Sunny Summer Day in July

I decided to start walking the hallways of the first and second floor to see if I can't convince my body that a little exercise isn't going to hurt that much. I used my walker as I do better with it and I had my ipod plugged in 'cause I do even better with music.  Met one couple just down the hall who were going out for their smoke break and met one caregiver who was doing the laundry for her guy. I may go out again this afternoon or early evening but do it outside.

I spent the morning at the sewing machine and ironing board working on my crumb quilt steps to make more bags.  Got quite a bit sewn, snipped, and pressed and I think I'll cut a few 6" squares to see what I have to work with.  Finished my jigsaw puzzle yesterday (a new one fresh out of the box) but I ended up missing two pieces. I hunted around behind and underneath various things nearby as the puzzle was one of those that weren't interlocking and the pieces kept moving during the whole process. I did find one in this bin under the table but the other piece has escaped.  I even went through the vacuum and the very icky and smelly garbage can.  I found one small puzzle piece under the recliner but it didn't belong to this puzzle. I think I accidently added it to the box, however, so whenever I get ready to do the next puzzle, I'll have to hunt for that small piece as I know one of them will be missing a piece.  Oh, the struggles of a jigsaw puzzle worker.

My skin is still itchy (especially after a shower) but not near as horrible as it had been. I took a Benadryl before going to bed a  couple nights ago and I think it helped. Yesterday afternoon/evening I noticed I was having a very hard time walking on my feet. They just plain hurt. No clue why but I guess it was neuropathy again.  I went to bed at 10 and woke up with severe toe, foot, and low ankle cramps.  Real doozies that had me using the walker to even get to the bathroom.  I slept the rest of the night in the recliner and happily, no more occurred. I am definitely going to be more diligent with taking my potassium pills. Sometimes I get lazy and I always pay for it. I probably haven't been drinking enough water either. And I'm going to up my banana snacks.  I'm always curious why those cramps leave me alone for weeks and then whammo! Back with a vengeance.

I put on my support stockings this morning. I don't know if they will help at all and they do look kind of old lady like when I wear shorter pants (like today) but what the hell! I'm in an old lady frame of mind and who cares if I look the part.

Mary Gaboury walked over and stayed about a half hour or so but she had to leave as her arm was giving her a lot of grief and she needed to lie down. She thinks it's a bulging disc.  Mary, Andy, Jake, and Poppy stopped in yesterday for about an hour.

The daughter of one of my half sisters got married in the woods in Oregon recently and posted it on Facebook. Here's Randy and Whitney.

I went down to the courtyard yesterday afternoon to socialize a bit. Only a dozen showed up but apparently, that's a good crowd as a lot of the residents don't want to leave their room. I didn't really want to either but I'm glad I did. The new activities director is a keeper and I think she'll be successful at putting some life back in this place.

Some of the things I intend to participate in include planting seeds and weeding in the flower beds in the courtyard, going to stretching and exercise classes, playing trivis pursuit, writing to servicemen, doing crafts, checking out books, puzzles, and movies, playing bingo (maybe, maybe not), and participating in some project the historical society wants to do where residents share (orally) their experiences dealing with the pandemic.  I'm hoping they'll get a newsletter going too and a directory telling us names, birthdays, and bios, etc. Seems a shame to not get to know your neighbors.  A few asked why the manager continues to keep the pool room closed and how if they wear masks and gloves, it certainly doesn't present a danger.  The manager wasn't even at the barbeque which I thought was strange as you'd think she'd help the new activities director and introduce her, etc. Our dinner was shish-ka-bobs (tasty), potato salad (also tasty), watermelon, and this delightful almond cake with strawberry and whip cream on top.  I've opted to take the alternates three times this week as I'm not always keen on what's on the menu. Especially if I've had it before. Today is pasta salad, marinated chicken and broccoli. I opted for a cheeseburger.  Tuesday is taco soup and Saturday is balsamic chicken salad. I've opted for the large vegetable salad on those two days.

Mary sent me this photo on my phone of Jake in a raft at Adelma Beach. I can't see it too well but I think that's Andy with him.

 Here's some of the pictures I took at the bbq yesterday.

and here's my video for today.  Remembering the Waltons....