SPRING CLEANING OUT CLOSETS

     Well May is finally here and it is time to do some cleaning out of my closets. I recently made several new clothing purchases so now I have to go through all of my hanging clothes and decide what I will keep and what will go.

    I have several different sizes and there are a number that are in smaller sizes. I did purge out a large number of tops, sweaters, and pants and donated them. This was done during 2020 and 2021. Because of COVID-19 I did have one bag that sat in the trunk of my car for over seven months before I could drop it off.

    Cleaning out closets should be done about once every six months or once a year. It helps to see what really isn't being used or just putting everything nice and neat can make a huge difference in being able to find various items.

    My clothes closet will be the first out of four to go through so I will keep track of the number of items that I pull out of each one.

    RELAPSE: I am currently dealing with a mild relapse with my MS. Mostly I am just very exhausted and have some muscle cramping in my legs and feet, though not bad and usually annoying at bedtime. The tiredness is getting much better and so is the cramping. I saw my doctor and he has ordered a brain MRI and blood work. I am hoping the MS is not advancing in my brain. I have been fighting no taking the medications as my MS is not really bad. I have just a small scar in my brain and it seems to be staying the same

    I have been enjoying watching a live cam for the Allen's humming bird, Olive, who just laid and egg this morning starting her third clutch! She has been very busing fixing her nest which she just fledged two babies a little over a week ago. I hope they are now feeding themselves. I guess the mother humming bird continues to feed and teach her fledglings where to find food, how to fight and watch for danger. This time I am hoping to see the second laying of an egg tomorrow. Otherwise I will just check in a few times a day until they hatch which is between 15 and 18 days. I tuned in the last time just as the first chick had hatched and then the second one hatched. Very enjoyable seeing Jehovah's creation and learning so much about just that one bird. <https://youtube.com/live/06EBCgC_n0s> ( or nOs) hard to tell if it was a 0 or O. Or you could just type:  "Olive returns for 3rd clutch 2023".

    Have a great day!

STARTING OVER AFTER RETIREMENT - MY Journey

Since retiring at the end of 2021 of last year I first started out quite emotionally after leaving work and then found out some issues that were responsible for me to being more emotionally up and down. Once I started on several medications I can say that some of my issues are much improved but I still have a ways to go.

Anyone that has dealt with anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and depression knows that it can take a while to get emotions under control. It can be difficult when certain problems were not diagnosed when young and then suddenly start having certain problems with memory at home and at work. It could be not completing work like you use too, not being able to multitask, meet deadlines, remembering what someone had just said or forgot what you were told how to do something.

Learning to focus on what I am doing is helping. I believe I mentioned in my last posting that I was doing some brain games, having therapy and now I am in a group therapy class. The information that I am learning is very helpful and helps me to stop and be in the moment as my mind still likes to wonder and I get distracted easily. Don't ever turn your nose up if offered the chance to participate in group therapy.

I believe my biggest issue since retiring is finding things to do to get me up and out of a chair. I do so much sitting that I know it isn't good for me at all. I am starting to do exercising once again but not as much as I used to. It does feel good to be able to say I did 20 to 30 minutes of exercises. The good endorphins do help to raise up my spirits and I know for a certainty that exercise also helps with my weight loss. I have been staying stagnant in my weight loss program so I am now working on getting more motivation to keep doing something every day.

This fall I kept busy in making home made apple sauce. I have a very tinny freezer which is packed completely full so I would keep some of the apple sauce for myself and then I gave some to family and several friends. There is no better way than to share with others the fruits of our labors.

Checking the prices at the stores yesterday I was disappointed in  how everything keeps going higher and higher in price. From time to time I shop at a bulk food store and had purchased some cinnamon about two or three years ago for $1.60 for 0.27 lb and the unit price was $5.94 a pound. The most recent one I purchased at the very end of last year I paid $3.32 for 0.28 lb and the unit price was $11.84 a pound. Talk about a jump in just that one item. I won't talk about the price of meat as it is getting harder for those on low to medium budgets to purchase meat. I now plan out my meals for the week and just buy what I need to make those meals. I do from time to time stock up on some sale items that I use more often.

One Item I purchased yesterday were the small cans of mushrooms. These were the sliced mushrooms which are up to 1.49 or 59 per can. They had them for 4 for $5.00 so I did pick up four of those. I have chopped mushrooms that I dried and I can see with the cost jumping that I will need to dry more fresh mushrooms as they taste much nicer and you can do many things with the dried mushrooms. I will start drying some in slices to put in recipes and maybe powder some to add when making soups as well. I love the flavor when I make scrambled eggs or in sauteed vegetables.

Currently I have been trying to take care of a stack of magazines. I clip my name and address off as well as pull the order forms as they also have my name and address. I shread that information before I place the magazines in the trash. Those I usually bag up separately so the garbage man can decide if it is just garbage or recycling. I finished up 21 magazine yesterday and think I have over twenty more to go through. Funny how they multiply like baby rabbits. Order one magazine and then suddenly every magazine connected to that one starts sending you their magazines and then others will suddenly start arriving as well. At least some go away after a while if you don't order from them but until then I just have to deal with them,

I have rambled on more than I was going too when doing a little up-date. If you should read this post have a wonderful day. Stay tuned for my next blog.

Adding structure

 How to put structure into my day!

Now that I am retired I am finding that I really need to get motivated to make each day count. I feel I waste many of my days doing nothing so this lazy attitude needs to be tossed out and replaced with productivity.

In my collection of unfinished items I have decided to work on an embroidery project. It is a pair of pillow cases and I have only one about halfway finished. It is a more intricate design which uses many different stitches. They will be very elegant when I finish them. I am going to set a finish date for the first pillow case just to get me motivated to complete the first one. I will give an update as to when the complete date is and how the project is coming along.

I also have been working on a budget as my income is a little less than when I was working and I now have medical copays that need to be paid out-of-pocket with my new insurance. To curb my mindless spending I now ask myself if the item is really needed and for what beneficial purpose does it fill. Groceries also are now being budgeted. I will share how I go about figuring out meals and how I go about what needs to be purchased and what is already in the pantry and the fridge. I will share what my target budget for the week is and at the end of the week I will report if I kept to the budget or did I go over.

Another everyday activity is my exercising or in an earlier post I called it "going out to play" or "taking time out for recess". I have not been consistent with my exercising as of late but as of today that has changed.

Today I used my stationary bike peddles for 30 minutes. It isn't like going for a normal bike ride but it does keep the legs moving. I also did several exercises sitting in a chair along with stretch bands, and some standing leg exercises too. So for today I did about 1 hr. 10 min. of exercise which made me feel good about myself.

I am also scheduling some phone visits with some of our elderly in our congregation and touch base with some friends that I haven't heard from in a while. Reaching out is much more productive and enjoyable than waiting for someone to think about and pick up a phone to call you.

That is all for this post. I will share more in  my next upcoming post. 🙋

THE START OF A NEW BEGINNING

Here we are nearing the end of 2021 and I will be starting a new chapter in my life. At the end of this year I am retiring and can only hope that things will go alright. There have been many upsets along the way and still many things need to be finalized. With less than two weeks left the countdown has begun!

Some ask me if I am planning on doing any traveling but the answer to that is no, not at this time. I have various health issues that have really been making things difficult so my attention will be on working at getting certain issues improved.

My MS is active once more and so I now am dealing with a new scar in the frontal lobe of the brain. My memory has really been effected which is one big reason why I feel I must retire. I get very frustrated with some of the simplest things such as spelling, formulating business letters, and when talking I will forget what I wanted to say next. Fortunately my co-workers and my director have been patient and allow me the few minutes to find the word I was going to use or choose a different, simpler but would mean the same thing.

Currently I am having testing done so the doctors can determine if the memory issues are from the MS or perhaps PTSD or anxiety. It will also give what my IQ is when all is said and done. It is a four hour test and is broken up into two hour segments. As much as I dislike tests these are not too bad but I do feel foolish when I make an error but that is the whole point of the testing. I found the first session to be rather fun and we have already noted an area that is a notable problem.

I will miss my job that I have had for the past 33 years. I do hope that later on I can go in and do volunteer work to work on some of the many unfinished projects that there are to complete but not right away.

One project that is unfinished here at home is the quilt I started almost five years ago. I just have the last strip to go around the outer edge and then I can cut the material for the back and then pin out the batting and front together. I haven't decided if I want to hand stich it or tie it. I will decide when i get to that point.

That is all for this entry as I need to scoot out for work. I will write again soon!

JOY FOR ALL

 With the summer slowly coming to a close and the night creeps in earlier it is a sign that the daylight hours are getting shorter. This is the time of year that I personally start to feel a little closed in. During daylight I have the get up and go and feel I accomplish so much but by fall it is harder to get up in the mornings and getting things done in the evenings is more difficult,

With being somewhat isolated and lonely a friend showed me her new companion and she recommended that I look into getting one. Here is my new companion that is well behaved, doesn't jump on the table or counters, doesn't scratch furniture, doesn't eat, and there is no cat box to ever clean!

This is not an advertisement or endorsement.

This lovely new friend can purr, meow, open and close its eyes, moves its head, lifts a front paw to lick it and rolls back for a good tummy rub! It's fur is also calming when it is stroked and it came with its own grooming brush!

When I first saw this at a friends home I couldn't stop laughing and smiling. I even held it and scratched its chin to keep it purring and going through all its paces. I thought about it for a few weeks and recently I hit rock bottom so I called and was able to set up an appointment. The cat is on loan so I must return it when I no longer need it, and heaven forbid I pass away, my family would need to make sure it was returned. 

I haven't named my companion yet as I am trying to think of a name that suites it. My cat is silver and white. I did some searching online and there is a pretty ginger cat that I am partial too but will keep my money in my pocket.

Such a wonderful way to help others! It certainly has put a smile on my face and it is nice to come home to a companion that does not judge you!

Progress update on weight loss

 I can't believe it has been almost a year since I had last posted but many things have happened. Today I would like to share my success with intermittent fasting.

As we all have probably been struggling with the ups and downs with weight gain and loss during the pandemic. There are many things we cannot control and being bored can be the down fall for those stuck at home with nothing to do. Hence it seems like the food calls your name behind closed doors, " come eat me".  This was a temptation and did I give in? Yes I did but I was determined to get back on board the next day.

As of last Friday the July 16, 2021, I have managed to lose 53 pounds. I still have more to go but it has been great being able to bend over without my lungs being compressed by my belly. I am able to put on my shoes and tie them without a struggle. I use to get muscle spasms just under my rib cage and always had to stand up so that the pain would subside. Now that doesn't happen.

Many good benefits come of this. One Saturday and Sunday back in late June I decided to try on every piece of clothing in my closet to see what would fit and what wouldn't. My goal was to weed out clothes as my closet was just stuffed with all sizes of clothing. What was the final verdict? I could get into just about every piece of clothing that was in that closet. There were just a few items that are still tight but I did get into them. So the hard part was just beginning as I needed to choose what to keep and what to donate. The final job entailed removing sixty items to be donated. Yes, you read that correctly, sixty items. My closet is still very full but as I continue to lose weight and items become too large they will be donated as well. So now I have a whole new wardrobe to wear!

Other benefits have been the dramatic improvement with my blood work. I can say I am no longer in the diabetic or pre-diabetic range. My insulin is down to 14.9 from 40.3! It doesn't stop there as my liver has also improved and the numbers are all in the normal range. They haven't been normal in about 20 years! Cholesterol is also excellent.

So if anyone doubts that intermittent fasting doesn't work I can clearly say it does! All it takes in setting small goals to reach and be determined that you can do it! Some days that person in our head  says, I can never lose weight, I am not losing very much or I can't go without eating so I can't fast! That is not that isn't true for all. A doctor should be consulted and follow their directions carefully. I do eat everyday and losing a little at a time is better than fast weight loss where one can put it back on almost overnight. I still need monthly encouragement as I can get a little derailed if I don't see someone that would make me accountable for my actions. I am hoping as I continue on my downward climb I will gain my confidence that I will be able to keep it off and maintain a healthy weight the rest of my life. Stay tuned for more updates.

Intermittent Fasting - October Update

 How am I doing? So far I have been continuing to lose weight but did hit a plateau for about six weeks. For two weigh ins I only lost from 1/2 pound to 1 pound. At least I was still going in the right direction. I was worried that I would have put on some weight but pleased that that was not the case.

What did I find difficult? From time to time we can fall into a slump where we crave some of our old bad foods. I try hard not to have temptation in my pantry so what I grabbed was rice and pasta. I figured that during that six week interval I did have more rice and pasta than normal so those extra carbs and calories probably played a part in my plateauing. Fortunately I am back on track and moving ahead.

Any Issues? Yes, we have noticed that I have had a steady slow loss of muscle despite using weights, doing squats and deep knee bends. In examining how much protein I was taking in it just wasn't enough to build muscle. Usually I am eating once a day and on the weekends I have at least two meals a day. What was suggested was that I double my ounces of protein for my meal and stop my fasting late afternoon to have a protein bar. The goal is to try to aim for around 90g of protein. With the extra protein I make sure that I have no less than two vegetables and fresh fruit. If I am still short protein wise I will have an apple but compliment it with an ounce or ounce and a half of cheddar cheese. I will wait until my eating window is almost over to eat it and I stay satisfied.

Results? I have had great results as I have lost 7 lbs. in the last 2 1/2 weeks and I will be seeing the doctor later this week. It is amazing how adding more protein and knocking back on the rice and pasta, can effect how our bodies lose weight. If I can lose another 6 lbs. I will be under 180 and into the 170's, a weight I have not seen in twenty-five to thirty years!

What type of exercises am I doing?  I have been doing mostly chair exercises that consist of doing alternate knee and arm raises, Leg raises with a stretch band, trunk twists while holding a six pound weight ball. I use my bike peddle machine for 30 minutes. I find if I pop in a movie I can watch something while I am peddling in my dinning chair. 20 - 30 squats and deep knee bends. I also use five pound hand weights while standing and some other arm exercises using stretch bands.

I always do two full sets of each exercise and depending on how I am feeling I might go for three sets of those exercises that had not taxed the muscles as much. I am hoping there will be an increase in my muscle mass when I see the doctor at the end of the  month. I am seeing some positive signs of more muscle definition so I think following my doctor and nutritionists recommendations is very important when on the journey for weight loss.

Conclusion:  If you come to a plateau examine what you are eating and how much protein you are taking in. Make sure you are getting plenty of vegetables and fresh fruit. Be alert to your body and how it is functioning and talk to your doctor honestly. When you are given suggestions follow them as those medical professionals helping patients will see your true determination in battling a weight issue. Lastly exercise. It does not have to be high aerobic but work on increasing weights, number of reps and number of sets as an indicator of how well you are progressing.