Reflections of My Life

katlupe said:
Depends on my manager (or whoever is in charge here right now). They should actually put storm windows on all the apartments since the cost of electric is up. But they won't pay for that I am sure.
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well if they don't agree with paying for the blinds, would it be possible for you to buy them if they agree to install them for you ?
 

katlupe said:
I will ask. These windows are huge so they would have to install them for me.
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I have double glazing.. and good seals on my windows, so there's no draught when the windows are closed.. and also have blackout blinds everywhere except in the livingroom, where I have blackout curtains.. for winter.. you definitely need to be able to stop the draughts, and to retain the heat that is alredy in the house, through winter.. so fingers crossed they'll agree to install them for you..
 

One of the projects I am working on (and have been probably since I got here in 2018) is to make better use of my dresser drawers, vanity drawers and the cedar chest. I have been watching YouTube videos on seniors downsizing. The biggest obstacle for them was moving from a large house to a smaller condo/apartment or smaller house. I did one of the biggest mistakes that was mentioned in almost every video.......bringing things with you that you end up getting rid of after you are moved in. The smart ones sold or gave away everything they had and bought new. The reason being that your old house is not the same as your new place.

I have three pieces of furniture for sitting on or sleeping in. The bed, recliner and the wing back chair. Then seven more pieces that are not categorized. The footstool, the vanity stool, the step stool, a wood bar stool (in kitchen), an office chair, a kitchen table and one chair with it. For storage furniture (most important in a small space!) I have a cedar chest, two big dressers, a vanity, the curio cabinet, a file cabinet and two bookcases (one large and one small). Eight more! Altogether is EIGHTEEN PIECES in this tiny studio apartment!!! How can that be?

As for getting rid of everything you have and buying new when you move, I do not agree with that. Maybe the people they interviewed could afford that but not everyone can. Why replace items that you already have or love? I admit it, I get connected to my things and it is hard to let them go. Furniture is one thing but the other "stuff" is a whole other story. I am letting that go. Well, a good amount of it.

My objective in this project is to make more room for my walker and mobility chair. Right now I only use the mobility chair when I go outside or down to the laundry room when it is too painful to walk. Plus the less I have the easier it is to clean (always a good reason!). When I die I do not have someone to go through my stuff so I need to plan this now.
 
The sun is shining so I am going to walk over to the drugstore........yes! I am going to buy some ice cream. I have been kind of depressed lately, which is not normal for me. So I said to myself, "what the heck? Does it really matter?" Someone over here (this forum) has put ice cream in my head for a few days now. :giggle:
 
katlupe said:
The sun is shining so I am going to walk over to the drugstore........yes! I am going to buy some ice cream. I have been kind of depressed lately, which is not normal for me. So I said to myself, "what the heck? Does it really matter?" Someone over here (this forum) has put ice cream in my head for a few days now. :giggle:
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Someone here must have done that to me, too! No ice cream for two months, then 3 days ago, bam, had to buy sone. It was worth the trip.😊
 
katlupe said:
The sun is shining so I am going to walk over to the drugstore........yes! I am going to buy some ice cream. I have been kind of depressed lately, which is not normal for me. So I said to myself, "what the heck? Does it really matter?" Someone over here (this forum) has put ice cream in my head for a few days now. :giggle:
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If it helps you feel better Kat.. I bought a very expensive Tub of Strawberries and cream Ice cream today .. as well :p
 
katlupe said:
One of the projects I am working on (and have been probably since I got here in 2018) is to make better use of my dresser drawers, vanity drawers and the cedar chest. I have been watching YouTube videos on seniors downsizing. The biggest obstacle for them was moving from a large house to a smaller condo/apartment or smaller house. I did one of the biggest mistakes that was mentioned in almost every video.......bringing things with you that you end up getting rid of after you are moved in. The smart ones sold or gave away everything they had and bought new. The reason being that your old house is not the same as your new place.

I have three pieces of furniture for sitting on or sleeping in. The bed, recliner and the wing back chair. Then seven more pieces that are not categorized. The footstool, the vanity stool, the step stool, a wood bar stool (in kitchen), an office chair, a kitchen table and one chair with it. For storage furniture (most important in a small space!) I have a cedar chest, two big dressers, a vanity, the curio cabinet, a file cabinet and two bookcases (one large and one small). Eight more! Altogether is EIGHTEEN PIECES in this tiny studio apartment!!! How can that be?

As for getting rid of everything you have and buying new when you move, I do not agree with that. Maybe the people they interviewed could afford that but not everyone can. Why replace items that you already have or love? I admit it, I get connected to my things and it is hard to let them go. Furniture is one thing but the other "stuff" is a whole other story. I am letting that go. Well, a good amount of it.

My objective in this project is to make more room for my walker and mobility chair. Right now I only use the mobility chair when I go outside or down to the laundry room when it is too painful to walk. Plus the less I have the easier it is to clean (always a good reason!). When I die I do not have someone to go through my stuff so I need to plan this now.
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yes it's really important while you're still mobile and relatively able to clear out everything that you know you won't need...and when you buy new things, make it a one in one out policy..
 
Up early this morning. Having coffee and just enjoying the quiet. The only sound I hear is the refrigerator and the occasional sound of the coffeemaker keeping my coffee hot. Now the heater too. I will never get tired of the freedom of getting up at whatever time I want and turning the coffee and my computer on. The perks of living alone for me. I will be having a busy day today so once I woke up I wanted to get right up. While I wait for the coffee every morning is the time I spend studying scriptures and praying. It makes me start my days in a positive frame of mind. Feels like someone is with me on my side.

Well November is on the horizon. I expect it to be a busy month for me. Not due to Thanksgiving, but just due to life. My life. Hopefully I will have good news on the 11th when I see the oral surgeon. Need to have teeth extracted and hopefully get decent fitting dentures. The first one I went to left a traumatic experience in my mind or brain and have kept putting it off. Now I am ready for it but it was the dental office who kept canceling appointments.

I am trying to actively deal with my Lymphedema. I still have a problem with compression stockings. The book, The Lymphatic Code by Leslyn Keith is helpful as well as a YouTube channel I subscribe to. Dry brushing and magnesium oil before my showers is important. Most of the time I do not do it because I don't think of it until I am already in the shower. So putting a post it note out to remind myself. I have no problem with doing the different exercises like ankle or toe pumps. I have not been putting my legs up high when I go to bed due to sleeping in the recliner. I can't recline it back because I am so afraid of Rabbit going under it. I need to get back to sleeping in my bed and I am working on that right now.
 
katlupe said:
Up early this morning. Having coffee and just enjoying the quiet. The only sound I hear is the refrigerator and the occasional sound of the coffeemaker keeping my coffee hot. Now the heater too. I will never get tired of the freedom of getting up at whatever time I want and turning the coffee and my computer on. The perks of living alone for me. I will be having a busy day today so once I woke up I wanted to get right up. While I wait for the coffee every morning is the time I spend studying scriptures and praying. It makes me start my days in a positive frame of mind. Feels like someone is with me on my side.

Well November is on the horizon. I expect it to be a busy month for me. Not due to Thanksgiving, but just due to life. My life. Hopefully I will have good news on the 11th when I see the oral surgeon. Need to have teeth extracted and hopefully get decent fitting dentures. The first one I went to left a traumatic experience in my mind or brain and have kept putting it off. Now I am ready for it but it was the dental office who kept canceling appointments.

I am trying to actively deal with my Lymphedema. I still have a problem with compression stockings. The book, The Lymphatic Code by Leslyn Keith is helpful as well as a YouTube channel I subscribe to. Dry brushing and magnesium oil before my showers is important. Most of the time I do not do it because I don't think of it until I am already in the shower. So putting a post it note out to remind myself. I have no problem with doing the different exercises like ankle or toe pumps. I have not been putting my legs up high when I go to bed due to sleeping in the recliner. I can't recline it back because I am so afraid of Rabbit going under it. I need to get back to sleeping in my bed and I am working on that right now.
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Kat, tell me more about your lymphedema and what has caused it. My husband had it in an arm and I had to be trained to do massage therapy and wrapping. I might be able to offer some advice. You can send me a private message if you like.
 
Blessed said:
Kat, tell me more about your lymphedema and what has caused it. My husband had it in an arm and I had to be trained to do massage therapy and wrapping. I might be able to offer some advice. You can send me a private message if you like.
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I am not sure what exactly has caused it. I have had my feet swell in hot weather for a long time now. As I got older it got worse. I go to a Lymphedema therapist and she said I have a mild case. Mine is not very noticeable to others. I have seen some that is pretty bad. I do my own massage therapy as I cannot go to the therapist often due to she is overbooked and it is a long ride for me to get there. I have been living with a lot of stress this last year and that does not help. I am hopeful it is about to end.
 
katlupe said:
I am not sure what exactly has caused it. I have had my feet swell in hot weather for a long time now. As I got older it got worse. I go to a Lymphedema therapist and she said I have a mild case. Mine is not very noticeable to others. I have seen some that is pretty bad. I do my own massage therapy as I cannot go to the therapist often due to she is overbooked and it is a long ride for me to get there. I have been living with a lot of stress this last year and that does not help. I am hopeful it is about to end.
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I am glad to hear it is mild. I hope she has taught you how to do massage to keep the fluid moving. I assume that she has told you to massage not only the legs but also your groin area and you tummy and underarms and neck. If the whole lymphatic system is massaged it helps the fluid move thru you body. It people can massage your back that is also helpful. I have a couple of machines here dedicated to moving fluid in the arms and legs. They were not prescribed for me, but I did use the leg machine when I had a hip replacement. That was why I asked what type of therapy was recommended. Massage, wrapping and a machine that moves the fluid from the affected limb can be very important. It might be something to ask the doctor about. You might qualify for a piece of equipment that can help prevent fluid build up. Have they or you talked about this?
 
Kat, I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly about the joy of being able to get up when I want and do instantly exactly what I want is one of the few joys in my life since my husband has been gone this last year...
 
Blessed said:
I am glad to hear it is mild. I hope she has taught you how to do massage to keep the fluid moving. I assume that she has told you to massage not only the legs but also your groin area and you tummy and underarms and neck. If the whole lymphatic system is massaged it helps the fluid move thru you body. It people can massage your back that is also helpful. I have a couple of machines here dedicated to moving fluid in the arms and legs. They were not prescribed for me, but I did use the leg machine when I had a hip replacement. That was why I asked what type of therapy was recommended. Massage, wrapping and a machine that moves the fluid from the affected limb can be very important. It might be something to ask the doctor about. You might qualify for a piece of equipment that can help prevent fluid build up. Have they or you talked about this?
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No, they haven't talked to me about any equipment. I think because it is mild. I use compression stockings daily and have a wedge to put my feet up in bed. Also the dry brushing, magnesium oil and the massage therapy is part of my routine. I have a passive exercise machine which is for movement, not aerobic. Yes, she has shown me exactly how to do the massage therapy and I also watch the therapist on YouTube, who is very good.
 
I am glad to hear it. Just be sure you stay on top of it or it could get worse. I dealt with it in my husband as well as out best family friend. It can get worse without care everyday. If you feel that your legs are getting hard to the touch it is time to see the doctor. That might be the time you need equiqment that can help move fluid out of your leg. I would send you mine but am worried about having to have a hip replacement on my other hip.
 
Blessed said:
I am glad to hear it. Just be sure you stay on top of it or it could get worse. I dealt with it in my husband as well as out best family friend. It can get worse without care everyday. If you feel that your legs are getting hard to the touch it is time to see the doctor. That might be the time you need equiqment that can help move fluid out of your leg. I would send you mine but am worried about having to have a hip replacement on my other hip.
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I do see my doctor regularly. Right now though, she is recovering from an automobile accident. I have an appointment with her on Nov. 8th. I just saw my Lymphedema therapist on the 6th of this month. Believe me she does not miss anything on my body. What a massage she gives me! What is the name of the equipment you have?
 
katlupe said:
I do see my doctor regularly. Right now though, she is recovering from an automobile accident. I have an appointment with her on Nov. 8th. I just saw my Lymphedema therapist on the 6th of this month. Believe me she does not miss anything on my body. What a massage she gives me! What is the name of the equipment you have?
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The one I have says Tactile Medical Flexitouch plus. it was my best friends who had problems with his legs due to diabetes. He came to stay with me for a few months after a below the knee amputation in 2017. He passed a few years later (2020). He left everything to my son. My son brought it here. I had the hip replacement March of 2021, my surgeon mentioned that might be something to get. I told him I had one. He told me to use it to keep everthing moving fluid and to prevent blood clots. I was already familiar with it, my husband had one for his arm due to damage from cancer.
 
I have had a stressful week. Going through a tough situation that I don't really want to share just yet. Maybe I will in the near future. For now, just dealing with it day by day. So yesterday I worked my way though it by cleaning my big bookcase that sits right behind the chair I am sitting in right now. It is not a good piece of furniture. I have thought about replacing it, but my daddy built it. Nothing fancy, I think he just threw together a bunch of scraps of wood. It is painted the same color of his house (the wood parts). He used it for his books and when he died I took it home with me.

Anyway, from time to time it gets messy. And dusty! Very dusty! I store my CDs on it as well as some other stuff. The bottom shelf is where I keep my shoes. As soon as I come in the door I can take them off and put them away immediately. I can turn my computer chair around to face the shelf and get whatever I need off it without getting up (yes, I know it is good to get up from the computer, which I do many times but sometimes I need to grab something quick).

In my quest to make things easier for me in this apartment, I figured out a way to keep "Jazzy" (mobility chair) in the bathroom while I use the shower. I had been storing it close to the shower and did not want to get it wet or have to squeeze into the shower. I need the walker right outside the shower. By placing Jazzy at an angle nearer to the water dispenser, I have plenty of room near the shower. It is far enough away that even accidentally I don't get it wet. One less job to do and makes it easier for me.

Another job I have yet to work on is my water dispenser. It leaked water out a couple of months ago. Since then I have not been using it. I am hoping it was something Sonny did when he put the jug on it. I need to test it. I can see the value of having it sitting in a tray of some sort so if water ever did leak out again it would not flood my bathroom (and possibly my friend's apartment downstairs). I do not like using plastic bottles and jugs for my water, but I can't see any way out of that. Except for a water filter system on my sinks and shower. In an apartment building such as this, I don't think that is possible. I keep researching water filters such as the one that is just for drinking and cooking that is not attached to the sink. In fact, I had one but never figured it out or when I was using it if it was actually doing any good. Plus the filters for it were really expensive. So I take my chances.

I think I will prep some food for the week today. I did not do so well on the meat only challenge so am back to Atkins 72, which has always been the best plan for me. I do love my vegetables and so does this body I have. Hope whoever reads this today is having a great day!
 
My friend is all excited about a kitten she met at the SPCA shelter last week. He came right to her and she had all her paperwork done but the shelter told her she could not get him until Wed. It has taken her WEEKS to get permission from the management here to be allowed to replace her cat that died. First they said absolutely not since her boyfriend has a cat too. She had to get a paper from her doctor that said she needed one for her mental state (she has Parkinson's). Finally they said okay but she had to go above the substitute manager's head.

So she gets all excited about that kitten who's name is Willy. It is one I had posted on my fakebook page so I am familiar with him. Yesterday I go to the shelter's newest posts and see they adopted him out to someone else! I cannot tell her. She will be so depressed! I do not know why they make her wait to get one when they have so many. But the people who adopted him adopted two and they must have come in after she was there and they assured her Willy was going to be her cat. The reason she picked him was because as soon as she sat down he came right to her and jumped on her lap. That is what she wanted, the kitten to pick her. Now I am dreading when she goes there to pick him up. I keep hoping another kitten will do that, jump on her lap.
 

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