Tag Archives: life’s journeys

Too soon for Pet Names?

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Hello Itlbokers, ( too soon for pet names?)

The woman who came into B&N yesterday, the stranger who agreed I should start a blog, Remember her?  Her name is Julie by the way.  The woman who lives on the opposite coast of CT and is just visiting her aunt and uncle, (and to help change my life—but really, I feel everyone we meet AND who meets us, changes our life for the better in little ways) came back to talk with us before she returned home.  She is thrilled that I started a blog!

Her uncle is in a convalescent home-a word she does not like to use and apparently isn’t used often in CA.  In her opinion CT is ten years behind CA in treating our elderly.  And since I somewhat recently moved my dad in (and out I guess you can say, he died a year ago) of a senior assisted living, which by the way, I thought was lovely) I was interested in what Julie had to say.  I’m pretty much always interested in what people have to say, IF they are open minded!  She felt the people in this convalescent home didn’t listen to their patients—literally.  Didn’t talk to them.  Treated them as if they are in a coma.  And to be fair, she thinks many of the patients these nurses (I don’t know if they are nurses, I just don’t know what to call them, attendants?) deal with are in a coma or are unresponsive patients.  All she knows is that her uncle does talk and is responsive.  Julie said in CA there are places where elderly patients can live, like a home where there are 6 patients to 2-3 attendants. And the patient’s kind of think it’s their own home!  How cool is that!  More personal care and in a nicer facility.

I also, for the first time, heard the word, Feldenkrais.  Please don’t ask me to pronounce it.

The Feldenkrais Method® is a powerful and revolutionary approach to improving your life that uses gentle, mindful movement to bring new awareness and possibility into every aspect of your life. Developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the Feldenkrais Method has helped millions of people worldwide.

Julie thought this method would be great dealing with her uncle.  And she just assumed she would be able to find 30 specialists in CT just by googling.  I gather not the case.  Once again CA ahead of us in that respect.  Must be because they are three hours ahead of us.  If you multiply three hours by 365 days/year, you can see why they are so ahead of us in so many things.  wordpress That’s called Laura Logic–LL for short!  And it’s something you will see a lot of in the upcoming blogs.  You’ll have to keep up with me and my thinking!  You also may have to keep some Excedrin and a glass of water close by (or a glass of wine couldn’t hurt either) Or is CA three hours behind us?  OK, I’m getting a headache now.  I’m trying to visualize sunrises and sunsets going over the United States.

I just love the fact that there is                                                                                                          SO MUCH OUT THERE TO LEARN!wordpress

And I’m not saying learn in the “college” sense.  I’m saying learn from other people.  And all we have to do is “talk” to the them and “listen” to them.  And you know what? We just formed a RELATIONSHIP?wordpress.jpg

I’m not talking about a lasting relationship.  That Julie and I will be best friends.  Or that we’ll even ever see each other again.  That’s not the point.  The point is what I learned today!  And the feeling of friendship I got today!  And the feeling of friendship she got when she left me (I hope—unless of course she goes and tells her friends in CA, wait until you hear about the nut I met in CT!….but then again I’ll never know!)

Remember,

ITLBOK, really!

If you like my blogs, please Follow Me.  This means you will get sent my new blogs straight to your email instead of having to remember my site address or going onto Facebook.  Just click the floating “follow” button on the lower right side of the page.

Does the Universe Throw Bricks?

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Well, I’m starting my blog.

I guess you can call it a stream of consciousness…..but when the universe is telling you to do something, by golly, when the universe practically smacks you in the head to move on and do something with your life, I guess it’s time to listen.

This all happened within two weeks….My foot has started acting up, went to podiatrist and was told I have plantar fasciitis in both feet and heel spur in one foot.  Unfortunately I’m also a Fitness instructor -so that doesn’t help.  So, I went down to two classes a week–not much at all.  Do I think it’s time to look for another profession?  NOPE.   Am I listening to universe yet?  NOPE!  Brick hasn’t quite reached my head yet.  wordpress

At this time I’m listening to Tao of Pooh on Audible.  Which basically says go with the flow…which way the wind takes you…you get my point.  Please don’t message me and tell me I have the point of Taoism totally wrong, this is the point I got out of it.  Not that I’m listening to the point, mind you.  I’m just in the car going la la la la la   My life is so sad….Pity Party me  (and yes I know logically my life is VERY good, but still I’m very SAD.  Sadness doesn’t need logic.  I don’t need logic as you’ll get to know).

I’m also listening to Kevin Hart, I Can’t Make This Up:  Life Lessons. icantmakethisup2_1024x1024@2x He’s a comedian and it’s about his life.  A very funny book.  I totally recommend you listen to it vs reading it.  Kevin reading his own writing is wonderful.  And he ends most chapters with lessons he’s learned.  At chapter 57 or 58 (they’re short chapters, don’t freak out, it’s not War and Peace), he mentions something about when the Universe tells you it’s time to move on, maybe it’s time you should listen (I’m paraphrasing here, Kevin, don’t yell at me).

So what makes me stop and listen?  pain in feet?  Tao?  my friends?  none of this.  Kevin Hart!  Kevin Hart actually is the one that had me stop and look at my life!

Now my friend Bob also gave me an analogy of two trains.  One leaving from CA at 110 mph, the other leaving MA at 80 mph, when will they meet?  Just kidding.  Just seeing if you’re listening 🙂 It’s two trains going parallel directions and then travelling further and further apart.  But they are attached by a rubber band.  One train is what you’re doing in life now, the other is what you should be doing…or moving on.  As the trains go further and further apart, the rubber band is going to break or get very tense before the trains get close again. Meaning your life is going to get bad before you see it needs to change.

So he also encourages me to move on and find something new to do with my life.

What I need to explain is, I feel very very empty and alone.  Should I have mentioned that in the beginning?  You’ve probably been asking yourself, what is this woman’s problem?  And who cares?  My kids are gone-empty nest (well one’s a boomerang–but that’s another story), my husband works, my friends either work or have family of their own they are busy with.  I don’t need to work (yes, boohoo, I can hear you all saying)

Like I said earlier, I have NO reason to complain.  My kids are healthy, I’m healthy, my husband’s healthy, and I don’t have money problems.  But I’m very very lonely and bored.

OK–the only reason I told you that is because that is the REAL reason for this blog!

I love talking to people!  All people.  I love learning little things about people.  And I love sharing my funny adventures.  People wonder how or why funny things always happen to me.  But truthfully, I think funny things happen to everyone. It’s just in the way you look at it AND if you’re open to it!

And how’s this for another Universe has its hands in things (sorry Kevin you didn’t help with this one), I’m at Barnes in Noble-my favorite hang out with my group of friends, whom I met 4 years by butting into their conversation.  Now we’re great friends!!   My friends were discussing my life-yes, totally fascinating conversation (actually I’m sure they are so tired of my pity party they just wanted to shut me up and move onto a different topic, like politics, weather, or a new Ben & Jerry ice cream flavor–anything!)

A friend mentioned blogging.  That there are many people in my position and it would be fascinating (obviously I need to use my thesaurus). I have no problem talking to people, I love meeting new and different people, goodness knows I love talking about my experiences and l enjoy bringing joy into people’s lives……trill la la la (blue bird flying around my head).   A total stranger was on line (or in line depending where in the country you’re from) butted into our conversation (remember that’s how I became friends with this group, so I enjoy people like that) and totally agreed, I should blog!!  I’m like, excuse me?  Who are you? What? Where? Why?  She started blogging years ago.  She came over to our table and started talking to us, for like 15 minutes!  She loves blogging, it’s really easy.  Used the example of Julia and Julie.   We found out she grew up in the same home town from across the country as our friend Nora.  Again, talk about serendipitous.  I was getting so excited.

And let’s face it–NOW I have a REASON to tell my stories.  Before it was just for me.  But now it’s so I can use it in my BLOG!  All my espresso and tea drinks, do I get to “write it off” (hence Kramer reference-any Seinfeld folks out there?)  AND a real reason to talk to total strangers!

Come and follow me and life’s fascinating journeys (will someone buy me a theasaurus—yes, I have it on my computer, it’s just funnier this way!) to the grocery store (I actually took a survey in a restaurant on whether or not people say supermarket-like me-or grocery store. Yes, walked up to tables and booths asking them which word they use.  I was totally outnumbered.  Hence why I now say grocery store), book store, dog walking, PLUS traveling alone, with my husband and with friends.  Basically, trying to find life after 50 with not many skills besides talking to new people I meet. 😊   But these are the interesting tales I will weave and you can read.  IF you stay tuned.

Remember,

ITLBOK, really

If you like my blogs, please Follow Me.  This means you will get sent my new blogs straight to your email instead of having to remember my site address or going onto Facebook.  Just click the floating “follow” button on the lower right side of the page.