Every Once In A Rare While....

...something unexpected and unexpectedly pleasant comes along to brighten life.

Received a text yesterday.  The lawn fertilizing company that we provisionally signed up for to help us at the end of the growing season dropped off a small pail of snow melt.  With a note that they would stop by periodically through the season to refill it.  Totally out of the blue.  The good will they generated from that small act of thoughtful kindness is huge.  At least for me. We so rarely are on the receiving end of someone's care.  Even though they're an expensive company, I likely will sign up for them again next season.  I like supporting local businesses.

This morning's walk was early and shorter than usual.  The full moon made it lovely.  I took several pictures that I cropped and they turned out really nice. But ultimately I decided I liked the look of this uncropped one better.  I love walking in the moonlight as the day is dawning. Though it truly was much darker outside than this picture shows. 

I'm grateful for the (rare) unexpected kindness of others.  Gives one a good healthy dose of chipper feeling to help lift us through the less "chipper" times.  I'm grateful for a few days full of just the right level of busy-ness without feeling overwhelmed.  Christmas looms large in my horizon with much to do.  But as previously mentioned, I will do what I can and hope it will be enough.  Hoping for enough snow/rain/moisture this winter to supply our water through the summer.  

It Takes Two Nowadays

I joked that between The Husband and I, we have about half a back total.  This aging thing is no joke.  I guess my back will be an ongoing issue as long as I live on this earth. The Husband was diagnosed with degenerative disc several years ago.  So we both have back issues.  I can always tell when The Husband is hurting by the way he leans when he walks.  And he never complains.

Yesterday I was feeling ambitious (and feeling a bit pressured to get these things done).  Laundry, which I'm learning to do from the counter and not the floor,  vacuuming and then a trip to the grocery.  Not enough "down" time - meaning sitting to compensate for the standing pain between tasks.  By the time we were checking out at the grocery I was nearly in tears.  

Came home and sat in the chair for a while, but even until time for bed I was so miserable and uncomfortable I was whiny and irritable.  Chronic pain is not for sissies.  I guess I'm a big sissy.

I try really hard to be quiet and not complain but this pain is unlike anything I've experienced before.  Acetaminophen is little help, if any at all.  Ibuprofen will help (hopefully) in a couple weeks when I can again take it.  So basically I suffer.  Ice can help, and icy-hot cream is an alternative - but it makes everything so potently fragrant.  (I can always tell at church who has had to use some icy hot that morning for their own pain. 😊)  I'm learning to sleep with a pillow between my knees, it does seem to help the night pain.  Am considering a back brace to wear when vacuuming. 

Anyway, the bottom line is it takes two of us these days.  Two to grocery shop - one to reach and do the lifting (not me), two to vacuum - I can only do about half the main floor before I'm completely done in. The Husband is so gracious and willing to help with the rest of it. It takes two for the laundry - one to carry the laundry bin to the washer/dryer, while I sort and clean and hang.  It's a good thing we like (and totally Love) each other. We're a team now more than ever before.  I hope he can continue to be good-natured about being so "joined at the hip" and never alone.  Though sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be good for each of us to have some quiet private time.  

Add in the "oldster"  part of life and it just feels unfair.  Read this article this morning:  Friends  Thought it was interesting but not always necessarily easy or comfortable.  Somehow at my age I prefer comfort - loose clothes, warm enough house, people around me who are kind and not arrogant/braggy/perfect.  I know getting out of my comfort zone is good for me in lots of ways.  Still is hard.

We left this morning all bundled up for our stroll.  Can hardly call it a walk anymore, the previous speed is not doable with this silly back.  Got a few blocks up the road the wind had disappeared.  Got a few blocks closer to home on the way back and were being blown again.  This little spot is definitely in the wind zone.

Now that all the towels (Christmas gifts) are embroidered I'm trying to finish up a baby blanket I started quite some time ago so I can do a baby blanket for my nephew and his wife whose baby is due in March.  Better get busy.  

This is a busy week, outings and the Ward Christmas Party, the finance guys Christmas open house, Hale and I need to get a few things done for Christmas.  But I had a sudden realization this morning.  I will do what I can.  If some things slide it won't be the end of the world.  Hopefully people will be kind and understanding.

Today I'm grateful for acetaminophen to give me the illusion of relief from pain.  For a pile of good books to read.  For a willing and kind Husband, daughters and a few other loved ones who help and enable me to function.  And for something to look forward to this week.  Fingers crossed that my back will hold up.

Stuff Still Happening

So, the other day I discovered the reason my iron was literally pouring water over everything.  A small plastic plug was missing from the water inlet (for steaming). I found the plug, but it's broken and won't stay in the iron.  Have had this iron for w-a-y less than a year.  I've not loved the irons the last few years - they drip, they stain, they aren't hot enough, they are just disappointing.   

Since the iron is so new, I tried reaching out to the company on their website.  Frustrating (unfriendly website).  Finally managed to send them a message, received an email response that I hadn't included the complete information.  Must call them.  When I did, the guy on the phone said I must send the iron back - they will repair or replace the iron under the one year warranty.  He'll send me a pre-paid postage label.  How long?  4-6 weeks.  There's no way on earth I can go for that long without ironing.  Even though I often think that except for quilters I'm the last woman in the U.S. who irons.  So, yes, send the label.  I'm not sure it's worth the time to find a box, package the iron, send it back and wait forever for them to accomplish the repair.  It's a little itty bitty plug.  Just send me a new one.  Seriously.  So I'm sitting on the problem while I try to figure out what I'm willing to do.

Then the vacuum broke. Well, it was kind-sorta-almost broken already. But then it truly broke.  Just a handle that connects the dustbin to the frame.  Internet revealed there's an authorized repair shop only a half hour away.  So, off we went this morning. He said it looked like we only needed a new handle ($50) but he'd take a thorough look.  Nope, also needs a new filter.  The one by the motor.  That is supposed to be being regularly cleaned.  Didn't know (or did I forget?) that cleaning that filter (not sure I knew there was a filter there)  was important.  It's right next to the motor - too dirty and it stops the airflow, could cause either a fire or permanent motor damage.  ($30).  For only $80 we walked away with new filter, new handle and hopefully a vacuum that will work properly. I haven't loved this vacuum either.  Seems like everything is built to fail in a short time necessitating expensive repair or replacement. Sigh.

But today it feels good to have the vacuum working - at least that's the assumption, haven't actually tried it yet.  I've mailed off a couple birthday cards and we stopped and bought advance tickets to see the final Wicked movie.  I so wanted to see the play again when it was here in the valley earlier in the year.  But I also loved the movie and have so looked forward to seeing the final installment.  We recorded the first half on tv the other night and will watch it the night before we see the last part at the theater.  Something to look forward to is always fun.  A productive day.  And that always feels good. 

My back is still a problem.  I think the pain is down about 50%.  Still 50% hurting.  Moving carefully and slow. Not doing much standing - it hurts.  Hoping for improvement.

Hi from Alaska

 

Received a postcard from our storehouse friend that is currently back in Alaska serving their mission there.  What fun to hear from her.  I loved that she said she was pretending to know what she's doing with all the computer stuff.  I feel like that's how I'm living life:  pretending to know what I'm doing as I juggle all that needs doing- while keeping an eye out for joy and contentment along life's path.

I'm grateful for the symphony to look forward to - Music Of Motown - should be great fun, lots of songs from our (old) era. Riding trax will be more relaxing than doing the beep and creep all the way downtown and then fighting for a parking spot.  Grateful for people who can repair stuff, who can clean up our leaves (he said he'd be here one of these days) and who treat us as people still and not annoying oldsters. I'm concentrating on giving myself constant pep talks / positive affirmations.  Want to be good. 

Pain

So, the back pain has diminished.  It didn't feel like the prescription for pain worked at all.  The muscle relaxer helped the first night, and I waited a night and then I took it again.  I only did a half dose each time but on our morning walk this morning I had a really hard time catching my breath so I think I'll not take that again.  Sigh.  I can function.  But I'm not liking the pain, even reduced as it is. Facet arthrosis is no fun. Between the laundry and our trip to Costco for only a few necessities (and I was overwhelmed with how busy it was - sheesh!) I'm about done in.  I keep telling myself, this is the new reality and I'll have to get used to doing less, and doing it slower. 

Am reminded of being with some friends the other day and we were talking about aging - one of the ladies said, "raise your hand if you're having no pain", and we all laughed because all of us oldsters are hurting in one way or another.  

Ran across this article the other day.  Found it pretty interesting.  Sort of felt validated that I still do my handwritten lists - for groceries and other things.  I remember them better, sometimes can even picture the list in my head when I've forgotten to bring it along. I may be old school, but I can mostly still manage to keep things together.  Hand Written Lists

Headed to the dentist for the replacement replacement - yes that's two replacements - crown.  It's on and feels mostly fine, just not super good.  I think I liked the way the temporary crown felt better.  But I'm grateful it's done.

Gratitude today for The Husband who is so kind, even when I'm not.  I don't deserve him.  Grateful for rain overnight and sunshine today. Grateful that the temps are just right for a sweater.  Sweater weather is good.  Freezing overcoat weather harder to handle.  (And our heating bill for Oct. was already $100, I shudder to think what it'll be when the really cold weather hits.) I'm grateful for leftovers for dinner.