Nature Songs ~~~~
May continued ~~
May 7, 2001 - One step forward: two steps backward. Onward I go - or so it seems at times. Yes, I got the Explorer washed and it looks better than it did with all that sticky goo covering it. The results that I experience for doing the chore? The neck, shoulders and arms are in rebellion! No chipped fingernails as apperceived in the past few months due to the frail condition of the nails. The acrylic tips are doing there job well. I noticed that I got one little dot of Mother’s red door red polish on my ring finger-nail Saturday, but that’s okay. Stiffness and soreness do bother me somewhat, but that’s to be expected and I can cope with that without much ado.
It’s the “going to sleep” and tingling that bugs me! The left hand has been sleeping a lot on me lately; especially the little finger and ring finger. The masseuse traced it to a spot in my shoulder when she did the back rub on me at the Health Fair. This episode is the right shoulder area. Guess I flared up the soft tissue damage that never completely healed from when I flipped the jeep some years back and I ended up on the wheel box on the right side of the jeep behind the passenger seat (NO Seatbelt worn!). Now I’m having to contend with the whole hand and arm going to sleep on me along with a dull, hot, pressure and pain in the shoulder region. It takes a while to work the feeling and use back into the arm, hand and fingers. Every time I slept during the night I woke up with a non-moveable arm needing to be rubbed and coached back awake.
But, hey - look - I got my car washed all by myself!!!!! (GGGGGGGGrin!)
Church was packed yesterday and as some picnic days happen to turn out, it was a rainy day. The picnic meal was transferred from the church camp to the Grow Room at church. I could have attended since there was no uneven ground to maneuver, but elected not to partake. How do you explain to others the difficulty in handling the choice of so many foods. So much food laden on tables completely turn me off to eating and it is difficult to have to choose what to eat. Then there is the juggling of carrying food and drink through the crowd in search of a suitable place to eat. Many people do not understand how this would be a problem when one’s balance is fragile. (Plus, the arm in rebellion!) I truthfully reported that I did not have comfortable shoes and clothes to wear and that I needed to change from the dress shoes I had on. (Yes, I know I am supposed to wear good walking shoes all the time, but, pride creeps in and takes control sometimes over common sense.)
Master BusyKid came to spend the afternoon with me while Mom went to a wedding shower. Everyone should spend time with a three-going-on-four-year-old. The energy and gusto explode in spurts as everything is explored. Life is such an adventure. He realized I keep some lifesavers in the drawer of my bedside table for dry mouth and throat He derived much joy from all my watches, but he and Buddy Boy were immediately drawn to the children’s waterproof watch I use when I have to watch the clock on pool days. The little butterfly motif ticking around with the minute hand made it appear to be a toy instead of a watch.
The two boys got to play together for several hours since Allan brought Buddy Boy by and spent part of the afternoon here. We lad a nice leisurely afternoon here while the boys spent their time and energies playing together. The two boys have such pleasure playing together and require less attention one-on-one from adults when they are entertaining each other.
Intentions were well-meant, but actions failed to follow through on those intentions for me this morning. Regular water classes were called off for this morning because plans had been made for age 55 and over walk-a-thon at the Broyhill Walking Park. Different distances were scheduled for sign ups according to abilities and there were refreshments, gifts and door prizes to take part in for all who came. I was going to be a good little girl and go do some water workouts on my own. That did not materialize. Midday and here I am at home, having never left the premises.
The highlights of the morning was only when the trash truck drove through to pick up the garbage. I seldom look out when they come, but this time there were taking longer than usual and I glanced out. The workers were all on the opposite side of the truck going through some treasure uncovered in the pile that had accumulated from the moving and changing of neighbors. They were all looking at something and then looking up toward the house from whence it came - back and forth several times as they browsed through the found treasures. Apparently they kept what they found. When I looked out again, they were busy loading the rest of the pile into the crusher/compactor, but looking at things before discarding into the truck receptacle.
Guess I’ll mosey on over to spend a little time with Mother since I didn’t make it over there yesterday. Being a Sunday, I had hoped someone else in the family would come to see her, but none showed up. She spent the day alone. Not even a phone call, except from me and one that BusyKid made at my bidding.
I was surprised to find NascarKid staring back at me from the front page of a special edition of People-to-People in our local paper Sunday. It explained a lot about the program, how it all began and the upcoming trip this summer to Australia. Three from Caldwell County made the team going. According to the paper, there were 500 children signed up to fill the 35 member teem going. Inside of the paper was a picture of the adults going to keep the children in line and there was Tbird! I’ll have to keep the paper for future reference. (That was the only time I saw any of them all weekend. Guess they were all busy ...)
May 8, 2001 - Creepy, crawly, itchy Tick number two came off Oreo this evening! I’ve got to get that substance that keeps fleas and ticks away from both dogs. Apparently this may be a summer of such dangers for the three of us. Being tied with Oreo for such an esteemed status is not something to cheer about for me. Yes, I took number two off my shin after working Saturday with the flowers planted outdoors. To date Charlie has never had a tick on him, and hopefully he will not violate his record. Wonder if a spot of the repellent rubbed on my scalp would work? I shall not be the one to test it out to see.
Why is it that when something strange decides to occur, it has to be at some un-opportune time? Wes was here for a short time this evening and all seemed right with the household. It was only after he had been gone a spell that I turned on the cold water spigot in the kitchen to give the dogs fresh water that mischief once again took charge. We all know that there is an invisible force that resides within these walls. This evening was a time for it to play games. When I turned the faucet to the right to turn off the cold water, it kept pouring into the sink. I could push the handle back toward the backsplash and as long as I held pressure it was off, but the second I turned it loose, there was a stream of water again pouring from the spout.
A quick analysis of the situation and I knew I could not hold the handle back till morning. It was time to call in re-enforcement in the personage of son, Wes, since he resides closest to my house. His wife is able to laugh along with me when I have to require his help and tonight was no exception. She was describing how slowly Wes moved to put his walking boots back on to drive over here to lend aide to his poor helpless Mom. While we talked the weirdness happened. The water slowly turned to a drip and then stopped - all by itself. But, not to take a chance of having to be called later in the night, my dutiful son came on over to check out the problem and decided he needs to buy new innards for cold water tap. The rest of the weirdness? There was no way that the handle would turn back as far as I had pushed it to get the water off.
Better Weight class today was a cooking session where we were presented with a strawberry banana bread and applesauce was used instead of cooking oil. No fat was used in the recipe. This recipe is a keeper for me and it has lots of potential for using other fruits or flavoring as a low calorie food to savor and serve to others. On the plus side, I had lost another two pounds for the week which surprised me as much as it thrilled me. Now to keep it off.
Big brother and his oldest son were visiting with Mother when I visited with her this afternoon. He had not been happy with the new tax rate presented to him on his homestead early this spring and contested the amount listed. A hearing on his complaint was set up to hear his side of the story this afternoon and he stopped by to see mother before going into town to confront the county planning board. That is a meeting I would like to have been a fly on the wall and watched. Little did the board know that this type presentation is “old hat” to my brother. That is the type work he did for years as he faced many facets of the money world working to build new nursing homes along the Eastern Coast.
May 9, 2001 - The shiny acrylic fingernails have survived intact for a whole week. A time or two, or three .... or more ... they have taken a direct hit against something without the familiar chip or tear that has been occurring since being soaked in the chlorine water during my exercise routine each week. Talking with the other girls, it’s been interesting to learn that nearly all of them are experiencing the same thing with their nails that I’ve been going through. Several times I’ve caught myself staring at the long rosy nails in awe and disbelief. Can they really be on my decrepit and gnarled fingers? They have been a source of pampered joy here in my older stage of life.
Mother played Bingo today instead of yesterday because the Social Director had to be gone from the center. Just as well since Mother was in bed most of yesterday. We won five games today, making her much happier for having played. After returning to her room the CNA came in to check her temperature which has been showing that Mother may have another low-grade kidney infection. The doctor was scheduled to see her today, but she called and canceled coming to the nursing home today. Wonder if she will be there tomorrow to see her patients? I don’t like seeing Mother sick, but I’m also not happy about having to pay more money out if she needs additional meds - especially the intravenous drips which can be very expensive.
This has been the week for spending bunches of time talking on the telephone. The groomer left a message that she needed to change the next appointment for having Charlie and Oreo groomed. It took two calls more for me to catch up with her to make the new appointment. Tbird called this afternoon wanting the phone number for Triple A Car Service of which she is a member. I am not a member -I have another group to call upon for help when the car is in need of service. She had to get a new battery because the boys were waiting and reading books in the car for her while she had some business to take care of at the Burke County Schools Main Office. Guess she left the keys for them so they could play some music on the car radio. They got hot and ran the air conditioner to cool off which in itself would ordinarily not be a problem - except they failed to have the engine running! Hence, the draining of the car battery.
This evening I spent over an hour on the phone with Allan talking about all sorts of sundry things. No sooner did I hang up the phone and it rang again. This time Mother was calling to remind me to buy her some more candy since her stash has dwindled down to near extinction. After saying our goodnights to each other I had yet one more call before ending the calls for the day. I had to call and see how Tbird had faired with her battery (she got a new one installed) and how Giggles was doing since she had to go to the doctor this morning with another ear infection. Oh, there was the phone call from Wes to inform me that he had order me a system to install in the house which will not only be for security, but also a sort of Lifeline for me since he ordered a bracelet for me to wear when I’m at home and a system to connect to the lights that the outside lights will flash to alert the neighbor should I need their help.(Getting fancy here in my elder years.)
May 10, 2001 - 4:14 a.m. - another early start for yet another day. Strangely, the recycling truck has not driven up our drive the past two weeks. Perchance the truck is broken down or something, but my stack of daily newspapers is growing by the weeks. Rain is making for a soggy mess for the man when he does come. Not that there is much rain - only a trace is reaching the ground. The maps on the television weather reports show rain over our region, but it must be dissipating before it reaches the ground. I’m having to water my newly planted flowers and herbs at least every other day and it appears this may keep up all summer.
I promised Auntie I would drive out to see her this week at the lake. The week is nearly up and here I am still in my home county. Maybe I can get someone to ride out there with me this afternoon. I’ve mentioned driving down to her place with several different persons, but they each say they will have to get back with me later. I’ve learned that means, “NO!” Why can’t they come out and say, “No, I really don’t want to do that.” Instead they give the old, “I’ll have to think about it.” It turns into a routine with never a direct answer. Then on the other hand it is an answer in a round-about way, if one were listening carefully.
Yesterday, I was invited to a covered dish luncheon with the Senior Group at Allie’s church. The food was scrumptious and it was a delight to have home cooked food provided by some of the best cooks of Caldwell County. I knew nearly all of the people attending and we enjoyed bringing each other up to date on events in our lives since our last meeting in Boone for their Christmas Get-together. They are planning for a trip in September to the Flat Rock Playhouse where great plays are presented. I’ll probably make the trip with them.
Finally got busy and paid my monthly bills last night. Now to get them in the mail today. Just wished that all the places would do automatic payment plans where I would not have to bother with the hustling around to write checks, put on stamps and return addresses on the envelops, drop them in the mail and have the vexation of balancing the checkbook! Another month completed only to find this month passing so quickly and then time to go through the ordeal another time. I’ve got to pick up the renewal stickers for both of my vehicles. One of them run out on the fifteenth of this month. I haven’t dropped off the form for the doctor to fill out for renewal of my handicap tag which runs out this year, either. More bother to take care of before the end of the month.
I’m optimistic that today will be a great day with no unexpected downward turns of events. Life is full of wonders to be explored and each of us have only to reach out and savor the fruits of our labor and trust.
Handling stress is one way to take advantage of the wonders awaiting. Some of the tips given out to us at our last Senior meeting at Quest would lead to a relaxed atmosphere. I have to wonder how well I measure up on the scale.
1. Exercise regularly. I do that five days a week and yes, it is a natural stress reducer. I always feel better having exercised.
2. Relaxation techniques are a part of my daily living. That is my best control for pain and getting most of my rest.
3. Know your limitations. That has been drilled into my schedule because of physical limitation. The realistic goals are having to live with the conditions laid out by my physical needs. When I do unrealistic things I pay and I pay big-time for those mistakes I made many times with my eyes wide open.
4. Pamper yourself. Ah, but to do those little things that make you feel better. My new nails has been a way of pampering myself. The steamroom after working out is another one. The Civic Center and the offerings they have is a way of pampering myself.
5. Organization. Oh no! The biggest flaw which sticks out like a giant splinter! It has flown the coop! This once organized and punctual person has much to do to regain a small sense of the organization I once enjoyed and partook of. The list of wants and needs fails to work when one is unable to carry out the business of making it work.. Some things are physically out of control and I’ve yet to decide how to conquer the chasm between organizing and being able to carry out the deed.
6. Delegate. Asking others to do tasks is easy to think about, but not as easy to carry out. Friends and family members are not always available to help ease the burden of daily life. Some things seem to have to remain a burden of daily life.
7. Make time for yourself every day. Wow! That’s all I do. Everyday much of the day is delegated to doing something to make me feel good. Q4L, the computer, my two puppies, taking meds. Sometimes I think I would feel better if I could do things for other people. It would be great to be able to work or volunteer doing things for and with other people.
8. Laughter. How good a good laugh can make you feel. Reading a humorous book, or seeing a funny movie or TV show is much fun and does make for feeling better. I like going around smiling at others when I meet them. Strangers usually will smile back and some give a strange look as if to say, “Do I know you?”
9. Eliminate stressful activities. Somethings that are stressful cannot be eliminated. Being able to cope with them takes the ability to relax and reward oneself afterwards for taking care of the problem or activity.
10. Enjoy time with favorite people. It’s always a joy to meet and talk with some people and I savor those moment spent with them.
11. Give yourself a pat on the back. How? Maybe with some small reward. Or then again a big giant hug given to yourself makes for feeling better. Going through the PACE of Brain Gym is a great reward.
12. Avoid repeating mistakes. Oh, oh! I need help on this one. I live and learn most of the time but there are some things that I will break down and do even through I know what the consequences may be felt.
13. Diet. I am in need of a better eating pattern in my lifestyle. I do not eat well-balanced meals each day.
14. Talk about problems. Living alone makes it more difficult to talk out problems and concerns. Others do not necessarily want to listen to problems of others. Many times they do not lend an ear and offer support. There is no one to talk over things with many times. I have to pray and ask God to take care of me and those other things. I remember at those times that I am never really alone; that He is always with me and often times -my only friends to listen.
15. Be optimistic. There is always a silver lining waiting for each of us, if only we are patience. Problems in our lives have a way of always working out.
Obviously, just some food for thought. There is always so much information out and around if only we open our eyes and minds to take in the needed directions and put them to proper use in our lives. Sometimes it might seem easier to say that looks good on paper, but doing it is a different ballgame - and give up any efford to help ourselves. I happen to get that way sometimes and have to give myself a pep talk since there is no one else around to do it.
Looking back:
MAY, 1998
MAY, 1999
MAY, 2000
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Lenoir,NC 28645
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©2001 by Stormy Jeanne
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