WOMEN AGES 50 + FOR DECEMBER 2019

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  • JRsLateInLifeMom
    JRsLateInLifeMom Posts: 2,275 Member
    Buffalo Beth - Were giving Daughter a VISA card y a stocking. Bought restaurant cards for the visit at Sam’s Club. Easiest for her age group.

    Cash y cards work best for many anymore they can hit after Sales

    Amber Tx
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,597 Member
    KJLaMore wrote: »
    Machka- Like you, I have devised ways to "fill my cup" in a short period of time. Don't get me wrong; if I had the time and money to refresh myself with a long vacation away, I would do so. In the meantime, a few moments of nature, or meditative music really helps. When I am having a rough day with the kids, I find that running water (cool water in the summer; warmer in the winter) over my hands for a minute or so calms me down. Weird, but it works. I have also noticed that my hubby enjoys looking at nature, animals when he is stressed. He has never really shown an interest in nature (not a hiker or outdoor sports person). He and I went for a walk the other day and he heard a bird and commented on it's song. I told him that it is a Chickadee and that they say their name in their call. We stopped and I found the bird and pointed it out to him. He seemed amazed that I knew that; and I take it for granted that I know that! lol Common bird knowledge is something I just grew up "absorbing" with my nature loving parents. My grandmother used to stand outside of her house with seed in her hands and call to the chickadees. They would flutter down and land on her arms, hands, head and just hop around on her and eat. She did this a few times a day to ensure that the birds got the seed and not the squirrels!

    Beautiful! :heart:

    KJLaMore wrote: »
    I have a couple of gifts to wrap for families. I am giving part of my "family" gifts, today, so that the families have a little more time to use them. (Shhhh...I got each family a couple of cookie kits. One is Ninjabread Men and the other is Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies) I figure in kit form, it would be easy for each family to make and decorate cookies and make a nice holiday memory.

    ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)

    That's a great idea! I like active, creative gift ideas like that. :)


    auntiebk wrote: »
    Only got the fudge wrapped, and vacuumed. Where did the day go? Holiday lights at the park with friends was lovely, mild, dry weather, couldn't be better. Even more lights this year than last, and somehow seemed brighter, perhaps there was less fog in the air?

    Machka love your animal spotting strategy, and attitude of gratitude for this element of your husband's situation. Well done!

    Barbara

    Fudge ... mmmmm! :)

    I wish the botanical garden here would do a holiday lights display, but they don't. Very few people put out lights at all here, probably because we have longer daylight hours.

    And thank you. :)


    lhscapil wrote: »
    It's Fabulous Friday! <3

    Barbara AHMOD
    - you are so busy! Very proud of you getting all of those activities in.

    Barbie Machka - looks like some foul weather heading your way. Thank you for posting that windy.com link. It didn't work on IE but Firefox handles it like a champ, it will be great to start using it again. HUGS.

    Thank you for posting the "which is real". Good reminder. I too always check out the sender's email address. If any doubt at all, into the trash it goes, unopened. If it looks like something important, I'll head to the company's website.

    The phone. I saw a post on Facebook yesterday that echoed how we feel here..... we are in charge of our time now, and who we want to talk to and when we talk. I always tell folks email or text me and I'll respond when convenient. I think a lot of folks are handling communication the same way. I keep the cell phone on vibrate on the table beside me. It's for MY convenience, not anyone else's, lol.

    Lanette
    Overcast SW WA State

    I really like that windy.com site ... I can see where the "weather" is happening.

    I also like the stay smart online site where I got the "which is real" thing from ... they've got some very good tips.

    My phone is also on vibrate. I've given names to numbers of people I know so I can glance at it and see if it is someone I know ... otherwise it gets deleted without answering.



    My younger son has just heard that the job he invented at a new AF company has been offered to him. :D
    He is going to start in February as he has to give 3 months notice. His current company is distraught and have been offering him every inducement to stay, but he really doesn't want to be around alcohol all the time. He has been AF for nearly two years now.
    I am very happy for him. He saw an opportunity and persuaded them they needed him.
    Not sure where he got his work ethic from. It wasn't from me. >:)

    Love Heather UK XXXXXX

    Was the other place a brewery or pub?

    kevrit wrote: »
    Food for thought..... I feel applies to both a physical and mental place.....
    "There should be at least a room, or some corner where no one will find you and disturb you or notice you. You should be able to untether yourself from the world and set yourself free, loosing all the fine strings and strands of tension that bind you, by sight, by sound, by thought, to the presence of other men....

    "Once you have found such a place, be content with it, and do not be disturbed if a good reason takes you out of it. Love it, and return to it as soon as you can, and do not be too quick to change it for another."

    -- Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

    Unfortunately I don't get much of this ...


    Machka in Oz

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,597 Member
    bwcetc wrote: »
    Machka ... so easy to get sucked into phishing scams ... I worry about my elderly parents as they're on the internet a lot. And while my dad is pretty savvy, I still get text messages that ask for directions on pretty simple tech related things.

    Amber ... "still looking for Christmas ideas" ... I have hardly even begun to shop yet and I'm thinking it's going to be a different Christmas this year. Besides a box for my niece and her young family, everyone else is most likely going to get gift cards or cash. Neither my husband nor I can figure out what to do for gifts!

    Love the photos! Thanks for sharing!

    Beth near Buffalo

    My father is pretty good, but I do worry about my mother sometimes.


    The majority of my gifts will be gift cards this year too. It's easier for me and the recipients can get what they like. :)

    I will shop for my Secret Santa person, and for that, I tend to shop in little arty crafty places to try to find something unique. Plus it gives me an excuse to look in those places. :)



    This area of town is within easy walking distance of where I work ... it's interesting, historic, and a great place to do a bit of shopping for something different. :)


    https://www.australia.com/en/places/hobart-and-surrounds/guide-to-salamanca-place.html

    Guide to Salamanca Place

    Soak up the atmosphere in Salamanca Place, where Hobart’s historic, creative and cultural heart beats.

    Once the stomping ground for sailors, whalers and workmen, Salamanca Place in Hobart is now home to a vibrant cultural scene. Pop into warehouse art galleries, theatres, cafés and bars, and pick up boutique jewellery and one-off fashion pieces. Visit on a Saturday and mingle with locals and tourists at the bustling Salamanca Market, or pull up a seat in one of the stylish cafés – the perfect post from which to people-watch.


    AND ...

    https://www.salamancasquare.com.au/

    About Salamanca Square

    Salamanca Square began its life as a quarry that dates back to the earliest days of the Sullivan's Cove settlement in the early 19th Century.

    The quarry is still visible behind the modern apartments and shops that line the Square and stands as a significant symbol of Hobart's history and the sweat and toil of our convicts and early settlers. Hundreds of convicts were used to quarry out the cliffs, cut the stone and build the row of beautiful Georgian sandstone warehouses that were built in the 1830 that front the Square.

    In 1995, after considerable opposition from the Battery Point Progress Association and the Salamanca Traders Association, the Hobart City Council approved a development application for the Salamanca Quarry, which resulted in the creation of Salamanca Square. Comprising apartments, shops, restaurants, offices and a public space, the Square was completed in 1997.

    Today Salamanca Square offers a piazza space for relaxing and entertainment, It’s a safe environment with no cars and it's great in winter as it’s a sun trap. Businesses are open 7 days a week until late.


    9d5s0txcml7s.png
    (Salamanca Square's photo ... not mine!)


    Machka in Oz
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,252 Member
    stats for the day:


    no gym workout today, went to work early

    bike ride hm 2 gym, windy- 7.26min, 12.7amph, 135mhr, 1.57mi= 83c
    apple watch- 65c
    bike ride gym 2 dome- 5.31min, 16.1amph, 132mhr, 1.47mi= 59c
    apple watch- 53c
    bike ride puy 2 sumn station- 16.32min, 10.7amph, 150mhr, 2.95mi= 135c
    apple watch- 103c
    jog sta 2 wrk- 5min, 10min mi, 142mhr, .51mi= 56c
    apple watch- didn't record right
    jog wrk 2 sta-4.31min, 10.01min mi, 150mhr, .45mi= 64c
    apple watch- 45c
    bike ride dome 2 hm- 14.34min, 10.4amph, 148mhr, 2.52mi, 227c
    apple watch- 120c

    total cal 624
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,597 Member
    I bought a new pillow yesterday (on sale for nearly half price).

    When we bought our beds in 2014, they included a pillow of our choice and I discovered I like high profile, firm pillows. Till then, I didn't realise that one pillow (as opposed to 2-3 of them in a stack) could be so comfortable.

    Unfortunately, in the last few months that pillow has become less comfortable. It is 6 years old! Lately, I've been restless when I sleep, I turn the pillow frequently, and I have been waking up with a very sore right shoulder and arm.

    So ... new pillow time. This one is slightly different from the one I had before, but it is very good too. I slept deeply. I didn't wake and turn it every hour. And my right shoulder and arm feel pretty good! :)


    https://www.dunlopillo-bedding.com.au/dunlopillo-luxurious-latex-high-firm-pillow.html


    Machka in Oz
  • exermom
    exermom Posts: 6,520 Member
    Did DVD for the rebounder. The plan for tomorrow is to do an Ultimate Cardio DVD.

    Again Denise is giving us hassles about coming here for Christmas. This happens every year. Well, I just talked to Vince. He’s going to tell her that she’d better get her *kitten* here for Christmas or Jess will inherit everything. This is silly. I need to make plans. She called before to tell us to be sure to include PJ in our will and tell me that she’ll fight Jess for my rings (she’s always wanted them, she told Pete that she wanted them, he bought her a ring “to show her I love her”. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that’s not showing love. My guess is that Maria told him that he needs to buy Denise a ring. But still…that’s their choice, it was her choice to accept that ring, we all have to live with our decisions.). Update: Vince called her, told her we'd be out but she called and left a message (at least she did that much) and said "it'll be the 4th, 5th, and 6th." So it looks like we'll have our Christmas on the 5th which in a way is a bummer since that's a Sunday and people have to go to work on Monday. But oh well...... Maybe that'll mean fewer people will be here which means less food I have to buy.

    Karen in VA – I was just glad that Vince had just gone thru the sign up for medicare so he could answer a lot of my questions and the sign up went much easier.

    Heather – Edie is 6!!! Where did the time go? How wonderful for your son!!!

    Subdew – my dear, I’m so sorry about the accident. Thank goodness your grandson got that plate number! The throw is gorgeous

    Katla – the person who invented robo calls and the person who invented that label that goes on a DVD that is almost impossible to get off – they should be tarred and feathered. I haven’t lost any height and I just went for my physical.

    Made the salmon cakes for Christmas Eve, now they are in the refrig. I’ll probably fry two for us just to see how they come out then freeze the rest

    Newcomer holiday party tonight. I’m not anticipating eating a whole lot (didn’t last time), having veges for dessert (that’s what I did the last time) or staying long

    Well, went to the Newcomer holiday party. They had a steel drum band, and it was loud. To me, a bit too loud. Plus, they didn’t know any Christmas songs. Don’t ask me why they had them for a holiday party. Was pretty good about eating. Had salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and 2 croutons (and onions) – no dressing. Then for dinner had a piece of chicken (I was lucky and got one without any sauce on it) but I think it must have been fried, then took the snow peas and carrots. My dessert was snow peas, carrots and green beans. I almost took a roll, but put it back (yea me!). Just had water to drink (and tea – no sugar or anything). I would have had a small bite of the cobbler, but didn’t. I was thinking about trying it. No loss there. We left around 9 (which is OK with me). One of the bad things is that I get comments like "healthy eating" and looks of surprise when my dessert is veges and not the apple cobbler they had

    Amber and Beth – about Christmas gifts, I made a list of what I have. I’ve asked everyone just to give 3 gifts.

    Janetr – here’s hoping your daughter gets over her depression soon

    Michele in NC
  • JRsLateInLifeMom
    JRsLateInLifeMom Posts: 2,275 Member
    edited December 2019
    Michele NC- Great idea we passed our rule because I felt Christmas was out of hand. Easier if everyone bought for a few instead of all of us if need be just join it all. That way if someone can only afford a small item for one but a big gift for another it evens out since we join them all. Dad loves it makes him feel like it’s covered if he can’t afford much.

    So you get a bag or few everyone tosses in something tadaaa done. Instead of lots of presents each we concentrate on a few items . Toss in anything extra we got even my perfume from my basket tossed into a stocking...technically got myself my own perfume lol 😂. 1 big item for myself plus a bunch of regifted items hubby y me dig out for ourselves. Holidays more for JR anyways.

    Amber Tx
  • csofled
    csofled Posts: 3,022 Member
    💤😴
  • JRsLateInLifeMom
    JRsLateInLifeMom Posts: 2,275 Member
    Rori - Great find! Artificial trees are $200 y up depending on height a 9ft ones $300. A table top ones $40 up! Lucky dog ! Ours is new cost way too much way way too much I miss when the $200 tree was the huge ones! You can use it for years ! I still got a table top one I got for free spent the money I saved on cute $1 ornaments from a $1.50 tiny plastic balls for it that shine to a cute ribbon 🎀 I made for the top found a $1 y under tree skirt for it even. We used it as the only tree for years! Especially if we were moving,lived in a small space,or wasn’t going to be home for the holidays.

    Amber Tx
  • JRsLateInLifeMom
    JRsLateInLifeMom Posts: 2,275 Member
    Rori- Great Find!!! A Free Artificial trees are more exspensive this year than ever! 9ft ones $300+ ! At Sam’s Club cheapest we saw was $199 it was tiny! Walmart has a few cheaper ones I’m sure but still not many!

    I got a free table top one year bought tiny ornaments for it to tree skirt on sale cheap $10 worth used it for years! Dad has a table top one . After Christmas ornaments go on sale but at the moment places like Walmart sale bows or poinsettia flowers with clips y plastic balls to hang with $1 hooks 1 topper a tree skirt your set for years to come for as low as you wanna go! I hit the after Christmas sales for more later .

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Holiday-Time-Deluxe-Red-Poinsettia-Clip/198515079
    I got big poinsettia clips stick only them on it. A tree skirt that’s cute country Santa like. A Nice tree star topper. Tadaaa done ✅
    Amber Tx
  • coastalgosgal
    coastalgosgal Posts: 2,900 Member
    Rebecca I cannot believe adorable Athena is sitting up on her own! Charming baby. xoxo And I think your phone chair's vintage Christmas look is quite lovely.

    I spent hours in the Social Security office and then on the phone with Medicare. I signed up for Part B. Pretty much wasted time otherwise; the people I talked to actually know quite a bit less than I do which is frightening. In-person insurance broker is next. I'm expecting a much more satisfying conversation. Geeez!

    Karen in Virginia

    Thanks! I miss having our 1957 rotary phone on it, but its upstairs plugged into the modem. Our wiring is all messed up, so landlines not possible. Our cute rotary phone is the only phone loud enough to hear from downstairs! Our owner isn't interested in ever fixing the substandard wiring either. Something about it all daisy- chained and its not worth his trouble. Besides no one uses a land line anyway. Gawh!
    Athena is my happy place for certain!
    💖Rebecca
  • skuehn48
    skuehn48 Posts: 3,042 Member
    <3
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    I haven’t done any Christmas shopping yet. Yikes! My daughter will likely get around to sending me a list. I need to start thinking about what the kids would enjoy. Same goes with DS and family. I want to get things purchased and sent, but I need ideas to accomplish that. I have a wreath at my front door, and an Alberta Spruce tree that will be coming into the living room. We’ve had this tree for a few years now and it doesn’t seem to mind a visit in the house. I’ll put it in the garage for a few days to transition to inside life. After the holidays It will stay in the garage for a while to help the transition back outside. Our weather has not been cold so far, and the transitions may be easier on the tree than I expect.

    Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,597 Member
    edited December 2019
    Saturday -- winter's been hanging in there, so I exercised indoors again ...

    Ride -- Zwift: London Route 46:20 min, 13.60 km, 198 m

    Rowing -- Evening 16:37 min row 16:38 min, 2,518 m, 0 m

    Walk -- Treadmill: Evening Walk 34:40 min, 3.11 km, 0 m


    ihdvhommrrxj.png




    Machka in Oz
  • KetoneKaren
    KetoneKaren Posts: 6,412 Member
    Heather Edie playing the cello. <3

    Sue Your poor back. Here's hoping it heals soon.

    Lanette Yep. I'm gonna get me an insurance broker dude/dudette & get all this behind me.
    barbiecat wrote: »
    :) It's not Medicare's job to know about supplements and Medicare Advantage plans. All those plans are private which is why going to an insurance broker for help was what we did.

    <3 Barbie from NW WA

    Warning: minor rant ahead.
    You are so right! However, what I asked about was original Medicare Part B. Specifically, concerning the retirement transition for an over-65 employed person still covered by group health insurance & prescription plan. I was just trying to verify what I thought I understood from a careful reading of the Medicare.gov info.

    People working for Medicare should be able to answer all questions about Original Medicare.

    Additionally, they should know the basic rules the federal government imposes on private companies who administer the supplements.

    For example, one of the most important rules of this type has to do with creditable coverage for prescriptions & the lifetime Part D penalty that occurs if a person goes more than 63 days without a prescription plan. Even though Part D is administered by private drug plans, the federal government imposes that rule & Medicare Reps should know about it.

    They should also know how long you have to sign up for Medicare Part A & B after retiring to avoid a penalty, since the penalties are set by the federal government.

    I'm planning to follow your example and go to an insurance broker for help with my Medigap & Part D.

    Karen in Virginia
  • SuziQ113
    SuziQ113 Posts: 1,520 Member
    Katla49 wrote: »
    Heather: Edie is growing up! She looks wonderful with her cello. :smiley:

    Margaret: Whoever invented robo calling is on my hate list. We are inundated with robo calls, most of them from some stupid hotel chain. I wonder if it is Trump's company. :grumble: We used to be able to put ourselves on a no-call list. Sadly, no more. :ohwell:

    Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

    Hi Katla.

    We can still place ourselves on a Do Not Call list. It doesn't stop the calls, but if you happen to pick up one of those calls you can immediately say, you are on the list and request for them to remove your number. If called again you can report them. I ask for the company name the first time and have a running list.

    https://www.donotcall.gov/

    Most Android phones allow you to block numbers which is the easiest strategy. :smile:
  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,698 Member
    edited December 2019
    I really wish I could show you the video of Edie playing the cello. I just took a random screenshot! To my ears it sounds great, and she has only just started! Such concentration! At the end of the video she does a little kind of 'get that' flourish. Made me laugh. Thank you everyone for your kind words about her. <3

    Machka and others - My younger son has always created his own job, right from the very first one! All in the alcohol industry. He has been headhunted many times. He works incredibly hard. Stress, stress, stress. Of course, that's how the alcohol got to him.
    Since he has been AF he has been increasingly unhappy at being in an industry promoting drink. He runs a brewery that he created and heads a promotion and marketing team for a large local chain of pubs. The current owner says he bought the company because of him! Now he needs to square his lifestyle and values with his job, so he basically approached this new AF company with his ideas and expertise. They had to find the money for him from venture capital. He will have a big team under him.
    I am so proud of him for turning his addiction around and living a life in tune with his new self. I know I could not have done it. The support of my DDIL has been crucial through all this. He stood to lose everything if he couldn't sort it out. Those three beautiful children. His job. His wife. And, of course, it could all go down the pan on the first drink. He will always be 'recovering'.

    We are babysitting on Sunday morning while he and DDIL go out for a long bicycle ride. Then we are all off to Fatto a Mano for pizza. <3

    It was good to get back to my exercise regime this morning. Two days of no exercise and too much eating and drinking. Ugh!
    I had managed to lose a pound, but I expect I've put it back on now!

    Love Heather UK 3
  • SuziQ113
    SuziQ113 Posts: 1,520 Member
    exermom wrote: »
    Well, went to the Newcomer holiday party. They had a steel drum band, and it was loud. To me, a bit too loud. Plus, they didn’t know any Christmas songs. Don’t ask me why they had them for a holiday party. Was pretty good about eating. Had salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and 2 croutons (and onions) – no dressing. Then for dinner had a piece of chicken (I was lucky and got one without any sauce on it) but I think it must have been fried, then took the snow peas and carrots. My dessert was snow peas, carrots and green beans. I almost took a roll, but put it back (yea me!). Just had water to drink (and tea – no sugar or anything). I would have had a small bite of the cobbler, but didn’t. I was thinking about trying it. No loss there. We left around 9 (which is OK with me). One of the bad things is that I get comments like "healthy eating" and looks of surprise when my dessert is veges and not the apple cobbler they had

    Michele in NC

    I have been getting too many comments lately too. One of my closer work friends saw me checking the calories on an item someone placed in our "group" snack area which I typically ignore because most are laden with fat and calories. Her comment of "Why are you looking at the calories? If you want it just eat eat." I once again had to say, "Well, XYZ, that has always been part of my problem and I am determined to get and keep this weight off for good." I still feel there is a little jealousy mixed in to the comments I have been receiving. She is a binge dieter and loses weight for occasions. Most of her diets are extremely unhealthy and almost close to starvation. I am still trying to find the "right" reply when people are snide. I am thinking that ignoring them might be the best strategy for me.
  • SuziQ113
    SuziQ113 Posts: 1,520 Member
    Day 22, December 6
    I am grateful for the stories of my life and those in it. I would not be the person I am today without them.
    Day 23, December 7
    I am most grateful for creating the tradition of me celebrating me on my birthday. Every year I do or buy something special for myself.

    Yes, these sound self-centered. But, I have learned through the years I must love and respect myself in order to attract the same level of love and respect from others.
  • klanders30
    klanders30 Posts: 2,569 Member
    suziq this time of year is especially full of food and drinks pushers (it’s the holidays!, come on, just one more!!). My way of dealing with this—don’t ever go to social events hungry—always put food on your plate and a seltzer in your glass and walk around with it—you look busy and full! I know Barbie has some tried and true strategies as well.


    I know of no way to stop the pushers, saboteurs and jealous folk’s behaviors—but I’m in charge of my choices—not them.

    Off for a long walk in the cold with DH this a.m. delightful-but chilly

    NYKAREN
  • KJLaMore
    KJLaMore Posts: 2,847 Member
    <3 slept late...will check in to chat later today! Healing hugs to Suebdew (I think of you often and am glad you are okay) <3 KJ
  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,649 Member
    B)
  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,698 Member
    Tradition - Burns Night. :D Delicious haggis and single malt whisky.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx