WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2017

My pics are all taken on a phone, except for the one in St Petersburg, which I took on my tablet to avoid inadvertently getting phone charges. I have to send the pictures when I have data in port as the ship WiFi can't support sending photos. My phone is 13 mp . The WiFi did send the lower resolution pic from my tablet.
Sea day today. Line dancing. I've been swimming.
Love Heather UK XXXXXX

Kate UK

Happy Terrific Tuesday Ladies!

I have spent the last 3 weeks or so being off track. Thanks goodness I am only showing a 2.4 pound recapture of pounds. I started smoking again but this morning I am almost at 24 hours without a cigarette. I think it’s going to be alright. However, yesterday I had to fight myself against running out to get a pack. Today my goal is to get back on my water drinking regime and take Blue for a walk.

I declared Saturday morning as a “Me” morning. So I had a manicure, pedicure, and facial waxing. That was great! I am going to remember that I need to make that part of my monthly routine because I felt so good afterwards. Saturday night DH and I went out to one of my favorite restaurants with three other couples. We had a great time. The food was pretty good. DH had a lobster pop-tart which was to die for. I had a chance to have frogmore stew which was a vegetable broth (I think) with shrimp, mussels, andouille sausage, and a couple cubes of potato. It was extremely spicy/salty. I had considered adding it to our at home meal menu substituting the andouille sausage with beef sausage and extra spices (DH does not eat any pork products) but don’t think I will now. I thought it would be more like a low country boil. Rounded out dinner with a piece of cherry chocolate torte which was wonderful. DH ate half of it which was good.

Michele in NC: It will soon be over! Always sending you hugs!

Josephine: Sending you hugs! We’ve been working with the VA for the last ten years on claims. It can be a full time job. Hang in there!

Okie: Congratulations on your clothing fit victory.

Rye: Love the hat. Many years ago I bought what I called my “funk hat”. It is black velvet with big pink roses around the crown. I wear it in the winter and never fail to receive many compliments. I bet you will too.

Allie: Glad you are a step closer. Glad your attorney gave them what for. You are rolling right along. Thirty years ago my child support for two children was just $250. I think you did ok! Make sure you pay attention to Lenora’s advice regarding tax liabilities.

Carol: A Belated Happy Birthday to you. Hope you had a wonderful day!

Dorrie: Sending my condolences for your stepbrother. The thing I always thought about dating is that it is a time for discovery. That’s what my Mom meant about “giving it another year”. Far better to say good bye to the “mister wonderfuls” than divorcing a not so great DH. I was single for around 25 years before DH. I found that potential relationships usually started out euphorically and enjoyed those dates but always remembered my own desires foremost and didn’t have any trouble choosing to continue following my own path. Apparently, I got so good at it that my daughter started calling me “Big Pimping”. I look back on those fellows with good thoughts acknowledging that we had different paths and hoping they are happy on their chosen paths. I don’t think I went longer than a couple of months without a date or new interest even when I was at 275.

Heather: I am enjoying your travel pictures so much as well as your commentary.

Meg: Hi!

Dolly: Love the picture of Dolly watching the deer. I’m not sure what will happen if Blue sees a deer but pretty sure he will clear our fence and be on the run. I am thankful for his microchip!

Joyce: I had a good laugh regarding your ExSNL! Karma is a female dog!

Well, I’m working from home today so I better get with it.

Tere in RVA

Good morning all! Happy Tuesday!
Carol- Happy birthday!
Lenora- Happy Anniversary!
Dana- Love your deer pics! It always amazes me to see animals, like deer, from other areas. You always think, a deer is a deer, but they really are different depending on where they live. We grow them big up here, I imagine due to the harsher climate. When I visited my sister in Florida, their local deer were pretty small in comparison. Your deer look a good midsize. Your dog looks like she is going to jump the fence and go after them. She is sitting at attention!
Becca- Lovely, lovely climbing roses!

Boy did I fall off the wagon yesterday. I binged on carbs. It was just me for dinner and I had some home repairs to make (I had to re hinge and re hang the bathroom door and then my fridge started leaking so I vacuumed out the coils on the bottom and drained the drip pan.), so I didn't feel like making dinner so I had zucchini bread (3 slices!) and then had 3 energy bites! I still stayed under the calorie allowance (the exercise I got yesterday gave me some wiggle room) but I don't like eating off my list and I was Waaaaaaaay off my list. Oh well, we carry on. My binge caught up with me this morning. Constipation with a capital C! Ugh! It is also that time of the month, even though I don't get my period anymore, I still go through the bloat, and other symptoms on a lesser scale. Does that eventually end? Or does our body always "mark" that time even though we don't "particpate" anymore?

That's all I have for today. ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)

Hi all! . I really appreciate your kind comments. I am scared of boring you and I am more than aware that not everyone wants to hear what a wonderful time I am having!
It's fun for me and I hope some of you find it fun too.
Just been for my mile around the deck so I'm up to 400 calories so far today. One more class today.
At the line dancing, one of the dances is to a song I didn't know before. - Human, by the Killers. I managed to buy and download it. The line goes - "Are we human or are we dancers?"
Nice one.
Off now for tea.
Love Heather UK XXXXXX

lisa I think you are doing great! Keep it up!

Back to reality, work calls to deal with and am going in to arrange classroom materials.

Eating low residue diet today, all liquid tomorrow and colonoscopy
Thursday. Woohoo I know how to have fun huh??

NYKAREN

Hi, hi! Today is a new day! I managed to get to aqua Zumba yesterday but didn’t do too well on food. I overslept and they fed us breakfast and lunch for our first day back. Normally I don’t eat the food they provide, but I didn’t have time to make my lunch.

Today’s was health screening day. My BP was excellent, but the weight was up from last year. Hopefully my lipid panel will be better than last year because now I’m on a statin. Tonight is s-anon night, so no exercise after work, but I’ll get some walking in here at work.

Wendy: glad you are over the shingles. Those are AWFUL! Congrats on the new baby! Do you know if it is a boy or a girl? How many others do you have?

Lanette: it will be steamy here for another month or so. I thought I hated the humidity until I went to Colorado a couple of years ago, up in the mountains. It was so dry I thought my bones would crack in half! I was so happy to get back to NE and soak all that up! Sounds totally dumb, doesn’t it?

Carol: happy belated birthday!

Barbie: that’s excellent! I hope it turns out just as you wanted it!

Becca: where are all those gorgeous roses?

Dorrie: I am so sorry for both of your losses. My mouth literally dropped open reading what your ex-man friend said. Good riddance for you! And (((hugs))) from me.

Lenora: I am going to steal your phrase “narcissistic toad” and use it! I know someone who fits that perfectly! Happy anniversary!

Sue: always nice seeing you!

Dana: love your photos. I am still thinking about Roscoe! I need to wait and see where DH will end up before deciding on him.

Allie: proud of you! I agree about garnishing the wages, but you may have to wait to see if he misses any payments first.

Katla: OMG I nearly died laughing about your pot roast! That is hilarious. I wish I had done that once in a while; my mother was so difficult!

Chris: I think we all have had a Mr.-not-so-wonderful-after-all, haven’t we???

Michele: I have one cat that has to be on top of me no matter where I am or what I am doing, including his newest antic, hanging off my shoulder! The other one pops up for a couple of pats, and then disappears!

DJ: How close are you to the islands that lost power and were evacuated? I would love to see them one day!

Heather: I see you are off on another of your fabulous journeys! Enjoy!

Tere: oh a facial! I haven’t had one in years….*looking up phone numbers!

KJ: I think our bodies always mark that time…at least mine still does. I am hoping like you that it stops eventually!

Barbie: love your dog stories!

Lisa: “accouterments squozen”…another great phrase I am stealing! Thanks for making me smile!

Carol: I have been gone too long to know why the pup needs pills, but you can try cottage cheese. Or put them in unflavored gel caps if it’s the taste you think is bothering him. Believe me, after Benny Beagle, I have all kinds of “drug the dog” tricks!

Well time to get some work done! Make it the day you want it to be. Meg from still-steamy Omaha

Good morning ladies!

Meg - I understand about the "steamy". I actually miss the Indiana winters I grew up with sometimes, especially when we have months of overcast and rain out here. But people don't know how to drive on snow and ice (or even wet roads for that matter.) Enjoy the rest of your steamy summer!

Heather - I look forward to your travel photos and description of your activities each day. My vicarious vacation!

Lisa - so glad the event was successful! How could it not be under your planning?

Dorrie - in thinking over your recent experience, I am reminded of something that happened to a friend of mine. She and her DH were small business owners, and he came down with a chronic debilitating disease so their final years together were not good as she struggled to keep the business going and be his caretaker. When he finally passed, she sold the business (she was in her 70's then). She met and was swept off her feet by a gentleman, they enjoyed each other's company and decided to get married. Shortly after that, he told her he was also in the early stages of a debilitating disease but now that they were married she could be HIS caretaker. She couldn't get the divorce quickly enough. Other than hire a private detective, I don't know how a person finds out things that aren't public record unless you're from a small community where everyone knows (or think they know) everyone else's business, lol. I'm sure meeting the family and friends and taking time in the relationship, these things would come out.

It was a fabulous 45 degrees out when I took my walk this morning. Need to dig out my mittens! Gravenstein apples are dropping from the tree.... if it's not drought stress and they are truly ripe, I'll be making applesauce this week. I add very little if any sugar when I cook the apples - use the crockpot, leave skins on and buzz everything with the immersible blender. Sometimes I have three crockpots going at the same time. Saves stirring and scorching.

We have twin fawns that visit our front lawn each morning. Our doggies are interested in watching them but aren't motivated to go under the fence and chase them, thank goodness.

Time to get busy!

Lanette
SW WA State

Well Meg, I have to be honest with you. I have no idea! I see pictures on Facebook and I click & save them. These are from sites where they have taken them from some other site. So I can't authenticate it if I wished to! I have nothing on this Fire tablet but pretty pictures, (oh and a couple of family pics too ha!).

Still only the one letter from younger son in boot camp... I so do wish that the next letter be more positive! My thoughts are starting to invade my dreams!

Found two painted rocks yesterday when husband and I went for our walk. Checked out three great (I am hoping), library books. Our library is doing wonderful since it moved from Hammond and into Warrenton. The building in Hammond, was the building the town hall in the 1920's used to be. So the whole place leaned, the floor bounced, and when the inspectors noticed the entry walk separating from the building, they stated a move had to be made. Interestingly enough the city of War rent on this owned one of the restaurants on Main st. It used to be a bank, and still had the big safe door. Well the city claimed it back, ( the restaurant owner was not happy), so that is our new library. In anger though, the restaurant owner had taken everything she could unscrew, so there are parts of the library that could use more lighting. Small town drama politics, gotta love it!




Hugs!
Becca

Barbie. - Glad you liked th e song. It is the favourite of one of the "gentlemen hosts". We are taught line dancing by the resident young and beautiful dancers. The dance they use for that song is called "Honky Tonk".
Unusual for me to discover a totally new song.

One of the greatest pleasures of this trip is watching the waiters gracefully carrying eight plates with their covers on a huge round tray with one hand. Like a ballet. Extraordinary.

Going down now for a virtuoso violinist.

Love Heather UK XXXXXX

Z

Ladies ~

You ALL ROCK!!! Thank you for the condolences and commentary on Mr. Toad...he's hopped his sorry self off into the sunset and I couldn't be more happy to be back to "normal" in more ways than one after the procedure on Friday! ***giggles*** I do however still have a nasty bruise from the IV site, which I told her when she attempted that area I'd bruise badly - she insisted, and who am I to argue - oh wait, it's MY body last I checked...but...I am in no pain from it, just ugly bruise!

Scotty's services are on Saturday. I'm wracking my brain on how I can get there by then with my other doctor appt's and work obligations. It's about a 16hr drive, and to drive is half the airfare on this short notice. My family has made it clear they completely understand if I need to take the trip up in a few weeks, which is a strong possibility as well. The drive would be Vegas to Richland WA - which I've driven many times. I'm also opting to drive (just not sure when yet) up because there are items of my Daddy's that I'm supposed to bring home with me, and I am potentially stopping off and grabbing my Nana's rocking chair (extreme sentimental value to me) from my Mom's youngest sister (unfortunately in the Portland area tho, 5hr drive away) who restored it for me last year and has been using it since then in her home. She doesn't want to part with it, but she smokes and I'm not a fan at all of cigarette smoke, especially permeated in cloth. Nana's rocker was her mother's and has been handed down to the 4th generation now with me, and I will in turn hand it down to my daughter. It was in disrepair from my Mom leaving it in storage for a few decades, and when she moved to Florida - my option was to ship it here and try to fix it myself (the seat covers were hand made needlepoint by my Nana, which were eaten by vermin) or ship it to my Mom's youngest sister who restores antiques with my cousins for a living. I paid them to restore it, but haven't had the heart to get it back from them because it's of sentimental value to them as well. However, it was willed to me by Nana, so officially it's my rocking chair. Weighing my options with that one, because I don't trust them to ship it professionally and I can't just have a shipping company I know will crate it properly just show up to pack it. So, I have some decisions to make about it sooner or later! Isn't it funny how "things" are so valuable to some people?

Daddy's things are equally important to me, but there's something that's stopped me from getting them to me here in Vegas since he passed away in 2011 - haven't been able to define it in any other way than reluctance - I'm reluctant to stay in the house when I visit, because it vibrates with his energy as soon as I walk in - I'm reluctant to take out his t-shirts I got home from his funeral, because they still smell like him, and I leave them in the bag because I don't want to lose that memory - yet I wear his hats (baseball) all the time...all his triathlon medals and trophies are all in a box with my name on it, along with other items agreed to such as old photos of his mother and siblings that are all gone now too. No one else, to my knowledge, has family photos - as there's only one set of cousins still in touch, via FB infrequently - and they have no desire to hang on to these items, in fact have asked that I take on that responsibility as my Dad did. He was the baby sibling, born very late to his older siblings. So, I think my reluctance is also partially defiance. I haven't really delved deep enough into my triggers with it as of yet, but I know that I get ants in my pants just thinking about going into his home where my step Mom still lives because every time I do I expect to see him in every room.

Anyways, I'm rambling - and again want to thank you ALL for your comments, well wishes, condolences, and the laughter - because yes I am completely OVER the Mr. Toad incident! I've been laughing and rolling my eyes about him since Sunday, and that will continue for awhile. I've not heard a word from him, which is smart on his part. He knows I can make his life very difficult if he opted to make me or my family uncomfortable for ANY reason. My connection to federal security and law enforcement was very clearly outlined to him if he felt "froggy" enough to continue talking trash to me.

Have a GREAT day...

Oops - Lenora - happy anniversary!