WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2023
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Snowflake1968 wrote: »I should go do some homework. I have to do a presentation on Monday or Tuesday (have to be prepared for Monday as we won’t know the order until then) I’m doing Christmas around the world. So far I have the title page completed. 🎄🌎
Well I’ll be back later, I have to do something.
Tracey in Edmonton
In Australia, Christmas is an interesting mix of British traditions and summer holidays.
Christmas decorations appeared in stores in about mid-September ... about the same time as pool, beach, and garden supplies.
https://kateswanderlust.com/christmas-in-australia/
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/christmas-day
https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/australia
We don't really celebrate Halloween (just a little bit) and we don't have Thanksgiving. Our last holiday in Tasmania was at the end of October (Show Day) and was basically just a day off that has its roots in agriculture.
Now, schools are wrapping up the term. In Tasmanian public schools, their last day is December 21 and they're back in school on February 8.
https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/learning/term-dates/
The government and a lot of businesses close up or reduce their services during the week between Christmas and New Years. But shops and things like that are still open.
So this is a time for travelling and spending lots of time outside.
For us, as cyclists, it means we retreat to quieter, less travelled roads.
At first, it felt really odd to celebrate Christmas in the summer, but after doing it for about 15 years, it's feeling more normal.
Machka in Oz
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Debbie – way to go girl!!!!
Annie – so sorry to hear that you didn’t get to ride. Next time, absolutely
Car passed inspection. Stopped at Ollies and got Colby a game that I needed to get him. Now all the shopping that I need to do is done until the middle of the month when I have to order gifts from Amazon. Wish they’d let you order and specify a delivery date, but, of course, they don’t and I totally understand
Lisa – good for you going back to the elliptical. Your sunroom is coming along splendidly
Want to go inventory how many gifts we have for Jess and how many we have for Colby. Vince has this “thing” that each child should have the same number of gifts. Then to be sure we have an equal number of gifts for the both of them.
Rori – HUG
Michele NC5 -
Annie: If you haven't researched this yet, may I recommend you get versed in the art of the therapeutic lie? For our loved ones with dementia, we can only meet them where they are, then using artful fibs, "redirect" their attention or behavior around to where we want it. Adding my hugs and waves of energy to those of everyone else here.
Rori
Yes ... I learned pretty quickly that this was a viable method of dealing with various things.
Unfortunately, people with dementia or brain injuries don't process things the way we do or don't have the same levels of reasoning and logic ... plus they forget a lot.
I could have explained and explained and explained, but my husband just wasn't going to get it or remember it.
M in Oz
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All the photos are so sweet and pretty. Thanks for spreading the happiness. I'm coming off a very tough week of grieving. I have so many little things around my house that spark nostalgic memories of my recently departed BFF, Amy. She gifted me so many items over the years. We visited at least once a year so have many photos. And she was one of my best sounding boards always providing good supportive counsel, and making me laugh. This past weekend I had tickets to Boston where N and I were hoping to have a romantic little getaway in Maine. But I just couldn't. I spend this week cocooning and escaping into books. I spoke with Amy's husband, and we had a good cry together. Her celebration of life will be in the spring, and he has asked me to speak. Deep breaths! I hope to be in a better place emotionally by then.
Rori
Colorado Foothills where we are going from 65 degrees today, to snow tonight. 🌨🌨🌨
Hugs.
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Rori- Im so sorry to hear about your bestie,it breaks my heart..Annie- remember a day at a time.. have you tried music with your parents? My FIL loved ol blue eyes maybe keep a radio or Alexa on with an oldies station..4
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Last night, using the rest of the wood, had a good fire going. The tree at the Pismo Beach pier11 -
SophieRosieMom wrote: »Expecting a call from my sis this morning. Her son's (my nephew's) estranged wife took her own life on Saturday. They live in Colorado, my sis lives in Indiana and only sees them every few years, so it's been a phone call and "Zoom" relationship. Two children - a boy 14 and girl 8. My sis and her husband were unaware of the extent of the gal's problems - evidently mental illness, substance abuse - and have been getting more info the past couple days. My sis's other son is a therapist and has been lending a lot of support. A sad time for that side of the family.
Better close. More later.
Lanette
SW WA State
So sorry.
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Hi Rori - so so sorry for the loss of Amy. That hollow feeling of grief is one of the most difficult things to deal with. May you find peace.
Well, I was feeling sorry for myself until I read some of the posts. Now my difficulties feel petty. Bad day at work. But, I have shelter, food, friends, still a good job, and a million things to be thankful for. Have a good night and morning, ladies. Be well.
Laurie in Sacramento7 -
Margaret - please let us know how you like using coconut and almond flour. Good job on the Christmas cards. I got enthused enough to get about half of them done yesterday. Like you, goal is to finish this weekend.
Heather - your DH is amazing letting the girls dress him up like that. Love the toilet paper addition, lol.
Do you ever make scotch eggs yourself? I made them several years ago and really liked them. I need to put sausage back on my grocery list and get enough eggs ahead. I'll be buying them at the store one of these days when my girls production falls off.
Debbie - hope your little chit-chat with MIL starts a new chapter in freeing up your DH from her psychological grip. I see the mama bear growing stronger in you and I like it. Keep growling, lol.
Laurie - was it you who was curious about where we'd lived? I was born and raised on a farm in Indiana. Married a Marine, lived in Arlington VA for where he was stationed for a while. Then moved to the Seattle suburbs, lived there for a few years and had "city" jobs. Then moved to a farm in the boonies of SW WA State. Raised sheep, hay. Sold the farm and moved closer to town to suburbia. That's where I am now with "secret" chickens, lol. Retired.
Lisa - wonderful progress on that sun room. Sounds like Corey will have it all ready to go in no time. Your new stove - do you already have propane or some type of natural gas there are your house? Hope the acupuncture starts to work with more sessions; it's worth a try.
Allie - I know a good nickname for Miles. How about "SMiles!" Is he always that cheery with a happy disposition? Love the photos and watching him grow and experience new things.
Tracey - one of the local thrift stores posted a photo of some of the Christmas things available, and they have a huge table of various figurines. I plan to stop in next time I'm in town and see if they have any Christmas village items. You gals have me fired up, lol. I thought I had a little ceramic nativity scene around here someplace but darned if I can find it. If I buy something it will magically appear in a drawer I've looked in ten times.
Michele - is Jerry still sleeping rough or did he get some housing? I think you mentioned something was in the works. He'll probably have to give up drinking or at least get it under control if he hasn't already. Good that BK has given him a job.
Barbie - that photo of Annie and Bessie together was just heartwarming. I can't remember - does Annie like to cuddle with you and Jake? Rotten Rosie would rather perch on her chair and bark at the neighbors than sit beside me and cuddle. Sophie was always close. I miss that, but Rosie is doing her job. The FedEx van pulled into Roger's driveway yesterday and I thought she was going to go through the window. Rotten, lol.
Rori - so sorry to hear about Amy. Cherish those wonderful memories. I also have many reminders of a great friend that I once had. The friendship isn't that strong anymore but I still laugh at the fun we had and am so grateful she was in my life when I needed her most. We no longer live close to each other, but we still catch up from time to time and it's wonderful to hear her voice.
Chickenville update: yesterday I threw plenty of straw into the run for the girls. It helped soak up water. I hesitated to do that before because I wanted to get a feel for where the water was coming in, and I think I've figured it out. Today's job is to pry out most of those slippery pavers, get it dried out a bit. Maybe fork out some of the wet straw. Put a larger tarp over the run and reinforce the center beam and rearrange the plastic panels to channel the water away a bit more. Hippy dippy weatherman is predicting sunshine today (but chilly of course!) so maybe can get it dried out a bit before the next rainmaker comes in this weekend.
Well, I've yammered on enough for now. Happy Friday or whatever day it is where you are.
Lanette
SW WA State5 -
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Hi,
Apparently I fell asleep while typing last night.....poof all gone.
Rori ((HUGS)) losing my BFF has been the hardest loss i have experienced. I am holding you close. I love that you gave yourself time to grieve.
Laurie I find it interesting how listening to others can make us feel blessed where we are at the moment. These ladies have listened to me through temporary troubles all while dealing with their own health issues, deaths, family issues. They remind me that hard times are just that and to continue to share. Sorry you had a hard day at work. Funnily someone asked me how I was at work this week, I paused and told them I was blessed. I have family, food, a home, and a job. I thought it was a good reply on a hard day.
Pip Congratulations to Yogi. Great pictures.
Machka Your tree reminds me of mine in the Philippines. Beautiful when dressed!
Debbie High five!
Lisa Good job getting the workouts restarted. The sunroof looks great.
Lanette Hopefully your project goes without a hitch today. Your girls are lucky.
Tracey You are right. Part of me wishes he would help, but in reality I am glad he doesn't. He is methodical and single minded. I am full of squirrels. In the end both ways get things done, but the paths are different. The only thing I messed up ...I only had one pill left in a container I found out last night. Luckily, my dh is on same med, so will share!
I was able to catch up on all work paperwork- woo-hoo! I only brought phone and tablet on trip. Do have some training to complete before next weekend and my Christmas cards need finished and sent out. Planning on enjoying this weekend!
Continued HUGS held tightly for those needing them.
Lots of love,
Kylia not in Ohio right now7 -
LisaInArkansas wrote: »Machka - I was so glad that was funny, because I find Christmas newsletters a lot like Christmas fruitcake. Some people like 'em, some don't!
I inflicted them on folks for the first few years we were married, but I'm sure lots of the family were glad when I stopped!
Love y'all,
Lisa in AR
It struck me funny because I figured that's the most effort I would put into a letter these days!!
I used to inflict the Christmas Letter on people too, but about the time Facebook appeared on the scene, I realised I didn't need to write letters any longer. So I haven't done a Christmas letter in at least 15 years ... probably longer, more like 17 or 18 years. And 5 or 6 years ago, I stopped sending cards too.
I rarely got a reply from anyone, so I figure they were all relieved when I stopped.
And I realised today that I couldn't tell you the addresses of most of my friends. I have a rough idea where they might live, but that's about it.
M in Oz
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Good morning ladies!
My belly is unquiet this morning. Talk to you later.
Annie in Delaware5 -
cityjaneLondon wrote: »Tracey - My problem is that I do not have access to John's money, if he were incapacitated. It is a long-burning issue.
I need to find a way to bring it up again without letting my anger show. I don't mind at all if he prefers to give the POA to his younger daughter. Just someone needs to have access to funds if he needs care. If he doesn't do it the decisions go to Court of Protection, which is a nightmare.
He has facial recognition on his laptop and a secret stash of passwords in code.
I do know what investments he has, as I made him write them down, and we have both made wills. The problem would be if he had an accident, like Machka's husband, or dementia set in quickly, and he needed care. He is 78.
Oh well.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
If I were in your position, I would start putting as much money away in savings as I could so that if something happened, I could get groceries and pay some bills during the months (years?) of legal stuff before I might get access to more money.
M in Oz4 -
It was supposed to rain late in the day today, so I planned to work in the garden. But the rain started early.
So ... I spent the day decorating. I'm not quite finished but nearly there.
We also went out and got a few things at one of the shops ... and then headed over to our council's carol's evening.
The rain had let up but because of the threat of rain, they had moved the event somewhat indoors. They've got this new building that opens up on one side to the outdoors. The stage is nicely tucked inside and there were chairs in there and in the outside part, there were picnic tables, benches, and grass where some people and spread blankets for their families.
Around a corner were food trucks, so we thought we'd get something at one of the trucks. There was quite a line, but I hoped that they would start doing the music and although I couldn't see anything, I hoped I could hear. But no ... I couldn't see or hear anything. The acoustics and sound system in the building were dreadful!
So I waited, and waited, and waited in line. 30 minutes passed. As I got closer to the food truck, I realised something. They had 3 people in there making pizzas when people ordered them. Somehow I had assumed they would be selling pizza by the slice or something quick. Nope. Once a person finally made it to the front of the line, they'd have to wait 20-30 minutes for the pizza!!!
I was debating what to do when it started raining again, just lightly, but I could see more rain coming. I darted out of the line, grabbed my husband who was sitting on a bench closer to where the stage and singers were (but you couldn't hear them even from where he was) and we left. I did finally hear the singers when we passed within about 20 metres of the stage!
While standing in line waiting, I decided we'd try a new place for dinner we hadn't tried before nearby ... we did and it was good. Then we came home and I kept decorating. Best decision ever because as soon as we got into the restaurant, the rain bucketed down!!
Machka in Oz8 -
Heather - I think Johnny is the perfect grandfather for those kids. Such a good man. I also think it's quite healthy that you could get cranky with Bea when she was getting rambunctious. Kids need limits, and they'll push them until they figure out where those limits are. Realizing those limits are different for different people and situations is part of growing up.
Rori - I'm so terribly sorry you've lost someone who means so much to you, but I'm glad you're taking time for yourself right now. My only truly near-unbearable loss, I made the mistake of going back to work immediately. It took even longer to work through it than I probably would have if I'd just taken care of myself and allowed myself to mourn. You're a wise woman, one of the wisest I know. The depth of your grief and sense of loss is an enormous tribute to Amy. Without ever knowing her, I know she was an amazing person, just because you loved her so much. So many hugs coming down the interwebs and the ethernet, surrounding you in warmth and love and the joy that will return, my friend.
Laurie - This group has done more for my ability to find perspective on my issues than almost anything in my life. I've said, and will probably say again, that comparative pain is not useful. But knowing how other people deal with their pain and loss and illness reminds me that it's my choice as to how I cope with these same things.
Joy - Isn't it marvelous when people not only stand up and do what they say they will do, but then do both the honorable and gracious thing in refusing to benefit beyond the agreed transaction? What a marvelous person, and a lovely thing to remember that people like that do exist.
Got a couple deliveries coming in this morning - Walmart delivery of everything but the fresh groceries, which Corey likes to choose himself, plus something that Corey is having delivered, he didn't say what.
I'm looking at the last of the sweet potatoes that we harvested this summer and a butternut squash, and I'm contemplating grilling them all, which would be far too much food for both of us, or roasting them all and then freezing them. Not sure if freezing them already cooked work, but they'll just go bad if they stay out too much longer, so it would probably be worth it. However, I also woke up wanting pinto beans and cornbread, one of my ultimate comfort foods. Corey's "good morning" call will be in about 30 minutes, so I'll talk to him and see what he wants to do.
We found a gallon and a half of the right color paint for the outside walls of the summer room last night, which might be enough, but rain's coming tonight, so it will be too wet to paint in the morning. Annoying... but also why we're building the room, so there's that. I don't know if I can accomplish it by myself, but it's tempting to try. The temperature is right, and the rain isn't coming until quite late... and I'd have all day.
Decisions, decisions!
Love y'all,
Later,
Lisa in cloudy, but reasonably warm, Arkansas9 -
Morning ladies
Im awake and will take my pills and then get up and take a shower and go down to Old Saybrook to get bloodwork..thats a 5 min job ,but has to be done monthly
Well Miles is getting closer to 2 ,so he does have his moments...5 -
LisaInArkansas wrote: »
This group has done more for my ability to find perspective on my issues than almost anything in my life. I've said, and will probably say again, that comparative pain is not useful. But knowing how other people deal with their pain and loss and illness reminds me that it's my choice as to how I cope with these same things. Well said. During the most turbulent times in my life, I've stood still and counted my blessings (clean clothes, roof over my head, food in the fridge, a job to go to, at least one friend, etc. It helps me stay in the moment and nurture my sense of gratitude. In general, comparative pain is not useful but I had a giant sense of gratitude for my life one morning on the way to work on a rainy day when I stopped at the gas station and the woman on the other side of the pump was buying five dollars in gas for her very elderly van containing many children and my life looked serene by comparison. Of course, she may have been looking at me and feeling grateful for her paid for vehicle and her beloved children.
I don't decorate for Christmas now, but I used to
Lanette, Annie is a cuddler, Bessie not so much. Sasha and Brandy, the poodles, were cuddlers. Annie sleeps above Jake's head at night, Bessie in her dog bed on the floor in the bedroom. Annie will sit in Jake's lap and watch TV with him. She sits next to him on the couch when he meditates in the morning. Barbie in NW WA
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