WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MAY 2015

Joyce - We have stayed off Disney property for most of our trips, usually in condos. Encantada Resort is very reasonable. We really enjoyed our stay at Disney Movies The Little Mermaid because the rooms were newer and a little larger than the other value resort rooms. If you want to stay on property, I would recommend checking out David’s Disney Vacation Club website. On this website you buy points from Disney Vacation Club members and apply the points to rent a Disney resort room(s). The savings is about 1/3 to 1/2 off the regular rate. We stayed in the Contemporary Resort Bay Towers using that website, but there are a lot of Disney resorts listed. We thought Bay Towers would be more convenient since it is on the monorail, but the walk through the hotel and across the walkway seemed pretty far to me. As far as Holiday World, I think I would give up the water park section, let the younger ones do that while you and your DH take in the music shows. I only say that because of the way that heat saps energy. After the amusement park section, you’ll probably want a break. But if you wake up that day feeling like you want to do the water park and the weather isn’t too hot, just go for it. People understand when assistance is needed, and are glad for everyone to participate.

Janet - Six sizes in my closet because I’m planning on wearing all those smaller sizes as I loose weight! My daughter claims that I won’t like the styles anymore, but there are a lot of basics in there that can be resurrected!

Sylvia - I love mini vans too! They are just so roomy and open. Who needs a truck when you’ve got a mini van? The car salesman nearly always has to take an aspirin when my “frugal” (dare I say, cheap) DH negotiates. I just watch because I know DH is way cheaper than me, and he can sit out those uncomfortable silences. Very smart of you to Google that third party company!

Lesley - Prayers for your daughter to have strength and confidence as she undergoes surgery and radiation.

DrKatiebug - Our pets are family members too. So sorry for the loss of Sebastian. I’m sure he had a good life in your loving home.

Book club dinner meeting went well. Ate only a small amount of chicken salad and fruit. Amazed myself by eating a TINY SLIVER of pie. I made a joke out of it when my friend tried to cut a slice for me, sending her back to reduce the size three times, until she appeared with a teaspoon-sized triangle (I am not exaggerating) which I ate in about 10 micro bites. Two other women decided to do the same so we looked pretty ridiculous, but it was guilt free and effective!
Mostly spent the day shopping with my daughters with little to show for it, but we had a pretty good time. Normally, I’m not much of a shopper, but I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to hang out with both of them.
We are planning our Northeast trip. Got Broadway tickets to An American in Paris and Phantom. So exciting! The Beverly Hillbillies are going to Times Square!

Joan in Alabama

I guess I shall start out by saying, drum roll........my boob squeeze is scheduled for June 1st at 10:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katla, how wonderful to have wonderful friends that feel comfortable enough with you to stop in like that. Glad you had that surprise! That's the best kind of friend, what they call 'back door' friends.

Pip, thanks so much for riding for us MSers! Really means a lot.

Janet, Myrtle Beach, our first home back in 1973 was $18,000! Anyone else care to share how much theirs was? I think we sold it for around $45,000 and bought a $65,000 back in 1978. When we went to Disney World last time and stayed in one of the resorts, we went ahead and drove to the park, resort customers park free anyway and my rental scooter was easier to get in and out of our car. We were told that the trams back to the resort had no set schedule, you never know if your resort is the first or last one to be picked up or dropped off. Michelle got real sick that last day and took the tram back to the resort. She was in a crowded tram with tired crying children, some with awful smelling diapers and ours was the last resort they dropped off. She had a fever, chilling and was miserable. So we will never ride the tram.

Joan, as soon as I lose I size I give the old ones away. Do not want to see them in my closet anymore and makes me have to work harder if I find myself gaining weight, like right now.

Carol, NC, Evansville now has it's first food truck. But it stops downtown and we never go down there. But I hear it has fantastic food.


Terri Milwaukee, thanks for all your thoughts on the amusement park.

Lisa, I have never let my MS keep me from going somewhere I want to go. If it is choosing going and having fun with my family and having to use my wheel chair or a rented scooter or staying at home, well there is no question. I go and have fun. But the amusement park employee last year who had to help drag me out was a young, they start at 16, and scrawny boy. Plus I know my husband has really missed seeing his music shows. Since we only have a short day at the park, our day is limited and he is outnumbered and he enjoys seeing his family having fun. But he sure lets us know what he has sacrificed. So we would do the amusement park things, have lunch and then split up and let the younger ones go to the amusement park. So that's waht we may do. But the girls and I have discussed other things. Your quilt looks exactly like a window with a lovely view!

Sylvia, congrats on the new van and the expert negotiating skills. Makes me wonder since we did buy the extra plan what it is really like. so far we haven't had to use it. I still have a hard time judging parking my van vs our Escape. The front ends of them are so different.

Michele, the binding on all my quilts is the pits. My favorite quilt I made was a cross stitch. It came in blocks so you could make it as big or as small as you wanted. My Mom and sister bought the first bunch for me for my birthday so that makes it extra special. It had a suggested quilting pattern on it but I didn't like it so I looked at the craft show and found some, I am sitting here racking my brain as to what they are called. It's made of plastic and has holes in the shape of what you are wanting to make. You trace it onto your wall, quilt or object you are making. Anyway I bought them and kind of made my own pattern. It was a queen size quilt and I don't have an actual quilting sewing machine so I had to do it by hand. I always like to use the extra heavy bating which also makes it difficult to machine quilt. But it's my favorite in style and heaviness.

Katiebug, so sorry about your fur baby. They are so much part of our lives and are a huge loss when we have to say goodbye.

Ann, I watched that weight loss show today. I think the secret to me still having so much flab hanging under arms is the weight lifting. The dynamics between those two twins was neat to watch. Losing that much weight in a year though is beyond my comprehension of safe though.

We still haven't heard from Naomi as to what a semicolon drive is. Enquiring minds need to know!!!!

The rain barrels down the street are up on a table of some kind so she can have some gravity with the hoses attached. They are in the front and side of the house so they are brightly painted.

Edited to add. Joan, thanks on all the info of the Disney site. We plan on our nest trip to be next year. When we went before our youngest grand child was pretty small, maybe 3 years ago??? So I guess she was 5.

Some of the things my two daughters and I have discussed is for us girls, either the grand daughters and daughters or just the daughters have a good old fashioned slumber party, doing our nails, hair, make up, giggling, etc. Or going to nail salon would be fun. Owensboro, Ky which is just right down the road has a fantastic park by the river and we have a small children's museum which is fun. But neither is fun for husband. Trinity has a full summer planned anyway so doesn't need Holiday World, church camp goes to Myrtle Beach, friends taking her to lake resort. Plus she is saving money so she can pay her own way into the church camp that her sister will go to for the first time. She would be a junior counselor. So she has a busy summer.

No headache tonight, don't know why. Joyce, Indiana

Cynthia - I found them on the orthotics section on Amazon. They are a wide piece of elastic with a rubber shape on one side. Don't look like anything, but people seemed to like them and they were cheap enough to give them a go. Feel weird at first, but it does mean I can wear sandals and slippers and anything that doesn't fit an orthotic.

I had a kipper for breskfast, fresh fruit and some crayfish tails and a fresh anchovy. With the biscuit snd milk I am guestimating at 650.

There was quite loud music at breakfast. They did turn it down a bit, but the waitress asked me to complain to management about it as she hates it too. It's the only thing about this hotel that I haven't liked, apart from the too complicated bathroom taps. Soaked myself a couple of times from the tripartite shower taps. Grrrrrrrr!

Off in a minute round town.

Heather in York UK

Morning.

Zucchini and shrimp did not set well with me last night .... Intense stomach pain for several hours. Or it could have been fresh pineapple I had earlier....

Lesley ... Praying your daughter's surgery went well and her recovery is complete

Drkatiebug .... Sorry for your fur baby loss

Beth in WNY

Happy Thursday Wonderful Ladies!

The beach vacation was wonderful. We did not make any plans other than to just relax. I got lots of walking in and have a very nice tan with no sunburn. We did get out on a dolphin tour and ran into lots and lots of them. It was fun. The water was pretty cold but I did manage to wade out a little ways from the shore. The SO says our next trip to the beach will include a parasail adventure. I’m not quite sure that my trip will include that but I encourage him to proceed. One early evening we were relaxing on our balcony and spotted a very fit young woman working out right below. She stretched, jumped rope, did crunches and lunges for around 20 or 30 minutes. We silently encouraged her and had fun trying to guess what she did for a living. We had pretty much decided that she was a police officer or in the military. My final guess was that she was a lifeguard and so she was. It was an encouraging moment for me. We did get a chance to stop by the Premium Outlets in Williamsburg and I was able to pick up a couple of bras for $20 each. That was outstanding! I feel like buying a bra is a special adventure by itself!

Heather: Your book arrived yesterday. The envelope looked so official with all the labels on it. I am looking forward to sharing it with my grandson.

Pip: I thought about you while on vacation as we rented bikes one morning. I don’t think I had been on one in over 10 years. It took me an embarrassing few moments but I eventually got the hang of it. We had been planning on buying a couple from the local pawn shop so I was glad of the opportunity to try it before making a commitment. BTW – Love the nails! BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Carol: Ouch!

Sylvia: I really have to be careful when reading your jokes at work! They are just GREAT! You are right Pip does have a great ring!

Katla: Kudos for continuing with your riding lessons.

Rori: I hope you enjoyed your funk. I try to make each moment of my funk enjoyable and make sure I have thoroughly examined everyone and everything that may have had anything to do with that particular funk. However, I was in a funk Tuesday night when faced with returning to work on Wednesday. My mother used to tell me to sit on my pity pot for a day or two and then get moving.

Joyce: I used to play golf. Most courses have beautiful scenery including water fowl wandering around. We live right next to a course that I’ve never been on. I was just thinking that I could dust off the clubs and venture over there one day. In the last couple of years I have rarely played a course, but just limited myself to the driving range. I loved your quote about making mistakes.


Well ladies, my catch up reading made it up to Monday and I need to end my posts for the day. I really do need to act like I have a job! I missed all of you!

Tere in Richmond VA

Jules: So sorry about the exam

Janet: Great news about being down so quickly after the cruise. Congrats!

LisaH: Your description of doing the posts like a hummingbird is so descriptive. I love the quilt - very creative!

Sylvia: Congrats on the new van! I'm terrible at negotation and I've taken various people with me to do negotating...that didn't work either, I always end up paying more. Oh well at least I get the vehicle I want and don't settle for something other than that. That's an improvement.

Maryanne: I did a abdominal episode of classical stretch, boy was that hard work. I didn't think I was getting much benefit, but 2 days later oh did I feel it! But also discovered I must be doing it wrong because not only are my abs screaming so is my neck.. I better try different episodes before I do that one again.

Pip: Thanks for the info on the rate rate monitor.

Mary: Thanks for the good wishes!

Yanniejannie: Welcome back...we've missed you! I'm going to try eggplant one of these days soon.

Lesley: You and your daughter are in my thoughts...hoping for a quick recovery from the surgery!

DrKatie: So sorry about your kitty - they are so much a part of our lives.

Becca: Is there some special diet or methodology that is followed at TOPS (like weight watchers or something) or is it primarily a mutual support group?

Joan in Alabama: The northeast trip sounds like fun...I'm sure the hillbillies are gonna enjoy Times Square!

Heather: York sounds fantastic.. I've had so much fish in the last few days that I'm beginning to look like you.

Joyce: Congrats on booking the mammogram and no headache sounds wonderful!

Allison: Hope you get to spend some time with DD and DGD.

Thought for the day: “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” ~ John R. Wooden

I had a wonderful time with my friends last night. Ordered the smart eats Salmon only 340 cals and had water with lemon. It was very good. I took a leaf from someone here (sorry can't remember who) and looked up the menu before I went. That works well. Tai Chi on the agenda for today.

Have a nice day all!

Carey-Edmonton

Happy Thursday, ladies!
Made a new recipe called Mediterranean Quinoa Salad last night. Awesome! Found the recipe on Cooking Light's website. Very easy and calorie friendly. Of course, hubby wouldn't touch it. He's so funny because he deliberately pronounces quinoa "kwee-no".
Janet Would love to get together sometime. We aren't far, and visit often. Actually, as a child I had a favorite cousin my age who lived there and I stayed with her every summer growing up. The nostalgia pangs of no longer seeing the "Pavilion" and other places is very strong when I go now. My husband asked me to marry him on the shores of Myrtle Beach.
It's the end of the month for me, which means the next 10-12 days will be very hectic. In turn, this causes me to get freaky with my diet and start craving the bad stuff. I'm working on a plan to keep my desk stocked with power bars and my cooler stocked with yogurt and fruit so the chocolate and chips sirens won't be beckoning me.
Trying to walk more, sleep healthier, and take more time to read non-work related things, and maybe get a little writing in.
To all: Keep on keeping on!
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~Christopher Robin

Jules from SC

Drkatiebug....so sorry to hear of your loss. Many ((((HUGS))))

Chris in MA

i agree terri_mom - you should NEVER compare yourself with others, everyone's different. every once in awhile I will notice someone who is new to a spin class and I introduce myself or start talking to them and ask them if they need help. I tell them about the machine and how to read the monitor and what each part means and make sure the seat is the right height for them, etc. and b4 we start i tell them, WHATEVER you do, please don't compare yourself to anyone else in the room, it will drive you crazy and you'll never come back; its such an individual thing. just do your own thing and you will find yourself improving if you stick at it.

well got Dad down here and wouldnt tell him whats going on so we visited for about an hour, then Tracy,Kyle and Taliah showed up... Dad was beyond thrilled.. we all visited for an hour or so and Tal is comming back to stay overnight tonight even though I have to work in the morning... any time with her is fine with me, plus she gets to see grandpa... and Lowes delivered the boxes, our living room is covered in boxes

Heather: I never tire of hearing about the foods you try. You are far more adventurous than I.

Janet: "You are so right that it takes some time and effort to get comfy with retirement when we lose that routine we’ve had for so long. I was shocked at how much I enjoy it, but that’s partly because I’m lazy."

I agree! I’m surprised at how much I’m enjoying retirement too, but it has taken awhile to find enjoyable things to fill my time and I was a bit bored and lonely at first. I seriously doubt that you are lazy.

Tere: I love the notion of enjoying a funk. I’ve never tried that before. I’m usually totally miserable in a funk and don’t want to have anything to do with them if they can be avoided. My mom spent the majority of her lifetime in a funk as near as I can tell. Not pretty.



I need to get about business and am currently inside when I should be getting things done outside. I hope everyone finds a way to have fun today, even if it is a simple pleasure that lasts only a short time.

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

May 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. Accomplished but here as a reminder.
6. Monitor sleep. Try to average 7 or more hours of sleep nightly.

Heather: York sounds fantastic.. I've had so much fish in the last few days that I'm beginning to look like you.

Carey-Edmonton[/quote]

Carey, did you miss type something or did you mean to say that Heather looks like a fish??? I just couldn't pass this up. ROFL
Janet
Always ready for a good laugh.

Happy Thursday! This is my long day at work. Things are getting worse at work. I told our big boss this morning we need to have a meeting with everyone and get things out in the open. So will see if that happens anytime soon. I just know I am sick of coming to work and ending up with a headache before I have been here an hour.
We didn't go riding last evening. The weather just didn't look like something I wanted to get out in. We did go to the store and pickup a few things. I had started taking weight watchers for lunch. They upped the prices here 36%. This always will let me know the calorie count.

Cynthia--I looked up sumo squats and think that is more the kind I am doing. Sure can feel it in my legs.

Yanniejannie--Glad to see you back. Sending HUGS!

DrKatiebug--So sorry for your loss, Sending HUGS!

Joyce--Congrates on getting your appointment made.

Allison--Great news that DD and DGD get to visit, what a nice surprise for your dad.

Well hoping to get out and walk after work and release some stress. Gotta love life.
Blessings, Vicki GI NE

Annr: I’m not a swimmer but I walk and ride bikes & horses. I count minutes spent at the activity. Today I had an hour on the spin cycle and used the calorie burn number I got for my diary. I typed lap swimming into the exercise list to see what is in the database here at MFP for swimming and got “swimming laps, freestyle, fast vigorous effort and another choice for light moderate effort. The next screen is minutes performed, and then it gives you a calorie number. This system may not be perfect but has worked well enough for me with the things I do.



I went to the gym with my neighbor today and there were not many people there. One of the spinners joined Zumba for the day. There weren’t enough people to do both. I just sat on the spin cycle and rode at a constant pace because I can’t do Zumba without hurting my knee. I gave myself credit for riding a bike at a moderate pace, not for a spin class.

Later DH and I took the fishing boat out for a ride. On our way into a county park and marina called Scappoose Bay, we spotted a construction site where they are building three floating houses that are destined to go to the Selwood floating home community in Portland. It was fun to see them and chat with one of the carpenters.

I still have sailboat bumpers to clean, but they can wait. I'm tired and want to rest.

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

May 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. Accomplished but here as a reminder.
6. Monitor sleep. Try to average 7 or more hours of sleep nightly.