what needs to be done -even if I have to crawl to do it

I have to walk the dog of course, I like the early morning walks best when the world is quiet and fresher.

Mostly I just do what I have to and nap and watch tv, bit of correspondence and I work an hour here and there.

But one thing I like to do now I can't walk properly is go for a drive; I play music and sometimes drive into the countryside but more often than not just around the neighborhood and sometimes stop at the grocery store. My neighbor gave me a $10 starbucks card for xmas so I have twice stopped at a store and got a pastry. The lady offers me a cup of water too, I always carry tea bags in my purse so I could make a cup of tea too, but usually I get a can of jumex pineapple nectar ( 44c ) in the store.

I save up coupons then when things are on special get them for a good price eg today 50 c packs of Hormel pepperoni for pizza making ( I can buy a jalapeno for 2 or 3 cents and slice that on top too, makes for a great cheap pizza ) Also today 50 c green giant frozen veggies in light sauce, very useful when I have no appetite. I got a pound of fresh chicken with a coupon for $3 which will make 2 curries, and 2 digiorno frozen pizzas $2.25 each, large enough to feed both of us. My son will soon be back home for the summer so I try to stock up, young men seem to be always hungry!

The one thing that I used to do was take care of my ailing cat. it was a chore to take care of her every day, but it made me feel good to care for another living thing. these days I clean the kitchen. I do in in stages along with washing clothes intermittently. it takes me several 30 minutes stints to do it all every day. I also vacuum and wash the bathrooms once a week. that is what puts me in a lot of pain, but it makes me feel useful. I can't scrub the shower floor or the tub because it hurts to bend, but I can do everything else.

I go to my office for a few hours M - Th so my brain can work....

I create my flower gardens each Spring and tend them until late fall, when they tend to die.

I cook.

Those are a few of my favorite things to do, that I refuse to let CP take from me.

I try to watch local news daily at least once between morning noon four pm five pm six pm 9pm 10pm I see at least one half hour or more of local news! Its depressing to see so many homicides and now when storms come the weather guys prempt all shows to talk stormy shit which I hate

This is a great thread, jnufish.. thank you.

My " no matter what's" have changed since my daughters stroke last year. They used to only be, pet care ( I have a number of pets), and making sure my husbands coffee is ready in the a.m.
Now.. after living with us for months.. my daughter has moved out. Her five year old son still, for the most part, lives here.
So.. taking care of him is #1 now.
It's amazing what we can do when there's no choice.

Again, nice, positive post. :-)

Hugs all
jc

That is true Jancam about being able to perform tasks when you have no choice. I wish I could force myself to perform some part time employment but it is so hard. You all inspire me. Especially you June, because you can hold down a full time job despite being in pain. You are a true fighter. I feel like a cry baby over here whining all the time about being in pain when some of you guys are just knocking it out of the park. Same for Michelle (I hope she comes back) she works despite not having proper pain control. I had a rough night last night. I can't sleep and pain is making me want to smash my fist through a freaking door. I might have to break down and take my Norco. I made it seven days without meds. I don't want to take Nyquil anymore, because it raises my blood sugar. I finally got my blood sugar down to 80 and I want to keep it there. Hugs to everyone!

I meant to say Jnufush, not June. Hugs!

@Jeremy,

I think you have to be where you're at 'it is what it is' etc.
Some people aren't mobile some people are, comparing it and trying to make it different through 'mind control' will drive you crazy.

It took me a while to realize I can't do things I used to do, even little things like cooking that turkey a few weeks ago and I can't lift it!

I'll just cook smaller pieces of meat from now on, that's not a big deal, but I am sad I can't get a puppy, I would have liked that but I just don't think I can keep up with one any more. My old dog is so easy.

ChikenTika..
How about a older dog?
There are so many in shelters in need of homes..
And, most people want the cute puppies.
There are house trained, loving pets on " death row"
Who just don't meet that adorable puppy ideal any more.
You take such good care of your dog..
You're make a perfect hero for one of those older dogs.
( I don't mean old like, multiple health problems.....
Just not young enough for the puppy seekers.

Hugs
jc

I just really wanted a puppy!

There's a program on Animal Planet 'Too Cute' I watch that instead.

Wow!! Good on you guys! I know that I appreciate the little things so much more these days. Part of that is age, but a large part of that is the planning and preparation I have to make in order to go do something that in the past I would not have given a second thought to. When things are bad for me, I need these kind of reminders, sometimes just to remind myself to not give up. I can still contribute, if even only a little bit.

So thank you to all who posted. I am grateful for the little things, and will try to not let the "I used to"s bother me.

Take care all -
Jnufish

I am such a dog person I would love to have another puppy....I had my old dog Doc from time he was 4mo old....he lived almost 15yrs....I have rescued a dog who was just about a year old from someone giving him away on internet....he is such a suck up now but I struggled with him shredding everything in my living room before I moved....it was never a problem for him....it was me who took the hurt with tossing that junk out...

actually he never was punished for shredding anything....last thing he took to shredding was a down comforter....at that point and probably before that point I was if I am not home you stay in kitchen and yard thru doggie door no more of my stuff gets shred...LOL

now I have two dogs left from 3 as I rescued an older doggie too....he has never been any problem except that he has the loudest bark when he cuts loose...LOL I got to point in living room if he comes in here when I am in here and starts barking he gets sprayed with water bottle...LOL he leaves to avoid getting wet but continues going barky in bedroom which is less of an ear full...

I would like to have a little doggie....mine are both over 50lbs....I want a ten to twenty pound doggie...and from puppy I am not sure I can handle potty training at this point with the living and bed room in wall to wall carpets....but I think if I could I would....I am sure I would love the puppy stage still....

My cat was always the one thing that I had to do. He became diabetic and almost died. Then the vet diagnosed him and had me giving him insulin shots which ended up lowering his sugar to much and he almost went into a coma. Then I got smart and found a vet online that showed you exactly how to check your cats sugar using a regular meter and said to put him on a gluten free diet.

Fed him Fancy Feast classic cat food which kept his sugars in check and never had to give him insulin again. And you can bet that I went into that vet and gave him the website and showed him how I checked the sugar and he had no idea that could be done.

Anyway that cat (Simon) lived to be 18 and when the day came that it was time to let him go, I knew it. He poor body was just worn out. It made me feel good though that I was able to give him an extra 7 years of life.

He was my daily priority. He has been gone for 13 months now and I still miss him everyday.

Cindy

I have too many to list...
I definitely cook and do laundry every day except for when I work .