Today is a Better Day!

How can I ever be sad with this little guy at my constant side? :)

I don't know about all of you who might be reading this, but, for me, my days lately are what I would classify as unpredictable.  Just when I think I have a consistent way of new normal going on here, then out of nowhere, restlessness and being anxious raises their ugly heads and throw me for a loop.  That was what happened two days ago.  I think one thing that ignited it was when I called a local clinic hoping to get an antibiotic for a little problem and was told they didn't take patients "my age".
Ouch!  Is that even legal?  Anyway, that just pretty much got to me.  You see, I have this problem.  Though I am 72 on the outside, I am about 52 on the inside!  Problem is, on a piece of paper people see that birth date and start eliminating my value immediately.  Not fair.  I guess it is a good problem to have because most of the time I think, act, and feel like that 52 year old.  But, that reply from the receptionist did me in.  Does she know how she emphasized the words, "your age"!  Geez.

Last night a good friend reminded me to do something that I often do but afforded a different twist.  I am a list maker.  I love to make a list and then check off my accomplishments.  But, I usually make these lists during the day.  She suggested that I make the list before I go to bed, place it on the table to rest, then sleep with a somewhat cleared head of a "to do" list.  I tried this last night and slept very well.  When I awoke this morning, I went straight to my list.  I had ten items, have checked off 5 so far, and didn't even include writing this blog! It is past noon and I am feeling 52.  So, there you go!

These are my thoughts for today.

R.

This Is Getting Old....

Okay, so I am basically a full time positive person. Because of this, I have really tried to greet each new day with gratitude.  Under this crisis situation, I am safely at home with both of us healthy.  My home is large enough for two people when they need some space.  Everything is in good working condition and there is money to pay the bills.  We live on a lovely street where I can walk each day with my dog and say hi from a distance to my neighbors. We have plenty to eat and have given two or three delivery services a try just for the heck of it.  Lots of to be thankful for here.   So.....

Why am I feeling funky today?  And, most importantly, what am I going to do about it?  Well, why I am feeling anxious today, I am not sure.  I am a  believer that we don't always know where our anxieties come from or that they are even there.  I think maybe today is rather a build up of all of these days of quarantine, not only, at home but with the rest of my life....school, church, shopping, meeting friends, freedom to make choices, etc. I know anxiety can be triggered and since my little puppy has developed a limp, maybe that could be it.  Whatever the cause, I am feeling it and am definitely on a mission to remove myself from it.

Possible solutions:

1.  Laughter - I actually asked friends to post jokes on FB.  Some did and caused me to laugh out loud.
2.  Music - I just watched a concert where my son had a solo part.  This made my heart soar. Playing music throughout the day helps.
3. Food - This is the one I have to watch.  But, these chocolate chip cookies I received from friends have been pretty helpful this morning.
4.  Cooper - This little guy has a hurt paw but otherwise is very open to his sweet cuddles and hugs.

5.  Communication - I think this is the biggie.  Having lost so much communication with people is what is bothering me the most.  So, I believe, that writing some letters and cards today is going to be my beginning of getting out of this funk.  I have so many notecards hanging around my house.  I think it is time to put them to some good use.  Who knows?  Maybe one of you will receive one from me.  But, don't be offended if you don't.  Most of you do not need a card to know how much I care for you.

So, now having written this, I think I am going to go seek out Solution #3 and see how that works for me.  It just might be that ordering pizza tonight is what I need to "snap out of it!"

Solution #4

Quarantine Thoughts

April 2, 2020

As Cooper and I were taking our morning walk, the word "surreal" continued to take over my thoughts.  There was perfect quiet and the beauty of a new day but no other people around. Just. Us.
I have heard a lot of people reference this time as a chance to reflect on what we have and who we call family.  This is what I was feeling this morning.

Ron and I are no strangers to isolation and having to stay home.  We were both very sick at the same time, ten years ago (can you believe it!) and were confined to our home, in some cases, our room, for months. Both of our immunities were extremely low so we could not easily be around others due to catching something they might have.  I remember thinking then that once I got well, I would never take life for granted.

This virus has caused me to revisit my gratitude.  I am grateful that I have the health to get up and walk Cooper every morning on a quiet street in a sweet neighborhood.  And, though, I may not have the biggest house on the block or one as nice as some of my friends, it is our house full of our things, our memories, our dogs, and each other.  I am grateful that Ron and I both have the gift of playing music and that we can share that gift with others. I am grateful that he and I have been able to manage this new 24/7 time together and doing pretty good at it. 

At this time I am so grateful for technology that holds us all together.  Because of it, we do not have to stress about our loved ones and can look forward to talking to or "seeing" them on a screen. I am thankful for sons who stay connected every two or three days, even sometimes daily, as we keep our family together.

I am thankful for books to read, boxes and albums of pictures to look through, my Bible studies, and actually writing to people.

And though I thought I had lost my mind last summer when I got a puppy, I am so thankful to have this little guy in my life. He is my "constant" companion and protector.

I am thankful for a neighborhood that has come alive with people I have never seen before.  They are out walking their dogs or just walking together.  I am thankful for a lovely courtyard where we can sit and wave and have our "6 feet distancing" conversations.  It is great to see kids out riding their bikes.
I am thankful that the neighborhood has taken on a whole new atmosphere of feeling that we are all taking care of each other.

I have experienced restlessness, of course, and know that will be a challenge more so in the days ahead.  I am thankful that I can learn to find things to do whether it is dusting the three layers of those top shelves, baking using Bisquick as my flour, cleaning into the depths of my closet, or taking a nap.

I am thankful for the experience of learning that I can go from a scheduled full day life style, to being creative as to what I am going to do with these new empty ones.

And, more than anything, I am thankful for my faith and the hope for the future.