WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2023
Replies
-
Katla ((hugs)) and prayers for your DH and you. Glad your DD is near and you were able to visit him in hospital. ((hugs)) and prayers.
31 A “daily-ish”
habit you’re happy you’ve cultivated. PT exercises, keep me moving pain free.
Monthly average weight down 0.3 lb to 137.7 so ending the month and the year a tiny bit lighter. Spending a week in my pjs took a toll on daily step count, over 2K short of goal steps. Don’t want this to be my maintenance weight so have some thinking/changing to do.
Joe took the dogs and me to Harris Beach campground this morning, hooray! After brunch I would normally nap, (and wanted to!) but instead took Shadow to dog group for the first time in weeks. Good brisk pack walk and exercises. Gorgeous warm(ish) sunshine, so glad I took advantage of the break in the rain.
Struggling to find a word or motto that resonates for 2023. Want to be cheerful, flexible, active, giving, resilient, even-tempered and present but nothing just says “Yes, that’s it!”
Happy New Year Machka and Heather!
Welcome @carolhemma3415 Carol in Mx.
KJ safe travels. Big hugs held extra long for your sad little family. Always the hardest but last, most loving thing that can be done.
Ginny con VERY grats for your first smoke-free year. “… didn't actually do any of the things I thought of doing to some people at work…” :laugh:
Betsy so sorry your in-laws are pressuring you to permit them to do something your husband would not have wanted. In my opinion, saying they will still love you, but your relationship will be different, well, that’s on them. Be true to yourself and your dearly departed.
Lisa yours to Betsy. In spades. Likewise everyone else’s.
Pip your highlight from 2022, truth that.
Margaret what a lot of troubles, first the garage door, then car snowed in, finally thermostat failing. Time for a nap indeed!
Carla thanks for your tweaked gratitude list.
Lanette… “but thanks for asking. How about this weather?” rotflmao!
Carol “The smell of the chocolate makes me feel like pounds are adding on and I haven't even had any. Not even a taste!” I read somewhere that just LOOKING at a picture of fattening food in a magazine stimulates the hormones that store fat. That you can gain weight by just looking. SMH
Rori love the “new body” meme and look forward to seeing some of your calendar pics.
It’s 8:40 pm here so Happy New Year to those on the East Coast. Our neighbors have been shooting off their guns since mid-afternoon and the dogs respond by barking. Not sure I’ll make it to midnight, so see you in the January 2023 thread.
Lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
2022: Be still and listen.
December: Move more, fuel better, live NOW.
Maybe "buoyant"?3 -
dlfk202000 wrote: »Looking forward to some better sleep. Night before last was insomnia until about 3AM(and up at 6 for dr. appt.) then last night it was two asthma attacks. Slept on the couch because I didn't want to wake dh up with my coughing beings he had to be up at midnight to go to work and by that time, I was too tired and too comfy to go into the bed. Kind of getting used to sleeping in there now after two and a half weeks.
Happy New Years Ladies!
Debbie
Napa Valley, Ca
Have you considered twin beds for you and your husband? Ours are in the same room, but our heads are in opposite corners so that we don't disturb each other too much. We also have different mattresses, pillows, etc. so that we can sleep as we like.
You asked about tea.
I drink teas with chamomile.
This one has chamomile and valerian.
I used this one the night before my surgery and the morning of my surgery. I think it helped me sleep and then keep me calm and relaxed during the surgery. It's got chamomile and valerian.
https://www.redseal.global/au/our-products/tea-brews-blends/relaxing/
As for pills, I take a combination of Melatonin and Valerian at night and Ashwagandha in the morning although I may try it at night too.
Even though I am usually very tired, I find I don't sleep without the extra help.
Machka in Oz
1 -
Happy New Year! I hope for DH to improve his health and return home soon. DD and I visited him at the hospital yesterday. I hope to see him again today, if possible, and talk on the phone if that is the best we can manage. 🤞🏻 ❤️7
-
I never imaged I would enjoy gardening or be a gardener ... but it helped me through the stresses of the first half of 2022, I can be creative, and it's just simply fun!
I love summer and I enjoy summers more when I spend lots of time outside, close to nature.
From our garden, picked yesterday ...
Machka in Oz8 -
Hello!
My word for the year is Habit.
I’m focusing on building habits that serve me better.
Establishing Morning and evening routines that work for me.8 -
Rosemarie2972 wrote: »Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for being such a great group!
We watched football all evening but by a hair GA came out on top!
My slogan for the year is to Accept Change with Grace! My main goal is to not get too tired! My second goal is to try and eat. I have lost my appetite and am living on protein bars and protein chips. I should try and eat a salad every day.
My third goal is to pray and have spiritual time. My 4th goal is to try and get out of the house at least once a week.
Best,
Rosemarie from Georgia
Rosemarie, when my mother was alive, the first thing she did in the morning once she had gotten a cup of tea or coffee was spiritual time. At one point she and the editor of the newspaper in our home town (population 2,000) were the only two enrolled in a Lay Servant & Disciples series her minister was holding. She read/worked on it for 30 minutes every morning, first thing, and it was a wonderful way for her to start/center her day. I am agnostic, but work to keep my scientific mind, my heart, and my soul open to the cosmos. There is wonder everywhere if I am still enough to let it in.
I completely lost my appetite for several months in 2022 while I was grappling with my life and responsibilities. I barely slept and was hyper-alert. My appetite gradually returned once I figured out how to go with the flow. The key for me is doing what I can to get the outcome I want, & then letting go of the outcome. That philosophy was mother's wisdom and is now my mantra. I live by it, and when I stray off track, I get antsy and malcontent. My version of accepting change with grace, I guess. I found out fighting change is fruitless. For me, embracing change and using the momentum to accomplish tasks has been so much less work than resisting. You would think by this age I would have already learned that, but there are so many lessons I still have to learn and incorporate.
___
Today is New Year's Day! I will choose a word and some goals for 2023 today and post them later.
I will also spend part of the day filling out the disability insurance company's annual tome form for my spouse. I am hoping we can just give up the disability insurance now that my spouse has passed the time when she would have retired with maximum benefits from her job. That date passed in November.
Tuesday we will be calling her former employer to ask for help concerning retirement benefits and transitioning from "disability plus social security" to "retirement plus social security". I hope. I am still new at understanding the nuances, so I may actually just be spouting gibberish. LOL.
___
I am watching a really wonderful movie I have never seen before, Monuments, about a grieving widower who travels cross-country in a stolen pick-up truck to scatter his wife's ashes in Chicago. So far I love it.
___
There was a New Year's Eve party here at the old folks' home last night. It started at 8pm. We were already asleep by then.
I woke up when the fireworks went off at midnight and went back to sleep. Molly was alarmed and barked a couple of times. We have a bark collar for her, but have not had to use it much at all. And the girls are both figuring out their toileting - we have a Doggy Loo on the balcony, and they go for 2-3 walks a day, and there have been very few accidents the last couple of days. They seem happier here.
___
Lately my brother has been uncomfortably ruminating about all the times our family rescued my older sister during her times of crisis.
Fortunately, yesterday he texted me about it when it started up, so I asked if I could call him. It really helped him to talk to me. I reminded him that there are actually several people who know the history well enough to be helpful if he needs to talk - me, our older brother, 3 cousins, and a few friends, in case I am not available. It was a revelation to him. Rumination is a bi@tc#.
He was able to come unstuck from cleaning apartment/ruminating mode, and walked to the museum to spend the rest of the afternoon. VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) is open 365. It's a godsend.
___
Love,
Karen in Virginia
9 -
2
-
🎉 Highlights of 2022 🎉• I exercised 303 days of the year.
• We completed the longest bicycle ride since Rowan's accident and the fastest.
• I ran a 10K.
• I've had more sleep this year!
• Skin cancer spotted ... and dealt with.
• I found a new doctor and a great skin cancer surgeon.
• We've made progress on projects that have and will make garden care easier in the future and we've had the joy of seeing so many flowers and lots of fruit and veg.
• I've had 3 jobs this year! The tail end of one job, a 6-month term position and my new job. Big learning experience!! And these jobs have been an advancement upon the job I had at the beginning of the year.
• I had the opportunity to be on an interview panel for the very first time!
• We've started to build relationships and connections within the beekeeping community, and continue to do so within our cycling community and brain injury community.
• I have really enjoyed having about 3 weeks off work over this Christmas season. Granted, some of it was recovery from surgery, but it has been so nice to just rest.
• We've travelled to several areas in Tasmania.
• We were able to go to a couple plays in person.
• No university or other further education this year but lots of learning in new jobs, the garden and about bees.
• More reading for pleasure, rather than study.
• I've been reading the Bible every day.
And now to think ahead to 2023.
Machka in Oz
2023 Goals
My 2023 goals are a continuation of my 2021 and 2022 goals based on my ToDo list and my 50Things list with reference to a Wellness Wheel.
Upcoming Appointments - these are at the top of my list. The things I need to deal with in the next few weeks.
Intellectual/Occupational/Financial or Education/Career: Advancing my career. Moving from adequate to proficient at SQL, brushing up on VB and cost accounting, learning Python and data analysis software.
Also, I want to have a closer look at our financial situation to see where we can save money and to make sure we're on top of things.
The goal is to expand my skillset and to improve our financial situation.
Medical: my husband's appointments, which I also need to attend because I'm his ears and cognition and my appointments now that I've been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease.
I also want to create medical record binders (and on the computer) for both of us, in case something happens.
The goal is to keep us as healthy as we can be and to ensure we have information at our fingertips.
Fitness/Sports > Cycling > Audax Tasmania: There are a number of fitness/sport things I'd like to try, with a focus on cycling, and a large part of my cycling endeavours includes my volunteer work with Audax Tasmania ... and maybe even riding some events again myself!
On my 50Things list I have all sorts of things like riding a horse for the first time, trying archery, learning to dance. Maybe this might be the year to try a bit of that.
The goal it to improve my fitness level.
House > Office > Computer become more specific as they go along. I have a number of thing which need to be done in the house (kitchen, dining room, etc.) but most importantly the home office needs a whole lot of work. And along with that I need to organise the drives on my computer into a better filing system.
The goal is to have an organised and decluttered house and computer system.
The goal is also to ensure all paperwork is up to date and accessible by both of us.
Garden: I have several projects I would like to do this year. One of the main ones is to finally finish my dry stream.
The goal is to have a pleasant, creative, relaxing and functional area outside for reading, exercise and socialising.
Spiritual: Continue to read the Bible every day. And attend church a little bit more often.
The goal is to learn, relearn, revitalise.
Emotional/Social/Recreation: More creativity, relaxation, connections. I have all sorts of things on my 50Things list like doing more with my photography, playing the piano again, working on my website and more.
The goal is balance. Doing a variety of things that aren't just work and education.
Machka in Oz2 -
Happy start to 2023 all! Can't believe another year is past. Still thinking on word and a couple of goals/aspiratations. Last year was really a bit more of a coast than anything-but that can be ok.
Pork a sauerkraut for New Years and good luck is a Germanic tradition that goes back generations. In my part of US (Ohio) and nearby Pennsylvania there were a lot of German emigrants so the tradition is pretty widespread here. They say that it was thought pigs were good luck because they root forward and turkeys and chickens scratch backward. In any case-sauerkraut is good for the digestive system (those tricky biomes) and I like the taste. It has been part of my New Years day for 68 years so I will continue with my tradition. I am certain other groups/cultures have their own!
Katla-I hope you can see DH today and his healing continues.
Karen-so good of you to help your brother. Ruminating can be bothersome to all of us. I like the way you described that he got "unstuck." So many times we all get stuck and we just need someone to talk to.
Teas-I have been using some for breathing during my sinus infections and use some of the nighttime and the ginger and turmeric for inflammation (they all seem to have some positive impacts). Decided I would like to back to loose leaf tea so I can get some of my own mixtures. Have some ordered to come in this week-rather excited for getting back and learning/relearning more.
Health issue.Woke up to eye with conjunctivitis still bothersome. Started meds Thursday. PA said it can be better in 5 days but medicine is prescribed for 7. The pain may be lessening (entire eye socket is irritated and feels like muscles are really sore/painful). Haven't had conjunctivitis this painful before. As long as there is some progress I will give it full time before recheck.
It's cloudy out and a bit cool (projected high of 50 for today so not bad for January. Think I will start New Year with walk first thing.
Take care all,
Ginny in Ohio
5 -
The museum was very crowded because it was a weekend. The friend who organized it still works so weekends or evenings is the only time she can go. Still enjoyed it despite the crowds. I got lucky and got a good place to park. Our favorite was a sculpture of a young man examining his foot. It was just such an everyday thing. The sculpture inspired Botticelli to do a similar drawing. His Gift to the Magi painting also created an interesting discussion about how times have changed since this painting was done and how some things never change.
I was up to watch the note drop. In Nashville, TN they dropped a large red note. I sang Auld Lang Syne and then went to bed.4 -
Happy New Year!!!!
DH nor I made it to midnight. All the sugar and starches made me feel bloated and yucky. I wore an actual bra yesterday (vs sports bra) and it got painful with the bloating. I was so happy to get it off when we got home. Feeling much better today!
I hit one goal last night......I actually slept 8 hours! My average is 5.5. Yay! Also emptied the dishwasher before coffee ( a new habit that I have been doing for about 6 weeks) It is funny that I dislike emptying it so much! Not sure where that comes from, so just knowing it is emptied is kind of like making the bed every morning. I at least feel I accomplished something on some days.
January 1- Sit quietly for 3 minutes. I set the timer on my phone, no noise in the house. Tried concentrating on breathing and the brain to concentrate on one word. The 3 minutes wasn't hard, but keeping the brain quiet was! I think this is a strategy I can work on.
Machka I love your goals. Your organization is amazing. I am beginning to realize that goal setting is like organizing. It is not one size fits all. The things I have learned from all of you wonderful ladies make me a better person. My goals are less specific, but will be progressive as I incorporate more habits.
I am enjoying the free space on my shelves today. I think there are a few more flat spaces that will be losing some items today to make it just a wee bit less cluttered looking. I plan on walking over to a girlfriend's house later. She is a few years younger than me and struggling with the 50 yr old body. Hopefully we can help each other out this year. I do need to do work today. That got put on hold yesterday as I couldn't log into my work computer. Apparently the power had gone out the night before. I got it all reset yesterday.
I really think I need to do this with a Word document open so that I can answer as I read, like so many of you do! There was so many I wanted to answer to......Please know I have read and thought of you all!
Love,
Kylia in Ohio feeling a little more rested and energized.
Progression - small steps to a better outcome5 -
Hello ladies and happy new year! I found the following meme on facebook yesterday while I was at the airport. It made me laugh. Everyone from the U.S. should know this reference; not sure if the Brady family was big overseas.
Was met at DFW airport by my daughter and all three boys. Two of which were happy to see me; one was kind of giving me the stink eye. My daughter told me he was just angry because he thought he was going to the playground! lol DD told me the whole story behind their beloved furbaby/furbrother while we were driving home. What the vet originally thought was an abcessed tooth, turned out to be a mass behind his liver and there were more masses in his organs. His T-cell count was only 1/10th of what it should have been. So...the kindest choice was to let him go gently over the bridge with his human packmate beside him. Poor guy. He was never fond of the vets office and DD said he didn't want to sit or lay down for the injection. So he stood and she sat beside him on the floor with her arms around him and he just laid his head on her shoulder and went with a sigh. Lots of tears from both of us as she told me. When we got back to the house it was very strange not to hear the jingling of collar and tags, which was the normal sound as Chappie would run to greet whomever was coming home. Joaquin (age 5), yelled to Miguel (age 3), who had opened the door to go in, "Miguel! Don't let Chappie out!" and Miguel replied, "Mama! Where's Chappie?" They had forgotten/not understood what had happened. Even baby Javier noticed the absence. He crawled over to the dog door that goes into the back yard and said, "Doggy?" But it ended up being a fun/busy/emotional day. We took the boys to a park with a playground and played for a couple of hours and had snacks there. Stopped at the store and did our grocery shopping for the week and picked up some New Years treats. Came home and let the play with Christmas toys while we removed and washed dog bedding, furniture covers, washed food and water dishes and packed up dog toys and items into a bin to be saved/donated. We then rearranged the furniture for a fresh look. Swept up a ton of dog hair. Every little chore brought new tears from DD and got her hugs from mama. It is an amazing coincidence that putting him down coincided to the day with my arrival. DD has already said that she is SO happy that I am here for this. AFter all of the cleaning, we got out beads, hats, (no noisemakers because three little boys are noisy enough), a child charcuterie board (pepperoni, cheese, pickles, cookies, fruit flavored licorice), and put on a show called Animal Party. It has short little songs featuring a specific animal and shows footage of the animal in the wild doing "silly" things. So...we had a dance party to Animal Party. Both boys love to dance, but Miguel is "the dancer". This boy is absolutely wild and free when he dances. And he does it with the most wonderful big smile on his face. lol DD got pics. When she shares them I will share with you all.
Today we will be going to the zoo, another playground, and doing some art at home. DD and I hope to do some cooking/meal prep for the upcoming week today and tomorrow. She is off tomorrow, as well. But it will be just me and the boys on Tuesday-Friday.
Betsy- Add me to the list of friends who are just appalled that your "family" would tell you that this is what they plan to do with your DH's remains! Shamefully un-Christian. Unloving. Definitely follow through with your plan to let them know that neither you nor your DH would have wanted this and they are NOT to do this.
Katla- Sorry to hear of your hubby being back at the hospital. Sending all good thoughts and healing vibes your/his way! Love
What is this January list people are referring to? I must have missed it!
Barbie- Thank you for bringing us into the new year! Your guidance/presence is an inspiration to us all!
More of you I wanted to reply to, but I am in desperate need of more coffee and my mind is jet lagged. ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)
7 -
Morning ladies
Happy New Year one and all..lets hope its a good one.
Miles is a happy camper tjis morning too!!9 -
Bessie, Jake, and I survived the fireworks. Bessie moved from our bed, to the floor by the bed, to the office, to the dining room back to the floor by the bed and finally to her own bed as the booming upset her. That was better than years past. I am so happy to see all of you posting. It's great that I start the thread, but it would be nothing without all of you.
Barbie in NW WA 7 -
Barbie, again thank you for the new month, the new slate, in the new year.
It seems inadequate to just say thank you for the opinions expressed. The understanding and compassion I felt with the responses overwhelmed me. I'm able now to just let go and just say NO.
I'll not list highlights of 2022... It was a time of great sorrow and also great joy..
My word for 2022 was "present"... and it was helpful everyday. I continually reminded myself to be present in the moment. The past was over and I tried to let it go and deal with the present and not worry of the future. It helped me stay focused. Still deciding on my word for 2023.
Happy New Year to all,
Betsy in NW WA
11 -
Betsy - So glad we could be of help. It's amazing how sharing a problem can bring perspective. Just to know we are not alone sometimes helps hugely, like Karen's brother.
Edie has been here and she made a gingerbread house from a kit, and we had a painting session.
All hugely enjoyed. She is still here and she and DH are sketching.
Here are the kids this morning, taken by DDIL.
Enjoying 2023 so far!
Love Heather UK xxxxxx
9 -
Our art efforts!
Edie's Walk in the Woods
DH'S landscape.
My attempt at an abstract.
Great fun.
Heather UK xxxxxx
9 -
Barbie ~ Thanks for welcoming us into 2023!
I do not have a word for the new year, but, I do hope to continue to grow into the person God has meant for me to be!
Katla ~ Continued thoughts for you and your husband. You have been through a lot this past year and hope things will get better.
Kelly ~ Sounds like you are having a great time with your daughter and the boys. Losing a beloved pet is such a sorrowful thing to go through.
Debbie ~ Hope you were able to sleep well in your own bed.
A Southern (Georgia) tradition is to have collard/turnip greens and black eyed peas on January 1st. This will wait until Monday for us as we are going to son's for steak!
Carol in GA
4 -
Machka - you had an active year
Kylia - I ended up taking Christmas down yesterday. When I woke up in the morning some of my window lights had started to fall. I decided to take them down.
Kelly - Hopefully your visit helps lessen the pain.
I am always amazed at how much work is required to do anything health insurance related in the the States. Even retirement seems difficult.
Betsy - what a terrible pressure they are putting on you. I would stick up for what I believe my DH would want. If they chose not to be as friendly as they were that is on them not you. I don’t know how family and people who profess to care can try to bully you that way. You have to do what you know in your heart you can live with.
Margaret - I hope you have no more breakdowns. I bought a new thermostat last week, when I went to change it ours started working. I returned it and then ours started acting poorly again. I have bought another one and have it sitting on the counter, of course, the current one is working fine again.
Carla - I’m going to attempt to do the Gratitude list with you this month.
Heather - I understand Edie wanting some one on one time. I enjoy when I have the kids separately as their differences in age, personality and interests make it difficult to keep both occupied and engaged at the same time.
Barbie - thank you so much for another month. I am hoping to have much more time this month to spend on here. I do have a project I want to do though.
Lanette - I love that meme. I feel that it’s true. I did lose 10lbs and have gained 1 back as of this morning. I am hopeful that my hip allows me to start walking again this year.
Michele - why pork on New Year’s Eve?
Ginny - thanks for the explanation. My DH has German ancestry but his family traditions and mine are more East Coast Canada.
Karen - I so enjoy your posts.
Rodger and I went to see the new Avatar movie last night. It was long! I enjoyed the special effects and story, but felt that a lot of it was just unnecessary and was only a way to use more special effects.
We saw the New Year in as we were getting home.
Today I am going to pick Michaela up and we are going shopping for her birthday. I have to stop and get some cash on the way. Her birthday is actually Tuesday. She also has $50 from Christmas and a $25 Walmart card to spend. We could be a while. They had a very late night last night at their other grandparents I hope she slept in some this morning. She is sleeping here tonight.
Tracey in Edmonton
6 -
Happy New Year dear friends.
I've been missing for most of December, sorry meant to check in but caught one of the awful bugs going around and didn't have the energy to do much at all. Watched a lot of Christmas movies managed to walk to my mums every few days to check on her (she went down with the same bug a few days after me) We coughed our way through a mini Christmas Dinner, as neither of us had much of an appetite. We did managed to drink a full bottle of Asti between us though (and really enjoyed it 
) We had a snooze in the afternoon, watched more TV (so bored of TV but had no energy to do anything else) I went home early evening to snooze some more.
I was so fed up, I missed a few planned celebrations with my friends. One I was really looking forward to was a Frank Sinatra tribute at a restaurant in town on 21st December lovely meal planned and I had to cancel - maybe we can arrange it again next Christmas.
I'm feeling almost back to normal now, went on a short dog walk this afternoon, I found it hard going and definitely need to build up my stamina. It's been quite a nice day today, sunny but cold. Must admit I'm not looking forward to the cold snap that has been forecast in the next few days, snow, sleet etc apparently it's the tail end of the blizzard that affected the US.
Thanks Barbie for always being here with a new thread for every month. It makes it easy for me to find you when I get back on the waggon.
I am so far behind I don't know what has been going on in your lives, I do hope you are all well and you had a lovely Christmas.
I'm going to go back and catch up, see what I have missed.
Love to all
Viv UK7 -
2023 – Continuing the Journey with a dash of Adventure.
Briefly, 2022 was the year of big change for me and adventure into a new world of being a widow. DH left his earthly life in May for a different adventure, and he was more than ready to be freed from his world of pain and confusion.
After living as a fairly isolated caregiver during his final years, I was now going to continue my journey alone. Scary and overwhelming and freeing and exciting all at once.
Meeting Covid head-on in September gave me insight into my capabilities and strength and recognition of what’s important and what’s fun. Lesson – a lot of what I thought was important isn’t. Fun is a healer.
2023 will be a continuation of my journey toward health and well-being. Health wise, I’m armed with a couple guidebooks today – The Diet Myth by Tim Spector and Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li, various other tips I’ve picked up over the years, and the continuing advice and wisdom of you gals in this group.
I’m not doing any daily/monthly/yearly goals, although they’ve served me well in the past. Wise Barbie says “every day is the best day” and that’s so true. I'm no longer looking to the future for accomplishments or satisfaction. It's here right now. I can make it so if I choose.
I’ve created a list. It’s mostly for my benefit and will probably seem boring to others so I’ve put it in a spoiler, feel free to skip.A few simple health guidelines come to mind right now.As always, ladies, make it a fabulous day.
-Eat good, nutritious food, including plenty of fruits and vegetables.
-Eat only when hungry.
-Don’t eat too much.
-Eliminate added sugar and processed food as much as possible.
-Aim for an 8 to 10 hour eating window each day.
-Any movement is better than no movement. Get up and stretch and dance a lot. Walk when I can, both alone and with others.
-Naps are good.
A few well-being guidelines I’ve picked up along the way.
-Stay in the present. Don’t invite worry and don’t get mired in regret.
-Stay out of quarrels that don’t involve me.
-Whistling along with songs the radio is good.
- Boundaries are critical.
-Stay busy. If not sure where to start, do one thing. Then another.
-Link up with joy. Laugh a lot.
-Try hard not to give advice unless asked.
-Be supportive and take time to see things from the other point of view. It might not change my mind, but can change my heart.
- Along that line, I reserve the right to change my mind and give others that right as well.
-Travel a new path from time to time. Look for adventure. Wandering into mud or poison ivy just happens sometimes, it’s part of being human, so just change course when necessary. Forgive myself and move on.
-The people in my life who really matter don’t care if my hair sticks out funny or if I need to lose a few pounds. Hopefully, they’ll remember my smile and my sense of humor. If people choose to judge me otherwise, it’s OK to put them in the “don’t matter” column for the time being, or maybe forever. “What others think of me is none of my business.”
-Openly express gratitude for the people and experiences throughout my life that got me here today and for those folks who are with me now.
-Get a jump start each morning from Paul’s message in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Lanette
SW WA State6 -
Thanks so much for the JANUARY 2023 thread, Barbie!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!
I'll share the list I made again here, Kelly. Check it out below.
OMGosh that Miles Smile, Allie! DANG!
Oh Barbie... Harley was arguing with the fireworks again last night! I'm surprised he didn't have the neighbors up in arms! Hopefully they were all awake anyway. (and they didn't last long) smh, that little monster.
Is that supposed to be the Cheshire Cat, Heather? Love the artwork.
My three minutes turned into five and then almost ten... it was so relaxing. But then Mom was really into transcendental meditation when we were kids and taught us all how to do it. I've missed that. We were all able to slow our heartbeats WAY down. I've used that so many times in the last several years in all sorts of meaninful ways! LOL Think I need to add this to my daily prayers every morning again.
Love and Blessings, Carla, in MN
I really, REALLY like this gratitude thing, so I grabbed a boatload of these lists and I tweaked it big time! So I'm going to keep it going... myself. One day you're doing, or NOT doing... like the 1st, the next day you're thinking/reflecting.
1 Sit in silence for three minutes... it's harder than you think
2 List 5 things using each of your senses
3 Let go of at least 5 items in your house
4 What was your favorite Christmas gift? (this year or ever)
5 Move for at least 30 minutes today
6 Share a goal you achieved last year
7 Slow down and savor one meal today
8 Who was your favorite teacher
9 Create something today
10 What is your favorite lyric from a song
11 Send a card/note to someone today
12 What are you looking forward to in 2023?
13 Tell a random person they look "good" today
14 Tell us three amazing things that happened recently (you decide what "recently" means...lol)
15 Call or text someone you haven't talked to in at least a week
16 What made you smile today
17 Take a photo of something you're grateful for
18 What material comforts are you most thankful for? You can make your list as long as you like...
19 Write a positive review for a company for goods or services you've received recently
20 Write down five things you like about yourself
21 Pay it forward in some way
22 What do you most desire in your life right now?
23 Go an entire day without complaining
24 What about you makes you special?
25 Spend time with a loved one
26 When was the last time you felt pure joy?
27 Hold the door for a stranger... or a friend
28 What fear have you overcome?
29 Engage in a random act of kindness of your own choice
30 When was the last time you laughed so hard you almost peed?
31 Now try to "meditate" (sit in silence) for ten minutes...1 -
January 1, 2023 —
Barbie— Thank you for the gift of leading this wonderful group of women. Your leadership is exceptional, and I am grateful. ❤️
Kymarai — Happy New Year! I didn’t make it to midnight either. I was happy to be able to sleep for 8 hours. 😘
KJ LaMore — Happy New Year! Thank you for kind thoughts about my DH. He was comfortable in the hospital for our daughter’s & my visit. ⭐️
Allie— Happy face on Mr. Miles. Congratulations! You are an excellent grandma. 😊
Betsy— Happy New Year! I am looking forward to seeing your word for 2023. 🌸
Heather— Love the photos of Edie & her gingerbread house. Love your abstract painting, too. The colors are beautiful. 💖
Carol in GA— Thank you for your kind words about DH’s situation. He is getting good hospital care. ⭐️
Yesterday our daughter and I went to the hospital to visit DH. He is well cared for and comfortable. He is working on gaining strength and will come home when the doctors say he is ready.
After our visit to the hospital our daughter took me to a clothing store. She advised me about winter weather here. I came home with Lee jeans that fit well and a lovely light blue warm hooded winter coat. 💖
Winter weather here in Illinois is not as mild as our home beside the lower Columbia River in Oregon. I think this winter may be colder than we are used to experiencing. We’ll see how it goes.4 -
Lanette ~ I totally agree with you on this, I’m not doing any daily/monthly/yearly goals, although they’ve served me well in the past. Wise Barbie says “every day is the best day” and that’s so true. I'm no longer looking to the future for accomplishments or satisfaction. It's here right now. I can make it so if I choose.
Carol in GA2 -
2023 GOALS
Word of the year: Appreciate :Definition—Recognize the full worth of. Today I appreciate my blankets. (Going to try to do this daily)cut back drinking and limit to 2 days a week.
Average 7,000 steps a week.
Update budget every 2 weeks
Contact close family every week (4x)
Contact Donat and sibs once a month (8x)
Weigh less last day of month compared to first until I reach 140.
Develop a journaling practice by aiming to journal at least 5 days a week.
Read 12 books at least this year.
Pay off credit card debt by January 2024
Continue building emergency fund at SLFCU (min$25 a month)
Gratitude list
1 Sit in silence for three minutes... it's harder than you think2 List 5 things using each of your senses
3 Let go of at least 5 items in your house
4 What was your favorite Christmas gift? (this year or ever)
5 Move for at least 30 minutes today
6 Share a goal you achieved last year
7 Slow down and savor one meal today
8 Who was your favorite teacher
9 Create something today
10 What is your favorite lyric from a song
11 Send a card/note to someone today
12 What are you looking forward to in 2023?
13 Tell a random person they look "good" today
14 Tell us three amazing things that happened recently (you decide what "recently" means...lol)
15 Call or text someone you haven't talked to in at least a week
16 What made you smile today
17 Take a photo of something you're grateful for
18 What material comforts are you most thankful for? You can make your list as long as you like...
19 Write a positive review for a company for goods or services you've received recently
20 Write down five things you like about yourself
21 Pay it forward in some way
22 What do you most desire in your life right now?
23 Go an entire day without complaining
24 What about you makes you special?
25 Spend time with a loved one
26 When was the last time you felt pure joy?
27 Hold the door for a stranger... or a friend
28 What fear have you overcome?
29 Engage in a random act of kindness of your own choice
30 When was the last time you laughed so hard you almost peed?
31 Now try to "meditate" (sit in silence) for ten minutes...
Not sure who came up with this list, but I like it and will try it for this month.
I was in bed by 9 AM but woke up at midnight when my 13 year old GS sent me a Happy New Year message! I was thrilled and my heart swelled because no one made him do it. Then, the superintendent of the park did the same thing. That was surprising as he doesn’t usually do anything of that sort at all. Must have been encouraged by his new fiancé. LOL. But a nice start to the new year. In the morning, I heard from my whole family. Now just to call my mom and my goals have begun.
My average completion of 2022 goals was 100% but that was because some was done a lot more than my set goal and others were around 85% completed. One I am not happy about is I gained 9.5 pounds last year. Too much depression. This should and WILL change this year as I have that under control for now. Thank God for medication and therapy!
Happy New Year Everyone!
RVRita in 70 degree NM
4 -
dlfk202000 wrote: »Looking forward to some better sleep. Night before last was insomnia until about 3AM(and up at 6 for dr. appt.) then last night it was two asthma attacks. Slept on the couch because I didn't want to wake dh up with my coughing beings he had to be up at midnight to go to work and by that time, I was too tired and too comfy to go into the bed. Kind of getting used to sleeping in there now after two and a half weeks.
Happy New Years Ladies!
Debbie
Napa Valley, Ca
Have you considered twin beds for you and your husband? Ours are in the same room, but our heads are in opposite corners so that we don't disturb each other too much. We also have different mattresses, pillows, etc. so that we can sleep as we like.
You asked about tea.
I drink teas with chamomile.
This one has chamomile and valerian.
I used this one the night before my surgery and the morning of my surgery. I think it helped me sleep and then keep me calm and relaxed during the surgery. It's got chamomile and valerian.
https://www.redseal.global/au/our-products/tea-brews-blends/relaxing/
As for pills, I take a combination of Melatonin and Valerian at night and Ashwagandha in the morning although I may try it at night too.
Even though I am usually very tired, I find I don't sleep without the extra help.
Machka in Oz
Our room isn't big enough for two beds and a twin would not be big enough for him.
What wakes me up is him getting ready(bathroom is attached to the bedroom).
I need to start using the mask and ear plugs again. Didn't need them while in the living room.
Do you find yourself a bit drowsy from the melatonin? It works pretty well for me but I am just so tired most of the next day that it isn't worth it. The stuff I take doesn't leave me drowsy at all the next day.
My doctor said no herbals for the week before or the two weeks after. He was concerned about anything that might be a blood thinner.
I am the same with as you- I go to bed so tired but then can't get to sleep or sleep 10 min then awake for a few hours.
I have always been a gardener. Started as a very little kid- don't remember not helping in our garden. Growing up, we had and acre of garden. I have had at least a small one every year except one since I moved out(we moved to Mobile,AL the end of June so no time to get one in)
I love spending time in it. DH complains about the cost of the water but that is my one hobby and spend a lot less on water compared to the many hobbies he spends a lot more on.
Neighbors stopped their music at 2AM(tons of fireworks between 12-1:30AM), or, at least that is the last I heard it. The last hour of it wasn't bad. It was pretty quiet and calming actually. A bit off key and all in Spanish so didn't understand it but that is ok.
DH's alarm went off at 7. I really wish he would allow both of us to sleep in on his day off. His mom can have breakfast an hour later or better yet, warm up her own.
Getting caught up on some computer work for the daycare that I got behind on.
Watching church online again while enjoying some ginger tea. It is too uncomfortable to wear my mask still and no way I want to try and sit through an hour and a half with it.
Maybe next week I will go- between breaking my teeth/smashing my face then surgery, I haven't been in church since before Thanksgiving.
Today is our one day break from the rain. I want to go out and cut my one cauliflower and roast it tonight. Not sure what else will get done.
Happy New Year!!
Debbie
Napa Valley, Ca
Pulled out the old calendar and the new one. I am down 12pounds since 1/1/22.
Wish it was more but glad I lost at least that much.
I am a lot more active(well, will be again in another week), than I was at the beginning of 22.
No asthma attacks last night(back on my daily medication that I stopped taking/forgot about it after my fall,etc)
Sleeping in the bed with my sherpa blankets and my cat and extra pillows felt great. Not enough actual sleep but was still restful.5 -
Thank you Barbie for not only starting my month off on the right foot, but my year too!💖.
I am tracking my weight but just weekly. I like not fixating so much, like in the past where I did it every morning. Unfortunately it just made me use my weight as a mood tracker! My weight is but a small part of my well-being. The scale is just one of the many tools I use to track progress.😁
So my weight today is 232.2. Last week (Christmas) I was 236.4. Last August when I started this every Sunday ritual I was 249.0 so I am confident I will get to where I want to be this year.
Where do I wish to be you ask? Well about 180 would feel nice. I recall feeling that way, in 2010 when I let Jenny Craig control what I put in my pie hole. Its nice to spend LESS money in order to achieve more.
I am not concentrating on what I eat now, I mean I still look at good quality foods with less fat, less salt, and less sugar. But I don't buy diet food by any means. I am concentrating on the times I don't eat, mainly from 4 pm to 12 noon the next day. But 12 noon to 4 pm, I eat a fairly substantial meal, lots of veggies, and a dessert with coffee that has Truvia sweetener and fat free half & half. Yesterday's dessert was 1 fig Newton cookie, 2 Applets, 2 prunes, and 3 small pieces of dark chocolate. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Yes I do get enjoyment from my meals. After fasting for 20/21 hours I am excited to eat! My taste buds
are in heaven. I know fasting isn't a normal thing people do, and as long as there's no judgement its nice to share my journey with you all.💖. I will never try to convince any of you to "come to the fasting side", or anything. Just as everyone is different so are their weight loss journeys.😁
Here's my little dessert bowl.
I don't know what my word is for this year. Maybe " metamorphosis "
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa
7 -
Picked up the groceries and then stopped to see Tom and Elena with Alfie,Elena's birthday is Thursday and brought her birthday present down..
They enjoyed the Christmas presents I got them
Today I will try and get a few things done..2 -
50500
-
Happy New Year to everyone. I have been absent for awhile. Hoping to get on here every few days and keep up on the news.
Take care everyone. ‘
SueBDew in TX10
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions