Tuesday, September 16, 2008

This and That....


Can you believe that here in upstate NY we got some of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike? Sunday night we got strong winds up to 60 mph that knocked out power to 60,000 people. We were among them. Our power was only down for about 25 hours and aside from lighting candles and making coffee the old fashioned way - we were fine. I kept thinking of those in Texas and counting my blessings.


Earlier Sunday my sister, niece & I went for a walk at one of our local parks. There is a really nice boardwalk that goes for quite a way over the Genesee River and ends up at the mouth of the river where it flows into lake Ontario. It was HOT! Almost 90 degrees (unusual for this time of year) but we still enjoyed ourselves. We did a little over 3 miles. We're hoping the next time to follow the trail in the other direction where we can see the water falls. The pic above is of part of the board walk that is about a mile long.


I've also decided that in light of no teaching jobs on the horizon I need to do something so that we can tackle this ginormous property tax bill looming over us this fall. New York has some of the highest property tax rates in the nation. What's that slogan song....I love New york...not always!


Anyhoo - my sister owns a company (she's an RN) that places live in companions with people that are elderly or ill. She has set me up with a 60 something year old woman that has cancer and needs help with daily activities. She says the woman is a lot like our mom and that I will really like her. I am going to split her care with another health aide and go to her home from Wednesday to Friday. To say I'm nervous would be an understatement. It's going to be very awkward living in a stranger's house - even if it's only 2 days a week. The woman is married so her husband will be there too. Strange. So I'll be sharing my meals with this family, sleeping a their house, showering there....it's going to be awkward.


I guess I'll get used to it. It's certainly not what I had in mind for a job right now - but beggars can't be choosers.... Hopefully I'll pick up some per-diem sub jobs on my off time. I'm not sure if there will be computer access there (which would be crummy because sis says there is a lot of "down" time where I'll just be in "my room" until she needs me.) I'm going to the library today to get a bunch of books to tide me over and I suppose I'll be watching a lot of TV. I'm too old for new adventures! Years ago this wouldn't have phased me. But I'm doing what I gotta' do and trusting God has a plan. I have this gut feeling that I'm meant to be there for whatever reason.


On the personal challenge front - I've been slacking a little. I broke down Saturday and had a Big Mac. No fries or anything. I just had this craving and I figured since it had been well over 6 weeks since I went to the Golden Arches - that I would indulge. I did do some walking last week three times as well as my "parking farther" etc thing. But I have been remiss on my portion sizes (neglecting the small plate) so I need to work on that.


This week's challenge is to eat a healthy breakfast. All studies indicate that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I must confess that I often either skip it or opt for something that is sweet. I have such a major sweet tooth in the morning! A slice of zucchini bread with my coffee is heavenly. But not a wise decision when it's done daily. So I'm going to concentrate on this area. Opt for some whole grains, fruit and protein.


I'm also making a chart for myself that will serve to remind me of my weekly challenges. They are becoming greater in number and this peri-menopausal mind is like a sieve these days.


I hope the rest of you are biding well - sticking to whatever it is you've decided to stick to and making progress!



7 comments:

Pattie said...

Hi Lora -

First of all, WOO HOO! I won the stopwatch! I'm so excited - thank you!! I'll email my address to you. I think this is a sign that this old perimenopausal body is supposed to try the C25K program, don’t you? :-)

As for your post today...

I thought of you while we were in Alaska. I had to grab a quick solo lunch the day hubby was out halibut fishing in Homer, so I pulled into the local McDonald's for a chicken sandwich. I couldn’t help smiling as I thought of you and your struggles with Mickey D's. For me, it's Taco Bell! It’s a good thing Homer didn’t have one!

Anyway, don’t stress about having your Big Mac. It will only break your desire to be healthier if you let it!

I believe with all my heart that you're right: there is a reason you're being led to care for the woman with cancer. There is something that you're meant to give her, or something she's meant to give you. There IS a Plan, and you’re being led. Hang in there!

grammy said...

Sounds like the job will be a strecth...but if you have a gut feeling you really need to go with it. Good luck. Do you have a Starbucks by you. They give insurance to even part time workers. The boardwalk looks fun. I love walks like that.

One Mom said...

Found you through the Kinz Family News. I'm in upstate NY too (though we're more accurately Western NY) and share many of your daily concerns - health care, paying our high taxes, looking for work - I think there are more of us out there too!

Enjoyed reading through your posts. Since my husband's stroke 4 years ago we have come to trust in God's plan for our life more than ever before. He can do everything we cannot!

Looking forward to following your blog!

Kate said...

I was surprised to hear how bad Ike was up there. My adoptive dad lives near Lockport, and he said they'd had all kinds of trouble with the wind and rain. I have to say, I was pretty surprised to hear you had tropical storm force winds that far north!

Diana Swallow said...

YAY for Pattie winning the stopwatch!


You know I think this job might be a good change of pace for you right now and like you said, beggars and all that but beyond that, you'll get a chance to make a difference in the life of someone who needs it right now.

Unreal about Ike and his reach. I just feel for all of those people and think how lucky we were to have dodged that bullet.

Ok, time for you to get back on track with your personal challenge. I'm back on track with mine and we can do this!! We are worth it!

I'm SO excited to watch the Biggest Loser tonight!!

Betty said...

I usually skip breakfast too, so I guess we have to do better there. Hope you get back on track with your personal challenge!

Manuela said...

I'm so glad that you're going out of the box and trying something different. I think you'll be wonderful and may bring a ray of sunshine into that woman's life.

Good luck! (I'll keep praying for that teaching job though :)

As for McD's--how funny that just the other day I thought a Big Mac would be good (kept on driving--this time!)