Adjusting & Adapting To Life
A few hours ago I headed outside with my walker. Perched on the seat of the rollator was my little rolling garden seat. In the storage cart below, I had a roll of thick contractor bags and my garden snippers.
It’s cold, and I should have put the garden to bed earlier. A few weeks ago. But I just haven’t felt up to it. So today was the day I began to do that.
It means cutting plants back before the cold weather gets them. I left the two rosemary plants for now. And I still have all the plants closer to the patio.
Greg has given me strict orders to stay off my feet and let the inflammation in my ankle and back calm down. And I’m not very good at being still.
I told him I thought you were supposed to keep moving. And he said: “Well, how’s that been working for you?”
Learning What Not To Do:
I had to concede. Nothing I do seems to work. Standing is painful and of course that’s limiting. I keep fighting it with all I’ve got.
But he’s probably right. If it isn’t working for you, then change directions.
I’m adjusting. I learned to adapt to new situations in life a long time ago. You might say I’m a veteran of sorts in this thing called life. I’m certainly old enough.
So I’ve been cooking and baking sitting down on the rollator, as you know.
I tend to overdo. It’s a bad habit I’m trying to break. But old habits die hard.
I decided if my life at home is really going to be a life at home for the most part, then I’ll embrace it.
AT&T gave me a give certificate for signing up for their phone and internet. So I ordered some things this morning. And guess what I ordered?
New Things For My Kitchen:
Things for my kitchen. Things that will make life easier, and hopefully I’ll be able to cook more meals. TV dinners get old real fast.
Isn’t she a beauty? A Lodge 6 quart cast iron Dutch oven. And green to boot. I’d never heard of this company. But apparently they’ve been around for a long time.
I’m going to figure out how to use this thing and make stews and soups and such this winter.
The other day I was preparing German chocolate cake, and one of the beaters fell into the dough. It’s been a problem lately. I’ve had that hand mixer for quite some time.
So I ordered this:
I’ve had good luck with the Kitchenaid brand. My Kitchenaid countertop convection oven has been going strong for about 5 years. And I work it hard.
I made sure that it’s a lightweight mixer, because the mixer I have is kind of heavy. My hands will thank me.
Leaning Into New Endeavors:
I’m not trying to be Betty Crocker. I am little old to start over again as an all American homemaker.
Did you know that Betty Crocker isn’t actually one woman? Betty Crocker is a brand and fictional character used in advertising campaigns.
The character was originally created by the Washburn-Crosby Company in 1921 following a contest in the Saturday Evening Post.
“Crocker” was chosen in honor of a popular company director. And “Betty” was selected because… well, she sounded friendly.
I’m going to really lean into it.
When you’re not doing all that well, you have to find ways to adjust and adapt. It’s hard for me to go out. So I’ll make the most of staying in.
I truly enjoyed my garden. But this morning I began putting it to bed. And now I’m looking toward the holidays and wintertime. When good food simmering on the stove is the most wonderful smell in the world.
It smells like “cozy” to me.
I’m going to set up a little baking station in my kitchen somehow. Try to make it easier to reach things and not have to hunt down what I need.
Because I seem to spend a lot of time getting up and reaching for something when I’m preparing food. I have to get things arranged so it will be easier.
By golly I’m going to make good food and mouth-watering desserts. And then spread them around my little neighborhood. I just took Ron and Pat the last of the German chocolate cake.
Giving to others feels like an accomplishment. I’d rather give than take. It just feels better.
Once Upon A Time:
When my girls were growing up I cooked all the time.
I made lemon meringue pies and chocolate cakes from scratch. And I baked whole wheat bread while they were at school.
I arranged the timing so they would walk in the door and have that smell greet them. Oh, there’s nothing like homemade bread to make your mouth water.
No one taught me how to cook. I guess like most cooks, you learn a little here and a little there. As long as you can read, you can follow a recipe.
I have so much that makes me happy. And not only happy, but very grateful. I have this home that I’ve made my own.
Ivy is a joy of course. And I love to write to all of you. To have you be a part of my life, as you have been, some of you, for the last 14 and a half years.
Months ago I wanted to stitch bowl fillers, but my hands just aren’t up to it. Maybe they’ll never be.
Or maybe I’ll wake up one day and my fingers can pick up a needle. And maybe my joints will allow me to sew or cut fabric with scissors.
In life, you learn to adapt. To adjust and make do. Because what else can you do?
When life hands you a few lemons, reach for the pitcher and the jar of sugar to make lemonade. Don’t let those lemons sit around till they go bad.
Learn something new.
I’ve always been creative. I can’t follow a road map to save my life. But I’m creative when it comes to creating a home and a garden. And I’m sure not going to sit on my hands.
What I Won’t Be Doing:
So don’t think I’ll be crying in a corner over the last few months’ physical disappointments. You learn to adapt to pain too. By distracting yourself with what gives you joy.
What gives me joy is making a home and a garden. I’m putting the garden to bed for wintertime, bit by bit. Then I’ll concentrate on home.
Which means decorating a little at a time. Cooking and baking one thing at a time, and then getting my ankle up like Greg says.
Sometimes you feel like you’ve been losing, whether it be getting to walk more or something else. But you have to turn it around and see to it that you’re winning.
It’s all in my hands. And in yours. What you make of things. How you swallow bitter pills.
Go ahead and swallow it and then do what you have to do to keep going. We don’t get do overs.
“Adaptability is the simple secret of survival.” – Jessica Hagedorn
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My son was visiting this weekend and taught me how to make brown gravey. I am 75 yrs old. Guess you never stop learning.
Brenda, there are so many medical options you are choosing not to do to help your pain. I understand it is your choice, but perhaps you actually believe your doctor knows everything. please don’t fall into that trap this place avoids narcotics and had success with pain relief. https://neuropathyok.com/pain-management/ Good grief, there is so much you haven’t done.
I have a Lodge cast iron skillet too. It is very heavy so I don’t use it very often. I have osteoarthritis and I don’t have any strength in my hands. When I do use it, I have to ask my daughter to help me.
Please also ask for a blood test called C Reactive Protein. It shows inflammation levels and could indicate Rheumatoid Arthritis which is treatable with medication. Some of your symptoms sound familiar to me. Ask Greg about this, you shouldn’t have to live with so much pain.
Hi Brenda,
what an excellent post for all of us older boomers that are dealing with age issues. I can still lift; but not nearly like before. For me it’s my left hand’s fingers which are always various degrees of numb. I am very careful when using a knife because I drop things easily! This last Sunday I was getting dressed to go to Mass and I couldn’t put in my left earring! I took it with me and finally got my freaking fumble fingers to work!!! So frustrating… I love your pot, I have a La Creuset, similar color (Spring Green) that I bought at Marshall’s a long time ago. It’s heavy so I divide up my soup’s and stews on the stove with a ladle before trying to lift it. I’m going to see my Dr. this Thursday and see if there is any thing I can do. Until then, we soldier on.
Return the Dutch oven. It will just take up valuable space. . Very dangerous when filled with hot food. I cannot lift it. I have lupus and severe joint pain especially in my hands. Be safe not sorry.
Yikes, the new pot is a very heavy one! Be very careful.
I have had to stop using my cast iron, just can’t lift it any more!
Glad you found a light weight mixer!
Brenda,
thank you for this post.
I have this lodge pan, and I love it. Made in Tennessee. It s so heavy, hope it will not be an issue for. it is cast iron with enamel surface, similar to LeCruset. great for all kinds of cooking.
all the best.
Mary
Your post was for me. My husband died 2022 and I have never been alone so I have had to make all kinds of adjustments. Taking care of a big house and yard has helped to keep me busy. My mom died in 2021 and my baby brother in 2022. I depended on being with all of them and talking things out with them and now I am on my own. My son lost his wife and has my 2 granddaughters to care for. I don’t want to bother them with anything as they have enough to care for but I do see them often. I will try some of your suggestions for accepting what I can not change and I always look forward to your positive suggestions. I pray your health improves and you will be able to do more of the things in life that you enjoy. God Bless you and give you more strength in the coming days. Your posts makes me feel like I have a friend.
Barbara, we are all friends here so you are not alone. You have experienced a lot of loss and I empathize. Everyone here has so much in common, must be why we all come here.
Just a thought off the top of my head but has anyone recommended Occupational Therapy? Not as common as PT but this discipline helps with things such as making it easier to do the daily tasks of living. (more fine motor skills) They would help you figure out how to set your kitchen up to accommodate your needs and many other daily tasks in the home.
I have two Dutch ovens – one small, one large. Use both a lot in the fall and winter. The small one is a Le Crueset and the large one is Fontignac. I have a Lodge cast iron skillet. They make good products. The only thing I’m concerned about with your Lodge Dutch oven is the weight. You might have trouble lifting it. They are quite heavy since they are cast iron. Take good care!
Brenda,
You are amazing! So proud of you and how hard you have worked to feel better. AS they say, work with what you’ve got, not what you were doing yesterday or what you hope to do in the future.
Don’t look back, you are not going that way.
Baking and cooking are fun and bring people together. I love the idea of having all of your baking stuff nearby. Flour, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Baking Soda, Baking powder are the staples. Get your bowls, measuring cups and spoons and keep them nestled inside one another then you do not have to look for them.
I cannot wait to see what you make. You know I LOVE to BAKE and am happy to share some easy and delicious recipes.
Take care,
x Elizabeth
Lodge is a quality brand, but I had to pass down my beloved cast iron skillets and this Dutch Oven is heavy too! I can no lift the weights safely, even empty, and burns possible if you cannot handle with recipe ingredients inside.
I’ll have to be careful.
I agree with Sheryl, the Lodge dutch oven is heavy. Once it is full of what your cooking it’s not easy to handle the weight. Please share whatever else you decide to buy. I’ve been wondering if a countertop lazy Susan might help with keeping things closer.
Watch Becky on you tube ..Acre farm. She pots a video every other day. Very entertaining. Good recipes. Tons of gardening. But..she has deep drawers in her island, so she’s just opens them and stores flour, sugar, vanilla, all that in there. No need to go get it. Most of us don’t have hose drawers but you could keep smaller basics right in a drawer. Or keep them in them in the dishwasher as you say you don’t use it. THis would help I think.
Terry, what is the name of the YouTube you mentioned above?
I looked for it using Becky Acre farm…. I couldn’t find anything
The you tube channel is Acre Homestead.
I’ll check it out. I love videos on YouTube.
I agree with Lynn about the weight of pots, pans and dishes. I have some beautiful stoneware and love how it works but Corelle is so lightweight. I have a beautiful all white embossed pattern that I love. I do enjoy checking in with you and hear how you inspire all of us to make lemonade out of lemons. I was lucky to grab my canna bulbs that were drying outside for a week before the rain and colder temperatures arrive. Have a cozy night all!
I keep looking at Corelle, but I haven’t found anything I fell in love with.
Bella faenza is the pattern I love!
I hope you don’t mind me saying this because I’ve said it before. I highly suggest that you have a dr assess your condition and what might be possible for you to do to increase your mobility. Maybe there will not be anything that can be done, but maybe there is. I had rotator cuff surgery in 2018 to repair a full thickness tear of the supraspinatis tendon. It took a year for the healing to complete. In 2022 I tripped on a hose guide in my yard while gardening and of course I fell right on that shoulder. After about a week I saw an orthopedic surgeon who thought it was not a re-tear and sent me to PT. After a month my shoulder was worse but PT and my surgeon said just keep doing the exercises at home. After about 2 months I returned to the surgeon and demanded an MRI – I have a re-tear of the same tendon. My point is that without tests and scans it is typically impossible to diagnose one’s physical condition. I am just worried because you are young and have many years yet to live and I just don’t want to see you give up on increasing your mobility if it is possible. I only wish you all the best:-)
I agree 💯
I have an MRI scheduled for November 26.
Your MRI is for an issue in your back. That’s fine, but what about all your other problems. I, too, think you might be suffering with RA. Unless you SEE a physician and describe your problems, you won’t know. Your PT, Greg, has said you should stay off your feet as much as possible yet you talk about doing things where you have to stand. You’re not helping yourself by doing what you shouldn’t do. You spent money on setting up a sewing and craft room, yet your hands won’t allow you to do any of those things. That was money wasted. I’m sorry to sound like I’m scolding, but sometimes one needs to face facts and deal with reality. I know people who don’t and in the end it’s not good.
I agree
The only thing I’d change would be are you aware of the weight of that green pot?
I believe they tend to be heavy without the contents so be extra careful.
You have come so far from the terrible days in that old rundown apartment and losing your precious pups.
You are part of a community now and it shows in your writings.
Stay well,we’re entering the dark cold season so light some candles,back some cookies and snuggle Ivy under a cozy blanket!
Yeah, it’s sure heavy. It came today. I’m not sure I thought this through. Won’t be the first time I got ahead of my skis. I lifted it up once and I’m done for now. Have ice on my back. Maria will be here in the morning and I’ll ask her to take it out of the box. I’ll either get someone to make me a small rolling counter height contraption with something on it for heat, or I’ll leave it on the stove and it will just look pretty. Courtesy of AT&T.
Your post today has me weepy, I, too am in the stage of life where I’m unable to do much as I want/need to due to physical limitations, fibromyalgia and so forth. The new Lodge 6 quart cast iron Dutch oven is gorgeous, I bought a blue one from Amazon’s Basics as I wanted it to make No-Knead Bread ( I haven’t yet made the bread) 2 years ago but I have made stew, chili, chicken & dumplings and unstuffed peppers casserole which have turned out delicious thanks to the Dutch oven. My only complaint is the weight of the pan. I hope that you enjoy your new Dutch oven and that you achieve your goals!
I have one of those Lodge Dutch ovens and I love it. I use it often. But I agree, it is very heavy.
The weight will be a problem, but I’ll figure something out so I don’t have to heft that thing around much. I just fell in love with the idea and now I have to figure out how to accomplish it!