daily planning

Today I do wonder about my commitment to write daily. I’m really tired and would like to go to bed. I can’t possibly write my best under these conditions! But in keeping with my goal of writing every day, I will keep on. If nothing else, these are good notes for the future.

The good news is that our electrical upgrade project is totally finished as of today. The handyman came and finished the patches on the walls (6 altogether) and did one other task for us. The electrician came and replaced the defective outlet outside, and the switch inside that got broken. I can tell where the spots were patched, but no one else will notice. It took 6 full weeks, and it’s almost hard to believe it’s done!

That took the whole morning. This afternoon I had a dental appointment, a stop at the library, and then half a dozen chores at home. Each week I try to touch base with my mother and 2 mother-in-laws. Today I called 2 of the 3 older ladies. I also emailed 2 places about wheelchair parts for my chair. If my insurance doesn’t pay for the front wheels I like, or the brakes I want, I will go after market for them. It’s been complicated to sort out what the true prices of these items are, and the best way to get them. And I did my daily stretches.

At that point it was time to cook dinner. Today I was cooking a large pot of chili, so that I’d have the leftovers next week when my sister, Johanna, and her daughter, Lizzie, come to visit. I am so excited about their visit! It’s been about 3 years I think since I last saw them both, not counting the short visit in Huntsville 2 years ago when my mother was in the hospital. I went to Huntsville first, to be there before, during, and right after surgery – that’s when I’m most helpful. I can deal with doctors and make sure my mom is properly cared for. I stayed at a motel near the hospital. Johanna arrived the day Mom was able to go home, and we were both there one night. Johanna was better able to help her at home than me, giving her physical support when Mom felt weak, and able to drive her car out for supplies as needed. By my going early, Johanna didn’t have to take as much time off from work. We were a good team, I thought.

But that hardly counts as a visit! Next week will be a whirlwind of activity, as life with an 8 year old always is. They will go to Sea World, Balboa Park and the Natural History museum for the whales IMAX, The Scripps Aquarium, to see the La Jolla seals, the zoo. Get the theme here? Lizzie is really into sea life and animals. I may not go along with quite all of these outings, but will do most of them. They are all accessible, with the exception of a few trails at the zoo.

Anyway, at this moment I’m tired. I sometimes wonder if my threshold for how much activity I can take is lower than non-disabled people, or am I just getting older? If I compare my energy level now with my own life 20 years ago, I have a lot less energy! And how much of that is being 30 pounds heavier? So hard to sort out this stuff.

Tomorrow I see the rehab doc. I stopped using the anti-inflammatory last week, and yesterday my wrist started acting up, so I hope that will give him a good idea of what my problem is. Could this be part of why I’m feeling so tired?

Wednesday’s TO DO list:

Up by 9

Shower and dress – 1 hour

Cat chores (boxes etc), breakfast & dishes, read email & paper – 45 min

Stretches – 45 min

Call for info about Greece cruise in Oct 2011 – 20 min

Figure out property tax appeal form for 2010 taxes – 20 min

Leave house at 12:10

1 PM appt with doctor – till 2:30 likely

3 – 4 Fashion Valley – shop for new pillow, birthday card and gift

4:30 – 5:30 car wash and call my mom

6 PM home

dinner prep – 1 hour

pay bills? – 1 hour

dinner around 8

Write in blog after dinner – as much time as I can!

It’s a full life!