WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2025

Hello, My Tribe,

Sarah, it is so lovely to meet you. The battle of the bulge is a tough fight, and it is better to have a tribe or team behind you to cheer you on. We are here for you. We don't discuss politics or religion on this site, but whatever our belief system is, we send positive vibes your way. Spinal fusion is a challenging surgery, and I have cared for many who had the surgery. I advise getting upper body strength before the surgery because the work begins afterward. It depends on the surgeon; some want you to get up on day one, and some want you to get up on day two. Keep talking to us, and we will be there for you.

Kylie, I am worried about Alzheimer's as well. My mom was active, but she spent her time caring for her family, and when she was done, her memory started to wane. I need to stay active.

Lanette, the 92-year-old man driving against the doctor's advice, is unsafe. We hosted a group of youth from Germany, Japan, and other parts of the US. The leader was a married couple who went to a retreat in Vermont. On their way back to Mississippi, an older man who was not supposed to drive got confused and moved across the highway, collided with the couple, and hit them head-on. It killed Hannah instantly, and her husband Caleb was never the same again. He moved to another country to get away from his family.
Flea, being a parent is not easy. I regret so many things about my parenting skills. Hindsight is 20/20 vision. My daughter Julia and I always bumped heads from day one. I love Julia, but I don't like her decisions. My son, I should not have been so lenient about him helping with cleaning chores, but now he
has to learn. My MIL didn't talk to my husband, so he just started helping with the cleaning process.
We are talking things out that we didn't talk about before. DS is a good kid, but he is curious about what he missed when he was not growing up around family.

Ginny, I constantly pick up dust bunnies or tumbleweeds (dog hair) as I walk up the stairs or prepare my workout area. I clean, and a few days later, I see new friends. It is a never-ending story. I am so sorry for your aches and pains. I believe it comes with our age. My hip has been giving me the blues, and I wonder if it is arthritis.

This week at work, I got a break from that mom, but she was so wild I had to go and talk with her. Then, she was angry when another nurse told me another parent was on the phone for me. She said it wasn't true, and we did that to get out of the room. I told her I would do it if I needed to leave the room. I told her she hurt my feelings by saying it wasn't true. I explained that this mom can not stay with her baby because she has a 1-year-old and two more that are 3 and 5 years of age. So she cannot remain in the hospital with her baby. I brought that mom one of my husband's books to help her and gave her a word search book. For her daughter, I gave her a Barbie school teacher with one child. For my patient, who is 8 months old, I got him three outfits. He looked so cute. I got a lavender bath for the baby, too. He slept so well all night.
DH wants to go back to Florida—just the two of us. He is considering April 4-11. On Tuesday night, I got together with my friends. We had Mexican food and caught up on our kids and lives. My friend Shannon has five kids. Her oldest was dancing with my daughter, so she is twenty-five, and the youngest is eight.
Her kids are going to South Carolina with Grandma, and her DH will attend a work conference. So, she booked a cottage on a beach in Alabama to be alone. Since Shannan's DH's work conference was canceled, he said he could go to the beach with her. So, she gave him the guidelines for going. He later asked if she wanted to go alone, and she said yes. So now he is going to Chicago to visit his brother. I was so happy for her. She wants to sleep as late as she wants, read, craft, and knit while looking at the waves. She said that she is unplugging from social media as well. Then, the other two discussed the divorce and infidelity on their husband's part. Melanie is dating a nice guy, and Bonnie has no interest in dating. I did get a number to a CPA to help me figure out my mom's taxes. It was good to get out and mingle. Wow, I was on a roll. Sorry.
Tight hugs for all!
XO,
Mo in Mississippi

My SIL is having her grandchildren for next weekend, which she hasn't done in years. She is texting me, asking for advice!

I've done my editing for today. This chapter is about about how we make, or don't make, decisions, and why so many of us fail to see 'the elephant in the room'. One of my mother's favourite sayings was, 'He can't see the wood for the trees '.

It's French Circle tonight. So an early dinner. Salmon, roasted cauliflower and sauce vierge. John is a bit undecided about going, because he couldn't get to sleep last night. He says it's nothing specific he's worrying about, and I did say to be sure to tell me. I think he hates getting old and not feeling fit. He still is super fit for 79, but there are the inevitable aches and pains and no one lives forever. Hopefully the girls will cheer him up on Friday.
He has always been inclined to these anxiety attacks, but recently they have been milder and less frequent. They used to be disabling and frightening.

Love you all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Chaos and mayhem and so much to do at work.
Took me 2 days to write 1 sentence on the thing I was supposed to finish on Monday.

Still walking ... this plus another 5000 steps.



Machka in Oz

YUP! Hit the BIG SIXTY-FIVE yesterday! WOOHOO!

THANKS ALL! It was a GREAT DAY!
I get to retire "next" year. That was the plan anyway and it looks like it's right on schedule.

Love and Blessings
Carla, in MN

Hey, kids,

Definitely have more energy now, but that may be to make up for a couple of years of dealing solely with all the medica-crappa-palooza that took over my life. For those who are new, anemia, Crohn's and A-fib all slammed into me at the same time as the pandemic hit everyone else. Throw in the pre-existing thyroid issues, which are now wonky again, and I was impersonating a paperweight for quite a while, nearly 3 years. This long burst of energy is my form of backlash... 😉

Really grateful none were lethal, just kind of immobilizing for a while.

Didn't sleep well, too many scenarios still stomping around in jackboots in my head (what are jackboots, anyway? I'll have to look it up.) Eventually dozed off about 1 a.m., back up again at 6. Nap in my future, I think. But the upshot of the day was that the doc is going to get a referral in progress to a local podiatrist, and physical therapy for the knee issues. Won't know the results on the thyroid test until tomorrow.

Was able to spend an hour in that crazy day to stop into the thrift store on senior day (30% off) as well. I've had this weird thing for hatboxes lately, have one already that I painted white over a Pooh pattern. Picked up one yesterday, a full-sized one with a Christmas pattern that is also going to get painted, and one smaller one, with an odd bow and grapes. Spoiler shows the small one, then all three:
That pattern does give me an idea, though... but then, they all give me ideas, or I wouldn't buy them. I'm thinking about a Victorian crazy quilt, but in paint, across all of them. If it's done right, it could be very nice. Would satisfy my fascination with stained glass, fabric and paint all at once! Sample of what I have in mind in the spoiler:
I also found some fabric boxes, want to tear one apart and figure out a good pattern for it, don't like the slicky covering. Egg likes them, though: Will shove all this in the creative furnace and see what comes out.

And since I've been very visual today - one of my favorite nephews posted this on Facebook. Made me think of your dad jokes, Rita. Plus, in all honesty, it looks a lot like him:
Love y'all,
Lisa in AR