WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2025

good morning, about to go to her first beach walk

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Hey, kids…

Finished up the piece I was working on yesterday, and now I'm going in and out moving the sprinkler every 15 minutes in the front yard. Already watered Corey's garden. This way I get a lot of steps in, and conserves some water. I set a timer on my phone to remind me to go back out and change it. I can stay inside in the cool, so I don't get too hot - it's already 85 and going up fast. This week it's supposed to top out in the mid-90s, (35C) but it feels brutally hot.

Got my laundry out early - the vertigo and hanging things on a clothesline do not mix very well, unfortunately. Spent a lot of time clutching the lines and getting my eyeballs to stop rattling. Annoying. Getting them down off the line later can mostly be done by touch, I don't have to look up, and that helps a lot.

I do still dry a lot of things in the dryer. I like the clothes that touch my skin to be soft, like socks and undies such. The rest go on the line. I know it's hard on a lot of you, but a sun-dried towel feels absolutely wonderful to me. They're so much more absorbent than towels where someone uses the liquid fabric softeners. My daughter, bless her, uses Downy, and it feels like her towels have been buttered. Erk.

Anyway… back in from the next to last sprinkler set - and I need to put some lunch together! No idea what it will be, and really need to start looking at what's for dinner, as Corey and I will decide during his lunchtime call, so I can get things out to thaw if they're frozen.

Which reminds me - chicken breast recipe

And there, have gone out to set that last 15-minute timer, now I'm back.

Heather - I don't cook much at all, but agree with pretty much everything you said. I just got sick of it after 27 years with the ex, who never picked up a pan in the kitchen. Corey, on the other hand, is a wonderful cook, and the only issue is getting him to cook the same thing twice. He always thinks he can make something better. Sometimes he's right. Sometimes, he is not. 🥰 Hope you do get to see your brother soon.

Later, my dears,

Lisa in hammering hot Arkansas

Re: PT

For general exercise, I think book or online instructions are great. But when you have an issue, rehabilitation from surgery or an injury, I think PTs are warranted. I've gone just twice. The first time with a running hip injury that ended up as bursitis. The PT was fantastic. Did some TENS kind of procedure and walked me through exercises. I probably saw her six times, and when my hips start feeling wonky, I remember to do her prescribed exercises.

I saw a PT after my mastectomy to get full range of my left arm back, to beat off lymphoedema, and to work through scar tissue. She was fantastic. I haven't had any lymphoedema issues, and have full use of my arm, in range and strength.

As we get older, I think following through with recommended PT is critical. My mother-in-law wouldn't do it because "it hurt." The doctor told her if she didn't follow through she would become immobile. She became immobile. My ex father-in-law fell and broke his hip a couple years back and refused to follow through with PT because "she doesn't know what she's talking about." A year after the fall, he was no longer mobile, had to go into assisted living, and died almost a year to the day after having to leave his home.

So keep those PT appointments, ladies, even when doing so is physically painful. It does get better, and it is worth it in the end.

Exiting the soapbox, Flea

Willamette Valley OR

Mo - Healthy Choice are perfect for you to take to work. I'm glad you mentioned them. I had forgotten about Healthy Choice - currently $2.77 to $3.42 at my Walmart. Amy's are $5.92- they are the ones I used to get them for $3.00 at Grocery Outlet 😥. Most Lean Cuisines are $3.47. I see there are some lower carb meals with plenty of veggies I'd be interested in. I'll grab a couple next time I'm at the store, they'd be great for when it's too hot to cook or just a change. I remember I'd put a lot of salad greens in a big bowl then dump the whole Lean Cuisine right over them. 😁

Lisa - that's a great chicken breast recipe. Bet it stays nice and moist. I copied it into my recipe folder. UGH that heat! It's supposed to hit 80F here today. 95 on Monday. I'll drag out the carpet shampooer.

This morning I went through my coats and jackets and started another pile for the charity shop. Found a brand new winter coat of DH's in there too! Unfortunately I'm at the stage where 5# gained or lost affects the fit of the coat or jacket around my midsection. So I'm still at the "2-size wardrobe" stage.

I also ordered a Sherpa fleece jacket from Christopher and Banks yesterday. Big sale. We had a store locally where I shopped a lot that closed during the pandemic. 😥They carried size 14W which was perfect for tops and jeans that fit perfectly since I'm long waisted. I'm anxious to see what this little jacket will be like. I love Sherpa fleece garments because they are a touch warmer. And I prefer buttons/snaps over zippers on coats and jackets. Sometimes those are hard to find.

Margaret - where do you shop for clothes? You're tall like me too.

Rita - I thought that was interesting what your doc said about not drinking too much water. I guess electrolytes can get out of balance.

Flea - I agree 100% about the PT. So glad you went after your surgery! After my mom broke her hip, the doc had a physical therapist come to the house to work with her. Same thing - mom complained "it hurt!". So my dad didn't allow them in the house anymore. I remember when I'd go back to visit, I'd make her get up and walk around the kitchen table. Dad could have done that too, but he didn't. She soon ended up in a hospital bed. Another reason to keep exercising.

Rebecca - sorry you are having GI issues, does not sound like fun. I guess with these drugs, your GI system is really slowed down so you don't get hungry. I remember when I was going to WW, they advised that something like a tsp of olive oil was good to keep things greased up if constipated. Yes, see what your doctor says.

I haven't seen the fawns yet this morning and apples under the tree haven't been touched yet. There wasn't much for them to eat here anymore other than apples. I opened the big gate by the shop yesterday afternoon and hopefully mommy lured them out into forest land.

Did some weed eating for about 10 minutes and called it good. Crossing fingers rain will be blowing in tonight.

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

Oh my, some of ya'll really busy in here. I will be a casual lurker I suspect. Anxiety overload when I see the little bell with a bunch of comments that are all over the place.

Someone somewhere in the thread asked me what I go by, my name is actually Sharon and thank you for asking.

Personally, for me, the MFP app is overload in and of itself. I had no idea I actually started the app in 2019, but I guess with covid, retirement, life, etc…. I ignored it and started it again a year ago, and left it, again, and have been TRYING to log food for the last 2 weeks.

Someone suggested using a pool for some PT, which is my true go to, but its more stretching than anything else. I did also join another group in the MFP app, but appears I may be trying to run, before I can walk (quite literally). I wanted to try to figure out how to set my watch to track my steps, since I am not positive it does it for me. I got side tracked and never got back to it last night. I just realized, it's 3pm and my watch is still in the bedroom on the charger. Oh well, my pool looks great at least.

I need to clear out these 11 bell messages that are stressing me and hope I have time to get my watch set correctly (assuming it isn't, which I am not positive its not). SO will be home before I know it and time for dinner.

TTFN!

Was pretty blue after yesterday’s DDS appointment. The good news is that bone under implants is fine. The bad news is that the cracked tooth may require a crown ($1900 total), there is another tooth with a suspected abscess under an old root canal, and he still wants to fill/crown another one we’ve been “watching” for more than a year. Requested an appointment with the Grants Pass endodontist. $455 for eval and 3 D X-rays. Treatment est fm $2300 to $2800. If they can fix ok, but if not will have them take it. It’s far enough back can live without it. Was hoping to have CareCredit paid off this year but with crown and unknown endodontist expense will be making payments at least til July 2026. Will ask DDS Monday if can put off til next year. This morning I felt a little more hopeful, grateful we have CareCredit, grateful I’m still moving around and not breathing dirt. Still a little hard to be grateful for the DDS tho’ ;{

Tina so sorry to hear about your excruciating back and foot pain. Hope you figure it out quickly and it’s a relatively easy fix (like sliding a sheet of plywood under your mattress)…

Flea loved hearing about your Ashland activities. You were only 3 hrs away from us… ;) Everything you said about PT, just absolutely every word.

Lanette got size 3 little kid, but should perhaps have ordered 4 big kid. Can almost feel toes touch the front of the boot. The handles make it really easy to pull on. Wanted something cheerful and fell for the pink glitter ;) They don’t feel squishy/foamy as I had in mind when thinking Crocs, and when I first pulled them on I felt like I was tilting forward a bit… but they make me smile just like my new stainless steel hose (thanks again Barbie!). Our weekend forecast has scaled way back to normal, morning radio announcer thought the forecaster was chewing something “interesting.” We’re just grateful,,, ;} You could send us your rain, though, cistern is low, pump is bringing up sediment. We’re back to careful dishwashing/rinsing, pinot poudoux either showering or washing clothes every other day and using the dogs water to keep the plants alive til Ocober… maybe…

Rebecca thanks! My favorite Fage non-fat Greek is similar @ 90 cals for 18 g protein w /0 g sugar ;}

Pip Miss EM is one lucky pup!

Heather good on John for figuring out and supplying the needed brute force. Hope the antibiotics do the trick and right away!

Lisa Ginny’s crockpot balsamic chicken always comes out moist for me… also this recipe: https://thecafesucrefarine.com/restaurant-style-sauteed-chicken-breasts/

They give good hints about how to treat skinless chicken breasts, to use paprika/sugar in the rub to mimic browning, etc.

Hera trying to keep up with this thread can be overwhelming. IMHO just skim, look at what interests you and go back to your life. 13 hours with a 3 year old would kill me. The thing with PT or any kind of exercise consistency, pain is a great motivator for me. When I slack, it hurts more. When I do it, it hurts less. Your results may vary ;}

Allie does Sean qualify for Medicaid?

Michele for me PT exercises are specifically targeted to my problem areas (knees, hips, shoulders). I still try to get general activity in most days, walking, line dancing or chair yoga. Like Machka and others have said, the therapist observes you and tests you with range of motion, etc. S/he can see things we can’t ourselves and has the training and knowledge to prescribe correct exercises and stretches. Then, as Machka said, off you go home and do them yourself. For my shoulder, I went to PT appointments twice a week for two months and avoided shoulder surgery, an outcome devoutly to be desired ;}

Machka hope that ugly headed monster is well and truly conquered.

Margaret, agree the titer tests are way more expensive than vaccines and that vets generally recommend the vaccines, sometimes too thoughtlessly. DrewB is one lucky pup to have your excellent care.

Mo sure hope you can ward off that headache, sounds awful.

Carla 179 days but who’s counting? Congrats!

Rebecca good luck figuring out your tummy’s enemy no. 1. With me it’s too much bread, and/or too much red meat at once. I can tolerate one slice of sourdough but not two… etc.

Action for happiness
5-morning prayer list.
OMG room progress – removed 5 pcs aspirational clutter (seeds and catalog,) recycled packing materials from galoshes, filed all new incoming and a few sheets from the desk stack. Keyboard still clear!

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

August focus: 5 minutes just looking and thinking about 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

Hello my friends!

Well I had a grand time at the dinner theater Saturday night, but we were up past midnight. I was awake again at five. So one very short night and I am still recovering! At least I got the groceries done today. But I took a break from my rowing and stationary bike. Maybe tomorrow I can get back to my routine. Dad has a medical appointment but I can work around that

I think that some people can tell how much exercise a sore joint needs, and some of us really need the guidance of PT. I can look up exercises online, but I'm really bad at knowing how much to do. They say listen to your body, but mine tells lies. I tend to hurt the day after, which is too late to stop.

So I hope to get back to answering tomorrow.

May you all be happy, healthy, safe and free!

Annie in Delaware