WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2020

Anniesquats100 wrote: »

Does anybody know how to make lamb stew? I have two pounds of leftover lamb!

Lamb curries? Lots of recipes online for those.

Our local Mexican place does a slow cook shredded lamb for the burritos.

Beth, I totally forgive you for posting your Christmas memory, I actually did lol!
Machka, the two cats and boxing day also brought a big smile!
Katla, how wonderful that your daughter took you along to watch the grands and to "help" in the kitchen!
Rebecca, the card swags look great! I would only get one swag from the cards we received..... and I did send some out, 3 to my aunts and uncles (I sent them late, didn't want them to feel obligated to send back), 5 to local friends, 9 to our neighbours and that was it. A few neighbours also did cards, some did goodies, but no cards. I'd rather the cards myself, but some of the goodies were nice too! lol
Heather, I love your Christmas fascinator! I too envy your nice sunshine, we had cloudy in the morning and rain in the evening.
Our son and daughter in law hosted dinner this year, it was so nice to get up this morning and only have to make some pumpkin tarts (same idea as pumpkin pie, just in tart form, allows for more variety!). I made butter tarts and pecan tarts yesterday and some shortbread a few days ago. The shortbread holds up better, so was okay making it a few days ahead, the pumpkin tarts I find go soggy faster, so wanted them to be last minute. But all in all, I had a pretty lazy day, just worked on a small doll blanket that I was crocheting to go with the doll cradle that hubby made for our granddaughter. I will post a photo, I have many photos that I've been promising to post, I'm hoping I will get around to several of these things this week! Hubby also made two airplanes for our grandson, they turned out really well, and I forgot to take pictures of them! I will have to get our son to take some and email them to me. We managed to get gifts that were a hit with the kids this year, very pleased with us, I am!
The Y is closed tomorrow, but I hope to go for a walk, by myself if necessary! I really need to get a handle on the eating and lack of exercise. I had made a resolution to get rid of anything in my closet that didn't fit by the end of this year. Well, none of what I wanted to get back into fits yet, but I'm going to cut myself some slack this year and blame it on the pandemic. I'm sure it has affected me mentally and that a lot of stress eating has happened. Not being able to go the gym as much as I would have liked didn't help either, but I really need to buckle down and do it this next year. Enough is enough! I've been on MFP for 1200 days, and the scale should have shifted far more than it has!
That's it for me for tonight, must go shower and go to bed. For a day that didn't include much work, I'm knackered! (thanks Heather, I love that word!). Hugs for those needing them and congrats to those celebrating.
Evelyn, Vancouver Island

Glad to hear the recent posters have had a pretty good Christmas. If we haven't heard from you, I send my best wishes and hope it was ok for you too.
We have been so lucky in that Christmas Day has been the very best weather for three years running! Perfect! The traditional swimmers have been out. Last week the weather was horrible and it's set to be a named storm today and later.
The joy on people's faces yesterday as they walked and met up yesterday under a clear, blue sky was very cheering, Today our area goes into Tier 4 , which is pretty much a lockdown. Rain. Floods in parts of the country (not here)
I am grateful for good times. It looks like Brexit is done. The lorries are slowly dispersing (poor drivers). I wait for my vaccine,.

Beth - couldn't resist a screenshot!

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

cityjaneLondon wrote: »

Today our area goes into Tier 4 , which is pretty much a lockdown. Rain.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Sorry about that. it sounds like it won't be major for you two except for occasional outdoor meetings with kid, right? because you have been respecting social distancing a lot?

I would well imagine that we will be in some level of increased lockdown again very soon.
Here there has long (since October) been the notion of loosening up for xmas shopping (for the economy) and visiting (for morale and management of children) with possible lockdown just after school vacation.

Numbers have not really gone down much, and it seems certain that the new version of the more contagious strain will have crossed the channel already.

In the initial strain, once Covid got to northern Italy it was a day or so before it was spreading in France. We were just 3 days behind. They didn't close the borders immediately, and even so, since the incubation period is several days, it would seem to have inevitably already spread to neighbouring countries at the very least.

---
I usually would at least go away for a day or two to the seaside at xmas if I had nothing else planned, but it seems like such a hassle. I dislike taking the train with the mask on for 2+hours, and then being mostly in a hotel room from 5pm to 8:30 am and more (also for eating if it's too cold or rainy to picnic 2-3 meals per day, or when I need to warm up during the day, since nothing but shops are open.

A burst of nature would be good, but it seems untimely.
I heard that the return to regular life is envisioned for next summer.

I dreamt I was late for haircut appointment, and had cut half of my hair very short to see how it looked before the appointment, and to shake things up, and fortunately it looked good.
I was relieved to wake up and find it was Saturday.

I just want to lay in bed all day these days.
I push myself to go for a walk, but after that, little choice but to go home or to go shopping.
I don't feel like shopping. I need to return a couple of things and would like to buy some cloth across town where I can find the colours I'm looking for in cloth area...

I have lots of paperwork, filing, paper/shelf straightening and billpaying to do, but don't feel like it either.
Not motivated ...

and also tired.
maybe buying some flowers would lift spirits a bit.

auntiebk wrote: »

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

Chose well: take BP, dogs to powerline, Leslie Sansome
Bonus: yesterday wrapped presents, watched STAS Day 18 (go sniff) tried with Tumble, didn’t get it.
Get to do: take BP, dogs to powerline, call R, corrected roster to Cal-Or, index mutual aid files, watch STAS Day 19, 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. Monday: pickup library book.
Do Good December
25: Treat everyone with kindness today including yourself: just Joe and me and relaxed day so easy to be kind.

Mustered up the gumption to unpack my new North Face rain pants and try them out. They’re a little long, despite being marked “short” so will tape up the hems to keep from walking on them. Alas, my pink LLBean reversible slicker (in profile pic) is not standing up to the rain after lo these many years. Seams leaking. Anyone know if there’s a seam sealer that works? I just hate to throw it away.

SuziQ your “it was a cold and blustery 63 degrees…” made me laugh out loud. Funny how our perceptions change. 45 degrees here feels decidedly cold, no longer chilly. Back in Boise 45 was mild and a welcome warming from 25.
Machka I too love sitting in the dark gazing at the Christmas tree lights and listening to Christmas carols. Alas I’ve given up my twinkle bright lights as they got too hot and were a fire hazard. The cool LEDs are safer, just not so beautiful. “boxing day-best day ever” :laugh:
Allie “no sugar cravings”? What a gift! Hooray for the visit from your DD, SIL and GD, and Brava for keeping up your PT. Crucial to your recovery.
Debby in VA tornado warnings AND snow??? :noway: hope your holiday was safe and warm.
Heather you and Johnny look so happy. the matching pink gloves, socks and shoes!
Julie what a delightful friend to bring champagne. Flowers in winter, especially those with scents, really brighten things up. ((hugs))
Annie prayers for your aunt. Keep us posted, please. Do you want an irish style lamb stew, or greek, or???
Pip that’s a wow of a family walk. Well done!
Beth your Christmas salad parts made me snort my water! MERRY Christmas indeed!
Katla your DD’s idea to take you along (via zoom) on cooking and other activities was brilliant!
Rebecca like Evelyn I admire your card swags. This year is the first year I’ve sent out any cards, so receive few, but those are from close beloved friends.
Evelyn those gifts sound spot on. Looking forward to the pics.

Peaceful, quiet Christmas here. Warmest holiday wishes to you all!

Lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

December: better than November.
daily: sit with Joe: 23, weigh: 25, steps>5505=6199 vits=25 log=25 CI<CO=24 CI<250<CO=18 Tumble & Shadow 5=21 mfp=25 outside=15 up hill=15
wkly: T’ai Chi or BB&B x3 =0 rx=3 dance= clean 30 mins=6.5
mnthly: board mtg=1 grant=1 20for20=0 bonus: AF=15 play=0 sew=0

I have bought seam waterproofing spray at a specialised camping goods shop. (like eastern mountain sports type place)

Machka9 wrote: »

Cats do so love boxes don’t they, my sons 2 have had a great time helping with grandkids toy unwrapping

Kate UK ❤️

Barbara - Have you looked on Amazon?
Is this kind any use?



Kate UK - if I like a pic I screenshot it then edit to trim the edges.

Much love, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

bananasandoranges wrote: »

A burst of nature would be good, but it seems untimely.

Friends of mine, a couple who live in Paris, did something rather sweet on Christmas Day.

They've gone to the Beynes Forest where they found a nice pine tree, decorated it, had a picnic beside it and opened their presents. When they were finished, they tidied everything up, and took down the decorations.

They are cyclists so they've likely cycled to the forest and back.

Are you able to take public transportation somewhere for a day trip somewhere?

Or if you're not able to travel out of Paris, are you able to visit the parks?

Take a camera or if you paint, take painting supplies and have a bit of fun.


BTW - those friends also live in a tiny apartment, or did the last time my husband and I were in Paris in 2012. It was 2 rooms with a tiny kitchen and bathroom in the corner of one room. Plus a tiny balcony.

It had quite high ceilings so if it had been me, I would have made more use of vertical storage than they did then, but perhaps they've changed things.


M in Oz

Happy Boxing Day to those who celebrate.

Yesterday was a quiet day. Binged “The Christmas Story”. Well, not really, it was on while I was puttering around the house. The neighbors brought me brunch. They are a lovely couple. They always check in to make sure I have a holiday meal and do a mental check. They have never said so, but Robert asked me how I was doing three times during our conversation. Yes, fences make for good neighbors – yet they are one pair of neighbors I would not mind sharing a yard.

Heather – The two of you look so happy. I shiver thinking the people in the background of your picture are getting ready for their Christmas swim.

Kate – Love the pattern of the Spain cloth. It looks really nice on your table.

Beth – I laughed over the carrot – nature can be both healing and humorous.

Bananas – I think many of us are feeling the same way. I had to pull myself out of the holiday/extended sheltering funk a few times this year. I have turned my thinking around – I keep telling myself this too shall pass and I do not want to be my old unhealthy self when we are finally able to move a little more freely with less stress. I have gained back 10 pounds, ☹. I got rid of all of my big clothes so I have not choice but to reign myself in and get back on track because I am not buying bigger clothes.

Loving all of the pictures and Christmas updates. I am happy most of us had a good day and have found ways to be with our families and friends.

Today my goal is to do a little more puzzling, put away some of the Christmas decorations (I will leave the Nativity scene and lights up until the Epiphany), give the orchids some attention, some light cleaning, and work on my 2021 goals.

Hugs to all and prayers for those in need.
SuziQ – SFL

Kate UK: Happy Boxing Day!

SuziQ: Our way of being with family far away included a zoom call with DD and family, and a facetime call with our son’s family. I got to be “Grammy,” and was a welcome caller. :bigsmile:

Heather: How is wearing a wetsuit to swim in the ocean in December “cheating”? I am beyond impressed with your 400 days streak on Duolingo. WOW!!!


Yesterday I had two calls with my adult children. The call to DD was a Zoom call, and I got passed around to grandkids as well as talking to DD. They were having dinner guests. I am still not sure what to think about inviting another family as dinner guests in this time of Covid worries. The second call was to my son and DDIL via the magic of iphones. We had a good, long visit and enjoyed every minute.


I’m on my second cup of coffee and will be keeping DH company upstairs. It is 7 am and still dark outside.

Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon