WOMEN AGES 50 + FOR DECEMBER 2019

barbiecat
barbiecat Posts: 17,200 Member
in Motivation and Support
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:) December can be a difficult month with shopping, eating, and family issues looming bigger than usual. It has helped me to navigate life's challenges with the help of supportive friends.

:) That's what this thread is about. The title says "Women Ages 50+" but all women are welcome.
Some of us set goals or resolutions for the month and others just take life one day at time and try to build and reinforce good habits. Please join us on this journey.

:) Don't forget to bookmark the thread so you can find it again.

:) Please sign your post with a name or nickname and a general geographic location so we can get to know each other better.

<3 Barbie from NW WA

My word for 2019 is "pause"

The reason most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want the MOST for what they want at the MOMENT.
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Replies

  • JRsLateInLifeMom
    JRsLateInLifeMom Posts: 2,275 Member
    New month- Tree real or fake ? Hubby worried 😦 about JR y a real tree 🌲. Will see his decision soon enough other concern is Daughter coming so late don’t want a dead tree.
    Hubby wants to fight the crowds get some stuff for JR y Groceries. I’m not going out the crowds are terrible this time of the year!

    Still lots to do but not accomplishing my out the pictures on a flash drive or cleaning the bathroom as fast as I hoped. Got other stuff done tho. JR been playing outside a lot which means anything indoors can’t get done/ he’s into everything outside so nothing can get done there either. Oh well with time that will change every few months is a new milestone. Switching JRs diet up Oreos for Chocolate teddy grahams (more fiber) y chocolate chip teddy grahams bunch more flavors. Trying to introduce more new foods limit his baked Cheetos. Want to slowly get him used to the idea like school lunches you eat what you get.

    Freash orange juice squeezed from my tree today. Finally it’s maturing so the oranges taste better sweeter than last year.

    Same as last month y been trying to figure out menu for restaurants. So much to decide. The menus aren’t the same at all restaurants in the chains so looking for multiple choices in case.

    My measurements are the same except my waist is down a few inches!!! Woohoo 🙌
    Weights not showing all of it but measurements are from efforts all month long.
    Watching Hamdmaids tale it’s really good nothing like the news portrayed it was written before Dems against reps y vice versa nonsense! It’s not against religion it’s more what if a radicalized cult took over went over board on their ideas 💡 some wanted to bail out but now they can’t. Women trapped no matter their social status . Environmental issues of wars,toxins,y female infertility on the rise due to issues unknown only guesses of why. The fight of ones soul as they would go any lengths to save their children 👶. I liked it. Males who want freedom for all against those who want it only for the elite. Struggles in it make you start off by thinking you know the villans...but you don’t. They dig deep into their past,middle,y now. You fall in love with some realize others are monsters. You see how abuse changes one for the better,worse,or in between as they all struggle to be free. The main character refuses to leave unless her children are all free (sounds like me wouldn’t leave a Abuser who kidnapped me trapping me in his cult religion without my Daughter no matter how many bones they broke you find strength no one could imagine the Mama Bear in us all! ),but she takes routes even she never thought she would as it goes on.
    (On Hulu)
    Amber Tx

    Guacamole
    1.seasoning in any markets veggie or seasoning section says guacamole seasoning
    2.lots of avocado 🥑
    3. Lemon 🍋 juice
    4. Spinach leaves torn tiny
    5. Guacamole salsa 💃
    6. Onions 🧅 diced tiny

    Mash y mix tadaaaa freash guacamole serving size 2 Tbls.

  • JRsLateInLifeMom
    JRsLateInLifeMom Posts: 2,275 Member
    Rebecca- Hotel food when I worked at the breakfast bar as a fill in at big chain ones was all in bags they didn’t allow us to make from scratch (lawyer stuff). Small chain one yes fresher but depending on the one you get what they call breakfast ...cereal with donuts 🍩 or fresh real eggs y toast or breakfast tacos 🌮. Egg in a bag was egg substitute had to be warmed in water from a microwaved bowl of water (boiled). The oatmeal was in a bag you popped in a microwave it came out how it came out cook adds nothing! It’s what the manufacturer did.
    Muffins taken out of freezer premade warmed in microwave with paper towel over. Even the bacons in a bag! The perks no chance of food poisoning less allergies for many people with less chance of waste. Bananas y fruit are real go so quick especially bananas!!! 3-10lbs in an hour!

    Restaurants are getting to be the same most are premade by company the cook only adds garnishes y heats it up. More lawsuits for coffee with a lose lid the more things are not fresh.


    Amber Tx
  • coastalgosgal
    coastalgosgal Posts: 2,900 Member
    Happy New month ladies!!! Thanks Barbie for being out fearless leader.💖
    So this weeks yummy jar, my husband picked chocolate chip cookies, and son picked peanut brittle. I have my shopping list for stuff I don't have. This will pace the sweet things in the house, plus it was cute watching son pick from the wads of paper choices.👍
    💖Rebecca
  • KetoneKaren
    KetoneKaren Posts: 6,412 Member
    <3
  • margaretturk
    margaretturk Posts: 5,258 Member
    Thanks Barbie!
  • csofled
    csofled Posts: 3,022 Member
    🧡💙💜❤️
  • auntiebk
    auntiebk Posts: 2,614 Member
    Thank you Barbie!

    November summary:
    same or better than October-marked with a *.
    Daily: *log 100%, weigh *100%, vits 90% , Ci<Co=83%, Ci <250 Co=30%, 5 mins training or 10 mins groomingTumble=53%, check in mfp 97%
    3 days/wk: 30 mins cardio (dance class, pack walk) =?
    3 days/wk: Better Bones & Balance =?%
    Weekly: *rx=100%
    Monthly: firehouse security committee mtg LISTEN, help projects move forward. 0%
    Bonus: AF 63% average steps 5138
    Not done: finish email list for dog group, sew something, play something.

    No improvements, only a few same as Oct. Forgot to log weeklies, only missed two BB&Bs. Tuesday Line dance cancelled.
    CiCo, Tumble, steps, play and AF need more attention. Time to back out from Monday firehall except for special issues. Changed to Board meeting and grant work follow up.

    December strategy:
    Better than November! Log weeklies and monthlies..
    Daily: log , weigh, vits, CI<CO, CI <250 CO, Tumble (5 mins training or 10 mins grooming), check in mfp
    3 days/wk: Better Bones & Balance or T'ai Chi
    Weekly: rx, 90 min dance class (Tuesdays canceled for the holidays), 30 min pack walk (allowing for weather)
    Monthly: firehouse board meeting and grant work.
    Bonus: AF, average steps > 5344 (Oct average), finish dog group email list, sew something, play so
    mething.

    SuziQ Grr for phone hell.
    Betsy in NW WA, safe travels and hope that judge/mediator tells your brother and cousins some home truths.
    Kim 6 lbs of bacon into one meal? Glug.
    Michele SMH no Weather Channel in hotels. Crazy!
    Katla would love to see a pic of the Christmas Ships parade... ;)

    Struggling here a bit with motivation, energy levels. Seems like the days are so short, the dark nights so long. Need pip's boot to get out into the light when I can.

    Gratitudes Day
    #17 Knowledge: learning how Joe's way of processing information is different from mine, how to communicate non-judgementally and effectively.
    #16 My body: well last night I would have been hard pressed to respond positively or gratefully to this challenge. Have been catching glimpses (shudder) in the mirror, in the morning at T'ai Chi and last night at line dancing. Received my Land's End order in the post, and the first shirt I tried on nearly made me cry. Look so fat! Tried on another and it wasn't quite as bad so wore it to line dancing. Will try on the rest later today and return the ones I really really won't wear. SO time for a flip. I AM grateful for my legs, how they are improving with BB&B, and how I can use them for quality time walking with Joe and the pooches. Like Heather said, grateful for my mobility. As for the rest, like Evelyn said, it's time to take better care of my body, starting with being grateful for it just as it is right now.
    #15 Season: Summer. Used to be autumn, the colors, the smells. Winter too cold, Spring to drizzly. Summer here on the coast is perfect, only 3 days of 90+ degrees and so long as no wild fires, the air is clear.
    #14 sight: my DH's lowered pressure numbers, his glaucoma has stabilized with no immediate need for surgery. Long may he see the ocean from our front room, the dogs playing together at the edge of the woods, the fog through the trees.
    #13 abilities: touch typing ;)
    #12 texture: Tumble's double coat, long straight strong guard hairs undercoated with soft downy fur. Shadow's silky puppy ears.
    #11 holiday: Christmas. The music, the lights, the scent of the Christmas tree, the story, the memories, the taste of egg nog, tom and jerry's, and oh yes... baking, smelling and eating the COOKIES!!!
    #10 taste: today its fresh ice water. After too much wine it really tastes good. ;)
    #9 place: our property, all 15 vertical acres of it, woods, ferns, creeks, mud, brush, critters, peeks at the ocean and the way it smells when I get out of the car. “Home!”
    #8 book: To Build a Land by Sally Watson. Read this children's novel when I was 9. It was about a group of Jewish orphans transported to Israel after WWII. Identifying with one of the characters sparked a life long interest in archeology, Hebrew and ultimatly spurred me to visit the holy land in 1980.
    #7 memory: at holidays Papa told stories about his younger days, during Prohibition and the Depression (but never about WWII). I could repeat them almost word for word but enjoyed them every time. That's one thing I miss about not having family left for holiday get togethers.
    # 6 nature: the forest's scent and the ocean's clamour
    # 5 sound: Joe snoring
    # 4 food: Fage Greek Yoghurt
    # 3 color: blue skies after a gray rainy foggy couple of days.
    # 2 tech: my Win 7 laptop. Dread migrating to something newer/supported.
    # 1 smell: clean, bleached whites while transferring from washer to dryer.
    Lighter, lovelies!
    f8qt1s098sxm.gifBarbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
    Word for 2019: "GOOD" good attitude, good food, good times, good choices, good enough, feel good, GOOD! Word for November: get up and do it EVERY day!
    Steps=2242 :P vits=27 log=30 CI<CO=25, CI<250<CO=9 Tumble=16 mfp=29 AF=19
  • SuziQ113
    SuziQ113 Posts: 1,520 Member
    barbiecat wrote: »
    <3 Barbie from NW WA

    My word for 2019 is "pause"

    The reason most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want the MOST for what they want at the MOMENT.

    Barbie,

    Thank you for consistently continuing this thread and for your words of wisdom.
    SuziQ
  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,709 Member
    Thank you soooooo much, Barbie! <3

    Barbara - Love your knowledge choice. I feel a bit like that some of the time. ;)

    For me I am grateful for my endless curiosity that has brought me knowledge about many, many different subjects. My most unusual area of knowledge must be the history of Israel and the Early Church. I have just finished yet another book on the subject. :o I read mostly non-fiction these days - a lot of medicine, genetics, anthropology, archaeology, history, biography. I love to dig around in science.

    I had to make a decision this morning about whether to go to the Christmas Party for the Swing Dancing. After a lot of agonising I have decided not to go. It's complicated, but I'm glad I have settled on giving it a miss.

    This afternoon I am going to clean the dining room and living room so I can make a start on Christmas decorations. Normally I would get DH to do his share, but I don't want to aggravate his back. I'm going to put some lights on the Christmas tree that's growing in our front garden and the new baubles that I bought when I was with my friend. If anyone steals them that's too bad. They weren't expensive. Last year I noticed that a lot of people had decorations on their outside tree. I hope I can remember where the lights are!

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
  • KetoneKaren
    KetoneKaren Posts: 6,412 Member
    Working today
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 19,034 Member
    Viv: Fingers crossed for SiL's results. BAH!!! To the electrician messing you about.
  • SuziQ113
    SuziQ113 Posts: 1,520 Member
    Hello one and all.

    Okie, Beth, Heather, Lanette, Karen, Terri, and Barbara – Thank you all for your comments regarding my phone issue. My frustration was mostly due to the provider’s policies and the representative basically lying to me regarding the delivery. At the store the technician/employees helping me all said (I will not mention names) they all work for the company and had for years, but also hate the company’s policies. I will be composing a letter with the transcripts of my chats and sending off to the provider. It may help someone in the future.
    Silver Linings – Although my phone issue was extremely frustrating the outcome of getting a new phone far outweighed the downside of my experience. I learned, once again, the importance of backing everything up including my phone data. I also learned how to upload and convert data between different cloud services and a few new apps. The new phone is fantastic. It measures my steps, can measure my heart rate and stress levels, is 5G, and syncs with MFP. Note to self – be more patient through times of frustration!
    All – I am sorry about my rant yesterday. Looking back I feel it was a very petty situation especially since so many on this thread are full caretakers, have family and friends who are overcoming major diseases and illnesses, are struggling with health issues, or are fighting their way back to a healthier mental state. My heart goes out to you all.
    Karen – I loved the moving of the house story. Women should not be underestimated. It’s great the house was saved for future generations. So many want “new” today.
    Barbie – I remember both my mom and grandmother every time I make broth from any type of carcass or bone. During times of my childhood I would detest we were having soup “again”. As I grew up I realized it was a way of extending food when there was little and the older generations were taught not to waste. I now find myself craving those soups and always make stock when a carcass or bone is available.
    Terri – Congratulations on your weight loss.
    Kim – I am so happy you had a nice Thanksgiving. Wow, bragging about six pounds of bacon! I do love the stuff, but goodness. I keep seeing a heart attack on a plate. What a great thing to do for the little lady – circle of life ceremony. You certainly have a big heart.
    Michele – It sounds like you had a good trip even though the road food was not something to be desired. I have breaded fish in the morning and cooked later on in the day. I make sure the fish is very dry when I prep in the morning. I have never attempted to prep the day before.
    Katla – In Florida almost every coastal town has a boat parade. The events have gotten so big it is almost impossible to go to one unless one has a hotel booked a year in advance or has a friend with a coastal home.
    Viv – I find myself thinking more about dear Charlie during the holidays too. We had many future plans too. My salve is knowing I was fortunate to have met him even though our time was cut short. If I lived closer I would wring the electrician’s neck for you.
    Heather – I was struggling with an event too. I am sorry to say it is a wedding. But, after making my decision I honestly feel lighter. There are a host of reasons the biggest being financial and some emotional. It requires an overnight stay and clothes which at this time I cannot afford. I will send a wedding present with a note explaining my absence.
    Lisa – Thinking of you. Yes, like you, I never was comfortable with hugs. Though I thoroughly enjoy giving them when needed.

    Wishing all a great day.
    SuziQ - SFL
  • SuziQ113
    SuziQ113 Posts: 1,520 Member
    Day 20 - December 1
    I am grateful for all of the knowledge I have accumulated and the ability to continue to learn and grow.
  • linder4866
    linder4866 Posts: 11,422 Member
    ❤️🙋🏼‍♀️
  • SuziQ113
    SuziQ113 Posts: 1,520 Member
    November Recap
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    • Exercise - Met 75% of my exercise goals. I started out well for the month of November and fished weak.
    • Downsizing - Still walking by and thinking about taking apart the desk and getting rid of it. Larger clothes have been donated.
    • Weight Loss - November's goal was a total loss of 6 pounds which I thought was a little aggressive. I am happy with the 5.2 pound loss.

    December Goals
    • Weight Loss Goal = 6 pounds
    • Cardio = 5 days per week (minimum)
    • Strength Training = 2 days per week
    • Downsizing = Continue to getting rid of items no longer being used and/or wanted. Continue to go through my clothes and donate them as they no longer fit. Attempt to stop looking at that desk as such a big thing - yes, it was the first thing Charlie and I built together, but it is no longer used. I need to move forward in my life - the desk is not my life with him.
    • Remember all of my loved ones who have passed for the lessons they taught me. Remember the love and not dwell on the loss.
  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,094 Member
    Morning Ladies
    Lisa ~ thank you for checkin in... Love ya girlfriend and miss when your not hear, I understand about when we are just sort of feeling like a turtle that doesn't feel like coming out of his shell. especially around the holidays can be tough..we are here for you when you want to chat...
    Yesterday was a hoot.. I have to get back on track eating because we are having way to much non keto food..
    went to my friend Trudys yesterday afternoon, and had lunch that had some carbs, and had prossecco with cranberry juice.. called a pointsetta ,, was delish..and the 4 of us were laughing all afternoon.. if your friends with me on facebook there is a picture of us on there, we all had hats on lol
    this is what makes me enjoy life, spending time with good friends
    our first storm starts later this morning,, and I dont have to go anywhere.. so thats the time to get the place spruced up.. all my Christmas stuff is done except for my brother and sister in law.. im probably going to send them Omaha Steaks, always goes over well..
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    edited December 2019
    We went through these 30 Days of Gratitude in November last year. Feel free to join in whenever you'd like ...

    mozs13csyrr4.png
    Machka in Oz

    All right ... it's mid November and this will take us through to mid December ... just in time for Christmas!! :)

    Day 1 - November 15 - Smell: My sense of smell is limited and my husband no longer has a sense of smell (or taste) since his accident. However, I can catch a faint scent from the roses and freesias he has grown, which are all coming into bloom.

    I'm thankful that he has been able to garden and that we have so many lovely flowers and veggies growing and blooming. :)

    Day 2 - November 16 - Technology: My laptop, my phone, email, facebook ... the fact that technology exists! :) It's what I do ... it's what I learn ... it's how I communicate with family and friends.

    Day 3 - November 17 - Colour: Well ... I'm thankful for the bright colours on my table. Especially since this spring has been quite gloomy. They make me smile. :)

    Day 4 - November 18 - Food: I'm thankful for my weekday lunches ... chicken, rice and veg. :)

    Day 5 - November 19 - Sound: How applicable! I just got my laptop connected to my stereo!! I am appreciating the nice soothing music in the evenings. :)

    Day 6 - November 20 - Nature: All of it! I am very thankful that there is nature ... animals and plants, water, rocks, mountains, hills, all of it. I'm glad I live in a place where I can see and experience nature. I couldn't live in the middle of a large city. My ideal would be in a small town or right on the edge of a larger one so I could be surrounded by countryside in seconds.

    Day 7 - November 21 - Memory: I'm thankful for memory. I'm thankful that my husband has some of his memory - he's pretty good at past memories and procedural memories. I'm glad he didn't lose that. I'm also thankful that, with a bit of effort, I've been able to improve my memory a bit. I've discovered that if I focus and work at it, I can remember people's names at least some of the time! I've had to be my husband's memory.

    Day 8 - November 22 - Book: Most grateful ... the Bible. It's been a comfort to me, especially in recent times.

    Also grateful for books in general.

    The last 18 months I've switched to reading "children's" books. I've also found them comforting.

    Day 9 - November 23 - Place: I'm thankful for my bed!! Although I'm not there nearly as much as I'd like to be, my bed has become one of my favourite places to be. There I can lose myself in books or sleep. :heart:

    That said, I need to get a new pillow. Might have to see about doing that tomorrow if possible.

    Day 10 - November 24 - Taste! Well, there are only 4 of them: salt, sweet, bitter, sour, and I've written them in order of preference. :)

    I am thankful I have all 4 but I wish my husband did again.

    Day 11 - November 25 - Holiday: How appropriate ... one month before Christmas. :) Christmas is my favourite public holiday. I'm love the music, the decorations, the food, the Christmas Carol evenings, the lights, and the celebration of Jesus birth. I'm thankful that we have a Christmas holiday.

    As for holidays in general, I enjoy any opportunity to a) take time off work, and b) travel. I'm very thankful I live and work in Australia where I get quite a decent amount of holiday time. :)

    Day 12 - November 26 - Texture: Smooth. Since the measles (?) in 2016, I need to wear very smooth clothes. I've been thankful to find such things at a good price.

    And the soft texture of the fur of kitties. :)

    Day 13 - November 27 - Abilities: I am very thankful for my organisational skills. I don't know how I would have survived with the past 20 months without them!!

    Deep breath ...

    Day 14 - November 28 - Sight: What sight am I grateful for?

    The sight of all the roses and other flowers in our garden. :)
    The view from our dining room window out over the water. :)
    The beach my bus goes by morning and evening ... sometimes there is sea wildlife out there. I've seen dolphins, a stingray and a whale! :)
    The mountain behind the city. :)

    Psalm 121
    A song of ascents.
    1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
    2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
    ...

    Day 15 - November 29 - Season: Summer. I'm always thankful for summer! The warmth. The long daylight hours. I come alive in summer. :) One more day till summer!

    Day 16 - November 30 - My Body: I'm thankful for my brain and my legs. My brain, because it often has to be a brain for two of us now and although it fails me now and then, I'm so glad things like my memory seem to have improved. And my legs because they are what carry me around and allow me to do things like cycling and running.

    Day 17 - December 1 - Knowledge: Coincidentally, my current course is Knowledge Management. :) I appreciate everything I've learned through formal education, experience, and life in general. I'm especially thankful for being at a point where I feel reasonably comfortable around computers ... but can still learn more! Even just today, I learned how to add contacts into my phone.


    Machka in Oz
  • KJLaMore
    KJLaMore Posts: 2,847 Member
    Thank you Barbie for bringing us into another month! I have to agree with the others opinions about everyone in this group. I find, as life keeps rolling on, that I look forward to the conversation, inspiration and support that I get from all of you. Mornings are already my favorite part of the day; you ladies just make it even more pleasant. Like having coffee with long time friends.

    It is December first, so of course I weighed in: I am back up to 238. Which means I have gained back what I have lost, even with the extra exercise. :( All my fault, as I have been celebrating the holidays since November started. With the extra yummies for the daycare kids, for my family, add my birthday and Thanksgiving, PLUS the wine fairy that visits my house a couple of times a week...I have had a good time this month. And it shows. So...time for me to stop celebrating every day. I am going to go alcohol free for the next 24 days. I can do this (yes, I am mentally psyching myself up)! I will also stay on a strict lean protein, high veg meal plan. Going to try to give sugar the heave ho for the next three weeks. (I can do this.)
    I CAN DO THIS!!!

    Machka- I have fallen behind on your gratitude calendar...what day are we on? I left off at:
    #13-abilities: I am grateful for the ability to work with many small children and find a bottomless well of patience.
    #14-sight: I am grateful for the sight of snow on the ground
    #15-season: lol (following the above gratitude) I am grateful for winter. I love the crispness, the winter sports, and the "warmth" the season gives me.
    #16-body: I am grateful for my strength. Although I know I could (and will) be stronger, I am strong enough to get the things done that need to be done.
    #17-knowledge: I am grateful for the knowledge that I have learned regarding children and how they learn and process and grow. They are amazing little humans!

    Love and hugs to all of you! ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 19,034 Member
    Barbie: When my girls were at home, I always cooked different veg in separate pots to accommodate their likes/dislikes. These days, they all go together in my steamer, as DH and I love all veg.
  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,094 Member
    Dec 1st~ my favorite smell I think is fresh balsam,the smell of the Fresh Christmas Tree every year.. I have a soy candle that is balsam , that I haven't used yet .
    got the bed made and am watching the cooking channel and relaxing..
    I am looking for something to get my brother and sister in law.. omaha steaks are getting bad reviews..
    so will figure something out..
  • klanders30
    klanders30 Posts: 2,569 Member
    Happy December ladies! And thank you Barbie for your insightful stewardship.

    Terri I read your goals from November thread and will print out your insights — The little steps over time, the lifestyle for a lifetime is really what I’m striving for.

    Goals for December :
    —-treadmill every day until our trip
    —-healthy meals and “walk on by” the impulse treats that seem to be everywhere!
    —celebrate my students efforts with positive concerts (6, count ‘em 6!! in 3 weeks)

    Kim sounds like a social, happy holiday, it is amazing how “one note” some feasts can be, glad you easily navigated despite the horrible choices at your second event.

    Kelly you logged a lot of exercising in November, inspiring!

    Will spend today safe and warm from our icy, snowy weather and will make bone broth—rori is also inspiring me!

    NYKAREN

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