Getting Older

There are some days (or perhaps even weeks or months) when I sense that I've aged a little quicker than I would normally.  I know that sounds  corny but it always puzzles me when I have days (more of them lately) that I just plain can't function without a nap!  Maybe it's when I haven't slept particularly well the night before. Or maybe it's when my body is acting up in one place or another with life's little aches and pains.  Those days have been happening more frequently and I find it very annoying.

I usually think about my dad when I head to my recliner for my afternoon nap.  He was always napping in his 70's and 80's but I didn't think much about it at the time except to take note that he was slowing down.  I've sure slowed down these past few years.  My low back has been an issue since about 2003.  Can't recall ever injuring it so I usually blame it on the weight I'm carrying. Which may or may not be the problem.  I certainly realize that I'd be feeling a whole lot better with less blubber hanging on but getting rid of it seems to be out of my reach.  I've had weight loss goals my entire life and have managed off and on to be a little successful.  Not in my senior years, however.

Once I took that little stumble in the yard a few years ago and had to have knee replacement and then shoulder replacement, things just never improved.  I do miss my bike riding but I'm too fearful now to even think about getting out there.  But I'm okay with that 'cause I also like walking. Especially with music and a camera. But..... seems like it's not going to be a walk in the park for me with that exercise either.

I went out one day with two walking sticks and I did just fine and dandy. I was so pleased. I figured a daily walk was going to be my salvation back to getting fit.  The next day, however, I found even walking a short distance was out of the question. My back was a little uncomfortable but my feet were not.  I couldn't believe it!  Since then I've had episodes of what I guess is plantar fascitis or heel spurs.   I change shoes sometimes two or three times a day trying to find a comfortable pair. Some days are better than others.

It can get darn depressing having your mobility challenged.  Everyone knows that fresh air and daily outdoor exercise is good for what ails you.  I'm not a fan of indoor exercise and never have been but I guess I'm going to have to work on that if getting outside is going to continue to be the challenge it is.
I sure envy the people I read about on Facebook who are going here and going there and doing this or that.

I'm sure that's contributing to my little bouts of depression that spark up from time to time. I can pretty much bat them down again by keeping busy with reading, writing, computer games, sewing, and tv but the nicer weather does make me wish for a stronger body to get me out there.  I think I'm in a feel sorry for myself mood today which is why my blog piece this afternoon is crying the blues. I'll pull myself together and have a good talk with myself about how nobody is going to fix this if I don't fix it myself.

My May calendar was looking rather empty but it's slowly filling up.  John O'Brien is stopping by tomorrow so we can go to lunch and Bob Blaurock invited me to his 75th birthday on May 13 out in Sequim.  I do intend to hit that party with camera in hand. Especially since I'm counting on live music being featured so I can tape it.  On the 18th, Mary Gaboury is bringing her car to Port Angeles for servicing and I'll pick her up for lunch. We've already decided the casino suits us fine.  On the 20th, I'll drive to Port Townsend for the Rhody Parade. Sister-in-law Lill is hanging out with me and we'll meet up with two cousins coming from Tacoma.

I woke up this morning from a night filled with nightmares.  Terrible ones.  Made me feel blue but I worked through it.  Sat down at the sewing machine and watched old Twilight Zone episodes while I sewed together one more strip quilt.  I had a pile of strips I was going to store away but thought there was probably enough to get another small blanket done.  Now I'm looking at six quilts that need backing.  I'm not real good at putting on the backing but one way or the other, I'm determined to get them all finished so I can move on to another sewing project.

Have got to work on selling my books too.  I haven't put much effort into it as I keep hoping I'll sell some at the alumni social hour in June.  I have two copies in two Port Angeles book stores and nine copies in the Port Townsend book store -- William James on Water Street.  Also put one in at the Port Angeles library a few days ago.

My new paper shredder arrived yesterday so I finally got rid of a stack of old bills and medical records I'd been storing in the closet.  Next up is to see about getting the carpet cleaned and to find someone to cut my grass a couple times a month.

Jake had his preschool picture taken a while back so I've got to show that off.  So dang cute.

Jenni and Wayne are getting closer to putting their house on the market so they can put a new mobile home on their property about 10 miles further west out near the highway.  She's been putting in a lot of time cleaning and painting.  Mary is in NY today on business.  Has a big party to go to tonight with NBC folks.  Next month she goes again and Andy and Jake will go with her on that one so Andy can visit his relatives. They're gonna be so surprised to see how much Jake has grown.

Here's the last couple of strip quilts I've put together...

I've got a potato baking in the oven for supper. Gonna top it with broccoli. Yum!  Think I'll put my book on eBay now -- if I can remember how to list something.  Maybe I'll ask Hunter.  Oh, by the way, he just participated in this state wide USAskills contest in Yakima for car maintenance or something along those lines. Anyhow, he came in 5th and got a $1000 scholarship to Universal Technical Institute.

And I'm off.