Is that a walking stick? No it’s my broom?!?

True story. I was walking into a hotel with my walking stick, and someone asked me, “Is that a walking stick?” TBH, my first thought was, smh, “No it’s my broom!” “What kind of question is that?” Etc etc etc., but then I realized maybe they didn’t know, and I didn’t have to be an ass. After I replied that yes it was indeed my walking stick, the woman asked if I had a few moments and/or would mind answering some questions for her. We moved to the seating area and she began telling me that her doctor suggested she start using a cane, to help prevent falling, but she wondered why some people chose a walking stick. Was it stronger? Was it Vanity? Did she need a pair of them?

I hate that I felt I had to start my response with, “Well, I’m not a doctor, (for fear of being sued or something silly like that) but I don’t feel supported enough with a cane.” “By the time I feel like I’m going to fall, I’m halfway to the ground. A walking stick not only feels stronger (more supportive), but I feel that it allows me to catch myself sooner.”

We chatted for another 10 or 15 mins and I began to walk back to my room. I’m glad I wasn’t an ass and that I stopped to talk. I do remember having to use aides for the first time and being overwhelmed with the choices. Maybe I helped? I hope I helped. As I walked away, I did chuckle to myself that maybe I am going to add some bristles around the bottom of my stick to make it look like a broom. Definite conversation starter wouldn’t you think?

Lately, I’ve been toying with the idea of starting to blog again. I’ve made it as far as logging into wordpress and saying, “hey”. My first step though was logging in and seeing my last post about losing my Best Friend. I would quickly close the webpage wondering how you come back after writing that. Maybe? You just do. Maybe you start with a hello? I’ve done that. Maybe I share what I have been doing to move on for the last several months? Shrug. I’m not really sure what the future holds, other than another post talking about sticks, canes, wheelchairs etc. I do hope to see and talk with you all soon though!

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A Post a Day APAD Day 28 Living in 2 houses

I feel like a bag lady. In fact I do have a BAG…. Einstein calls it my Moo bag because of the print. I call it my MOVE bag because I’m always moving stuff from one house to the other.

Living in two houses can be challenging

The biggest challenge for me is remembering to bring things from one house to the other. Thankfully, I have a laptop that is pretty portable, but when I am working on a big project, the laptop doesn’t cut it. I have a desktop computer at both houses, with multiple screens. Maybe hoarding is hereditary? I am still wary of using the cloud for storage, so up until a week ago, I was carrying a portable hard drive back and forth between houses. I think I am going to start using google drive or one drive for not private stuff.

The dogs usually go where I go, so I’ve also had to purchase a separate set of bowls and food for each house. I say I have had to purchase, that’s not really being fair. Einstein purchases most of the things that stay at his house, but for the things I don’t want to carry back and forth (like their 48″ kennels) I buy a second set.

For the last couple years I have bought all the groceries for both houses. So much wasted food, so I gave up and let my refrigerator look like a bachelor’s. I think going forward though, if I am splitting the time between houses more, I will buy the groceries for my house and he can buy what we use there? Who knows it’s always a work in progress.

As far as yard work and house cleaning go, the responsibility of both things at both houses has always fallen on me. In the past, I didn’t mind that so much, because again at his house he pays for most things and he was working 6 days a week every week. I told myself that I had more time. I have gotten very resentful though feeling that I was pulling all the weight, as I imagine he must when he pays more for electric over the summer because I can’t handle the heat. Now that he is unemployed maybe he will start pulling more weight there?

As usual, I am trying to remain optimistic and focus on the positive. Only time will tell correct?

I know that there are people that can’t afford a roof over their head, actually I’ve been there as well. I WILL remember to be grateful for that!

Image credit to a couple in Vermont that built a bridge between their houses to help with some of these issues.