First week

This is about 1/3rd of the area - it is all completed now!!!

It has been one week since I set a goal to do 20 push-ups and 20 sit-ups upon waking each morning.  I have completed push-ups on all days, but on day 6, my stomach muscles said, "take a day off" for sit-ups, and I did.  This soreness was not just from the morning workout; I have also been lifting rocks from the rear yard, thoroughly cleaning the areas, placing new weed fabric, adding stepping stones, and then replacing the rocks.  This is so much WORK and a GREAT WORKOUT!

In other news, Shelley returned from visiting her dad in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Wednesday.  By 6:00 PM, he had forgotten she was there.  On Thursday, the care facility called and said his needs are beyond what he requires, and he must move.  He fell, and they do not have a way to lift him up without assistance from the fire department.  They do not have a Hoyer Lift, which would make lifting him easy with a single person, just the nurses.  

He is at the Legacy Arbors and moved there as they were to be a continuum of care, and he thought he would be there until deceased.  He paid over $10,000 a month for the service.  But I learned that if they cannot serve his needs (which is only helping him get up), they can force the move.  In addition, they require Shelley to pay $25 per hour, 24/7, for a personal assistant until his relocation. Once the cost of service increases, they force a move and justify it any way they can, is the impression I have concluded!  Now they can't force him out (but Sheyyey pays $600 more a day, or $18,000 a month until he does move), but they will find a place with an open bed, and then he has to go.  Areas with open beds are typically open for a reason; they are often the bottom of the barrel for a facility.   

Shelley left today to be the caregiver for 14 hours a day until he moves, which will decrease the cost for the mandated full-time care attendant to $250 a day, thereby saving $350 a day!

What I have learned is that the senior care business often prioritizes profit over care, or places where people do not care.  In my own experience with my mother, she was at a high-service facility, and we were paying $ 6,000 a month for minor assistance. She was miserable.  After thorough research and review, we found a place where she is happy, offering the same services in a larger unit for $1,900 less per month.  Unfortunately, there are so many profit-minded businesses that exploit seniors.  This is similar to daycares.  Greed at the expense of humans.  Sad reality!

Until next time, carry on my friends, carry on!

This is HARD!

The landscape rock in the rear yard has remained untouched for 31 years.  It was filled with debris, and as Shelley ages, it is harder to walk around the house.  So it was time to redo the area and add stepping stones.  Although Shelley refused to use anything but the rock, that meant cleaning out the much.  After six weeks of looking at stepping stones, Shelley finally picked out the rocks, so the work could begin.  

I started to remove the rock and found about three or more inches of dirt under it that was filled with older rocks. At some point, I assume another layer of stones was added to cover the debris. So, I got the high-power blower, got down on my knees with a pick, and started loosening the dirt so I could blow it away from the rock. There must be a better way, but since this is the most conclusive, I proceeded.  

After 7 hours, I am 75 percent complete with rock cleaning and very fatigued.  As it is supposed to rain for the next two days, I will get a break before the final push for cleaning.  At that time, placing the stepping stones will be easy in comparison!

Additionally, starting yesterday, I decided to do 20 push-ups and 20 sit-ups each morning to start my day.  I was unable to do the push-ups unless I was on my knees, so that is how I started.  Although it has only been two days, the first week will be more challenging before it becomes routine.  

I am doing this because I read that it will burn calories and boost my metabolism.  Push-ups and sit-ups work multiple muscle groups at once and require a significant amount of energy expenditure. There should also be a substantial increase in upper and core body strength, primarily abs, chest muscles, shoulders, triceps, back, core, and leg muscles. Regularly performing sit-ups and push-ups should lead to stronger and more defined muscles in your upper body, allowing you to perform daily activities with greater ease and efficiency. Core stability is essential as I age. 

Wish me well.  Carry on my friends, carry on!