WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2025

Happy birthday Carol. Hope it is a good one.

Finally cooler here, thank goodness. Had a doe with twin fawns and a yearling buck go through our property this morning. They stopped at the gazebo and the doe ate all of the violas out of the pot they were in. The young buck decided to eat the pansies but then he started on the tomatoes, pulling them off the trellis, so I let the dog out on her cable. She rushed out and barked at them. The doe ignored her but the young ones took off so she followed. I thought they might go down and eat some of the apples that are on the ground but they went the other way.

Annie - hope you find out what is going on with your dad.

Pip - nice patio. I love Ethel's white mittens.

Everyone take care, Sue in WA

Hi 👋

Welcomes!

Hugs!

High fives!

Thankful!

Happy birthdays!

I really must be in a better place mentally even if tired. No, I am not tackling weight yet. I need to address it, but for now concentrating on making better life choices. Last week was making upcoming appointments. This week has been "do something about hot tub" week. It has been broken for months and sitting drained. Do I fix, dispose of, or replace? The fact that I want to be in it is a sign that mentally I am in a better place. I want to do this for me. DH rarely gets in. I scheduled repairman then started looking at replacement options. WOW!!!! I thought $7500 was alot 15years ago. The replacement for the one I have is now $15k with cover! That left a big range for repair budget! I am proud of myself for looking at options and scheduling the repair. They came out this afternoon. I don't know the total bill yet, but the heating element was only $700. There was a lot of calcium build up in system. The leak was a missing oring. So currently the hot tub is running a descaler in it for the next 36 hours. I should be back in hot tub in 48 hours or so. I felt "grown up" checking out options and asking questions. I am proud of myself for not just throwing up my hands and getting rid of it. That sounds weird, but more often than not I don't often "feel" like an adult. Questions about personal growth, qualities I feel make a great partner, or what I think my purpose is on this planet make me feel like a child. No one ever asked me those types of things growing up. Is it because I began parenting siblings at 10yo? Perhaps lack of a strong mentor during those tumultuous teen years? I can tell you that I believe in treating people fairly and honestly. I try to avoid questionable situations as the stress will send me into a date spiral. I avoid conflict, but can usually diffuse a situation. I have always procrastinated until pushed by deadline. I don't ask people to do something that I am not willing to do. Precise schedules don't work for me, but generalized seems to be working great. I will say that all of you have helped me to see that "adulting" comes in many shapes and sizes. I think my Aunt was my inspiration for adulting. She had a dress up job, traveled, owned a beach house, wonderful classy friends, awesome food,and a polished and lady like demeanor. Sorry that got deep...I just don't often see myself as a grown up.

So for now, my childlike self will enjoy the hummingbirds "fighting" around their feeders, the bright colors of my flowers, the shapes in the clouds, the warmth of my hot tub(soon), and the antics of my fur babies. I will continue to strive in making good choices a d being present for friends and family. I will continue to find happiness in the "little" things.

I need to go shower and fo some work stuffs.

Much love,

Kylia in Ohio

Rebecca,

Just went through knee surgery on my GSD, Kaia. The 12weeks after are a bear. Trying to keep her as immobile as possible the 1st 2 weeks after was a job. And helping her go out with the carrier I developed tendonitis in my elbow. Then when she felt good but still couldn't be off leash was a pain for me and dissapointing for her. She is now doing well unless she over does it then a little sore. I was lucky as the vet did a ligature suture instead of the TPL surgery so no bone involvement. Glad you will be able to help your sister.

I'm so glad your Kaia healed up!

Yes my sister did call me this evening stating that the doctor did NOT find any tears with his ACL but they did note that he has neuropathy issues with his back end area, primarily his now two back hind legs. So she is practically carrying his back portion everywhere. The doctors are putting him on prednisone so hopefully that helps him regain some of his nerve damage? Its hard to know. But right now, no surgery is needed, its a wait and see. We talked about his quality of life, etc, and she said she has asked the vet to be straight with her regarding that. But its not at that point, so we just hope and pray.👍🏼😥🙏

Rebecca Whidbey Wa

Yesterday, with the girls here, I finished my painting. It is very much a 'decor' piece, rather than an inspiration painting, but I do really like it.😁 At the moment it's propped up on the cabinet, but I am going to hang it above. It's been great talking to the girls about decor and colours.

After a long art session yesterday, John and the girls went to the park to play cricket. I rested. Lunch had been delicious, but rather hard work! I got very hot and bothered in the heat. Bea had pasta/pesto, carrot sticks and hummus, we and Edie had Italian fennel sausages, bacon, pittas, mashed avocado, lettuce with dressing Edie made, chopped tomatoes and cucumber. We finished with some heritage strawberries, and posh ice cream in two flavours. Phew! 😃

I'll post the kids art from my phone.

I did some writing in the morning, and went down a happy rabbit hole looking at beers from the 70s, and price comparisons between then and now. Amazing how things like washing machines, and toasters have come down in price. And clothes. I used to make all my own clothes in the 60s.

John helped me bring up a couple of white soup dishes with covers to put in my glass topped dresser. I had hidden mine in a cupboard, trying to work up the courage to give them away, but I've been seeing young people buying the exact same items to display, so I've rescued them and they look great! They were part of my 'bottom drawer' I bought when I was engaged at 18.🙄

John is taking Edie to a one day cricket game this afternoon. It's hot, so we've told her to bring a hat and sunscreen.

LLove to all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Happy Birthday Carol !!!!!!!

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Hello Beautiful Ladies!

I missed you all so much! Work was hectic. My baby girl took my glasses off twice and smiled. Her smile made it worth it. I purchased two nightgowns for her. She looked beautiful in them. Her lashes look like she wears mascara. I learned the hard way not to play "Miss Rachel" on her iPad when you are trying to get her to sleep. I heard her playing and babbling. She was having the time of her life. I switched to lullabies, then she promptly went to sleep. I love these babies and kids. While the crayons are.50 I ordered some for our unit, and I will go to Dollar Tree and get some coloring books next week.

DH and I went out to lunch at Table 100. I had fish tacos and fries. DH ate my fries mostly. I only wanted a few. I had one taco. I had the rest for dinner. We got to watch a movie together at home. While I did laundry. I organized my pills for the week, and it is amazing how long that takes. I had to stop and order medications that I needed from Walgreens and supplements from Amazon. DH thought I was weird because I told him that I needed time to get organized for my work stretch. I wanted to exercise too, but I had to go with him to sign for a consolidation loan, since he has been out of work. He did get a job and was offered another one in Chicago, too; he is interviewing for that one in his industry on Friday morning. I asked DH about the non-compete clause to get his bonus. He says he will discuss that later.

My blood sugar dropped to 60, and I felt clammy, so I ate the rest of my lunch. This is the second time that happened this week. I guess I skipped meals, and my snacks and drinks are sugar-free. I drank Powerade to increase it too. Exercise has been rewarding, but it is hard to do it with DH here. I missed yesterday's, but I will continue to work on myself next week. My therapist has told me that this is my time to do it. I want to get a tattoo for my 60th birthday in October and possibly a nose ring.

Speaking of birthdays, I have decided to start keeping track of everyone's birthday in this group, and then I will put it in my calendar. I have Kim down for August 8th. Is that correct? If anyone wants to give their birthday now, that would be great; otherwise, I will get it as we celebrate.

Happy Belated Birthday, Kim! I hope this year will be wonderful as you continue to heal.

Rebecca, Linzess was very helpful with my IBS, but I take Pepcid and Prevacid for my GERD. I take Milk of Magnesia if I am too constipated, and Miralax to keep me regular. I keep toilet seat covers, gloves, and wipes to clean the toilet, along with a spray when I am out and about. I am a little (OCD) about going to the bathroom in public.

Lisa, your medical team is on it! Great, I hope you feel better with your new medication.

Allie, sMiles is so loving and caring. I am glad Kyle has not taken that away with his behavior in the past. I hope you will see an improvement with the new medication.

Rita, sorry you were under the weather.

Pip, you are so very welcome. I lost a great respiratory therapist to this disease at work. She is alive, but she no longer works with me. I miss her. She calls and gets the blues sometimes. She was in her late twenties when it started to affect her. I am so glad that you surpassed your goal.

Carol, were you in any pain from that procedure? Growing up in California, my friends would lie out by the pool. I didn't need to. I had more bronze-brown color then. I also thought it was boring, so I decided to swim in the pool. Then at the beach, I would boogie board or play in the water. I would get darker than anyone. I got sunburned, too( I told my dad that I didn't know black people got sunburned.) So, I have to put on sunblock. Growing up, my friends would put on tanning lotion/oil or baby oil. It was the 70s, and we didn't know better.

Barbara, I am going to see if I can learn how to line dance on YouTube. It looks fun. I don't have any rhythm. At school dances, it was embarrassing that I couldn't dance that well. I used to watch American Bandstand and Soul Train, but that didn't help. My cousin was a great dancer, and my mom asked me why I didn't dance like her. Keep in mind, I preferred books, and I was an only child. My dad told me that it was not important. I did love my ballet classes. I purchased a bar to do some ballet for fitness.

Michelle, I am glad to know Gannon is a dog. I was wondering if that was the only interaction you had with your grandson, Gannon, but now I know he is your grand-dog.

Kay, yes, it was me who read Frozen River. That was so good. One of our doctors suggested it, and I wasn't disappointed. I just finished a book that was so deep and gut-wrenching—this book by Kristin Hannah, who is one of my favorite authors who writes historical fiction. "The Women" is a must-read for everyone. I read romance books too.

Well, everyone, I just wanted to post, but I am going to stop here. I still need to catch up with you all. I am only on #9, so I have six or so more pages of post to catch up on. You all have a wonderful weekend, and DH is leaving Saturday. So you will hear more from me on Sunday or Monday.

XO,

Mo in Mississippi

I’m watching the VJ Day ceremony on BBC. It’s so sad that many of the British troups in the Far East were still at war while Britain celebrated the victory in Europe all those years ago. Many of them never returned. There will soon be none of those who did return left as most are 100 years old or more. They deserve to be celebrated.

Here we are 100 years later, and conflict still rages in all too many places.

When will we ever learn. 😢

Morning, my chicks,

Kylia - I love Fridays, too… and I haven't worked outside the house for five years!

Terri - I saw it, but thought it might just be an Irish spelling…😹.

Heather - Love both pieces!

Not much going on today… I've got one crochet piece I'm working on that I'd like to get finished today, and one piece I'd like to get started on, also crochet. Going back to my refrigerator painting this morning, as well, need to put in a half hour or so on that. Plus a little more mud in the back bedroom. Need to get the watering done, and that's it for the outside stuff. Laundry, dishes, not a lot more.

Vertigo remains. Annoying. Did finally get my thyroid meds in, started the higher dose last night. Another week, and maybe the fatigue that drags at me will be gone… that would be lovely. It's kind of like walking through Jell-O. Okay, it's like what I imagine that would feel like. I've never actually done that. I swear. 😂

Later, my dears,
Love,
Lisa in AR

We have gone out 5 times in the past 7 days.
4 of those times were in the past 5 evenings.

We've had 1 weekday evening at home this past week.

Out for a birthday lunch with friends, 2 x swimming, a dinner Planning Meeting with our cycling club (which I had to prepare for as well) and tonight we went to the symphony.

I worked 4 days this week and I've been putting in about 20 minutes extra at work each day (leave home at about 8 am, return home at about 6:15 pm).

In the past week, I've unpacked all or almost all the books in the home office. They are on shelves but need to be put in order. That'll come a bit later.

I've swept the house, cleaned my bathroom, have done the usual laundry and some extra and have dealt with heaps of emails.

I've climbed 106 flights of stairs, cycled 36.7 km, walked 16 km, rowed 2.5 km, and swam twice (~30 min each).

I've read a book and have almost finished colouring another page - that's my down time.

Plus, I've been researching windows. I've contacted several places for quotes and have followed up with numerous questions. I've investigated the local Energy Saver Loan Scheme, comparing them with other loan schemes. Today, a rep from one of the top places on our list came to chat with us.

If all goes well, in a few months we might have double-glazed windows in our main room.

I've also started researching home office desk chairs now that I can see my desk again! If all goes well, I might be able to use my home office in a couple weeks.

I always go about with a vague feeling like I haven't done much, but when I read what I've just written, maybe I did do a bit.

Machka in Oz

Plan for today: Went for 1 hr walk with Lucy: 7am

Breakfast and cool down from walk, plus MFP 8am -9:45

Work at visitor Center 9:45 to 1 pm

1 pm to 1:45 feed calf and put dogs out

1:45-2:45 home for lunch

2:45-3:15 bring dogs back in

Rest of day is open for cleaning camper, dealing with DH, walking Lucy again, etc.

Real busy until early evening then simply resting, movies, electronics, and Lucy.

Thought for today:

Did you hear about the dog who was floating in the ocean?

He was a good bouy

RVRita in Roswell