WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR SEPTEMBER 2019

Only got a couple of hours sleep. Brain would not stop churning. Read some, tossed and turned some, breathed some etc etc. It was howling a gale outside and the rain was crashing against the windows. I couldn't hear it with my ear plugs in, but I knew it was there. DH thought he wouldn't sleep, he was worried about sea sickness, but he did.
Machka - the motion affects his vertigo. He goes really dizzy.

The morning has dawned, it has stopped raining, I remembered my red dress at the last minute (it was hanging on the back of the door), I can see blue sky.
We will do our exercises together before getting ready. Nervous, but also excited.

WiFi is erratic on the ship, but I will try my best to keep in touch. If I am MIA, it's because we are in the North Sea.
Photos will have to wait for port.

Love you all, Heather UK xxxxxxx

Good morning all! Happy Friday! I got NINE hours of sleep last night! Whoot! I went to bed at 8:30pm (mainly bc I got all of my things done that I needed to get done and I didn't want to start snacking), I fell asleep immediately and didn't wake up until 5:30 this morning. I had forgotten to set my alarms and the tick that one clock makes right before the alarm goes off, is what woke me up. It must be the hour hand going past the "alarm hand" that makes that very quiet "tick". Wakes me up every day. I did wake up briefly, as Tim was in and out of the bathroom, sick, last night. Fingers crossed it stays away from me. He sleeps on the bed in his office most nights and hangs out in his office during day care hours, so I should be okay.
Well, Lauren is five days away from her due date! She has been constantly on my mind, this week, as she is starting to feel the discomfort as baby has moved into position and the back pain (she had back labor with Joaquin) has begun. Her due date is Oct 2. She is hoping to make it to Oct. 1, so that she doesn't have to eat into next year's sick days to pay for the extra time off. Joaquin was resting beside her the other night and had his head and hands on her belly when the baby kicked. lol Lauren said he sat up and looked at her like "What in the heck was that?!" She said, "That is baby #2! He is in my belly and that was his foot kicking!" She said that Joaquin laughed and sat back and put his feet on her belly right where the baby had kicked. Then, he turned and put his head and hands on her belly, waiting for more kicks. Fingers crossed this is the beginning of brother bonding! Other than the four days that I am there, Joaquin will be going to daycare every day during her maternity leave. He is VERY routine oriented and gets kind of crazy when his routine is interrupted. I think it will be good for all of them. He will get a normal "school" day and be able to play and get energy out at daycare, she will get time to rest and bond with the baby, and be ready for Joaquin cuddles when he comes home from daycare. PLUS, they have to pay to hold their spot, so he may as well go and have fun. Here is a pic of him having fun with his classmates at daycare.

Heather- Bon Voyage! I hope the weather calms so that the trip is agreeable for DH! I am sure you can probably make every trip an adventure!
Lisa- Glad you got some extra sleep! It makes a huge difference. I felt the same way this morning! Felt kind of guilty feeling so good (Tigger-like) next to my hubby (Eeyore-like).
KarenVA- Olivia! She is just adorable and she does look like she is enjoying every minute of her life in France.
Ann- Love the poodles! I agree with the girls; you did a great job on the grooming!
Barbie- I had forgotten about line dancing. I checked into it and all of our local line dance classes are offered during the day (most likely filled with seniors and retirees). Can you recommend some beginner videos on Youtube? I have never done a line dance in my life (other than the Hustle, does that count?) I can't even do the "reception" staples like the Electric Slide. Just never learned them.
Tracey- Wow! That is a lot of food/food celebrations at work! For that reason I am glad I work at home; but then, I can be my own worst enemy, because I know what I like and I can probably whip something up in minutes if I were desperate. BArbie and Amber had good suggestions for avoiding the food traps. I always worry that people will be upset or offended if I don't try what they offer; but I don't think they will be as offended as my brain tells me they will be. Most people understand "eating for your health". Hugs!
Salad dressings- If forced I can eat a salad dry; but since I work at home, I do have a selection of dressings to add. Since I make my own yogurt, I find it very easy to make a creamy dressing with yogurt and just add spices (garlic, dill, lemon pepper), or I add a quarter cup of blue cheese to a cup of yogurt and have a very healthy blue cheese dressing or dip, or I have a variety of vinegars and lemon/lime wedges. They all work.

Kids arriving! Last day of the week! OH! I didn't tell you! I heard from Trentin's mom earlier this week. She texted me and just said that she hadn't been working for the past two months and could I take Trentin the following day! ??!! I told her no, and that I was no longer providing care on weekends or evenings. I felt bad, but who doesn't call their daycare person for two months and then calls needing care with no explanation?! Just a lot of nonsense that I don't need.
Love and hugs to all! ttfn xoxoxoxo KJ (Kelly)

KetoneKaren wrote: »

Tracey & NYKAREN Yep, I pretend the snacks are contaminated with E. coli or Salmonella. Even though I know I made it up, once the thought is in my head, the food loses all appeal.

Karen in Virginia

I've shared this before, but will add it to all of your thoughts when tempted by treats in the workplace. I am the housekeeper at our large church and the restrooms, of course, are part of my duties. I replace paper towels in the ladies' restroom regularly... the men's room? ... very, very rarely. Just think about that ...

Tracey: I empathise with the food being ever-present. Our Latin group leader bakes for us every week. I usually allow myself a small sample. The problem is that most people see these offerings as treats, and can’t seem to grasp that they are not!!!

I am trying to reframe my outlook on treats, and most of the things I used to love no longer appeal, and boy! does my body let me know if I over-indulge. Also, I try to visualise the food crawling with 🕷 🐛 🐜 and that seems to work.

Weather is changeable, but warm when the sun is out. Just took these pictures of the flowers outside on the terrace.

Machka9 wrote: »

And ... I completed Strava's Escape Challenge, mainly with walking! Plus 2 days of rowing and 2 days of cycling. The challenge was to do a minimum of 15 min of exercise 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. All about consistency.

Machka in Oz

Machka in Oz