A New Normal

Spring is officially here for a few weeks at least. One day we get a taste of summer temperatures, then go back to the cold and rain which I always welcome. Someone down the road a few miles decided to camp out in the back yard and set the tent, house and 40 acres on fire. Again we got warnings of possible evacuation. Thankfully, our fire department got it out before our area had to leave. Spring is so full of hope.

Even this cut down tree is still trying to bloom

I’ve had a full plate the last few weeks with spring cleaning inside and out and getting ready for my daughter’s birthday.

Found a home for the bumper stickers and some cards.

Spring on my dresser

She announced a need for the beach and so we made plans for two nights so we could be leisurely about the trip. I found a route that would avoid a great deal of interstate so we could enjoy more scenery. It took us an hour longer and we stopped at the Tillamook Creamery and Blue Heron Cheese company for lunch and dessert. Everyone on their best behavior and masking as well as being socially distant to anyone that didn’t come with them.

My daughter loves yellow for it’s cheerfulness

Back of the heart.

Happy colored bowl cozy for my daughter

We’ve never been to the beach in the spring months. It was colder, clearer and much windier. Everything this trip was done with new eyes. Nothing is taken for granted.

Clear skies and hope flying high

I’ve come to the beach with new equipment as well. After going for my annual lung function test, I got the results that I expected. The hills have been steeper and the roads have become longer. So, I’m in need of assistance when I’m out walking for exercise. They sent me so much equipment that I am not quite ready for and some I’m very much welcoming.

The smallest oxygen bottles they have available.

I’m supposed to refill from this?

Not necessary just yet. Noisy.

My new buddy

 

I had my annual appointment with the pulmonologist yesterday. The news, in spite of everything was good and hopeful. The exercise is doing its job and keeping the progression of decline very slow. I could have much more time than I expected.  Maybe even two or three years! I can read a lot of books and sew a lot of fabric in that time. Maybe I’ll even get around to writing my life story for my children.

Mask, oxygen, walking stick, hat, check, check, check.

It’s been a wild ride through this life and I’m obviously not done yet. Yay!! The oxygen is only on two liters when I exercise and I don’t need it to do daily life…yet. This is my new normal. He also agreed that working in the garden was not harmful so I’m back at playing in the dirt. I told him that’s what keeps me so healthy. Breathing in all those microbes builds immunity to stuff in the world. Color me happy today and out for another walk up that big hill.

Heading for the hills

Are you facing a new normal? What color are you today?

From my heart to yours,

Marlene Herself

In Search of Good Intentions

I just finished reading a great blog about Nothing. First, it made me laugh and brightened up a gray and foggy day then it jarred something loose. Last year at this time, the cave called me and I retreated. I love holidays but no longer have the stamina to do it the way that that I did in years gone by. Sound familiar?

Waking up in the dark is taking more energy than waking up in the sunshine. I wake at 5:00 a.m. but some days it takes till 6:30 or 7:00 to roll out. It’s not like I have a job to go to or a husband or kids waiting to be fed and taken care of. My daughter thinks I’m nuts because at my age, I should be sleeping in. Shouldn’t I?

I’m leaving it like that till I do my Qi Gong. Half reg/half decaf.

Every morning I wake up with the best of intentions. I plan to have my coffee and write in my journal. That’s a given without fail. The next part is tricky. I intend to do some form of exercise, then go to my computer and see who’s come to visit. Most days I get that part backward. By the time I’ve looked at my e-mail, I’m hungry and slosh from the coffee. Can I exercise on that? Some days it takes me till noon to get to my workout. I excuse myself with the fact that the exercise makes me too dizzy to do much after. True, but not good enough. So it’s back to the exercise first. I’m rolling out the mat before I go to bed. The coffee won’t even be turned on until I’m done.

It stares at me till I do the work. I have to walk across it to sit down.

You know the old phrase, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”? Well, for me it’s been a long road. Good intentions require follow through or they are just wishes. I wish I was thin and rich?

Finally got another batch done. Even by machine, they take a lot of time.

I always intend to get this project done or that one started. Then the machine gives me fits. Aren’t electronics wonderful? They supply so many reasons to sit and read a good book or watch a sappy movie. When I see the pattern forming, there is no one around to call me on it. It’s a self-correcting situation for me. So I get out a notebook and make my list. On one side are the things I’ve manage to accomplish since the holidays. You know the best way to get a child to do better is to praise them for what they have done. Then you can show them what they can do better. I have to be my own parent so the other side of the list must be shorter than the praise side. Yippee!

This will be part of a wedding shower gift so please don’t tell. It was supposed to be for Christmas but was meant to wait.

How do you handle your good intentions that are wandering to the wayside? I’m all ears here.

Good intentions are not enough. They’ve never put an onion in the soup yet.~ Sonya Levien

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself

In Search of a New Routine

The saying is, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” It’s something which I seem to have a lot of experience. I’ve had a pattern since I became ill more than 3 years ago to get a ton of rest, watch some TV, read and eat food that required very little effort on my part. There is a V groove in my carpet from my bed to the kitchen to the chair and back again. Any wonder why I’ve gained (a lot of) weight?

Most mornings I would get up, get a cup of coffee, do my journaling, (morning pages) meditate, read my email and think about exercising. I HATE exercising. Just beat me with a stick and get it over with. I was hungry after the coffee and all the reading so it was time to make something to eat. You can’t exercise on a full stomach so more time would go by and I’d find more excuses. The fitness center is at the bottom on a tiny hill and it’s free though quite small. Another excuse.

Something has changed. I’m not sure what it is but I’m feeling better. I found a new spiritual center on Palm Sunday. It felt like I was home. Then,trying once again to do my Qi Gong exercises, I noticed that I’m not losing my balance if I do it early in the morning. Logic would have it that I change my pattern. Ok, I have a logical mind. Now I get up, turn on the DVD player and begin. One good day lead to the next. I only took Easter Sunday off. I didn’t need to but it was a good excuse. Then I read Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach for that day and begin writing my morning pages. Coffee comes with the e-mail. Yay! It’s watered down, half decaf, half regular coffee but since I’m recovering from a stress induced illness, I try to take it easy on my system. I just can’t give up the coffee.

A very gentle start for those who can do little

It’s a gentle combination of Tai Chi and Yoga Easier than most and a great start

On nice days I’ve been taking a walk, with my cane, of course, increasing the distance slowly after the long shut-in winter. I have no yard right now but trying to plant a bit in pots to insure outside activity. I’m finding that I can sew again and even concentrate enough to tackle a project or two that has been on hold all these years.

I’ve had this for years. Any daily inspiration works.

My health is the number one priority, and I’m finally acting on it. No more sitting and waiting for it to return. Being a person who requires routine, I’ve turned mine upside down and do the hard thing first. It will get easier with time. The e-mail will have to go to later in the day as well. I’ll scan it for business that needs to be taken care of, then proceed to the next hardest job. Does this mean I’m no longer insane? Hmmm. I doubt it, but we can hope.

Do you require a regular routine or can you just go with the flow?

The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine. ~ Mike Murdock

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself