Flu Shot

 I've been getting the flu shot every year for a few years now.  The reason I stopped for a while is because the earlier two years I had the shot, I got seriously ill about a month later and I attributed it to the flu shot.  Everyone told me I was wrong, of course, but the fact remains that I had quite a few sick free winters after I stopped.

But now my immune system isn't normal and my age is a factor so I gave in and get the flu shot plus had the pneumonia shot.  But, last winter didn't I get pneumonia and wasn't well all winter long.  It does make me wonder because I've never had pneumonia before in my life.

And so I had my annual flu shot yesterday, developed severe pain in my arm last night along with nausea and again it makes me wonder.  My arm is still so sore today that I can't lift it quite half way without it hurting badly.  I don't think this is normal but I'll just keep an eye on it and hope it doesn't get worse.

Today is the day I pick up my new car and I'm still so excited about that.  I know I got a great deal and, even with my age, there's a chance I will have at least 5 years driving ahead of me.  Funny to think of it that way.  I really don't want to live to be 100 but I do want a bit more quality time before I go to my great reward.  Kind of thought I was on my way there last night, though.  LOL!

I got very little sleep last night due to the pain in my arm so I'll need a nice nap after I bring "Roguey" home.

Bought My Rogue

 When I bought my Nissan Altima in 2012, I really wanted the Nissan Rogue but it cost about $5,000 more and I just couldn't bring myself to pay that much.  Well, the Altima has been a wonderful car all these years and has given me no trouble whatsoever and for that I'm thankful.  But it is now a 9 year old car and I have some money siting in an account that I haven't touched so I believe this is the time to get what I want.

It's interesting that the price of my 2019 Nissan Rogue is now very similar to what I paid for the Altima back in 2012.  The Altima was a used car with only 6,000 miles on it and I felt I got a great deal on that car.  The Rogue has 12,000 kms which is about 8,000 milesand it's beautiful.  I think COVID helped me get this exceptional price and for that I'm also thankful.

Kim isn't very happy because she thinks an 80 year old woman shouldn't be buying a car but I'm hoping for at least another 5 years of driving and I really don't drive too far.  I love the convenience of having my own car, too.  I'm sure my whole family thinks I'm being foolish but this is something I really want and I'm glad I took the steps to get it.

Maybe I'll give it to Nolan when I'm done driving!

Scary But Funny

 The second and last debate between Biden and Trump was last night and Trump finally followed the advice of his people.  Instead of his usual outrageous and aggressive behaviour, he was softer spoken and less interruptive but it tickled my funny bone.  He ended up looking like a little boy that had been warned by his mother to behave or he'd get a "whoopin".  Everyone knew that this was not his normal behaviour but at least it made the debate easier to watch.

Trump lost support after the first debate because he behaved so horribly that even Republicans couldn't stand him.  He's not a stupid man and he knew this was his last real chance to gain back what he'd lost so he forced himself to act halfway human.  It looked creepy and funny at the same time.  Biden displayed his usual calm and gentlemanly behaviour.  What a difference in personalities!  

I'll watch the election because whatever happens in the States will always affect Canada.  I'm assuming Biden will win but I'm not crazy about all of his plans, either, but anyone would be better than Trump.  The U.S. has got to start healing and working together instead of all of this chaos in the government.  I think that is the legacy Trump will be most remembered by...the total chaos and waste of 4 years.  If he wins, I personally think it's the complete end of the United States as we've known it before Trump.  It will become no longer powerful and no longer respected. 

Dinner and a Phone Call

 It's the little things that make life pleasant.  Kim worked all day yesterday and still took the time to visit me after work and have dinner..Skip the Dishes, of course.  And Shelley phoned me which also pleased me very much.  I still haven't heard from Cindy but I'm hoping that wound will heal in the future.

I'm going to be looking after Nolan and Nash for a few hours today because their mother got a job with Door Dash.  It's confusing to me because she felt it was too dangerous to allow us all to be together with the kids for Thanksgiving dinner but it's okay for me to babysit.  I am looking forward to spending some time with the boys but I realize I shouldn't have agreed to babysit.  Probably the biggest danger to us old folks right now is from school children who are most likely to carry the virus home from school.  I decided to take care of them today but no more until it's safer.

Shelley told me someone stole her election sign for Biden.  This happens every once in a while even here in Canada and it's so stupid.  Do the thieves really think they're gaining votes for their own candidate of choice when they destroy the other candidate's signs..or hats or other propaganda?  It seems to be all part of the latest wave of intimidation tactics where Trump is a prime example.  

I'm very worried about the aftermath of the U.S. election because Trump will not leave gracefully.  I don't think there's a chance in hell he'll win the election but who would have thought he'd win the last one?  If by some crazy chance he does win, the United States will be so changed forever that it will be terrifying to live there or even visit.  Racism will completely destroy the country.

If that happens, Shelley and John will move to Canada which will be wonderful for Shelley but heartbreaking for John because almost all of his family lives in the States.  I don't know what their kids' plans are but I hope they mirror their parents'.

Faye and I went to Ikea on Monday and met Valerie there.  Apparently Valerie didn't like the way we shop...we like to mosey around and take our time looking at things but Valerie, like so many of her generation, just want to get in there and buy what they went for and then leave.  It might have something to do with us seniors having the time to browse and the younger generation always being in a rush.  Val retired last year so she's still in transition learning how to slow down.

I went to Ikea for storage baskets but came home with a mat and 2 flower pots.  Sometimes this happens but there's always another day to shop for the storage baskets.

Well, life offers us many paths to follow and my paths lately have been kind of twisted but I'll survive.    

Things Better Left Unsaid

We either learn by example or by experience the things that are better left unsaid.  For instance, you never ever tell someone (especially a female) that they're fat.  That is going to dig a jagged and deep hole in their heart and one they'll never forget.  You also never, ever tell someone they're ugly...don't even use the word "plain" or the same damage is done.

We seniors know we're near the end of our earthly voyage but no-one with a heart would tell us we're running out of people and running out of time.  We know it but we'd sure recognize that as a slap in the face.  It might not cause emotional pain but certainly a distaste for anyone cold enough to say such a thing.

Never, ever ask a woman if she's pregnant because 9 times out of 10 she isn't but by innocently asking her that question she'll hurt for a long time.

Cruel words, even those innocently said, last a lifetime and change the way we see the perpetrator.  Children haven't learned the concept of tact and often blurt out their observations without thought of how they'll be received.  Because they aren't speaking maliciously, we should never fault them, just explain why some words and comments we use can be painful to others.

I still remember nasty comments made to me 70+ years ago and, at the time, was terribly hurt by some of them..as I look back now, they've ceased to matter very much and that's a good thing because it means I've learned to let go.  

Anyway, I guess the point of this blog is to remind myself and others that their cruel words said in anger or ignorance will continue to define us for a very long time, sometimes forever.

Personally, I don't argue but will simply walk away if someone is rude but once in a while it's a loved one who speaks in anger and that's something I can't walk away from but I won't forget it, either.  And my perception of the person will be forever changed.  That is why we should be careful how we talk to people because words are powerful.

I sometimes look back on my life and remember incidences where I spoke ugly words to someone and it makes me ashamed of myself to this day.  I wish I could go back in time and stop myself before I spoke.

Right after 9/11 I was walking into the bank just as a young lady in a hijab was walking out and she smiled as she held the door for me.  My instant reaction was to glare at her and that shames me but I understand why it happened.  I think we were all traumatized by 9/11 and I stupidly equated her with her violent countrymen and placed a silent blame on her for their actions.  That wouldn't happen today and not in the future, either, because I am smart enough to know that it's wrong to hold anyone responsible for the actions of others.  

Yes, words are unbelievably powerful and we all need to realize that they are an indication of how our lives will continue on after we've said something that was better left unsaid.   

Sprucing Up

I've done a fair bit of sprucing up my apartment this year and I think it's mainly due to being stuck at home so much and unable to follow my main vice of going to the casino.  For whatever reason, sprucing up is quite pleasurable.

I had new window blinds installed in the bedrooms, new drapes in my bedroom, a new t.v. and stand, and now a new area rug for the livingroom...pale turquoise and I love it!  Oh yes, I also bought 2 new pots and 1 frying pan...love them all, especially the turquoise pots!

I'm not a big spender so none of these items were high end, much closer to low, low end but it doesn't matter.  They're a nice change and please my eye.  You don't need to spend a lot of money to make a change that pleases you.  Sometimes it might only be the addition of a new plant.

When you get to my age and have moved from a house to an apartment, you really need very little new stuff.  You mostly need to pare down what you do have and I did that well when I moved but continue to do it, too.  It's shameful how much "stuff" we accumulate over the years and how much of it we don't even use.  I've gotten more ruthless about getting rid of what I've considered my treasures, either giving them to family, selling them on Marketplace, or taking them down to our back door as donations to anyone who can use them.  It hurts sometimes to find out your treasures are not even wanted by anyone for free. 

There is a time and a place for everything but, once that time has passed and won't return, we should downsize and not look back. 

 

Selling Swedish Weaving

 I sold another Swedish weaving table runner on Marketplace today.  It's nice to make a bit of money but I charge very little...I enjoy making them and I feel honored when someone else likes my handiwork enough to buy it.

It costs me nothing but time any more to make the runners because I have more fabric and yarn in my stash than I'll ever have time to use.  It was supposed to go to Donna and Faye when I die but Donna beat me to it and then left me a lot of her supplies.  I love working on these table runners and watching them come to life but I take longer to finish them now.  There's no sense rushing because there will be no craft shows this year.  That's why I'm selling them on Marketplace, slowly but that's okay.

I've been checking out a lot of things I have accumulated over the years and deciding that, if I probably will never use them again, they have to be sold on Marketplace or donated  somewhere.  Selling on Marketplace this summer and fall has been lots of fun, earning a bit of money for things I certainly don't need and knowing the buyer got a bargain.  I'm very happy with that.

I do keep my mind active with the weaving, keeping in contact with friends on Facebook, and keeping up with our crooked politicians.  I should get back to writing some stories this winter, too.  My postings and my stories mean nothing to anyone but they're just my way of still caring about something besides getting closer to death.  I don't worry about it, I just acknowledge it but I do often wonder why I'm still here.

I ordered a new livingroom area rug today...pale turquoise.  I had wanted a larger one than the 5'x7' I ordered but that's the size I have now and I will be able to lay it out myself without help.  I'm not sure if I want to put the old one (ivory shag) in the bedroom but, if I don't like it there, it can always go in the donation area at the back door of my building.  Shopping online (Wayfair & Amazon) has become the way I like to shop now.

I didn't sleep a wink last night so I'm too tired to go for my Sunday drive.  Grocery shopping can wait until tomorrow.  I'm meeting Kim at Costco tomorrow to pick up my new glasses so I can buy the few groceries I want when I'm there.

Well, maybe I'll try to watch a movie now on Netflix and try not to fall asleep part way through.

Jackson

 Aeron invited Kim and me to her house to visit with the baby...and her, too, but we all know it would all be centered around that precious little 7 month old boy.  I haven't seen him since August so I expected some changes.  He's sitting up now and thinking about crawling but he doesn't crawl, just happily flails his arms and legs around as if he thinks that's the way it's done.  So cute!

Aeron has turned out to be an excellent mother, doting on her little boy but not suffocating him.  It's very hard for a mother to not step in when her baby is getting a little too close to harm but you have to give a child the room to explore and make a mess sometimes.  It was funny to see how one of their dogs, Henry, always stands between the baby and strangers.  I love that he has that protective instinct.  Apparently he doesn't do that when it's just Aeron and Jake with the baby so he knows he can hand over the protective role to them.

Aeron was our first granddaughter and we got to spend a lot of time with her when she was growing up.  That wasn't the case with Shelley's girls, Lisette and Nicole, because they lived all over the world but somehow our family love kept them close, too.

I had mentioned to Aeron on Facebook that she and Jake were going to have so much fun watching him grow up and she misunderstood what I said and thought I was either dying or prepared to not be seeing him.  I had to explain myself (I am sooo misunderstood) in that, yes, Jackson's younger family members will obviously be around to see him grow into a man but I'm 80 years old and obviously won't live long enough to see that happen but I'm going to love every second I do have with him.  It's also such a comfort to know our little ones are being raised in loving and safe homes.  Thank heavens!

I was so darned lucky to have the time and energy to spend with my grandchildren as they were growing up but now, with the greatgrandchildren, I just feel lucky I got to see them and know them at all.

There are quite a few wonderful things about being alive but the most important is our accumulation of good family and good friends.  That's what makes our lives worthwhile.