WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2024

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  • LisaInArkansas
    LisaInArkansas Posts: 2,983 Member
    Morning, sunshines...

    Lanette - First, I would have to remember to actually start the W11 update! I will, eventually...

    Barbie - I wake up thinking of you each morning. Hope all the rituals surrounding death in this country aren't wearing on you too hard. Hugs headed your way.

    Re: Compliments - When I'm out and about, to the thrift store, grocery store, whatever... I try to make sure to find a woman who has her hair cut in a style I like or is wearing something I like, whether shoes or a dress or whatever. and tell them that I love the color, the fit, the style, or just the item. There were days I would have given a lot for that, and if I notice something, I try to say something.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm not little Mary Sunshine or all that and a bag of chips, but it costs me nothing and gives someone else something positive in a world where "positive" is in short supply. I love watching someone light up.

    Systems vs. goals for 2025:
    Man, y'all know I love you, but a word for the year doesn't work for me - I've usually forgotten mine by the end of January, at best. I could be wrong, but I THINK mine was "progress," as in pruh-GRESS, the verb meaning moving forward, and yes, I've done that. But then what?

    Thinking about it (obviously) this morning, and one of the interesting guys I watch on YouTube, Gabe Bult, who talks a lot about minimalism, said something the other day that really rang true. He said that what he's doing entails "establishing systems, not goals." A lot of other people have said it... but it is making sense to me right now.

    Resolutions are just guaranteed failure - humans are famous for it, in fact. Goals, on the flip side, can range from lofty and nebulous, like my "Be lighter" goal each month, or straitjacket-ish, like "Lose 3 pounds by January 31." I can probably accomplish them both, but the last one stresses me OUT. And if I lose only 2.95 pounds, I feel as if I've failed. And the first one goes back to "And then what?" and I just end up doing the same thing month after month.

    But I understand systems. I love them, in fact. Establishing systems for the creation of end products is where I spent my entire working life, whether that was websites going live, accounting reports, successful business proposals, weekly newspapers, or winning grants. I was just usually developing the systems to support other people's success, not necessarily my own.

    Along those lines, I've watched Heather's system for writing and exercise and creating wonderful gourmet meals, all balanced with family and her love for her DH, so I know it can be done.

    Which tells me, in order to accomplish the two differing end products I want - videos on YouTube and designer handbags - I'm going to have to put systems in place to create those. Systems that work for ME. During my very goal-oriented and single-minded working life, I sacrificed my health and sometimes my sanity to accomplish those end products.

    But this time, I need to hold onto what I've gained here - I need to maintain my weight, continue to get healthier, and accomplish what Corey and I want to do with our home and our lives together.

    I know how to construct successful systems... I just haven't created one before that accommodates my personal life and my health. So... I need a schedule, but it MUST be fluid, able to accommodate change. If it's too rigid, I'll merely discard it. I need milestones, but I don't want them to be "pass/fail" or zero sum - if one wins, the other loses. And I'll not bore you with the rest of it.

    Surprise!

    I want it all.

    I'll let you know how that goes. 😜

    Well, that got deeper than I meant it to. It will be an interesting end result. I have a very healthy self-respect for my ability to accomplish what I want or need to accomplish - I just haven't really engaged that ability in a very long time.

    Time to get a few things done, my little chickadees...
    Love y'all dearly,
    Lisa in AR
  • 1948CWB
    1948CWB Posts: 1,680 Member
    :smiley:
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,737 Member
    edited December 2024
    On resolutions, goals, milestones, schedules, etc. ...

    This is for me, what works for me, so if this doesn't work for you, that's all right. We're all different and we have to go with what works for each of us.

    Very basically ... I don't like resolutions or schedules but I do like goals and milestones.

    More detail to explain that statement ...
    Resolutions:

    Cambridge dictionary defines a New Year's resolution as "a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year". Merriam-Webster defines a New Year's resolution as "a promise to do something differently in the new year".

    Given those definitions, I am not interested in making resolutions. I have no interest in starting to do something good or stopping doing something bad, or doing something differently in the new year.

    Starting to do something good brings to mind ideas of the very vague and unattainable, "I want to start eating healthily in the new year". That implies I have been eating unhealthily in 2024. Instead, I want to continue eating more or less in the same way I have been eating for years. I'm not starting or stopping anything.

    Stopping doing something would imply there's a bad habit I'm trying to fix. There probably are bad habits, but nothing in particular that I plan to spend 2025 fixing.

    And doing something differently? That doesn't appeal to me at all. I've spent a lot of time honing what I do now.

    So no resolutions for me.

    Schedules (and possibly the systems that Lisa mentions if I understood correctly):

    For me, one of the best ways to set myself up for failure is to decide that I am going to, for example, go for a walk every day. Even worse would be if I said I was going to go for a walk at 1 pm every day. And absolutely guaranteed failure would be if I said I was going to go for a walk at 1 pm every day of at least 2 km.

    I can walk 2 km. I can walk at least 2 km many days in a row ... possibly all year. 1 pm is usually when I'm on my lunch break and up and about and doing things on the weekend. So there's a good chance I could probably walk 2 km at 1 pm even 80% of the time.

    BUT ... all it takes to fail is to be unable to walk, to walk at least 2 km, or to walk at least 2 km at 1 pm one day ... and the whole thing falls apart.

    When I was much younger and experimenting with what works for me, I tried the scheduled method where I was going to do this for 1 hour each day, do that for 1 hour each day, do this other thing for 1 hour each day. If that lasted 1 week, I was doing well. It fell apart really quickly.

    I tried the method of in the morning, I am going to do this, and in the afternoon I am going to do that. Nope. Didn't work either.

    I tried the method of day 1, I am going to do this. Day 2, I am going to do that. Etc. Nope. Didn't work either.

    It was one of the reasons I gave up on bicycle racing. I couldn't adhere to a schedule.

    Some days I make a plan for the day, and everything goes according to the plan. But that's very, very rare. Most days I have some idea what I would like to do that day, but 5 minutes into the day, it's all gone out the window and I'm doing something completely different.

    I need to be able to just go with the flow.

    Goals & Milestones:

    These work much better for me.

    For example, if I were able to walk 2 km/day, I would have walked 730 km. For me, a goal to have walked 730 km by the end of the year is a much, much more attainable thing than scheduling the walks.

    I might have milestones of where I need to be at the end of each quarter, just to kind of keep me on track. If I've walked 7 km by the end of the first quarter, I would know that I'm about 175 km behind so I'd better get my butt in gear and get walking if I want to make my end of year goal.

    But for the most part, I prefer that the method of reaching the goal is left up to my whims and the flow of life. If other aspects of life get in the way for a while, that's OK, there'll be time to get on track toward the goal again later.

    Another example, I set a goal at the beginning of 2024 to read 24 books. I didn't tell myself I had to read one book a month. It would not have been the end of the world if I didn't have time to read for several weeks. I just read when I could ... and yes, I've met that goal, passed it actually.

    So ... I've got a few goals in mind. We'll see what makes the cut by January 1.

    Meanwhile, my year is not done. I still have 2 full days of 2024 left to accomplish 2024 goals!


    Machka in Oz
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,399 Member
    742742
  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,721 Member
    edited December 2024
    Welcome Heidi in N Carolina and other newbies! When I first joined this community in December 2016, I was intimidated. These ladies seemed to know each other and I was afraid of butting in even though they were welcoming. I followed along for a while and actually wrote down names of some of the more active gals and took note of where they were from and what their interests were so I could contribute something and not appear stupid, LOL. :p . Gradually I'd make a comment and join in a conversation and realized too that I didn't have to respond to everyone like some of them were doing.

    At the time, I was working and once I retired, I had a lot more time to read and respond here. There aren't any rules other than we stay away from controversial topics like politics and proselytizing a religion. Signing your name/nickname and location at the end of each post is very much appreciated and helps keep everyone straight. :p

    Kylia - I really like your GLAD. Yes, learning is so important. Good luck with that W11 restart, hope there are no changes that rearrange your screen and hide things, lol. That's my fear. Have fun in Kentucky!

    Lisa     - I liked your thoughts on systems too. I'd never thought of it that way but it makes sense.

    Ginny - Sounds like you had a great time in AZ! That Lost Dutchman State Park must have been fascinating. Good that you got caught up with family.

    I know I was very goal driven when I was younger, or maybe that's just what was expected as the world pushed me to be slim no matter what, and my job(s) had pressing deadlines hovering over me and wired my brain to be goal driven. Glad to give up some of the pressure I was putting on myself at this stage in my life.

    Regarding exercise/stretching -
    As I've mentioned before, I'm doing the "Farmer's Carry" and it's getting easier to walk around with a 10# weight in each hand for a couple minutes. So I've been thinking about how to increase the weight a bit. At the local stores around here, it looks like the next step up weight wise would be 15# free weights or kettle bells. $$ :( Then I remembered I have several empty plastic kitty litter containers that held 20 pounds. I filled a couple with 13# of water and I can tell the difference. (I was aiming for 12# but overfilled, then poured out too much and finally 13# is where things settled. :p )

    13# is heavy. But not undoable. Saves me a stop at the gym plus I can gradually increase the weight in them when I'm ready just by pouring in more water. The handles are comfortable to grasp and the price was right. :p

    Also, I ran across a couple YouTube channels with exercises for those of us who aren't as agile as we were a decade or two ago but want to maintain and/or improve our strength and balance a bit.

    First, I really like this Jim Brown. He has a lot of videos with simple moves we can incorporate into our day. Sink push-ups and sink squats for example. And as for getting up off the floor, he says if we have to use our hands or hold onto something, that's OK, the important thing is that we got up. Amen. Here's his channel - he came up in my Facebook feed:

    https://www.youtube.com/@abalancedyou

    Many of the exercises presented here by Trainer June show older gals utilizing small balls and other easy moves. Not overwhelming. Her channel also on Facebook:

    https://www.youtube.com/@TrainerJune

    In case I don't make it back here today, here's a reminder for the Weekly Check-In for those participating. I can't believe it's Sunday already.

    Lanette B)
    SW WA State
  • 1948CWB
    1948CWB Posts: 1,680 Member
    Allie ~ I thought that was what Kyle broke when he attacked the ornaments on the Christmas tree!

    Carol in GA
  • 1948CWB
    1948CWB Posts: 1,680 Member
    Please clue me in about the W11 update that everyone is talking about. I have used W11 for the last several years and have been OK with the results. Is there an update that I am not aware of?

    Carol in GA
  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 3,939 Member
    Snowflake1968 wrote: »
    Lisa - that is my Mom and an old school friend of mine. We were close at one point in our lives. She was the New Year Baby in 1969.

    Lanette - I hadn’t checked our weather, it is going to get cold. We always get a few of those each Winter.
    Ember loves it here, but she is a country dog used to being able to just step outside and stay there for as long as she wants. She can go hours without seeing anything at home. Here, she has to be tied up to be let out and she barks at everyone walking by. She is protecting us from everyone walking by, or visiting other homes.

    Heather - as a DIL I would have appreciated that text. I can’t believe how some children are allowed to behave. Our Grands also know how to eat at the table and we take turns opening gifts and watching one another. It’s all in how they are raised I think and what behaviour and manners are being modelled for them.

    Rita - I love that quote.

    Rebecca - you said that so eloquently.

    Michele - I want one of those little fridges! I think 5 is a little young too, but maybe she can put a morning snack in there so she gets to sleep a little longer, I can see me doing that when the girls were young. I often got home from work at midnight and Lauryn would be awake by 6 and usually waking Kaitlyn up. A lot of mornings I would give them a snack and put a movie in for them. They would sit in behind my legs on the couch, that way when they moved I knew they did. I was so exhausted even if that bought me 15 minutes it helped.

    Allie - What a mess!

    I started my mini album today. I’m having fun with it and already have ideas to make a couple more.

    As I was working on it this evening I received a text from Michaela asking if she could come for a sleepover so that she could spend her money we gave her for Christmas.
    We have agreed that she will go with me to take Ember home on Monday and then have her sleepover.

    This was her response:
    kzhdwx6pexr7.png


    I heard from the new Daddy, Mommy and the baby girls are doing great and should be going home from the hospital tomorrow. I can’t wait until she posts a picture and their names. She will make an announcement soon I’m sure.
    The important thing for me to know was their health, all three of them.

    I’m off to bed.
    Tracey in Edmonton






    Oooh what did I say so eloquently??? To Heather? Well, she does make me strive in thought and word.
    I want to write in such a way, that conveys what I am trying to say. (Unlike right now...bahh😂). I am kind of her number one fan.💖👍🏼
    Rebecca
    Whidbey
    Wa
  • kevrit
    kevrit Posts: 4,410 Member
    edited December 2024
    Today is: Pepper Pot Day!
    https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13136/authentic-pepper-pot-soup/

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    nj5qwdl5lw0d.jpeg
    RVRita in Roswell
  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,721 Member
    1948CWB wrote: »
    Please clue me in about the W11 update that everyone is talking about. I have used W11 for the last several years and have been OK with the results. Is there an update that I am not aware of?

    Carol in GA

    Carol - all I know is there's a little "update" icon now appearing in the bottom tray of the screen that says " get the latest features and security improvements with the newest feature update." I am stalling because of their "latest features", lol. I know a lot of people don't have any problems with W11. I'm still mourning the loss of W10 on this machine. :p

    Lanette
  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 3,939 Member
    Heidijjo wrote: »
    Wow. Busy group. Most groups here are pretty quiet. How does this one work? Do you create a new one for each month?

    I love that you all seem to be getting to know each other and share personal photos. It makes things a little more human and real.

    Looking forward to getting to know you all.

    Heidi in North Carolina.

    Hey Heidi! I am from Whidbey Island in Puget Sound in Washington State. Nice to meet you. Heck some of us have been chatting since 2012! I know I was in this group before my husband got his liver transplant, and that was 2014. Just chime in when you can. You don't have to answer everyone, its whatever. No judgements, no religion, and no politics. Bookmark this page to find us. A new group will be made just look for it highlighted in blue. It should read WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2025.

    I have realized my weight issues stem from stress, or whatever that is bothering me and its usually things not having to do with my weight. So you can vent about whatever. This is an open forum so I try to be smart too. I don't give too many specifics, but everyone here knows I live on an island, married to a retired Navy guy, three sons (eldest and youngest active duty Navy in Japan, middle son a veteran with a family). I guess I am kind of an open book. I am 245.8 lbs. I am like a sumo wrestler, gaah! But I struggle with accepting myself now, (I'm 62 if not NOW then when🙄), and just coming to terms with this reasonably healthy obese body I have. So there's that. Have a nice Sunday!
    Rebecca
    Whidbey
    Wa
  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 3,939 Member
    kevrit wrote: »
    Whidislander wrote: »
    Goals
    -GET TO THAT DARN GYM ALREADY. 🙄😂😂. Why do I make excuses when it really does make me feel better? Its only a small part of my day and will make the world of difference in how I get around in the world.
    -get out the measuring containers and use them for portion control.
    -take a vacation from sweets! Buy fruit and sugar free jello and puddings instead.
    -Eat small meals. Stop the large meals with the mindset of intermittent fasting.
    -stop with the sodas, cookies, candy and chips. I have survived Christmas and the feasting and "I deserve it" mindset is over.

    I need to also read more, and detox from social media. My life has to hold more substance less tablet play.
    Its a lot to tackle. But I will try my best.
    Rebecca
    Whidbey
    Wa

    All your goals Rebecca, except the Gym, which I will replace with walking and yoga, I need to begin again. I feel crummy today, allergies acting up due to the 76 degrees here at 11 am, with a breeze. I would add no more wine to the list. Gaining a pound a week rather than losing a pound a week since Thanksgiving is not healthy for me! Next week I see the therapist and kidney docs who I will mention this depression and weight gain too. Perhaps they can help. I also have an eye exam that same week. First one since my cataract surgery, so I’m kind of excited about that. I know I need reading glasses, but want to know what strength is best. I’ve tried several strength and and not happy with any of them.

    RVRita

    Ok ok Rita, since we're WORDS WITH FRIENDS lets be GOAL GALS too, deal?💖👍🏼
    I also am cranky, sore, and my joints are happy. Its sugar!
    I will not sip on my peppermintified vodka, and you not sip on wine.
    We will give ourselves more grace in the new year.
    New therapist, kidney doc, and eye exam all in the same week. Like a trifecta of treatment right there! I hope each goes really well friend.
    Rebecca
    Whidbey
    Wa
  • 1948CWB
    1948CWB Posts: 1,680 Member
    edited December 2024
    Lanette & Lisa ~ Thanks! I went to Windows 11 settings and they say I am up to date. I guess the updates are happening automatically. It may be because this Dell computer is relatively new. I remember on my old HP when they did updates it seemed to mess everything up.

    Heather ~ I looked up Haggis and don't think they would ever find a place on my table. Your friend's son's pool is quite pretty.

    I am not setting goals or making a word for the year.

    Carol in GA
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,399 Member
    743743
  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 3,939 Member
    Lisa. I have some sweetened coconut that I want to try making coconut macaroons. It is the recipe with sweetened condensed milk? There is fat free sweetened condensed milk or is it sugar free? I can't remember, but either the fat or the sugar is out of it! Either way its better than the original right? I think I might just do lined drizzles instead of actually dunking them. I don't have that much chocolate after Christmas (which is a good thing). I made Christmas crack last week,band I used too big a pan, so the "toffee" was on the edge of tasting burnt. Aaaack! Its all in the garbage.

    Today was a bagel with smoothed avocado, a slice of tomato, some turkey and a slice of havarti cheese melted to hold everything on there. Then a mug of tomato soup. I might not have anything else the rest of the day. It was filling!

    Michele. Awe that mousse recipe is only two ingredients though! Heavy whipping cream and sugar free chocolate chips (Lillys). Not too much guilt in there.😁

    Next shopping run I will concentrate on some veggies, some fruits, some sugar free Jello containers and more sparkling water.
    (no soda, cookies, candy, breads, or chips)!
    It will be empowering!
    Rebecca
    Whidbey
    Wa
  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,179 Member
    Hidee ho all...
    Feeling a bit better..Carol no,it was a walker type thing that he broke
    The whole family is down with the stomach bug..im staying far away..
    Alfie will be back tomorrow, and Siri is up on my pillow hanging out with me..
    Trying to figure out the Wellcare prescription stuff ,going to contact my insurance person.
    So confusing.
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,399 Member
    edited December 2024
    Stat for the day-

    Housecleaning etc- 2hrs 13min, vacuum, dust, make/refill hummingbird food, laundry fold/put away, etc= 864c

    744744
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,737 Member
    edited December 2024
    1948CWB wrote: »
    Please clue me in about the W11 update that everyone is talking about. I have used W11 for the last several years and have been OK with the results. Is there an update that I am not aware of?

    Carol in GA

    I'm guessing some here are still using W10??? W10 is likely not supported anymore and they are being encouraged to go to W11. Just looked it up and Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025.

    Like you, I've been using W11 for some time now without any issues, nor do I recall an issue changing over from 10 to 11. Nothing I work with changed between the two.

    Funny thing was ... I went to W11 before my workplace did, so there was a little juggling for a bit, like when you go from one keyboard to another and keys are in a slightly different place.


    As for Windows 11 updates, they just happen automatically for me. The last one happened on 12/12/2024.

    LisaInArkansas wrote: »
    1948CWB wrote: »
    Please clue me in about the W11 update that everyone is talking about. I have used W11 for the last several years and have been OK with the results. Is there an update that I am not aware of?

    Carol in GA

    Well, part of what's interesting is that Windows 12 is due out between July and October of this coming year. Goodness only knows what that will bring with it. It will be free to anyone running Windows 11, so there's that. W11 has been out since '21, but there has been in prior years a lot of advice that says "don't bother with it." We'll see what happens now, as most of the naysayers for 11 have fallen by the wayside. Right now, I'm on Windows 11 Version 23H2 and it wants me to update to 24H2. Not too worried about it, just haven't done it yet.
    Lisa in AR
    SophieRosieMom wrote: »
    1948CWB wrote: »
    Please clue me in about the W11 update that everyone is talking about. I have used W11 for the last several years and have been OK with the results. Is there an update that I am not aware of?

    Carol in GA

    Carol - all I know is there's a little "update" icon now appearing in the bottom tray of the screen that says " get the latest features and security improvements with the newest feature update." I am stalling because of their "latest features", lol. I know a lot of people don't have any problems with W11. I'm still mourning the loss of W10 on this machine. :p

    Lanette

    This describes the latest features: https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/inside-this-update-93c5c27c-f96e-43c2-a08e-5812d92f220d?OCID=WUSettings

    - WiFi upgrade
    - Assistive upgrade for hearing impaired
    - Energy saving
    - Copilot

    The only one that might affect the way you work is Copilot, but so far, it's relatively easy to ignore.


    Machka in Oz

  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 3,939 Member
    1948CWB wrote: »
    Great Chocolate Icing Recipe from 1970's. I put it on brownies and it melts in your mouth.
    1 c white sugar
    1 c brown sugar
    1 stick of butter
    1/2 c milk
    3 to 4 Tbs cocoa
    Bring it all to a boil and boil for 2 or 3 minutes.
    Take it off the heat and beat like crazy until cool and spread on cake or brownies.

    Carol in GA

    That sounds like the recipe that was for lunchroom ladies brownies that was iced. So yummy!
    Rebecca
    Whidbey
    Wa
  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 3,939 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    Nearby cliffs ... as seen on one of my recent walks ...

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    https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/


    Machka in Oz

    You live in utopia friend!💖. Just beautiful!
    Rebecca
    Whidbey
    Wa

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