WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2013

Happy day!
My brother phoned at last, after me thinking '"they don't like me any more" :laugh:
I have been emailing dates for a get together for ages. Anyway we are going to a lovely gastropub near here I booked for lunch on Friday 20th. Got to get there for 12 as they have big parties coming in later, but that suits us fine as they have to pick up their children from school. My brother is on his 2nd marriage so he has a 14 yr old and a 12 yr old as well as 4 grown up children and 8 grandchildren!
I am so glad to hear from them as we really get on well. They live 10 miles away, but are so busy with church, work, children, grandchildren, elderly parents, good works etc, etc, etc. it is difficult to find a time.
So - happy day! :bigsmile: :flowerforyou:

Heather UK

Trying to keep focused, Both my parents are over 90 yrs old and Dad is in the hospital and my mother has been getting down right mean to my dad, Do all old people do that ? Its so sad watching her do that to my dad. My tree is not up yet either , each day I try to take it out I end up getting a call from my sisters pleading me to take a ride( 40 minute drive) and do something with mom to get her away from dad cause she is in the hospital fighting with him .


My goal for the rest of the month is to stay focused on making right choices. and pray for the best.
I doubt i will be seeing the scale moving any day soon since eating out = higher salt


Got a nice work out shoveling snow today

Heather - We're like Michele in NC - generally we are eating the Christmas Eve leftovers on Christmas Day. We like to simply relax. The Christmas Eve dinner is a lot of work, but such a pleasure. Like you I do love making food from scratch that tastes GOOD. I use three kinds of dried mushrooms pus fresh portabellas(and others if I can get them) for the mushroom soup. We ALWAYS plan for leftover soup :happy:

Mama Nee - I agree with Joyce's comment. Also, maybe your Dad's doctor could have a stern talk with her. Your Mom is from the generation that rarely questioned a doctor's advice. (That would be my mom). Caretaking long distance is draining. I did it from 1500 miles away for a number of years. Please make sure you do something to take care of yourself, like exercising, whatever works for you.

Had my first meeting today at the Y's Focus class on weight management. Looks like cardio is a big part of what we will be doing. The class is on the same day as my strength training class, so I can count cardio from that as well. I have been steady on my goal of increasing cardio from 10 to 12 minutes before strength training and am now doing an additional 20-30 minutes later in the morning for the Focus class.

Let's all be careful out there with the cold and ice!!
AND drink lots of water :drinker:

katla - phew! You can keep your snow, thank you very much.

dawnhegarty - welcome! I think around this time of year we all struggle, so that's why this group is extra important now

Joyce - that is so interesting how you have online yard sales. Do people ship things? We're always on the lookout for blowmolds and that just might be another way to find some. But, of course, I couldn't exactly go there and pick it up. congrats on the bike

You know, yesterday I had such cramps in my stomach, remember I was telling you all? Well, I haven't had them today and I'm wondering if it's happening when I eat a lot at one time. Tonight I spread out my dinner, and I haven't felt that way. hmmmm.

grandmalle - (hugs)

Really rushed tonight. Don't know why, but I was so very tired that I laid down for a bit before now haven't much time to catch up.

Today I did an hour of incline intervals on the treadmill (3 min 4mph @3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 3%etc.). Then had to take my car to be inspected. We'd totally forgot to put on new wiper blades so we had them do it to the tune of around $30. But they needed them in order to pass inspection. Then, since I was up that way, stopped at Aldi to get what I needed (not much). Then went to Sam's club since this one gal will be here Sun to watch Downtown Abbey and I know she likes the skinny pop, got a few other things too. I also needed to buy gas. Came home and we bought online for Jessica and Denise. then went to JCP to get another shirt for Lynette (I got one yesterday, had a $15 off coupon, and used my 20% off coupon), stopped at the Y to pick up this one coupon and came home, made an apple pie for Christmas Eve and put that in the freezer then made these sugar cookies. That's the last of the cookies that I'm planning to make. Now for horsduerves (or however it's spelled). Had a turkey soup (it really wasn't that soupy, added rice, forgot that Vince needed to eat earlier since he was going shooting so he just went out after shooting (which they usually do anyway).

Tomorrow is the Newcomer general meeting and then senior bowling.

I'm planning to do Jillian Michaels burn Fat Boost Metabolism DVD tomorrow. Can't wait for Christmas to get here, am expecting new DVD's

margaretturk - love reading about your intentional acts of kindness. Gives me some great ideas

barbie - I didn't realize that your bike didn't work! Are you going to be getting it fixed?

Heather - you always make me so hungry with your food, but don't let that stop you from telling us about it

Sue in SD - hope JJ is better

Rita - you can keep that snow, too. Jessica called and so did Denise, seems they got out of work early since their places were shutting down.

Invited Ken & Lynette to dinner, was planning on Sat. as the guys were going to watch some sort of blueray for 4 hours, but they have a party to go to so they'll come over Fri. Why did I invite them? In a way, I'm a bit sick of cooking and I should know that whenever Lynette has an opportunity to not cook, she takes advantage of it. Well, I froze the cake I'd made for Vince's birthday (banana chocolate) and we'll have that. Since Ken is allergic to chocolate I'll make these poppyseed lemon muffins. I'm just thinking of putting a roast in the crockpot

daiudi - welcome and congrats on the loss. I'm not so much of a stress eater as a boredom eater.

Marcia in NE Washington (the state?) - welcome! You have a good handle on what you need to do

Welcome everyone else new!

mamma_nee - that must be so hard on you with your parents. Some people as they age do get mean. Could be a sign of something else, tho. If I were you, I'd get it checked out. MIL had sundown, and they gave her some antidepressants for it, then she was much better

jfenner - good for you increasing your cardio!

Meg - when I taught at the Y, I held class even if there was only one particiant. Yes, we were supposed to have a minimum of 3. It really didn't bother me if they paid me or not (not like I was getting paid that much, anyway) but my feeling was "if they came for a class, a class is what they're entitled to. They paid their membership (which pays my salary). There was this one guy who had a spinning class, his numbers in the class were quite low and they eventually did cancel his class. Interesting this was that they weren't paying him at all. See, he was a Vietnam Vet with PTSD and his counselor recommended that he volunteer his time so he taught the class.

Michele in NC

Hi gang! I'm still here, just have so much less time these days. There sure are a lot of new faces, welcome to everyone!

It's been horrific COLD weather here in NW Oregon. Ack! Not used to temps in the teens. Looks like we might get up in the 40s this week though, but it sure didn't get there today. :ohwell:

I'm trying real hard to be good and rid myself of a few extra pounds that "mysteriously" appeared in the last few months. :blushing: I'm just starting to read a book called Eating Mindfully, suggested by one of the ladies here. It's good - I'm not very far into it, but I can already tell it's going to help tame the food beast that haunts me still. Problem is, it's all in my mind. MInd games. And they're not fun games, either. It's a work, this journey. But I'm not giving up!

Meg, I've lost control a few times! What I do when that happens is have a real good talk with myself and get my fanny back in the ring! Fight fight fight! It's misery at times, and it may take a few days of convincing ourselves, but we just have to get back with the plan. Wish I could offer you a magic wand or something! --- Poof! You're skinny! :laugh: I've wanted one a few times myself!

Everyone take good care, and stay warm. Brrrrrrrr! :flowerforyou:

jb in Portland

Have you ever heard the saying that you never know how what you say affects someone. Well tonight I turned on my computer and went to MFP where I had three messages from MFP friends saying they were thinking of me. It made my heart glad. I've been really lost the last few weeks and couldn't find the strength to get back on program. Thanks to my buddies, I've got a new resolve to make my health a priority.
My December goals: 1. log my food. 2. Drink 8 glasses of WATER everyday and 3. walk at least 5,000 steps a day.
Sue in Cold, icy TX

Have you ever heard the saying that you never know how what you say affects someone. Well tonight I turned on my computer and went to MFP where I had three messages from MFP friends saying they were thinking of me. It made my heart glad. I've been really lost the last few weeks and couldn't find the strength to get back on program. Thanks to my buddies, I've got a new resolve to make my health a priority.
My December goals: 1. log my food. 2. Drink 8 glasses of WATER everyday and 3. walk at least 5,000 steps a day.
Sue in Cold, icy TX

Welcome back! You've been missed.

grandmallie- Sending you lots of hugs!! I have been in the same position in the past and it is no fun. Be safe and remember you do not deserve that kind of treatment. Hope he comes to his senses before you begin the long trip.

Deb A in CNY

Good morning everyone!

I have my potato baking in the oven for lunch. Don't have it often, but DH is off for his walk. It is a glorious sunny day here.

Mamanee - I agree with the others. It sounds like early dementia to me or has she always been like this. I'm not quite sure why the hospital is allowing this sort of behaviour - get one of the doctors on your side. Good luck!:flowerforyou: I have every sympathy with you. Several of my friends have aged parents and it is the most stressing thing. There is lots of help and advice available from charities. In this country we have Age Concern. I'm sure there is something similar. They have a wealth of experience with this sort of thing. You don't have to suffer alone.

AnneCaroline - so glad you are recuperating.:flowerforyou: it feels wonderful when you first are able to do things and get outside, doesn't it. A kind of miracle.:happy:

Juanita- good news from your family. You have had a lot on your mind recently. I hope they continue to strengthen.:flowerforyou:

Grandmallie - I can only add to everyone's expression of support for you. I know you will find a way forward. Listen to your instincts and your heart and you will figure something out. There are many options open to you, why not try writing some of them down to clarify your thoughts. Again, I always suggest a third party who is unbiased to talk to. When I was unhappy I went alone to Marriage Guidance, or there are other women's charities you can talk to for advice. I know you are a wise woman and very resilient and creative. Big hugs. :flowerforyou:

Bye for now, Heather in bright and sunny Hampshire UK

Good morning beautiful ladies:flowerforyou:

Jb Nice to see your post!!! The book sounds interesting, please pass on some tips:bigsmile: !

Sue in TX I was thinking about you yesterday:flowerforyou: ! So glad to see you back!

Grandmallie I really don`t know what to tell you:frown: , so I`ll just send you a big hug and hope things with hubby calm down soon:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: !

Meg Are you sure it`s just water:huh: :laugh: ! Congrats on getting rid of .6 this week!

Running late this morning as usual :grumble: ! Have a wonderful day ladies! Drink your water:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: and log your food!

Hugs,
DeeDee in finally sunny:glasses: but chilly NC

Grandmallie, it breaks my heart that you are going through this with such a hurtful man. Please remember that mental abuse IS abuse! I have been through physical abuse and mental abuse and I can assure you that the mental wounds take much MUCH longer to heal. It took me about 20 years to feel like I deserved to be treated well. If he refuses to admit that he has a problem then there isn't much you can do by yourself except to take care of your own needs. Please call a safe house and see if they can give you advice. How long have you been married to him? Has he always been this way, or is it something new? Could it be something medical on his part? Is he mean to other people or animals? Do you have family or female friends nearby that you can talk to? When one of my friends got divorced for the second or third time, a bunch of us got together for lunch and celebrated. She was like you, she didn't want another divorce under her belt, but she's is so much happier now!

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing. A lot of us have been where you are, and we are worried about you.

Sylvia

bumping again to mark my place....

Grandmallie, I'll add my prayers to MamaCindy's and send you a hug, too! It is hard to figure out where those behaviors originate.

When I am struggling with an issue or situation I sometimes type a document to write down all that I am feeling. Then I obsess with refining it to the nth degree to say precisely what I want. I may, or may not, ever use it, but find it helps me to crystallize all the facets for me. If I go forward I can present it, or it helps me to stay on point in a verbal discussion (heated or otherwise) -- instead of being sidetracked by my emotions. (So easy for me to be sidetracked....)

RE: Aging parents - we've been there, too, and it is not a fun place. Prayers for all of you as well.

Remember me mentioning the 66 yo choir director from a former church marrying a younger gal and her just having a baby in September? Unfortunately he had a quadruple bypass surgery just before Thanksgiving, which seemed to go well, but he has been readmitted to the hospital. If you're a praying kind, please lift them all up. Thanks....

Well, off to work again... Boss is away on business for a couple of days so it will be wild OR wonderfully quiet. I never know which...

Meg - I saw the Omaha temp on the news, YIKES! We had a low in the low 20's and there is frost outside -- plenty enough winter for me.

Gail, metro ATL

Sylvia~ no he hasn't always been like this, and no he is sweet as pie to the dogs,He is a worry wart about alot of things and bottles it up and then he explodes.
He has never hit me,and this has has just started getting worse over the past few months..
I just keep saying the serenity prayer over and over..I know it will blow over, and I will pray about it, please keep me in yours
Thanks for sending the love~ it truly means alot

Good Morning from the Land Of Ten Thousand Frozen Lakes,

Mamma-nee Prayers to you. Sometimes you need to come first.:flowerforyou:

Heather I am glad you heard from your brother.

Jfenner and DeeDee thanks for water reminder. I went and got some lime water.

Meg nice plan B when no instructor for water exercise.

Grandmallie sounds like a change in personality. What does his doctor say? Hugs to you. You deserve to be treated with respect.:flowerforyou:

Cindy sounds like a great night out.

Michele hope your stomach trouble are behind you.:flowerforyou:

Annacarolone healing thoughts. :flowerforyou:

jb I read Eating MIndfully too. It helped me recognize some of my trigger points.

Juanita continued prayers for brother and sister-in-law.:flowerforyou:

Sue warm thoughts to you. Glad you are finding your way back to health. I know hope it sometimes feels like one step forward, two steps back.

My intentional act of kindness is not to substitute today. I need to take care of somethings for myself today.
I decided if I cannot take out time to be kind to myself I do not have the energy to be kind to others. Saying No is sometimes an act of kindness in itself.


Margaret

It's nice to meet with women of my age.