HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May 2022 see the end of COVID and its multitude of variants!
I'm tired of masks!
I'm tired of social distancing!
I'm tired of carrying my Proof of Vaccination around with me!
In other words, I'm tired!
So, that is my lone wish for 2022.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Since I "contracted" tinnitus several years ago, I've been conscious of my stress levels. The hissing, ringing and whirring seem to elevate under trying circumstances.
So, I'm shedding activities and people who increase my stress levels.
Two "friends" of mine are judgmental, argue in a mean-spirited way, bully and take jabs at me.
I've known both of them a LOOOOONG time and the friendships have been beneficial -- at times. But, maybe it's age but it's getting more exhausting being around them. But, rather than engage, I tread carefully around them so as not to trigger their dark side. It's my fault that I've tolerated this in the name of friendship. And, in putting up with their crap, I've taken into account how they have helped me. But, how long does one put up with this because of a few moments when they were nice. It seems there is a time stamp on how long you owe someone for a long-ago kindness.
But I 'get' how trying to maneuver around them is as stressful as taking them on.
So, I'm not going to take them into 2022. I will continue to send birthday cards but I'm going to avoid phone calls, sit down events and having any purposeful contact.
In the end, it's about my well being, health and keeping my stress levels under control.
These two women spike my stress.
I'm too kind of a person to have mean people who are weighted down by their own issues. So, their friendship will be sacrificed in the bigger purpose of managing stress, staying healthy and loving me.
SO THERE!
I just came back from Playa del Carmen and had a ball.
I devoted one day to adventure. I went on seven courses of ziplines. Then I went on a cave adventure that required walking on rugged and rocky terrain and swimming around stalagtites and stalagmites.
I was exhilarated but my body was aching and my bones were crying.
I like adventure. I love being a daredevil. And I'm inclined to be a thrill seeker.
But my old bones are saying ENOUGH! SO, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I'LL BE FLYING AND GLIDING!
So, I'll find a way to appease the old bones while continuing to enjoy the adventurous life!
Soon after I adopted Sheba, I discovered she had kidney disease. I knew she was a senior cat but I didn't realize how sick she was.
I complained to the adoption agency and they agreed to take her back. But I knew she'd probably put her down. So, I decided to keep her. Plus the agency was super nice. They provided me with the expensive kidney food she had to eat.
For 19 months, I gave her love, care and compassion. I took her to regular appointments to keep her kidney disease in check. I took her to a groomer to keep her beautiful fur in tact.
But, she was getting worse. About six months ago, I started her on a procedure that required that I prick her with a needle and allow water to flow through her. And, I took her to get several injections. When it became too expensive, I took her to the low-cost clinic.
Last month, I took her to the vet, who said the disease had progressed. Around that time, she began puking, pooping and peeing on my rug. I spent a lot of time on my knees cleaning the mess. Finally, I covered the rug with plastic and moved the litter box into the dining room so she wouldn't have to go so far.
In the end, I knew it was her time.
So, I had her euthanized. I was there when she toppled over. And it was over. She was on her way to the Rainbow Bridge to frolic and play.
I will see her -- and all my pets -- enroute to heaven. And I look forward to that meeting.
But for now, I miss my cat.
I miss Sheba.
What a tournament!
The young Brit -- Emma from Britain -- was an astounding story! Being the first qualifier to win in the tournament's history is a story for the ages.
And following Novak's quest for a Grand Slam was compelling.
Sadly...he lost. And I confess that I wasn't pro Djokovic at first.
But my heart melted when I saw his tears. And suddenly, my opinion changed and my compassion surfaced.
And, so it was! It covered so many emotions: joy, sadness gratitude, heartbreak -- and more!
All wrapped up in one major sporting event
It made my weekend!
For two weekends, I have been watching tennis in the HOT SUN! While I was happy that there was no rain forcing play to halt, I didn't know the sun/heat could be so treacherous.
Well, watching a match on Saturday, I glanced at my shoulder and noticed a cluster of protruding white spots! It was a downright scary sight. Even though I'd applied sunscreen, the sun penetrated that guard rail. I consulted on-site staff who found it horrible. But, one said she'd had the same issue and that it was a heat rash.
So, I headed home, consulted the Internet and self diagnosed that it was heat rash.
I applied every cream in my medicine cabinet: CBD Oil, Neosporin, Cocoa Butter -- whatever. And, I waited for the magic to take hold.
VOILA!
Next day, only trace evidence of the splotches so everything worked.
There's nothing you can do if you put sunscreen on and thought I'd done everything right. But, at least I know that with a combo of creams, the splotch will only last a day.
Well, I'm going out of town and putting the cat in a Pet Hotel. But, I'm putting measures in place that will make transporting little Sheba easier and me catching my plane less taxing.
You see. Last month, I had to take her to a vet but she was hiding and I had to cancel the appointment.
I can't cancel my plane. So, since I don't know all of her hiding places, I'm barricading areas where she MIGHT be and cordoning her off in one central area.
So, with her encased in a certain perimeter, I shouldn't have a problem getting scooping her up, putting her in a carrier, taking her to the Pet Motel and then catching my plane with no problem.
It's a matter of anticipating a problem and putting a successful plan in place.
