Sorry. But it's one more thing, then one more thing. Getting ready to go to a wedding, just over the road, less than 1/4 mile.

Someone offered to come pick me up, drop me off at the door. No walking, no parking, easy-peasy.

Well, thanks, except I can't climb into your truck.

No problem, I'll help you.

You don't understand: I don't have the strength to help, so you'll need a bucket loader.

No problem, we'll get a step-stool.

Great. Why don't we just call the Channel 3 News team, and they can have film at 11, like any other bad accident.

Well poohey, If it's just a quarter of a mile, drive your scooter, That way you won't have to look for a seat, when Ya get there.

Cheers..

Whine away! There's plenty of cheese here so you're in good company!

Sometimes people think we're just making excuses to avoid an activity or function. What we're doing (like we have to do with every situation) is thinking ahead to all possible scenarios and situations that we may or may not be able to adapt to. It's exhausting! And aggravating! Just once I'd like to hop in the car and go somewhere without having to consider whether I've visited the potty within the last 30 minutes, the temperature outside and the temp of where I'm headed to, will I need my cane or will I find a good parking spot, do I know where all the restrooms are, or, more importantly are there restrooms available, etc....etc.....etc.

I totally get what you're saying......

Ditto what Kitty said

Another ditto -- A friend called a little while ago and wanted me to go to the pool. When I declined she said, you never want to go to the pool anymore. By the time I "walk" from the parking lot to the pool, I am worn out. Getting in and especially out of the pool is getting more and more difficult. They just have these steps attached to handrails that can be taken out of the pool -- similar to a ladder. Plus I hate limping around the pool in my bathing suit and knowing that there may be students there. Now I am feeling guilty because I said no. I could use the exercise.

Why can't people just accept what we say and let it be?!? I definitely agree with what Kitty said.

I am sitting here in temps 10º cooler than yesterday and wondering why I can't muster the energy to attend a street fair in the next town. I am dying to get out, but it is still warm, and just picking a pair of footwear is stressing me out! The very thought of walking blocks and blocks of booths selling crafts wears me out . . . and my feet are screaming at the threat of ambulation for more than a few blocks! I am not to the stage of walking aids or scooters (yet, if ever) . . . but I do feel pain like that of a broken/sprained pair of appendages forced into manual labor!

But I want to go . . .

Wa-a-a-a-a-aah!

(You are not alone . . . )

A friend, who also has chronic health issues (of the invisible type) commented that she's become anti-social. I thought about that for a while, and came to the conclusion that I'm social in theory, but anti-social in practice.

I'm not even sure I want to do things anymore, but I do WANT to want to do things. It's just harder to find things I want to do badly enough to deal with the stress and hassle involved. Oh well.

why is it that when you say NO THANK YOU, folks feel its an invitation to be talked into something??! When I say NO its with good reason, even if I am only being polite to not hurt your feelings. Please, let me take care of me.

Hugs for you!

Probably because sometimes that's what it IS, Dej. I've done that myself, said "No thank you" but after an explanation, an offer, a clarification or whatever, I've changed my mind.

And I've been on the other side, especially pre-MS. If I invited you somewhere and you said, "Thanks, but it's too hot," I would feel rude if I DIDN'T try to "make it possible". I'd give it one shot, "I'll pick you up in my air-conditioned car, and pull right up to your steps".

Then, if you still said no, I would HOPEFULLY be discerning enough to tell if you were really saying no, or if you were sort of saying "I want to, but I'm complicated, and if I can figure it out I'll go."

The problem is, I think, that people are in general just not discerning enough to tell when people really mean no and when they're hoping for encouragement. I get it right about half the time.

It doesn't bother me as much when I can anticipate things and have a "plan"--so I'm ready to say I have a family commitment, or just that I'm not feeling well (when is THAT ever a lie?) It's when I'm blindsided, especially on a bad brain day, that I either make excuses that sound feeble even to me, or I get crabby because the guilty party should be able to read my mind. Sometimes it's lose-lose.

And sometimes I don't feel compelled to write a whole novel every time I post. But not often. And I use "too" "many" "quotation" "marks".