Reflections of My Life

RadishRose said:
It's nice to hear your widowed neighbor is feeling better well there must be something to the martial arts program.

Is that a cup of your homemade applesauce at the bottom of your post? Is it on a tray? very interesting, where did you get it?
Click to expand...
Yes, that was the applesauce I made today. Yes, it is on a metal tray that I use on the seat of my walker to make it into a tray table. I carry stuff on it and eat on it. I have had it for years. I think I bought it at Fortunoff's out on Long Island.
 

Sonny took me out to do errands yesterday. Went to the post office for money orders for my son's rent and my rent. I buy my money order a month in advance so I file that for now. I do that because our last manager wanted the rent on the first even though most people don't get their SS checks till the 3rd. I now get mine on the first, but at that time I got it on the 3rd. We have a different manager now and she gives you 10 days.

I give my son some cash from his check and I don't know what he buys but I think it is important that he gets something to spend freely. I pay all his bills online except the rent and he gives the money order to the landlord's assistant when she comes around for the rents. So we stop at his apartment and he comes down to the car for the cash and rent and then we go shopping. He asked if I would get him a bag of cat food at Walmart and we did that and brought it to him. He lives on the 2nd floor of his building so I can't go upstairs and neither can Sonny. I call him on the phone and he comes down to the car when we pull up. Works okay for now.

I switched coffee cups this morning, to a heavier one. The little one I was using was not heavy enough to trigger the mug warmer to keep the coffee warm. I am a slow drinker (of anything) and I like my coffee hot but I always ended up drinking cold coffee. This little thing works great but of course, I have to use a bigger cup. I think I had started using a smaller one so I drank it faster.

Today I have some meat to vacuum pack and then going to make a meatloaf using ground beef and breakfast sausage. It is an experiment that I have never made before. Other than that, planning on having my feet up off and on through out the day. I am liking this cooler weather, in fact, I just turned my heat on when I got up. 44 degrees.
 
This is my newest post on my blog. Applesauce in the Instant Pot is Simple and Easy. It was not easy to write! Seems that blogger changes the size and type of font and everything, even the html says it is set at what I set it at. Drives me crazy! I just write this for my own satisfaction and this takes the enjoyment out of it.
 

Today has been a pretty busy day for me. Started off the first thing (after coffee, of course) by taking the empty hay tote downstairs to my storage locker and bringing up a full one. Then did 3 loads of laundry, washing and drying this time. I only use one machine at a time just in case someone else wants to use one. There are only 4 and one is not working. Smaller loads work better for me anyway. So when one is in the dryer, l put another load in the washer.

I have taken almost all the clothing out of the closets and dressers and if I don't wear it, out it went. So now I have more room. Space is valuable and I cannot devote space to things I don't use or want. I did the same with sheets and pillowcases. If they are shabby, out! The stuff I kept, I washed whether it needed it or not and then organized the drawers or closets better.

It is raining now, but my window is open anyway. I love the fresh smell of outdoors. When I lived at my house, I used to sit on the porch when it was raining to have my morning coffee. I liked it. I could never say I liked it because my husband would wake up in a very bad mood if it was raining or snowing. If I was happy and liking the bad weather, he'd grumble about it all day. So I kept quiet and just talked to myself or my cats. Here I feel so free but sometimes I am afraid I will wake up and find out it is a dream.

I did manage to write a blog post today. I have been trying to write a few each week. I used to write them daily.....but not all years. Some years I only wrote a handful if that. Depends on what was going on at that time. I almost forgot that I vacuum packed the meat I bought at the store too. Whew! Now I am tired....
 
It is crazy........Sonny didn't get his SS check deposited in his account on Friday, as he should have. He called SS and today they finally answered him. They said he has to bring a photo ID, a utility bill and a letter from his bank..........to prove that he is alive! Now this is not the first time his checks have been late by a day or so but this is the first time he has to prove he is alive.
 
Today, I started using my new LegXercise! I did 7 minutes because I want to go slowly. My doctor said it was okay to use. She said it is like what they have in physical therapy and was happy for me to try it. It is passive exercise so I can sit down and watch television or color while I use it. Hardly felt like I was doing anything at all. It sounds too good to be true, but after talking to my doctor about it, I felt better.

Here is a video review about it. "The LegXercise PRO is a capable and easy to use automatic leg exercise machine for seniors and the elderly. It is designed to provide passive movement to the feet and legs to stimulate blood flow which, in turn, reduces leg pain, cramps, and swelling."

As he says it is not going to replace aerobic exercise. It is for people who are usually sitting and not able to be doing regular exercise. The reason I got it was that it is good for bad circulation and swelling in your legs and feet.

LegXercise Pro Review
 
Last edited:
I just saw this on fb and thought I should share it here.

I spent an hour in the bank with my dad,
as he had to transfer some money. I couldn't resist
myself and asked...
''Dad, why don't we activate your internet banking?''
''Why would I do that?'' He asked...
''Well, then you wont have to spend an hour here for
things like making a transfer.
You can even do your shopping online. Everything will
be so easy!''

I was so excited about initiating him into the world of
Net banking.
He asked ''If I do that, I wont have to step out of the
house?”
''Yes, yes''! I said. I told him how even groceries can
be delivered at your door now and how amazon
delivers everything!

His answer left me tongue-tied.
He said ''Since I entered this bank today, I have met
four of my friends, I have chatted awhile with the staff
who know me very well by now.
You know, I am alone...this is the company that I need.
I like to get ready and come to the bank. I have
enough time, it is the physical touch that I crave.

Two years back, I got sick. The store owner from whom
I buy fruits, came to see me and sat by my bedside
and cried.
When your Mom fell down a few days back while on
her morning walk, our local grocer saw her and
immediately got his car to rush her home as he knows
where I live.

Would I have that 'human' touch if everything became
online?
Why would I want everything delivered to me and force
me to interact with just my computer?
I like to know the person that I'm dealing with and not
just the 'seller'. It creates bonds of Relationships.
Does Amazon deliver all this as well?'''
Technology isn't life..
Spend time with people .. Not with devices.

Writer: Unknown

socializing.jpeg
 
When I first got "Rabbit" I did not know about "house rabbits" or that people kept them as house pets. I started my research to see how I could care for this sweet creature. Lennon the Bunny is my favorite bunny channel and have learned so many things from it. Here is video that it took Lorelei two years to make about the bunny breeding industry. So sad but it is the truth. People don't think of them as pets with feelings and value like they do with cats and dogs. People just dump them outside without a second thought. This video does not show any dead bunnies, just ones that have been neglected.

 
My aide came today. She cleaned the bathroom and did some laundry. I had my fairy lights on in the living room, on the silver Christmas tree that is on top of the curio cabinet. The lights trail across the cabinet door to a hanging basket and then to a vase with fall leaves in it (fake ones). They flash, fading from colored lights to warm (yellow) ones. I leave them up all year so when it is gloomy..........or I am gloomy, I turn them on. My aide really liked them and said how she needs to get some. I had a little box with several strands of them in it that I do not use nor want. They run on batteries and the ones I use are on a USB that is plugged in. So I gave them to her. You would have thought I gave a million dollars! lol More space in my closet now.

I made chicken noodle soup in the Instant Pot today.

Sonny had a stress test this morning and I worried about him all day. I kept busy though with my aide and making soup. By the time I called him, he was at home and said he was whipped but okay. Just tired. He said it took longer than usual because they brought in medical students who had never seen, nor some had ever heard of his condition, dextrocardia. That is when your heart is on the right side of your body instead of the left. He said the doctor told them to set up the test and didn't tell them about the condition. Then they realized there was no heart beat.........then he explained it was because the heart is on the other side. He said they all found it very interesting.
 
Not sure how I got so behind in reading your diary, because I enjoy your style of writing. I do feel bad when you’re having an off day. What nasty people those women are who ganged up on another who has been working hard for everyone else.

A suggestion to keep your coffee hot, get a stainless steel to-go coffee mug. Mine hold 2 cups and stays hot for a couple of hours while I sip on it. No fear of spills either.
 
Jules said:
Not sure how I got so behind in reading your diary, because I enjoy your style of writing. I do feel bad when you’re having an off day. What nasty people those women are who ganged up on another who has been working hard for everyone else.

A suggestion to keep your coffee hot, get a stainless steel to-go coffee mug. Mine hold 2 cups and stays hot for a couple of hours while I sip on it. No fear of spills either.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Jules! I appreciate you reading it.

I have a couple stainless steel water cups, one is really for wine (which I don't drink, I got it because it is pretty) and I think I will try it with coffee right now. Thank you for the tip!
 
katlupe said:
My aide came today. She cleaned the bathroom and did some laundry. I had my fairy lights on in the living room, on the silver Christmas tree that is on top of the curio cabinet. The lights trail across the cabinet door to a hanging basket and then to a vase with fall leaves in it (fake ones). They flash, fading from colored lights to warm (yellow) ones. I leave them up all year so when it is gloomy..........or I am gloomy, I turn them on. My aide really liked them and said how she needs to get some. I had a little box with several strands of them in it that I do not use nor want. They run on batteries and the ones I use are on a USB that is plugged in. So I gave them to her. You would have thought I gave a million dollars! lol More space in my closet now.

I made chicken noodle soup in the Instant Pot today.

Sonny had a stress test this morning and I worried about him all day. I kept busy though with my aide and making soup. By the time I called him, he was at home and said he was whipped but okay. Just tired. He said it took longer than usual because they brought in medical students who had never seen, nor some had ever heard of his condition, dextrocardia. That is when your heart is on the right side of your body instead of the left. He said the doctor told them to set up the test and didn't tell them about the condition. Then they realized there was no heart beat.........then he explained it was because the heart is on the other side. He said they all found it very interesting.
Click to expand...
I never knew about dextrocardia, so Mr Google help out. Hope your boyfriend and you are okay katlupe :)
 
Shero said:
I never knew about dextrocardia, so Mr Google help out. Hope your boyfriend and you are okay katlupe :)
Click to expand...
Thank you, Shero! We are fine. Sonny has known about this condition since he was 7 so nothing new on that. But he does not have a good heart or lungs (not anything to do with the dextrocardia) so he has to have doctor appointments and test quite often. He had a couple of heart attacks and has a pacemaker. He is pretty active though and does a lot of stuff.
 
Today I did a bit of walking and standing. I used my rolling walker instead of Jazzy. I am trying to use my legs instead of depending on the mobility chair all the time. When Sonny comes here tomorrow to take me to the store, I am going to have him take his scooter back to his house. I tried to use it but I am used to Jazzy and just don't feel comfortable enough to drive his scooter on the elevator, let alone down the street.

Jazzy does "zero turns" and believe me, that makes a ton of difference! I can turn around in the elevator as well as in my bathroom. A scooter needs room. The lady across the hall and my friend downstairs both have scooters and go in the elevator all the time with them. I tried but not going to try anymore. I will wait for Jazzy to get the new tires and besides the weather is turning cooler and wetter. I will not get Jazzy's wheels wet so I don't take it outside anyway this time of year.

I didn't have to do any cooking except heating up the soup today. I have very few dishes and silverware to wash. That is why I like to make a pot of something that will last a few days. I will have a dish of the applesauce I made a little later.
 
My aide comes today. Just because I now have an aide it doesn't mean I won't be doing my own housework. I am going to have her do the jobs I have a hard time doing. I don't think I will have her do my laundry unless for some reason I cannot do it. I am particular about the way things are washed and folded. She is not a perfect aide by any means and I feel she will learn how I like things as we go along. Today she can do the vacuuming and clean the top of the stove, the hood and the back side and wall of the counter.

I worked in the past as a home health aid, a personal care aide and certified nurse's aide so I understand the jobs. The thing is that since a social agency administers this program to help seniors stay in their own homes, it is a lot of paperwork but not much else. They give you the okay to hire an aide and now you are on your own. There is no screening of the applicants. No references. No ongoing interaction with the aides.

They say it is up to you to do the hiring and firing. The agencies I worked for in the past were not through a government program. They were private agencies that either the people's insurance or they themselves paid for. We had to be drug tested, had a background check, references and regular in-services to make sure you knew what you were doing or how to do it. It is not easy to become a boss over someone when you have not been in that position before. And what about elderly or disabled people who are weak and need assistance but are not able to govern what an aide is doing in their homes?
 
Today I did 10 minutes on the Legexerciser. You could actually fall asleep doing it because the machine does the work as long as you keep your feet positioned on it. I keep adding time to it. I see today I did 510 movements, I will not call it steps because it is not truly steps. Not a substitute for an aerobic exercise. For my Lymphedema only. I am hoping to be able to walk with walker for exercise for now. Eventually I want to join the YMCA for swimming. Not yet though.
 
Sonny just left so I wanted to get on here and tell you that I got Rabbit's eye medicine and put it in his eye. He was a good little guy. I didn't even need Sonny to help me. Now say a prayer that it works and his eye will be all better in a few days. No rabbit vets around here and he would not do well riding a long way in a car.

Nighty night, my friends!
 
Our trees around here have just started adding some real color. Of course, I hadn't been out to the country lately. I just love this time of the year, especially once it really cools down. Soon I will have to cover my air conditioner. I am not taking it out though.

Yesterday my aide came and I had her clean the top of the stove and hood and vacuumed. I always like how my apartment looks after vacuuming. I sweep up hay daily but the vacuuming is best. I used to do it every day or at least every other day. I think I will do it once a week now and have her do it once a week too. I am not going to be too fussy anymore but have to work on that. I find myself stopping myself from doing something because now I have someone who can do it for me.

Mopping is another story..........at least until I get the new mop I ordered. It is supposed to be delivered on the 12th, so I will see.

Yesterday Sonny took me to Tractor Supply to get Rabbit's eye medicine. They were out of it so Sonny asked them to contact the one in the next town (Greene) and yes, they had it. So we drove there, about 15 miles or so. That is where Sonny takes his dog, Cinnamon to the dog wash. So he had to take me in it to show it to me. It is pretty nice. A nice idea for people to wash their dogs in the store. Cinnamon likes it and so does Sonny.
 
I was getting ready for Sonny to get here and go to the coffee hour meeting downstairs today when my neighbors across the hall came to me when I got off the elevator after getting my mail. They said they wanted to talk to me in private???? We went into my apartment and then they told me that neither one of them can do the meetings and plan the activities anymore. They both have health issues among other things. They discussed it and I was the only person they thought could do the job.

I was SO surprised and truly honored! It means handling the funds that are collected for dues ($2.00 a month and not everyone gives or has to). I went to the meeting and they spoke up and told everyone there I would be taking over. I will try to do a good job.

I will get the book and the rest of the stuff for this tomorrow. They will help me learn how to do it.

After the meeting, Sonny and I went upstairs to talk to another friend about her mobility scooter. She has two and wants to get rid of this one that is sitting outside her door. She said she will sell it real cheap. She is a real sweet lady so I would like to help her. The thing is that this scooter has not been started in a long time, even though she used to use it. The batteries have to be replaced so there was no way to try it out.

I think she thought Sonny would be able to sell it to someone since he sells all kinds of things. It is purple (my favorite color) and would be really sharp if she was able to clean it up. I think maybe she should get someone to clean it for her. The seat is beautiful. It is called a Rascal 300 and when I looked them up, seems like they went out of business but Walgreens seems to have a supply of them still (probably bought a large amount when they went out of business). If someone was able to buy the batteries for it (not cheap about $300 for the two it needs) and buy it from her for less than a hundred dollars it would probably be a good buy.
 
katlupe said:
I was getting ready for Sonny to get here and go to the coffee hour meeting downstairs today when my neighbors across the hall came to me when I got off the elevator after getting my mail. They said they wanted to talk to me in private???? We went into my apartment and then they told me that neither one of them can do the meetings and plan the activities anymore. They both have health issues among other things. They discussed it and I was the only person they thought could do the job.

I was SO surprised and truly honored! It means handling the funds that are collected for dues ($2.00 a month and not everyone gives or has to). I went to the meeting and they spoke up and told everyone there I would be taking over. I will try to do a good job.

I will get the book and the rest of the stuff for this tomorrow. They will help me learn how to do it.

After the meeting, Sonny and I went upstairs to talk to another friend about her mobility scooter. She has two and wants to get rid of this one that is sitting outside her door. She said she will sell it real cheap. She is a real sweet lady so I would like to help her. The thing is that this scooter has not been started in a long time, even though she used to use it. The batteries have to be replaced so there was no way to try it out.

I think she thought Sonny would be able to sell it to someone since he sells all kinds of things. It is purple (my favorite color) and would be really sharp if she was able to clean it up. I think maybe she should get someone to clean it for her. The seat is beautiful. It is called a Rascal 300 and when I looked them up, seems like they went out of business but Walgreens seems to have a supply of them still (probably bought a large amount when they went out of business). If someone was able to buy the batteries for it (not cheap about $300 for the two it needs) and buy it from her for less than a hundred dollars it would probably be a good buy.
Click to expand...
Kat, I'm so pleased about you taking over the tenants meetings! You're gonna be great; you have a nice personality, you're smart and you stay on top of things. They're gonna love you if they don't already.

It's so kind of you and Sonny to help the lady with her scooter.

I never heard of a dog wash before! What is it like; a big room with hot and cold water and do they have tubs? Whatever it is, it's gotta be better than splashing water all over the bathroom and soaking up all your towels, well I assume they have dryers there.
 
RadishRose said:
Kat, I'm so pleased about you taking over the tenants meetings! You're gonna be great; you have a nice personality, you're smart and you stay on top of things. They're gonna love you if they don't already.

It's so kind of you and Sonny to help the lady with her scooter.

I never heard of a dog wash before! What is it like; a big room with hot and cold water and do they have tubs? Whatever it is, it's gotta be better than splashing water all over the bathroom and soaking up all your towels, well I assume they have dryers there.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Radish! I will do my best for them.

A dog wash is a big room in the back of Tractor Supply. They have everything you need to shower your dog. The tubs are stainless steel and have a ramp and a door built into the side of the tub. Once your dog is inside you shut the door. The showers have handheld sprayers that you control and many different types of shampoo and conditioners. Then there is table to dry them on with built in hair dryers.

I am not sure what it cost. I will find out. But what is nice is that you can stand up while you bathe your dog which is good for Sonny. So it is worth it. Cinnamon likes it.


showering.jpg
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top