WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2024

Machka9 · February 24

LisaInArkansas wrote: »

Machka - What current uni course are you taking? Love the coloring page! Broke down and ordered another wood puzzle from Amazon. Really enjoyed the last one, and I think it's quite good for my spatial sense, which is sadly lacking.
Love y'all,
Lisa in AR

Nice puzzle!

auntiebk wrote: »

Machka didn’t know you were taking another uni course, what is it?
Barbara

My course is Clinical Costing Fundamentals and Analyses
https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/short-courses/clinical-costing-fundamentals-and-analyses/

M in Oz

Anniesquats100 · February 24

Allie hope you feel better soon.

Tracey great job on the binder! Double checking instructions is a wonderful life skill that will serve you well.

Machka look at you go! Fencing is cool.

Why am I up at 4:30? Maybe too many naps yesterday. But I woke Teddy up, then he wanted out, so I did the whole breakfast routine.

Dad got up to fetch the paper and I repeated that he forgot his pants. He said he didn't need them and walked away. I'm not making any headway there.

I wonder if he will end up in a memory care home. He would probably have to sell the house, which means I would have to move, and maybe find a job. So I will watch him until I can't anymore. But he is going to wander, unlike Mom. But no one knows how the end will manifest, so no point worrying about it now. Except the job part, I should try to be ready for that.

But not until after taxes are done.

See, Lisa, everyone knows my battles, too! This is where I vent, and that's a marvelous thing. Thank you, my friends!

Have a wonderful day ladies!

Annie in Delaware where it's dark

Machka9 · February 24

Anniesquats100 wrote: »

I wonder if he will end up in a memory care home. He would probably have to sell the house, which means I would have to move, and maybe find a job. So I will watch him until I can't anymore. But he is going to wander, unlike Mom. But no one knows how the end will manifest, so no point worrying about it now. Except the job part, I should try to be ready for that.

Annie in Delaware where it's dark

If your father is going to end up in memory care, he may not remember he has a house and won't likely be deemed competent to do anything with it. That could put you into a really awkward situation.

My advice would be:
- look into memory care and what would need to take place for him to be accepted into a memory care home. Here, a person would have to be assessed, and it wouldn't be the person requesting the assessment, it would be a family member.
- memory care likely costs money.
- get your name (and possibly also your sister's name) on the paperwork for the house now while your father can still make decisions.
- look into Power of Attorney, Guardianship and things like that.
- start to take control of the situation by finding out about these things. Knowledge is power!

And it probably wouldn't hurt to volunteer somewhere while your father is at his senior's group so that you've got some current experience on your resume.

M in Oz

cityjaneLondon · February 24

Played 'California Girls ' while I was mashing the avocados and asked them if they wanted the eggs 'easy over or sunny side up'. Also bacon. Hugely enjoyed.

Got everyone showered and dressed, then we started on the Art. Max was playing on his phone.
The girls made drinks coasters, John did an ink wash, and I did a grid drawing with our new pens.
Max took the photos.

Then the parents came to pick them up and had coffee. They had a great time playing VIPS at the nightclub.
We are invited to Shandiz for Bea's birthday in March. Hooray!!!!
Now relaxing.
Love Heather UK xxxxxx

Machka9 · February 24

Fencing - it is kinda cool.

And it's exercise! I'm using muscles I haven't used in a long time.

Today we were learning lunging which is close to the "lunges" we may do while working out, but it is an attack method. My back, butt, hamstrings and all sorts are muttering this evening.

We also learned parrying 101. The basics.

Gardening - after fencing I went out to wield my mattock! I'm putting in a rock border.

I'm tired this evening.

Machka in Oz

LisaInArkansas · February 24

Morning, all... from the darkness of an Arkansas Saturday morning, supposed to get up to 70f (20c) this afternoon. Two sunny days on the weekend for the first time since last year!

The warmer, drier weather is helping my joints soooo much. The cold and the rain do kinda pound on my pain levels. And I just thought the meme was funny... I think this group is probably the only one that knows everything that's going on with me, but there are times when I'm afraid it's all I talk about. Tell you what: If you see me put "organ recital," as the title for a spoiler, you'll know what you're in for! 👀😂😈. I genuinely never mind listening to other people's, and in fact I learn a lot from what you talk about in your lives.

Woke up unsettled. In my dream, I tried and tried in a crowded room to find a place to sit so I could eat, and no one would let me sit. I could feel myself about to faint because I was so hungry and forced myself to wake up so I wouldn't faint in the dream! Wonder what my twisted little psyche thought would happen if I did? 😂👀🙃

Hopefully a better day with more energy - slept like a baby last night.

Heather - Love the Art. It looks like something you all enjoy tremendously.

Machka - Love the idea of fencing. Your dedication to always learning in every arena of your life is continually inspirational.

Terri - Sorry about your daughter's dog. Always hard to lose them.

Lanette - Kind of with Barbara AHMOD on this one. I genuinely understand that need to do things yourself. However, my sister is on disability for her back due to a fall from a ladder, my fall from one is what precipitated the knee replacement in my right knee while we were working on this house, and my brothers have all had injury-level falls. Be aware of the initial setup being very stable, and be supremely aware while stepping up or down. Never relax your sense of where your body is while you're on a ladder. Corey finally bought an adjustable outside ladder that is too heavy for me to move, and even on the few steps up or down on the inside stepstools, I'm very careful.

Allie - Sorry about the UTI. I was told the estradiol cream should help with those issues, too.

And on that note, before I go wandering off into the research rabbit hole, I'll sign off. Hope it is or was a lovely Saturday for all.

Love,
Lisa in AR

Anniesquats100 · February 24

Machka thanks for the ideas. I could probably volunteer one day a week. Hmm.

I've been considering becoming a pharmacy technician. There are several self-paced online programs I could take to get a certification. They mostly have internships for experience. It's portable, I could work just about anywhere. One downside is shift work. I don't drive at night, but maybe I could get better at it. I could do early mornings.

Another option is to learn Python or Android or something and go back to programming. It would be difficult to get hired but the pay would be better. I think the stress of deadlines would be higher, but the working conditions would be quieter. I would have to move or work remotely.

Dad is not ready to put me on the house deed. I would have to have him declared incompetent and he would hate me. Plus I couldn't care for him if I lost his trust. I'm not ready for that, but I might be, after taxes!

Annie in Delaware

cityjaneLondon · February 24

Heather UK

Anniesquats100 · February 24

Heather so glad you guys always have such a good time.

I did my 10 minutes of bike an 6 minute walk Yay!

I am running so early today! Now it's such a long time until lunch!

Annie in Delaware

1948CWB · February 24

teklawa1 · February 24

The last two days I have been outside in the yard, raking and weeding. I've begun to clean out the storage shed in the back yard and I'm finding all kinds of stuff I didn't even know I had. Clam shovels and 4 snow shovels and baseball bats ..... etc. Yikes I have to figure out how to pass these on. I don't think the thrift stores will accept most of this as donations. I gave the salt water fishing poles and gear to my neighbor. I tried to convince her she wanted the rest of the "stuff" but I wasn't persuasive enough. Ha

I'm on a roll thanks to all the talk of decluttering here on this thread. Today will get more sorting done in the garden shed and take apart two more of the dog houses that have been rotting into the ground for the last ten years. I've taken one truck load to the landfill. It weighed 480lbs and cost me $57 for dumping. Felt good to accomplish cleaning the old dog kennel. I sold the chain link enclosure for $250 so I can fund my landfill trips with that windfall. :-)

Keeping busy in the yard is good therapy. My yard is beginning to look more tidy and tackling what needs to be done feels good. Lots to do and I get physically tired and sleep better.

I'm not fond of ladders and I hired a man to prune my apple tree. He did it a good job and asked me how Jack was and didn't know he died. Then he said he wasn't going to charge me but I insisted on paying him. He is a hard worker and I want to feel good about calling him when I need help with the outside stuff. I'm learning how to do what needs doing. Next month will be 2 years since Jack died. The first year I kind of muddled by this second year I am doing better.

Appreciate being part of this group. Thank you for the support and understanding....

Betsy in NW WA

barbiecat · February 24

Good morning. I love having breakfast with all of you. I am the one at the end of the table who is listening to every word but saying nothing. Thank you for including me in your lives.

Tracey, your binder is impressive. It's way beyond anything I've ever created for primary teaching. Someone will hit the jackpot when they hire you.

Heather, You and your home earn several Michelin stars for your hospitality for your grandchildren--specially curated meals, entertainment, craft instruction, personal attention, and much more. No wonder you are tired and in pain from the experience.

Lanette, climbing on a ladder is something I stopped doing a few years ago. We gave our stepladder away to make sure we didn't use it.

Today Jake is giving his golf clubs to the daughter of a good friend who is driving over here from across the Puget Sound. It is a big step for him even though he hasn't played golf in several years. I am so impressed with his decision because it has been a difficult one.

My decluttering has the been the painful sort of one page at a time--lots of emotion with not much to show for it.

Barbie in NW WA

pipcd34 · February 24

Anniesquats100 wrote: »

Machka thanks for the ideas. I could probably volunteer one day a week. Hmm.

I've been considering becoming a pharmacy technician. There are several self-paced online programs I could take to get a certification. They mostly have internships for experience. It's portable, I could work just about anywhere. One downside is shift work. I don't drive at night, but maybe I could get better at it. I could do early mornings.

Another option is to learn Python or Android or something and go back to programming. It would be difficult to get hired but the pay would be better. I think the stress of deadlines would be higher, but the working conditions would be quieter. I would have to move or work remotely.

Dad is not ready to put me on the house deed. I would have to have him declared incompetent and he would hate me. Plus I couldn't care for him if I lost his trust. I'm not ready for that, but I might be, after taxes!

Annie in Delaware

Kirby was a pharmacy technician for 30 some odd years.

pipcd34 · February 24

334334

Morning chicklets

Anniesquats100 · February 24

Pip if I might meet a guy like Kirby, then I should jump in!

Annie in Delaware

KJLaMore · February 24

Good morning all! I meant to really sleep in; but only made it to 7am. That is sleeping in for me; but I was hoping for another hour of luxuriating in bed, knowing that my regular Saturday morning shop and errand run was done. Oh well, I have had my coffee, made some extra to put in the fridge for the upcoming day or two (this is something I have begun to do, to save time in the mornings), and had a video chat with my youngest grandson, Javier. Nothing says love like a chocolate covered 2 year old wanting to share his doughnut.

His older brothers declined to speak to grandma; in that very blunt way children have. Daughter: "Joaquin/Miguel, do you want to say Hi to Grandma?" Joaquin "I'm kind of busy right now." Miguel "No." lol Miguel is usually my lovebug. He then said, "Mom, please say goodbye to grandma and do this puzzle with me." I was very happy when daughter obliged him. He is generally the easy going middle kid, always happy and ready to please. So...if he speaks up on his behalf, needing some attention, I say, give it to him. I totally understand. From one middle child to another.
I feel like I am always stating how busy I am. But I am, again/still. I finally got my egg carton spaceship built and the kids are having a ball with it. I have had one little girl in my care, two days a week, since October. She spent the first two months here, crying almost (but not quite) non-stop. She then spent two months crying only at transition times; but still not talking, playing, or interacting with me or the other kids. The day the space ship was finished and ready for kids, she came in, took one look at it, and started laughing, talking, and playing with the other kids. The happiness and satisfaction I got from seeing this child finally be happy and feel at home here was HUUUUGE! All I had to do was build a spaceship.

Now...I am into cleaning and organizing mode, trying to get everything ready for my DD's family! They will be here two weeks from today! DD, SIL, the 3 grands, and the dog. lol They are driving up from TX and will be here for a full week. I am both excited and nervous. My daughter is very "loosey goosey" with food and screen time for the boys. I will be doing my very best to keep those boys outside and away from video games/screens. Not sure if I will be able to influence them at all to eat a piece of fruit or a vegetable, but maybe meals with all of us around the table will help. In case you are wondering, I am not the "oh they are on vacation let them have it/do it" type of grandma. That is more grandpa's style. Joaquin's birthday falls in the middle of the week; so my plan, weather permitting is to have a few of my childcare kiddos over for play, pizza, and cake. My childcare kiddos "know" my grandsons names and ages (they see their photos on my walls). Most days, my childcare kids will play "house" and inevitably someone will be Joaquin, or Miguel, or "baby Javi". lol I think they would enjoy meeting them in real life, and I think the boys would enjoy having kids to play with.

Workout - I have been doing the squat challenge. I am up to 200 squats a week and I really see the difference in my leg strength and stair climbing abilities. I do need to get my cardio levels up, though. My weight loss has stalled at 255. (But that is 15 pounds less than it was on December 18). I have had a few slips in my eating, but I think it has been the muscle gain that has been balancing the loss. I need some cardio to push the weight back into forward motion.

Pip- Everything looks great! Your living room change seems to have opened up that area and added more light. The bathroom looks fantastic and your new car! Love that color! It matches my cupboards! Glad to hear you are planning to do the MS ride again! Look for my donation in September!

Tracey Congrats on your powerpoint presentation! Your art projects as well. Always lovely and so nice to see the talent passed on to your grands!

Michele Nice to see you all made it to Florida! Congrats to your daughter and all of her achievements! Enjoy your time there!

Machka Love, love, love the fencing photos! What fun! You and your hubby always find fun things to do. Your coloring is wonderful, as well. How is the bee situation going? Has a new colony found a home in your hive yet?

Tina - I am not sure if it was you or Felicia who asked about keeping photos of exes. I kept photos of ex boyfriends for a very short time after I was married. I didn't keep them out or displayed anywhere. They were in a box. Then I found out that they bothered my hubby. So...we had a "talk/argument" about them. I confronted him about the pics of his ex that were still in his possession. My ex/exes were just a boyfriend/boyfriends; his ex was the mother of his son. Although, the pics of her didn't really bother me (because a child was produced), it bothered me that my pics of boyfriends past, bothered him. SO...we both agreed to get rid of our ex pics. We put pics of his ex in a photo album and sent them home with his son as a gift, the next time he visited. My exes pics just went into the bin and I am okay with that. lol They were pretty to look at; but were exes for a reason.

Carol- I was so sorry to hear about the struggles in trying to care for your brother/brother in law. It is so stressful to find time to manage our own day to day lives, but then to add the time it takes to manage another persons life...Sending you all of the hugs!

Betsy, Margaret, Lanette, Rosemarie, Rori, - I am sending you all hugs. I think of all of you often, as anniversaries of the loss of spouse/loved one come round. You ALL have shown so much grace; and have been an inspiration to me as you continue to move forward in life and still honor those who you have lost and still miss. I sincerely hope that every new day brings you light and love and renewed interest in small miracles in our world.

Annie - I am thinking of you and holding you in my thoughts, daily. To be going through this with your father, just after your mom passing! Ugh! I am wondering if the stress of losing his wife, sent your dad down mental spiral. I agree with the others, in regards to speaking with him about POA and MPOA. Let him know that you need to be able to handle things to take care of him in case something happens to him. Does he like/trust the minister or his doctor? Perhaps one of them can be with you while you talk to him? Sending love!

Allie- I am glad the arrangement with Alfie is working out. I am concerned for you, though, and the birth of your new grand baby. Did you promise or offer to care for this baby as you did for SMiles? Please, please, think of yourself first. If Tracy and her husband can afford another baby; they must have figured in childcare as well. Watching children once in a while is one thing; but to do it every day or even the extent that you were able to do it with Miles will take a toll on your health. It is exhausting. And for goodness sake! Don't cancel your cruise due to the possible birth of your grandchild. Take the cruise! Babies arrive in their own good time and they don't know "days" or "who came to visit first". Their only concern is mama/food/warmth. God love them. That baby will not know if Grandma was there on the first day or the eighth day. spoken with love from a friend who cares for you.

Barbie- I know you still walk your dogs each day, but it seems not as much as before? Did I read that your new pup does not enjoy the walks? Also, I wanted to tell you; one of the favorite books that you sent me is the book Everybody Cooks Rice. The kids I have in my care currently LOVE rice and they love to see the pics of all of the different families eating rice and what they are eating it with. It has inspired many lunches and discussions about how we like our rice. It is funny what kids will find an interest in. thank you for that book.

Debbie- A while back you posted pics of yours/your DH's 3D printed/molded dragons and percussion frogs. Those are amazing! Do you guys have an etsy site or website to sell them? I bet you would do pretty well! Also, I am curious, does it bother your DH that you have a mug with a pic of your and your ex on it and you use it regularly? I know that something like that would really bother my hubby. He would say it doesn't but it would be a constant niggling in the back of his brain and his mood would deteriorate because of the ugly thoughts that it would conjure. Just asking.

Heather Hooray! You made it through the overnight with the grands! Edie sure seems to be an intuitive little girl. The things she recognizes and it is wonderful that she is comfortable to bring them up and speak with you and John about them.

Rita- I love how proactive you are with your health. Since DH and I don't have insurance, yet, my mantra has become "physician, heal thyself". It is perhaps not the best mantra and is putting too much faith/power in my own healing skills. BUT...it is pushing me to take better care of myself and make necessary changes to keep me out of the doctors office before I have the need to be under physician care. Sending you the best as you move forward on your health journey!

I know I have missed some of you and welcome to all of the new women in our group. Sorry to all for the extraordinarily long post. lol Skim/skip as needed! I better get busy with my day. ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)

SophieRosieMom · February 24

dlfk202000 wrote: »

The chickens we got were at our Super Walmart- they seem to have marked down ones most times we go in the morning(only go once every week at most-needing cat food).Buying roasted chickens and portioning it out is a lot cheaper than buying the little cans when feeding 10 cats.
We really don't buy a lot at Safeway- prices are too high unless it is a good/digital coupon item.
We do get 10% off on store brands so that helps a bit.

Debbie
Napa Valley,CA

Debbie - then I'll take the teleporter to your Walmart for chickens.

I haven't seen any deals at mine, and they pick the meat off unsold rotisserie chickens like Safeway does. Only they add more skin and parts that aren't exactly meat. Tasty though. I don't buy many items at Safeway anymore, but they do have a few specialty items I like that I can't get at Walmart or, like you, there are good coupons for that week.

Heather - When I die, I want to come back as one of your grands. I could just imagine myself sitting at your table doing art! How neat that your DS and DSIL had a such a great time on their get-away.

Annie - Pharmacy tech sounds interesting. I think Pip's Kirby did that if I'm remembering right. UPDATE - I see I remembered right, Pip just verified. I keep reading that companies are seeking older workers - we have a good work ethic. Fun to explore the possibilities if you do eventually go back into the workforce.

Carol - hope you find something to do brighten up your weekend. If I was still working on the shop I'd send the teleporter to pick you up and you could hold the ladder for me.

Just kidding!

I'm saving the rest of the job for someone else to do. However, this ladder is very stable and sturdy. Found an image of Walmart's similar (and cheaper) flimsier version, image posted below. The Home Depot one, which isn't available anymore, has broad bases on the feet that don't sink on gravel or dirt and is more heavy-duty. Love that fold-out tray and the grasp bar. I can see why it sold out.

Thank you gals for your concern. My DH broke his back from falling off that very same shop roof.

If it would have been dicey at all, I wouldn't have tackled it. I wasn't hauling buckets of paint or shingles up and down, nor was I reaching far left or right to throw myself off balance. The job was right in front of me. And I had neighbors John next door and Roger across the street keeping eye on the production.

I was half expecting Roger to show up but he evidently determined I was OK by myself.

I'm normally a scaredy cat, afraid of heights and afraid of falling. I won't even stand on a step stool to change a bulb in an overhead ceiling fixture without a spotter.

I had no fear on this particular job once I determined how stable the ladder was and I had the shop door and door frame for additional support if I needed it. I bought this ladder last year to be able to put light items on the top shelf in the shop and garage and fetch them back down. That little tray is why I got it and it's perfect.

For all other high stuff, like the gutter cleaning, roof cleaning, etc., I pay someone to do it. I also draw the line at chainsaws and table saws. Anything that can cleave off body parts.

I'm planning to walk with my neighbor at 9. Should be fun catching up with her.

Make it a super weekend, ladies.

Lanette

SW WA State

KJLaMore · February 24

Oh Kim- So sorry to read about Levi! Has your embroidery business slowed down?

kevrit · February 24

What a LOOOONG day yesterday! After I did morning reservations went to town (30 min drive) to Cardiologist and waited in that office for 60 minutes before being seen. He did listen to me and did some in-office testing. My heart rate is on the high side so one more med for that. Left there, stopped at grocery for bananas and local honey and a snack (1 PM by now) then went to hospital to have kidney bloodwork done. That went fast thank goodness. Must remember Friday afternoon good time to go get tests done at that lab! From there, I drove to a tire place to put air in one of my tires. I had this done only 2 weeks ago so had the guy check the leaking tire for leaks. He found a nail in it causing a slow leak. He checked me in to the tire place to get the tire fixed. Well, 3 hours later…. During that wait, I walked to some stores nearby that I usually don’t visit to look around. A shoe store, Petco, Marshalls. The shoe store, I must have tried on 10 pairs of walking shoes looking for one that would fit the way I needed, but no luck. I had gone in there with NO intention of buying anything and succeeded at that. In Marshalls, found some gourmet olives on close out a new pair of sunglasses with a larger rim to block out more sun, and, a Sprite Zero and a bag of veggie sticks (kinda like heathy potato chips). Walked back to tire place (a mile each way I guesstimate). I opened the bag of sticks and proceeded to eat half the bag before the car was finished (nothing for lunch except a little package of protein, meat, cheese, and Almonds-110 calories) No charge for the air or fixing the nail puncture. Happy for that! THEN went to Walmart to pick up the prescription (another thing free at least) and get the Rum, 7-up, a milk-alternative yogurt to try (made with coconut milk), chips and dip for DH, and a couple other things I forgot what. Drove home (30 min drive again) sat down and nearly fell asleep! I did try the yogurt, which I was surprised I really liked. Crashed on the chair and went to bed at 8:30pm. I couldn’t believe how tired I was by then!! I used to thrive on that kind of day. Years catching up with me!!

RVRita in Roswell 👽

kevrit · February 24

Today is… Maybe I can create some art with toast, chili, and corn chips, and a drink?? Have a great day!!

WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2024

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