Kindness

 

People in the neighborhood are always doing something special for us seniors at the center.  A lady came in with a shopping bag full of little crocheted animals for us.  I chose this turtle.  I thought he was so cute.  In a world where we are always at each other's throats, these are the little acts of kindness that brighten your day.

It's Friday...Yipee!

 I don't know why I'm excited.  I'm in for a busy weekend.  Food shopping tomorrow morning, and cooking most of the day on Sunday.  I still cook and freeze meals so I don't have to cook something every day.  This is one of those weeks that I am very low on meats so there's a lot to be done.

It's a rainy morning here in Brooklyn.  Showers off and on....and of course, more gray cloudy skies.  Doubt the groundhog will see his shadow today.

As for the week, it was a normal busy.  Monday my jewelry class which has really grown in size.  We started with two tables and about 5 people and now we have to put 4 tables together and still there is not enough room for everyone.  The old center will be closing soon as they have purchase a modern 2 story building, and we will have our own room for the jewelry class.  What a relief that will be.  It's a pain in the butt getting everyone to get things together at 11:50 so people can use that table for lunch.

On Tuesday I had watercolor painting and I have to say I have not improved very much in all that this time.  I honestly can't get into watercolor.  I prefer acrylics which we will have in the new center.  

Later in the day we had two very handsome Army reservists come in to speak about Emergency Preparedness.  They had a rapt audience of  us old ladies who, during those moments, wished we were younger.

On Wednesday was rock painting....and that I have show some improvement.  That was followed by a meatball and spaghetti lunch and the Healthy Video hour.  

Thursday is usually a day off for me....unless there is a delicious lunch.  Yesterday they had vegetarian chili, and they just don't have the knack for making it.  Always gives me a tummy ache.

Today I have my coloring class, lunch and then home to start my weekend.  Lunch today is always some kind of fish which I don't eat, but I will take it home for Ralph and I'll take the brocolli for me.

Happy weekend everybody.

Women and Roses

 God created the rose for women. 

It representsbeauty. 

Its petals represent soft skin. 

Its leavesrepresent outstretched arms, always loving and giving. 

Its stem represents strength.

~ Author Unknown ~

(Surprise gift fr)om Ralph's sister)

---

Another Gloomy Day

 

Well, it's another cold and dreary day here in Brooklyn.  Haven't seen the sun here in 9 days now. Kind of gets you down after awhile. Everyone has been talking about how tired they feel.  No energy or motivation.  Definitely been taking my Vitamin D3 every day.   Definitely will need sunglasses when it does decide to come back.  

Just got back from one of the newer classes at the center--Healthy Video Hour.  Facilitator shows a lot of natural healing stuff, right up my alley.  I really have to get back on track.  As you know, last year I was diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney disease.  I stopped taking the Aleve for pain and my numbers got better.  I also began watching my diet as for the first time I had high cholesterol and high trigycerides.  Did extremely well for awhile, but I guess about September I fell off the wagon.  Ate lots of sweets, processed foods, and everything else that is no good for me. ..resulting in some bad results on my latest bloodwork.  Kidney GFR dropped 9 points down to 50, glucose was 110 (pre-diabetic).  They didn't test my cholesterol this time, but I can just imagine what it must be.  

So I have been back to making healthy soups for myself.  Ralph had bought me the largest carrots I have ever seen so I cut just one up in this soup.  Ingredients are carrots, peppers, onions, garlic, navy beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, low sodium vegetable broth, Tuscan spices, and smoked paprika.  Tasted just like the Campbell's Bean with Bacon that grandma used to serve me.  An all time fave, but far too much sodium for me now.

It's Been so Long

Don't know how many of my friends are still blogging.  I know I have been away for ages.  Two years at least.  It's been a busy two years, but I'm not making excuses.  There is no excuse for not letting you all know I was okay.  For that I am sorry, and please accept my apology.

So much has happened these past two years.  My daughter and I no longer speak.  Not my choice.  .  Ever since she married that Elvis Presley impersonator our relationship has gone downhill.  It's the obligatory gift at Christmas and birthdays but goes no further.  At first I shed a lot of tears, but now I've come to terms with it.  She's a grown woman with a mind of her own.  This is her choice and I have to accept it.  What I don't accept is that my grandchildren no longer speak ot me either, and I don't know why.  No Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, Happy New Year.  Nothing.  It's like I don't exist.  And I guess I have to acknowledge that I can't really blame them.  For many years I didn't exist to them.  For that I have only myself to blame.  

We have other family, though, and have had some enjoyable times with them.

Me and my son Jerry.  I'm trying to let my hair grown again, and it's at that in-between stage that we all hate.

Jerry, me, and family from Florida.  I don't know if you remember my Godchild/neice who stole my sons money after he passed.  For many years my rotten neice had us against each other.  If only I had known who the real troublemaker was.

This is Ralph, his sister, neice and great nephew.  For many years his sister and I didn't get along.  When I first got together with Ralph, I wasn't accepted. This sister one that has passed were so terribly rude.  They'd speak in Spanish so that I wouldn't be included in conversations....even though both were teachers and spoke English well.  I tried so hard to get them to like me and finally just gave up trying.  Now 30 years later look at us.  Miracles happen.

This sister of Ralph and I have been friends from Day 1.  We actually share the same birthday.

Anthony's grave.  I miss my baby so much.  The pain of loss never goes away, but you learn how to go on with your life.  It hasn't been easy.

Speaking of loss, I don't know if any of you ever followed the blog Ishitzunot.  I met her here on Blogger and after we both basically stopped with regular blogging we remain friends on Facebook.  She passed shortly before Christmas.  She fell and broke her neck.  It was so unexpected.  She and I became close friends since the time we met, and I miss her so much.  It just goes to show you never have to meet someone in person to really connect with them.

Gosh, it seems this post is nothing but negativity.  Much good has happened in this time as well.  For one thing, I graduated with honors from my Relaxation Therapist class.  I also continue to teach jewelry making at the center although my fingers don't work as well as they once did. I am still cooking up a storm and have some great recipes to share.  Much to share, but right now I am super hungry for some barbecued chicken, collard greens and mashed potatoes.  

Hope I am forgiven.

A Sad Anniversary

It was 2 years ago today that I lost my son. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I miss him so much. He had so much to live for. Damn Covid. Just not fair. There are times I can't believe he is gone.

Checking in

 Hi.  It's been awhile.  Longer than I had planned on, but every time I wanted to sit down and type, something came up.  Since I last spoke to you the seasons have changed, and I've grown another year older.  75.  I can't believe it.  Where have all the years gone. 

So, what has been going on.  Well, once again I have taken on more than I can chew.  I'm taking a course which will help me become a Fitness and Nutrition coach.  It's extremely difficult and not quite what I expected, but I'm not about to give up.  I'm also taking a certification course in Relaxation and Stress Reduction.  And third, I am still working on my Holistic Health course.  Right now the subject matter is essential oils.  The thing is, I don't plan on working in any of these fields.  I just like to learn.

Above is a 20 week Tai Chi for arthritis class I am participating in at the center.  I'm in the burgundy sweater in the back.

Not such good news on my latest bloodwork.  I have been diagnosed with Stage 3B kidney disease.  My PC has referred me to a nephrologist, and I will meet with him on April 11th.  Needless to say I have been feeling pretty anxious after finding out and have been spending lots of time doing research.  Even my studies had been put on hold for awhile, but I decided then that I can continue to focus every waking minute on my disease or I can continue to live.  I chose the latter. 

My son and husband really surprised me for my birthday.  Actually, it was the day before.  I was sitting in my rocker quietly watching television when suddenly behind me I heard two male voices singing Happy Birthday.  By golly, I flew out of my chair.  Scared the crap out of me.  Delicious carrot cake that comes from a famous bakery in my son's neighborhood that only makes carrot cakes.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Have to get ready to go to the center.  My jewelry class is today at 10 am.