Mister Magoo

Oh God! Wouldn't you know it? I broke my reading glasses. I ran down to the dollar store to pick up a pair but I couldn't decide which strength I needed so I picked the strongest pair. I thought that was what I needed but by the time I got home and tried them on everything seemed too big and too bright. It made me dizzy. I know these aren't like my old glasses. I guess I have to run back to the dollar store again and throw more money away trying to get the right glasses. 

My friend, Piette, picked on me because she knows I'm tight and I don't like wasting money on crap. The only problem with that is that I am always doing something stupid and wasting money. I thaw things out and forget to take them out of the microwave. I did that the other day. I also forget to water my plants or feed my pets all the time. I don't mean to be inefficient, I just haven't had the will to do anything. Every time I plan anything, something happens and sets me back again.

I quit feeding the birds outside when Daddy got sick. I was away from home too much and didn't have time to take care of them all the time. I wanted to hang our hummingbird feeders out this spring but everything has been so hectic I haven't even tried. I'm a total spaz and I admit my life isn't very efficient right now.

The other day I planned on going to the dentist so I got up and got ready. I had plenty of time to get to Dalton but when I tried to crank my car it wouldn't start. I couldn't even get it to turn over. I called the dentist's office to tell them I was having trouble. When I couldn't get a ride, they rescheduled my appointment. I'm glad because I was afraid they would gripe at me for not taking care of my teeth. I've been neglecting them, too. 

I'm not the only one that's having problems keeping up with things. Mama had two doctor's appointments this week and went to one a day early. I can't keep up with her, or Donny, or even myself. That's why I depend my FlyLady calendar so I can keep up with all the appointments and I'm also learning to use my cell phone for stuff like that. Now I need to remember to record everything.

Katie told me everybody seemed to be having a streak of bad luck. Scout and Colt broke down in Bob's truck and were stranded for about an hour before they got the truck running again to get back to Bob's. They were late getting home that day.

Katie and Bennett and I finally made a trip to Big Lots and I bought a couple of pairs of reading glasses. I liked the weaker strength reading glasses. I got a pair of glasses for three dollars. That's what I call a deal! I guess Piette was right. I am cheap.

I feel about a hundred percent better than I did a few days ago. I'm finally walking upright again. Better still, I don't need my cane. I'm still taking aspirin though. They take the edge off my pain but I hope I don't get addicted. I hate popping pills.

Katie and I made another trek to the store later on this week. This time we went to Fred's. We planned on making a day of it until Donny called and said he was locked out of the house. We had to come home and let him inside. I didn't mind. We had already had lunch at the Great Wall. It's a local Chinese restaurant. That was a real treat. I guess you have to take your fun where you can get it

I couldn't find my keys today. I was going to go with Mama to her doctor. I called to tell her why I wasn't at her house yet but she had already left me and was in the parking lot. She is so impatient. I guess when you get old you have to be. You don't know how much time you have left. Oh boy! Will the fun ever end?                            

AS ALWAYS

PIO

PBS 7-18-14 Friday 12:24 AM EDT

JULY

I've been gone way too long. Believe me, it wasn't because I didn't want to be here. It was because I met a little adversity of my own. I've been staggering around like a zombie for, going on, two weeks now. I hate to admit it but I hurt myself getting out of the chair. I was sitting at the dining room table and started to get up when a sharp pain hit me in my left buttocks. I know it sounds crazy but it made me want to cry. I must have injured my sciatic nerve.

I've been dragging myself from room to room on my walking cane. It's the same one I used when I stepped backwards off a ladder a long time ago. Anyway, I've been hobbling around on the little black walking cane that my parents found laying on the ground in Minnesota when they went to the Mayo Clinic years ago. It has sentimental value. I like it because it's adjustable. Donny used it when he got out of the hospital after his bypass.

In the beginning I could barely get around. I was lucky because Donny was home that week. He had just had his defibrillator surgery and was home recuperating. He was able to help me get up and down. 

I can't believe how helpless you can feel when you're not able to do anything for yourself. I told my mother I had a whole new empathy for her since this happened. Now I understand why she got so frustrated when she couldn't do anything for herself. Walking just a few steps seems like too much of a challenge.

Donny was so good to me. He went to the drug store to buy me a heat pad and pick up some medicine for me. Mama also contributed with her salves and gadgets. She generously lent me her infrared lamp and massage machine.

I rotated ice bags and the hot pad for a couple of days and laid in bed hoping for some relief. I tried to get up and go to the bathroom or wander into the dining room from time to time but I only wanted to forget the pain.

Now I understand and now I get it. It's not enough to just help somebody. It's important to understand what they are going through when they are sick or restricted. It's awful. Independence is gone, leaving you at the mercy of others.

I was hoping that things would be looking up by summer. I thought I might finally get the house painted, mow a lot, get in shape, what have you. Instead I've been given another curve ball. So, to answer your question, "No, this hasn't been a very exciting fourth of July and I don't feel very independent.

Shame on me for feeling sorry for myself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Krista, Jeremy,Darrel, Athena, Connie, Jennifer, Christy, Nathan, Madison, Holly, Coven, Tristan, Evitt, Tillie

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

REMEMBER
Independence Day

RIP

AS ALWAYS

PIO

PBS 7-8-14  Tuesday 10:53 PM EDT