WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2105

I lost a couple more pounds, which puts my total loss at 24. Still a long way from getting to onederland. Oh well.
Congrats to Linda for getting there, and for all the other losers here!
Hugs for everyone. I am so impressed with this group of women. Lots of struggles, but lots of people coping well with our struggles, even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

I guess one of the benefits of having been a neglected kid is that I was never subjected to home perms. I have super straight, ultra fine hair but lots of it. My mom always kept it really short since she couldn't be bothered taking care of it. As soon as I was able to take care of it on my own, I let it grow out and have worn it very long most of my adult life. A couple of times I have cut it off, trying to look older or more professional, or lately not look like an aging hippy but I always seem to let it grow again. I hate getting haircuts, and when it is short you have to go in a lot. I am a very low maintenance woman. Got a mani and pedi for the first time in my life last year. I guess it is all residual comfort levels from being neglected- I just feel funny having people do things to me or being fussed over.

I have been ultra busy the last two days since school started, cleaning up and repairing the apartment I hope my son ends up in, for his elderly future landlord. It was disgustingly dirty and damaged from the spousal abuse that was occurring with the last tenants. The landlord will pay me for my time, so if something falls through and my son doesn't end up there, it won't be a total loss. But since my son has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and I have traits, it will be spotless when we are done. I also had Physical Therapy today so I am very tired and should sleep well.

Love to you all!

i made my goal!! 2 awesome friends donated twice!

Annr wrote: »

Thanks folks for all your support! I am blessed with you all... Tomorrow I am giving blood at the library...shhhh :-) I will pick the loudest snack to snack on...just because..

my kind of woman!!

mparker1216 wrote: »

What occupation do you all have?

Maryann - I am a technical relationship manager for a bank which sounds fancier than it is. I support our International offices in Canada and Latin America for anything they need that is technology related - phone systems, network, laptops, etc. But I don't actually do the work, I just have to know who to call to get things done. My daughters like to joke that my job only involves talking on the phone and telling other people what to do. But you are right about sitting. Since joining MFP I have learned to stand up and walk around every so often.

Linda /IA

Glowworming - take care with the challenges for your son. Congrats on releasing 2 more lbs.

Joyce – I love your posts, they seem just like you are chatting with us.

Mparker – I am a business owner, I own 3 small business, I have a gardening service, teach cooking classes, and the main one is a machine embroidery business (www.facebook.com/LivingGourmetDublin)

Heather – Grandma x3!!! Exciting!

There are some great choices at Red Robin, and I do love the web page, but sometimes the burger is what I have to have; so it is great that I have a friend that will spilt with me.

It is fun to read about folks current or past jobs, thanks for asking us all Maryann.

August Goals:
Walk everyday –try to hit 180 miles, august 25 145 miles so far
1 plank every day and log here – goal more then 19
Log everyday –
Eat mindfully-
Weekly fun things –
W1 – Visiting with niece Emily - a trip to SF
W2 – BFF came for 2 days and a dinner party
W3 – went to a banjo band concert – a first for me
W4 – Dinner out with friends, hiked with my hiking group
Kim from N. California

Joyce - You and Charlie are in my prayers. We'll be thinking of you.

Mindy- I'm so glad you got up the energy to post. I'm reminded of Heather's mantra "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good" or something like that... You posted yay! You walked one dog... yay! Is that better than yesterday? (I think so) yay! Get rid of the "coulda, woulda, shoulda " thinking and life will be much nicer (says me speaking from experience). We're happy to hear from you and are here for support and encouragement. Come back often and don't feel obligated to respond to everyone. Be kind to you

Heather - congrats on the new grandbaby!

Carey in Edmonton

jmkmomm wrote: »

Am not going to be bale to read anything tonight. Charlie has had 2 episodes of TIA today. We have been in the ER all evening and they Re admitting him for observation. MRI in the AM. They don't know if this is related to Parkinson's or a true TIA also known as mini strokes. All the thoughts and prayers you can send will be gladly taken and appreciated. Love you guys.

Joyce, Indiana

We will be praying for Charlie and you! Keep us updated.

Mary from Minnesota

I am a retired paralegal. I used to work for the WA State Attorney General and retired about 4 years ago. Financially it sucks but it has given me the freedom to volunteer as a reading tutor to the little ones at the boys school. I have always loved to read and hope that my work with these kids will help them throughout their lives. It's so wonderful to see them progress - especially the ones with special challenges. I feel so bad for the kids whose parents do not work with them - I want to go to each of their homes and help them.

Made it through page 65. Miss one day and there are just so many posts. Will try to catch up over next few days.

Heather - I'm glad that you are back to yourself. The photo of you and your brother is great. You have such a warm and wonderful smile.

Barbie- Looks like you all had fun. I wouldn't have the courage to get up in front of a crowd.
Oh my, your were such a little cutie.

Carol - Hugs and more hugs.

Terri - I'm thankful you have fond memories. Musical talent is such a gift and something you will enjoy all your life. Your Grandma is a wonderful role model.
Never had to iron my hair like a lot of my friends because my hair has always been straighter than a stick.

Katla - I am going to the rodeo. I would prefer company but I always feel safe with rodeo people. There's a very good chance that I will know some of them. DS will go with me if he finishes work early enough. He loves rodeo as he was a bull rider for a short time.

Becca- It's good that your cholestrol is going in the right direction. Congrats on the 2.5 lbs being gone. I am sure that your piano playing was appreciated by all.

Mary- Happy Anniversary! Hang out the Do Not Disturb sign and we will leave you lovebirds alone.

DJ- I laughed when I saw your icon. A sense of humour is probably helpful in getting more. I think maybe Mary is the one getting SOME!

I can't really relate to the perm stories. Mom and Dad were against using anything like that on us girls. My hair was set on the pink foam rollers, the big wire rollers with the brush inside, pin curled with bobby pins. Nothing worked for my hair. Mom used to make a braid up the back of my head into the crown. Ouch. She made it as tight as she could. I blame the do for my early headaches.

Looking forward to the rodeo. Maybe my brother will stick his ride. I can't believe he is riding broncs again at this age. I tell him help the young ones but stay off. He doesn't listen. It runs in the family . lol I will also get a chance to watch his nephews in their events.

Work is a shambles. Morale is in the toilet. Waiting for boss to get back from meetings in Toronto. Some issues that need to be resolved so good thing we are having an all managers meeting tomorrow. I'd just like to be done now. Please and Thank You.

Went for a pedicure. Amazing. Love the foot bath. Love the massage. The people working there get quite a kick out of how ticklish both DD and I are. I almost go through the roof when they use the pumice stone. DGD went with us because she love it. She was not as good as usual and as suspected she fell asleep immediately after.

More asthma attacks for me. Had 2 people call in sick because of smoke. Haven't gone for a walk in days. Missing that. I need to not whine though because it is so much worse for so many people. My friends in Peachland haven't been evacuated but they have bags packed and by the door. They are having problems with boaters not getting out of the way when the water bombers are ready to fill in Lake Okanogan. People are silly.

-Sharon in Smoky Southern Alberta.

Heather - About TRUE NORTH, Travels in Arctic Europe: I don't know the book but checked it out on Amazon. It looks like a good read. My dear former boss used to do that, too, read up on places he was going to visit. Sometimes he would read travel literature, but sometimes a novel set in the city or country he was going to, preferably by a native writer – a good one.
Later: Congrats on the grandchild to be!

DJ wrote: Penny, logging has always been the easiest part for me but I can’t imagine any of this if I were still working. Pretend this is a Niki commercial and “Just Do It”. I like the way you sign your name now.

DJ, one factor in my struggle was that the food databases wouldn't load on my cell phone. Every time I wanted to log something I had to go to my computer, which is upstairs. Okay, okay, the extra exercise would be beneficial, but I simply couldn't bring myself to do it while cooking. Anyway, I uninstalled and reinstalled the MFP app and everything is working again now. I'm back on board!

Mary in MN wrote: Hello Ladies! For our 5th Anniversary (wood) My DH woke me up with a card, wooden tongs and diamond earrings to replace the one That fell out of my ear last month. I gave him an antique coke pitcher and 6 glasses and tonight I have a wooden leaf hanging on a gold belt Adam and Eve style I will leave the rest to your imagination...
Mary - I'm imagining I hope you both had a good time! I noticed from some pics you uploaded earlier that someone in your family collected Coke memorabilia. Congratulations on scoring some more as an anniversary gift!

Maryann – Welcome and thanks for asking what we do! I've been with the group for a while but had no idea what some of my MFP sistahs do/did for a living. I'm a freelance editor, mainly of scientific articles, particularly in biomedicine and environmental research. I also teach scientific writing.

Margaret – I've got you and your son in my thoughts.

I've never had a perm. I'm a bit too young to have been compared with Shirley Temple, and my mother has always been too sensible to try to turn me into anything I'm not. Still, I didn't escape hair issues. I had straight lanky hair all through grade school, right up until Twiggy made straight and lanky fashionable. Then I hit puberty and my hair went wavy and has stayed that way ever since.

Congrats Poop on meeting your donation goal! I hope everyone pays up without a fuss... I always found that the worst part of doing charity runs/walks.

Oh Joyce, I feel for you and Charlie with the TIAs. I had a little stroke a few years ago (not a TIA, a full stroke) but feel I have recovered fully. I hope Charlie does equally well.

When I stepped onto the scales this morning I saw the lowest number I've seen for years. In fact the lowest number since I started keeping track in September of 2008! That's a non-NSV, for what it's worth. (I guess that makes it a Scale Victory!) Then I went out and jogged around town, 7 km. That gave another bright spot to my day because my average speed was the fastest I've seen since I started using a GPS watch back in early 2013.

On the down side, I learned yesterday that my mother has had to move back to assisted living. Her pain levels were just too high for her and my father to cope with. It's her 91st birthday today. I'll try to call later on when it's day on the US East Coast.

I've having my quartet over for dinner tonight. Our alto is allergic to nuts, apples and "all spices that start with a K in Norwegian" (cinnamon, coriander, curry, cardemom, chili, cumin, allspice). Sounds crazy, but it happens to be true. I'm serving eggplant parmigiana with homemade pesto based on sunflower seeds rather than walnuts or pine nuts. My famous sourdough bread to go with it. Yum!

August goals:
1. Maintain my pound-a-day veggie habit
2. Get back to consistent logging starting 11 August, when I return to the High North and resume my ordinary life.
3. Maximum ½ bottle of wine one day per week (again starting from 11 August).
4. Jog a total of 100 km.
5. Strength train at least twice a week.

Penny at the

Sounds as though things are getting down to brass tacks now. I'm thinking of you Allison!

Joyce - thinking about you and Charlie. TIAs are so scary... please let us know how you both are when you can.

Allie - thinking about you in general. Stay strong - you deserve being taken care of, and I'm glad you're asking for what you deserve. I came out of my first marriage with 60 percent of our debt, and didn't even threaten to take half his Air Force retirement, and probably should have. I just wanted out so badly that I tanked myself financially for years. Hope you end up doing that better than I did.

Mindy from Boston - don't pressure yourself. Respond as and when you can to who you can--it's a support group, not an added pressure group... I have never felt judged or found wanting in this place...it's one of the big reasons I keep coming back. This amazing group of women provides a soft place to land for many who just need one place in their lives to feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves. That said, if you need a kick in the *kitten* to get yourself moving, all you need do is ask. They'll do that too!

Carol in NC - hope you know how truly strong you are. You've done much better than I would have coming out of that surgery! I'm putting off knee replacements for five more years mostly because I'm a big wienie.

===========

As for us - back in Texas last night finally. After all that's going on in the above comments, I hate to be crabby, but learned long ago that pain is not comparative... So on to the rant.

The first flight out of Great Falls, Montana was right on time, got to Denver a few minutes early... rainstorm in Denver delays loading the flight to Midland, Texas, as there was lightning, and they won't push the metal ramps around for baggage loading in lightning. No sweat. Happens... just a little cloudburst.

Get boarded a little late, not too bad... push back from the gate... and then sit there. And sit there some more. The captain finally announces that one of the fuel computers isn't working, so they're going to take the plane dark and reset it to see if they can goose it into acting right. Took another 15 minutes to do that and get the results that were... it still wasn't working. So they call a mechanic. Another half hour to get the mechanic there, about 15 minutes to fix it. The mechanic finds that one of their wing lights isn't working while he's there... that's another 15-minute fix. Finally get in the air an hour and a half late. Seriously regretting not eating in Denver. Touch down in Midland after ten pm, starving. No jet bridge... clamber down steep stairs to the tarmac, then up steep stairs into the terminal... and can't get out of the upper terminal... they've literally got us locked in. They finally find some guy with a radio and a badge and a key to let us out. Yay!

Wait at the baggage claim... and our clothing bag is the last one out. Then no more. Toiletries, pills and computer cords in the other bag are... still in Denver, as we find out after another wait. I could deal with that a lot better if I hadn't paid $25 per bag to get them back to Texas. So, we get to our car about 11 p.m., cranky, hungry and exhausted. Checked in at the hotel that I had foresight enough to reserve before we ever left Montana... and then off to Walmart, the only store open 24 hours, to get some food we can shove in the microwave, as all the restaurants are closed.

And... just to add insult to injury, at 12:09 a.m., I remember to add my food to MFP, and realize I never logged anything on Thursday, so I broke my 120+day streak. For whatever reason, that was just the final straw in hours of crappy crappiness.

Rant completed.

Now for the rest of the story... get up this morning at my usual 4 a.m. (what IS up with that? I feel like such a freak sometimes) and log on to tell my crabby little story... and find that my streak continues. Because I logged on to check on y'all BEFORE midnight last night, it kept my log-in streak, even though it was the first day I haven't posted calories.

And, our toiletries bag is due in on the 10:30 a.m. flight from Denver this morning... so we can do all our pantry and other shopping beforehand, snag the bag and head for home. And, my DH being the guy that he is, he can even sleep through my rattling on my laptop. And, my laptop was fully charged, so I didn't even need the cord this morning, though I do miss my mouse.

So, mostly because I'm on my second cup of gas-station coffee, which I kinda love, my natural optimism has boomeranged back. Can't say I'm looking forward to the scale when I get home... but I can deal with it, and peel it all back off again. I haven't been THAT awful, just haven't been... observant. And that's about to change. While I was in Montana I got my hair cut to the same style that's in the picture, which always makes me happy. And lighter-feeling.

Hugs to all as needs them, and to those who may...

Lisa, back in sunny West Texas where I belong (well it will be sunny when the sun comes up). Cheers!

PS: Maryann... thanks for asking what we do! I'm a writer (two books on Amazon, do a search for "Lisa C Hannon" and I'm easy to find) and to actually make money, a consultant. I usually end up going into companies as an operations/communications consultant and being hired "permanently" as a manager of one kind or another. I'm an unusual being in the business world, as I'm actually NOT a specialist, but a generalist. Anyone who's up on LinkedIn can find me there, as well, and please feel free to do so. The middle initial is important, as there's more than one of me out there, and not so many with a "C."

Barbie~ that's what all of that is about, I got scr#wed in the last one. there are no children involved.. and yes I am trying to do what is best for me... I think it will be a real eye opener for Tom.. and he said he wanted if it comes to that,to go through without lawyers,, well we shall see if he gets pissy about my wants, then let him talk to a lawyer, it will cost him more to divorce than not..
I do not want to live in a house that we lived in,will start fresh if needed..

grandmallie wrote: »

Barbie~ that's what all of that is about, I got scr#wed in the last one. there are no children involved.. and yes I am trying to do what is best for me... I think it will be a real eye opener for Tom.. and he said he wanted if it comes to that,to go through without lawyers,, well we shall see if he gets pissy about my wants, then let him talk to a lawyer, it will cost him more to divorce than not..
I do not want to live in a house that we lived in,will start fresh if needed..

A friend of ours just went through this type of divorce. They had to put up both houses for sale. To show Tom that you are serious I suggest taking control of the situation and start talking to a realtor. There's absolutely no reason why you have to wait until he is sure what he wants to do! And you do need a lawyer! Or you will get screwed! It is quite apparent that Tom is extremely controlling and will try to get his way.

Mary from Minnesota