WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2020

Sorry in advance for the novel. Synopsis of the below – life has kind of slapped us in the face the last couple of weeks and stress is taking over. I know some people here are dealing with much more than me so feel free to skip.

So what’s that phrase – “The best laid plans…” Kinda how the year has started off. Not sure if anyone here will remember me, but I was around for a while last spring. Things kind of went off the rails for a while after that but by the end of the year, life was getting better, more settled (except for the holidays). Everything seemed to be going well. We made some big goals for 2020 – paying off our debts, planning a trip for our 30th wedding anniversary in April, I was starting to think about retirement (still at least 4 years off, but getting things in order for it), and then life happened. DH got a call on Jan 1st that his brother had been taken to the hospital early that morning with heart failure. Not a good start to the year. He’s only in his early 60’s but has known heart issues. They were finally able to get him off the ventilator this past weekend and he’s doing better but had to go back to the ICU on Tuesday because of BP issues. They live in Florida and his wife has not been overly forthcoming about his condition. DH’s other brother has been trying to get as much info as he can and keep the family updated but it’s frustrating not knowing what’s going on with him and DH is not someone who talks about his feelings so I know he’s having trouble with it but won’t talk about it.

On top of that, we had an unexpected 3.5” of snow on Jan 11th (was supposed to be a dusting) and our DD slid on her way home from her boyfriend’s house and wrecked her car. She’s fine, she slid into a median getting off the highway, but the car is undriveable with about $4000 worth of damage to the front driver’s side. And the insurance company won’t total the car – it’s a 2008 Chevy Aveo so not anywhere near worth $4000 – and will only pay for $1500 worth of repairs. So we’re not fixing the car, it will be donated to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, and we ended up buying a used car this past weekend. Actually, she’s buying the car. We helped with the down payment, but we’re trying to get her to be a more responsible adult – she’s 25 years old, still lives with us, long story there – and she makes enough money to make the payments as long as she watches her spending.

All this to say – the exercise and healthier eating has gone out the window and the weight that I was starting to lose has come back. I’ve started keeping a journal/planner to track my workouts, my meals, my hydration, my sleep, and the amount of TV I watch. That last one is a biggie for me – once I sit my butt down after dinner and turn on the TV, I don’t get back up. So keeping the TV off is more conducive to me getting my workouts done.

Well this got much longer than expected. I’m hoping that coming here every day or so will help with motivation to get back to the workouts and the healthier meals. And I do feel a little better after writing all this out.

JanetO in eastern MO

Michele: Regarding “fake” sweeteners. I agree with you. We use stevia, which is plant based and not engineered in a chemistry lab. Stevia is not as sweet as sugar, but it does fine in my coffee. I don’t use it in food. If I’m baking I use real sugar.

Heather: You’ve made an excellent observation regarding Michael. He also goes on and on. This time it was about fishing. I think his wife is a saint. :bigsmile:

Rebecca: The light switches are beautiful. :flowerforyou:

Yvonne: I have never tried to create my own sourdough starter. I was given this starter by a friend in about 1970, and I have kept it alive all this time, despite having to scrape mold off of the top a time or two. It is still alive and well. How do you create your own? I’d love to know.

Kim: No one ever gave me the idea that Angels were pies on pi day or any regular day. When I was a young child one of my aunties told my mom that I was an old soul. I heard it often enough that I accepted the idea. I was also told frequently that departed family members were angels looking after me. I wanted to become a Guardian Angel when It was my turn. The young child inside of me still hopes for that honor in the next life. :flowerforyou:

JanetO: So sorry for your stress. :flowerforyou:

IrishTerri: I wouldn’t want to be lemon meringue pie, but I wouldn’t mind eating a slice. Or two--- It has been years since my last taste of lemon meringue pie.


I’m evidently not on my A game today. I irritate DH every time I say or do anything. :ohwell: I may mention it to him. Or not. :ohwell:


Katla in Rainy NW Oregon

Amber I agree you have to look carefully at what you are eating. I enjoyed reading Eating on the Wild Side that discusses the changes in the food supply. Interesting enough usally the more bitter the vegetable the better it is for us. There has been a movement to make veggies sweeter. The history of corn we eat today makes me almost want to stop eating corn. It is hard to give up fresh corn on the cob. If I find a vegetable is an heirloom variety it makes me want to try it.

I do not care for the after taste of Stevia. There is a Kombucha that uses it and I don't buy that brand.

Margaret

I would be a rhubarb custard pie.

Hi all: I got a call this morning and ended up teaching water exercise at the YM. I was going to the class anyway so just had to teach instead of participate. The regular teacher was not feeling well. One of the ladies in the class and I were talking afterward and she recently lost her DH too. We both like the symphony but don't like going alone so now we are going to the Everett Philharmonic together on February 9. I think it will be fun, an all Mozart program. I am really looking forward to it.

Brenda VA - Happy birthday!

Yvonne in TX - My hay guy keeps telling me how much he likes pie, any kind of pie so last time he delivered hay I gave him apple turnovers to take home. Not sure how many of them made it there. LOL He would definitely be in favor of pie day.

JanetO - Hugs.

Rebecca - I like those light switch covers. we need pictures of yours.

Everyone take care, Sue in WA

I think I’m a pecan pie - sweet as can be, but a little nutty!