Finally

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

After about a year of asking, my doctor has finally decreased a medication I'm on. I've been on it for awhile. I was not given a direct reason for why I was put on that particular medicine and I never liked how it made me feel. The doctor balked at first then made the comment that as people get older, that there's a greater chance of side effects from medicines. Go figure! So last night was my first night on the new dosage. I didn't really sleep that well, but can't really say if it had anything to do with the medicine or not. I woke up in a great mood, which is a good sign, I think. So time will tell if I have made the right choice. As long as I can say that I'm in good spirits, I think the answer will be a resounding yes.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LYNNA1968 10/25/2012 7:51PM

its always a great feeling to have it decreased! Good for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

NPA4LOSS 10/25/2012 3:42PM

We have to stand up for ourselves to get things done sometimes! Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTA123 10/25/2012 7:05AM

good for you, side effects from some meds can be awful.. Report Inappropriate Comment

DIDMIS 10/25/2012 1:31AM

You probably read what a medication I was on did to me. Doctors always blame everything on stress or getting older. Sometimes we need to stand our ground. Just because we are older doesn't mean we are stupider. I have decided to read all of the side effects of all medications instead of skimming over them. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPIRALINGUP 10/24/2012 8:14PM

Glad you are feeling fine! Report Inappropriate Comment

NESARIAN 10/24/2012 12:09PM

Yay you for persisting. There should be a reason for each medication. Maybe you could ask what the goal is for this certain med? Report Inappropriate Comment

Getting There

Sunday, October 21, 2012

I'm slowly getting into the habit of doing things to improve myself mentally. It's something that I have talked about doing for awhile now, but have been prevented from doing so by a couple of things. One was a job that I had that had crazy, inconsistent hours and lots of stress. The other, I must admit, was me. I just didn't give myself the push I needed.

I am back doing things at church. This is helping me spiritually and socially. There's a lot a great people at my church and I enjoy spending time with them.

I am dealing head on with a couple problems that I have. I'm researching and asking lots of questions. I am really thinking about what it is that I want and I am sticking to my guns. This is a major step for me. I've always been someone who has stepped back away from things that caused stress and discord. I'm learning how to deal with stress in a more healthy way. The researching and soul searching have been major breakthroughs. I've got a way to go yet in this area, but I am taking it one step at a time and gaining confidence with each day.

I have found one place that I have started volunteering at. I've only been there one day, but I think it went rather smoothly. It didn't even bother me that I found out that the person working with me and showing me the ropes was my ex-husband's wife. I just jumped right in and started working. I'm not sure how comfortable I would have been with that a few years ago.

There are still a few areas that I need to work on. I had set some goals for myself and haven't been striving for some of them. There are things that I want to learn and get better at. Gotta push myself a little harder on these.

At least I feel that I am taking baby steps in the right direction. By the end of the year, I hope to look back and see how far I have come. I want to end the year on a high note and make next year an even better year than this year.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MDBUTTERFLY 10/24/2012 10:19PM

Baby steps is the way to go...you will get there! Report Inappropriate Comment

BECCA324 10/22/2012 6:40PM

It sounds to me that you are making the right directions to relieve stress, volunteering is a great way to get your mind off of things and get some real satisfaction with what you do. I volunteer once a week also and the feeling that I get from it is irreplaceable. Just keep sticking to your guns. Report Inappropriate Comment

KONOHA-NIN 10/21/2012 3:37PM

It sounds like you have been making a lot of progress! Be kind to yourself and keep acknowledging that you are working hard and taking these baby steps in the right direction...they all add up. By the way, thanks for your comment on my blog post. It is not easy for me to stay positive...I force myself to make that summary of things each day because it is otherwise so difficult to slip into major negative self-talk (at this point, that is still my habit - like you, I am trying to work on changing and improving mentally!). My hope is that I can "fake it till I make it" and that my outlook on things can slowly change to "default" to positive rather than negative. Report Inappropriate Comment

BERGBA7 10/21/2012 1:41PM

great! Have a good week! Report Inappropriate Comment

NPA4LOSS 10/21/2012 12:49PM

The mysteries of life are always an amazing adventure. You have come a million miles. Enjoy the journey! Report Inappropriate Comment

Wheel of Fortune

Thursday, October 18, 2012

I had a friend come over with his dog the other night. Wheel of Fortune was on in the background as we talked. Every time there was a ding on the show, the dog thought it was the door bell and barked to let us know. I will never be able to watch the show again without thinking of the dog.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PURPLEPEONY 10/20/2012 4:33PM

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LORRAINE10141 10/19/2012 11:20AM

Cute. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

DESERTDREAMERS 10/19/2012 5:32AM

Every time my pups hear a doorbell on TV, they rush the front door, barking! They also look around, very worried, when they hear an animal whining. Report Inappropriate Comment

EVWINGS 10/18/2012 10:18PM

Sweet, sweet dogs!!! Too cute, but just doing their job!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NPA4LOSS 10/18/2012 10:01PM

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SLIMLILA 10/18/2012 6:48PM

Thanks for the laugh, good to remember. My litt le dog in AB used to do that too... another loss for me.. hope they did find her a new home Report Inappropriate Comment

HELLENACKERMAN 10/18/2012 1:58PM

My dog has a fit anytime a commercial comes on tv that has a doorbell in it or a knocking noise!! They are silly animals. We just sit and laugh at her! Report Inappropriate Comment

Not a Good Feeling

Monday, October 15, 2012

The weather is turning cold and blustery here in Michigan. I've been staying inside a little more than usual because I hate the cold weather. I've also been sitting a watching the baseball playoffs as my beloved Tigers are doing well so far.

I realized this morning that I have been far too sedentary lately and I don't like how I'm feeling. So, it's time to get busy and find ways to get some more inside exercise in. It's back to walking with Leslie, walking at the mall that is way to close to me to not take advantage of it, and deep cleaning parts of the house that are in need of it. It's time to do some more of those wonderful 10-15 minute workout videos that are well within my reach.

It's time to hit some late in the season yard sales and some church rummage sales to see if I can find an exercise bike or maybe if I'm lucky enough a treadmill. I'm not getting my hopes up on these items, but I'm still keeping my eyes and ears open. I've worked too hard to let myself slide back into old habits that I had thought were well behind me. I hate when they try to sneak up on me like that.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRI_BABE 10/17/2012 10:11PM

Great job on ideas for being more active! Report Inappropriate Comment

PROUD-GRANDMA 10/15/2012 6:05PM

Good job!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NPA4LOSS 10/15/2012 4:52PM

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BERGBA7 10/15/2012 4:01PM

oh yes, we are never far away from our old habits! Good plans, though, I hope you will find a bike on those yard sales! Report Inappropriate Comment

AMYC0128 10/15/2012 2:31PM

Great that you see that you are starting to slip into ols patterns and good for you for coming up with action plans to get going! Report Inappropriate Comment

KAMAPERRY 10/15/2012 12:19PM

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MIATIA1 10/15/2012 11:39AM

Great positve action plans. WAY TO GO! Report Inappropriate Comment

SCRAPPINPOLLY 10/15/2012 11:38AM

I love Leslie Sansone. She is awesome!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DIET_FRIEND 10/15/2012 11:31AM

I like walking with Leslie. I hope you will report in your next blog all the minutes you have logged doing all these activities you mentioned. Report Inappropriate Comment

Volunteer Opportunities

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

I found a website that listed a lot of volunteer opportunities in my area. I picked out a couple to try out. I will give them a try to see if I like them. If not, I know where to go to pick out some more.

Tomorrow, I will go to an orientation to volunteer at a local food pantry. It's literally right around the corner from my house. The volunteer opportunities there are varied - from answering phones to data entry to greeting people to helping them picking out and packing their food. People work in three hour shifts. Sounds easy enough.

I've got some paperwork coming to volunteer to work with a local hospice. There's a variety of things to do at this place. I could be doing things from working in the office to sitting and visiting with people at their houses. This one may be a tough one. I can easily see myself getting attached to people. But I think it's a worthwhile cause and I'm willing to give it a try. Worst case scenario is that I'll switch to something else.

Next in line would be volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. There's so much going on with that organization that I'm sure I could find something to help with. There's a ReStore close by that I think I would love to work at. It has new and used items that people can purchase for their houses. With my back problems, I realize that I would not be able to do anything like roofing or windows, but I can certainly pick up a paintbrush here or there. This is something my youngest has spent many hours volunteering at and I know it's a cause that's near and dear to her heart. But, I'm reserving this until I see how the others go.

There were volunteer opportunities involving animals that I looked at. But then I remembered working at the Humane Society in high school. I fell in love with all the animals and wanted to bring them all home. That's not an option for me right now in a small two-bedroom condo that already has a long-haired cat who thinks she's the queen of the condo and a chocolate lab that loves to play and doesn't realize that she's not a little puppy anymore.

I am hoping that others who read this will consider volunteering even if it's just a few hours a month. I have volunteered since I've been in elementary school and have gotten back so much more than I have put in. I've made some good friends out of my experiences and have hopefully made some lives better.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BERGBA7 10/12/2012 2:49AM

Very nice! Hope you find something you like! Report Inappropriate Comment

NPA4LOSS 10/11/2012 10:38PM

I loved volunteering when I was able. I pulled books for home bound! It was very rewarding. Report Inappropriate Comment

FITMARY 10/10/2012 4:54PM

This is inspirational! Thanks for reminding us all! Report Inappropriate Comment