Introducing mmMekitty

[mmMekitty]

I am mmMekitty, named for my cat, (my avatar), who lived 7 years. It has been five or so years since, but I still miss her. Mekitty an I had a simpler relationship than any I have had with people.

The photo is the one I to retrieved after my hard drive crashed. She had wandered off, was away for six days, when she turned up again in the middle of the night. I cried with relief. This was the photo I used for her Lost Cat poster I put up around the neighbourhood at the time.

As for me, I cannot see the detail of the photo nearly as well as I did then, and then my sight was poor. I am now using text-to-speech software, zooming on my pc, voice over. Since I find this stuff difficult, I get really frustrated.

I used to keep all my emotions in check, so much so, I thought and said I did not have any feelings or reactions to anything. That changed and I could not deny the existence of my emotions. It was a terrifying time. What was happening to me? I was falling apart and all this unidentifiable stuff was pouring out.

I have had to learn so much since I began seeing the Psychiatrist I saw back then (1993 - 95). From learning I had to put words to the experiences, name, own, accept them. Still uncomfortable. I beat up on myself too much, I know.

I used to do things I can no longer do to my own satisfaction. I still sing, but not like I used to. I cannot paint like I did. I cannot use pen and paper to write, so have managed to adapt to keyboard. That is something. I have been working on being more sociable, less isolated, but last year, when COVID-19 retrictions required face masks be worn, I found I could not - which is what brings me here.

I have had to curtail so much of what I had been doing. I am feeling the isolation now. How ironic! I resisted even thinking I needed anybody, then I try to have some friends, join a writers' group, get help with things like housework and shopping, going to places for fun and entertainment, only to have to withdraw again because I cannot wear a mask. It bites, like a scorpion.

I will make a thread, now I found the place to click to create one! I think my problem was with how I have my desktop appearance. It looks like any ordinary link, hiding below another, for creating a feed link. Now I know.

I suppose I will get around to talking more about myself. I will need to be careful about how involved I become, so please, don't expect me to pop up everywhere. I would burn out if I did that.

(Purring) mmMekitty

[Mum Chris]

Hi mmMekitty and Croix

I do the exercises a bit at a time and break it up to small groups of exercises. As long as I can build up to longer times I’m happy but some days I just don’t do well. I’m sure there’s a physical reason for it so I just do what I can.
Im also suffering from nana napitis. I keep nodding off and get so tired. I sit too long and the snoring starts. 😴💤💤💤 it must be going around

The lymphatic system is a vital part of our body and serious injuries or surgery interrupts it operations. Whether the massage helps I’m also not sure but desperate time call for desperate measures. It is supposed to help move fluid that may be blocked and stimulate your body to heal. I did use it when I was trying to recover in the past and I did see some results. I’m a terrible skeptic and I had to admit I felt a change.

MC

[mmMekitty]

Hi MC & Croix, & all,

Joni Mitchell is still alive, but no longer recording. While I am sure

her early recording of Both Sides Now is familiar to you, have you heard her later recording on her album Both Sides Now [2001], where she recorded some old standards, as well as orchestral versions of A Case of You & Both Sides Now?

I think of how young she was when she wrote the song, & that it can speak to people of pretty much any age.

*

I still have a fair way to go before I feel healed. It just can't be rushed. It would be so much easier if I did enjoy exercising, if I felt some rewarding feeling when or even immediately after.

*

NBN? Expensive. It's not like I need all the speed, not wanting video, movies, tv, etcetera.

I'll sometimes listen to music on YouTube, but I don't need the video, so I can set the quality lower, & but I only wish I didn't have to reset it each & every time.

I need some sort of workable connection - how many things can we do offline these days? More & more we are expected to be able to go online, whether to book an appointment, find out more about a product, get your electronic receipt, lodge a complaint, or find out how to return a faulty product, or to confirm appointments, too, I've noticed, it's often first on a list of contact options, now. COVID has pushed us in this direction faster these last couple years, & I don't see businesses going back to bricks & mortar if they don't see any pressing need to.

But I'm doing online shopping for most of my food, telehealth, online banking, - these are the essential things I do. Emails, sending & receiving. Reluctantly, messaging, too, .I also pay bills using Direct Debit. To check bills I have to go online. They would like me to use their apps, but I find them difficult on my phone, which is actually a mini computer - barely a phone at all. On their website you have to search a lot to find out anything about the phone aspect of these devices at all.

*

IMC, I like the term, 'nana Napitis', but I'd make it one word: Nananapitis, with the rare form which applies to people who eat lots of 🍌🍌🍌everyday! They tend to be falling all over the place.

Fortunately, I have rarely barely dropped off while sitting. I did not off at a concert, a loud full orchestral concert, & I was in the front row.

Once on a train, & I suspect, I dozed only because I didn't want to go home, but would rather have stayed on the train, unnoticed until reaching the terminal.

mmMekitty

[Croix]

Dear mmMekitty~

I don't like exercise eihter, but like the results of not doing it even less. I do try to keep my mind occupied whilst working at it, so it goes faster.

I'd not like the orchestral versions as much, just about always I find the lyrics are what drives something home to me, maybe my music appreciation by itself is not as strong (plus I'm partially deaf which does not help matters, the world for me is mono, much like the early Beatles music:)

I'm sure the sight of a patron snoozing in the front row would have spurred that orchestra on to better efforts!

Croix

[Mum Chris]

Hi mmMekitty and Croix et.al

nananapitis is a tongue twister try saying that fast five times 🤣

I have a window I look out of a lot and I planted some flowers just seedlings and I hope they grow. The birds seem to have gone away and no bees and I thought some pollen and flowers would be a hand for local insects and our feathered friends. Grubs and grasshoppers a plenty so fingers crossed they survive.
I can’t survive without the internet it’s my lifeline. We went for a cheaper one and it’s dropping out a lot. You get what you pay for 😂

My old doggo seems to be feeling a bit better he gave me a scare. The heat gets to him and I’ve been putting water in with his food. Seemed to do the trick and I got him a crate to sleep in. It’s huge and has a plush bed and food and water bowl in it. I suspect a bit of doggy dementia. He’s passed out at my feet now looks like a deep sleep. I heard him up during the night eating and drinking. Midnight doggy party 🎉

How are your exercises going and the massage mmMekitty is it loosening up the tight band feeling a bit.

MC

[mmMekitty]

Hi all, & sorry I'm not writing much. I have a problem with feeling constrained. It hurts very deeply, so I withdraw, creep back, & feel hurt again. Am I to be restricted to the most superficial of conversations?

Okay.

I've been trying to do these simple, but repetitive exercises, & I am loser up in my armpits. I'd done some injury to my right arm & am struggling to do the exercises properly, not able to fully extend my arm & hold it out, to the side, or fron; it hurts. Then it hurts while lowering it. Not supposed to move them quickly.

I am able to move a bit closer to my fridge & reach up & touch the top edge with my wrist. That is definitely an improvement.

I'm not convinced the lymph massage is working, or maybe I'm not really doing what she did.

All the rain is making me tense, although I'm not at all likely to be flooded. Some places are, I have noticed - but I'm not glued to the news, not for that, not for the news about Russia & Ukraine either, not the speculations, not to hear about people in danger, who I cannot help... the slightest thought is so upsetting.

I'm ending up with a new plan for my phone & internet, & a different new modem, yet to be sent... the person I spoke to today said the plan is not as expensive, although it does not allow for so much data - which I didn't use even 20% of, in the original plan, anyway.

That's all good, but it won't guarantee a stronger or more reliable signal.

I don't live more than 10kms from a major city, & I can't get a strong signal.

I had to go to a shopping centre, take my old modem, have someone there test to see that the SIM card they sent me work, thinking I would simply stay on the plan I was, hope their recent 'upgrafes in the area' would help, & I would put up with the old modem. Then someone had called back later, & we also had a few tries at setting up the Wi-F to connect to their network, entering the lengthy passoword into my phone myself, so tedious.. & my helper herself, had i left her glasses in her car, so made mistakes, using my own powerful glasses to read the tiny print on the back of the old modem.

I didn't find out why I am having trouble using Face Time. The person from the 'company' said she didn't have access to a phone to use to help me with that, to test it or anything. A phone company didn't have a phone for the staff to use when helping customers???

I was so tired after.

Stress & frustration, all by themselves, tires me so much.

Boring but okay,

mmMekitty

[Croix]

Dear mmMekitty~

A long post covering a lot of ground -I'm pleased to hear from you.

There is no way you need to only have light or trivial conversations. You simply have to say things in a way that is less likley to distress others. You have at least as many brains as me (I suspect a lot more) and I'm sure, with trial and error you will end up covering all the subjects you wish.

I've talked about the most grave of matters on all the subjects covered in this Forum and do so without hassles. I admit it is a knack, but an important one. This place is designed for people to recount their experiences - not just the trivial ones - and receive support and hope.

So please do not give up, keep on plugging away.

Plugging away at exercises too. There is so much that is not spelled out when deciding to have a procedure, and you only find out after 😞

I'm sure your fridge feels 'touched' at all your efforts:) you will get there and I'm sure you have thought to check you are dong things correctly when you next get the chance.

I don't like the news (or social media either). News exists to maximize viewer numbers and to that end disaster is classically the most effective. If it was a local matter where one could have an effect that would be different, but it very rarely is. As a result one feels powerless, frustrated and keeps going over things in one's mind. (A definition of stress I guess).

Not good.

So I think you are wise to give these a miss and concentrate in your own personal sphere where reason and kindness have a chance.

Technology is a right pain, and companies that have good customer support are pretty thin on the ground, did you end up changing modems and plan?

Time for a soothing bowl of cat-nip, milk or fish?

Croix

[mmMekitty]

It's late; I can't choose, so give me all three! 😺

I'm not swimming here, yet ... but if the rain keeps up, I wonder... I know some people ar, & it stirs up memories of 1974, again. Try to imagine, as I am want to do, I cannot actually control the weather by talking to it, telling it when enough is enough already.

But sometimes, this night, it seems to let up, almost...

*

& After further discussion with the person on the phone, I am getting a new modem, which MUST have a new plan attached, but this one comes with less data, (didn't use hardly any anyway). It costs less, too. So that will work out. Oddly, I also simply could not go back to the plan I had just cancelled... no, I don't understand. She is just doing what she is told,& I feel like I'm in a Twilight Zone episode. I get stressed & can't seem to track everything said, negotiate or anything in the end. Paying less, so long as I don't want so much data allowance, is fine - but it doesn't guarentee the better signal I wanted.

*

Thinking of Twilight Zone, the made for radio episodes don't all sound very old. One even mentioned 'caller ID' on their phone.. Another mentioned Trump, albeit in relation to business.

*

Hi, MC, sorry I neglect you lately. I've been reading your thread, the conversation there. It's great; another perspective, another voice.

I tried, when I first moved in here, to grow some flowers. The Marigolds were easy. So were the Impatiens (but they spread into other gardens), I tried a few veg, but not much success there. I think the soil was awful, even then, & my uneducate efforts didn't help much, maybe even made things worse.

I do like really, big & showy flowers - big so I can see, & bright as I can find! I love the big Lillie bulbs, with four large flowers per tall stem, long leaves, the ones with lots of perfume, salmon pink & white petals... those are my favourite, even though they are poisonous to cats! (I am glad I found out in time to decide I can't have them when I had Mekitty. She liked to investigate things I brought home, I susupect, to see if they were edible things.

Now I'd like to find two or three small artificial plants, of good quality, for my windowsill. So people are sure to find my place, I can tell them of the plants on my windowsill. Or maybe I will find some animal figures, like a cat or two, or bird, something...

*

I know it's very late. 🙀I feel like I am💤as I write...Sleep well, friends.

mmMekitty

[Mum Chris]

Hi mmMekitty

Everyone needs time to rest and watch the world and forum go by. I’m never sure anything is working but I’m told to do it and I do sometimes. I’m sure we are all the same.
Soil here is terrible too I’ve been very successful at attracting bugs that eat plants to the ground or dry winds wipe out what’s left. Herbs seem to do the best but not all. I’m not consistent enough they need daily care and I forget about them and poor plants are left to the elements.
Are you like me and frustrated with slow progress. I expect you are recovering at the expected speed given the hurdles you have. I complained to physio I’m still in pain and he said YES of course you snapped your heel and tore your ligaments and I said but my knee is swollen and he said same answer. It’s soooo slow to recover from major surgery that you have had and add to that the stress of not knowing or being told everything that you needed to know. Getting pushed around the public system etc.

I think anything that can stimulate circulation and get a bit of blood moving helps. Even having something to do like a set of exercises and massages each day feels like progress.
Frustrating your arm is injured. I’m using ice and ice water baths. I’m told to not sure it helps but I’m told it does so I do. Desperation can make me stand on tippy toes with your tongue out if my physio tells me it will help me heal 😂😂😂🤣

Internet issues are my weak point. I depend on it for work and for human contact. I will cry if modem fails. More power to you for navigating that nightmare 🎉🐈🍧

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’m loved up so have some hearts to share.
MC

[Mum Chris]

Hi mmMekitty

For artificial plants try op shops they are something people get sick of dusting and donate.
once the monsoon passes and the water recedes ❤️

[mmMekitty]

There is a shop up the road, which has all sorts of things. When I go in, I dread knocking things off the shelves, just trying to get around. It is rather crowded.

Why not rinse plastic flowers in mildly soapy water?

Is that not a good idea, or am I more tired than I feel?

Nice music, for you. I can sort of almost play near enough to good enough 'Brahams' Lullaby' on my app, for you. 😸

(Laugh all you like, Croix, I'm playing anyway!)

mmMekity