WOMEN AGES 50 + FOR NOVEMBER 2018
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Hubs and I are home from our Thanksgiving adventures to Lake Tahoe. We had a great time and enjoyed relaxing and walking around town every day. Our room was about a mile from the start of town so we were guaranteed 2 miles each time we went out. We averaged about 10 miles a day so hopefully the damage on the scale isn't too bad. It will be bad initially from flying and not drinking enough water on my travel days, but I'm confident most of it will fall back off before long.
Okie in the TX Hill Country3 -
Did Denise Austin’s Quick Burn Cardio DVD today. The plan for tomorrow is to do Gilad’s 45/45 split DVD.
Cari – I was surprised at how full I got while eating. I remember in past years I would, literally, pig out. This year I really felt full and couldn’t be bothered with “pigging out” (what I mean by “pigging out” is having desserts) I only wanted water to drink with my dinner. Oh, no, leaking sink. Can you at least put the dirty dishes in the tub so that they can soak? This way, washing them won’t be *as* bad. Your gratitude warmed my heart.
Yesterday right before dinner I did stop at Kohl’s and got this InstantPot they had on sale. Jess raves about hers. It’s the 6 quart one that normally sells for $140 and I got it for $54. Plus…I got $15 Kohl’s bucks that I can spend next time I go there. I’m sure I’ll be getting other things. They have an air fryer on sale. Part of me is thinking about it, but I honestly never really felt that I wished I had one. I couldn’t find any reviews of this brand so I’m really hesitant. I probably won’t get it. Anyway, stopping at Kohl’s…I have NEVER seen that parking lot so jam packed. Yet, people seemed to only be buying one or two items. The checkout line went really fast.
At first I couldn’t find the InstantPot, one gal told me it was in the “area by the men’s goods but it might be sold out by now”. This was about 20 minutes after the store opened! Well, I went to the front of the store where she said they were and couldn’t find it. So I decided to ask someone but I knew that it would be difficult to get someone’s attention. So…what I did was cut into the checkout line. Boy, did I have someone’s attention REAL quick. So I asked her where they were and she pointed me to them. Then I stood in line to pay. I was surprised how quickly the line went. But, of course, if someone is only buying one or maybe two items, they don’t take much time at the checkout.
Barbie – feeding friends leftovers sounds like a great plan to me. I’m planning to give the library cookies that I no longer wish to have in the house after we have our Christmas. Get it out of the house…that’s how I feel
The daughter of a friend of ours is coming and she has asked me to go to see her dd and dgd on Sat. I want to get the baby some books. I’m honestly not going to say anything about Denise having a baby unless they say something. I know Heidi had a hard time getting pg and they’re thrilled to have the baby, I don’t want to rain on their parade. So need to go to the store to buy some books for the baby then I’ll probably stop at Food Lion to get a roll of pizza dough. Josette (the mother) really liked the spinach “tree” that I made so I’ll probably make that and take it and the books with me.
I’m a bit sad that we couldn’t skype with Denise and Pete at first, then when we could, we couldn’t get in touch with them to do it. It’s sad that Denise is spending all the holidays with Pete’s family and I couldn’t even skype with her. But I guess that’s the way it’s meant to be.
Went and bought the books. Two books and $40 later, I was walking out of Barnes and Nobel. I wanted to get them someplace where even if her mother needed to return them, she could. Then went to WalMart to return some candy that I was going to take to Maria’s but didn’t (figured I really didn’t need the candy). I was surprised how many people were already returning things. Then did a little shopping (maybe 4 things)
Heather – what a lovely story that your mom was invited to Christmas. What a wonderful friend you are! Both you and I had salmon for dinner yesterday!
Now I’m making chocolate bran muffins. Denise called while I was away, said she fell asleep last night and just now got Vince’s text. She said she’s going to the MD because she thinks she has an ear infection. So Vince told her to give us a call when she gets back. Now roasting a spaghetti squash. Got dinner ready to heat up, just need to wait for the spaghetti squash to come out of the oven so I can put that also into my soup
When my kids were little I hung a clothes hanger for each kid and put 24 candy canes on each one. Every night they got a candy cane. This also helped them to see how close Christmas was.
Got to Skype with Denise and Pete. Was good to talk to them.
Michele in NC
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Hi Gals,
Machka – I read part of the “hack” on combining holidays and vacation time to get a longer time away, and got as far as the – and only use 17 days- and burst out laughing, at my last job you got 5 days a year could not be accumulated nor taken in conjunction with a holiday or sick time. The US is not as generous as anywhere else – and at that job we only got 6 holidays New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Lisa – I am stunned to read “I've met few in my life who have as much love to give as you do, and who are able to express it. You're one of my heroes on this thread, if you didn't already know, for the life you've made. You bring joy with you, my friend.” Thank you, I truly never think of my way as anything special.
So thanksgiving went well, I tend to take the lead, and I did that a bit, from the stand point of not having Mom do everything. I brought pie and 2 veggies - I tweaked the green bean casserole, and would do a bit more next time, but basically I caramelized onion and button mushrooms, mixed them into green beans, put them in a 9x13 pan covered cooked for 20 min at 350, then added the fried onion rings on the top took off the cover and left it for 10 min – that re-crisped the canned onion rings. – no sauce, and it was good, but a bit of sauce I think would make it better. And then I did a salad bar - I got my nephew, and his friends to do the dishes. I helped and forced Mom out of the kitchen. It was nice to let her sit with a cocktail.
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.
19. Touch – So Ok I know I spoil Levi, but yes my 55lb dog sleeps with me – so the touch is Levi always in the morning, but sometimes in the night if he is really cold or I have a bad dream, he’ll reach over and set his paw on my shoulder or give my cheek this little gentle kiss….
20. Person in your life – I’m going to say my best girl friend Lynne, we’ve been friends since college and have stayed closest friends for all this time.
21. Song – I’m not much into music, as I am partially tone deaf – So the lyrics are important but the music or beat are pretty much a mystery to me. That being said, Helen Reddy’s I am woman has always felt like it was my theme song.
22. Stories – So there is a family story – rarely told, that is about my parents as young married couple having a “fight” and my mom chased my Dad about with a wet tea bag trying to hit him with it, and … I will ask mom to tell the story again today. My parents did not (and mom still doesn’t) do public displays of affection - I really think it’s a mom thing as Dad would hug us hold our hands … my dad died in 1979 after that I have never been hugged by my mom, or siblings. My nephew hugs me (I trained him up!) – but he never gets hugged by his grandma or dad (my mom/brother)- Hugs were ok till about 12 years old then never again. We even made it through the grief of my dad dying without touching – that’s one broken mess. But the story of them having the tea bag fight is one of joy, love, and laughter.
23. Tradition - I love any and all traditions! And the holiday time is full of them. The one we did today – So on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving we drive about 45 minutes into the “Mountains” they are only about 3,500 feet.. and go to one of the Christmas Tree Farms and cut our own tree – we get 2 one for my mom’s house and one for mine. We have been doing this since I was a little girl, my Mom’s family did it. In the last few years Mom and I have been going together – which means I drive, I cut down and haul each tree, then tie them on the top of the car; this year Kyle (DN) and 2 of his friends who were with us for Thanksgiving came also and 3 football playing boys from 18-20years old were a huge help. They drove, cut the trees, hauled them to the truck, !!! so much easier on me.
Smiles
Kim from N. California
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Hi Gals,
Machka – I read part of the “hack” on combining holidays and vacation time to get a longer time away, and got as far as the – and only use 17 days- and burst out laughing, at my last job you got 5 days a year could not be accumulated nor taken in conjunction with a holiday or sick time. The US is not as generous as anywhere else – and at that job we only got 6 holidays New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Standard annual leave here is 20 days (4 weeks). Then we get 12 (I think) stat holidays. Plus many places have RDOs or Purchased Leave options which add another 10-12 days (mine is 10 days in my current job).
Plus weekends, of course.
So if we're strategic about it, we can get a couple months off each year.
This coming Christmas, I'm "forced" to take December 25 to January 1 (inclusive) off. Dec 24 is a voluntary holiday, so I'm not sure if I'll take it or not yet. I suspect about 80% of my work colleagues will take it off, so I might join the masses and take it off too. So that'll give me 11 days of leave, and I'll only use 4 days of annual leave.
Then I'll have to decide if we'll go somewhere. That's the challenging part. It depends. It depends on what's going on with my health and with my husband's ability to travel ... and with the fact that, since it's summer and all the kids are off school, it's a busy travel time.
Nevertheless, it'll be very nice to have time off.
M in Oz2 -
You should have seen me in my slicker and galoshes, clipping herbs despite the STRONG winds and HEAVY downpour yesterday morning. Turkey turned out fine despite 3 short power blips during roasting.
Hmm, despite cooking being the only activity, and 3 flutes of champagne, this morning the wii showed 2.4 pounds gone from the 4.8 gained this week. Go figure.
pip just wanna smooch your pooches
Michele sounds like Shadow's making progress. Baby steps
Cari thanks for sharing your gratitude story!
Kim you were in my thoughts all day. Glad to hear it was a safe day, and that your nephew and his friends picked up the tree cutting tradition torch.
Karen in VA "so I sat and listened while Dad conducted" Lovely memory!
Lisa "not burning any bridges in writing" how wise you are !
allie Brrrr!
KJ finished off the wine here too today.
Okie Thanksgiving in Tahoe, lovely! Joe and I honeymooned there, way back in the day.
The vacuum cleaner died today. Good thing I kept the carpet sweeper, worked fairly well. Since I LOATHE vacuuming, seriously considering an iRobot Roomba. Anybody have one?
#23: Traditional Turkey breast sandwich on white baloon bread with cranberry jelly and Best Foods Mayo. YUMMM.
Lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD.
walk one more step 16/23, 60 g protein 18/23, rx/vits 16.5/22, meditate 19/23, knee exercises 20/23, SWSY UP 4/8, SWSY LOW 3/8, core 4/8, play with Tumble 8/22, hang up or purge art 0/4 AF 16/23.
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Morning, afternoon, and evening, my friends...
Kim, my dear heart - every word was not just deserved, but dead-on truth. In an area with one of the highest costs of living in the U.S., you do the things you love to make a living for yourself, rather than working those same long, hard hours to add another dollar to a high-paid CEO's bottom line. You extend love to others when you often did not receive it from those around you growing up. You have made peace on your terms with those who abused and neglected you, and are able to give back to them in ways I'm not sure I'd be strong enough to do, while still being sure to protect yourself while in their environment. You see others clearly, without blinders on. I know your life is not easy, and that financial pressures often loom--but you live your life with honor and integrity, and on your own terms, and my respect for that knows no bounds.
And, since I'm talking about work... my resignation letter went in yesterday, has been accepted, and my co-grant manager and I are slated for a phone conference with the interim CEO on Monday evening about next steps to wrap things up. The CEO is asking if I can come in to El Paso one more time to wrap things up, and I've looked at flights. Nearly $1,000 just to get there and get back... but if she's willing to pay for it, I might be willing to fly in and fly back on my last day, Dec. 6. Makes for a long day... leaving the house at 5 a.m. and getting back well after midnight. But... there are some people I would dearly love to say goodbye to. Closure of that kind might be helpful for all concerned. Will think about it, and discuss with Corey.
I don't hold onto anger and pain--it's not really who I am. Doesn't mean I forget it, just means I'm able to set it aside eventually and view it without the full emotion. I know my own emotional substructure well enough to know that, if I drive too deeply into the past, I end up reliving that painful moment, emotional reaction and all. Time and distance do wear off those edges, but not always quickly enough for me. Basically, I just don't want to burst into tears... and need to be sure that I won't. At the same time, for my own self-respect, it's possible I need to prove to myself that I have the strength of mind and heart to draw this to a close on my terms, rather than running like a scared rabbit because I allowed someone to make me feel that I was without value.
Still thinking about it,
Love y'all!
Lisa in Arkansas5 -
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My sister-in-law posted this and I thought it was good ...
Nov 1 - smell. My roses.
Nov 2 - technology. Social media and staying connected with family and friends.
Nov 3 - colour. Blue. The blue of the mouth of the river/bay/start of the ocean out my window. The blue of the sky. My new blue sleeping top that was nice and comfy last night.
Nov 4 - food ... cheese. I ate a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches when my husband was in hospital. They were my comfort food. Also cheese has calcium which I think I need. Unfortunately, cheese does tend to be a bit high in calories so I shouldn't eat too much of it. But anything cheese-y is comforting.
Nov 5 - sound. I like listening to the waves and the birds, but I think the sound I'm most grateful for today is my husband's voice. Just the fact that we can talk to each other again.
Nov 6 - "What in nature are you grateful for?" ... That's hard to narrow down to one thing. Oxford dictionary describes nature as "the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth". I am grateful for all of it. I find that getting out into any sort of nature helps to relieve stress.
Nov 7 - "What memory are you grateful for?" ... Another one with so many choices!!! Recently, I've been grateful for two memories. 1) June 2017 ... my husband and I had a wonderful visit to Canada and did several things to make great memories ... hiking, cycling, visiting my family. I clung onto those memories during the months he was in hospital. 2) When I was 9 years old, my family moved away from where my grandmother lived. One of of the last days there, my grandmother took me to her window and showed me a full moon outside. She told me that on every full moon, we could both look at it and know that even though we were far apart, we were both looking at the same moon. That's a memory which has stuck with me all these years, and every time I see a full moon, I think of my grandmother. She's 97 years old ... but not doing so well ... so I've been thinking of her a lot. And I've also been very glad that my husband and I were able to see her when we visited Canada in June 2017.
Nov 8 - "What book are you most grateful for?" That's easy ... The Bible.
I've enjoyed reading all your memories.
Love the discussion about books!
Nov 9 - "What place are you most grateful for?" This is not an easy one for me because I don't have the sense of "home" that many people have. I've moved too much for that.
So ... I've had to give this one some thought. What place?
Well ...
I'm grateful for our current house. It's comfortable enough. It's not very big so it's fairly easy to manage. And it has a great garden which my husband has been able to work in since returning home from his accident. It is also close to a couple beaches, which is nice.
Nov 10 - Taste! Hmmm ... salt. In the "Do you crave sweet or salty" discussion, I fall on the "salty" side.
As it happens, I have a diminished sense of taste and smell for whatever reason, so I divide foods into the basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour or bitter, and from there it's harder to distinguish precise flavours. Although, I do seem to have some odd tastes like, for example, meat and tomato taste metallic to me, and I don't like that. If I salt them well, the metallic taste goes away and they taste salty, which is OK.
Then, one of the side effects of my husband's accident is that he has lost most of his sense of taste and smell. He has regained a little bit, and they say it should return very gradually. But he'll comment that dinner has no flavour, and I'll think, "It just tastes salty to me. Is there supposed to be more flavour than that?"
Nov 11 - What holiday are you grateful for? Christmas!!!
I've always loved Christmas. I even picked up 3 Christmas CDs yesterday. I like having a decent amount of time off ... not just one day ... so I can get things done. I like all the decorations. I like the music. I like the services and celebrations.
Nov 12 - Texture. Smooth. Very, very smooth. Clothing with no texture. Textured clothing is unwearable. Smooth clothing is good.
Nov 13 - Abilities. Right now, it would have to be organisation. While I feel like I'm in the midst of a chaotic whirlwind (and have been for the past 8 months) and I don't feel very organised, surprisingly enough, stuff is getting done.
Maybe I should include things like endurance and tenacity ... "skills" I've honed from my long distance cycling carrying over to "real life".
Nov 14 - Sight. What sight am I grateful for? The ever-changing view out the window of our house looking over the bay and the surrounding hills. Right now it's all grey and misty but it still looks good.
Nov 15 - Season. The season I am most grateful for is summer. I love summer. I'd love it if the year were divided so that there was 1 month of winter, 1 month of spring, 2 months of autumn, and 8 months of real summer weather. We're coming into summer here and I appreciate each and every summer-like day.
Nov 16 - What about your body are you grateful for?
Sometimes I think ... "less and less" these days because I'm literally falling apart.
But ... I'm grateful for my legs which are one of my main methods of transportation.
Nov 17 - What knowledge are you grateful for? -- The tacit knowledge of cycling. Being able to ride a bicycle. It has taken me all over the world. It's how my husband and I met. It is stress relief. And it is part of my husband's healing process.
https://www.brainline.org/blog/getting-back-bike/what-brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor-and-why-you-should-care
Nov 18 - What piece of art are you grateful for?
That's a difficult one. I've taken an Art History course, and enjoyed it very much. And I like going to galleries. But I haven't really felt a connection to any particular pieces.
However, the one that is probably my favourite piece is:
Umberto Boccioni, Dynamism of a Cyclist, 1913
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamism_of_a_Cyclist
Nov 19 - What touch are you grateful for?
My husband's hugs!! This was something I missed so much when he was in hospital!!
Nov 20 - Who in your life are you grateful for?
The obvious choice would be my husband, and I am grateful to have him in my life still. However, I have been very grateful for my parents who have been so supportive through the challenges this year.
Nov 21 - What song are you most grateful for?
My taste in music changes with my moods but I've been listening to this one a lot this year ...
Jesus Loves Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osWLvRlniNo
Nov 22 - What story are you most grateful for?
The Christmas Story.
I have some of it memorised, and have done since I was about 6 years old. But I can hear it over and over.
Nov 23 - Tradition.
I had to think about this a bit because I don't think of myself as a person with many traditions, partly because I don't have children to pass them on to. But I do have a few around Christmas which I've inherited from my parents:
Decorations on or very close to December 1.
Open Presents on Christmas Eve.
Read the Christmas Story, mentioned above.
Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.
Listening to Handel's Messiah.
Watching Scrooge with Alistair Sims.
I'm grateful for all of my Christmas traditions ... they make December a special month.
Nov 24 - What challenge am I grateful for?
Ha! I've had a lot of challenges to choose from so I had to think about this one today.
I decided on this ...
The challenge I am grateful for is my education. I'm a perpetual student. I've attended courses of some sort just about every year since I was about 5 years old. I'm grateful that I've been able to do that. It has been challenging ... sometimes more than other times. And although I've not actually gone directly into the fields in which I've been educated, it has all contributed to get me where I am now.
And it keeps me thinking and learning.
Machka in Oz
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We put the Christmas Tree up! And I do mean UP! HA!
Lisa - it's just plain thrilling that the new position opened up - it was made for you. As I recall, the interim CEO had planned to eliminate your position so you both got what you wanted. Tho I think you got the better deal.
Barbara AHMOD - strong downpours and heavy winds = perfect day on Washington & Oregon beaches, lol. Thanksgiving 20 years ago, I popped the turkey in the oven, DH and I and the 2 beagles hopped in the car and drove out to North Cove, an hour's drive. Rugged and fairly deserted Washington beach. What a glorious day to stand on the sand, in the wind and rain and listen to that mighty ocean roar. Grateful for that memory.
Pup woke me up at 3, ready to go outside. Mommy is grouchy! So here I am.
Make it a good day, ladies!
Lanette
SW WA State7 -
Feeling a bit blah today.
Maybe the weather.
Stayed inside and worked on homework ... no exercise.
Just didn't have the energy.
Will go to bed soon.
M in Oz2 -
Happy Saturday, a little warmer out today, gonna do some lookie-lou real estate hunting and lunch out with our friend. Having an early start so i can fit in the gym in the end of the day. Stay cozy everyone.
NYKAREN4 -
Kate UK
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This is me in the morning only I'm wearing two knitted hats, three cotton shirts, a down jacket, leggings, jeans, wool socks, gloves, and warm shoes---also holding two dogs on leashes.5 -
Absolutely loving all of your stories and traditions!
Kim ... I agree with Lisa completely ... you are an amazing woman!
Kelly .. I knew that you took meals to your in-laws, but I didn't realize your mother-in-law has health issues ... I must have missed that. Hugs.
Penny... the advent stars are a tradition I could easily embrace ... beautiful.
Black Friday Shopping ... there is absolutely nothing for sale that is worth my peace of mind and sanity ...
23 Tradition .... Many, many traditions. Growing up, after Christmas Eve services, my Dad would drive us (Mom didn't and never did drive) all around the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights and luminaries. At that time, our entire community placed luminaries at the edge of the road (regardless of religious affiliation) ... paper bags, sand and lit candles ... to my child's eye, it was beautiful! Of course, as we got older we enjoyed laughing at the ones that had caught flame as well. I tried to continue the tradition of viewing lights with my children, but they never enjoyed it. Too simple for them I guess...
24 Challenge ... my older son's prematurity and subsequent health challenges has had and continues to have the greatest impact on my life. I have not always welcomed the lessons I've learned, but I am grateful for the emotional and spiritual growth I'm aware of as a result. All of my family's health concerns and my responses to them have been responsible for creating the person I am today. Giving thanks in all circumstances. A process for certain.
Today I'll have my younger son bring up the Christmas tree from the basement. A Martha Stewart glimmer/glitter tree I bought on a whim. It sheds glimmer/glitter everywhere but I like the way the light reflects off of it. Won't get to setting it up until next weekend though. Will finish making my turkey soup today and freeze it in small containers. Simple dinner tonight before son flies back to school tomorrow. Hoping to get some cleaning done as well ... lots of desk papers to go through ... again ...
Beth near Buffalo
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Hi Gals,
Machka – I read part of the “hack” on combining holidays and vacation time to get a longer time away, and got as far as the – and only use 17 days- and burst out laughing, at my last job you got 5 days a year could not be accumulated nor taken in conjunction with a holiday or sick time. The US is not as generous as anywhere else – and at that job we only got 6 holidays New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Standard annual leave here is 20 days (4 weeks). Then we get 12 (I think) stat holidays. Plus many places have RDOs or Purchased Leave options which add another 10-12 days (mine is 10 days in my current job).
Plus weekends, of course.
So if we're strategic about it, we can get a couple months off each year.
This coming Christmas, I'm "forced" to take December 25 to January 1 (inclusive) off. Dec 24 is a voluntary holiday, so I'm not sure if I'll take it or not yet. I suspect about 80% of my work colleagues will take it off, so I might join the masses and take it off too. So that'll give me 11 days of leave, and I'll only use 4 days of annual leave.
Then I'll have to decide if we'll go somewhere. That's the challenging part. It depends. It depends on what's going on with my health and with my husband's ability to travel ... and with the fact that, since it's summer and all the kids are off school, it's a busy travel time.
Nevertheless, it'll be very nice to have time off.
M in Oz
Kim & Machka I read this with amused longing as well...I've been working for the same company for nearly 30 years. I have finally worked my way up to 15 days of paid annual leave. PAL time can't be taken in conjunction with holidays. We are open 365 days a year, so we all have holiday obligations. And the only holidays recognized by my company are 10 shifts - 2 on July 4th, 2 on Thanksgiving Day, 3 at Christmas (Eve & all day Christmas Day), and 3 at New Year's (Eve & all day New Year's Day). Everyone has to work some of those holiday shifts; we do get holiday pay. All other holidays are regular working days for us...Labor Day, Memorial Day, Easter, Veteran's Day, etc.
On the other hand, my company is extending my health insurance coverage until my 65th birthday next summer & has graciously accommodated me cutting back my hours over the last year to my current 2 days a week. There aren't many companies that would do that. I should mention that the CEO and President of my company showed up at my mother's funeral in Nebraska in 2001. My company is in Virginia...the trip involved a two-leg plane trip & a 3.5-hour rental car drive...
Karen in Virginia6 -
Good morning ladies,
I’m Lissa and hoping to find some motivation here to help keep me on track. I need to lose about 20 pounds and get back into running. I’ve been on a week break while I get my goals and head together. I’ve had a personal trainer for the last year and I’m moving on and working with a new one next week. I love the outdoors and live in Oregon.
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Hi all,
Popped round the corner to the local church this morning where they were having a 'fayre' in aid of stray cats.
I bought some craft type things to have for the grandchildren, a comic annual and two homemade mince pies (fruit) for DH.
This afternoon I have been making enquiries about selling things so I can raise some cash. My wedding ring from my first marriage will be going. :bigsmile: I also enquired about some old books and got a low offer, which I might take, and asked about some old prints, which I have nowhere to hang. Haven't heard back yet.
I am giving away on Freecycle a very nice barstool. Again, nowhere for it. Someone wants it.
It would be good to have some cash for Christmas and to do things to the house.
I've cooked a Spinach and Feta Pie for dinner. Plus a ratatouille to go with it. Both will have leftovers for tomorrow.
Must pop out for milk.
Much love, Heather UK xxxxxxx3 -
Machka: For some quirky reason, your calendar brings to mind a song, The Age of Acquarius. . . . :bigsmile:
KJ: Is it Thanksgiving that upsets you, or the retail hype regarding he Christmas shopping season? I know the retail hype bothers me, and I’m thankful that I don’t have to dive in and shop until I drop. :grumble:
(((Heather))) I’m hoping things are okay for your cancer friend and that you hear from her soon. Did you get to keep your previous phone number in the move, or did you have to get a new number? Does she have your current contact information? :flowerforyou:
We are celebrating Thanksgiving today with our niece Diana and her significant other. The family nickname for this holiday meal was created by our son. It is called Saturkey Day, a celebration for family and friends who are unable to share the meal on Thursday. We are celebrating here with our niece and her significant other. Our son & DIL are traveling to Illinois to share the day with our daughter’s family at their new farm. I think that our grandniece and her husband will be there, too. For today’s celebration we made gluten free pumpkin cake for the first time. The batter tasted good, so I’m thinking the cake will, too.
Katla
5 -
We had a scary event in our community. A house blew up because of a gas leak. It was owned by an elderly man in his eighties. Chances are he could not smell the leak. If you have an elderly relative living alone another reason good thing to check on them. It was about 8 miles from where we live and I heard it when it happened. I said to DH what was that. It sounded like a muffled boom because how far we were from it. It made me shake once I found out what it was. One person was badly hurt. Two other homes are now condemned and a business.
8 -
Traditions... When the kids lived with me, we put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving and it stayed up until the day after New Year's (Jan 2). We decorated the inside and outside of the house as much as we could afford. On those years that we lived in apartments (and there were many) we decorated the inside of the apartment, the windows and whatever was allowed outside of the apartment (usually the doorway or the balcony). Most years we would have the traditional turkey with all the trimmings for Thanksgiving and for Christmas we'd switch to ham. All four of my kids know how to cook, so they'd help with the dinner. One of the traditions I remember fondly was our holiday bake off -- where we would bake and decorate dozens and dozens of cookies and then give them to our neighbors and the kids' friends. Just because we liked to bake in our house.
A tradition that my first husband (the kids' father) brought to the family and my kids carry on is that Christmas Eve dinner is usually spaghetti with meatballs -- or lasagna. My family's tradition is that every Christmas Eve we open one present. The gifter chooses the present. My current hubby (who is childless) and I still follow that tradition, even though we technically don't celebrate Christmas.
It's interesting to see everyone else's traditions an I wanted to share mine. Since the kids are grown and gone, it's just me and the hubs. We put up our tree whenever both of us feel up to it and we decorate the inside of our house but not the outside of this one (it's a long story). I do like the winter holidays and want to get into the spirit again some day, but for the past few years, I've been sick... just too *sigh* exhausted to deal with it all. But I'm getting better so... here's to hoping. Right?
Willow in WA USA3 -
Great going! I have fibromyalgia too. A solid night’s sleep is SUPER important to avoid that, but I think I got more than my share yesterday and last night. Sheesh!PressingPatience…But I did exercise... first time in years. One of the DVDs I bought the other day.
Sharon near Seattle3 -
Machka: For some quirky reason, your calendar brings to mind a song, The Age of Acquarius. . . . :bigsmile:
KJ: Is it Thanksgiving that upsets you, or the retail hype regarding he Christmas shopping season? I know the retail hype bothers me, and I’m thankful that I don’t have to dive in and shop until I drop. :grumble:
(((Heather))) I’m hoping things are okay for your cancer friend and that you hear from her soon. Did you get to keep your previous phone number in the move, or did you have to get a new number? Does she have your current contact information? :flowerforyou:
We are celebrating Thanksgiving today with our niece Diana and her significant other. The family nickname for this holiday meal was created by our son. It is called Saturkey Day, a celebration for family and friends who are unable to share the meal on Thursday. We are celebrating here with our niece and her significant other. Our son & DIL are traveling to Illinois to share the day with our daughter’s family at their new farm. I think that our grandniece and her husband will be there, too. For today’s celebration we made gluten free pumpkin cake for the first time. The batter tasted good, so I’m thinking the cake will, too.
Katla
Katla I mistakenly thought NYKAREN was the one who mentioned Saturkey Day but I see it was your son who coined the term. I predict that it will someday make its way into the Urban Dictionary and your brilliant son may or may not be credited. I love that made up word!
Karen in Virginia3 -
I got my hair cut today!
Last time was maybe May 2017.
M in Oz
I have had trouble dealing w mine below my shoulder blades, but then, I wore it quite short until 2015. It grows really fast. What do you do with yours at night? Mine itches if it gets on my shoulders.
Sharon near Seattle0 -
2 -
…#22 Story: "Papa and I were lonely and wanted a child but couldn't make one. Pastor Ruehle learned of a child being born whose parents couldn't keep her. He came with us to the hospital to get you. We brought you home to love you forever."
Lighter, lovelies!Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD.
That story touches my heart. My first real love and I had a child we couldn’t take care of. I often think of the joy he doubtless brought to another couple, even though my heart aches about this time of year. He was born Dec. 3rd, the birthday of my mother, who had died only two years earlier when I was 18.
Sharon near Seattle6 -
PressingPatience wrote: »… after three years of not moving around much, my dogs are all kinds of confused that I've gotten up and started dancing around. ^_^
Willow in WA USA
Willow, I just LOVE the “What the HELL, mom?!?” expressions our pets get when we do something out of character! Mine are usually dumbfounded when I spend a whole 12 hours away from home!
Sharon near Seattle2 -
Afternoon lovelies
We have been out and about and will go back to the hotel and I plan on taking a nap.
This has been such a lovely time and we will be leaving in the morning to go back home.
I have cherished every moment with Doris and right now while I wait for her to poak around a thrift shop I'm chatting with you,I have a pocket full of sea shells and had some water fowl food that I gave to seagulls and to ducks
Hit a few stores and will have a nice meal out tonight.
Gosh I love the Cape.3 -
Penny, heading back to the kitchen at the t07190.gif - I love holiday lights of all sorts, so Advent Stars would be right up my alley.
Sharon near Seattle0 -
So glad your break ended up great Allie. Beloved horizons are always good for the soul. I would love to go to the Cape one day. It's on my bucket list.
Katla - I think the friend I texted must have told my cancer friend I was worried about her. She texted me this morning apologising and saying she wasn't feeling good. She said, " Knackered" She said she hoped to chat this weekend, but I don't hold out much hope. She is exhausted from medical treatments. She tends to withdraw when things get hard. I don't want to pressure her. I sent her loads of love. I tried to send her an ecard, but the ecard was rejected, saying that the recipient had requested that none be sent.
She knows I care.
This evening I shall be watching a German detective series and a Swedish one.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxx3
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