WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2023

Machka—I have never signed out, from the very first day. Now I do not have access to my computer. All I have is my phone. My son has my old laptop & I don’t have a new one yet. It is a frustrating situation for now.

Rebecca—Thank you for your kind words. They help and they make sense to me.

Right now our son is packing up the contents of our home in Oregon and getting ready to send things to where we are in Illinois. DH is working to get healthier and there is progress but it is slow.

If I had a choice, I would buy a one level house with a view of the river in Oregon. It isn’t going to happen any time soon.

This group is a gift and I am grateful for all of you.

Katla

Hey Ladies!

Katla: Remember that every scale is different. We have a bathroom scale that weighs 2 more pounds than the Wii Fitness Scale. Of course I use the Wii Scale for my official weigh-in.

Lisa: Hope you and DH are on the way to recovery soonest!

Carla: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Machka: Take time to definitely enjoy your time off. Working at 64 years old has presented some unique challenges for me. I guess I’ve experienced a lot and know the ultimate outcome of most actions. I just ordered a copy of “Microsoft 365 for Dummies” because I am having trouble changing the way I’ve used software in the past. I am finding that I have to keep a changed mindset for myself especially when working with much younger people. I find myself constantly saying to myself “I remember when I acted or thought that way.” I exercise lot of patience and tolerance. The other thing I’ve found is when I know the answers I don’t need to share them. Best wishes for your new position. I am hoping to have a new one shortly.

Debbie: You are on my mind and in my heart. My DH is a Vietnam Marine with PTSD. Early on I recognized that he was subject to awful outburst that really broke my heart. We were fortunate to benefit from veteran administration’s counseling for the both of us. The counselor did tell me that he had an extreme bond with me and that I should never put him in a position that he thought I was threatened or that I was leaving him for someone else. Through the years we have been able to work through issues successfully. Although I hate to say it most of the time when he started to act out I could see the stupidity of what he was doing and had to control myself from laughing. However, last year he had such an outburst and yelled some of the most God awful things that I gave serious consideration to leaving him. I went so far as to look for other living arrangements. (When I saw the current renting costs I had to step back and figure out how we were going to live in this house together.) So I bided my time until things were calm and recalled the incident and stated how I was feeling. I asked him about his feelings and was extremely surprised by his response. Summarily it was the culmination of pain in his shoulder, hands, and knees, and him feeling inadequate “as a man” especially as I am 9 years younger than he is; things don’t work the same way when you are 74 as they did when you were 54. We have been able to work with his doctor to alleviate some of the pain and am working through a mind change to accept the fact that his body has changed. Rafiq is having a knee replacement on Tuesday. I’ve taken off of work so I can play caregiver. My main task is to make sure he gets up and walks! He will be in the hospital for one (1) night and it will be his first hospital stay. He’s a bad patient! We had to have a talk and agree on that fact. Make sure that there are not some physical issues that can be rectified and work with his physician. Don’t forget prescription and OTC interactions. One time I had an extremely competent staff member who all of a sudden became extremely incompetent. Finally it was found that he had several tumors growing in his brain and was terminally ill. One thing I know is that I love this man, as flawed as he can be and as flawed that I am. Make sure you exhaust every avenue.

Rafiq and I have had COVID 3 times now so our routine has become routine. We really isolated ourselves and used masks but the first time went out to a restaurant for my birthday dinner we got it from unknowing very close friends. We are glad we did have our vaccinations and boosters. Our favorite drink is Starbuck’s Medicine Ball Tea. I make it by the gallon – Honey Citrus Mint Tea and Lemonade; add honey to taste. A shot of Cognac sends the patient to sleep.

Didn’t mean to write so much…

Tere in Chester VA

Hi Gals,
Tere - I had to tell you my 2 neighbor story – neighbor 1 – 73 yrs old, does almost no exercise, not even much walking, needed knee replacement, found a doc who would do it without starting with PT, had the surgery done, spent 3 months in a rehab center, and now 1 year after surgery is very unstable and walks with a cane. Neighbor 2 -63 yrs old, walks is very active, needed knee replacement, did 3 months of pt, and got a personal trainer to help strengthen upper body and the leg that is not having surgery, had the surgery done, came home same day, 5 weeks ago tomorrow and is walking 4-5 miles a day and has been completely released to go back to her normal life (only restriction is no running for a week more and no snow or water skiing for 2 months) Encourage your DH to get the rest of his body in good shape first!
Smiles Kim in N. California

Happy Birthday Carla!

Thank you for all the advice. I started a journal; I will add in my symptoms and what’s going on with my
body. And not just what I ate and my personal whining LOL. I started a detox and cleanse to try and reset my system. I also downloaded some walks from Treadmill Trails, so I have something to look at while I’m on the treadmill. The sun is trying to shine maybe I’ll shovel out the steps and deck later.
Jeff is going to get out the tractor and clean off the driveways, thank goodness.

Lisa/ I hope the C will finally pass and you both will feel better. Love the daffodils, give us hope that spring will finally show its face.

Barbara/ We lose power here a lot, not even just for bad weather. We’ve had snakes, crows, wind and I think phantoms disrupt our power. Last year my husband tired of it and installed a generator.

Debbie/ My daughter lives in Seattle. She is getting a kick out of the reactions of the people there with the snow they got. She grew up driving through it (a lot of it) every winter here. Hope you start feeling better.

Pip/ I love the raincoat. The corgis would revolt if I tried to put anything on them.

Machka/ You are way better than me. I could never not return your co-worker her ire. So glad you get a break from her. My FIL used to keep bees. I bet your honey tastes amazing. My camera also has a Shrek filter, but for some reason it only does it to me LOL That’s why there are very few pics of me. (My mother complains all the time)

Tere/ I have done Noom. It really did give me some insight into how my mindset works. I have yet to unfortunately what I learned into practice. I was contemplating rejoining, but they have changed the program and coaching, so I came to MFP.

I’m off to shave the floors as we say here. The corgis are doing their seasonal undercoat shed, so we have double the corgi tumbleweeds to vacuum up. They’ve already destroyed a Rhoomba, and my little very old canister is getting a workout, along with the Shark and Swiffer. Who ever thought we needed TWO Corgis and a new kitten in this house should be… Oh, the new puppy was my idea (teehee) the husband brought the poor lost feral kitten home (softy).

Have a great rest of the day everybody!

Belinda
BFE, Nevada

💖. I love this group of wonderful women. Thank you for the support. ❤️

Katla