Was talking to my friend Noreen the other night and I was telling her I was trying to figure out which list to cross off first, the Christmas list or my bucket list...
Also it's impossible to hold an umbrella while you're pushing a walker and flirt....actually there is no way to hold an umbrella so I realized why all the old people pushing walkers in the rain don't look too happy cause their groceries and they are wet.
Every day it seems there are new challenges- today was lets see how many groceries then glasses I can drop.
I guess this is normal for me now. When I'm at the store I drop my purse a few times, send things flying around me .
Today after I walked my groceries home I was putting yogurt in the fridge and somehow dropped it on bottom door tray breaking it and sending everything flying that had been in there. Then was putting my dishes away when a few dropped out of the cupboard and somehow smashed everywhere on the counters right into Bonnie's food and water on all the clean dishes in the dishwasher, on pretty much everything.
After I got that cleaned up I was just looking at the floor and started to turn and somehow landed on my back in front of the door with my arm behind my back. I knew Josie was coming back in 2 hours but it really scared me til I was able to get up .
Shaken me up is what it did I guess.
So after all breaking and dropping of things and falling I guess I am ready to go into assisted living but I really want the one that has the ice cream bar.. the one I hope to get into I go see on Monday.
Then I get assessed by a physio this week as well.
Every day I get I have to learn how to roll with the punches and adapt to new challenges.
I guess what I used to be able to do, drive, drink a coffee, talk , sing I have to do this with a walker....
Multi tasking for the HD challenged:)
I'm sorry I still make myself laugh
Still haven't had a meltdown yet(just wait it should be a mighty grand one)
I'm 3 weeks behind on my Christmas list and I think I'll skip the bucket list for another day.
I need to get cracking on all the knitting I'm supposed to be doing but this darned walking to the store for groceries takes up time.
that;s it for now
Kath
Mum
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Monday, 14 November 2011
walkers , wind and getting lost
IWell I'm still using the borrowed one and getting used to navigating curbs and doors that don't have an automatic opener and finding there are certain things someone with HD can't do like open a door with walker and holding a coffee:)
I was feeling a little sorry for myself last week and really wanted to go to a craft fair downtown Vancouver.
I really don't know Vancouver at all. I mean if it was downtown Mtl or Victoria no problem but I don't think I've ever been 'downtown' never mind on a bus with a walker.
So I get ready, credit card, eye liner, book(hurry up Judi I'm waiting for the next one), yarn, lipstick, loonies and toonies for the bus, fabric bags to fill with goodies I planned on buying.
Check.....
I go down the street to the bus got in front of the bus he yelled 'back up ' I thought he didn't want the walker on it so I turned around and the woman behind me said he needs room for the ramp.
Well I didn't know I've only been using this walker for a few weeks and in my previous life I had a car dammit.
I got on the bus sat up from with the other old folks and students who are too lazy too walk to the back of the bus. Got off the bus a little frightening when the ramp moves but shoot I 've had enough taken I really want some independence so I kept at it.
One thing I forgot was that in any part of Vancouver just don't ask where something is because you'll either hear 'no English' or they say '10 blocks that way' and the next person says '10 blocks this way.'
The other thing I forgot was my map of downtown Van.
I got off the sky train feeling like an adventuress - downtown all by myself.
It only took 20 minutes to find the Convention centre - but actually entering when you're in a walker is another story. Walkers don't work on escalators so a nice fellow who worked there said 'take elevator 2 to the 3rd floor, get off go down the corridor to another elevator then get off on the expo floor.'
Now because I have HD my little brain freezes when I hear too many words like that that don't even make sense.
I saw some other people heading towards the elevator so I asked if they were going to the Craft fair , they said yes so I followed them.
Had a great time met up with Carmen and John and picked up a few things - over 250 crafters from all across Canada even met up with some people from Mtl.
Poor John rolled some yarn for me that my cat tried to eat.
One big bonus with having a walker is getting the big clean bathroom stall -yippee -who knew?
Coming home I got so lost I walked around absolutely exhausted trying to find the sky train station. I ended up walking for about 40 minutes -only one person would help me she was in a wheelchair and said 'follow me' which was tricky she was going quickly in that things and I was so tired had to run with the walker to keep up to her . At one point I thought maybe she's taking me to her gang and they'll murder me but I was so tired I didn't care - by then it was dark and none of the streets were family.
Finally we found the sky train station - I got on it was rush hour and yes most of the seats were taken by men and listen when you're tired with HD and clinging to the walker and the rail it's hard. I glared at a man and said ' I need to sit.'
Got on the bus to come home and the bus driver pushed the button to let the ramp down - it didn't work so he carried my walker down and very gently helped down the steps of the bus.
Beween that day and the next day - I thought I'd walk m y walker to get some groceries but forgot to check that we were having a wind warning 100 km here in Tssawwassen !!
I was wondering why I was having to push the walker down with all my weight...
Days like that you wonder why you put eyeliner on the wind just blows it off.
I mean it makes your eyes water with 100 km winds ....
When I get my new walker I have to figure out a way to have a coffee cup holder my shaky H hand has been spilling way too many ..
I think that's it for now
Kath
I was feeling a little sorry for myself last week and really wanted to go to a craft fair downtown Vancouver.
I really don't know Vancouver at all. I mean if it was downtown Mtl or Victoria no problem but I don't think I've ever been 'downtown' never mind on a bus with a walker.
So I get ready, credit card, eye liner, book(hurry up Judi I'm waiting for the next one), yarn, lipstick, loonies and toonies for the bus, fabric bags to fill with goodies I planned on buying.
Check.....
I go down the street to the bus got in front of the bus he yelled 'back up ' I thought he didn't want the walker on it so I turned around and the woman behind me said he needs room for the ramp.
Well I didn't know I've only been using this walker for a few weeks and in my previous life I had a car dammit.
I got on the bus sat up from with the other old folks and students who are too lazy too walk to the back of the bus. Got off the bus a little frightening when the ramp moves but shoot I 've had enough taken I really want some independence so I kept at it.
One thing I forgot was that in any part of Vancouver just don't ask where something is because you'll either hear 'no English' or they say '10 blocks that way' and the next person says '10 blocks this way.'
The other thing I forgot was my map of downtown Van.
I got off the sky train feeling like an adventuress - downtown all by myself.
It only took 20 minutes to find the Convention centre - but actually entering when you're in a walker is another story. Walkers don't work on escalators so a nice fellow who worked there said 'take elevator 2 to the 3rd floor, get off go down the corridor to another elevator then get off on the expo floor.'
Now because I have HD my little brain freezes when I hear too many words like that that don't even make sense.
I saw some other people heading towards the elevator so I asked if they were going to the Craft fair , they said yes so I followed them.
Had a great time met up with Carmen and John and picked up a few things - over 250 crafters from all across Canada even met up with some people from Mtl.
Poor John rolled some yarn for me that my cat tried to eat.
One big bonus with having a walker is getting the big clean bathroom stall -yippee -who knew?
Coming home I got so lost I walked around absolutely exhausted trying to find the sky train station. I ended up walking for about 40 minutes -only one person would help me she was in a wheelchair and said 'follow me' which was tricky she was going quickly in that things and I was so tired had to run with the walker to keep up to her . At one point I thought maybe she's taking me to her gang and they'll murder me but I was so tired I didn't care - by then it was dark and none of the streets were family.
Finally we found the sky train station - I got on it was rush hour and yes most of the seats were taken by men and listen when you're tired with HD and clinging to the walker and the rail it's hard. I glared at a man and said ' I need to sit.'
Got on the bus to come home and the bus driver pushed the button to let the ramp down - it didn't work so he carried my walker down and very gently helped down the steps of the bus.
Beween that day and the next day - I thought I'd walk m y walker to get some groceries but forgot to check that we were having a wind warning 100 km here in Tssawwassen !!
I was wondering why I was having to push the walker down with all my weight...
Days like that you wonder why you put eyeliner on the wind just blows it off.
I mean it makes your eyes water with 100 km winds ....
When I get my new walker I have to figure out a way to have a coffee cup holder my shaky H hand has been spilling way too many ..
I think that's it for now
Kath
Saturday, 5 November 2011
rambling about luck with the walker and lipstick
I have a borrowed one until my real - fancy - walker that will be easier to match clothes and lipstick with.
It creates a whole other issue for shops that don't have automatic door buttons like the little boutiques I like to shop in.
I try to always think of things to be grateful for but been having a hard time with this HD....but I think I figured a few out.
Now how lucky am I that not only is the grocery store and drugstore within walking distance but the boutique where I like to buy gifts, a clothing boutique, bookstore, Starbucks so I will have all sorts of new adventures with my walker .
Another thing I'm very grateful for is not having to deal with changing the clock in my car when it's fall back time :)!! I just used to leave it but could never remember if it was ahead or behind.
Another thing I'm grateful for is the fact that winter is coming so when I walk home from the store with ice cream it won't melt..
Funny having 'something wrong ' seems to bring out the best and worst in people - lucky for me that 99 % of the people around me are amazing - supportive and kind ...
so I sam truly grateful for that
Kath
It creates a whole other issue for shops that don't have automatic door buttons like the little boutiques I like to shop in.
I try to always think of things to be grateful for but been having a hard time with this HD....but I think I figured a few out.
Now how lucky am I that not only is the grocery store and drugstore within walking distance but the boutique where I like to buy gifts, a clothing boutique, bookstore, Starbucks so I will have all sorts of new adventures with my walker .
Another thing I'm very grateful for is not having to deal with changing the clock in my car when it's fall back time :)!! I just used to leave it but could never remember if it was ahead or behind.
Another thing I'm grateful for is the fact that winter is coming so when I walk home from the store with ice cream it won't melt..
Funny having 'something wrong ' seems to bring out the best and worst in people - lucky for me that 99 % of the people around me are amazing - supportive and kind ...
so I sam truly grateful for that
Kath
Thursday, 3 November 2011
walkers and lipstick
Still not sure I want this HD - had to walk up to the ins co where I get my car ins with my plates.
Sad day for sure it's hard too to take plates off with HD..:)
My car looks odd without the plates and then I had to empty the car. I've had this car since Kerri was a baby and I'd drive over from Nanaimo to see her and Keegan.I have 7 years worth of cds, cds that have fallen apart , inserts that have fallen out, blankets, shoes, one glove. batteries Josie asked me to take to the recycling place, 2 old lamps been meaning to get new shades for them, extension cords, 2 bags of rocks to paint on, hats, pens, dead candies, old blood tests I never went for, maps, grocery lists, too many of those, straws, a lighter from my smoking days, 2 chairs, my yoga mat I think that;s it.
Josie and someone else came this morning to fit me for a walker so now I have one on order called 'xpresso---cappuchino colour.'
They left one here for me to use til the other one arrives well geez I 'd rather have my car back.
The thing I hate the most is not being able to relax at night when I sit on the sofa and watch tv and knit my legs and body jerk around and it drives me crazy.
That's all for now
Kath
Sad day for sure it's hard too to take plates off with HD..:)
My car looks odd without the plates and then I had to empty the car. I've had this car since Kerri was a baby and I'd drive over from Nanaimo to see her and Keegan.I have 7 years worth of cds, cds that have fallen apart , inserts that have fallen out, blankets, shoes, one glove. batteries Josie asked me to take to the recycling place, 2 old lamps been meaning to get new shades for them, extension cords, 2 bags of rocks to paint on, hats, pens, dead candies, old blood tests I never went for, maps, grocery lists, too many of those, straws, a lighter from my smoking days, 2 chairs, my yoga mat I think that;s it.
Josie and someone else came this morning to fit me for a walker so now I have one on order called 'xpresso---cappuchino colour.'
They left one here for me to use til the other one arrives well geez I 'd rather have my car back.
The thing I hate the most is not being able to relax at night when I sit on the sofa and watch tv and knit my legs and body jerk around and it drives me crazy.
That's all for now
Kath
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