WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2018

Machka9

Christmas Eve ...

Slept in, sat in the sun and read A Christmas Carol, and did laundry which dried in the heat and breeze outside in about an hour. Also ... talked to my parents via Skype!!! ❤️


Ran at the beach.
Distance: 3.04km
Elevation: 21m
Moving Time: 22:46
Elapsed Time 24:26
Pace: 7:29/km

Walked about 1.5 km and I'm thinking of lifting some weights before bed.

Cycle on the trainer at home.
Distance: 10.91km
Elevation: 61m
Moving Time: 24:18
Elapsed Time: 24:18
........................ Avg .............. Max
Speed ............. 26.9km/h ....... 47.5km/h
Heart Rate ...... 126bpm ......... 147bpm
Cadence ......... 73 .................. 83
Power ............. 91W ............... 111W

Couldn't get Rowan's Zwift hooked up for some reason. Each individual piece worked but they didn't want to talk to each other.


I also made a Christmas Eve pavlova. And yes, that's what happens to my hair when it's humid!!









Machka in Oz

cityjaneLondon

Karen - I do hope you can catch it. Try to listen from the beginning as the boy soloist who sings the first verse of Once In Royal David's City is chosen at the last minute. It always makes me cry.
I mentioned it once before, but once we had a Christmas miracle during the broadcast when my mother was forgiven and invited to my sister in law's Christmas tea. I had cried for her most of the service and then I got a phone call from my brother. As I am not religious, I have to say it was a wonderful coincidence, but it certainly felt like a miracle.

Love Heather UK, steeling herself to do her 5k. XXXXXXXX

exermom

Thinking of everyone in Australia:



Merry Christmas/Christmas Eve

trisH_7183

Forgot to add a Christmas tree. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

Machka9

exermom wrote: »

Thinking of everyone in Australia:



Merry Christmas/Christmas Eve

Thanks!! It's been Christmas Day here for 17 minutes now.

M in Oz

Machka9

teklawa1

Yum! Pavlova looks delicious and made my mouth water.

28 degrees and icy when I walked Ella these morning. Brrr! Cold but beautiful.

Betsy in NW Washington

barbiecat

Cold here, too, when I walked Sasha and Bessie.

I hope all of you who have worked so hard to prepare for Christmas, are able to enjoy every moment of it.

Barbie in beautiful chilly NW WA

pipcd34

Kirby pooped last night!!!! I didn’t think *kitten* would b all the Christmas gift I would want!!!!

cityjaneLondon

Beautiful day when I went out for my run. Lots of people out. Extended families, grandparents etc. The beachside café had people sitting outside. I am so glad we moved here.
Now to put all the Christmas lights on, make myself a snack and settle down with the radio.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

KJLaMore

Good morning all! I slept in until 7:45 and it felt WONDERFUL!! Drinking my coffee, still in my pjs, and hoping you are all having a wonderful Christmas Eve/Christmas Day! The only "have to" on my to do list today is have birthday lunch with my youngest son, Colin. He is 25 today. Here is his birth story. I wrote a version of this for our local paper a few years back in answer to their request for most memorable Christmases. It definitely stood out from the many memories of gifts, traditions, and stockings. But this is the memory that rushes to the forefront of my brain every Christmas. Bittersweet, for sure.

"In December of 1992, my mother was in the kitchen and her legs suddenly gave way beneath her. In short time, we had her off the floor and on the way to the hospital. The doctors found a mass wrapped around her spine. Inoperable. Her cancer was back. Her third meeting with the “beast” in seven years. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. By the beginning of March she was at home and the end was near. She had asked to be taken off the morphine when her time was close, as she had things she wanted to say to each of us kids and wanted a clear head. On my last visit with her, I entered her bedroom with my daughter Lauren (then four years old) and my mom greeted me with her usual smile and warmth. “Oh! Kelly Jo! I am so happy you are here! Who do you have with you?” Figuring this was confusion due to illness, I gently reminded her, “It’s Lauren, mom. You remember Lauren!” and my mother answered, “No! I am not talking about Lauren” (to Lauren, “Hello dollbaby! How are you?”) “I am talking about the baby in your arms! Whose little boy is that?” I replied, “There’s no baby!” Opening my empty arms to show her, “Just me and Lauren.” She looked confused and then thoughtful for a moment. Then smiled and said “Oh, I see. Nevermind!”. We continued with our visit and then I went home. Mom passed away later that night. Two weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. For the next few months, my sorrow was deep, the emotional pain was all encompassing and I would drown myself in my work because that was the only place where I was NOT thinking about my loss. The whole time this baby moved gently and quietly inside of me. So different from my first pregnancy, when my unborn daughter would seemingly be doing all sorts of tumbling and gymnastics inside, then would lean against a certain nerve in my back and knock my feet out from under me. This baby was different. Moving gently, as if trying to NOT stress me any more than I was. November came, I was as big as a house in my eighth month and like most pregnant women, ready for this baby to arrive. Then, my father passed away. The doctors figured it was the stress of losing my mom that caused a heart dissection. The heart actually tears away from the wall, causing him to bleed internally. He thought he had the flu, so didn’t go into the doctor until it was too late. Dad was gone. My heart was in pieces. Those last few weeks of the pregnancy was a blur. But life does go on. I had two children at home, ready for Christmas fun and wonder. On Christmas Eve morning, I left my house for a check up with my obstetrician. I told my husband and kids, “I have to go to the doctor, and when I get home, we will open presents!” Well, you know what they say about the “best laid plans”. My ob decided that we needed to induce labor, and my baby boy was born at 6:30pm on Christmas Eve. He entered the world without a sound and eyes wide open. Even that little spank that they give so his lungs would fill with air, produced only a couple of screams of indignation, which then quieted as soon as they placed him on my chest. He just nestled in and went to sleep. Soothing my soul and healing my heart and “nurturing” me as much as I would be doing for him. My husband had let my brothers and sisters know that the baby had arrived, and like shepherds, or maybe lost sheep, they all made their pilgrimage to my hospital room to see this baby. This baby who was a sign of life after a year of death. This baby, who as he was passed around from arms to arms, was a soothing balm for each aching heart. Now, the birth of this child was no more special than that of any other child, but he was the child that made me truly know there is a God. I am positive that my mother saw a baby boy in my arms, and that her soul and my son’s soul “saw” each other. One soul on the way out of this world, and one soul on it’s way in. I am sure that God gave me this gift. This life that I so badly needed in 1993. Every Christmas as I am reminded of the absence of my parents, I am reminded of the gift of life. A baby is never just a baby. Happy birthday, beautiful boy."

xoxoxo thinking of you all as I rest, celebrate, and have some egg nog. Love, love, LOVE to you all! KJ (Kelly)

1948Peachy

(((Kelly))) ~ Love your story!

klanders30

Kelly I’m still crying having just read your story. Thank you

grandmallie

Oh Kelly~ I am in tears.. what a beautiful story~and I read this and listening to Heather's wonderful choir at Kings college...sitting in front of my little electric fireplace.. what a wonderful way to spend the morning with my darling friends xoxox

barbiecat

Kelly, what a great story

Pip, *kitten* for Christmas---yippee

Heather, how great that you are enjoying your new location so much.

I am feeling much better than yesterday. I slept well last night and was able to get up and walk the dogs this morning. Just to be careful, I'm going back to bed in a few minutes for a nap before tackling my morning projects. Thank you for all your get well wishes.

megblair1

Merry Christmas to all my friends here. My NY resolution is to get back here more often! I have managed to lose 17.1 pounds since DH has been away and I think it's mostly due to the Trulicity. It has really curbed my appetite! I appreciate all your support. Take care, Meg from cloudy Omaha

cityjaneLondon

KJ -

Well, I've had my cry at the choir and the readings and a glass of sherry. Wrapped DH's Santa presents.
Love you all my friends.
Heather UK xxxxxxx

grandmallie

Heather~ oh it was just beautiful I enjoyed the choir so very much ... I am having a cup of tea and relaxing before going to my daughters, I made a winter fruit salad she wanted and will bring regular salad and rolls... I am listening on youtube to music box Christmas.. my mom had the LP and would have it on the stereo every Christmas.. I still can smell the pine from the Christmas tree,the fire in the fireplace and the smell of good food and great company... how blessed was I, things are different this Christmas... last Christmas Eve my dad was so very sick but not diagnosed until the day after Christmas... but will enjoy the company and my family..
I am so Blessed to have you all in my life and thank you all so much for being such dear friend xoxoxox

Poerava14

KJ: Your story was so moving. Happy birthday to your son and blessings to your family this holiday season.

Karen in VA: May your DIL's father RIP. Olivia is just gorgeous.

Pip: Yay for Kirby and his 'special' present. Big hugs to you both.

Barbie: Rest, and more rest. You'll knock that cold out of your healthy body quickly.

Machka: Your hair looks great. I share your frustration with trying to manage the humidity frizzies. I miss my friends in Honolulu, but not the super warm Decembers.

Janetr: Ditto what Karen said...I'll always remember our fun dinner together.

Mars and I will head out to deliver his cards, then I'll go to the gym, run errands and be home the rest of the day. Have laundry started. DH has promised to shower and shave (he's overdue!). We will have tamales and Christmas ale tonight while watching football. Good fun for us.

Stay well friends. Smile through it all...the stresses, the messes, the surreal and sublime. You are amazing...never forget that.

Rori
Colorado Foothills

Vickil57

Merry Christmas eve all you lovely ladies. I am working until 5 and then we will go over to DS and celebrate with his family and part of the DGC.
Kelly--I love the story of your son's birth.
Blessings, Vicki GI NE