Jul 20, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS

I'm going to take a little break, Dearies.

Despite a lot of evidence to the contrary, I loathe drama. I try as hard as I possibly can to live a small, quiet, happy life. I try to be kind to others, to keep my mouth shut whenever possible, and to just live in a way that honors the two people who raised me to know better and to do better.

But there are times when even I can't figure out what more I could lose in this life and still remain standing. I'm tapped out. Done. Pockets empty in the physical, mental, and emotional departments, and it's time to take minute to re-gather my wits.

It is no secret that I have more blessings and things to be grateful for than anybody. And I AM grateful and recognize this every moment of every day. I do not pretend for one minute that this life of mine is not completely charmed. It is, and I acknowledge that.

But I can still feel crushed every now and then when somebody does something awful to me.

Right?

My sister imploded her life and mine along with it. Part of this implosion was to take the entire contents of her house (which was basically everything out of Mom and Dad's house in Phoenix) and throw it in a warehouse owned by Jeff Kuroski.

Jeff Kuroski is a bad guy.  Period. Full stop. I have spent the better part of thirty years trying to tell people that "he's really not that bad" because he was my friend and that's what friends do. I worked for him for more years than I care to admit, and I am now very comfortable to say openly and publicly that this man abused me physically, mentally, and emotionally for the entire duration of that relationship. He is a sadist. He is a malignant narcissist. He is a liar, a cheater, a manipulator, and a user.

I don't know the details of what happened for my sister to trust him, but suffice it to say that her "stuff" was sent to his warehouse, and she had a relationship with Jeff and his family for a brief time when she realized that I wasn't going to be of any value to her anymore.

What did this "stuff" include? Imagine the entire contents of your childhood put into a box. Wedding photos, baby pictures, china patterns, flatware, furniture, handmade quilts....all of the crap that was home.

And now imagine that your mom was an avid needlepointer, and that among this "stuff" were dozens of her pieces. Dozens. Some standing as tall as four feet high. Others stitched specifically for each of us....like a girl reading a book for me and a girl in a pink dress for Chrissy.

When my sister left, I contacted Jeff and asked if I could come to his warehouse to retrieve my mom and dad's things. Things that have absolutely no value to anybody, but that were irreplaceable to me. His reply? "They're not mine to give you."

So I offered to pay for them.

Again..."not mine to sell you".

Flash forward to last night. I broke my rule and decided to cruise around Facebook. This is what knocked the breath out of me:



Yup. You guessed it.  Mom's needlepoint sitting in a front yard being sold in a garage sale.

The seller is Kristine Kuroski, Jeff's daughter. Kristine is also a pretty awful person. She runs scams, has a fake charity, and presents herself as a minister catering to abused women.

She is nothing but a con artist.

On Thursday at 7:40 in the morning, I will have twenty minutes to PURCHASE anything that is left from my mom and dad's things. I've been told that there's not much left, but that I'm free to PURCHASE whatever I want.

I don't have words at the moment to tell you how completely gutted I am, Friends. Feeling like a victim does not suit me, but I honestly cannot fathom what else can be taken from me, I lost my parents, my sister, Stewey, my home, my health, and my freedom and still tried to carry on with some semblance of grace and hope.

Now, though?  I'm just bitter and sad.

Buzzy and I are going to do this treatment today and tomorrow I will go to the Grotto for my dad's birthday and I'll ask for peace. In the meantime, though, I think I just need to go quiet for a bit and re-group.

Thank you for understanding, and thank you for letting me get this out. I'm sure that there will be plenty of you who think me petty for revealing their names, but there comes a point when even I have to learn to punch back.

Be safe and happy and healthy.

Coni

78 comments:

  1. So wrong in so many ways. I am so very sorry.

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  2. I can't seem to find the right words to be encouraging. This is just too awful. You are a strong person and will get through this challenge. You will be in my thoughts.

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  3. Truth is powerful. You are powerful. Just when you think things can't get any worse, they surely do. But, you will prevail. Love and strength to you and yours.

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  4. Some people are just plain evil and toxic. Even those you might be related to. Speaking from my own experience I just had to close the door on those people in my life and move on....for my own sanity. I know it hurts more than life itself to see all your mom's precious needlework be dispersed that way. But try to believe that all those who purchased them will treasure them always. And you could always but it out on Facebook that you would be interested in buying back what was sold at that yard sale! Be wwll. Stay strong.

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  5. OH DEAR GOD HOW AWFUL! I'm praying for your peace of mind, please be kind to yourself. wouldn't know how to begin to forgive! Stay strong, in God's timing they will have to answer for their wrong doing.

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  6. Morally, and probably legally, an offense which will
    ultimately boomerang. I can just about fathom how deeply wounded you are by all of this, Coni, but just one of your
    Mom's creations to be cherished may ease your heart. If not
    possible, you have the best of your Parents' legacy that you
    carry with loyalty and pride in your living and that, after all, is your most treasured possession. As to the other "characters", "what doth it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" Consider yourself as having won and continue to live the valiant life you do. Blessings
    and prayers.

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  7. I am so sorry about what has happened to you. You are a good and brave soul.

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  8. O.M.G. There are no words for ANY of those people. I am so sorry. Just know that your parents would both be proud of the person you are...your sister, not so much.

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  9. Oh Coni, I am unbelievably sad about this. I pray that you are able to get something back. Know that we understand your need to take a break will all be sending healing thoughts your way!

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  10. I'm so, so, sorry. Praying for God to give you peace and strength and to hold you in His arms.

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  11. So very sorry to read this. Take whatever time you need, just know we'll miss you while you're gone.

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  12. Take all the time you need, Coni! What they did was so uncalled for and so blatantly cruel that there are no words! Just know that "what goes 'round, comes' round"! Your faithful readers will miss you and the daily entertainment you provide, but we more than understand the need for some time to yourself. Take care of yourself and know that you you'll be missed, but you'll also be in our thoughts and prayers.

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  13. I...am...so...sorry. I have no other words Coni, except I will pray for strength and peace for you.

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  14. What awful news. Please know all your friends are thinking and praying for you. xx

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  15. I am so sorry; does your sister know what they are doing? I would think this is illegal (tho that does you no good right now)...folks are just evil.

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  16. That totally stinks.

    I have sent you an e-transfer to help out a little. Will email the answer to the security question.

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  17. I am so sorry that this has happened to you --- such words don't do much to help, I know, but please know that I truly AM sorry. No, it's not petty to mention their names --- I personally think that scum like this NEED to be "outed" so that they can't do these things to anyone else. Please know that you are very loved by many, many of us.

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  18. I am so sorry Coni. I took care of my grandmother as a teenager and my early 20's until she died. She was my best friend. After she died my so called "family" sold everything in an estate sale and didn't even tell me. I was supposed to receive one of the rings she wore everyday but my married in aunt kept it when my uncle died 9 months after my grandmother. It's a heartbreaking loss, I am very sorry.

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    1. I took care of my husband, diagnosed with ALS, with very little help. NONE from his sister and brother. Steve didn’t carry life insurance and we lost everything. Both his parents died after him and that wicked sister did not even list me in the obituaries nor was I left a dime even though they had a house in the Hilton Head area and plenty of money. Why did his parents tell me they loved me each time we parted? 26 years of marriage and I was ghosted after he died.

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  19. I am so very sorry that you have to deal with this. Hugs.

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  20. I have no words other than I am truly sorry, Coni. Keeping you in my thoughts and in my prayers.

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  21. Coni, There are good people in the world who still know right from wrong. You are a wonderful example. Grieve for relationships lost and then close that door. Do not let anyone (family, friend or foe) steal your joy. With love.

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  22. Stunning how frequently vulgar, careless, viciously minded people convince people they have anything benign about them. Sickening to see what depths greedy and dismissive people are comfortable doing to others. I’m glad you called them out. Be well.

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  23. I am so very sorry. Take all the time you need. I will be thinking of you and praying for strength and peace for you. Take care of yourself.
    Mary

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  24. Holding in you in my thoughts and prayers and waiting until you feel strong enough to rejoin the blogging world.

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  25. Sending you much love,peace and strength Coni.

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  26. My heart is breaking for you. Sending you love, prayers and many hugs.

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  27. I am so sorry that someone could do that to you. You have something no one can ever take away from you. The love of your mother and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you, for strength, and peace. God bless you.
    Donna

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  28. This sucks more than words can say. Sending bear hugs you way.

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  29. If you can't stay longer have JB there sending video or photos to your device, or set up a video chat. You can have him get what you may miss in that short time. Take care of yourself.

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  30. Oh my God. I can't even imagine. Is this "sale" also online? If so, I would buy as much as I could and give it back to you. You are a good person and that can never be taken from you.

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  31. Coni, not everything has been taken from you. You still have your honesty, your decency, your self-respect. And our love. Those miscreats have none of that.I hope you are able to retrieve some items, but please also consider that while for you the needlepoint is precious for both its beauty and the memories it encompasses, the people who buy it also value it, for its beauty and your mother's skill and artistry.

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  32. I can understand your heart is breaking. This is reprehensible. I pray you find peace (and some karma returns to those that have wronged).

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  33. I'm very sorry that all of this has happened to you. I will say a prayer that peace can come to you. Your blog is one that I enjoy the most but I understand your need to take a break. Just know that you are not alone- you have a huge number of fans out here in the cyberworld and we are pulling for you!

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  34. I know this sounds trite but truly I'm praying for you

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  35. I am so sorry. So very sorry. I wish we could all ease this heartache, but other than sending our love to you and our prayers to heaven, we're kinda stuck. One thing I would do, I would put an ad in the paper, explaining that family heirlooms were sold without your approval/knowledge, and ask if folks would allow you to buy them back. And I wouldn't be afraid to name the sellers either! Good luck Coni. Fight like a girl.

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  36. There are no words. Hugs and prayers being sent your way.❤️🙏

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  37. Coni, what a blow! Don't understand how a sister could do that to you....prayers for you to find some peace and hope you are able to get some of those precious items back.

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  38. Prayers to you and for you, Coni. May God heal the pain the way He knows how. Come back to us with any updates whenever you're ready and your heart says it's time. Hugs.

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  39. There’s not much that can be said except I am so very sorry. Cling tightly to your precious memories, which cannot be taken from you. Take all the time you need to grieve and deal with this.

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  40. I'm so sorry Coni. You are a kind soul and people take advantage of that. The hurt and betrayal is the worst cruelty to have to endure. Wicked. Take heart that you are not alone. You will shine bright again but it will take time.

    I hope Buzzy is kind to you.

    Much sadness but huge hugs, love from me xx

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  41. Coni, just think, what goes around, comes around, they will get their just desserts one of these days. In the meantime look after yourself and try to stay calm. We'll see you again when you're ready.

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  42. I am so very sorry, Coni. I can only begin to imagine how you must feel. Take all the time you need for yourself, but do try not to be bitter. That will only harm you, not them. Lots of love And big hugs from this side of the pond. Xx

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  43. Dear Coni,
    I am so very sorry. Sending you big hugs and prayers.

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  44. What a betrayal. You are in my thoughts and prayers Coni. I am so sorry this has happened

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  45. I wish I was able to go there and buy them all for you. I don’t even know anybody in Phoenix. I will include you in my prayers.

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  46. I'm so sorry for your pain & the horror of all this! I'm praying for peace for you. May you recover enough of your family items to keep only happy memories of years past. I am so sorry that such evil people exist in our world. Blessings, Coni

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  47. Oh Coni, my heart is aching for you! I wish I lived closer so I could go help buy all these precious things back for you. That family should be ashamed of themselves! Take all the time you need and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs!

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  48. I am at a loss for words over how despicable some people can be. I am so sorry you have to deal with this.

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  49. I am so sorry you are going through this. I experienced something similar. Healing of my heart came when I realized that nothing they do can ever take away the memories and love you shared with your mother. Then forgive them. They don't deserve it, but it will set your heart free. I pray that you find peace and not let these awful people take any more happiness from you.

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  50. Coni, I am living your pain. Everywhere I look I see and hear that I must forgive. It is the right thing to do. I just can't. This is the bitterest thing life has presented me. I pray for both of us,Father, thy will not mine be done. Amen.

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  51. Prayers for peace and strength for you.

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  52. I am so sorry that these reprehensible people are taking advantage of a situation that is untenable. I agree with others that have posted that perhaps putting a notice in different places in your area and on-line may result in people returning to you the pieces that are so meaningful. Thinking of you-get some rest!

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  53. I don't even know what to say except take care of yourself and I'm so sorry.

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    1. Oh and Karma - she can be a bitch and they've all invited her into their houses.

      I'm a big believer in Karma.

      Again I'm so sorry.

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    2. Yes me too, the karma bus is always idling.

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  54. I am so sorry about this. Please take care of yourself and know that many people are praying for you.

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  55. I am so very sorry. You are the most kind, loving, and optimistic person I know. I can't imagine how you feel. Please take all the time you need and know my thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  56. I'm so sorry Connie. Tour Mom and Dad are with you. Go to the Grotto and know that they are with you and helping you and no one can take that away from you. You are not petty at all I think you were restrained in your response. Take care of your self and know we are all here for you.
    Hugs and prayers,
    Rose

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  57. Coni, I am beyond words. Please find solace in the fact that a lot of people love you and feel for you.

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  58. Oh my! how family can do terrible things to family. Just know we are all thinking of you and saying prayers. It'll be hard but concentrate on you getting healthy and strong.

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  59. im not much of a prayer, but in this case, i will pray for peace.
    (...and hope for karma to come home full circle in the meantime, as peace is going to take awhile !!)
    hugs

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  60. So very sorry for your immense losses, Coni. I can relate. I pray for your healing and I know that it will take time. Please know that so many people care about you and will be praying for you. - Marcia

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  61. So sorry for what you are going through, I think most of us can relate to it, will be thinking of you, and awaiting your return to your blog, God go with you xx

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  62. Have you tried ringing the police and reporting this man? What he has done is fraud at best . . . and stealing at the worst . . . and his family sounds like the are also involved by helping him to sell items that clearly do not belong to him (which he admitted)! Don't just let him get away with it . . . ring the police!

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  63. (((((Coni))))) I'm so very sorry! Please take care of yourself and I'll be praying for you.

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  64. I've taken a few days to think about this and pray about it. My knee-jerk reaction is to drive to Indiana and snatch a knot in that creep's head, so you see why I need to calm down and collect my thoughts. I cannot imagine the hurt you are experiencing now and I won't pretend that I do. What I have learned in my near sixty years of life is that we are surrounded by seriously evil folks. The good ones are there too, but sometimes it is hard to see anything but evil. I hope with all my heart that you are able to find and retrieve your family treasures on Thursday. I am praying for your peace. Words I especially like: Colossians 3:25 "For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality" and Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Take heart, Coni...we are on your side!

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  65. Another suggestion: would it be wise to have the police in the neighborhood when you attend the "sale"?? It can't hurt to ask.

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  66. Oh. This is truly heart breaking. 😞 How I wish I could help. I looked back on past posts to see what you mean about your sister imploding her life. Can’t help wondering what happened.

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  67. Dear Coni, please do not let this break you. The most precious "thing" you have of your parents is the memory of them, the love they gave you and the abiding love you have for them. Those are "things" that no one can take from you and they are priceless beyond measure and YOU, my dear, were surely YOUR PARENTS' greatest treasure (along with your sister). I am so sorry this happened to you and pray that you find peace.

    Hmmmmm......are you sure your JB doesn't know some knockaround guys that could do some knocking around?

    I'll stick with my original thought of praying. Stooping to the bad guy's level isn't worth it.

    If nothing else, DON'T LET THIS THROW YOU OFF TRACK FOR YOUR KIDNEY! If you do, then the bad guys win.

    Love you, Coni.

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  68. Oh my, there are simply no words for some people and what they do. Love, hugs, and prayers for you. x

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  69. I was scrolling thru blogger when I saw your latest post. Went backwards to see what was going on. Sad this happened to yo. I'm thankful you were able to get some things and then donated funds to help people.
    My daughter helped a friend out in a friend's storage unit. It had items that were her parents that are now in the better place. All items taken care of now. Prayers for you to have better days and look for moments of good daily.

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