Seeler's complaints

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BetteTheRed said:
There was a slightly important lesson in it, though, and that was the concept of "looking at where you want to end up", which I found curiously helpful when learning to drive.
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That was a late revelation for me. I parted my hair crooked and couldn't draw or paint a straight line until I learned that trick.
 
ninjafaery said:
Sign me up!
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Right after I sign up myself and my old man! So far two doctors, four therapists, and the Recreation Director all think it is a good idea. None of them are prepared to find the bit of cash to pay a Facilitator. Stupidity. One therapist could take the time to lead a group session instead of seeing individuals . Same paycheque - more bang for the bucks..
 
I believe that it's easier to exercise when you're in a group with a competent leader. I find a feel much better most days that I exercise and move about and I do as much as I can motivate myself to do, but I let inertia take over too often. A regularly schuled program would get me out of the house.

Today was a good day. Up early, I made breakfast, unloaded the dishwasher, made some cranberry sauce, tidied up the kitchen. Made some phone calls, rescheduling an appointment, and confirming some details about a worship service I will be leading next week. Short nap, did my physio-, read newspaper, peeled and cooked potatoes for tomorrow, made lunch, then went to my Parkinson's support group.

Feel good today. I'm hoping for a good night's sleep and energy tomorrow when Seelerman and I are cooking a turkey dinner to deliver to my cousin's family – she had surgery today.
 
KayTheCurler said:
I too find it hard to motivate myself to exercise alone.
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The key is to do it regularly until it becomes a habit and you feel that you are gaining something ( like you now can do the exercise more often than when you started, you body feels better when doing it, you notice better balance, more strength. I never had that experience when I was young, just grew up with poor body perception, paired with always being the last in gym class, there was no benefit perceived from exercise. Only since I got my personal trainer building me up with Pilates starting at simple breathing exercises, I experienced an actual benefit from it. ( which you can loose quite easily again).
 
I prefer to exercise alone. I can use music or whatever I am watching on the TV to pace and motivate myself. Guess that's my introversion showing.
 
Despite the fact that the pain in my back and neck bothers me more than the symptoms of my Parkinson’s, I realize that my physical condition is gradually deteriorating. Although I can still maintain the pace necessary during a busy week, I find the it takes a while to recover. One activity a day would be great - some days I have two or three things that have to be done – appointments to keep, groceries to shop for, library books to be picked up or returned, church and/or social activities that are committed to or that I want to attend. The week before last, was like that and it took three or four days to recover.
This past weekend we had a Square Dance Festival with our club hosting several other clubs; Square dancing Friday evening, Meeting with Seelergirl and Pete for breakfast Saturday morning. Then home for a short time before going square dancing again Saturday afternoon and evening. During the suppertime break we dashed out to the co-op store to pick up a fruit tray for the evening snack our club was providing (some of our visitors would be driving for two hours to get home after the closing). And I had forgotten to make sandwiches or squares to contribute. I didn’t get much physio done those days.
In addition, these past two Sundays I have been leading worship at my former church. I put about 15 hours preparation into each service, and spend about two hours at the church on Sunday mornings. By Sunday afternoon I was exhausted. Seelerman and I collapsed in the living room with the TV on and were just drifting off to sleep in our chairs when a neighbour phoned and invited us to go for a drive with them. I turned down the temperature on the crockpot where I had started a pot roast that morning and we accepted their inviation - better than sleeping all afternoon. But since that while Seelerman has the energy to do yard work, I find myself lazing around the house not even getting out on the deck to enjoy the beautiful weather were having now.
Tomorrow we will be spending the better part of the day volunteering at the church with their outreach lunch program.
I’m grateful for all the people who are so good to me. Beginning with Seelerman who is my support person. But all the people who open doors for me, offer to carry things for me, or get me a coffee, or make sure I have a chair in a crowded room. Those who make themselves available if I need help buttoning or zippering my coat or putting on my shoes. I can do all these things myself, and usually do, but I appreciate the offers; and I can see the time coming when I will need help.
 
Reading over my most recent post, I realize that I was having a few bad days. Life isn't that bad. While it is true that I found preparing for and delivering a worship service is more difficult now than it was six months or a year ago, I got good feedback and complements after each service and an invitation to come back next time they need supply.
This week has been good so far.
Mother's Day we had a nice visit with Seelergirl's family.
Nice weather on Monday meant that I actually got out for a walk around the block and had energy to do some weeding in my perennial bed before a neighbour dropped over to chat. We could really believe that spring was here as we sat on the front deck in our shirtsleeves. (What has happened to our weather since then – cold, windy, raining with the threat of snow)?
 
I interrupted my post to go to my Parkinson's support group. We meet once a month – 20 or 30 people with Parkinson's and some of them have their caregivers with them (spouses, friends, son or daughter). It's a great group and I try never to miss it. Today the guest speaker had to cancel at the last moment so we had extra time to meet in small groups and discuss problems and challenges, medications, housing arrangements and various changes that we have had to make to accommodate our limitations. But we also share our information and accomplishments. It was through this group that I found out about the physiotherapy program that I participated in. Several others in the group also took the program and we all agree that it was helpful.
Life is good.
 
I am likewise SO glad to see some sunshine & spring weather Seeler. I found this winter to be brutal - my first one of retirement. I think the weather takes a toll on our mood, and health too. Wishing you more sunshine!! Keep posting - I am enjoying your updates and comments as always.
 
Carolla said:
I am likewise SO glad to see some sunshine & spring weather Seeler. I found this winter to be brutal - my first one of retirement. I think the weather takes a toll on our mood, and health too. Wishing you more sunshine!! Keep posting - I am enjoying your updates and comments as always.
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Yet some say the environment about us has nothing to do with altruistic behaviours in character!
 
I’ve been a bit down this spring, perhaps because of the lateness of the season - although the last few days have been a beautiful, fresh, sunny 20+ degrees during the day and around 10° in the early morning and late evening. Perfect weather! I think my mood has been the more affected by the fact that I am aware of my gradual physical deterioration. For instance, I had to ask someone else to keep score at recent table-game because my hand writing was shaky from my tremor. And although I hate to admit it, my balance is not as good as it once was. I have to be careful.

Therefore, I really appreciate affirmation that there are some things I can still do well.

We had a pulpit exchange and our church last Sunday and I was honoured to be asked in advance to introduce the visiting minister. I made some inquiries and found out that she was the new minister at the little church I had previously attended, having been called from a church in another province. She moved here with her husband and child. I had actually met her on a few occasions during the past year. I made notes of the points I wanted to make and the order in which I would make them but didn’t write out what I would be saying. I arrived early at church in the morning and found out where I should stand, as well as speaking to the sound controller and saying a few practice words into the mic. There was no place to put my notes. I could hold them but the tremor in my hands would be very obvious. I would have to ad lib.


After the service, during the friendship time, I received several compliments on my introduction. (I had mentioned some challenges each minister would meet as I compared our big, historic, ornate, downtown church with a small, relatively new, congregation meeting in an all-purpose room in a utilitarian building. I also pointed out that they were both Affirming, supportive of the M&S, interested in local issues and outreach, and in promoting lifelong learning.)

One woman who complimented me did not speak of my message, but rather told me she was from another province in town to visit as her father in a nursing home. When she saw me in front of the congregation, she recognized me from three years ago when she had been here for her mother’s funeral. She wanted to thank me again of how kind I had been to her at that time. Although I remembered meeting her, and fondly remembered her mother, I could not remember anything out of the way that I had said or done that was was especially kind.

Two days later at a social gathering of church seniors, several people individually made a point of coming over to my table and thanking me for my introduction, telling me I did a good job. I could tell they were sincere. One of them told me that he had learned a lot about the little church on the outskirts of the city. Seelerman, who sometimes seems impatient with me, was swelling with pride at the recognition I was receiving.

I don’t mean to brag; I simply want to emphasize the importance of affirming and what it meant to me. Our church is not only officially an Affirming Church but tries to be affirming of each individual regardless of their talents or challenges. I feel so much better after my experiences and more confident to continue doing what I am able.

Life is good!
 
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Ah Seeler - once again you give us a heartfelt reminder about kindness and expressing appreciation to one another. You are so right - it may seem like we're not doing anything out of the ordinary, but moments can be remembered so differently by others. In all things, be kind.

And it was nice to hear that Mr Seeler was bursting his buttons with pride!
 
Summer is officially finally here but you would never know it today with the high of 15° and drizzling rain. The type of cold and goes straight through you. I think I am really affected by the weather. These cold damp days get me down. My spirits were a lot better over the past weekend and earlier in the week. I was busy with outdoor activities – church service in the Park on Sunday, barbecue with the Faith formation group at the Minister’s cottage on the lake on Monday, grocery shopping and errands on Tuesday. Wednesday morning I spent an hour I was in the sun planting pansies and generally tidying my perennial patch. It was the hottest day so far this spring with a high of around 25°. Although I love the sun, I don’t do well in the hot weather and after an hour I was wet with sweat and so weak that I was almost stumbling as I went in and flopped on the recliner. After a bit I revived enough to have a cool shower and made lunch before going to my support group. Talking to other people with the same problems is a big help. We discussed the possibility that people with Parkinson’s has difficulty setting their inner thermostat to deal with either hot or cold.

At the meeting we were given a booklet of information for caregivers I hope Seelerman will read it; he gets stressed sometimes. I encourage him to go to the caregiver support workshop but he is reluctant. He is rather shy and the group would be mainly women. (I’m reading the booklet to see if there’s any way I can make things easier for him.)

Seelerman actually seems to enjoy taking over some of the cooking. Wednesday evening, out of the blue, he said, ‘I would like some homemade biscuits’. (He had tried making them a couple of weeks ago and they turned out like hockey pucks.) So I ask, ‘would you like me to make some, dear?’ By the time I had gathered the ingredients he was out in the kitchen offering to help. Together we made the biscuits with me explaining about cutting in the shortening into the flour and the importance of not overdoing the mixing and rolling. They actually turned out quite good. I will set some out in The Room tomorrow morning. Sometime, I hope it’s a few years off, he will probably be doing most of the cooking. It’s good for him to get the practice now while he’s still enjoying it.

Also, this past week Seelerman had an appointment with his optometrist I went with him because he was getting drops in his eyes to expand the pupil. I had to drive him home. I have been doing much driving this spring – but I did okay. I must make a point to take the car out every now and then if I want to keep my license up. I would hate to stop driving altogether. It comes in handy sometimes, and gives a person a sense of some control in their lives.
 
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