WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2013

It was a pretty quiet day around here. I went to water aerobics then DD#1 decided to spend the whole day with her friends, so I was stuck here while the guy worked on the basement. I got some work done on the books so it wasn’t all bad. It’s hot and humid here and going to be near 90 (32.2 C) by the end of the week. We picked a whole bowl full of grape tomatoes. The funny thing is that the “volunteer” tomato is the best one of all. Still no peppers. They are all tiny with a soft white spot on one side, so not edible. The eggplant will be ready in a week or so I think.

So I talked with the doctor’s nurse again. They are so funny. My blood sugars have been pretty low (actually in the “I am not a diabetic” range) so they cut my evening dose in half. Since I am “not receptive” to statins, I asked if they would “be receptive” to diet changes and recheck in 6 months. After intense negotiations LOL we agreed to recheck the lipid panel in 3 months. I love those two. They both really believe in working with patients, not just telling them what to do.

So I am on a quest to eat more foods that lower LDH. Do any of you have recipes using barley besides soup?

Heather: I hope you continue to recover. I’m not sure what a gannet is, but it sounds like they eat a lot!

Nancy: welcome to our group. My in laws live in Wadsworth Ohio which is a lovely town

Grandmallie: I love LLBean. We just bought a whole bunch of things for the house from them, but I saw several things in their new fall catalogue that I hope I need when I lose some more weight!

Joyce: MIL is so lucky to have you to come visit even if her visits are not as pleasant as they used to be. Could she be depressed in addition to the schizophrenia?

Barbie: I’m sure the residents in the assisted living places just love it when your group comes to dance for them

Gail: I will remember to ask about the no salt at Longhorn. The prime rib was fabulous, just a bit salty. Most everything is too
salty for me because I don’t put any on at all. I have been starting to think of retirement too….but I’m only 54, so I have a way to go.

Sandy: I sure hope you get over that migraine soon! You sure have a lot of them, don’t you? What you said about the ER is so true…I was an ER nurse for decades and we all did have the attitude that people with migraines were drug seekers. Some of them were, but not most and over the years I have looked back to that time in my life and wish I had not been so judgmental. I can’t do anything about it now except to tell those stories to my nursing students and tell them how badly they and their patients will feel if they are like that. I’m so sorry you have been treated like that.

Michele I bet you burned a lot of calories moving that rock around. I think your email sounds perfect. You are keeping the door open.

Genealace: when you can, I’d love to see some pictures of the lace you make!

Anamika: I am still working on the yoga! What does the lemon and warm water do for you?

Barbie: good for you to keep to your plan and not be swayed by other people

DeeDee: you made me laugh when you said you needed time away from the dog. When I am at home, all four animals just follow me around all day long, even when I just get up to the bathroom. They all want to sit on me too which causes its own problems when I’m working! Another sinus infection? Oh no…didn’t you have one that lasted forever last year or earlier this year? Feel better soon. I hope someone figures your leg out!

Nancy: don’t worry, I for one have very little get up and go!

Sue: congratulations on your anniversary. I hope you have many more wonderful years.

Pat: I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I will keep him in my prayers. Maybe you could come over because I need a scrapbooking intervention! I have piles and piles of photos and all kinds of scrapbooking stuff and I never get to it!

Helen: good for you to keep the walking up

Suzy; good for you on the weight loss. It’s coming off…even if it seems slow!

Jane: wow how scary to wake up to a fire! Glad you are having a good day

Katla: baking a bunch of pies sounds like so much fun!

Ok ladies, I need to go work in the closet for about an hour before I get my reward…. A glass of wine (heart healthy…hooray for that!) and watching “What not to wear”! Take care! Meg from sticky Omaha

No chance to get on last couple of nights–DS#2 and girlfriend hit a bump in their relationship and I had to play counselor. Love never seems to be a smooth path!! Hoping for sleep tonight and less drama.
Melanie–enjoy your workout tomorrow
Joyce–I’m impressed with your determination to do try things and keep at them, as you did with bowling; sounds like you had a good lunch with your friends
Barbie–cute tooth graphic
Genealace–would love to see a picture of your piece of lace
Cheryl–prayers being said for your daughter and friend, as well as healing for you; when does school begin for your daughter (or did it begin this week)?
Deb–do you like lentils and quinoa? both are good sources of protein
Liz–so sorry to hear of your sister’s fall; prayers for all of you
Nancy–welcome!
Michele–enjoy your party; if your weather is similar to ours here in TN, it may be one of the nicest weekends in a long time (in terms of sunshine)
Sue–Happy anniversary!!!
Pat–prayers for your friend
Grandmallie–I like the jar idea; very visual
Looking forward to a quiet weekend before classes begin next week. Good night!
Rhonda in SE TN

Hey remember me? I feel like I’ve been gone from this thread forever!. :noway: My summer has been so busy but in a good way – vacation and lots of work (much of it involving travel). I’ve only had time to read the last couple of pages, forgive me for not keeping up with all of you.:flowerforyou:

Today was my annual physical. Last year’s cholesterol reading was one of the key reasons I started MFP – it was very very high. I really didn’t want to start taking meds. My doctor and I made a deal – I would work on losing weight, exercise harder and eat better and then we would see if I got my cholesterol down in the acceptable range. He was definitely impressed with my progress and asked how I did it. I ended up walking him through my MFP app. Now he plans on telling his other patients about this site. I’ll have my new test results early next week – keep your fingers crossed.

My DS and his GF are visiting for a few days before they have to go back to school – I’m so happy having them both around!

Carol – what a terrible summer you and your family have had. <<<<<hugs>>>>>:brokenheart:
Heather – hope you are feeling better…congrats on the weight loss. I know what you mean about not being sure about calling it goal. I’m now 2 lbs below my original goal and still not sure if I’m in maintaince
Anamika – hang in there – it takes time to change habits. :happy:
Robin – hope your weather improves – enjoy your vacation!:glasses:
Michele – sounds like you have quite the party coming up – have fun!:drinker:
Katia – I pray your DS stays safe
Yanniejannie – hope you are feeling better:sick:
Liz – so sorry to hear about your sister’s fall. Sending virtual hugs and prayers
Kevrit – good luck with the job interview and keep up all that activity!
Juanita – congrats on the weight loss:flowerforyou:
Sandy – hope that migraine is finally gone and you are feeling better:sick:
Grandmallie – congrats on getting back to 154 and enjoy the picnic – sounds like you’ve got a great plan:drinker:
Meg – I missed the posts on your diabetes – hope you get some good advise from your diabetic educator. I think taboule is made with barley???
DeeDee – hope you feel better soon (I feel like I’ve said that a lot in this post :noway: )
Sue in SD – happy anniversary:flowerforyou:
Pat – sending prayers your friend recovers
Suzy – good for you- losing weight, exercising and feeling energetic!:drinker:
Barbie - you are such an inspiration to me - thank you :flowerforyou:

Well I'm feeling like I'm falling asleep at the key board so better sign off. Have a great weekend. I hope I'll be keeping up with all of you better going forward

Jodios :flowerforyou: :smooched: :bigsmile:

Rhonda in TN - according to weather.com (and we all know how accurate they can be...lol) they're calling for a 30% chance of showers tomorrow. Well, that's better then a 50%. Sunday is supposed to be nice, but that's when we'll start putting down the riverrock so that works.

Joyce - I almost never can find clothes to fit me at WalMart, mainly because they don't have a petite department. Sometimes, tho, they do carry petite size jeans.


jodios - welcome back!

Well, I just spoke to Vince. He can't see any reason why we should put the cats in our bedroom early. I asked him not to do what he did last time and waited until the last minute then we had problems getting Bonnie. He is of the opinion that it'll be fine as long as we close the door to the basement and the door to his office. I tried to tell him that I need to vacuum and I don't want more cat fur, I need to wash the laundry room floor and I can't do that until we put the cat's food in the bathroom, I need to put the things out for the nametags and I don't want the cats playing with the pens, I need to put out the decorations and I just can't have the cats playing with them and then I have to do it over. He just says "well, don't worry". Then he said "I don't like having a social (it wasn't me who volunteered to have a pool party), you get too obsessive". I just don't like waiting until the last minute to do everything. I need to get the snacks on the tables. Yes, there'll be extra help here, but I can't expect them to do everything.

Michele inNC

Just popping in to say I have lost another 1lb. That takes me to 50 lbs lost!!!!:flowerforyou: :bigsmile: :laugh:
WOW! Last June I was, in my wildest dreams, thinking I might, just might, be able to lose 36 to take me back to the weight I was when I met DH 10 years ago. I have also lost half an inch off my hips. :bigsmile: I know that my body has taken some calories to do the repair work on my mastitis, but I am not complaining. I have kept to my calorie goals throughout all this, so I feel I deserve some reward. Will have to ponder a while on what that should be.
I asked my DSIL to be brutally honest with me as to whether I should lose some more. Jodios- I do have a fear of looking haggard and I don't want my bones to suffer. She said I looked 'well' and could maybe go down a few more pounds with no ill effects. I am still 24.4 BMI. So onward I go. I want to resume a little bit of strength training today, but will take it easy.

Michele- good luck with the party. I am a logistic thinker too. I don't think men quite have it figured. My first husband was terrible at anything like that and was a last minute person. So I got rid of him! :laugh: :laugh: I think if you are good at visualizing you can easily see the sequence in your head, like a film. My mother always used to say she could see an accident waiting to happen. I am the same, therefore I am a good planner.

Joyce- I did scuba in the Red Sea a couple of years ago. I was quite large then. I practised a couple of times beforehand at a swimming pool with a Scuba Club. So much depends on the instructor. The ones I had were so reassuring and rather hunky! When I went down to see the coral we walked off the beach and my gorgeous instructor latched himself on to me behind me and guided me round. We went about 10 metres down. Fabulous! And he wasn't bad either!:blushing:
With your MIL I think it is Nature's way of preparing us for death. Gradually allowing us to let go of this world, so we don't mind too much when the end is near. As a nurse you must have seen it happen so many times.

Meg- a gannet is a large sea bird that dives out of the sky to grab the fish under water. They hunt in packs. I think that describes the attack on the cheeseboard!
I was lucky enough to retire at 55 when I married DH. I am largely a kept woman, though I do have a small pension, the rent from my flat and my own capital and half of the house. I quite like being a kept woman, though recently when my flat was empty I had no money for clothes or anything. But my life style is comfortable thanks to DH and I pay for as much as I can out of my own pocket, like holidays and clothes. I have so loved my retirement, by far the happiest time of my life.:bigsmile: :drinker:

I continue to mend. Now have a pink, warm breast instead of a hot, red one.

Heather in dull and damp Hampshire UK

I have bought myself a new yoga bag for my 50 lb lost present. It is bright red and takes a mat as well as everything else I need. I thought it would go with my new winter red stripey raincoat. I wanted to buy exercise clothes, but think I am going to have to try them on rather than buy them on line as my waist is out of proportion to my hips now. (My waist is a size bigger or even two sizes) .My yoga ladies should see me coming now!
Heather UK
WELCOME BACK nanasorchid!:flowerforyou:

This is my Friday check-in (yes, I know it is Saturday).

Went lawn bowling (I run it on Friday), but there were 13 people, so I had to drop out. I did some practice on my own, but then someone else turned up and I helped get ready for a group of 28 people who were coming to the club for a 'work teambuilding' afternoon. I did a whole pile of cleaning up in the garden round the club-house.

Had lunch at the club and then helped the visitors to learn how to bowl for a couple of hours.

Did my grocery shopping and then worked on my lace for a little while.

DBF and I went to supper with my GF and she invited us back to her house for tea. She needed help to put her antique bookcase back together. We took it apart a few weeks ago so she could repair some of the beading round the leaded-glass doors. It is certainly a two person job, but we managed to get it done and get the doors working ok (they are up and over doors - sort of like garage doors).

So, that was my day.

Megblair: I’m thinking there is a barley recipe that includes hops and results in an alcoholic beverage. :devil: I know it isn’t diabetic friendly. :noway: More seriously, you could probably substitute barley for rice in many recipes. DH can’t have it so I don’t get to use it any more, but I’ve always loved barley. Look at this site for some ideas:
http://allrecipes.com/recipes/whole-grains/barley/ You'll find other cooking sites on the web, too. Your comments to DeeDee about the dog made me laugh. The old saying something or someone is “dogging my steps” is based on reality.:bigsmile:

Michele: I’ve always been shy on a social level, and I love reading about all of your parties and events. I’m not shy about much else, but my mom was very shy and I’ve never learned the skills you have in abundance, so I lack confidence. Your posts are fun to read. Vince obviously doesn’t understand the mischief cats can get into with party things.:flowerforyou:

Joyce: I was wearing 18s when I started this journey in October. They were snug. From there I went to a few 16W’s in December for DS’s wedding, then regular 16s, & 14s. I wore the 14s until they were so baggy that DH was complaining. I haven’t bought more than two pairs of pants in a size, except I have long pants and capris for summer. I’m still wearing ALL of my original tops and size 10 pants. I was carrying a lot of weight in my butt and legs. :grumble: I don’t have any dresses that still fit at all. That will be something I buy as needed. I lead a pretty casual lifestyle. With such a small wardrobe I do a LOT of small loads of laundry. :laugh:

Jodios: Thanks for your good wishes for my son. It’s nice to see that you’re back. I hope you’ll be able to stop by a bit more often. Enjoy your DS and his GF.:flowerforyou:

Heather: Congratulations on hitting the big weight loss five-oh! Celebration is needed. I was thinking clothes or flowers, but the new yoga bag is an excellent option.:bigsmile:

Nanasorchid: Welcome back. You were missed.:flowerforyou:

Genealice: Your day sounds productive and busy.:flowerforyou:



I picked up DD at the airport yesterday, brought her home long enough to grab DH and went out for Chinese food. We had a good visit all afternoon and grilled steaks for dinner. DD and I watched TV for a while after dinner. DH went to bed early. I’m up now because I couldn’t sleep through DH’s snoring. :noway: So far, I’ve done a load of laundry and spent some time here reading all of your posts. At least I'm putting the time to good use.

DS and DDIL will arrive about noon, and his best friend will bring his family out around six. I want to move to the boat this morning and let the kids have the house so they can stay up as long as they like and party. The house will be full. Our daughter is already in the guest room and I’d like to leave our room with fresh sheets for DS and DDIL. I hope I can talk DH into it. Our place has just two bedrooms, and when it is only the two of us I can go to the guest room on the nights his snoring is an issue. On the boat, I’ll be able to leave him in the aft cabin and close the door if he snores. Then I can sleep in the main salon, or even the Vee berth. We often use the boat as a guesthouse, and we’re usually the “guests” in it.:laugh:

Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

August goals:
1. Log every bite
2. Move more.
3. Drink at least 2 glasses of water daily.

Happy sat.
Liz,I`m so sorry about your sister.Take time for you now to work thru this.Sending you hugs
We`ll be here when you come back.At least she is at peace.
Welcome back ladies that came back,you were missed.
HUGS
jane

Liz,

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm sure your sister appreciated you being with her. Take gentle care of yourself during this time.

We will be here when you need some extra support.

You are in my prayers.

Sandy

Liz, many many hugs for you. I am so glad you were able to be with her. Know that we are all with you, in our thoughts and prayers.
Kate

Liz…My sympathies in the loss of your sister. I was with my Grandmother when she passed on, her last words were “see the angels”, that was a comfort for me. I hope you find comfort in knowing your sister is at peace.

Take care.
Terri

Liz I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this very sad time. ((Hugs))

Renny

Liz - so sorry for your loss. Praying for you...........it's been such a tough time. We're all thinking of you.

Lin in Central Iowa