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Itzl Alert Network: Tuesday, 8th of July, 2025: My new normal. [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-07-07

I am struggling to write this.

I am struggling to live in my new normal.

But we all have our struggles.

The little dog is named Itzl. As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at, to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off Daily Kos. If you're not here, or anywhere else on Daily Kos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care! IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news! This is our current schedule of regular IAN diary writers: Monday: Youffraita Tuesday: bigjacbigjacbigjac Wednesday: Pam from Calif Thursday: art ah zen Friday: FloridaSNMOM Saturday: FloridaSNDad Sunday: loggersbrat

Here is a copy and paste from the last words of my diary of last week:

Next week I can write about my routine at home and at the senior center, since I got back from the hospital and the respite care place.

To summarize, nothing is truly wonderful, but nothing is truly awful, either.

I was chasing after the wonderful things, using my mania and my caffeine.

I was going into panic mode when anything made me afraid, a panic caused by my depression.

Now I must embrace this new normal, not chasing the wonderful, not afraid of the terrible.

Starting on each Sunday night, and going through Thursday night, I am careful to get to bed between 10:30 PM and 11 PM.

I have my phone alarm set for 6 AM, M-F.

That gives me plenty of time to get ready for the bus to the senior center.

I usually find a few minutes to post a comment here at IAN.

The bus usually comes around 9 AM.

I feel truly glad when the bus rolls up.

I walk on in, and say hello to the driver, Loretta.

Usually there are no other passengers, since my home is closer to the senior center than most of the other participants.

We usually go 2 miles south, then a mile east, and get Rolando.

Then it varies on who we get next.

We usually get only one or two more folks, then head to the center.

If the A/C is too cold, I put on my hoodie.

If the A/C is too loud, I put on my ear protectors.

I truly like looking at the houses and trees along the way.

When we get to the center, we all get off the bus and go inside.

There is a lady named Meghan who sits inside and hits the button to open the door and let us in.

I quickly walk to the south day center.

I have a normal spot that is considered my regular spot.

To my right is a lady name Mary, a Black lady who is a stroke survivor.

Sometimes she asks for a little help, and sometimes I help her.

If it is something the staff should do, I ask the staff to do it.

On MWF, there is a man named Richard who sits across from me.

He is a progressive Democrat, so we are on the same page when we talk about the news.

But he also likes to find fault with everyone, including me.

Oh well.

We have Bible study on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like to go, even though I am an atheist.

I can find wisdom, and more friendly interaction.

But I cannot go on Mondays, because it hurts the feelings of Richard.

Okay.

So, Monday is Richard, Thursday is Bible study.

Every day is activities, from 10AM to 11AM and 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.

The activities are often bingo and chair exercises.

Sometimes we watch a movie.

We can grab a few breakfast items as soon as we arrive, such as peanut butter and cheese crackers and V8 juice.

Then between 11:45 and noon, they serve us a nice hot lunch.

Meatloaf, cheeseburgers, shrimp, fried cod, stuffed peppers, and lasagna, those are a few examples from the June menus.

At around 2:15, I get told my driver is ready for me, and I must head out.

So, if there is a movie on the big TV, I miss the last part of the movie.

I missed the last part of Forrest Gump.

Oh well.

I often go to the TV room and read a book until they call for me, if I do not like the activity going on from 1:30 to 2:30.

Okay, time to get back on the bus and head for home.

They usually take me home first, since my place is closest to the center.

I usually arrive at my home at about 3 PM.

I then go to the leasing office, to visit Martina.

Martina has always welcomed me in her office, knowing how lonely I am since Tonia died.

She is usually very busy, and has little time to talk with me, but just spending time in the same room is nice.

Then, at about 4 PM, she closes the office, and I head to my apartment.

Then, a little later, I interact with you here at IAN.

Then I need to use up the rest of my evening.

That can be a challenge, but I find things to do.

I listen to videos at MSNBC, and at Belle of the Ranch, and the Roads with Belle.

I fix me a nice meal, maybe one I put together from free food, or maybe microwave chow mien from the nearby store.

I may work on a jigsaw puzzle or read a book.

I get my dishes done and get late pills and late food ready.

Then I take a shower, take pills, eat more, brush my teeth, and get to bed by 10:30 PM.

On Friday afternoons I record a video of my veggie garden.

Then I post it here at the Friday IAN.

Then on Saturday morning I post it at the SMGB, and at the Saturday IAN.

All day Saturday I have two DK tabs open, one for SMGB and one for IAN.

After I get done fiddling with DK, I do my laundry in my tub on my Saturday and hang it up outside.

With our long hot days in June and July, I can bring most of it back in later on Saturday.

On Sunday, I get up at 7 AM and get ready and go to a nearby church at 10 AM.

The church is one very short block away, so it only takes me a minute to walk there.

I am an atheist, but they are friendly, so it is a nice experience.

The organist is a blind Asian lady named Ashley.

Almost everyone else there is Black.

The most positive lesson they have preached lately is that you must hang out with those who are wise, not those who are foolish.

They use a lot of Bible verses and different words, but that is the lesson I get from what they say.

The services last from 10 AM to about 12:20 PM.

Then I have the rest of my day to use up.

As I am typing this, it seems rather dreary, but not so bad.

I have a jigsaw puzzle to work on, I have books to read, I can watch the news at MSNBC and Belle of the Ranch and the Roads with Belle.

I can watch Al Jazeera English.

I can go outside in the twilight and trim the bushes all over the apartment complex.

Well, that is my weekly routine, M-F going to the center from 9AM to 3 PM, then using up my evenings and weekends.

I have regular appointments with both a psychiatrist and a counselor.

Last Tuesday was my counselor appointment, and this Tuesday (today) is my psychiatrist appointment.

Maybe next week I will write up a book report, since I have now started reading books!

Hugs!

By request:

Ha!

And hugs.

[END]
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