WOMEN AGES 50+FOR MAY 2024

CarolGaGal · May 2

Allie ~ Smiles has really pretty hair! He seems to love working with the eggs.

Lanette ~ I hope the hearing aid will make the tinnitus more bearable. I have ordered a cheap pair from Amazon and will see if they help at all. One of my hearing aids buzzes a lot and that drives me nuts.

Rosemarie ~ It was very admirable working at the cat shelter, but having to go back and forth for water is too much. There is no way I could do all that walking/bending to get to the faucet.

This sounds silly but sadly, I have been binging last evening and today. Over 1000 calories already today.

All because I am stressing trying to find new lawn people to mow/blow 3 properties. I had to fire the one we have used for over 6 yrs because they were no longer reliable. I hate that I had to fire them because they only charged $50 a yard for bi-weekly service. The people I have contacted are wanting a heck of a lot more money.

Carol in GA

pipcd34 · May 2

Stats for the day-

Walk w/family- 2hrs 10min 35sec, 75elev, 2.85ap, 81ahr, 104mhr, 6.24mi=607c
Strava app= 765c
Walk home to gym- 11.52min, .53mi= 54c
Strava app = 65c
Treadmill jog- 19.31min, 6.4sp one song then 5.8sp next song, repeat, 136ahr, 181mhr, 9.46min mi, 2mi= 217c
Walk gym to store then home- 15.47min, .71mi= 81c
Strava app= 87c

Total cal 959

460460

LisaInArkansas · May 2

Weird, mixed day, and my friends are about 45 minutes out, so I thought I'd check in. Sorry everyone else's loved ones are struggling too... Did get ahold of my brother, and his response was basically "thank u" for checking in, that was it. I'll get more news from Facebook, I'm sure.

Corey's dental work is going to cost nearly $2,000 for a new crown, etc. No insurance, per se, so it is what it is. Worth doing to keep his teeth. They did full X-rays and said the rest of his teeth are absolutely perfect, just need cleaning. The crown is because he had a fracture in a tooth that had a filling put in sometime last century. It's the first dental issue he's had in 15 years, so I'm pretty happy to get away with just a cleaning and one crown, when all's said and done.

More family drama - ish:

And... Corey called me at noon, as usual, but the conversation started out... "I know you don't like surprises, so I need to tell you something." The places my mind went in that next few seconds were just dizzying... like watching pinball while sitting on the surface of the game, right in front of one of the flippers.

Backstory: We told his then-barely-divorced brother Patrick when he came to see us Thanksgiving three or four years ago now that he was welcome to come stay and find a job, as everyone was hiring up here. He decided to go live with his daughter and take care of her boys in Arizona.

After a couple of years, she threw him out, reasons too long to go into, but alcohol was certainly involved. He went to another brother (Corey's 9th of the 12 kids, and Patrick's 10th), on the other side of Arizona, and has been there for the last six months, but it's too remote, no work to be had.

So he called Corey and asked if he could take us up on the offer from a few years back. I said yes, with the only condition that if I get over having him in our house for whatever reason, I will pitch him out personally. Corey had no issues with that.

We'll see. It's always interesting to be the last resort -- but if that six-footer thinks I won't get up his nose and tell him to act right, then he hasn't been paying attention. I may tiptoe or sashay around Corey on occasion, because I adore him, but it does not apply to... well, to anyone else, actually.

And... the last load of laundry just buzzed in the dryer, the focaccia bread just came out of the oven, and I need to get the meatballs in the oven. My friends will be here shortly! And, bless Arkansas' heart, the sun has come out, the boxwood blooms are just filling the air with that incredible perfume that is for just a few short days each year, and it's showing itself off! Love this time of year... 🌸🌺🌺🌻🌼🌷🪻🌹

More when I can...

Love y'all,
Lisa in AR

cityjaneLondon · May 2

My lovely schoolfriends have booked a nice hotel on the seafront in June so that they can come and see me after my op. Instead of going somewhere else for a jaunt. How nice of them. B will, be flying down from Scotland. Two nights. I will be able to join them in a restaurant, or, if not, they can come over to the house. P has never seen my house here. G found a special offer on rooms for them in a good hotel.
Nice to be loved.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

RustyBFF · May 2

Hi all indulge me in a little bit of a mind dump.

I am focusing on portion size and eating mindfully. I am trying not to eliminate anything such as fat and carbs but to eat a more balanced diet and to know when to stop. I have to look at it as a lifestyle change rather than anything else.

I think what I have failed with before is doing too much and then feeling deprived or thinking when I've lost weight I will address my issues with food.

The mounjaro really helps as although I do get hungry and do look forward to meals I just physically cannot eat anything like the amount I used to. Even towards the end of the week I am fuller quicker. So instead of looking at the biggest portion on offer I am looking at what will bring me the most pleasure.

Chips(fries) I'll have a few when they are hot and fresh buy actually when they cool they are not doing it for me. I know I've only so much space available so I eat other things. I've become more selective.

I don't have to clear my plate and it's fine just to eat half of my potato and all the meat.

It's how toddlers eat and somewhere along the line we condition it out of them.

The times I only wanted the filling on a sandwich and the salad but was made to eat the bread and the crusts. Or to finish my potatoes etc.

We have such a complex relationship with food don't we?

Rusty in Yorkshire

bwcetc · May 2

Allie ... we never stop worrying about our kids, regardless of their age or our age. Today my husband took me to my mother's (age 92) facility because she was becoming overly distraught that she hadn't seen me since my surgery. Didn't matter that the staff had told her on Monday and again yesterday that I was ok. She wouldn't believe it until she saw me. Even in the midst of her confusion, she still needed to see her baby. I practically needed to be carried in with the vertigo, but she got to see me.

Lanette ... I am aware that my hearing started to deteriorate around the age of 19. Since sharing with friends from the past that I was going deaf, they all told me they "knew." Evidently I wasn't hearing as well as everyone else when in school.

Tinnitus ... right now mine is through the roof! Interestingly to me, the ear that just got implanted is roaring. The last few years, I haven't heard the tinnitus in my implanted ear (although I knew it was there). Always perceived it as coming from the left ear as my right ear was about dead. We're thinking that the electrodes are stimulating the cochlea even before being activated. Hoping that this is the case and all these side effects of surgery (still dealing with a numb tongue and some facial numbness as well) will be worth it.

Beth near Buffalo

Vickil57 · May 2

Beth--I am glad to hear your sugery is done. I pray the side effects heal quickly.
Thank each of you ladies for your support, it means a lot to me.
Rori--Excited for you and your trip.
Evelyn--Sorry for your loss, it doesn't matter how old they were it is a loss.
Blessings, Vicki GRAND ISLAND, NE

skuehn48 · May 2

Beautiful day here today. I went to water exercise this morning. Saw pulmomologist on Tuesday. The new inhaler he put me on 2 months ago seems to be working. I have less coughing and shortness of breath. I am even able to sing better. Only thing is, it is really expensive so he is going to change me to another inhaler and see if it will do the same thing more cheaply. See him again in 4 months.

Horses and goats are out enjoying the pastures.

Beth- wishing you continued healing. Glad you were able to see your mom.

Lisa - enjoy your friend's visit.

Allie - prayers for family.

Rori - have fun with your Golden Goober.

Everyone take care, Sue in WA

Machka9 · May 2

Rosemarie2972 wrote: »

I looked up the diagnosis the doctors had for Tracy's baby and Allie's posting from March came up in the search. I knew we were not a completely private group but I didn't realize what we post could come in a search??

I guess I will be a little more careful.

Best,
Rosemarie from GA

We're not a private group at all. Not only does what we post come up in searches within MFP, if you do a Google search, everything we say comes up there for anyone to see.

M in Oz

ginnytez · May 2

Machka-I frequently turn off my video unless there are introductions. I have found the video stays more stable without a lot of people with video on-less freezing, etc.

Annie-I pay my lawn person in cash.

Lanette-glad the hearing aid helps. There are government programs to help with them through Medicare.

Barbara AHMOD-I would guess the reason for the pads before the MRI is because the doctor will have to justify the common cures have not worked so further research of the problem is needed. MRIs are expensive and insurance companies don't like them. Insurance manages health care not our doctor in many cases.

Beth-your mother's love for you comes through. While I am sure it was not fun for you, you will never regret giving her that reassurance.

Very busy today-got stuff done so that feels good. Got one major project off my plate Wednesday and am now in a serious catch up mode.

Going to get some steps in inside here quickly. Still 80 out and want to get more acclimated to heat before I head out at that temp.

Take care all,

Ginny in Ohio

pipcd34 · May 2

461461

barbiecat · May 3

We decided this morning to empty our safe deposit box and return the keys and buy a small fireproof safe for our important papers. What a relief. We celebrated by getting dishes of ice cream for us and a dish of whipped cream for the dogs.

Barbie in NW WA

exermom · May 3

Worked (for some reason, it seemed to take longer today) then put out this anti=-ravity chair we have (that I don’t like and wouldn’t mind if it broke like the other one) and put air in my float. I want to be ready for the pool when Mother Nature is ready. Put out some of the ceramics.

Donna – welcome!

Evelyn – HUGS

Ginny – yea for those labs

Carol – by whatever name, you’re still a great gal

Lisa – HUGS for you too

Tina – welcome

Anne DE – Vince has an impressed account with PayPal. What happens is he keeps something like $10 in it. When he has an expense that he knows of, he puts that amount in the account. So if someone hacks him, what will they get?

Allie – prayers for Tracey and everyone else

Lisa – have a great time with your friends

M – when you had that rash, what did they finally determined caused it? At different places on my body I’m getting these bumps. You can’t see them in a picture, but if you rub your hand on my skin, you can feel them. And are they ever itchy! At first I thought it might be poison ivy, but it’s on quite a few different places on my body (arms legs, face, neck, etc)

Jess just came. She sedated Ganon (the dog) to bring him here. I borrowed a crate from a neighbor. Tomorrow afternoon I’ll probably take him for a walk. Hope it isn’t too hot for him.

Michele NC

dlfk202000 · May 3

just came inside from working in the front yard. Had to really prune my old rosemary plant my dad started for me about 25 yrs ago- a huge portion was dead. Had to pull out the bigger chain saw. My small one wasn't strong enough for that old wood.
Between walking MIL's dog, walking the wetlands and working out there, I will finish the day with just over 18,000 steps.
Yesterday with walking the dog, weeding in the back and zumba I hit 17,000. Didn't think I would pass that up.
Now I need a hot shower after another grapefruit seltzer.
Dinner was a bean burrito from Taco Bell- Not the best choice but only had salad at lunch so have the calories to use up.

Rain coming Saturday so not sure how much gardening I will get done- was looking forward to it. Dh will be gone all day. That will be nice. NO shopping.

Debbie
Napa Valley,CA

Machka9 · May 3

exermom wrote: »

M – when you had that rash, what did they finally determined caused it? At different places on my body I’m getting these bumps. You can’t see them in a picture, but if you rub your hand on my skin, you can feel them. And are they ever itchy! At first I thought it might be poison ivy, but it’s on quite a few different places on my body (arms legs, face, neck, etc)

Michele NC

Both times mine has definitely been visible .. looks almost like a really, really bad case of acne (but not acne). In the worst areas, lumps were partially on top of other lumps. It did itch, but was probably more painful. I have super sensitive skin anyway and those rashes made it worse.

And it was mostly on my neck (first), under my chin, then across my cheeks, nose and chin. Some but not much on my forehead. Then it spread down and across my upper chest. Toward the end of the first time, there was a little but on my arms. But the second time it stayed mainly around my neck.

If you've been working outside, yours could be insect bites or a reaction to a different plant. I react to one very sticky weed we have here with a light, itchy rash on my arms. If I wash my arms thoroughly with lots of soap, it eases up in a couple hours.

The doctor guessed my big rashes might be stress as both times I was going through hugely stressful events: travelling to Canada and buying a house.

But we're monitoring the situation.

M in Oz

skuehn48 · May 3

evie1958 · May 3

My family tree took another hit today with the loss of another uncle. That's one aunt and two uncles in 8 days in case anyone is keeping score. I am stunned beyond belief and possibly in a bit of denial. On the bright side, I didn't fall face first into the cookie jar.....
Evelyn, Vancouver Island

cityjaneLondon · May 3

Evelyn - It's our season of life, isn't it. Although it seems everyone my age is dying as well. Transitions are always hard Lots of hugs to you.

Lisa - I couldn't do that. I hope he's in and out 'toute suite '.

Can you set a short time limit? Drinking does not sound good.

At last my lunch out day! I'm going to wear a new t shirt combo in black and white, and new earrings. Go me!

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

ginnytez · May 3

Evelyn-alot of loss in a short span. Not falling face first in the cookie jar is a very bright spot.

Take care,

Ginny

LisaInArkansas · May 3

Heather – That’s so wonderful that your friends are going to come be there for your post-op!

Rusty – I think anything that makes us look at our relationship with food can only be a good thing. Well done for thinking about it. I reached similar understandings by different means, but the result is the same – a better working relationship with the food going in your body and better choices with every bite of food.

Beth – I hope the resolution for the vertigo and the tinnitus are in sight, dear heart. It sounds rough. Your mother’s love for you cutting through the dementia fog is such a heartwarming thought. So glad you went.

Sue – Hope the next inhaler is just as effective and continues to make it easier for you to breathe.

Barbie – The home fireproof safe was a great solution for us, and I’m very glad you decided against the safe deposit box. Not sure why, but safe deposit boxes always made me uneasy.

Evie – I’m so sorry about the loss of another family member. 😢 Well done for not eating your emotions.

Heather – Luckily, it appears the thought of his brother showing up immediately was a worst case scenario. Cor reached out to him later in the day, and he said something to the effect that he had a month left on his lease, and then he’d decide which way to jump. My favorite! 🙄 "Well, I may come disrupt your life for a while… but I might not." SMH. Enjoy your lunch day out! Sounds like a spiffy combo for the event.

More in a minute, trying not to write a book this morning,
Love,
Lisa in AR

Anniesquats100 · May 3

Good morning ladies!

Evelyn I'm sorry for your losses.

My dad wants me to mend his flag. I could do it but I just don't want to. He has asked me three times. Maybe that's why I feel upset. It's a silly little task, but I don't want to be drawn into his flag project. I resent the fact that he won't honor my answer but it's really because he doesn't remember. And women have always done his mending for him.

Plus I'm upset with myself for eating cookies and cheese and rolls and everything else. My weight is going up again. And we have a family party on Sunday. I can do better than this.

Have a great day! May you be happy, healthy, safe and free!

Annie in Delaware

LisaInArkansas · May 3

So, it's a lovely, cool morning here in Arkansas, but I'm still tired from yesterday... very little sleep last night.

My friends arrived shortly after my last post yesterday. I always forget in between how much I enjoy my friend's husband. He's a wonderful man, retired highway state trooper, just grounded and lovely, and he adores her and their kids. His counseling and wisdom was a huge part of how I was able to get it together and realize that I deserved better than my now-ex-husband, and set me off into the life I have now.

They've been married 35 years now, and they're still good together. Not me and Corey good, it's a very different relationship, but it works for them. It was also just incredibly, bone-deep satisfying to my heart to finally be able to hug my friend after so many years of phone conversations.

So they made it up the drive, decided where to park that massive RV, but had to turn it around to safely park it, and promptly sunk the big beastie (6 and a half tons) up to the hubs in my front yard. I knew it was a possibility with all the rain. And then, two hours of drama ensued, calling roadside assistance without success, putting rocks under tires, digging tires in deeper, breaking a bottle jack... and Corey got home at 5:30 and dragged them out with his truck. Which I had said two hours earlier... but never mind. Not worried about the front yard, mind you, it's where I want to put the circular drive, so no sweat, but was kind of a wreck for everyone's peace of mind.

Made dinner taste really, really good, though, as everyone had a few hours of hard work in the quite humid and sweaty afternoon behind them, and the best sauce is always hunger! After the flappity-do and with full bellies, everyone was able to settle down and just gab and do that thing that couples who really enjoy each others company always do when the conversation is fun and just flows, moving from room to room and place to place outside. Such joy in all this. Truly filling up my heart.

Must admit I really liked sending them to their little house to sleep, too. Just knowing they were sleeping in their own bed, in the place they've lived in for the last six months, was great. I'm a slightly nervous host when folks stay with us, but this way I didn't have to worry if they had what they needed.

Then about 11 p.m., I was still struggling to settle my fizz and excitement of the evening, couldn't sleep, got up and found them wandering around the house looking for the breaker box. The power to the trailer had tripped the surge protector we had them plugged into, but they didn't realize that was the issue, so were looking for the breaker box. Got Corey up to sort it, bless him. He does not wake up well, but he was able to go right back to sleep and is still snoozing. Took me a while longer. Hope they slept well, too.

And this way, I get to enjoy some alone time in the morning to talk to y'all. I did end up writing a book in the end, sorry about that!

May have to nap later to survive, only got about three hours sleep last night, but that's fine. Cor's got a 10 a.m. dentist appointment for a temporary crown, and that's the only thing with any planning until their train ride tomorrow. Hopefully a nice relaxed day today. Hope it's a wonderful Friday for everyone.

Love,
Lisa in AR

pipcd34 · May 3

461461

Machka9 · May 3

Today's Highlights
- Submitted report
- Finished book
- Finished colouring
- Moved more garden stuff
- Quiet evening

This photograph does not do this picture justice. I'm hoping to get a better photo tomorrow. I've loved doing this one and it took me a while. Lots of little details.

Read my first Michael Crichton novel.

What a slog! I almost quit reading it several times and probably should have. So Boring! I thought maybe the mystery part would liven things up, but it didn't. It was just one political rant after another.
I've found textbooks more interesting.
But when I looked up this author, I recognise a lot of titles.
Is it worth reading another one or are they all a boring slog like this one?
Finishing this book was a highlight simply because I'm happy to be finished!
Next, I might read a nice exciting Grade 11 Physics textbook to liven things up a bit!!

Machka in Oz

SophieRosieMom · May 3

Carol - hope the hearing aids you found on Amazon do the job. I'm thinking of going that route if my old one doesn't work out. The FDA says the OTC aids are OK for mild to moderate hearing loss - hard to hear in groups, on the phone, etc. Which is me. And it now looks like they're rechargeable. Those teensy batteries are a pain to deal with. So please let us know how you like them. Looks like Amazon is carrying some top brands. Not cheap, but well designed and reliable, and some of them are returnable. (I didn't read the fine print so maybe there are a lot of stipulations.)

Sorry to hear you are having trouble getting affordable lawn mowing for the properties.

Ginny - I checked the Medicare website and also my Medigap supplemental plan, and from what I could tell, hearing aids for regular old age hearing loss aren't covered through what I have. Evidently some Medicare Advantage plans do cover them. If you found links for hearing aids that Medicare pays for, I'm "all ears."

Sue - glad to hear you are doing better. Were you going to try to find a new tenant or just take a break from all of that for a while?

Debbie -you can handle a chainsaw? I'm impressed! I've been thinking of getting a little battery operated one (Stihl again). Great job on the walking.

And nice your DH will be attending the show and you'll have Saturday to yourself.

Evie - wow, so sorry to hear about all of the recent deaths in your family. Had they been ill prior?

Heather - enjoy your lunch. It's great to get fixed up and get out of the house for a bit.

Barbie - that fireproof box sounds like the perfect solution.

Lisa - glad your friend and her DH are settling in, they sound like the perfect guests having their own house. Glad Corey was able to tow them out of the wet spot. And fix the electrical situation.

If your BIL does land at your house for a while, hope the job market is great and he can find good employment.

I'm so used to being on my own and setting my own schedule, I'm starting to get a little anxious about my sister's overnight stay in July if that makes any sense.

I did warn her about Rosie's barking and anxiety about having strangers in the house, especially since a double dose of CBD doesn't slow her down. I decided against putting her in a dog hotel.

So if that would be a problem for sis or her DH, they still had time to make other plans and book a hotel room nearby like they'd originally planned. Haven't heard what they decided.

It's getting light out now and I have a few more outside tasks before the rain arrives this afternoon. Managed to get the back yard mowed yesterday so all caught up.

Lanette

SW WA State

CarolGaGal · May 3

Lisa ~ So glad you are enjoying your company!

Machka ~ I have never read any of Crichton's books. I seem to read the same mystery writers over and over. Probably need to extend to some new ones.

Beth ~ Bless you for making your mom know that you were alright and ease her fears. Hope the implant will settle down and you will be able to hear really well.

Lanette ~ Is your sister bringing her big dog? I can see why you worry about Rosie's barking but it would be sad to put her in a dog hotel.

I agree with all who have said that no matter how old your children are you always will worry about them. We love our son and daughter-in-law dearly but worry so much when they are having rough patches. My husband and I had so many times when we probably worried our parents but somehow we are still together at almost 54 years. And, we still have our ups and downs. LOL

Carol in GA

barbiecat · May 3

Lanette, I'm glad to hear that you won't put Rosie in a dog hotel and that it's up to your guests if they can handle your household or go to a hotel.

About the safe deposit box. It's something that my parents had, so like many things, we just continued doing what we grew up with. Until now, it didn't occur to me that there was a better way. Jake just ordered a box from Amazon and it should be here in a few days. As an aside, we already have a steel gun safe that is so heavy that we had to have the floor reinforced in one of our houses before we moved in. Jake didn't think the gun safe was sufficiently fire safe or secure. I like the idea of a fireproof box because the important stuff is paper.

Barbie in NW WA

CarolGaGal · May 3

Barbie ~ We have a fireproof file cabinet that we keep valuables and papers in.

Machka9 · May 3

bwcetc wrote: »

Barbie ... thank you for the new thread!

Welcome ... to the new posters!

Had my cochlear implant surgery on Monday. The surgery went well, but I am experiencing post-op dizziness and equilibrium issues. Unfortunately, they're getting worse each day but hopefully should start to recede soon. A common side-effect of surgery in the middle ear I'm told. Swelling, blood behind the TM, etc. Both my husband and son are taking good care of me so I'm trying to ride it out. I've looked like a cross between Ralph Macchio from Karate Kid and an aircraft flagman with the device they strapped to my head to protect the ear. We're going to remove all of that today and unpack the dressings. Hoping that helps with the dizziness. All my other complaints are minor.

I pretty much stayed the same last month. Too much stress. And, until I can cook for myself again, my food choices are limited to what my husband makes...which seems to be a lot of toast! LOL.

Beth near Buffalo

I hope things start to improve as you recover. Dizziness is horrible!

Lanette and Carol ...

I also have tinnitus which is slowly getting worse. It started about 6 years ago, about the time my husband had his accident. 2 years ago, an audiologist tested me and told me that the combination of my tinnitus and my hearing loss are quite typical and that I will very likely continue to lose my hearing.

For the time being, I'm using sound therapy. I need to start using it more consistently again but meanwhile, I get some immediate help when I do use it.
https://www.healthline.com/health/tinnitus-retraining-therapy

At some point, I will likely start using hearing aids.

M in Oz

Machka9 · May 3

auntiebk wrote: »

Machka “stairs to nowhere”?
Barbara

We're not quite sure why they were built. Maybe there's a plan for later. But for now, at the bottom, they end in an empty lot and at the top they end at the edge of the big lawn that goes around the cenotaph. And not just a lawn, there's another hill to walk over before finally getting to the cenotaph area. There's no path or anything, just a grassy hill.

So people walk up them presuming they're going to see the cenotaph ... and when they get to the top, they're confronted with a grassy hill to climb. If you were a visitor to the area, I think you'd be confused and not sure where to go next.

But for me, they're a great location for stair climbing!

M in Oz

WOMEN AGES 50+FOR MAY 2024

Replies

Categories