This & That

When I got up at about 7:30 this morning, the digital clock on Fred’s side of the bed was flashing 12:00. And you know what that means, right? It means that my computer  wouldn’t start up properly!  Whenever the power goes off and I try to restart it it eventually, after several tries, gets to the point where it boots up but then tells me it has no mouse and/or no keyboard. The mouse thing is easy to fix because my trackball is a USB connection and all it takes is to detach and then reattach it to the USB hub on my desk. However, when the computer thinks it has no keyboard, I have to get onto the floor and detach/reattach the keyboard to the back of the tower. I still approach that with trepidation because of the long time when it hurt a LOT to get onto the floor and I had to get Fred to help me back up. I am still surprised and delighted to find I can get up and down with no pain at all since that left hip was replaced.

 Anyway I did all that and, eventually, the computer came back. The real secret of this is, of course,  to walk away and do something else and let it realize that it is replaceable!

A Survey stolen from Woodsprite:

1. What is the sickest you’ve ever been, or the most serious health problem you’ve ever had?

I have had cancer twice. In 1998, I had renal cancer and my left kidney was removed. In 2000, I had endometrial cancer and my reproductive organs were removed and I had radiation.

2. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being highest, how would you rate your health at the moment? Rate your physical health, AND your mental and emotional health.

Physical….8.5

Mental….10

Emotional….10

3. Do you take any prescription meds?

I take nortriptylene for depression and restless leg syndrome. I take something usually referred to by initials because it has a long name for high blood pressure and finally, I take timelol as drops in my eyes for glaucoma.

4. Do you take anything else….. like vitamins, herbal stuff, etc.?

I take a multivitamin daily .

5. Do you have any kind of regular exercise routine?

Not at the moment. As my hip is getting better and better, I am starting to walk a little but I still can’t do much. I will be more motivated when spring gets here.

6. Aside from "exercise routiney stuff," are you fairly active, and if so, what do you do?

I used to walk a couple of miles a day. Eventually, I will get back to that.

7. What hobbies and pastimes do you engage in, and do you think these help your mental and emotional health?

I read a lot. Right now I am watching a couple of Star Trek dvds every evening. I take classes–right now it is Italian. I haven’t done much in the art line lately but there are ideas rattling round in my head.
I intend to get back to taking photoes. I also listen to music but not as much as I used to.

8. Do you go to the doctor for regular checkups and recommended tests?

Yes, I do.

9. What changes in your diet have you made, in order to eat healthier? (Please list the things that you have actually made a regular part of your diet….not just stuff you tried and then dumped! :o) !!)

I am trying, and mostly succeeding in eating less. However, I have reached the time in my life when I don’t see the point of depriving myself. I like raw veggies and eat a salad with my evening meal almost every day.I have one banana a day.  I am aware I eat too much bread. {I am typing this as I am noshing on a bagel} I drink a lot of water because I love my only remaining kidney. I don’t drink soft drinks at all since I dislike carbonated liquids.I do drink coffee . It is one big cup a day mostly which I have in the morning. Occasionally I will have one in the afternoon.

10. Are there any things in your life that have an adverse effect on your mental or emotional health?

I seldom watch news channels on TV because they are a steady diet of negativity. I get as much information as I need about the world by reading the New York Times on line every morning.

I have to admit I stressed a little about how slowly my ability to walk without a cane is going, but now that I can see improvement, I stress less.

11. What changes have you made in your life to promote better mental or emotional health?

Well, the biggie for me right now is to audit the classes I am taking. You have no idea how much stress I avoid by having no grades!

12. Do you have any bad habits or addictions that affect your health?

Apart from eating too many carbohydrates, nope! I have never smoked. I drink very little alcohol.

13. Have you broken any bad habits or addictions, in order to better your health?

nope.

14. How does your weight compare to how you were five years ago? How do you feel about your weight?

My weight could be a stresser if I let it. Since I haven’t been able to walk, I have gained..

15. What are some natural physical changes you have experienced as a result of your age? How do you feel about them?

Well, there are small things like peeing a little when I sneeze or cough!

I have a good immune system and seldom get a cold.

I like the silver coming in my hair these days. My only complaint is that I wish it would hurry up and turn completely. Except for the silver at the front, the rest of my hair, which is in the process of changing,  just looks dusty!

The main thing I notice is that I don’t snap back to the level of health and activity anywhere as easily as I used to.

My eyesight has never been good so I am taking the fact that now I have less visual acuity in my stride.

16. Who inspires you or gives you a good example to learn from, regarding health, aging, etc.?

Fred. He doesn’t take care of his body as well as I would want him to, but he is ALWAYS my best cheerleader. Anything good I do for myself always gets a positive comment from him. He was the one who got me back on a bicycle after fifty-plus years. I hope he goes forward with his plan of getting a three-wheeler for himself so we can ride around the neighborhood together again.

QUOTATIONS:

"Step by step. I can’t think of any other way of accomplishing anything."

Michael Jordan

None will improve your lot If you yourself do not.

Bertolt Brecht, 1933