WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR OCTOBER 2024

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  • LisaInArkansas
    LisaInArkansas Posts: 2,879 Member
    Heather - Don't you love being old enough to ask yourself "why" you're doing (or not doing) something and you get an answer? Not sure I was capable of it earlier in my life. I just found myself scrubbing the front of the dishwasher with 409 and realized I was doing it because I don't want to get moving on this project. Still need to do it, so I'm going to have to suck it up, but I will say things get a lot cleaner when I'm procrastinating! 👀😹🙄

    I wouldn't mind swimming again, but there genuinely is no place around here to go except wild water, rivers and lakes, etc., and that I'm not up to at this time of year! And no, I don't have a suit that fits, either. Hope you enjoy swimming again, I'm sure you will.
  • kevrit
    kevrit Posts: 4,303 Member
    Dinner yesterday was pork ribs cooked in sauerkraut, potato salad, and garlic bread with an orange for dessert.
    DH made a home made pizza late and I some too close to bed time. Paid for it by a restless night last night. Did a 1.6 mile walk this morning and am heading to town to get a few things we need.

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    RVRita in Roswell
  • kevrit
    kevrit Posts: 4,303 Member
    Today is: Remember Fluffernutters? Used to be my favorite lunch when I was in elementary school! Does anyone else think that octopus and squids remind you of spiders?

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    RVRita in Roswell who is researching rent-to-own properties.
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,194 Member
    :)Annie, glad to hear that your trip to Las Vegas had so many positive events.

    :)Lisa, someone I admire said that work is the most dangerous form of procrastination. I figured that out for myself when I was teaching and on the weekends that I had to fill out report cards, I did more house cleaning than ever as a way to legitimately avoid facing all the decision making involved in report cards. I loved teaching kids but hated having to fill in boxes on a paper that told their parents how they were doing. I would hate it if someone were writing a quarterly report on me now.

    :) I am making good progress in my yard since this is the week that our neighborhood provides a place to drop off yard waste, Yesterday we filled three big black garbage bags and I drove them over one at a time. The trunk of the car is small but just the right size for the 40 gallon bag of stuff. Since Jake can't drive yet, I had the job. I let Annie ride in the back seat so she had fun and got some treats. This will go on all week.

    :) I haven't been swimming in years, partly because I prefer exercise that I can do in my regular clothes.

    <3 Barbie in NW WA

  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,249 Member
    GodMomKim wrote: »
    before I forget, here is a picture of Queenie - she has been a dog sitting client so I have pictures of her.
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    Love that face!
  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,647 Member
    Tracey - awesome northern lights photos. Isn't nature amazing? Also what great news for Kaitlyn. We love that YOU love your new job and we are so happy for you! :p Glad the super benefits have kicked in.

    Annie - welcome home, so glad you could get away and had such a good time.

    Kim - Queenie is adorable, such a pretty and intelligent face. She looks regal like a Queen, doesn't she?

    Heather - I really like your new top, great color. I used to live in turtlenecks and now if clothing encircles my neck, it seems so uncomfortable. I think all of my tops are quarter zips these days - keeps the back of my neck warm but my upper chest more exposed and stays cool.

    Barbara - beautiful views, I can see why you love living there. So sorry about your rib, what a nuisance but glad the hot tub helps.

    My power station is a Bluetti EB3A, I got it and the solar panel off Amazon.

    Clay pot-tea light heaters.
    Good ole YouTube - a video came up in my feed yesterday morning demonstrating how to make clay (flower) pot heaters that use tealights or votive candles. I remembered I had made THREE of them several years ago, and they were in the potting shed so I dug them out. I had used one quite a bit when I had tender little seedlings I didn't want to get bit by frost that I'd bring in from the greenhouse on chilly nights. That thing generated just enough heat to keep plants in the room from freezing.

    Some folks are now even making "Crisco candles" to sit under the clay pots, using Sterno, etc. Many, many good ideas. Demonstrations came up on how to cook with tea lights under a rack. Hours of good information available on how to get a bit of warmth during an extended power outage.

    The clay pot heaters could serve as a very small space heater, hand warmer, etc. A small pan can be set on top of the upside-down pot to heat soup or water for tea. I saw one demo where the guy set one of those stovetop woodstove fans on top of the clay pot which got it hot enough to run and blow warm air about.

    Good thoughts headed out to folks in mid Florida, this Hurricane Milton sounds like a doozy. I saw a newscast of all the debris still piled up from Hurricane Helene that can blow around. :(

    Lanette B)
    SW WA State
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,249 Member
    edited October 8
    Stat for the day-

    Walk w/familt- 2hrs 8min 38sec, 50elev, 2.90ap, 72ahr, 88mhr, 6.29mi= 591c
    Strava = 762c

    Made more dog treats.

    656656
  • exermom
    exermom Posts: 6,518 Member
    Tracey – please pass the tissue!

    About decluttering: I’ve gone thru a lot of photos and if there are duplicates, I throw out the duplicate. Then I wrote on the backs of the photos who is in the picture. If Jess wants to keep it...fine. If not, I don’t have a problem her throwing them out. I’m trying to get rid of as much as possible. Wish Vince wouldn’t feel so much “you never know if you’ll need it”. He’d keep EVERYTHING if it weren’t for me pestering him to get rid of things. We have a 65” rear projection TV that we just found out doesn’t work so I called Exodus Works (housing for recovering people returning to the community from treatment centers and prisons). They transplanted two bushes for me and planted new ones in its place and at that time I mentioned about the TV and they said they could remove it. So I just called to be sure they will be able to and when. Jess certainly doesn’t need a TV that we don’t use

    M – feel better fast

    Barbara – ibuprofen and wine….lol Yes, it’s holly leaves that make Miss Piggy “holiday”. She’s also holding a sack of toys. Wish I could post a pic of her, but she’s at the ceramics studio.https://www.etsy.com/listing/895277498/christmas-santa-miss-piggy?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=m I did find this link online, it’s what it’s like
    I’m thinking that her dress will be light purple with pink accent. But I don’t know how to make the holly leaves look non-holiday-ish. There is another MP and if I ever find that one, then this can be an indoor ceramic.

    Big boo...was cool today..68...too cool for shorts. So I’m begrudgingly wearing pants. BUT still in short sleeved shirt!!! So that’s a plus Update: I took a walk around the neighborhood and put shorts on to take the walk. Glad I did.

    Heather – I’m like you, I don’t like anything restrictive around my neck either. I used to wear a lot of turtlenecks when I was younger, but not now

    Annie – I’m so glad you had such a great trip. Our place in FL is on the path of the eye of the storm. But the good part is that we’re on the third floor. I understand that all the elevators are being shut down and (of course) the gate will be kept open

    Just saw a text that A asked me to work at BK tomorrow since B will be late. At first, I thought “what does my job have to do with his? He makes the sandwiches”. Then it dawned on me that when B gets there, he probably does the prep that needs to be done. Well, I don’t mind. I’ll go to the gym afterwards. I know that I’ll be able to do some cardio and then just cool off in the pool. I won’t be able to stay in the pool very long because they have lap swimming, but at least I’ll get some in.

    The guy from Tru Green did come. I was surprised that he wasn’t here as long as I thought he would. He said that he was going to put something down for the fire ants and then fertilize. In the meantime, I went to Home Depot and got an extra shelve for the alligator (ceramic) so we have a bit more room for others

    Think I'll start putting up the "fence" for Halloween and Christmas tomorrow. See, last year I put the stakes where they will go then Vince went after me and made sure they were straight. I don't think I could do what he does.

    Off to take a shower.

    Michele NC
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,593 Member
    edited October 9
    auntiebk wrote: »
    Machka hope your “No worries. That's just a few phone calls to find charities or maybe auction places willing to pick through a basement full of stuff and haul anything decent away, and a U-haul rental to take the rest to the dump.” Is reassuring to Carol and relieves her stress about what her son would have to do with their stuff. Thanks for the other decluttering links, will check them out when I’ve completed the challenge.
    Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

    Yes, I hope so.

    I have used those methods for my purges.

    In 2004, I packed, tossed, and got rid of about 1/3 of my stuff so that I could move 2 provinces over to attend university.

    First, I tried to sell things privately for about 6 weeks, and a few things went.
    Second, I called auction places and one came out to have a look. He offered me $75 for the hard furnishings, and his guys hauled them away. I had an illusion that he might offer me $50/piece or something but in the end, giving me $75 to get ride of all that stuff was a good deal. I didn't have to pay for removalists!
    Third, I called charity places and one was willing to come out with a truck (similar to the one I drove recently - delivery truck style). He turned up and took away quite a few things that the auction place had no interest in. Again, at least I didn't have to pay for removalists.
    Fourth, I was in a large apartment building with a big rubbish bin outside, and over the weeks, I was continually putting stuff in there, and right toward the end, a friend and I moved my mattress and boxspring out and got them into the bin. That was some doing! But at least I didn't have to pay garbage dump fees.


    In 2009, I did another purge and got rid of another third of my stuff so I could move to Australia. I got everything down to 300 cubic feet (about the size of a small bathroom: 8 ft x 6.3 x 6).

    That time I employed the 'take pictures of everything' method so I've got memories.
    I didn't sell anything that time, just took huge bags of appliances, bedding, clothes and books to charities/thrift shops.
    I sent several boxes of stuff down to my nieces and nephew.
    I also shredded any documents over 7 years old.


    For our recent move, I was planning to go through everything and do a purge but time got away from us, so I packed up and moved pretty much everything on the main floor of the previous house. I'll purge as I unpack.

    But the basement was a disaster area! There, I employed a method I've seen used on Hoarders and similar shows and I was kind of amazed at how quickly we were able to deal with it. It took us a 4-day weekend.

    I quickly determined that there were certain categories of stuff which became piles of stuff. So everything I picked up went into one of the piles: workshop, cycling, etc. One of the biggest piles was the rubbish pile and as soon as I figured it was about as big as it was going to get, we loaded it into the truck I rented and carted it off to the tip (rubbish dump). I actually under estimated this and had to do 2 more trips to the tip! But it was such a relief to have so much junk gone.

    I can get these large zippered plastic everywhere here, and in different colours and patterns. They're about $4 each and hold quite a bit of stuff. So I just dumped the various piles of stuff into these bags. In 3 or 4 bags, there's cycling stuff. In a couple bags, there might be random workshop stuff, etc. Those went into the storage unit and we'll pull them out and deal with them as we unpack.
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    If it were a basement full of household stuff, I'd be inclined to divide it into: stuff I want or other family members might want, stuff that might go to auction or charity, and rubbish. I'd move the stuff I want out and get the family in to pick and choose. I'd take the rubbish to the tip. Then I'd call in the auction people to assess what's left, and anything they don't want goes to charity.


    The thing is, it is more difficult for us to do our own decluttering because we've got an emotional attachment to things and an often elevated view of what things are worth. So we are more inclined to want to hold each thing, think about memories, think about how much it cost us to buy it, research its value, and so on.

    But if we're out of the picture and friends or relatives are dealing with our stuff, they don't have the same emotional attachment, memories etc. It's just a desk - some wood nailed together. It's just a bit of metal shaped into a butterfly. It's just a ratty old throw tossed over the corner of the sofa. It's just a sofa that has seen better days. Just hard furnishings, random jewellery, rubbish, and soft furnishings. It doesn't mean anything so it's easy to get rid of it.



    Anyway, as soon as I can move around without hacking up a lung, I'll keep unpacking ... and decluttering.


    Machka in Oz
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,593 Member
    Another good decluttering article:

    Now Is the Time to Let Go of What-if and Someday Clutter
    https://www.thesimplicityhabit.com/now-is-the-time-to-let-go-of-what-if-and-someday-clutter/


    Machka in Oz
  • skuehn48
    skuehn48 Posts: 3,040 Member
    <3
  • auntiebk
    auntiebk Posts: 2,610 Member
    Today’s gratitude: Scents of applestuff from cider pressing composting under the blackberries, whiff of woodsmoke, sunshine on fallen leaves, ahh, autumn!
    Kim :love: Queenie’s expression.
    Annie its great to have you back! So glad you had such a good weekend. Richly deserved.
    Lanette thanks for the Bluetti EB3A info. See it offered with solar panel for $379 on prime day deal. Guys were talking about solar powered backups at casserole-a-thon today. There was some concern about solar as a power source here in Southern Oregon where it can be grey for days if not weeks in a row. One guy got the super duper model for ~$600 on prime day last year… not in this years’ budget. Wondered about windmills, we have a fairly reliable breeze. Alas YouTube shows it’s more complicated and expensive to use windmills to generate electricity than it is to use them to pump water. I love our woodstove top fan, it really does a good job of circulating the warm air.
    Michele saying a prayer for your place in FL, and for all in the hurricane’s path.
    Machka you’re right about the emotional attachment to stuff making it harder to declutter. Hoping that as I near the end of this 30 day challenge, I’ll have established a habit, strengthened my declutter muscle, and may be more able to detach and let go… ;)
    Tracey thankful also that this declutter challenge has focused more on trash and thins that are no longer useful, while giving permission to keep things to which we have strong, positive emotional responses. Whew!
    Mo praying you can find that check!
    Decluttering challenge Day 28/30 Toys and games
    28-Didn’t want to tackle the dogs’ dollies so kept working on the paper pile on the keyboard. Step sheets filed away, batteries installed into trail cam, trash papers recycled. Voila!f6pyhonwqrb7.jpeg
    Time to snooze,
    Later, lighter, lovelies!
    Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
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    Move more than yesterday, fuel better than yesterday, live NOW.
    Open heart and mind before mouth.
    2024: Strengthen: body, mind, heart-connections.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,593 Member
    auntiebk wrote: »
    Machka you’re right about the emotional attachment to stuff making it harder to declutter. Hoping that as I near the end of this 30 day challenge, I’ll have established a habit, strengthened my declutter muscle, and may be more able to detach and let go… ;)
    Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

    I had even hung onto plastic grocery bags in our basement because:
    a) our grocery stores stopped using plastic grocery bags and the transition was badly handled because we were left with the impression that we'd be staggering out of the stores with our arms full of groceries and no bags. So we had to hang onto our bags to reuse them.
    b) somehow I (and others) got the impression that rolls of plastic rubbish bags would stop being available for purchase. So we had to hang onto our bags for rubbish.
    c) I used plastic grocery bags for packing ornaments and things when we moved. We had moved so often, I figured we would again soon, so I had better hang onto the plastic bags.

    Of course the situation wasn't that bad and we went 10 years without moving, but still I hung onto hundreds of plastic bags.

    It was such a relief to get rid of them all!!!


    And clothing ... I have clothes in many different sizes and styles, including a few things from when I was in my early 20s!! :open_mouth: I've hung onto it all in case I return to that size again (I did in 2015!) or in case the clothing comes back into style (it has in some cases). I've also hung onto them because of good memories around them.

    But as I unpack now, I am almost ready to let go of the older things and things that don't fit.

    I figure I've got about 10 years of work left.
    I've got lots of nice work clothes that fit me and work well for me and which I like. It has taken me a while to settle into a style!
    I pick up a few items in my style each year to update my work wardrobe - that's fun. :)
    I don't have to dip into my past wardrobe.

    Even if I lost weight and even if some of the items from my distant past came back into style, they're not "me" anymore. I've also changed shape and changed in what I can tolerate in clothing texture.

    I say I'm "almost ready" to let the things go. I'd be completely ready but the stuff I'd like to get rid of is mostly in a bin in the storage unit. I have to wait till we can access it. :) When I do, I'll take a few photos and then let go.


    Machka in Oz


  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,696 Member
    edited October 9
    Machka - I'm interested in what happened to your sweater collection. Did you manage to whittle it down when you moved?
    I don't even possess one warm sweater! Too hot indoors, (21°) and I layer up for outside. Plus can't wear any combination of wool.
    I have found, like you, that keeping old clothes doesn't work. Fashions, and cuts, colours, and patterns change, so that even if we don't declare ourselves 'fashionable', we are subtly affected by the Zeitgeist. Our favourite jacket from way back can suddenly look totally unsuitable.
    I have kept the dress from the first day I met my ex. And the t shirt I met John in. I've kept a 'seduction' dress ( :p !) and an appliqued sweatshirt that someone made me for my play production. Otherwise, if I'm not wearing them, or they are tatty, they are going. I do have a couple of things I only wear on cruises.
    John has far more clothes than me! Rows of shirts he never wears, piles of t shirts, endless trousers. When I first met him, I couldn't believe how many trousers the man had! He does occasionally whittle them down, but only if they have worn out. I get rid of things that don't fit, I don't wear because they are uncomfortable, or the colour doesn't do anything for me.
    They say we only wear 20% of our wardrobe. I probably wear 70% most of the time. I need to buy socks, I've thrown so many away.
    Having said all that, decluttering isn't only about things, it's about eliminating unnecessary anything from your life, including habits, commitments, people, expenses, digital stuff. Keeping the essentials and those that give you joy. I don't have indoor plants, or pets, for example. Too much expense of energy, worry, and grief.
    Sentimental things are good for you, just not too many of them. Keep a 'memory box'. I have two big plastic ones. I love them. The contents evoke so much. But that's enough.

    I follow some wonderful people on YouTube. Cas, Dawn, Diane, Carla. Remi etc. I have learnt so much and my life is so much better and easier for it. The psychology of it all is a uni degree in itself.
    I've found it's also related to 'boundaries', another very long and fascinating subject.

    French Circle tonight. The present day politics of France. In order to make sure we leave the house and don't snuggle down to an evening of TV watching, we are going to try out a Turkish place that I want to take my DSIL to. My schoolfriends went there and enjoyed it. It's pricey, so we will just have starters, which will be plenty. It has great reviews. ETCI. It's about half a mile from the venue.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,593 Member
    cityjaneLondon wrote: »
    Machka - I'm interested in what happened to your sweater collection. Did you manage to whittle it down when you moved?
    I don't even possess one warm sweater! Too hot indoors, (21°) and I layer up for outside. Plus can't wear any combination of wool.

    They say we only wear 20% of our wardrobe. I probably wear 70% most of the time. I need to buy socks, I've thrown so many away.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

    Machka9 wrote: »
    I say I'm "almost ready" to let the things go. I'd be completely ready but the stuff I'd like to get rid of is mostly in a bin in the storage unit. I have to wait till we can access it. :) When I do, I'll take a few photos and then let go.
    Machka in Oz

    They are in the bin in the storage unit which I can't reach right now. Apparently I had already decided to move them along to the last stage before they go out.

    I wear just about all of what I've got in my accessible circulation of clothes (not in the bin in the storage unit), but of course, different things for different purposes, so the frequency with which I wear things varies.

    I am putting stuff in the toss or give-away bags as I unpack too.

    For example, as has been chatted about here, I can't wear high necklines anymore. So several tops with high necklines will be going in the give-away bag.


    Indoors at work is often a steamy-hot 21° here too ... I usually wear sleeveless tops or maybe short sleeves to work.

    Fortunately, indoors at home, it's only about 17° or 18°, so I can wear slightly heavier short-sleeved T-shirts.


    Machka in Oz





  • Anniesquats100
    Anniesquats100 Posts: 3,286 Member
    Good morning beautiful ladies!

    Mo what an unlucky day! Hope you find the deposit and that Rose and your DH are okay.

    Barbara Yay for decluttering!

    Lisa glad your restless legs went away! Yay!

    I had a good day yesterday: 46 minutes on the bike and under calories! Yay! I was out of breath walking around Las Vegas, so that's motivation to get more fit.

    I'm off walking in the forest this morning. It will be cold! I'm considering buying a larger jacket but I don't want to stay this size. Hmm.

    Have a great day! May you be happy, healthy, safe and free! And beware the hurricane!

    Annie in Delaware
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,593 Member
    Coughed so much yesterday that today my whole torso is stiff and sore. Apparently there was an earthquake in this area. Was probably just me coughing.

    Thank goodness the coughing eased up somewhat today.

    The RSV or cold is moving up into my sinuses.


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  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,249 Member
    657657
  • kevrit
    kevrit Posts: 4,303 Member
    Not much to say today. Very tired and feeling sore all over. Hope I’m not coming down with something. Back doctor on Friday. Maybe they can tell me if this is rheumatism or just plain old age!

    Dinner/lunch was Wendy’s baked potatoes and a 4 pack of nuggets.

    RVRita in Roswell

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