Though not alike, we are the same

I feel the need to explain.  So many people think all I do is sleep.  During your “normal” hours, yes, maybe.  But when I need to adjust my schedule, just like you, I do.We try to sleep regular hours and eat three times a day.  

My day starts a bit later than most of yours.  That would be because we live a different life than you.  Hubby works from 11 to 7.  In order for us to continue to have the close relationship we do, we try to sleep mostly the same hours. Works for me.  Mom always told me I was a night owl from the time I was born.  We are both awake all night.  We sleep days.  We try to get several hours from  the time he comes home to whenever we are needed to be awake.  When someone needs us we always try to be there.  We also try to sleep in the evening before he heads to work.  Some days it’s a yes and some days no.  That’s fine.  It works for us. 

Since we are asleep and  awake different hours than most, we do lots of other things on a strange schedule.  We are the middle of the night shoppers at WalMart and all night grocery stores.  We are the crazy ones who you could even find sitting out on the porch at 3AM.  We won’t be the loud  neighbors in the middle of the night.  That even bothers us.  But we do eat a different schedule, sleep a different schedule and generally live a different schedule from those of you out there who are “normal.” 

Today started much the same as any other day.  When I first wake up, I have to stop and access what I’m able to do at the moment.  Doesn’t mean it’ll be all I can do for the entire day, but it is all I can do for that piece of time when I try to find my land legs.  It feels like that.  I’m a bit wobbly and stumbly most days.  I start out either holding on to furniture and walls or using a cane or walker just to cross the hall to the bathroom.  Sometimes it ends up being just those few minutes and sometimes it continues through a part or even all of my day.  I never know. 

Today I really didn’t think I’d be able to do anything.  I could hardly walk.  It felt like the sciatica was starting up again.  The pain in my behind that then extends down my leg was catching me with every step I took.  After sitting and standing a few times and stretching as I went down the stairs, it eased up to the point I was confident walking with a walker.  I probably should have shied from tackling the stairs, but if I had, I’d have spent the entire day in bed.  I hate having to do that.  Some days it’s unavoidable. Some days pushing myself to the point of tears allows me hours of feeling somewhat human! 

I’ve been trying car rides mostly because I get bored spitless staying at home.  Today was no different.  The weather was gorgeous.  Staying inside would have almost been a crime.  I got out to the car fine.  Well kind of fine.  I made it without falling.  I didn’t trip down the stairs.  I was able to get into the car without lifting my legs with my hands.  Yep.  Good day so far.  But the leg pains set in before we got too far.  I ended up staying  in car while Cliff ran errands. I did get to see Kris today.  We stopped by his house while he was on lunch.  I rarely get to see he and his family.  It was nice even if it was short.  After we stopped by his house, we got Kennedy and took her to work.   

By this time, my legs were swelling again but less than last time. The throbbing pain in my feet and my hips continued as we finished errands, picked Kennedy back up and took her home., 

I was able to get in some walking today but not nearly as much as I'd like.  I did sit ups in bed.  I know better than to sit up on the floor.  I would be there until the second coming!

We realized today that it’s probably better to buy Chinese take out by the pint, quart, etc. than to get the dinners.  One order of orange chicken and one order of rice was at least four meals worth.  And man was it good!  The little restaurant by Corry and Kris’s places is awesome.  It’s in the little plaza where Ellet Ave. comes out on 91.  .

I’ve been debating on doing my own poncho next. I’m really, really wrestling with it.  I for sure want it done for this fall.  I love the yarn and am very anxious to use it. Unforgettable desert spring. But I've made promises. I have orders from the grands.

1. Unicorn. Pink and purple

2. Dress. Purple top. Pink bottom

3. Blanket to match pillow I made from an afghan Missy had started and got tired of doing.

4. Blanket. Blue and gold. Basketball.

5. Blanket. Hot pink, black and white.

~~~~~~~~~~

Two thoughts for today:

I wonder why people don't realize not contacting often translates to don't care.

*****

If your perfume arrives before you, you may have too much on. 

AND no amount covers BO.

~~~~~~~~~~

Cliff butt called my sister Judy today so she called his butt back.  lol.

~~~~~~~~~~

Today I was contacted by someone I knew years and years ago. She had been to Goodwill and found a bin of yarn.  Awesome!  I have a 20% off coupon from making a donation.  I’m there tomorrow!  Put out the word.  People will help. 

Do I have more than 365 places in my home? If I purge one small place a day no one will even notice but the difference in a year should be amazing. Why don't I start this journey and take you along.

Hugs and love,

Mama Sage

Even when you can’t, you can

Today started much like all my days.  The aches and pains are the norm for me.  Today is different though.  There is pretty much no humidity and the temperature is only in the 70’s.  The perfect temp for me is more like the 50’s and 60’s but the fact it isn’t 80 or 90 is such a relief.  My ankle and leg are still giving me fits.  I’m sure it isn’t broken.  I can walk on it, bend it, etc. and it isn’t swollen huge.  Only a little.  I have a cooler in the bedroom now with ice packs.  Lordy we have enough.  My one medicine comes in a Styrofoam cooler with several ice packs.  Anyone need a few?  I hate tossing them because they are something quite useful, but we just can’t keep them all.  Any ideas on who might be able to use some?

We are busy trying to go through things.  It seems like the more we do, the more we have!  Is it growing like my box of tangled yarn?  Too much Miracle Gro?  Something!  We have GOT TO get through it all!  We have a ton of things to donate and garage sale and plain old toss.  I’m tired of this.  Oh how I wish I was the me of 20 years ago.  Boy I had the energy then and got things done.  All you gals out there who still have your energy, use it!  Do your purging and scaling down while you are young and able.  I’m only 61 and already can’t do it.  You never know when life will sock you in the teeth. 

I’m still holding on to so many memories.  I really need to get them all scrapbooked and pass on the actual things.  I can’t keep every single thing my mother made.  It’s impossible.  She was so talented,  I have probably a dozen cross stitch pieces she and I both did, I have crewel work she, my aunts, my niece and I did, I have paintings my mother, cousin and aunt did.  There are quilted and crafted things of every description.  My house is filled with the love and labor of so many.  I have far too many knick knacks.  I have so many I dearly love and those my mother also loved.  I just don’t have the room for them all.  It’s time.  And I want to.  I think I need an hour’s time from each of my kids and older grandkids and maybe I can get it done. 

There’s a lot of sitting time today.  While I’m sitting, I’m folding laundry, sorting through some things and crocheting.  This evening I’ll be taking out the hem of one of Cliff’s pair of pants and figuring out how to re-hem them and eliminate the fraying.  Neither of us seems to pay attention and they were dragging.  They’re really nice pants so I’m hoping. 

My current crochet projects are fun.  I’m making a few fun things for the 4^th of July.  I’ve made hats and headbands so far.  Hoping they work.  If not, oh well.  It was fun making them.  Emmi wants a red, white and blue scarf “hooked together like Kennedy’s” because her school colors are red, white and blue.  I can do that!  It’ll be fun.  I still have a few days until the 4^th. 

We all try to gather together for the parade in Stow, OH every 4^th of July.  We gather right across from Taco Bell in case any of you out there wants to join us.  The rest of the day is always planned as we go.  Everyone says what they have planned and those who want to join together do.  Cliff and I generally just head on home and cook out for our main meal.  We often head to Newton Falls, OH then for their fireworks.  It’s a great display and they have a fair the kids all enjoy. 

I’m currently making shawls for my sister.  Shhh.  Don’t tell.  I made her one for Christmas and she like it so much I decided she needed a couple more.  It’s a way for me to experiment with patterns too,.  I totally love this one.  It’s call Dew Drop wrap

And I’m playing around with one called the Roadtrip Scarf.  Yes.  I  am way behind the majority of my crochet loving friends.  Most got on the band wagon as each of those became popular.  I am at an advantage though.  Just like waiting to get new electronics until the bugs are worked out, getting the bugs worked out of needlework patterns is good to wait on too.  Patterns I’ve tried that are new many times give me the challenge of re-writing them to fit my way.  This is the Roadtrip Scarf in progress.

Now I have a question.  We were at the gas station the other day.  A guy comes around the building, backpack on, bags in his arms.  He goes to the snuff out post smokers toss their cigarette butts in.  He bends down, takes it apart, then puts it back together and walks off.  Really?  Was he getting random people’s old butts?  It made me get a little sick thinking about it.  Yuck.  Those in the area wondering….at Sheetz on Howe and Home. 

Well for us it’s about time for a meal.  We eat breakfast when Cliff gets home in the morning and then plan the rest of our meals around what we have going for the day.  Today was a total at home day.  Cliff is working on getting my electric up and running in my craft room which is a real trick.  I have wall to wall, cover the wall, up to the ceiling craft stuff.  I really need to purge that area.  I have come up with a few things to sell.  I wonder if people still even want rolling scrapbooking cart/suitcase dealies.  Hmmm.  I’ll have to list it in a day or so and see.  Here’s hoping…

Hugs and love,

~~Mama Sage

This is how we do it

This is how we do it…

I am a 61 year old wife and mother of five grown children.  I love to cook but life’s challenges keep me out of the kitchen many days.  Crafting is a love of mine ingrained into my soul by my mother and grandmother, my father as well,  and I continue to do what I can from the confines of my health.  With both Fibromyalgia and Sjogren’s Disease, along with so much arthritis, I should be known as Arthur, I plug along day to day.  Well hour to hour, minute to minute.  You never know what the next minute will bring.  Currently, my craft of choice is crochet.  My close companion is my “bag of tricks” and it goes with me wherever I roam.

Honoring those around me…

I am so very fortunate to have a husband of 44 years who stays 100% with me through thick and thin.  Quite literally.  He loves me unconditionally as I do him.  For those who wonder, the key to a long lasting marriage has many notches, but I think the most important notches are honesty and giving 110% to each other.  Marriage is NOT 50/50.  It most certainly is 100/100 or more. 

Papa Sage and I have five grown children.  They are not at all alike, yet they are so much alike, it’s easy to know at a glance they are siblings and are our children.  They have all taken different branches down life’s path and we are extremely proud of each and every one.  Our children have blessed us with a quiver full of beautiful grandchildren and we love each one so much.  It’s such a blessing being a part of the next generation’s growing during their childhood and on through to their burst into the adult person their experiences lead them to. 

What you will find here…

My old blogs have been laid to rest.  They just don’t seem appropriate for now.  If you happen by them, much of the information and ideas you find will be useful in our current world and economy.  Some won’t.  Take each thing you find and weigh it’s importance for you.  Please don’t take it as life’s guideline.  

The information you find in this blog will be my life as it is today.  I blog as I live.  Today, you would find me unable to do much at all nursing a very hurt ankle.  Still I find much I can accomplish.  You would be surprised.  I think it all comes from things my mother instilled in my brain.  Things like never waste a step.  Make it count.  And what a valuable lesson that was.  You may find recipes.  They won’t be something untried.  I promise now that whatever you find cooking on my blog also was cooked at my house.  You may find ideas for gifts.  You may find links to a crochet pattern I love.  What I consider the most important thing you will find is how someone like me, who is handicapped and unable to do so many things, can do so much. 

What I will find for myself here is the acknowledgement that I do matter.  I must matter.  And I can go on.