Out with the old

Oh my --- I do not want to get old. WAIT! That's not right. I guess I don't mind getting old because the alternative isn't great. But I want to get old gracefully, or as gracefully as I can manage. I want to get old by maintaining my body as best I can. And I want to get old by keeping my brain active and asking questions, being curious, and having a purpose each day when I get up! 

Can I control those things? Not 100%, but I will do my darndest to make that happen. I guess what I'm saying is that I want to be like my Dad for as long as I can. 

I'm home alone! For the next couple of weeks, but now I'm in charge of babysitting MIL, which will be a challenge. She has a lot of issues and is on a lot of medication, which causes confusion. But she knows how to use her phone! I already got one call, asking me if she needed to get dressed to go out. Well, yes, but we are NOT going out until Tuesday. Sigh.....

I would so hate to be in that position. It's going to be a challenge this week as I have to take her for a nuclear bone scan. With her limited mobility and cognitive issues, it's going to be a challenge to get her there and keep her at the hospital for four hours. I'll be exhausted at the end of that day. 

That said, you MUST keep yourself occupied and try to keep your body in as good a shape as possible. It might be all fun and games at this moment in time, but when you're older, and you will get older, it won't be so pretty!

This relates to DH, who has his head in the sand! There was a book by the door that needed to be returned. He usually leaves it there, and I walk it to the library. He said he didn't know if I had time, so he would take it in the car. Seriously? This is from a person who got on a plane later in the day to play golf for two weeks. And he can't walk 10 minutes to the library and then 10 minutes back? 

Oh boy - the apple didn't fall far from the tree! What scares me to death is the fact that he is NOT taking care of his body, and guess who is going to be the caregiver? I flat out told him that if the day comes that he can't make the stairs, he's going to an apartment, and I'm staying here! I'm pretty brutal and blunt and callous, but sheesh --- take care of yourself! Why should I be punished if he doesn't take care of himself?

Now, I might be more accommodating if he got ill and couldn't make the stairs! So much for sickness and in health! Well, we never got married (GASP), so I didn't make any vows! 

For my walk, I went to the mall to see if the luggage store had office backpacks. DH hinted that if I was going to get one, he wanted one as well, and wouldn't it be good to have for his trip? So I walked in the morning, not the afternoon, which was fine. 

I lucked out! I found the perfect office backpack. It's leather, so it's a bit heavier than the nylon ones, which I may regret, but I liked the look. They had two, and they were 40% off. Perfect! I'll take two, please. 

My new office backpack

I like that it has loads of pockets and a structure so that it doesn't expand into a massive, stupid backpack like many you see. My old one was sort of like that. This is compact, and it looks nice. I can't wait to use it! 

Talk about instant gratification! I went to the mall, found what I wanted, and came home with it. There was no carbon footprint in that purchase! And I got it immediately! What a concept that is! I would prefer to do all my shopping that way, and I sure attempt it, but it's not always feasible. 

I didn't do much yesterday—well, that's a lie! I did, but I can't share it with you until later. But I was happy with what I did. 

However, I got hooked on the thriller (ebook), and well, I just read all day until it was done! It's by Rick Mofina, a Canadian author. I like his stuff, and I'll read more of his work. My headphones weren't cooperating yesterday, so I couldn't listen to anything. I'll try again today, and if they don't work, I'm buying a new pair. 

The girls were beyond themselves as we prepped for their morning walks. Separately, of course. I am almost 100% certain that my back/leg issues are from walking Murphy! Yep - she likes to pull, and I started by walking them together. I should have stopped that immediately when I saw what was happening. And I should have spent more time teaching Murphy to walk on the leash. She is good, but that first day after not having had a walk for a couple of days, she's just enthusiastic! 

I see Miss Lexi is getting more and more used to her new bed. I'm sure she'd rather sleep on the couch, but well—we don't have a couch anymore!

MOM - I like this bed, but it's not the couch!

But Murphy? Oh -- she's just a big goof! And she can't help herself. She loves to play, and she needs attention! 

MOM - Are you looking at me?

These days, instead of throwing the ball, I'm wrapping it up in blankets in her bed and letting her find it. She loves it, and it takes her about five minutes to do that. But five minutes is better than the five seconds it takes her to fetch! 

MOM - I can smell the ball!

I tuck her bed into the corner, and within minutes, she has it out! You just can't help but smile and laugh at her (with her, of course). That dog has lots of entertainment value! 

MOM - it's here! I know it!

At one point, the ball rolled under Lexi's bed. So she sat there and watched it for a while. What is going through her head? 

MOM - Do you think it will move on its own?

And at last, she was exhausted and needed a nap! I swear she is more active and demanding than a toddler!

Mom - I'm just having a quick nap!

We had our final show-and-tell for Chatsworth—a quilt I taught over the last few months, with the Hobby Horse as the host. I'll try to remember to share it with you tomorrow. I have two more presentations this morning, but they are ready to go! I need to get back into the swing of things this afternoon—there is a lot of work to do, and hopefully, I can accomplish a lot in the next two weeks as I enjoy my home alone time! 

Don't get me wrong. It's not that I can't get things done at any time in my house if DH is home. But I like to work in the morning, and well, I like to make noise. He's a later sleeper than I am, so I must attempt to be somewhat quiet. That doesn't always work! Now, I'm free to make as much noise as I want, and no one will care! Yippeee!!!!!! The girls will be begging me to be quiet!

Remember --- only YOU can help yourself by staying physically and mentally active. You might be OK today, but what will you be like in 10 years? 20 years? Think back ten years? Are you better or worse? The same with the clutter. Get rid of it! That alone will make you feel younger! GET IT OUT OF YOUR HOUSE! Stop watching mindless stuff - do something to keep your brain active and learning. Puzzles are good! Do puzzles - read - do something! 

I will focus on the magazines that are still on the floor. I need them gone, and I may just toss them all without looking. I'm getting brave! Am I all talk? Or will I make it happen?

On that happy note, I'm out of here! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!