WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2017

Hi Ann, I don't know anyone well in this group but the women are very inviting so I guess that is a compliment to our group if that is how it looks to a new member.

Welcome to all the new people! You don't have to do anything special to join the group, just chime in! Bookmark the thread, though, so you can find it again. At the end of the month wonderful Barbie will post a new link which you will want to bookmark so you can find us on March 1st!

I am down today, tired in my body & soul due to a bunch of stuff I don't really want to whine about. I go to work in a couple of hours. Tomorrow is another day.

Lisa Sending healing thoughts to your husband.

Heather So glad you are home. That was not the easiest holiday you have ever had! Hey, at least you are skinny!

Karen in Virginia

Katie – I totally missed it. I recently ‘deactivated’ my FB account, way too much ‘drama’ and the ‘ex’ of a friend who moved to the other side of Albany, a good 50 miles, we have lost touch. I just did not like some of the things that, if you knew the situation, you’d know he was really 'dissing' her. Even though we have lost touch; I really did not want to see it in print. I tried to ‘block’ him, I ‘tried’ to ‘unfriend’ him; but, he kept showing up. Don’t know if that is because of the settings that either I or another friend of a friend have set on their account. My middle sister has not spoken to me since the election and she apparently has ‘blocked’ those who did not have her ‘political’ leanings. She has not even responded to emails - good, bad, or indifferent.

I hear about it from other sources and it is really none of my business. This site is way more encouraging and supportive and we seem to understand where everyone is in their journey.

Re – I just hope it is better and much cheaper than the AARP we have which just went up nearly $250 for us, combined a month. We need the insurance but at the price of the premiums, can’t afford that; and it will go up once more before the ‘term’ is up. Louis could live longer, as longevity runs in his family. It does for my family as well. Just want to make sure we have enough to pay off things so that the boys won’t have to have any property that is tied into each together.

Michele – I tried doing a new ‘twister board’; finally had to hold on to the door frame; it won’t twist on the carpet; and it walks off the pad. Got terribly frustrated. Went out and tried ‘hula-hooping’ also very frustrating. So total, spent 15 minutes between it. I used to be able to hold up either hoop (one is a little heavier than the other); then I could not hold one ‘up’ and the other stayed up around my boobs and it hurt. I will continue trying it daily. I guess I will either walk again or do a little bit on one of my DVDs. I am hurting today, I hope it is not a start to another UTI. I need to finish reading the book I have out from the library. I am wondering ‘how it has stayed on the best-selling list … for 26 months, longer than most others. It has one particular character; but, it seems to jump ahead almost like it is 5 or 6 different stories depending on what is happening. Doesn’t seem (to me) to have anything that connects where main character gets from one place to the other.

We have not received any 1099s from anybody. I thought they were supposed to be out by the end of January; maybe it is February. But, I have not send Louis’ 2 workers theirs yet. Got to pick up the forms. Sure hoping that BF has them at her office. Would be so much better than having to drive downtown to the IRS office.

Paula – A couple of Thanksgiving Days ago, when DYS had brought his 2 dogs here, one an old lab; the other a Mountain Feist, our DMGD saw no reason why she could not bring their Boston Bull Terrier over. Got up on the deck and he got too close to Jake who was sleeping, he jumped up and had the BBT’s neck is his mouth before we knew it. All 4 men jumped to the recuse; and DDnL#1 was holding the BBT up, so he would not be getting hung. One son was punching him, one was trying to get his mouth open, don’t know what DBnL was doing other than pushing all the furniture away. The DGDs were screaming their heads off. Our DYGD was being held by her other Nana; who held her close to her body and could not turn around to see all the commotion was about. They ran home, and Will took the dog back to them, they would not talk to him; but, he told them that 2 males dogs cannot share the same territory; and Jake had claimed our yard as his territory, and Buster crossed the line. But, he was sorry they had to witness the fight. They wondered why Shorty and Lily were not fighting. It was because every time Lily peed to mark the territory, Shorty went right behind her and peed over it.
I only weigh every other Tuesday (unless I have a MD appointment between).

Allie – What is the difference between you taking on a certain number of the small bills and pay it out of your paycheck; and, him paying the big things out of his? I'm sure he makes significantly more than you do. I would definitely sit down with him and gather up all the bills and discuss them first before signing over 2/3rds of your paycheck. The next thing you will know you will be ‘back in the same position’. That is how Louis and I do it. He pays for the mortgage, utilities, his charge cards, garbage, anything associated with the house, his business expenses (which come out of his business account), and he has been paying the AARP life insurance. Oh, and for the most part, he pays for all the groceries. I pay my car payment, student loan, car insurance, and WOW life insurance, and the 2 (maybe 3) small credit cards that are in my name only. If we get more WOW life insurance; we will stop the AARP insurance. Then, he will have to take on my car payment; because I just won’t have enough left in my check to pay both. Or, he can take the old truck (one DYS gave us), his present truck – won’t get much for it; and, my car and trade all of them to trade and buy a big truck with an extended cab. So long as they pay off my car and give him a little for each truck; then we could still travel in the truck. I would just have to make all my appointment in the AM and go to my BF’s house to stay until they could come pick me up. He said, ‘no; I’m getting the transmission redone in the truck, which is where it is now; and he doesn’t want to have an even larger truck payment. Oh, and I give DOS some money to help towards tuition for his girls, and I give DOGD a little bit to help her with gas and anything she needs. So far, it works for us.

pitegny – I’ve learned to question things about my medical needs a lot more than ever before. One thing that is nice is now have 3 of my 4 MDs that I really like and feel like they answer my questions. I’m not so sure about the Neurologist … he is strange; but, I think I liked the one I had before better; but, she moved out of town. A nice young black woman and she seemed truly interested in what was going on with me. This last visit to the Neurologist was probably the best that I have had in the past couple of years since I have been with him. One thing is for sure, I probably won’t ever agree to be treated at Phoebe without having someone staying with me most of the time. After what happened to me before I know my BF would take off time to be there for me.

Sarah – I think I have been a ‘fighter’ all my life. Had febrile seizures as a child; my mother said she never had to take my temperature, as soon as it hit 101.3°, I had them. My DYS had them as well; he even stopped breathing on us - now that is scary. Mother said that I almost died twice as a baby. I think the fact that our parents gave us a lot of ‘room’ to make mistakes and learn from them, helped a lot. Daddy always said 'if we had an issue with someone - go directly to them to try to work it out' ... if that did not happen, to go straight to the top of the ladder and let it trickle down.

Kate – I am surprised that the ‘eye MD’ says that my husband doesn’t have cataracts. His irises have changed from a brownish-green hazel to gray over the years (but, they still change color).

Heather – Always flying from west to east is always more tiring than the opposite; you get up, then you are home at a different time and you have to adjust to the time again (from Mexico back to London). I know when we come home from Will and Tami’s it seems so strange that we are more tired coming home than when we go out there. Going out we gain and hour; have no idea how many hours you lost coming home.

Hi Ann – You’ve come to a very large; but, supportive group of ladies. Jump right in and start posting. Don’t be afraid that it is so big; it doesn’t seem that way to us. Some of us are on the journey to lose weight, a few to gain, and several who stay for the encouragement and communication with friends even though they have already reached their goal. It helps them stay there. When yyou are tracking your food, it is important to keep in mind portion control. Getting a good food scale and set of cups and spoons for measuring you food. Some of us ‘eat back our exercise calories’, some of us don’t – but we know that we have a bit of a buffer if we go over. Check with you MD to find out how many calories you should be taking in, to be able to lose. I know about what it is like to take a lot of medication with the side effects of ‘weigh gain’. You just have to realize that you will have to lower it, from what is considered maintaining.

Yvonne – Louis is self-employed and we both receive SSI (I get SSD) – which these two things are not taxable; my BF who used to be an ‘agent’ with the IRS does our taxes. She finds every loophole she can to help us not have to pay a large sum.

I never thought about a ‘reward’ for reaching you weight; such as an ‘orchid’ or a ‘house plant’. I still have a glassed-in porch that has been without a door since we enclosed it. Therefore we cannot use it, although we have the furniture in there. I’m ready for it to be ‘finished’.

Lenora

Heather glad you are back home safe and sound. It definitely is a long flight.

Katla/Yvonne thanks for mentioning the "reward" system. I had just decided this morning that if I have lost 2-3 pounds tomorrow when I weigh in that I'll order the Valentine leggings that I fell in love with

I had cataract surgery, both eyes two weeks apart, almost 5 years ago and I am still loving it. I had astigmatism in both eyes, the left was worse. The surgeon told me it would cost $1,000 per eye because insurance wouldn't cover them, to have the Toric lenses inserted to correct the astigmatism but that I would love it, so I paid the difference. The Toric lenses come in graduated strengths from T1-T10, 10 being for the worst case. He to order them as he only had up to T7's available. He put a T9 in my left eye and T8 in the right and the doctor was so right, I love it. I can see better than I have since I was a teenager. I still need glasses for reading and close up.

Janetr OKC

Carol, as you know I had both knees replaced in 2015, about nine months apart. I got to the point that it was excruciating pain to walk thru the grocery store, avoided steps when at all possible and moved very little. I will not say I'm pain free but the pain is livable and I walk on the treadmill for an hour, stationary bike for 45-60 minutes, squats with the kettle bell. Definitely worth it to me and I'd for sure do it again. Everyone is different though and handle pain differently.

Good luck what ever route you decide to go.

Janetr OKC

Janet ~ Thanks! My mom, brother, and sister had the surgery so I guess it's in my future.

.

Peach1948 wrote: »

Janet ~ Thanks! My mom, brother, and sister had the surgery so I guess it's in my future.

Ask your doctor/surgeon all the questions you may have, including if you'll be pain free. Everything you can do to prepare yourself for what to expect is a big plus. I came through both surgeries with very little struggle but again we're all different and have different pain thresholds. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

Janetr OKC

.

Heather – Home and in your own bed is always a nice hotel room. While I enjoy vacations, I really sleep a lot better in my own bed.

Our exercise machines, the few we have are basically in the area between the den and dining room (sort of a foyer area, right in front of the front door, which we don’t use). Threadmill way to big to go anywhere else. Thought about putting it out on glassed-in porch; but, would not be able to get the furniture back in. Then we might not use it as much. I am trying to work at bumping up my 30 minutes to 40. So far the only way I can get in 40+ is to walk around the farm.

Sounds like us with our readers. I am supposed to wear the 2.25; but, it jumps from 2.00 to 2.50; unless I buy them at the ophthalmologist’s office. When I find them elsewhere I buy as many as I can afford. He says it is a popular strength; but, I never see them anywhere as if they are. Found 3 at K-mart.

Janetr – Love your ‘spider lilies’. Bought Valentine Day cards for Louis and the girls. I had a card that I especially bought for DOGD, and now I can’t put my hands on it. I hate it when I put something ‘up’ and ‘swear’ it will be someplace ‘obvious’ to me later on. GGrrrrr!!!

I’ve had cataract surgery on both eyes; can see far off but need readers to see anything from right in front of my face out to the length of my arm (roughly 18” – a little more). Fuzzy without glasses; and I can’t read it even if I stretch my arm out.

Carol – When I had a torn rotator cuff I got about a 50/50 split between whether I should have surgery or now; when my shoulder froze up … had no choice (if I were to continue painting and drawing). Best decision I ever made, I had changed Orthopedist because after I would not agree to immediate surgery with the first – he said I had ‘bursitis’ and would just have to ‘live with it’. Second Orthopedist did a lot more x-rays than the first. I had to spend the night in the hospital because of my BP spiking up and down. When he came in that morning I told him my shoulder did not hurt. He was surprised because when they did the laparoscopy surgery, there was a chip on the ball of bone that goes into the socket about ½ the side of a dime. No wonder it froze up. About 6 months later I had a bad seizure and tore it again. I did not have any problems with it either. I think how you do ‘is a state of mind’. I know from friends who have had knee surgery, they say to get up and start PT as soon as your MD can put you in it. But, like Janet said, people have different pain thresholds.

Katie – There are some grasses that grow under trees and others that won’t. Some are sun-tolerate and others not. I think the wide blade “Bermuda” grass you see in most places in Florida is pretty and it will grow under trees. We have “Centipede” grass, which grows and spreads by putting out runners. So when we built our home, we bought sheets of sod; and, cut it into 6” x 6” chunks and checker boarded them throughout the yard. Then we spread white sand between them. Within a year, it was totally covered; and, a lot cheaper than sodding the entire space. We probably have about 3/4th of a acre around the house.

Welcome to all the ‘newbies’ … come often, give us a little information about yourself, such as name you prefer to be called (if you have a fairly common name) putting a location (specific or general), married or not, children/grandchildren or not, hobbies, etc. Make sure you bookmark the site by clicking on the outline of a star at the upper right-hand corner of the posting area. Then when you come back click on the star between the bell and gear and a drop down screen will appear for all the threads you have bookmarked. Barbiecat will post a link on the last day of the month for the next month on the last day of the month. Make sure you also bookmark that ‘new’ page.

Lenora

Hello Cheerful Chicks!

Oy! Physical Therapy...

IF it feels like there is a 15 pound Chihuahua dangling from your butt by its teeth, then you know you are doing the clamshells correctly! Today, they strapped a weight on my thigh for them... arrrrrrgh!

Aside from the aforementioned Chihuahua, there has only been one exercise that actually HURT – like joint pain – in the first two sessions of PT. They put a strap behind my knee – hooked it to some weight – and had me do a little twist and pull number – Ay Yai Yai! Whoa, Nelly – that is why I came in here... to get away from that very pain. They said we would try it with less weight – but, I did it with NO weight at work – and WHAM – the very same pain. I guess it just keeps me from getting too cocky. No Chubby Checker for this girl for at least a little while, yet.

To stabilize the knee –they have me working on strengthening the Hips, the Thighs and the Calves. There are several of the exercises that I can replicate at my gym – and the Therapist encouraged me to do so. I am going to do whatever she tells me to do – because I can already see an improvement in my ability to straighten my damaged leg – when I put both legs out in front of me and try to lock both knees – I used to have a good 2-3 inch discrepancy in how high the left would go versus the right. Now – it’s maybe an inch or two – and that is after only two sessions and my homework.

I asked Tetyana about “The Shoes...” She says it’s too soon to worry about that – because until my knee will straighten out – so I get the full extension when I walk – she won’t be able to take accurate measurements to tell me what size lifts to use. I guess MAYBE I will get away with the goofy lifts – rather than the ugly shoes. We shall see.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Betty – I feel ya on the Arthritis... I love swimming the laps – so I really hope you and your Honey can get a grip on the fear.

Michele – Nothing wrong with a routine... if it works for you, it doesn’t have to be exciting. ((Hugs!))

PaulaY – Hope your weigh in is all you hoped it would be.

Barbie – Those exercises are specially designed to help strengthen & stretch where you need it most... You can do it!

Sherry – Hurray! Naps are fantastic and healthy for you, too. Sounds like this place might be a winner... I mean – housekeeping for neat freaks? How hard can that be? As long as you meet their exacting standards, it should all be fine.

Joyce – Projects are like that... you start out with something relatively quick and easy in mind – and suddenly you are power-washing the walls and re-painting... Hope you can sing with the choir, soon!

Meredith – I wish you the very best of luck with the migraine goal! Better yet – you can just skip those, this month, OK?

TNToni – Ah.. your work week starts when mine is winding down. Have you checked your blood sugar, today? As the wife to a diabetic – it is something I am used to nagging about... lol.

Gloria – Hope you remembered your Ibuprofen, today. ((Hugs!!))

Kate – Cataracts are bad... but, the good news is – they are so easily fixed, these days. DH had his removed and it was like he got a new lease on life.

Allie – ((Hugs!!))

Anamika703 – Hello!

Leigh – I only WISH I loved to cook! But, I do all right – when I set my mind to it. It’s just this week was a busy one and I didn’t really have the time to prepare – so DH is on KP duty for the week. Oh – and if you have to choose where to go over on the macros – go over on fat. Sugar is the true evil... Fat just gets a bad rap. I mean, come on... Avocados are our friends...

NYKaren -

Lisa – Awesome work on the not smoking! If you only gained 1 lb – you BET that’s a victory! The cigarettes will kill you a lot faster than that extra pound. Keep it up!

Sarah – Tungry? Hired is already in use... lol. Maybe we can just go with Hexausted. I have that problem, myself. Tungry is an exceptionally bad state for me to be in – since my resolve fades with my energy. Eeeeewe. Everything? No matter what you had? All together? I mean, sure – you could mix up taco leftovers with salad – and maybe even throw a lentil in there – but, Everything? And SAUTEED in Oil? ICK. I hope he doesn’t expect you to eat it. Love that you faked a phone call to your Dad, “the police chief.” Hope the kidney issue is resolved, quickly with as little trauma as possible. ((Hugs!)) **(I was going to combine Starving and Exhausted - but that came out sounding like a completely different problem... )**

Margaret – ((Hugs!!)

Beth – I am glad I can amuse... For Doctors, Losing weight is that thing they fall back on when they don’t have any other health issues to nag you about... lol. I am thinking good thoughts for your DH... Maybe he has just been sitting or sleeping wrong... I hope it’s nothing major.

Cheri -

Carol – Sage advice... If your ortho is like mine, they probably won’t go straight to surgery... but, the Cortisone shot really helped. Not pain FREE – but pretty close, so long as I don’t try any pirouettes. Surgery or not, you will get to join the Physical Therapy Club! Whoot!

Rita – 64 squats? I am impressed! And your dog is adorable... heck, I can do that kind of yoga stretch, too! LOL.

Mary –

Heather - Love Mamma Mia – but, then, I have always been a sucker for Abba music – AND RomComs. LOL – Home is always good – but the maid service is the pitts.

Jolene – Slow and steady. Going to the gym is half the battle... the building of strength will follow, so long as you go and keep going. Great job!

Caminogirl – I am a big fan of the exercise... My personal belief is that, while logging is very important – a massive reduction in calories is much less effective than a minor increase in activity. I say you get More Bang for your Buck with exercise. Welcome back!

Pip - *sniffs* Still not speaking to me?

Ann/TravelGurrl – Welcome – the challenges of Lupus just add to the joy of aging, huh? Sorry about that. It seems that everybody has their own issues and their own methods of dealing with them – but we all try to support one another, with as little drama as possible. Feel free to stop in and chat!

Yvonne – I know, right? I was wondering that very thing myself, earlier... with PT and the other “normal” stuff, the week has gone by like a streaker in the snow. Works for me, though... the weekends are the only time I get to sleep... lol. And yes! If I don’t pet him and praise him for these cooking tasks, he gets all sulky. It’s a man thing. Sugar, if your man is vacuuming or doing dishes – you ought to alert the media... lol. Mine only cooks because he wants to be sure to get fed!

Katla – I always manage the fun part – I don’t need to make a goal for that. It’s the taking proper care of myself that I don’t always manage. Hence, the fitness type goals. ((Hugs!!)) See? DH has no excuse – and you are setting a fantastic example... he will HAVE to follow...

Karen/VA – ((HUGS!!!))

Janet – Oh Yeah... those pants ROCK. I am with you. Phooey on boring pants! Hope you get to order the Valentine Leggings!

Lenora – A door for your porch would be an excellent reward...

Scubabumm57 – Sounds like you have the pieces in there... some exercise, some calorie restriction – so, it looks like you got this! Welcome.

Marcelyn -

Brendadonnely26 – Welcome!

Kay –See what you have started? Soon, every one of us will be wearing some wild leggings and strutting for the general population.

Mia - *waves*

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Well, I made sure to pull the fully cooked ribs out of the freezer and put the box of au gratin potatoes next to the stove – so DH will be all puffed up for cooking for the fourth day this week. Lucky for him, I love him, bunches. I think this weekend I will have to spend some time prepping for a few more crockpot meals... I am running out of prepared foods that DH can reheat...

Hugs for Everybody!

Re in TX

jmkmomm wrote: »

Re, the clam exercises I do don't have any burn at all. Maybe it's because it's just my legs only???? The only resistance exercises she does is to have a resistance band around my bent knees and a ball between the knees and I have to do 20 squeezes. She hasn't given me one to take home.

Joyce, Indiana

Maybe your glutes and hips are in way better shape than mine - but when I do the clamshells, it burns my bacon... I guess I am going to have some GOOD muscle tone when I am done. Works for me.

Just saying...32 degrees colder today. Not my kind of weather. No golf today
Kate - your coat is beautiful and fits you so well.
Lisa- sorry about your hubby's wrist. My Ddil is an orthopedic surgeon and she always says to take the pain meds as prescribed because once the pain gets ahead of you it is hard to control. Tell him that!!
Heather -so glad you are home safely in your own bed. Worst part of Trip is unpacking.
Mary- thanks for the update on the challenge for Feb. hope your shoulder is improving.
Barbie- I was worried about Bess getting too old. It hasn't been cold in Houston so she needs her coat.
Sherry- so glad you feel happy and safe.
SueBDew in TX