DECEMBER 20th - A little good news....but otherwise very dark

My blogging last week at least helped me obtain a new pair of eyeglasses.

LensCrafters at the CambridgeSide Galleria has a 'Gift of Sight' program and with a referral from the Harvard Sq Homeless Shelter I can now see again. I am very thankful.

However - Sunday morning was my last day for my 2-week bed in the shelter cycle which means I have to wait for one week (December 26th) to reapply for another 2 week bed. The idea of having nowhere to sleep on both Christmas Eve and Christmas itself is weighing on me.

The constant Christmas music is driving me nuts as all it does is remind me of happier times in my life that are now just a memory. I am doing EVERYTHING I can to avoid picking up a drink because one would lead to 10,000 I am afraid.

Alcohol does have the illusion of making a person forget and I wish there was a medical pill that could do the same thing.

Last week I wrote a blog piece -

Praying for a Christmas Miracle..

I still have enough for basic expenses to get me through the rest of the month ( I have about $130 ) but I am facing many nights of uncertainty on where I will sleep. I called all the long term shelters again today and there is nothing, I even tried the Salvation Army and they are full. I don't want to return to a Boston shelter as the last time all my clothes were stolen. So since I can not afford to spent $30-35 at the hostel in the Back Bay, I either get one of the emergency beds in Cambridge at 9:30, or sleep Logan Airport. ( which of course plays Christmas music all night long over the PA).

Hanging at Starbucks in the Garage at Harvard Sq until 9:30 PM is really hard, and in the Garage are the others trying to get a bed at the shelter. It is VERY DEPRESSING.

I also need somehow to get a Massachusetts ID which I blogged about last week...I can't get anywhere without one.

I am really afraid I might crack which is why I am writing this. If nothing else, please say a prayer for me. 

If anyone wishes to help me out during the Holidays - PayPal is tied into my Bank of America account.



I moved to Blogspot a month ago as I was told that perhaps having ads from Google and Amazon would help out a little - Amazon has generated a whopping total of SIX CENTS - and Google about $12 but they won't pay until they owe me $100


Anyhow, thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!!!!

When it rains it pours......I need eyeglasses

I simply can not believe how bad my luck is right now....

Since November 15th (when it opened) I have been spending most evenings at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter which is totally run by Harvard students.

The shelter works this way as their website indicates

Two Week Beds: We are now lotterying all 14-night beds. Callers may call in between 7:30am and 8:00am to put their name in the lottery at which point the caller will receive a lottery number. The lottery will be run between 8:00am and 8:05am. People may call back between 8:05am and 8:30am as well as between 7pm and 9pm to find out if their lottery number was picked. Lottery numbers that have been selected (but not names) will also be posted on the shelter door during the day.

One Night Bed: When a guest with a reserved two week bed is not able to make it to the shelter that night, their bed is open for others to use as an emergency one night bed. Call in the evening at 9:30PM for a one-night bed.

So when the shelter opened I was able to get a bed for 8 days ( as when they open they do not give out all 14 night beds ) and then on several nights have been able to get a 'one night bed'.

If I don't get a one-night bed, it is off to the airport for a very uncomfortable sleep.

So that is good, but going to the shelter cost me dearly in another way.

Just 2 weeks ago I got a new set of bifocals as my old frame was broken. My insurance allows one set of eyeglasses a year. I put the eyeglasses inside my shoes when I went to sleep and someone stole them. Now on top of everything else I am can't see except to read.

If anyone has any suggestions on where I can go to get an inexpensive pair of glasses I would be very grateful.

Thanks