have learned over time to pay attention to what our bodies tell us. We know when we can forge ahead and we know when we need to back off and rest. The next day or two I believe I will be in 'rest mode.'
I mention this not because I am in a 'poor, pitiful me' place, but as an encouragement to others who may be facing similar circumstances. You see, there are those who tell us it is all just in our heads. Or we want sympathy. Or it is just an excuse to avoid something we do not want to do. It is none of these things.
The people who say these things to us are, for the most part, still able to hike up a mountain or go for a run or do the weekly housework in just a couple of hours. Because they don't have to deal with shortness of breath or pain in joints or any number of symptoms that plague the elderly, they don't understand what it is like for those who deal with these things on a daily basis. And I hope they never have to deal with limitations.
All things considered, I have accomplished quite a bit this week. I have drawn around a plastic template 810 times and cut out that many fabric rectangles. The 2-inch x 4-inch rectangles have been pinned and mostly sewn together giving me 4-inch x 4-inch squares. I have maybe 50 left to sew. When that is done, the squares will be sewn into rows of nine squares each. 15 rows will make one window quilt top.
In keeping with the theme of using what is on hand, I found I may have enough flannel left on the bolt I used for bandages and family cloths to use instead of regular quilt batting. I think that will be enough to make the window quilts thick enough to keep out the drafts. By using old sheets for the backs of the quilts, the only things I need to buy are curtain rods to hang them. I love it when a plan comes together.
Today was grocery delivery day. As I am not going to be doing any canning until after the holidays, the order was mostly canned goods like fruit and corned beef hash. The rest was staples like flour, sugar, cornmeal. We won't mention the package of Oreos - Double Stuff. :)
It was after I put everything away that my body said, 'OK. That's enough. Rest time coming up.'
I will be back at it in a day or two. Those of us who have limitations don't like it much. We wish those around us understood this is not by choice. My kids and grands get it. They see me often enough to understand. Others - not so much. But we learn to cope as best we can. And we find that even with limitations, life can be really grand!
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Vicki, people like that don't even matter.
ReplyDeleteThankfully Gorges...they are few and far between.
DeletePeople ask me why I can seem to walk okay and the next day I am having so much trouble. I tell them because I walked too much the day before. I don't know why I feel I have to answer ignorant peoples' questions. They are not really asking for information. They are accusing.
ReplyDeleteLinda...I was raised in a time when it was considered bad manners to ask someone about their limitations or disabilities. I guess that time has past. These days, because I so rarely go out, I don't have to deal with those kinds of questions, but I know people who do. I guess this post was mostly to let others who have limitations know that they aren't alone. And it is OK to do what you need to do and you don't need to live up to the expectations of others. Life can still be pretty darned good, in spite of limitations.
DeleteI'm in the same boat as you.
ReplyDeleteYour body is very good at stating, "You need to slow down" Words most of us don't like to hear. Inside or out
Rob...I think that is the hardest part of having limitations - first admitting that we have them and then slowing down when we would rather be going, full steam ahead. We may not climb mountains or run races, but if we can adapt to our limitations, life can be oh, so very good. :)
DeleteI was 54 when I got sick. So, almost overnight I lost my health and vigor. Almost 9 years later, I'm better but no where near the health of my friends my age. I've learned that I don't have to 'like' this new normal but I have accepted it. Slow and steady is my new mantra.
ReplyDeleteCheering you on. SJ in Vancouver
Thanks, SJ...Illness can strike at any time, often blindsiding us. Seems to me we can do one of two things. We can wallow in a puddle of self pity or we can adapt and continue on. I don't much like this 'new normal' either, but there is way too much life to live to be held back by circumstances. We most times need to find new ways to do familiar chores, but if we can maintain a positive attitude, it all seems to work out in the end. Cheering you on as well, my friend. :)
DeleteVicki, I think a lot of us are sailing on the same boat so to speak. Like you, when I get an idea or plan I go full steam ahead. Then, after so long I need to throw out the anchor and stay moored for R & R. That's when I have to shift gears and do things less demanding of me physically. That's also when I do a lot of thinking and planning for other projects. As long as we have our clear minds, I'm good with that. Although some probably think I've lost my mind too. Oh, well...
ReplyDeleteYour project is really coming along nicely. Rest up for the next stretch of the race...take care, be aware. CW
CW...I think you are right. There are a lot of us sailing in this same boat. I wrote this post for two reasons. First, I believe that many who find themselves in this same situation feel like they are all alone - that everybody else is hale and hearty except themselves. I wanted to let them know we are all in this together.
DeleteAnd second, this post was sort of aimed at those who believe a person with limitations is using that as an excuse for a number of reasons. That simply is not true. I will admit to knowing some who bask in their disabilities, milking them for all they are worth. But those people are few and far between. The majority of us would love nothing more than to be able to forge ahead at breakneck speed. We just can't and our friends and loved ones need to understand that fact.
Soapbox - get back to your corner now. :)
You mention having a clear mind, which reminded me of my Dad's sister. Her mind deteriorated in later years to the point where she would ask the same questions, over and over and over again. Dad would sit with her and answer her questions over and over and over again. When I asked him how he could find the patience to do that he replied, "She is my sister and I love her." Our world could use a little more of that.
after second and biggest operation followed by radiation told my husband i felt like i was dead and he forgot to bury me i looked okay on the outside could not see the scars and the fatigue so people just think i am lazy i want to do so much but i nap instead i wake up and find i have been sleeping!! and the hands of the clock have moved forward cannot help it those of us in these circumstances would like almost nothing better than to wake up whole and hearty
Deletedeb...Your last sentence says it all. Those on the outside need to understand that we wish we had the strength and stamina we once did. We wish we could enjoy the activities of past years. We wish naps weren't a necessary part of our lives. And we really wish so much time and effort did not have to be spent on health related issues. Most of us can't change what is. So we adapt and do the best we can with what we have to work with. If nothing else, chronic illness shows us just who our true friends are and who are not. That's gotta be worth something.
Deletehad a metal door so put stripr of hook side of velcro over window and strip of soft side of velcro on curtain and hung it up easy to take down for washing
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea, deb...I may just give that a try as I have Velcro on hand. Thanks!
DeleteLike many of us, there was a time we could and would power through pain, injury and illness. Then came the day our bodies said "NOPE! Not going to do it. GO AWAY!" And we listened. I know what everyone means. I've learned to pace myself,take breaks, keeping hydrated with water and eating right. Red
ReplyDeleteRed...Good plan - pace yourself - take breaks. Sometimes I like to think I am still Wonder Woman who can work all day and then work all night as well. Maybe 30 years ago. Now there is a price to be paid for ignoring the signs. The Wonder Woman cape has been moved to the back of the closet and 'rest days' occur when I need them. Sure is hard to adapt sometimes, though. :)
DeleteBefore we retired and we're still driving back and forth, I tacked sheets over windows to keep honest people from looking in to see what we had already brought.
ReplyDeleteBit I expect your kids can bring and hang the curtain rods. :-)
I do know where you are coming from. Whenever we are traveling and don't take enough breaks, we pay for it later.
God bless.
LindaG...I haven't been too concerned about anyone window peeking here on the second floor, but when the building they are working on across the street is finished and occupied, the situation changes. I'm pretty sure I can get some help hanging the window quilts when they are finished. My kids are awfully good about things like that. This year it is more to keep my apartment a little warmer, but after that it is mostly about privacy.
DeleteMost of us have had to learn when to go full speed ahead and when we have to slow down. For those of us who have been active our whole lives, that can be a bitter pill to swallow. However, there is much we can continue to do if we can adapt. A positive attitude helps. :)