WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2105

We're having a great time here in Las Vegas! We saw Jay Leno tonight. I was crying I laughed so hard! I'll post pictures Tuesday. I'm reading the posts but no time to respond. Take care everyone!

Mary from Minnesota

Allie - time apart from someone who is verbally abusive (no matter what's going on on their head) is a good thing. Never believed that my own inner turmoil was an excuse for hurting others. I don't believe it of anyone else, either. On another note, I think I've said in this space before that I didn't leave my ex until I looked at him and thought "I'd rather die alone than live with you for the rest of my life." Not in a harsh way, just that I was done and dusted. His "thinking time" gives you some time to decide if you want him back, should he choose to return. We'll all be thinking about you, hoping that, however things turn out, you make sure that you're OK.

_________

Got a two-hour nap in yesterday while the kids went swimming at the pool up at the big house, played with the baby while the big ones went hunting rabbits and rattlesnakes last night (they got one of each) and was in bed by 9:30. Up at 3:30, but six hours of restful sleep has made me feel like I might survive.

I'm charging the restaurant owners half my usual rate, but high for the area--I knew they wouldn't do it if I went much over that. I always track my hours, even though I'm at a flat rate, because it gives me incentive to get things fixed so I can make a reasonable (for me) hourly wage. I put in 43 hours in the first three days I worked, which put me at $13.95 an hour-then 60 hours my first full week had me at $16.67. This week, I landed at 58 hours, so I'm back over $17 an hour. I'm making progress!

And everything is improving at the restaurant. When I got there, tensions were high... and there were just kitchen noises. Now they're playing music in the kitchen, there's laughter, people are joking with each other, smiling, making after-work plans together. For my problem kiddos, I've had to issue a few verbal reprimands and a couple written. And I have to issue another for a brand-new dishwasher who was nearly two hours late yesterday.So far, they seem to get that I'm not doing it to set up firing them, I'm doing it to get their attention and help them understand what's OK and what's not. My problem server who got the first two write-ups actually came back, apologized to me in front of the crew chief, said she was leaving her cellphone in her car and would work hard to get her attitude where it needed to be in order to stay. I just about dropped my teeth.

The owners never showed last week, but at least one is flying in Monday. We'll see what happens. I would imagine that nothing will. I gave them a 4-week minimum, 12-week maximum on consulting for them, because I really don't want to still be doing this by the holidays if I can help it. If they were to offer me the permanent position, I'd consider it, but I don't really want it at a lot of different levels, so am planning to price myself out of the running, up around $62,000 a year. They don't want to pay over 50K, so I know that will be too high. Bluntly, I'm a great consultant, but only fair once I'm in maintenance mode. I like beginnings much better than middles. The Montana trip will be kind of the acid test if the inmates can run the asylum.

Michele in NC - we leave the 21st and are back on the 27th--and hopefully, will be able to see our DS and his new wife that we have yet to meet while we're there, as well as attending the wedding.

And speaking of the wedding, am trying to get the wedding gift quilt finished today, just some really long seams to run, mostly... got everything spray basted. Will take pictures...

It's the DD/DSiL/DGK's last day here, they leave at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Mixed blessing. Will miss them, but my husband is past exhausted with the struggle to get the grandson to eat and to go to bed, and the ensuing crying, whining, etc. Our daughter and her husband were, without a doubt, the reason I was able to get so much accomplished in the restaurant. But two weeks of five extra people in the house is hard. Even when you love them dearly. We're ready for a little quiet.

Love y'all dearly, best on everyone's goals, glad to see our walking wounded up and motivating - Pip and Carol in NC, in particular... I do read pretty much everything.

Lisa in West Texas

Just a couple quick scenes - left is DD with her daughter, sewing on a quilt on my machine... and right is my husband with the grandbaby--Daisy Dog is not sure if she's happy about them or not at this point. Bottom is DD and her son in the pool up at the big house... It's kinda awesome, comes straight out of the aquifer...

Jane Martin and Lisa ~ Love the pics of your grands. Lisa, your daughter is beautiful and your hubby looks like a catch.

Alison ~ I think your suggestion to your DH about meds is right on. I live on antidepressants and just wish they had been around growing up with two parents who had a love/hate relationship.

Joyce ~ I know you get aggravated with Charlie but I can also see that you love the man dearly.

School is starting here tomorrow! DnL's first day with a new group of 6th graders, 5 yr old's first time to catch the bus and go to kindergarten, and first time the 3 yr old will have to go to day care without her beloved brother.

Carol - Peach

I am going to love myself as I am now. My weight doesn't define me. My goal is mainly to track what I eat, so I can be more aware of my nutritional needs. I know I eat too much sugar, and that is what I am going to concentrate on this month more than anything. Very best of luck to all of you reaching your own personal goals!

Oh, boy, I blew it yesterday. Just ate too much. I worked at a trade show and there was just nothing healthy to eat. Then I was starving after so we went out to eat and I never thought a restaurant could make a bad salad, but this one sure did! I need to plan better.

Really need to get more exercise and set some goals!

Annr-someone sent me this and I thought of you, hope you get a chuckle out of it!

Oops, forgot that I was going to mention skin folds. The main medical reason for having them removed is that the moist, dark area is prime for fungus growth and some bacteria. So it is really important to keep those areas as clean and dry as possible, especially as we get older and our skin thins. I have had a skin fold since having humongous babies and find that if I put antiperspirant in the fold it stays drier. I keep antifungal cream in my medicine cabinet and at the first sign of redness I use it since it doesn't take long to have a painful infected area. Sometimes it is helpful for people to use a cotton cloth in the fold to absorb the moisture (changing it frequently). I had a patient with diabetes that we did that with. We just tore strips from old tee shirts so it was soft and comfy for her. I can understand the doctor's reluctance to remove folds on older folks. My DIL just had it done and it is a huge incision, from side to side, and as we age, our skin does not heal as readily as younger folks. She has had to wear a girdle type garment, and even had surgical drains (two) in for several weeks. Not the same as a nip and tuck facial surgery at all. Also the risks of going under a general anesthetic are greater the older we get. That said, you could find a doctor to do it, especially since hospitals make their money off of surgery, so they push their surgeons to never turn away a viable patient.

Hi all, well yesterday I exceeded the number of steps set by my vivofit, yay. I'm going to go for a walk this evening as I'm a bit behind with my steps today. We have a lovely park within walking distance of us so I need to use it more.

I went grocery shopping yesterday so I don't have any excuses for not having healthy low cal food to hand. I planned today's meals last night so that I know what I'm going to have to eat which is working so far.

I'm enjoying reading everyone's posts.

Lisa, lovely photos of your grandbaby.

Kibbly from the Midlands, England.

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

Good Morning Ladies,

DrKatie, are there limited places for DS to look at in his price range? That can sometimes make it much more difficult to find a place with the right location, price and amenities. Good luck to him.

Michele, I am definitely waiting for the bugs to get worked out on Windows 10, if I ever get it. I don’t worry so much about the Window updates being automatic because it’s not like I know exactly what any of them are for anyway. And ewwwww on carpet in a locker room. I’d have to wear my flip flops in there all the time and I’m not really a germaphobe.(?)

Joyce, that was so good of you to put out messages about your Mom’s condition when she was so ill. People want to know and like you say, it can be so many phone calls. There is a great site called Caring bridge that is made for communicating with friends about the patients’ condition. I’ve had 3 different friends use it and we could all leave messages there. Yes, I do know about the commercials in Wheel of Fortune! OMG. But think of this: you not only got the exercise from the walking you did, but the getting up and down probably burned as many calories as the walks. Good for you!! You enjoy your singing at church. I’m sure you do.

Janetr, you are lucky with the amount of weight you have lost that you don’t have a fold of skin at your tummy. I’ve only lost 59 lbs and I do. It’s not huge and no moisture or odor problem but it is just a clump of skin that shouldn’t be there. I keep thinking, if your body will absorb all that skin after having a baby, why won’t it absorb at least a little of it now??? I guess that’s wishful thinking.

JanetM, you are making great progress!!! I have a couple of M size tops but most of them are still too tight for my liking. The thing is, we know it will come. It might be slow, but we will get there. A year ago, I never even considered being able to wear a Medium again in my life.

Heather, I’m so proud of you for going two whole days without cheese. Isn’t it terrible that something like that is so high in calories. You have a wonderful time lunching with your friend. Congrats on the weight.

Lisa, you really are making progress when you can see the attitude difference in the employees. Even an apology from the problem child. Woo hoo. No matter how much you love your family, two weeks is a long visit. I know you will be glad to have your house back to the two of you. Great pictures!!

Mame, you are right that we can always find a reason to look presentable. Beach, party, old friends, etc. The bottom line is we need to always look good for ourselves. It’s just nice to look in the mirror and not see some fat lady staring back at me. There is no pressure here to post anything. Just share when you feel like it. We’re always here for you.

RobinHager, I believe you are new with us so Welcome. You will find this a great place for support and information. Please tell us a bit about yourself to help us get to know you. We also ask that you end each post with a name that you want us to call you and a location, general or specific.

MaryAnn, welcome to you as well. As with Robin, please tell us about yourself. I hope you both come often and share when you feel like it.

Toni, I love your cartoon! That is fer sure true for me. And you hit the nail on the head. I think planning is the key to a successful day of healthy eating, weather we are at home or out and about. Weather you set goals for the month or for just tomorrow, once you meet those, you can always set new ones.

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.

Wow wee, I have slept well for three nights in a row. That is with no pain meds and no sleeping pills. Gosh that makes such a difference in the next day. I am getting almost as excited to see my weight go under 170 as I did to see it get under 200. I’m so close, I feel it will happen this month. When I was at the craft fair the other day, I was trying on some scarfs in front of their mirror. I looked so thin that I said, is this mirror for sale? It makes me look skinny. She laughed and said, it’s not a trick mirror, that is just how you look. Well, yes, that did make me feel good! You ladies in your 50’s need to be very proud of yourselves for starting this journey when you did. Unfortunately waiting until late 60’s has it’s disadvantages. Just lots of wrinkles and skin conditions that are better resolved when you are younger. The bottom line is that it is wonderful for all of us at any age. I feel so much better than I have in many years and even though I’ve worked hard, I have to give all of you much of the credit. Your support is so important to me and I can’t thank you enough!! You are all the bomb!!
I hope each of you has a happy and healthy day.

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.
I Love you,
DJ
Myrtle Beach, SC

I would love to join you if possible!
Do I need to send a message to someone to join?
Thanks