WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MAY 2025

Hello my friends,

Its been a fat minute since I posted anything. So much has happened since my last post. I have a lot of catching up to do, but have really been enjoying everyone's photos.

Let's see. Since my hospital stay last November for my enlarged pancreas and esophageal spasms, I have mostly been working and just trying not to anger the gods. I have restarted my program and stopped it again a few times just trying to recover. My coach has been holding my hand through it.

As we have navigated my health and our busy pool season, I have managed to check a few life boxes. I went with friends to Miami (a very weird, curious and smelly place) to attend Ultra. It was a really fun experience. I did some craziness to my hair and stayed on the 42nd floor of a building with a balcony. My fear of heights was confronted at full tilt. I left the music festival with some new favorites while I checked Steve Aoki off of my to do list. Totally worth it. The people watching was Epic and I can safely say I saw more naked backsides than I have seen in the entirety of my 51 years at any beach. Ha!

My Mom came to stay with me for my 51st birthday! It was so much fun having her here. I love getting to hang out with my Mom.

While finishing up pool testing for the season, I was exposed to some kind of mold in a pump room that caused swelling all over my body, blistering in my throat and difficulty breathing for about two weeks. I had no voice for over a week and was coughing so violently that an x-ray showed damage to my lungs as well as bleeding. There were antibiotics, steroids, breathing treatments and a few really strong cough suppressants involved in my healing. It has been a journey recovering. I am still a little tired, but for the most part recovered and feeling better every day.

Currently working with my Coach and my fitness family on some fun new adventures. I have plans for some fitcations coming up in the next few months. But first, Florida with some R&R at my good buddy's house.

I hope everyone is doing well and meeting their expected goals. Ill try to check in more frequently. Looking forward to catching up with what everyone has been up to.

God Bless,

Heidi in North Carolina.

OMG Lisa. Did the prior residents not have trash service at all! I can't comprehend that much garbage on a residential property.

Out state luncheon was nice, with food I could eat! Our program was awarded a volunteer of the year award along with the Director's Award. All the DOC bigwigs were there, and it was nice to see them and be appreciated, but no governor. I have heard good things about her, and was hoping to see her in person.

So we each got individual certificates and our university has two new award plaques. Kind of fun.

Flea

Willamette Valley OR

stats for the day-

Walk w/family- 1hr 53min 53sec, 12952steps, 146elev, 2.61ap, 75ahr, 90mhr, 5.09mi= 528c
Strava app= 617c
ROUVY home spin bike - strava stats- 7.03min, 103aw, 17.6amph, gear25, 83ahr, 92mhr, 2.06mi= 43c
Strava app= 40c
ROUVY stats- 7min, 41.4elev, 99aw, 17.7amph, 53arpm, 2.06mi= 40c
ROUVY home spin bike - strava stats- 1hr 22min 29sec, 110aw, gear25, 40.6amph, 88ahr, 107mhr, 55.82mi= 377c
Strava app= 520c
ROUVY stats- 1hr 22min 29sec, 110aw, 40.7amph, 55.82mi= 520c
Walk to Chinese place and back- 17.46min, 2008steps, 2.62ap, .79mi= 72c
Strava app = 96c
Walk kids - 5.30min, 474steps, .19mi= 32c
Strava app= 23c

Total cal 1052

1416.95 miles ahead

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Worked out on the stairstepper and then the rowing machine. Then cut the grass. Ceramics tonight

Rita – congrats on the new addition to your family. She’s so cute. What did you decide to name her?

Deb – that’s great that you don’t have to walk the dog. But what about those steps?

Heidi – so good to see you. Boy, you sure have had a lot going on

Lisa – I remember my grandmother had one end of her clothesline attached to the house so when it started to rain, she could just stand in the house and bring the clothes in. Haven’t thought of that in years. Thanks for making me think of it. I don’t even want to think about what those people threw in the bathtub.

Michele

Heather - that was a nice list to read. I agree that so many are just filling space.
I think every season of our life has its own challenges.Sorry you have another UTI

Mo - I hope you get good news about your DH’s interview.

Machka - I had that, seeing someone in a different situation, scenario happen last week. It took me a couple of hours to realize who it was.

Lisa - I have a table saw too, I used to have a scroll saw, but not any longer.
You put in a lot of work today!

Ginny - I agree, I would change bandages each time too. Sepsis can set in so easily.
Sitting sure wreaks havoc on us.

Rebecca - love those pics of Athena.

Lanette - I find I tread to keep the peace too. It’s so tiring.
I think I would be fairly content on my own.
They must be doing something different with electronics these days they seem to withstand a bit more water than they used to.

Ginny - My friends husband is retiring in June. He is on vacation for 5 weeks currently, will return for 3 days and that’s it. He thought that would give his replacement a good trial. My friend also works at the same plant, they have worked together for most of their married life. She said it’s taking some getting used to not seeing him there each day.

Carol - Congratulations to your granddaughter.

Machka - I use my iPhone for steps if I’m tracking. I don’t carry my phone with me all the time so I have low numbers some days.
I use Map my Walk when I’m on an intentional walk.

Barbie - one of our neighbours and I do that with our bins. We offer extra space if we have it.

Rita - what a cutie.

Lisa - I grew up in a little place that was seven miles from town. When you started out the road to our house there were a couple of decent houses, then about 3 miles in there was a cluster of what we called “tar paper shacks”, these houses had dogs chained up outside, garbage piled everywhere, no indoor plumbing or electricity. Once you drove past them it was mostly forest land and you reached our nearest neighbours and our place. I grew up in a run down house, with cold running water, no hot, no tub or shower, but our house was clean, terribly cluttered but clean.
My mother made us visit those houses just like we visited anyone else. She was one of the kindest people I know.
I used to hate going to those houses.

Well again it’s been a couple days.
I’m off to bed, will catch up more tomorrow.
Tracey in Edmonton

The painter finished the bedroom yesterday. It looks wonderful. I've ordered a new mattress cover, because the old one had lost its elastic, and it would never lie flat, a gorgeous glass 20s style light shade, blackout curtains, which will not be quite full enough, but I can always order more, or put up with them, and a white lampshade for my lovely metal lamp, which is currently upstairs with me, but will replace one of the cheap ones I originally had in the bedroom. I love a repurpose! I also am going to use an Anglepoise dupe I have upstairs for the other side of the bed. All the purchases were incredibly inexpensive from Amazon. The bedside table has been painted to match, so I have been quite frugal!

I asked my son to come over around lunchtime to help get the dresser top back on its base. John found it very hard getting it down, and didn't feel he could lift it up. There will be three of them this time, as the painter is starting on the front porch today. My son is also going to bring us an old TV, to see if we would like it. I don't like TVs to be too large, so if I don't like it in the small living room, it can go in John's study, on the wall. Our old TV has lost all its Internet, even through a Firestick, so we record everything. I'm inclined to stick with that and just use John's one if necessary. I watch most catchup on my tablet.

At some point, I'm intending to go to M&S to buy new bed linen. I've seen a white set I like, with a texture. I've also seen a great set on Amazon, so I'm torn, but I can only stretch to one set at the moment. If I have time, I will get my watch battery changed. Depends how long my son is here.

My ex says he's feeling a bit better. My brother had a good birthday yesterday. I sent him the flower card I painted that I was very proud of. I think he's worth it. He told me he loved it. He still can't eat normally.

It was nice to see the girls yesterday, although Edie is gradually changing into a teenager. Very introspective. She has got the villain part in the school production of the Lion King, so was very quietly learning her part. She is not a natural performer, but seems keen. She was doing all this while playing a game of Monopoly.

Love you all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Plus walking, of course. Today I'll finish with about 11,000 steps, or at least, 11,000 steps with my phone in hand.

Machka in Oz

Barbie, could Annie be grieving too and is taking it out on the pillows?

Can you take her to a dog training place to see what they have to say about the pillows and getting involved with your dancing?

M in Oz

Lanette … glad your watch survived its washing!

I took my apple watch off so I could bathe the dog (why I don't know because it was waterproof) and then when I went to put it back on I dropped it on the ceramic tile floor. The crystal face shattered. I thought to just replace it with a newer model and then found out that my current iPhone will not support the newer watch models. In fact my iPhone itself will no longer be supported by Apple later this year. I hate built in obsolescence! I can get a new phone "free" from my carrier, but then need to change my old grandfathered cell plan to one of the newer plans. So now my son and husband are looking to upgrade their phones too as they will also be "free" if we change plans. I have to sit down and figure out how much it will actually cost us if we go through with the new phones/new plan deal. Arghh!

Barbie … I would be upset too if my dog destroyed something while I wasn't home. While we allow our lab to roam in a section of the house through the day/night, when we leave the house for any length of time, he is put in his crate. All my dogs have been crate trained and most found them to be their safe places.

Barbie … I also found that after my son died my life was much easier … but it will never be as rich.

It is time to look for a new mattress for my husband's and my bed. I hate shopping for a new mattress but the one we're currently sleeping on is causing both of us to wake up hurting more than when we went to bed. It's an old mattress and definitely past due to be replaced. I just hate having to cough up more money!

Margaret … were you near or affected by those tornadoes that went through the Minneapolis area?

We had a thunderstorm roll through our area earlier this morning, but the rest of the day looks sunny. I'm doing laundry (with the annoying agitator-less washer) and then going to my Mom's facility. They're having a basket raffle this week to raise funds for the senior's activities and my mom wants to see what they have to offer. Drawing is this afternoon. On Wednesday they had declared it 50s week and all the aides/staff were wearing Pink Lady silk jackets or other things that looked like the 50s (polka dots, poodle skirts, scarves, etc). Decorations galore … overkill in my opinion actually… but everyone was having a good time.

Have a good day!

Beth near Buffalo

while I was here kirby was taking off the kitchen doors and knobs and cleaning and repainting them. I had picked out a color for the background and he did that part while I was gone. I love it. It’s a pale shade of green.

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Rita - I'm so excited for you, love that adorable new puppy! Have you named her yet?

Carol - I forgot to mention what an honor for Callie! She's a hard worker and will make a great pediatrician, if that's the path she ultimately chooses. Hope your DH is doing a lot better!

Rebecca - did you end up getting a new Fire tablet? I decided to get another 8" one. Excellent prices right now. The one I had, which FB no longer supports, was 5 years old so I got good use out of it. My DH had a 10" one that I sometimes use to watch TV series, but an 8" is better for most things.

Beth - I hear you on the obsolescence thing! Fire tablet, above, lol. Not looking forward to the mandatory W11 looming in a few months.

Allie - so glad you got to spend the weekend with Doris. She's fortunate to have you in her life.

Tracey - the story of your mother visiting the neighbors reminded me so much of my grandmother. She didn't drive, and when we kids would visit her (the adjacent farm, we'd cut through the cornfield) she'd often take us along to walk down the road a few miles and deliver some of her fresh produce to other neighbors. Some of them were very poor, all had indoor plumbing as I recall, but sagging wallpaper, peeling linoleum, that type of thing. I remember the different smells. Grandma would have a pleasant conversation with them and we kids would sit still and listen to the grownups talk. We considered it such a privilege to be with her on her "welfare walks."

Heather - glad the painter is making good progress. Glad you were able to connect with your Ex and your brother.

Pip - glad you didn't come down with the crud! Going to La Connor next year sounds like a wonderful plan. Kirby did a fabulous job on your kitchen, as always.

Barbie - sorry Annie thinks her job is to tear up pillows. There are definitely plusses and minuses to having dogs, when we live by ourselves. As I mentioned, Rosie isn't a chewer but she likes to go into the bedrooms to pee now and then, even when I'm home! So there's a baby gate I have to pull across the master bedroom doorway and broken down cardboard boxes in the doorways of the other 2 bedrooms - can't keep the doors closed because of the HVAC which needs to circulate the air. I think our dogs mourn when our spouses pass away; their world changes too. Not sure how to fix this. If I ever get another pup, it will be crate trained like Sophie was - she had to be since we both were till working. Rosie was crated as a pup but we never really enforced it since DH was retired and home all of the time.

Had fun with T yesterday. The gallery was awesome (I did break down and buy a cute card) and the bakery… let's just say I got in my sugar quota for the month, though I didn't go too overboard.

Today is another day of chilly, wet, damp weather. It's 47F right now and I'm tempted to put on another sweatshirt even though the heat is on and house warm. Decided to not stress about the fast-growing lawn - everyone is in the same boat, almost literally, lol.

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

You're right, Lisa. I am a suburban girl through and through. Although, I am not put off by outhouses. I've used plenty of them, from back when Oregon state campgrounds had communal water spigots and outhouses. We camped a lot, so there's that. We also worked in the fields in the summer picking beans, strawberries, and marionberries, so lots of experiences with outhouses there too. (I used to flirt with the "weigh-boys," usually also boys I went to school with. Ahh the days before strict child labor laws.)

We had a burn pile when we lived in Kansas, but we also had curbside garbage service. I just am having a hard time wrapping my head around the extent of the trash you are dealing with. Pardon if my city girl slip is showing through! 😆I enjoyed living in Kansas, on the edge of town with foxes, bobcats, and coyotes, but I am much more comfortable in my suburban enclave. (Although my husband and I have both commented that we do miss our Kansas burn pile.)

Flea

Willamette Valley, OR

DH named the puppy Lucy Lu. We are watching a TV series called Elementary about Holmes and Watson in today’s world. Lucy Liu plays Watson. I wanted something more like Star, but Lucy won out. She has adjusted well. Our Shi-Tzu is 13 years old and looks at Lucy with disdain. LOL. Wicket doesn’t do anything but try to ignore a 4 month old puppy that wants to play. LOL. Today we have to go through the paperwork for our Bottomless Lakes hosting position and go to town to get puppy supplies. Definitely something for her to chew on and a collar. I want a crate, but DH doesn’t. We will see.

Move yesterday went well. Easy move back to our spot at the Bottomless Lakes. Everybody really happy we are back! It seems they had a mess of problems while we were gone! They understand what we do now. I’m glad of that!

Sorry about the Thought for Today yesterday. I’m not sure if I sent it, or it didn’t post because it was about a beaver and it’s dam. It was cute. So I’ll do 2 for today.

Thought for today:

Did you know Corduroy pillows ar popular right now?

They are making headlines!

What do you call a naughty lamb dressed up like a skeleton for Halloween?

Baaaaad to the bone!

RVRita in Bottomless Lakes