WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2023

dlfk202000 · July 2023

Kim, if you were closer I would love to be my taste tester.

Snowflake1968 · July 2023

Allie - I hope it’s not Covid and your doctor can give you something to help you.
I just saw your test. I’m so sorry. Hopefully you feel better fast. You’ve been sick a few days now, you might be better by the weekend. Here you don’t even have to isolate anymore for it. Just suggested you wear a mask in public for 5 days.

Evelyn - I agree I would probably avoid his calls, but he does have some great advice.
I haven’t read a newspaper except the little local one here and a local online one in NB in probably 15 years. I never did read a paper or watch news daily I just found it made me anxious.

Lisa - “He’s all hat and no cattle” 😂 I love that one.
I used to just avoid sweets period. I need to get back to that.
I am so happy every time I read a positive health report of yours.

Barbara - I’m happy to read that the fires don’t have you on an evacuation list.

Heather - I hope your anxiety about booking settles and you are able to do it. Once it’s done you’ll feel better.
I haven’t worn pantyhose since the early 90’s. What a miserable contraption they are! I don’t wear anything under a dress, except underwear, when I do wear one. I actually bought three this summer. It’s the first time in forever I’ve bought one.
As for bras, I cannot go without one in public, I very rarely wear one at home though.
Beautiful boxes and a wonderful conversation. My favourite book growing up was called The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery. She is the author of Anne of Green Gables.

I am sitting in the shade on Main Street waiting for Jonah to finish art club. His was two hours this evening.

Terri - Happy Anniversary!

Carol - I hope your pain eases soon. Can someone else come to help if you were to have the replacement?

Flea - I hope things settle soon. It’s hard being under stress continuously.

Lanette - we are looking at getting luxury plank vinyl. It is more durable than laminate. I don’t think I would ever go with a carpet again. Area rugs help with noise and warmth and are easier to clean and maintain. They have them now that will go right in your washing machine.
I’ll be sending you stats next week.

Debbie - My DH was like that for quite a few years. I finally decided that he could sit and be negative all he wanted, I was going to be happy and live my life. After a while I rubbed off on him. We also did have a serious divorce discussion at one point. I think that helped too.

Annie - You have done so well!!!! Congratulations!

I am going to try to lose 5lbs a month starting August until I have a new Grand.

I have been accepted into college! I met today and did the assessments. I will be going tomorrow to apply for the financing.
I am going to take Education Assistant. The Child/Youth Worker was a little more than I wanted. The EA is more helpful to the children. It is something I can do until my early 70’s. I start on Aug 7th.
I’m quite excited and nervous.

Tracey in Edmonton

pipcd34 · July 2023

144144

OregonMother · July 2023

Snowflake1968 wrote: »

I have been accepted into college! I met today and did the assessments. I will be going tomorrow to apply for the financing.
I am going to take Education Assistant. The Child/Youth Worker was a little more than I wanted. The EA is more helpful to the children. It is something I can do until my early 70’s. I start on Aug 7th.
I’m quite excited and nervous.

Tracey in Edmonton

This is so exciting, Tracey! And very inspirational. How long of a program is it?

I have a picture dilemma.

My great-grandmother was a nurse for a doctor, Dr. Day. His wife was Fern. A lovely, lovely woman who lived well into her 90s. Dr. Day was older than she was, so he died in 1958, before I was born. Fern was born late in the 19th century. They both had been married before, and Doc had a child by his first marriage. Fern had a child by her first marriage, but it didn't survive infancy.

So Fern doesn't have any descendants. Doc and Fern lived in Portland, off 81st street (so funny that I still know that!) Because Fern didn't have any family and because my mom and grandmother were the kind of people that they were (my mom kept track of her grandmother's friends for decades) we stopped in Portland to visit Fern nearly every time we were driving up to Washington to see my grandmother. Eventually, maybe when I was in my early teens ('70s now), Fern could no longer live on her own, so my grandmother built a little granny hut in her back yard and Fern lived there for years. Ultimately, even that was too much (she lived well into her 90s), so she had to move to assisted living where she died.

My grandmother inherited all of Fern's belongings, which wasn't much by time she moved into the granny hut, but here's the deal. I now have all of Fern's family photos. These photos are from the late 19th century, some of Fern when she was a very young girl. I believe I may be the last living soul on this planet who even knows who Fern was. Never mind how sad that makes me, because she really was just so wonderful and precious. I can't bear to throw away these photos (of course they aren't really photos -- they are some kind of tintype technology -- one I hadn't seen before). Yet, I can't imagine them meaning anything to anyone after I'm gone. Honestly, I don't even know who all is in the pictures because very few have anything written on them. (Except, one of them is signed to "Mrs. Schofield," which was my great-great-great grandmother -- that's how old these pictures are. How that ended up back in Fern's things, I don't know.)

ETA: I just looked it up. "Mrs. Schofield" died in 1903. She would have been my grandmother's grandmother, but my grandmother never would have met her because she wasn't born until 1922. (My grandmother was the youngest of her siblings.)

What to do??? I can't tell you how upsetting it is. I guess I just keep them because they've given me a lot of joy to look at --the clothing, the design/decor, and beautiful Fern -- she's recognizable even as a child. But I also hate to leave something to my kids that they also won't know what to do with.

Help! Advice?

Flea
Willamette Valley, OR

exermom · July 2023

Just texted Denise and Pete. Said that since they didn’t respond to Vince’s text about us coming up the weekend of Aug. 19 and 20, we assume it’s Ok so we’ll be there the evening of the 18th and leave early on the 21st. Really, we need to make plans. Update: she texted Vince that that would be fine.

Just made another loaf of sourdough bread for us. I found that if I get it ready right after work, it can rise while I’m in the pool, then it can be baked around dinner time.

Terri – Happy Anniversary! What an accomplishment – 57 years!!!

Rebecca – sinuses, joints, etc. are much better weather indicators than the weatherman. Sometimes I think they’d benefit from looking out the window

Lanette – my favorite part of the newspaper is the comics...lol

Went for a walk around the block

I glance at the headlines in the paper and figure Vince will give me the highlights if I need them. I do the same with election debates. I go do my thing and depend on Vince to give me the highlights

Tracey – Con very Gratulations on the acceptance!

Michele NC
who will take a shower and then make up the bed in the back bedroom

Snowflake1968 · July 2023

Flea - The course is 45 weeks. I will start Aug 7 and end June 21. I won’t be able to start work until next September which is a bit frightening, but we’ll get through.

Is there a historical society or state archive place you could donate the photos and any stories you have. I have been looking at doing this as I have old tin pictures from my grandmother. I don’t want to leave these to my girls to deal with either.

Tracey

Anniesquats100 · July 2023

Lanette thank you for your kind words!

Kim you are right. Taking care of myself is not rude. I need to stop thinking like that.

Tracey thank you and Congratulations!

Annie in Delaware

barbiecat · July 2023

Tracey, congratulations on being accepted into college. Enjoy the experience and don't worry about the future. Worrying won't help.

Heather, I understand your hesitancy at committing to travel reservations. I had similar reservations today about ordering two pairs of jeans in a style ever not worn before. It took me a day to decide even though I knew that I could return them easily for a small fee.

Michele, Congrats to you for announcing to Denise when you would be coming.

It was a chilly drizzly day today so after lunch I treated myself to a nap. We had some errands to do and decided that since Jake waxed the car yesterday, we wouldn't go out in the rain. The errands can wait until tomorrow.

Barbie in NW WA

SophieRosieMom · July 2023

Tracey - Flea beat me to asking you, lol. I was wondering how long the course would take. You'll be great, any school would be lucky to have you. Prayers that everything goes smoothly with this next little grandchild on the way. They can do wonders now.

Thanks for your input on flooring. I need to stop in to a flooring place one of these days. I've seen some of the vinyl and it looks amazing. Easy to clean up puppy messes, that's for sure.

Flea - would it be possible to write a little story/article about Fern (what you wrote for us was so interesting), some history, and include some of the photos? I don't know if there's a regional publication that might publish. And, there might be old folks who remember Dr. Day or their grandparents talking about him and Fern. I, for one, would love to see those photos and all photos from that era. You don't have to decide right away, do you? And yes, a historical society or museum might appreciate them too, especially since you can identify her.

It was cool and overcast but the expected rain didn't amount to anything. Still, it was nice to not have to water. The girls went out with me for 2 little walks today, and Gladys gave me another egg.

More Chicken Stuff

:

Here's a photo. The large egg at the top came from the store. As far as I can determine, the four smaller eggs all came from Gladys. She's the only one I've noticed missing from the run and in the coop singing her little egg-laying song, lol. The 2 on the bottom were laid last Friday, and the 2 darker brown were laid yesterday and today. There must have been something in her shell pigment system that had to get things figured out. Amazing, isn't it?

And last night I had them out in the back yard, sat on a little stool under a tree, and Gladys jumped up in my lap without any coaxing from me other than I was stroking her back as she pecked at the grass at my feet.

So glad the days are getting noticably shorter and I can go to bed earlier - I stay up to lock up their coop and get their feed ready for the next day.

Lanette

SW WA State

myvt9v4crh · July 2023

Snowflake1968 · July 2023

Lanette - I love your chicken stories. A couple of ladies at work had chickens and sold us eggs, some were so tiny, some were green coloured, some were peachy coloured. Very interesting.

Luxury plank vinyl is good for wet areas too. We have had it in our bathroom for 5 years now and love it. It cleans so easily.

Whidislander · July 2023

Snowflake1968 wrote: »

Flea - The course is 45 weeks. I will start Aug 7 and end June 21. I won’t be able to start work until next September which is a bit frightening, but we’ll get through.

Is there a historical society or state archive place you could donate the photos and any stories you have. I have been looking at doing this as I have old tin pictures from my grandmother. I don’t want to leave these to my girls to deal with either.

Tracey

If they are taken in a specific area, go to that cities historical society. I did for my high school year books, and all state choir album. They gladly took them as I am sure the historical society would. Check with your local librarian, for contact information.👍🏼
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

butterfly3215 · July 2023

Hi! My son recently started my fitness pal (I've been using it for years. But he recently lost 10 pounds and got this message congratulating him with confetti and a 10 on the page! I've never got anything like that. I think it could be really motivating for me. I recently hit a goal and would have loved that! Any ideas how I can get that?

skuehn48 · July 2023

GodMomKim · July 2023

Flea - are you on ancestry? you could make a page there and post a picture or two, because while she had no children, there could be a sister or brother of her/ her mom or her dad that has living relations.

The Mormon church might be interested as well, genealogy is important to them.

I have friends really into genealogy and they would be delighted to find about a side shoot of the family. and really fun for a current relation to find out that Fern is a family name, or that they look like cousin Fern.

smiles Kim

OregonMother · July 2023

GodMomKim wrote: »

Flea - are you on ancestry? you could make a page there and post a picture or two, because while she had no children, there could be a sister or brother of her/ her mom or her dad that has living relations.

The Mormon church might be interested as well, genealogy is important to them.

I have friends really into genealogy and they would be delighted to find about a side shoot of the family. and really fun for a current relation to find out that Fern is a family name, or that they look like cousin Fern.

smiles Kim

Great idea, Kim. Yes, I am on Ancestry, and I even started a page for her. Unfortunately, she had just one sister, and believe it or not, even though she was married three times, she also didn't have any children. So there are no survivors. Doc had a son, and it looks like his son has descendants, but I can't really tell.

I did more research and looked through the pictures again more carefully. I've decided they are my great, great grandmother Schofield's pictures. Most of the cabinet cards (I've learned about this new technology tonight, as well) were taken in either Pennsylvania or Elmira New York, where the Brewers and Carrs were from (Schofield was her second husband's name. Her first husband, a Carr, died quite young, when my great grandfather was 9 years old). I now believe that the Spencers sent the pictures to my family. They really have been friends for a very long time, going back about 150 years!

Anyway, the Spencers, Fern's family, were very clearly, from the pictures and from Ancestry records, in Michigan. Fern would eventually make her way to Colorado, and then Doc and Fern out to Oregon. I don't know how the Spencers knew the Brewer/Carr clan back in New York. Maybe if I compare trees, I will find a common relative somewhere? I think I've checked that before, however, and didn't find one.

I feel better now, though, about Fern. I have a stack of pictures of her, from when she was less than two to when she was in her 90s, at various stages, so I am going to create some kind of time line and tribute.

Now to figure out who all of these other people are. People, I kept muttering as I was sorting through the cards -- please jot a name on the back of your pictures. How difficult would it have been for someone 100 years ago to do that? Okay, maybe it would have needed to be 120 years ago, but still. Lol

It's a distraction and a much needed one right now.

Thank you all for your ideas. It has helped me think through the issue.

Flea
Willamette Valley, OR

OregonMother · July 2023

Just for fun. Here is Fern, her sister, and parents. Fern was born in 1886, the youngest in this picture, so this was taken maybe 1888?

Flea, lost in the 19th century.

cityjaneLondon · July 2023

I have loads of old Victorian photos of people I don't know. I'm hoping Edie will turn into the family archivist! I'm still thinking of writing about my family history, going as far back as I can. My family were absolutely ordinary, but that's what is interesting to me. Everyone 's liife is worth celebrating. My oldest family photos are of my great grandparents. Yes, Flea, I think a little history for a local paper, especially as her husband was a doctor, would be great, with your childhood memories. People love a photo.

Of course, you could write a novel, but I don't know if that's your thing. It's certainly sparked me off!

Thank you for getting my creative juices flowing. I really must get going on a novel about my grandmother's family and how my parents met. (I've been casting around for a next project after the current one)
Definitely, you could give a talk at the historical society, and donate the photos, with your story.

Tracey - Soooo glad you have taken this step! You will be amazing.

DH off to cricket today. I have some frozen game stew to leave out for when he gers back, and I roasted extra sweet potato yesterday , so he can heat that up. I haven't decided what to have for early dinner before I go off to the Death Café. Might go into town and find a salad place. It was so much easier on the cruise!
The lower simple carbs regime is working really well for me. I've lost a couple of pounds and I feel much slimmer and fitter. I'm working on the Tim Spector premise that it is the quality of food you put in your stomach and its ability to feed your microbes that is important. So, no white flour, simple carbs, sugar, ultra processed food. I'm also not eating rice, potatoes, etc, just because it helps me with control. I'm not counting calories.
The only cereal thing I am eating is my breakfast muesli, which DH makes himself with whole rolled oats, (mixed seeds, nuts, dried apricots, raisins,) On top are various berries and fruits, a few slices of banana, and homemade yoghurt.
After that, it's protein, salad, veggies galore, and fruit. I am having one small candy after dinner. Just one. I have olive oil, butter, crême fraiche etc. My snack, if I can't get through the afternoon, is a small pot of cottage cheese. There is only one brand I like.
I just wish I had a willing chef to prepare it all. I love eating like this, but it does require a bit of planning. And shopping.
Today for lunch I am at last having the Dahl Makhani I made ages ago. With a mixed salsa salad, Indian pickle, and yoghurt. My cricket treat!

Love to all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

auntiebk · July 2023

Lisa Etc love it, miss both Janets too. Normal range hemoglobin? Hooray!! Eat then no pain? WowowWOW! ! !
Lanette, well done, Gladys! Btw

the vintage Tupperware, have that one in pink too.
Michele I’d be happy to have my weight stay in your same range

Allie 5 weeks for bloodwork results? Sheesh.
Rebecca thanks so much for the backstory, more details than I remember. “science experiments in the crisper drawer” been there done that don’t wanna go back again.

Tracey you would be a gift to any young person who needed your guidance.
Heather back to running and writing all in the same day? Well done!
Beth I too am reducing/eliminating dairy to see if it helps and the first two days seem to be proving the theory. Hope it’s a matter of quantity and I can still indulge in an ounce of cheese a few times a week. Sad to say goodbye to cottage cheese for breakfast and yoghurt for dessert but if it moves things along…

Rebecca I like your system for mushrooms and will try it. Uh oh, guess I’ll have to pick up some mochi . . . ;}
Lanette love the chickens’ names especially “Big Thelma” :} Would you share a sample of your good habits spreadsheet?
Rosemarie congratulations on the 7 miles and 3 lbs. Well done!
Allie

Miles’ smiles.
Michele I’d love to see the flamingo ice cube mold

Joe is a big fan of ‘em.
Debbie I no longer even try to comment on all the posts, but just can’t help adding my two cents to too many…
Rita ((gentle hugs)) hope the antibiotics kick that infection quickly. Fingers X’d for your son’s job prospects.
Annie

your “Yay”s when you report. Reminds me of Terri’s recommendation to celebrate all the little successes. Well done!
Ginny that was a scary spell. Glad you know how to handle it and didn’t fall.

Belated best birthday wishes to Karen in VA, Katla, Evelyn and Beth’s mom. Being a week behind, stinks!
But time to sleep now.
Gratitudes:
7/20 the cloud of good models that surrounds me.
7/19 Joe overcoming his initial resistance and instead embracing and expanding the suggestion to put bug out supplies in the van.

07/19: Move: 2 sets PT w/x&a, line dancing. Steps:8114
Fuel: sugar in vs mfp=3 CI=1789 CO=732
Live: Joe, readings, BP, BiMart, play with plants. Wt:131.6
07/18: Move: 2 sets PT w/d, dogs to powerline, line dancing. Steps:8074
Fuel: sugar in vs mfp=-5 CI=1422 CO=965
Live: Joe, readings, BP, AF, casserole-a-thon. Wt: 132.5

Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

2023: Be of good cheer. July: Move more, fuel better (less sugar), live NOW.

ginnytez · July 2023

Tracey-what great news about the baby. Whatever the manner of conception, the first three months are cautious. My DIL, who is 35, didn't tell any except immediate family for the first three months. Congratulations on your college acceptance!
Allie-nothing stupid about you getting Covid. It is becoming part of our mainstream and seems that catching it will be like catching a cold (although it made me feel much worse). Just a reminder we need to try to be careful in our interactions but we can't avoid everything.
Carol in Ga-is it possible to get some home health care after surgery? With my hips they came and checked on me a couple of times a weeks the first two weeks (live on my own). There is also the option of going to a rehab for a week or so until you get some mobility. Also-I was surprised with hips that I was able to move about better than I anticipated. Nothing really helps bone on bone pain.
Terri-hope your anniversary was a good celebration. Quite the accomplishment!
Annie-I can't remember how much weight you want to lose (or your height, etc.), but depending on where you are with that but 6 lbs in a month is a good, responsible loss-a bit more than .5 per week. Big losses tend to happen when we are heavier but when closer to "normal" it is slow. Just keep doing what you have been doing and enjoy your maintenance week.
Kim in N. California-I have started reviewing my insurance options. Through my state retirement plan, I think there are something like 60 options (and I still get pension money in HSA). You really have to figure out what you may need in the upcoming year. This is part of my retirement immobilization-I start looking at those choices and freeze!
Flea-I have absolutely no advice on Fern other than what has been given, but very fascinating story. Makes one pause and reflect.
Heather-glad your new regime is helping you feel better. Small changes can make such a difference. In terms of making trip arrangements, I can have the same problem. I just think it through the best I can and them make them and forget them. It has always worked out and the anxiety is not worth it.

Well I know I missed other things (busy couple of days on here). I am working from home for part of today (have to go in for important community meeting this pm) but at least I can have some quiet time in home office.

Current reflections:

Pretty tired still-think that may be the lovely thyroid or perhaps unrecognized anxiety over visit on Thursday. But-the scans will show what the scans show and I will just make decisions from there. My plan is go over for morning appointments, meet with doctor over results and see how it seems cancer is growing (or not) and then stop by casino on way home to forget everything for an hour or so. I understand that if the lung spots are more than likely the thyroid cancer spread, which technically makes it stage 4 but with my type of cancer that does not have the same meaning as with others. Working is a distraction from it, but I believe this visit will help me with finishing up decisions. Think I want my last 15 or so years to be for me.

Well, one thing I can do to help myself is to stay as active as I can. Heading out for my sunrise walk which helps my brain, my body and my attitude!

Take care all,

Ginny in Ohio

WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2023

Replies

Categories