Man of Music,
I'm not laughing at your life. I know this stuff isn't funny or anything to tease a person about. I get a kick out of the way you always interject something funny in your comments, like "the way people drive around here, I should be in the hospital in no time."
The bike sounds like a great way to get in some good exercise, which will get those endorphins rolling and up your mood. Just stay away from semi-trucks:)
One More Step
So the weather has not been cooperating here in Seattle (imagine that) and we've been hesitant to put the bikes up on the car for fear that the chain grease is going to get all over the top of the car from the rain. But the weekend is passing quickly, so tomorrow will have to be be the day.
In the interim, yesterday we tried to check out another bike shop in the same area of town. I was driving and took the freeway about half way. I started getting nervous and exited the freeway to finish the trip by side streets since I feel more comfortable off the freeway. I continued to get more anxious but kept pushing. By the time we were within about a mile of the shop I was starting to panic so I ultimately turned around.
I tried to remain as calm as I could and drove back home on side streets the entire way. I continued to feel anxious even after getting home. But I knew that I tried and pushed myself farther than I would have liked to have gone, so I give myself kudos for that.
That brings us to today. I decided to make the same trip again, but this time I was able to take the freeway the entire way. Not only did we visit the bike shop (which turned out to be a bust) but visited another sporting goods store nearby as well. I was able to keep my anxiety well under control and even took the freeway all the way home when we were done. So, mission accomplished!
We still need to take in the bikes for service and as I said above tomorrow will probably be the day. Hopefully things go as well as they did today.
Jamie
In the interim, yesterday we tried to check out another bike shop in the same area of town. I was driving and took the freeway about half way. I started getting nervous and exited the freeway to finish the trip by side streets since I feel more comfortable off the freeway. I continued to get more anxious but kept pushing. By the time we were within about a mile of the shop I was starting to panic so I ultimately turned around.
I tried to remain as calm as I could and drove back home on side streets the entire way. I continued to feel anxious even after getting home. But I knew that I tried and pushed myself farther than I would have liked to have gone, so I give myself kudos for that.
That brings us to today. I decided to make the same trip again, but this time I was able to take the freeway the entire way. Not only did we visit the bike shop (which turned out to be a bust) but visited another sporting goods store nearby as well. I was able to keep my anxiety well under control and even took the freeway all the way home when we were done. So, mission accomplished!
We still need to take in the bikes for service and as I said above tomorrow will probably be the day. Hopefully things go as well as they did today.
Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters
SamCat -
How are things going with Samantha? I hope she's at least feeling well for the time being. I know you'll be able to handle things and I'm glad you have your husband be with you during this time.
ManOfMusic -
I'm impressed that you're quitting cold turkey. When I quit caffeine, I weaned off over a week or so to make it a little easier on my body. However, I'm still a sugar junkie. I try to keep things to a reasonable level, but I do fall of the sugar wagon now and then.
Any luck finding a bike? You might even try a used bike store or Craig's List if you're just getting into cycling and don't want to spend a fortune (just make sure you're not buying a stolen bike if you go through Craig's List). Also, I want to add to SamCat's advice and stay away from whole trucks too, not just semi ones.
How are things going with Samantha? I hope she's at least feeling well for the time being. I know you'll be able to handle things and I'm glad you have your husband be with you during this time.
ManOfMusic -
I'm impressed that you're quitting cold turkey. When I quit caffeine, I weaned off over a week or so to make it a little easier on my body. However, I'm still a sugar junkie. I try to keep things to a reasonable level, but I do fall of the sugar wagon now and then.
Any luck finding a bike? You might even try a used bike store or Craig's List if you're just getting into cycling and don't want to spend a fortune (just make sure you're not buying a stolen bike if you go through Craig's List). Also, I want to add to SamCat's advice and stay away from whole trucks too, not just semi ones.
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters
I'm adding to my goal list to keep up on regular exercise. It seems to often I've been coming up with excusing not to go out running or cycling. My goal is to exercise at least 30 to 45 minutes no less than five times per week. That shouldn't be too hard, should it? We'll, see....
Jamie
Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters
Hot Rod -
How goes the relaxation exercises? Hopefully you're making progress. I'm trying to incorporate them into my day as well, but I find that my biggest foe is being so tired all the time. Whenever I try to relaxation or meditation, I just end up wanting to sleep. And if I can't or shouldn't be sleeping, then that just makes me more frustrated and anxious. Kind of a catch 22. I trust you're having better luck.
Jamie
How goes the relaxation exercises? Hopefully you're making progress. I'm trying to incorporate them into my day as well, but I find that my biggest foe is being so tired all the time. Whenever I try to relaxation or meditation, I just end up wanting to sleep. And if I can't or shouldn't be sleeping, then that just makes me more frustrated and anxious. Kind of a catch 22. I trust you're having better luck.
Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters
Jamie,
Thanks for asking about Samantha. She took a turn for the worse Saturday night. We have stopped her meds because they were stressing her out and are just giving her sub Q's and syrigne feeding her A/D. We plan to take her to the vet tomorrow for "the end". We knew she was ready for that last Monday because she had totally stopped eating and pretty much was just staying in her bed, not grooming herself or taking much or any interest in life, but the vet thought he could pull her out one more time. Chronic renal failure is not a disease you ever want your pet to get. I am getting through it pretty well, using my skills and thinking about all the positives I have had with her. But it is hard to go through the grief. Anyway, that is all part of life--when you love, your heart can be broken, but we live through it. Enough of the gloomy stuff.
Congrats on the driving. You did great on it!! I can attest to the fact that regular exercise, even twenty five minutes a day, helps with the stress. My knee got wrecked up last year and I felt much jumpier when I couldn't exercise. Also, a tip about the relaxation exercise. When I do mine, I set a kitchen timer in case I do fall asleep, because it has happened to me too.
Glad you started this thread--good idea. Working on goals to move us forward is crucial and I am so sick and tired of this crap and am absolutely determined to get better. Sitting around on our behinds isn't going to get us anywhere, so positive thinking and positive habits and goals sounds like the way to go for me. It sure can't hurt us anyway.
Hope you enjoy your day today and get your bike fixed soon.
Take care, Carleen
Thanks for asking about Samantha. She took a turn for the worse Saturday night. We have stopped her meds because they were stressing her out and are just giving her sub Q's and syrigne feeding her A/D. We plan to take her to the vet tomorrow for "the end". We knew she was ready for that last Monday because she had totally stopped eating and pretty much was just staying in her bed, not grooming herself or taking much or any interest in life, but the vet thought he could pull her out one more time. Chronic renal failure is not a disease you ever want your pet to get. I am getting through it pretty well, using my skills and thinking about all the positives I have had with her. But it is hard to go through the grief. Anyway, that is all part of life--when you love, your heart can be broken, but we live through it. Enough of the gloomy stuff.
Congrats on the driving. You did great on it!! I can attest to the fact that regular exercise, even twenty five minutes a day, helps with the stress. My knee got wrecked up last year and I felt much jumpier when I couldn't exercise. Also, a tip about the relaxation exercise. When I do mine, I set a kitchen timer in case I do fall asleep, because it has happened to me too.
Glad you started this thread--good idea. Working on goals to move us forward is crucial and I am so sick and tired of this crap and am absolutely determined to get better. Sitting around on our behinds isn't going to get us anywhere, so positive thinking and positive habits and goals sounds like the way to go for me. It sure can't hurt us anyway.
Hope you enjoy your day today and get your bike fixed soon.
Take care, Carleen
Jilly -
Good to be back. Glad you like the thread. I wanted to add something to the site to help encourage positive action and reinforcement. I'm sure you can come up with some goal. Remember that it doesn't have to be huge, just something. You don't need to plan on climbing Mount Everest today! Keep in touch.
Carleen -
It sounds like you are handling things as best as you can. Again you have my prayers. But as you said very nicely this is part of life and the cost of love. And while it may not feel like it now, I think the benefit is worth the cost. Just remember all the joy you've gotten from having Samantha in your life. Hang in there. You'll get through this.
Jamie
Good to be back. Glad you like the thread. I wanted to add something to the site to help encourage positive action and reinforcement. I'm sure you can come up with some goal. Remember that it doesn't have to be huge, just something. You don't need to plan on climbing Mount Everest today!
Keep in touch.Carleen -
It sounds like you are handling things as best as you can. Again you have my prayers. But as you said very nicely this is part of life and the cost of love. And while it may not feel like it now, I think the benefit is worth the cost. Just remember all the joy you've gotten from having Samantha in your life. Hang in there. You'll get through this.
Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters
So we finally made it to the cycling store for repairs today. I drove on the freeway the whole way there and back and waitted for about 45 minutes in the store while they worked on our bikes. And guess what? No anxiety and no panic. I was worried before we left but did just fine. If I can get through the anticipation I can do so much more than I think I can. It goes to show how we often don't give ourselves the credit we deserve. Keep fighting!
Jamie
Jamie
"Common things occur commonly. Uncommon things don't. Therefore, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." -- C.J. Peters
Jamie,
I have noticed the same thing. Usually my anticipatory anxiety is worse than the actual event. Isn't that telling us something? That if we can use our positive self dialogue to avoid the anticipatory anxiety, we will feel a lot calmer? I think lesson three is one we really need to keep practicing until it is ingrained into our brains to talk to ourselves without all the catastrophizing thoughts about something that hasn't even happened yet. So I guess that is another goal for me--may take me years to fully get this one done, but I am working on it!!
I have noticed the same thing. Usually my anticipatory anxiety is worse than the actual event. Isn't that telling us something? That if we can use our positive self dialogue to avoid the anticipatory anxiety, we will feel a lot calmer? I think lesson three is one we really need to keep practicing until it is ingrained into our brains to talk to ourselves without all the catastrophizing thoughts about something that hasn't even happened yet. So I guess that is another goal for me--may take me years to fully get this one done, but I am working on it!!