[tkrik]

As some of you know, I've had so much happen to me health wise as of late. In the beginning of April/end of March, I spent some time in the hospital. I came home but was unable to manage on my own and was admitted in to a rehab place and spent some time there. I was discharged with home health and since then I haven't really been able to do much and haven't felt well enough to do much. Over the past few days, my mind is finally starting to clear some and I feel better. Physically, I'm still struggling and still have to take it easy. I haven't been this laid up since I had surgery 18 months ago, and even then I was doing better physically.

The problem I'm having and where I need inspiration, especially for those with more limited mobility, is that I'm getting bored and restless. If I do too much, it sets me back A LOT! The fatigue is horrible right now. A simple shower with assistance (an aide comes twice a week to help me) is exhausting and I have to rest right after I shower. I can only watch so much TV and then it gets to be too much and/or boring. My tremors are still bad enough that I can't write or do artwork. I was reading books that I got for around $0.99 using the Barnes & Noble Nook app on my phone. I can read them both on my phone and computer. But, I'm finding that is getting boring too. It is way too hot out to even attempt going outside and I don't unless I have a doctor's appointment or something like that. With that said, what do you all do to keep from getting bored and keep yourself entertained? Any and all ideas are accepted.

[Starznight]

Well you hit on a top one for me, reading. I don't know if the nook lets you download from other sites, but I'd suggest the free books from Project Gutenberg.

Then there's always the puzzle books (the App Store has a free logic puzzle app), coloring, knitting and crochet, counted cross stitch, embroidery, even the latch hook kits that make 70's shag carpet pillow things. Tv and movies.

But writing can be fun too, you don't an English degree or even too much of an imagination, when I'm really bored and feeling less than inspired to come up with my own ideas, I like to write alternate endings to books I've read or movies I've seen, even rewriting lyrics in my head. Silly stuff really...

Poetry is also fun to write, be it simple rhymes

Ode to soda: fizzle, fizzle soda pop / bubbles bursting from your top

or even haiku... 5-7-5 the number of syllables per line.
Like: A fat cat sitting / sunning in the window sash / watches birds fly by.....

They can be fun, and a great outlet. Though I will say haikus are also probably the easiest ones to share with people for some added fun without the embarrassment of critique, worse someone will say on those is you counted your syllables wrong

[Kitty]

I feel for you. I experience the same frustration often.

Do you have access to a library? Sometimes they have books on tape and it's relaxing to just lie still and listen to the story. No eye fatigue or blurry vision to interrupt! Our library has a program for disabled or homebound folks where they mail you the materials you request and then you return them when you're done and they send more. It's a very nice little perk.

Things that require dexterity seem to frustrate me so when I get fatigued or otherwise am incapacitated anything that I don't have to expend much energy on is good. Listening to Pandora radio (especially the 70's station) takes me on a journey through my teenage years. It's funny how just a song can bring so many memories.

I spend alot of time on the computer but when my eyes are giving me problems or my hands are too numb to easily maneuver the keypad or mouse then I just take a break and go nap!

[poochie]

I finally found something i enjoy, puzzles, it takes time to work then, i have several, it keep me busy for a while, i walk away and go back later. Helps me stay somewhat busy.

[Starznight]

Eep... Missed the no writing, but also forgot to add that there's many voice to text softwares out there, but most smart phones and computers have it already installed. Novels might be a far reach, but a bit of lyrical word play or poetry shouldn't be too far reaching.

Solitaire is another one, especially with real cards (computer versions you seem win too much gets boring). Board games can also be fun, play your favorite color/piece against your least favorite, especially when you play the old games like chutes and ladders, or candy land... Not so much fun if playing battleship though . And testing yourself with trivial pursuit cards can be fun too. Heinz ketchup put out a version for smart phones that free.

And if you have any technical people around you, there's another thing like downloading emulated versions of old school games (donkey kong, dr. Mario, Tetris, Pong) to play on the computer.

[tkrik]

You guys gave some great ideas.

The tremor issue is the frustrating part. They can be severe at times and I just can't do anything with my hands. The OT set me up with some eating utensils and special plates so I can get the food on the fork or spoon easier. Getting it to my mouth can be comical but I do it. Things are starting to settle down and I can do more with my hands.

Reading is great as long as I'm not too fatigued. When I get fatigued, I have no clue what I am reading. The words just don't make sense. I just read a silly book called "Enchanted". The author took old fairy tales and put a spin on it. It was an easy read and just silly. I forgot that the library has something called Overdrive, I think. You can get books online and it's free to use. It works just as if you had the library book and only have 2 or 3 weeks to read the book. I'll have to check in to it and see if they have an app for it as well.

I like using the phone as I can change positions and move from couch to chair to bed without having to stop reading, playing a game, etc. Someday I hope to get a tablet type thing as the screen is a bit bigger.

Starz - I tried looking for the trivial pursuit app by Heinz and couldn't find it in my play store. What's the actual name of the app?

[Starznight]

Ack... It's not on the App Store, forgot about that, you have to go to heinztablegames.com to download the app.

[Frog42]

I think you have to have a Smartphone or Android to use the T.P. app.

[tkrik]

Originally Posted by Frog42

I think you have to have a Smartphone or Android to use the T.P. app.

It took me a while to figure out what you meant by "T.P." I thought, "Oh my goodness. There's even an app for toilet paper." Do you have to play against friends with that app? Like Trivia Crack? I hate to play apps that you have to play with friends. Most my friends work and don't have time to play games. I'll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

Starz - I'll check that out. Like I mentioned, do you have to play with friends?

[Starznight]

Nope, no friends needed... I'm with you I really dislike games like words with friends and the like. Mostly because you're rarely ever playing with 'friends' but rather random people who give up but don't concede the game.

But it did seem to have a good variety of questions, so it wasn't just repeating the same ones, should be good to kill a bit of time, but no competition to speak of so it does get boring after a while