WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2016

We opened the family pool today. All eleven grandkids plus an extra filled it for hours of screams and fun. It started to rain and they stayed in the pool during the rain (no lightening or thunder). They figured they were already wet they might as well stay that way. lol

We thought our family had escaped any flooding but one daughter and son-in-law spent today tearing out sheetrock and carpet from their son's room. They didn't know they had gotten water in the house until a very strong smell of mildew took over. It seeped in from their back yard. Not enough to cause any standing water but soaked everything four feet from the wall. They didn't notice because their son's bed is against the wall and covered it. Not fun for them but with a little help they got it all cleared out and they are drying it out. Next weekend they will be putting up new walls and getting it fixed up. They dug a trench around the back of their house to prevent any more problems like that. They will end up putting in a french drain to solve it permanently.

Caught myself eating fruit leather like candy this afternoon. I hate having a sweet tooth. At least it was fruit and not sugar but still it had a ton of calories.

Emptied out my kiln. I had three shelves that turned out lovely and one shelf just didn't do well at all. I'll be refiring some of the pottery. Some aren't worth saving.

Did 45 minutes of Prevention's Strong Slim and Firm DVD. The plan for tomorrow is to do another segment of Hot Body Boot Camp DVD, hold my pank, then do a Lower Body and Total Body DVD

Joyce - there isn't any roadside stand around here to get a lighthouse, unfortunately. Maybe I'll have to make a trip. Wonder how much it would cost for you to send one? How heavy would you say it is? What would be the dimensions of a box for it to be in? How expensive is it? Having a gnome might be nice to have by the pool. Something maybe it could be painted to look like he's looking over the pool and the swimmers. I know they make some that I can paint, I'll just have to look in the catalogues. We just think a large lighthouse right by the waterslide would look cool. And the light on top would help illuminate the steps on the slide. I do the same thing, I refill any meds for me as soon as I use up the current bottle. Vince waits until the last minute. I wonder if Bryan's wife isn't interested in getting to know us?????

Alison - feel better fast. I know if I have a whole carrot and don't chew it sufficiently before swallowing, I get a feeling like I'm about to throw up. Then it goes away. That happened to me yesterday. I just didn't say anything to Vince who had already come into the house because I knew that the sensation would go away and he'd just get all worried for nothing.

Lenora - I was not happy at all to read about the holly bush, that digging it up was a real pain. That's the bush that they put at the edge of our house and the one that if Vince needs to use a ladder to trim again this year, I'm really going to want to get rid of. It just worries me him on a ladder (on a slope) with a hedge trimmer. I found a plant (don't know the name of it) that someone as you come into our development has on their property. It was blooming the first day of spring. Guess I'll find out if that plant stays green all winter. That's another bush the previous owner had put in. I swear, they hired a landscaper who put in the absolute cheapest bushes just so that the house looked nice to sell. The holly bushes are pretty tall, wish they'd put in something not as mature. But they wanted to get the house looking nice to sell. The owner was a real estate agent so she probably thought this is something that prospective buyers would want. Not really, at least not me. We do have some bushes on the side by our garage. I have no idea what they are. I wonder if cutting them back would help them grow more "bushy"? Then again, if we cut them back too much and they don't regrow, I know Vince is going to be really upset. Right now he is so p***** at the work this landscaper did and how we have to fix his screwups. I didn't even mention that there were weed seeds in the straw that he put down so now we not only have grass but weeds also in them. We did put down weed & feed, hope that will kill them off. I'll ask my friend who is a master gardener if she know what the plant with the flowers on it is. I just found out that we're in zone 7. Goes to show you how much I know about plants!!! I'm a religious gardener -- God will take care of it. I really like the feel of the resistence of the water on my body when I take the water aerobics class. At home, to me, it's just so very relaxing to float in the pool and have the sound of the waterfall in the background. I sent in my order for the Lamictal to the insurance pharmacy. Of course, they couldn't fill it then but they said they'd fill it as soon as they can. I just wanted to send it in before I forgot

Miriam - we really don't want two rows of shrubs because Vince does A LOT of halloween and Christmas decorating. We need room to put the stakes in the gound. there isn't that much room between the garage and the sidewalk as it is, so it's just one row of bushes so there is room for the eyeballs (h), skull and hands (h), snowflakes (c) and whatever else we might decide to put there, maybe candy canes, the arches over the sidewalk need to be staked. To me, the Carolina Moonlight, Snow Muffin or Emerald Snow in the Loropetalum family look so pretty. I saw this one Loropetalum plant and it has flowers on it but it remains a bush in the wintertime. The only thing is -- I don't know if the nursery that my friend uses carries them. I looked at a picture of the boxwood on the internet and didn't even think there were any flowers. They must have been REAL small.

Tomorrow will be the last day that I count the donations at the church. I only did it for the month of April. Next month I'll go back to the extremepump class.

Oh, I did find the cable for my bike if I need it to go to the Food Lion, I have a combination lock, but I can't remember the combination. I could have sworn I had it written down somewhere but over time the adhesive on the tape probably dried out and it fell away. But I know that we have a key lock that we used on the UHaul when we went down to FL so I can use that. Just have to put more air in the tires of my bike.

Finished the third beaded banner last night. Now for the fourth and last one!

Lisa - has it been a year already???? Boy, time flies I'm so glad you're here

kimses - I like how you mix up the cardio with the weight training. Just don't do that same cardio all the time. Or the same weight training. Mix it up, that keeps your body guessing. It's always so interesting when someone says "I'm on a plateau". Makes you wonder -- do they do the same exercise over and over? If you do, eventually your body gets used to it and you burn fewer calories.

Anne - we used that stuff where you drill a hole and it eventually wears away the stump. the key word is "eventually". We didn't have very good luck at all with it and never used it again.

Welcome everyone new! Be sure to come right back

I feel badly asking Vince to always take me to the store, but we really need more vegetables. I know he doesn't care, but I'm running out. Put down a bit more grass seed in the backyard, First went to Lowe's Hardware to get some straw.

DJ - happy happy birthday! Hope you have a great day (what's left of it). You know, the hardest thing I find about this lifestyle change is when you go out to eat or even to someone else's house. Everything seems to be covered with sauces, deep fried. It's hard to get just plain veges. and when you do, it really isn't very much at all. Yet, there is all this talk about how much obesity there is. Well...look at what's being served. I still say that the price of things should be related to how many calories they contain. The higher the calorie count...the higher the price. You can bet people who are looking to save money (they are usually the overweight people) will choose the healthier options.

Becca - Vince used to laugh at me because when we'd get a new neighbor, I'd always bring over some cookies or muffins. Really, in this neighborhood I only do that for the people who are like across the street or up the street, not for the entire neighborhood. It's interesting, a lot of the homes around here were built with a front porch but you never see anyone sitting out on the porch.

I still wonder why ceramics "shiver" in the kiln and what I can do to avoid that happening.

Michele in NC

Hi gals,
Barbie – sorting pictures is a hard job! Good for you to start on it.

Michele – check on the plants to see how they do in zone 7… it will help you be sure that you are happy with them. I am glad the skype sessions are going so much better….and that you are feeling more connected to Bryan. I googled the Loropetalum and the 3 you picked are probably good choices, but be really sure to get specifically those and most of the pink and purple ones get 8-15 feet tall….


Kimses – I read that Tangerines… and though how odd that she has never had a tangerine… then opened the link… LOL - I have not done this either, but it sounds good.

Heather – great pic!

Annie – I agree with CJ that of those 2 choices grinding is best, but I had a tree die in my yard and I got the tree guy to cut the stump low but very flat,- used a level – and I put a pot on it and plant it with different things….

Becca – great story and I loved your comment about neighbors, it’s funny as I do the bring stuff to others and mostly know my neighbors and they return the sharing; but I have one neighbor Diane, that I get along with fine, but she is often complaining about the others and she thinks they should start the communications, she’ll never start the conversation, someone else has to do it and if they don’t then the must be a. mean or b. not like her…. Drives me a bit nutty…

DJ – happy b-day

So today was a garden club member garden tour, 5 members open their gardens and we get to see them… the smallest one was a gal who lives in an apt and has 6 plots that are 3”x6” at a community garden, she had done some amazing things, the largest one was 6 acres… All were low water use, and while very different they were all really nice. I’ll be watering the veggies at the 6 acre garden in the month of May as the owners are going to Europe for a month – 2 weeks in Scandinavia, 1 week in Normandy, 1 week in paris. They should have fun! And I will enjoy taking care of the yard…

Someone asked me if the gardening job would be enough financially and I forgot to note who asked, if I get paid similar to the gal who has it now and keep the embroidery business going (which of course is getting busy again) it should be perfect, I will really like having a set amount coming in each month, that is the hardest thing now, is I never know what will come in at any moment, it is very hard to budget. I’ve been living under the federal poverty line for 6 years now and this would get me closer to just poor, not so far under, so that would be a big relief.

smiles Kim in N. California

CJ - The cruise is to the Arctic Circle. In June. Mexico is next January. I am very excited about both!

Love Heather UK

Morning ladies~
slept 8 1/2 hrs..
D.J.~ Happy Birthday sweet friend hope it was a a special day... woke up at 3:30 when Tom left for work..
the birds are already singing at 4:30..I dont have to be to work until 12:30 so might go up to my dads and try and get some paint off the floor in grandaughter's room

Welcome! Ldw99, sounds like you are on your way. Come often, sign posts with name you would like to be called. I am from westchester ny, there are a few ladies on here from buffalo and rochester and lots of military families. Pretty soon, Barbie will start a thread for may(1! is right around the corner) Make sure to bookmark so you can find us again.
Having another busy work week and am planning to succeed not failing to plan. Went to grocery stores to get produce and time for me to switch to favorite salads for lunch instead of soup...i think i am in a rut and that is why i went off the rails so much the past 3 days..that or i am trying to sabotage myself??...hmmm that sounds like me!!!
Karen from ny

DJ - hope it was an amazing birthday!

ljdw99 - glad you're here, let us know what you'd like to be called, and where you are...

Carol in NC - hope you're feeling better today.

Michele in NC - thank you! I'm glad to be here, too.

For whoever it was that said I probably never left the state of Texas in my 2,000 mile trek over the last two weeks, you are SO right. Never even got really close to the borders, about 80 miles from it on both East and West. From the ranch to McKinney to Princeton to Cushing and Garrison, back to McKinney, back to the ranch, then to Fort Stockton, Fort Davis, Alpine and back to Stockton to drop off my writing group, back to the ranch. Sounds easy, doesn't it! Not in Texas. My ex- was really dismayed the first time we went home to visit my mother in East Texas and were driving to Las Vegas afterward, and found out we would be driving for eight hours the first day and still not get across a state line.

Sylvia convinced us all that it would be a good idea to introduce ourselves back in January and help the newbies feel at home... Probably a good idea since so many are here, so here's mine. It's funny how my definitions of myself have changed in these four months:

I'm Lisa from West Texas.

I'm 56, in my second and final marriage, to the love of my life, who's nine years younger and past amazing. I'm also a writer, have two books published on Amazon (search for Lisa C Hannon there). One's a murder mystery, one a collection of my op/ed columns, which I still write for the local paper. Am also writing the sequel to the mystery. I'm not the only writer in the group, but I'll let them introduce themselves.

My husband and I bought a warehouse last year, which I'm in the process of rehabbing, with some help from him on the weekends. We live on a ranch in the back of beyond, 45 minutes from the nearest grocery store, where he's the mechanic and facility manager. I'm in the midst of shifting the warehouse over to a flea/farm/crafter's market, and this week, I hope to go (with my husband this time) to get another trailer load of goods to sell from my sis. She owns a hauling business with her husband, as in hauling stuff away people no longer need or want in the Dallas area. They're also going to loan us a trailer to transport things back with us this time, as they don't have a place to store it--that will help tremendously.

Weight history: I put on a fat suit to hide from my abusive father, and then from a neglectful husband. I was 44 when my father died in December, 2004, and I finally felt safe walking the earth. (All that is hindsight, please note.) I weighed 303 pounds in 2005, had gastric bypass in September and lost down to 137 pounds in a couple years. The weight loss was the last straw that broke my first marriage. Merely losing the weight didn't teach me much. However, it took me nearly ten years to gain a significant portion back, and found myself weighing 210 pounds by March 2015.

Between April 1 and the end of October, with enormous support from these amazing women, I lost down to 167, then gained quite a bit back over the winter. I'm still 29 pounds lighter than I was this time last year, which makes me happy. I was completely and utterly focused on the numbers when I got here, and even remember Heather saying that she thought I was pressuring myself a bit too much. She was right. My current goal is simply to establish habits I can carry throughout the rest of my life of making good choices, food-wise, at least, and be lighter at the end of each month than I was at the beginning. I'm at 181 this morning, but try not to think of it in terms of the number of pounds to lose anymore, which has been enormously helpful in getting my head in a good place. I don't know where I'll settle in the end, but I'm happy to be on the journey.

Cheers all!
Lisa

Reintroduction of myself - I just turned 65 in March; married to DH for 43 years, 2 sons (one lives next door; the other in Vidalia, LA) 2 DDnLs, and 4 DGDs (one was inherited when DYS married his wife). I'm an artist; love painting and drawing (oils, pastels, graphite and colored pencils). Favorite subject is portraits. DGD#4 wants me to paint a 'pink' sunflower for her (even though she knows they are yellow) because she wants one that will match or go with her bedroom. I need to start on it soon, so it will be dry enough to touch that it won't get messed up in transit (when we go out there in late August). Ages of granddaughters are 20, 15, 10, and 9. DH is self-employed as a paint contractor, DOS works with him, as does his brother. He wants to 'retire'; but, does not feel like he can until DOS finds some other means of income. I'm a Christian, live in SW GA (USA); only other place we've lived was Jacksonville, FL (out-of-state). We've lived in Atlanta, Albany, Macon, back to Albany, and now in Dawson (small town about 25 - 30 miles away from Albany. We live 'out in the country' and 'if' I had known how much I would have 'loved' it might have moved out here sooner; but, working as the Secretary of the Federal Magistrate before I became 'disabled'. It took me about 3 years to get 'over' not being able to work. Had a wonderful boss who made working a lot of fun. We almost got transferred to Savannah; but, went to Jacksonville instead. Have one dog ("Cracker") who is so spoiled stinky rotten by me (and DH); she is so funny and 'if' she could talk, no telling what would come rolling out of her mouth. Cat ("Tux") - black and white big cat about 20lbs+, outside and doesn't like it much that dog is an inside puppy (not quite a dog) First birthday will be June 16th; she is a Jack Rat (mixed) terrier. Legs of Rat Terrier; sweet face of a Jack Russell Terrier. "Cracker" is now whining because DH has gone 'outside'; but, she'd do the same if I was the one who had gone outside. I love to type because it is calming to me. I journal almost everyday. Now weigh 159lbs which means that I am now about 10lbs away from my 'set' goal; might lose a little more; depending on when I get to that magical number of BMI that will put me into a 'normal' weight. Lost, so far, 40lbs. Walk for exercise; and, when the pool is opened, will do most of my walking in it. Love to read - mostly murder mysteries. Latest project is my glassed-in porch. Seems like it is pretty elusive. Did get some much needed electrical work done. Waiting for DH to buy and hang an outside door; and insulate and hang bead board or dry wall. Have the furniture; and, when finished will have a place to put my 'flamingo collection' of more than 70 flamingos, no 2 are alike). Love my plants; need to work in my flower bed to get it weeded; and, probably move a few things around in it. Waiting for my irises to bloom; hopefully, my daylilies will also bloom this year. They were not very good at doing so last year. I have bipolar disorder; but, it does NOT define who I am. I love this site and everybody on it. MFP has been great for me in my losing weight because it keeps me accountable. Screen names: GRITS and SLUTS are acronyms for Girls Raised In The South; and Southern Ladies Under Tremendous Stress. I'm also one of the WINOS on this site: Women In Need Of Support.

Lenora

One last note...I was on YouTube looking at Yoga videos and one for Naked Yoga popped up. Of course, I had to take a look and the woman had the most incredible body. And then I started laughing thinking about actually doing that and what it would look like (plus I think it would feel a little strange). Don't see a lot of naked yoga videos of 58 year olds out there. Someone turn the lights out please.

Yes, Barbie is right on about forgiving. I forgave my mom for her neglect and selfishness, but would not let her back in my life because those issues were causing my children pain. Forgiving, means that you let go of the pain and anger you feel towards someone who has harmed you. Holding on to those emotions only hurts yourself, not the person you feel them towards. I find it easiest to forgive when I can figure out what it is in someone's makeup that made them act in that way. I guess that is why I went into behavioral sciences... trying to figure people out. Most often I have found that people that act badly were mistreated as children. A lot of people that DON"T act badly were mistreated as well. But some kids are more resilient. So I often will imagine them as children to help me to forgive them.

Barbie ~ Your advise to Joyce is very good. I have been reading (devotionals) about forgiveness and also linked back to last week's discussion on anger. In thinking about this, I have tried to visualize exactly what anger is and is not. And, what exactly is forgiveness. It's very hard to let go of the feelings of hurt, frustration, loss of hope, etc.

DJ ~ Hope your birthday was a happy one but it sounds like you were doing a lot of work on your special day. Enjoy dinner out with your DH.

Lisa ~ I look forward to reading your next mystery book. I read the first and enjoyed it.

Cherie ~ Good luck to your DH on getting the job he is seeking.

Kim ~ A steady income will make your life so much less stressful. Hope it works out.

Went to GS's baseball game yesterday (6 yr old) and enjoyed visiting with DnL, her mother, and GD (4 yr old).

Carol

ljdw99: Welcome to a great group! :flowerforyou:

Kimses: Naked Yoga is not on my personal bucket list. Oh my. :noway:



We've had friends visiting the past few days and they will be leaving for home today. We plan to serve breakfast and wish them well. I'll be skipping Yoga this morning. Not my favorite teacher and we get to see these friends only a couple of times a year. I'm planning to go into Portland asap and exchange my new foul weather jacket for a different color. I was persuaded by DH and a clerk to try something new, but the color I crave is calling me and I'm taking the new color back to exchange.

One of our most annoying neighbors has moved!!!!! I hope we like the new people who bought his place. The other really annoying neighbor is also moving, but I'm not sure when they'll be out. They have rented a duplex in a neighboring town, but are in no rush to move. Perhaps that is unfair. They have a LOT of stuff and it has to go somewhere to be stored. It won't fit into the new place they've rented. They have not been good neighbors. They won't follow the Homeowner Association rules, have too many cats, put food out that attracts raccoons, and the list goes on. I hope the new people in both places will be more pleasant & cooperative.

Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

Tibetan proverb: "The secret to living well and long is: Eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure..."

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison

oh lololol
I unlike the bulk of everyone here, I know people by their profile name, I don't get people's first name at all...

Sylvia - Hope you are soon feeling better. :flowerforyou:

Marcelyn - I suppose an electric fence is out of the question with the grandchildren? Or a big wire cage?

Did a big shop with DH this pm. Going to order some kroner from their exchange counter.
DH has written his email and sent it. I checked it over.
Then we sat down and looked at this big broadband invoice. I looked up download mgb and gb on Google and we can only assume that the Sky sport he has occasionally watched is coming in on HD, which is 4gb an hour !!!!!!!!! He has been on the phone to BT and changed over to Unlimited use and it seems to be cheaper than our old, limited allowance. (Scratch head) We don't understand, but at least that's one less thing to get hot under the collar about. So two things down.

My lavatory isn't flushing properly, :sad: which could be limescale or the valve. DH will have to sort it, or I will call in a man. He has ordered some descaler.

I'm not feeling 100% , so I've probably got DH's bug he had last week which didn't help with his crankiness. :ohwell:

Bought a house plant to take round to my yoga friend who has has the carcinoma removed from her leg. She can't do much for a while, including yoga. Might go over tomorrow.

Love Heather UK