By Rosie Preston
The words of an old song go something like this: “I just don’t know what to do with myself. I just don’t know what to do with my time.” These words do not describe my life!
I do know what to do with myself and with my time. Several senior citizens warned me that time would go by faster as I got older, that one week may seem like a day, that our bodies may slow down and we may find ourselves going to bed earlier. Sometimes, finding a nap is lovely in the middle of the day! In hindsight, I’m sorry that I couldn’t comprehend their wisdom! So this article comes from random thoughts I may have jibber-jabbered, thinking you may be able to identify as well.
My list of things to do may get accomplished during this time of uncertainty, as we find ourselves not going out unless we need to purchase whatever it that takes to keep our home running! Did I mention that it’s taken me four years to go through much of the “stuff” left in my care from family members who could not stay in their homes any longer? I have the best of intentions to clean out three storage buildings, and thankfully, I have a great friend to help me organize, get rid of and give away as much stuff as possible.
Another thing I’d like to share with the ladies is to use sunscreen, no matter if you are very young or a senior citizen. It is the stuff added to most make-up and some moisturizer and costs much less than sunscreen at a retail store. Put it on every morning after you wash your face, let it dry and apply moisturizer or make-up. It will immediately stop your skin from aging!
It bewilders me that it’s easier to break into a car than to open grocery store bags, which contain chips and other types of food and includes me pulling it at both sides. So many times, the bags burst and all the contents rain around me as they fall to the floor. I can’t help but wonder how much money food costs while I watch candy, chips and cereal fall around me. Lately I’ve bought kitchen scissors to open bags. It helps make my life a little less stressful. If only my family members would not use them for other activities!
There is one other thing. It may not bother you, but it makes my blood boil. After I use my last roll of paper towels, I immediately go to the closest store and buy them. Paper towels are my lifeline. They are much easier to use to clean up never-ending messes than a washcloth or towel. I keep one roll in the kitchen, one in each bathroom, one in each bedroom and one in the car. Paper towels are a real lifesaver that helped for years as I have traveled with my children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.
Are you surprised that I have a bit of a temper during these times of the coronavirus?
There is one tip I that may help you get rid of those little fruit flies from fruit bought at the grocery store. I found out years ago that apple cider vinegar in a small cup with a few drops of liquid Dawn detergent will attract the little flying critters. Just remember, you may have to put the mixture in more than one room to obtain the full effect. Plus, it’s fun to count how fruit flies took the plunge. I sometimes found a few houseflies in the mixture as well.
Since I can’t visit the YMCA to use the exercise machines or pool, my new exercise program is elementary. Because I don’t have to punch a time clock or be anywhere at a specific time, I’ve started doing yoga in bed. (Search author Lisa Shea} It seems so easy to do the gentle exercises and feel I am gaining strength. It gives me time to relax and think about what is on my list for that day. It also helps me feel better when I get up and start early in the morning. I like yoga because I’m a senior citizen who stays home most of the time, and I have control over any appointments I’ve made. I’m lucky to be able to adjust and organized my timeline.
I had put off several things that I just couldn’t find the time to do in the past, and I’m now painting my bathroom cabinet. Although it may take me a week, I will not give up! I bought a lighter-color paint for the walls. Now the job may take months since I move slower than I did when I was younger. It was nothing for me to paint a ceiling and walls back then.
Every time my body tells me to stop and rest, I remember when my parents started doing that, especially after the grandchildren came along! Or could they have been hiding in the clo-set?
Maybe getting a little relief from all the demands and needs of the young yet beautiful and smartest children in the world include their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They can stir up a lot of confusion, as their demands are many: “Nana, Nana! I want juice! I want chocolate milk! I want to go outside! Nana, my tummy is hungry!” She then starts to cry as I am looking for her favorite cup!
With young family members, it’s always something!
Keep Smiling, Rosie
The journaling book is in progress, so send your stories to rosie.preston@yahoo.com.