WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH

kackie

Zusanita: Re knees. I have had problems off and on with knees, especially when I used to play a lot of tennis. I am a huge believer in stretching and yoga-type exercises that stretch and strengthen your muscles that support things like your knees. The one little EASY exercise that I do when my knees act up is: sit on flat surface like the floor, with one leg at a time, tighten your entire leg, flexing your foot towards you and hold it for several seconds, repeating 10 - 15 times for each leg about 3 times a day. This particularly tightens the knee area when done properly, and it always helps me. I also now practice Yoga almost every day at home and once a week more extensively at a Yoga class. A good Yoga teacher can help cure lots of sore spots, I have found! Good luck! And good for you for walking!

Madgoth: Way to go with your walking. As Barbie said, moving is losing. I cannot ever lose weight for long by food deprivation alone. And I agree that ANY moving is good for you. I think it is a cycle: If I move around I feel better and I want to eat better. Eating better also makes me want to move more as I have more energy...Hope that you are feeling better and better too!!! We all got where we are a bit at the time and it is difficult to be as patient with taking it off, isn't it? Hang in there!!!


I am aching from a stupid fall I took yesterday afternoon trying to chase(on skis) our youngest son, age 26, down a part of a mountain that I do not know, in fog! I am feeling stupid, stupid. My husband had smartly decided to have a cup of coffee and call it a day, but I really was having fun AND wanted to spend more time with son, SOOOO....I am paying the price now. Have stretched all morning, booked a massage and will take it easy. The sun is shining and husband and son are out skiing. We only have 2 more days here so I am a bit sad. (back to the "real" world):glasses: I was feeling SO good!!! Oh well. Will try to make some good choices today so that I can get that ticker to move again. We have eaten out the past several days and even though I think I have made decent choices, they are not the same as ones made at home, I think.

Hope everyone has a good day! All best, Kackie

jam0525

Suzanita – I’m glad the braces helped. Arthritis is hard to deal with and I have no knowledge of any home helps for it.

Mary – Good luck with your new swimming goal. It is probably the best form of exercise in the long run for everyone our age.

Doobiedoo – nice new picture. Who won the Wii tournament?

Terri – You can do it! The massage will be worth it.

Spaniel – Yes, I read the article and to be honest – it depressed me. Lol I’m having a hard enough time fitting in 30 minutes a day.

Kackie – I’m glad to hear there is another skier in the group. I hope you get over your fall and I understand what made you chase your son down the hill.

I am glad to be home and glad to annouce that I weigh the same I did before the Vail trip. Today I managed to get on the stationary bike for 20 minutes while DD's hip was being iced. It's looking like I will be her primary physical therapist as our health plan denied the authorization for her rehabilitation yesterday. Of course, I am fighting it, but in the mean time it's me doing the hour long routines twice a day.

We have to start pool therapy tomorrow and the rehab place in Vail expained it to me over the phone. We will go to the city pool and do it ourselves. That is twice a week for 8 weeks and she can't get off of crutches until she can walk in water. So we will do the best we can.

Happy hump day!

Jeannie

jam0525

Oh the new picture is DD and I in Trinidad Colorado in front of the most beautiful Catholic Church. It's pretty old and the stone work and stained glass windows were just beautiful. We saw the steeple from the highway and was drawn to it. It was open so we went in to say a quick prayer for a safe journey and successful surgery. Before we left a lady came over and told us the history of the church. Another lady outside the church offered to take the picture overhearing how taken we were with the church itself.

Jeannie

barbiecat

DUMB QUESTION.........does crystal light count as water drank?

Not a dumb question and yes, it counts just like MacMadame says. Over time I have given up things with artificial sweetener and all caffeine, but for starters, just getting the liquid down your throat is a fabulous goal... Someone on this thread taught me to keep a piece of paper and a pencil where I can see them and put a tally mark for every 8 ounce liquid serving so I can be sure I'm getting enough. When I started doing that, some days I had to drink three cups of water before bed so I'd have enough for the day :drinker: :drinker: :laugh: :laugh: Take it one day at a time and take baby steps.......all the pieces come together a little bit at a time.

:flowerforyou: Jeannie, I love the new picture.......will you be getting any exercise while you help DD with her physical therapy....no matter what you do with her you'll be burning calories and maybe using some unfamiliar muscles. What good news that you didn't gain any weight while you were in Vail.

I roasted a turkey yesterday to serve to friends (the ones that always invite us to dinner). I made stuffing, gravy, and green beans, and they brought a salad. I sent them home with all the stuffing and gravy and half of the leftover turkey. Today I am making soup with the turkey carcass and vegetables and will freeze most of the soup for later. I ate carefully all day and measured my portions and skipped my bedtime snack and stayed under my calories for the day.

DH is on the golf course today for the first time in many months and I am so happy for him (and happy for me to have the house to myself for a few hours.

---

I hate when he's gone overnight, but love to be alone for a few hours during the day.)
hugs Barbie

exermom

I didn't know that the Mii on the Wii would blow up! That's hilarious, but what an incentive, watching it get thinner and thinner.

Becky - how much cardio does your trainer want you to do? Three hours/week is not enough? That surprises me, so I wonder what he/she wants

I'm seriously considering that when I get a new heartrate monitor, I really want one that tells me how many calories I burned that day.

Did an hour of spinning today (Mon). See, I'm not a real self-motivator, but they really don't push you down here. I have found that I'm not pushing myself as hard as I used to, so I really need to work on that

Welcome miswen, know you'll enjoy it. I, too, am hoping that I can get in a walk after dinner.

Cindy - I do hope that skirt fits you! I totally agree with you about how I wish I wish TOM wouldn't keep showing up, but unfortunately he does. Sometimes it's so light that I barely even know he's there. Then there are those months when I can really feel my lower stomach. The ONLY good part is that I will have no desire whatsoever to eat. Then, of course, I have no desire to get up from the bed, either.....lol

Sunshine (love that name) - of all the diets there are out there, I think WW is is best, they at least emphasize fruits and veges. The one thing that I have a bit of a problem with, tho, is the fact that they only count calories, fat, and fiber to figure out the points. In Michael Pollen's book "The Onmivores Diet" he points out that when a manufacturer takes out the fat (and therefore flavor), they replace it with added sugars and/or sodium, neither of which WW takes into consideration. But their points/diet to me is still one of the best.

Cindy - you're so right that you have to weigh and measure your food. I know that I'm guilty of not weighing. I do measure, just don't weigh. That's one of my problems. Like you, the others are stress and boredom eating, primarily boredom. I'm in a way hoping that if I get into the habit of doing at least 15 minutes of yoga/day, when I'm bored I can at least do that. Now with the nicer weather, hopefully, I can go for a walk, too.

spaniel - I, too, agree. Save your money, spend it on a new wardrobe but log your food here. It's more fun, anyways. Plus, you'll get some real good tips about equipment, DVD's, recipes, etc.

You know, Barb, I was secretary of a nonprofit for about 3 years and never once did I do fundraising. I did support them by buying tickets, etc. But I didn't (it's just not me, that's not something I'm good at) go out and solicit donations, etc. Now if at the Y branch near me has a bake sale, I would have no problem at all baking something to take there. I even wouldn't have a problem making something that they can raffle off. But beg for money? That just isn't me at all.

Did an hour of pilates today and then 30 minutes of toning (Tues). Then went to the local Wally World to buy some pure glycerine. That stuff is really good at getting your skin soft. I remember when we lived in the Poconos, one winter it was exceptionally cold. The skin around my thumb was literally bleeding. I tried everyting in the book to get the skin softer, but nothing worked. Then I remembered that my grandmother used to put glycerine on her hands every night and she had real soft hands, so I figured "why not, can't do any worse than it is right now". After the first night, I could tell a difference! Since then, whenever my skin gets dry, I put glycerine on it. Then I stopped at the Y near me and suggested that perhaps they might want to have a basket with coupons in it that others can take. Like I use cat litter coupons, but I don't use dog food coupons. Don't know if they'll do this, but I just thought it might be nice for the members.

Yes, biking IS easier on your knees. So are the use of the elliptical and swimming since there's no impact on the joints.

Jeannie - what does the doctor say about recumbant bikes??

Did an hour of the deep water today (Wed). When I was at the last Board meeting at the Y, their executive director said that he recommended the fitness director there (the one I don't think much of) to go over to the branch that I like. I wasn't sure exactly what was happening with the gal who is the fitness director there now. So today she took my measurements and my body fat. I asked her, She told me that she's going to be working in the senior center (I haven't seen it yet so not sure what exactly she'll be doing) and some personal training. Unfortunately, he won't be under her, he'll be in charge of the fitness center. S***. He screwed up one branch, now I bet any amount of money that he'll screw up this branch. The good news is that he's not involved at the branch near me. Still don't know why they're dragging their heels hiring a p/t fitness director. But at least this guy won't be involved there, that's definitely good news.

I'm thinking that tomorrow I'm going to do a Burn & Firm DVD at home and then a friend and I are going to check out the Whole Foods. Unfortunately, the closest one is about an hour away from here, and I really can't buy very many perishables since we'll be going away, not sure for how long. But that'll give me a good excuse to go back there!

Michele

mamacindy81

Well, this is certainly later than I usually post and I'll still have to make it quick since Granny is again waiting to be fed. Not that I really think she even care's at this point. Who knows.

I tried on that skirt and yes it does fit but would be more comfortable if I was a little bit teenier in the waist. But I can wear it!

So far not a good exercise day for me and I really need to get going if I am going to make my 40 miles for the month. I'm pretty sure I'll make it.

The day is quickly getting away from me. I hope you are all doing well.

Cindy

madgoth

I was good but I did eat my exercise calories. Drank tons of water.

Got to go sing now.

you guys have a good evening.

Swissmiss

Getting back to the Crystal light question. I was in a weight lose group a few years ago and they said that nothing can count as water except water. If we had something like Crystal light or tea it was not to be added in our water count. Does this make sense? Also about wine, beer and whatever...I will not drink any of those until after I have at least 8 glasses of water. A lot of time after drinking all that water I don't want an alcoholic beverage.

anotheryrolder

Thanks for the glycerine tip Michelle! I'll be getting some tomorrow.:happy: I know exactly what you mean about bleeding fingers. I get them in the winter even here in north Florida.:noway: I'm not sure this old body would make it in the frozen north anymore. It's too dry in the winter!

I didn't get to exercise today as I had to run errands and get rid of my "ring around the head" gray roots. My hair grows so darn fast I have an inch of roots in 5 weeks and today my hairdresser told me hair grows faster in the summer. That's NOT good news to me.

I really miss it when I can't get in some exercise. I have been averaging 4 miles a session and usually make it to the gym 4 or 5 days a week. I think I have finally gotten rid of another pound but won't record it until the scales at the gym confirm it a couple days in a row. At this rate it will be a long time before I get to where I want to be, but it will happen.

This way is slow but much better that some of the crazy stuff I've done to lose weight in the past. As we all know and have said many times, this way is doable long term, as in forever!

(Edited to add my name)

Faye

RebelRenny

:flowerforyou: Decided to get on the "Skinny Wednesday" wagon. DH and I are going away for a couple of days as a treat. This to make up for the time we were supposed to have done that in February for his 60th birthday and I got dreadfully sick. In any event, I'd like to think that I won't be doing too bad in the diet department, but thought I'd be a little ahead of the game. :bigsmile:

We hope to play some golf and get in a lot of walking, along the beach and in the cute little town.

Any advice on running shoes for running? :bigsmile: My old shoes are black Reeboks, that wore out way too soon in my opinion and I was not too crazy about them actually. Years ago I had Ryka's and I totally loved them.

Rebel

jam0525

Jeannie - what does the doctor say about recumbant bikes??


They are OK with them but only after you have been using the uprights for 8 weeks.

Barbie - I am definitely using muscles I don't usually do. One of the exercises is hard on my back, but most are almost like semi squats while I'm holding her leg and swayins and squatting to move her leg in a cicle.

Well, time to finish the last session for tonight.

Jeannie

msh0530

Just popping in to say hi before I head to bed. It's been a busy day. Hope all are fine. Have a good Thursday tomorrow!

wizzywig

:flowerforyou: Hi Everyone

I'm not feeling too good at the moment :frown: I have a cold - ache all over etc and feeling a bit sorry for myself. My comfort eating kicked in last night when hubby offered me some chocolate Minstrels and instead of saying no ........ I grabbed a handful and ate them without even thinking ... :frown: What happened to your will power girl !! :huh: Anyway I've given myself a talking to and today is another day I will make good healthy choices today.

I have been recommending this site to my friends at work. It's been such a help to me and I love reading the threads in this group, everyone is so encouraging

Well I'd better start getting ready for work, I've loads to do and can't rush this morning. I'm sure once the paracetamol kick in I'll be able to function.

:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: Take care

Viv

mamacindy81

Morning everyone,

Looks like we will have another good day temperature wise. Clouds are supposed to be coming in and give us rain later tomorrow.

Renny: My favorite running shoes are Asics: Really comfortable. The thing I like about them is that they seem to have a wider toe box which helps if you want to wear a cushy pair of socks. I usually invest in the higher priced ones because they have more shock absorption. I've been wearing them for years and need a new pair myself. Be sure that you get a pair that is big enough (some room left over in the front of your toes). My first ever job was selling shoes at a department store. I always to this day notice feet and what people have on.

Have a good day!

Cindy

spaniel

Morning, Ladies...

Jam0525: I feel the same way - we are all lucky to get in the exercise time that we do! I told my hubby that I felt like the media, medical community, etc. was just dumping one more thing of guilt on women our age. We are already dealing with aging parents, adult children, work, home, etc. One woman profiled on the news said she works out 2 X a day and I am thinking where the heck does she find the time (or the energy for that matter ) Okay, enough whine for me today.

Have a sunshine day!!

jam0525

Hello all,

I think I'm finally going to get all my exercise in today! Which will be the first time in almost two weeks. My grand idea of bringing an exercise DVD with me in the hotel didn't work out. I didn't have more than a few minutes in between everything going on.

At least I have a workout DVD now to help breakup my routines at home.

Wizzywig - I just love the name and the picture.

If you've never been to Colorado the one thing that struck me more than anything else was how dog friendly it is. Dogs, dogs everywhere. Big dogs, little dogs, dogs with ski jackets on, all breeds, All on leashes. There were dog parks all over the place.

Off to run errands........somethings just never change nor slow down.

Jeannie

kackie

Viv: Hope you feel better soon!

Jeannie: Yes, skiing is a great treat isn't it? My son says it is the closest thing to feeing like you have super powers...well, until you fall! No falling today, just nice, sunshine and cruisers for me.

Rebel: Have a good time on your trip. Hope you both have a great time. A couple of days away can be just the best!

Too many out to dinners lately...another last night with our son and some of his good buddies. Another night out with some friends at their house here tonight. Good for friendships...Not good for the ticker. But I am hanging in there and not going over, but am using some of my exercise calories! I will try for Skinny Wednesday next week. We will be traveling and I hope I can use that time to eat simply. If I plan ahead, I do well. SOOOOO....here's to planning!!!:drinker:

Have a nice evening, all, Kackie

heartrw

:happy: Greetings all.

Morning, Ladies...

Jam0525: I feel the same way - we are all lucky to get in the exercise time that we do! I told my hubby that I felt like the media, medical community, etc. was just dumping one more thing of guilt on women our age. We are already dealing with aging parents, adult children, work, home, etc. One woman profiled on the news said she works out 2 X a day and I am thinking where the heck does she find the time (or the energy for that matter ) Okay, enough whine for me today.

Have a sunshine day!!

Regarding the report that women our age have to exercise for an hour every day to maintain...I exercise 30 minutes. I live in basically a three story house (1st, 2nd and basement) with lots of square footage. After I run up and down stairs, go shopping, prepare food, clean the kichen, clean house, do laundry, and motivate my you know what all over the place and back...I figure I've gotten way more than an hour of exercise. Like today. I spent all afternoon at work assembling notebooks. After 4 hours of bending, reaching, pressing and carrying , and the way my back was screaming at me all the way home...I figure I got PLENTY of exercise with that and my 30 minutes on the treadmill.

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, Viv. Hope you’re better now. I peeked at your profile pictures (Jeannie reference to your pic made me do it!!). What adorable dogs…both of them (I’m assuming there are only two). They look to be living very comfortable, happy lives!

:flowerforyou: Jeannie, it’s so nice to have you back. Hope your daughter is recuperating well. You’ll be bound to get lots of exercise when helping her with her PT.

:yawn: Have a good night all. Terri

msh0530

I hope everyone is having a great day. Just wanted to let you know that I put some pictures from our warm then cold camping trip on my profile if you are interested.

wizzywig

:flowerforyou: Thanks for all the good wishes I am feeling a bit better thanks, soon be 100% I'm sure

Terri - yes we only have the 2 dogs now, we lost our old dog Milo a few years ago, he had heart disease. He was the best dog ever and I still miss him every day. He was a cross breed (we think he had a bit of beagle, staffie + others in him) but he was adorable, I'll have to get some photo's of him uploaded to put on my profile.

It's a bit brighter this morning, so maybe it will be a sunny day - we can but hope! I'm going shopping later this morning I have a few birthday present to buy. It's my grandson's 5th birthday 12th April - I can't believe he's 5 already and haven't a clue what to get him. It's also my Aunt's birthday on 14th April. I can't believe I will be 54 years old at the end of March :ohwell: I still feel about 21 in my head :bigsmile: but when I catch sight of myself I think good grief is that me - :frown: That's one of the reasons I want to lose weight and get fitter I am just too heavy for my body, no wonder my legs and back ache it's carrying all this extra weight :laugh:

So healthy options when I go food shopping this morning, I'll try and keep away from the biscuits and buy plenty of fruit and healthy snacks.

Well I have some tidying up to do before I go shopping so I'd better get a move on. (Think of all the calories you are using Viv) Hey the sun has come out

Viv x

pmjsmom

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Hello everyone! Welcome to our new people!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

It has been REALLY busy at work this week! The garden center is almost ready for all the spring sales! I'm looking at HRMs because I'm starting to wonder how many calories I'm burning there.:happy:

Weigh in today--down 2 pounds!:happy: 201! Just 2 more and I'll be under 200 for the first time in almost 30 years!:laugh: I am excited about that.

WOW--I need to get used to the smaller keyboard on my net book! I keep hitting the wrong keys and then having to edit!

LifeAfter50

Hello Ladies

I'm still not feeling the greatest :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: I can not shake this sinus infection:huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: I have been to the doctor 3 times with several different antibiotics :frown: :frown: :frown: :frown: and now the yellow pollen is falling from the oak trees and this will make it even worse... :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

But I'm not giving up.... Today is a new day.... and I will try harder to make the right decisions but it's just so hard for me when I feel so bad... comfort food is all I really want...

I need to remind my self MORE WATER!!!! I'm not drinking enough:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend
:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

jam0525

Happy Friday morning everyone!

Today is our last day at home. On Monday DD heads back to school and I head back to work. She is doing OK. With our health plan denying her rehabilitation plan it will take longer to get her off crutches and back on her feet. There is only so much that I can do at home. But, I'm determined. Tomorrow we will start Pool Therapy on our own at a city pool.

I weighed myself this morning and it's still what it was before the surgery. So I am very, very happy considering we ate out 3 meals a day for 10 days.

Thanks for all the well wishes. They are greatly appreciated.

Well, since I'm home today Mom has decided to make meatballs. She can't make them on her own any more. lol Just one more thing to do today.

Jeannie

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Good Morning,we are only about 20 posts away from 500. When we get to 500 posts there will be a link at the bottom to go the "part two" of the thread.

It's a sort of spring morning here and DH has headed to the golf course.......he is so happy to be playing golf again......he's taking a cart but expects to be going back to walking the course before long.

:flowerforyou: Yesterday was my birthday....we went out to eat at my favorite restaurant on Saturday night and on Tuesday I roasted a turkey for our friends who always invite us to their house for dinner, so there was no need to go out on my actual birthday. DH and I spent the afternoon and evening together and he followed my wishes for no card, no flowers, no gift., no food Next week we'll go out together and buy the new lawn mower and weed whacker that we both want and that will be the best gift (he cuts the grass, that's a really great gift).

I've been staying under my calories every day but today on my regular weigh in I was up 4 tenths of a pound. I'm off to line dance in a few minutes and I'll take the dogs to the dog park later.

:flowerforyou: I agree that women who care for a family (even a family that's only a low maintenance husband) get a lot of exercise on top of whatever they do for formal exercise. I've been carrying a pedometer in my pocket for at least three years and the number of daily steps tell the story of lots of activity.

Lets stay busy today and make healthy choices. hugs Barbie

arborsong

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Barbie, Happy one-day-late birthday to you, to you!!!

exermom

I was always of the impression that tea etc. counted towards your water count as long as it was decaffenated.

I did 45 min of a Tone and Burn DVD today (Thurs) and then a friend of mine and I went to the nearest Whole Foods (which, unfortunately, is like 45 minutes away. Actually, that might be fortunate because if it was any closer, I'd be in there all the time. As it was I thanked God that they accepted Master Card....lol)

I'm thinking that tomorrow I'll go to the Y near me and do some HIIT on the elliptical. Then maybe something on the treadmill. Wish they had different machines here. I just get bored doing the same thing over and over. Or maybe I'll go to another branch of the Y, do my HIIT there, and then use their StairMaster. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I do know that I'll do something. I most likely won't be able to exercise Sat. as that is the day of the gala for our Newcomers group. I have to be at the country club at 10:30, then go to get my hair colored and styled, then home to get dressed to go back there by 6:00. But I'll do something at home on the Wii on Sunday, probably after church. Maybe I'll do a yoga DVD on Sunday. Just did my 15 min of yoga for the night and I changed my mind again. I haven't done pilates in a while so I'll do that Sunday.

For anyone who does a lot of traveling - we'll be leaving for FL for about 2 or 3 weeks. Usually, when I go away, I take some "snacks" with me. I've already bought carrots, apples, pears, to take with me. I have some nuts, dried fruit with me. What else do you all take with you? Whenever I've been gone for a day or two, I usually log my food in a small notebook and then transfer it here. I wonder if I will be able to keep 3 weeks straight? I'm going to take my laptop with me, but the only Internet service I'll be able to get is at the local library. The last time we were down there I didn't have my laptop but dh did and but he couldn't find an unsecured access point in the condo.

Faye - one word of caution. The glycerine is very very greasy. Use only a very little bit. When I need to use more, I usually wear those plastic gloves to bed. It won't stain your sheets, but it just feels "yukky". So the plastic gloves works.

Renny - about the shoes, I would recommend you go to a place where they size your feet. We have a place near us, TriSports and I know there's a place in Hickory called something Feet. They will be your best bet. Yes, the shoes may be a bit more expensive, but you'll have the knowledge that they fit you properly.

Happy birthday barbiecat. Hope you had a great day. You deserve it!


Michele

mynyddisamrs

:flowerforyou: Good evening ....Everybody!!!
Great to be back ... a bit under false pretences really as I'm back from my holiday in Sunny Lanzarote:glasses: .We all had a marvellous time...:ohwell: I haven't weighed myself yet and....:noway: I've just been out for a curry ( we had no food in the house!!) We're out at friends tomorrow night and so.......I think I should start afresh on Monday :bigsmile: ...don't you?
I hope you've all been good ... A very quick glance at the posts tells me it was your birthday Barbie ... belated greetings!!!
Viv ... hope you're feeling better! What's the weather been like in the UK while I've been away?
:flowerforyou: Hope you all have a great weekend ....fingers crossed for kind scales next week!!!!
Great to be back in the fold
Jackie

spaniel

Happy Birthday, Barbiecat :flowerforyou: My birthday was last Sunday and I certainly can't believe that I have hit the big 60!! Some days I feel like 30 and some days like 90...:laugh:

Have a great evening and weekend, everyone.

heartrw

Happy Friday evening everyone. :flowerforyou: Barbie and :flowerforyou: Spaniel...happy belated birthday to each of you. :flowerforyou: Viv, happy birthday to you for your upcoming one! Wow, there are really a lot of March birthdays!

Had a good day. Just logged calories. Now I'm going to go get on some work out clothes and hit the treadmill for 30! I've already recorded it so I have to go do it. Then I have my journal page to write and some down time. Although I really do consider journalling part of my down time! Hope everyone has a good night! Terri

kackie

Happy, Happy Belated Birthday to Barbie & Spaniel. Hope that this year is a happy & healthy one for both of you!!!