WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2022

1948CWB

(((BARBIE))) ~ Thanks for your leadership!

Katla ~ So very happy for your move to a close by apartment! I think you will be so much happier!

Carol in GA

margaretturk

Thank you Barbie...

Heather I have a plaque in my home that states my all your weeds be wildflowers. Now when I see what others call weeds I realize it shows that the soil is more healthy. When a lawn looks like a golf course it means they are using chemicals. Someone approached my sister about building a golf course on their land as a way to attract more buyers to their lots. They turned them down flat. The land has a number of natural springs and they knew how badly the golf course would pollute them. I try to keep DrewB off lawns where I can tell they use chemicals. You could tell your association we have quit using these chemicals for their and their pets health. It also protects the bees and other pollinators.

LisaInArkansas

Thank you Barbie! Always love the clean slate of a new month.

My goals for November were:
✅ - Be lighter: I was 164 on the first of October and 154 this morning. Still don't recommend how it's coming off, but I'm nearer to my goal than I've been in well over a decade. Eventually, I hope to settle down into a maintenance weight of 145 to 150, but am not setting a time goal.
✅- Be healthier: My annoyingly incremental health progress is finally beginning to show some results. Lots of symptoms have diminished, if not disappeared. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I can see the edge of the treeline!
✅- Stick to the budget: Yes, indeedy, we did. However, the biggest temptation of all has just opened up. Will explain later...

Pleased to have met my goals for November, and really enjoyed the gratitude list! I need to start a gratitude journal again, it helps me maintain my equilibrium when life gets a little hard.

My first two goals for December will be the same, but it's possible we're going to blow the third one wide open. I will share more later, I promise.

I woke up from a dream I was helping the Masterharper recover from his heart attack, while my fire lizards circled my head... If you know the Dragonriders of Pern series, you'll know the reference. One of my absolute favorite sci-fi/fantasy many-book series. There were 18 or 20 books in the end before Anne McCaffrey died and her son took over. I've read them all many, many times. Not lately, though, and not sure what sparked it.

Hope everyone's day/is was lovely, and welcome to December!

Much love to all,
Lisa in Arkansas

KJLaMore

Anniesquats100

Good morning ladies!

Thank you Barbie!

Katla I'm so happy for you, to be near your DH again. Wonderful!

I lost one of my paper bills. I simply must restore order in my room. The task is overwhelming.

On the happy side, I got new socks and underwear from Amazon on Black Friday. I wasn't sure about ordering clothes online, but they are marvelous. 😊

Today is a great day for excellent diet and exercise!

Annie in Delaware

1948CWB

LISA ~ Congrats on your weight loss!

As most of you know, Georgia has milder winters than many of our Northern neigbors. I just got my gas heating bill and it was more than $20 more than it was in Nov of last year. Making me wonder what it will be during Jan and Feb.


Carol in GA

Sherryann_406

I have been lurking a bit on and off for a while. Just trying to really start focusing on my whole health. Everyday do something for my physical body, my mind, my spirit, my creative side and do something productive. Yesterday was a good day and so is today! Onward !

Sherry
MT

LisaInArkansas

OK, as promised, our possible budget buster.

Corey and I have lived in our current home for more than four years now, and during that time have seen quite a few people come and go from the little house that sits just in front of ours, near the highway. When we first bought our house, we asked the owners of the little house if they would be interested in selling it, and they told us they couldn't, it was in some kind of trust. They rented it (probably under the table and off the tax books) to a series of folks. The last couple had been there for two years and finally evicted a couple weeks back.

We put up our privacy fence three years ago now because everyone who has lived in that house has been trashy beyond belief. I don't mean small trash, I mean mounds of it laying around the yard, piled up on the porch, just horrible. Occasionally they would set one of the piles on fire, scaring the crap out of me, and the stink was ungodly, with burning plastic, etc. Throw in dogs that weren't being taken care of or cleaned up after, and the place is past eyesore, it's a health hazard. We couldn't change the situation, so we just put up a fence so we wouldn't have to look at it. Made me feel better. Here are a couple of recent pictures, but it's much worse than these pictures show. I refused to walk into their yard to take a picture of the rest.





The blue square is our house, which you can see past the car in the second picture, and the green shading is the 11 acres of land we own now. The red house and the area around it are about half an acre. And whatever the legal hiccup was that meant they couldn't sell it, that has apparently been resolved. The owner has been there all week trying to clean up the ungodly mess, bless him, and stopped Corey when he came home Tuesday night to tell him they were selling it. THAT is the budget buster I was talking about.

We want that piece of land--the house is basically a gut job, and possibly a demolish job. We can put together the funds to buy it, but it will probably require putting ourselves back in debt. Much depends, of course, on what they're going to try to get for a price. I can't imagine they will offer it for as little as we would like, but now we just have to wait and see.

I'm not really good at "wait and see."

TL;DR - The house in front of us is up for sale... and we want it.

Cheers!
Lisa

cityjaneLondon

Go for it Lisa! You can let it to nice people and get an income. It's an investment!

Love Heather UK xxxxxx

cityjaneLondon

Had a nice lunch with G. She came on the early train.
I had hake in caper sauce, as usual, with a bit of salad and a few boiled potatoes. She had fish and chips. I had a small glass of white wine.
Afterwards we went up to M&S and I bought some gluten free millionaire's shortbread for Edie if she comes to do the tree.
I saw a beautiful black, sparkly skirt, perfect for cruises, which G also loved, but they had completely sold out!!!!
Then I came back on the bus and stopped off in the Mediterranean shop to buy my favourite frozen artichoke hearts, plus some stuffed olives for Saturday when our guests arrive. 😋 I have some posh crisps in the cupboard.
Got back to find that DH had trimmed the lilac tree and put up the two new bird feeders. One for seeds and one for peanuts. They are designed to be squirrel proof, as we have some very determined and clever squirrels!

My chilli tonight, from the freezer. Lovely salsa with avocado, crême fraiche, and a wild rice combo mix.

Love Heather UK xxxxxx

healthysmrs

Hello Everyone I would like to take part of your group, I am over 60. And have stated and stopped My Fitness Pal more that once. I have decided to take control to my better health. You really have to hit a low. Mine was a few days ago. No Energy, everything hurts and I am moving less. So instead of waiting till January 1st. I’m making the most of December. Taking one day at time, one choice (food) at a time. Yesterday instead of sugary cereal for lunch I had a salad with tomatoes, raisins, nuts and saltines. Dinners was tacos with black beans, tomatoes, green chilies, olives, onions and cheese. It was simply delicious. I believe REAL food can heal, I’m getting away from the sugar ..which is addictive and the no nutritional value carbs. Yesterday I woke up feeling better which is encouraging and have lost a few pounds. Today I am shopping mostly veggies and fruit. I am fortunate my husband it not picky he will eat mostly anything I prepare.

Best to everyone in December!

healthysmrs

SophieRosieMom

Betsy - have a safe flight back from Alaska, so glad you were able to spend time with your family and that you didn't catch any bug. I'm sure your sis will be glad to have you back, hoping for the best for her.

Katla - we share your joy in being close enough to your husband to walk and visit him. So glad things are working out for two to spend more time together. Healing for you both I'm sure.

Sue in WA - also sending good vibes your way for the repeat mammo. I've had repeats as well and they turned out to be nothing concerning. You are getting harder hit weather wise than I am it seems.

Carol - hope your utility bills stay under control this winter. I finally broke down and built a fire in the woodstove yesterday - it felt great. I should have done it the day before when it was chilly and windy and I couldn't seem to get the house warm no matter how much the furnace $$ came on to assist the heat pump. I'm grateful for dry firewood these days!

AMAZON - are any of you having problems with Amazon? A few weeks ago I cancelled a few items from my "subscribe and save" list after my order was delivered- to prevent them from showing up on the next month's order. A couple days later I got a notice the items shipped because they were "subscribe and save." ?? I was able to quickly cancel them, but that's a first. I ordered Christmas cards a couple weeks ago with a delivery date of last Friday. They didn't come, so got another message they'd be delivered Saturday. Still no show. Then Monday I got a message from them they wouldn't be delivered until December 10th. And now when I check, it shows they are "out for delivery" today.

This is strange. I was going to buy a few Amazon gift cards but will buy gift cards to Walmart or a small business where folks can shop locally.

And I might just dump the "Subscribe and Save" Amazon subscription altogether. It was great when stores were closed and we were staying home, but now I can get out and shop. Amazon's savings aren't what they used to be on some things, plus they are having product shortages as well.

Have a wonderful day. We have about 1" of snow on the ground and decorating the trees. Lovely sight.

Lanette
SW WA State

pipcd34

Yeah katla!!!!

Katla49

I thought I would begin the move to be closer to DH very soon. I will make the move, but it will likely be a week or so longer than I first thought. I am hoping it won’t take too long. 🤞🏻

grandmallie

Miles bringing in December with a smile..
He is on his 2nd nap now..

cityjaneLondon

Lanette - I use Amazon all the time, but don't do any 'Subscribe and Save'. Never have. The only thing that annoys me at the moment, is that sometimes things arrive early, when you ordered them for a day you knew you were going to be in. Plus they are now in the habit of not bothering to ring the doorbell. Grrrr! I just get an email to say it's delivered. It's lurking by the bins.
But, to be honest, it really is amazing, even though I know the working conditions are appalling. I just can't resist the convenience, I'm afraid. I feel bad about it, but not bad enough to stop. 5 things arrived today, including stuff that I would never find locally.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

1948CWB

Welcome to new posters who have found this great thread! Please keep coming ahd please share a name/living area we can keep you in mind.

Lanette ~ I just ordered 3 Christmas gifts for son's family from Amazon. I have realized that somehow the prices are a bit higher than if I had gone out in public to shop, but, I think some of that is to make up for their free shipping to Prime Members. I absolutely hate going to stores to shop (except for groceries) so this is something I will continue to do. My problem at the moment is that I returned a couple of items and since I got the Prime Visa Chase card, I don't know how the bank handles returning the money to my account.

Lisa ~ Buying the run down property sounds like a great way to make your own property more valuable.

Carol in GA

Katla49

I am in my regular apartment for now. I am eager to move to the new apartment but it will take a bit longer than I imagined. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome. 🤞🏻 I will call DH on the phone so we can chat. 😊

GodMomKim

Lisa, I know being in debt is not comfortable for you and Corey, but that piece of property would be such a great investment in your future. Whether you rent it, set it up for your DD and family to visit, or just tear it down and ensure that you don't have such yucky neighbors.

smiles Kim

LisaInArkansas

GodMomKim wrote: »

Lisa, I know being in debt is not comfortable for you and Corey, but that piece of property would be such a great investment in your future. Whether you rent it, set it up for your DD and family to visit, or just tear it down and ensure that you don't have such yucky neighbors.

smiles Kim

Thank you, Kim, and Heather and Carol and anyone else who chimes in, we are definitely apprehensive about taking on debt, but there's a ceiling for how much we're willing to pay, and I find that reassuring. We do want it for an investment. If we get it, we may well offer it to the local volunteer fire department as a one-time training for putting out a house fire. All they have to do is clean up the site after they burn it down! Just a thought.

Why I want it burnt:

The reason I want it down is absolutely woo-woo and not exactly my usual behavior. I walked that house shortly after we moved here four years ago, as they evicted a set of renters and it had stayed empty for a few weeks. From the first and only time I walked in there, I've always felt as if that house in and of itself has a malign spirit that will take serious cleansing, possibly by fire. Look, I do NOT believe in ghosts and spirits and such, but I do have my suspicions that some houses have strong human emotions imprinted onto the house itself. Every set of renters they've had in there seem to be dragged down to humanity's lowest rung within just a few months, and then trashing their environment begins.

I hope we get it so we can demolish it...

Katla - I'm sorry there's a delay in getting you moved close to your DH, but glad that it will finally happen. Thinking about you...

Sue in WA – Mixed message, that. Hope all’s well.

Tracey – Love the picture, and that he was reading to her! Loved all the Christmas pics, too, thanks for posting them. I’m so sorry about the insomnia. I spent a lot of years sleeping very little. I could go to sleep easily, but staying asleep was often impossible, and going back to sleep even worse. Retirement, for me, seems to be part of being able to sleep, finally. Diminished stress, perhaps.

Time to go swap the laundry out...

Love y'all!
Lisa in AR

By the way, the house we live in has one of the most positive spirits I've seen in a house. So much light, and though it had been pretty battered over the years, such love was present when it was built, and I felt it all the way to my bones.