WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2020

cityjaneLondon · December 2020

I'm going to take the day off writing today and hope I can persuade DH to do the same (he works on the dining room table, adjoining the kitchen). He still hasn't iced his Christmas cake and I need to make the Panna Cotta. I also haven't wrapped his presents yet, but will do that after lunch.
Everything stops for 9 Lessons and Carols at 3pm, when the chorister sings his solo in the porch of Kings College Chapel , Cambridge. 'Once in Royal David’s City'. I love the tradition that he is picked to sing at the last minute so none of them know before hand. I always cry. No audience this year, so it might be a bit different.
I hope some of you will be able to listen. I know Barbara hopes to. It will be on the app, SOUNDS, and it's Radio 4. You'll have to work out the time zone for live listening, but it will be available afterwards as well. I love the words of the King James Bible as well as the carols.
I think we are Zooming the grandchildren before the end but that's OK.

I hope the family will have got their results by then, but it may be a bit later.
Time to get up and make a cup of tea.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

auntiebk · December 2020

"Get to do"s and "chose well"s

Chose well: take BP, dogs to powerline, 11 mins Leslie Sansome
Bonus: pickup car, Farmers’ Market, Post Office, lights and half ornaments onto tiny tree.
Get to do: take BP, dogs to powerline, call R, corrected roster to Cal-Or, index mutual aid files, watch STAS Day 18 (go sniff), submit grant pics and receipts, test Bluetooth speaker so can do BB&B or T’ai Chi from voice recordings, make experimental almond paste, declutter sideboard, practice new dances (I ain’t never gonna love nobody but Cornell Crawford (Alley cat), A Little Less Broken, One margarita, I’m so used to being broke, All Night, Nothing but You, Blame it on my beating heart, Homesick); finish mulching flowerbed; broadcast cover crop seed in veg garden areas, invest another 10 minutes in prepping living trust, Freddie’s for complete series TDAP <$48, get Shingrix vaccine, find and configure a screen time popup, figure out where to plant naked lady bulbs, and soon as it warms up above 50 and dries out below 60% humidity I’ll tape and spray paint those rusted areas of Aunt Elsie’s stove. Reconcile Joe’s EOB’s Thrivent shows only 2263.48 so far, Monday call State Fire Marshall’s office re: reporting, next BGBS ask Terry about GB’s FD firetruck tax levy – contacts, media, advocate???,
Reward: inventory seeds, plan next year’s garden, wishlist replenishments, ask faucet question, if answer ok order.
Do Good December
24: Bring joy to others, share something that made you laugh: find something for T and R.

Julie “ . . .physical activity yesterday tired me and also made me sleep rather well. I generally feel more up beat after going for even a tiny walk.” True for me too.
Kate, Heather, Terri all in the UK

Please consider adding gargling with Listerine Cool Mint (or probably anything including hot salt water and lemon juice) to taking extra Vitamin D and Zinc to minimize viral load. Good riddance to 2020.
Debby in VA glad to hear you and your neighbors have veggies and meat to sell. Gorgeous tree.
Karen in VA stunning pics gave me a pang of homesickness for the Bay Area of 40 years ago…

the sunlit quail.
Machka like your stars!
Sharon hoping your date lifts your spirits.
Tina fingers X’d for a favorable EKG. Do you have to have one before the procedure?
Rita ((hugs))
Flea those displays are like what our Nature’s Coastal Holiday were at Azalea Park, pre-plague. Now many of the displays have been set up along highway 101, and are uplifting to drive by, but I miss strolling through the park. Also miss rounding out the night with an adult hot cocoa at O’Hollerans, a local restaurant and lounge, always decorated to the max, but now plague closed. Love your decorations but not so sure about the ornament… :laugh:
Debbie thanks so much for the sneak-a-little-brown rice-or-cauliflower into Joe’s white rice hint. That I can do!
Allie brava for keeping up with the PT and hooray for the shower!
Michele the ornament debacle was an incident from my childhood that grieved me to this day. Prying my mental fingers off of it, trying to breathe and let it go… Thanks for the tips about the chocolate zucchini bread. Dug out your chocolate bran muffin recipe, will make it for him tomorrow.
Rebecca does your Chief always make up the menu plan? Wow!
Katla this afternoon both Joe and I started to take the dogs down the drive at the same time. When he saw me, he tried to bow out, but I gently suggested we walk together. He was reluctant, it was cold, he didn’t want to… but he did! We didn’t stay long, I didn’t want to push my luck, but I was so proud of him!
Kay can you tip your recliner over to look under it on the floor for your splint? Of course you’ve already looked in the washing machine, dryer, hamper, bathroom wastebasket, behind the toilet… could it have caught on a towel after you washed your hands?
Ginny you encourage me to get the Shingles shot. Would you let me know how long the muscle soreness and other side effects last?

At 07:00 am plan to listen to the King’s College service, thanks Heather. Then finish the tree, wrap Joe’s and the dogs' gifts and put under.

Ah, Joe’s gifts. Won’t be giving him the peanut brittle I get him every year, nor the favorite brandy I found at the liquor store last week. Those are going into hiding until his fasting glucose is below 100. A can of mixed nuts, a bag of pine nuts, and a David Bowie tribute magazine is it. Otherwise, we’re swapping expense of his freezer for my new kitchen faucet, a wash. Then I’ll try making some of Debbie in Napa’s sneaky fried rice to go with some stir fried pork and kung pao cauliflower.

Lighter, lovelies!

Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

December: better than November.
daily: sit with Joe: 21, weigh: 23, steps>5505=6394 vits=23 log=23 CI<CO=22 CI<250<CO=16 Tumble & Shadow 5=19 mfp=23 outside=13 up hill=13
wkly: T’ai Chi or BB&B x3 =0 rx=3 dance= clean 30 mins=4.5
mnthly: board mtg=1 grant=1 20for20=0 bonus: AF=15 play=0 sew=0

Katla49 · December 2020

Listening to foghorns and train whistles at 1AM. Merry Christmas to all of my Women 50+ friends. Have a great day.🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅

Machka9 · December 2020

Our strawberries from about a month ago ...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/

M in Oz

bananasandoranges · December 2020

Hello,
Champagne with friend was kind of nice.

I did get the trundle bed all assembled except for the drawers.
My home is a little more full than previously with the extra shelves, the art stuff and the stationary bike but it's ok.

In face the bedroom/office area is pretty full and the living/dining room area pretty spacious/empty.

Feeling less upbeat today.

I woke early, meditated, had breakfast in bed, fell back asleep...now it's 10ish, grey and rainy outside...

I usually like to at least have a good meal or two for the holidays but I don't have any great ideas for that just yet.

I will appreciate the cleaner apartment.

I might take care of some bills/paperwork..early in the day...and/or assemble the drawers in the sofa- bed.

Very probably go for a walk and get something nice to eat for today and tomorrow.

Workoutahloic50 · December 2020

Katla-trains in the night,a beautiful sound I miss.
Happy Christmas Eve,beautiful ladies!!🎄🎄
Debby in Va

Machka9 · December 2020

The official photos have landed! These are the professional ones ...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/albums/72157615193348789

M in Oz

cityjaneLondon · December 2020

Barbara - I was wrong about the 9 lessons. It's still being broadcast at 3 pm, but it's not live this year. I will miss the coughing and shuffling of the audience! So really you could listen to it any time after 7 am as it's only a recording!
Just found out this morning.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

cityjaneLondon · December 2020

Guess who has been helping daddy with the chocolate sauce.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

bananasandoranges · December 2020

I went for a walk and did some shopping and checked my haircut appointment time (Monday at 9 am!)

I ordered a roast guinea fowl for 5:30 pm.

And stocked up a bit on fruit and veggie and other bits and bobs, so I won't be hungry nor confined to eat pantry food these 2 days.

got some eggs and GF flour in case I feel like making pancakes tomorrow.
I haven't made them for ages.

I make a really light egg-y pancake, with about 1/3-1/2 flour, same of soymilke, 1 egg with whites beat separately to get nice and foamy and a bit of leavening. it makes about 2 pancakes that I eat w good texture and flavour soy yogurt, maple syrup and maybe berries. ah I didn't think to buy frozen berries.... maybe later today.

Workoutahloic50 · December 2020

Beauty

Workoutahloic50 · December 2020

SuziQ113 · December 2020

O, holy night. The stars are brightly shining. ….

Christmas Eve – It’s hard to believe the year is drawing to an end. And, what a strange and winding road we have been on. I am thankful we have stayed in touch and have supported each other throughout this year.

The virtual cocktail class was a blast. It started with an introduction from the partner hosting the event and we moved in to mixing our first drink which was a twist on a traditional daiquiri. The mixologist not only showed us how to mix the drink, he also shared lot of facts about ratios, balancing flavors, the true way to smell aromas and why, why certain drinks should be shaken and not stirred, etc. I wish I had time to take notes or thought to record the session. The tea bags were steeped with the alcohol to imbibe the flavor into the drink. When we finished mixing our drink he left so we could socialize and mingle. We then moved on a twist on a highball, more socialization, and the final drink was a twist on an old fashioned. All were holiday flavored. A good time was had by all and it did push away some of the loneliness I have been feeling. Interested…..

liquorlab.com

Heather – Sorry about the fresh food challenges. It seems you and Johnny did well with your foraging. 😊 It is sad to think about how much food is going to waste sitting on the border. Love, love, love the pic of your son and grands with the gingerbread house. Hoping the family simply has a head cold versus this darn virus!

Debbie – Very thoughtful gifts to your friends. Isn’t it funny how we end up being better friends with some of our exes? I have been reaching out. I have not tracked down many people from my high school years. I was moved around a lot on the cusp of my teens. When we finally settled I was in the 9th grade. I was much more mature than my peers due to my home life. If I met you outside of school….I may have become friends with you. I wasn’t into all of those clicks and saw them as limiting. I “may” track down our reunion team, 2022 will be 30 years and it would be interesting to see where and how people have fared.

Katla – Thank you. I am certainly looking forward to the gleaning season and researching how I can become more involved versus just picking vegetables. Work is finally giving us a volunteer day so I will also look in to scheduling a day building for Habitat of Humanity.

Bananas – Modest means. I agree. SFL is one of those places where everyone tries to outdo each other. The bigger the façade the better. It makes it a little challenging navigating. Next year it is one of my goals to get more involved with volunteering and build my network through organizations I support and will be able to devote more time to once I am able to retire. I am so happy you are freshening up your abode. I am sure it has done a lot to lift your spirits. Sorry to hear about your friend’s visit and her long trip home.

Katie – So sorry about the split. Crazy question…..did you check the pillowcases?

Christmas Dinner – I am making stuffed chicken breasts (chicken cutlets wrapped around stuffing frozen from Thanksgiving and then wrapped in bacon to keep the breasts moist – they are skinless), green beans sauteed with garlic, and a nice bottle of wine.

Kate – Sending positive thoughts and prayers to your DD and her family.

Sharon – So happy you’re posting. It’s good to hear from you. Family is family – we love them but do not have to be their friends. I had so much co-dependency in my childhood I elect to stay away from it. I am sorry about your DD’s posting habits (she would probably get along with my cousin – lol). 😊

Tina – Sorry about your mood. I completely understand. I am halfway there this year. I think your health issue has put a damper on things. From the quick research I did it appears if amenorrhea can decrease the production of certain hormones which causes other issues. But only happens in a very small percentage of those getting an ablation. I am sure your doctor is being overly cautious and wants to be sure you understand no procedure is without risk.??

RVRita – At least you now know what it is. I wish they would have scanned you sooner! Big hug to you.

Flea – Love the pictures of the lights from your overnight adventure. I chuckled over the 2020 ornament.

Michele – Thank you for the invite. 😊 It’s the same thing I ask people.

Allie – Keep up the good work with PT. A shower is a blessing…..makes one feel human!

Machka – Make a commitment to yourself to use some of your time off to relax. It’s OK, most everything else can wait. Believe me…….I have been doing it for years! I do remember coming off of the scholastic track. It took my body and mind a few months to realize it was not missing a class or a deadline.

Best to all,
SuziQ – SFL

Machka9 · December 2020

M in Oz

grandmallie · December 2020

Morning dear friends
It is going to be warm and windy and torrential rains for Christmas here..
Never in my life have i seen a Christmas tree so overloaded with presents,i know it goes out to alot of people but still..
I didnt sleep well at all last night,so dont know what kind of day it will be...will try and pick up up some of my stuff that is hanging around the living room.

Machka9 · December 2020

https://helpingminds.org.au/christmas/
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, excitement, and love with family or friends
However, for some Christmas may be met with some apprehension and challenges, particularly for those living with mental health challenges or for those who are supporting a loved one living with mental health challenges.

Amid all the flurry of Christmas, taking time out to remember a few simple ways to protect your wellbeing could make all the difference. So here are 25 tips from HelpingMinds to make this festive season a little more manageable.

M in Oz

cityjaneLondon · December 2020

Look what DH made, all by himself. Nearly. I did offer advice now and again.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Peach1948 · December 2020

Heather
Please share the recipe for that delicious looking cake.

Love the pic of Bea...I have a feeling she is the spunky one in the family probably like her grandmother.

Carol in GA

KJLaMore · December 2020

I am officially on vacation until January 4! Whoot!! I stayed up until midnight last night (because I could), all the while anticipating the luxuriousness of being able to sleep in this morning. Nope. My eyes popped open at 5:15am. Tried to get back to sleep, but my brain was already awake. lol Jokes on me! Not much planned for today except a really good sweep and mop of the kitchen floor. The kids decorated cookies, yesterday; and although I swept and mopped right after, every once in a while I feel and hear the sprinkles, jimmies, and candies skittering across the floor. I will probably venture out to deliver a couple of gifts to the kiddos that weren't here yesterday. Other than that, it is my youngest son's birthday today; a day that we refer to as Colinmas. Christmas Eve will begin at 6pm. lol For Colin's birthday meal we will be having crablegs, shrimp two ways (boiled and baked), asparagus, and pasta alfredo. The pasta is mainly for Tim (who doesn't like seafood).
I posted my annual birthday post to Colin on facebook.

I didn't tag him in it. He doesn't like me to mention his birthday being Christmas Eve, because he says he feels like people will think he is trying to be more important than Jesus Christ. lol AS a christian, and also a bit of a pragmatist, I am sure that God/JC are not threatened by others born on Dec. 24/25. In fact, I visualize God/JC having a big laugh at how we are celebrating JC's birthday on the wrong date, anyway. Anyhow, I am a firm believer in everyone's birth is important; because their lives are important. I don't think God would tell us otherwise. So: This was my birthday post to Colin.
Kelly LaMore shared a memory.
1h ·
Shared with Your friends
For me, 2020 has had nothing on 1993. This year I have bristled at people calling it a dumpster fire, a throw-away year, the worst year ever; just waiting for it to end. No year is without "good". Sometimes "the good" doesn't become evident until the end. Maybe you won't see "the good" of this year, until next year or the year after..

2 Years Ago
See Your Memories

Kelly LaMore
December 24, 2018 ·
Shared with Your friends
In late 1992 the doctors found a mass wrapped around my mother's spine. Inoperable. Her cancer was back. Her third meeting with the “beast” in seven years. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. By the beginning of March she was at home and the end was near. On my last visit with her, I entered her bedroom with my daughter Lauren (then three years old) and my mom greeted me with her usual smile and warmth. “Oh! Kelly Jo! I am so happy you are here! Who do you have with you?” Figuring this was confusion due to illness, I gently reminded her, “It’s Lauren, mom. You remember Lauren!” and my mother answered, “No! I am not talking about Lauren” (to Lauren, “Hello Lauren! How are you?”) “I am talking about the baby in your arms! Whose little boy is that?” I replied, “There’s no baby!” Opening my empty arms to show her, “Just me and Lauren.” She looked confused and then thoughtful for a moment. Then smiled and said “Oh, I see. Nevermind!”. We continued with our visit and then I went home. Mom passed away later that night. Two weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. For the next few months, my sorrow was deep, the emotional pain was all encompassing and I would drown myself in my work because that was the only place where I was NOT thinking about my loss. The whole time this baby moved gently and quietly inside of me. So different from my first pregnancy, when my unborn daughter would seemingly be doing all sorts of tumbling and gymnastics inside, then would lean against a certain nerve in my back and knock my feet out from under me. This baby was different. Moving gently, as if trying to NOT stress me any more than I was. November came, I was as big as a house in my eighth month and like most pregnant women, ready for this baby to arrive. Then, my father passed away. Dad was gone. My heart was in pieces. Those last few weeks of the pregnancy was a blur. But life does go on. I had two children at home, ready for Christmas fun and wonder. On Christmas Eve morning, I left my house for a check up with my obstetrician. I told my husband and kids, “I have to go to the doctor, and when I get home, we will open presents!” Well, you know what they say about the “best laid plans”. My ob decided that we needed to induce labor, and my baby boy was born at 6:30pm on Christmas Eve. He entered the world without a sound and eyes wide open. Even that little spank that they give so his lungs would fill with air, produced only a couple of screams of indignation, which then quieted as soon as they placed him on my chest. He just nestled in and went to sleep. Soothing my soul and healing my heart and “nurturing” me as much as I would be doing for him. My husband had let my brothers and sisters know that the baby had arrived, and like shepherds, or maybe lost sheep, they all made their pilgrimage to my hospital room to see this baby. This baby who was a sign of life after a year of death. This baby, who as he was passed around from arms to arms, was a soothing balm for each aching heart. Now, the birth of this child was no more special than that of any other child, but he was the child that made me truly know there is a God. I am positive that my mother saw a baby boy in my arms, and that her soul and my son’s soul “saw” each other. One soul on the way out of this world, and one soul on it’s way in. I am sure that God gave me this gift. This life that I so badly needed in 1993. Every Christmas as I am reminded of the absence of my parents, I am reminded of the gift of life. A baby is never just a baby. Happy birthday, beautiful boy.

Heather- Hope the family's Covid tests come back negative! Bea looks delicious covered in chocolate! lol
Machka- Love your pics! Your strawberries look good.
Allie- Happy to hear you are doing well and moving around (don't overdo it)! What fun having your friends do a Christmas drive by!
Debbie in VA- Pretty colors in the sky! Merry Christmas to you, as well!

Well, it has been over two hours since I began writing this post! I got ambushed by Tim, who has been up all night; planning his organizational system in our basement. Along with our own things, we still have much of Tim's mom's things since her passing two years ago, then our oldest son's stuff from his move to a smaller place a year ago and NOW some of his girlfriend's things as well. Anyway, Tim has been busy these past few days building shelves and moving bins. It is good for him, although he will be sore tomorrow. He had to show me his plans, get my approval and requisite pat on the head. I could tell he wanted me to come down and help, but I have this aversion to this kind of work on my first day of vacation. lol I told him that I would work on my corner after Christmas. lol I PROMISE! ANyway, time has gotten away from me and I need to hop in the shower, so that my body truly knows that it is time to do more than sip coffee.

Wishing you all a wonderful day and a Happy Christmas! Remember you are loved, and you are able to love. Everything else is fluff. ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)

KetoneKaren · December 2020

cityjaneLondon wrote: »

I'm going to take the day off writing today and hope I can persuade DH to do the same (he works on the dining room table, adjoining the kitchen). He still hasn't iced his Christmas cake and I need to make the Panna Cotta. I also haven't wrapped his presents yet, but will do that after lunch.
Everything stops for 9 Lessons and Carols at 3pm, when the chorister sings his solo in the porch of Kings College Chapel , Cambridge. 'Once in Royal David’s City'. I love the tradition that he is picked to sing at the last minute so none of them know before hand. I always cry. No audience this year, so it might be a bit different.
I hope some of you will be able to listen. I know Barbara hopes to. It will be on the app, SOUNDS, and it's Radio 4. You'll have to work out the time zone for live listening, but it will be available afterwards as well. I love the words of the King James Bible as well as the carols.
I think we are Zooming the grandchildren before the end but that's OK. I hope the family will have got their results by then, but it may be a bit later.
Time to get up and make a cup of tea.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

I don’t think we can listen to King’s College 9 Lesson and Carols live. It says on my BBC SOUNDS app that it will be available “shortly after” the live presentation is concluded. So I am guessing it will be available perhaps as early as 12 noon EST/9 a.m. PST maybe? I am so looking forward to it!

.

WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2020

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