WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2025

OregonMother · January 6

Ah, Heather! Catan! Our family plays that game quite a bit, too. It is a little complicated.

Your family looks so happy. I love how much time you are able to spend with the grands.

Thinking of you, Lanette. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories of Jake. I have admired your relationship since I've "known" you. Take care.

Flea
Willamette Valley, OR

kevrit · January 6

I’ve been doing some digital cleanup. Yesterday organized all my contacts on my iPhone put them is lists and removed the ones I don’t need. I also unsubscribed from about 30 junk emails between yesterday and today. I also went through and deleted pictures that needed to be gone. One of these times, I will go through my files. I’m somewhat of a digital hoarder. Lots of stuff I can delete. Lots more work to do!!

We are supposed to get colder and about 1/4 inch of snow between tomorrow and Thursday, a lot for here! LOL. It will be gone by mid-day so not worried. I used to drive in 3-foot snowstorms in CT so….

Tomorrow DH and I going for eye exams, my first one since the cataract surgery. I’m anxious to hear what they have to say. I should only need readers anymore. DH will need a lot more, he has a touch of glaucoma. Three doctor’s appointments for me this week!

Thought for the Day:

I stayed up all night wondering where the sun had gone…..
Then it dawned on me!

Have a great day!
RVRita in Roswell

SophieRosieMom · January 6

Barbara - that's so sad about hospital beds not being available and the potential problems with your nephew. Maybe it's the season with all of the RSV and other bugs? Just after I read your post, I saw a FB post from Brian Hoeflinger, MD, a neurosurgeon I follow. He said he lost his job three days ago. The hospital system he worked for unexpectedly closed the hospital! He's in the Toledo Ohio area. I'm sure he'll land a new job quickly but thinking of the patients currently in that place and wondering how that will be handled.

Allie - looks like a nice get together for Dan. Have fun with Delia today. Sorry to hear about Sean's predicament these days.

Debbie - thinking of you and DH and MIL. And her poor little dog. I took our little schnoodle in to visit DH while he was in the hospital years ago, recovering from colon surgery. She was a little scared of the place but was glad to see him for a short while. I know he missed her.

Kylia - look at your snow! BRR. You mentioned a couple days ago that you were going to drop off your DH to go hunting. I'm curious - so your DH goes hunting in weather like this? And he's legally blind? Does he go with someone else? What's he hunting for?

Lisa - good that Corey can take your car to go fetch a new battery. I wonder how electric cars are holding up when it gets so cold.

Hope all of you in the deep freeze don't get power interruptions. Stay safe and warm.

Lanette
SW WA State

Whidislander · January 6

Snowflake1968 wrote: »

Lisa - I need go take your advice. I’ve had this discussion too many times when I’m angry, but I need to do it when I’m calm.
You’re right, it probably won’t stick but I’ll feel better for getting it off my chest nonetheless.

This morning he told me that this is an easy thing to replace, we just need to order the part. I’m debating on whether ordering it from Amazon is a good move or not.

Kylia - Sometimes these traits we have are warranted from necessity. I think the first few years of our marriage when we worked different shifts, then he drove truck for 8 years made me even more independent than I planned on being. Truth be told, I called on my Father, Grandfather and Brother a lot too, but they taught me as I went along. 😂

Vitamins - I only take Vitamin D. The health authority here did a 10 year study on it by having the levels tested every time you had bloodwork. It found that everyone in this climate is low and even just taking it through the winter is not enough. My doctor told me to take 3000-4000 IUI everyday. It is hit and miss if I remember or not.

Margaret - I hope your furnace issue is an easy fix.
I need to create a list of who to call for what.
Canadian TV does not allow drugs to be advertised if they require a prescription. We still see lots because we watch mostly American television.

Heather - I believe that we should all be able to do things. Wiring a plug is a good example. I’ve also fixed toilets like Margaret, I’ve changed the element in my oven, and need to do so again. My grandfather was funny, he wouldn’t help me learn to drive until I knew how to put air in my tire, check my oil, etc. but being a girl I wasn’t allowed to mow the lawn.
My father just taught me a lot because I helped him, he was a licensed general contractor, red seal electrician, carpenter and could do plumbing but really didn’t like it.

Pip - Hugs

Rita - I am loving your “thoughts for the day”

Rebecca - I know I’ve been complaining about my poor DH a lot lately but he has been loading the dishwasher and emptying a more often lately. He also will come to the door when he hears me come home from groceries and asks if I need help.

Today I set up Rodger’s new light on the tv, hung some pictures back up in the house again from Christmas and then went to grab a couple items at Walmart.
I am so tired of the same foods so tried something new tonight. It was ok, but that was it. Don’t know if I would do it again. It was air fried ravioli. Quick and easy, but just ok.

Kelly - I’ve told DH that I want him too. It makes a difference.
My girls went together and bought me a digital Skylight frame I think three years ago now. I absolutely love it! I can send a link to anyone I want and they can send me pictures. I can also upload from my phone. I need to actually do a photo dump soon.

Debbie - I’m so sorry your DH is being so miserable about all of this.
My cousin’s MIL treated her dog the same as yours treats hers. When she went into a home the dog refused to have anything to do with her. Even when they brought her for a visit the dog refused. They thought that it was because the dog was scared she would hit him.

I am always so grateful to live in Canada when any of you talk about the cost of medical needs in the States. The province here sets the price that homes can charge for residents and in AB your savings, assets and house cannot be touched. In NB it can. There are some exclusive private homes that can run up to 10k a month, but you must pay for that on your own.

Michele - how far is it to Jess’ from your place? Why does she come just to sleep and go back?

Allie - Sorry to hear of Faith’s passing, I remember when you helped care for her.
Sorry Tracy and the kids couldn’t attend Dan’s party.
It looks like a fun time.

Barbara - I’m not fully sure what goes into a Junk Journal myself, but it’s basically a small notebook decorated like a scrapbook might, but you use “junk” to decorate with.
Kaitlyn is using some of my scraps of paper and stuff that I wouldn’t use, plus ticket stubs, receipts, gift wrapping, etc. this is the two pages she worked on yesterday.

The “news article” type piece came in the whiskey I bought Brodey for Christmas it’s from the town I’m from in NB and they had visited it.

I took the tree and 5 of the Christmas totes, and my craft market suitcases all back to the sheds today. I then loaded up the bags of bottles into my car since I made room.
I think that was my workout for the day.

Tonight I had a nice chat with a longtime friend. I’m coughing today for some reason, I hope I’m not getting sick.

Tracey in Edmonton

your junk journal is excellent! Very neat! Junk journals are part painting medium, part 3-d, part steampunk-ish, I have gotten like 7 journals from different pen pals, but I pretty much enjoyed them for a time, didn't write in them and sent them to other pen pals.
Here's some photos of the messiness of them.

Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

SophieRosieMom · January 6

barbiecat wrote: »

No snow here but plenty of darkness. Even though daylight is increasing, this is the first day the increase shows up by one minute in the morning which is when I get outside.

In retrospect, I realize that Jake had been slowing down gradually in the last two years or so. We were home together all the time except when I was walking and he gradually did less and less and spent his time while I was gone reading stuff on his phone, playing solitaire on the computer, or watching You Tube videos about things that didn't interest me. When I was home we spent more and more time sitting and talking or watching TV. The change was so gradual that I didn't notice it.

He used to take an active roll in meal preparation. He bought a NInja Foodie and a bread maker and created his own recipe binder. By the last year he was happy to let me do all the cooking and if I asked what he wanted, he would tell me that it seemed that I liked to be in charge of the meals, so he let me. The only reason I liked being in charge of the meals was that if I didn't do, it didn't happen.

The upside of all that is that I don't feel like all the chores and responsibilities have been thrust on me. Gradually I've been doing it all for longer than I realized.

I think Jake's sudden decision in November to trade in the electric car for a car that could be serviced locally was part of his preparation to make life easier for me after he was gone.

Dogs are telling me they want to go out again. They won't stay long, but now I gotta go.

Barbie in NW WA

Barbie - yes and yes. My DH's decline was pretty gradual until his final year when the memory loss and dramatic weight loss started. I kept thinking if I could just get him to eat more protein it would give him a boost and maybe even reverse his deterioration. But that wasn't in the cards.

He finally acquiesced to showing me how to drive the zero-turn mower about a month before he passed. I think there was a part of him that didn't want to admit he was unable to do even this. And maybe that sped up his decline.

OR perhaps there was a part of him that realized I'd be OK if he wasn't here to mow, which was something he still prided himself in being able to do.

Lanette

Whidislander · January 6

brigittethomson wrote: »

I'm new here. Starting January Right! Been trying intermittent fasting, light workout daily and tracking food. I have 43lbs to lose! The last couple of years have been stressful to say the least! Mom and Dad passed, flipped a house, bought a house and sold our home of 18 years! Had 2 foot surgeries as well!

I started at 180 and my goal weight is 135. Currently at 178.

Looking forward to the motivation and trying to encourage some of you as well.

Sure do miss the daily feed and my group from the old calorie count website.

Brigitte, OH-

Hello Brigitte, nice to meet you! I am an intermittent faster as well averaging 18-21 hour fasts daily. I like 12-4 pm but I seem to be doing 11-2 or 3 pm. Nothing set in stone. As I have started on 31st a sort of restart, I have been feeling good.
Flipping a house isn't for the timid! My condolences on the passing of your parents. Losing your anchors is a tough one.😥💖
I am currently about 240 and I would like to get to 180! So heck you're my goal weight already!
We got this.
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

Whidislander · January 6

cityjaneLondon wrote: »

The kids came over and were delighted with their little crates. Even Max!!! We kept joking about how he should paint his in manly colours, so he took that on and painted Manly Man's Box on the side, and a spanner and a screwdriver. They also played the most complicated game imaginable!
Lunch was wraps, and jumbo hot dogs, bacon, mashed avocado, and Greek salad. Salted caramel ice cream for dessert. Much appreciated, especially by Edie. Bea had pasta bows and pesto, as always.

Bea didn't quite finish hers.

So, absolutely knackered, but v pleased with the day.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Awe what a nice day you had with your grandkids! 👍🏼💖
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

dlfk202000 · January 6

dh worked last night then went to take care of his mom's dog- he just got home. I got all 12 cats fed, pee pads all changed out, litter boxes done and a second load of laundry in the washer(the third load is out of the dryer that I washed last night- all pee pads so easy to fold or just replace the wet ones- I will be very glad when the old cat passes away but dh isn't ready to put her down after loosing two cats this past spring)
Going to head to Safeway- They have their leftover fully cooked turkeys in the deli marked down to just $2.80!!! He got one for us when he was working but my friend would like one if there are any left.

grandmallie · January 6

Afternoon ladies
Made it through day 1 ,both of us lol

Little girl is rolling on her side and holding onto her teether.

And got her down for a nap..
Rita the name of the Restaurant is Rossinis in East Hampton,Ct
For all of you that have lost spouses. You Rock!!! I know you have been through alot and have come through on the other side..
And I say Bravo !!

SophieRosieMom · January 6

MFP Weekly Check-In for January 6, 2025

Rita in Roswell NM - Well up another .7 of a pound to 182.6. I restarted the pre-diabetes class by making weekly goals related to this. Here is what I’ve started as of today:
Week of 1/5/25:
1. Use My Plate by measuring and logging food in MFP
2. Eat fruit not sweets for snacks
3. Drink and log 80 oz. Of water a day
Goal for next 6 weeks: lose 13 pounds from 182.6 to 170 pounds. By logging and measuring my food intake and being active for 30 minutes a day logging that as well in MFP. Wish me luck! Small steps….

Barbara on the Southern Oregon Coast - WT Sunday down to 132.7 from week's high of 133.9(!), but weekly average still on the rise, up to 132.2 from 131.6.
Weekly average steps better to 5846 from 4213. Line danced twice, BB&B once, skipped dog group entirely due weather.
CI continues to outpace CO. Sugar leveling off but way over goal.
AF, PT & Zumba still a bust.
Added exercise snacks of hip hinges or hanging from the shower rod whenever I get up from the toilet, or block pushups after washing dishes.
Deep breath, one foot in front of the other.

Kylia in Ohio - Good morning from snowy Ohio! I have lost almost 2 lbs! I am sure just water weight but still nice to see on scale. I will keep logging and see if I can continue this downward trend even though winter! I really need to move somewhere warmer! In the meantime, I will keep coming to my ladies for encouragement.

Debbie in Napa Valley CA - Up one pound this week. Started tracking again yesterday after a few months of skipping it. Food intake wasn't good but I did track and stay a bit under calories.

Lanette in SW WA State - weight holding at 160. Step daily average 6639, down a bit from last week. Still walking with weights 10-15 minutes after most meals. Getting in more exercise bites, stretches. Farmer’s Carry 10-13 lbs. Overnight “fast” 14+ hours most days.

pipcd34 · January 6

Stats for the day-

Walk w/family- 1hr 45min 41sec, 12208steps, 127elev, 2.87ap, 80ahr, 98mhr, 5.11mi= 507c
Strava app = 619c
Walk home to gym- 10.21min, 1172steps, 3.19ap, .54mi= 53c
Strava app= 66c
Treadmill jog- 30.58min, 5.6sp and on choruses up’d to 6.6sp, 167spm, 139ahr, 183mhr, 9.58min mi, 5k (3.1mi)= 342c
Bosu ball- 6min, 2sets 10 ea of squats and single legged circle leg lifts, 116ahr, 133mhr= 63c
Walk gym to home- 12.05min, 1384steps, 2.72ap .55mi= 60c
Strava app = 67c

Total cal 1025

Surprised by my pace on the 5k

772772

ginnytez · January 6

Attached is a picture of my yard/drive way. First is from this morning, second is after I shoveled it. My regular guy couldn't make it so I went out in two sessions and got it good enough!

I paced myself for sure. When I was 50 I would have had it done in about 30 minutes. Today took me about 1.5. Don't feel much worse for the wear so I guess I am in pretty good shape for an old woman! Times like this I almost forget I am 70.

Mainly did odds and ends around house today. Check my Social Security account and did the new set up they want (I have an old account). Want everything up to date.

The bill signed by the President this weekend on Social Security Fairness Act will give me more access to Social Security I paid in and an impact on survivor benefits. Won't know how much until closer to actual date, but I'll take it even if it's $1.95!

Need to go get chili I made for rest of week put away. Tomorrow is regular work from home day for me. I am happy to say that other than notifications I did no work for work today.

Take care all,

Ginny in Ohio

dlfk202000 · January 6

Dh has changed his mind, yet again for care for his mom. Now we will set things up to bring her back to her home, moving the hospital bed that has been upstairs since his dad passed away moving it down stairs. The fight will be to tell her she can not sleep in her recliner anymore. That and the arthritis is what has messed up her back. PT told dh today that she needs to sleep in a bed. They told him she may bet a bit better/stronger and she can walk, using a walker, but chooses not to most of the time.
We are looking at the list of people to hire to help. She will need someone there 24/7. He is looking at basically moving in there to be there every night and hiring people for daytime and I will be the one going to pick up food and run errands. The PT said it would be better for her to at least try to keep her at home for now where she is comfortable.
Mentally, this is the worst thing for dh to do. I don't have much of a say in the matter. I am just trying to keep up with him changing his mind constantly.

Going to go walk with my friends from Zumba tonight beings we have no class all month
It will be great to catch up. Martha and I haven't walked and talked in at least 6 months I think

Debbie
Napa Valley,CA

Whidislander · January 6

I haven't seen Tina in CA for a spell, but hopefully she'll see this! Thank you for the calendars! Much appreciated!
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

sh0tzz99 · January 7

Whidislander wrote: »

I haven't seen Tina in CA for a spell, but hopefully she'll see this! Thank you for the calendars! Much appreciated!
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

I'm here. I think I posted earlier this month. At least I remember typing it. You're welcome!

Tina in CA

TerriRichardson112 · January 7

Debbie: I’m sorry that your DH won’t make his mind up about your MiL. I agree that taking her back home probably wouldn’t be good for his state of mind. (((Hugs))) It’s a dilemma for sure.

Machka: I love marmite, not so keen on Vegemite, though. We also have boorish, which is based on beef byproducts but I’m not that keen on it.

🤗 🤗 🤗 and 🙏 🙏 🙏 to those who want/need them.

céad míle fáilte to our new ladies.

☘️ Terri

Whidislander · January 7

Well it was weird opening my eating window at 10 am but I had a nice bagel open faced sandwich with avocado, havarti cheese, fresh spinach, tomato, and turkey. I then had coffee with some fig newtons and was full. I closed my window at 1 pm.
My gym time went well, walked on the treadmill for almost 30 minutes. I was 21 hours fasted when I had my bagel today. Sleeping better, without any indigestion, and haven't had to eat any Tums since I started on 12-31.
Tomorrow will be some leftovers. Husband had a baked potato with steak tonight, so I like his potato skins. I will add some cheese and sour cream. There's also some pieces of steak husband threw in the container. I will have that tomorrow along with some taco meat in two tacos. A repeat of the other day. I will also have a small container of pink grapefruit (no sugar).
I know many of you think intermittent fasting is weird. I get it! I tell you what I am doing as a sort of accountability, not to convince you to do it. We all have our own paths, and I respect each of your unique, individualistic journeys.💖👍🏼
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

kymarai · January 7

pipcd34 · January 7

773773

skuehn48 · January 7

Machka9 · January 7

I eat between 11:30 am and 8:30 pm. 9 hours of eating, 15 hours of not eating. That's how I have eaten most of my life except when I have studied late into the night. On those occasions I will keep nibbling till I go to bed. But that doesn't happen often now.

Machka in Oz

TerriRichardson112 · January 7

I have a busy week this week. Both Creative Writing and Monday Painters yesterday went well.

I have Craft this morning. DH has Badminton. We will disassemble the Christmas tree after lunch.

Thursday after lunch flower arranging, Friday morning Latin, then our charity President’s Celebration of Life at 2pm.

Christmas is a fond memory 😂

tempis fugit amor manet

🤗 🤗 🤗 and 🙏 🙏 🙏 to those who want/need them.

céad míle fáilte to our new ladies.

☘️ Terri

TerriRichardson112 · January 7

Just opened my curtains and it’s intermittently sleeting with flurries of snow outside. No sign of it lying yet. I will go have my breakfast and see how it goes. I’ll at least go round and pay my dues for Craft if it doesn’t worsen. It’s a short 7 minute drive on main roads so not that hazardous.

1948CWB · January 7

cityjaneLondon · January 7

John is trying out his new battery 'charger'. Yet another example of how we often have totally different things in mind when we talk about them. He hasn't bought a charger at all, he's bought a battery powered jump starter. I was a bit puzzled when he said he had to charge it up, and wondered how that was going to work, but it is basically instead of jump leads. Oh well. Crossed wires!

No wonder he didn't understand when I said he could leave it on trickle charge.
He's still sitting out there in the car, so I guess it's not working.

We loved having the kids over yesterday. The light and energy they bring into the house is truly a blessing. Of course, they squabble, and Bea had a full on crying fit when the others ganged up on her during the board game, but she went off by herself and found her self-composure again, and rejoined us for the painting. I love how different each child is.
We had some great discussions about Alzheimers, death, care homes, Advanced Directives, quality of life, my ex's illness - all while we were painting the boxes.

Today is Bea pick up day, but my son will be up in London, and not able to give us a lift home. We will probably go for a beer at our favourite boutique brewery, then grab a taxi from outside the station. I've got frozen, half-cooked falafel to fry, and hummus and salad for dinner. V quick.

John is still out there. It hasn't started.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

kymarai · January 7

Good Tuesday,
Kittens get spayed today. I can't stay home with them tomorrow as SIL babysits ex husband's son's girlfriend's little girl. Kittens will remain locked in shower tomorrow while we are gone and she promised to check on them. I will set up a camera on them.

Grrr! Have to go to home depot and pick up new smoke detectors. It has been 10 years since installed with room addition. The one in our bedroom just randomly goes off. Made a trip to store last night to pick up batteries. 10 mins after new battery it went off again! Will be another long day as DH and I are both on edge today. Noise /chatter is irritating me. This too shall pass. Maybe he will get some sleep tonight as he keeps saying the kittens keep waking him up. Obviously, I sleep when fall asleep. I seriously hear very little once I crash. He hears everything!

We ended up with 11 in of snow from yesterday's storm. Another 1" calling for tomorrow. 3" calling for on Friday. We haven't had snow like this in 10 yrs or so. We use to average 23" of snow and year. Now that average is down to 13". We will pass that average if the snow comes in even tomorrow.

Yesterday's eating sucked! I learned that too much sugar makes my belly hurt and gives me hiccups. We had an okay dinner. Have to remember to pack lunch today. Movement was good yesterday though!

Better get ready for vet and work. Hugs!
Stay safe and warm (except Machka who wants to be cool in summer)
Make the best choices you can in the moment!

Love to all,
Kylia in Ohio

cityjaneLondon · January 7

Update - it didn't work. He went round the corner to our mini garage and borrowed a more powerful jump starter. That did work, and he's now taken the car out for a run.
I hope he will be able to return it, if it's not powerful enough.

I don't think he is best pleased, but I'm staying out of it.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

KJLaMore · January 7

SophieRosieMom · January 7

Heather - perhaps all of this hassle with the car will convince John to just get rid of it. You folks live so close to shopping and have grocery delivery plus fairly dependable transit plus taxi's and Ubers as you mentioned. That said, my DH just HAD to have a pickup that sat in the shop, battery often dead, for years. I think he drove it twice even when he was mentally OK and good at driving. It irked me to pay for the yearly tabs and insurance. We already had 2 cars. After he passed, that pickup was the first thing I got rid of- it was so huge I couldn't drive it anyhow. Maybe vehicles are symbol of independence for them?

I just realized there are 9 residences in my little subdivision stuck out here in the country. All of us have at least 2 vehicles, and for most, the 2nd vehicle is a pickup truck. I think we all share the idea of having a second vehicle in case one breaks down so we don't have to bother anyone to get to shopping or other services in town. No Uber, bus or grocery delivery available out here. The transit service does have an inexpensive pseudo taxi if someone is desperate, but it has to be reserved at least one day prior.

Debbie - Maybe MIL's experience with the hospital and rehab stay will convince her to change her attitude at least a little bit. I know studies have shown it's best for us to "age in place" if it can be managed. Sounds like your DH is dead set on giving his mom care whether she appreciates it or not.

The idea of hiring a caregiver for part of the day is a good one. Glad that you have Zumba and walking and can visit your mom to get a break from it.

Barbie - I'm binge watching the latest season of Shetland. Really enjoying it and trying to figure out "who done it." Also hoping the second of episode of Vera goes online shortly. A lot going on for Vera and Joe this season too.

Back later-

Lanette

SW WA State

barbiecat · January 7

Rebecca, When I read this thread I notice lots of eating plans along with your intermittent fasting and there are so many ways we choose to eat. I learned a long time ago that the best eating plan is the one you'll follow. People with eating disorders who belong to Overeaters Anonymous often follow a plan of calling someone each morning to tell them what they plan to eat for the day and how they did the day before. Some if us eat simple foods, some eat unusual and interesting ones. I eat the same foods in rotation and am happy with the simplicity. Other people crave variety. That is one of the great things about this thread. We don't pass judgement of how other people eat. I cannot do intermittent fasting because my body needs to eat small meals every few hours. It works for me.

Heather, Jake was told by his cardiologist in August that he couldn't drive for six months because of the possibility of the recurrence of the event that had put him in the hospital. He was heartbroken and wanted so much to be able to drive. He had me to drive him to the places he wanted to go, but it wasn't the same as being able to drive on his own.

Barbie in NW WA

WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2025

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