Best Laid Plans
I have Fridays off. Normally I do the grocery shopping and dog park trip on Fridays but today my main dog-park-lovin’ dog is still recovering from surgery and we really don’t need any groceries today so I’ve decided to stay home.
For some odd reason, the dogs let me sleep in until 10. I woke up extra stiff and sore but managed to warm up my joints and get the dogs fed. I made coffee and then immediately sat on the couch and started to socialize via internet. I’m equating my joint pain and stiffness to a sorely unhealthy diet this week and am hoping to turn that around over the weekend and start again fresh next week. It is truly amazing how my diet plays such a huge role in how I feel. I have been trying to explain this to Hubby and all he sees is that “healthy” food is more expensive. We really don’t have the money to buy all organic foods but the local farmer’s market opens soon so we can at least start getting locally grown produce again.
Around 1pm I decided to get off my ass and take a shower…..ugh. I got undressed, grabbed my towel and headed for the bathroom. When I got there, it dawned on me that Hubby had gotten us a new inner shower curtain and mat for the tub. I got a little excited and decided to get it all in place. Well, the shower desperately needed to be cleaned so I put on my robe and proceeded to clean the shower & tub. I got the old shower curtain taken down and the new shower curtain hanged (which is a total chore since when Ilook up I get dizzy and if I have my arms up over my head for too long they get exhausted) and the mat in place and now I need a break. Seriously. I just cleaned for approximately 10 minutes and now I need an effing break so here I am, back on the couch, blogging about it until I regain some energy to get my ass in the shower.
I wish I could explain this exhaustion to Hubby in a way he could totally understand. He does his best to understand my disease but there is a level of understanding that normal people never really, truly, understand. Hubby is what I like to call a “mover and a shaker” and can’t still still very well. If he is home, he is doing something that “needs to be done”. In my world, I ask myself, “how important is it?”. Yes, we need dishes to eat off of and yes we need clean clothes to wear but is it really necessary to have a spotless kitchen all the time or empty laundry bins? I think not but Hubby likes a clean house. Laundry is an easier one for me since I just have to carry a basket of clothes to and from the laundry room and I can sit down to fold everything but dishes suck the life out of me. I play music, wear comfortable shoes and dance a little to keep my joints moving but I can still only stand at the sink for about 20 minutes before I need a break.
I have a hard time not feeling guilty about how little I am capable of doing around the house. Hubby gets irritated when I overdo it but he also gets frustrated with a messy house. Now that it’s the weekend I really want to be clean and energized when Hubby gets home so maybe I can cook dinner and still have enough energy so we can get a little frisky later. For now, I am going to go and take a shower and hopefully still have enough energy to do some dishes before Hubby gets home. Luckily Fridays are long days for him so I have a little extra time.
Living With MS 
Hello 😀 I’ve been reading, have not commented, but more for lack of knowing what to say than for not wanting to say something…..soooo….
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Now that I sent that big giant hug, something clicked in this post. It may or may not help….it helps me, but we all know that what works for one does not work for another.
15 minutes at a time.
Many years ago, I found a website in a desperate search for help online with my house, the mess, the whole I don’t have the energy to do this…much as I see in your writings, the extreme fatigue that MS brings us.
I do not follow this religiously, if I did, 😀 my house would be clean, my kitchen would be free of dishes, both in the sink, in the dish drainer and off the counters….but…the theory behind this site, is amazing. Not to mention all the clutter in my house would be gone 😀 and it’s far far from that!! I’m getting there, but it’s not there yet! and know what? I’M OK WITH THIS!!!
This lady believes we can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes at a time. AND WE CAN!
As far as I can tell, there is you, hubby and dogs, no kids right? In your house? I might be wrong on that.
I’ve seen several times where you mention dishes. Try this…it can’t hurt, might help, never know!
http://www.flylady.com/pages/FLYingLessons_Shine.asp
Don’t give in to excuses, don’t give into ‘this won’t work’ don’t give in to ‘there’s so much more to do’….just read it, then do it!!! Pile that stuff up on the floor, counters, where ever, and just give this a shot. While you are waiting, look around the site. Pay special attention to the 15 minutes at a time!!!
Baby steps, it’s nothing more than baby steps!!! 15 minutes at a time, and you will be amazed at what happens!!!
Here’s what part of my day looks like, the part that follows this, and the rest of me needs to get in the game…. 😀
Dishes…I don’t mind washing them, I detest drying and putting them away! Once you get that sink shiny, then go fill it with hot water, and dish soap, toss in all the plates, bowls, silver ware that will fit. WALK AWAY. Go sit for 15 minutes. then go wash those, stick them in the dish drainer and refill the sink, add more. WALK AWAY. 15 minutes go sit, then go put those away, clean the ones you put in, rinse and repeat until done.
I used to think ok, for 15 minutes I will wash dishes. I’d fill the sink, stand there and fight that dried on goop and be exhausted in 15 minutes. By letting them soak for 15, that dried on goop is gone! It’s a swish, and rinse. Takes less than 5 minutes to wash and rinse what’s in the sink!!! 5 minutes to wash, another couple to reload it and 15 minutes to rest! She said we can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes. I’ve finally learned the REST is my 15 minutes, I only work 5-10 at a time, and rest for 15!!!
See if that helps…like I said, it might, it might not!!! It’s worth a try!!!
I’m rooting for you girl!!!
Sally
ps..when the dishes are clean, come back and post. or come back and slap me 😀 (note…dishes..not kitchen!!!)
I will definitely check out that website, thank you 🙂
It’s funny because Hubby says “even if you can just do dishes for 15 minutes it will add up and be very helpful” so that’s what I try to do: 15 minutes.
No kids here, just me and Hubby and our dogs and the dogs are not very helpful in the cleaning department (though they LOVE to leave their hair all over the house).
Thanks for reading!!!
P.S. I just finished taking a shower and then doing dishes for 15 minutes so now I’m on a break and having a snack 😉
I am VERY grateful that before I had MS I took an 18 week home and family organization class (Patterns for Living). I learned home organization skills that simplified my life and helped me develop habits that carried me through my life with all my kids and now with MS. When I started blogging, I hadn’t decided my niche. I thought ‘parenting’ (I’m good at that :), health and wellness (out of necessity I’ve gotten good at that), Genealogy (my first passion, starting in 8th grade), , Personal Growth (thanks to MS I’ve got that down too), Home Organization (the FlyLady has that covered in a way that as a new blogger I never could never compete with). Here I am about 18 months later deciding as you know, finding my purpose in my circumstance! I tell you all of that (ok, to brag a little) and to put my stamp of approval on the FlyLady!
An 18 week class on organizing??? Wow. Sounds rediculously boring but oh so useful if I could get through it. I NEED organizational skills. Hubby seriosuly hates my “pile system”. Its how my mom operated so it just seems normal to me though I wish it didn’t
One day at a time….15 minutes at a time……