Everyday brings on a challenge and today it was a little earlier than usual.  Normally I don't start preparing dinner until early afternoon, but this morning I wanted to get started on a long cooking chili so I was challenged a bit earlier than usual. 


Jars and bottles!  They can be your enemy.  Now I do have one of those automatic jar openers, and it works great, but I can't use it on bottles.  Thin neck bottles with screw off tops just don't agree with my bottle opener, and using one of those grippers that you get for free at the bank doesn't do it either.  So I have the perfect solution.  I keep large elastic bands that come with my fresh produce.  You know, those ugly black or blue ones.  They're nice and thick and quite wide.  I just wrap one of those around the bottle top and viola!  I can't use my finger tips to open the bottle, but if I put the rubber band wrapped top in the crook of my thumb and index finger it opens every time. 


I usually use this method quite a few times during the day for my water intake but this morning I needed it so I could get a head start on my dinner.


It's nice to be able to do something so simple all by yourself.  I didn't have to wake my husband up to open a bottle for me.  Instead, he woke up all by himself to the wonderful smell of chili cooking.


Now I know some of you will laugh at my hurdle, but it's not so funny when it's happening to you.


I wish you luck on your day!  Look forward to doing something you haven't done in a while!  We all have more things we want to do.

So today is the day I finally begin.  Like everything else, I've put starting this Blog on my list of things to do, but just never got around to it.  But yesterday got to me and I knew I just had to do this today.


Yesterday, May 5, 2017, I joined the world again.  I got into my car by myself, drove to the dentist (how exciting), walked into the office by myself, and then repeated everything for my trip home.  Now to some people that sounds like a pretty boring day but for me it was exciting. 


March 6, 2016 was my worst day ever!  I landed in the hospital with so many different things wrong that I just didn't understand, beginning with low sodium!  Who knew that could throw you for such a loop.  I went from the hospital to rehab and finally made it home on May 25, 2016.  Walking, talking, feeding myself, spelling, telling time, reading, and brushing brushing my teeth are just a few of the things I had to learn how to do all over again.  With the help of my husband, family and very good friends I started coming back and it happened slowly but it happened.  So now I begin.


Back to yesterday!  It was the first time I went out by myself!  I've had to have someone with me all the time to get my walker, and carry my oxygen for me, as well as carry everything else I might need.  Over this past year and over many years I've found different ways and things that have helped me live a regular life.  I'm going to be sharing a lot of these things with you in hopes that they help you too.  But for now I want to tell you that you first have to get it into your head that you are going to be as independent as you can, and that starts with your attitude.  Start thinking positive and you will go far.  I'll start posting some of the things that can help you around the house tomorrow.  For now, please think positive!  We have more things we want to do!