Doing vs Being

 A couple of weeks ago I wrote about not having any more zero days, where each day I should do something to fulfill whatever goals I have.

But I've also been thinking about being. 

For most of my life I've always been a doer. I've felt, still feel, that I have be productive everyday, either working to make money or taking care of people, pets, places and things. I would write a "To Do" lists just to get a thrill of crossing things off! Once I wrote my "To Do" list after a very busy day, then sat and crossed out all the things I had done that day! Doing this makes me feel as though I'm earning my place in the day!

Recently, however, especially the last couple of weeks when my back was so painful that standing for more than a few minutes was impossible, I've been wondering is doing all the time really neccessary. Do I need to push myself to get up and hit the road running each and every day. Is it alright to slow down a bit? 

I've been watching a couple of Japanese ladies YouTube channels. They are about my age and are embracing a slower way of life. They take care of their homes, the people around them, one of the ladies has 8 cats to take of. But at the same time they take time to enjoy the nature around them, nice cafes, walks in the countryside, baking treats and home cooking without enforced schedules. I like how their videos show a purposeful life without constantly striving to achieve something, just being present in the moment and sharing the joy that comes from that! When I have chance I'll ask their permission to add a link to their channels on here.

I still think acomplishing something everyday is important, it's easy to let time just slip away and as I get older and relise that I have more days behind me than ahead I want to make the most of the time I have. 

When I was in so much pain with my back I had to change my priorites, I couldn't get out in the garden, sort out my closet or even keep the kitchen spotless. At first I felt guilty that I wasn't doing more, but then I felt that I am doing something. By resting I was allowing my body to heal. I also read a lot and tried to research about how teaching English has changed since I started and what new skills I would need in the future. 

I still feel doing something everyday is important. Even on my worst days I managed to wash a few dishes, sweep a floor, sort socks etc. But now I'm looking for balance. I'm going to allow myself time, everyday, just to be. This morning I sat on my bed and listened to the noises outside my window, the bird song, some animal rustling in the undergrowth. It felt peaceful until the thougts started, you should be doing something. I told myself, I am doing something, I'm finding peace in this moment!

If there are any mistakes in this, I'm sorry! I've been using Grammarly but it doesn't seem to be working!

A nice peacful photo to finish with.  Chrittopher took this, it's near the bus stop that he uses.

Lovely view

Typical

 Yesterday, for the first time in ages, I was able to get some chores done without feeling like I was going to pass out from the pain in my back. Today, as well, I spent a couple of hours cleaning and pottering around. I'm still getting some twinges, but nothing as extreme as before.

But, of course, it's not plain sailing with my health! My allergies have started, and I might have a slight cold! Typical!

Never mind, this too shall pass!

The weather has become rather chilly! I'm happy about that, finally, the season and the weather match!

The one problem with the weather cooling down is that the cats are fighting more! When it's hot, they don't fight so much, but as it cools down, they start again! I think I got up every hour last night because someone was fighting!

But they are still cute!

Steve and Mama

Steve has to go on a diet. He is very food-centred and rather chunky! The other evening, the cats were crying and getting restless as they hadn't been fed! David was in the dining/kitchen area. He went down the corridor towards his room, which is the same direction as where the cat food is stored. All of the cats raced after him, led by Steve. I went to see what the cats were doing. The other cats were lying around, but Steve was sitting staring at his food bowl, looking rather disappointed!

The other day I went to another 100 yen shop. In this area, there are two 100 yen shops, Daiso and Seria. I usually go to Daiso, but the supermarket I wanted to check out (where Christopher is working) has a large Seria!

Lots and lots of really nice things. I spent a good 30 minutes looking around, would have liked to spend longer, but I needed to get back to make lunch!

There was a corner that had all cat-themed items, socks, notebooks, and pencil cases. So many different things! I bought a couple of things for Hannah, but I think she should come and find some things she would like!

What I bought for Hannah

The little bag is for her obento box, the other item is a little tray!

I managed to take a couple of photos, really cute stuff!

A little coin purse and notebook

Different cat items!

Not only are the cat drawings cute, but I love the subtle colours!

I'm going to do my chair exercises now and then find something for dinner! 

Making Plans

 To help me stay focused on my diet and exercise, I make plans.

I find making goals of losing X amount by a certain date doesn't inspire me, but having a goal of doing something or going somewhere really helps.

Hannah and I have been making plans to visit a few different places in Japan and to watch another musical. One place, maybe next month, depending on Hannah's schedule, then going to see Phantom of the Opera on Christmas Day, then a couple of overnight trips next year!

Just writing that makes me excited, but I also realise I have a lot of work to do, not just to get a lot healthier so I can enjoy myself, but also all the money I will need!

The place we are planning to visit next month is just a train ride away. It's a lovely city called Hita. There is an area called Mameda, which is modelled after Kyoto, with lots of lovely old buildings that house museums and shops selling local crafts! I've watched a couple of videos, and it looks really stunning, but a lot of walking!

Next spring, we are planning on going to Aichi Prefecture to see an open-air museum called Meji-Mura. To get there takes about 3hours by shinkansen (bullet train) or plane. All of the transportation and hotel bookings I leave up to Hannah. I don't know if she enjoys doing that, but she is very good a finding the best deals!

I got the idea to visit Meji-Mura from a video I was watching. 

I'm so inspired by this lady. I'm not sure when I first came across her videos, but I love her can-do attitude. She moved from New Zealand to restart her life in her 50s. I remember thinking when I first came across her YouTube channel that she is embracing a new life in her 50s, moving from one country to another, with all the problems that come with that, she shows courage and determination to have a wonderful life.  Here's me just moving from one city to another, not wanting to embrace anything new because I'm in my early 60s, and think I should be settled! I need her determination and courage to face things!

Here's the link to the video of Meji-Mura.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C3-p8ZSGhk&t=294s

Please watch and subscribe, she is really incredible!

The other plan Hannah and I have is for September. There are several national holidays in September that are usually spread out over the month, but next year, there are 3 consecutive days, 4 if you count the Sunday of holidays. This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it's a great chance to get away. We are thinking of going to Osaka, maybe see a musical, visit nearby Wakayama because there is a train station that has a cat as its train station master!

There is this cute train, called the Tama Train, named after the original cat, that you can ride. I need to check where this goes, but I think some lovely stations have nice cafes nearby to enjoy lunch.
We are still deciding what to do on the other days, lots of choices, but I don't want to go to the overly touristy places.

So lots of plans, which means lots of work! 

But I think it's good for me. Whenever I get tempted to eat something that I shouldn't or skip my exercise, I remember what I want to do!

The first goal is to be able to walk for 15 minutes without being in too much pain! So I have some chair exercise videos saved, and as the weather cools down, I'll start taking little walks around the neighbourhood!

Doctors

 I made it to the doctors today!

I was expecting to wait for ages as it's a very busy clinic, but after just 10 minutes wait, I was called in to get X-rays, another few minutes, and I was called to see the doctor!

The X-ray shows there is no space between my lower vertebrae. That means the nerve is being compressed, which is why it's so painful. The doctor suggested physiotherapy, which I did. That really helped a lot, even though the session was short, about 20 minutes, it was very thorough. After the session, I was pain-free for about half an hour! The therapist showed me some exercises to do at home, and said I should strengthen my core muscles to support my back!

I have some painkillers for a week, I hope they work!

I'm glad I know what is wrong and have a plan to fix it! I need to exercise more, really focus on building some muscle. At the moment, I exercise about 3 times a week, at least that's the goal, but I know that some weeks, if I get in one session, that's good!  I know it's important, but I find exercising to be so boring! That's not a good excuse to not do it, though!

I really need to get healthy. I have so many things that I have to do and even more that I want to do!

One thing I really want to do is travel! Next month, Hannah and I are planning on going to a city near here that has some lovely historic areas, and there's also an old school that has been converted into a museum. The problem is that there will be a lot of walking. Hannah said that from the station to the one place she wants to visit is just a 15-minute walk, according to Google Maps. I want to know who timed these walks because they aren't fifteen minutes for me!!! So, my short-term goal is to be able to walk for 15 minutes without being in too much pain! If I focus on these goals, then I think I can deal with boring exercise!

Another thing I'm dealing with is a new schedule. I get up early, about 5am! It's hard at the moment, but I know in another month or so it will be a lot easier!

The other morning, while I was making breakfast and obento lunch for Christopher, David was outside cutting some of the weeds. He was wearing this big, straw hat. As he passed by the window, Fluffy saw him and started to hiss at him. She didn't like the hat!

I managed to get a little video!

Fluffy protecting us!

Frustrated!

 There's so much to do, but I'm unable to do a lot of it!

My back is so painful! Even standing for 5 minutes is hard; I used to be able to stand and move around for about an hour before feeling any tinges!

I've had back problems since I was in my 20s. At all weights, from when I was 48kgs to my heaviest, over 100kgs, the late stages of my pregnancies were bad as well. Before, however, it would relieve itself after a month or so. I could then go a few years with no problems, then have another flare-up.

This time it has been too long! Since about June. At first, I thought it was my weight. But I've lost some weight, but the pain is worse!

Today I made obento and breakfast, washed dishes, tidied the kitchen a bit, stood for about an hour, and I wanted to scream, the pain was that intense! I took some painkillers and laid down, even sitting is getting to be painful! When I felt a bit better, I vacuumed one room and moved a few books, and after that, I was finished!

David cooked lunch. He made Taco Rice, a fusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisines! 

Nice lunch

He usually serves this on lettuce with some cheese, but we didn't have either. He used shredded cabbage instead of lettuce!

Tomorrow I'm going to the doctor! I need to see an orthopaedic doctor. I like the one in the other city, but wanted to find one near here!

I did a search on Google Maps. The results were interesting!

I searched in English, Google translated this and then gave a choice of a few clinics. The problem is that most of the clinics are chiropractors, which are good, but I want to find out what is wrong with my back. On Google Maps, the word chiropractor is translated as "Bonesetting House"! 

So tomorrow back to the other city, again! I hope I can get some answers and a way to manage this pain. I'm doing some exercises and stretches, I try to walk a bit, even just round the garden. But I really want to get things set up so we can get students. Our new flyers arrived, so maybe next week, David will start to put those out. Also, I want to go with Hannah to a nearby city to see the autumn leaves and visit a museum, a lot of walking, so I need to feel better!

Sports Day

 Today is another national holiday in Japan. Sports Day. This holiday is every year on the second Monday in October! 

This holiday was established in 1966 to commemorate the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

This is the season of Undokai, Sports Day in elementary schools and Taiikusai, Sports Festival in junior high and high school. These are usually held on a Sunday near the national holiday! It's an all-day event and most parents, even grandparents, attend!

I found a few photos of David and Hannah's sports day. I have some of Mikey and Christopher, but they aren't on the computer!

I understand having sports day, but this is so intense. For two weeks, there is practice almost every day! 

My kids never really enjoyed it; the best part for them was the lunch that I had to make!

I'm glad that I don't have to deal with it any more! 

I know that in the UK, having a sports day in October might feel strange, but the weather is still like summer.

My New Cleaner

 This post contains an Amazon Affiliate Link.

One problem with having nine cats is the constant need to clean up "accidents". Most of the time, one of us can get to the cat pee quickly and clean it up right away. But sometimes, for example, overnight or if we've been out, these accidents are left for a few hours! If it's on the wooden floor, mopping up is easy to do, a few paper towels, hot water and a mop, followed by some kind of spray!

The problem is when it's on the carpet, tatami mats or sofa, as it soaks into the material. We have tried everything to get the smell out, but it's almost impossible.

I've spent ages looking at different ideas to clean up the smell and stains, to prevent the cats from using that area as a toilet, but nothing has worked.

Before anybody says that we should have more litter boxes or keeping them clean. We have plenty of litter boxes; there are 10 boxes. They are scooped twice a day and refreshed once or twice a week!

One thing that was suggested was a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

Again, I spent ages on the internet checking different models. I finally decided on this one from Amazon.

https://amzn.to/48YHge

Wet/Dry Vacuumer Cleaner

David ordered it for me, it came last night!

We set up this morning and had a go!

We only did one cushion on the sofa.

Basically, spray water on the cushion and then vacuum it off. I'll have to check later to see if the smell has gone. I hope so, as I was planning on using the sofa once the weather cools down!

One thing that I was surprised at was the noise. Our usual vacuum cleaner isn't that noisy! Cleared the cats out of the room!

I really hope this deals with this problem, as having the house smell bad drives me crazy!

I'll have to give everywhere a very good clean.

Next week we will get our leaflets for our school here! This time, David wants to start teaching, and he is willing to put in the work. Here's hoping that we can get some students!