Taking time
It has been a strange summer. I have been thoughtful, lazy, and at loose ends. I am trying to figure out what I want to do with the time I have left in this realm.
I thought about taking a university course on aging. I worked in Long Term Care for years and could probably teach it! But it is one thing to work with seniors - quite another to live it. As my neighbour says, "I don't know what to do. I have never been this old before!"
The aches and pains are a part of it I know. Joe and I joke about what part of us is aching today! We have both been visiting chiropractors and physiotherapists. I have a rotator cuff problem and have back issues from time to time, and Joe has knee issues and during the last couple of he had back pain. Luckily the physio and chiro worked! We exercise once a week, and we try to walk as much as we can. So we are following the health plan that we are told is important for us.
The next thing is the memory. I keep forgetting names and need reminding a lot. My neighbour and I compare notes.
My wee little family are my life. Joe, (many of you have met him), Andrew (our son) and his wonderful creative wife Tiina, and the lights of my life, my grandie Cevyn and her beautiful babies who will be 1 year old on November 12. We go to Ottawa on the 8th. It will be bitter sweet as Lisa will not there to celebrate with us. I am sure she will be there but I won't be able to hug her and catch up.
Lisa has been around. It makes me smile. This morning she was a pigeon. I figured it was her - she was the brown one amongst the grey ones.
I think a lot about my SOTH. When I am down, I know I am not alone. I feel blessed that I can come here and whine and winge and I will be understood. What would I do with you wonderful women who manage to carry on despite the pain we are all living with.
Winter is coming - we had a blizzard a couple of weeks ago. It is warmer now but windy. It is supposed to be in the high 60s this week, and then I expect snow. As long as it is clear on Nov. 8th when we head East to see our babies.
Lisa: I know you have been around lately. It is hard to get up each morning, knowing I can't phone you. I miss hearing "Hi Mummy". I miss you always and love you forever.
Replies
Marlene, I don't know what to tell you about getting old, I am a little behind you. LOL Does the college teach memory class? Tricks of the trade may help. Did I read exercise helps the brain also the b vitamins are in a lot of the memory retention stuff at GNC.
The stars are lined up I think the kids are up to something. When Alyssa showed me the house she is going to buy I felt the love in that house as I was walking around, Was her brother around or was it the house itself.
I hope you find memory solution I will need it down the road LOL. I am living with Mike who mixes things up, I get frustrated what does he feel. ????
Big hugs
Love Penny
Aging is humbling isn't it and as my mom always reminded me something that we are doing together. It's mind blowing to me that it has gone as fast as it has and I too want to feel productive in this season of our lives.
To feel reflective is something I remember with both of my parents and I'm with you and say, "Me too."
How exciting to have a trip to see your Littles and I cannot believe that they will be one! I remember when Cevyn was giving birth to twins and I thought of how courageous she IS! Hoping the weather cooperates for your travels and I know you are longing for your Lisa to be with you as well.
Take care of those aches and pains and exercising is so helpful. Our bodies are more vocal these days or perhaps we finally have the time to listen to them now.
Heartfelt hugs of care to Lisa and you from Douglas and me.
XO Joanie
Feeling all the aches and pains here too....getting older sure can HURT! Nothing works like it used to...and nothing happens as fast either. I'm definitely slowing down...and popping! Roger calls me popcorn because my knees pop so loudly sometimes.
I joined one of those online memory test sites, and it was quite fun actually. But I miss a day or two and then I completely forget to go take my memory test for months!! It was Luminosity.com. You might enjoy it.
You have a precious and wonderful wee little family! I feel blessed to have met Joe and Ceyvn. And I can hardly believe those babies are turning a year already!! Seems like you just shared the news that she was having twins! And I always love hearing how our kiddos choose to show up! All so uniquely them!! I say a hearty KEEP IT UP!!!
WOW, a blizzard! I think I might need to some stay with you until I can get my body past this stupid menopause crap!! I keep the AC cranked as cold as I can and still sleep with not one, not two, but THREE fans blowing on me, and I still lay in a pool of sweat every night. My poor Roger shivers all night long; said he thought he'd start wearing a parka to bed, lol. Yep, this getting older and body changes thing isn't for sissy's!
And though I haven't been as active here the past couple of years as I was in the beginning of my nightmare, it sure is nice to know any time I need y'all, you're only a key stroke or two away. Forever grateful to Barbara and all the amazing women of FMO!
Keep on keepin on dear one and keep SEEing those signs and winks from your beautiful girl!
Much love and tight heart hugs~
Teri
Hi Marlene,
I find getting older or being older (not sure which is true some days) is a journey that somehow I thought I would never be on...LOL I'm not sure why I thought I would be exempt from this particular journey but here I am - I had to fill out some papers @ work and I put 63 years old and I stopped thinking, "NO, this can't be" - but it is......
So many things I notice now about myself - Cortisone injections in knees to keep them moving, shoes with support (no more high heels for me) - even wedges in shoes scare me - what if I fall?
I have found out I have Osteoporosis and my Dr. said - "if you fall, you'll break something" - SIGH.....
You are definitely not alone - my husband asked me the other day about a trip we had taken a few years back and I said I don't remember - "how could I forget?" - I'm sure we had a good time but my memory at times isn't what I would like...Is it just AJ (after Jennifer went to heaven) or is it my brain is tired. I sympathize with you in not remembering things....I agree with Teri - brain exercises do help but I can't remember doing them after I've done them LOL.......
Walking is so good - KUDOS to you & Joe - it's great to be outside and smell the roses. A blizzard seems hard to imagine as we are supposed to have 102 today....geez, bring on the fall.
All I can say about your wee little ones, are they are adorable and what a bright light they are to you and Joe.....but I will not forget that in your heart, you miss your Lisa sharing in all the festivities of those precious ones turning ONE......Marlene, just know, I'm thinking about you and Lisa and keeping you close.
Safe travels and Lisa keep showing up - your mum needs you!!!
Hugs, Vicki
Hi Marlene, one of my coworkers used to say, "getting older is not for the faint of heart." We used to chuckle when she said that since many of us were approaching retirement age, lol. I hope the aches & pains ease up a bit for you & Joe. I'm right with you; just had a cortisone injection in my back last Friday.
Wow, Cevyn's twins are going to be one?! It goes by so fast! I hope the weather cooperates and that you have a wonderful time celebrating their birthday!
I'm so grateful too for this place where I can let it out and my dear SOTHS give me support and encouragement.
Love to you and dearest Lisa, Linda
Marlene, I sure can relate to the age and aches and pains. I was 71 years old this year and my husband is 74. It does not seem possible. I try to walk, I think mostly to keep me from going completely crazy sometimes - haha!!
I, too, hope the weather cooperates and you get to make your trip to see the twins.
Love to you and your Lisa, from Jeff and Nell
Hi Marlene, I don't think I have much to add after all this, but I'll try. I am very fortunate physically, the only medications I take are from my psychiatrist, and the only problem I have with them is excessive sweating. I have been taking Effexor for 18 years, I thought it would eventually stop. My husband takes a lot of medications...high blood pressure, cholesterol...but we are relatively healthy. My mother has a bad rotator cuff and is having surgery soon. She has exhausted all other options and her arm is nearly useless.
Congrats on the babies!!!
Love You,
Gina
Hi Mar, so happy you are going to see your little darlings. I wish the best for them.
I think of them often and know how much you must miss them. I don't know about the time just flying by. The snow will fly soon and then comes the cold. Enjoy the family and I know Lisa will be there too! Hugs, Rose
While I totally understand your feelings on getting older, I am uplifted by your journal. Putting one foot in front to the other each day is a blessing I strive for. As Joannie says BE in the moment each day. Lisa will be so happy to see you with your Littles. They are born on Jennifer's birthday such a joy for you and Joe. Have a safe wonderful trip. Peace, Kathy
Oh Marlene, once you understand the growing older part PLEASE share. I have gone back to work full time and am questioning my motives. Missing my children in CA and have let the company know I will be taking some time once number 4 arrives in late April. Funny you said about exercising and walking, my Joe and I were just talking about the same thing.
Enjoy the little ones, and enjoying the signs from Lisa! Sending love and tight happy ((((hugs)))
Cindy