Routines ~ Tuesday 4

 Howdy! 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  They say having routines in your life keeps you mentally healthier than living a disorganized or haphazard life. Schedules have a profound effect on our well being. Belonging to clubs, organizations is good for us.  

According to research from UCLA  Health, "  a predictable daily routine supports mental health by reducing stress, lowering cognitive load, and creating a steady sense of personal control. "

It keeps sickness away too. People with good daily routines and habits live longer and decidedly healthier lives.  It promotes a feeling of productiveness and purpose.

Boredom contributes to sickness and cognitive decline in the elderly.

1. Do you have a daily routine for yourself and for your home?

Yes I do.  There are routine things to do every day and on a weekly basis which revolve around housekeeping and shopping.  I try to keep up with it all and I loosely follow the Fly Lady System in this regard which helps with having a schedule that works without being overly onerous.

2. What is your morning routine? How about your bedtime routine?

The morning routine includes washing my face, brushing teeth and sometimes doing the facial care after I've put the coffee pot on.  It takes me a long while to ease into the day and begin to feel that I can tackle whatever is on the list for the day.  I go out for appointments or errands several times a week.  In between having coffee, and perhaps a bite to eat, I will do any number of things before I shower, make the bed and get on with the day.  

After dinner and dishes are done it's time to wind down, pray, read, check email and socials & watch a variety of YT videos and other things on television before going to sleep.

3. Do you have a routine get together for a family meal or game/movie or pizza night?

No we don't have any of those routines for a variety of reasons. We go with the flow but each evening DH and I watch the late news together and share about our days.  Sometimes we watch You Tube videos about things of interest, including current happenings in Kenya.  He has very little free time at the moment so it's special to share this time together.

4. Any TV programs, clubs, organizational routines you never want to miss? Do you attend town meetings, choir practice?

We are not in any clubs. I'm only watching Y & R on a regular basis as I've done for several decades. If I don't watch it one day I go back and watch it within the 24 hour limit. If I miss more than one day I don't fret. It's easy enough to get back in the flow of the show once you have more time.  These days when I do watch movies or news shows they tend to be on You Tube or one of the streaming services.

I'm not sure what is meant by organizational routines and I don't attend any town halls or choir practice. In any case, I don't think we have many town halls here.

To be honest, I don't have a lot of free time or energy for activities that require attendance on specific dates and times on a weekly basis.  I already keep more than busy with all the things I currently do. Lest it sound like I don't do anything of interest, I'll share that my city always has something of interest on offer and I participate in as much of it as I can.  There are free things and paid things and I keep on a regular look out for all of it.  

The things I like to participate in include special events, library talks, classes at the local community centre and so on.  The kinds of things I enjoy and have participated in include talks by authors at the local library, special presentations at various community centers, festivals featuring different ethnic groups, free classes on cooking healthy, beading class, soap making class, gardening seminars, attending Christmas events like the annual Van Dusen Garden Light Display and so on. There is a lot that I've participated in over the years.  I've participated in an older ladies group where we did a great variety of things. Ladies would host an event and members would sign up. It was difficult to attend a lot of things because of overwhelming interest by others. Eventually I got 'booted' from the group for lack of attendance, lol.

I've also participated in the church Missions group from time to time because missions is a special interest of mine.  My specific interest is Africa but few of the churches here seem to focus on Africa,  instead they tend to focus on work in Asia because my city is considered a gateway to the Pacific and Asian countries.

We've been having some spectacular weather the last couple of days and the autumn light has been wonderful.

I captured these scenes on my walk to the local hospital for a visit to the ER.

All ended well. I'm being treated with ear drops and daily IV antibiotics for an ear infection. I haven't had one in years and years but all of a sudden I've had two of them a week apart. Not sure what that's all about but will follow up with the ENT specialist soon.

Gratitude December - Day 10

Many of you know that I was involved in a bus accident at the end of September. The CT scan indicated a potential issue in my right ear. I've been visiting the ENT department at one of the local hospitals since then. 

I've been to the ENT unit 4 times so far and on Thursday I met the surgeon for the first time. My next appointment with her is early in the New Year 2022.

 

I'm grateful that I've had such good,  experienced and comprehensive care by all the staff and doctors. Already they have helped my ear in so many ways. I've learned a lot including the fact that surgery may not be a foregone conclusion. Even if I ultimately get surgery, I feel I'm in very capable hands and that is very reassuring.

Kenya 

I'm also grateful to have a little something to send to people in Kenya this Christmas. I am hoping to make the transfer in the next few days and if you would like to help give a Christmas meal to village Kenyans, kindly hit the Pay Pal button to the right of the screen. You can reach the direct link by hitting the red flower. Thanks so much.

I hope to send to the following people:

Rose is the mature, pregnant woman.  She is married and has several school age children.  She has had numerous challenges during this pregnancy which has required her to be hospitalized on several occasions.  She's getting close to delivery and is currently at home until labour begins.  Rose will get vaccinated after delivering her child.

Charles - He is married and has several  children. I don't assist him much except at Christmas though I'd like to do more for his family. Charles has had his vaccinations.

Ernest - He has no children.  He has diabetes and suffered several health challenges namely breaking the same leg twice and having been hospitalized due to Covid 19.  Kenya has been slow to roll out vaccinations but he has now had two vaccinations.

Livingstone - He has no children. Recently he too recovered from a broken leg and Covid 19. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation of his leg through physiotherapy and has had two vaccinations.

Elijah - He is married with 5 children and a dependent MIL.  He is the man whose coffee plantation was flooded out a few months ago when major floods forced many Kenyans from their homes.

Janet - She is married but separated and has four daughters. Her brother chased her away from her ancestral home and we've set her up in a humble store with attached living quarters. 

Pastor Jonah - He has no children. Jonah is primarily the one I work with to undertake all the responsibilities of the grassroots missions. We often work with other leaders in his church including the Lead Pastor, especially when I am in Kenya. He has had his vaccinations.

If I am able I would also like to send to the following people:

David - He is married with 2 children. I've known David for long and usually send him something at Christmas. This year I've tried to send him something as often as I can because his small tourist business was badly affected due to Covid.

Pastor Parteleu - He pastors a remote, rural village church and has had recent health challenges including undiagnosed stomach issues. He has very little financial support and has a wife and 2 children.

Sarah - She is single with 2 children. Sarah lives in Kibera slums and lost her catering job prior to Covid when her boss/employer was defrauded out of his valuable property and restaurant by high powered people.  Sara is a talented cook and caterer and has been looking for a job in that field for long. In the past I've provided her with blankets for the chilly Kenyan nights.

Amy - She is a single mom with a 2 year old toddler.  I send something for her child as often as I can. Amy has tried her hand at many different casual jobs but it has been difficult having a baby with her at all times.

This is my small list of people to help in December 2021. There are always many others who could use help who are not on this list. In addition to monetary helps all of these people could really use the prayers of the saints.  Thanks for reading and considering.