WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2015

Did 40 minutes of Personal Training with Jackie DVD. The plan for tomorrow is to take my aluminum to the Humane Society and then take the deep water class.

Mary, I don't know why that preying mantis didn't show up! Last night just mulling over in my mind I was thinking of red white and blue for the turtle. What do you think? Fourth of July is in the summertime. SCORE on that new phone! At least you got it, that's the important thing

Joyce - that house that has the lights that are computerized might not have all that high an electric bill in all. I'll bet the lights are LED's. So sorry about your sister


Am going to try posting the pic of the preying mantis again. Hope it works this time

Michele in NC

Michele you are right you do need to have some kind of program to experiment with colors of your turtle. The picture am having reframed they did at the store. The roof was when I looked up shingles and they did not use our house but you still got a better idea of what the color would look like than a sample. Because of these experiences I know the technology is out there.

DH takes care of our hummingbird feeder. He bought one that looks like a saucer that comes apart and can be put in the top rack of the dishwasher. The feeders do get moldy if not cleaned regularly and will turn off the birds. We were at a nature preserve, and they had the same one. The birds do perch when they feed with this one. I have many flowers in our garden that also attracts them so I think that helps to draw them into our yard. I do believe we have repeat customers from year to year because sometimes they come up to our window looking for the feeder before we get it out. They do live several years.

MNMargaret

Good morning! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing and reading about the hummingbirds. I've considered getting a feeder for my patio, but I'm afraid Spot might think I had set up a feeding station for HER!

Thanks for all of the comments on my PE story. It was an incredibly scary time in my life!

I am both excited and nervous today because I finally am seeing an orthopedist about my shoulder (and the rest of my joint pain). The pain in my shoulder woke me up last night. Not only was it the severity of the pain, but it also made it almost impossible to turn over to get out of bed to make a most urgent trip to the potty. I was terrified I was going to wet the bed before I could maneuver out of it! I hope that he will tell me there is an easy fix. Hahahahaha!

Michele - I love your ladybug and praying manits! I envision your turtle with shades of purple, pink, lime green, and orange, but that is probably just my early hippie/late preppy coming out. All of those little "squares" with the lines just scream for interesting colors to me!

Welcome to the newbies!

I ate well yesterday but didn't make all of my steps. I didn't get home until 8:45 p.m. and, by the time I inhaled some food and glanced at the mail and the paper (from Tuesday!), I wanted to do nothing but go to bed. So, I did. It felt so good to just BE for a little while! I am finishing up "Why is it Always About You?" while I wait on my delivery of "The Happiness Project" and "Younger Next Year." To save money, I buy used books when possible. The downside is that they take a bit longer to get to me. That segueway made perfect sense to me because I read in bed every night before I go to sleep...

Okay, I am off to get some work done! Have a great day filled with even better choices!

Carol in a perfect Spring day NC

Good morning everyone... welcome all the newbie people.

Well... lets see where was I ? I have finally finished all the tests involved in my annual checkup and reviewed them with Dr. .... so the results of the x-ray of my foot showed my little toe was broke...REALLY!! I knew that ..when did I break it? Oh probably 10 years ago.... Doctor said it didn't heal right.. the bones didn't join back together... does it bother me - NO. Okay she said ... referred me to an actual Podiatrist to see if he can figure out what the pain is that radiates across the top of my foot. Dr. figures it is the bunion that is causing the toes to move over and crowd each other. I already wear a wider shoe and orthotics... which have seen at least 700 miles. Need new shoes and probably different orthotics. So enough of that....as long as I don't walk around my house in my bare feet my foot doesn't hurt.

Raining here today, so it will be much easier to get some of those awful chores done... you know the ones like.. company bookkeeping... pay bills.... filing....clean the desk in the home office so DH can find something... or anything while I am gone for the weekend. Oh and I best make a little bit of food so he has something to eat while I am gone because he sometimes can't find ANY food in the house!!! MEN !!!

Need to pack up for the scrapbooking retreat this weekend. Leaving Friday be back on Sunday.... so I will try check in on everyone to see how you are doing.

Gotta get a move on

Lillian in West Central Saskatchewan

morning peepheads:

SELENA - that is cool with the birdies!!

fanncy - you need to get a lil mexican in ya... i woulda had a new phone in 3 min!!

exermom - yeah, i can feel a lil drug action on that mantis painting... suuurreeee you were straight, suuurrreeeee.

well, today, I didn't ride all the way in from the gym, I weenied out. wasn't in the mood. so it won't be close to a 1000 calorie burn day for me today, I did do it for the last 5 days in a row tho, so that was cool, this is the terrain when I ride from the gym to work.

Terri: We have two species of hummingbirds here. Annas Hummingbirds live here year round, even in freezing temperatures in winter. Rufus Hummingbirds are summer visitors.

Colleen from PA & PJ from MI: Welcome to a great group of supportive women. Colleen, be sure to change the nectar in your hummingbird feeder fairly frequently even though you don’t see birds. Stale is not good because it can get moldy. I put boiling water through mine before I refill them. Use sugar water you make yourself not the colored stuff you buy. The food coloring is bad for them. The recipe is 1/4C sugar to 1 C water. My neighbor uses the colored water and the birds avoid her feeder.

Vicki: I would love it if one of my kids moved closer to us. I hope your DS likes this place or something else nearby.

Selena: I love your picture of Rufus Hummingbirds. I may try to get mine to come to my hand when it warms up a bit. I’m not sitting outside in the chilly air with a handful of syrup! Good luck finding just the right place to move. Tell us more about the book you’re working on.

Janet: In the later years of my teaching career, there was some effort at healthy snacks and treats, but it was sporadic. Many times we were rewarded with Starbucks coffee as our treat and were able to order the flavor we liked. My flavor was full of sugar and nondairy fat. I’ve been retired for 3 ½ years. I go with my neighbor when she goes to zumba. I ride a spin cycle in an adjacent room to the sound of her music. My knees won’t take zumba, either. Somewhere along the way, a spin class joins me. I enjoy them, but NOT their choices of music.

Michele: I love your ladybug & ceramic turtle! I especially love the praying mantis. Your color choices are fun.

Mary from MN: I think your DH got better service because he has a commercial account and threatened to go elsewhere for service. The man v woman issue can also have an effect. That is so frustrating.

Alison: I’m happy that you had a good interview and will keep my fingers crossed that it eventually yields enough work so that you can quit your present job.

Carol: We have lots of cats in our area because we have a local feral cat feeder. The hummingbird feeders are high enough that cats can’t get near the birdies. They do prefer flower nectar and those plants are in cat zone but I haven’t seen a cat get one.



Yikes! It is almost time to meet my neighbor so we can go to the gym and I haven’t come to the end of the posts. Have a great 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


April Goals:
1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week. Work on flexibility and back
strength.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more!
5. Eliminate alcohol.
6. Monitor sleep. Try to average 7 or more hours of sleep nightly.

Well I’m 10 pages behind and will never catch up. Working in my home office today. It's gorgeous so hope to get out and do yard work this afternoon after straightening out my Dad's taxes (meaning another hour on hold with the IRS). Sigh. Lilacs are in bloom and they are my favorite. I'll bring some to my Dad (who lives nearby in a retirement home) to bring that lovely smell into his apt.

I’d been a bit stuck on weight loss, but am losing again, just hit 20 lbs down today!
I got a Fitbit on April 1 and it is a good motivator! I’m averaging 6k steps, mostly because of the 1-2 days a week I don’t take the time to get up and move around a lot.

Selena - great pics, jealous of all your different western hummers, we just have the one species here on the east coast – but we are in a spot where we fill feeders every day or two. Lots of babies in the summer, and fun (competitive) aerobatics to watch.

Pip- $50 from the boss, nice!

Heather – congrats on the book!

Sylvia - you look great! Especially after a tough spring.

Katla – your book has great advice about staying connected and active. My father at 88 is having a hard time with both, to his detriment. He gets angry and confused easily (yes, early dementia) and so he backs away from contact. He does do some walking outside.

Hey to Coleen from PA, PJ, Tammi….

Goals for April:
10k steps/day
500 cal burn (above sedentary)

I think my goal for May will be 120 miles. I’m gonna make 100 miles in April.

Cindy in SoMD

Good morning everyone! The kids stayed at my house last night. They stayed with the evil stepmother the night before, but my son told me that she didn't enjoy it, so he asked if I would take them last night. I made egg salad sandwiches and tomato soup for their dinner and they loved it. They had never had egg salad before. Poor babies. This morning they asked if I could make them breakfast instead of them eating breakfast at school. So they had cereal, toast, turkey bacon, and orange juice and a banana. They also asked if they could take their lunches, so I made PB&J (which is what they wanted) and included a banana and a Cutie orange and a bottle of water. They said they can still get milk at school. So they were happy campers. It's amazing how they are so happy with the smallest things.

I took them up to see their dad after school yesterday. That made everybody happy. They felt better after seeing him and knowing he was getting better. The oldest told one of the teachers yesterday that he had a lung transplant. Not in our little hospital, he didn't.

Last night we played outside till dinner time, then a little more till dark. They so seldom get to play outside, living in an apartment. I made bubble blowing soap and bent a wire coat hanger to make really big bubbles. That was fun. And I had bought a set of outdoor toys like horseshoes, badmitton, etc. So, when he was going to bed last night the little guy asked if they could stay overnight on the weekend too. I wish we had a better sleeping arrangement for the kids. Two on two different sofas and one in the spare bed. It's really hard on Molly too, because she gets locked up the whole time they are here.

I called my son this morning and he said they are not sure if they are letting him out today or not. He will know more after lunch sometime. Somehow they now need to give him insulin, even though he's never been diabetic. He thinks it might be the steroids and thinks it's only temporary.

Michele, I love the praying mantis! He turned out really well, as did the bug. Love the colors! Can't wait to see the turtle.

Selena, Thanks for the picture of the hummers. It's an amazing picture. You must have a good camera. When I take a pic of a hummer it's just a blur. We don't have anything but ruby throats here, so it's fun to see a rufous. I got a small feeder this year to hang on the window by the breakfast table, hoping the kids will get to see them up close. We'll see if it works or not. Hummers on the deck got me through a lot of stress in my life. They are easily one of my very favorite birds.

Well, I have to get to work. Have a great day everyone!

Sylvia

Happy Thursday! I mowed most the yard last evening, got my steps plus in. Feels good to be doing it again. Found a couple more beer bottles out by the back of the garage. I am so glad to have them moved out. I just hope after they fix the place back up they get a nice family there. This was the first time in 12 years we had any problems with the renters in that house.
Today is my 8 hour day and then I am off till next Tuesday. WOW!!! Planning to walk home this afternoon.

Selena--Thanks for sharing the picture. I love hearing about your sitting out there with the birds. How wounderful and relaxing.

Michele--love the lady bug. It looks great. I would like to do something like that for my rock garden. Thanks I will see if I can find some place around here to do that. Just saw your preying mantis and he is so cute.

Mary--I am glad DH was able to get you the new phone. I agree that it is unfair after you tried for hours and got no where. I would of been so pissed.

Allison--glad your interview went well. At least he knows you and said he might have something soon.

Mel--Welcome. This is a great place for support.

Carol--Pray you get good news at the doctor today.

Lillian--Sounds like you have a fun weekend to look forward to.

Carey--Glad to hear you are doing better today.

Cindy--Congrates on hitting the 20 pounds down. I love my fitbit and I admit it does get me moving more.

Sylvia--Those children are so lucky to have you. I do hope DS knows that.

I hope the rain waites until dark as when I get off work I want to put the weed stuff down along the fence line. I use the vingar and salt and I do think it works so much better then the poison stuff. Don't have to worry about the dogs gettings sick from using it. I have really been in the mood to do things in the yard. That is a first for me. Well ladies enjoy the rest of the day and remember we are not in this alone.
Blessings, Vicki GI NE

I want collar bones like Sylvia!!
Chris in MA

windy and cold here in Ct.. had a lovely time with my friend at the tea room, got a small pot of first phase tea, a green tea with,hint of strawberry,apple and hibiscus.. and a scone with double cream, rasberry jam and lemon curd, I was good though small scone and only used tastes of each.. sat there for almost 2 hrs chatting .. very relaxing, and as I was waiting for ,who flew over ? but mom not once but twice.. so all in all it was a good day.. I will be going to sleep early as I was awake at 1 this morning.. took about 20 minute nap in the car waiting for Patty.. but still feeling whipped..

OK - update. :bigsmile:

The nettle soup was ok. I quite liked it, but it definitely needed the creme fraiche stirred into it. DH wasn't very keen, but he managed to eat it, though he said it was very "irony" and needed the creme fraiche. I would eat it again, though he probably not. :laugh:

Spent some time trying to organise my author profile for Goodreads. They will email me tomorrow if I am accepted. I have to give everything a go. :ohwell:

Heather x x x

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

Good Afternoon Ladies,

Michele, the Praying Mantis might be missing but the Lady Bug is just precious!!! She will look so cute out by the pool. That turtle has so many possibilities. I saw one in an ad for a store here and it had some great colors. Wish I could send it to you. I think the bright colors are going to be just what you need out by the pool. I want to come over and sit by the pool with you. God forbid that I would get in and get some exercise. lol

Mary, first of all, just look at the big picture and be happy you have a new phone. Now, secondly, (tee hee hee) I know it’s terrible how men can do that, but….did you threaten to stop doing business with them? That is probably what did it. Who knows? I always thought the Samsung phones were great and this is the first I’ve heard of it. I do have to exercise to keep my back from freezing up, but twisting motion just doesn’t agree with it. I have to be so careful with any kind of dancing, which is sad. I’m not so good at it but do love to dance. I’m thinking that is a female thing because most men don’t really seem that into it. Congrats to those of you that have hubbies that like to dance. Mine will do it but only because he loves me, not because he enjoys it.

Joyce, you are doing great and like you said, we’ll give you a “swift kick” any time you need it. I mean, what are friends for? Way to go on the organizing of the storage. Yay you is right! Wow wee, 2 pounds? Not .2? That is what I’m talking about!!! You go girl. I will be ecstatic when I get to 172!! OMG I am happy to report that the 1.5 pounds I had jumped up a few days ago is now gone again. Slowly but surely, as they say.

Allison, good luck on a new job opening up at the dealership. I just got a text from DD and she just got a new job much closer to home. She was driving 45 minutes to work and they kept cutting hours so this is a real blessing.

Michele, the Praying Mantis is a cutie too. If any of them came out streaked, I can’t tell. Maybe the last firing did the trick?

Mel, welcome. You will find this a great group of ladies for support and wonderful information. When you need it, just ask and we will give you a nudge, kick or push. We are here for you.

Carol, I know that is a scary feeling to wake up to such pain that you can’t move. Glad you did make it to the potty. Lol It would be great if the doctor tells you there’s an easy fix, but who knows? I also envision the turtle with bright colors. I’d probably do the bottom row in different shades of green and the others in shades of blue and purple, but it definitely needs some yellow on it.

Selena, I’m guessing your book is a love story? Is this the first book for either of you? If you told us before, I’ll take the 5th, cause I’m sure it’s not my age.

Lillian, I hope you get everything done before it’s time to leave, but more importantly, have a safe and fun trip.

Carey, glad you are finally on the mend.

Pip, if and when I have a problem with a company, I’ll just call you to take care of it for me, cause I don’t have any lil Mexican in me.

Terri, way to go on those boards! Uh, I mean planks. *Tee hee hee*. Sorry you are so bored that there is nothing to do but clean. That’s bored!!!

Cindy, congrats on that 20 lbs. Way to go, now on to the next. Keep it up.

Heather, the checkup sounds good. I am surprised the BP is the same as before your weight loss? Once again, this Southerner has no idea what “nettles” are. I could Google it but it’s more fun to let you tell me.

Sylvia, I never even knew my grandparents because they all passed away by the time I was 2, but I wish I’d had a grandmother like you. You are the bomb. I know they must just love you to pieces. Why does Molly have to be locked up when they are there? Poor baby. We got a hummer feeder that attached to the window one year a long time ago. The wind would blow it back and forth and the syrup would spill out onto the window and the ants would find it in no time. We finally took it down. I hope you don’t have that problem. It’s so neat when they are right up next to the house like that.

Naiomi, so glad your pain is gone. We were concerned. Have a great time at the convention and try not to work too hard.

Vicki, if you put down the weed stuff and then it rains, won’t it just wash it all away? That is our problem here with doing anything in the yard; trying to plan it right with the rain. So glad you are feeling well and wanting to do yard work. Keep up the good work.

Pip, you are gonna be a hundred tomorrow? Wow. You are just so impressive with your dedication to exercising and logging. Keep it up!

Toni, why did you ask if anyone ever wanted to rub her tummy for good luck? Did I miss something? Six days straight is not for the faint of heart. You’d probably need to start resting up right away. Lol I remember doing that a few time the last year that I worked, and it really got to me. I love your story about your sis and the hummer.

Allison, your tea party sounds so nice. And congrats on just having a taste of each. A friend of mine told me about a tea room that she just discovered. I have a feeling we will be going there in our future.

Welcome to any Newbies that I missed. Come often and join in the chat. This thing works!! Please sign your post with what you want to be called. It makes it easier for us to respond to you. Also a location is great, be it specific or general. We are happy to have you join us.

I got my nicotine patches in the mail yesterday, so no more vaping. But OMG do I want to. It has been an on and off difficult day but so far so good. I really got into my exercising, I think because I wanted to vape so badly. Lol Now I’m off to the store to possibly exchange a top I got yesterday. It’s a touch big so going to see how the next smaller size does.

I hope all you special ladies have a terrific day.

I liked this story and it did make me think, so it’s the thought for the day:

A photographer went to a socialite party in New York.
As he entered the front door, the host said, “ I love
Your pictures; you must have a fantastic camera.”
He said nothing until dinner was finished, then:
“That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a
Terrific stove.”
Sam Haskins


Words I live by:
Savor. I have to slow down and savor every bite.
and
Opportunity. Each day offers new opportunities for good health and happiness if we just look for them and choose them.

Janet
Myrtle Beach, SC

Janet - urtica dioica. The common nettle or stinging nettle. Google it.
We have forests of the things everywhere round here. I think I do like the soup, but I've frozen most of it as DH wasn't ecstatic! When I first moved down here I bought lots of books on foraging, but I really don't do much. In autumn we collect masses of wild blackberries from the lanes and sloes (blackthorn berries) to make sloe gin, a wonderful thing. But there are a lot of wild plants I have never picked. I bought a mushroom book, but I have never dared to pick and cook any! ! !

Heather in abundant Hampshire UK

Carol~Ga

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when my mom passed over 15 yrs ago, she has come back as a Great Blue Heron, she has shown up when I have needed her most.. so that would be why I love GBH so much.....
DH came home and .got all grumpy with me because 1 - I gave him Chili and 2-- I gave him to much...ya know be nice to your wife before you go away for a week would be nice... .
So I am sitting in my room watching Dr Oz and messing around on the computer