Entertainment

Off and on I have tried to find things that entertain mom. She's impossible at times, and lately its getting weirder.  She wants books to read, but doesn't like romances with sex. Doesn't like mysteries, biographies  or books with murder.  So what CAN she read??  Maybe some old time Nancy Drew! lol

I hiked my way in to Walmart and bought her a puzzle ..... but got "I've already done that one".  *sigh*

There is always a complaint.

What did you do yesterday?  "Nothing much" (because I have learned that if I tell her what I did, she will either tell everyone or she will comment in a negative way, even if its just  "got my oil changed".)

Have you heard from your brother? He doesn't answer me when I text him.  "Nope" (not gonna referree this one!)

Heard from Tucson? "Nope" Hope they're doing all right. I sure wish they'd come visit me.  But its too hot for them to travel. Only it's not as hot today! (Supposed to be 104, Mom) Oh that's tooo hot.  I gathered up some puzzles maybe you can wheel me down there to leave them in the cupboard.

And that was my first 10 minutes with her.  

She won't go to other scheduled activities like the afternoon games, the evening movie, the 9am coffee chat, etc.  She just waits until I am there to be her "entertainment".

Then it was a request for eye drops.  "You have eye drops in the medicine cabinet."  They're not the right ones. I need something for sore eyes. "What kind of sore, what does that mean?"  The med tech came in and I asked her what she thought.... eyes aren't red so no pink eye, no allergies.  We just decided that she needed a different lubricant drops. It also means another trek into Walmart. Mom cheerfully says, Oh that works out, you have to return the puzzle anyway.  *eye roll*  

I know its my thing this year for patience and acceptance, but some days are harder than ever.  

Intermittent Fasting (Again)

Im trying to take control of my self again. So I decided to go back to IF. 

Its nearly 16 hours since I've eaten.  *growl* I downed a bottle of water at 5am (24 oz) and then a Diet Coke at 6:30. *growl* I have 45 minutes to go. *growl*growl*

But what is our society's hangup with food? Everything seems to revolve around it. Meeting for coffee usually means adding a donut, or pastry.  Or there's "let's do lunch". Except eating in restaurants isn't something I enjoy. Who wants to pay for a $12 lunch that includes more food than a person can eat? Or maybe it's should eat?

Back in 1987, I remember when McDs had their SuperSize it campaign.  You could order a number 1 (Big Mac with fries and a drink) then super size it to get a bigger drink and bigger order of fries.  Wasn't healthy eating, but yes, I confess, I SuperSized it! 

Even now, mom in her assisted living apt, plies me with cookies, candy, drinks, even though I usually arrive with my own bottle of water. And she knows I don't do sweets .... but that's how she grew up.  Feeding people at every turn. 

I did well on IF last year, but let myself slide as my schedule with helping mom had been shifting from day to day. Now that its more stable, I can work in my meals on a schedule. 

I started with 16:8 as my fast:eat hours, but will work back up to 18:6.  Part of the struggle will be our summer heat. Not so easy to get out of the house to do something when its over 105, which means being cooped up with food in the house.  So wise purchasing is very important.

Between more treadmill time and less eating time, the goal is to be more healthy.  

Waiting .... waiting ..... Yay! *growl*  Time for breakfast!!