WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2021
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Beth - Yes, it has been horrible for people in some professions.
I was very worried for my younger son at the beginning, who was starting in a new job trying to get AF drinks into restaurants!!!! He took a pay cut and had to take a mortgage holiday. However, he weathered the storm and switched to retail outlets, so has managed to keep his job. He did offer to resign at one stage as he felt completely useless. 
I feel so sorry for musicians, performers, restaurants, pubs etc. The government here has made special provisions of benefits for a lot of people in those positions, but quite a lot of the self employed have fallen through the cracks. I know there is a large amount of suffering.
When your raison d'être is taken away, it is very hard. Mine has been enhanced by giving me time and concentration to get on with my memoir. I couldn't live my life without that outlet.
Has your son been able to compose, or is he too depressed? I can totally understand that lack of motivation. Not having an audience........
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx2 -
Sue: It is not currently raining here, but we have several inches of snow. Temperatures are up enough to create slush on roads. We have icicles hanging from gutters. Looks like driving will not be fun for a few days. Outside temp is currently 42 Fahrenheit. I hope to stay home until things improve. Wading in knee high slush is not fun.0
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Heather ... only within the last 2 or 3 weeks have we heard music coming from his end of the house. I'm hoping it's a good sign. We have since learned that he experienced some very dark moments while alone in lockdown. He is in therapy and under a doctor's care, recognizes that life goes on, and is coming to the realization that he may never get back to where he was before March 2020. He is in contact with several very successful people in the field who keep him informed. The picture is bleak at the moment for new talent. Finding a new direction, if that is what eventually needs to happen, will take time.4
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Sue in WA - I hope your son finds something nice in La Jolla. The real estate market here is insane. People are bidding up home prices by $50K+. We just saw a house asking price on Zillow INCREASED by $50K this morning. Not to be a downer. Just setting expectations. There are other areas that are nice, but less pricey. If he wants suggestions, I'm happy to make some.
Tina in CA0 -
💚❄❤1
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Whidislander wrote: »Sorry for posting so many pics. I couldn't choose!😋
I would have posted them all too but wouldn’t have apologized:0/3 -
Whidislander wrote: »Sorry for posting so many pics. I couldn't choose!😋
I would have posted them all too but wouldn’t have apologized:0/
Heehee, our Pip, outspoken, outgoing, outstanding, and wears a steel-toed boot, to boot!😋💕💖1 -
LisaInArkansas wrote: »Oh, and Corey called me this morning to tell me that his boss is home with Covid - no ability to smell or taste and a raging headache. So I'm going to try to self-quarantine as much as I possibly can for the next 10 days or so to keep from spreading it if I picked it up.
If Cory (yes, same name, different spelling) has it, then my Corey probably has it, as they work together all the time unmasked. And if my Corey has it, I most likely do too. Hope not, but can't fix it at this point.
Double grf.
Lisa
Get tested if you can.0 -
snowpocolypse has begun
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Hi Gals,
Interesting read, I’m 62 right now and expect to work full time, like I am now - which is 5-18 hours of paid gardening a week and 30-50 hours of embroidery a week until I am 70. In the states there is a government retirement program “Social Security” which reaches it’s maximum payment when you turn 70, and at that age allows you to continue to work without limits. For me “full retirement” is 66 and 8 months, but if I work until 70 that will add an additional $600 a month to my take home, seems like a good deal for 3 years and 4 months more. I also have private retirement money. I am hoping to drop all or most of my gardening clients at that point, and just do my own yard and some volunteer gardening, possibly selling the embroidery business and convert to a smaller machine and keep my friend clients and do stuff for myself. I am also hoping to be able to move then, I would like to be in a better floor plan in a quieter community, at that point possibly open an AirB&B. Looking at my families life spans and my current health – I figure I will need to provide for myself until I am at least 100, and with no kids I will need to pay for any help I would need as the USA’s senior health insurance is lacking in supportive “care” help.
As a result of those financial decisions I keep pretty busy and evenings are when I see friends, do activities (limited due to pandemic) But I also smiled at the TV time, I last thing I watched was a Christmas special that was recommended, and I can’t remember the time before that I turned the TV on…I don’t stream anything either… I embroider, do paper work, read, or end up on a zoom call.
Yesterday I planted seeds in my green house, just the ones that need an early start, this is the first year in 5 years that I am planting just for me, when I was planting for camp the quantities were so huge. Yesterday I put in 8 basil, 10 eggplant (5 long and 5 globe -black beauty) 5 cilantro, 10 red bell pepper, 10 orange bell pepper, and 15 cherry tomato, 5 sauce tomatoes, and 10 slicer tomatoes of different sizes and colors. All in less space then I planted Basil last year. A few weeks ago I planted right into the garden snow peas (mange in Britain – I think) and they are about 3 inches tall so exciting! There should be a break in the rain late in the week and I’ll put in another row of snow peas so I have a longer picking time.
Here’s good wishes to all dealing with so much snow and ice!
Smiles Kim, in Northern California
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cityjaneLondon wrote: »I think one thing that saves me from overdoing things is that I have a very low expectation of my energy. I have deliberately never done a full time job. I just know I couldn't. The mere idea of a long commute and then a full day's work seems impossible to me.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
I've had no choice. No work = no money.Machka it is no wonder to me that you are tired. Tracey’s and KJs comments about long term stress, sleep deprivation and how long it takes to recoup from them are right on. After Papa passed away, Mama slept the whole summer. She’d cared for him in his wheelchair for 17 years and was completely worn out. As a band-aid, could you try eating a piece of fruit as you leave work? Might give you the energy to change into your cycling gear when you get home.
I was eating a piece of fruit as I leave work, but yesterday I tried a small low-calorie protein bar and I think it was better. Unfortunately they're not cheap!Snowflake1968 wrote: »Heather - I am more like you, I very rarely make plans for after work. I come home have supper and then watch tv most evenings. When I was walking regularly I did go for my walk in the evening.
I've never been one to sit and watch TV. Maybe that's because I didn't grow up with a TV - we didn't have one in the house until my late teens. So I grew up doing other things in the evenings like reading, cleaning, doing homework, playing games, etc. Much like I do now!
Also, since I was diagnosed with MTHFR and a high homocysteine level, after having a left leg full of blood clots (DVT) I was told I need to get up and move at least once an hour. The few times I've curled up to watch a movie (prefer movies to TV shows), I find I don't get up and move till the movie is over, which isn't good.Snowflake1968 wrote: »Machka - I never would have thought a heating pad wouldn’t be easily accessible anywhere.
I wouldn't have thought that either. So I've gone on hunts through department stores and chemists and all sorts to no avail. I've asked about them, and no one knows what I'm talking about. They direct me to hot water bottles or the heated mattress pads most accommodations (hotels, motels, cabins, etc.) have here.
I've got a hot water bottle and it's OK but I would prefer a heating pad.
I'm pretty sure I saw one in a medical supply store several blocks away from where I work so I'll go have a look. As I recall it was about twice what you'd pay for one in Canada.Snowflake1968 wrote: »Beth - thank you for the advice. I am doing some better today. My hip is not in pain anymore, it is just my lower back. I don’t know how to spell it but my sacaralic joint is about 3 inches from my hip joint which should be about 1 inch. My pelvis is out of neutral position and we need to get the pain and inflammation under control before a lot can be fixed. It is better today after not doing anything yesterday that she told me not to do.
The medical people I've seen so far think my "hip pain" is actually lower back so I'm being sent to a neurosurgeon who specialises in back issues.
I got a call from them already telling me they had received my referral and I would be hearing from them shortly to book an appointment. I am hoping I'll go for the necessary scans first, but already my GP is guessing they'll want to do surgery.
My pelvis is also out of neutral and I've noticed I've started to limp in a weird kind of way, like I'm hitching that painful right hip up when I walk. In the last few weeks, my back, hip, and whole right leg have been waking me up several times in the night.
Meanwhile, I've been given a medication often used for epilepsy to try to dull the nerve sensation and a very strong anti-inflammatory which I'm only to use 5 days a week. Unfortunately the epilepsy medication apparently causes drowsiness!! Just what I need! I'm to take it 2 times a day, 12 hours apart so I've opted for midnight and noon. Midnight because I'll be going to bed soon after and noon which gives me a decent morning of work, plus I usually go out for a walk about 12:30 or so and that might perk me up after taking the medication. We'll see.I agree with KJ. Also, once I started working at a desk all day my energy just vanished. Can you get an adjustable desk at work where you can put it so you can stand? Adjustable so you can alternate between sitting and standing. That will help with the back/hip issues. I developed bursitis from sitting at work too much. Moving made it go away along with my back issues. I was a safety manager for a while and did research on sitting too much. Several people where I work had the adjustable desks and loved them!
RvRita
I can! Three people right in my area have them. That is something I have been thinking about, however, I'll wait to see what the surgeon says. If that's something he recommends too, I'll get him to provide me a note to hand to whoever orders the desks.
Machka in Oz1 -
cityjaneLondon wrote: »I am one of the rare strange people who have enjoyed the pandemic, I haven't lost anyone to the virus, nor known anyone who had it severely. Like Barbara, I have really enjoyed the lack of social obligations. The main thing is, I have nearly finished my memoir first draft. That makes me very happy indeed. I used to suffer horribly from FOMO, but that has disappeared because no one else is doing anything. I know I still have a lot of work to do editing my writing, amd getting it out there, but the bulk is done. It is hugely relieving. I don't know anyone else in my situation. I have missed the grandchildren, but now we are back in IRL touch and very happy.
I sometimes wonder if there is anyone else out there who has found this time rewarding. (I know I have been very, very, very lucky)
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
I loved the shutdown last winter! 4 months of working from home and staying home was bliss. I wish we would go into another shutdown this winter, but we have no cases here so no reason to shut down.
Other than those 4 months, it has been business as usual here.
Interestingly, they did a survey in my department about working from home and 92% of us liked it and wanted to continue with it. The department is now considering work from home options ... but considerations like that move slowly so I'm not expecting that to become an option any time soon.
Machka in Oz0 -
Hi Gals,
Interesting read, I’m 62 right now and expect to work full time, like I am now - which is 5-18 hours of paid gardening a week and 30-50 hours of embroidery a week until I am 70. In the states there is a government retirement program “Social Security” which reaches it’s maximum payment when you turn 70, and at that age allows you to continue to work without limits. For me “full retirement” is 66 and 8 months, but if I work until 70 that will add an additional $600 a month to my take home, seems like a good deal for 3 years and 4 months more. I also have private retirement money. I am hoping to drop all or most of my gardening clients at that point, and just do my own yard and some volunteer gardening, possibly selling the embroidery business and convert to a smaller machine and keep my friend clients and do stuff for myself. I am also hoping to be able to move then, I would like to be in a better floor plan in a quieter community, at that point possibly open an AirB&B. Looking at my families life spans and my current health – I figure I will need to provide for myself until I am at least 100, and with no kids I will need to pay for any help I would need as the USA’s senior health insurance is lacking in supportive “care” help.
Smiles Kim, in Northern California
Yep, me too. My grandparents have been in their 90s when they've passed away.
I think Australia and Canada have somewhat better care plans for seniors, but I'm not overly confident in that. I have always taken care of myself so I don't envision that changing.
The longer I work, the greater my pension so I can definitely see me working to 70. That was a motivating factor for going for my Master's degree at my age ... I may need it in order to keep working. It's also a motivating factor to keep learning on the job ... and a bit at home in the evenings too. In IT, I need to keep current.
The additional factor for me is that the specialists think my husband will start deteriorating soon and at some point I'll have to arrange for help in the home and eventually some sort of nursing home for him. If I want some hope of getting him good help, I've got to keep working.
It's a good thing I don't mind my job!
M in Oz2 -
Lord I cant keep up.. havent felt great the last few days.. so just laying low ..went for bloodwork today and stopped to get scripts and then home..
Trying to stay awake so that I can sleep at night,i havent been sleeping well..9 -
I'm mad at myself for burning a grilled cheese sandwich that was for my dad. I should know better than that! He ate it anyway.
It wasn't a great day. I didn't go to the pharmacy because rain was predicted, but it never rained. At least I did my marching indoors for fifteen minutes.
My book group was odd too. People kept going way off topic. We covered only twelve pages of the introductory chapter.
Just an off day.
Annie in Delaware3 -
Rrrr0
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Annie ... why so hard on yourself? It was a grilled cheese. And your dad ate it. Did he yell or curse because it was burnt? I'm guessing not.
Allie ... praying that tonight you will have restorative sleep that brings you peace ...
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Heather: I have been remarkably content to stay home and spend quality time with DH. However, I do miss the physical contact with my family, especially DYD, who has gone through several upheavals in recent months (leaving a job where she was grossly under appreciated; break up of her civil partnership. Her partner dumped her just before Christmas). Our girl tends to hide her feelings, and it’s difficult to gauge how she is doing on the phone or Skype
Allie: Please rest up. You need to heal properly after your surgery.1 -
grandmallie wrote: »Lord I cant keep up.. havent felt great the last few days.. so just laying low ..went for bloodwork today and stopped to get scripts and then home..
Trying to stay awake so that I can sleep at night,i havent been sleeping well..
Focus on yourself and your health ... not us. 1 -
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Used the stairstepper, then used that hydro massage chair for the last time. Cancelled the membership to the one gym and took it out at the other one. First went to Aldi. This new gym is only something like $5 more. They have something that I’m going to try, it’s this thing where you can do virtual workouts. I think I’ll give that a try. Maybe I’ll see about a weights workout tomorrow but as a backup I’ll bring my tablet with me and search for a uTube video
After the other gym and Aldi, came back to the condo, put away the groceries, made some “pops” and then went to lay by the pool then into the pool. When I got out, it was very breezy. At least it wasn’t raining, tho
Barbara – glad to hear you’re feeling better. Thanks for the reminder that this Wed. is Ash Wed.
Lisa – Jess was saying last night that Iowa State cancelled their classes. They can’t get the busses started in this cold. Really hope you don’t have covid
Mrs_Hoffer – lol Puxatawney Phil being wrong
Dee – I just put a hold on that book. Thanks for the recommendation
At first I absolutely hated this pandemic. The stay-at-home was real murder for me. In a way, tho, now I don’t mind it as much. Fewer social engagements, and what we have are small groups. There are some things I miss. For one, my water aerobics class. Going to church, but I will probably go since I’ve had my vaccination once we get back. I miss going to the Green Room and Hickory Community Theater. I like live theater, but am finding that the virtual theater has its good points
Allie – I do hope you’re feeling better real soon. Thanks so much for popping in
Michele FL for now
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Stats for the day-
Walk w/family- 2hrs 22min 36sec, 3.42ap, 89ahr, 143mhr, 182elev, 8.14mi= 734c
Strava app = 986c
Other- work on home, 25.55min= 128c
Other- work on home, 50.13min= 228c
Other- more of the same, 45.09min= 222c
Total cal 13121 -
back to the abc challenge, but so far behind. Today, I am going to give myself G for gliding, lol. When I took bumble for his walk, the bad weather had not started, within 5 minutes of starting the ice had started really coming down, like painful hitting me in the face prickly pain. But we kept going! By the end of the walk the ice had really begun accumulating to the point i was not so much walking as cross country skiing without the skis, so gliding along the trail. I got credit for 2.8 miles for the session. Bumble experimented with wearing his new winter boots. Gotta say we were not the most graceful looking threesome, him looking like a prancing deer, me refusing to take my feet off the pavement, and DH with his bum knee bringing up the rear. What a group!
Well, the ice is still falling, that is 5.5 hours of sleet/ice and we still have power, that in itself is a tiny miracle so grateful we are not also getting all the subzero temperatures or wind so far. Daughter in Toledo is expecting 8-12 inches of snow and says the workers coming in for third shift are having a lot of trouble getting to the hospital even on the freeways. I worry that she does not get off for another hour. Hate this shift she works. Boy, I am so ready for February to come to an end.
How I am feeling about the pandemic? I really haven't noticed too much of a change. I have not been working for about 3 years, so did not impact me that way. My husband was working from home for a few days a week, but now is home every day which I like. He makes me breakfast:) We have never been a very outgoing couple so we dont really socialize outside of family much. i do miss time with my kiddos so much. I want that time back! I also love to travel and having no hope of going anywhere is getting so old. I miss movies and restaurants and plays and horse shows. So, I really would like it to be over asap.
Carol: I was so impressed with your granddaughter's painting! She is very talented.
Still have power in Ohio, woohoo
dee1 -
234 / 201.2 / 140 I'm SO close to onederland I can taste it! I haven't been there in probably 35 years! And I'm *only* 49! lol3
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Alphabet Challenge
Yesterday was O
Today is P ... Patrick St to Parliament over to Princes Pier plus a few other Piers.
Machka in Oz1 -
Allie, when I injured my back a few years ago and had to stay in bed most of the day, I didn't worry about when I slept and when I didn't. I had a book by my bed, a book to read on my phone an audiobook to listen to and podcasts to listen to. I slept when I slept and when I was awake I read or listened. The only real reason to sleep at night and be awake during the day is if you have to go to work or take care of kids or pets, and right now you don't have to do any of that. The pandemic has been no hardship on me. My neighborhood is perfect for walking, I have great stuff to read and listen to, and I've learned a lot about what is essential in my life. I go out of my neighborhood by car no more that twice a week. Other than doctor, dentist, post office or grocery shopping I go nowhere. In November we started curbside pickup at both the grocery store and pharmacy. Our last visit to Costco was in November and we may go again next month. After two days of snow, and one day of icy streets, we are back to warmer weather and drizzle. Barbie in NW WA
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For those of us who Zoom with family, friends, work colleagues, etc. etc. ...
Machka in Oz2 -
Snowflake1968 wrote: »Beth - thank you for the advice. I am doing some better today. My hip is not in pain anymore, it is just my lower back. I don’t know how to spell it but my sacaralic joint is about 3 inches from my hip joint which should be about 1 inch. My pelvis is out of neutral position and we need to get the pain and inflammation under control before a lot can be fixed. It is better today after not doing anything yesterday that she told me not to do.
I am prefacing this with my husband has the greatest respect for women and just has a funny sense of humour.
I have done all the housework since we were married, very rarely has Rodger been expected to do anything. I did this, it’s not that he is incapable or unwilling but I thought that’s how it should be as that’s how I was raised. Mom did the inside Dad did the outside. My Grandparents, Aunts, etc were all the same except one Aunt and Uncle we visited only once a year or so. He did the dishes every night with his children while she had a cup of tea.
Anyway, I said to Rodger this morning that the dishwasher needed to be ran through. I did not specify that it needed to be unloaded and loaded too. (You would think the sink full of dishes would have been his first clue on that but I digress) After we had breakfast he went to unload and load the dishwasher, he started and all of a sudden out of the kitchen I hear him say “oh *kitten* I forgot to put my skirt on before doing this”. I just laughed, He is only joking and I think he’s realizing how much I do.
I am the same way when it comes to me doing all the inside chores from the very beginning. He was working outside of the house full time. He did some of the stuff outside(I did the lawn at least half the time because I liked it- it is a chore for him)Then after he retired(well, semi-retired, took six months off then went back part time). I worked at home doing daycare so I did everything and he also assumed I would do it all beings I was at home. It was hard at first to be ok with him doing some things- he does them but wants to be acknowledged every time. I am working on it. The dishes are not done like I would(not always as clean as I would like and some get rewashed but at least he is helping. He also doesn't rinse his dishes- used to drive me crazy- now, they get left in the sink- the sign above the sink is simple "You don't rinse, I don't wash". No more getting mad at him- just let it go.
He does always do all the vacuuming- he is obsessed with it, vacuuming at least two to three times a day , all times of the day/night even when people(ME) are in bed,and has them all over the house. He also cleans the bathrooms now.
Debbie
Napa Valley0 -
Hi Gals,
Interesting read, I’m 62 right now and expect to work full time, like I am now - which is 5-18 hours of paid gardening a week and 30-50 hours of embroidery a week until I am 70. In the states there is a government retirement program “Social Security” which reaches it’s maximum payment when you turn 70, and at that age allows you to continue to work without limits. For me “full retirement” is 66 and 8 months, but if I work until 70 that will add an additional $600 a month to my take home, seems like a good deal for 3 years and 4 months more. I also have private retirement money. I am hoping to drop all or most of my gardening clients at that point, and just do my own yard and some volunteer gardening, possibly selling the embroidery business and convert to a smaller machine and keep my friend clients and do stuff for myself. I am also hoping to be able to move then, I would like to be in a better floor plan in a quieter community, at that point possibly open an AirB&B. Looking at my families life spans and my current health – I figure I will need to provide for myself until I am at least 100, and with no kids I will need to pay for any help I would need as the USA’s senior health insurance is lacking in supportive “care” help.
As a result of those financial decisions I keep pretty busy and evenings are when I see friends, do activities (limited due to pandemic) But I also smiled at the TV time, I last thing I watched was a Christmas special that was recommended, and I can’t remember the time before that I turned the TV on…I don’t stream anything either… I embroider, do paper work, read, or end up on a zoom call.
Yesterday I planted seeds in my green house, just the ones that need an early start, this is the first year in 5 years that I am planting just for me, when I was planting for camp the quantities were so huge. Yesterday I put in 8 basil, 10 eggplant (5 long and 5 globe -black beauty) 5 cilantro, 10 red bell pepper, 10 orange bell pepper, and 15 cherry tomato, 5 sauce tomatoes, and 10 slicer tomatoes of different sizes and colors. All in less space then I planted Basil last year. A few weeks ago I planted right into the garden snow peas (mange in Britain – I think) and they are about 3 inches tall so exciting! There should be a break in the rain late in the week and I’ll put in another row of snow peas so I have a longer picking time.
Here’s good wishes to all dealing with so much snow and ice!
Smiles Kim, in Northern California
I will be going up to spend a long weekend with my mom so we can get the greenhouses started. We will be planting an acre in garden again this year. I am really hoping her neighbors come down and help when it is time to plant- they have all said they want to help and hope it isn't just talk.
It will be strange planting and not having dad there helping but will be great to spend time there with her. The last time I was there was when dad died and we all had Covid.
Because it has been pretty mild, temp wise here, I still have at least one pepper and two eggplant plants growing in the garden from last summer. I think there are a couple volunteer tomatoes still going too. I need to weed everything to see exactly what is still growing.
Debbie1
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