Keeping the mind young

Dr. Oz and Miguel Ruiz both believe that a sure fired way to keep our minds young and to prevent Alzheimer's is to challenge our minds to learn new learns and to force our brain to shift the way it is used to doing routine things. So yesterday I switched my watch from my left arm to my right... lol. I can't tell you how many times today I looked at my left arm to see what time it was and then thought, geeze what did I do with my watch? Then I would remember that I put it on my right arm, have a good chuckle, and then struggle to lift the sleeve on my right arm with my left hand to see the face of my watch. I sure hope this does lead to a re-energized brain as I am was sort of feeling like I was losing my mind a few times today when I keep looking at my left arm to find the time.


The so intelligent men, Oz and Ruiz, also say that forcing your brain to learn new things helps to generate new brain cells and keep us young. So today I had the opportunity to really test this theory. I had to learn all about the multi functions of google chrome, google drive and google mail. After three hours on the phone with my tutor, I think I have finally cracked the code. It sure was a test for this middle aged menopausal brain. The real test will come tomorrow when I attempt to apply all that I learned today. Here's hoping! The good news is that I can knock off another Fab 50 Adv # 12 - learn 50 new things. So that's two on that list. I learned how to set up and populate a blog, and am now a google master (well here's hoping :-)).

So time to write a little poem for this week: (Fab 50 Ad# 9)

Middle aged Modern Social Media Momma

She's a women with a mission,
wanting to establish her social media position.
She's created a blog,
working her way through the technical smog.
Through fear, confusion and frustration,
She will get her posts to the nation.

She's floundered her way through Facebook
posting comments, links, likes and photos she took.
She's a master at searching and poaching
other's beautiful and meaningful postings.

She has boogled her way through google,
mail, calendar, drive, and links,
hoping to keep above water
treading with care to avoid a nasty sink.

A profile on Linked In is created.
Is there value, it's to be debated.
The inbox now overflowing,
with emails from those I am unknowing.

Yet to come is the world of Twitter
Can she conquer it or will she be a quitter.
Then there is Pinterest, jumping ahead of the rest.
And Lord knows what will be next.

Onwards and upwards she climbs,
Knowing that its only a matter of time,
Before she's completely out of her mind!
But the whole world will be aware
and will have watched as she worked her way there!

Found a new place in Victoria Park that I had never  been before today, while Sid and I carried our sorry little behinds up several flights of stairs. After yesterdays walk we were stiff and sore, and then crazily thought it would be a good idea to do the walk again, only this time backwards, meaning that we had to walk up several hundreds steps, instead of down several hundred sets of steps. When we reached the top there was a trail we had taken before, so seeing this a way to achieve yet another Fab 50 Ad # 5 (50 places I had never been before) off we ventured. Discovered yet another beautiful part of the amazing Park.

As I made my list today of supplies I need for the annual Gingerbread Cookie party with my nieces and nephews this weekend, I found myself thinking back over the past 10 years or so of doing this fun event with them and my daughters. I was looking back through photos the other night trying to find good ones for my memory album, and I cam across the photos of the very first time we did this with our little nephew Brennan and nice Katie. I think they were just 2 and maybe six months. We took an amazing photo with the four kids on the couch with flour on their noses. Since that time we have had at least ten gingerbread cookie parties since that time growing in numbers to about 20 people and a gazillion amazing memories. Now my grown girls can't wait until it is time to start planning again. The event now includes a sleepover and a Christmas craft session, a potluck supper, and then off to the Santa Claus Parade.  One of my favorite parts of this annual memory time is listening to my oldest daughter Abby do 'made up story time' with all the little ones sitting attentively, and laughing hysterically as she places their kooky characters, places, names, etc into the story. This one will definitely be an entry in the memories scrapbook. (Fab 50 Ad #22).

Well time to sign off for tonight with a tidbit about where I came into contact with the virtue of mindfulness today. There were several posts on Facebook today about being mindful of those who are in times of trouble and worry, and taking the time to hold them in our prayers, thoughts, and intentions. These are very powerful mindful reminders of the good in our own lives, and how quickly it can all change. Watching Ellen today I realized what an incredibly mindful women she is; seeking out those who do good in the world and taking the time to thank them, and reward them. God I love that show and that woman. Also as we walked through beautiful Victoria Park, I was very mindful of how fortunate I am to live in a town where such a amazing treasure is available to me right in my back yard.

Enjoyed adding another recipe to Fav 50 Ad # 8, chicken with mushrooms in white wine sauce! (Recipe from Sobeys!). Very  yummy and not nearly as challenging as the won ton soup!

So with that I will say I love you all, whoever you are (already over 900 visits to my blog, even though I don't know who) in the next language on my Fab 50 Ad # 27 - Japanese: One of the most popular phrases in any language is probably, "I love you". In Japanese, "love" is, "ai （愛）", and the verb form "to love" is, "aisuru（愛する）". "I love you" can be literally translated as, "aishite imasu （愛しています）". "Aishiteru （愛してる）", "aishiteru yo （愛してるよ）" or "aishiteru wa (愛してるわ,female speech)" is normally used in conversation. However, the Japanese don't say "I love you" as often as people in the west do, mainly because of cultural differences. I am not surprised if someone from Japan says that they have never used this expression in their life.

To date I have ticked off at least one item for 26 different Fab 50 Adventure items. Just saying... boy is this fun! 

So until we meet again...