WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2024

Snowflake1968 · January 11

Lisa - this is my WTForecast app today.

monie_is_getting_fit · January 11

kylia yes it was me that was talking about snow. It is snowing right now. I have been to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg 3 times. My husband and I are thinking about moving to that area in 3-4 years. It maybe 5 or 6 though with Lennox starting high school in September. We like to go up Anakeesta and we were there in 2018 just after they reopened and had brand new rope bridges and the restaurant had just opened back up that day. They were also still building some of the buildings. Everything was burned down from a wildfire in 2016. I was told that there were bear tracks everywhere in the ash as the bears were fleeing the fires.

Simone- Wisconsin

Machka9 · January 11

Down here in the south ...

Machka in Oz

skuehn48 · January 11

cityjaneLondon · January 11

I was awake very early this morning with joint aches. I decided to go downstairs and put the heat on a couple of hours early. Just because I could.

It's hovering around freezing outside.
Here I am, communing with you. I might try to nod off for the last hour before 7.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Anniesquats100 · January 11

Good morning ladies!

Yes Kim that orchestra is a good metaphor. Although sometimes I feel like a sheep dog trying to herd him away from danger. Then he goes off in some random direction and I have to run around, do damage control, and get him straightened out again.

The plan for my Dad's pills is for me to give them to him when I start to cook dinner. It might make him restless at night but he gets up a lot anyway.

Today is going to be an emotional day, but my sister is coming tonight so that will be better. Things are rolling right along. Time to start paying some bills.

I need to cut back on sugar. Too much honey in my tea and on my oatmeal. And I need to get back to my spinach smoothie in the afternoon.

I like the gym, but I stopped going in the pandemic. I don't like spending my time there cleaning the equipment. I have a stationary bike in the basement, much cheaper than a treadmill. And some mats and weights and such. But I quit using it all back in July and gained twenty pounds. Time to fix that!

We had a lot of rain Tuesday but today looks
okay.

Have a great day ladies!

Annie in Delaware

SophieRosieMom · January 11

Simone - beautiful family, thank you for sharing those photos! Good job on the walking.

Sue - good they have the new dryer delivery scheduled. Crossing fingers the installation goes as planned and you can get back to normal with your laundry.

Heather - nice to be able to turn the heat on, hope it stays working fine for years to come. Nice that the "elderly card" worked.

Barbara - sorry about your bicep problem. Are you right handed? Hoping wearing that sling will help it heal and you can get back to your decluttering and projects. We don't realize what a "pain" it is not having two hands until we're restricted like that.

Kim - glad your mom's heat got repaired. Nice seeing you pop in.

Michele - what a shame about that car recall. Absolutely a safety concern. Is the dealer not doing anything or maybe the part they need to fix it isn't available?

Annie - very glad to hear your sister is coming. Is she planning to stay a while? Sounds like you have a good plan to get your dad's pills lined up.

I managed over 8 hours of sleep last night, sure needed it. Helped along by an ibuprofen - my arthritic knee was grumpy, probably due to wearing old waterproof different shoes when I went to the store. That's all it takes.

Many people in my county were without power yesterday from broken branches on power lines due to heavy snow. A number of them are still without power so the service trucks will be busy today.

Project today will include grabbing that lame hen and sticking her in a cage or tub in the shop where I run a little heater and she can keep warm. She really should be in someone's stew pot. The plan is to keep her alive and thriving until my landscaper's dad can make it out to get her. She never did lay an egg. There's room for just three hens in that tiny chicken coop anyhow. They can pack in on the roost and keep plenty warm, they have a lot of down feathers.

I'll admit it, I'm a bit nervous about all of the big chill heading our way for a few days. But, I think I'm prepared up the max and I continually count my blessings and give thanks which helps a lot.

I miss the "good old days" when I was a kid on the farm - the dire weather report wasn't being blasted out on the radio, TV and internet 24/7. During the winter, we took zero F in stride. Farm animals and chickens made it through. We rarely missed school because of "snow days" unless the drifts were really high. My folks didn't panic and sit around worrying, or if they did, it didn't show.

Stay warm everyone!

Lanette

SW WA State

Machka9 · January 11

Coming back to life!

Still a few symptoms like blocked left ear, runny nose and shortness of breath/difficulty breathing ... but a tiny bit more energy.

I've washed my blankets and doona to give myself peace of mind that I'm banishing the virus! Fortunately today was another sunny, warm day so I hung them out to dry.

Then I tackled the kitchen!! It's slow going because about every 30 minutes I have had to sit down and catch my breath.

But I've reorganised several shelves and have determined what food we have. My husband's system of organisation was to put a few things on the shelves where they belong, and then the rest in a really awkward cupboard which should have a lazy Susan built in, but doesn't. So I'd have a glance in the main cupboard to see how much soup or rice or whatever we had, I'd notice that the stock was dropping, and I would order those things in the next grocery order. He'd put half the soups in the main cupboard, and the rest in this awkward one. Now that I've dug everything out of the awkward cupboard and put it where it belongs, I see that I don't need to order much for groceries for a few weeks! Some things I probably don't need to order for the next 6 months or more!!

I miss upper cupboards!! It would be so much easier to organise the kitchen with upper cupboards. And so much neater too.

Machka in Oz

teklawa1 · January 11

Betsy in NW WA

LisaInArkansas · January 11

Heather - The joint aches woke me, as well. I think I'm going to have to start flex-taping my knees again for a bit. It's below freezing here again, but nearly made it to 60 F yesterday (15C), and is supposed to get that warm again today before we slide back into winter.

Machka - I admit I envy the warm weather right now, but I don't envy your winter during our summer! I try to remind myself that the four seasons are why we're here. If we ever move again, though, it may be to someplace with warmer winters. No plans for that for now, just enjoying what we can, and living with the rest. In the kitchen, I use wire baskets with bamboo bottoms a lot so I can pull out the basket and check it. They fit lots of things, like soup cans, pasta packages, etc. In my dream kitchen, I will have drawers in ALL the under-counter cabinets. Shelves six inches from the floor just don't make sense.

Simone, thank you so much for the pics of your beautiful family. It sounds like Tyler had a rough journey, glad he's doing well now.

Tracey - DuckDuckGo has been around for about 15 years, so it's not new. It gets good reviews as a browser that doesn't track your every move, like Google does.

Busy, productive morning, getting chores done, laundry done. Time now to play...

Love y'all!
Lisa in AR

pipcd34 · January 11

274274

barbiecat · January 11

Bessie will be gone today for her dental cleaning. It was hard to not give her a treat in middle of the night or feed her breakfast. Right now while Jake and Bessie are gone, Annie is sitting under the table fretting about where they are, This will be a hard day for her because her life is not right unless all four of us are together.

It is just above freezing here this morning. I got my balaclava out and started wearing it so I was plenty warm on my walk. Today is the day that sunrise starts getting earlier by a minute or so each day. I love walking in the dark, but I love the four seasons so the changes feel good to me. Sunrise here right now is earlier than for UK or most of Canada but later than most of the US.

MIchele, wow, that is really a big challenge for you with your car. I am a "garage snob" and believe that cars should be in the garage so your situation would make me crazy.

I finished a knitted blanket this week and was able to take it to Project Linus. I've started on a new one in a different color combination. The other one was getting awkward to work on but it kept me warm while I knitted.

When we bought our heat pump and furnace in 2011, we signed up for the top tier maintenance plan which had as a provision that if we called for repairs we'd get put at the top of the list for service. The maintenance plan pays for a yearly visit by the techs who check everything and make sure it's running right. We are sure to schedule the maintenance every year. Heat is something I add to my gratitude list. We have a wood stove in the living room that supplies some heat in case of a power outage.

Barbie in NW WA

kevrit · January 11

Going to Gym? I used to, but now live to far to go. When/if we move to a rental, I’m looking for a place closer to the adult center that has an entire gym there for $1 a day or $30 a year. Free to me as I teach there. But as it is, I live a 30 minute drive to there right now so too inconvenient. In the past i was a member of Curves, then they closed. I then went to a local gym in the town I worked in, close to my job, so went there at lunch or before work most days of the week. I really enjoyed it. Now my only real exercises is walking. (did 9,900 steps yesterday. I didn’t notice how close to 10K or I would have walked in place or outside.)

Not posting updates on my goals every day this year seems weird, so I’ll try to past every 10 days or so. Do you all enjoy the daily what day it is posts? Please let me know yes or no. No responses and I will stop.

Here are my updated goals so far since the First of January:

2024 Goals
Words of the year: simplify, empowered, and authentic.

SIMPLIFY—make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand.
EMPOWERED—give (someone) the authority or power to do something.
AUTHENTIC—.
of undisputed origin; genuine.

I will be authentic and empowered while working to simplify my life.

1. Do 12 different crafts this year: color, draw, sew, crochet, knit, bead jewelry, candles, make cards, origami, scrapbook, macrame, loop looms 2/12
2. Walk average of 7250 steps a month 9/31.
3. 30 minutes activity 9/23days a month
4. Journal 7/23 days a month
5. Meditate 10/31days a month 1
6. Family phone calls 13/12 monthly.
7. Save $1000 for emergencies by depositing $50 a month into savings and not touching it. 0/1000
8. Research and apply for senior independent living in Roswell, one a month. 0/12
9. Drink 8 days a month or less. 0/8
10. Read 4/24 books this year.

11. Weigh less at end of month than at beginning. O/12

“I’m learning to treat myself as if I am valuable. I find that when I practice long enough, I begin to believe it.” In All Our Affairs

RVRita

kevrit · January 11

Today is Machka’s day! Sketchnote day! I hope to make a sketch note of my goals.

RVRita in Roswell, NM

grandmallie · January 11

Morning ladies
Got 8 hrs sleep.. kitty tower came and put that together,took the garbage out to the dumpster ,fed the birds and Alfie..
One of the YouTube people I watch got kicked in the face by one of her horses and had to have facial surgery and her jaw wired shut,they run a sanctuary, have longhorns and goats at another farm and have a ranch with 1 male longhorn and a bunch of females.. her husband is beside himself.. she will be fine but lost a few teeth ,and had a concussion and had to have surgery..
Can never be to careful.
Miles loves watching the nightmare before Christmas ..but the last 3 mornings he has woke up screaming..I have a feeling that his poor little brain can't handle that..

1948CWB · January 11

Vickil57 · January 11

Good morning dear ladies,
Annie--Glad your sister is coming and you can have some help.
Those with heater problems, glad they are fixed and you are staying warm. The temps here for the next 5-6 days are calling for below zero. And more snow tonight and tomorrow. This is more snow then we have had in a lot of years. Rivers need it and so do the farms for this next spring.
I have an appointment this afternoon to have the heart patch put on, they called and said insurance will not pay for the patch unless I wear the heart monitor for 48 hours first. So guess that is what I am getting and they told me I can not get it wet so no shower for 48 hours. That is driving me nuts thinking about it as I take on every morning. I just hope they can figure this out soon.
Take care and stay safe and warm.
Blessings, Vicki GRAND ISLAND, NE

LisaInArkansas · January 11

Annie - Thinking about you, dear heart, I know it may not feel like it sometimes, but you're doing better than you think at all this. Glad your sister is coming, you can use the support.

Vicki - They slapped a monitor on me for two weeks, but thank goodness, it was waterproof. They're usually up quite high... Can you at least take a shower from the waist down and leave it at that for 24 hours? I hate having to skip one, too. Hope they find out what's up.

Rita - I enjoy the days that you post, but don't feel you need to do it just for me. If you enjoy it, keep doing it, and if you don't, don't... Meant to say that I was so glad your kidney levels were showing better results on the tests.

Regarding going to the gym - My husband and I decided together that it wasn't a good idea, especially because I preferred going to the gym early, and this time of year or any rainy day, in the early hours these country roads are dark and dangerous. We ponied up for an elliptical and a rower, and when my energy levels are even slightly good, I use them. It was less cost and more safety. Planet Fitness, in the nearest town was only $10 a month, but just not worth the risk. If I had a mall reasonably close, I might walk there a lot, but the nearest one is more than a half hour away.

So... the butternut squash was definitely a raging success... but I tried everything I could think of to do cauliflower this morning and it tastes WAY too much like a vegetable for yours truly. Just all vegetable-y.

For those who don't know me, I may be what's called a super-taster. All vegetables taste like green, bitter dirt to me. I despise the taste of beer (or any other alcohol), and of course, my husband's taste runs to the IPAs, which are horribly bitter to me. I use a LOT of sweetener in coffee and tea, and can't drink either one black or unadulterated. Literally, the only calories I'm willing to drink are the ones in my coffee, and that's one reason I only have one cup each day. Not saying it's the smartest thing in the world, just saying it's my reality.

Anyway, the cauliflower was a bust, so I'll just have to be satisfied with the butternut for the time being and see what else is out there to try when I'm feeling adventurous again. Pardon me while I go mouthwash the vegetable taste out of my mouth. Urk.

Later, my dearlings,
Lisa in AR

cityjaneLondon · January 11

Lisa - I have a recipe for cauliflower purée which I will post when I find. We loved it.

Soooo relieved that the handyman, Daniel, has been and gone. Wonderful! Two things that I have been brooding over for months were done in just over an hour.

Cupboard door rehung.

Grab rail installed.
John also bought me the first of the season's daffodils.

So now I am enjoying the bounty of spring and no longer resenting my husband and my son 🙃

G has been diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid. She is on an oral steroid and doxicycline. They've taken a skin sample.
The good news is her loft is now completely boarded and she can start to sort stuff. I'm not holding out much hope of significant decluttering.

Love to all. Heather UK xxxxxx

Joy1580vb · January 11

Good morning, ladies.

It is so cold here. Minus 32 this morning and has now warmed up to -27C. No wind though which I am thankful for. Edmonton reported -41C with the wind chill. It isn't very often that Edmonton is colder than us.

Poor little Lucy is having difficulty doing her business outside. At only 15 pounds there isn't much body weight to keep her warm. She just went out quickly this morning, peed at the bottom of the stairs and then ran up to be let back in. I go outside with her to make sure she can get back in quickly. A bit later in the morning, there was dog poop in the entryway that I cleaned up. I know it is simply too cold for her and I understand why she can't do it outside. According to the forecast we are in this deep freeze until Monday so I'm know there will be a few more accidents that will need my attention. I hope you are staying warm, Tracey as I'm sure you are feeling this too.

Washed a pile of dishes this morning that I had put in the dishwasher that last couple of days. Decided it wasn't a good idea to run the dishwasher as we don't want to have to pump out the septic tank when it's this cold. So being mindful of how much water we use and not using the dishwasher or washing clothes until next week. Went to town yesterday as needed milk so now just going to stay put for the next week.

Heather, so good that G now has a diagnosis and started treatment. Read about her condition and it certainly does not sound pleasant. Good that you got a handyman to take care of a couple of chores. I'm sure it is a nice feeling to have that done.

Annie, so good that your sister is coming.

Joy

WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2024

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