Do you ever do a practice run, especially when you are learning something new, moved to a new location, or had to adjust to new limitations?

I do. For example, when I was working – especially when I had two part-time jobs- I had to know exactly how long it would take me to get ready in the morning, the length of the drive, and the time it would take to get into the building and ready to work. When I was teaching or tutoring, being late was not an option. In fact, it was recommended to be at least 15 minutes earlier than the student(s). A half hour was even better.

Of course, winters in Wyoming make scheduling even more difficult. Depending on the weather and the roads, I might need to double the time it takes to get to work.

Even though those days are over for me, I still have to do practice runs occasionally. Although you won’t get fired or told to turn around and go back home, if you are late for church, it is very uncomfortable to “walk in” late. It is much better to be early and have time to greet others, before settling down to a lesson or a song service.

Even at home, it is nice to know how long it will take to do a specific chore. Then, if it takes to long, or I am too sore the next day, I need to reevaluate how I accomplished the task, and if there is an easier way to get it done next time. If not, then I know I have to allow at least that much time in the future.

To a certain extent, I believe that everyone does this to some degree – if subconsciously. Some are better than others at monitoring their time. But, when you have a disability, it is vital. Otherwise, you will get frustrated and stressed. In addition, you are more likely to try and hurry, which might cause you to be less careful and hurt yourself. (I know I am guilty of that one.)

It Came to Mind

The topic for this post came to mind, because this weekend is a practice run for having an empty nest. No. It isn’t the same thing, yet it still applies. Before my son left for a weekend youth rally in another city, I had him get down my favorite cups and pull out a pan, so I could make beans and rice while he was gone. (He hates them. I love them.)

I made sure he emptied the trash, because the cat will get out, if I take the trash out. Last time the cat escaped, it cost me almost $150 at the vet. He was on the losing end of some kind of scrap. Sad for both him and me, that is the 2nd time, in less than a year, we have had to take him to get cleaned up and medicated.

Well, when my son leaves for college and I live alone all of the time, the cat will probably just have to take his chances. I am going to purchase another pie safe, or something similar, to keep the dishes I will need down at my level. I already keep most of our groceries in a pie safe; I also have a lazy susan to keep cans, spices, etc. I will probably move the microwave down to the bar, which is the only wheelchair accessible change that was made to the kitchen. It is a bit lower than the counters, and I can roll right up under it, in order to fix meals or eat them. The kids and I use this as a substitute for a table, although we do have a small one.

The weekend is a practice run. Unless he is playing his trumpet, my son is pretty quiet. But, I must admit I am lonely, just knowing he isn’t here. I don’t hear him raiding the frig frequently. The television is off; and, I don’t hear him telling my daughter’s cat to leave him be. (However, I don’t miss him deciding to practice the trumpet late at night, when he forgets what time it is, or that he plays REALLY LOUD.

So, it will be a very quiet, peaceful weekend with just me and the boys. (2 cats and a dog) At least, I hope so. I am sure that my son will have lots of adventures to discuss when he gets home Sunday night.

. . . except me!

Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Maybe you have joints or muscles that hurt. Maybe you have a habit of dozing off during the day, because you lead such a sedentary lifestyle.

I have problems with both of these on occasion. But, my biggest problem is night plumbing. No, I am not talking about the porcelain commode. I am talking about me.

Although it is not uncommon for anyone to need to get up in the middle of the night, most people can quickly get back to sleep. In fact, when my kids were small, I believe that might have actually still been asleep!

The Transition

Unfortunately, when I get up in the middle of the night, I have to fully awaken. Otherwise, I might unceremoniously dump myself onto the floor, in the effort to transfer into the wheelchair.

Then, I must be able to lift myself from the chair to the commode without losing my grip or sliding on the floor.

Most nights, my son’s cat will follow me into the bathroom. If I am in the chair, he is sitting on the lid. If I am using the facilities, he is lounging on the wheelchair and expecting me to pet him for his efforts to keep a vigil.

By the time all is done and I am back in bed, I am wide awake! So, I start watching some kind of program on Netflix, reading, or something to else, until I get tired again.

Maybe you have the same problem, especially as you get older. Maybe it is doubly frustrating, because you need to awaken a caregiver to help.

They say patience is a virtue. I think that anyone with CP definitely has this attribute, especially when you can’t even take a nightly trip to the bathroom for granted.

I just finished watching the movie “Courageous” with my son. It is a great movie for the entire family. It is also a challenge to anyone who watches the film.

You don’t have to be able-bodied, be a certain social class or ethnicity. The question is the same for all:

Do you have what it takes?

I am not going to say anymore. If you haven’t watched the movie, I would recommend it. It is now out on DVD.

Then read: Joshua 24:15

Recently, I have told you about my daughter mentioning the possibility of a helper dog to watch out for me, when I am living alone again. With a bit of training, I think I have found the perfect dog for the job.

Recently, a friend sent me an article about the biggest Great Dane EVER. He is bigger than many men and tops the scales at over 250 lbs. He dwarfs his owners.

Doesn’t this little guy look simply adorable?

Last year my niece got a Great Dane. She is an animal lover with 2-3 dogs already. So, I was skeptical of her latest addition. But, he is really a big baby and family dog.

Duncan just turned a year, and her youngest son is about the same age. I was a bit worried that the puppy would sit on one of her boys and do some big hurt. But, if anything the opposite is true. The baby crawls all over him, shares his blankets with him, uses him as a lounge chair, etc. It seems that the pup and the babe have really bonded. Although my niece is the one who really wanted a Great Dane, I would say that this dog belongs to the babe, and the babe belongs to the dog.

So, I was thinking . . .

Since Great Danes are such people animals and really family oriented, wouldn’t they make great helper dogs for people in wheelchairs – like me?

For example, when I am transfer from place to place, and the furniture moves, I wouldn’t have to crawl to a place where I can pick myself up without sliding. I could just put my arms around the dog’s neck and he could lift me up, so I could grab onto the wheelchair. He could also sit on my feet and keep them from sliding during transition.

Think about trips to the grocery store alone. I wouldn’t have to ask strangers to reach something on the top shelf. If the Dane is a helper dog, he could reach the top shelf for me. His mouth would be big enough to grab anything I could need. Of course, this is definitely where a bit of training would be necessary. Otherwise, we could make quite a mess of the groceries.

The Downside

Unfortunately, there is a downside, apart from the cost of the dog and finding someone to train him. How would I shop for approximately 100 lbs of dog food a month. Who would scoop the yard?

Well, now you know how my mind wanders, when I am doing chores around the house. I still think a Great Dane would be a great help to me, with a bit of training.

Recently, my sister made a list of all the things she wanted to accomplish in the day. In fact, she likes to add things she has already done, just so she can cross them out and feel like she is making headway. Her lists are usually long enough that it makes me tired just to read them.

Underachiever

Basically, I am an underachiever in comparison. But, I did have my list of sorts:

Take a shower and get ready to go out – done.
Take my meds and eat an apple for breakfast – done.
Go to the bank- oops!
Go grocery shopping -oops!
Get income tax done – waiting for Social Security statement, because I have never done taxes for disability before. – bummer!
Work on my current crafting project and make significant progress – still working on that one

Going with the Flow

Even though I am no longer working, and the days are basically my own to do whatever, they don’t always go as planned. In fact, my grandma always said, “Life happens, when you are making other plans”.

I thought it would warm up enough today to dry everything up, so I could take my son and go shopping after school. No such luck. I also need to get to the bank, because he is going to a youth rally this weekend and needs food and gas money.

The taxes will just have to wait, which may not be a bad thing. I may actually have to pay in this year on the retirement check I get from being formerly married to a military guy. (not sure on that one.) But, I still wanted to get it done and know the outcome. I will have to put that on a list for a couple of weeks from now.

Unfortunately, today I was also LAZY! Yes. I didn’t crochet while watching Netflix. I had the audacity to snuggle under a blanket and just watch.

Now, I sort of feel like I wasted a day. But, I am also learning that it is a lot less stressful when I am going with the flow.

Do you ever feel like me?