Sunday, March 8, 2009

CI batteries, recession, and deaf moments!

I ponder why have I dropped off the bloggingsphere. I wonder why. The only reason I can think of is the state of the world events. Anyone who knows me, knows two things about me: I am very emotional about anything and everything and I am a big history geek. I live for historical events: elections, news, historical facts. I spend my free time researching Presidents. I only have two more classes to get my B.S. degree in history. My lifetime goal beside being a chef is to work as a Presidential historian. Okay you get the point! The state of the world is very depressing. This recession, which by the way has been in place for at least the last 14 months, breaks my heart to watch my cherished daily news. Everyday it is another layoff, a bank failing, or stimulus. I find myself feeling the pain of others and doing what I can to also keep my family from any experience. So in the end I have to turn off the news, back away from the Internet, and pray for the leaders of the world. (Just a side fact that President Roosevelt did not solve the Great Depression in his first term in office. He was re-elected because people trusted him. The Great Depression was not completely ended until after the end of World War II, so 1929 stock market crash until 1945 the end of World War II. )

Now on to what has been happening with me.

Yesterday, Vanessa and I were at the Dollar General Market shopping, looking and just talking. The lady in front of me had the usual food items, the hot dogs, toilet paper, and can food. She also had $30.00 in her hand. I picked up her telling the cashier to stop when she got close to $30.00. The disadvantage to not being able to hear it all, I did not know if that is all the money she had or if she forgot her checkbook or money. I struggled to hear, but was not able to make it out. I was too embrassed to ask Vanessa. The only thing I will ever remember is my lack of doing anything. Since I worried if I heard it wrong, should I have asked if she needed money? Should I have volunteered to help her? One of the disadvantages of not hearing is I tend to not seek out. How do I deal differently next time?

The dancing Queen:

My wonderful daughter dances. Not just dances, but competition dances. This requires long hours at the studio. Since I live on the other side of town, if I don't go to the YMCA then I stay at dance and just wait. I have fallen on this Twilight wagon. I wanted to read the first novel quickly and of course dance is so noisy. The noise reminds me of a rock concert. Can't concentrate, can't read, no problem, just take off my magnets and enjoy the quiet. The dance teacher, Carmen, said she needs my CIs. Sorry my secret weapon against noisy times.

Batteries

I am getting ready to order my first set of Advanced Bionic batteries. I must say it has been fantastic not having to buy batteries weekly. It did remind me of growing up with hearing aids. My family was poor, real poor. My mom would not eat dinner so the children had food. I never knew what the "good" cookies or cereal tasted like until I was an adult. For some reason even if we did not have food, I always had batteries for my hearing aids. Mom said it was more important then her dinner. And you know what, that is something I will never forget! The country maybe in a recession, people losing jobs, families struggling, but let's not forget the important lesson in life, cherish your family the material items don't matter, they can't support you or hug you or even comfort you. So hug your family!

7 comments:

Tiffani Hill-Patterson said...

I remember my mom asking the cashier at the grocery store to subtotal our items to make sure we didn't go over what we had to spend. I used to get so embarrassed when we'd have to put stuff back, but now I get it.

If you'd asked the lady if she needed help, she'd probably have been embarrassed. So I think you did fine.

I'm glad you've found something to take your mind off the news. I've had Twilight on my shelf for months and still haven't read it.

Also glad you're back! :-)

VBnBama said...

Glad you're back too, gee you've held out on us. Lot going on in Val's mind I see. My mom at spaghetti sauce sandwiches for supper because she gave us all the spaghetti, she dipped what was left in bowl and put it on bread and was just as happy. But as a mom, now I do the same thing. I'd much rather my kids have the last apple even if I was reaching for it, or the last drop of milk, even if my heart has been set on a tall glass of chocolate milk....just mommies.

Valerie said...

Yup, the mommy club. We all do those little things to put our children first. I give up items, so Jenna can dance.

I started this 20 years ago. I take a calculator to the store and tally up my bill as I shop. I hate to be surprised at the checkout. So between coupons and calculator it takes a long time in the store. I did this yesterday and even got all my ingredient for pad thai(I'm the only one who eats it).

thanks guys it feels good to be back.

me said...

Hi, I've just found your blog, so can't really welcome you back. I can say hello though!

I'm British and recently moved to Canada so the idea of having to buy hearing aid batteries is new to me. Would your mother also have had to pay for the hearing aids too?? It's terrible to think that in this recession that some people may not be able to afford to be able to hear.

Laurie said...

Hi Valerie! Good to see you blogging again! I'm glad you are back!

My mom & dad didn't have much money either because my dad was in grad school working on his doctorate when we were growing up. My younger brother also wore hearing aids. Mom budgeted very carefully and fed a family of SIX on $25.00 a week! I don't know how she did it but we always had a full meal every night. If we wanted soda, she would buy a six pack. We had to pay her a quarter if we wanted a bottle and she would use that money to buy the next six pack!

And my brother and I always had batteries and working hearing aids. If mom was still here, I'd be asking her, "how did you do it?"

Paula Rosenthal said...

Valerie, don't let writer's block get you down! Just pick one small idea and start writing. We need more adults with cochlear implants sharing what the experience is like and you're a great writer! :)

Looking forward to more soon.

Allan said...
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