Today was a mix of all sorts of feelings.  First, I went to see my new doctor for my chronic neck pain.  Dr. Murray is a Chiropractic Neurologist specializing in chronic pain, vestibular disorders and other stuff.  It’s great for me because I can get all of my ailments taken care of in one visit.  Dr. Murray worked on my neck, jaw, did exercises and challenged me with brain exercises for my central vestibular issue.  He’s very knowledgeable and has a lot of techniques for healing.

Next, I went to get my Trini treats at Pam’s Roti shop.  A dozen spicy Jamaican patties, ginger beer, Trini curry powder, spicy chick peas, real Cadbury’s chocolate with whole hazelnut from England and plantain chips. Oh my goodness!  I surprised Nathaniel at work and delivered treats for him.  Trini food and hugging my son gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Then, more happy feelings.  I went to visit my 90 something Aunt at her nursing facility.  She remains in great spirits despite her inability to walk on her own.  We chatted, admired the adorable finches, and sang holiday songs.  A couple of other ladies joined us and I had a blast!  One woman smiled real big and said “I can remember the words.”  So touching.  It’s remarkable how the brain remembers music and the words just come out naturally.  I remember my mom singing up a storm all the time.  She knew the words to Christmas carols that we never even heard.  I miss those times; we had a lot of fun together.

The holidays are upon us!  Get ready to enjoy and take in all the lights, decorations, smells, food, music and love around you.  

Peace.

I hope Santa brings me these adorable finches!

So adorable!

Our visit with my family in the mountains was the best I felt in a pretty long time.  I can’t quite put my finger on it.  It might have been the mountain cool air or the change in scenery.  I love Fall colors, and luckily for me, I experienced the way it makes me feel when I see red leaves.   I really thought the leaves would have all fallen by now.  They’re so nice to wait for me.

Holidays are a little tough for me.  Mom used to make such a delicious spread.  She had a list of menu items written out on a piece of paper taped to the kitchen cabinet.  Inevitably, we would sit down at the table, eat until we just couldn’t take it anymore, and mom would say, “I forgot something.” Like we really needed more food.  She would get up and check her list, and bring another delicious dish to the table.  We would all take a deep breath and find some more room in our busting bellies.  It was irresistable.  I miss my mom and dad everyday, but holidays are the toughest.  I miss calling my mom and listening to her enthusiasm about the new dishes she was preparing for Thanksgiving.  My mom loved to cook and she was excellent at it.

I have my finger on it now.  I felt more stable this Thanksgiving for one simple reason.  My family stabilizes me.  It’s the best feeling to be loved by my family.  They have supported me and given me comfort since I was 16.   I love talking and laughing with mom and dad, sisters, brothers, uncles, nieces, nephews, and maybe hanging with the cats.  I’m still contemplating my cat time.  I am my true self with my family and they love me for it.  I am so thankful for them.

I love sitting in front of a fire in my sister’s cozy house in the mountains.  This fire was my first for the year.  It was a special fire too.  My niece, Willow, sometimes called Willis, lit this wonderful fire for me.  She struck the long old timey wood match and carefully lit the edge of the starter log.  Moments later, there was this roaring, hot fire.  It gives me such a feeling of warmth and comfort.  I love fires.

This Black Friday was a first for me too.  I spent the day with my two darling nieces, Leah and Willow.  We started our day with a written schedule perfectly executed by Leah, delicious cinnamon rolls baked by Willow, and a brisk walk into town.  Not too long after our walk up the hill, Willow turned around and yelled “Auggie.”  Their sweet dog, August, somehow opened the front door and bolted out to join us.  Shopping with a dog was a first for me too.  Pretty cool!  Shopping, hot cocoa, laughing, girl talk, more shopping, fashion tips, stories, chill time.  

Good old-fashioned Auntie and niece time.  I hope to start a new tradition.  

Make new family traditions!

              What a cute couple! This is a first for me.  

We had our first cold snap this weekend.  A chilly 50 degrees in the morning.  I got to put on my fuzzy slippers, fuzzy, cozy pants and cuddle in a comfy blankie.  My kind of weekend!

We did a little gardening, well, Sean did a little gardening.  I directed, oohed and aaahed, and said, “How pretty!”  I sat and admired our huge, 80 something oak tree with Spanish moss.  It really is something.

On Sunday, we went to the beach and were treated by jumping dolphins in the distance.  So cool!  Also, walked up to a grand sand castle.  Another walker told me that the castle had been there for about a week.  Still holding up pretty well.

Hope you had some fun this weekend too!

This Great Egret is feeling shy this morning.  I saw him looking at me, so I stopped to say hello.  As I approached, he quickly hid behind the branches as if I couldn’t see him.  Next time, I will hide first and see what happens.

What a fun way to start my morning!

Play hide and seek with your friends.  I have very fond memories of playing hide & seek with my kids.  They thought they had the best hiding spots.  It tickled me and made me kind of sad when they couldn’t find me.  Sometimes they got so frustrated; I had to give in and reveal myself.

Egret Facts

My friend, Liz, told me that she thinks I got sick to help others.  What does that mean?  I realized just the other day that she’s onto something and this may be true.  In the past few months, I have talked with random people that I meet in person or over the phone, and discover that they have had or have vertigo and balance issues.  It’s not like I say, “Hi, I’m Laureen and I’m recovering from vertigo.”  That’s not a bad intro though.  The topic somehow slips into the conversation.  I have had over 5 encounters with folks.   I listen to their story, explain mine, and educate and offer help and support.  It makes me feel good to help others and it’s natural for me.  Their stories help me too.  No one should suffer from vertigo. It makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

There are so many new cutting-edge therapies to help people with brain challenges.  You have to explore non-traditional medicine to see and experience its value.  My smart doctors at Plasticity Brain Centers in Orlando are making a difference in people’s lives everyday.  I am so very thankful for them everyday.

https://www.plasticitybraincenters.com

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I got my first Senior Discount at Bealls. Every Tuesday is 50 & Fabulous day for an extra 15% off of in store purchases.  I bought 2 shorts and got a whopping $8.00 discount.  Wow, I actually got a 20% discount according to my receipt below.  I’m not telling.  May be it was a special discount for Midterm elections.  Hope you seniors got out and voted!  I’m feeling pretty darn good about being 50 & Fabulous.  I’ll go shopping on Tuesday again, as long as the senior van can pick me up and get me there!

Enjoy each day to its fullest!  I never even thought about getting excited for Senior Discounts, and poof, here it is! I will take advantage of it, after all, I put in my time and deserve some breaks.  Next year, I will join the 55 senior discount club.   Bring it on!

I love the Fall and the season change, but I don’t like the darkness so early in the evening.  The older I get, like most things, the harder it gets for the adjustment to the new time.  I’m sure I will be very sleepy tonight at 7 pm.  I will have to resist the temptation of settling into my cozy bed and just doze off on the couch.  Whatever works.

Look who I found out on the couch this morning, and look who’s beside him.  Gretta’s hiding, of course.  Gretta loves Sean and Sean loves Gretta, most of the time.

They are worn out.

Start your day with a brisk walk in the sunshine to reset your circadian rhythm!  I will be on the Pinellas trail real soon.  Take care of yourself and good luck with the new time change.  Boo!

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/what-circadian-rhythm

If you read my last post, you knew this was coming.  Ladies, if you have a man in your life, you gotta have a wife too.  Even better, a Jewish wife!  Here’s a little secret that you may not know about me.  My wife and I have had a relationship for about 40 years.  Way, way back in our early teens, she started taking care of me.  I remember staying up very late one night and professing that I was hungry and demanded a meal.  Rachel got right to it and made me a damn meal – steak, french fries, and I think, corn niblets.  Who does that?  Rachel does.

Rachel is my loving wife.  She’s beautiful, smart, a planner and a doer, listens to me, offers advice and she makes me laugh.  Most importantly, she knows how I like my balls.  Yes, meatballs.  Rachel showers me with gifts.  She knows I’m not a shopper and she knows she’s a super shopper.  I like her confidence, it inspires me.

My latest gift hangs in my kitchen and it’s all true too.  You gotta have a wife.  Mine takes care of me through the good and the bad times.  Eat more bacon!