Time flies when you're having fun....

Another week has passed us by.  Although the weather was warmer the past 3 days, last weekend and the early part of this week (2/14 - 2/18) were cold.  Cricket and I did get to take some longer walks in the woods, which she really likes.

Our little water pools are coming along slowly.  The pools on the east side of the property (I need to come up with a "name" for this area), are looking very good.  All the pools were holding water.  It's interesting to see how the water seeps out of the ground in various places.  It's not really a "spring"... because the water seeps out in about 4 different elevations on the side of the hill.  But the water does all flow down hill following the same path... So I guess it is a spring.  A very small one.  But, small is better than none.

The springs on the north end of the property have a few natural pools, and I haven't started working on that area.  This is the area with 4 different "springs" that come together to form a seasonal stream.  The stream had water in it the other day when we were down there.  Once I'm sure the pools on the east side of the property are holding water successfully, I'll focus my effort down here.  We've just been calling this section "the hollow"... Not very imaginative, but accurate.  First, I need to impede the flow of the stream to start a pond... then I need to define the pond and get water accumulating.  I'd really LIKE to have a pond down there.  It would be great!  This property really needs a pond.  We'd have more wildlife around if we had a pond.  Blocking that seasonal stream is going to be hard work without any machinery.  But, if a beaver can do it, I can!

I find my energy level is pretty low.  I can walk down to this area, work about an hour and then walk back.  If I try to work any longer, I can barely make the walk back.  This damn Parkinson's really does hamper me!  I hate that!  I'm not old (I'll be 55 in March).  But I have the energy level of a much older person.  I get so tired I fall asleep just sitting in my chair.  Or riding in the car.  When it's close to time for my next dose of Sinemet CR, I'm very shaky and my voice is weak.  My balance is crappy too.  Most people call this their "off" period.  Off because the medications has no effect in relieving the symptoms.  After I take my pills, I'm "off" for about an hour.  My day consists of taking my meds to manage my off times, so I can accomplish something useful while I'm "on".

I take Sinemet CR every 6 hours, at 4 AM, 10AM, 4PM and 9 PM.  I go to  bed after my evening dose, and usually fall asleep by the time it takes effect.  And I wake up with my legs kicking at 4AM.    I get up and make myself some coffee.  Read my emails and look at Facebook, maybe listen to Coast to Coast.  Or watch Youtube videos.  John and Josh are still asleep at this time of morning, so I try to be quiet.  The cat and dogs get their breakfast at this time also. 

John usually gets up around 8.  After we eat and I finish my indoor tasks, I go outside and feed the birds.  For some reason, going out to feed the chickens is VERY exciting to the dogs.  Some times they get so excited, they almost knock me over to get out the door!

I take my 2nd dose at 10AM.  Once my pills have kicked in and John's have too, we're ready to start our daily activities.  John runs out of energy before I do.  That makes sense, as he's 9 years older than me and his Parkinson's is more advanced than mine.  By about 1 PM, we're both ready for a break.  I cook our main meal of the day and we eat as a family.  After we've eaten and I've done the dishes, I find most days that I still have a little energy left.  I usually spend the afternoon watching TV with John while I work on one of my knitting, crochet or other handiwork type projects.  Sometimes John naps, sometimes I do.

We don't go out at night.  John and I can't see well to drive in the dark.  And I get so shaky by 8PM or so, that I really don't accomplish much.

I'm supposed to help with the Hardy Homesteader's Quilt again this year.  The ladies get together on Monday nights from 6 - 9 PM.  I missed last week.  I never know how my day is going to go, so I can only tentatively commit to activities like this.  I wish I could just say "sure, I'll be there".  But I can't.  If I don't have the energy to sew, I don't go.  It's that simple.