WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JUNE 2025

Did Firm’s Total Sculpt plus Abs DVD, took Ganon for a walk, then went to WalMart and bought gas. Went in the pool, now here, then have dinner, take Ganon for another walk, take a shower and bed.

Got this bowl that’s collapsible that I can attach to Ganon’s leash so he can have a drink when we go on a walk. Also got him a slow feeder because Jess has already forgotten hers twice, so we’ll just have one here. Vince got him an extra large mat to keep here so that when he takes a drink, water doesn’t go everywhere on the floor

Barbara – you’ve given me something to think about regarding cooking for Jess and Colby. I’m going to suggest that maybe she cook on M,W,F and I’ll cook on Tu, Th, and Sat. We’ll figure out something for Sun. Maybe it’ll be “finish up the leftovers” or going out or just plain old pizza. I would, however, like to plan the menu for at least the next week so that I can minimize how often I have to go to the store for ingredients.

Oh, I didn’t lose one of my earrings! I just never put it in. I found it on the bathroom vanity, right where I leave them before I put them in.

Made an apple cake. Got a few bags of apples from the soup kitchen. Why people didn’t take them, I have no idea. They are so good. Hopefully, they’ll still have some next Friday.

Have yogurt in the IP. It should be ready later tonight and then I’ll let it drip overnight.

Ginny – how wonderful for you.

Lisa – Corey would never want you to compromise your health. I took Ganon for a walk early because I wanted to do it before it got too hot out. Continue to take care of yourself

Carla – my neighbor’s hubby had knee replacement and he’s in a lot of pain. Yet, I was talking to a woman at the soup kitchen Fri and she was telling me how her 85yearold father had knee replacement and was up and around the next day. Everyone is different

Carol – you are so right, GA DID have a lot rain in May. How well I remember those storms we drove thru going to the condo in early May! You couldn’t even see in front of you.

Working in the heat: I honestly don’t have a problem with the heat (add in humidity and then it’s another story). But the cold really bothers me to no end. Even at BK, I can be in the refrigerator during the winter as little as possible. But in July it doesn’t bother me one bit to stand in front of the broiler. So I really don’t have a problem working in the heat. I just don’t like that the sidewalk, retaining wall, etc. are hot.

Margaret – you wouldn’t have been maimed for life unless the doctor did something. I’ve had numerous fiberadinomas removed (my breasts look like train tracks)but I’m not maimed. You know something, at my age I probably wouldn’t go thru chemo if ever I had cancer. I’d want to enjoy what life I had left, not be sick all the time. I certainly don’t want to have cancer, but I don’t know that I’d go thru chemo at this point in my life. But I fully support anyone who decides that chemo is the right choice for them

pip – beautiful ornaments. What material are they made of?

M – we did the same thing, walked home from school, to the grocery store, downtown,. Vince can’t believe how much I like to walk. I just wish there were more places around here that you could walk to. That’s one thing that I love about FL. I can walk to the postoffice, grocery store, dollar store, downtown, thrift store – all over

Lisa – how come you are no longer wearing your Fitbit?

Margaret – growing up, my a/c was “sleep by the window with it open”. Same for in the car “open the window”

Beth – lovely bathrooms. That’s an interesting cabinet, never seen one like it. I would think something like that might be good in a kitchen, too.

Bowling in a few.

Michele NC

Yeah geez Machka, IDK where you get your MRIs done, but once you're strapped in here in the US, there's no "easy to get out of" until they're done! The last one I had was two hours long and I was in from head to lower hip. That IS "a good portion of my body". So thanks so much for the compassion.

Last time they checked the cartilage in my knees Okie, they did an MRI to confirm the status. That's why I'm worried. I'm hoping their standard x-rays have gotten better since then.

All I know is that I have to talk to a surgeon or get another cortisone shot soon because just getting up and down from my desk chair is getting troublesome. I'm using an app called LazyFit to make sure that I move on a regular basis during the day so my knees don't get stiff, but they're still sore when I stand up at the end of a day.

I've always been a pragmatist, Margaret! My GP knows this. He's not particularly happy about it, but he knows it and respects it. We play our little game every year at my annual exam. Still has to ask me the same questions and already knows the answers. Was the same way with the vaccines. smh... "I'll deal with whatever comes, if it ever comes."

Thanks Barbara... glad someone can feel my "pain"

God Bless you, Flea. So happy that you're feeling "well" and you're here. One of my J/SH bestie's three kids all had their breasts removed after being tested for that "gene"... AFTER the oldest survived breast cancer. They realized that it was genetic and the youngest was his son. He had the gene too. smh... But they're cancer free, thank God.

Pip, those memorial ornaments are beautiful.

LOVE bridges! (which is kind of odd considering the 35W bridge collapse was so close to home) But Freddy and I think bridges are just awesome! We love architecture in general, so anything cool or funky or amazing. Would love to do the Sydney Harbor Bridge, but I can't imagine ever getting to Australia. Far too long a trip for either of us with my knees and Freddy's back. The Mackinac Bridge in MI is amazing! Silly, but our favorite is just the tiny, little Lift Bridge in Duluth, MN. Could sit and watch that thing all day, every day. Not that he was qualified or anything, but Freddy actually put in an application the last time that there was an opening for an operator, just to say that he'd applied. (gawd, my hubby is a dork 🙄) The next Big, BIG trip that we want to do after I retire is the Keys.

That's all I've got for today.

Love and Blessings
Carla, in MN

Hello to all.

I have to admit, I’m a bit envious of your heat. It’s again chilly, windy, and gloomy in Southern California. I look forward to sweating a bit and enjoying outdoor evening meals and drinks when I’m in Ireland soon.

Rosemarie-I have a similar desire to go somewhere and write where I don’t feel like I have to be a tourist. It likely won’t happen.

The MRIs I’ve had were also not completely enclosed, depending on what was being a scanned. I wasn’t strapped in either. They just told me to hold still. For my knee, only the lower legs went in. It took 15 mins. I don’t find them bothersome or even particularly loud. The neighbor’s non-stop barking dog is far more bothersome. I think some of you may have had older equipment, maybe. I have compassion, because I’ve seen claustrophobia, but I can’t relate.

I also like heights. I love roller coasters, Ferris wheels, thrill rides. I even spent time in a sensory deprivation chamber. The only things that bother me are things that spin.

Tracey-I’m so glad you are taking that trip. It’ll be good for your soul.

Beth-The bathroom looks great!

Lisa-I’m envious of the energy you have to do outside work in the yard. I despise yard work in all its forms.

Machka-I hope your van troubles are easy to fix.

I’ve been doing a weekly hike fairly consistently, for about 6 weeks now. It’s good for me and the mister. We are boring each other and really need time away from each other. He had another surgery last Tuesday to replace the unscrewing screw. We are back to walking 3 miles a day. He still has pain, but barely a limp and we are keeping under 20 minute miles.

I’m having trouble keeping my calories in check these days. I don’t have an excuse. I just feel hungry and tired all the time, so I think I have to eat. It’s not dehydration. That’s one thing that is in control. I have 1.6 pounds I’d like to lose in 2 weeks, which I just don’t think will be reasonable.

I hope you all have a great week.

Tina In CA

Beth - great job on bathroom!

Margaret - I agree we have control over somethings.

Flea - my mother in her 80's did well with chemo for a couple of years. Like you two days after she would feel fatigued. After a couple of years it lost its effectiveness for her. Her docs were willing to keep trying but one day she said "You know, I am done with this and don't want to start another course." (after tumors were spreading). Her oncologist told her "I am at peace with your decision" and she said "So am I." At 86, her body was just tired. But she had 2-three years of pretty good quality of life. I think you have had excellent results. When I was first diagnosed in 1996, my boys were 8 and 5. All I wanted was to see them graduate (they would be raised then). Now they are in their 30s and fathers, and I'm still kicking around! As my oncologist said last week, everyone's biology is different, and their cancers are different. I'm making my decisions a recurrence at a time.

Well that's enough philosophy for me tonight. Got home from work and called group that helps with the Ohio Public Retirement system linkage to retirement insurance. Signed up. Got medigap plan I want and a drug plan for 0 monthly cost. My two current prescriptions will cost $60 a year. My medigap plan is covered by the HRA I get (with some money left over) and my part B will come out of husband's social security I get. I feel comfortable starting out. I feel very blessed with the retirement I have.

As much as I hate to go outside, I need to get trash out to the curb. Trash collectors are starting very early this week due to the heat.

Take care all,

Ginny in Ohio

Pictures to go with the above post.

I'm sorry for the medical trauma you and your family have gone through. It is not the experience of all, and I hate to hear people make pronouncements ahead of time based on traumatic experiences that might not play out in their case.

I think it's also important to consider that the misery may have been the cancer not the drugs. One online associate I knew was miserable taking the drugs I am doing well on. She wanted to feel "normal" again, so went off of them. Turned out she didn't feel a bit better. It was her cancer that was making her feel the most miserable, not the drugs at all. :(

Cancer and other chronic illnesses just suck. There's no sugar coating it

Take care.

Flea

Willamette Valley OR