WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR OCTOBER 2020

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  • Peach1948
    Peach1948 Posts: 2,473 Member
    Fae, I would have received a larger paycheck for retirement plus just having a higher degree in education makes a bit of difference in whatever school you are in.

    Carol in GA
  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,279 Member
    cityjaneLondon wrote: »
    I'm giving up on Christmas this year. The family are having her parents over, if it's allowed. (Strictly at the moment, they would be one too many, but we ignore Bea) Normally that would mean we would see them on another day for present opening, mini Christmas lunch, etc, but this year I have lost my enthusiasm and we are not socialising indoors with anyone at all. I am thinking of asking DH if he wants to tell people not to bother about presents. Usually that upsets him, but things are so different this year. I honestly am not interested in the slightest and won't be putting up decorations. I will still get the grandchildren their presents. <3 My DSIL completely forgot my birthday this year. I think she will be upset when she remembers, but DH didn't want me to say anything. I expect she will remember his and then be horrified she forgot mine. Her boyfriend has his birthday next week.
    I really wish Christmas would just go away this year.
    My DDIL said we could meet them on the beach to watch the Christmas Day swimmers. Sounds great, except that we were planning to take a bottle of Prosecco down there ! Can't do that around my son. AF fizz only.
    It doesn't upset me personally to cancel Christmas, I don't like it anyway, and hate all the stress, but dealing with other people's expectations is more of a problem.
    We will eat something nice, no doubt. :D

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

    I am actually looking forward to Christmas. It has always been my favorite. The weeks leading up to it are busy but so much fun. Decorations go up the day after Thanksgiving. At least one full 3day weekend I spend with my mom making holiday candy/treats that we give as gifts. It is long days but so much fun just being with each other and everyone loves the treats. Each year we add different flavor combinations to our fudges- both milk choc. and white choc. I am sewing some special gifts this year and have bought(and sent early) a few gifts- let them enjoy a few months early and saves me on shipping, having the company ship it for me free or cheaper than I would have to pay). I will be working on former MIL's gift this weekend. I like getting started early, more time to enjoy it and not be stressed the last minute. Always feel I need an extra week- always want to do more- Just need to slow down and really enjoy it.
    Mom and I usually do one craft fair the first weekend of December(two others during the year) but that won't be happening this year because of the virus- it is usually in an assisted living home- they are on lockdown so no visitors at all allowed.
    For most of the years DH worked, Christmas was the only holiday that he didn't have to work(store was closed but even that has changed-they are now open ) so that was the only one we got to spend with my family. Holidays used to be such a big thing for me when I was growing up- not a big deal for him as he didn't have much family.
    We will go up on Christmas Eve, I will cook a nice dinner for us. Most likely it will be just the three of us and my parents unless my sister is able to come out. Same thing Christmas day. We used to have all the aunts/cousins/grandparents/friends/etc. Now we have maybe one or two cousins at most stop in. That is the best part of the day, spending time with my favorite cousin. We will leave about 4PM, drive home and go to my MIL's and listen to her say we didn't need to bring food(we always do), get upset with us if we don't eat what she decided to cook, have her say- told you not to get me anything , which is better than she used to be- I had to stop her from her normal "You stupid for buying that"- I just tell her , NO, You say THANK YOU!
    Then, we go home and open gifts at our house. Makes for a long day but we can't skip MIL's house and I am not going to not be at my parents house. There were a few years when son was really little that he was too tired for gifts at our house so did it the next morning- he didn't care.
    Debbie
    Napa Valley, Ca.
  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,802 Member
    edited October 2020
    DH's birthday is late next week. <3

    We had such a fun time this evening. DH bought me/us some CDs for our meeting anniversary this year. Some were swing dancing and some were songs from the musicals,which we used to sing at our singing group. I don't use CDs any more so didn't bother with them.
    Tonight we were in his study, like all week, as we can't use the living room, and after the TV news he said he would play some music. I was going to disappear upstairs to watch a foreign language film. He started playing the musicals and, of course, I was immediately hooked. We sang our way through one whole CD together. :D<3 Marvellous! Some of it reminded us of our singing group :'( and some reminded us of our cruises :'(:'( But we had a good sing song. <3
    Must do it more often. Nothing like it for bonding.

    Debbie - don't you have any restrictions on meeting up? We have a rule of 6 at the moment and in Scotland households aren't allowed to mix at all. That's why I've given up on plans. We don't visit indoors with anyone. Next year will soon be here for a new start.. :D Secretly it is a relief. I have always hated forced jollifications, Bank Holidays etc. I prefer spontaneous fun. I went all out last year for the family, so I knew it wasn't our turn for the real day anyway. Bah humbug!

    I sooooo enjoyed our sing song. <3:D The joke is, he always said he hated musicals :o, but he enjoyed our singing group more than anything.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
  • sh0tzz99
    sh0tzz99 Posts: 975 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    bcrfzmppj5io.png

    I’ve been working on this since February 2015 and I am finally finished!!
    I’m not sure how I feel yet!

    I actually burst into tears when I submitted the last assignment. And I feel like I should still have university things to do. It’s really hard to believe it’s done because it has been such a big part of my life for 5 years and 8 months … the longest time I’ve spent in a particular post-secondary educational pursuit.

    I feel like streamers should have dropped from the ceiling and an email with bold text should have arrived from the university saying, “YOU’RE DONE!” Maybe that comes later!

    Of course, I don’t actually have the degree yet.

    I have to wait until the marking is done which will happen toward the end of November, and then I have to go through some sort of graduation where the degree will be officially given to me. I don’t know yet what that’s going to look like given the pandemic.

    But meanwhile … I have finished my Master’s degree! At long last! For so many decades, I didn’t think it was going to happen! But here we are.


    A stunned and tired Machka in Oz

    CONGRATULATIONS! I know how that feels! Now have a bit of fun!

    Tina in CA
  • sh0tzz99
    sh0tzz99 Posts: 975 Member
    Christmas - I'm a scrooge. It's stressful, expensive, and seems to bring out the worst in people. I don't shop for anyone anymore except myself. The mister shops for himself and we take advantage of sales. Otherwise, we try to schedule a trip somewhere. Last year, we went to Baja California on a dive trip (where my profile photo was taken) and had a wonderful time. This year, I have a trip planned just up the coast a bit, unless it is sensible to travel further. One year, we even did a staycation in our downtown in a hotel that recently opened up and it was very nice.

    Tina in CA
  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,279 Member
    cityjaneLondon wrote: »
    DH's birthday is late next week. <3

    We had such a fun time this evening. DH bought me/us some CDs for our meeting anniversary this year. Some were swing dancing and some were songs from the musicals,which we used to sing at our singing group. I don't use CDs any more so didn't bother with them.
    Tonight we were in his study, like all week, as we can't use the living room, and after the TV news he said he would play some music. I was going to disappear upstairs to watch a foreign language film. He started playing the musicals and, of course, I was immediately hooked. We sang our way through one whole CD together. :D<3 Marvellous! Some of it reminded us of our singing group :'( and some reminded us of our cruises :'(:'( But we had a good sing song. <3
    Must do it more often. Nothing like it for bonding.

    Debbie - don't you have any restrictions on meeting up? We have a rule of 6 at the moment and in Scotland households aren't allowed to mix at all. That's why I've given up on plans. We don't visit indoors with anyone. Next year will soon be here for a new start.. :D Secretly it is a relief. I have always hated forced jollifications, Bank Holidays etc. I prefer spontaneous fun. I went all out last year for the family, so I knew it wasn't our turn for the real day anyway. Bah humbug!

    I sooooo enjoyed our sing song. <3:D The joke is, he always said he hated musicals :o, but he enjoyed our singing group more than anything.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

    Our restrictions are no where near that here. They are actually meeting inside at church, though we have not been back yet- A few wear masks but not many from what I can see in the live feed(I watch from home)
    Most likely there will be 6 at most at my parents house. Sister will only come if things clear up a LOT- she works at the assisted living home so has to be very careful-wear mask and shield for her 12 hr shifts, tested once a week, temp check every day as soon as she gets there, can't go in on her day off(she cooks for one resident on the side). She hasn't seen my parents in months- they have her dog but is working too many hours and he is alone too much if they don't keep him.
    Both of her sons are living out of state, my older sister and her 5 kids all live else where, cousins aren't in the area but used to come up anyways.
    SO, it will most likely be my parents, and my husband, son and I. It will be quiet, like it was last year(sister had to work) but I will enjoy spending time up there with them.
    We are all being careful.My parents don't go out much. I go out less than they do, Just have to worry about husband and son who work in grocery stores but they are washing up more. Son hasn't seen my parents in at least 8 months. maybe even longer than that.
    For my family, it is just about spending time together. For MIL, it is about how much money she spends(husband is a lot like that)

    Debbie
    Napa Valley
  • sh0tzz99
    sh0tzz99 Posts: 975 Member
    Restrictions - Technically, we are limited to six at a gathering/table, and technically, they are supposed to be in our household. However, that is not really enforced. Let's face it, the business wants our money. Technically, even if you're on a boat in the ocean around here, we are all supposed to live together. They make exceptions for commercial businesses. We have seen "party boats" out all the time with 20+ 20-somethings drinking and partying, so they really cannot enforce that.

    For dining, we can eat indoors now, but very distanced tables, and I think the establishments are supposed to take down the names and contact info if you eat inside. We are sticking to outdoors until the cool evenings come back (assuming they do).

    Tina in CA where it's the first non-sweltering day in months.
  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,279 Member
    sh0tzz99 wrote: »
    Restrictions - Technically, we are limited to six at a gathering/table, and technically, they are supposed to be in our household. However, that is not really enforced. Let's face it, the business wants our money. Technically, even if you're on a boat in the ocean around here, we are all supposed to live together. They make exceptions for commercial businesses. We have seen "party boats" out all the time with 20+ 20-somethings drinking and partying, so they really cannot enforce that.

    For dining, we can eat indoors now, but very distanced tables, and I think the establishments are supposed to take down the names and contact info if you eat inside. We are sticking to outdoors until the cool evenings come back (assuming they do).

    Tina in CA where it's the first non-sweltering day in months.

    I am not sure how they are doing eating indoors around here- we haven't even done out door. He does pick up food once in a while(while out with his mom. She wants to eat out. Takeout is better than nothing but she is still mad about it).

    The weather is changing for sure- no sandals today- have fuzzy socks on and feet are still aching from the cold- high of 70 today(60 right now)
  • evie1958
    evie1958 Posts: 870 Member
    Barbara my week of wildness was just that it was so busy last week, being the first of the month and all, it was nice yesterday to have a much calmer workday!
    Machka CONGRATULATIONS!!! If I knew how to make streamers come down from the top of my post I would surely do that for you! With all that you've had to carry, especially the past few years, you are an inspiration!
    Margaret, I had issues with my dad's phone provider when he passed, the fellow asked me why I wanted to discontinue their service. When I told him that my dad passed and he didn't need it anymore, he put me on hold for a minute to confer with a supervisor. When he came back he was so very apologetic while telling me that I needed to send a copy of the death certificate as proof. I had already cancelled his credit cards so they would have had a heck of a time collecting anything more anyway!
    I'm not quite caught up, but working on it!
    Evelyn, on cloudy but still mild Vancouver Island
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 19,168 Member
    Machka: 🥳 Congratulations 🥳

    https://youtu.be/2Oo8QzDHimQ
  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,279 Member
    Vickil57 wrote: »
    Machka--CONGRADULATIONS!!!

    Margaret--Sorry you are having so much trouble getting things settled. I remember when FIL passed away for at least 10 years we would get a call from the IRS wanting to know if things had changed and I kept telling them no he is still dead.

    Christmas is my holiday. I love cards and for me that is the best part. Hearing from friends and family that we don't hear from other times of the year. Christmas eve we go to our oldest son's and have supper and gifts with them and their kids and grandkids. Then Christmas day we go to our youngest son and have dinner with them and gifts. Sometimes the girls and their family shows up. When they were little we could make them spend time together but not now and I have stopped trying. Enjoy those we can and let the rest go.

    It has been a long week and I have been on overtime since yesterday and doing 10 hours today and night shift 6-6 tomorrow night. Then 6 days next week, then 10 days of vacation.

    Blessings, Vicki GI NE <3

    Love that line
    "Enjoy those that can and let the rest go"

    PERFECT
    It would be great to have everyone together, like in the past, but cherish those that make an effort and do come together
    I love the cards too. I always make sure to write letters in each one and look forward to hearing from some. Disappointed when I get ones that are just signed and nothing more. Nice that they thought of me but just take two minutes to fill me in on what is new

    Debbie
  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,159 Member
    Ahhhh feels so wonderful to be home,have a load of laundry going,fed Alfie and have the windows open,it is so stuffy up there cant really get any fresh air...
    Nice Polish lady came again and had to explain the medicine ,insulin routine again,but hopefully this will be it now for overnights etc.. this weekend they are closing the cottage..
    Will run over in morning for bloodwork dont have to fast..
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,372 Member
    Stats for the day-

    Walk w/family- 2hrs 10min 2sec, 3,77ap, 98ahr, 133mhr, 8.17mi= 768c
    Strava app= 990c
    Zwift bike trainer- 38.37min, 20.3amph, 397elev, 140ahr, 167mgr, 13.08mi= 376c
    Strava app= 368c

    Total cal 1144
  • exermom
    exermom Posts: 6,558 Member
    Started to do Tracy Anderson’t Total Body Min-Trampoline Workout. I was SO looking forward to it. Was I ever disappointed! It just isn’t for me. Too much dancing. So instead I did a Gay Gasper workout on the mini-trampoline. The plan for tomorrow is to do a Dynamic Toning (the cover says it’s yoga and pilates) DVD. This is a new one for me so hope it’s OK

    Got the results of my mammo and everything is fine. I really believe God keeps me fairly healthy so that I can take care of Vince. That’s probably the way with a lot of us women

    Kay     – I’m so sorry about your friend (((HUGS)))) How frustrating that your sermon had to be postponed.

    Tracey     – evidently the hospital allows 2 people to be with a patient, but for the most part I only saw one person/patient. Why was your mom’s nursing home closed to visitors in Jan and Feb?

    Oh, Heather – tired doesn’t even begin to describe it. I went to bed around 9 last night and promptly fell asleep. Like I said, I really think it’s post-stress. I finally was able to relax a bit, not on edge from minute to minute.

    Has anyone had the “double” dose of the flu vaccine and if you did, did you have a reaction?

    The ER told Vince to follow up with his primary care physician. Not sure if he needs to wait for the results of the ziopack or not. Anyway, I got the dates/times of the first appt with a Nurse Practioner and also an md. He’s asleep right now so I’ll let him make the decision and appt.

    M     – what wonderful news!!!

    I’m sure we’re not going to put up any Halloween decorations this year. Vince isn’t feeling well, not many kids are going to come, the guy just seeded the front lawn so we should give the seed time to set anyway.

    Katla – I know how hard it is not to see the grandchildren. I don’t even get facetime

    Michele NC
  • margaretturk
    margaretturk Posts: 5,297 Member
    edited October 2020
    I notice the difference in my car since the repair. It is driving better. NO check engine light! I have taken long trips and some freeway driving. I just do too many short trips. So I will take the extra preventative steps suggested too.

    I finally got the right person at Xfinity. I was done with everything within 15 minutes and got what I wanted. No being put on hold. This is another thing I learned. If you are having trouble completing a business call til you find the right person to help you. So nice to get this done.

    Agree Barbie telling perfect strangers our son died makes the process more difficult. We simplified what we could a couple of years ago and I am going to try harder to simplify more. As part of our estate plan I do inform them of accounts like Xfinity so unnecessary fees do not get added. I would have gone with another company but the wiring is already there at his house and it does save time and the hassle of having another company come in to set internet up.

    There was no excuse to put me on hold for 30 minutes. I agree it might have been a ploy to get me to agree to something I did not want. I just hung up.
  • margaretturk
    margaretturk Posts: 5,297 Member
    edited October 2020
    drkatiebug wrote: »
    Congratulatios, Machka! You have worked long and hard for this!

    I will second that!

    Karen thank you!

    I bought a magnet for my car that I put on my trunk. It says treat people with kindness. I have to admit I have had to remind myself of this with some of the business dealings I have had to get done this week.
  • Faetta
    Faetta Posts: 1,059 Member
    edited October 2020
    Spent the day working in the yard and not looking forward to heavy leaf fall in about a month. Two neighbors that refuse to manage their trees or keep leaves clean up as they know the slightest wind will carry them to my place that seems to be the leaf collection spot of the neighborhood. I am tired and sore and fighting a melancholy feeling. I think that the feeling is that this fall my daughter would be 50. The wonderful young neighbor lady brought me a pan of soggy sticky brownies, just the way I love them, and I only ate one which was a surprise to myself.

    I will add a brownie to my Oregon produced 4% butterfat cottage cheese and Washington grown organic unsweetened applesauce breakfast in the morning. Adding a little unhealthy at times is healthy for the mind.

    Bamboo fabric sleep shorts ... I love them as they are so soft and light and breathe great. The only downside is the cotton elastic band that is hard to dry as towels or heavy jeans. I fear that all the extra drying time will wear the light fabric out and hanging them in the house takes all day and half the night to dry. Outdoor hanging would be best but I am not set up for it and did it for too many years and like to get laundry done as fast as possible. At $20 each, I want them to last as long as possible. I suppose if the extensive dryer time wears them, I will whine about it, then pony up the dough, that is if they are still available. Finding them was about like finding the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. I think I have that on my bucket list along with the Fountain of Youth. Ponce De Leon. Wasn't he the one that discovered the Fountain of Youth? Too tired for accurate recall of High School history. I might have ditched that class anyway.

    Fae preparing for playing dementia fighting words puzzles and then dosing off to happy dreamland
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,372 Member
    T
  • bwcetc
    bwcetc Posts: 2,842 Member
    Machka ... Congratulations!!

    DrKatieBug ... so sorry about your friend .. and then husband's exposure on top of that! I am also over this covid thing.

    I'm just worn out this evening and heading to bed ... it's been a long week.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,701 Member
    Thank you all! :)

    My degree (Master of Information Technology and Systems) was completed through the Coursework stream. Because I worked full time through the whole thing, I opted to go Coursework rather than Research ... I could fit it into my schedule better.

    Because my most recent Bachelor's degree is a Bachelor of Education and not Computer Science or similar, I had to take an additional 4 transition courses. So I took 16 courses in total over the 5 years, 8 months.

    Time for a break from uni!

    M in Oz
  • GodMomKim
    GodMomKim Posts: 3,711 Member
    edited October 2020
    MACHKA

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    kim in N. California
  • exermom
    exermom Posts: 6,558 Member
    Rebecca – Athena is soooo beautiful. I’m not going to be the favorite grandmother, either. You're so lucky you get pictures

    Michele NC
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,372 Member
    Congrats machka
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,268 Member
    :)Machka,
    928584azg37ws6rj.jpg
  • teklawa1
    teklawa1 Posts: 678 Member
    M from Oz Awesome.....just plain awesome. Congratulations.

    Betsy in NW Washinton
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    edited October 2020
    (((Michele:))) I’m sorry you don’t get to see your grandchildren, even via zoom or facetime. :sad: I took the flu shot and it was a potent version, but I didn’t have any unpleasant side effects.. DH has not done so, yet. He’s planning to take it in the doctor’s office on Monday. :star:

    Tracey: I’m sorry that people are not more careful when visiting elderly relatives. I’m guessing they think their actions are kindness and won’t cause any harm. But with a little bit more care they could get the visit in person without endangering anyone. :ohwell: Cute puppy! :heart:


    Today I rearranged some cabinets in my living room and packed up a large number of water glasses that haven’t been used in many years. I’ll be taking them to the Senior Center Thrift Store at the first opportunity.

    Sending good wishes to those who are having health or family problems.

    Katla in beautiful NW Oregon
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