WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2024

barbiecat

The beginning of a new month and a new year is a great time to make a fresh start on new plans, habits, resolutions, or goals. Let's do that together.

This friendly thread is called "Women Ages 50+" but all women are welcome. Some of us are barely 50 and others have grown children who are 50+.

I like to read this thread daily, usually with my breakfast, to remind me that I am not alone on this journey.

Be sure to bookmark the thread so you can find it again.

Please sign your post with a name or nickname and a location, specific or general, to make it easier to keep track of each other.

I have been posting here for a long time and have acquired some good habits that I want to continue. Right now, I don't need anything new, I just need to make the most of what I have. Thus my word for 2024 will be "enough". I have enough and don't need more.

Barbie in NW WA

"The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."---Lin Yutang


The reason most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want the MOST for what they want at the MOMENT.

grandmallie

Hi Barbie - thank you for starting us off again in a brand new year..
Love ya my friend
And all you ladies xoxo

pipcd34

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exermom

Happy New Year everyone. Clean slate! Thanks barbie


Michele NC

Snowflake1968

evie1958

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2024!

Evelyn, Vancouver Island

dlfk202000

Happy New Year! Another 2 1/2 hrs for us.Don't think I will try staying up that late(but sure the neighbors will wake me u if I do fall asleep).
I will stay up til 10 and do the last breathing treatment then and hope I can sleep most of the night. Dh will be up at 3 to go to work, son at 5(hopefully I sleep right through both of them-son, I most likely will. He is very quiet)
Will rest up tomorrow.

Debbie
Napa Valley,CA

okiewoman510

Barbie - Thanks for starting us off with a clean slate for 2024!

Happy New Year ladies!

Okie in the TX Hill Country

evie1958

Barbie, thanks for a new month!
Evelyn

Snowflake1968

Ginny - as I’ve been thinking of this project over the years I had always intended for it to be a year round theme. I hadn’t come up with one that would go with our tastes. So I kept putting it off. When Rebecca posted hers as a Christmas tree I thought this would be perfect. Something we could enjoy yearly with a bit of the bling we all love at Christmas.

I really think that I need to have my foot looked at by someone. I’m in a lot of pain.

I took everyone’s advice and wrote the pieces and their meanings inside the frame. I will get the dress picture printed and put in there as well.

Lisa - I bet your children would cherish something similar with your gown. Is it yours that has red brocade or lace down the back? Or is it blue?
My dress somehow got stained while in storage so I had cut it up and saved what I could in 2012. I have made a shadow box with it with some of our wedding photos and Kaitlyn used some of it for her veil. I still have more that I need to decide what to do with.
I’m thinking of using remnants of Grammies dress for ornaments. I may do the same with mine.
Your room is looking wonderful. Can’t wait to see the furniture and stuff.

Allie - Does Alfie still go crazy barking at the tv? That must be annoying that you can’t watch what you enjoy.

Rori - I will have to find the Barbara Streisand biography.
It sounds like a lovely way to spend Christmas with your Nuggets. Have a wonderful trip.

I am currently watching the new Willie Nelson docuseries on Paramount Plus and I received Dolly’s Rockstar album for Christmas I have to listen to it as well. Maybe New Years night.

Machka - I love your New Year Meme, I’m going to share that.
I’ve read a lot of the same books as you.
Happy New Year!

Barbara - your description of the water took me on your walk.
I am not thinking about what’s in my tea bags either.

Heather - I think all of your activity is wonderful. I need to do my roots too. I’m also debating a big haircut. I haven’t decided yet.
Your day sounds wonderful, I quite like your painting of Edie. I struggle terribly doing people. I much prefer landscapes when I have the urge to paint.

Annie - I understand your frustration, I am quite often accused of being cold because I don’t get as upset as some think I should when elderly people pass. I can’t imagine your father’s grief though. He has lost his life partner and it must be incredibly hard.
You listening to him is a huge help I imagine.
Hugs you are still in the thick of it.

Kylia - does your SIL get a lot of work done between 6-9?
I like number patterns too. I sort of miss working with numbers.
Who knows maybe I’ll be able to reach some young mind the fun of them. I never found them fun when I was young though. I really didn’t like math.
I need to move our bed and vacuum under it. I really need to declutter in each room. I think that will be my January project. I am starting today with some toys I’ve had here for the Grands. They no longer play with them.

Rita - Meeting 78% of your goals is great!
I don’t know that I met even one of mine.

Michele - I want a bed with drawers too.
I can’t imagine having cancer, facing radiation and chemo and still having energy to be visiting. I hope Lanette gets some rest.

Rosemarie - that’s a funny story about Snoop Dog and Anderson Cooper.

Gina - beautiful sunset.

Barbie - Thank you for another year.

I had a wonderful evening. I only wish that DH would be interested in doing some of this stuff. If he had been home it would have been very different.
The Grands and I had a ball. Michaela’s excitement was contagious. She was so excited when she watched the ball drop in Times Square a full 2 hours ahead of us. Jonah just went along with it but swore he would be up at midnight. It’s currently 1130 and he also has gone to bed.

pipcd34

267267

dlfk202000

neighbors are having a party in their back yard and with out bedroom window open for the catio- may be a while before I can get to sleep. Good thing dh and son are heavy sleepers.

SophieRosieMom

Happy New Year!

Thank you Barbie for this special gathering place.

My word for 2023 was "Adventure". Boy I'll say. Chickens. Gutters. Landscapers. Drum selling. Just dealing with all of these things by myself (and helpful friends and neighbors )and not getting swept under. It was easier than I thought it would be.

My word for 2024 will be a phrase I stole from Dr. Matt. "Accumulate Health". More on that later.

A reminder - if anyone wants to be on today's weekly check-in, please let me know.

Lanette
SW WA State where the boomers went on until 12:30 and a shakey dog climbed into bed with me. Napping today. Lots.

Machka9

Highlights in 2023 ... using a wellness wheel for reference with a possible suggestion of what each element of the wellness wheel might mean.

2023 was a long year. A very long year. A very long busy year!


Physical - Exercise, Diet, Sleep:
The ability to recognize that our behaviors have a significant impact on our wellness and adopting healthy habits (routine check-ups, balanced diets, exercise) while avoiding destructive ones.
I exercised 295 days of the year. I had hoped to exercise more than 303 days and was on track to do that until COVID struck.
We completed the longest ride since my husband's accident - 100 km!
I got back into stair climbing again which helped me lose weight.
I've likely had more sleep, but that's mainly because I ended up taking about a month off work in March, 5-6 weeks in October, and about 3 weeks off now. Plus having every other Friday off helps.
I got on top of the eating and exercise situation, and lost weight from about the beginning of May until October when we went to Canada. I gained a bit then and have stabilised. But I'm still lower than I was at the beginning of May.

Environmental
The ability to make a positive impact on our environment, be it in our workplace, our communities, or our planet. Decluttering a room, recycling the trash, or emptying the dishwasher are all small ways we can contribute to promoting a clutter-free, cleaner, organized, and more productive living space and calm home environment. Staying environmentally conscious by educating yourself about global environmental issues, taking care of the environment, and creating spaces that are conducive to positive emotions are other ways to focus on your environmental wellness.
Same as last year: Lots of work in the garden which has been a great stress relief and we've had the joy of seeing so many flowers and lots of fruit and veg. In addition, I've learned a lot!
We've also made some good headway on projects that have and will make garden care easier in the future.

One of the things we managed to do during this time off over Christmas was to move the greenhouse down to the patio area, and move Rhody's catio and our garden table and chairs up to where the greenhouse was. When I say "we", I mean, I felt well enough the first day of my holiday to move everything out of the patio area and to empty the greenhouse. Then, what should have been a one-afternoon project ended up taking a week because we were both ill, and my husband did most of the work.

The photos below are how it was ... I don't have pictures of the finished product yet. But the greenhouse is now down below on the patio, under the patio roof and the catio and patio furniture are up top where the greenhouse was.

Why the change? Because of the neighbour's dog and any subsequent dogs that might come along. We couldn't use the patio anymore and couldn't put Rhody into his catio because the dog would bark and bark and bark any time we were in that area of the yard. The owners would be smoking out front of the house while the dog would be barking non-stop in the back. I would want to come home from work and relax in our patio for a bit ... nope ... bark, bark, bark, bark, bark on and on and on. They would just leave the dog out there sometimes and seem to disappear for days. On one occasion, I think they were away for about a week, and someone would come by once or twice a day to feed the dog, I presume, but meanwhile, the dog just barked non-stop.

Having the greenhouse down there means that when we're in the greenhouse, it's not as easy for the dog to see us plus we'll work in that area (pulling weeds, planting little containers to grow seedlings, etc.) rather than trying to relax, and may not be in there everyday except to get something.

Having the catio and patio furniture up top means no barking dogs AND we've actually got a view of the bay up there. I've already been able to sit up there and relax and we're not finished with the project yet.




Finance and Occupational
Our ability to understand our financial situation and taking care of it in such a way that you are prepared for financial changes. Our desire to contribute in our careers to make a positive impact on the organizations we work in and to society as a whole. Budgeting, keeping financial health in mind, and finding the right job for you all fall under occupational wellness.
I've had 2 jobs this year! I started the year with one and am technically still employed there but I've been seconded to a 2 years term position at a higher level. Big, big learning experience!!
I've been signed up for courses, I've had the opportunity to go to a conference, and I'm being asked my opinion.
In addition my "job" as a legal assistant ended this past winter. After roughly 3 years of producing thousands of pages of legal documents in the battle regarding my husband's situation, it's over. Our life is our own again.

Social
Our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. Keeping a strong network of people that you feel connected to is key to your social wellness and can help fend off feelings of stress, isolation, loneliness, or even depression. Participating in group activities alongside family or friends, joining organizations, being open to new connections, and respecting and nourishing meaningful relationships is key to healthy social wellness.
We were finally able to go to Canada to see family and friends. Finally, after 6 years and 3 months apart!!
We've also started to build relationships and connections within the beekeeping community, our cycling community, the brain injury community and with my husband's (our) family.
Our gorgeous little grand-daughter turned one this year!
Plus we're getting to know our neighbours.

Emotional
Our ability to acknowledge and share feelings of anger, fear, sadness, or stress; hope, love, joy, and happiness in a productive manner. With a strong foundation in emotional health, you leave yourself better equipped to adapt to any of life’s changes and cope with stress. This category could include self-care, saying no, and reaching out for help.
Self-care includes cycling, walking, climbing stairs, gardening, colouring, reading.
Self-care includes taking time off work and travelling! To various locations in Tasmania, to Victoria (Australia), to New Zealand and to Canada!!

Spiritual
The ability to develop congruency between values and actions and realize a common purpose that binds creation together. The spiritual wellness dimension refers to the beliefs, values, and ethics that guide you through life and inform your actions. It asks you to look inwards and explore your purpose and meaning in life through the spiritual lens to find peace.
I've been reading the Bible every day.
And enjoying music.
And enjoying nature.

Intellectual
Desire to learn new concepts, improve skills, and seek challenges in pursuit of lifelong learning. It encourages you to stay curious, learn, and take part in creative activities to ensure your mind stays healthy and active.
I'm in work related courses. Now maybe this year I'll finish at least one of them!



And also https://www.talkspace.com/blog/wellness-wheel/ ... for tips on how to prioritise these elements.

Machka in Oz

Machka9

A few New Year thoughts ...

kymarai

Happy New Year!

I am grateful to start another year with all you wonderful ladies! Had a nice time at friends home last night. Came home about 9 pm. Toasted with DH while watching Nashville New Year. Did actually watch the ball drop from the comfort of our bed. 😉 Then promptly fell asleep.

Persevere My word for 2024. I will persevere in my goal for a healthier me both mentally and physically.

Barbie Thank you for our clean slate and calm guidance. When I think of you the word serene comes to mind.

Machka I truly appreciate the Wellness wheel. Your attention to details is amazing. Well done on making a bad situation better for you (barking dogs).

Tracey What a fun way to end the year! As to SIL, yes she gets work done ( the same as I can in the evenings) . I don't have a problem with her going in early, I get it. My problem is with her not staying during working hours. I still have to get work done and have to be there during working hours. Just a 🫤 frustration. DH says ....well she came in at 6 am. Well, I worked until 11 pm. Does that mean I don't have to go in until 2 pm. SMH. Trying not to concentrate on that, but am being more assertive in taking a little more time off when needed,ie YGD dance on the 13th. My grands are as important as hers. Hence why I track hours.....I would love to let that go, but every so often the nasty shows back up with SIL. She is a good bookkeeper but as no desire to actually learn the business /customer service part. I don't reckon that is going to change after 45 years.

I have tried to incorporate small changes this year. Small bites if you think about it. Emptying the dishwasher before coffee in the mornings means less dishes in sink and cleaner kitchen. That one has stuck. I want more money in savings, so set up automatic withdrawal into my savings. Need to get back to walking in the mornings, I felt better doing that. I am starting the new year with a clean house. Decluttering will continue to be ongoing. Time with friends and family is on my important list. Remembering birthdays is also on my list. Breaking my fast with protein is a goal. Water is my friend. Need to figure out how to trigger that one.

Grateful to have all of the supportive, creative, organized, and thoughtful ladies here in my corner. You are all important to me!

Cheers to a New Year, new month, new day!

,
Kylia in grey Ohio getting ready to finish cleaning house

kymarai

linder4866

🥳🎶🎶

KJLaMore

Happy New Year all! Thank you Barbie, our fearless leader for bringing us into a new month and new year! I am grateful for you and each woman in this group!
My focus for 2024 will be the same as Lanette's Accumulating Health. I think a big reason why I am having a hard time meeting goals etc., is I am in desperate need of self care; starting with making better health choices for myself. Physical Health will come first in the hopes that as the exhaustion and pain drop away, I will then be able to add another health element.
I do want to share a funny/silly thing that has been happening in my town since last Friday night. Backstory: There is a HUGE pothole in a service road in my town. It has been there for years because the city won't repair it bc it is on private property, but bc it is on a road surrounded by a few businesses, no business wants to claim the expense. Anyway, a young man passed it on Friday and saw that someone had put a recliner chair in the pothole. The young man, Cory Denny, then took a selfie of himself, posted it to our local community facebook page, and called the town out by saying "It needs to be repaired and they can do better." The community responded with their own selfies from the pothole, now named Denny Lake, and memes of the pothole and the whole thing has gone viral. When the original black recliner was removed, people showed up not only with a new chair, but other bits of furniture and decoration. All of the local news channels have reported on it. A Detroit (other side of Michigan) channel has reported on it. GMA and Jimmy Fallon have been in touch with community members about it. It has gone viral. Here are a few of my favorite pics. lol It has been an entertaining way to celebrate the New Year! Putting them in a spoiler because I am having a hard time narrowing them down any further.

LisaInArkansas

Good morning, my dears, and happy New Year wishes from the frozen tundra of Arkansas!

Thank you for this new month, Barbie, it's such a joy to have a clean slate to begin each month, to feel as if I'm starting again.

One of the things I've done in this last month is re-enter the world of Facebook, but this time, I went there with an open heart, and it's been really good for me. I didn't leave all the barriers up, although I did put a lot of stringent privacy settings in place, but I put out friend requests to all my family, even the sketchy ones, and quite a few people here that I knew were on FB, as well. It makes me happy to go there, now. I needed to step away a few years back, but it was time to re-open myself, to learn about their lives again (using that word of the year "learn," )

I don't have it on my phone, and don't plan to, just on my computer, so I can control my time on it. I learned a long time ago what a time-suck FB can become if you allow it.

Posted the pics from yesterday in the December thread, and thank you to everyone for the comments. Today is just putting together furniture, which I'm looking forward to. We temporarily put a couple rugs out there, and a nice one will be in this week sometime from Wayfair. After the furniture, it's just small things - Corey will finish his outdoor kitchen, but do the cutting outside, to keep the sawdust, etc., down.

Off to the races, kids, the usual Monday chores don't change just because it's a holiday... laundry is going, need to get my meds set up for the week. The fire is going for Egg and me, and Corey's on his second cup of coffee, so only one or two more for him... it's a good start to what we hope will be a great year. Hope yours is too!

Love y'all,
Lisa in AR

1948CWB

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Thanks, Barbie, for the new thread!

Love all the words the year! Mine is FAITH!

Lisa, Your room is going to be lovely....bright and warm looking.

Machka, Love the photos of your garden and patio.

Allie, hope you are able to adopt the kitty but wonder how your pup will react.

Kelly, the pot hole photos are hilarious!

It is a Southern tradition to have greens and black eyed peas on New Year's Day. We have always observed this but may go to Chinese instead today.

Carol in GA