WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2015

Good afternoon ladies. Well going to be another nice day and I am inside at work till 6. Yesterday was my day off and for the most part I did nothing but play games on the computer and eat. I did get the house vacuumed and dusted. This morning was weigh in and up a pound. Just glad that is all I am up. I have to get back on track and not let things build up and stress me out. We did go over Sunday evening and meet our new great grandson, Hunter. He is so cute. I went and got a baby book this morning and will drop off on way home after work. I have my BIG meeting with my manager this afternoon. Guess I will find out what the plan is for my deptment.

Beth--I sure hope your foot is better soon. Sorry no one showed up. The important thing is not to give up. Seems lately I have more bad days then good, but keep on trying and not giving up.

Terri--Glad you are feeling better, hope DH is soon also.

pipcd34--Happy Birthday Yogi, looks like he got himself into a problem with the fence. So cute.

Michelle--Great NSV for you and the icing. My cousin's children are 13, 10 & 7.

Sylvia--Hope you are having a great time with your friend. I know what you mean about falling apart family. My dad had three families and a nasty divorce from the first two. So I try and keep in touch with my brothers and sisters and I know if I did not make the effort they wouldn't. I find that so sadd. That is one thing I do love about FB is I can keep in touch with family and friends that I do not see or live far away.

Janet--Thank you for the smile. I can see someone doing that. You would not believe some of the calls we get at the hospital where I work. I do think some people have no common sense.

Allison--Congrates on the job at the bird place. Hope it works out for you.

Diana--Let me know what you find for the flabby arms. Mine are bad, two of my DGD's think it is fun to play with them.

Carol--love the picture of the cat at the door. Glad she is getting settled in.

yanniejannie--So sorry to hear about the horse. Hugs for DD.

One Day at a Time.
Blessings, Vicki GI NE

yannie, sorry to hear about your horse

Call me crazy but I love to see other people happy and succeeding.

*Kim, that’s a bummer about your cast iron Dutch oven. All I know is how to get it “seasoned” and it’s worth a try. After cleaning it the best you can, rub the insides down with oil. I used to use Crisco back in the old days. Put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about an hour then let it cool. After it’s cooled, wipe it out with a paper towel. If that doesn’t do the trick, repeat. Hope that helps.

*Allison, congrats on your new gig! I’m sure you will enjoy the adventure and it never hurts to have a little extra cash. 

*Sylvia, that is so sad about your niece. I hope she turns out better than expected. I’ll say a prayer for her.

*Diana, I love a glass tile backsplash. I want one but probably won’t ever do it. Please post or send me a picture when you are done.

*Carol, I’m glad Spot has adjusted to her new home. Usually they are happy where ever you are. Also happy for you and that great view.

*Kim, you have a great outlook on your food and budget. It’s amazing what we can do when it’s needed.

*sprepej, I feel for your condition. I’ve had back surgery (spinal fusion) and have to be careful with my back, but I’m only limited to exercises that don’t include bent lifting. Oh or twisting. Lol I’d be concerned, too. You take care of yourself. And I’ve only been here since November but feel like I have been friends with some of these ladies for years. Welcome.

*Terri, I think it’s great that you take a salad to pass when you go to eat with your Dad or MIL. It is funny how so many people just don’t get it. It’s not like we are trying to force them to eat what we eat.

*yannie, that is so sad about the beautiful horse.

*Sally, we rarely have left overs or any food go to waste since our Maggie (lab mix) will eat about anything. When I make a broccoli salad, DH takes all the ends and skin and boils them to add to her dinner. He does that with lots of things that would be thrown out.

*Margaret, good points about the trucks. I think your class sounds great. My DMIL that I truly loved, had Alzheimer’s and I know what loved ones go through both before and after their death.

*TWhitehead, good for you to do something about your weight before it gets out of hand, like mine did. I hope to reach my goal and never let it get too far above it ever again. You are turning a great age, enjoy it while you are young. I was turning 55 the other day and first thing I knew I was 67. LOL But life is grand!!!

*Anne, I can’t sit all day at a conference. I always sit in the back and just stand by my chair for a bit when it gets to be too much. But, yes a little walk around would do the whole group some good. When I was teaching, years ago, if the kids got too antsy, I would have them stand up and do some type of movement for a minute or two, to get the ants out of their pants. 

*Heather, I hope the shopping trip is a huge success and you have fun with your new friend.

*Viki, I hope the “new plan” at work is good news for you. Sending good thoughts your way.

*Meg, please tell me that you didn’t think the joke was me??? And at least thought it was my friend. I’m still laughing over the last names you posted. I really like Cottonbally. LOL

*garnetann, welcome to the group. We can give you lots of support and some interesting information. Unfortunately you are the one that has to have the motivation. Many of these women have lost the weight that they wanted and have been on maintenance for different lengths of time. They are very inspirational in that they eat right and exercise like crazy. Hopefully you will come in often and find the support you need. You can do this. Just remember, like life, this is a journey without a destination.

Welcome to any newbies that I missed. We are happy to have you with us. To help us get to know you please tell us a little about yourself and please put the name you go by at the bottom of your post, with your location.


I finally got all the totes full of Christmas decoration into the attic. The slowdown was getting DH to hand them up to me. We never seem to both have the time and energy at the same time.
Some of you will be happy to know that I have not had a diet coke in 5 days. I thought I’d try this for a month or so and if I don’t see any difference, I may go back to one once in a while. But for now, my iced tea keeps me drinking between my glasses of water.

Wishing us all great health and happiness.


My word for the of the month is savor. I have to slow down and savor every bite.

Janet in Myrtle Beach, SC

Did 1-1/4 hr Gin Millers Simply Interval DVD today. Tomorrow's plan is to go to yoga and then take the deep water class.

After exercising, had breakfast, then went to take the donations from the church to the soup pantry, went to the post office, finished putting the glaze on my ladybug, got some ideas of things to make, then went to lunch with the nominating committee. We have just about everything filled. Thank G**, it's almost over

Joyce - Vince has his physical tomorrow, too!

Sharon - I'd never heard of eyebrow reconstruction. What happened to yours? I wish you all the best

Alison - congrats on getting that job! I know you'll be great there

Carol - when I took the donations to the soup kitchen this morning, I mentioned that I was surprised they were closed yesterday. They told me that they follow the school's calendar, if the school has off they are closed. I'm guessing that's because the volunteers need to be home with their children. Or it might just be that many of the people who go there have children and if the kids don't have school, they'd bring them to the soup kitchen and the soup kitchen wouldn't have room. Who knows? Glad Spot made the adustment OK.

Welcome everyone new!

Joyce - I believe Tidy Cats has a brand of cat litter that is supposed to be lighter. Never used it.

sprepej - I have osteoporosis, but I was never told there was any exercise that I *couldn't* do. I do try to avoid high impact exercise and limit how long I'm on the rowing machine. I do try to incorporate weights and some weight bearing exercise most days of the week

You can add me to the list of people who find it challenging to try to buy food at a reasonable cost and then use it. Thank goodness for the freezer. When something is on sale I will buy a few. I especially like buying something on sale with a coupon

yanniejannie - OUCH!!!! So very sorry about the horse.

Sally - lots of different things go into my salad. Usually things that I want to use up!

Lesley - Brian seems to be doing wonders for you. Thank you for sharing all your experiences with him and his good advice.

Vicki - from personal experience, the kids will bounce back. In a way, I'm glad they're younger.

Jailhouse Meg - ROTF about Child Protective Services!!!

barbie - healing thoughts being sent for Jake

I didn't realize Vince was waiting for me to pack up the boxes of christmas linens. I did that tonight. I needed to put the boxes in plain view. We had them in the livingroom on the floor and I just knew that if it wasn't in view, I wouldn't get to it. Sure enough, I did that tonight.

Made some brownies but used to avocado instead. Vince has been eating them. Really, I'm not too keen on the texture using the avocado so I don't think I'll use it any more.

Peeled some apples and have them in the refrig right now like someone on here suggested. I'll probably make an apple pie tomorrow.

Michele in NC

Got cut off again!

Sylvia - I'm sorry to hear about your family situation. You seem like a very strong lady. My heart goes out to you.

Margaret - Thanks for the info on the truck blind spot in front of it, i would never have thought about that.

Have a great night everyone.

Mary from Minnesota

Allison congrats on the job and the fact that your husband said you can have that money as your. I am wondering if he is using a little bit of psychology in that though. If he lets you have a very short hours job but you keep the money then you won't go seeking a job with more hours
Diane I love your term hubs for your husband. It just sounds so loving
Susan some have been here a long, long time, others not so. I have been here about a year or so now and I still have a lot of trouble remembering names and facts. Some have a separate tab for a word document and others like me take notes. I for the life of me still can't figure out how to keep a tan open for a word document. I think it was you talking about carrying heavy things and osteoporosis. I have an order to get a scone done for my bone density but I haven't done it. Both my Mom and sister lost a lot of inches in their spine due to it. I was 5' 6/4" and am now 5' 4 1/2" but I don't feel like I am having problems.
terri I do't know how big El Paso is but a lot of big cities have what is called a City Pass. You pay one lump sum and you get a book of which to choose several things. Once you have used up the alloted amount of passes you are done with the book. We used one in Philadelphia and we saved a lot of money.
yannijanni so sorry about the horse. I know he/she must have been suffering. What is a chair dip for those bat wings
Sally yes, I have seen the light weight litter but haven't seen it in big containers. We buy BIG containers
Anne I would be sitting in the very back at a conference so that I could stand up once in a while
Margaret add multiple sclerosis to that list of illnesses that you lose so much. The minute I was diagnosed, I realized my life would never be the same. There are so many times you grieve things that could have been. But I thank God every day for my MS. It changed my life and for the better. I was so consumed with being a nurse that the rest of who is part of me suffered from it.

Charlie's physical went well. It seems like between him and the doctor all the right questions were asked. Because of his heart attacks and stents and the medicine you are required to be on for 365 days after a stent, he has not been able to have a colonoscopy. The last time his brother had his they removed 16 polyps. His mother also had polyps. So Charlie really needs one. But for two years in a row he has been on this medicine. February 18th is his last day of it, at least hopefully.

Joyce, Indiana

morning ladies~
sorry I didnt check in last night, didnt get back home until after 6 pm as it was my late night.. just feeling out of sorts...
DFIL was ornery yesterday told me to leave and dont come back.. told him sorry you'll see me in the morning..
I asked the DH how his day was and said was good until I got home.. I know he was teasing but it really hurt.he has taken to calling me chunky saying he is trying to spur me to eat right and exercise.. I am trying but not very hard..
have had alot on my plate lately..but am looking forward to the bird store job
the money has to go into a savings account, no spending..
told the DH last night I was thinking of looking for a 3rd shift job that way I wouldnt be here much and there would be extra money.....
I have a credit card balance of about 3,000 and because we are changing credit unions, I have to change credit cards, well because my name is on the house and car loan ,dont know if I will be able to get my own credit card, they want me to get a co signer, and if DH knows I have that on there he will not sign...
very very hard to do things when you have 40.00 a week to work with, and I buy my own clothes ,grandaughters clothes etc...20.00 of that 40.00 goes to paying the credit card balance off..
the rest of my paycheck goes to the joint account to pay bills..now I am not going to be crabby about this because DH is super savvy with money.. he gets the bills paid and he doesnt go spending crazy..
oh well, got up at 3:15 and got hubby's dinner and lunch ready, and then will hop in the shower and go feed DFIL..from there I go to the Kidney Dr,and then to the credit union.. and then to work

Happy Hump Day ! ! !

Allison, I am confident that you can work through these tough times. It's hard to make a plan and stick to it, just like with dieting, but I'm confident you can handle this, too. My hubby is the cheapest man I have ever met, so we keep our accounts separate still, and it has been almost 15 years.

Thanks for the suggestions about El Paso. I saw the Mission Tour, and it looked boring, but I have changed my mind and will download it later today. Also, the City Pass sounds like a great idea. I have never seen or heard of it, but will do some research.

MNMargaret - I also love the idea of your grief group. So many people forget that chronic illness (or pain) requires a grieving process, too. When I had RA symptoms, I kept fighting the symptoms, then I was diagnosed, and I grieved for the loss of my youth. DH and his family just don't understand. Luckily I work in HealthCare, so I am surrounded by people who understand, and keep me "real" about it. What a wonderful gift you are offering !!!

DD just texted me that her future Father-in-law had most of his colon removed for stage 3 cancer, but they left the cancerour liver. I hope she deals with this better than she did the passing of my Mom a few years ago. She is just so sensitive, and wears her heart on her sleeve.

I succombed to laziness and ate some of the pizza my DH brought home yesterday, and suspect I will also eat some of the left-overs for supper tonight, since it will be late by the time we get home again.

Hugs for Everyone ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee (where it is snowing again)

Beth, so sorry for the news about the transport. Will pray that an unexpected angel will come to solve the problem.

Ashley ~ glad to hear the good news that she is doing better.

Joyce in Indiana ~ My DH had 4 stents after his heart attack and has been on Plavix plus a bunch of other meds for almost 2 yrs. The doctor told him on his last visit that he would be off of Plavix in March. Hoping he won't have to go on Warfarin again as it cuts out anything green.

Sorry for being so chatty this AM. Guess I need some adult company via the internet.

Carol ~ GA

Margaret: A support group for ambiguous loss seems like a wonderful idea. So many people have complicated family situations and there are many kinds of loss. I think of the various health related losses that come with chronic illnesses, and even job loss.

Yanniejannie: I’m so sorry for the loss of the horse. What a heartbreaking struggle for your daughter and for the horse’s owner. I’m sure that tears have been shed and there may be more.

Vicki: I am an only child. I have cousins and the family I created. My cousins are very important to me, likely much more important to me than the reverse. I do my best to keep in touch.

Meg from Omaha: DH is making progress. The physical therapists he’s been working with have been amazingly helpful. We have to drive a long way to get to them, but they are well worth the effort.

Barbie: How did Jake hurt his neck? I hope he feels better soon and the swelling goes down quickly.

Garnetann: Welcome. You’ll find lots of support here. Motivation comes from within. In my case, I got really mad when I realized that I was too heavy to do something I REALLY wanted to do. That formed the core of my motivation and these wonderful ladies help me stay on track by teaching me good strategies and new ways to think about things.

Janet in Myrtle Beach: We just got our Christmas boxes back into the attic, too! What a wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations!

Joyce: Sending good thoughts for Charlie getting off he medicine that prevents a colonoscopy.

DH is awake and I want to spend a little time with him before I head to the gym for yoga and core strength class. Sending good thougts for a good day.

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. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more!
5. Eliminate alcohol.
6. Monitor sleep.

Kim: you pretty much took the words right out of my mouth. For many reasons I choose for myself what I put on the internet. I am with you that I like the way this group functions and appreciate the acceptance we try to practice for each other.

Thinking of those with unexpected expenses!

Yanniejannie: there are several types of colic. If the horse was operated on, she probably had the "worst" kind. I'm so sorry for the people who will have to miss her.

Allison: I'm sure you will do the right thing(s) if you follow your heart.

I just had the luxury of a nap but woke up so cold I'm shivering. At least it's motivating me to go to the gym and get warm!

Hope we all have a good day. :flowerforyou:

P.S. Jailhouse Meg...lol!

Carol in GA - I had to come back in and respond to your comment about Warfarin. Warfarin does not mean having to cut out greens. However, one has to be consistent with the regularity of eating leafy green things. When I was taking it a number of years ago (I had a pulmonary embolism), I decided that I would eat my cruciferous greens three times per week. I had to stick to it, though, to keep my levels steady. It's really the vitamin E that is the culprit. I really wish I could get my parents to get this; my dad eats whatever, whenever with no thought to the medications he is on. Not meaning this as a lecture, just a clarification because no one should have to live without broccoli or awesome spinach salads!

Hi all!

Margaret - What a great idea to run a group like that. :flowerforyou: When my ex and I separated I had 4 long years of awful grief and I was the main initiator! :ohwell: The worst aspect was that no one really understood the devastation of leaving a long marriage (28 yrs) and all the regrets. It was truly awful and I did go in the end for "separation therapy" , which was an enormous help. Good for you for thinking of this.

Beth - hugs about the van. :sad: Over here there is help from the state for such things, although always a hassle. Are the charities any use for you? Here they can be very helpful in applying for things and giving advice. They can navigate bureaucracy.

Alison - I well remember money worries keeping me awake at night. I had horrible visions of living in a cardboard box! ! ! ! ! My brother then said he would never let me do that and that comforted me. I am sure you are loved just as much. I always had one account which was my 'running away' money. Not a lot, but enough for an emergency.

Well, my shopping expedition was super successful! ! ! ! :bigsmile: It was sooooo good to have someone with me who could organise the changing room experience (different sizes, rejects and keepers) and suggest ideas. I have bought several things I would never have looked at on my own, and a couple in a colour that is new for me, (sort of limey yellow/black mix) so I am very happy! I am normally a very plain dresser and I always stick to black and a very few jewel colours that suit me. Hardly ever patterns. This time I have a couple of patterned things. I also love the loose trousers I bought. I just have spent a bit more than I am comfortable with. :ohwell: Will have to raid a savings account. But I really do have the smallest wardrobe of any one I know so I think I am overdue some summer clothes. :bigsmile:

Going to post a photo of DGS "burying" DH under a pile of trikes. The waste paper basket in the photo ended up over his head with cushions on top to make it dark inside.! ! ! !

Heather in colder Hampshire UK

Hello ladies,
I've been enjoying the posts. I wish you all a wonderful day with much happiness and good health.
DJ