WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER

weaklink109

I have been going non-stop since I got up this morning at 6:30a. It started when I got a text during church from a good friend who wanted me to meet her for breakfast, which I did after the service was done. Then I headed for Costco to get everything needed from there for Christmas dinner. Their spiral ham is excellent, even if you don't put the glaze on that it comes with. I was also shopping my my mom and another friend.

While I was doing that, I got another text from the friend that gave me Bradley (the Yorkie), asking me to come over for an impromptu Christmas gathering at her house. I came up with a 1.5 liter bottle of Champagne for the party.

By the time I got out of the store and got everything delivered to its respective destination, it was time to leave for the party with my Champagne. The doggies did get a walk out of the deal, but they had to stay home. :brokenheart: We sat around and shot the breeze and drank Champagne. :drinker: :drinker:

After some of the guests left, our hostess decided she was hungry for Mexican food, so we walked about a mile to this restaurant, since none of us would have been legal to drive, and there were too many of us to fit in one car, anyway. Unfortunately, despite the fact that it has rained intermittently all day, no one had enough brains to bring an umbrella, so when we got ready to come home, it was pouring. Our hostess called her husband, who had been napping when we left, and asked him to come and get us. It took 2 trips to get everyone back to the house, and by the time it was done, it had stopped raining, of course!!:laugh:

I drove home, looking forward to a warm bath and some snuggling with doggies. I didn't look forward to logging my calories, because between the veggie omelet this morning, the Champagne, and chocolate temptations of the afternoon, I knew the log would not be a pretty sight,:noway: and it was not--but tomorrow is another day.

So I arrive home to find a piece of mail inside my screen door, which belonged to some good friends and former neighbors. They moved to an assisted living environment due to a decline in the husband's health. The person who bought their condo three years ago and I have an understanding that if any mail for them shows up, she gives it to me and I pass it on. I decided to call and let my friend know that it appeared she had a Christmas card from someone who had not updated her address.

When I called, I received a terrible shock. It had been about two weeks since I had spoken to them, and I was not prepared to find out that the man's health took a turn for the worse, and that he was now comatose in our local hospice center, and not expected to live more than a few more days. She said she had intended to call me later that evening, but had just returned home herself. All this came about in the space of the last 3 days, and was especially shocking, since the reason for his decline was not his primary health issue, which was heart related. At her request I immediately hopped back in the car and went to visit with her.

Al is a retired biology professor with a great sense of humour. When he and his wife were my neighbors, we had a running joke where he would tell his wife to call me ( as it was hard for him to hear on the phone) and "invite his girlfriend over." She would call me and tell me that Al wanted to "see his girlfriend" and I could come over too, if I wished!! :noway: Oh, I should explain that Mai Li, my Lhasa Apso, was crazy about Al. Due to a bad case of arthritis, he found it most comfortable to lay on the floor, rather than sitting in a chair or sofa, and Mai Li LOVED to walk up to him and start licking his beard, and roll around on the floor with him. She would never play like this with anyone but him, so he referred to her as "his girlfriend."

He was a dog lover, but had always had larger dogs, mostly Basset Hounds, but he was really attached to her, and it was difficult for both of them when they moved about 3 miles away from where I live.

My friend is now trying to keep everything together and waiting for the inevitable. All I can do is listen and pray, and offer to do anything that she would like to ask of me. She has 3 children who live in the local area, and they are all blindsided by this as well. To make matters worse, her only son was out of town, several hundred miles away when his dad's condition went down hill so quickly, so he and his wife were driving the 750 miles back ASAP which involves crossing two mountain passes. Fortunately, all the really bad weather is on the East Coast right now, so driving between Utah and Washington state is relatively easy. They hope to arrive back here within the next hour. They called earlier tonight from a town about 5 hours away from here.

Please keep my friends Al and Carol in your prayers. How sad to have this happen so close to Christmas.

I never did get that bath, and at the rate things are going, I think I will forget about it 'til tomorrow morning.

Barb

Swissmiss

Barb, you have been so busy. Please take care of yourself. I will keep your friends and you in my prayers. You are right....this is a terrible thing to have happen right before Christmas. My thoughts are with you.

I went to my daughter's wedding yesterday. Her husband's grandfather performed the ceremony. They, then had us stay for sandwiches, veggies, assorted salads and cake. The grandfather (and his wife) were wonderful. Very loving, caring couple. Makes me wonder what happened to the rest of the family.:laugh:

mamacindy81

Good morning everyone!

Brrr! It's still cold here. Colder than I like. Basically we had to stay indoors Saturday. We did make it to Church yesterday and I was glad of that.

Yesterday my god-daughter came over and we made some Christmas cookies. My favorite kind (sent half of them home with her) and my neighbors favorite (oatmeal chocked full of extras). I'm planning on giving most of them away. I only ate one of the really good ones.

Weighed this morning and the scale didn't move one way or the other from last week. Maintenance is good for this time of the year.

Laurel; I like the mirror posting. I sent it on to my sisters and girlfriends. The 80 yr old could be my Mom! and a few other senior friends I know!

Today I want to eat right and get my water and exercise in.

A good hello and welcome to all the Newbies!

Remember today is a new day, the only one we have, and we have choices to make! My prayer for myself and all of you is to have a craving to pick the right path!

Cindy

Boston01810

Thanks to Kathy and Barbie for the warm welcome to this group.

mamacindy81

Morning Boston!

So how much snow did you end up with?

Cindy

heartrw

Happy Monday everyone. I see there are new members to welcome. So welcome Boston01810 and PattieG.

Thanks Becky and Sheila Jane...I had a wonderful time with my son here in town. Took him to the airport yesterday afternoon.:sad:

Renny...hope your Mom is recovering from her heart attack (I may have missed an update).

Everyone is so busy...hope you are all enjoying your holidays!!

I'm down one more pound...so I consider the week a success!!...in spite of two more Christmas parties, eating out 2 times, and special dinners for my son while he was here. Didn't totally give up on exercise or journalling or logging my calories although I certainly wasn't 100% at any of them either.

Everyone hang in there...we're approaching the home stretch of parties, cookies and snackies. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!

You go Girls!!

Terri

mamacindy81

Yeah Teri!!!!!

A weight loss at this time of year is awesome.

Laurel: I sent my sister that thing about the mirror. She e-mailed me back and said she just joined the site! I'm pumped about that! I'm hoping she will get on the community pages too!

Housework is calling my name!

BBL

Cindy

AHealthierSuzyQ

Happy Monday and Merry Christmas ladies! :drinker: I've discovered I can virtually live on apples and peanut butter when hubby isn't home.

My baby girl will be home in only 2 more days :happy: I'm trying to get the last of my chores out of the way today and tomorrow, so I'm still dashing about in my Shapeups..... This afternoon I have a cut and color, so I don't look dingy in Christmas snapshots, and tomorrow I am helping deliver gifts at the local nursing homes. Got to get busy on the guest room.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

BirdieM

:flowerforyou: Greetings to MFP friends. It has been so busy here with our Christmas Program and now getting ready for our family reunion. By Saturday all of our 8 boys and 6 girls along with their families will be here! We have 26 altogether! It will be a wonderful time. I have been able to get rid of the Thanksgiving pounds and am being very careful during this week. So far the goodies haven't been a problem. I hope each of you have a blessed Christmas and enjoy your families. It's good to see you posting again Kathy-PlantLady!:flowerforyou:

Being the oldest of 13, I know what you mean about these get togethers! They're great! :flowerforyou: We are all married and we all have kids, who have kids, so I've lost track of how many people will get together on Christmas Eve! :noway: My brother hosts it (they have a huge house) and everyone looks forward to it every year! Have a great time! I know we will!:flowerforyou: :bigsmile:
BirdieM

MacMadame

Wow, Barb, what a shock that must have been! {{Huges}} to you.

pmjsmom

:flowerforyou: Good morning, everyone! And welcome to our newbies! This is a good place to be!:flowerforyou:

Got my workout in and now have housework, laundry and more baking to do. Only tried one yesterday and them got them packed up (with strapping tape around the container!:laugh: )

Gonna walk the dogs later, too.

Have a good day, all!

Kathy (pmjsmom)

BirdieM

When I called, I received a terrible shock. It had been about two weeks since I had spoken to them, and I was not prepared to find out that the man's health took a turn for the worse, and that he was now comatose in our local hospice center, and not expected to live more than a few more days. She said she had intended to call me later that evening, but had just returned home herself. All this came about in the space of the last 3 days, and was especially shocking, since the reason for his decline was not his primary health issue, which was heart related. At her request I immediately hopped back in the car and went to visit with her.

Please keep my friends Al and Carol in your prayers. How sad to have this happen so close to Christmas.

Barb

:frown: I'm so sorry to hear about your friends!:noway: I know how you feel, and indeed it is an especially hard time of the year to get such sad news. I will keep All and Carol AND YOU in my prayers.
BirdieM

BirdieM

Good day to all! :flowerforyou: Welcome to the New Englanders!!! Not too many of us on this thread! :blushing: Hope you survived the blizzard! We did everything we needed to on Friday and Saturday & then spent Sunday inside doing Christmas things. I remember the storm of 1978! :noway: I was 8 months pregnant and was afraid that I would end up being one of those pregnant women, who were rushed to the hospital on a sled!!!:noway: :laugh: :laugh: I wasn't..... but boy that was one storm! No one could use the interstate or roads for a week and we were without electricity for that long! Blizzards just have a way of bringing those old memories back!

As for being inside during the storm, I had plans to bake. I ALWAYS bake! :happy: It is one of the things I do best! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: I get tons of compliments when I bake. :flowerforyou: So maybe it's time for me to get compliments for something else and not depend on the "baking compliments" for my self esteeme!! :bigsmile: (I speak only for myself and am not judging anyone else who chooses to do baking ) I really think I depend on that kind of thing too much....and even feel obliged...but not this year!:happy: SO.....I am not going to bake.:flowerforyou: I am going to Sam's club and will be picking up pastries and making up the platters, I always make, and wrapping them up tight with Glad wrap and a bow! When it comes to things like that....I think OTHERS will care... but really...it's only me who cares. Time to step back and regroup! The smell of cookies is just a little too much for me, so I'll pass .....and ,,,you know.... I'll be better off for doing it!
I'm enjoying the compliments I'm getting for losing weight and getting healthier and even encouraging others to take this journey! For me, losing and keeping this weight off, will require some radical changes in behavior and food choices. So, for today, I choose to do, what I need to do, to keep going in the right direction!
BirdieM:drinker: :drinker:

barbiecat

As for being inside during the storm, I had plans to bake. I ALWAYS bake! :happy: It is one of the things I do best! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: I get tons of compliments when I bake. :flowerforyou: So maybe it's time for me to get compliments for something else and not depend on the "baking compliments" for my self esteeme!! :bigsmile: (I speak only for myself and am not judging anyone else who chooses to do baking ) I really think I depend on that kind of thing too much....and even feel obliged...but not this year!:happy: SO.....I am not going to bake.:flowerforyou:

:flowerforyou: Birdie, I recently gave away all my flour, sugar, and other baking ingredients because I decided not to bake any more. I haven't given away my pans, but that will be next. There are other hobbies and useful things to do and I am planning to find them.
Barbie

Boston01810

Greetings all. We got about 8 inches just north of Boston, so yesterday we just stayed in all day (except for shoveling). It was a nice stay at home day. Then back to work today. Went to a 60 min. Zumba class tonight, then did 15 mins on the Wii. This is a busy time for everyone. I hope we can not only get thru the holidays but take a minute to just experience them.... and reflect on our good luck to have great family and friends.

msh0530

I need opinions. I have been given $200 in gift certificates to a neighboring town. They have a Walmart there. I have a small house with absolutely no room for anything. I am considering buying a manual treadmill that folds to store if I can find one there. Anyone know anything about them??

slightingscale

:flowerforyou: ...By Saturday all of our 8 boys and 6 girls along with their families will be here! We have 26 altogether! It will be a wonderful time....

Being the oldest of 13, I know what you mean about these get togethers! They're great! :flowerforyou: We are all married and we all have kids, who have kids, so I've lost track of how many people will get together on Christmas Eve! :noway: My brother hosts it (they have a huge house) and everyone looks forward to it every year! Have a great time! I know we will!:flowerforyou: :bigsmile:
BirdieM

Please enjoy your holiday gatherings! I am from a family of 10 children (now 20 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren), we're great friends, and we all get together at Labor Day now. There are no more Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings, and I really miss them. The craziness added an aire of festivity to the holiday that is hard to reproduce with a small (<15) gathering! You all know what I mean! Have a wonderful time.
Susan

vickim26

My Dad had one years ago. I just remember that it was not easy to do. I was a lot lazier then I guess. I would just suggest trying it out first to see if you like it. Maybe go to a store like Sears or Academy where they have them displayed to try it first. My treadmill folds up and is not manuel one but cost a lot more than 200. Hope this helps.
Vicki M

vickim26

SusieQ,
So good to hear from you. I LOVE your tree. Great picture. You are so awesome. You are doing so great. I have slipped a little. Eating pretty good but got out of workout habit this week. Been so busy. I know I will get back to it, but I commend you for keeping up with things so well.
As for cookies, I love to bake for others. I can bake and not eat. Sometimes I eat them but I chose to do so. People wait for Christmas to get my gingerbread cookies. I thought about it this year and thought maybe I was not doing anyone any favors by baking them but I came to this conclusion. Not everyone has a problem with food as I do. They can eat my cookies once a year and do fine. so why should I penalize them for my flaws. So we each have to do what we think is best. I love to bake them and would like to continue as long as there is someone to eat them other than me.
Vicki M
Welcome to newcomers.

msh0530

My Dad had one years ago. I just remember that it was not easy to do. I was a lot lazier then I guess. I would just suggest trying it out first to see if you like it. Maybe go to a store like Sears or Academy where they have them displayed to try it first. My treadmill folds up and is not manuel one but cost a lot more than 200. Hope this helps.
Vicki M

Thanks and good suggestions. Only problem is the nearest store like Sears or Academy is 120 miles away. I'm lucky that I only have to drive 25 miles to get to Walmart!

Eava57

Merry Christmas! I am just checking in to make myself accountable. It has been a crazy week...end of the year parties at work. This week is my worst for eating! We hosted a Christmas ham dinner/wine tasting last night. Sorry to say that I did enjoy tasting some new wines and ate the kahlua cake. I worked out at home today and PLAN on going to Curves tomorrow. I tried to watch my intake today. We have another party on Wed. and will host on Christmas Day. My weight is still two pounds over from Thanksgiving!:blushing: I take full responsiblity. I hope everyone is enjoying the time with family. My son is home from college which means more cooking and eating around here. I am trying to drink 64 oz. of water!:drinker: I will keep all those who are experiencing losses of loved ones or illness in my prayers. I apologize for not acknowledging everyone individually. I just can't seem to keep up yet. My goes out to you all.

mamacindy81

Morning everyone,

I did good yesterday up until the evening. I just caved because I was ticked off about something that wasn't really important. Was I really only looking for an excuse for some bad behavior? I want today to be different.

Have had a 35 minute walk on the treadmill and have had some freshly made carrot & apple juice. I'm thinking the next time I have "Issues" come up I'll just make my self do 10 min on the treadmill and then see if I still need to eat!

Have a good day all!

Cindy

BirdieM

Cindy,
When I get ticked off, the first thing I want to do is to eat. But not because I'm looking for an excuse to eat, but because I deserve to be punished for GETTING ticked off! :frown: It's that feeling of being inferior because I can't control my response to something....:embarassed: ! After all...I think I have to be perfect...:flowerforyou: so I see it as a failure!:noway: For me, I think it comes from being the oldest of a large family and I put that guilt thing on me years ago. :ohwell: Guilt is a God given instinct if you're doing something wrong...but some of us take it to an extreeme level...an unrealistic expectation of ourselves. So don't beat yourself up...step back...regroup....take a deep breath...and do a "do over". It's a new day and a new moment!:flowerforyou:
BirdieM:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Eava57

Good Morning, I am trying to start my day with MFP. I hope this will give me motivation to "watch" it today. Everyone drink your water. Birdie, you're right...every day is a new day, forget about yesterday and move on. Have a wonderful day, ladies!:flowerforyou:

pmjsmom

Was I really only looking for an excuse for some bad behavior?


Cindy

This is a question I really need to ask myself! I was doing really good at not giving in to my urge to eat when things were not going well but lately I know I've been slipping. :ohwell:

I'm going to try to remember this.:flowerforyou:

Kathy (pmjsmom)

msh0530

I got a wonderful early Christmas present. I was supposed to work today and tomorrow. (Tomorrow was inservice/work day.) The district gave us tomorrow afternoon off paid. Due to the impending storm, they decided this morning that we didn't to come in at all tomorrow. At the high school, due to finals, our students left at noon today, and our principal told us we could go home. Woo hoo! An extra day and a half off with pay!!

PattieG

Good day Ladies! I'm happy to report that I have lost 2 lbs since I first posted:bigsmile: Logging my food and reading this blog has helped me make good choices And that was in spite of 2 christmas parties!:ohwell: But logging my food helped me limit the goodie feed feast and then, since I wasn't hungry at dinner time; I didn't eat. That is something I never do; I figure I have to make dinner for my husband and then I usually eat, whether I am hungry or not.:frown: It was nice that he was supportive and fended for himself

My goal for the holidays is to limit my goodie selection, severely limit :sad: but if I partake on a limited basis I don't feel like I am missing out and then I am proud of myself when I only take one; so far so good:happy: I'll be glad when all the goodies are gone:bigsmile:

Happy Holidays to all:flowerforyou: I may not post until after Xmas :frown: My computer at home has a virus and I can only post from work.

MacMadame

Speaking of creating excuses ... I went grocery shopping on Sunday and I bought candy for our candy dispensor Santa. At least every time I eat a piece, I log it! :laugh: But I'd have been better off not getting any or getting candy I hate. But I knew I wanted to treat myself. I have been craving chocolate for ages.

I also got the no sugar added fudgsicles and some chocolate Clif builder bars and hopefully they will tame my chocolate cravings for a while without me going nuts on the candy Santa.

I still haven't wrapped or mailed any of the presents for people out of town. I just don't want to once I get home from work. I'm hardly working out too as I'm trying hard to rehab this injury and I decided Crossfit was aggrevating it. I am just going to do biking and swimming and I haven't been doing the swimming because all the pools I go to are too cold. So it's just been biking on the weekend.

At least this weekend will be a 3 hour bike ride. Assuming I can make it that far.

heartrw

Well, I had a shock today. I bought a new scale and it weighed me a whole SIX pounds (6.6 to be accurate) heavier! So, I went ahead and added 6.6 pounds to all my previous entries as I figured I probably weighed the extra weight back then too. Bummer:sad: but I'd rather my scale tell me the truth instead of letting me live in a delusional state of mind:ohwell: !!

I once wrote down the reasons why I eat in ABC order....you know...angry or alone, bored, company or cranky, etc...and came up with a reason for every letter...that's a lot of reasons to eat!! My new scale gave me a bunch of reasons why not to eat:grumble: ...so holidays or not I am trying to watch it!!

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

Terri

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: Terri, if your old scale was wrong, then it was wrong when you started which means that you've lost the same number of pounds.......the actual number isn't as important as how much you've lost......and until you get to the size that you want to be, the actual weight is only a guess....I have changed my goal at least three times.:laugh:

:flowerforyou: Pattie, congratulations on losing two pounds....I'm glad to hear that your husband is becoming more supportive.......that is such a help.

:flowerforyou: My next order of silk underwear arrived today just in time for another round of cold weather.:bigsmile: we had frost this morning followed by freezing rain with snow as low as 500 feet (we're at sea level)

:flowerforyou: Mary, how nice that you got a little extra time off just when you needed it.

:flowerforyou: SuzyQ, your tree is fabulous, thanks for posting the picture.......I like your idea about eating apples and peanut butter, I'll remember that the next time that hubby is gone on a trip.

The dogs are bumping my elbow again to remind me that lunch has come and gone and they want to go to the dog park......it's not raining like it was yesterday so we'll be able to stay longer and I can get a good long walk and make up for the extra calories I ate at lunch----hubby made bacon, eggs, and potatoes :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Stay warm and stay focused. hugs Barbie