I try to keep things a bit lighter for the weekends, but in the midst of the humor, there is some seriousness in this weekend's blog. Please log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and read the weekend blog.
If you would like to answer the question at the end of it, or post comments to it, I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Of course there is an adventurer inside! At present, I have to content myself with community college classes, my writing, and adventures of a lower-key nature. I have no idea, actually, how people might perceive me, and whether that differs greatly from what I would be without caregiving as an obligation.
Oh, Joan, there's a rebel in me just waiting to be released! Right now it's impossible to do almost anything spontaneously. Everything has to be planned, right down to the minute! One of these days, I WILL break loose!
Thanx again, Joan,although there is no rebel in me left. I got all of that out of my system as a young divorcee.But there is a ME inside there, who I was forgetting, and you reminded me of HER. I need to do something for myself. Back when my kids were in religious school, the principal always told them they had 3 assignments during the summer break. Read a good book, take a long walk, meet a new friend.Any other suggestions for self fulfillment today?Phyllis9
I want to ride in a hot air balloon and wish I could climb to the top of Machu Pichu. I had planned, once I retired, to visit a museum every week (I don't mind doing these things myself if I have to), go to a movie whenever I wanted, read a book a week like I used to. I would travel. I love to travel. But, as Vickie says, it's impossible to do anything spontaneously, so all of these things will be on hold. I'm a rebel right now, I guess; instead of vacuuming, I'm on the computer for the second time today. That's about as rebellious as I get nowadays.
I never was much of an adventurer. I probably always was "painstaking and fussy." I'd hate to take the quiz and find out how my friends see me now! It could be interesting though. Maybe the results could help me loosen up a bit.
Janet and anyone else who would like to give it a try, here it is:
Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.
Answers are for who you are NOW and not who you were in the past.
Have pen or pencil and paper ready.
This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today.
It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees.
It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.
Ready?
Begin.
1. When do you feel your best.
A) in the morning B) during the afternoon and early evening C ) late at night
2. You usually walk..
A) fairly fast, with long steps B) fairly fast, with little steps C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face D) less fast, head down E) very slowly
3. When talking to people you....
A) stand with your arms folded B) have your hands clasped C) have one or both your hands on your hips D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair
4. When relaxing, you sit with...
A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side B) your legs crossed C) your legs stretched out or straight D) one leg curled under you
5.. When something really amuses you, you react with...
A) big appreciated laugh B) a laugh, but not a loud one C) a quiet chuckle D) a sheepish smile
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you....
A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...
A) welcome the break B) feel extremely irritated C) vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colours do you like most......
A) Red or orange B) black C) yellow or light blue D) green E) dark blue or purple F) white G) brown or gray
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...
A) stretched out on your back B) stretched out face down on your stomach C) on your side, slightly curled D) with your head on one arm E) with your head under the covers
10. You often dream that you are...
A) falling B) fighting or struggling C) searching for something or somebody D) flying or floating E) you usually have dreamless sleep F) your dreams are always pleasant
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care'. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.
51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & ; practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think t his reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.
Thanks, Joan. I feel better. I got 43 points. I don't see myself that way. i totally freaked out today. Told my husband that I couldn't take him where he wanted to go this afternoon. Also decided that I couldn't bake the pies I promised to take to our church potluck tomorrow. Now we have to stop on the way to church to buy a dessert. I'm not too much in control of anything right now!
An honest and surprising 44. I thought I had become like my Mom...pragmatic to a fault. I don't know if this test has any real validity but it's good to think my friends don't see me as this disease sometimes makes me feel. Boring and old beyond my years. The results gave me a little lift this morning.I think I'll try to live up to my 44. Thanks Joan. xox cs
I scored a 50, but not sure of question 8...my favorite color...so I guess I am in the same group.... I tried real hard to hit over 60, but never came close......sigh...
I recieved a solid 41. Took it twice to see if there were a mistake. (like Phranque, I got hung up on favorite colors....I'm drawn to reds, oranges, yellows, but have NONE of that in my wardrobe or in decor). If I'd taken this test a few years ago, I would have scored 21-30.
I scored 44 ...Had to go look in the mirror to see who this fantasticly interesting, amusing, charming,, don't forget charming....Made my day... Thanks , Joan.... I will surely pinch myself daily to see if it's all still there.. Peggy
I do have to qualify my score by saying that I have an injured knee that I am babying. Therefore, on #2, I had to answer that I walk very slowly. On #4, I can neither bend my knee because it hurts, nor can I cross my short, fat legs, so I had no choice but to answer that I sit with my legs straight out (actually on an ottoman). If I my knee were better, and my legs longer and thinner, I would have scored a 33, which seems very much on target - certainly more realistic than the 28 that I did score.
being an eternal optimist, i am happy to report a solid 46. of course we do tend to put up a good face for friends and family although we are cracking on the inside. again we have to reinterate that i believe those friends who would feel this way about us are the ones who havent had to ' walk the walk' or stand in our shoes.
I got a 40, which is a big change, especially in the trusting friends department. I used to be very trusting and forgiving, making excuses for someone who hurt my feelings or didn't give back emotionally.Now I cut them off. I do not have patience any longer for people who only want what I have to offer, and don't listen to me or reciprocate in any way.Of course I am a one subject person these days, which makes being my friend difficult, but I was always there for my "friends"when they were not in a good place, so I do expect them to be there for me now.Phyllis9
I scored 44 but it would have been higher before AD. Interesting as I don't see myself in the description these days anyway, but maybe our basic personality hangs in there even when shrouded by the gloomy cloak of AD.
Joang....I got all hung up on "the test" and just got around to reading your blog about your rebellious self. JOAN....I would love to hear the story behind the motorcycle and the lake. I never got to be t hat rebellious young person. I was WATCHED all the time. My parents knew my every move, and I swear, I dont know how they did that to this very day! I think the only thing I got away with was having brandy in my flask (instead of tea or water) when I'd go foxhunting on Saturdays.....maybe they did know because it was a traditional thing. But they knew when I went to my first "R" rated movie...knew when some young men stayed too late at one of my girlfriends homes when I was t here.....They came over and ousted them!! Never was allowed to go to Spring Breaks with my friends, VERY protected. Maybe that's why I fled to marriage too early, huh? NOW, though, I want to sprint off and have those adventures, some rediculously off from my personality. Wreckless abandonment, YES! Just fold everything up here, buy a Harley with a little trailer thingy and travel with a tent and all my essentials....like soap, sleeping bag, pair of walking shoes and one change of clothes. HA. In all seriousness, however, that stuff won't happen. The most I hope for, as far as adventurous (and rebellious) living is to find someone with a passion for horses like my own.....to ride again....perhaps to compete again. My "roll model", if you can call her that was a woman I knew that was in her 80's. She and her husband ran a breeding operation (Trakaners (sp?) imported from Russia I beleive. She went Fox Hunting three times a week, had broken hips, arms, "train-wrecks" like mine. But she always healed up, was bright as a new penny and just kept on doing what she loved. I wanna be her. THAT is my wreckless, rebellious thinking, anyway. Remains to be proven.
Oh...and my teeth and skin are a big thing with me.....I'd have to bring my toothbrush and toothpaste, my whitener, and some lotion on my Harley adventure!
The test was interesting - scored a 53 which surprised me since I did have trouble with deciding on two of those questions. I'm still trying to keep a part of me being me if that makes any sense. Have always been the "mouthy, go for it" one in our marriage and guess it still is there. But it is not easy to keep my identity dealing with being a caregiver. Luckily my husband is very docile and I think maybe so used to me after almost 52 years of marriage. Whatever it is, I am thankful for him.
I scored a 44. But the center of attention part is wrong. I don't like being the center of attention. Janedow, you are right when you say it isn't easy keeping your identify now that you're a caregiver. I am trying though. Interesting test.
Mine is 46..would like for it to be true..hee hee..sounds nice but no center of attention for me please..not at all lively or charming but love the ones I love, friends,family et al.
I got a 36 although some I wish had another option. I pretty much agree with what it says I am - not gifted or talented but clever. I definitely have a hard time making friends and once trust is broken hard to re=establish.