WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2024

Happy Saturday ladies!

Lisa - I saw a Kicks on the freeway this morning. What a cute car, I can see how it's perfect for you. I agree on avoiding the hot summers. Around here, I tend to stay inside after 11 am during July and August - though June can have some heatwaves too. Winter - December and January are the worst. Painful hands and I get tired of the gray.

But it's a beautiful sunny day here. I want to work outside a little this afternoon, even if it's just cleaning out the greenhouse.

Annie - do you feel comfortable leaving your dad alone for hours at a time - so you can get out for more lunches with friends or horseback riding? That might help your mood.

I was just thinking about the great lunch I had with T and R last week. What made it great - they are not complainers. They are very positive gals, laughing at aches and pains that get mentioned, counting blessings, looking for fun and adventure even if it's only in our heads. I am so grateful to have them in my tribe. And I nearly always get a good-night message from T, sent with love and I send it right back. I think she's checking to see if I'm still breathing, lol.

I spent - no wasted - a lot of lunches with girlfriends throughout my life which were gripe sessions. Husbands, relatives, bosses - a long, long list. It feels good to be moving on from that.

Betsy - thinking about your sis and you as you navigate the Seattle hospitals this week.

About twice a week I tune into an hour of local Seattle news to see what's happening in my old haunts and that's plenty. I used to be glued to national news and l agree with Betsy - it's depressing and there's nothing I can do about it so choose to spend my time doing beneficial things for my brain. I subscribe to a very short daily email which summarizes a few stories from national news, sports, and other interesting human interest stories. Takes about 1 minute to read with links to in depth articles. That's perfect and keeps me in touch just enough with the outer world.

Tracey - love that blue and so glad you had a helper! Cute baby & pup photos too, made my day.

Barbara - hooray for Joe getting the Jeep going. I still remember when one of my old Subarus was in the shop, they called and said it needed a new clutch. I never had noticed a problem with it. Panic. DH got on the phone and said "why don't you try adjusting it???" Which worked, took a couple minutes. $15 or something. Older fellers like Joe and my DH, who tinkered with cars ever since they were kids, had valuable insight as to how they worked and were hard to snow. I miss my DH!!

News Flash - Ed Deboo sent me a .pdf copy of his new book "10 Minute Strength Training Exercises for Seniors" for review for Amazon. I just skimmed through it, it's a winner. Can't wait to get a hard copy I can lay out on a table and write down notes. You can tell it's written by a PT. Simple, easy to follow, nice illustrations.

And finally, I've been going down the YouTube rabbit hole watching videos of people living in cars and vans. Mostly how they design them, what works, etc. No, I don't want to live in a car or even a trailer - DH and I existed in an 18 ft travel trailer for several months when we moved out to Washington in '77. Thank goodness it was a campground with toilets and showers nearby. We parked there while we found jobs and bought a house.

But anyhow, I found a pretty interesting one called "Solar Camper Car" which features a fella who's a traveling nurse! Lives in a spiffy Suburban he retrofitted quite nicely. Here's one of his videos. 15 minutes.

I better get outside.

Lanette
SW WA State

Ugh had a delivery from Walmart and again they delivered to the wrong address,and i got a refund,but i went and rescued it again.. honestly..i took the tip off for the driver he doesn't deserve it ,when he doesn't deliver to correct address.
Im watching Wayne Carini,Chasing Classic Cars..it is filmed here about 1/4 mile away from me..
Hopefully Miles feels better tomorrow.

325325

Machka: I like listening to the news rather than watching it on tv. Too many heart tugging stories get to me after a while. I really just want the facts...if people can figure out what the facts are. And without my husband there is really no one to speak with and banter about with the news. When I see people I try to limit talk of the news.

Dr.KatieBug: My son went to a public high school in Middle GA about 10 years ago. The system was using a curriculum where the algebra and geometry were intertwined. They eventually stopped using this. What was the reasoning for this?

Also I believe the classes were 90 minutes for awhile. My son did his homework during this time but it certainly seems like a long time to stay focused on Math...unless your a Math person!

I am not sure of the details of this but for Calculus the Math teacher asked the students to work on every problem they got wrong on the test until they could do the problem and I think others similar to it. Around 13 people in the class received a 4 or 5 on the AP calculus test. Do you think this method would work better in other class room situations. The calculus students were pretty motivated I think.

Best,
Rosemarie from GA

Nothing special today. Counting down the days until we leave and I can exercise every day. The plan for tomorrow since I’m not working is to do the Tear It Up DVD.

Rosemarie – I wish the foot would heal soon! Unfortunately, the MD told me to keep stretching it and in 3 to 4 MONTHS I will one day notice that it doesn’t hurt. I was hoping for 3 to 4 weeks, but no go. Sigh

Church tonight, but at least I’m not lectoring. Trying to finish up some foods (like cottage cheese) so that I don’t have to take it with me.

Maitland…. - welcome! Or should I say welcome back??

Heather – love the picture

Rita – feel better fast

Tracey – love the blue and all the pics

Barbara – the foot isn’t really “hurting”. There’s a callous on the bottom of my foot (due to all my walking) and that’s what’s bothering me when I walk. It almost feels like a plantar wart, but not as severe. I’ve gotten to where right after I take my walk, I stretch on the foam roller

Reunions: I went to one for my grammar school but I have no desire at all if ever they had one for my high school. It’s been over 50 years, anyway.

Debbie – banana split cake? Does it have ice cream in it?

Am now at this one point in the x-stitch and I can’t for the life of me figure one part out.

Took my walk, went to church, had dinner, watched some TV (took a break from the x-stitch) now to get to bed.

Michele NC

Today’s gratitude: Shadow didn’t pull my bum shoulder at dog group.
Tracey beautiful job, well done! the Aspen and Jeb pics.
Heather yours to Annie, Rosemarie and yourself. Bravissima!
Machka “grief is exhausting” ((hugs)) I think that’s what’s sapping both Annie’s and Rosemarie’s energy. Takes time. . .
Welcome @maitlandshopgirl !
Betsy I record the news too, for watching when I do my PT exercises. When they’re done, so is “news time.” Not irresponsibility but self-care imho.
Rita I’ve been thinking about an Applewatch for the same reasons. Which model did you get? Two of the saddest words “children’ hospice.” ((hugs)) for the frustration and hope you’re feeling better soon.
Carol hope your sinus infection clears soon. ((hugs))
Debbie both the banana split cake, pina colada fudge and especially the loaded rosemary potatoes sound delish!
Lanette what blessings R and T are! I’m sure they feel the same way about you. “existing” in vans/trailers. In ’97 Joe and I with our 95 lb GSD “Rex” and cat “Roxie” moved into a 24ft motor home. While our house was prepped for sale, we lived in the driveway, then drove from CA to Boise ID and lived in a campground with showers from February ‘til our new home closed in April. In March we were joined by our 16 yr old nephew. For us it was a short term adventure. For the hordes of homeless here its shelter that the forest dwellers lack. Makes me sad.
That’s it, caught up for now and time to snooze.
Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
February: Move more than yesterday, fuel better than yesterday, live NOW.
Open heart and mind before mouth.
2024: Strengthen: body, mind, heart-connections.

@auntiebk
It's so nice that you try to say something to everyone. I wish I had that kind of patience and perseverance.

I have been drinking the zero calorie effervesced soda water with the juice, actually. It really smells more than it tastes. It even says something like, "Infused." on the product. I wish it tasted like it smelled, but that would be too good to be true, lol.

The sugar habit is a pain in the but, but I've found juices with only half the calories, about 50, of regular juices. Even then I'm only using a 2 to 1 mix Soda Water to juice. So, I guess it's not too, too bad.

Glad you like my soups. What, exactly, is Beer Cheese soup? (BTW, I can' stand beer; does it taste like beer?) Here are a few more soups I made this week. Actually, it's soup week in one of my other rooms. So, these are technically reposts.

Tomato Bisque


Creamy Garbanzo Bean and Cabbage Soup


Mexican Corn Chowder (uses soymilk instead of milk and it works)

If anyone wants a recipe for these or the ones I already posted, just let me know.

Ginny - Bad luck on the UTI again. I take D-Mannose twice a day, and it does seem to have cut down the recurrence. I've had just one since I started taking them. They can't fight it once it's taken hold, but I believe enough that it's helping, for me to continue with them.

I will ring the hospital on Monday to check where I am on the physio waiting list. It could be a long time. I'm pretty sure that it's some kind of auto immune thing. I really must organise myself to get an appointment with the doctor. This is not easy. You have to ring at 8.30, (hold on for ever), or turn up in person, to get on the list for the day. No possibility of making a future appointment.

This morning I conquered some fears of technology and created a reel for Instagram. It's my books, flashing in order, with a photo behind them from the era of the book. (Not that anyone would notice that! ) I did the slides on Canva and uploaded them direct to Instagram. I would have preferred a slower fade, but I was just glad to get anything up there.

The sun is shining after a night of rain.

Much love to all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Good morning, my dear hearts, as another cloudy mucky day breaks over the Arkansas River Valley. Supposed to rain for 24 hours starting just before noon...

Ginny - Glad you're back and sorry about the UTI. I think I mentioned my urine test results came up negative, so they put me on the nuclear option for fungal, a week of fluconazole. It worked, at least so far, and I was not sure that it would. I'm feeling quite a bit better. Thanks for asking about the kids - this actually IS the move for John and Soraya; we're just the next-to-last driving stop on their way from their recent life in New Mexico to their new apartment an hour or so north of us. It will be good to see them. I haven't seen Johnny since his birth mother died, and it will be good to hug his neck... which is just a saying, in the end. I'll be hugging his waist, since he's 6'3" tall and I'm ... not. 😹They've both departed Facebook for their own reasons, so I can't track them, but he checks in on a reasonably regular basis.

Tracey - SO love that china cabinet - it looks absolutely spiffy with the bright white up against that blue.

Michelle in NV - I can't do what Barbara does and answer everyone either... she's amazing. But I also am in the business of removing stress from my life and that adds back a worry of whether I've missed someone or hurt someone's feelings, and I threw up my hands pretty early. I do try on occasion to catch up people I've missed, and I do try to catch the new chums, so they know they're welcome, but mostly not so much. We know we all care, or we wouldn't stay, so it works out.

Kim - I think of you often, and your beloved Levi. Many hugs headed your way, my dear friend...

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No real plans here, just cleaning as my energy permits. Corey will probably get some shelves done in his sunroom kitchen after he has coffee. He laid beside me and let me sleep late this morning--I slept for nearly nine hours, and he knew his tippy tapping on his laptop would wake me, so he just rested and let me sleep! It's not our usual pattern; I seldom sleep late when he's there (he gets up at 4.30 a.m. on weekdays for work).

Am trying to get myself back to work on my niece's quilt, but have been reluctant for some reason... Also need to get cases created for the foam cushions for the sunroom couches, which came in last week. My ability to work in three dimensions was never good. These will just be 48"x24"x4" boxes in cloth, but my brain went sideways when I tried to figure out how to miter a corner last week. I'll have to try again, it would be a ridiculous price to order covers, and I have everything I need here to do it.

Still shocks me every time I look in the mirror and see my lack of hair. Lordie... well, at least my hair is actually growing again. You can't quite see my scalp showing through, but you would have been able to a couple of years back when I lost most of it. It will take a month or two, and I'll get used to it in the meantime.

Got our taxes done yesterday - I might have mentioned that my best friend does them. It's a nice continuity over the years. She was doing my taxes even when I was married to my first husband. I send my stuff to her electronically. She checks with me on a few things, if necessary, and files them for us, and the refunds, if any, show up in our account. She also does hers and our kids' taxes, so she's had to learn Montana, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oregon, Hawaii, and a few other states' tax requirements. She has software that does it all now. She's still planning to be here for the eclipse, but I reassured her that it won't hurt my feelings if she doesn't make it. They plan to be here in May anyway, in the RV, and I'm looking forward to that. I'll enjoy seeing her in April, too, even if I don't understand the reasoning...

Later, y'all,
Love,
Lisa in AR

Annie - You stay in my heart as well, my dear. You're so much stronger than you know. Thinking about you.

Love,
Lisa in AR