WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JUNE 2025

With Doris and Rowan at the vet waiting on the vet to come in the office.

We are having a streak of rainy weather. Fortunately the young men who are putting in the windows are getting them done quickly and will be done with this phase soon.

Spoiler alert to melt downs…

Only had two melt downs in this process. The first was with Drew I took her to son's house and she got hold of a bone that looked like it was from some wild animal. She got mad at me and proceeded to chew on the deck I spent a good week painting last summer. It made it through the winter well because of the mild winter we had.I will fix the damage she made once we are out of our rainy streak. Fortunately we drove down to see my other son and she stayed in the back seat and son walked her when I got there. I told her I know she was mad at me because I took her bone, but chewing on the deck was not allowed!

Melt down number two was with the salesman for the windows. When I ordered them I thought all the staining and varnishing would be done off site so I agreed to pay for it. NOOO! I have to have another crew in to do the work in about two weeks. If he had better explained the process why it cannot be done ahead of time and why I might not have gotten upset. If when he called last night right when I sat down to eat and told him to call back in 15 minutes because I just sat down to eat might not have gotten so upset he did not call back. If when I called three weeks ago and said if that was the case of having another crew in I will do that job myself and he had gotten back to me I might not have gotten so upset. If he at that time explained to me this is part of the contract and the stainers will be paid whether I have them do the work or not. If he had not shown up at 8 in the morning just when I had finished mowing my lawn (not an ideal time but the window installers were coming and rain is coming by the time they leave) At 6:50 he e-mailed me to tell me he was coming, but I was out mowing so I did not get the e-mail. He then gave me the detailed reasons why it was good to have this stainer and that the stainer would need to be paid regardless. At 8 the installers came and I was busy with last minute details I had to do for the process,to answer their questions, and to make sure they had everything they needed to do the job. His timing to finally have the stainer discussion was beyond terrible. (I ordered the windows in March) I reminded him I was here all day and he could have called and or stopped by then. He said he was busy with other customers until 5:30. That is why he called when he did. One on the installers heard us and I liked what he said. Given they were doing the job for me right now I should have been on the top of the customer list. As he left I told him I would set up everything with the stainers which I quickly did and relied info back to him so I would no longer have to communicate with him.

I told him I would not write a review about our miscommunication and would give the installers outstanding reviews. He tried to defend himself by he takes pride in his communication skills. Maybe with others but with me not so much. See examples above…

My response to his defense is I told him the biggest take away is not to show up right when the installers come and the home owner is overwhelmed in all they have to do with getting ready for such a big project. To hopefully learn from this so the next person has a better understanding of the staining option, and he shows better judgement how daunting this process can be for the customers especially when she is doing all the prep work by herself.

He offered to have me work with someone else. I did not respond, but if and when I decide to have more windows done I will ask for a different point person to work with. I do like the windows and the installer crew is doing a wonderful job!

It is oddly refreshing that I have no regrets in speaking up for myself.

My take away is ask for more information about a project expectations, details, and talk to others more about their experiences. Give myself time to think things through. Speak up sooner if I think communication is lacking.

Rebecca I notice since losing the 25+ pounds the heat does not bother me as much. I am not so quick to turn on AC on the hot days. Figure I am no longer carrying around the equivalent to a fur coat.

After months and months of trying to make the intermittent fasting work for me, its nice to just not do that anymore. I just eat when I am hungry, some mornings I splurge and have half a piece if toast with a sausage Pattie and lovely fried egg on top but that's maybe once a week. Most of the time its just a shake. Most lunches are a piece of turkey, cheese and 50/50 salad mix in a protein tortilla. Dinner is whatever. More options there. I do bring out my veggie platter and snack on raw veggies a bit.

Tonights dinner is simply 3 chicken tender bits, with some fat free dressing and veggies. No fanfair.😁

Rebecca Whidbey Wa

Rori - I loved the Beach Boys too. My daughter and I saw them a few years ago here in Edmonton.
I think you have a wonderful part time job.

Heather - I can’t wait to see your painting, I have faith that it will be as you imagined.

Annie - I would tell my Mom to if she asked if my Dad had passed. I wouldn’t bring it to her first though.
I think dish soap and scrubbie would work on the hand rail. You can sit on your bottom and do it so you’re not standing.

Machka - hope you aren’t too sick if you get it.I love your colouring.

Beth - My DH wouldn’t know either. I have to write everything down for my girls to help him.

Barbie - I need a new vacuum too. I bought a cheap stick vacuum for the only room with carpet, but it doesn’t do anything.

Ginny - I hope you have positive news at the specialists
Are you using up a lot of vacation and sick time before your retirement.

Rebecca - I once read a magazine article explaining how we needed to learn to eat properly. It consisted of eating only when you had hunger pangs, not being distracted while eating, using a smaller plate and putting the fork down between bites. It helped me lose 25+ lbs.
I need to remember those rules again.

Pip - I think black or white would make your dragonfly’s pop!

One of my coworkers lost their garage, all contents, including both vehicles in a fire in the early morning hours this morning. Thankfully, their house and neighbours house didn’t go up as well.
There was damage, but from melting not fire.

There was no ceramics tonight, the new owners are revamping the place. They bought April 1 and wanted to get a feel before deciding what changes to make.

I’m just being lazy tonight, we got such a tiny amount of rain today I should go water my flowers.

Tomorrow is our anniversary. 38 years.

Tracey in Edmonton

Hello ladies!

I'm afraid I'm a bit of a grumpy cuss tonight. I developed my annual UTI (I've gotten one pretty much every year since I was 5-ish years old and underwent tests as a kid to try and figure out why I get them so regularly). My previous PCP knew that I knew my own body and had experienced them for decades and I could just call him, and he would call me in a prescription. Sadly, he suffered a stroke a passed away several years ago. Since then, I can't even tell you my Dr's name because I get a new resident Dr every year. So, that being said, I know have to go leave a urine sample each time. OK, I get it, times are changing. But I told them on Wednesday that I had a UTI and went in to pee in a cup like a good lil girl. My online patient access showed the results after office hours that same night and of course my leucocytes were abnormal, and my bacteria was 4+, so I expected that they would call me the next day saying they had called me in a prescription. No call. Then this morning the nurse left a message for me to call them and when I did, the receptionist told they need me to come in a leave another urine sample! I was like "what the heck?!" and asked reception to please have the nurse call me and explain it to me. They never called me back today, meanwhile I am another 2 days in discomfort when I should already be kicking it out with meds. I am disabled and on a fixed income, I can't afford to be paying co-pays for unnecessary extra visits. Grrr…. On an up note, I also saw the optometrist for the first time in several years and though I thought my eyes were getting worse, I was just wearing the wrong strength readers, Yay! The son/grandson had his last day as a 9th grader today and my schedule will hopefully loosen up a little without all the jazz band, concert band and choir classes, meets and performances.

Everyone, thanks for the compliments on DH photos of Maine. He is not a professional photographer but does have quite an artistic eye. He has won a couple of local photography contests and just enjoys exploring Maine and catching great shots. He has many more photos spanning decades, but they are almost all on slides. Many are from overseas when he was in the military.

Lisa, too funny about having to say "idolatry" three times to finally get it. I think that was the boy's issue as well, it was too early! I do love spending time with him. It is far too fleeting and his intentions for college as of now is not to attend one locally. 😔

RVRita, I also went through several surgeries, and I know how it can cause you to lose momentum and motivation. I was able to maintain with Karate, but my gym time definitely took a hit, and I don't go as frequently or for as long as I had been before. I'm sorry you had experienced an abusive relationship; I can totally agree that sparring him and getting your hits in must have felt good! I am great partnering with everyone in my class except for my dear son/grandson. I think he gets even with me for chores, etc. Because he is the only one who leaves me with bruises, LOL! 😄

Lanette, "Marital Arts" is too funny, but could potentially be an apt description of surviving marriage! I have to be careful typing your name, too. My cousin is names Lynnette, and I keep wanting to address you as such! 😄

Mo, thanks, I look forward to seeing your photos. We certainly have a lot of scenic coastline to capture. Some of the smaller communities along the coast are incredibly picturesque.

Rori, Thanks, Ogunquit is very quaint. Our favorite mini golf location is there, Raptor Fall, Dinosaurs! If you take route 1 up the coast you will pass through many scenic towns with tons of personality and fun to offer. Sorry to read about your cardiac issues. My son/grandson was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and enlarged aorta. It doesn't cause him issues now, but they expect it will as he ages, and he gets annual Ultrasounds and EKGs done. I hope yours turns out to be a minor nuisance with no lasting difficulties.

Annie, I'm so sorry to read about your dad. It's heartbreaking to see your parents' struggle. We lost my mom unexpectedly in 2012 and my dad last year. I don't think my dad ever got use to not having my mom around and we moved him into an in-law apartment in our home so I could look after him. Cancer arrived and took his eyesight and then him very quickly after. You have my respect and sincere sympathies, as I know you're not on an easy path.

Beth, after my mom passed, I had to take over paying my dad's bill for him for a time, he did eventually get the hang of it. But I was accustomed to it already as he and my mom would have me taking care of their bill for them while they travelled. However, I am quite concerned for my DH if anything happens to me. He is not in the least bit tech savvy and all of my accounts are accessed online. So, I really should get all my passwords together and hope our kids can help him should the time arise!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Goodnight!

Lorna in Maine 😊

Tracey - That is so me! My nap is sacrosanct. 😄

I'm thinking about a bath. I might just do it! 🎉

John is having anxiety attacks again, especially at bedtime. I talked him down last night and we had a long chat this morning, over our cup of tea. It doesn't usually last too long, but he is hypersensitive to worries about his family. His twin sister is on his mind, with Alzheimers, (he has just sent her a card for her 60th wedding anniversary), and he worries about his younger daughter, who is in a difficult stage of life. His elder daughter has recently found life looking up, so that's good. I made some suggestions, but people rarely take good advice. It will pass. It always does.

LLove to all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Worked from home. Still feeling OK. Went for a walk at lunch.

Machka in Oz

Margaret - I'm sure you'll be relieved when this project is done. I've been fortunate so far that everyone I've had in to do jobs around my place have been great. Partly because we're a small community and people aren't hesitant to give references, good and bad. But still, I'd rather there was someone else here to make these decisions. Good job speaking up for yourself!

Pip - love your garage sale finds and upcycling (is that a word? LOL). Everything you have looks lovely in your home.

Mo - so many decisions facing you right now. Sending hugs. Your days off are jam-packed!

Carol - glad your inner alarm went off when you got the scam caller. Now that my landline is working again, I have the answering machine hooked up (no ring, no answering but it does log caller phone# and info.) I'm getting 8 or 10 calls I don't recognize, all scammers or telemarketers I'm sure.

Rori - when you mentioned James Taylor is going to be performing, my brain kicked into "Fire and Rain" all day yesterday. It came out when I was a freshman in college and I wore that record out. Glad to hear they are keeping on top of your heart issues.

Kim - so glad to hear you are coming along well and have good help.

Heather - "Flowers" sounds like a fragrance I would like. I rarely wear any perfume these days, due to everyone's allergies it's no longer very fashionable tho I do like to wear something just for me at times. Sorry to hear about John's anxiety. Seeing our loved ones and friends going through medical issues as we age is depressing.

Annie - love reading about your day and challenges. So happy to have you back with us, good job on the weight loss.

Tracey - happy anniversary and hope things are settled down with Rodger and the expenditures. I miss my DH since he passed but I don't miss the stress he put me through with his spending on wants instead of needs, tho he did get a lot better during his final years. All of my harping finally sank in, lol. Watching that British farmer is on my list. 😁 I see his show pop up all the time. Wow, cigarettes are spendy these days! I remember when they were $1 a pack or less.

Rebecca - glad your plan is working for you. Isn't it nice to have clothing more comfortable.

Lorna - sorry to hear about the UTI and the medical mess trying to get a prescription - hope they get their act together today. Happy to hear you had better news at the optometrist.

Finished mowing yesterday, more weed eating. Some pruning. Mentally made a list of more little trees and bushes that Alex and the boys can cut and haul away by next year. I need Lisa and her tractor up here (or she can use mine) to move dirt and tear down some of the many planting beds in the back yard that DH created which are now mounds of weeds I can't mow over but need to weed eat. The hens enjoy tearing them up though.

You guys might get a kick out of my front entry. Those are fake flowers in the hanging basket by the way. No watering, no messing. I am not a flower person unless they self-seed and take care of themselves like the snapdragons that are taking over back by the potting shed. Anything in a pot or hanging is doomed, lol. The sign has helped keep unwanted visitors away, that and the beware of dog sign.

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

So glad you liked it, Rebecca. Those are so much fun to make. Look hard, but are really very easy.

Happy anniversary, Tracey! Hope you have a wonderful day.

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! And yes, I'M SINGING THAT SONG! I don't think I've ever been so happy to be out of school for the year. Well, unless you count 362 days from now. I might be a little more happy then. Ya never know. They're shipping me off to the DO next year, so I was not too thrilled to finish off the year while having to clean out my office. Next year it's going to be a tiny, little cubicle with a bunch of muckity-muck, admins surrounding me. 🙄 WHATever. But I guess it's only one year and my current boss, who I adore but didn't get the permanent position, got it arranged for me to be on a sort of stretch calendar where I'm able to work a couple days early in the year to prepare and several days later in the year to clean up. Then I get a bunch of random days off during the year; like an entire week off in October (MEA, our teacher convention), all of Thanksgiving week, and several random Fridays. That should make all of our lives a bit easier.

That's about it for me right now. Just enjoying my first free Friday. Going to plant some flowers in my Mommy garden for the new deck, once this rain stops. Then I'm going to ENJOY the new deck with some libations. hehehe…

Love and Blessings
Carla, in MN