Last day of this most unusual year. Next year may be only a
modest improvement in terms of freedom to move around. Yesterday was busy with
Cillay calling from Kentucky and a long supportive call with Rosalie. She suggested
using our curriculum from our conscious aging class in the new class. I will do
so as parts of it are appropriate. I’m very anxious about the zooming. I hope to get enough information and practice
to do well. I will start a new blog tomorrow.
I was mentally fatigued yesterday and felt negative about my
ability to present a lesson and be a zoom host at the same time. After talking
with the director I felt better. I want to do well. I like my lesson plans. Michele
and I walked around the block. I enjoy her company and her ideas. Today I will
talk with Rosalie and pick her brain too. That’s the whole agenda. I may ask Laurie
to zoom with me from Sparks. Her ideas are always special.
Zooming to church was worthwhile. I followed along with prayer book and hymnal. Felt
connected. Then the zoom lesson that left me with brain fatigue. Not ready for
independent use. May take a dozen lessons. I did zoom Kelle and that was fun.
Today I will talk with the director and find out what to expect from her as far
as tech support. I rested with a couple of
hours of Season 10 of Heartland. I walked around the block and will repeat
again today.
I’ll zoom to church this morning. Janine will guide me. I’m so
looking forward to it. That is the reason for the new computer. Distance participation
and socialization is better than none. Then I need to sit down and plan for an
eight week writing course with all new processes. Later, the zoom lesson with Hollie’s
teacher friend. I hope she doesn’t roll her eyes and sigh heavily when I ask
the same question again. I walked to the PO yesterday and enjoyed being
outside.
Safeway before 7 AM. Took on the necessary items plus foods like
chips. Yesterday I was asked to teach a writing class viva zoom. I said yes even
though I don’t know how or what to offer. Hollie to the rescue! Her friend is
coming tomorrow to clue me in to the finer points of zooming. I can do it. I
spent time with Heartland again. Season 9 and I’m feeling it coming to an end. I have enjoyed
the simplicity and the family dynamics.
Yes, there is a season 8 on Heartland and that’s how I spent
the recovery day. My left arm is more useful today although sore. It’s wet out
and another quiet day is on the agenda. I snacked a lot yesterday and I need to
quell the impulse to grab peanuts or cookies. My pants are getting tight and
uncomfortable. I know how to feed myself well. Marj came to visit and I
enjoyed her. We are a pair of 80s who
like to work.
After a wonderful family 68th birthday party for
Chuck complete with lots of pizza, I fell in the rose garden and damaged a
plant and my wrist. I tripped on a rug that is there to keep the rain from under
the door. No serious damage but a fall is a fall and to be respected. Megan and
Ben are so much fun and good together. They helped with the new computer
issues. Today I’m going to rest and watch more of my cowboy series.
The cold wet day was perfect along with wimpy energy to
watch season six of Heartland. I’m going to miss them when their series ends.
Today I will work on familiarizing myself with the new computer. I took
yesterday off from everything productive. Today I will walk to the bank and
check on the missing check and then go to the gas company with my credit card. I’m going to use more tech stuff to pay bills
as this is not the first missing mail.
Yes indeed. I’m up on the tech stuff. Zoomed with Kelle. All
I did was click on the invitation and
there she was. I enjoyed the visit more than the phone calls. I looked around
her room and she saw mine. More intimate than phoning. Today I have to work on
using the new ideapad. The word program is huge and I couldn’t find the way in.
Hollie made a window for me to start.. I want to succeed with this. It’s another
wet cold day.
Another wet day. I need a sun day to lift my gloom.
Yesterday Michele visited and it was wonderful to have her here. Delia came
over too and she talked and talked. Obviously lonely too. We heard her cat
stories and family stuff. Today Kelle is going to zoom at 2 PM. She will walk
me through my part.. I’m looking forward to learning how. I did better with the
new computer with e-mail and facebook. No progress with word 365. I want a tutor.
Dogs are declawed, my skin required a couple of zaps. The
rest of the day was season five of Heartland. What will I do when I finish it? Find
another series to binge. I promised to use the laptop today and get familiar with
it. I asked for it and I need to own it. Michele is coming to visit this afternoon.
I’m looking forward to conversation.. So many days are about meals and going to
bed. The sheets of rain are keeping us confined.
I made progress yesterday with patience and lots of pacing.
I know it’s just a machine but I am afraid of messing ti up. Megan showed me
how to scroll with two fingers on the mouse pad. Today I have a derm
appointment where Jessse will probably find things to zap. Old damage shows up.
Then the dogs go for nail treatment at at the groomer. It’s a chore I don’t
want to do myself. This morning I have done laundry and changed the sheets..
I made little progress with the notebook. I could not figure
out how to make it scroll. Just finding the cursor is work. Reminded me of
Megan’s first days with the stick shift but I haven’t popped out with hives! Megan is coming to give me a hand. I want to
use it well and easily so I will do what I need to do. The rose garden is free
of weeds and looks good. The violets are ready to grow and cover the ground.
Slight mental hangover from the new computer’s steep
learning curve. Thanks to Megan, it is operational after Hollie and I tried and
made a Chinese fire drill out of it. All that passwords stuff get tedious. I
want to learn to zoom. Today I’ll play with it but meanwhile I’m using old
faithful. I may keep this one for blogging. Hollie found a great recliner with
lumbar support. She needs it for her back injury. Chuck will pick it up tomorrow.
Change is ongoing here.
I was fine yesterday but a quiet day. It was too cold to
finish the weeding. I watched most of season three of Heartland. I’m quite fond
of the family. It’s like reading a long generational novel. C and H went to
Medford yesterday and brought me coffee from Cosco. Today we are agoing to
Brookings in search of a new computer for me. My doctor told me to learn to
zoom and I need a camera for a ita. It will be a Lenovo notebook.
Pulled most of the weeds and uncovered the wild violets that
are beginning to grow. I like them and they cover the ground beautifully. Later
I walked for the ant traps and decided to walk home the long way. Part way I
had an episode of losing control of my walking. It was a brain condition thing
where if I didn’t run I would fall down. Made it home by holding on to poles.
Hollie saw that I was in trouble and recued me.
Important day for our family: covid vax all around. Hollie
is caregiver, Chuck is disabled vet, and I am old. We will go to the airport
for the event. I’m glad we will have the
protection. After the frost melts,
I’m going to walk again. It feels so good to get out on my own even just around
the block. Walking is such a big part of my life and it has been hard to stay in so much. Might get weeding
started in the roses.
The news from yesterday is I walked around the block! First
walk in weeks of back pain and weather. It’s clear and frosty again so I’ll wait
for 50 before I venture out. Today I’m going to Home Depot and get ant traps
then to the bank. Megan needs the date of the first covid check for my taxes.
Nice to have an in-house accountant. I don’t need an appointment. I watched two
episode of the second season of Heartland.
I like the family dynamics.
Frosty morning with sun promised later. I feel the need to
go outside today. Maybe walk to the bank and cash in the government debit card.
I will borrow Hollie’s vacuum cleaner and get the webs off the sunporch
windows. Thanks to Rosalie, I started a story that needs details. It was fun to
work out an idea and write. My handwriting is shaky and typing is full of mistakes
from the tremor and I want to write anyway. First ham and avocado on pitta.
Loud hail storm in the night rattled the skylight big time.
Cold rain this morning. I suppose I’ll turn to Netflix again and find something
new to enjoy. Rosalie asked me to read a prompt and decide if it stimulates my
mind. I know it needs a shake up as the moss is beginning to grow. I will do
that as soon as I finish this post. We brought home lots of supplies so good nutrition
is available but so are chips, peanuts, gingersnaps and chocolate.
January brought an hour of daylight and two pounds of belly fat.
Time to get back on the wagon with no bacon and potato breakfasts. It’s so easy
to snack in the gloomy weather. Yesterday I watched Dig. It was historically
interesting and Junebug that was weird and a waste of time. I like entertaining
shows. It is one year since I gave up the car. It’s been okay thanks to Hollie’s
generosity. I was no longer a comfortable driver. Inside day with no agenda.
Dark and wet. Another day to sit. Yesterday I binged on the second
season of Virgin River. It’s kind of thin of plot and actors but it ate up the
day. I’ll find something else for today. Hollie made meatloaf and roast
potatoes and shared with me. I appreciate her. I did clean the bathroom as it
is the smallest room and I left it shiny. Maybe today I’ll borrow Hollie’s
vacuum and pick up the llint on the carpet. Lotd of society last night.
Good walk yesterday and errands on my own. My back is
finally helping with activity needs. Went to Walgreen’s for prescription,
bought vitamin B and got another kong
for JuJu. Somehow got home with Rocky Road. Walked the yard looking at rose
growth. Long talk with Rosalie about the state of our lives. She is busy with
her old dog who is sick. Today is very windy and wet again and I am prepared
for another day inside. Might slick up
the floors or not.
Megan came with eggs and talk. Love our family time. Taxes
came up as a topic with our in-house accountant and I’ve been searching for the
first covid payment in April. My bank statement did not help as they don’t list
cashing checks. Now I need to go there and see if they have a track on when I
was there with the paper check. Meg needs it. Clear, frosty and full moon morning.
Chuck’s sailboat sank. He is dealing with that. A storm loss.
Another wet day to enjoy inside. Several power outages and
cable outs so I binge watched Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. I have been putting it
off because I couldn’t think that watching people play chess could be interesting.
It was people so I enjoyed every minute. It was true to the time frame and the
way things were then. Today I’ll look for something else. The trees are quiet today
after taking a beating. Tomorrow is supposed to be fair and drier. It is cozy inside.
Another stormy day to stay warm. Yesterday was lots of cuddling
with dogs and reading under a blanket. Today looks like another with the same agenda.
Soup and television are on the menu. I get steps on the rebounder and lots of stretching
keeps my back from hurting. I have no cupboards to sort but a couple of drawers
in the closet could use attention. It is Wednesday so family happy hour with
Megan. I like this weekly event as we rarely see her on weekends.
Winter storm on the way with the wind already gusting and
the temperature at 32. I’m prepared to enjoy it through the windows. Lots of
soup available. Two warm dogs for naps. Yesterday was a good one for stretching
and walking around the yard. Also good for nutrition and using time well. I’m
finally getting the hang of covid isolation instead of fighting it and hoping
it would go away. I have made a comfortable life in my little nest.
Freezing and clear. More rain and possible snow showers too.
It is winter. I plan another comfortable inside day. Big event yesterday was
take out from Wing Wah, our favorite Chinese restaurant that is closing. Lots
of leftovers for breakfast. Another loss to covid. I sorted my pantry yesterday and piled like
items so the dog food cans are no longer part of the soup supply. I’m enjoying
reading and crossword puzzles. Just for a short time. Hope to have a phone conversation with Rosalie
Cold and wet is forecast for the next week a least. Fortunately,
the blue star tech fixed the heater and it is warm in my house. No agenda for
this Sunday. Maybe sing my hymns. I will get steps on the rebounder. Feels good
to have the exercise and moving along. I have good food and a book, plus maybe another
journal page. No housework necessary but always a drawer or cupboard to sort.
Some things have not moved since I came here in April.
Yesterday was cold and I’m guessing today will be also. My
activities were pleasing as I did what I say I want to do instead of sinking
into the oblivious of TV. I read, I sang, I did a page in my paper journal, I ate well,
I logged 9K steps and I did the self-care items. It fed my self-respect rather
than ending the day feeling like I had wasted another day.I plan to repeat and
add so I can feel comfortable again.
The good news is that I was out and working again. I enjoy
feeling like weeding and pruning. The long time of inactivity has been harder
than I realize until I feel energized. Cold and cloudy morning and I will
bundle up and walk around the yard. My back doesn’t hurt at all in the morning
and increases as the day goes by. It can stop my ability to walk without
wincing. I can handle reading for half
an hour before my eyes give out.
Woke up hungry after a good sleep. I will pile up all the
cutting from the rose pruning and I have one more that I want to take down to
the ground. Michele showed me how to prune for direction. I know how o find the
hidden buds on orchids and now I know how to see the rose buds. She took home a
bunch of the aloe plants including the albino one. Good day of learning and
socializing. Still high from the amazing inauguration.
Goosebumps and tears watching Biden’s inauguration. A new
day for our country with the blight removed to Florida. We shopped early and my
larder is stocked with fresh food and staples. I enjoy our foray to the store
when it’s empty of other customers. Later, yard work. Michele is coming today.
I changed the plan yesterday because I didn’t feel well and the wind was cold.
Now for a big breakfast and a quick tidying up. The sun is shining on this brand
new day.
Yesterday felt like a step up. I was more interested in life
and not just putting in time. I ate better and didn’t keep running to the snack
shelf when bored. It’s cold and windy but I will get out because Michele is
coming over for the rose pruning session. I have many roses and love every one
of them. Some are very old and have woody stems that need to go. The new ones
have given me pleasure and I want the best for them.
Megan’s dinner was so delicious. Her potstickers and dipping
sauce rivaled any that I have ever had in a restaurant. The Mongolian beef, likewise
perfect. Best part is the partnership with Ben. Today is MLK day and no agenda except
finishing the shovel work I started on the back fence line. It felt good to dig
out the old plants and make room for the raspberry canes. Chuck is working on so many projects and I
hope he finishes them up before he starts any more.
At the best thing yesterday was the steak dinner with Chuck
and Hollie. She made potatoes and squash to go with the barbecued meat. It was
just right and I enjoyed every scrap. Today we will go too Megan’s for dinner.
She is making Mongolian beef and pot stickers. We get to spend time with her and
Ben. Meanwhile, I will pull myself together and find something creative to do
with my day. Maybe another art page in the paper journal. Sunday starts the
week..
Fog down to the ground. Kinda foggy in my head too. I sent
for seed catalogs and now I’m getting all kinds of offers on my phone. I plan
to start seeds next month. With the greenhouse empty and lots of new places to
plant, I’m even more excited about spring. I enjoyed the visit with Karen and sent
her home with lemons and lots of greens. She had a difficult time with the
business of Linda’s death. I’m glad she is home and safe.
Yesterday was lighter in weather and mood. Felt good to look
forward to the daay and even though I didn’t do anything, I was in good
spirits. Jake got his rabies vax and I have the application ready to mail. Licenses
soon. Karen is coming this afternoon. I want to hear her Arizona stories. I’m
glad she is home after such a long time with the business of her step-mothers’
death. The government debit card arrived. Hollie did the activation. Now I can use
the $600.
Bright morning and a good start for the day. Yesterday was tired and achy. Jakae gets his rabies vax later and I’m hoping Hollie will drive along the beach. I need a trip out for a change of scenery. Been thinking about Eileen’s message to get busy and learn new things. Fits with the doctor’s message. He said Move, Eat well, rest, learn and socialize safely. Today I will reach out again and see if there are any answers. Last time there were only brief acknowledgements
I found Crown on Netflix and settled down to watch the whole
series when Sally messaged that it was Board of Supervisors time. So two hours
of local politics with no real importance. They want to rant against the covid
tiering as our county is so small that it isn’t in the same danger as larger
counties. Eileen called and we haa a conversation about zooming and its
benefits. I’m willing to learn. Need a new computer. Later Julia is coming to visit
the dogs.
Yesterday was so much more productive and I enjoyed it. Clean floors and a slicked up kitchen. New propane
tank and a visit with Michele. We talked about a million things and she’s
coming back next week to prune roses with me. She knows how. I am looking
forward to a day inside with the rain and wind feeling like too much so I’m
cancelling Jakes appointment at the vet for his rabies vax. The agenda is soup
and naps and find a series on Netflix.
Two things today: new propane tank from Blue star after many
years of asking, and Michele may visit. I hope she does. I need her company and
we may prune roses. I must move more today. The stagnant life style shows up in
my soft belly muscles. I know how to fix it and can do it again. The TV news is
disturbing and yet I feel I want to know what’s going on. Both politics and
covid news just seem to get worse every day.
Yesterday was another one in limbo land with carbs as a
theme. I sat and ate all day much to my own detriment. Today I will do better
for myself with a positive attitude and moving. The repetitious days are scary
as they are feeling normal. I want more from time than I have and I’m the only
one who can change it. I’m missing church. I don’t look on YouTube for it. Don’t
know how and haven’t asked for help. Onward and upward today.
I cut down the fuchsia and rose bush at the end of the sunporch.
They were ready for demolition. Today I want to pull weeds in the rock garden
where the roses are growing. I need easy pulling as my back doesn’t allow for vigorous
activity. Lots of TV again with the covid and politics taking away any chance
aat relaxing with entertainment. I resigned from the democratic central committee.
I haven’t been active since March as I don’t zoom yet. I enjoyed my membeship
Up and shopping by 7 AM.
Plenty of groceries and things I didn’t need like bacon. Another bad
trip to Walgreen’s .Now they open at 9 instead of at the advertised 8 AM. I
have never had a reasonable transaction there and my insurance company insists.
Watched a a lot of TV yesterday and will again today due the attempted coup at
the capital. Our country is in a miserable place and I have HOPE. It’s sunny
and I want to prune roses and pear trees.
The dentist scraped and told me to use a gum tool for my
teeth are receding. Okay. I have a tool for that. Walgreen’s pharm was at lunch
so I need another trip to get the eye drops. Somehow left the store with ice
cream. Beautiful sunrise. Red and dramatic. Hope I can walk today. The pain
gets to me so quickly and walking is my longtime favorite activity. I will clean
the sunporch for sure. Hollie s bringing her vacuum cleaner. Mine is not
sucking.
Another dark wet windy morning. The dogs wouldn’t go out.
Chuck and Hollie have gone to the casino for breakfast and a few games. That’s
their recreation. I get to go to the
dentist later for a routine cleaning and then to the drug store to pick up my
eye drops. Wowee, two things to do. Yesterday was cozy and I was comfortable.
No anxiety or restlessness. I worry about getting used to the lack off
activity. Is it a good thing or a bad thing.
I actually exceeded the hour and it felt good. I will repeat
the activity today for my house sake and my wellbeing. I have a tidy business
cubicle free of unnecessary paper and open to view. And a clean bathroom. Today
will be kitchen drawers and sunporch floor. Plus I sang for a few minutes. I have
no breath and in just a minute I loose volume. Only cure is more singing and
stretching my chest open. I feel that the depression cloud is lifting.
Dark and stormy morning. No dawn at all. A day to be inside
as if that were a different scenario. Ii am calling on myself to do better
today as if that were a different start
up. Well, I can do better than food and TV as it is becoming increasingly clear
that the depression is deep and I can climb out. Maybe for one hour I can do something that feels healthful.
Maybe tidy up the closet or scrub the bathroom. Just one hour.
Rosalie and I commiserated about our fatigue and pledged to
be kinder to ourselves. Her plans for 2021 are all based on personal wellness.
That’s kind of all there is to focus on at this time. Pouring rain from a
pineapple river. Another indoor day and I am sure I can do better than TV and
food. I enjoyed every bite of the Mexican food that Hollie brought yesterday.
We each ordered two meals so we have more today. I can do a crossword puzzle.
Thank heavens for my dogs or I would have been completely
alone yesterday. I felt that it was a waste of a day of my life. Lots of days area
as quiet as that and I don’t get down on myself but yesterday I felt robbed. I must do better today for my mental health.
I can bundle up the documents and get
new file folders. I like a business arrangement where I can keep up to date. I can
break the snack and nap cycle.
Happy Friday after a noisy night with a high-strung dog
shaking and whining. I’m sorry about the
shot guns totters and fireworks shooters. Doesn’t change the year. It will be
the same routine. I plan to have a nap or two and good food choices. No resolutions
as I’m already living close to the bone with little to change or add. I enjoyed
putting up the new calendar om HSU. Good photography and heavy paper. Yesterday
I ate from the garden: kale, carrots beets, and onions.
