WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2024

barbiecat
barbiecat Posts: 17,200 Member
in Motivation and Support
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:) This is the beginning of a new month and a perfect time to start a new healthy habit or recommit to one that has been neglected.

:) Research shows that it's easier to maintain a behaviour if it's practiced in the company of others who share that behaviour. We can do this together.

:) The name of the thread is "Women Ages 50+" but all women are welcome. Our friendly community contains all ages from approaching 50 to past 80.

:) If you sign your posts with a name or nickname and a general location it is easier for us to identify each other. Don't feel like to you have to respond to everyone, just jump into the conversation. Feel free to ask your questions or answer the questions posed by others.

:) Be sure to bookmark this thread so you can find it again.

<3 Barbie in NW WA
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Replies

  • okiewoman510
    okiewoman510 Posts: 1,316 Member
    Thank you Barbie for giving us a clean slate for April.

    Okie in the TX Hill Country
  • GodMomKim
    GodMomKim Posts: 3,703 Member
    A new month! happy to leave last month behind, but it's amazing 2024 is going so fast. Thanks for the new start Barbie.

    Kim in N.California
  • LisaInArkansas
    LisaInArkansas Posts: 2,891 Member
    Thank you, Barbie... Happy April, y'all. May it be good to us all.
  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,657 Member
    Barbie - thank you for keeping us going. April already!

    Margaret - thank you for sharing about your husband's funeral and your son's mental illness. Lots of good food for thought there. I admire your wisdom and strength.

    Lisa - just think, in a few days that ultrasound will be over and you'll be back home safe and sound laying more bricks (if you aren't done yet) and cuddling with Egg. ;) I was once put into a twilight sleep of some kind for an endoscopy, yours will probably be similar. Easy peasy.

    Kelly - As my DH's RA got worse, he was scared that I'd leave him. Reminded me so much of your Tim. <3 Sending big hugs to both of you. <3

    It was a beautiful sunny & cool afternoon here. I had 2 lunch invites but chose to stay home. Bought sliced chicken breasts this morning. Seared them on both sides for a few minutes in my big skillet then put them into a casserole dish and spooned some Patak's Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce over them and topped with a little mozarella cheese. Baked for half an hour - they were real tender (the searing might have sealed in the juices?) Going to get four good meals out of them. A nice change.

    *Reminder for you gals sending me info for tomorrow's check-in. *

    Lanette B)
    SW WA State
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,263 Member
    394392
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,609 Member
    edited April 1
    2024 Goals

    My 2024 goals are a continuation of my past goals based on my ToDo list and my 50Things list with reference to a Wellness Wheel.
    Upcoming Appointments - these are at the top of my list. The things I need to deal with in the next few weeks.

    Intellectual/Occupational/Financial or Education/Career: Advancing my career. Moving from adequate to proficient at SQL, brushing up on cost accounting and learning clinical costing, learning Python and data analysis software.
    Also, I want to have a closer look at our financial situation to see where we can save money and to make sure we're on top of things.
    The goal is to expand my skillset and to improve our financial situation.

    Medical: my husband's appointments, which I also need to attend because I'm his ears and cognition and my appointments.
    I also want to create medical record binders (and on the computer) for both of us, in case something happens.
    The goal is to keep us as healthy as we can be and to ensure we have information at our fingertips.

    Fitness/Sports > Cycling > Audax Tasmania: There are a number of fitness/sport things I'd like to try, with a focus on cycling, and a large part of my cycling endeavours includes my volunteer work with Audax Tasmania ... and maybe even riding some events again myself!
    On my 50Things list I have all sorts of things like learning to swim, riding a horse for the first time, trying archery, learning to dance. Maybe this might be the year to try a bit of that.
    The goal it to improve my fitness level.

    House > Office > Computer become more specific as they go along. I have a number of thing which need to be done in the house (kitchen, dining room, etc.) but most importantly the home office needs a whole lot of work. And along with that I need to organise the drives on my computer into a better filing system.
    The goal is to have an organised and decluttered house and computer system.
    The goal is also to ensure all paperwork is up to date and accessible by both of us.

    Garden: I have several projects I would like to do this year. One of the main ones is to finish the border around my dry stream and bulb garden. :)
    The goal is to have a pleasant, creative, relaxing and functional area outside for reading, exercise and socialising.

    Spiritual: Continue to read the Bible every day. And attend church a little bit more often -we've got some plans in this regard.
    The goal is to learn, relearn, revitalise.

    Emotional/Social/Recreation: More creativity, relaxation, connections. I have all sorts of things on my 50Things list like doing more with my photography, playing the piano again, working on my website and more.
    The goal is balance. Doing a variety of things that aren't just work and education.

    16aures3zwbr.png

    March Highlights

    Intellectual/Occupational/Financial or Education/Career:
    Many meetings and learning how to do different reports at work.
    Learning more SQL.
    Making progress in the uni course I'm taking.
    3 job applications and 2 interviews.

    Medical:
    It was all about the eyes and teeth this month. Many appointments for both of us.
    Plus dealing with rashes and infection.

    Fitness/Sports > Cycling > Audax Tasmania:
    More exercise than last month.
    More stairs climbed than last month.
    Fencing!!

    House > Office > Computer:
    House hunting and heaps of paperwork involved with that.
    Slowly working through a little computer decluttering.

    Garden:
    Made progress on the border for the drystream.
    ZOOM meeting with our bee group. Hoping for another hive or two next spring.

    Spiritual:
    Read the Bible every day.

    Emotional/Social/Recreation:
    Read several books this month.
    Did quite a bit of colouring.
    Travelled to northern Tasmania for my birthday week - cycled and walked on the big beach. Even did a bit of jogging.
    Went to 2 symphonies.

    Machka in Oz
  • evie1958
    evie1958 Posts: 864 Member
    Barbie, thank you for a new month!

    Funeral (or lack of) stuff:
    Before my parents passed away, they told me (and showed me the paperwork!) that they had already paid for their cremation so that when the time came all I had to do was make a phone call. I am an only child, so this really did make my life a lot easier and all I had to pay for was an extra original death certificate ($29). Some places will accept a photocopy of the certificate, but I think there was one that needed an original. If I remember correctly, I was told that the bank would need an original and I took one in, but they just made a copy of it. Perhaps they just needed to see the original.... In any case, it was only $29 and if I still have it here, oh well. When my MIL went into care (she had dememtia) they kept kind of hounding us asking if final arrangements were made. They weren't, of course. She had made a right royal mess of her finances (reverse mortgage and still owed on first mortgage!) I am so thankful that neither of us signed a financial POA, we had done a medical one, so we decided where she went. Then we had to make final arrangements for her and we were the ones who ended up paying for it. We kind of cheaped out, but I wasn't working at the time and hubby was only part time so there was no extra money. Anyway, after all that dust was settled, we made our final arrangements and everything is paid for, cremation, urns and a spot in a nice west facing columbar. Our older son, who lives here, knows where that paperwork is so once again, all he has to do is pick up the phone.
    My mom wanted a send off, as did my dad. We kept it simple, but it was nice for everyone to get together. They had a daughter who passed before I was born and they wanted to be buried at the foot of her grave so that's where they are. I did have a marker made and did have to pay for that, but I also inherited so......
    Thanks for the comments on my cake, it didn't turn out exactly like I wanted, but the grands were impressed! And the cake itself tasted good, so it's a win.
    I am looking forward to this new month, dandelions are popping up all over the place, so spring weather must be on its way! I know I will be whining about how hot it is in July and August, but right now, I could really use some warmer weather! Have to get my bike out and get riding again!
    Hugs for those needing them, congrats to those celebrating and welcome to the new gals!
    Evelyn, Vancouver Island
  • kymarai
    kymarai Posts: 3,702 Member
    Thank you Barbie!
    I started a post yesterday afternoon then forgot to save. Oops. I spent a quiet morning. DH was pissy as apparently Oldest GD never asked him if her mom could drive the second car to the car show. I calmly told him that I would discuss it with her when they got here as texting her that would get confusing in her brain. Her mom wasn't happy that N hadn't asked. N apologized to Papaw and asked. He will rarely say no, but does like to be asked. The cruise in was nice. All kinds of cars. Ours to elicit a lot of attention. 😉 N was pleased. Afterwards I thought they would never leave....I loved having the visit, but really didn't want them there when my oldest daughter got here. They mix like vinegar and oil. 😒 Oldest grandson super excited about the car. We had a great visit also. Dinner was great. I realized yesterday that my DH has "cooked" since Friday. We had cereal for dinner Friday as I was just done. Then out to eat Saturday and Sunday. Can't make that a habit again though.

    Machka I am a hugger and feeler. I tend to be pretty good at reading people though. I have a couple of friends that are more like you. No touch. I respect that. My problem is I feel others emotions and tend to take them on. This sends my anxiety spiraling. My DH was never touchy, but has come a long way by holding my hand and hugging (only took 20 yrs).

    Celebrations of life- I liked my MIL's , my friend's, and my Aunt's. We simply got together with family and friends at home and shared food and stories. It really helps the living. Nothing expensive or time consuming. Just healing.
    I do believe in dignity in death. Like Heather, my wishes, living will, and medical power of attorneys are kept up to date.

    Lots happening in April. April fools, my sister's birthday, total Eclipse, my DYD turns 40, youngest grandson turns 16. Looking forward to true Spring.

    Anxiety high today....maybe the margarita last night. Maybe shadowing of DH's mood yesterday. Woke up at 430. No amount of meditating could calm me down, so got on to visit here.

    May your first April in Monday be full of laughter, love, and the best choices you can make.

    😍
    Kylia in Ohio
  • KJLaMore
    KJLaMore Posts: 2,847 Member
    <3
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,263 Member
    394394

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