WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2017

Just checking in. Been reading and posting a bit. Just wanted to shout out to all of those with health problems that have put them or their spouses, kids, grandkids in the hospital (Beth, Lisa, Re, Toni, Karen VA, ...) Thinking of you all and your families and wishing you a full and complete recovery.

I had a terrific birthday party when I turned 50. All the ladies in my office decorated the entire suite in red and purple. They bought me a big red hat and a purple boa (which I proudly sported all day). We went to lunch at the local hot spot, The Opera House. They had invited my sisters to come join in the fun, and had a blast. When I got home my husband and daughter had a great dinner planned. It was just a terrific time.

I have found that turning 50 was just a number that God had blessed me with and I need not be depressed because the alternative is much worse than a wrinkle or two. I started having the time of my life everyday.

Ladies, I am heading to the airport, we don't have data on this trip so the odds of reading your posts are a long shot. We are basically going to be unplugged, untethered to our screens, and I think it will be really terrific!

I will keep you all in my thoughts, sending strengths and positive energy for all of you. I will check back in next week. Signing off!!

NYKAREN

Just chilling!

Rita: Can I touch you and get some of your good home sales luck?

Traci in WI: Girl -- you gotta take care, whether on the road, in the office or at home. How about being the example of work-life balance for your younger colleagues instead of trying to keep to their pace.

Thanks to all who sent me tips for colonoscopy prep. It was a rough night, with very little sleep and alot of tummy rumbling. However, got through with the procedure with very good results. Don't have to go back for 10 years, and who knows, maybe by then they will have perfected a more comfortable screening. Time for a nap.

Rori
Colorado Foothills

Hey everyone, the kids will be here soon. We are having falafel for supper. Smells very yummy here.

Katia thanks for your kind words
Tracie what is your go live project?
Joyce you and your sister are in my prayers

Have a great evening and sending hugs to all who need them.

Sarah, Ontario

Hello all: Nice warm sunshiney day. I have taken care of horses, gone to YM to exercise, bank and TSC to get special weed and feed for the pasture. Now I need for things to dry out so I can get it on. Then hopefully we will have fewer buttercups which the horses won't eat and more grass. Our lovely little crocuses have come up again this year by the barn. there may even be a few more of them.

Karen - So glad you got to hold Olivia. That is good for her and you.

Rita - Sorry you are not getting family support for your RV plan but hope you enjoy the adventure. Maybe you could just tour around and see MFP friends.

Lisa - Sorry DH is in pain. Hope things improve quickly.

Rori - Glad things went well and now you can rest.

Carey - Liked your quote.

Loved the uber moose whoever posted that.

Joyce - Sending healing angels to your sister.

Everyone take care, Sue in WA

Rori: That is a great way to look at it. I need to change my perspective! The stress is not worth it, but I feel trapped because my husband is no longer able to work so I carry insurance, have a pension plan, pay the bills, etc. I have a great job and I'm grateful for it, but as our organization grows, my job responsibilities have changed. I think trying to show my younger colleagues that there is more to life than their job and not to let it get in the way of time with their kids is a great idea. I just need to figure out how... I will be doing some soul searching that's for sure. Thanks for the suggestion.

Sarah: I work for a health organization in the IT Department as an Instructional Designer and software trainer. We are bringing up 3 hospitals and several clinics on the 25th on a different electronic medical record software (Epic is the name) so while the IT analysts build their screens, the training team goes on the road and teaches hospital staff how to use it. We call it "go-live" training. They are flipping the switch and going live on the 25th. I am responsible for training the physicians how to document in a patient's chart and place orders, etc. through this software. It's exhausting (to me anyway) after a few weeks of living out of a suitcase.

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

Good Evening My Dear Friends,

Nancy, have fun at the tennis tourney. I was never very good at tennis but always enjoy watching it.

Queene, I feel your pain about your DDD. I have one that finds it hard to support herself and always needs help and have friends with stories much like yours. I don’t know what it is about so many of that generation but I wish you luck. My DH has become much more of a home body than years past but I keep going and doing with friends. The couch is not my friend but calls to me often. Good for you on the exercise you do. I was never able to go after work so it’s much easier now that I’m retired.

Sarah, I think many of us are guilty of complaining about the weather whether it’s too hot or too cold. And the funny thing is if we could choose the weather every day we’d probably all want something different. I do admit I prefer hot over cold any time of the year. That’s what’s nice about SC….it never stays cold for very long at a time. Good luck while the kids are there stuffing their faces.

Carey, great thought and probably often true.

Mary, you are doing great!!! What a true inspiration. Go girl.

Katla, thanks for the reminder about portion control. It’s not that I don’t know it’s important but I guess I keep trying to forget. That is my biggest roadblock is trying to keep portion size down.

Tracey, so glad to hear from you but sorry to hear what’s been going on with you. Please take care of yourself. (((Hugs)))

Heather, a long showing is a good thing. You don’t keep looking if you aren’t interested. You know their house could sell tomorrow so let’s think positive.

Joyce, don’t worry about replying to us but do keep us posted as you get any news on your sister. (((Hugs)))

to any Newbies. 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.

Worked today to stay caught up. Made a pot of chili and accidentally put cinnamon in it when I thought it was cumin. Lol Doesn’t taste too bad but next time would use less. LOL
Sending love, good thoughts and sunshine to all of you.

I Love you
DJ
Myrtle Beach, SC

Kate – Do you put anything on it, such as a sauce; if so, what?

Tracie – Nothing wears you down than a stressful job. I worked one; but, loved it – exciting; but, I think it had a lot to do with my ‘mental health’. Now, I sit home and don’t do too much other than read, get on the computer, and make trips into town for various reasons.

The nurse came out and did her physical for our insurance. According to her scales I had lost one of those ‘pesky’ lbs.; then, she told me they weighed heavy and took off 5 more. I can handle that – just hope when I go for my weigh-in, it will show the same.

Oh dear – I don’t envy you for having to deal with physicians and computers at the same time. Mine gets really upset if his computer is down. I would not like living out of a suitcase either.

Sarah – I loved the moose uber, too!

Toni – It’d be ‘nice’ to be able to pack up and go wherever you are; and, stay just long enough not to overstay your welcome. I would not want to go to California now; seems like the entire state has more rain than people. Mudslides, dams that might breech any moment and could ‘wipe out’ 8 towns. Seems like the entire country has had crazy weather everywhere. Straight line winds and a huge tornado down here in Albany; mammoth ice and snow storms in the northeast, everywhere … storms, storms, storms.

Can’t be blamed this time around.

Sorry that your son and DDnL are so busy being off at a conference. I hate that we don’t see our DYS and family but a few times a year (3). I miss them so much and miss out of the granddaughter's activities! We miss so much! DDnL#2 just called to tell us that DYMGD made the cheer team for middle school. He ‘ex’ wasn’t happy because he had scheduled their vacation (same week that she’ll be off at cheer camp); but, he was able to get it changed. This will be the first time she had been off overnight for that length of time. It’ll be a good experience for her and she will be with other ones in the squad and school. DDnL#2 has to reactivate her FB page, not too happy about that; but, that is the way the teacher-sponsor will contact the mothers about things such as practice, which uniform they will be wearing. Have to go get fitted for 2 of them. Guess maybe we will send some $$$ for that; DH gave DOS some $$$ to help pay for a gown for prom. It isn’t going to be at her school, so I hope they will make her wear it, if she gets asked to go to school prom. They did that to DOGD.

DOGD emailed me today, main reason was for any suggestions about how to keep her ‘roommate’ out of their room while they are gone. They are packing up to move the end of the month. She’s worried about her violin, W2 form, and some school work. Says she has already taken some of her kitchen things. Hide the violin under and behind boxes in the closet. She isn’t going to go through any that are sealed up. Take the paperwork with you.

Most important … she is boarding their dog. Good idea. They have a roommate from Hell; the boy is ‘fine’; but, she says that to call her female roommate a "B****" would be considered a compliment. She is counting the days down. That has kept her ‘stressed out’. Oh, to be 20 years old. I never had a roommate that I ‘hated’; but, I did have one who got so tired of me, that she literally taped a red line down the middle of the efficiency apartment one day while I was at work. Ceiling, walls and floor. I’m surprised that she did not figure out how to half the bathroom. She even went so far as to do the refrigerator (and freeze), cabinets in kitchen, the double sink. Hells bells, I did not stay in that situation long, for sure. I think even now, I am much more content than when I was young, working, keep house clean, cooking, and raising children. If Louis had not been such a big help with our sons, I would have certainly gone crazy. Being the one who has everything fall back on them is 'hard'; but 'hard' on everybody involved.

Lisa – I agree, a trunk bike rack is nothing but a P.I.T.A.

Yep, like deaths, they tend to run in 3’s. We have a nursing home here (2 flashing light town); my BnL who always reads the obits online about this area since they lived here for over 25 years, called one day and asked if I knew any of the 6 people who had died here. Not a soul; but, told him about the nursing home; which answered his question. He thought we were having some sort of ‘epidemic’. LOL!

Yvonne – Thanks for reminding me of the name. Ours is sealed; but, no name on it, I just know that it isn’t the Andouille. I think I might take out a package for supper tomorrow.

Pip – Love the shirt. When my oldest sister lived here; we shopped at the same grocery store. It was fairly small; but, bigger than most at the time. I’d get called Suzanne and she’d get called Lenora all the time. They only knew which one was which if we had our children with us. She had 2 girls, I had 2 boys. I had a shirt made: Sisters? YES! Twins? NO and our names on the back. They’d really get flustered if either of us brought our nieces or nephews with us. I didn’t think we looked that much alike until I saw a picture of the two of us at Christmas one year. But, I think she looks more like our Daddy’s side; and, I am looking more like my Mother. I used to think our middle sister was a ‘spitting image’ of her.

Heather – Different words for different things. Here a ‘viewing’ is a funeral term; and a ‘showing’ is a house thing. Have to make sure that I see who has written the post.

Joyce – I am keep you and your sister in my prayers. I think it is scary to know a sister is going through something and have no good way to know how she is doing. Do you think someone there with her could set up a CaringBridge.com site and post daily (or several times) what their condition is or what they need. My niece set up one for my DBnL when he had a stroke and they were down in Miami. FL at the time. It was such a great thing because she would ‘journal’ what was going on, his progress, his surgeries, his set-backs, when he was out of ICU and into a step-down ICE unit, moved to a regular floor, started PT and OT and finally when he was released to fly back to Atlanta area where they lived. His recovery was nothing short of a miracle. If something happened she would post about it and specifically ask for prayers for that. My middle sister lives in Miami, so she saw her every day. It was hard on both of them. She did not want to leave his side; and, the nurses wheeled in a recliner for her to sleep in (in the ICU); when he got better, he really did not want anybody else doing things for him other than oldest sister. Niece also asked that this ‘neediness’ would not roll over into their lives at home. It was just a good way to converse back and forth.

Sue – You might consider digging up those daffodils, because they can be poisonous to some animals. It is probably given off and odor that they don’t care for. There is a popular flower that comes back every year … usually even more so. It is a pretty flower; but, farmers make sure that it is not within reach of their cows because it will poison them and sometimes kills them. I can’t think of the same; but, they come in different colors (yellow, pink, yellow surrounded by pink or the opposite is true).

Louis is talking to DDnL#2 about if she can mail certain things. She must have been talking about a cake she had made ... HA! HA! HA!

Lenora

Tracie ... sorry your stress level is so high ... changing perspective is easier said than done. Will be praying the next week or so goes smoothly for you. Stress and exhaustion are not a good combination.

Joyce ... praying for all will be well with your sister. It is so hard when we feel helpless.

Michele ... when my son loses staff, I become the staff. Don't get me wrong, I love my son and I will do anything for him. But we are trying to set things up so that as I and my husband age, there will be other supports for our son besides his parents or a nursing home (which would be an insult to a young man of his intellect and potential). It's especially tough right now with my husband's health issues and the needs of other family members that are requiring my time. It will eventually work out. Just a lot on my plate right now.

So we got a preliminary report back on husband's MRI. His vertebrae have NOT destabilized which is great news! No need for pins and rods at this time. But he has a bulging disc in the same area as his recent surgery. Heavy doses of steroids ordered today to get him through the weekend and then an appointment with his surgeon after he's had time to personally review the MRI. I guess there are "options," but we don't know what they entail.

I went to bed early last night and plan to do the same this evening. I have a mountain of laundry that needs done and the house needs a thorough cleaning, but it can wait. I experienced heart palpitations and dizziness yesterday ... I know from experience that this is a combination of stress and exhaustion ... so no further warning needed!

Beth near Buffalo

Hi Gals,

Queene – glad to meet you, I have no idea how many of us there are I started naming names and at 15 realized I would need to write a list…. Some have been here for years, some flit in and out, some come for a while and are then gone…

Sarah – hang in we are sitting on your shoulders, and in your pockets reminding you more veggies less sweets and starches… and NOT to beat yourself up if you slip, but just to make a better choice on the next bite.

Kate – if I did not know what the discussion was I’d be asking what that was…. Kinda looks like ham gone past its prime…

Carey - I have a motto for life when I just can’t see into the future – not even a few hours… “ Leap, the net will appear” and it always does.

Rita – I would love to help in any way I can!!!!! My mom is from Stratford, CT and her family live in Milford and Orange She moved here with my Dad in 1952, and would never go back to the snow– I know she’d love to meet you.

Katla – My brother has no patience and no wiliness to adapt, if the chemo doesn’t do the trick or if it is too uncomfortable he will most likely either let nature take it’s course or kill himself. My prayer (and I don’t pray) is that if he kills himself he doesn’t take anyone else with him. He’s not stable.

Tracie – no job is worth that!

Toni - “About turning 50- it was no big deal to me. The birthday that really got me was 35. I felt like I should have the perfect, stable life by then - 2 kids, career, successful husband, home with the picket fence. At that point in my life I had so much regret. Sooooo much better place now! Living contentedly with my reality, doing what I can to change me........” That was so me!!! But at 30! I had no man in my life, was renting, and really unhappy - I agree, so much better place now…..

Joyce – sending hugs!

Lisa - sending hugs!

So an update on Sherry, I called her a couple of days ago and we have been texting back and forth….she is reading some of our posts. Her living situation is still safe and good, but she is not doing too well physically, there is some blood work issues leading to a CT scan, a colonoscopy, a referral to a neurosurgeon for memory loss issues, and to an Orthopedic as she is having a lot of back pain. She feels like her role here is to make us smile and since she’s not up to that she is not posting just reading, but I told her we care for her more than for the Minions!


February Goals:
Write Christmas letter, and have all cards ready to send by Dec1…this was for nov. but still working on it. Jan. still working on this….**** GET THIS DONE*******
Read and report on a book – Done (Jan and Feb too)
Log everyday to the best I can, over if need be.
11,000 + steps everyday –
Work on water consumption –
Lunch with Kyle -



Smiles
Kim in N. California

My word for 2017 is “Mindfulness” .. age 52 -34 lbs lost 68.5 to go! 1200 cal/day avg.



Marni in Alaska