Feeling Good

I like that title 'feeling good' - it makes me feel that things are progressing. My health is improving - but very slowly. The medication I am taking makes me feel fine and the doctor says my inflammation levels have gone right down - but I am still taking steroids - though a very low dose. At present I am on 3 mg soon I will take 2 and then gradually going down. Then I was told my thyroid level under active and so I went on levothyroxine - some months later I had to double the dose - but so far I think it is Ok and the doctor is pleased with that.

Today has been a lovely day - early spring - a little cold - but some sunshine! This brings me hope and well-being so that is why I am 'feeling good'. I am adding a picture I took a few years ago - but thought it appropriate to show it when I am feeling like this.

My main problem at present is my new lap top. I am typing this on my old PC, because I am having so much trouble getting familiar with the new computer. It is the notorious 8.1. Mostly I use this old computer as I feel it is so much more efficient. The only problem is that is is so old and it is XP which is no longer supported so one day it will die a computer death. I do try and keep up with technology but it changes all the time and so I find it difficult. But I am not too bad for an 80 year old.

Yesterday was a family celebration for my youngest daughter's birthday. It was a lovely day and all the family were there. The tea was lovely and so was the company! So I suppose the happy feelings I had then are making me feel so much brighter today.

Bright berries!



A lovely day at Ruislip Lido!

 The photo with the berries - I just found - I don't remember when I took it but I thought it was quite cheerful.

I have a new camera now so intend to take lots more photos.

That is all for now!

Catching up with my life. Why can't I continue this blog!

I have lots of things to write about. My last blog seemed a bit depressing and I think I was depressed then. However some nice things have happened to me since then.

First of all my 80th Birthday!!! It was really wonderful. I had lots of different celebrations but the most memorable was the two I had with my family. My American cousin and her Granddaughter came to stay.

Then we all went out for a birthday dinner at a local Italian restaurant. A few days later my cousin and I went on a 3 day tour to Suffolk, where I showed my cousin some of my favourite places includidng the place that I stay when I visit. See the picture included.

A few days later I had my birthday tea party. I had booked a room at a local hotel and had a typical English Afternoon tea. There were 25 people (people that meant a lot to me - my family, of course, and a few special friends.There were balloons and pictures of me as a young girl and a young wife. It was one of the most wonderful days of my life to be surrounded by so much love and appreciation. The weather was very favourable and we were able to sit in the grounds sipping prosecco before the tea. I have lived on this memory ever since.

A few weeks later I had the very sad news that another old friend had died and that has put me into a contemplative mood ever since. Some of my very special friends, who were just a bit older than me have gone. A part of my history has disappeared and there is no one with whom I can share our shared experiences. I feel quite alone. I have fewer friends and the older special ones have now gone! It is very sad. 

Then in August I went to Canada for a family wedding. Usually I go on my own but this time I was accompanied by my twin Grandchildren (19 years old) and it was so lovely to be with them. This was also a lovely experience.

So in all I have been through some depressing times but in between there have been some lovely, memorable, heartwarming moment. At 80 I must say I am very lucky to be in reasonable health and to be surrounded by a loving family.  I do try and keep fit and exercise and eat well - and try and keep my mind active.

I think I have been writing this blog for 5 years. I must get a new photo of myself to put on  it so that I can compare.

My last item of note has been a reunion of some of my old friends, from my teenage years. Some of them I have seen recently but we have never all been together. We hope to meet up again in the New Year.

Christmas is coming - not my favourite time of the year. But I hope to write more about my feelings in the New Year.

Thoughts for June!

For some reason I have been having problems with this blog. I haven't written since last year. There seems to be a problem with this web site.

This hasn't been a good year for me so far. I have had some health problems which seem to be hanging on. However I don't feel too bad as I am taking medication to ease the problem. But I seem to be going to the doctors surgery for blood tests, doctors consultation and getting prescriptions and all this seems to be taking lots of energy.

I have given up going to my Fine Arts Group and Yoga and the Book club, but still find life quite busy.

I am still going to the market on Tuesdays. Have I written about this in the past - I don't remember. I have been quite successful in selling collectable for some years but this year I haven't done well at all and I have been feeling very despondent about it. But the last three weeks have improved a bit so I feel better about it

I have seen the family quite a bit recently as there have been some school holidays and they have had more time to see me.

This summer I am going to be 80 years old. I cannot believe that it is possible for me to be so old. In many ways I don't feel it or look it. But there are times that I really feel my age. I am going to celebrate by having a family tea party at a local hotel. I am looking forward to it.

I do feel anxious about things these days which I think is a sign of aging!

Last year I did quite a bit of travelling. From California to Seattle - then flying to Toronto. It was a really good but tiring time. Then in the New Year I went to Iceland for 3 days. That was a good trip also. I now have a trip to Toronto to look forward to this August.

 I hope the next time I write I will be a bit more positive enthusiastic.

Mundane happenings in my life.

There are still problems with this blog, but I am managing to get on it OK. I can't find spell check so have been making mistakes not realising. Also the paragraphs don't seem to work! Today has been a good and productive day. I went to my chiropractor this morning. I have been going for the past few months as I have had problems with my back and neck. I could hardly move my head without restriction and pain. But now it has almost got back to normal. I suppose after years of carrying heavy things, tensing up whenever I have had problems, etc. has created this problem. Then I went to the Estate Agent and told them I was isnterested in going ahead and sell my house and buy something smaller. I had been for a walk in the area the estate agent had recommended to me and find that I like them and wouldn't mind living in one of those sites. So when I get back from my trip abroad I will go ahead. Then I went to the dentist and had my teeth polished and so I feel good about them. And then I went to my book group to discuss a Graham Greene book we had recently read. The group are very unintellectual and we only discuss the books for a short while and then gossip about other things. The books are also not very demanding. But the people are really very nice and it is a pleasant 2 hours to spend once a month. Tomorrow I am going to my second yoga class. I used to go regularly for about 20 years but gave up 4 years ago. When I went last week I realised how stiff I was and that I would have to exercise as a beginner until I get back to my old standard (if I ever do get back to it). Another positive thing I have done is get my camera sorted out. For some reason (and I think it was I did something to it unknowingly) it stopped taking photos. The man in Curry's, where I had originally bought it, very kindly corrected it for me. It seems OK now and I hope to use it when I am abroad. My problem is that I take the camera but often forget to take any photos. But I must do so this time!!!!! I seem to be writing about very mundane things - but I think I am feeling a bit more relaxed and calmer at the moment. Next time I may be in a different mood.

Autumn - Exciting holidays! Glamorous celebrations!

Lately I have been having difficulty in getting onto this blog. I don't know why! Today I was just put straight on to it so the problem seems to have cleared up. I have called this 'Exciting holidays' and Glamorous celebrations! as in a week or so I am going to California and then on to Canada. In California I am going to see my cousin who is going to drive us to Seattle. LA to Santa Barbara, then Monterey, then San Francisco etc. I will write in more detail when I get back. Then we return to LA where we will both fly to Toronto. In Toronto I will see my sister and her family, where there will be a wedding of one of her ganddaugher's. So America will be the exciting time and Toronto the glamorous. My mind is going around and around wonderin what type of clothes I have to take with me. From warm California to colder Seattle, then back to warm California and then on to very cold Toronto and then back to wintery November in London. Otherwise I am looking forward to being away into a new environment in the company of my cousin, who I like, and then to be with my sister. It is all good. When I get back to London I have decided that I am going to put my house up for sale and move to a smaller abode. I live in a roomy 3 bedroom 2 reception room house and now that I am older I do not need so much space. A two bedroom flat or maisonette would be quite suitable. Also I live in a very built up, busy area, on a main road and it would be nice to live away from the noise and problems living here entails. In the past I have had so many problems with neighbours - this has all been sorted out - but it could happen again and I am hoaping the new area would be a nice place. So when I get back I will have lots to write about and also lots to do. There will be Christmas arrangements, preparing the house for sale etc. I hope my next blog will be more interesting.

A picture!

I am trying to print a picture.

Hooray!! I have managed it.

September Surprises!

This is my latest blog. I have titled it 'September Surprises' because it sounds good not that I have any real surprises. The summer was great - we had such lovely weather, but now it has turned colder and Autumn is really here. A lot is happening here. One Grandson has started Secondary School and two other Grandchildren are starting University - so it is full of anxieties and and emotions - but also happy feelings. I seem to have got out of my depressions. Part of it may be due to me taking medication for an underactive thyroid. I used to feel that I was so exhausted that I just didn't want to move and was overwhelmed by tiredness. Though I have only been taking this medication for 2 weeks I am beginning to feel more positive not so tired. I am not certain if that is the reason or whether I am just going through a phase of positiveness!! We shall see. I did feel depressed for a while about the fact that I had to take medication as I have always avoided doing so. I tried to add a picture but it didn't work - I wonder why. I also found it difficult to get on this blog. I think it is because they have changed the format and I have found it hard to access. I still have my worries about getting old and coping with it and I have had problems with my neck and shoulders. I have been unable to move them without pain and I was tightening up so that the movement was becoming more restrcted. However, I am having treatment with a Chiroptractic and things are easing. I am still trying to keep a healthy regime. I will try and write more another time.