellent 5 star rating and I don’t want to lose it. I need a new computer. DESperately. For the type of computer I need with the space I need for my graphics, it’s going to cost me around $2,500.00. If you can help me with this, I would be eternally grateful. This is also an urgent situation. Yes, my life is a mess and I need help. HELP!

Someone suggested I add a link to my Etsy store. I also have a Zazzle store and a Society6 store. If you decide to visit any of them, thanks a bunch!!

==================

UPDATE: Whoa. I have hit my goal for the rent!! I am so relieved. Thank you SO MUCH for your help once again.

For those who can, please donate so I can get a computer, I really, really need it for my employment. This laptop I’m currently working with overheats & cuts off every time I get a few windows open — it’s infuriating. The Christmas season is one of my busiest times of year and I need to keep my stores updated and my orders fulfilled. It’s impossible to work like this.

I sincerely appreciate you all. Kossacks are awesome. God bless you!

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