WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2024

My prayers go out to you Allie I know it’s not the same, but I was devastated when my middle daughter was born breech with both legs dislocated. The doctor told me she would never walk. They put her in a body cast at a few hours old. In the end, she was able to walk and did track in high school, she is now 41 and works as a massage therapist, walks as if nothing is wrong. The only result was that she has one leg shorter than the other. Prayers work. Things happen for a reason. We may not understand when they happen, but they seem to always work out for the best. I’m not lessening Tracey’s grieving, just that I understand. I didn’t know she would walk until she was a month old, it’s not the same as missing body parts, but as someone else said earlier, you/she can adjust to whatever comes once the grieving is over. There is much that can be done to help now, much more than 40 years ago. The baby can still have a full life.

Love,
EVRita

I think the worry about Tracy's baby is about the genetic testing and that the missing arm, along with the size, is a sign of something more serious and life-limiting. That's how I understood it anyway. My every sympathy. Waiting to know things is hard.

I enjoyed my meeting. Strange, but it's the one place where I find myself sitting with people of similar outlook. That doesn't happen often IRL, though my old friends are not far off. And, for such a subject, they are the most positive, life-affirming people. I always come away uplifted. The leader bought a copy of NOW I AM,and I signed it.
I got a regular taxi there, and an Uber home. Even getting in and out of the car was a painful performance, but I'm glad I went.
Several members have hearing aids and varying degrees of deafness. I suggested that they announce it at the beginning of the session, because then we can make sure we speak clearly and facing them. We discussed the link between hearing loss and dementia. Our council is now issuing yellow cards for public transport that you can show the driver and other passengers if you have a problem. You can choose your wording. I am going to apply for one for priority seating. Mind you, my new stick should be arriving this afternoon, so that will be a signifier. I remember Machka's husband had something similar to show at the airport.

John and I decided to paint this afternoon, because the weather was awful. I made two cards to keep in the card drawer. One will probably go to my brother in May.

John's daughter was meant to be coming down for Easter Sundsy, to meet her dad for a walk and a drink, and then ending up here for early dinner. I have bought the food, at a lot of expense. Now she says she has work to catcht up on and could we do lunch instead. Lunch for her would be late, (we eat early) and that really doesn't work for me and my hypoglycaemia.
So I said no, and John is going to meet her off the train and have lunch out at the Persian. If I said yes, I would be in a thoroughly bad mood about it all and HANGRY. I find she is very much focused on her own needs and wants and her dad just complies and goes along with it. So, I have drawn my boundary. She lives alone, and has never had to bother about other people. I get on with her well enough, but I find her self-centered.
The lamb is in the freezer, so it will just be the veggies we bought that will have to be used up sometime. I feel I have made the right decision. Once upon a time I would just have gone along with it and resented it. John is more pliable. :laugh:

Love you all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

SophieRosieMom wrote: »

pipcd34 wrote: »

Up at 5:12 am pst. Going to the gas station at 6 when they open up and then head out to pickup my sister then going to see mom at Stanford hospital

Pip - What's up with your mom?

Lanette

Long story but probably at tail end of life. Apparently she’s been here since the 3rd

John's painting this afternoon. He is calling it Roman Candles .

Marvellous!
Heather UK xxxxxx

I have read and caught up. I do have a page of notes from a day or so ago on my phone, but Chase has been using my phone so he can play some online game with Jonah while they sit beside each other on the couch. He's going to lose it soon though as I need to text Jonah's mom to let her know our plans for today.
I am taking the boys to Lauryn, and returning home with Michaela. Raquel will pick Chase up from Lauryn's saving her a longer trip out here. It is storming today and not a good day to have to go into the city, but Raquel is only working today to pick Chase up. She lives almost 2 hours away, so this is the day that works best.
Michaela is going to go to ceramics with me tonight, she loves it.

Kaitlyn came on Tuesday and we managed to get most of the photos organized, at least we got done what I had for albums. I need to buy a couple more. In the meantime, I have put the photos project away until after Cheryle comes for her visit. She arrives a week tonight. We also completed the gallery wall that I have been wanting to get done. We have decided on one change, but I need to buy a frame first.
We chose pictures of just our little family, but at different ages. We have Kaitlyn and Lauryn at 6 months, Jonah and Michaela at about a year. A family picture we had taken in 1995, one that we had when they were teens, and then one from 2019. It's a nice mix. I'll share pictures when I get my phone back from Chase.

I'll catch up again later, maybe tomorrow.

Tracey in Edmonton

Anna - Well done on the exercise and working toward the changing thought processes that will serve you well!

On that note, though, in trying to practice what I preach, I practiced my "I am a bricklayer" a couple of times in the mirror. After I stopped snickering, I went outside and worked four hard hours of stacking bricks on top of each other. I can tell exactly which muscles will hurt tomorrow because they feel like noodles at the moment!

I am definitely not a bricklayer, but that's OK - bricklaying is not a lifestyle change or even something I want to do after this summer, but at the same time, it makes me feel like, at 64, I'm still learning and growing. I am also learning that I do not HAVE to finish a project that is this big, I can go back to it tomorrow or even the next day.

Heather - Love John's Roman candles... quite a sense of humor that man's got. Love the cards, too, you have a way with color. I have so many creative things I want to do I can't get back to them all in a day. I don't ever get bored, I don't have time... 😀👀🙃

Pip - I hope it's a peaceful passing for your mother.

Linda - Drop right in any time. You'll get to know us sooner than you think... always glad to welcome a new voice.

After yesterday's gut upsets, today has been quite peaceful... and I always appreciate the days when it quiets down. It was still in fine form all night last night as well, but more sound than fury, so to speak. 😳 Because I'm not completely oblivious (and because my loving husband couldn't resist pointing it out) I'm aware it was probably tied to the Aldi's Pain au Chocolat binge on Tuesday. Definitely worth remembering the next time I'm tempted!

All good news on the anemia front this morning. They were pleased with my tests but wanted one more 90-day follow-up checkup, which I agreed to. While everything is in normal ranges, many are at the low end, so they want to keep an eye on me. I appreciate them being proactive. When I'm anemic, everything goes sideways, it's just like the first domino falling. But when that's in good shape, I can deal with most everything.

Time to hop in the shower and scrub off the mortar and grub...

Later, y'all,
Love,
Lisa

Allie-I wouldn't worry too much yet. There is much that can be done. The advances in artificial limbs is amazing. They will be better prepared this way. Let's hope the other testing shows nothing to be concerned about.

Annie-I sit and eat most of the time. I usually check out MFP while eating dinner and it's like having a chat of sorts.

Pip-I know your relationship with your mom has been rough but saying goodbye is still difficult. I'm glad you have Kirby.

Heather-sounds like sensible plan for Easter.Maybe John could bring her by house to say hello and have a bit of desert?

Lisa-congrats on iron work. I keep my thyroid tests in a spreadsheet. I have several levels that are tracked and I like to see them together.

Yet another busy day. A bit cool but sunny. Got my 2 mile walk in. Foot is not 100% but new Naots seem much better for walking. Talk to podiatrist about them-she highly recommends the shoes, She is also going to check to see if any adjustment can be made to orthotics.

GD had surgery today. Adenoids and something called ruminates(I guess she had those reduced). She was most amused I had no idea what they were.

Off to watch a bit of Lost Treasures of Egypt.

Take care all,

Ginny in Ohio

Yes, I am still alive. I think I told you about my eyes. Anyway, they got more and more sensitive to the sun (which was fun in Florida where the sun is more intense). I would wear my sunglasses in the condo! Well, a pharmacist said it sounded like allergies to her and to use allergy drops and if it wasn’t better by Monday to see the doctor. Well, we were leaving on Thursday so I figured I’d just wait until I got home.

Driving was SOOO much fun (not). Just my luck it was sunny most of the way.

Got home and the same thing. So I called the eye MD. Well, my appt was for Tuesday and Monday suddenly my eyes got better. Not perfect. But better. I kept the appt anyway, and there was no permanent damage. The MD didn’t confirm but also didn’t deny that it was allergies. I strongly think it was and I was starting to get the allergen out of my eye

Today we had Loki put to sleep. He was very lethargic, wouldn’t eat, drank very little, always went behind a sofa. He just didn’t look and act right. He’d lost almost 3 pounds. The quality of life just wasn’t there.

It was nice to be able to exercise every day. When we came back, the water in the pool at the Y was 81. Boy, did it feel cold! I understand that the water at the condo is 91.

Going to Jess’ this Sat. I suspect she wanted me to make Easter dinner, but she’s on call and should really be there for the animals. Made a chocolate cake and a hash brown casserole to take. Now have an apple pie in the oven and will make macaroni and cheese. Made yogurt and will take some to her since the time her friend made it, she really liked it.

We got back the 21st and Jess was coming the next day because she had an eye appt. What to serve for dinner? I had ravioli in the freezer and we’d brought spaghetti home with us. But in the end she left early so I didn’t have to worry about dinner. Took the 22nd off from BK but told them that we came back early and asked if they wanted me to come in. If anything, that made me look sort-of good. Took Monday off to come home from Jess’

Got the temporary bridge put in today. Will get the permanent one in about 2 weeks. I’m so sick of chewing only on the right side of my mouth

As usual, lost weight in FL. Slowly putting it back on Not getting in as many steps here. I love FL, there are so many places to walk to. Wish we had more sidewalks

Had our last Newcomer bowling session. Honestly, we aren’t going to renew. Wonder if someone else will pick it up? Wouldn’t surprise me if no one does. It IS a lot of work

Put another one of the Dr. Schols pads on the callus

Vicki – congrats! Things have a way of working out

Went to see “Murder on the Orient Express” at the local theater. Very good production

Rita – that was some dental experience

Tracey – enjoy the sleepovers!

HOA – when we lived in PA, there was this one HOA that was a mini-Nazi. They demanded this one lady take down her flag of the Marines since her son is in the marines since, technically, the only flag that can be flown is a US flag. Well, the HOA here is VERY loose, and I do mean loose.

Ginny – we were afraid there was asbestos in the popcorn ceiling at the condo, but it turns out that there isn’t any. The condo’s were built probably in the 60’s

Rita – HUGS

Got the final price of the assessment at the condo for the seawall. Only $18,000!!! Fortunately, we can come up with that amount of money. Not without some doing, but it’s possible. I just feel sorry for the people who can’t afford it. When I was in the pool some lady was telling about how she has a CD to take her kids to DisneyWorld. My thought was “why not cash it in and use that money? Sure, you pay a fee for cashing it in early, but don’t tell me your woes about not being able to pay. DisneyWorld can wait, where you live can’t”.

Heather – so glad you got some answers and things are looking up (sort of)

Allie – OH, I’m so ery sorry for Tracey. How is Kyle taking this? I did work with a boy who had CP, was in a wheelchair. But was he ever smart! I couldn’t believe the things he could do! I remember reading stories to him for his SAT, the tiniest detail he’d remember.

Michele
back in NC



Had this bedspread made from the quilt blocks that MIL had. Have no idea who made them -- her sister, her mother, probably someone in her family. They are all hand sewn



Made this turkey for everyone at Newcomers bowling

The quilt is lovely, Michele.

Doing a reset on the pain meds in the night. Should be able to get back to sleep in a bit. Sooooo fed up with this.

Ginny - She doesn't drink tea or coffee, or eat desserts. It would be nice to see her. I do hope they can pop in, but I need to know times, as I am usually napping in the afternoon at the moment, as my night times are a mess. I don't think the weather forecast is great for their walking about!

Time to try for a bit more sleep.

Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Lisa - I am like you in wanting to get everything done in one day. It’s a hard habit to break. It’s why I didn’t like cross stitch, although I did give it a bit before I gave it up.
Ceramics is teaching me some patience.

Michele - glad it wasn’t anything serious with your eye.
What a beautiful quilt.
Have you had that callous checked out by anyone?

Michaela is spending the night tonight, she went to ceramics with me. She painted three Easter eggs, a caterpillar and a butterfly. I have to spray them tomorrow and take pictures, I’ll share tomorrow.

One of the ladies at ceramics gave me some photo albums, they will be perfect for organizing the old photos and they will store nicely in my hope chest because they are sets in a box. I’m so thankful!

I finished another session today. My final grade for this one was 95.12%.
2 more one week sessions to go.

I am in agony in my shoulder and neck when I try to lay down to go to sleep. I was up and crying last night off and on . It’s fine during the day though. I did some googling and couldn’t decide what it might be, but everything suggests it should be better with rest and to change my sleeping position. It’s hard when you sleep the same way for 55 years to change.

I’m hoping a three day weekend will help it.

Tracey in Edmonton