WOMEN AGES 50 + FOR NOVEMBER 2018
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lcharpentier2 wrote: »Good morning all Cold here today but it's winter. I choose to live here in the great white northern Ontario.
The foot is feeling better getting more steps in. Walking needlessly again getting in around 1000 steps not much but better than the two hundred I was getting just to go to bathroom and back to either here or my living room chair or bed. It's getting better.
Thanks Barbie and Michele for stopping by page.
Mary where are you in Ontario.
I'm in a little town called Cochrane way up north.
See you all lighter
Linda in the great white Northern Ontario.
Hi Linda....nice to hear from another Ontarian...I live in Stoney Creek...it's attached to Hamilton. yes we had our first taste of winter last Thursday but I don't mind I love winter. We were once in Cochrane on a camping trip in the 80's...love the north so much space and gives you an idea how huge Canada is and that's just our province! Glad your on the mend as I am finally getting over the flu myself and am looking forward to exercising in our pool at the Rec. centre. Take care Mary from Ontario
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Michelle You are a strong woman with a giant heart
I don't have the same circumstances that you have but I do know that we raise our kids to be launched into this world, they make their own mistakes and have their own victories apart from us. No matter how brief your time together is, spend it in the moment, not measuring it against anyone elses time. I say this sincerely, not as a judgment cause I really can feel how painful this is to you. When I'm deep in a cycle of anxiety I will talk myself out of it, fake it till you make it, is often my mantra. If you feel some tears coming on, pretend you are having the time of your life and look for what is going on that is funny or delightful or happy--focus on finding that happy while they are right in front of you. You will enjoy yourself more and they will too! I think your DH is right, don't go borrowing trouble before there is any (about the timing of the construction) What NYKaren said, from me too. {{{HUGS}}}}
I'm walking into this interview on Tuesday believing it's the right thing for me to do. My expectation is that I will be my relaxed, professional and quietly charming self. I know I will be able to show to them that I'm coming off a very successful year for my previous council, and would be pleased to use my abilities for the benefit of girls in my new home state. That is both my perception and backed up with hard data. You are going to rock this, Lisa!
Allie, it does my heart good "hearing" you talk about your parents house and the good memories, and about the things you are doing (and have done!) to get yourself past the HUGE upheaval that your life has taken in the last year or so. You got this! Was also happy to hear that your employer thinks you do a great job, I'm sure that's a huge weight off your shoulders!
Have to post in stages today, one page at a time! lol Had a good night last night, actually got my teeth brushed not too long after dinner, well before the post dinner munchies hit and was rewarded on the scale this morning. I know a lot of it was water weight, probably because I didn't have my salted nut fix late last night, but I can live with that! At least the scale is going the right way for a change, despite dinner being somewhat salty. I did drink a lot of water in the evening and was rewarded by more sleepy trips to the bathroom than normal, but oh well. I even got to bed at a more reasonable hour than I have been, hopefully this is the start of some new habits!
Hugs to those needing them, congrats to those celebrating and welcome to the newbies!
Evelyn, Vancouver Island where it's nice and sunny, but chilly!3 -
Lisa - I am SO excited for you! Crossing my fingers the interview goes well if you want it to, lol. You will be vicariously living the dream I had working from home, doing something I really enjoyed and was good at. I kind of satisfied it by working part-time. Very happy the opportunity might present itself for you real soon!
Barbara AHMOD - weatherman is saying 1" of rain here on Thanksgiving.... not sure if it will hit the whole west coast and the fickle weatherman might change his mind.
Heather - what joy to be able to walk to shops and buy fresh seafood and goodies. You'll have your place all fixed up in no time - Home Sweet Home!
Allie - loved the story of the guys jamming in your basement and now getting to see them performing years later. You'd make a great hospice worker.
Michele - lots of good observations about the situation with your kids. I was the one who moved far from home and wasn't real communicative for years and years, while my brother and sister lived close (sis next door, brother hour away) and continued to deal with my dad's abusive nature and my mom's inability to deal with him. Looking back, I don' think they were unique in struggling to raise their kids and even if they'd been perfect, I was the mixed up middle kid. Once I hit my 50's I "woke up" and re-established a very good relationship with my folks and miss them terribly. We ended up much better friends than relatives if that makes any sense.
I'm just about through season 2 of "This is Us" and talk about timely..... there are a lot of flashbacks to the kids' relationships with their parents. I'm intrigued by Kate's relationship with food back then, her mom's concern, her struggles with eating disorders. I could identify with all of it. My dad didn't drink but my SIL who has gone through treatment characterized him as a "dry drunk".
Decluttering is going well and I know why I struggled with it all of these years.... I'd attempt it after downing a few beers which I did for years. I was a weekend drinker. Beer. I'm happy to say it's been around 2 years since I quit. I told myself now that I was retired and no longer just drinking on weekends but every day, I didn't want to spend the next couple decades in a haze. And fighting that fat around my middle.
This morning I re-read an article about fasting mimicking - cutting calories down a few days a month. A lot of what is out there is aimed at young people, not folks over 60 with health conditions. But I know it's worked before for me so eating normally (staying away from sugary binges) then cutting back to 800 or 1000 calories for a day then back to normal is something I can do even once or twice a week. Michael Mosley (The FAST Diet and 8 Week Blood Sugar Diet) even recommends cutting back every other day if a person is overweight and pre-diabetic or has adult onset. I don't have much to lose, just the 5# I've put back on during the last couple months with Halloween candy and my frustration with that aching shoulder limiting some of what I could do.
Exercises and ice and Celebrex are helping the shoulder. I want it to take a few days instead of a few weeks or months.
Thanksgiving - I'm going to friend's house and DH is staying home. He's a borderline agoraphobic (will leave the property for doctor visits but other than that doesn't want to talk to people or deal with traffic, crowds, etc.) So we'll both have a good day.
and I'll bring him home a plate.
Before I close - sorry I'm long-winded, yesterday I decided to make some roasted veggies. Cut up a sweet potato, halved some Brussels sprouts, chunked up a zucchini and a red pepper. Put about 1 tsp of ghee in the palm of my hand, let it melt, then "massaged" it into those veggies. Decided to try this instead of olive oil. Dumped it all onto a foil covered cookie sheet, sprinkled with salt, pepper, dry basil and garlic salt. It worked great! 435 degrees for 20 minutes and everything was done perfectly- I stirred it all around halfway through. Here it is:
That's it for now. Have a great Sunday!
Lanette
Sunny & Cool SW WA State9 -
Well tomorrow the 19th, is my youngest Navy sons birthday! He will be 20. I will write a general note on my Facebook page and link it to him. Unfortunately he has his settings set so nothing shows until he oks it. But he hasn't been on for awhile so he most likely won't see it for a bit. I sent him a box, but I haven't a clue when he is going to get that. Well I doing my bit. Trying to jam as much love into boxes and envelopes as possible.👍
I am getting a sinus cold, dang it. Sinus pressure is a bummer, but I'm taking meficine, so life goes on.
Bought two small turkey breasts because the commissary only had the large turkeys the size of toddlers! Lord knows where I would store a turkey that size until Thanksgiving! This rental came with a split door refrigerator/freezer. So neither ho!d's as much as a regular frig/freezer top and bottom. Especially if its a large turkey.
Its going to be strange cooking, because for the last 4 years we have gone to the community center in Warrenton on the coast and eat at the free dinner put on there. It was nice because helping out at the senior luncheon that was held in the same building, I got to know a lot of people. So it was like sitting with relatives.💗
My son works the day check duty section now at his squadron, so I'm cooking more food portions these days! I told my husband I need a jar and after meals son can put money in, if he liked it or not. Unfortunately, son lives in a debit card world, so its rare when he has actual money. Maybe broach the subject of reducing what we give him for rent by 20-50$.
Well I see all the gratitude calendar listings, but I don't have the energy to complete them. I'm sorry. Its nice to read though, and it is fun to see what y'all post💖!
💗Rebecca
Whidbey island
Washington3 -
Regarding family - we moved to Hove to be near the grandchildren, but we were very clear that we also had to do it for ourselves. We knew it would suit us. I see my elder son maybe once or twice a year, but I watch him on Utube every week, which amuses him no end.
I've never thought of myself as a family person, and I am an introvert, but I do hold my near family very dear. I'm not at all good at festivals and find people a strain for long. I like small doses of congenial company, which is one reason why we moved here, so we could just "pop over".
This afternoon we met the grandchildren and my younger son in our local playpark and then they came back for tea and a play.
It went very well, though Edie was very hyper. Nice to say Bye Bye at 5.45.
I love my friends and family, but I don't really "miss" people. I think I internalise them so they are always with me. The only ones I ever missed were the grandchildren.
Today I got the display shelves sorted in the dining room. I think it looks nice now. Still got to arrange the "Cave" (living room)
Lots of micro decisions to make. I like order and I'm a bit OCD.
Tomorrow the "blind man" is coming. We need a Roman blind for the big window in our bedroom and two mini roller blinds for the stained glass windows. All money, money, money.
We haven't decided yet if we are cancelling the cruise to Spain in the spring.
We feel very blessed in general in our new life here. Hove/Brighton is wonderful and we are comfortable in our new house, even if it's not perfect. It functions well. Today DH managed to do a light cut of the grass. It looks much better.
Carol - I completely understand how uncomfortable other people's sniping can make you, especially if it is your child. I had to stop seeing old friends because I couldn't stand how the wife kept belittling her husband. Ugh!
Much love, Heather UK xxxxxxx6 -
Hi Gals,
Michele – I know a tiny little bit about a septic system (we are on city sewer where I live) and I have never heard of it filling from rain, I thought the pipes from the home went into the top of the tank, and the water exited via a leach field, so is the rain coming in via the leach field?
- as for exercise in May – my recommendation it to not worry about it till March --- who knows maybe there will be a gym up there or the YMCA you could do a guest membership at.
- Something struck me about the bit of your post about your kids, and that what you were hoping for was to change their behavior; that’s pretty much impossible. But you can change your behavior, your reactions, your language, your expectations --- I learned a ton about this in counseling my situation was super different, it that I needed to protect myself from abuse. But I wonder if some good professional help might be able to give you some insight. Just a thought! Not any form of judgement.
Lisa – Great plan on the interview. And while you could live on just Cory’s income till may 2020 – I can not imagine that you would not do something to add to the cash flow, another book? A column in the local paper….
Carol – Hang in there, Thanksgiving day will be tough for me too – I’ll send thoughts of great peace for your time together, and would appreciate yours coming this way.
Janetr – If I was you I’d hop in that car and head directly to Lisa’s !!!
My mom has a granny smith apple tree and I got a few bags of apples from her, I made applesauce – I make this chunky applesauce, with the peels left on, just cinnamon and nutmeg, and canned it up – so I have 8 pints tucked away, I’m drying some too, a great snack for my gardening days.
The air quality in the San Francisco bay area has been heavily impacted by the Camp – Paradise fire; airflow is interesting as we were not affected as badly by the fires last year; some of which were actually closer to us. But for over a week now our air quality has been between 160-240 on the Air Quality Index – under 100 is ok (not good but ok) Over 200 is severely unhealthy. We do not have any of the problems that those living in Paradise or the surrounding communities have. But we have the ripple effect, so for a week I have not been able to work at my gardening jobs, this is having a serious affect on my income as it is about a 50% cut in my income for this week. We should have rain on Wed (day before thanksgiving) which will help clean the air. I’m hoping I can make up the lost wages in the last few days of the month. One good thing is that everyone at the Kids camp I work at will be gone, so I am taking care of the chickens every day for a week. It’s about 30 minutes each way to camp so I’ve been setting up other reasons to be out that way.
November Gratitude’s
1. Smell = clean dog
2. Technology = smart phone
3. Color = sunrise
4. Food = herbal tea
5. Sound = silence, but heard the coyotes talking, and loved hearing them
6. Nature = the waves
7. Memories = I think one of my favorite memories, is a conglomerate of memories – in the summer when I was a kid – Dad and I would go out to the grass to “pull weeds” we would pull a few, but really we would look at the clouds and point out the things we saw, or make up stories about were the airplanes were going overhead, who was in them… We were not in a flight path but way way high you would see a plane occasionally. And sometimes a small plane those were even more fun to make up stories about.
8. Book – oh so many I love – but the harry potter series as my god-son and I got them together and read them and talked about them almost every night
9. Place – I think the Grand Canyon – I did a 10 day rafting trip down the river for my 50th birthday and it was a life changing event and helped me grow and believe in myself enough to face coming home and being laid off 10 days later.
10. Taste – sweet or salty – for me it is always sweet! But favorite taste is my mom’s marinara sauce with meatballs, it cooks all day, and I could smell it from the corner of our street and knew one of my favorite dinners was that night
11. Holiday – tough one, I have a love of Christmas but it is also the day I was beaten by my domestic abuser so it has mixed memories…
12. Texture – I love cashmere
13. Abilities – I’m very thankful for my abilities – I think the one that comes to mind right now is planning, I can look ahead and figure out how to plan out things that need to be done to make the most of the time and money available.
14. Sight- my god daughter smiling at me…
15. Season- I love them all – it’s winter so it is my favorite right now.
16. Body – I have great thick hair with very little “grey” and actually the “grey” is mostly white, my paternal grandma had beautiful white hair… here’s hoping
17. Knowledge - I think the knowledge that I am in charge of setting boundaries to keep me physically and mentally safe, and how to do it…. I don’t always remember to do it, but I do know how.
18. Art – I have always loved Monet, I read somewhere that he was very nearsighted and his soft focus style was because he painted what he saw – and if that is true it makes complete sense to me as without my glasses my world is the world of Monet. My favorite of his is Water Lilies – probably because when I was in England it was at the National Gallery in London. I spent a lot of time there and always started and ended my visit with 5-10 minutes in front of that picture. I would sit in a slightly different place and just look at it – I never tired of it and it always had just a bit of a different look.
Smiles
Kim from N. California
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Kathy from KY ...Your situation with your daughter is heartbreaking. My brother (he and I were both adopted as well, btw, and neither of us has had a desire to find our birth families), adopted a daughter from Russia 19 years ago. My niece is constantly seeking/threatening to find her birth mother in Russia. It causes so much heartache when she tells my brother and sister-in-law that they are not her "real parents." Young people can be so stupid. Perhaps this time with her blood relatives will open her eyes to how blessed she has been. Hugs.
Lisa ... your advice to Michele and your attitude heading into your interview are spot on!
Beth near Buffalo2 -
Kim: We’ve had air quality issues from California fires, too, and we are a long way from them. The past couple of days have seemed better. I hope that continues to be true. I hope your air quality also gets better. :flowerforyou:
We have invited our niece and her gentleman friend to come to our house for Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to the visit. I’ve only met him twice, and both occasions were so full of people that we didn’t really get a chance to get acquainted. I was lost on my way to my grand neice’s bridal shower the first time we met, and he led me to the right spot. The second meeting was recently at our grandniece’s baby shower.
DH is feeling miserable, and I can’t do anything right. He has difficult health issues. The grumpier he gets, the less I am able to deal with his criticism. I’m getting a bit sad. I need to figure out how to improve my own feelings. Advice welcome. I don't think eating sweets helps.
Katla in beautiful NW Oregon
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Well the Thanksgiving dinner was lovely..sold 164.00 dollars worth of 50/50 tickets ...
Willow - my son is an introvert and doesn't venture out much unless it is someone he knows .close friends etc..even though he is in retail working at a supermarket..he is good with all the customers that come in...2 -
#18 Art: I am grateful that my DH was able to sell a Pro Hart painting to a couple in Australia and it paid for our son's and DnL's honeymoon to a Mexico resort. I also treasure some beautiful paint by number framed paintings that my MnL did of some of the old building in New Orleans which is where she and my FnL met around WWII.
Carol in GA3 -
Hello all, from central Ohio. Thank you for letting me join your group, I am looking forward to some connection and motivation. I am normally seen by others as outgoing type of person, but like many of you am rather introverted when not in a work environment.
I have asked to join you all to gain a group who are a positive and knowledge sharing network. Looks like I requested well.
Thank you for having me,
Shelly
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Katla -- I understand about grumpy DH's, though I'm often the grumpy DW! I think you just have to realize that it's not you, it's him, and honestly, communication is the best thing. Whenever I'm feeling particularly painful and grumpy, I'll warn Doug that I'm feeling off and might snap at him, and to not take anything I say to heart. Then after I do snap at him, I'll apologize because it's not his fault I'm in pain, but he's the only one here to bear the brunt of my irritability. It's not fair, but it's life. And we know that. I don't mean to snap at him, but pain is exhausting, and I sometimes cannot keep it in. Still, forewarned is forearmed?grandmallie wrote: »Willow - my son is an introvert and doesn't venture out much unless it is someone he knows .close friends etc..even though he is in retail working at a supermarket..he is good with all the customers that come in...
Yeah, I used to work in retail too, and I was pretty good at it.
If I ever go back to work ahahahahaha! I'd probably go back to retail. I've even thought of opening my own store... some day.
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Willow from WA USA
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Shelly from OH, welcome! Positive, yes, sharing, yes, you have come to the right place!
Kim - oh yes, I have lots of things in mind, including designing and making quilts, designing and creating one-of-a-kind quilted bags, painting and painting and painting in between, finish writing the second book of my mystery series, a number of websites where I can get paid for marketing writing. All of it's intermittent, and hard to depend on, but I honestly dream of doing that--and trying hard not to think about it. A few more years of me working for a steady paycheck would put us in a REALLY good place, and it feels awfully selfish to think of not working.
But lordie, it's tempting.
#18 - Art - I'm grateful that I have even the smallest molecule of an artistic bent, and have missed having the time to express it of late. Great art that moves me includes some of almost genre, but for some reason, I am most attracted to sculpture, something I've never attempted to create. This is one of my favorites, but warning: graphic depiction of the human body, please don't click the spoiler if naked humans bother you:
Love y'all,
Lisa in AR
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Lisa -
Did you take that picture? Its amazing0 -
Kim, no, I wish I did... That sculpture speaks to me in so many ways, and I'd love to see it in real life, touch it, live inside it for a day or two.
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I too love sculpture, but often the "people sculpture" don't speak to me, but that one is stunning.0
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Happy and peaceful Sunday to you all.
Michele: ((hugs)) You have received sound advice from KarenNY and Lisa. The mantra I would chose to avoid tearing up would be, "I radiate light, joy and happiness today. Life is GOOD, and I am BLESSED."
Katla: I rarely get colds or infections, but when I feel one coming on echinacea tea is my go-to. However, you've got to take it at first sign of symptoms. Hope DH gets back to being more agreeable and compatible.
Lisa: No words to express how proud I am of you and what you've accomplished for the organization. Better things ahead for you, I'm sure. As you were baking bread, I was making cranberry-orange muffins and no bake chocolate oatmeal bars.
Kathy in WA: My DH and I are usually on our own for all holidays. A trip to Plymouth a few years ago awakened me to the true story of Thanksgiving, which unfortunately has been bastardized by modern marketing and media. So, since then I've always fasted for that day. It feels wonderful and truly puts me in a mindset of gratitude because I'm hungry by choice, not circumstances like many others.
Gratitude calendar:1 - Smell. Fresh, cool mountain air.
2 - Technology. Digital photography
3 - Color. The turquoise of swimming pools
4 - Food. Chewing gum. Keeps me from noshing after dinner.
5 - Sound. My cat's rumbling purr on my pillow every morning
6 - Nature. Wildflowers
7 - Memory. Saying my wedding vows outside in a meadow on O'ahu 30 years ago.. The sky opened up with a gentle drizzle, which is considered a "Hawaiian blessing", and I felt a clear spirital message affirming I was doing the right thing.
8 - Book. Auntie Mame! I still want to be her.
9 - Place. The condo gym where I have time alone to consider my health and work on my wellness.
10 - Taste. Tart, but sweet. Think rhubarb or cranberry dishes.
11 - Holiday. New Years Day
12 - Texture. My alpaca socks
13 - Abilities. Balance, physical and emotional
14 - Sight. Blue skies after a snowy day
15 - Season. Autumn. Love colors, chrysanthemums and all things pumpkin spice
16. About my body. My brain health. After living with dementia, I can never take this for granted.
17. Knowledge. The power of prayer, energy and positive thinking.
18. Piece of art. A painting of one of a cat I had 30 years ago done by a good friend.
DH has just finished his workout, and we have a football game to watch. I'm going to make a quesadilla for him and chicken salad for myself. Stay well, friends.
Rori
Colorado Foothills
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Evening Ladies
I am in bed and relaxing.. lovely day .and enjoyed good company..just finished a cup of lavender chamomile tea ,and will be nodding off soon..1 -
Lisa: No words to express how proud I am of you and what you've accomplished for the organization. Better things ahead for you, I'm sure. As you were baking bread, I was making cranberry-orange muffins and no bake chocolate oatmeal bars.
Rori
Rori - your voice on the phone guided me toward talking to Judy, as reluctant as I was to do so, and helped me find this place of peace, resolution and the realization that the choices are mine to make, and most of all, that none of them are bad choices. They're just choices. It's what I make of them that invests them with meaning. Thank you for that, my friend. I'm ever glad you're in my life.
Love,
Lisa in AR6 -
Lisa, that sculpture is stunning!
Katla, my hubby sometimes gets cranky with me and I used to just take it. Same as with you, it was because he was unhappy/uncomfortable etc. Now I have started letting him know that while I understand he is in pain/frustrated/whatever that it's not my fault and that being cranky with me won't solve anything. It does tend to settle him down. My two cents worth, good luck.... I too reach for echinacea as soon as I feel a cold coming on, I use capsules. If the feeling has progressed to the start of the cold I will add oil of oregano gel caps. A couple of echinacea, one oregano a couple of times a day and within a few days I'm feeling much better.
Busy day at work today and yesterday! My co-worker and I have been cleaning like crazy in preparation for a photo shoot! (of the facility, not of us!! lol) I work at a storage facility and we need some new photos for our website and it's my understanding that we are also getting new promotional brochures. It's nice to be busy, but now I'm pooped! Sure glad I cleaned up the kitchen this morning before coming to work, because I sure won't feel like doing much when I get home tonight!
Hope everyone has a great day!
Evelyn, Vancouver Island4 -
Great-grandson, Matthew Grayson, is a month old already and growing much too quickly. I get to meet him soon, I'm thrilled!
Janetr OKC10 -
Pppppppppppppp0
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Out celebrating DEDs birthday today, so only just getting a few minutes on here to touch base. I had a great NSV! Normally my willpower deserts me on these occasions, but today I had a really healthy main course, and chose a mini pudding option. Both choices were delicious. Also managed to forego the wine in favour of water. Then I had a very light evening meal. I even had over 200 calories left because I walked while watching TV tonight.
Short bioI'm 72, and live in Northern Ireland. Married 52 years, and have 2 daughters and 3 grand'kids'.
I'm retired, but work as a volunteer Group leader for a lifelong learning charity. I lead 5 groups, and belong to another 10, so am kept pretty busy. I love the Challenges on MFP as the keep me accountable. I'm assistant coach in charge of an optional strength Challenge for a small walking group.
Pre 2015, when I joined MFP, I had hip problems whichnimpacted my mobility, and gained a lot of weight, which I had to shed to qualify for hip surgery. Lost 40lbs, got a new hip and have lost another 20. Trying to get down to a maintenance weight that gives me wriggle room for high days and holidays. 10 more lbs to go.
I love all things arts and crafts, and am studying Shakespeare, Latin and art history, to name a few.
November Daily Goals Doing fine on the goals, Minor drop on the scale this morning.Food
~ Pre-log; stay under goal; balance macros/micros; Hydrate adequately
Cardio:
~ 9,500+ Steps daily
~ 30+ minutes interval walking
Strength:
~ 15+ mins lower body physio daily or ~ 15+ minutes arms/core/abs
Flexibility:
~ 5 mins stretch before/after workouts
~ 10+ mins yoga or tai chi
Daily Mindfulness Practice/meditation
15 mins Daily Declutter session
30 days of Gratitude in November1) Smell: I Love the smell of my Cocoa Butter Therapy treatment Oil. It reminds me of summer days.18) Piece of Art: Art is one of my chief interests, so choosing one piece is impossible. I love the huge piece of work by David Hockney depicting his native Yorkshire. It was composed of lots of 6'x4' canvases painted in situ. Really like his recent works using iPad technology. Also love Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore sculptures. I could go on, but there are too many to mention.
2) Technology: My Seniors Travel Pass, which allows me to travel free of charge anywhere in Ireland. Including state owned ferries and flights to various offshore islands, such as Rathlin and Aran.
3) Colour: The clear deep blue of the autumn sky peeping through the rain clouds.
4) Food: 🍫 What else needs to be said!
5) Sound - the sound of hubby snoring in the middle of the night. Very reassuring
6) In Nature - walking along the coastline which is just a mile from my home.
7) Memory - nursing my 11 day old granddaughter at 6 am on her first Christmas morning.
8) Book: The book which means the most to me is my Journal. I have been writing Journals for over 20 years. I started in hard-backed notebooks, and they have gone through many reincarnations. There are so many volumes they have their own shelves in my study. At present I am using a bullet Journal format. I also love all things sci-fi and art books.9) Favourite place: My favourite place is my garden. It's quiet and peaceful. It's taken us almost 40 years to create, and we have many mature trees which block out the houses around us. When we started, it was a flat field, with the countryside beyond, and a field of cows directly behind us. Now the town has washed past us, and we are in a leafy suburb.
10) Taste: Today, I am grateful for the taste of the cup of tea Hubster just brought me. It reminds me of how fortunate I am to have him in my life.
11) Holiday: The annual family holiday we have with our elder daughter and her 'children'. I am amazed that they still want to have holidays with their grandparents.
12) Texture: I like the crunchy texture of a fresh crisp apple.
13) Abilities: I have a knack of zoning things out, which comes in very handy at times. I was always a dreamy child, and I have never given up the habit.
Loving the variety of Gratitude entries from everyone. Noticed a few people with similar answers to mine, so I'm obviously not as odd as I thought! 😂😂😂
14) Sight: The sight of the dawnlight when I opened my eyes. It means that I had a good night's sleep, and wasn't up before daylight.
15) Season: It has to be Autumn. The colours are spectacular, and I love kicking through the piles of leaves in the woods.
16) Body: I am grateful that my body has responded so well to the changes in my lifestyle, and that it seems to heal itself quickly.
17) Knowledge: I am eternally grateful for all knowledge, but especially grateful that experience has taught me that if we believe we can do something, we will find a way to get there. This knowledge keeps me trying, and looking for ways to benefit from ALL the that Fate sends my way.
Irish Terri
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Did a lower body pilates DVD today. The plan for tomorrow is to do one segment of the 10 Minute Solution Butt Lift DVD, hold my plank, then take the extremepump class.
Kathy – thank you so much for your understanding. I will probably be in touch with you. Heartache and kids seem to go hand-in-hand.
Lisa – I’m sure you’re right, my expectations need to change. I would just expect (like) her to spend a bit more time with me. I know that she’s being heavily influenced by what I feel is Maria’s selfishness. I guess I just don’t want to see her becoming a selfish person. I’d like to get to know Pete better. At least I’ve seen him more than Bryan’s wife, I guess I could look at it that way. I’ve only seen her less than 24 hours. I’ll be thinking of you Tuesday knowing that you’re going to knock this out of the ballpark.
Willow – I used to have Sweatin to the Oldies DVDs, but I got rid of them. They just weren’t for me. But that’s just me. I’m so glad you’re enjoying them
Think I’ll go to Aldi this morning. It’s usually pretty empty. I usually go on Mondays after exercise class since I’m that way, but tomorrow I need to stop to get Loki’s medicine which means that I need to go home another way. Just got back. Met this lady who used to teach the water class at the Y. To me, it was one of the stupidest moves they made when they fired her. She had a good relationship with many of the members, she’d been there a long, long time. She would go out of her way for the members, if one passed away she’d go to the funeral on her own time. She was the person who let me try on the chlorine-resistant bathing suit. Since then, I got another one, but I still have the one she let me try on, and it’s been about 6 years now. When the heater went at the pool, she used to come in early on her own time and add warm water to the pool. I think I know why she was fired. For one thing, the CEO at the time thought he was always right and she was the kind of person who wouldn’t sit quietly but would say what was wrong and why. He also was thinking that he was going to cut expenses by getting rid of the old employees. He got rid of a lot of them. I remember when I worked at the Y one of the things they stressed was a relationship with the members.
Barbara – If I’m not mistaken, how long a turkey/turkey breast needs to thaw in the refrigerator is dependent on the size of the turkey/turkey breast. What I’ve always done is looked online to find out how long to defrost it. I feel the same way as you about this group
Carol – I’m so afraid that I’ll start to cry and I know that wouldn’t be good. Like you didn’t really like your mother crying at every holiday, I don’t want my kids to remember me crying at every holiday. I asked Denise and Jess if we could skype on Thanksgiving. I realize that Jess might very well be in class that day. St. Kitts isn’t the US. So I understand if Skyping with her just isn’t possible. Here’s hoping for the best for your son and DIL
Willow – for the past few years, Jess has hosted TD the day after T (mainly so that we aren’t on the road on the day before T). With her in school now, she isn’t hosting. Denise and Pete wanted us to come up there, but we understand that Maria (MIL) and Dave (FIL) are “talking” divorce (yet again) and she doesn’t want a scene. Why they can’t put aside their differences for one day is beyond me. Newcomers has this thing where you can go to someone else’s house and celebrate T. But this year I just don’t feel like it. To be honest, I’m more of an extrovert. Vince is the introvert homebody. To me, this is more of just a day. I am planning to go to Kohl’s because they have an instant pot on sale at a really good price so I’m thinking I’ll get one for Denise. I don’t have one but Jess raves all the time about hers.
Got the arches for the decorations put up. No lights on them yet, but they are up. Roasted a butternut squash and cooked a sweet potato for later in the week. Which reminds me, I should make some buttered noodles for Vince. Also steamed some asparagus that Aldi had on sale.
Lanette – I think I took my father somewhat for granted until he was no longer here. Now I think of him almost every day. Guess it also took me until my 50’s to “wake up”. Maybe having the baby will cause Denise to “wake up”. I like “This is Us” too and find Kate’s situation very interesting. Those veggies look fantastic. How I wish Vince would eat something other than corn and carrots. I wind up having to have my veges separate. I can’t think of a veggie that I don’t eat
Rebecca – I had the worst sinus infection this year. I haven’t had one that bad in about 15-20 years, no fooling. Don’t fool around. I understand that it’s pretty bad this year.
Kim – it had rained here so very much that the ground just couldn’t absorb any more water in the leach field. So it was backing up into the septic tank since the water had no where to go to. We just had to be careful not to put a whole lot of water into the system. But it’s been clear now for a few days so no more having to be careful. As far as exercise: I figure I could probably use the Y (there must be one near there) on the “away” program. But I remember that the Y near Jess didn’t participate in the “away” program. Also, you usually only get a certain amount of times you can use the Y for free. Technically, I’m really not a member of the Y any more. But I still have my Y card. And are they REALLY going to call NC from DE just to verify that I am a member? I don’t think so. I use the Y down in FL. I’ve been using it for so long, they know me, that they don’t even say anything. And I’m not going to say anything. Next year I go on Medicare (yuk) and I want to look into the Silver Sneakers. Some of my questions are “can you go to any exercise class or just Silver Sneakers classes” and “can you use any gym that participates in the Silver Sneakers program or just certain one/ones?” I guess I’ll find out next year. Things change, I heard that BC/BS is doing away with it, but I don’t know if that’s true or not. That’s interesting about the professional help, but to be honest, I really don’t know how to go about finding someone.
Just had one of the cubes of butternut squash that I roasted (OK, I’ll be honest, 3 cubes). Boy, Vince doesn’t know what he’s missing by limiting himself to just corn and carrots. Well, more for me
Michele in NC
5 -
Michelle—You are NOT a bad mom!!! One of the jobs we have as parents, is to raise our kids, and give them the wings they need to fly from our nest, and make their way in the world. You did this job well. You'd get more time with them if they flew back home, couldn't make it on their own, or couldn't cut those ties. But that's now what you want. Maybe your daughter won't have time after the baby's born. Or maybe, she'll see things from a different perspective, and want to be closer. Being an adult, and becoming a parent, makes them realize how little they know. My mom got a lot smarter after my kids were born.
Without knowing what happened with your son, I'd recommend working to keep the communication open. Maybe send him cards and letters, to reach out in a way that doesn't make demands on him? My son's still in NC, and sometimes it hurts to know that after all we did for him, he can't be bothered to call or write. But WE haven't changed all that much. He knows he'll hear the same old, same old, and what he has to share might not be what he thinks we want to hear. He's living his life, and I'm sure if he needed us, he'd reach out. Hugs to you.
I just read NY Karen's advice, and she's right on. Be in the moment, and 'fake it til you make it.' Give them a delightful time with you, and they'll be more likely to want more.
SueBDew—Every time I see your name, I imagine it pronounced all together. There's an Italian musical term, Subito (suh-bee'-doh,) meaning quickly, suddenly, and it makes me smile to imagine your name as a musical term. Either that, or it rhymes with Scooby-doo.
Kathy—your heartbreak over your youngest daughter is so unfair. I am so sorry you're having to go through this. I want to blame it on youth. At 20 she has no idea what makes a parent. Sending hugs to you, too.
Karen in Virginia—Your brother is very talented. You must be very proud of your granddaughter.
Lisa in AR—Good advice for Michelle. One thing I noticed in all your posts about your job, you always talk about the girls. That's huge. You keep them as the focus, and it's clear this is more to you than any old job. An employer should recognize that, and want you; your priority is already where it needs to be. Good luck.
Carol—Sending hugs your way, and prayers for a peaceful holiday.
Willow from WA—I had several years where it was just me and my husband, and I still had to do the turkey and all the fixings. It's tradition, and I wanted that. As an introvert, I can understand not wanting to invite in all that drama. But I crave connections. I want to be included, and invited, and loved—even with food. I may find a corner to observe the chaos, but I love that energy. I can respect that some people don't go in for all the hype. Have a fun day of video games.
Today after church my DMIL went shopping—again. This time I bought two coats to donate to a teen moms group at church. I also bought a long sweater—the kind without buttons or zipper. I've been hot for years, and with menopause and fat layers, it had to be downright frosty for me to feel cold. Now I feel cold! My DH likes to keep the heat turned down, and I sit here and shiver. I've got maybe one or two sweaters to my name, so I got this cover-up to help me deal with it. What a great problem to have!
The holidays bring out all the let-downs, expectations, losses, and missing. Hugs to everyone trying to find their way through it without crying.
Gratitude, Art—I'm weird. I like displaying puzzles in frames. A good coating of mod podge, and they're good enough to display. I buy frames at yard sales, and have several hanging. I also like useful things displayed in an artistic way. I almost filled a basket with those decorative but useless balls to display. Instead I found a metal basket, and filled it with colorful balls of yarn.
I'm stopping here, with another page to read.
Cari in chilly North Texas4 -
Lisa, that sculpture is stunning!
Katla, my hubby sometimes gets cranky with me and I used to just take it. Same as with you, it was because he was unhappy/uncomfortable etc. Now I have started letting him know that while I understand he is in pain/frustrated/whatever that it's not my fault and that being cranky with me won't solve anything. It does tend to settle him down. My two cents worth, good luck.... Hope everyone has a great day!
Evelyn, Vancouver Island
Katla - I was just ready to post what Evie just posted!
I think those of us married to guys with chronic and painful health conditions get used to tuning them out and not taking it personally, but sometimes, we just can't take it anymore. And it starts to erode our self esteem and self confidence.
I try to wait to "counsel" mine when he's in a better mood and start joshing him, "have you been feeling worse lately? Do you think your meds are doing the job? The past few days I feel like you've been auditioning for Grumpy Old Men. Not that you haven't been for the past 40 years! I'm going to go call Hollywood right now."
I can get usually get a smile or laugh from him then we can talk it out and it usually helps without anyone taking offense. It's taken me decades to get this wise, lol. I'm not that patient and want it better NOW!
Otherwise, I've been known to resort to retail therapy or go for a walk, seems now I escape with something on Netflix or Hulu. Good luck!!!
(((HUGS))))
Lanette
SW WA State2 -
Kim ... interesting you chose Monet ... I've always enjoyed his paintings as well. Although that sculpture with the light is amazing, Lisa, I find that the art I'm most drawn too today is usually glass art. I used to love seeing Mia's blown glass and I love glass pieces that have movement. Too pricey for my budget though. Even stained glass draws me in. I can't imagine, Heather, getting a black roller shade for stained glass! I am grateful for all types of art that allow us to see the world in new and beautiful ways ...
Beth1 -
Carol - thanks!
Pip - great job! So cute
Cari - thanks - she is a rescue and so fun. My DIL had a chow-chow mix who was a doll. A agree about the risk. Chloe has been around other cats - and I'll be able to introduce her to the new one slowly as a friend of mine is fostering her. And yes, it takes time - at least for it to be sustainable! Hang in there!
Michele - you know - the oxymoron of raising kids is that we raise them to be independent and then, when they are, we miss them! You all will find a balance - remember how busy you were at that age. The other thing is that some of our children (or brother, in my case) choose to opt out and not participate...there is little we can do about it. But your kids choices sertainly are not a reflection of your motherhood!
Barbie - what a mean mug!!
Welcome to the newbies!
Janet - oh my goodness - those cheeks!!
Hike today was wonderful - with a national group called Trail Dames - for curvy women who hike - great group of ladies. Now icing my knee from a slip on the leaves but it was a beautiful hike. Just some rest until the next one! Burned nearly 3,000 calories - just sayin!!
Evening all
Paige in North GA7 -
Ok wrong but oh so right!💗
Its got rum, brandy and whisky already in. I shall survive this sinus cold just fine thsnkyouverymuch!
💗Rebecca6
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