Sunday, July 18, 2010

Swimming Bags

My regular readers know I have started swimming lessons and exercise class that is geared for arthritis sufferers.

Swimming lessons started first but are only once a week, while exercise class is twice a week. I'm enjoying the swimming lessons more than the exercise class which is on land not in the water. My knee joint pain flares up with exercise on land and interferes with the walking I ordinarily do. I'm hoping this pain abates with time.  If it doesn't, I will start sitting on the chairs provided to do the exercises.

The swimming lessons seem much better for the joints because of the buoyancy of the water. After swimming lesson I might practice what I have learned before I go and sit in the warm whirlpool for about 20 minutes and soothe stiff neck and back muscles. After I cool off, I might have a quick cold water shower then go into the sauna.

These are two of the "blue" bags I've used to carry my towel and wet things after swimming. Both of them are lined with plastic.

First up is my horse bag. Mom gave this bag to me many years ago and the plastic inside is starting to peel off. I may try to line it myself when the lining is totally gone. I am not really a "horsey" gal but I really love this bag, especially the "blue horse". It has one zippered pocket inside for keys and change and a pocket on the outside for your cell phone.

Next up is my brilliant blue "batik" bag. It isn't really batik but has a batik like pattern on it. It has mesh pockets on both sides for your water bottles and a little zip bag inside to keep your change and keys.

The two bags together. You can see they are almost the same size.


It is amazing who I've been meeting at the swimming pool So far, I've talked to many of the women and in particular three stand out.

One woman is a former refugee from Vietnam. She originally lived in Japan but ended up coming to Canada with her family due to the high cost of living in Japan. She doesn't swim but likes to use the sauna. Then I met Marie, a pensioner who hails from Nova Scotia. She is a black woman and says people always think she came to Canada via the underground railway but she never even heard of the underground railway until people started asking her that! She is as afraid of the water as I am and had some amazing stories of near drownings in Yellowknife and in the Caribbean. She noted my swimming instructor's methods and wants to learn to swim from him also. The third lady is Nala. She came to Canada with her family over 40 years ago from Fiji. She only went to grade 4 and she asked for my help in ensuring her housing application was correctly submitted. I readily agreed. 

Nala was so thankful that she promptly shared her phone number and provided a standing invitation to her home for curry dinner sometime.  Now I really don't like to take payment for a good deed, but I would love to get to know her better so I may take her up on it when I have more time.

As you can see, I am enjoying the swimming lessons for more than the swimming. (I've met some interesting women in the exercise class too but there is less opportunity to talk with them before and after class).

Happy Blue Monday.
Click here for more Blue Monday posts from around the world.

24 comments:

☺lani☺ said...

I love both bags... Happy blue monday!

Maboe said...

I like the horse bag!

B i r g i t t a said...

This kind of bag should I get. I am not good at all to drink during the day :)

http://foto.rudenius.se/post/2010/07/19/Blue-Yellow-Mellow-Monday.aspx

Diary From Africa said...

I love your bags, and it seems like you have been meeting lots of interesting people, too - everyone has such a great life story to tell ! Hope you're having a happy Monday :)

Joyful said...

Hi Lani, glad you like my bags. I have so many different kinds of bags that I had to get rid of some during my spring decluttering. When you use the city transit to get around, you really need good bags.

Birgitta, a good bag can help you carry around water so you can make sure you drink all day. If you don't have to carry a lot of other things, just get a small sturdy (strong) bag that you can carry your water in and maybe a snack or two.

Maboe, so glad you like the horse bag. I've had so many compliments on it when I carry it around.

Linda, I really am meeting so many interesting people. Where I go to swim is not in my neighbourhood. It is also 3 bus rides away from me and so it is interesting to see what is on the other side of town :-) It isn't really Monday here yet. At least it is not yet the business day. It is still the wee hours of the morning. Hope your Monday is going smooth.

Jan said...

Hope your joints cope, and improve, love the bags, but especially interested in the lovely people you are meeting.
Hugs and Blessings
Jan

Gerry's Soap N Stuff said...

Good Monday morning Joyful. I enjoyed your post, love your bags, especially the horse one, and more that your Mom gave it to you. It is nice that you have met such interesting ladies and share with us. Gerry

LV said...

I love your blue bag. Seems you are well prepared for your swimming classes. What you are doing is reaaly good for you. I enjoyed most of all the story from your fellow swimmers.

SmilingSally said...

I've had both of my knees replaced, Joy, so when I read that your knee hurts with exercise, I want to encourage you to STOP! The doctor told me that it doesn't help if your arthritic and you exercise the bad joint; rather, it further destroys it!

I like both of your blue bags. Keep swimming.

Happy Blue Monday.

Lindy said...

Good luck with the swimming lessons. Hopefully someone in charge will figure out that twice a week is more beneficial than one. Sounds like you've met some extremely interesting people there.

Your bags are pretty. I like both batik and horses. =)

Thanks for the visit and your comment on my Blue Monday post. Please visit anytime. =)

a said...

great looking bags. Love the tapestry on them.

Joyful said...

Jan, so nice to see you. Thank you for the visit and for your kind words. I think I enjoy the people most too :-)

Gerry, it is nice that my mom gave me such a lovely bag. So glad you like the "horsey" bag.

LV, thank you for your visit. I do try to be as prepared as I can when I go out. It makes it easier when you have the "right" bag :-)

Smiling Sally, my mom has very bad arthritis and one hip replaced so am fearful myself. I think you are right and I better sit down. Funny enough this class is for arthritics and yet it is too impactful it seems. The instructors themselves will tell you to sit down or will modify the lesson for each person but there are already several ladies that need that. I didn't think I did but I guess I do.

Lindy, thank you for your visit. It isn't that someone in charge feels that one lesson is enough. It is that this person, me, knew she had two other days committed in the week for a doctor recommended class.

"a", thank you for the visit and the compliment. Come again soon ;-)

Karen said...

The bags are very nice...I imagine the one from your mom holds a special meaning for you...isn't it great to meet new friends during the course of tending to other matters...much like a little hug from the Lord...

Joyful said...

Hi Karen, nice to see you :-) I trust your Monday is going well. I love my "horsey" bag both because it is from my mom and also some special "secret" reason ;-) I do love meeting new people and it is great I am getting to do so while I am swimming and out and about. I know that these women won't all turn into life lasting friendships but it is nice just the same to meet and greet new people wherever one goes and I sense they feel the same. Life is sweet that way :-)

Sarah said...

I adore your swimming bags!! gorgeous!! I have put you in my blog come and have a read.

http://hiddencrafter.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Happy Blue Monday. Those are great bags for the pool. And I like the horse one, too. Enjoy your time at the pool. It is always fun meeting new people. ~Karen

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Good to read you are enjoying your swim time and meeting up with new folks.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Terrific..I am glad your doing this. I love to swim but don't get out and do it as I used to- so good for you!
Beautiful bags..love the blues and the horses. Glad your meeting new friends as well. Hope you have a wonderful day, Regina-

Joyful said...

Happy Blue Monday. Those are great bags for the pool. And I like the horse one, too. Enjoy your time at the pool. It is always fun meeting new people. ~Karen

Joyful said...

Hi Karen, nice to see you :-) I trust your Monday is going well. I love my "horsey" bag both because it is from my mom and also some special "secret" reason ;-) I do love meeting new people and it is great I am getting to do so while I am swimming and out and about. I know that these women won't all turn into life lasting friendships but it is nice just the same to meet and greet new people wherever one goes and I sense they feel the same. Life is sweet that way :-)

Joyful said...

great looking bags. Love the tapestry on them.

Joyful said...

I love your blue bag. Seems you are well prepared for your swimming classes. What you are doing is reaaly good for you. I enjoyed most of all the story from your fellow swimmers.

Joyful said...

This kind of bag should I get. I am not good at all to drink during the day :)

http://foto.rudenius.se/post/2010/07/19/Blue-Yellow-Mellow-Monday.aspx

Joyful said...

I love both bags... Happy blue monday!

A Few Days in March ~ Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers. I hope Spring is treating you well so far. It's been roller coaster weather where I live with mostly ...