WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2025

Lanette, the 'dipstick' ranger is still here. He has now gotten a new host couple that are both 'pot-heads' and have a really old beat up fifth wheel camper with wood for windows, missing doors for their holds and no stairs to get in and out of the camper. They are using a tire ramp for a means to get in and out of their camper. Sorry but instant dislike and not hopeful for these people for hosts. I think they just wanted a place to live free.

Zozobra: This happened last night in Santa Fe. I wish I could get a change to go see it for real. News link showing the story behind Zozobra and the burning.

The 101st Burning of Zozobra

Thank you Mo! I will post a picture after washing my hair! I sweat too much when I go for walks!😁

Allie, I wish I was back living near you. I would be able to go stay with you for the weekend to make sure everything is ok for you. Hugs my friend and take care of yourself!

Besides my allergies, my upper back arthritis came back with a vengence last evening causing back spasms. Along with that, some bug decided I tasted good and I ended up with a patch on my shoulder burning and itching like crazy last night. The inflamed area got smaller and the itch backed off to a dull burn by this morning after Benadryl, itch control spray, and itch control gel. Not sure what kind of but, but first time I had that kind of a reaction. We have some old Epi-pens I had handy in case it got worse instead of better. Much better this morning with back spasms and itch. I wonder if they are related??

Work in pay booth today, Sunday and Monday. With my back and allergies, not sure if I will make all 3 days.

Thought for today:

What do you call a couple of chimpanzees sharing an Amazon account?

PRIME-mates.

RVRita in Roswell

The very thought of having that many people overnight gives me the beginning of a stress headache.

I would have to take 2 or 3 days off work after everyone left and spend 12 hours a day in bed to recover.

M in Oz

Ginny - happy that things have come together so quickly with your move and getting the house ready to put on the market. Of course, you did a lot of preparation and pre-planning. And the wind damage kind of sped things up perhaps.

Lisa - are your tomatoes finished yet? I still have three plants of the larger tomatoes with mostly green ones. The little Roma and cherry tomatoes did just fine. With the shorter days I may have to just ripen them in house, though we're in for more warm weather this coming week that might speed things up. I really want to make some sauce.

Barbara - hoping your sciatica is better. Thinking about Tumble. 😊

Allie - is Dan or anyone able to spend time with you this weekend? I don't feel you should be by yourself for very long.

Rita - love your haircut and the mani-pedi. Glad you could treat yourself. That Zozobra looked like a wild time! Sorry about the allergies and bug bites/rashes. That stuff just seems worse this year all over. That new host couple sound dicey. I guess if they are willing to do the work, it doesn't matter. Still, I'd be on the lookout for suspicious behavior and items missing.

Thanks for stopping, now leave -😁 I've gotten into the habit of when people stop in and they haven't been invited for a sit-down meal (which hasn't happened in ages anyhow), I keep them standing at the door or near the kitchen counter where we can lean and I can point out things in the back yard. 😁 Cuts down on the length of time they stay, lol. I do the same when I stop in at other people's homes to drop something off. I stand by the door ready to make an escape. I'm with Machka - meet someone at a restaurant. When I'm ready to leave, I can go.

Decluttering - I've been decluttering kitchen cupboards this morning. All the Tupperware went into the garbage except for the big one with a lid. That one might go next time. Hmm… I still might toss it before the garbageman comes on Monday.😁

Dr. Oz - Medicare - Vitamin D - My other project this weekend is writing a letter to Dr. Oz who's now in charge of Medicare. I’m proposing the inclusion of annual Vitamin D testing to the Preventive and Screening Services. So much research has been done which shows less than optimal Vitamin D levels (so lower than 30 ng/mL) can contribute to bone loss, increased risk for cancer, lowered immunity. In fact, levels above 50 ng/mL have tremendous benefits in many areas so I think it has a lot of value as a preventative. (I've been accumulating a lot of studies.) Vitamin D testing is quite costly and it seems most doctors don't do it unless the patient has a condition which warrants it and insurance then pays. Folks in the northern climates and people of color are especially vulnerable. I keep my level high (60-80 ng/mL over the past few years) and Dr. Lisa says great.

Make it a fabulous weekend, ladies.

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

Just picked the first real picking of tomatoes- almost all of these are from just 3 plants.

Machka - I chuckled at your chuckles. 🙂

Heather - I really like your painting and your bowl.
Leaning over a table sets me off too. I don’t know what has flared mine up this week but it’s quite painful.
I bet your guests will appreciate all you’ve done.

Rosemarie - I don’t have a travel itch, although I do love a good road trip.
I plan on taking some with my new car.

Lisa - I hope John finds some friends. I find some people don’t seem to seek friendship as much as others. I am more comfortable here than I’ve been any place since moving away from NB because I feel like a part of the community. I can greet people at the grocery store.

Allie - I checked in last evening just to see if you had an update. Glad to see you are being seen on Tuesday. Hopefully you have a very relaxing weekend.

Houseguests - I am more like Okie! I love houseguests the more the better. If we could have afforded it I would have had 4 children, I love the loud and noisy. I do love down time too, but I love the chaos.

Lanette - Why did you get rid of all the Tupperware, was it actual branded Tupperware or just plastic containers?

I got home from Kaitlyn’s around 3, I just find her place so peaceful I hate to leave it.
I wasn’t home long and then took Jonah home. On the way I stopped at a friends yard sale she had put a couple of games away for me for Lauryn for Christmas. One is Disney Scene It? We bought it for her as a teen and she has mentioned several times she’s sorry she lost it. There are also a 2nd and 3rd edition. $15 and it’s going to be one of her Christmas presents.

Tomorrow I am doing a yard sale at my local scrapbook store. They have one on the last Sunday of each month. I am trying to sell my friends supplies she left at my house. We are splitting the proceeds

I’m currently sitting back doing nothing.
Tracey in Edmonton

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I took Rose to get a FURminator-style grooming to decrease shedding. She looked so lovely and fluffy. They put green flowers on her as bows. Rose is not a bow-wearing type of dog. I will post the pic. I took a picture in my car after we got home, because I knew the moment we stepped through the door, she was taking them off. When the image is posted, please keep in mind that I will be buying seat covers soon. I thought I would relax while she was gone, but I worried that I would start something, and then it would be time to pick her up. I found myself watching "Sitting with Dogs". I started crying when I saw how emaciated some of the dogs were that he sat with. They were so hungry. Then one dog died from malnutrition. It was so heartbreaking. Finally, I called to see if Rose was ready, and they said just about, so I picked her up.

Now, it is quite peculiar, but I am more like Machka. I don't like guests at my house. I prefer if they stay in a hotel. I have had many teenagers and children waiting at my home over the years, and I am burned out. Julia used my house as a flop house. One girl told me to "SHH" when I came in asking for help with the groceries that I purchased after work. They were in my way when I was trying to pack my lunch for work, and then I found a girl in my bathroom getting ready to go out. I lost it. I told her to get out and leave my stuff alone, that I need to get ready for work.
My son was hiding in his room. Finally, I kicked everyone out of my house and told them not to come back after the party. They were so rude. Then, every week, we hosted dinner parties for the volunteers at church, and finally, when DH couldn't make it home, we hosted them at our place. Then I started taking them to dinner, and it was less stressful. My dad loved entertaining growing up, and it was a lot of fun back then. When my kids were little, around 3 and 5, a person from church came by, and toys were everywhere because the kids had friends playing with them. I didn't know this person was coming. She criticized my house and was surprised that a pastor's wife would let the kids take over. I told her after church that she is never to come to my house again. I told her that my house doesn't belong to the church and that I pay the mortgage. If my house offends her, then she needs to stay at home. Then, after a while, I stopped going to church. I would teach Sunday School when it was my turn; the kids loved my class. I would only come for the sermon.

Allie, I am on Facebook. I just started posting again. I am under Monique McMillon.

Debbie, those tomatoes look like they'd make some great tomato sandwiches.

Pip, I tried to train Rose to come when called outside, but she knew she could get away with it. She comes when called from the backyard. I started working on her as a puppy. I took her to a training class. She sits, lies, and if she gets into something, I command "Leave It!" and she does. We taught her not to take snacks from strangers, and she won't. When my mom lets her out, she runs out like a Bat out of hell.

Rita, your hair looks so pretty and shiny, too. Love the Mani/Pedi. It's lovely to look at nice nails and toes.

I over-talked again. I guess I will end here tonight. Sleep well, everyone.

XO,

Mo in Mississippi

Terri: I hope you enjoy your groups this year.

Tracey: Hope you enjoyed your stay at Kaitlyn's house.

Machka: Wow! You have seen some of the world!

Lisa: I hope the new mat works out! Your son will probably meet someone through social media or a dating app! Someone told me I should try Bumble just for get together friends.

Beth: Such a relief that your mom is settled into the nursing home.

Margaret Turk: Enjoyed the flower picture!

RvRita: Your nails look great!

Rebecca: Happy Birthday to your husband! I write so few checks I don't even balance the account! I constantly check to make sure nothing fraudulent is happening with it! Like every day to every other day!

Mo: Your son is young! His ways while travelling will probably change! You did quite a bit in NYC! I have been a number of times but my husband and I only went 1x. We did go to the MET that time. We saw a ballet, The Pharoh's daughter. We enjoyed it and there were children in the audience watching the ballet.

On the commuter train on the way in ..coming from NJ..we spoke with 2 widows also on their way to the MET. They had season tickets and went to all the Sunday matinee performances. I have sometimes thought about moving to NJ and getting season tickets to the MET!

Barbara: I have no idea about using the cards abroad. Last time i went abroad everything was Traveller's checks and American Express! That was the 80s.

My decluttering is going well. Everything left to declutter is now stacked in a corner in the hall. It is not bad. The rooms have minor decluttering left to do. What a relief! i am so glad I did this now. I can sell the house much more easily if I want to. And at the church I have seen the 80 year olds struggle with decluttering at they move into independent living. 65 is a good age to do a major declutter.

And much easier to clean moving forward!

I went to yoga yesterday. My first time in a year! Oh dear! I have lost much flexibility and strength. I tipped over at one point ..we were doing a floor exercise….I want to go back today but have been awake since 2:30 so probably not! I will probably swim this afternoon after a nap!

My adult ed class with the church starts next Saturday. I want to go 2x a month until January. I bring the donuts and do a little teaching. In January I hope to withdraw and do a pivot into some other place. Lots of pivoting going on here. I went to a new hair dresser this past week. I have been with the other hair dresser 10 years. Just felt a pivot was needed. I am sort of moving in place! I really want to follow my son where ever he goes!

I really enjoyed this book Book Lovers by Emily Henry. There is much URST and may have too much carnal detail for some..but as the book goes on themes of values, family issues,family relationships and love emerge. It is an easy read.

Best,

Rosemarie from GA

@Rosemarie2972 I love the groups, but the admin, not so much. The groups I run are ones I would be attending anyway, but running them is another matter.

love the photos of the produce. Our season hasn’t been as good as usual, and many things came on all at once and are already finished because of our weird weather this year.

🤗🤗🤗 and 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 for those who need them. 

🙋‍♀️  céad míle fáilte to our newbies 

☘️ Terri

This weekend, I've pretended that we're back in lockdown again. That was such a wonderful time! So, we didn't leave our property this weekend. I got outside once each day for a brief period of time to walk Rhody.

I wish we could go into a worldwide lockdown one month a year to allow us to catch up.

Meanwhile, I'll take 3 days.

We had wild weather these past 3 days which made it easy to stay in.

In those 3 days, I've done a lot of work in my home office. Most of the stuff that was in a massive waist-high heap of boxes and bags has now been divided into a few major categories.

I will have to go through those major categories, but at least we've got some hope of finding things. And, in the process, a number of things have already been tossed.

The home office was the scary room in our previous place and it remains the scary room, but it is already more organised than it was in the previous place. It helps to have room to spread out and sort things! My current home office is about twice the size of the previous one. It's good.

I've also slept and slept.

And finished reading another book.

And made progress on several other things.

I didn't exercise on Friday or Saturday but today, I did row and rode a bicycle on a trainer — Zwift.

I needed the break from life this weekend.

Tomorrow, I go back to work in the office and I will have to pay a visit to my dentist. The two crowns are on the bottom right — both of them, right next to each other. And they're too high. They're distorting my bite and everything aches a little.

The thing is, they check the bite when we're lying back and it's not too bad in that position. It's when I'm sitting up that it's a problem.

Machka in Oz

Adventures in remodeling - the back bedroom is so close to being finished that we can nearly taste it! Skip all this if you're bored with remodeling, that's more than fine. After seven years in this house, we're a little tired of it ourselves.

Picture 1: This is how the spare bedroom looked when we moved in, this would have been in July 2018. For the first couple years, we used the room as storage, so we threw a couple of cheap carpets over the awfulness and rolling racks for shelving.

Picture 2: In December of the pandemic, Corey decided to rip out the decidedly spongy floor and replace it with some safer subfloor, in preparation for eventually flooring it with either carpeting or vinyl flooring:

Picture 3: Yesterday, when he brought home the underlayment, he also brought home a bag of leveling cement.

It's used to pour on unlevel floors or other surfaces for the obvious reason. And, if you look at the image of him standing in the middle of the wreckage, you'll see he had to leave the foot and a half by the wall at right in order to keep it stabilized by the floor joists - which were in surprisingly good condition for a 60-year old house. As was the entire underside of the house, which Corey inspected before we ever bought it.

But the floor itself was not, or he wouldn't have ripped it out. So he couldn't drive screws, etc., into that patch of wood to steady a floor. So, he decided to use leveling cement, which you can see now runs along that same right hand side, filling in about a 1.25 inch difference that existed between the old original floor and the subfloor he put in new in 2020.

And Lanette - because you'll be the one to ask, he will fasten the 5mm underlayment to the concrete with Liquid Nails, basically a quite permanent glue, and then fasten it into the subfloor with wood screws on both sides. That will keep the concrete from shifting, and should tie the whole floor together nicely.

Off to the races - he's finishing up his last few chapters on his book and his fourth cup of coffee, and then he's going to be bringing in the floor. It's mid-70s outside, and absolutely beautiful… but this is why he took the whole four days off.

Later, y'all,
Off to my busy, noisy morning…

Love,
Lisa in AR