WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR OCTOBER 2023

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  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,274 Member
    441441
  • LisaInArkansas
    LisaInArkansas Posts: 2,899 Member
    Tina - I think it is past time for you to get creatively selfish. Space of my own is so incredibly important to me; I cannot thrive without it. You'll be a much more relaxed and enjoyable host for people you care about if you're happy, and if they're not staying in the house with you! No more excuses - make yourself a room of your own, woman! Keep it your own, dedicated to your uses, with those things in it that matter only to you, and above all, cool and comfortable, and not incredibly hot!

    Allie - Miles is such a cutie...

    Machka - I've lived only one place where there was good, accessible public transportation and that was the total of six years I lived in England, first in Sussex, then in Berkshire. On the first tour there, in Sussex, I didn't own a car for more than two years and seldom needed one. I was on buses and trains all the time. The second time, I lived near a bus line that took me to Reading, which is where I worked, and used public transportation all the time. Even 30 years later, I remember sitting on the brick wall surrounding an old, old, cemetery every afternoon, with a centuries-old church rising up behind it. That was where I waited on the bus that would take me home. Something that would never have happened in any US city I've ever lived in.

    Off to bed...
    Love y'all,
    Lisa at snoozy time in Arkansas...

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,616 Member
    LisaInArkansas wrote: »
    Machka - I've lived only one place where there was good, accessible public transportation and that was the total of six years I lived in England, first in Sussex, then in Berkshire. On the first tour there, in Sussex, I didn't own a car for more than two years and seldom needed one. I was on buses and trains all the time. The second time, I lived near a bus line that took me to Reading, which is where I worked, and used public transportation all the time. Even 30 years later, I remember sitting on the brick wall surrounding an old, old, cemetery every afternoon, with a centuries-old church rising up behind it. That was where I waited on the bus that would take me home. Something that would never have happened in any US city I've ever lived in.

    Off to bed...
    Love y'all,
    Lisa at snoozy time in Arkansas...


    I could probably count the number of years I needed a motor vehicle on one hand ... well, one hand and maybe part of the other. :)

    There were 2-3 years in the late 1980s, then parts of 4 years between 2005 and 2009 (a few months here and a few months there).

    Some of that may be because of the countries where I've lived - it's possible Canada and Australia are a bit easier to get around without motor vehicles. But some of it is because one of the "must haves" when I or we have selected a place to live is accessibility to public transportation, and the ability to walk to a grocery store etc.

    There are some suburbs around Hobart I wouldn't mind living, but the public transportation is worse than the suburb where we live, so they are off the list.

    I am really glad we did include accessibility to public transportation and the ability to walk to a grocery store as "must haves" because it gives my husband more freedom too. He is not able to drive, but he can get around.

    Things to Look for When Buying a House in Retirement
    https://www.chip.ca/reverse-mortgage-resources/retirement-planning/things-to-look-for-when-buying-a-house/

    One of the most important steps to buying a house in retirement is to think not only about your current needs but also those of the future. The chances are, you won’t be able to drive forever. Your “buying a house” checklist should include its walkability.

    Real estate listings are increasingly adding a walk score to properties; this includes how easy it is to walk to essential services like grocery stores, doctors’ offices, entertainment and restaurants. It also ranks properties on proximity to public transit.

    The article includes lots of good tips.

    One thing we will need to do in the next few years is to move to a flat lot.


    Machka in Oz
  • skuehn48
    skuehn48 Posts: 3,047 Member
    <3
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,616 Member
    cityjaneLondon wrote: »
    One of the main reasons we moved to this area of Hove was because I hate having to get in the car all the time to get basic things. Our village had no shop. Public transport was, one an hour, to the wrong (for me) city. Nothing in the evening. I just love the ease here of having excellent food shops, including a butcher and organic grocer, around the corner, and many buses at each end of the road. I am not even on my husband's car insurance any more, and I haven't driven for five years.
    In many European countries, the bicycle is king. In Lyon, where we stayed, they are currently converting many of the streets to cycle lanes. It's causing temporary chaos! In Scandinavia, everyone cycles.
    I am also thinking of my old age. We could live here indefinitely on the ground floor, if we put in a shower room in the utility room. Food delivery is easy. Our doctor is at the top of the road. Our dentist a few doors from that. Our hospital a direct bus ride away. Buses are electric, and wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Priority for the disabled. I can walk to a train.
    We are privileged. Not everyone in the UK is so lucky. I live in a quiet, safe, area. I can walk around at night. Not much traffic comes down our street. We have gardens, and tree-lined streets. Parks nearby. The sea is a block and a half away. All this comes at an exorbitant price of housing. Even rents are way out of a normal person's salary.
    When we go to a foreign city, one of the things we really enjoy is getting to grips with the public transport. I loved it in New York. I especially love cities with trams! Montpellier, Nottingham, Brussels, Edinburgh, Vienna etc. Berlin has amazing transport and cycling priority.
    Rural areas in Britain are losing their bus services. This enrages me. All older people have a free bus pass, but it's no use if there are no buses.
    I would love it if Brighton and Hove had more cycle lanes. There are quite a few, but not enough. I don't have a bike for that reason. I walk, or catch the bus.

    Feeling somewhat better, but I am still being careful with my bladder. Still upping the D-Mannose dose and drinking more than usual. No alcohol. The flu jab seems to have had minimal after effects.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

    Europe & Britain really lead the way!

    We're eyeing two possible small towns we might be able to move to at some point, and both offer many of the things you mention. Good access to grocery shopping and other facilities. Decent public transportation. Great cycling and walking. Relatively flat.

    I use our van on the weekends, sometimes. Not every weekend. But thankfully, I don't need it during the week. It's way too expensive to run it all the time, and I can't deal with all the traffic.

    M in Oz
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 19,047 Member
    edited October 2023
    Heather: I find toothpaste is good for removing lime scale on my bathroom sink. Maybe that would work on the marble groves. Just a smidgen on an old toothbrush.

    We also live in a pleasant area with good transport links nearby. 5 minutes takes us to the nearest bus stop which takes us to the train station into Belfast. We have bus passes which are valid all over Ireland, including some of the offshore islands.

    Our local shopping area is about a mile away. However, I can drive to many of my activities in about 7 minutes, whereas public transport would take well over an hour as I would have to take 2 buses.

    Yesterday’s Monday Painters went well. I have craft group at 10.30 this morning.

    We had lovely autumn colours until the storm ripped most of the leaves off. It also did for most of the colour in our planters. Time to clear them out and get the spring bulbs in.

    Hey ho! Off we go for another day of fun and frolics

    ☘️ Terri
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,274 Member
    442442
  • kevrit
    kevrit Posts: 4,324 Member
    2023 Optimistic October

    Word of the Year: appreciate—Today I appreciate the privilege of living at the State Park.
    Meditation: daily. 24/31 (82%(started Feb)(94%,100%, 74%, 93%,100%,100%)

    Recommended exercise: cardio 5 days 30 min 20/23
    Strength all muscles 2 x 0/8 a week
    Flexible (yoga, stretching) /8 a week 10 min
    Balance 5 days 10 min /20

    Foods to avoid:
    Barley
    Bell peppers
    Chicken
    Clam
    Egg white
    Eggplant
    Ginger
    Rye
    Wheat
    Winter squash

    1. cut back drinking and limit to 2 days a week. 0/8–(300%,100%,100%). 69 days SOBER!
    2. Average 7,000 steps a week. 7819, 7203, 7906,(7,700,100%-9851,100%-9526,100%-9,559,100%, -8347,100%—7465,100%—6328,90%—6059,87%—6458,92%)
    3. Update budget every 2 weeks 2/2 (800%)
    4. Contact close family every week (4x) 216/208—(733%) should be 189 by November 1) My mom called me for a change.
    5. Contact Donat and sibs once a month (8x)74/94 (800%)
    6. Weigh less last day of month compared to first until I reach 140. Start at 178.6,176,174.2,173.4,175.4,174,175.6,173.4, 172.2 (600%)
    7. Develop a journaling practice by aiming to journal at least 5 days a week. 19/23 (681%,100,100)
    8. Read 12 books at least this year. 44/12
    (100%)
    9. Pay off credit card debt by January 2024 by making monthly payments to NDR/Reach Financial 10/12—(1000%)
    10. Continue building emergency fund at SLFCU (min$25 a month)$25+$25+$71+700+25+25 +25+25 (1000%) I put the money in, but end up taking it out.
    11. April started putting 4% on income in savings. 700,200,200, 107, 157,0,0,0
    500%) This has stopped. Spending too much.

    January Met —100%
    February met —-90%
    March met met —-90%
    April met——86.36%
    May met——-89%
    June met—-99%
    July met — met 81%
    August met—met 99%
    September met——99%
    October met —
    November met—
    December met—

    1.
    Write down three things you can look forward to this month. 1. Another month of sobriety 2. Cooler weather 3. Decorating for Halloween
    2. Find something to be optimistic about (even if it’s a difficult time). I am optimistic about cooler weather.
    3. Take a small step to a goal that really matters to you. I need to call my uncle.
    4. Start the day with the most important thing on your to-do-list. Updating this list and My Fitness Pal.
    5. Be a realistic optimist. See life as it is but focus on what’s good. I usually hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I think this counts!
    6. Remind yourself that things can change for the better. No matter how bad you think it is, it can always get worse. So enjoy life no matter where you are, or what you are doing, or your circumstances.
    7. Look for the good in people around you today. I can do this if I try. This was not difficult to do with visitors. Employees were a different matter!
    8. Make some progress on a project or task you’ve been avoiding. I need to clean the cabinets out. I am planning to start today. Didn’t happen.
    9. Share an important goal with someone you trust. did not do this.
    10. Take time to reflect on what you have accomplished recently. I have accomplished coloring pages, making doctor appointments, calming my nerves by taking some actions I never tried before, and more.
    11. Avoid blaming yourself or others. Find a helpful way forward. This is hard for me.
    12. Look out for positive news and reasons to be cheerful today. With everything going on around me and in me this will be hard, but I will pay attention to good news.
    13. Ask for help to overcome an obstacle you are facing. The obstacles I have cannot be solved by me, but by family members.
    14. Do something constructive to improve a difficult situation. I will have to think on this. I posted pictures of the eclipse that happened here on the Friends Group FB page, and sent some pics to my son and grandson.
    15. Thank yourself for achieving the things you often take for granted. I got up in a thankful mood today so I should be able to do this. The eclipse yesterday couldn’t have gone better.
    16. Put down your to-list and do something fun or uplifting. I will color, walk, and meditate-all things that are fun and uplifting to me.
    17. Take a small step toward a positive change you want to see in society. Teaching adults computer use provides a positive change in my community.
    18. Set hopeful, but realistic goals for the days ahead. My biggest hope for the near future is a holiday without depression and ‘drama’ caused by my family.
    19. Identify one of your positive qualities that will be helpful in the future. I think my tenacity will always be helpful to me and others.
    20. Find joy in tackling a task you’ve put off for some time. This will have to wait as I am not feeling too good today. Fall cold.
    21. Let go of the expectations of others and focus on what matters to you. I have been working on this, so this will be in progress for a while. Because I did this, my mother finally called me to see what was up after 3 weeks of missed calls from me.
    22. Share a hopeful quote, picture, or video with a friend or colleague. Will do here.
    23. Recognize that you have a choice of what to prioritize. I will put myself first for care so I can take care of others and my normal tasks.
    24. Write down three specific things that have gone well recently. Some of my close family contacted me instead of the other way around, 2. Getting appointments with a cardiologist, and a nephrologist. 3. I am over 2 months sober!
    25. You can’t do everything! What are three priorities right now?
    26. Find a new prospective on a problem you face.
    27. Be kind to yourself today. Remember progress takes time.
    28. Ask yourself ‘will this still matter a year from now?’
    29. Plan a fun or exciting activity to look forward to.
    30. Identify three things that give you hope for the future.
    31. Set a goal that brings a sense of purpose for the coming month.


    RVRita , Roswell, NM

    “There is no need for me to accept blame for another person’s irrational actions. I will deal with my own shortcomings.” ALANON’s One Day at a Time.
  • kevrit
    kevrit Posts: 4,324 Member
    edited October 2023
    sh0tzz99 wrote: »
    I know I'm behind, but am trying to catch up again. So, if I answer or comment on something old, that's why.

    Lanette-We've had a "smart" meter for many years. We don't notice a difference in our bill or anything from that. Our bill is crazy high because they keep raising the rates.

    Also, what a great idea with the non-slip mats.

    Machka-I had to giggle a little when you suggested to Margaret that she take public transport. Other than a few bigger cities in this country, public transport is generally terrible and not available at all in rural areas. We live in a big city and it is terrible here. What takes us 15 minutes to drive, takes 45-60 on the bus. Our trolley is only good for specific places and our train only works for commuters. It stops running around 8pm. Any of these options requires a longish (a mile) walk to the nearest stop, a drive to a parking lot (for the trolley or train) or a ride share to the stop. They are not reasonable options for many/most who could really benefit from public transport. What's even worse now is they are removing the parking at the trolley stops (to build yet more condos), so we cannot even drive to the stop and take it to places we otherwise would (stadiums/concerts/festivals, etc.).

    Heather-Glad you're on the mend!

    Annie-You are doing a great job with your parents. Hang in there.

    Lisa-I'm envious of your sunroom. I am at the point where I really need a space that is 100% mine. My space now is also the guest room, so I give it up a lot. That's a big reason I am considering ditching the guest room.

    Allie-There is no such thing as service anymore. I took my car in for the dealer to look at something and they let it sit in the lot for a week and didn't even get to it. It was going to take yet another week for them to look at it, so I reclaimed it. Fortunately, what I wanted them to look at became a non-issue.

    Guess I better get back to work and house cleaning. More guests arrive tomorrow. *sigh*

    Tina in CA

    You are correct about no service! Remember when I had the ‘haunted/possessed/abducted radio? It took them 2 months to fix it. I am glad they gave me a good loaner in the meantime!

    Allie, I hope you don’t min, but I ‘stole’ the picture you posted of dementia. I love it. Some of that I already do with my DH! Glad to see I am on the right track with him.

    RVRita
  • CarolGaGal
    CarolGaGal Posts: 103 Member
    :)
  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,098 Member
    Rita- no worries got it off Facebook of all places..
    Tom still stuck down there forgot that GM is on strike and its a GM part that is needed ,but it has been shipped..
    I say he could have flown home and flown back to pick his car up cheaper than staying 2 weeks in a hotel for goodness sakes but who am I to say.
  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,660 Member
    UK ladies - what is a council tax? I have a hunch it's like property tax in the US that landowners have to pay whether the land has a residence or not. This tax pays for public safety and road/bridge construction/upkeep and schools. Ours have risen sharply in the past couple years as they are based on property value which has increased.

    Lanette

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