WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2017

Good morning all! Happy Monday! Well, I will start with an update on the trip to TX. As you know, the visit with DD and her DH and grandbaby Joaquin was absolute HEAVEN! We got the cleaning and repairs done, gave DD and SIL their first night out since the birth. Before they left for the movie, we all had dinner together. As we sat, ate and talked, DH and I were talking to the kids about DH's good luck with the convenience store lottery tickets. He bought a ticket our first night down there (he got lost while he was out exploring and a very kind police officer gave him directions back to DD's home) and he won $500! THEN, our last full day there, we went to visit his Aunt's grave (this is the Aunt who left us some $$ when she passed last year). We stopped at a convenience store close to the cemetery to get waters, as it was quite warm walking though the cemetery. Well, he bought another scratch off ticket and this time won (hold your hats) $1000! We gave the $1000 to the kids and they were speechless. They had just gotten the bill from the hospital for Joaquin's birth. DD had to stay an extra day, bc J wasn't latching on and feeding well, so the bill was about $2000 more than they had expected. It felt really good to have won that and to be able to help them out!
Now, the driving part of the trip was both wonderful and horrible! I did the majority of the driving (wonderful) the first day and DH slept the majority of the way. 12 hours, beautiful weather, my music playing, and the thrill of "going"! Day 2 was the day of storms. So some white knuckle moments and DH slept until we got into Dallas (then he woke up stiff, sore, and CRABBY!) On the drive back, DH was awake the majority of first day and complaining about the route. We went back through Oklahoma. Oklahoma...lots of farmland, lots of cows, and we were on a smaller highway that ran through towns (I believe one part of the highway was the historic Route 66). We spent the night in Joplin, MO, which is jut across the border. Day 2 started at 9:00am and I did the driving and DH slept almost the entire 12 hours! Hurrah! I have to say, of the states I drove through (INdiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri) Missouri is by far my favorite as far as scenery. The bedrock that lines the highway was just stunning and trees/land were beginning to green up. And driving through a bit of the Ozarks was beautiful. Mind you, staying on one highway, I am aware I wasn't seeing the best of any state, I am sure. I won't judge or misjudge a state based on the scenery from the road. I would like to drive through Arkansas again, as I couldn't see much due to the storms. The time spent traveling through Illinois was the most boring for me. Flat farmland; nothing growing yet. I do have to say, that the Texans do everything "bigger" it seems. Their highway system was astounding throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth region! Not only expansive and a testament to all highway designers and builders everywhere, but the little decorative touches (little stars and detail on the buttresses) were appreciated by both DH and I. When DD took us to downtown Fort Worth to visit her office building, she also took us to a park that has these massive "umbrella" structures, that look like very artistic, large umbrellas that are able to fold upwards on windy days. They are there to shade a group of tables and chairs for people to sit and enjoy their lunch, talk, read, whatever. There is also a little water pad for kids/people to play in during certain times of the day; along with a waterfall feature near the tables. Very pretty and relaxing. I can see why she often has her lunch here.
Meg- So sorry to hear about Benny! Sending hugs to you for this loss and sending prayers, strength, and courage to you for everything you are going through with DH. Sending love, my friend!
Re- Good luck with your tests and your days in the pool at your mom's place sound divine!
Pip- Love the Airstream! I think the curtains will add a nice pop of color! Love the pattern of those curtains!
Beth- Hope you are on the mend and back to full strength soon!
Heather- Your spring walk sounds wonderful, and yes, I am sure the aches/fatigue from the walk is our bodies way of telling us to ease into our routine! Bea looks quite proud of herself! Rightfully so! Those first steps are monumental! Did you know that the average baby tries and fails to walk more than 400 times?! I think that should be our goal for ourselves; if a baby can keep falling/failing and getting up and trying again, why should we give up after just a few attempts at anything?! Go baby Bea! You got this, girl!
Lisa- Your glass painting is just beautiful! I am in awe at the creativity and talent on this site!
Ginger- Wow! Your art journal! Really very beautiful! Here I am content to just remember to journal every day! LOL! I feel like a slacker. I DO like the idea of index card art! I may steal that idea. Going to look up the challenge and see if I can find more details. It might be a good time to kick off a new habit or artistic outlet.
Penny- Have fun with your family/grandkids!
To all who have been abused- My heart aches for you and I sit in admiration of your strength and courage! Sending thoughts of love, comfort, kindness, and invisible "capes" to wear over your invisible armor; because you truly are Superwomen in overcoming adversity!
To all who are suffering with illness, injury to your selves or your spouses-Sending thoughts of healing to you all!
To the babies- Love and cuddles to Olivia, Mia, Bea, and all!
To the newbies- Welcome! Great group of ladies! Jump in, tell us your goals, feel free to vent or search for answers among us!

April goals:
Getting back on track! Walk daily! Follow high protein diet! 1 pound of veg a day! Water!

Well, there are more of you I wanted to respond to, but have run out of time. Kids are here and ready to play. ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)

Someone here lost their fur baby, I'm so sorry

Your baby is up there hangin out with our rocky

Wanted to share some art journal pages I created as part of an online course I took through bravegirlsclub.com The course was called Body Restoration and was 6 weeks long. It was trans-formative. Printable materials were provided along with videos for discussion and for creating your journal. I took this course several years ago but always have this journal visible and accessible!






Cheri
in gloomy College Station, TX

Hey ladies, been MIA for a bit. Changed jobs. Changed my diet. Been doing the Keto Diet. Broke the cycle of lose 2 then gain 3. Before pic was Jan 21, bottom pic was mid March.

Hi, I'm back, FATTER than ever!!!! New beginnings. Who, on this board still remember me?? I live north of Chicago, am 57, have teenagers and horses. Speaking of horses, I blame the year I spent in my chair after my previous horse broke all my ribs on one side. No more excuses. I'm taking a new approach. I've only been doing it right for 5 days and I am not weighing myself until May 1st. Even if I'd lost 10 pounds my new number would depress me so I don't want to see it right away!! I'll include a fat picture of me from this weekend. Maybe in a few weeks I'll have a better one.


Cheryl
(North of Chicago)