NEW 10 minutes/30 Day Commitment starts May 5th

[Joy Cox]

Free, free as a bird...look up in the sky, it's Genko!!!! Oh, to do something like this...beyond belief! And, all your beautiful pictures of your flowers!  Everything seems like it's coming up roses for you, Genko.    Joy

Bucky and All Others: Just feel like I ran into a brick wall!!! Going to 'hit the sack'; catch you later...tomorrow morning, I promise! 

[genko_b]

Thanks, Joy. Riding in one of those little planes is definitely an adventure, about as close to living a bird's life as you can get. However, even with all the sun precautions and taking meclizine I'm woozy today. My feet haven't stopped buzzing from the vibration of the plane, and I'm still eating only saltines and ginger ale to settle my stomach. Totally worth it in my book, but not for the faint of heart!

It's also nice to be on solid ground.

Genko

[Bucky]

Day 29

Good morning . . . happy Wednesday everyone!     Today is Day 29 of our 30 commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

Wow . . . we had some pretty intense thunder/lightning/rain storms during the night!     The kind of storms that looks like someone is standing there flipping the light switch on and off, on and off, on and off as fast as they can.   Right now, things are calm . . . yay . . . calm is good.     I will be spending lots of time outdoors today . . . I'm having a garage sale (keeping fingers crossed the rain stays away until later this afternoon).  In fact, I NEED to be out there finishing up the last few things before I open, so I'm gonna skip on out.

Genko - your plane ride and visit sounded like it was fun . . . I'm glad you could go and enjoy it.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.  I'll see you tomorrow . . . which will be our last day of our 30 day adventure.

Bucky

"When the world says, 'Give up', Hope whispers, 'Try it one more time'"     -     Author Unknown

[Joy Cox]

Good Day 29, Here I am as promised before noon!  

And, our sweet Bucky, notice you are up early, too! Got my fingers crossed that your rain leaves and a w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l garage sale is yours with $$$$$$$ being made!!!

GENKO: Neighbor that is a pilot and has small plane flew hubby and me over the two farms we have several years ago. I enjoyed it, though, not interested much in flying any more - REALLY CONTENT JUST GROWNING OLD HERE ON THE FARM. When younger we did a trip each year and it all stopped in 1995 when I had extensive surgeries on both eyes.  No more sunny beaches or windy ships or long air flights!

Hubby decided to wash windows today as it is overcast day in our area. We have a soap dispenser washer that you can stand on ground and wash windows. And, here's my tip for no water spots... get the leaf blower and blow the water off the window pane!!! Gee, am I smart or not?

We finished all the windows and doors and I sweetly asked- ARE YOU READING THIS, IRISH KAT-"Honey, will you please consider washing the sky window over my tub area...?" You know, the one covered with all the bird poop!   Will let you know how it turns out.

Well, going to rest as have optometrist appointment this afternoon. Did not read the fine print on the info about the Crystalens I had put in last yr. at Duke. Cataract lens that are hinged and you do not have to wear glasses.  

Though, recommends that one wears 400 UVA sunglasses when outside...    Did not realize there was such a thing as 400; thought it stopped at 100%.   I see $$$$ 'going, going' gone... Just bet these 'thingies' are pricey.

Had to pay for the two lens myself, but the surgery cost was paid for by my insurance. These are new on the market and I'm usually not one of 'get on the band wagon' early but had to have surgeries on both eyes and Duke corneal specialist said that I'd not need anymore lens, they would do me my lifetime. Ah, looking at the whole issue as an investment.

Well, spend all morning outside...count for my last three days?  Maybe?  And, tomorrow...Day 30, promise I do some weeding- even though most of that one bed looks as if they are small trees!  hehe....      

I'm 'wired' today... last night felt like I had hit a brick wall...and, the secret to a 'good' day today is I SLEPT 7 HRS. STRAIGHT WITH 'MISS WINDY CPAP'!! Joy

[Katybarstool]

Hello my lovely friends!

Bucky, hope your garage sale is good. Wish I lived near enough to com and have a rummage. Bet you're glad those storms have passed.

Genko, so sorry to hear that you are suffering from your flight. Hope it passes soon.

Joy, the leaf vac - what a brilliant idea!

Today has been an up and down day. The weather was beautiful - 10 degrees warmed than yesterday - around the 70 mark. Spent some time in the garden after work, planting out some Marigolds. Oh, and something funny happened - our house is chalet style, with a canopy running between the first and second floor. The living room is slightly below the level of the drive and road outside, so my car is sitting a yard or so from the living room window, and my hubby notices a young tabby cat looking up at my (open) bedroom window. The next minute the cat leaps up on to the canopy! David ran upstairs, just in time to see the cheeky thing nosing through my bedroom window! He went to shut the window, and the cheeky feline jumped down onto the bonnet of my car, leaving four scratch marks. It's a good job I'm not car proud! It was such a cheeky little thing, that we had to laugh.

The down part? Well, I guess you know what it's like trying to pretend you are 'normal' to other people? I've been doing that to most people at work, but today I realized I've only been fooling myself. First thing this morning, I met a colleague as I was starting off up the stairs to the first floor where I work. I have to hold both sides of the banister, and it's a pretty slow process getting up the 15 or so stairs. Today, this lovely chap, asked had I considered going up and down in the lift. I had to explain that I do, sometimes, but I need to keep mobile, so will use the stairs whenever I can. He was being kind and considerate, but I guess you can imagine how I felt.

The second incident really put things in perspective. Two colleagues were talking about taking a walk at lunchtime and one invited me along, as I said I would enjoy some sun. As I was deliberating, a second (much loved) colleague tried diplomatically to tell me that she didn't think I would make the 20 minute or so walk - and I know she was right, but it really hurt to admit that. In the end, I started the walk with them, but just walked a few minutes and then turned back.

The daft thing is, these colleagues were being considerate, but it made me realize what a croc I've become. My next appointment with the rheumy is next week, and I really need to have the confidence to demand the Plaquenil. I think it's my only chance of getting rid of this weakness that hits me from the waist down. It only used to happen after I'd been walking for some time. Last week, I couldn't even walk across the hospital car park without help from my beloved.

Anyway, just thought I'd share with people who understand.

God bless
Kathyx     

[genko_b]

Today was my day to walk through the Japanese garden here to the teahouse where I study Japanese tea ceremony. It is so wonderful to see the garden at all times of the year, in all kinds of weather. It has been rainy here for a while and so the moss and ferns in the garden are spectacular, plus all the irises beside the pond. The flowers are holding on because of the cool temperatures.

Kathyx, don't worry about me. I'm tired and sore, but the plane ride was totally worth it. I'm sorry to hear about your muscle weakness. My rheumy sent me to physical therapy to strengthen my upper leg muscles, because they had gotten so bad in spite of all the moving around that I do.

It took about a month, but now I'm beginning to see some real results in terms of strength. It doesn't help my balance, of course. But Plaquenil may give you more energy and so more moving around and more strength, so you can move around more and so on. I figure every little bit helps.

Take care, everyone. We're doing good!

Genko

[meow]

My last blood test showed low vitamin D--so my rheumy told me to start taking 5000 mg OTC every day, and that should help with fatigue, maybe some weight loss, too It's been about 2 weeks, and I'm not feeling much difference (supposedly it kicks in around now) but it's the end of the school year, and I am extra stressed, so maybe it's propping me up more than I realize.
I have not been sleeping well. Too hot, too cold, gotta pee, having weird dreams---then there are the noisy neighbors  .
I have been getting my ten minutes--although yesterday it was a fire drill!--- and my flowers are loving the hot weather and lots of water.
I need some cardio.

[Bucky]

Day 30

Today is Thursday, June 3rd - Day 30 and the final day of our 30 day group commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

There were 41 members who signed up to participate in this little venture . . I hope most of you were able to get your 10 minutes in each day.

Today was another garage sale day for me, so I have been outside for the last seven hours!!      Now, I'm ready to come indoors and maybe take a short nap.    

I hope you have enjoyed your time outside these past 30 days.  I've experienced all different kinds of weather . . . rain, heat, sunshine with big puffy clouds, clear - cloudless skies, and I think we even had some frost in there too.   I'm glad we all participated in this little adventure together . . . it's more fun when you can do things in a group.

I don't have any great final words of wisdom for you, but I will say this:  We each need to take or make 10 minutes each day for "me time".   Think of it this way . . . if you have babies, plants or animals and you didn't take care of them . . feed them, water them, tend to them - they would die.  A short, simple break can go a long way toward refreshing you - to recharge your batteries . . . if you don't take care of yourself, no one else will!  It's NOT being selfish to take care of yourself.

Here are just some quick ideas on how to spend some "me" time:

   *  Keep a gratitude journal
   *  Take a walk
   *  Exercise
   *  Write a handwritten note to brighten someones day
   *  Close your eyes and practice some deep breathing exercises
   *  Listen to music
   *  Watch something that makes you laugh
   *  Blow bubbles  
   *  Look through photo albums
   *  Read a book / flip through a magazine
   *  Sit outside
   *  Take a short nap
   *  Make a healthy snack
   *  Dance like nobody is watching you  
   *  Take a relaxing shower/bath

Just because this little group venture is now completed - feel free to continue this on your own.

Thanks for coming along on this journey.  

Hugs,
Bucky

"You have the duty and gift of living.  You don't have the right to sit on the sidelines - - - use your life and get back into the game."     Dr. Phil McGraw

[Scottietottie]

Hi  

I've just spent 4 days staying with a friend in London and have been outside more than I have probably been for about a year. I've been walked up Primrose Hill, round Highgate Cemetary and also around Hampstead Heath.  I got home on a train yesterday and I slept for 16 hours straight. Even after 16 hours I was woken by hubby. Don't know when I'd have woken up left to my own devices. Have to admit - I haven't been outside today.

Take care - Scottie  

[Katybarstool]

Scottie

Sounds like you had a brilliant time. Hope you get chance to relax again before work. Is it your half-term?

Bucky

Thank you so much for keeping us on track this past 30 days. You are an inspiration.

God bless
Kathyx

[Joy Cox]

EnJOYed my 30-day outdoor adventure with each of you!  

And, Bucky, my deepest appreciation for what you gave back to me in the last 30 days! Stepped out and found a social world that had nearly escaped me after the long, hard winter of health issues!

Today, I went to the garden center and bought some plants to put in my big pots in my beloved Garden of Joy. And, the center had all of them on sale! 

This idea has worked very WELL for me! Please know I feel so fortunate to have all you Sjoggie friends...thanks for being here for me...it does help!!! Me is me, its plain to see...I'm just simply me!!!  Love, Joy   

[genko_b]

Today was a garden day for me as well - I took the afternoon to pull up the forget-me-nots that are now past their prime, trim a few things back, deadhead the irises, and plant a few more seeds. There are lots of snow peas on our vines, and I have been picking them every day. I wish I could offer everyone some lettuce - I have some heads of butter lettuce that look as big as pumpkins, pretty scary. And romaine with leaves that are over a foot long. I grow those in pots on our deck.

I've enjoyed everyone's stories about their outside adventures, and thank you again Bucky for inspiring us to push ourselves a little bit. It makes a difference. It's also fun to do this along with everyone.

Genko