WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2025

Did Firm Body Sculpting System DVD then one part of Ultimate Power Yoga DVD. Took Ganon for a short walk, put a load of laundry in, then WalMart and bought gas. Made yogurt (well, it’s still in the IP), some zucchini pineapple muffins (I think I may have used too much zucchini), went in the pool, now here. Also made applesauce since I got 2 bags of apples from the soup kitchen. It’s only worth it to make if you get the apples for free, otherwise it’s better to buy it.

For the applesauce, I donated my immersion blender since this was the only thing I used it for. Now the applesauce is pretty chunky. I guess I can put it in my blender, but what’s wrong with chunky?

Kim – almost all my clothes come from a thrift store. But I do find that the cost of chocolate chip cookies (store brand) is less than making it myself once you add up the cost of the chocolate chips, the flour, eggs, butter (yikes!), and other things you need, the ones already made are less expensive. I do take advantage of this thing that our pharmacy has. If you get five prescriptions filled (and we usually do), you get a coupon for $2 off anything (not prescriptions). Just recently I got this floor cleaner which they ell for $7.49 and a bottle of conditioner all for something like 38cents. LOL my gym membership is free because I have BCBS of NC as mysupplement. I’m also entitled to some exercise equipment (I just ordered yoga blocks, previously I got stretchy handle band. I think next month I’ll get this pickleball set. What happens is I get a certain amount of money in my “wallet”. The bad part is that every month they pay my gym membership out of that money so I’ll never be able to get the yoga mat since that costs more than I’d have in my “wallet” after taking out the membership) Most of my exercise DVD’s come from thrift stores, too. Those don’t get used much, if at all. Personally, I don’t understand some of the kids who work at BK. They get soda for free. Yet, they buy it. Why?

Pip – our other cats are Chewy and Yoda! My neighbor’s dog is named Rocky and one time I asked the girl where Bullwinkle was. She looked at me like I was from another planet. I think more people know the Charlie Brown characters than the Lucy ones. If you use the Lucy one, you may have to explain your choice of name

Thriftiness? – I was raised by my grandmother who raised her family during the depression. NOTHING got thrown away unless it was absolutely threadbare. Anyway, when she used up a jar of, say, sauce, she would rinse it saying “we paid for that”. I have a hard time breaking myself of this, I have gotten to where I might rinse it out only once, tho. But I can still hear her saying “we paid for that” every time I wipe the butter off the wrapper...lol

kylia – yea for good blood work and big horray for the MD coming back

Lisa – I, too, never thought of using public bathrooms as saving money, only that much less going into my septic. I love my freezer because I can buy something on sale and keep it frozen. Like I STILL have some butter in the freezer from when it was $1.69 a pound. Will be sad when this is all used up and I have to start paying $3 a pound. Isn’t the prices of going out to eat ridiculous? I can’t understand Jess, she’s asked us many times how to save money, we always tell her not to eat out as often. Does that stop her? She’s moving (temporarily here) and she wanted us to come up there to get some food she can’t bring. Not worth a trip just for that. She told Vince they were going to rely on takeout. Why not use up the food if you can? Jess likes to grow things but I don’t think it saves that much money. I do have to say, tho, that the tomatoes and basil taste real good. Actually, when she brought the basil plant here, I thought it was mint! Goes to show you what kind of gardener I am. So glad Dakota is working out

Barbara – crying for you not being able to make croutons

I try to combine trips as much as possible. Like when I went to WalMart I also bought gas

Rosemarie – you don’t have to tell me about heat. The air temp today was 98. the pool was a chilly 93 <smirk>

Money saver – we changed all the fluorescent bulbs to LED’s. Now THAT was a saving especially at Christmas time.

Jess said she wants to come here and bring some things that she doesn’t want the movers to handle like things from MIL and my father. Actually, I think in some respects it’s really to see her cats. Like why couldn’t she take it in the car with her when they came here tomorrow? Because she wants to see her cats, that’s my thought. Also, maybe she wants a break from all the packing. Maybe she wants to get away for a bit from Colby and his indecisiveness

Flea – Vince retired for about the same reason. Mars was a really good company when the brothers ran it. But now the children are and it’s so different. They made Vince an offer he couldn’t refuse (mainly to get rid of the highest paid executives so they could hire someone else at a lower pay. That’s something the brothers wouldn’t have done)

Annie – Talked to Jess tonight. Now Colby is saying that they’ll probably just use their queen size mattress to keep things simple. What we’ve been saying all along. He asked Vince something about using one of the tables. Honestly, we don’t know what he wanted. Oh well, he’s probably stressing some. I do think they’ll decide to use the queen mattress.

Saving money: I also get my hair cut at the local college’s salon

Beth – sorry about the mattress

Michele NC

Good evening

I had to retire,well go on disability because of the 2 open heart surgeries at 60 and now im strictly on social security and Medicare with a supplement

Since the transplant I have found out the tremors are from one of the meds I take.im also having a lupus flare...the heat does me in if it is hot and sticky outside, you will find me inside

I envy all of you that get up and go..

Good morning my friends!

Dad had a headache and backache yesterday. He didn't get out of bed until 4 pm. Then he wouldn't sit still, so the heating pad was impossible. Such an impatient baby as a patient. He wouldn't eat the cheese sandwich I made, but he had two servings of ice cream. No fever and no lopsided pain.

Today will be a challenge. I need a few groceries, and I have an outpatient thing at the gynecologist. My sitter will have to deal with Dad or else I can cancel. I'm supposed to get cupcakes for Dad to take to his class tomorrow but I don't know if he will go.

Heather and Terri Yay for England women Lions!

Beth Darn that new mattress! These chores are supposed to be easy but they expand!

Ginny love your new adventure!

Rori compassionate lie is a helpful term. Thanks! Plus I'm glad you have no regrets.

Flea IT in the US was a terrible work environment. Our boss thought we would work faster if he pushed us constantly. There was one guy who tried to control access to everything as a power play. But the actual work was fun.

Allie hope you feel better. Maybe they can find a different medication to reduce the tremors?

Have a great day! May you all be happy, healthy, safe and free!

Annie in Delaware

Good morning ladies.💖💐

I did not sleep well last night, was a bit "bound up" internally so that was not fun. Finally dealt at about 2 am, so at least I didn't have a sore lower backache anymore. But this morning my belly is sore. I know its from the Chinese food I ate yesterday. We decided on going to our favorite Chinese restaurant for lunch, and I planned out my meal as best I could. I decided on 1 cups worth of cashew chicken with 2 pot stickers. No rice. Well we ordered from the lunch menu and it came with other stuff. So I have 2 crab ragoons, plus egg flower soup plus my food leftovers. I sipped a lot of water throughout. I used the plate that was under my egg flower soup as my meal plate. Either that or actually take a measuring cup with me to measure a cups worth, and I wasn't brave enough to pull that one off. I was going to have the same for dinner but I just couldn't. Ended up eating some chicken nuggets, and raw veggies. Snack was a Muscle Milk protein carton and a protein bar. Probably what did it. I need to eat more protein not drink it.

Was about to video chat with youngest and he was quite the reclusive hermit. He hadn't shaved for awhile, thank goodness the Navy isn't requiring him to actually report in anywhere, he's just off the radar. He starts his home infusions this week with Skyrizi. Its not really an injection pen like my Zepbound is, but a more compact thing that attaches to his abdomen and is a 8 min process. Today he is heading to the commissary to buy food, (he slept in and just spaced out going this weekend). I ordered him to buy a salad bag! "When was the last time you ate a salad"? I also told him to check out the precooked steak bits, and grilled chicken next to the chicken nuggets and frozen fries. He needs protein! He did admit that he has gone by the rotisserie chicken and said they do look good. But he didn't know how he was going to get it home. I'm like just buy some large gallon zip lock bags and double bag it. Then just eat off it. Here's him showing us his 5 o'clock shadow!

Rebecca Whidbey Wa

This morning Joe said he’d thought of something we could do together. We could get matching recliners and turn the man cave into a home theater, watch movies together. “Maybe then you’ll stay home more” ;} Yes his recliner badly needs replacing. Yes I need to devote more time to hanging out with him. Just need to figure out how to maintain my activity level while trying to make time with him during his wake/sleep cycle… (rises between 11pm and 1 am, turns in between 2 and 4 pm.)

Pip I liked “Sally” but really prefer “Ethel Mertz” ;}

Barbie love that Annie thinks you are “sexier than a squirrel” ;}

Rosemarie always happy to see you pop in. Yours to Flea, so very very well said.

Flea I was wondering the same as Machka, thanks for filling us in. Hard for you to listen to him go over and over his hate my job/afraid to retire conversation. Nothing you can do to ease his financial fears. Would he need a doctorate to teach in community college? Deep breaths until his balance tips. ;}

Allie ((hugs)) seems like it’s never just one thing but always three or more…

Machka “…sometimes convenience and sanity come before good financial decisions” Yes this. IMHO choosing sanity (especially in your stressful situation) is always a sound financial decision.

Annie did your sister notice any change in your Dad? Or is she too laid back to notice?

Rita “legendary Pharaoh Rocher” made me snort my tea ;} “…others’ right to self determination” insightful. Needed to hear this and will keep this phrase in front of me today when worrying about our line dance teacher. Fingers X’s for tomorrow’s kidney doc appointment.

Lanette aha you beat me to Flea with suggestion for her DH. Yes! Like you I am not a tofu person, have tried many times and always failed. I get the frozen edamame in the pod at Grocery Outlet, heat up some water in the double boiler, and cook it for just a few minutes. Plop it in a bowl, sprinkle with some kosher salt. Do NOT eat the pods they are not snap peas! Instead put the pod in your mouth, clamp down with your teeth to squeeze the beans out and discard the pod. Good high protein/fiber snack, thanks for the reminder!

Rori Hooray for seeing N on Wednesday! Like Debbie said it is possible to RV with a cat. Joe and I lived in a 24 ft mobile home from November ’96 through March ’97 with a 95 lb German Shepherd Dog, a cat and from February with a 16 yr old nephew. Moved it to Boise in January, a bit of climate shock for this native San Franciscan.

Michele never fear, there is still time to make croutons! ;)

Carol great insight to Flea about the junco.

Rebecca con VERY grats on the 25 lbs. Great advice to your youngest. What is it about guys and salads ? SMH.

Lisa please send Dakota west, wouldn’t she like to cool off at the Oregon Coast for awhile?

Action for happiness
27-grateful for compatible/cheerful fellowship crew, knee pain passed with the front, Joe.
28-learned that it’s ok to not know what the future of line dance class will be. Schedule, hope, trust.

OMG room progress
Surprise! Wrote note to K, recycled her notes along with Azure August catalog. Low hanging fruit ;}

Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

July focus: Just one thing from the OMG room. Really.
2025: Chose NOW: to move more than yesterday (see action plan), fuel better than yesterday (hold that after dinner sweet down to two pieces of dark chocolate max), open heart and mind before mouth

NASTY STORMS, Lanette, and apparently there are even MORE NASTIER ones coming tonight. Watch out Margaret. They're headed straight for us. We were fine. They really skirted the south metro, oddly. DARK skies, lots of wind, lightening and thunder and of course a bunch of rain, but no damage here and we had our power the whole time. But ALL around us, 75,000 people ended up without power and there was quarter-sized hail, a bunch of straight-line wind damage, several tornado sightings, one confirmed in Appleton, which is almost to SD and one large tornado in Watertown, SD. So yeah, nasty night and more on the way.

Say your prayers for everyone.

Love and Blessings
Carla, in MN

MFP Weekly Check-In 7-28-25

Debbie in Napa Valley, CA - 154.2-dressed- so down a pound. Surprised as I was eating a salty snack(Filipino corn nuts) right before bed ;) 2 1/2 weeks and I will be back out walking the wetlands a couple days a week again. Ezie will be back in school.

Rita in Roswell, NM -

Down 1 pound from last Monday. Still going the right way. I am solidly in the 170's now. My small goal is the next 5 pounds to 175. Met my first goal of under 180. I'm happy with the progress. Lucy has a lot to do with it. I'm much more active since I got her!

Barbara on the Southern Oregon Coast - Average wt down to 130.8 from 131.2 !

Average steps UP to 7844 from last week's 7187 (not 7230 oops!) but crashed yesterday at 5874. Ps@2s habit going strong except for skipping sometimes for mid sleep peein'… 

AF days back to 71% from 86%  but anything better than 50% is acceptable. 10 mins step up/knee lifts, shoulder mobility and/or PT, split squats or dynamic balance slipping only Monday, Friday and Saturday.

If your balance is strong and the biceps curls aren't challenging enough, some gals used to do overhead presses standing on platform with one leg while lifting knee up.  SMH ;}

Sue in WA - Weighed in at 232 this week. Breakfasts are still doing OK and eating sfter dinner. Lunches were better several days this week. I will continue to work on those. Still need to cut back on sugar overall. Exercise went pretty well this week but chair yoga has been cancelled for the month of August so the kids can have the room. I think I am becoming a cranky old lady as I really resent having to give up my program for the kids.

Lanette in SW WA State- Weight still a little bit over desired range, but trending down. Average daily steps 8044 – up a bit from last week. Getting in a 15 minute sunrise walk on my private road. Still carrying weights for 10-15 minutes 2 or 3 times a day after meals. Back to the gym this past week for treadmill and suitcase carries.

Lanette … I add shelled edamame to stir fries! I love their texture.

Breast surgeon dismissed me as a patient today. Six month follow-up mammogram was perfect, exam was perfect, no changes so I'm dismissed with the words and "we hope we don't see you again." Yay! Back to regular yearly mammograms.

Visited my mom who was being ornery today with her staff. She was, however, a hoot with her sarcastic witticism and she had us laughing. She's a spicy one.

Beth near Buffalo

Came straight home from work since Jess is going to be here with her stuff. The movers got there around 9 so we thought they’d probably be here early in the afternoon. Well...seems they’re having trouble loading the truck so they don’t expect to leave until 3 which would get her here around 5 – 5:30

Flea – we were constantly having birds getting into our garage and then not being able to get out or it taking them a long time to get out. What we did was put this frosting on the windows last year and so far this year we haven’t had a single bird in the garage.

Lanette – I really like edamame. I usually get the shelled variety(can’t be bothered shelling it myself). I usually just microwaveit a bit

Lisa – send Dakota East and she can go swimming to cool off aftershe’s finished

Beth – yea for dismissals!!!!

Well, Jess said they had problems with the moving van (don’t know exactly what) but she should be here shortly.

Michele NC

meet Ethel Mertz Schlotterback