WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2023
barbiecat
Posts: 17,183 Member
The older I get, the more important it is to me to seek habits, behaviours, and attitudes that will help me stay healthy and increase fitness and happiness. That's what I've found with this thread. I hope you will find that, too.
The name of the thread is "Women Ages 50+" but all women are welcome. Our community includes women just approaching 50 all the way to approaching 80.
We share on many topics but stay away from criticism of others and controversy. We focus on support and encouragement.
Please sign your post with a name or nickname and a location, either specific or general, so it will be easier to identify each other.
Remember to bookmark the page so you can find us again.
Barbie from NW WA
"The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."---Lin Yutang
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Thank you Barbie! to me, August heralds that fall is around the corner. The thermometer might not show it, but the shorter days and cooler nights are coming soon.
Lanette
SW WA State9 -
Heather – regarding the nuts, isn’t that the way it always is? You can’t see something because it’s right in front of you
Laid in the sun in the pool then went for a walk around the block. Tonight I may take a walk to Food Lion and get some more kiwi that are on sale. I have my (was wet) bathing suit on so I can just jump in the pool and then come in to get dinner ready.
Pip – Walking 4 miles!!!! What an influence you are. That is so nice of you having them donate the payment. When we had the Newcomer pool party, I had them send the reimbursement check to the Corner Table (soup kitchen)
Vicki – good luck at the doctors
Michele NC6 -
Thanks Barbie! We appreciate you!
Okie in the TX Hill Country3 -
Thank you for August, 2023. I appreciate your leadership and wisdom. ❤️
Katla in Illinois6 -
Barbie, thank you so much, you are a much needed center for us all.
Lanette - I'm with you... the blast furnace we're in continues, but cooler temps are ahead. I love that first little bite of fall in the air.
Love y'all,
Lisa in AR7 -
Thank you Barbie!1
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Barbie- You are the best of the best..thanks for starting August off for us ..
25 days till I take off.. yipee5 -
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Thanks Barbie!!
just text my friend,need to borrow her trap. The baby possum is back in the garage again- not sure how he got in.
I will let him go in the back yard(instead of the front yard like last time but I was holding its tail in my hand so just wanted to get him out of the garage).
If he comes in again, we will relocate him away from our house.
Have Zumba tonight- thankfully- dh is in a real pissy mood again. Looking forward to an hour workout and an little time to myself driving to and from it.3 -
Debbie - beautiful fireplace. The one we had when we lived up north that had the Buck Stove insert was similar. That mass holds a lot of heat.
Carol- glad your knees and feet are getting better. I think back to when I was a kid and the poor heating system we had in that old farmhouse with single pane windows so cold we could scrape the ice from inside the bedrooms - yet we somehow survived the Indiana winters. And summers with no A/C - only fans.
Vicki - hoping the doc can find out what's wrong with your foot.
Beth- Hoping the house residing is going well. I'm sure you and your DH will both be glad when its done! Have your son's migraines gotten better since that episode?
Regarding woodstove use and costs, I did some pencilling. Not buying firewood and not having the chimney/stove service done annually will save me over $300 per year, probably more. That would pay for a lot of electricity. The costs here aren't exhorbitant, most of our electricity is hydropower. Still want to swing by the woodstove place.
Lanette
SW WA State
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Thank you, Barbie! You get my month started on the right step. As others have said, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!!
Kylia in Ohio4 -
I'm always confused with where to post comments on last of month after new link is posted (that truly is a first world problem!)
Terri-thanks for sharing the song-I have always liked "Raindrops keep falling on my head." There was the great scene in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" when it was sung. And Burt Bacharach was so talented (better at composing and playing than singing).
Machka-hope you stay safe during your wicked weather. And thanks for clarifying map-like Lisa I was very confused!
Kylia-good to see you and Karen popping in.
Margaret-I find myself in agreement we gather too many things. I used to think my mother did because she was a depression baby-I don't really have an excuse. I do find the 10 minute patrol at bed time to be helpful.
Heather-glad you were able to dodge the heaviest of the rain.
Carol-hope your ankles and knees continue with improvement-it seems like they have been bothersome forever.
Rebecca-your comment about the boxes being organizational hoarding made me smile-and I may be guilty of some of that-but I use cheap boxes.
Felt pretty good again today. The medication change does not seem to be hurting me and I definitely have more energy and fewer aches. Hope it continues.
Need to put a few things away. Work from home day for most of tomorrow.
Take care all,
Ginny in Ohio6 -
My biggest take away from all that I've heard and read about minimalism is about intentional living. I shopped and acquired stuff for years with no real plan. That led to the need to sort, organize, and discard. I acquired hobbies and activities because other people said they were good things to do until I my days were overrun with stuff to do. Today it is important to me to know what I have and where it is, to use my time with people and activities that are important to me and say no to the ones that aren't. I have things that are important to me and do things that are important.
"The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."---Lin Yutang
Barbie in NW WA13 -
Took a walk to Food Lion and got caught in the rain (again!). Fortunately, one of the neighbors gave me a ride home. Now it's stopped raining. Lucky me...lol
Going to take a shower and then probably get ready for bed.
Michele NC4 -
I acquired hobbies and activities because other people said they were good things to do until I my days were overrun with stuff to do. Today it is important to me to know what I have and where it is, to use my time with people and activities that are important to me and say no to the ones that aren't. I have things that are important to me and do things that are important.
"The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."---Lin Yutang
Barbie in NW WA
Barbie - Thank you for that. When I stopped working, I was able to move away from the deadlines and demands and the "good things," that others would have me do, whether for a paycheck or because they thought I should or would do what they chose, and sometimes from my own misplaced sense of obligation or responsibility. As I've begun to tentatively trust in my recovery, I've finally realized a few others. The biggest is that, if I'm doing anything now, it's because it's important to me. "No" is not a dirty word or an insult, and requires no explanation or excuse.
And Rebecca and everyone who's said so - minimalism is just exactly as individual as everything else, I agree. My minimalism may be someone else's clutter, and vice versa.
Carol - So very pleased your knees are doing well!
About to stream the finale of the first Good Omens series, and then we will start Series Two this weekend. Looking forward to it.
Happy August, everyone,
Love,
Lisa in AR7 -
Barbie … thank you for keeping us going!
Beth0 -
Barbie, thank you for a new month!
Tracey, when we were leaving Calgary via hwy 1, we crossed Deerfoot Trail N, I hope you saw me waving to you!! lol The dragon is beautiful and I’m so happy that the whole school thing seems to be coming together!
Sorry ladies, I have been reading and enjoying posts and pics, but not enough time to post regularly. The vacay is going well tho, spending some time with dys and his people, so good to see him after so long.
Hugs for those needing them, congrats to those celebrating and welcome to the new gals!
Evelyn, Vancouver Island3 -
Hi,
So once again I disappear when I get overwhelmed. Easily distracted by non productive things as my brain is just shutting down. Those are the times I need to learn to reach out and not curl inward. Sometimes I am a SLOOOOOW learner. My intestines are happier these days. NO PORK! No turkey (causes migraines). Still limiting dairy. I have added yogurt back in and tolerate that fine. Occasional cheese. I am sure the bad diet prior didn't help with the issues. However, after we dealt with that then I ended up with both a bacterial and yeast infection. That took 3 weeks and double dose of medicine to clear up. I wore skorts and skirts to work. This of course was during our heat wave which didn't help things. Physically things are much better all the way around.
Work/home is the same craziness as always. Like Machka everything seems to happen at once. I can't seem to catch a break. If I do like going to car shows or watching a show, then something isn't getting done. Missing my family. Wanted to be there with my family for July 4th but illness kept me away. I wanted to be there to support my sister and her husband at the funeral for his father, but D's daughter had surgery the day before the service, so once again, my family gets put on the back burner. To add insult to injury, my brother, sister, and I are now once again dealing with mom drama. Her memory really has taken a turn for the worst and once again she is taking things out on us. Too much to get into here, but I am once again not going to allow her to stress me out. My stress from her is that once again, she asked for help from my sister, who went out of her way to help mom, then mom turns around and showed her true colors once she got what she wanted. Reminder, my mother is a recovering alcoholic narcissist. She bites that hands that help her. Debbie your MIL reminds me of my mother. I married at 18 to get out of the house. My brother emancipated at 14 because he couldn't stand living with either of our parents who were divorced. I had forgotten that my sister emancipated at 16 because our mother abandoned her at the second husband's house. I had basically raised them both from the young age of 8 as both our parents were alcoholics.
Oops, that went long, sorry. So needless to say, playing games on my phone gives my brain a rest. On the upside, I left July at the same weight I started it, in spite of a couple of pounds gained in the middle. I am drinking more water. My diet is looking healthier overall.
I want to add to the posts from July, but it is bedtime.
Thank you all for listening.
Welcomes!
Prayers!
Congratulations!
You are ALL APPRECIATED!
Much love,
Kylia in Ohio11 -
Kylia- I really wish dh would not let his mom get to him the way he does. He has been in a really terrible mood- saying we will be better off with him gone, then someone else can take care of her, that he can't do it on his own. I agree but HE has to be the one that changes it. I can't say anything because unless I totally agree with him, I am wrong and he gets very defensive.
He needs to hire help, put her in a home or finally tell her no once in a while.
Went to class last night- took a small fan because the room gets a bit warm and the three fans they have in the room are not enough. I have one I have been taking but it is too small to do much unless I am right by it. DH told me to take his because it is bigger. Get there- the batteries are dead. So, I suffered for the whole class with no fan. Got too warm, started having asthma attack. Luckily it was near the end of the class.
Stopped at my friends to pick up her trap to catch the possum- I think her husband put the wrong one out- this one is just like ours- won't trip for nothing. Hit it with a stick over and over and it wont trip to close the door. NOT asking dh for help-not asking him for anything. I text her to see if there was a trick to setting it right. Waiting to hear back from her.
Going to go out and see if I can figure it out beings she isn't getting back to me.
Debbie
edit- think I have the trap set- hopefully I catch him tonight
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Barbie— Thank you for August, 2023. I appreciate your leadership and wisdom. ❤️
Katla in Illinois
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Barbie, many many thanks as always for the new month’s link. the meme.
Belated welcome @Marcia_Cassiano from FL!
Rita that WAS a funny skunk story. the pic of tricky Wicket!
Tina good to see you popping in. Safe travels!
Wow Kim, What’s left for your other pot luck guests to bring ;}
Sue thanks for taking part in that study. Hope it finds blood markers more effective than colonoscopies and mammograms…
Rebecca, Lisa, Tracey, what you all said about smokers not quitting until they want to is so very very very true. It was for me. (That and pneumonia, 8 days in hospital and 5 weeks out of work. Smoke Free since May 1999. Yay me!)
Machka would you remind me if your sense of smell returned after the surgery?
Lisa the pic of your gs on the beach. “One more key tap…” made me snort my water. :laugh:
Rebecca OH that Athena! What a comic!
Ginny thanks for sharing your toe-to-toe. Wish Joe understood that we have to be responsible and advocate for our own health care, the providers simply don’t have the time. They make rX based on study statistics and not the individual situation. At my last, the PA simply cut and pasted conflicting recommendations for my various dX. Like “More dairy for the osteoporosis.” And “avoid cheese for the hyperlipidemia.” Sheesh.
Tracey prayers said. ((hugs))
KJ your neighbor’s inventiveness. Would he let you post pics for us?
Kayne, add me to the “not bored” contingent. I don’t walk around the house but march in place while watching Jeopardy episodes recorded on my DVR. That way I can fast forward through those dreary commercials.
Betsy good to see you popping in, Prayers continue for your sister.
Debbie do you use an old fashioned pressure cooker, or an IP?
Lanette I sit on something like this and roll along the flowerbed to weed it… but obviously neither recently nor often enough :laugh: https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Cart-Utility-Wagon-Gardening/dp/B016BOX62M
Thanks for asking Terri for the dance workouts and Terri thanks for providing them! We mostly use our woodstove for drying out when we come in soaked from the rains. Find it most warming. When I get really really cold, I throw a beach towel in the dryer for a few minutes and wrap myself in that. You are made of stern stuff, we keep it much warmer. And during a recent, extended power outage, we hosted an older neighbor for tea, cookies and warming as she had no heat.
Barbie the newer woodstoves are more efficient and less bad for the environment. That having been said, by gardening and composting you are likely sequestering more carbon than you are releasing back into the air.
Beth “no thank you” indeed. Your DH and mine must be brothers from another mother with their pocket knife = surgical instrument philosophy. :noway: Sorry to hear about your painful gas, atypical nevis and DH’s heat related incident. Really wish he’d hire the rest of the job out.
Yay pip! Great smiles. Fingers X’d Addison succeeds.
Vicki Sorry you had to wait so long to get your swollen foot checked out. Hope its and easy and quick fix.
Carol, as a child I stepped on our floor furnace’s grid… but only once
Debbie do you have some WD 40 you could spray on the hinges of the trap? Might help it to “spring.”
Finally caught up. Updates and monthly summary some time tomorrow. For now it’s time to snoozzzzzzz…
Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
2023: Be of good cheer. July: Move more, fuel better (less sugar), live NOW.
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Barrie: Thanks for the new thread, and the sage words about the things we do to please others.
Oddly enough, I wrote this poem earlier this morning.
1 August 2023
Living NOW
I have earned the right to do just what I choose.
Ought to, must, and should are words I can, and do, refuse.
Mindfully, I consider what serendipity brings my way,
with body, mind, and spirit coming into play.
Even mundane tasks can produce an awesome lead,
if the spirit is willing, and the mind is freed.
One never knows the minute when creativity will engage,
and opportunity will stalk across the stage.
I live with eyes wide open, alert for every main chance,
to stimulate my mind, and change my circumstance.
Happy and content to greet each new beginning,
in the certain knowledge that waking up is winning.
© 2023 - Terri Richardson
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Good Tuesday!
Rori You are inspiring, brave, graceful, and adventurous! I want to be like you when I grow up ;)I thought of you when I watched a Seth Currie interview on Sunday. He has beautiful eyes! Such a wonderful example of being in charge of his own destiny.
Vickie I hope you got some answers on foot. Sometimes I get tendinitis in mine. At that point I know to buy new shoes. I do rotate heel heights lots when I have to wear shoes.
Ginny I agree about having to advocate for self and loved ones especially in medical situations. Long gone are the days of a family doctor that treats the whole person and not the pharmaceutical companies.
Lannette You also make me smile with your adventures. I love the chicken stories.
Tracey I am excited for this next chapter in your life!
Katla You sound much happier these days!
I stopped at store last night and bought two skorts and two body suits. They all looked nice. I struggle with finding shorts and prefer skirts so shorts are a perfect blend. I can't believe body suits are coming back but love the smooth look that is hard for me to get with shirts tucked in.
Minimalism I agree that it is as individual as we are. However, with the continued building of the storage unit business at least around here, we Americans really hold onto too much. Is it the same in other countries? I try to clear out things and intentionally make purchases regularly. There are very few things that I am sentimental about. I have a friend that is sentimental about lots and I struggle to understand. I believe my feelings on that stem from having things stolen when I was 18 from an apartment storage bin plus military moving. Weight limits rein in stuffs.My DH is the opposite-smh. Then again, maybe it my mom being a hoarder that makes me nervous about stuffs.
I was thinking about goals, challenges, life, etc last night. These are generally not high on my priority list, but you inspire me. I would work 4 days a week from 6-2. I would continue education (just not sure in what). I would travel more. I think when I retire I would like to volunteer like Rori at theaters for shows and dance productions. I want to be more organized yet fluid as I grow up. I would love to get in my car and visit all of you stateside and meet you! Then travel to see those overseas. My extended travel dreams include England, Ireland, Wales, Australia, Italy, and the Philippines. I will keep dreaming.
You are all inspirational to me!
Gotta get ready for work-ugh. My only upside for that are my customers. Yes, they ate my customers! I had 8 tell me yesterday that they appreciate all I do for them! That made me feel better. And in spite of what my husband thinks it isn't always free
Make the best decisions you can for the moment.
Remember you are strong, resilient, and beautiful women!
Be proud of your accomplishments both big and small!
Realize you ate important to lots of people and have an impact on lots of lives every day!
Much love,
Kylia in Ohio
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Terri I love your poem!1
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July Highlights
July disappeared in the blink of an eye.
* I did not exercise as much as I wanted because of my knee, but I did something most days ... especially more upper body weightlifting than usual.
* We did manage to cycle a 50 km ride before I realised that my knee injury wasn't just a bruise.
* Left arm/elbow just about healed.
* I lost another kg which isn't bad given how insanely busy the month was So I'm 5 kg down from my high point in mid-April.
* Added another southern continent bush in the garden bed I'm currently working on. It's one I've wanted for a while ... a Little Bibi!! https://www.pma.com.au/little-bibi
* Dug up the rest of the bulbs and I'm ready to plant them ... hopefully this weekend.
* Attended a Pop-Up Cafe featuring beekeeping.
* Attended a beekeeping webinar.
* Attended a calendar planning meeting for our long distance cycling club.
* Attended hockey matches that our son and daughter-in-law played in.
* Travelled to one of our favourite spots in northern Tasmania for a few days ... nice, quiet, relaxing.
* Some colouring and reading for pleasure.
* Read the Bible every day.
* Did not work on the online course I'm taking from a university in Melbourne. Kept meaning to, but so busy.
* Meeting, meeting, bow-beeting, banana-fana, fo-feeting, fee-fi mo-meeting. Meeeeeting!
* Lots of medical appointments.
* Dyed my hair dark brown.
It was another month of running from one thing to the next. I thought June and July would be slower more relaxed, winter months, but nope! It's full speed ahead!
Really low exercise month!!
2023 Monthly July
Walking/Running Distance (km): 38.9
Walking/Running Time (min): 485.6
Cycling Distance (km): 93.9
Cycling Time (min): 312.9
Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 131.0
Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 94.3
Other Time: 20.0
Totals
Total Distance (km): 132.7
Total Distance (miles): 82.5
Total Time (min): 912.8
Total Time (hr): 15:12:49
A couple months ago, I decided to start going to a chiropractor regularly. It was a good decision because my headaches have eased off quite a bit, despite all the meetings and stress of the past couple months. I've also found some different ways to stretch.
However, I've been going a couple times a week, and it's too much. They'd like me to keep going regularly, but I am having a tough time fitting it in. It's supposed to help relax me ... but it's causing me stress. Thursday is my last appointment with them, and that IS relaxing me!
If my headaches return, I'll deal with it then.
Machka in Oz4 -
Machka would you remind me if your sense of smell returned after the surgery?
Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
2023: Be of good cheer. July: Move more, fuel better (less sugar), live NOW.
Not entirely.
I have moments where I have a sudden blast of scent that leaves me thinking things like 'when did leaves start smelling like that??'
And then it subsides and I return to my usual dull murmur of smell.
Machka in Oz2 -
2612610
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My biggest take away from all that I've heard and read about minimalism is about intentional living. I shopped and acquired stuff for years with no real plan. That led to the need to sort, organize, and discard. I acquired hobbies and activities because other people said they were good things to do until I my days were overrun with stuff to do. Today it is important to me to know what I have and where it is, to use my time with people and activities that are important to me and say no to the ones that aren't. I have things that are important to me and do things that are important.
"The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."---Lin Yutang
Barbie in NW WA
Spot on. I do realize I did not plan enough or set limits on acquiring things.
I do love it when I find someone who can use some of my stash. I do try to remember to give them only what they need. Example neighbors have a sister with three kids staying with them for a few weeks. I gave them some books at the right age level for each child. I could have given them a whole box but I gave them just a few. If it is too much it becomes a burden to them instead of a blessing.
I loved the lunch with my cousin when I was able to give the sketch book her mom had drawn in and it reminded her how much her mom noticed her when she was growing up.
I am learning to be gracious when others want to give me something. A simple thank you does it. It does not mean I have to keep it. Examples are a book a friend gives that I pass on after I read it if it is one I will not read again.
Some of my favorite gifts I received really do not have much monetary value they just remind me of the person and how much they mean to me and I can tell they really thought about me and what I need. An example is the pistachio bowl my son gave me because he noticed I ate a lot of pistachios and thought I would enjoy it. I didn't even realize he noticed I enjoyed pistachios. Another is when on Mother's Day my sons gave me a pair of pink flamingos because it was something I did not need to water or take care of.
Some things are worth keeping others not.
Just like in becoming healthy what works for one person may not work for another.
What I love about this group is we share ideas in what worked for us.
Another suggestion from Organized Enough is to go between taking time to organize the small stuff like a draw and then stepping back and looking at the big picture like a whole room. I have heard this suggestion in various forms before. I do find it a good reminder to find balance in what I do. Rather than focus on what is not done I try to focus on how far I have come.
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Good Morning...Some fresh flowers from the garden to start the day🌹
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