Had a Great Day
 

I'm into old cars, and I own a 1969 Camaro convertible. (Thus, the Ragtop name) It's been a cold spring here, but yesterday we finally got a warm sunny day that allowed me to put the top down and go for a cruise.

I hit the country roads, and just soaked in the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of a beautiful late spring day. the fresh air. The wind in my hair. The sun on my face. The trees and flowers in bloom. And, of course, the sound of a good 'ol V-8 thundering down the road.

Unfortunately, when I got back into town, I started to feel the burn in my feet again, which reminded me that I still have this nasty disease. But that still couldn't take the smile off my face - it lasted all day.

I'm fortunate to still be able to do many of the things I love, just not as often or for as long as I used to. But if there is one positive thing about having this illness - it has helped me to take in and appreciate some of the simple things that I used to take for granted.

Thanks for your post! Lots of smiles here. :D

The good days count . . .
 

Thanks Ragtop for telling us of your great day - sounds like it was awesome!

I hope this thread continues - and that others share their good times. In the midst of all the hard days it's inspiring to read what others do when the 'stars align' and give us a great day treat.

I had a good day a few weeks back and remember thinking I was feeling the best I had in a while, the weather was good and I was getting things done and that it would be nice if there was a 'good day' thread to share.

Ragtop - hope you have many more great days to come and the Camaro gets out of the garage lots over the summer.

I'll jump in here and continue if I may. Friday, my daughter dropped her dog off to stay and, despite my ribs and the Hypersensitivity, he is still the only thing - living or inanimate - I can bear touching me. He laid behind my legs all night.

Saturday, I got to spend 4 happy hours with my Granddaughter, 17 months old and in a great mood despite the teething.

Problems now they have gone, obviously, but those who know me realise my pleasure is fleeting - and extra special for that.

Dave.

In the past ten days, waiting for my toe to fully heal, and waiting nervously on a dermatologist appointment to survey something my podiatrist said looked "suspicious" I spent a lot of time thinking how I would want to spend my time if it was melanoma. I went and made a reservation for a yurt at a local state park on the spur of the moment. Sat on the deck all day with a great view of the lake, my husband and youngest son brought the dog over and joined me for a hike, dinner and a campfire. Husband ran son and dog home ( dogs not welcome in yurts, son welcome but working on Eagle Scout he gets enough camping without going with us.). Listened to the rain all night long, cleared off in morning, we made and ate a pound of bacon just the two of us, more deck sitting drinking tea, watching the mist clear over the lake, brought dog back for another walk. Perfect 24 hours.
Dermatologist dismissed spot as nothing to worry about, toe finally showing real improvement, but even if I am not going to die soon I want more days like that! Just being outside instead of at home fretting about the dust bunnies about to take over the house because of my ineffectiveness, or worrying about everyone else's emotional state. It really takes something like a cancer scare to figure out what makes us happy and what drags us down, and to feel entitled to pursue the former and avoid the latter.
Another great topic!

I am glad for every nice day, also. We had a quiet two days, working on the yard and me putting up planters with petunias in them.;) My seedlings are growing quickly now.

Weezie follows us around while we worked. She likes to have us outside with her. My goldfinches are singing away and I saw a siskin (a northern wild finch) even at my fluff dispenser.

It is nice to see this thread here today. ;)

Did one of my favorite things this afternoon. Met my son, daughter-in-law and grandson for and early dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. My husband and I can vouch CPK serves delicious Apple Martini's.

After we were all through with our meals, I decided to order a slice of their Red Velvet cake with tiers of Cream Cheese frosting and 5 forks. We needed to clear the taste of regular food with a little sweets. Yummy!!!!!


Gerry

Thanks to everyone for sharing. It's great to read about all the different ways you can have a "great day". Hopefully the great days will continue to be many, and the down days few........ :)

Every night I give thanks for each day I have. I treasure every good day and have learned to understand how the bad days help me to appreciate those good ones even more. After all, we would never know and understand what a 'good' day is, unless we had a bad day to compare them to.

It doesn't really matter what I do...I can have a good day even if I'm cleaning house or other work. It's all in how I feel and appreciating what I have around me (friends, family, my lovely home, and of course my animals).

I had a wonderful day yesterday playing cards with friends, and then last night I drove into Baltimore to meet relatives I've never met.

Last year in my family history work, I discovered I had a 3rd cousin in Baltimore. He's related to me on the German side of my family, and those relatives are few and far between. Most are in Canada, Germany or Hungary I emailed him and he emailed back right away thrilled to hear from me. It was the first time either of us had made contact with cousins from this family line.

We met the next week at local winery, and have seen each other five times since. It's like we've known each other all our lives. Unfortunately he and his wife are moving back to Ohio next month, but this weekend all his grown kids came in with all their kids, and I got to meet the whole family. In one day, I met seven new relatives. :D

Thanks Ragtop for starting this thread and thanks to all those that posted to it.

Nice to read about some "happy" stuff on NT.

Great thread. I am a truly lucky individual, so even my really bad days health-wise, can still be some of my best days, because I have people in my life and things that I love that make it so.

For instance, a few months back, I had a horror of a day with head to toe pin pricks and pain, even in my throat, mouth, and eyes. It was a bad flare, and I was fearing it was my "new normal". I broke down on my couch, telling my husband that it wasn't fair and I don't think I can do this for the rest of my life. He just held me, looked me in the eye, and said no matter what, everything is going to be fine, and we always find a way to feel good again.

Afterwards, he ordered pizza (I typically am very careful with my diet-but I love food-and sometimes, you just need a pizza haha), put on a Stephen Hawking documentary, and (very gently!!) held me on his lap with a (very soft! haha) blanket around us. By the end of the documentary, you would have had to shoot the smile off of my face. I love science, and learning about space and the universe-something about it really puts things into perspective for me. It helps me to separate from myself a bit. That memory is so bright and so full of love, it makes me smile every time I think of it, even though I felt terrible physically.

My flare started diminishing over the next couple of days :)

In general, I keep myself very busy, as it helps me to stay out of my head. I love reading, I'm an artist, I do a few crafting type things, I love cooking, and now neuropathy has spawned a new interest, and I've started making (and even selling) my own body lotions, bars, etc. Keeping my brain full and heavy is always a big thing for me. We're buying a house right now-so I'm looking forward to even more crafting and hobbies-redoing floors, painting, etc.

Thanks for your story ellsac - its great to hear that you can still do so many of the things you love. Staying busy does seem to be a good way to remove yourself from some of the pain.

Well...some of it is sheer stubborn will that I will often pay for haha-but to me at this point, it is worth it. I want to enjoy as much as I can while I can.

Time to Bump up this wonderful Thread!

Anyone with any stories?

Dave.

[QUOTE=pinkynose;1169212]I escaped the heat today by going to the movies with my oldest and dearest friend. We saw the new Meryl Streep movie, Ricki and the Flash. It was tremendously uplifting and I cried happy tears at the end.
Sorry no stories. I hope you'll accept a wonderful day.

Let's keep this going
 

Ok I am newly diagnosed and I most definitely need this post. Sorry to be selfish but I need to know there are good days weeks months years etc.

Last night my little guy asked me to go for a walk around the neighborhood. Despite my miserable feeling feet, I said yes. I'm so glad I did.
Our cat (who acts like a dog) came as she always does and it was so cute to see them exploring the wildlife together. Everywhere my son went, the cat galloped along. We saw about 15 frogs and a huge snake. Although it couldn't be a long walk, it turned out to be quite eventful for the kids, and the cat. :)

I just had a great moment in a really crappy series of days and I believe that is as noteworthy, if not more so than a whole great day.

Mine involved my family, as it is likely to 99.9 percent of the time. Bed time after "new math" 4th grade edition review. My daughter likes to high five me, with some umph. It is also a measure of how she can jump.

Her pre K bound brother was about, saw the activity and wanted in. He kept stepping in front of her, cutting off her leap up in the air. She is tall, but not quite 10. I am 6'2" and my arm was fully extended.

The boy was like an air rifle range target, to Mom, drawn back to the whack of Dad's hand against his sister's.

She has patience that must come from her Mom, as she waited for him to clear out before her final run. My hands as numb as they are felt the sting after hit 3.

It was just some simple, chaotic family bed time. It was perfectly wonderful, though. Just as the five minutes down by the water before work in a gentle breeze before the chaos of the day can be.

I hope we get this thread to 25 pages of full days of glorious remission of symptoms. But sometimes it might just be a perfect breath or a nice pull off coldest, most satisfying bottle of water ever.

My hand is still a bit red.

Jon

I really don't measure my days. I am so limited now and getting older by the minute, I just try to do something or learn something new, that pleases me. We are blessed that we have lots of nature all around our home here, in a woodsy oasis in the congested city...that I can have flowers, and my birds etc.

What I would like to measure though is my nights! When I have a good night, and good restorative sleep, that is one for the books.
Hubby and I compare each morning how our night has been!
This is what old people do, I guess.:rolleyes:

Another great day to add to this thread ...
 

:) Saturday was a perfect day . . .

Warning: Sentimental Rambling ahead!

After a difficult week of fighting infections, progressing pain, stroppy insurance agents and a 4am meltdown, by the time I got up Friday morning I'd lost all enthusiasm for the trip I'd been looking forward to for weeks. It was raining with a freezing wind blasting out of the south. Brrrr . . . Officially it may be spring here but winter was having a last laugh.

I knew my destination well from previous trips years ago prior to illness, but the trepidation was that I'd no longer be able to physically access locations that held so many great memories. In my heart I knew this special place would replenish my depleted spirits – even if I arrived in the foulest of moods! Decision time – do I stay or do I go? The heart won – the road trip was on.

As I headed north the rain eased but the wind continued – one small town I stopped in, the storekeepers had their doors closed with signs “we're open – come in - but close the door – it's freezing”. Just 15 minutes before my destination the sun peeked out – an auspicious sign maybe?
Turning off the main road onto the familiar narrow, winding bush road I finally felt I was leaving behind the hassles of everyday life. Ancient gnarled trees overhanging the road, glimpses of tidal shallows through the ferns, rustic beach houses poking out of the bush and my accommodation waiting near the end of the road. Tired from the drive, with aching joints and a massive headache I headed off to bed early . . .

Attachment 9130 (Click to enlarge)

This was the view I woke to on Saturday morning – who wouldn't want to get out of bed?
The beach in the distance was my goal for the trip – if I could just make it out there I'd go home happy. The only access - a 20 minute (slow) walk through a forest track, over a low sand dune and I was there. Yeehah! For two hours I fossicked for shells, paddled in icy waves (good for the PN), watched oystercatchers pulling shellfish from the sand, threw sticks for dogs, fed dried cranberries to seagulls and sat in the sun mesmerized by the breakers curling one after the other crashing onto the shore. Absolute soul enhancing bliss. :p

I wanted to share my perfect day with you as it happened but that's another great thing about this place - no tv, no cell phone reception and no wifi – just nature in glorious abundance! The rest of my 3 day trip was just as rejuvenating – perfect location – great weather and congenial company.
It made me realize I've spent too much time & energy managing the physical effects of my conditions, as well as fighting the medical system for adequate treatment and other BS. Doing things to maintain my mental well-being, such as this trip, have been side-lined too often. I hope, as my health allows, to undertake more adventures to keep my brain happy.

I've put a few more views of the beach in my profile album for those who want to see more.

Bluesfan,

Sounds, and looks, like a wonderful, well-deserved trip.

Dave.

Wow, this shot is amazing! Where is this bluesfan? Do you mind saying?

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/al...pictureid=8203

Yeah it has been gloomy, cold and rainy here for over 48 hours so those pictures made me smile. Thanks for sharing them.

A happy dance!
 

Dancing is one of my favorite things in the world. For the past 25 years I had been taking a class with a group of women. Over the years we have become a type of community of support and love. It has been very hard for me to give it up. The doctors think my symptoms come from my spine and I was afraid that dance would possible make my situation worse.

My doctor urged me to try it being careful so about 4 months ago I went. I promised myself I wouldn't jump or do anything stupid. However, as soon as I started the warm-up my legs began to burn badly and felt heavy. I know it wasn't going to work.

Last month I put the same sneakers on with socks to take a walk and immediately the exact same sensations began. I then remembered reading about some of you not being able to wear socks and certain shoes. So I did an experiment and tried all my sneakers without socks. I found one pair that did not trigger anything and to make a long story short, yesterday I put on those sneakers, went to my class, stood toward the back making sure I didn't jump or do anything too crazy. I was elated. It was wonderful to move, feel the music and be surrounded by the love and energy of people I've basically grown up with. I am a happy, grateful girl today.

Gettin' your Groove On, Pinkynose:D

Dave.

Hi janieg

I'd love to share publicly where this idyllic spot is but unfortunately preservation of it's natural beauty is not yet guaranteed. Locals and others who appreciate its uniqueness are still working to protect it permanently. If it got too much publicity and became inundated with tourists then the pressure for development would ruin it. In this region there are several other similar coastal locations that have become over-developed, and the original natural features such as bush walks, serenity, native bird-life etc have disappeared.

At the moment any member of the public can access much of the area without difficulty. With development that would become restricted.

The other thing is that half the enjoyment of this place is in discovering it for yourself. But if you're thinking of coming down here, drop me a PM and I'd be happy to give you a clue to find it yourself.

Just thought I'd dig up this old thread, and add a new story. Two weeks ago, my wife and I spent several days in the Traverse City, MI area. Of course my wife likes walking and shopping the downtown areas - and I did as much of that as my feet would allow. But we spent a lot of time driving, sight seeing, dining, and wine tasting at the huge number of wineries in the area.

But the best part for me was Sleeping Bear Dunes (A National Park area made up of large sand dunes on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.) They have a "dune climb" area, and I decided to make the climb. It was a warm day and it's a bigger challenge than it appears from the bottom. Halfway up I wasn't sure I could make it. But I took my time and eventually made it to the top, where the reward was a park bench at the top of the dune, with a great view and a cool breeze coming in off the lake. Fortunately, going back down was much easier for me.

I did pay for it a bit the next day, but I think it's good for everyone to push their limits once in a while - no matter what your personal limits are. Keep posting your stories - I love to hear them :)

That's quite a climb Ragtop - well done - sometimes we go into these 'adventures' knowing there will be a price to pay after but we do it anyway - just for the chance to feel 'normal' again for short while.

Hope your 'Good Day' feelings helped you get through the surgery (read your other post) and you're recovering well. All the best - bluesfan

What a climb, what a view, Ragtop!

Great achievement.

Dave.

I had a great spontaneous night!
 

I am a control freak :eek: and for the past few months I have constructed a very rigid schedule to try and get my symptoms under control. I have avoided doing anything that changes my schedule and might make my symptoms worse. I eat a similar meals at the same time, I use my 10's machine the same time, I meditate the same time, I get in bed the same time, etc. To a degree this has helped and I do know as far as sleep there is much written about maintaining a regular routine. Unfortunately this has caused me to say no to opportunities, especially nighttime ones, even if I am feeling well.

Yesterday my friend called to offer me a free ticket to see "Swan Lake" with her. I surprised myself and said YES! It was beautiful and we had a marvelous time. I did not have any symptoms at the performance and even though I didn't get home until late I fell asleep quickly, only got up 1 time to apply some lotion and slept the rest of the night symptom free.

I'm thinking my mind plays a bigger part in all of this then I have realized:winky:

That's great news Pinkynose...I'm happy for you and it's great to read some positive news!

All the best,

Cliffman

pinkynose,
Glad to you hear you had such a fine time. For me its pretty important to make room for unexpected pleasures. Its rather like the icing on a cake. The good distractions add a lot to our life.

Pinkynose,

Great to hear you enjoyed the Ballet, although I would have been asleep well before it ended:D

It does you good to change things up if you can possibly bear it.

Dave.

I played with my kids all weekend. I also managed to cook myself a meal and do some cleaning. It would seem pedestrian to many, but to me it can be too much most days. So far, so good.

Some Infinity with my daughter, The Walking Dead with my wife and hopefully some sleep. Pretty good, pretty, pretty good. *Larry David Tone*

Sounds like you had a great time. The more you can distract your mind by doing pleasurable things, the better you will feel. And the fact that it was spontaneous is even better - then you don't have time to worry about how bad it might be - you just go out and do it. :D

It doesn't sound pedestrian to me. Enjoy your time with those kids to the fullest!!! They grow up fast, so take every opportunity you can get.

My kids are in college, and I had a chance to visit them for the first time in two months this past weekend - that was a great day for me.

Great days for Jon and Ragtop with the kids! It really does not matter how old they are, just to spend quality time makes a Day.

On All Hallows Eve, my daughter, s-i-l, granddaughter and granddog are coming to see me. Spending time, then leaving the dog with me overnight for my canine 'love fix'.

That will be a good day, no matter how I feel.

Dave.

All set for All Hallows' Eve!
 

EnglishDave,
What a Treat! And your overnight guest sounds perfect.;)
carol