Oh what fun I had today!  My new walker and I went out alone for the first time.  As in not with another human.  First to the field with the dogs.  It was rough on the path that needs resurfacing but was about doable.  Then the field, that too was okay though I don't know how it would be wet.   Stevie was no problem but Jess saw another dog and wanted to go play.  I didn't want her to go play.  So she thought she'd bark.  I didn't want her to bark.  She's not bad but was too much of a handful today so I brought them both home.  The best thing is taking the dog supplies (poo bags etc) on the walker instead of carrying it over my shoulder.

Then I took myself down to the bus stop, on a bus, and around the centre.  It's like a mall for those who live with malls.  I walked up the ramp instead of using the escalators.  I did four lengths of the place plus around several shops and back down the ramp to get a lift home.  Well, if Andy is off work and going that way why get a bus?  All in all far more walking than I would have undertaken just using the stick.  And even with a bit of shopping (that went in the basket) I have no neck, shoulder or leg pain.  So the ankles hurt some but they would have anyway.

The whole expidition went better than I could have guessed.  I am nearly in tears because it feels like I have my freedom back.  I used to love walking - we have some nice walks here.  Over the past few years I've done less and less.  Now with the asthma and hay fever under control, as well as effective pain control, I really think my new tool will enable me to go more often and further.  I just have to be aware of rough ground and stuff like that.  It's light enough to lift up and down kerbs so I'm quite free. 

BTW, this is a blue three wheel walker that has a bag and basket, brakes, and is pretty commonly sold in shops that do mobility aids.  I call it a walker, they call it various things.  So I thought I wasn't old enough or disabled enough to need one.  That may be so, but my thinking is if it makes my life easier/more pleasant, then why not use it? 

Now I wonder if this will help shift that weight I've put back on lately.  Well, it can only help but any help is welcome.

 
 
The weather has been so glorious all week, and Andy has been on a week of holiday, so I've beenb sitting out in the garden most of the week.  No weeding.  Just reading and using the laptop outside.  Making full use of the table eith umbrella and the swing.  I even put out a lounger!  The fountain is tinkiling away, the birds are singing. The laundry is drying. 

So what's the problem?   The housework.  It's not getting done.  The dishes are okay, the laundry is up to date.  This morning I finally vacuumed the lounge.  The rest needs to be done.  You could probably write a book in the dust on just about every surface.  And to make it worse, I don't care all that much.  My current thinking is that I have to take advantage of the good weather while I have it and play catch up indoors when itr changes later today or later in the week.  Fortunately for me Andy and Chel agree. 
pp
Himself has done a lot of work out here, it's his hobby.  He did most of the weeding so there isn't so much for me to do and he used weedkiller on the areas that I normally do to cut down on my job.  Way to go.   We are so fortunate to have this garden to enjoy. 

I bought an undercoat rake for Stevie.  Boy oh boy did that little guy need it.  Who'd have guessed how much fur the other brush left behind that we didn't know about.  Luckily he loves being brushed and comes when he sees his brushes.  Jess is happy to be brushed but doesn't seem to enjoy it as much as my little buddy does.  Still, we got a lot of undercoat off that skinny girl.  Whoda thunk it?

Today is a fair bit cooler and more comfortable.  They give heavy showers later which will be great for the plants. The pink rhododendron was stunning but didn't last long - I guess it was too dry. And we have to save water so it will stay dry.  The newer plants get the dishwater....and the tubs.

The knowledge that I don't have to earn pleasure is still there and working better than ever.  It makes life sooooooo good.  I'd recoimmend it
 
I knew I had not been on here for a while but didn't realise it was this long.  I don't know where the time goes really. 

I said in my last post about being free from the 'ought to's' and it's amazing how much better life has been day by day.  I can sit and read with no guilt.  I get up every little while and do something then go back to my book and fully enjoy it.  The house has been staying okay pretty much until I start spending a lot of time out and about.  That tires me and my legs hurt so I don't keep up as well.  But hey, it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Following on from that comes the desire to  be fitter and healthier.  It's not about losing weight now, but being able to move more freely.  I make it a point to go upstairs several times a day whether I need to or not.  I can't sit still as long as I could - I need to be on the move.  Another change is wanting to dress better around the house and wear jewellry and makeup just for me whether anyone will see me or not.  It's early days and I'm creating new habits but here's hoping.  I am doing my best on babystep at a time.  Weight loss will follow - or not but is not my main focus.  I am finding that I make better food choices sometimes lately, being more aware when I go to the kitchen not to just grab something to stuff in my cake-hole.  If I want to do that I may grab a glass of water. 

I've become more sociable over the past couple of months and am enjoying other people's company in person or on Skype.  Seems I'm getting back to being the me of old.

I've given up on the long nails, typing was too much like hard work [and they kept falling off lol].
And I can cross stitch again sometimes.  I have stopped the pictures I was doing that have a lot of random single stitches.  I am loving being back to it again.  I missed it so much.  I'm limited to how much I can do, but hey, some is better than none.

So life is pretty wonderful now and I'm so contented and happy.  At last.