WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2024
Replies
-
My son has replied to say that he and Edie can come over on Wednesday for roast lamb. It's the shoulder I bought for John's daughter, and too big for just the two of us, even with leftovers. I will do a Greek salad to go with it for Edie, which she loves, but haven't quite decided on other veg accompaniments. I like a tahini and yoghurt sauce with it. I might do the root vegetables again. The rest of the family are off to the other grandparents, but Edie has two days of football.
I've had a bit of a painful day today, but the last meds I took have helped. The worst thing about waiting is all these drugs. Hate it.
We love our pine floors and had them refinished a few years ago. It only takes a day, all in, for a couple of rooms. No dust. Easy to look after. I inherited carpet in my upstairs bathroom, and would love to replace it, but no cash. At least it's only me up there. Our whole house needs loads doing, but it's not a priority for John, so I just close my eyes and live with it. Yes, it's frustrating, but unless I win the lottery.......
Beautiful, warm, day here. I would have loved to go out for a walk, but no.
Salmon for dinner. Fresh spinach in crême fraiche, and a few home fries. I always put the fries (chunky chips in uk) in a separate bowl. Chilled white wine.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
4 -
little guy at daycare !!
Good afternoon...
Just watching the last 2 seasons of Call the midwife.6 -
Yesterday, I dug up bulbs ... some of the bulbs. We have quite a large bulb bed so I only got about 1/3 of it dug. I haven't done a lot of digging in the garden just recently and my glutes are feeling it!
I also pulled weeds at the new place. It's been empty since January, so there are a few weeds around.
Question about flooring:
What is your preferred flooring?
- carpet (thick, thin?)
- vinyl
- laminate
- engineered hardwood
- hardwood
- tiles
- stone
- bamboo
- cork
- concrete
And why?
I'm thinking I would like to get rid of all carpet for allergy reasons and because I see carpet as dirty in the sense that it collects and hides all sorts of things.
Concrete wouldn't work where we are, but I also see it as cold and industrial.
Tiles have grout which (in my experience) ends up looking grubby over time.
Machka in Oz
I like bamboo or laminate. We put laminate in our first house and I loved it then and I still do. I have a friend with bamboo and it looks gorgeous and I suspect the care is similar to laminate.
I'd avoid hardwood because it scratches. I like the look of tile, but unless the grout is dark, it'll look grungy soon.
Tina in CA2 -
I've decided I'm going to check out the cost of renting a power assisted wheelchair for the next couple of months. I'm missing the sea.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx5 -
Good Sunday,
Slept 11 hours! That is unheard of for me.
Roombas- I had a shark that lasted 5 years with a pyrenees and a German shepherd. Got the Roomba after dogs passed, it lasted 2 years. Back to Shark. My names are not as inventive, but I love Sharkey! It is nice to come home to fresh vacuumed floors. I also have the bag less, self empty one. Was really great with dogs!
Vinyl plank floor- Barbara mine is over 10 years old and still looks new in spite of big dogs, pees issues, and many spills. No separating, no peeling, and no lifting. Even when the washer died and it had water sitting on it all day. I love it and have put it in one of our rental properties. It is holding up better than the vinyl flooring that we originally had in place. Those are the reasons I am thinking it will go in the master bath when we redo it. It has some grain to it so isn't slippery when wet.
There is currently carpet in the master bath and was in the hall bath prior to remodel. The toilet area however has/had tile around them. Thank goodness! The contractor that did remodel thought the carpet would be gross upon removal, but wasn't as bath mats were used in front of sink and shower. I guess since I am barefoot as much as possible, inside and out, I never think about dirty carpets. Vacuumed often with sharkey, shampoo every few months, occasionally pull out the big vacuum, rarely wear shoes in house. Flooring only has to be safe as far as DH is concerned since he always has slippers or shoes on.
Lisa Congratulations on finishing brick work and skyrizi approval.
Love the artwork that has been shared. Such talent!
Michele Whatever mower you decide to get make sure you know where to get it repaired. The dealers that repair hardware store brands are hard to find in our area. How old is the battery? They could be fully charged but still fall short on a load test. Most batteries only have a 3-5 yr life span though longer for some.
Ginny Yep, a lot of places closed Monday. We are open but have Eclipse glasses for all to see if they want. Oldest daughter may drive up with kiddos if baseball game cancelled. They are on spring break. Traffic is the main concern. I heard hotel rooms were almost sold out and went for $1500-$3500 a night! That is crazy! Thankful I have no highways to be on when I get off work. Just drop off DH for massage at 6.
I really should get something productive done today.....should....hey, I made the bed, talked to oldest daughter, and caught up with you all.
TTYL!
Kylia in Sunny Ohio
6 -
I've checked it out. Too expensive.
Heather UK xxxxxxxx5 -
Terri - I loved the watercolor - such serenity in it.
Heather - I get your objection to the pain pills. I haven't resigned myself to them yet, and I've been on them now for years. They are only better than the alternative because pain does a whole lot more than just hurt. It starts tearing at your ability to think, to learn, and to live.
Barbara - Only if a room is flooded to the edges is there an issue with the LVP, and that's true of laminate and most other flooring as well.
We just got back from yet another trip to get plants. If we have to, we can cover them up for a few nights. I couldn't resist a monstrously huge Boston fern for the sunroom. Hopefully, I can help it survive... Picked up basil and cilantro for the garden beds, plus lots of tomatoes, peppers, and onion sets. Also picked up some carrot seeds and butternut squash seeds. Corey's excited...
Promised I'd go out and tell him where I wanted my herbs in his raised beds. I can't put dirt in my flowerbed yet, want to let that mortar cure for a couple of days. I'll take pics, I swear...
Later, y'all
Love,
Lisa in AR6 -
Rita-Glad you're on the mend.
Same to you Margaret.
Barbie-Great photo!
Lisa-Sending happy gut vibes your way!
Barbara-I also miss Karen in VA. Hope she's doing well!
Heather-I love the idea of Edie and Max discussing cheese. That's brilliant. Cheese is also a great topic.
I don't get the whoop-ti-do over the eclipse either. I'm also kind of a year-round grinch when it comes to going places or doing things that will likely involve a lot of people (which is everything, everywhere around here most of the time).Feeling kind of grumpy in general. I'm really tired of home-related tasks. Sick of taking care of things and the cost that goes along with it. The mister doesn't want to do anything to care for the house, so it ends up on my shoulders and then he gets mad at me for doing it...long history on this. Any time something gets dinged or scratched, he flips his lid. Makes it hard to hire people to do stuff. So, I am giving up.
Fighting ants. Ugh. They just seem to appear out of the ether. I'm cutting food, I look away for a split second and they are just there. Poof. Out of nowhere.
Bored with my neighborhood for walking/running. Bored with yoga too.
We have a concert this week that I had been looking forward to for months. We reserved a hotel room (it's about an hour drive) and planned to check in early, have dinner at a fancy restaurant and enjoy the concert without the worry of driving home on curvy mountain roads late at night. Well, the mister has come down with a cold. Seems his co-workers don't bother to stay home when they are sick. So, we will likely make the concert, but not the other stuff.
I'm just blah all around.
Hope you're all better!
Tina in CA
9 -
Terri - simply gorgeous water color.
Barbara - yes the bathroom faucet shut-offs are easy to get to (though kind of a stretch involving getting down on the floor) once I pull out the cleaning supplies and various shampoos stored under that sink.
Barbie - my sis did say they were going to get a hotel room, and I offered my house - mainly because I haven't seen them in years and I thought it would be easier for everyone if they just stayed here. They will be exhausted after a long flight and her DH is in poor health so I want them to be comfortable. The hotels are next to the freeway and there have been shootings and thefts in some of the parking lots recently.
Believe me, if it was anyone else than my brother or sister - they'd be told to get a hotel room. Over the years, we stopped several distant relatives and friends of friends who were planning to make our place home base when visiting the area by telling them that. We never heard anything more from them, which made me wonder if they wanted to see us or did they want free lodging and a few meals?
I have plenty of time to get Rosie figured out and check more on that doggie hotel if it comes to that. I'll let my sis know about chatty Rosie in the meantime - come to think of it, it might not matter to them, I believe my BIL wears hearing aids and my sis is easy going. They can decide.
Heather - sorry that motorized wheelchairs are so expensive to rent.
Annie - did your dad make it home OK after losing his way to church? There's a case where a tracker of some type would come in handy if you could get it secured on him somehow. If my DH wouldn't have had physical issues which prevented him from walking very much, he would probably have taken off too, it happens to so many older folks. So stressful for YOU. Good job on increasing the exercise!
On flooring -I'm in Barbie's camp. I like the carpeting in the living room and bedrooms. Yes, it traps dust mites and bacteria and can be hard to keep clean. Yes, my carpeting has pet stains and some discoloration from spilled food and coffee over the years. Being an old farm girl, I don't get upset over some dirt and germs tracked in now and then, but I do not like the smell of dog/cat urine. I've been able to avoid it by hitting spots immediately with vinegar water and/or carpet sprays made specifically for that.
In my experience, carpeting is quieter. Warmer. Less slippery and injurious if one falls (my DH experienced many falls during his final years due to balance problems. Luckily, most were on carpeting.) Easier on my own feet and Rosie's hips and feet. My house is similar to Terri's - a mixture of carpeting and some hardwood and vinyl. I could probably use new carpeting - carpet fibers these days are more resilient to stains. I'd also go with hotel or similar industrial type that's easy to clean and sanitize. I did get rid of throw rugs in the bathrooms and kitchen, they were definitely a trip hazard. I often just throw a towel on the floor when I get step of the shower to absorb drips then throw it over the shower curtain rod to dry or into the washer.
Anyhow, for now, I'm content with the carpet. I might change my mind in a few years.
Reminder - please send me weekly check-in stats by noon tomorrow. Thank you!
Lanette
SW WA State6 -
Lanette yes my dad did finally find his way to the church, albeit quite late. My aunt was there and she drove him home afterwards.
I asked him what we should change, and he said he needed to leave for church earlier. He doesn't see a need for me to find him. He thinks he is doing fine wandering around. So he wouldn't wear a GPS tracker. I at least got him to put my phone number in his wallet. He doesn't carry a phone because he couldn't remember how to turn it on.
This is going to get really bad in the fall when it gets dark early.
Annie in Delaware
7 -
On flooring -This house has a mixture of hardwood (living room and formal dining, main guest bedroom and my office), bamboo (the master bedroom and master closet), tile (the kitchen, den, breakfast room, guest bathrooms, half bath, our master bath and the laundry room) and carpet in the other two guest bedrooms. I would love to replace ALL of it with one uniform flooring, but I don't want to spend the money to do it. We also don't agree on what to replace it with. Hub wants wood look tile planks, I prefer engineered wood (real wood but prefinished and you can sand/refinish 1 or 2X depending on the thickness of the product).
Okie in the TX Hill Country3 -
came home from church and heard dh at the kitchen sink washing dishes(front door is right by the kitchen window(faces the porch). I think, NICE. He rarely washes dishes. Maybe once every six months. I had left them last night, not feeling like washing them and knew they would be waiting for me when I got home. Came in the house and he had washed just a couple of the cats dishes- moved the dirty dishes from dinner out of the way so he could wash their dishes but not one of his dishes. Just shook my head, made lunch for us then, yep, did all the dishes.8
-
Good afternoon ladies.
Terri, beautiful painting! You have a talent for sure.
Heather, so happy that you have your two surgeries set. I'm sure you will be glad to get rid of your pain.
Machka, on the subject of flooring I'm sure there are many different opinions and I'm sure you will select what is best for you. We have hardwood flooring in our living room and I had posted some pics of it after we sanded and refinished it. It has been down for a long time and is still beautiful. We have pets and I have allergies so we stay away from carpeting. The rest of our flooring is parquet in the 3 bedrooms and the hallway. We installed porcelain tiles in the kitchen, entryway and bathroom. We got the tiles and grout from Home Depot and it was very easy to install. I did it myself as hubby has a hip issue and finds it difficult to be on his hands/knees. It's been down for about 25 years and still looks very good. It was a fairly new product when we got it and was advertised as a floating floor....no nailing....no gluing. The tiles snapped together and then the grout was applied. When it first came out some "experts" said it would not stay down and would lift in time but it certainly hasn't. I'm sure there are lots of newer options out there.
We are going to have to replace our parquet flooring sometime in the future and I think we may go with cork flooring (plank or tile).
Joy
4 -
Lanette Your explanation of family staying with you was perfect. It will be a great visit. Also your feelings about carpet are just like mine You expressed it so clearly. Comfort is important to me Barbie in NW WA 5
-
As promised!
10 -
Lisa - so are you able to get the extra mortar off? or is it just that style? I have never done anything with bricks except setting them in sand to make a walk way.
Kim in N. California2 -
Kim - Yep, a wire brush and some water will take most of the mortar cement off, which is what's making it look quite white right now. The mortar itself (like the grout between tile) will stay lighter than the brick, which is a mellowed brown/red. I find myself amazed every time I touch it and it's a wall. I built a wall. A small, wiggly wall, but a wall. Absolutely wigs me out.
7 -
Lisa - another thing on the resume!!!! Words, quilts, painting, wall builder, cat mom, wife, Sous chef, locater of public restrooms, hauler of branches, driver of a zero turn mower - a variety of skills. And I know I have missed some!
Kim
8 -
Lisa: Love the brick planter. I quite like the aged look that the mortar gives it.
Time for bed. I’m working on improving my sleep schedule, so shutting down tech.
🤗🤗🤗 and 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 for those who need them.
🙋♀️ Miele failte to the newbies.
☘️ Terri4 -
Lisa - another thing on the resume!!!! Words, quilts, painting, wall builder, cat mom, wife, Sous chef, locater of public restrooms, hauler of branches, driver of a zero turn mower - a variety of skills. And I know I have missed some!
Kim
Thank you, dear heart. You're no slouch yourself, from dog whisperer, gourmet cook, determined and tenacious daughter, talented gardener, serial entrepreneur, to loyal friend, and best aunt EVER, as well as more that I've missed! 5 -
Heather-I know it is difficult with the bone on bone pain but actually walking is still the best thing now-you want your leg muscles as strong as possible for a quicker recovery. I thought you said you had gotten a cane-are you using it? I did use crutches on bad days-it would alleviate some of the pressure. Or you may find a walker helpful-you will most likely use one for a bit after surgery so you can get used to it ahead of time. Doctors here tend not to give any pain medicines before surgery and they are pretty stingy after. I did find that using an anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen) and two-three hours later acetaminophen help with pain as well as anything. Hang in there-the end is in sight.5
-
Heather - more arm chair advice But the one thing I saw from dealing with my mom and her broken hip is how much arm and core strength would have helped. She was (is) not strong and doesn't have good balance so with all get ups/sit downs she was a dead weight for me to figure out how to manage, where if she could have even helped push off or pull her self to me it would have been a ton of help. So while avoiding the hips any arm, shoulder and core muscles you can continue to strengthen will help with the rebound I am sure!
smiles Kim in N. California7 -
Did 30 Minutes to Fitness Your Best Body DVD then walked to Food Lion since they had Doritos on sale. I totally forgot to get Vince his bananas so I got them when I went to WalMart. Unfortunately, on my way to Food Lion I tripped and fell. The worst thing that happened is the one part of my glasses that goes to the ear came off. I was able to wear the glasses home and Vince fixed them. Fortunately, the frames are cheap so he just popped it back in. Update: well, they broke again after a few hours. This time he fixed them and put a drop of glue on the bottom of the hinge
Vince wondered if my fall was aided by the fact that I have pain in my leg and so am probably walking off balance. I won’t deny it, that could very well have had something to do with it. I am going to call the MD tomorrow, tho
Guess who got called to jury duty? Guess I’ll prebowl for that Monday
Lisa – good to know that installing flooring really isn’t hard. At the condo after I update the bathrooms, I would like to install wood floors, Vince has this “thing” about “why pay someone to do something you can do yourself”. Now he can’t update the bathrooms, but he and I could most likely install the flooring (while I listen to him complain that the rug is fine. I think it’s disgusting. Been there for probably 20 years). Very impressed with your planter
then went to WalMart, made coleslaw and orange pops. I’m getting ready for warm weather making those pops. Vince is having lunch and then we’re going to go out to take the pool covers off. Update: got that done, but my hip (sciatica) is really hurting. Can’t wait to call the MD tomorrow
Annie – so glad your dad got to church fine and then your aunt drove him home. What a worry for you!
Michele NC
who is off to watch some TV and hope her hip is better
5 -
Michele - Whoa, back up... I would absolutely NOT do wood floors myself! We did luxury vinyl planks, as I said. Whole different animal. They are reasonably easy. Wood flooring installation is far beyond my abilities. Joy, on the other hand, noted that she did! Maybe she can advise.
I guess that's the line I had to draw. I'm willing to learn to lay bricks, but not to lay wood floors. 😀
Thanks to any and all comments on the brick flower bed - but before you get too thrilled about it, I need to make sure you understand I'm a better photographer than a bricklayer. 📸🧱😀 Just saying.
5 -
Happy day, Ladies. Count me in the LVP camp. Originally installed a plank with a cork veneer in living room. Looked gorgeous for about an hour. Took almost no time before Mars' Claws made first scratches. Luxury Plank Vinyl floors in the bedrooms look and feel great. And scratchproof!
Lisa: Clockmaker and bricklayer. I am totally vicariously enjoying your enormous creativity and crafting skills. Your meds sound like all the ones I hear advertised while I watch Jeopardy. Hope next one is perfect with nary any of the 97 side possible side effects that the commercial voice over spits out in a torrent of scary sounding words.
Machka: Welcome to home ownership. Bring on the paint chips, floor samples and the time and energy to bring your vision to life. So happy for you.
Annie: The recent night time adventures your father has been on reminds me of the last 2 years that I cared for DH. It got so that I slept with my shoes on and just a blanket over me so I could pop out of bed whenever he made any movement in the direction of the front door. Hugs to strength to you.
Tina: Sorry about your current funk. If you think it would help, I'm sure Lanette would loan you the teleporter and you could zoom to somewhere fun.
Barbie: How cute you and Jake look!
I am more excited about my facial tomorrow than the eclipse.
We have had 2 solid days of dangerous wind and it wigged me out a bit to be driving home in some mighty gusts. Such a helpless feeling and a white knuckle ride.
Time to nudge the cat off my lap and get a little movement done while I listen to a hockey game. Stay well, friends. We can do this.
Rori
Colorado Foothills
0 -
4074071
-
Machka which rooms are the paint chips for?
Barbara
We want one colour for all the rooms although I might be open to going a shade darker in the bedrooms.cityjaneLondon wrote: »I've decided I'm going to check out the cost of renting a power assisted wheelchair for the next couple of months. I'm missing the sea.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
Putting the pain aside (although I know that's a big thing), are you doing more damage by walking? Have they recommended stretching and exercise ... or told you to stop?
I have severe OA in my feet, in the joint that connects the big toe to the foot, and all the podiatrists and physiotherapists I've seen have told me to keep walking despite the pain and keep trying to move the joints. They've said that although it can hurt (a lot!), it won't cause more damage and will help to keep me mobile longer.
I use my pain pills when I can't sleep because of the pain.Heather-I know it is difficult with the bone on bone pain but actually walking is still the best thing now-you want your leg muscles as strong as possible for a quicker recovery. I thought you said you had gotten a cane-are you using it? I did use crutches on bad days-it would alleviate some of the pressure. Or you may find a walker helpful-you will most likely use one for a bit after surgery so you can get used to it ahead of time. Doctors here tend not to give any pain medicines before surgery and they are pretty stingy after. I did find that using an anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen) and two-three hours later acetaminophen help with pain as well as anything. Hang in there-the end is in sight.
Some walkers are designed with seats and baskets so that a person can walk a while, then sit and rest. And can also carry a few items from the shop or whatever.
On flooring ... very interesting points of view from all of you! And interesting what we find comfortable.
While we are planning to paint the place ourselves, we are planning to get professionals in to do the floors. I have no desire to do it ourselves!!
We can repaint a wall relatively inexpensively, but fixing flooring is expensive.
We're also thinking of resale value.
So ... we are hoping to go with engineered hardwood.
Machka in Oz5 -
Lisa, the planter looks great! I’m sure it will work perfectly well even if it’s not a professional job!
Heather, so glad you have dates for both surgeries. Hopefully the docs will get the paperwork together for you for the travel insurance.
I can’t remember who made the comments, but just wanted to clarify, my gp was led to believe that I had had a bone scan which involves a dye injection which is potentially damaging to the kidneys. I did not get injected with anything, what I had was a bone density scan which is completely non invasive (as well as quick and painless! YAY!!). And although I have osteopenia, he will not prescribe meds for it, not usually done at this stage, so it’s all up to me! I think I’m up to the challenge.
I made the decision yesterday to skip the gym and focused on housecleaning instead. Got the place vacuumed, floors washed, dishes dealt with and a load of laundry folded. Oh and got some bedding plants planted. Felt really good to get all that taken care of. MFP generously says 300 calories for 90 min of light to moderate cleaning, I was on the go for just over two hours, but only used the 90 min number.
Enough for now, I’m crocheting a baby blanket and must get on with it!
Hugs for those needing them, congrats to those celebrating and welcome to any new gals!
Evelyn, Vancouver Island4 -
Woohoo! Toxic tenant left in middle of night, night before last.she left just before she could be served papers evicting her so no eviction will show on her record. She left a huge mess. Toilet filled with waste and toilet paper. Rotten food in refridgerator, broken fan, broken toaster oven, stolen laundry bag and towels, broken outlet. Shower curtains had to be dumped. We have changed locks and been advised to not sue her unless she sues us first, then counter sue. Wish there were some way to warn next person she tries to rent from.
Machka - congrats on new house.
Everyone take care, Sue in WA13 -
I'm not going to rent a wheelchair. Too expensive for a once a week trip to the sea. That's what taxis are for!
I can hardly walk at all now, and the advice is to stay off your hips as much as possible. I limp around the house and can walk 100 yards with my cane. I crawl up the stairs on all fours, and come backwards down them.
I am doing floor exercises as much as possible, that are not stressing my hips.
30 Knee pushups, a plank or two, micro bridges for glutes, kneeling back waves, and a couple of limb raises, sitting back on haunches, upward raising legs, back flexibility stretches, plus squeezing a cushion between my knees, and using a band to widen my thighs. Then I downward dog to get up and do some balance and left leg bouncing. Then a bit of 7kg dumbbells, while I'm sitting down. Bicep curls and overhead.
My upper body is good. I can rise from a chair easily without hands, and I can bend to the ground from the waist. It is just my hips.
All through the day I am squeezing my glutes and stretching my legs. Foot exercises all the time. I do not want to lose strength. But walking is not recommended.
I have to severely limit ibuprofen for my kidneys and the Ramipril I am on. I do take it once a day with lunch. I take a combo of pills in rotation. Aspirin, paracetamol, codeine. At nught i use a heated mini blanket. Without any painkillers I cannot function and am in despair. With them, life looks much better.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
10
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions