WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR OCTOBER 2023
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Safety day at daycare...it was exciting...8 -
4414410
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Tina - I think it is past time for you to get creatively selfish. Space of my own is so incredibly important to me; I cannot thrive without it. You'll be a much more relaxed and enjoyable host for people you care about if you're happy, and if they're not staying in the house with you! No more excuses - make yourself a room of your own, woman! Keep it your own, dedicated to your uses, with those things in it that matter only to you, and above all, cool and comfortable, and not incredibly hot!
Allie - Miles is such a cutie...
Machka - I've lived only one place where there was good, accessible public transportation and that was the total of six years I lived in England, first in Sussex, then in Berkshire. On the first tour there, in Sussex, I didn't own a car for more than two years and seldom needed one. I was on buses and trains all the time. The second time, I lived near a bus line that took me to Reading, which is where I worked, and used public transportation all the time. Even 30 years later, I remember sitting on the brick wall surrounding an old, old, cemetery every afternoon, with a centuries-old church rising up behind it. That was where I waited on the bus that would take me home. Something that would never have happened in any US city I've ever lived in.
Off to bed...
Love y'all,
Lisa at snoozy time in Arkansas...
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Nuff said 😳🤪8 -
LisaInArkansas wrote: »Machka - I've lived only one place where there was good, accessible public transportation and that was the total of six years I lived in England, first in Sussex, then in Berkshire. On the first tour there, in Sussex, I didn't own a car for more than two years and seldom needed one. I was on buses and trains all the time. The second time, I lived near a bus line that took me to Reading, which is where I worked, and used public transportation all the time. Even 30 years later, I remember sitting on the brick wall surrounding an old, old, cemetery every afternoon, with a centuries-old church rising up behind it. That was where I waited on the bus that would take me home. Something that would never have happened in any US city I've ever lived in.
Off to bed...
Love y'all,
Lisa at snoozy time in Arkansas...
I could probably count the number of years I needed a motor vehicle on one hand ... well, one hand and maybe part of the other.
There were 2-3 years in the late 1980s, then parts of 4 years between 2005 and 2009 (a few months here and a few months there).
Some of that may be because of the countries where I've lived - it's possible Canada and Australia are a bit easier to get around without motor vehicles. But some of it is because one of the "must haves" when I or we have selected a place to live is accessibility to public transportation, and the ability to walk to a grocery store etc.
There are some suburbs around Hobart I wouldn't mind living, but the public transportation is worse than the suburb where we live, so they are off the list.
I am really glad we did include accessibility to public transportation and the ability to walk to a grocery store as "must haves" because it gives my husband more freedom too. He is not able to drive, but he can get around.
Things to Look for When Buying a House in Retirement
https://www.chip.ca/reverse-mortgage-resources/retirement-planning/things-to-look-for-when-buying-a-house/
One of the most important steps to buying a house in retirement is to think not only about your current needs but also those of the future. The chances are, you won’t be able to drive forever. Your “buying a house” checklist should include its walkability.
Real estate listings are increasingly adding a walk score to properties; this includes how easy it is to walk to essential services like grocery stores, doctors’ offices, entertainment and restaurants. It also ranks properties on proximity to public transit.
The article includes lots of good tips.
One thing we will need to do in the next few years is to move to a flat lot.
Machka in Oz2 -
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One of the main reasons we moved to this area of Hove was because I hate having to get in the car all the time to get basic things. Our village had no shop. Public transport was, one an hour, to the wrong (for me) city. Nothing in the evening. I just love the ease here of having excellent food shops, including a butcher and organic grocer, around the corner, and many buses at each end of the road. I am not even on my husband's car insurance any more, and I haven't driven for five years.
In many European countries, the bicycle is king. In Lyon, where we stayed, they are currently converting many of the streets to cycle lanes. It's causing temporary chaos! In Scandinavia, everyone cycles.
I am also thinking of my old age. We could live here indefinitely on the ground floor, if we put in a shower room in the utility room. Food delivery is easy. Our doctor is at the top of the road. Our dentist a few doors from that. Our hospital a direct bus ride away. Buses are electric, and wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Priority for the disabled. I can walk to a train.
We are privileged. Not everyone in the UK is so lucky. I live in a quiet, safe, area. I can walk around at night. Not much traffic comes down our street. We have gardens, and tree-lined streets. Parks nearby. The sea is a block and a half away. All this comes at an exorbitant price of housing. Even rents are way out of a normal person's salary.
When we go to a foreign city, one of the things we really enjoy is getting to grips with the public transport. I loved it in New York. I especially love cities with trams! Montpellier, Nottingham, Brussels, Edinburgh, Vienna etc. Berlin has amazing transport and cycling priority.
Rural areas in Britain are losing their bus services. This enrages me. All older people have a free bus pass, but it's no use if there are no buses.
I would love it if Brighton and Hove had more cycle lanes. There are quite a few, but not enough. I don't have a bike for that reason. I walk, or catch the bus.
Feeling somewhat better, but I am still being careful with my bladder. Still upping the D-Mannose dose and drinking more than usual. No alcohol. The flu jab seems to have had minimal after effects.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
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cityjaneLondon wrote: »One of the main reasons we moved to this area of Hove was because I hate having to get in the car all the time to get basic things. Our village had no shop. Public transport was, one an hour, to the wrong (for me) city. Nothing in the evening. I just love the ease here of having excellent food shops, including a butcher and organic grocer, around the corner, and many buses at each end of the road. I am not even on my husband's car insurance any more, and I haven't driven for five years.
In many European countries, the bicycle is king. In Lyon, where we stayed, they are currently converting many of the streets to cycle lanes. It's causing temporary chaos! In Scandinavia, everyone cycles.
I am also thinking of my old age. We could live here indefinitely on the ground floor, if we put in a shower room in the utility room. Food delivery is easy. Our doctor is at the top of the road. Our dentist a few doors from that. Our hospital a direct bus ride away. Buses are electric, and wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Priority for the disabled. I can walk to a train.
We are privileged. Not everyone in the UK is so lucky. I live in a quiet, safe, area. I can walk around at night. Not much traffic comes down our street. We have gardens, and tree-lined streets. Parks nearby. The sea is a block and a half away. All this comes at an exorbitant price of housing. Even rents are way out of a normal person's salary.
When we go to a foreign city, one of the things we really enjoy is getting to grips with the public transport. I loved it in New York. I especially love cities with trams! Montpellier, Nottingham, Brussels, Edinburgh, Vienna etc. Berlin has amazing transport and cycling priority.
Rural areas in Britain are losing their bus services. This enrages me. All older people have a free bus pass, but it's no use if there are no buses.
I would love it if Brighton and Hove had more cycle lanes. There are quite a few, but not enough. I don't have a bike for that reason. I walk, or catch the bus.
Feeling somewhat better, but I am still being careful with my bladder. Still upping the D-Mannose dose and drinking more than usual. No alcohol. The flu jab seems to have had minimal after effects.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
Europe & Britain really lead the way!
We're eyeing two possible small towns we might be able to move to at some point, and both offer many of the things you mention. Good access to grocery shopping and other facilities. Decent public transportation. Great cycling and walking. Relatively flat.
I use our van on the weekends, sometimes. Not every weekend. But thankfully, I don't need it during the week. It's way too expensive to run it all the time, and I can't deal with all the traffic.
M in Oz2 -
Heather: I find toothpaste is good for removing lime scale on my bathroom sink. Maybe that would work on the marble groves. Just a smidgen on an old toothbrush.
We also live in a pleasant area with good transport links nearby. 5 minutes takes us to the nearest bus stop which takes us to the train station into Belfast. We have bus passes which are valid all over Ireland, including some of the offshore islands.
Our local shopping area is about a mile away. However, I can drive to many of my activities in about 7 minutes, whereas public transport would take well over an hour as I would have to take 2 buses.
Yesterday’s Monday Painters went well. I have craft group at 10.30 this morning.
We had lovely autumn colours until the storm ripped most of the leaves off. It also did for most of the colour in our planters. Time to clear them out and get the spring bulbs in.
Hey ho! Off we go for another day of fun and frolics
☘️ Terri4 -
Grandmallie: I love seeing Miles at Safety Day! He is growing up! I am living your post..it is 4:30 am and I am up and bathed. I will snooze in the chair for a couple of hours!
Machka, Heather, and Lisa, and Terri: I enjoyed reading your descriptions of cycling, walkability and public transportation. Years ago the public transportation in Boston was pretty good. But now there are all sorts of problems and the public transportation breaks down and is in the news.
I am pretty energized but am leaving for the cat rescue at 7 am. I don't want to run out of energy so I will doze for the next couple of hours. I hope to go to a Planet Fitness this afternoon and walk on the treadmill and then I will have meditation group this evening!
Best,
Rosemarie from Georgia5 -
Gratitudes-
Monday: The dog’s excitement when Joe puts on his walking shoes every morning after Tummy Time. Crew is coming today to grade and gravel our lane. Thanks neighbor for spearheading this project. Grateful we can cover our share even if two of the six neighbors bail
Sunday: pew buddy K well enough to get to church under her own steam.
Saturday: another reminder to not insist on my own way, oops! ;{
Friday’s gratitude: Gold Beach road trip with bonus walk at Buffington Park.10/23: Move: 2 sets PT w/d,x&a, line dance class, Jeopardy walking. Steps:9374Accountability’s caught up but only skimmed through pg 48.
Fuel: sugar in vs mfp=34 CI<CO net=953 vits=1
Live: Joe, readings, BP, AF, ptT, ptS, Wt:134.0
10/22: Move: ZERO sets PT, dogs to powerline, Jeopardy walking. Steps:7468
Fuel: sugar in vs mfp=15 CI<CO net=548 vits=1
Live: Joe, readings, BP, AD, ptT, ptS, church and fellowship, groom Tumble, ‘nother load laundry. Wt: 131.6
10/21: Move: 2 sets PT w/d,s&a, dog group. Steps:9227
Fuel: sugar in vs mfp=6 CI<CO net=296 vits=1
Live: Joe, readings, BP, AD, ptT, ptS, M, bill pay, filing, Freddie’s, fellowship prep. Wt:131.4
10/20: Move: ZERO sets PT, stroll with Joe and the dogs at Cape Sebastian and Buffington park. dogs to powerline, line dance class. Steps:8524
Fuel: sugar in vs mfp=-1 CI<CO net=167 vits=1
Live: Joe, readings, BP, AD, ptT, ptS, Post Office, Library Wt:130.7
Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
October: Move more: chair yoga, line dance, dailyish PT, play with dogs.
Fuel better: less sugar, dailyish vitamins.
Live NOW: dailyish time with Joe, readings. Open heart and mind before mouth.
2023: Be of good cheer.
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Good morning ladies,
I was up at 12:30 am. I was sound asleep by 7:30 last night so got five hours of good sleep. Cleaner comes this morning at 8, I might take a little nap before she gets here.
I've picked up dog toys, put extra shoes away and generally straightened up a bit so the house will be ready for her when she arrives.
Rosemarie - you sound like me, up early with a snooze needed. Sounds like you have a busy day. Good for you getting your exercise in.
Barbara - won't it be nice to get your road graded and graveled? We neighbors decided to put in a new culvert under our private road this summer, everyone paid right away except one household, which held up the work. I guess they finally paid but it might be getting late in the season to get it done. I personally think the culvert is good for a few more years. Crossing fingers anyhow.
Joy - snow already! I see there's a cold front coming down into the US soon. It's 43 at my house right now and I have the thermostat set at 65 - the heat pump keeps coming on. In a couple days we'll have early morning temps in the mid to upper 20's. No snow at my house, but it sounds like the pass about 50 miles east of me will see some.
Ginny - you mentioned you were working on next year's budget....
Budget: Old habits die hard - I'm now I'm working on my 2024 budget too. I've had a household budget spreadsheet for years and enjoy working on the numbers.
I watch several YouTube channels about frugality and cost-saving. I saw one yesterday where the couple talked about budgeting and going through spending figures on the bank and credit card statements and identifying wants v. needs. For me, now single, it's pretty easy to choose what to cut back and cut out if I had to. I'm recalling many times in my marriage where DH and I differed a lot on this. It took work but eventually we came to agreement on most things. Each of us having an "allowance" helped a lot.
I'm projecting 25% increases in property taxes, utilities, food and medical, which is the lion's share of spending. Anticipated medical insurance costs for 2024 are still coming in. I'm meeting with my insurance broker on Thursday to possibly switch to a different Medigap program which will save me a little.
That's it so far. Make it a fabulous day!
Lanette
SW WA State
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Lanette: I have looked at my budget as well. I plan to end Weight Watchers, paused my regular gym member ship and will go to Planet Fitness which is $10.00 a month. I am going to try and go without Amazon Prime. I cut back on my Audible membership and dropped the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The library is open on Sunday afternoons and I hope to go there more often. I dropped the pricey streaming service as the Fire Cube has plenty to watch. I dropped my membership with an ADD group. I cut back the church pledge....the church is doing okay financially.
For now I am keeping knitting which is 3 hours a month for $33.00. I also have Paramount Plus which I will keep for now. The knitting seems pricey for knitting but I am a beginner and it is social!
Best,
Rosemarie from Georgia
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Rosemarie2972 wrote: »Lanette: I have looked at my budget as well. I plan to end Weight Watchers, paused my regular gym member ship and will go to Planet Fitness which is $10.00 a month. I am going to try and go without Amazon Prime. I cut back on my Audible membership and dropped the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The library is open on Sunday afternoons and I hope to go there more often. I dropped the pricey streaming service as the Fire Cube has plenty to watch. I dropped my membership with an ADD group. I cut back the church pledge....the church is doing okay financially.
For now I am keeping knitting which is 3 hours a month for $33.00. I also have Paramount Plus which I will keep for now. The knitting seems pricey for knitting but I am a beginner and it is social!
Best,
Rosemarie from Georgia
Rosemarie - sounds like you have a good plan. These little things add up, don't they? Glad to hear you are keeping on with knitting and Paramount Plus which bring you joy and social contact.
After my DH passed last year, I had to take a hard look at the budget without his social security coming in. I guessed it pretty well for this year, but had so many extra expenses for the house and property that couldn't be put off. Plus car repair. I'm hoping next year things will be better and I can find some overage to put into savings for future roof replacement.
I know I'm spending "want" money on my chickens. But, I don't have any vacations or trips planned and I'll keep driving the old cars so no car payment to keep up with. I can't think of any vacation that would be more fun right now than the time I spend watching the hens out scratching for bugs and worms, lol.
I've been cancelling some Substack subscriptions. I like supporting new writers who do a good job. Many of them now have a healthy following and don't need me anymore - I can read their articles free.
I know there are more expenses I can cut out or cut back on, and I'll keep looking.
Lanette
SW WA State
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Good Tuesday
A wee bit stressed today. Can't locate my shop keys. Will call the person who has our Bronco and have him look in it. I have done so well not misplacing things.....There are no identifying things on the keys so that is good. Breath!
Budget Probably could use one, but I haven't in years. Reckon I am not getting younger, but am not missing the days of figuring out how to pay bills and feed the family. When I do shop, it is in and out. I get what I want/need and leave. DH use to ask why I don't shop around. I told him when I get more than one day off a week, then I will consider it. For now, my sanity is worth the easiest. I am thankful to be in a position that allows that to happen.
Public Transportation When I lived in the DC area it was easy between busses and Metro. I sometimes caught the bus to the metro. Other times I would drive to the closest metro station. I never drove into the city. I did drive to grocery etc. It wasn't always the fastest, but was the least stressful. My son in law works in Cincinnati. Parking and traffic are atrocious. He drives to a park and ride and takes the bus to work. Again, somedays it takes him longer , but like Machka, he uses that time to read, text, or play games. He is less stressed when he gets home. I live in the country. There is no bus service out here. Heck we can't even get pizza delivery. 😒 The county next to us has bus service, but I have never used it. Oldest grand daughter has learned to navigate it okay.
I am happy to have lost almost a pound this week. Water is still key. Picked up a different magnesium, some potassium, and d3 with k. No cramps last night. Still stretching. There is so much I need to do, but small steps. I can't touch my toes or do the seated stretch over leg, hips don't bend that way anymore. That is one goal so will keep stretching.
I should get ready for work. Breath!
Much love,
Kylia in Ohio
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Tooth is out and I'm surprised it isn't very painful. I think I'll skip the pool today and not be very active. I've iced the jaw but it is swollen and have some bleeding from the gum. I'll plan to go tomorrow if the swelling and bleeding are done.
Machka and Allie, what you posted on dementia and traumatic brain injury really hit home. My sister with the radiation to the brain tumors is dealing with cognitive issues. It's so frustrating for her because her husband and kids want her to be "normal", like she used to be. She is so smart and so capable but the radiation left scars and the processing of daily life things is a chore. Some things are impossible now. She feels the anger and frustration that radiates from her husband and kids. They think she isn't trying hard enough. She used to be able to put 10lbs of sh** in a 5lb bag and never will be able to do that again. I've never connected TBI with what Cheri is dealing with.... it's like a light bulb turned on for me. I'll have to do more reading.
Good grief, yes on budgeting. I keep to a budget but keep reworking it. It's a necessity for me because inflation and less income since Jack died makes it harder to put money away for emergencies. I'm lucky because I have enough but I must be frugal to put money in savings. I just got my tax assessment for this year and it went up again. Just the land they say increased $10K. There is a senior exemption in our county but I'm just above the limit.
Betsy in NW WA7 -
My only personal monthly expenses are my phone, sim only, and Amazon Prime. Something comes from them almost every day. They keep asking me if I am a business! I hate monthly commitments. I have very little income.
In the joint account -
We don't have streaming services as we use Freeview.
No medical insurance.
No car payments.
No gym. No subscriptions.
Monthly bills are utilities, and phone/Internet. Council tax is a big one. DH pays insurances for house and car yearly. It's very simple for me to track what we spend by checking the bank accounts online. If it's going down too fast we rein in expenditure. I know when monthly bills go out and allow for it. We squeak by.
Major expenses come out of savings. We are lucky to have them.
DH is not keen on spending money on home stuff, but I am patient. I mentioned a blind the other day for the bedroom. He was very reluctant. I can wait.
He has been very generous with funding some of our holidays. He paid for the whole visit to his daughter. Very expensive.
I want the cupboard door put back on in the kitchen. I may just ring someone up. I could get them to put up the grab rail in my bathroom at the same time.
I've ordered a catalogue from a kitchen cupboard doors replacement company. That might get him moving on the hinge!!!
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx6 -
I write down every cent we spend and transfer the data to Quick Books so I know where our money goes and how much we have coming in. We have savings as well as retirement income. Seeing where the money goes makes it easier to see what to cut, as fixed costs go up. Writing down what we spend is as helpful as keeping track of what I eat. It makes it all more intentional. We talk about where our money goes and make decisions about big items together. Our recreation is a few streaming services and our dogs. If we buy any "things" they are only to replace something that has to be thrown away or donated. We are fortunate to have saved during our working years and have sufficient resources for our life now. I remember when my mother was in her later years, she said that if you couldn't eat it or slather it on your body, she didn't need it.
Annie seems to grow every day. The sweater we bought is going to be too small very soon and the weather is going to be so cold that she'll need a warmer jacket and then probably an even warmer one by December.
Public transportation here is not helpful to Jake and me but many people use it. There are people in my neighborhood who have no car but they have neighbors and friends who provide transportation as needed.
Our sleep schedule has been understandably messed up by having a puppy. We go to bed at 7, get up to walk dogs between 11 and 12 and get up for the day at about 4. We have time to nap during the day if needed. I sleep in my morning dog walking clothes so I can easily take the dogs out. Jake has clothes by the side of the bed that he can get into easily so we're both available. Because it's for a puppy, we know that it's temporary and we can do anything for the short term that would be a lot tougher if it had to be done for a lifetime. It's all one day at a time here.
On the subject of needing a husband to help make tough decisions. Yes, Jake is helpful but my decision to finally get a colonoscopy at age 64 came because of the women on this thread who let me know that I could do it, that it was survivable and that it wouldn't be as bad as I thought. Jake and the medical professionals all talked about the horrors of colon cancer and had no idea that I was more afraid of the procedure than I was of the possibility of colon cancer. This community of women gave me comforting information and helped make a difficult decision possible for me.
Barbie in NW WA
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4424420
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Hello, my dears...
Got the lumber coming in for the sunroom addition sometime today (14-hour delivery window!) but there is something new. I got a text message with a tracker that shows they're on their way, but have six deliveries before mine. That part's kind of cool... if I need to take a quick trip to the store, I'd be able to, anyway.
It's a lovely, cool, cloudy morning. Huge rain system moving through Oklahoma and parts northeast, but it appears it's going to miss us until quite late this evening. A very minor shift in wind direction and it could quite easily engulf us, too. When I finish this, I'll get outside and get some things picked up and off to the burn pile. Looks like it will be a while before the delivery gets here, so I'll have plenty of time.
Fell over and took a nap yesterday afternoon. Cool, cloudy, rainy afternoon, perfect napping weather, and still got more than 7 hours of sleep last night, so I must have been really tired. Today I'll be able to work on a project and see what trouble I can get into...
Budgets - We are on a budget, but it's in very broad strokes. I put anything into savings each month that's left over from the expenses of the month, and I keep track of what those expenses are in order to maximize the amount we put in savings. But some expenses exceed the budget for good reason, like the window air conditioners we bought this year, which have already paid for themselves completely, with our bills dropping hundreds of dollars from 2022 and years prior. They should last three or more years, so were a good buy.
We do, however, continue to renovate the house, piece by piece. We're not using savings to do them, but each of these jobs does stop us from putting any more into savings. But each of these actions is a decision, and we make it together and we go from there.
Transportation - Being able to get to a doctor and/or medical appointments may well become an issue down the road. There is rural transportation available through government agencies for free, it simply has to be booked up to 48 hours ahead of time. I hope it doesn't become an issue, but if necessary, there are options.
And... I'm going to go play outside. I love the early fall days like this one - this is walking up to the house from the mailbox, and the colors are turning fast.
Later, y'all,
Love,
Lisa in Arkansas10
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