Category Archives: Challenges

Everything Wears Out

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by in #sitsblogging, Challenges, Health, Me, Nostalgia

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , ,

Everything wears out. Cars, appliances, furniture, bodies.  I have learned way more about the human body in the past year than I ever thought I wanted to know. Upper endoscopies, CT scans, x-rays, colonoscopies. I became well acquainted with them all. The heating pad on my belly has become my best friend.

Today as I await the approach of another doctor’s visit to address a new concern that cropped up this morning, I wonder why some folks never seem to have health issues. Others have chronic, life-long problems. Still others have items crop up as they age.

I try to look on the bright side and figure that things could be far worse. I can see, I can hear, I can walk, and most days I function as any other, normal, overweight, 59 year old female does. Things hurt, I move a bit slower, but I get through it. Some days it defeats me, and I long for the days when I felt well, or I long for the days when I can retire and I can pretty much relax 24/7. Then again some days having a job and responsibilities to go off to keeps me sane and keeps me going.

When I was in my 30’s and dealing with children with developmental disabilities, autism, ADHD, diabetes, celiac disease and the special education administrators and so-called regular teachers in the school districts, I used to say that work was my escape. I went there to get away from the hard things I faced at home. Having to deal with all of those people and all of those issues hardened me and made me grow up in so many different ways.

When I was in my 40’s and dealing with death (father-in-law, grandmother, mother and my beloved pets one right after the other) and dealing with the beginnings of the health issues (endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and hysterectomy), I was thrown for a loop. That decade brought me to my knees, and depression threatened. I withdrew from life in many ways.

My 50’s have been a reawakening for me. I grew further and tossed off the sadness, I got two college degrees, I got five tattoos, and I rediscovered the guitar, but then I also found new health challenges.

I’m not sure why we age the way we do. Folks who eat right and stay fit don’t always reap the benefits of their hard work so please don’t tell me I should’ve taken better care of myself. I did the best I could.

Everything wears out. It’s why folks have surgeries to replace or repair things. It’s why we buy new cars, new appliances and new furniture.

So I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other. It’s all I can do, and I’ll hope for the best.

Image courtesy of Pinterest

A Reflection of the Times

26 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in #sitsblogging, #truckerswife, Blogging, Challenges, Family, Health, Inspiration, Me, Photography, Random Thoughts, Rochester, Trucker's Wife

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Is it just me, or is it more difficult to post using the WordPress app on an iPhone than it is to go through the browser? I don’t seem to be able to upload images any longer through the app itself.9BAD8FF4-F2F3-4EA9-B511-5960F6E2DF5F

I’m still here as evidenced by the above picture of me taken just moments ago in the lunchroom at work.  I was trying to capture a picture of me in a new outfit to send to my hubby. The red flag in front of me is actually outside the window, a leftover Christmas decoration on a light pole in downtown Rochester, New York. We’ve reached that ugly time of year, in between fresh, pretty snow and Spring. We’ve got dirty piles of leftover snow and frigid temperatures. Not exactly conducive to cheerful, good moods.

6FF5E3F4-2488-4DA2-806E-8838D65C919E.jpeg

Still, I try to keep smiling as I eat my boring cup of white rice. I’ve still got the occasional belly upset. They tell me that could go on for six months or more. It’s only been around three months, and it is better, just not entirely normal for me yet.  The sign behind me on the wall of the cafeteria says ‘Insta Healthy’. That’s our new addition to the work cafeteria, and there’s nothing there I want to even try!  Lots of protein bars, popcorn, nuts and seeds. Not much that’s diverticulitis friendly so I’ll pass. Thanks.

5293CEF4-BB2C-42FF-B6BC-F9BCDD0B5FAA.jpegStill the sunshine is nice today, and hubby thinks he’ll be home tonight. That’s something to look forward to anyway.

Sentimental Saturday #1

06 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by in #family, #sitsblogging, #truckerswife, Challenges, Family, Holidays, Inspiration, Me, Photography, Random Thoughts, Sentimental Saturday

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Well, another holiday season has come and gone. My fake Christmas tree returned to the basement early this afternoon. I almost didn’t put it up this year. We didn’t do Christmas.

My oldest son lost his job the day after Thanksgiving so black Friday had a different meaning for us this year. He ended up with no health insurance for a few months, and he’s a Type 1 (insulin-dependent) Diabetic. That made things a little scary around our house. I had to hang onto any extra cash I had (in case he needed financial help) so there were no gifts from Santa under our tree this year.

I try not to be materialistic, but having nothing to open Christmas morning really sucked. Much more than I thought it would. It was a depressing holiday.

I enjoyed the tree once we put it up (Hubby insisted we do so). It always looks pretty, and it’s covered with ornaments I made with my mother or that my boys made when they were small. It’s always a walk down memory lane, but yes, I was also glad to see it go this year. Ha! I just realized when I looked for a picture of this year’s tree that I don’t have one of it fully decorated. I took a picture when it was just covered with lights, and I was certain I was going to just leave it that way. It sat this way for several days before we put ornaments on. So here’s a picture of it unadorned with nothing but lights.

Things are starting to look up around here. My oldest son should be starting a new job soon. He’s just waiting to hear on whether or not he’s passed the physical exam. He’s also had several other interviews. He’s receiving unemployment, and he’s signed up for the Affordable Care health coverage. That was a huge relief off of Mom’s shoulders, let me tell you.

So we’ll let this holiday season slip by. They don’t have to all be stellar.

Resolutions and Ramblings

01 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by in #sitsblogging, Challenges, Family, Health, Holidays, Humor, Inspiration, Me, Progress Report, Random Thoughts, Weight Loss

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

,

Everyone always resolves to make this year a better one. I’m no different I suppose. I’ve already started the new year with a bang. I watched the ball drop, stayed up to read, and started the year with a stomachache at 2:50 a.m.

While the rest of the family drifted off to bed (hubby at 10:00 p.m. [we joke that he’s 80 instead of 60], my boys at 2:00 something and 3:00 something), I had to stay up until things settled. I took my 6:00 a.m. blood pressure pill at 5:00 a.m. and went to bed at 5:30. Sad, huh? Still I had a nice, warm, sleeping hubby to cuddle up with. Beats the cold bed I have most nights.

I was up at 8:30 to feed the cat, back to bed, then up for good at 11:36 a.m. today, and I’ve already argued with my youngest son over the trash. Yay, 2018! Off to a great start here.

Still it could be worse. Alive and breathing, right? My oldest son is out shoveling and clearing the cars so we can go visit my mother in law. At least that’s one thing I don’t have to do anymore (shoveling). Wait. Maybe diverticulitis has a positive side after all. I just have to look for the silver lining.

As for New Years resolutions, I’m not sure I made any for 2017. I usually just hope for the best. I probably resolved to sleep more, swear less, be nicer to others, and lose weight. Pretty standard fare. The only one I managed was losing weight, and the diverticulitis diet is not one I’d recommend.

For 2018 I’ll resolve to eat better. A tender tummy demands that. I’ll also resolve to move more. A dear co-worker has already said he’ll get me out walking with him at lunchtime this year. Even if we only go occasionally it’s better than what I do now. I will try to be nicer to those I love or care for. That’s a good resolution. I can’t abide most other people so I’ll resolve to just ignore them more. Less lashing out with comments under my breath or actual middle fingers in the air. I can be an adult, right?

2018 has to be better because 2017 sucked so badly. My oldest son kept asking me last evening if it had really been that bad of a year. Yes, for me, personally, the year was awful. Car accident and health decline. Those last six months of belly upheaval really overshadowed any good that might’ve been there.

2017 is gone. 2017 is done. And here’s the brave and happy face I’ll put forth in 2018.

Happy New Year, everyone.