WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2014

Hi to all my fitness buddies! Wow what a week, but I think it is better now and I hope it stays that way for a while! Dad is finally back in the nursing home. He seems to be perkier than he has been in a while, which is good.

The old man (my old, old, old kitty) had to be euthanized yesterday. He too had been in the ICU for much of the week. He had several rare and complicated problems (the vet said “of course these are rare…he’s one of your animals! You can’t have a normal animal!”) and the only fix was a huge, huge surgery risky on even young, healthy pets. He had a tumor of the adrenal gland that was wrapped around a major blood vessel and often these cats bleed to death in surgery. He couldn’t come home without risking a very miserable and painful death. So yesterday when I went to see him, he was perkier too…could hold his head up for the first time in days…and was interested in what was going on. I took him to a room and let him wobble around a bit exploring. So I felt better than the end was on a good day and so he went. I promoted Rex to chief cat when I got home and he rewarded me by sleeping with me the same way Smokey did for almost 19 years. I have tears in my eyes writing this but am at peace with my decision.

DD#1 and her boyfriend and her best friend from high school all came over today for pizza. The boyfriend and DH are now working on the jeep and having fun. Of course the girls got into a fight that led to tears. They were both supposed to go together to see grandpa, and DD#1 was threatening to not take the other one. Brother. Those two have no idea how to communicate and every single little slight gets blown up way out of proportion.

Well I am just taking a break from the test bank; I didn’t work on it all week. I think I told you I lost all my holiday poundage…hooray, hooray. I have read the posts but there is no way to catch up so I will just wish you all the best this weekend and plan to be here more going forward. Take care all, Meg from very windy Omaha (up to 50 miles an hour!)

Awesome. Thanks a lot Renny. I need all the support I can get, so if any of you would like to be my friend, please request my friendship.

Ah, Meg, so sorry about your cat. :flowerforyou: Even when you know it's the right decision: it hurts. :brokenheart:

Cynthia

:brokenheart: Meg so sorry about your cat, bet you have a lot of treasured memories of him, glad to hear your Dad is better

Juanita in sudbury

Meg,so sorry about your cat.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
HUGS
jane

Meg, I'm so sorry about your kitty! Furbabies have a way of working themselves into your heart. For what it's worth, I want to thank you for making the decision you did: it's not fair to keep them in misery for your own interests.

I've been reading and keeping up, but haven't had time to post. I had to take my son to Duke Children's Hospital yesterday to see another cardiologist. His regular cardiologist wanted this other guy take a look and listen. Good news is that he downgraded the diagnosis and gave instructions to wean off one of this meds! After we returned from Duke, I spent some time with my best male friend which is always great. My best female friend came in from out of state yesterday and I got to spend some quality time with her last night, which included dinner at Red Lobster. NSV: I could in no way finish my dinner! I have a lunch out of it. This time last year, I would have polished it off and then been looking for dessert.

Today has been a good day. It's been exceedingly quiet (son is with his dad this weekend) and I've been productive AND took a 4+ mile walk AND had some time to just relax. I struggle to balance rest time with weekly prep and cleaning time on the weekends. I finished making my Big Mac casserole for dinner (it was really quite good) and then made a Nutella mug cake and ate it with ice cream. Dinner felt like one big treat! I could technically eat another 300 calories today, but I think I'll see if I can manage without them. I'm ready for the scales to move downward again!!

Hugs and prayers to those who need them! If anyone wants to friend me, please feel free to do so.

Carol in NC

Meg: I teared up reading about your Smokey. If there is a heaven, it absolutely must include our dearly departed pets. My sympathies. :brokenheart:

Rori
In the Colorado Foothills where we’re United in Orange
Goals for January:
> Reduce carb consumption to 30 grams 2x per week
> Five face exercises every day
> Schedule three weeks of vacation
> When in doubt, chose vegetables (from The Happiness Project)

Meg ... sorry about your furry long-term friend. We decided not to have more of them. Glad to hear your dad is doing better, though.

We said goodbye to DS#2 today as he is heading off to Saskatchewan.

I have been listening to jukebox oldies today. It's what I do when I take to doing the books.

DD is expecting baby boy #2 on June 11th. On the other hand, my 90 year old mom is declining in health. It is the cycle of life, isn't it. If there is anything more convincing that everyone dies, it is working on a family tree. Death happened to all my ancestors. Go figure. All the more reason to live life the best I can. I didn't mean to wax morbid, or to start anything negative. Just facing reality.

Love...is all that matters. Love to all of you, my friends.

Renny
Sentimental from Vancouver island, B.C.

Went to the Y this morning. In their infinite wisdom, they just failed to tell anyone, but they moved the yoga class to 11:15. There was just no way I was going to go back there, so I just took the day off. Made these bbq pork chops for later in the week, cod steaks, a chili that's in the crockpot right now, two loaves of chocolate chip bread, I totally forgot that it's Lynette's birthday this week so I'm making her a pound cake.

Vince packed up everything to send to Denise (all her Christmas presents) and the things to send to Bryan and Diana. Not sure when I'll be at the Green Room, either Tuesday or Thurs so I'll take them to the post office then. I'll also give Lynette her birthday cake (just to get it out of the house) Updat: I don't go again until next week so I'll pobably take themto the post office sometimes duringthe week then give Lynette her cake since her office is right near there.

I'm planning to do this zumba on the Wii tomorrow.

Joyce - if you go to Target, just be sure not to charge anything!

DeeDee and Carol - can you believe how cold it's been???

katla - you've reminded me that the next time I go to Aldi, I want to get a chicken. I'm going to try roasting it in one of those bags, hopefully, it won't be dry. Feel better fast

MegaMolly and Marni - welcome. I agree, MegaMolly, it doesn't look like you're eating enough calories (like I should talk, I never add in my exercise calories). You've made good choices (not much wine in there, you do need a little to keep those "urges" at bay). Marani - congrats on the weight loss! Impressive

alison - hope you get that phone. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother your brother has taken a step backwards. Well, that means the next one will be forwards

Sylvia - good for you back in the water. I love the feel of the resistance of the water.

Heather - thanks so much for sharing about the party with us all. I felt like I was there, or I should say, that I WANTED to be there

A dear friend of mine was telling me how her daughter has, essentially, estranged herself from her parents. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and she didn't even come to the party! As it turns out, her and her hubby go to my church. It wasn't until Rummikub that she told me their last name. I know I've subbed lectoring for him and that their son is an altar server. She didn't even know that they were continuing to go to church, so it made her real happy when I told her this.

One lady is coming over Thursday to watch the final episodes of Downtown Abbey. Last time I made a fruit salad, then had the rest of it for Rummikub. I really don't want to make another full fruit salad. I know that she likes things like the SkinnyPop that I had last time and that she isn't into a lot of desserts, etc. Which is just fine by me. But what to have? I don't think she's much of a veggie person. Any ideas anyone?

Kay - Vince loves Five Guys, but to me, they have such a limited menu and as I recall nothing really healthy.

marfeez - welcome! You joined just by posting. And, yes, this is a VERY active thread. Almost all the time you log in there will be new posts.

Meg - I am so so sorry about your kitty. We've had to put too many of our cats to sleep. It's good that you are at peace with your decision. I bet in his own way Rex knew. Probably not the specifics but that you needed him and he was there for you.

Marni - what a name for your furbaby. You simply MUST tell us the story behind that. I'm so sorry that he isn't 100%. Same for Eddy-spaghetti. But when something is taken away, other things get hightened (like going blind, you other senses get sharper). Bet one of the senses that they are very attuned to is being able to make everyone feel better. So sad about your mother. We don't mind "blabber fingers" at all.

Carol - I totally agree with you that the ultimate sign of selflessness is not letting our pets suffer. Glad you had such good company and enjoyed Red Lobster. I like that place. As long as you don't feel you need the calories, don't eat them. You'll want them another day so just bank them for now

Heather - VA VA VA VOOM!!! I do hope you get to the breakfast. That is so nice of her to do!

Michele in NC

getting up and going to church tomorrow. Pray for me! It's a big step.

Joyce, indiana

Joyce - lots of prayers and encouragement on going to church tomorrow. May you be blessed with a welcoming congregation and pastor, may you feel comfortably at home, but most of all may the love of God overflow your heart, soul, and mind. :flowerforyou:

Anne, Vancouver area, British Columbia, Canada

Meg so sorry to hear about your kitty. Even though it's the right thing to do it still hurts.

It's a year ago today that our beloved dog Tara had a stroke and had to be put to sleep . DD has been thinking about her a lot this last week and is feeling sad. We miss her so much. Our other dog Frankie didn't seem to miss her too much, but we've always said he shows all the signs of being autistic (if dogs can be). Our old cat Wiz on the otherhand started o sit and sleep in all the places Tara did. Not sure if he felt he was the top "dog" now but he certainly acted like it, telling off Frankie and the kittens if they got in his way.

Well the time is moving far too quickly this morning, had a bit of a disaster in that my freezer has broken! :grumble: I've had to throw some food away, but I've been cooking some of the frozen Quorn stuff I'll put it in the fridge and hopefully it will last until it can be eaten.

Hugs to all who are in need

Chat again soon
PS Welcome new ladies :flowerforyou:

Viv (still wet wet wet York UK) Will this rain never end?? :noway: :noway:

morning ladies,
well I am up and having my lemon water and then off to the gym, I have lolly gagged enough.have to get back into the swing of things
have some errands to run today, and then I will go over to see my brother, then back and cook dinner for the DH.
I have settled on the LG G 2 cell phone and hopefully the DH will order it today..I am giving up 10.00 a week in my allowance of money to help pay for the smartphone. I understand with the uncertainty of the DH Job to not get roped into a 2 year contract,so we will be paying month to month
Meg- so sorry to hear about Smokey, 19 yrs is a long long time and I know he went over the rainbow bridge knowing how much his family loved him ,we have a kitty and 3 doggies that have gone over that bridge and It will be a wonderful day when we see them all again.
well let me get myself together here and off to the gym.will check in later

I would like to join in!! Just started using this program and love it!! What a good tracking tool!! Looking forward to browsing thru and meeting everyone!!

Anne near Vancouver BC: Weight fluctuates, especially for women. If you count your calories and stick with your goal the weight WILL come off. It just takes its own sweet time. :ohwell: Sodium has been an issue for me that caused water retention. Drinking more water flushes out the sodium and excess water goes with it. Good riddance to the trainer. :grumble: I hope you get your money back.:flowerforyou:

Renny: Thank you for your kind words. Making soup felt like an achievement, and I think I am on the road to recovery. I’m not there yet, but I’m gaining on it. I even slept in my own bed last night, propped up by pillows.:bigsmile:

Viv in York UK: Years ago we had a dog and cat who competed for a coveted spot on the floor by the dining room. They put on quite a show. The dog would “accidentally” step on the cat’s belly. The cat would purr and rub the length of his body on the dog’s nose until the dog moved. :laugh: Good memories.:flowerforyou:

DeeDee: You and Heather will be our glam girls. :glasses: :glasses: I’m glad you had a good time shopping.:flowerforyou:

Alison: I love the idea of being reunited with our pets in Heaven. It surely won’t be Heaven if they’re excluded.:flowerforyou:

Gmom: I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s pancreatic cancer. It is brutal. I hope she is able to be reasonably comfortable. I’m curious about your home-based business. I hope you’ll tell us a bit about it.:flowerforyou:

KayKallsen: Welcome. Please let us know where you’re from. We have people from around the world. Lately it has been mostly N America and the former British Empire.:flowerforyou:



I slept reasonably well, propped up by pillows in my own bed last night for the first time in a few days. This morning I put chicken legs into brine. DH has wanted a meat smoker ever since our neighbor helped us smoke salmon that had been in our freezer for “a while.” We went out and shopped for smokers and wound up with a Big Chief Smoker. It seemed like a good starting spot, as it is relatively small and inexpensive. Plus it is made right here in Oregon. Yesterday we “seasoned it” by smoking a bowl of wood chips inside to burn off the factory impurities and get it ready to smoke real food. We’re starting with chicken legs. They seem easy & are already fairly uniform in size so we don’t have to spend hours cutting them up. They’re soaking in two different brine solutions right now. This smoker will smoke them, but not cook them completely, so we’ll have to finish them in the oven after the smoking process. Other than being a bit salty, they should be healthful food. DH and I may have to drink a little extra water. :drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou:

Katla in beautiful NW Oregon

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison


January goals:

1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Focus on fitness: daily cardio plus strength training a minimum of twice a week.
3. Water: According to an article a friend posted on facebook, drinking water at certain times maximizes its effectiveness on the body. So I’ll try to follow these recommendations:

* 2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
* 1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
* 1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
* 1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack