Category: My Life

Ah, so you haven’t heard from me about my “Healthy Eating Plan” for a while. So I thought I would write and tell you a little bit about what has been going on.

A lot of people tell me that they over-eat when they are happy or sad, celebrating, or grieving. But you know, I am not really like that. If life is going along well, I find eating what I should is easy for me. Mostly because I really enjoy all the “good” foods, like vegetables, fish and poultry.

My problem is when I am grieving. Then I find all I want to eat are sweets, carbs, and sugar!

I’d been doing pretty well until my birthday in November. That’s when I allowed sugar back into my life. Never a good thing. Christmas came and New Years’ too.

Then, in January, Anneliese became very ill and I knew her time with me was limited. Even before she left me, I was grieving for her.

The day arrived and I drove her out to our Vets for the last time. I was alone with her that one last time, and then I held her while she left me, and I drove home, alone.

My eating became erratic and before I knew it, things with my diet were not going well.

My friend passed away on April first and I was still drowning myself with food.

Did it help? Not really, but for those moments when I was eating there was almost a calmness that came over me. Or so I thought.

Then I sat myself down and had a long talk with myself. Was this accomplishing anything? Was it really making me “happy“, or was this making my depression even worse?

I went grocery shopping. I bought fruit, vegetables, some fish and some poultry. I also did not buy any item that was over 1-2 points. Mostly I stayed in the Produce and Meat Section of the store, but I did shop for some frozen vegetables. I especially enjoy the riced cauliflower.

I’ve had a constant conversation with myself this week. Who can make this “Healthy Eating Plan” work? ME! Who can sabotage my efforts with this Plan? Also me. So at 62, I decided it was time to stop playing emotional games with food and hold myself accountable for what I was eating and doing with my life.

I really want to do this, and the only way to do it is, to be honest with myself and work every day to make myself healthy and well!

A few bloggers I know do a Wordless Wednesday Meme each week. I knew that this wasn’t one for me. Since the day I was born I haven’t been wordless. In fact, my parents considered naming me Chatty Kathy.

All through my childhood, I was one of those kids who just talked. I drove my sister crazy. We would be lying in bed at night and I would start talking and asking her questions and I would go on and on and on. She would kindly tell me, “Good Night”, and I’d reply, “Good Night”, only to go right back to chatting all over again.

As the years passed I moved in with my Grandparents. I would sit and talk to my Grandmother for hours. I would tell her about school, about my day, and go on and on.

She once told me, after I had married and left home, that the worst part of my moving out was the silence. The one and only time anyone has said this to me.

A few years ago a friend of Jack’s was driving me across Florida to meet Jack at another airport. We were driving along and I was doing my usual chatting, hardly taking a breath. Finally, he interrupted me and said, “I bet you can’t shut up for 10 minutes”.

Ten minutes? Not a problem. We started the clock. One second, two seconds, three seconds…It was the longest ten minutes of my life! I did, however, make it, although I felt slightly queasy afterward.

I don’t think I talk as much as I once did. At least I try not to.
What’s that?
Jack is now laughing hysterically.
Well, I am trying!

I hate Spring cleaning. You know you get out the heavy-duty cleaners, usually containing bleach, and by the time you get done, all you can smell is bleach! Jack says he can’t smell anything, but to me, it is all I can smell! Ugh!

I did manage to get four loads of laundry done, clean the fridge and walk the dogs several times. Wait! Let me check and see if I have a fever! I am simply never this productive in one day!

At least dinner was easy. I took all sorts of leftovers out of the fridge, heated them up and that was dinner. So no real cooking for me. And tomorrow is the same. I am all for quick and easy meals.

My second shot is on Saturday. I am planning to be quiet and feel crappy like I did last time. This way, if I feel good after, it’s a win-win!

Well, a very Happy Tuesday to you all!

I woke early on Friday, as I felt somewhat nervous about my upcoming appointment with my Glaucoma Doctor. During a recent visit to get new glasses, I found not only elevated pressures but a decrease in my vision in my left eye.

I was also a bit nervous because we were having torrential downpours and I really don’t like driving in the rain.

I came out to make my chocolate-Banana-Pancake and while trying to open the seal on a bottle of Vanilla I stabbed my thumb! I stood there in the kitchen thinking that perhaps I should just chuck the day and go back to bed!

Since that was not really an option, I sat down, ate breakfast, and then proceeded to get ready for the day. I did my hair and dressed in real clothes. No leggings and tunics for me!

Shortly after lunch, I headed out. The sky was dark and gloomy, the fog still had not lifted. It was cold, muddy, and yucky! And oh, the rain!

I stopped for gas and then since I did have a few minutes I stopped to look at a new Cell Phone with Verizon.

I went in, and during my talk with the salesmen I found out that my current cell phone is 5 years old! He was shocked by how my Galaxy S8 looks brand new. Well, I got a poured-on screen protector, I use an Otter Box phone protector, and, well, I take really good care of this phone. I try pretty hard to take care of my special and expensive things.

I mentioned all the things I like about my phone, and aside from a better camera, the new S21 does not have the things I like in a Cell Phone. Most importantly, the backup SD Card!

So right now, since my phone is still what I need for me, I’m not going to get a new one.

I arrived at my Eye Appointment and I was really upset. In fact, I did something I have never done before. I said, “Oh I think I left my glasses in the other room”. The technician came back and looked at me and laughed. “Maribeth, they’re on your face!” Yeah, I felt like a silly old lady! But really, that’s how weird my day had been going.

The doctor came in and there are a few problems and I will need some laser surgery to help get my pressures down. The first surgery is on April 9th. Our wedding anniversary.

The sun was shining when I came out and the temperature was in the 70’s! Beautiful! But, as I drove north toward home, it got darker and darker and then the rain started again.

Ugh!

I did manage to finish the day cooking dinner, feeding dogs, and doing the dishes without injuring myself! This was a real accomplishment.

So despite the fact that my day has been less than perfect, it was okay and actually could have been worse. So I will take it. I guess one must look to make lemonade when you find yourself with an abundance of lemons!

Okay, I have to admit that this Vaccination has not been what I expected. I’ve had flu shots for over 33 years. Just before that, I got the flu so badly that I prayed for death. (not really, but I was so sick) So, even though I have gotten the flu off and on over the years, despite having my flu shot, I have always felt like it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

Flash forward to November of 2019. I got what I thought was the common flu, but I was so sick that I stumped all the doctors I saw. I couldn’t breathe, so I was put on an inhaler every couple of hours. The cough was terrible and they had me on special pills for that.

Worst of all, I didn’t get well. I ran a high fever for weeks, couldn’t eat, and forced myself to get liquids in, but it was like drinking liquid cardboard. About the time that the doctors wanted to admit me, I started to do a little better, but it took me a good 6 weeks of doing nothing but staying in bed.

Was it Covid? I’ve always thought it probably was, but back then they did not have a test. However, my medical team thinks it probably was, after seeing so many cases of it over the last year.

So, yes, as soon as it was offered I went in for my first shot. Moderna. The first day wasn’t too bad. Mostly fatigue. The second day I was achy, tired and the old arm was sore. The third day, I woke feeling great until about noon, when I was so tired I fell asleep in my chair.

Just working through all the after-effects of the shot, but really convinced that this is the right path for me. The sickness I had in 2019 was bad news!

I hope that those I love will be vaccinated soon.

On Friday night I did not sleep well. I was nervous and anxious and also a bit excited about going to get my Covid Vaccine.

I woke far earlier than I needed to, had some coffee and yogurt, and headed out the door, way before I really had to.

One of my greatest character flaws is that I am always early for everything! I mean not by a few minutes, but usually by more than half an hour.

I blame my father who was always early for everything and chastised us if we kept him waiting!

In any case. I arrived at the vaccination site 35 minutes early. I went to the initial screening area and apologized for being early. They were not overcome with clients and so they brought me right in, I did my paperwork, and the next thing I knew I was having the shot, and then waiting the requisite 15 minutes to make sure I did not have an allergic reaction. I felt fine. Really. And also happy to be done half an hour early.

I drove up to Market Basket and did my grocery shopping. About the time I got to the checkout, I felt this wave wash over me. It was like I’d just finished running a full marathon. I was exhausted.

I drove to get gas in the Highlander and then drove home. I started feeling aches in my body and my arm felt heavy. It was so strange to feel this. Jack helped me bring up the groceries and put them away, and I had a small lunch. I started having chills, aches, and a headache.

They’d told me that these side effects are perfectly normal. They say it will last 24-36 hours. Also, they gave me a form to fill out telling them what my side effects are.

Here I sit tonight after having a small dinner, and I just want to go to bed. However it is only 7:30 and I would feel silly, but I may go ahead and do just that.

It’s not how I would wish to spend a day, but if this keeps me from getting a full-blown case of Covid and dying then I am willing to take the chance. I have way too much to live for!

Here we are my busy week. It all started early today when I knew I needed to go out and get my new glasses. I was excited because they are a bit different. Although the viewing area is about the same, the frame is an octagon shape. Here is a picture of me before and then afterward wearing my new frames.

But the very best part of my new glasses is that I can see! I needed a stronger lens on the left side and then I asked if I could adjust my readers for the computer. I measured the distance from eyes to screen before I went and so we planned this. I cannot tell you how wonderful my vision is with these new glasses!

Then I was off to get some groceries and the mail! Which I managed to do in record time. I was back at the house by 10:45.

It never really warmed up here over the course of the day. The wind blew, and our temperatures never for over 14 degrees! Oh, I am so over Winter!

I have also started looking for a new wire-haired dackel baby. I know I’ve said I wouldn’t do it, but I think I need to start as it could take me a very long time. With Germany still in lockdown, and this darned virus, who knows when I might be able to find this new addition to our family. So I am writing letters and starting my quest.

I do not want a designer dackel. I want one that looks like Greta and Anneliese. A really good, proper, German dackel.

Well, I have now reset all of the clocks that are not automatically reset. Two of the items are over 20 years old, and their idea of setting the clock is archaic!

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

I woke up on Saturday and felt like doing nothing! Usually, I have at least a desire to do one thing, but on Saturday, nope. I just had no desire to do much of anything.

I did know it was time to clean out my purse. And I knew this because I knew what was in there. and I knew it was time for me to put it away.

You see, Anneliese’s collar was in my purse. I haven’t even wanted to look at it. Today, after thinking about this, it was finally time for me to put it away with her ashes.

That collar was hers from the time she was very little. The first collar I got her, was guaranteed not to break. Anneliese chewed it in half! So we got a new one. This one made it through her fourteen-year life.

It is put away and now, I need to turn the page and start a new chapter with Arnie and Lili. This chapter will be called, My Life With Two Dogs.

I will tell you that in the last two weeks I have spent more time with Lili and Arnie. We play more and cuddle more and now that the stress of Anneliese’s illness is over, I find I am calmer and able to enjoy things again.

Oh, I still miss her, but as the song goes, “Oh yeah, life goes on…”. And so it does.

Once again I am down and out with a winter cold. This one is all in my head, making me stuffy, feverish, and very tired. I’ve spent two days in bed, only getting up to prepare meals for the dogs and for us. And even then it’s minimal.

The TV drones on and mostly I sleep through it. I’m glad I stocked up on soups and crackers.

Arnie is a very good nurse. He never leaves my side. I’m a lucky girl. Until I am better I suspect my blogging will be minimal.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and have a good week!