I always thought I would be the person that does not become technology dependent, but boy was I a little crazy when I was without a computer since Thursday. I just picked it up for the second time as I returned it within two hours yesterday when the same errors kept appearing. There are so many good points for technology, but when it is not readily available it can make me nuts. My parents have only satellite TV and a land line telephone so I purchased a mobile hotspot last week before heading this way - thank goodness because I do not feel like sitting in a restaurant every time I try to do something online. How about you? Are you technology dependent more than you thought? Could you go for days without checking email or text messages? I was going a little crazy I must admit.
Have been creating breakfast memories with my dad. Every day we go out to breakfast in the area (lots of breakfast/lunch places) and many of the staffs know him and now me by sight. The other day I had the best yogurt parfait that I have ever had from a small place about 20 minutes away. Yes, we travel for a good breakfast..LOL! My dad ensures he provides me directions every time we walk out the door. I honestly don't mind as this lets me know he realizes where we are going and how to get there. He took me through the forest the other day on a dirt road the whole way...twists and turns and one lane sections. He said I go this way every once in a while for a change of scenery. It was absolutely beautiful and there are some large homes that were built, but no more can be added, but if money is involved I'm sure there will be an exception.
Either him or I cooked dinner a couple of nights as I don't think we should eat out three times a day. Of course, he has to tell me how to cook and when I don't follow what he says exactly, he is surprised that the food still tastes good. He cracks me up. He is so concerned about my mom though that he would spend all his time at the hospital. Thank goodness I can usually drag him out at lunch time. I was surprised that a couple of days he did not go back in the afternoon. He realizes she needs physical therapy and other activities that may or may not include him. My mom can be so harsh with him and it really hurts him. I keep telling him that she is just being mean because she can. Funny story: every day she says I want to go home and sit in my chair. I usually say you can not go home per the doctor. She does not like my answer, but hears the doctor said and is quiet. Yesterday, my dad and brother-in-law went up later in the afternoon, when they walked in she was by the door and said, I've been waiting for you so I can go home. My father said where were you going and she replied to the parking lot to wait for you! She had wheeled herself almost to the door by using her feet/legs. My dad said to the nurse you better be careful she will take herself out of here. Today she ate her lunch like a champ. She even told the helper to leave the pie and coffee because she wanted to have that later. I think the new medicine is working to stimulate her appetite so it was great for us to see.
My parents development sits next to some wooded areas and then a shooting/target range is on the other side. Hidden in the woods are lots of critters and animals including wild turkeys. Almost every morning since I arrived (except today) I have walked almost 4 miles around the development either on the service roads or the main roads. Twice I have had to double back because of the wild turkeys blocking the walk way. Yesterday they were blocking the service road so I doubled back and took some different streets back to the main road. I got to the main road and started walking and sure enough they had moved to the lawn of the house I needed to walk by. Luckily, it's a large lawn area as they just looked at me like "what the heck" is she doing here? At least they did not start chasing me. I got all the way back to the house and thought to myself...DUH you should have taken a picture of the 1/2 dozen large wild turkeys as no one back in Virginia will believe it. So next time I'll be ready and will post a picture. My dad said there is also coyote, but I have not seen or heard them - not sure what I would do in that case. Dad says to carry a walking stick, but I'm not there yet.
I went to the grocery store yesterday - you know how traumatic that can be more me. I went because Klondike bars were on sale. Of course, I had to buy six different kinds...no worries I only have one per day. I also got bananas - still not a fan, but know I should eat them; watermelon - which my dad has almost finished already and squash which we had for dinner last night. I also picked up blueberry cookies. Never had them before and I must say they are DELICIOUS! My father could no believe how good they were and the smell is wonderful. I did not buy a lot as I am trying to eat the stuff that is already in the freezer and cabinets before restocking.
I have been trying to catch up on magazines and newspapers since I arrived. I did finish reading: "Every Moment Matters" by John St. Augustine. I think it was published in 2009. It is short stories about savoring the stuff of life. Small book but something that can be related to by many. What have you been reading?
Thank you to my BFF Patti for helping me maintain my other business. I don't think I could maintain any part of that business if she was not helping me with all the details.
I expanded my circle this past week by speaking to a coach that specializes in bariatric surgery patients and what happens next. She knows I had surgery and we chatted back and forth about possibilities for her business and how to help it grow. Fascinating conversation and hopefully when I'm back in Virginia I can truly help her.
I am going to leave it here today. I'm watching the soccer game on the spanish channel as it is so much more exciting than watching it in english. The normal broadcasters are boring compared to what the spanish channel. I don't have to understand a word of what they are saying to understand what is happening.
I hope you have a good week. Take care and cherish those you love. Chat soon. Marie
"LIFE IS MADE OF MILLIONS OF MOMENTS, BUT WE LIVE ONLY ONE OF THESE MOMENTS AT A TIME. AS WE BEGIN TO CHANGE THIS MOMENT, WE BEGIN TO CHANGE OUR LIVES." D. Trinidad Hunt
"LET YOUR HEART BE YOUR GUIDE ON ALL THINGS, BUT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN CLOSELY BECAUSE IT SPEAKS SO SOFTLY." John. St. Augustine