WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2014

this is Floyd now, in my profile pic. he is way younger, in the back left.

Pip - It is hard to have so many losses in such a short time. I am glad you found another "love" that would have been friends with your first love; that is a lucky revelation. And you are lucky to have the dogs to wear-out on your rides and runs.

Today I need to take it easy at lunch (which just can't seem to come soon enough), because the High School bowling team is having a pizza party, to celebrate getting ready for the first match this weekend. So far I only accounted for 1 piece of pizza, so if I slip and have a second, I still won't go over in calories, only in fat grams. It is being Catered by a Local restaurant that is "famous" for it's pizza, and I've never tried theirs, so I really want at least 1 slice.

I am also loving the "burn unit" story for Christmas. I wish I could get my DS to have an "ah-ha" moment like that. I am always open about my charities, but DS never seems to care, and DH thinks I'm crazy (I guess they both think that these people are just trying to take advantage of me). Hopefully something will click soon.

Busy at work again. Hugs to everyone with needs, and congrats to everyone with successes.

Terri in Milwaukee

sitting with Homer and having a cup of tea before I go to work, went out to see DFIL..he was having blood drawn to see if the Depakote is moving out of his system..
he came out with a few quips,hopefully we will see a little ray of sunshine before we leave for Florida.. they are working hard with PT,OT,ST, to get him back to a working state.. but they are still having to feed him or sit in the Dining room with him and prompt him to eat.
I asked him right before I left , who am I and I prompted him , Im the? and he said Maid, so that is a glimmer of hope ..
having alot of kidney pain and headaches... the ball is rolling and will get the kidney ultrasound tomorrow... and a physical next thursday...

Good afternoon! It's been a circus here this morning, and I'm taking a lunch break to regroup. I took the kids to school then went to Walmart to get juice drinks and napkins (and I ordered a birthday cake for tonight- the first one I have ever ordered from a store) then went to a different store to pick up the cupcakes I ordered, then to the school to drop off said cupcakes, juice drinks and napkins. Then my son called and asked if I would come to his place for a while.. The home health nurses were supposed to be there at 10:00, and he was a little nervous. This is a different set of nurses than he had before, and a different set of meds for his infusion. At first I said I was too busy, and he said that's OK, but the more I thought about it the more I thought that he wouldn't have asked if it wasn't something, so I changed my mind and went. The stuff I had to do could wait.

So, I got there just before 10:00 and the nurses didn't come till after 11:00. Their excuse: we got off to a slow start this morning. Grrr! (But I had a nice long visit with him so it wasn't time wasted.) So, I stayed for another 30 minutes or so till my son said it was OK for me to go. I guess he felt comfortable enough with them at that point. They did seem nice. I left before they started the actual infusion part, but they had eight vials of powdered medicine and eight vials of saline that they have to mix, then that is put into the saline bag which gets attached to the port in his chest. I'm not sure I could have watched that. They will be supervising him giving him his own infusions for a couple of visits, then he'll be on his own. I think it's scary, but he thinks it's no big deal.

Then came to the studio and quickly loaded the kiln and right after I finished, hubby came for lunch. He just left. So, this afternoon I will do some cleaning and organizing in the studio. One of the studio areas will be turned into gallery space for my open house, so I have to shift everything back into the other two rooms. I'm an unbelievable pack rat, so there's lots of junk. The trash can will be filled a few times, I'm sure. Then mop several times to get the clay off the floor.

The kids are coming over tonight for the DGS's birthday party. He is 6 years old today. Big boy! We are going to eat early and then I have to take DGD#2 to basketball practice. Next week DGD#1 has several choir recitals which will need my attention, so it will be a busy month.

So, I'd better get busy.

I hope you all have a great day!

Sylvia

Allison,I hope you aren't over stressing yourself right now. You are showing some classic signs. When was the last time DFIL has had a complete physical by an internest? Is the dr. he is under the care of specialized in geriatric patients? Do you really think you are going to enjoy yourself in Florida with at least you worrying about him in this state? I guess you can tell I am concerned about you today. Emotions can only be stretched so much and then they break. Between being required to be Mrs. Wonderful for your husband, working as much as you do and caring for your loved ones as deeply both emotionally and physically, you can only give so much. Then the cup is empty.

Cynthia, is this how you got involved in your cemetery stuff that you do. For the life of me the brain just turned off and I forgot what the project was called. My Mom was always trying to find out information about the migration of her relatives. She was sure we were related to General Nathaniel Greene. She wasn't searching just to call herself a relative of his but so that her children and grandchildren could take advantage of a scholarship available. So their idea of a good day off was to travel to the area, search the county records and then walking around the cemeteries. When my Dad was buried the company that made his headstone said that a lot of people are putting the names of their children on the back of the headstone along with a birth date. The children's names were just the first name only since kids marry and remarry. Dad had a huge book about all his geneology and anyone who would have any amount of interest should be prepared for him to go through each and every page along with the stories each page had. He had picturesof birth, death and marriage certificates if he couldn't get the actual copies. Mom's book was different. She wanted the geneology but also wanted the story of how a person got from place A to place B, their method of travel, did they go by land or down a river on boat. Who did they meet, what kind of people were they. Dad just wanted the info. Mom wanted the story behind it. Oh well, you really didn't ask for all of that. My youngest daughter, Michelle, was the only person who showed any interest in Dad's black book and the stories inside. So when Mom dies, the will had Dad's black book going to Michelle. Anytime there was any kind of family history project in school Michelle would get an A+ on it. Michelle lived at home at the time she got the book so I took care of adding any divorce, wedding, death, birth or whatever using Dad's method.

I have decided I need to change my bedtime snack. I think some one here suggested it but I wasn't willing to listen. I could eat a whole box of the Kashi go lean crunch but I won't allow myself to. So I am going to leave that off, not even buy it. I think I will got back to the cottage cheese and pineapple that I was eating when I started on my diet but when I found out how high in sodium it was I switched to yogurt. Then I found out how high my sodium needs to be. Where I was trying on my own to limit my sodium to 1500 mg, the doctor needs it to be 2300 mg. Always confer with your doctor. My blood sodium is normally low and I have found out from the cardiologist after I had my fainting spells needs me to keep that level around 2300. I fail that many days. Some times I feel like going back to frozen food entrees just to keep my sodium up. I know what you may say, but oh those carbohydrates! That's the only reason I wouldn't.

Joyce, Indiana

Good Morning ladies. Last night was a better night food wise. Still over, but better then the ones before that. Today I am working to do better. Not giving up.

Barbie--Thanks for getting us on track with the new month. I had alittle trouble figuring out how to get here, but made it.

Heather--I agree it is amazing when I find myself doing things that a year ago I would not even tried. Means we are getting better with age. Thanks
for sharing the picture. They all look so happy, hope it stays that way.

Welcome Cathy--you have found a great group for support and friendship. Come often and jump right in.

Meg--Sorry to hear about DSIL. Hope they get things done quick and she feels better. Glad to hear Nikita is doing well. Prayers sent for DD to feel better and get the Thank yous done. I am big on them also.

Mimi--Beautiful picture.

Terri--Great job on the hats.

Allison--Sorry to hear DFIL is not coming back to fast. I pray he does get better. Glad DH is ajusting to eating better. Prayers about your kidney tests and not more bad news.

Diana--Congrates on your NSV.

Rita--Good for you pushing yourself to the gym. One Day at a time.

Carol--Good picture

Sylvia--Congrates on the new low numbers.

Barb--How wounderful to share that with your DGD's. We try and take atleast one of the DGC to the giving tree and pickout a name. Then we bake cookies and giveaway. This year I would like to take some to the homeless people that hang out at the library.

Robin--sending hugs.

Well I have a terrible headach and thinking of just going to bed when I get off work. Why does the past have to kick us in the *** when we are not expecting it. My DSD's mom is in the hospital here and sounds like she is more then likely not going to recover. So at lunch today DSD and her sister come to have lunch with DH and I. I am not even for sure how the subject of birth certificates come up. Anyway they tell us that on DSD's it list her sister dad as the father. Now DH and her mom were never married, but he signed papers and we paid child support for 17 years. We just thought no father was listed on the birth certificate. DH said it has been 32 years ago, but it bought up alot of bad memories for me and now I am so p****! I know I am not even being close to being reasonable. Thanks for listening.
Blessings, Vicki GI NE

Good afternoon! Very cloudy, damp but not too cold today. Everytime I come on here I realize how far behind I am on Christmas; way too busy the end of last month. Have to start saying no and I have just done that. Told the other women in the exercise group to do the phone calls to our remaining members for our birthday/Christmas luncheon; I did make the reservation, though, because I know where I want our party to be seated. Both last year and the one before I was sick in the weeks or days right at Christmas; hoping not this year. I tripped coming down the stairs over the hem in my pants and jarred my right knee this am on my way to the gym. Have taken a Tylenol ex. strength, so far not helping. It's always something!!! I felt so lucky to not have injured anything when I slipped and fell in the mud with that stupid turkey last week.

Katla..........How nice that you are keepng the hummers; let us know if they continue to stay.

Robin..........Hope your new meds help you find your balance again!!

Cheryl.......Your new horse looks very nice. As Katla said, I also hope he's sweet. I'm glad your DD is doing well emotionally; esp. since ours are close in age, I've been thinking of her and wondering how she was.

DD popped home for lunch before going out to the show barn. She had been working with the city's police dive team this am.

Tina.......Nice to see you post.......I'm an evening snacker too; seems to be a lot of that around here.

pip.........Love your dogs!!!! So gorgeous!!! Major congrats on that 5K first place!!! Very sorry to hear of the terrible loss your husband and glad you've found someone.

Sylvia.......OMG!!! Those cats!! Busy day for you, for sure!

Sassy.........Absolutely super view of your beautiful town!!! Lovely photo.

Had a "down" day yesterday; very sad and melancholy; missing those who have gone and days and times long done. Called my cousin as his mom had been my favorite aunt and we are coming up on the anniv. of her death. Still a little off today but better.

Doing banana bread and ham and bean soup this afternoon.

Hello to all I've missed.
yanniejannie
mid-Atlantic

This is Mildred beagle having a snooze

Just went to the deep water class today. Decided to go to WalMart to see if they have a shirt/fabric that I could use for the elf outfit. I did find a t-shirt, even tho I got a medium (it would have to be taken up in the arms) it really isn't any loser on the bottom than the one I have. I think my best bet would be to buy new material and have a new outfit made. But I can't seem to find the material. Yesterday at Rummikub a woman gave me a big box of candy for the soup kitchen. I told her I was working at the Green Room but in looking at the calendar I'm not this week. However, I'll go to the soup kitchen just to get that big box out of my trunk.

Tomorrow's plan is to do the DVD Transform your Body by Brooke Burke.

After exercising, stopped at the Salvation Army (didn't see anything) then went to help a neighbor by volunteering to serve chili. She has a chili & pottery fundraiser every year for the church. You pay $15, get a piece of pottery and a bowl of chili. They had spicy, chicken, vegetarian, and regular chili. I sampled a bit of each so if I do it next year, at least I know what I'm talking about. Then I went to the home of the lady who does sewing for me, we decided that two of the t-shirts I bought were going to go back, I'm going to hold onto another one but I might wind up taking that one back, too. Then went to Bi-Lo for some crab, had a coupon for potatoes that I'll donate, and exchanged the boxes of mini-wheats. They were the tiny bites and Vince likes the regular mini-wheats. That was something else that I wanted to get out of my trunk.

Cheryl - you look so pretty and what a majestic horse you have there

We had another gal teaching the deep water today. Honestly, I wasn't impressed with her teaching. She had all these new moves, and they weren't very cardio. I don't know, I'm not crazy about doing something new all the time, your heartrate gets up if you keep doing the same thing over and over.

Wish I could get Vince working on Christmas shopping

flowerbaby - welcome. Where in NM are you?

Cynthia - thanks for the smile about you great grandfather

Robin - I wish only the best for you

pipcd - I'm so sorry you had such a rough time but you have an excellent outlook on things. I LOVE those eyes of Floyd

Terri - can you take the one slice of pizza and cut it in two? Then you'll (maybe) feel like you're eating two pieces.

Sylvia - happy birthday to you gs. Cute joke

Julie - welcome. Which beach do you go to?

pipcd - impressive stats!

Michele in NC

I love the puppy pics! Mildred Beagle has such a perfect name. I've seen Brandy and Sasha before, and love to see them again now. I love dogs and would be lost without mine. My dog is in the picture of me. His name is Schooner, (pronounced Skooner.) He's a Keeshond and 7 years old.

Barbie, are those standard poodles? They look big. I just love the expressions that dogs have in their eyes. Also the body language. And I absolutely love the language my tortie cat does when she 'talks' to us

I got a card in the mail today or maybe I was finally reading my mail, not sure. Anyway it was a card from Kohl's reminding me of the 50% of sales for Dec 2nd and 3rd. And seniors had an extra 15% off!!!! So off to Kohl's we went. I still hadn't gotten my 'couple' gift that I had drawn for Christmas. I know it's kind of bad for me but I always like to draw my sister's name. Her and I are here in the same town and I feel like I know her better. She never could tell me what they needed so I got her daughter to feel her out. I felt bad doing it but Jenny said that her parents really need towel sets. They gutted their kitchen about 15 years ago and she is still using the same towels and wash cloths in there. So with everything at such a deep discount I bought 2 complete sets of towels and some kitchen towels. Because for most of the couples need to keep the spending limit to $40 for a couple I stayed just a tad over that. I wish I could spend more than that for my sister, especially since that is the only one I am buying for, but that's the suggested parameter. I feel sorry for my youngest daughter. She has the name of her cousin that was engaged to this wonderful girl. They have 2 wonderful children and one on the way. Then he decided that his NA, narcotics anonymous, sponsor felt like he was telling Matt that he needed to 'find' himself, he up and left her! They are remaining friends. But Michelle now has to buy 2 gifts since you really can't buy one, I mean who gets to keep it? I guess it could come with visitation rights. Or maybe give it to her and he could use it when he comes to see the kids. And Michelle is the only single person on the couples exchange list. The lady that I have is a widow who has dementia!!!! But she is my brother's mother in law and they moved in with her so I am sure that they will be doing the buying. Last year was the first time she was with us at Christmas and she surprised all the ladies with hand made embroideried pillow cases. It relaxes her and she has drawers of them. I wold love to have her make guilt blocks for me and I quilt them. I would give it to my sister in law for a gift.

Tonight in choir we did our whole Christmas cantata in it's entirety with all the narration and extra instruments in between. Tonight she let us sit during the instrumental and narration. Next week we will stand during it all and she will determine which she likes the best. I know it will look better if we all stood the whole time because we have to stand very evenly at her move for us to stand. But most of the choir is in the 60's or above and we don't all stand evenly. I takes different members different lengths of time to get out backs stood up. It can't be perfect. But as it was the area between y shoulder blades was really aching after the 2nd song. You have to hold your notes so long in cantatas. I lived for those short times I was sitting. Next week we try standing the entire time. I may have to remind her of the pastors sermon about contentment. You give what you can, do your best and God will make it wonderful and you have contentment that you have done your best and then let God take over from there. But I am new in the choir and don't really think I can talk that frankly with her. Then we practiced out trio for one last time and I think we have it down pat. I told the director that my MS was trying to be the boss today. The pianist has MS also and she had already told her how tired she is this week. Only a couple more weeks!!! We sing on the 21st!

Trying something new in my diet tonight. My box of Kashi Go lean crunch is empty and I did not want to buy another one. It is to much distration to me and has now become a habit of eating and extra serving of it. It tastes to good!! Quite a problem huh??? So I went to the store and searched out just plain flax seed. Uh, that just didn't look good. So I found this bag, kind of looks like cereal. it's made of flax, quino and something else. It's called natures path mesa sunshine flakes. Put it in cottage cheese with pineapple. Hmmm, not quite sure of it yet. But it was a big size bag so I am stuck with it, I tried one cereal flake and I don't think I will have any temptation to eat it by itself. But my husbands Life cereal i in there. Oh the problems us women go through just to look decent and get more energy. But I have a daughter who used to not even want to talk to me and she thinks I am awesome for what I do. And my other daughter is now trying very much to do clean eating.

Joyce, Indiana

Good morning everyone!

Sylvia: thinking of you.

Joyce: I was making a family tree on Ancestry.com and noticed how much I appreciated the cemetery photos that were available on Find-A-Grave.com. So I decided to start contributing a bit myself.

Allison: glad to hear you are trying to take care of yourself!

Robin: hope you will be feeling better soon.

Cold here; around freezing. Doing some loose ends for work today. I got a mail that there should be some concrete job information soon. Great; right before Christmas.

For those wondering about British Christmases: I found a video. http://digg.com/video/how-to-have-a-british-christmas



Hope everyone has a good day!
Cynthia :flowerforyou:

Good Morning!

Giving my best effort these next two weeks to keep my diet choices in control ... see my physician next Friday for routine visit ... a very good motivator!

DS#2 is dealing with another migraine seige ... sigh ... hasn't been in school yet this week. We see his neurologist on Saturday and will have to discuss the school attendance problem. Hoping we're not at the point of home tutoring ...

Feel like I'm behind with the Christmas preparations ... and it's only December 4th! Not sure what that's about, but I feel rushed and sort of perturbed by it? I'm really having to work at feeling the joy and anticipation the season should bring and this is not like me at all.

My KitchenAid mixer arrived! DH and I made sure all parts were working correctly ... honestly, you should have seen him explaining to ME how to use a mixer! This from the man who can't figure out how to make canned soup. I just nodded my head ... "yes, dear" ... and thinking "get out of my way!" He's convinced I'm going to maime myself with the thing.

I've been reading all your posts and I want to tell you all again how much I enjoy hearing about your lives. You're an amazing group of women!

Beth