5 Year Journal Day 2

     Today's prompt is " Can people change?" People can change. I have changed a lot over the years. I'm much happier and healthier, despite my medical conditions, today, than I have been in the past. Cutting away from unhealthy relationships has allowed to me to find myself. Going to my therapist and psychiatrist has helped me recover and work through life changing events. Keeping this journal has changed me. I'm becoming more open. I see positive changes in myself, and growth.  

     Now, if you ask me the same question in reference to specific people in my life, I might answer differently. Some people don't change, for whatever reason. I thought my dad had changed when I invited him to live with me. I thought he was in a better place mentally, a worse place physically, and we could support each other. It ended up badly... why? because he never takes his mental health appointments seriously. He doesn't take care of himself. He thinks he is always right, to his own detriment. 

      

      Now about what's going on over here. My dog threw up this morning, poor girl. My son woke me up earlier than my 0830 alarm. It was gray outside when I got up. I wasn't ready to be awake. He was WIDE awake and talkative. It was supposed to be a busy day today, with multiple appointments. We go to pick up free meals from the high school for Caleb to eat, usually, but not today. It takes us a half hour out there, and a half hour back home, so I was happy not to go today. Caleb already had his speech therapy video chat appointment. He's got a behavioral specialist appointment in a little while, and an appointment with his EC teacher right afterwards. I was supposed to have a 2 hour class today, starting at noon, but this week's class was cancelled. I have all kinds of housework to catch up on. I'm about to take my afternoon medications, and start dinner in the crock pot. It's not frantic at ALL! LOL Oh man, I was not ready for today this morning. 

     Yesterday, I picked up my new custom shoe insoles and wore them to Sam's Club. I have never been inside a Sam's Club before, but my Aunt Lisa added me to her membership so I could shop there. I have been struggling with being able to afford food and gas, especially at the end of the month. I took Caleb with me, of course, and we walked almost the entire warehouse. I recently lost everything in my freezer due to it breaking down, so I was hoping to restock on meats, since it has been fixed. I was able to find value packs of the meats we eat on a regular basis, so I was happy about that. Not only will I know for sure that we will be able to cook our dinners every night for awhile, but I know that I can limit my trips to the grocery store as well since I won't need anything for some time. 

      I was surprised to see that most of the shoppers were NOT wearing masks. I wonder why? Both Caleb and I were wearing masks, as it is the responsible thing to be doing right now. I don't understand people. I ended the day in pain from my feet, hips, and lower back, and couldn't wait to lay down and rest. 

    I've had to start taking my allergy medication again, as I started getting congested at night and can't breathe. I 've been taking the naproxen recently too because of the pain I'm in from walking, bending over cleaning, and standing to clean and cook. Oh well. I'm not mad about it. I'll take them if they are going to make a difference. 

    My brother, Eric, and his wife are expecting a baby, I can't wait! I don't talk to him often, so I was surprised to hear the news. I wanted to reach out right away, and so I did. I hope I can be a part of my little niece or nephew's life.

    I was recently contacted by my sister, Sherri, and was able to video chat with her and her sons. They are getting so big so fast! She has 2 little boys. Both Eric and Sherri are from my mom's second marriage. We didn't grow up in the same house. Many years would pass without seeing them. I don't know much about either of them as adults. Eric serves in the U.S. Army. 

    Oh! I called my maternal grandparents yesterday too. I know them as Granny and Pepere. It's good to hear their voices. I wish I could travel to visit them. They are not well enough to travel to visit me. I am not well enough to travel to visit them. I need to ask them if they have a way to video chat.

    I really want to have a portrait session with a photographer in the late summer/early Fall on the beach with Caleb. I want Bella there too, but her harness and leash would take away from the art that is photography. The one and only time Caleb and I took professional family photos, was in 2013, weeks before my hospitalization. 

    Time to get to working on my chores!