WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2025

Happy Saturday, kids…

Heather - Toy away, dear heart. I'm writing much more right now than I have in forever, so I know I'll be slowing down from the five-day a week posting, possibly even this week. I've gotten some lovely comments, too. It just felt like there was so much to say! If you want to schedule a Zoom, I'll be happy to show you the things that tripped me up. Might prevent a little frustration! Love the china cabinet with just a few beautiful pieces. Most are too full and chaotic.

Machka - I had that kind of day yesterday, where I was finishing up that cardigan. Didn't even make the bed! Just the bare minimum, and played with my crochet. It was lovely and peaceful. I have to admit, I was binging Australian Border Security episodes. They're all so lovely and polite and patient while they're talking to people, and yet they stop so much in illegal drugs and other substances getting into the country. Amazing. So glad you were able to get half a day to just dive into a book.

Kim - Always good to see you darlin', so glad you were able to rescue your roses. They're well deserved. My daughter's been going through some rough times at work, and a bunch of folks she worked with got together and had flowers delivered to her home telling her she was appreciated. Made a HUGE difference to her. Flowers can be such a lovely way to tell someone you care about them.

Barbie - Thank you! Thinking in 3D is the hardest part… patterns are making me very happy right now. Especially ones with pictures.

Kylia - Love seeing what you see in the morning.

Allie - I have no words for Tracy's treatment of you… but I would say that she is afraid to lash out at Kyle, so she takes it out on you. How are you supposed to give her a break when you can't even be in her house with your grands by yourself? But hurting you is not going to make things any better.

The vertigo is urk this morning, really at the forefront, so today may well be another quiet day. Not sure why crocheting doesn't bother me, maybe because my head tends to stay still, only my eyes move. I'm just grateful. Any kind of movement is iffy, and looking down or up while standing is just sick-making.

I can tell when it's going to be bad, because my eyes feel like my eye sockets are just a little too tight. Soooo frustrating.

Ah well, maybe it's just the universe telling me to sit down and shut up for a while.

Love y'all,
Later,
Lisa

There are lots of insightful comments this morning and a good thing that we can support each other in diverse situations! 😊

Kim ~ So glad you had a nice birthday celebration. The flowers were a lovely gift from your housemate.

Barbie ~ Could you adjust your lunch time and walking schedule to accommodate going to the line dance you enjoy?

Allie & Michele ~ Hugs! We all love our children dearly and it is so hurtful when they lash out at us.

Kylia ~ You have the most beautiful view. All that green grass and a beautiful sky. I think one of your kitties was sitting under the tree in one photo.

Tracey and Rebecca ~ When my husband's parents passed away over 30 yrs ago, we moved into their house and took over the mortgage. They had a beach house in PC and that was given to DH's brother. Along with the house were the remains of his parents relatives plus all the antiques they had accumulated over the years. In addition to all the antiques that came from their shop were all the antiques my DH has added over the years. Our son will be in charge of selling all this once we die and that has been our aim. My husband has even put prices on the STUFF so son will have an idea of the value. And, you are right that the idea of dealing with all of this is beyond me.

Carol in GA who got into the potato chips last night…Ugh!

Tracey and Rebecca ~ When my husband's parents passed away over 30 yrs ago, we moved into their house and took over the mortgage. They had a beach house in PC and that was given to DH's brother. Along with the house were the remains of his parents relatives plus all the antiques they had accumulated over the years. In addition to all the antiques that came from their shop were all the antiques my DH has added over the years. Our son will be in charge of selling all this once we die and that has been our aim. My husband has even put prices on the STUFF so son will have an idea of the value. And, you are right that the idea of dealing with all of this is beyond me.

Your son will likely pick out a few things he likes, then arrange for an auction house to come in and haul it all away.

You could ask your son if there is anything he really likes and give it to him now.

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We're in the process of "lightening our load" now. Tomorrow we'll put several things out on the curb for hard waste collection.

The next hard waste collection is in January and we'll likely have more for that one.

If I weren't here, my husband would probably just tuck stuff under the house or in the shed rather than getting rid of it. But I don't want to have to deal with this stuff a number of years down the road if we're making preparations to move into a smaller place or a care home or whatever.

Astoundingly, I'm even planning a purge of my books. If I have read the book AND it is available on Libby if I wanted to read it again, I'll get rid of it. At least, that's the plan.

Machka in Oz

Morning ladies

I will try and get some rest ..later

No she has her hands full.. my son always asks..he is a good boy.

Will go up and visit Doris later

I got behind on the posts …

Carol … Happy Belated Birthday!

Allie … I'm so sorry that your daughter lashed out at you … hugs

Lisa …the sweater is great!

Mo … glad to hear that the job prospects are looking much better for your husband.

Yesterday, husband and I took a long, but beautiful, drive to pick up a fire ring for our back yard. We've been at our current house for over 30 years and always meant to upgrade the stone circle my husband put together out back years ago, but never got around to it. This ring is 36" in diameter and is cut from an old propane tank (a welder's side line). Weighs a ton and will last forever. Getting it off the truck was interesting. Today is just a puttering day for me while husband is off teaching individuals with physical disabilities how to fly fish.

Beth near Buffalo where rain is expected for tomorrow (hoping that is so).

Saturday salutations! (or whatever day it is where you live)!

I received the scrubber I wanted the other day. Think of a nice washcloth and on the other side is sewn in mesh material for the scrubber part. There is a fold over part around it where a nice nylon string is put thru. You put a bar of soap in the middle and cinch the nylon tight. I was sudsy from ears to feet like a toddler this morning!😂. The coconut soap makes my skin squeaky! So I massage coconut oil in. And lie on a towel on da bed like the queen of laziness!

Today fixing a small chicken pot pie for a really late lunch, then fixing spaghetti for dinner. I might have a salad, a piece of garlic bread and some sauce.

Good news! My eldest sailor son is taking leave in Dec! He wants to drive his truck to the airport, fly home to visit, then return to leisurely explore back to where he's stationed in Japan. That will be fun for him, and hopefully he'll stay at some nice traditional inns, with soaking baths etc. Have traditional meal. Its an experience!

My youngest will most likely get leave too with no problem. Now to just get my middle son and family to come up and stay a bit! We have lived here since 2017 and they have yet to come visit. The one time son did drive up with Athena, it was to fetch me because they had some babysitter issues. It was a quick overnight. And son didn't get a chance to even relax here.

Well this has been a better week. Night of dose day I took meds to keep constipation at bay and its worked! I'm also taking fiber gummies at night too. Getting quite a collection of meds to take but I suppose its all proactive to my health. Now I just have to find some good acid reflux meds to put the cherry on top! Uuck.

Rebecca Whidbey Wa

Checking in- read but didn't comment most of the week.
Wasn't feeling great, Tuesday was the worst but each day better. Wed. I had zumba- left 20 min early. Thursday walked the wetlands for the first time all summer. It was great to be back out there. Did push myself to walk the whole way(3miles). Did it again yesterday plus over an hour of swimming and aqua zumba. Found out they are extending aqua through September. I love the class but was looking forward to having my Friday's back.
Had to do a bit of calming down with mom. They are running some tests for Alzheimer's. She misunderstood one of the test and was really scared, older sister was freaking out I guess. I couldn't understand why they were so freaked out until she mentioned surgery, then it all fit.
When she heard the doctor say they were going to "look at her brain" she assumed that meant physically looking at it, like cutting her open to LOOK. The problem is that a friend took her and the doctor talked to the friend more than to mom, so much that mom felt like she was eavesdropping on her own appointment. Makes it worse is mom has trouble hearing.

I explained to her that no, they were not doing surgery but would do an MRI- she knows what that is. That really calmed her down. I told her I would come up and take her for the MRI and also to the followup appointment in Nov. That really seems to help.
She wasn't thrilled with the one doctor talked to her , telling her that if she does show to have it she won't be able to drive anymore which was a shock but she understand and agrees. I do not feel she is to the point where she needs to stop driving.
This "friend" seems to be pushing a bit too hard to get her diagnosed. Even said her son will buy mom's truck- too fast on that comment-that did NOT set good with mom. I am grateful the friend is there to take mom to some appointments but she is taking over and over stepping a bit too often. Mom is getting irritated. She is my best friend's older sister. Have known them both since I was in 4th grade. She has gotten a lot closer to my mom since her mom passed away BUT my bf warned me that her sister would start taking over(has done it in the past with another friend of hers)

Anyways, also been doing some sewing for a friend's mom. First shirt, thankfully a sample that I used my fabric on, is too big so I will give it to another friend. Second one, using her fabric is almost done, just need to hand sew the snaps. I have one more to make for her then I can do some sewing for myself. I love the pattern so may make one for myself. Also need to start making catnip toys. Want to get some to add to one of the silent auctions prizes for the class reunion coming up in less than 2 months. I am in charge of planning most of it so need to do a bit extra. Also want to sell some of the catnip toys at the next show. Have TONS of dried catnip and more in the drying rack that I need to check today to see if it is dry enough to crush and bag.

Dh is gone with his friend for the day- enjoying the quiet house- still in pj's, no tv.
Made a salad of my first tomatoes, cucumbers(store bought, mine aren't ready yet), crispy bacon , mayo and a bit of MrsDash seasoning. BLT(well BCT) salad,
It was so good!!

Debbie
Napa Valley,CA

Debbie … your mom's fears and concerns will diminish significantly if you are with her in the future for medical appointments. No one can take the place of family… and given you said you have POA and I'm assuming her health care proxy you need to be there to get facts straight. The doctor really shouldn't have been talking to the friend.

Beth

Worked, went in the pool, then went to Lowe’s Hardware for pool salt. Jess just got home (she does work in Raleigh, gets paid$1,000/mo for going there on Sat) so after Lowe’s went to Jason’s Deli for lunch. I just had the turkey wrap and only water to drink but I did have a small bowl of their soft-serve ice cream. Came home, went to Food Lion to get a pepper, garlic, and crushed tomatoes for the shrimp gumbo. J&C decided to go to Charlotte, not sure for what, C said something about she got something for her office. I suggested we go tomorrow so we could all go, but they went, not sure why but it really doesn’t matter. Made the shrimp gumbo but had to put it in the refrigerator for them. After J said how they like food fresh cooked. Oh well...I tried. Went to church and picked up the donations. I’ll try to go there after work Mon and then the soup kitchen to deliver them. If I can’t, I’ll have to get them Fri.

We have another house in our neighborhood for sale. That makes 4 in this neighborhood.

Tracey – we saw one tree that Vince did for sale at a fair in Raleigh (or somewhere near there). It went for hundreds of dollars. We probably only paid one hundred for the bisque. We just couldn’t get over it. Speaking of trees...it used to be that at this time of year they were pouring trees and trees and more trees. But this year it doesn’t seem to be that way. Oh, we’ve changed many times to accommodate Denise’s schedule. You have no idea. Now it’s where she puts off telling us if we can come up or not. We need to make reservations, get someone to watch the cats, I need to tell BK. I usually text her about 4 weeks in advance, for some reason she never answers any of my texts, only Vince’s. I think it may have to do with the fact that she doesn’t deal well with change, and our coming up is a change to her schedule. Yet, she seems to be OK with other day activities. We aren’t asking her to take off work or anything. I don’t know.

Oh, did I tell you that the ceramics place was robbed Wed? Now you have to sign in and out. I honestly don’t see what that will accomplish. They said that they were going to get cameras for the office. To me, that’s better than a sign in sheet. Boy, I remember when they had only a cigar box for the payments. I suspect the gal who is now in charge of ceramics only ordered more of colors that we were low on, not anything new. But I’m not sure, I’ll have to ask

Allie – HUGS. I know how that feels, trust me I do. Some of the things bryan has said to me. I can certainly relate. I agree that she can’t take her frustration out on Kyle, she’s probably afraid of what he’d do. So she takes it out on someone she knows that no matter what, will always love her. Oh, she knows Kyle loves her, but she’s maybe also somewhat afraid. Even tho she will probably not admit it

Took Ganon for a walk. Really, it seems that at first I have to practically drag him. Once he gets started, he’s OK. But I really don’t want to keep dragging him. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to pull my shoulder out of the socket...lol

Okie – we wanted to go see PJ during the week of his Spring Break. That’s when they were “putting things in storage” That’s only one week for the break. We could have done any week in August if we had advance notice so we didn’t make other arrangements (like MD appts) that couldn’t be canceled. Like one weekend she wanted us to come up, Vince already had his allergy shot planned and I had a commitment to lector at the church. Had we known in advance, he could have rescheduled his shot and I could have requested not to lector that Sat. Another weekend she wanted us to come we need to be here because we're having the deck built and we need to move the furniture and be here to answer questions (where can they put the dumpster, where is the septic so that they don't have heavy equipment go over it, etc), can you imagine the traffic on Labor Day weekend, not to mention the fact that Vince has a commitment to the train club which he could have worked around (he's done it before) had we known in advance. Just need more communication. Otherwise, we have to make the plan.

M – yes, I’d like to know the real reason. Like I said, I think it might have to do with her not liking change. But honestly when you have children, as we all know, you many times do have to change plans. “Can so-and-so have dinner” “can so-and-so spend the night”. I remember so many times having to change plans of what we’ll have for dinner because the kids invited friends and I wouldn’t have had enough food if I had what I planned.

Flea – have a great time

Lanette – that is really interesting about the price of casseroles. We all knew it was cheaper and better for you to eat at home.

Rebecca – great that your son will be coming home even if it’s for a short time. Then again, anything less that 7 years is a short time

Off to bed

Michele NC

We went to the Butchart Gardens last year when we were in Canada. We try to go to Vancouver Island each time we're in Canada. 😊

Machka in Oz

Allie - Hugs to you. I think we all do the best we can. Maybe she’s questioning her own motherhood and decisions she’s making and lashing out at you. She probably can’t say how she really feels to her husband. She is in a situation that can’t be easy and it must worry her at times how that temper of his affects the children.
I’m sorry you are going through this you don’t deserve it and she is not treating you fairly at all, no matter what she should be more kind to the one person that helps her.
I hope you take the sleeping aide, lack of sleep is not good for our health.

Kylia - beautiful sunset

Machka - I haven’t made apple crumble in quite a while. I should make one for Rodger. I don’t eat it myself.
We moved boxes and boxes of books until we moved here. We really did not have space for them so we kept our two favourite authors and a few other special ones and got rid of the rest. It was hard but I don’t miss them at all. I’m even thinking of getting rid of some of my favourite author’s now.

Carol - that is a lot to get through

Beth - I hope you really enjoy your new fire pit. Is it dry there like it is on the Canadian East Coast?

Lanette - I was reading a financial advisors tip yesterday about homemade meals vs restaurant meals. It said the important thing is to make sure you have a set budget for food. If for example it’s $200 a week, don’t go buy that amount in groceries and then eat out on top of it. Buy less groceries so that you are within budget. He said a lot of people buy a lot of groceries and then are too lazy to cook it so eat out.We have really lowered the amount of groceries we keep in the house. I stop on the way home and grab from the grocery store a lot now too. I rarely do a weekly shop. That’s what we have done for the last couple of years. I think it’s made a big difference, we don’t throw away nearly as much food as we were and we’re not getting take out as often either.

Rebecca - I’m so happy that your sons will be home. I truly hope the middle one shows too.
I have used Dexilant for quite a few years to battle acid reflux. I also really know what’s going to cause it and try to avoid it.

Debbie - I hope your mom doesn’t get diagnosed. I also hope your friend’s sister backs off.

I ended up going to the memorial service and then coming home. Kaitlyn was tired from a late night last night and was worried she wouldn’t be good company tonight.
We’re going to try again another night.

It was a beautiful service. He passed 3 days before his 95th birthday and they had celebrated it 3 days before. He had gotten up in the morning and was starting to do all of his kitchen stuff. He was still selling food that he made. He fell off of a step stool and though he wasn’t injured he had laboured breathing and passed peacefully.
Two great granddaughters did readings and they played a beautiful video. On his 90th birthday one of his granddaughters interviewed him about favourite childhood memories, how he met his wife, advice he would give his family, and they played these responses mixed in with songs on the video. The ending was his ending of the interview, telling her he loved them all. It was beautiful. After the service during the luncheon, another granddaughter brought around a piece of one his shirts in a 4” embroidery hoop, that she embroidered In memory of Gido and a little flower. Very touching, I’m glad I went.

Tomorrow I am going to go see the twins after I take Jonah home.
It was supposed to be next weekend, but this frees me up a little more if I do it this weekend instead.

We have a rain storm going through, I think I’ll head to bed. I love the sound of the rain so should sleep well.
Tracey in Edmonton