Reflections of My Life

My Bible devotion this morning was about accepting changes as we grow older. I think I accepted it. I don't stare at myself in the mirror and say, "what happened?" I just figure out how to make the best of it and be my best. Change happens to everyone and everything. If it didn't.........I would hate to be a child at 72! I know some people act like one but I prefer to act my age. Whatever that might be since I don't really know. Just being myself. Trying to be nice to others in the process.

I am experimenting with making popsicles with SALTY electrolytes. My popsicle mold came yesterday and I am anxious to see what I can make with it. I usually use LMNT electrolytes but ordered the SALTY ones made by Keto Chow just to try it. I don't really like those so will stick with LMNT from now on. I have 2 bags of SALTY so going to try to use them for other things. Like slushies and popsicles. Maybe they will taste better frozen.
 

It seems to me that hot weather is just as bad as cold weather. I can walk outside better in the cold weather as long as it is not snowing or raining. Hot weather keeps me inside too. I try to make the best of whatever weather we are having but the hot weather is too much for me now. I know people move to warm climates so they don't have to clean up or drive in the snow. I remember living in St. Petersburg and suffering there too. I could not wait to leave.

Now I have more ice cubes, popsicles & ice cream in my freezer. Making deviled eggs this morning so I will have some cold food. Maybe will make a sardine salad for another cold food option. I thawed out a chuck roast and will make that probably in the IP. That would give me a few meals this week. Time to make more Keto Chow too.
 
I made a beautiful chuck roast for supper. I think I have enough left over for 3 more meals. I made a gravy of the juices with the beef broth I cooked it in. I used cream to thicken it a bit. It was very good. It was almost twenty dollars. So if I get 4 meals out of it that will be $5.00 a meal. But if I can squeeze out 5 meals it will be a dollar less. Don't know if I will like eating it for that many meals though. I usually get tired of the same meal after the 2nd or 3rd meal. To save money though, maybe.

I walked to the post office this morning. It was tough, but I did it. Had to get my rent money order and I mailed another package of photos to my husband. Now I have just one more to go. Then I can work on ones for my cousins. I use a paypal shipping link and print the label out so that is all I have to do. Used a flat rate envelope. They are double the price they used to be when I sold on eBay.

I have been trying to organize my kitchen better. The trouble is everything I use is where I need it to be. Tomorrow I am going to clean out the lazy Susan and maybe get rid of things I don't eat anymore. Jeff might want them.
 
It takes three days to mail something Priority Mail 16 miles. I could mail packages to CA faster than that back when I was selling on eBay and Amazon.

Food industry manufacturers should have to put the true serving sizes on the packages. Did you ever buy a product based on the calories or carbs and then find out if you ate a true serving it was four times as much? Sometimes it looks like something should be enough for a whole family to eat but really it is only enough for one. Forget the 2nd helpings!

I love the company Keto Chow and their shakes and mineral supplements. For the most part the owners are the nicest people and try to help everyone. In the last year they came out with a new product called SALTY. An electrolyte powder to put in water. All the Keto and carnivore channels started promoting it. Before they came out with that product, LMNT, another electrolyte company with the same type of product had been promoting it for years on some of these same channels.

LMNT's slogan has been "Stay Salty" for the whole time. So it seems like Keto Chow should have chosen a different name. I like LMNT's product best for the taste. The SALTY product from Keto Chow tastes like Sweet Tarts to me. I bought two bags of it and am now using them for popsicles. Yesterday I received another free gift from LMNT (for insiders who order regularly from them). It was a surprise. A water bottle with their name on it. Maybe they are trying to retain their regular customers?
 
My day is done. Got my kitchen back together after spending the day cleaning and organizing cupboards and the counter space. I have to keep the items I use often within easy reach. I think my days of standing on a chair or a stool are long gone. Lately I have to use the walker in my apartment. Not easy but it is my life and it could be worst. So no complaints.

Tomorrow Sonny is coming to take me to do my errands. I know he is coming early because he has to go to his cardio rehab in the afternoon. I never look forward to that day because everywhere we go is crowded. But I think we will skip going to Walmart since I KNOW it will be a mad house due to the 4th. After that I will be staying home. There is an outdoor party out back tomorrow but I am not going. Too many smokers and I can't take the hot weather.
 
The cuteness of this particular memory of Rabbit warms my heart so much.
In my fakebook memories today:
July 3, 2017

"Yesterday, I took Rabbit's cage outside and completely washed it down. Inside and out and the tray underneath. Then let it sit in the sun as long as I dared. When I came inside to get the hot water, he was sitting in the spot next to where his cage belongs. I put the litter box that was in the cage there, just in case he needed it."

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This morning I was stressed out. It was my errand day. When Jeff's money comes in and I have to pay his bills and get him what he needs. Well, I bought an air conditioner first thing this morning from Walmart online. To pick up at the store. The reason I did not have it delivered is because I was not going to be here and then it would sit by my intercom till I could get it upstairs. Instead Sonny & I drove to the pick up area at Walmart and I called the number on the sign. The girl came out and put it in the trunk. We did not have to do that either.

Then we shopped inside for some groceries we both needed. Sonny bought hot dogs and chicken. He eats the standard American diet. I bought different types of steaks, cream and veggies for Rabbit. I was very aware of the difference in how we eat. Good thing I never gave in to living with him. Our relationship is good this way.

When we came back my neighbor took it out of the trunk and put it on this little wagon and he and the maintenance man took it right upstairs to Jeff's apartment. Then they installed it immediately and turned it on. Jeff was very happy with me. He kept telling me thank you. I tell him that it is his money. He bought it. I don't know if he really understands that or not. His apartment had been super hot all month. He is like me, he can't take the heat.
 
Yesterday, the cook out they had here was a success. About 40 people were here. Not only the people who live here but some of their friends and family. Hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grills. Everybody brought side dishes. All the salads and things. They invited Sonny to help himself to the food. Which he did. They all know him.

As soon as my neighbors get up I have some meat to vacuum pack. Other than that I have no real plans for my day. Maybe I will take a walk to the park, even if it is hot. Just carry a drink with me.
 
I am all messed up on the days of this week. Yesterday felt like Sunday. I know today is not Monday nor does it feel like it. Good thing I keep a calendar next to my computer. I write everything I do on it so I will remember. You know like laundry, vacuuming, showered, cleaned various things, etc. Helps me keep track.

This morning my plan is to clean out the lazy Susan. It is full and I want to organize it better. Get rid of old spices and other things. I have stopped using some items and don't want them taking up precious space. My whole counter space is covered right now and that is only from the top shelf of the lazy Susan! A lot of stuff to go through. I keep my paper things like wax paper, foil, plastic wrap and parchment paper in it too.

While I am doing that I am working on my newest blog post too. So when I take my break from standing I sit here at the computer and do that.
 
I managed to get that lazy Susan cleaned out and put back together. It looks neater. I did throw away a bag of stuff. Outdated or don't use anymore. I have more cupboards to clean out but they are not food items. I look at things to get rid of and for some reason just can't do it. I get attached to my stuff. Must be some mental problem I have.

I had a horrible thing happen and it could have been worse but it almost gave me a heart attack. I was cleaning Rabbit's cage and he was sleeping nearby. The broom just fell out of my hand and hit the floor just inches away from his head! If it had hit him it would have killed him for sure. It is just a light metal handle but still it went down fast and hard. Did he even wake up? Nope, kept sleeping. He trusts that when I am there he is safe. I was shaking after that. I have to keep the broom far away from him from now on.
 
This morning I am doing a grocery delivery for my son. After that, not doing too much. Yesterday working in my cupboards knocked me out. Too long standing. Making four batches of keto chow for ice cream. Won't have any today and didn't have any yesterday. Really wanted some but it was my fault for not getting it made.

Going to try to adjust my routine this afternoon so I am off the computer and in my recliner earlier. I hardly get sat down and feet up when I am falling asleep. I wanted to watch the rest of that movies called The Longest Trailer (Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz) and can't stay awake. Not that it is boring, it isn't. Just me.

Finishing up the blog post I was working on and then starting another one. I need to get at least two a week published. There was a time when I did one daily. Living here now I don't have that much to write about.
 
I was talking with a friend of mine and she said it is inevitable that we will have to live in assisted living or a nursing home. I told her that I wouldn't be doing that. I intend to stay here and I do. But it got me to thinking and researching what I must do now to make sure I can stay here. It is of course, a term we have all heard pretty often once we got to a certain age. That is "aging in place" and that is my plan.

I am planning on doing my research and then writing some blog posts (on my blog) about each one individually. They are:

ADL (activities of daily living) - dressing, bathing, oral, hair & skin care, etc.
Household chores - cleaning, trash removal, etc.
Meals - shopping & cooking & cleaning up afterwards
Money Management - paying bills, budgeting, saving, etc.
Health Care -
Transportation - getting where you need to go
Safety - being safe in your home, avoiding falls, cuts, safe from intruders, etc.

When I look at my list, so far, I think I am doing pretty good. But I am not that old.....72 and my only health issues are osteoarthritis and Lymphedema so far. The hot weather makes me feel worse than usual so lately I have not been too energetic. Though today I walked to the park and sat in the sunshine for a spell. I need to make the effort to do that because I have not been doing it at all. I did not walk as far or as much as I normally do. Have to get back into it. Activity helps the Lymphedema but not my knees. :(
 
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katlupe said:
I was talking with a friend of mine and she said it is inevitable that we will have to live in assisted living or a nursing home. I told her that I wouldn't be doing that. I intend to stay here and I do. But it got me to thinking and researching what I must do now to make sure I can stay here. It is of course, a term we have all heard pretty often once we got to a certain age. That is "aging in place" and that is my plan.

I am planning on doing my research and then writing some blog posts (on my blog) about each one individually. They are:

ADL (activities of daily living) - dressing, bathing, oral, hair & skin care, etc.
Household chores - cleaning, trash removal, etc.
Meals - shopping & cooking & cleaning up afterwards
Money Management - paying bills, budgeting, saving, etc.
Health Care -
Transportation - getting where you need to go
Safety - being safe in your home, avoiding falls, cuts, safe from intruders, etc.

When I look at my list, so far, I think I am doing pretty good. But I am not that old.....72 and my only health issues are osteoarthritis and Lymphedema so far. The hot weather makes me feel worse than usual so lately I have not been too energetic. Though today I walked to the park and sat in the sunshine for a spell. I need to make the effort to do that because I have not been doing it at all. I did not walk as far or as much as I normally do. Have to get back into it. Activity helps the Lymphedema but not my knees. :(
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Are you concerned about the elevator not working in an emergency in years to come? If so, can you request a ground-floor apartment? Or is there another solution?
 
gruntlabor said:
Are you concerned about the elevator not working in an emergency in years to come? If so, can you request a ground-floor apartment? Or is there another solution?
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I am not worried about. With help I recently was able to come up from the 1st floor to my floor on the stairs. But there is no way I could live happily on a busy floor like the 1st floor. Actually as long as it is working I don't ever think about it though I do include it in my morning prayers.
 
Teacher Terry said:
Most people in my family and most of my friends have lived alone until they died or shortly before. Most don’t need help. It’s really a myth that most older people can’t remain independent.
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I agree. My father was 93 when he died but he was living alone, driving, shopping, gardening and working on cars in his garage.
 
katlupe said:
When I look at my list, so far, I think I am doing pretty good. But I am not that old.....72 and my only health issues are osteoarthritis and Lymphedema so far. The hot weather makes me feel worse than usual so lately I have not been too energetic. Though today I walked to the park and sat in the sunshine for a spell. I need to make the effort to do that because I have not been doing it at all. I did not walk as far or as much as I normally do. Have to get back into it. Activity helps the Lymphedema but not my knees. :(
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You must go out, everyday when there is sun. You must. You need your natural Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency in older people Very Serious. Even if you don't walk, you must stand outside for awhile when it is sunny.

I encourage you to walk as much as you can. Spent two months this winter not walking, in agonizing pain. Finally, a surgery worked. You must walk as much as you can, it is imperative, dear kat.
 
The only thing on that list I would need help with is the household chores........specifically cleaning chores that I find hard to do. Mopping, cleaning the whole toilet including the floor around it, the shower including my shelf in the corner, cleaning the exterior of the kitchen cupboard doors and dusting the two dresser tops. All the things I can't reach or can't get down to the floor to do.

Maybe I will see some improvements and will be able to do those jobs in the future. I am working on it. I could hire someone to come in twice a month to clean just those things. I have thought about it. Having an aide (that I would not have to pay for) is such a stressful thing for me. Someone I pay is working for me and not for an agency.
 
Pepper said:
You must go out, everyday when there is sun. You must. You need your natural Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency in older people Very Serious. Even if you don't walk, you must stand outside for awhile when it is sunny.

I encourage you to walk as much as you can. Spent two months this winter not walking, in agonizing pain. Finally, a surgery worked. You must walk as much as you can, it is imperative, dear kat.
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I know this. That is why I am trying to do it. Just the hot weather kills me. I do better when the weather isn't so hot. Like today it is supposed to be in the 80's.
 


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