WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR SEPTEMBER 2025
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Hi, I'm Machka (nickname), a Canadian-Australia.
This is me …
I was born in Regina, SK and lived all over western Canada. My great-grandparents homesteaded in Red Deer, AB, and my mother considers that area home, so I've lived in and around there much of my life.
My first marriage took me to Winnipeg, MB. Although I grew up cycling (my father, especially, was into cycling), it was in Winnipeg where I raced for 3 years, then got into ultra-distance cycling: Randonneuring or Audax cycling.
My first marriage broke up during my racing years. He was most definitely not into anything that resembled exercise, fitness, wellness etc. and I was. There was, of course, more to it than that but completely different interests was a significant part of the breakup.
On a 1200 km (90-hour) ultradistance ride called the Paris-Brest-Paris in France in 2003, I met the man that would become my second husband. He is Australian so we maintained a long-distance relationship for 6 years, travelling to different parts of the world to do long, long distance bicycle rides together.
During that time, I returned to university and got my Bachelor of Education and we got married in 2008 in Jasper (by my cousin, then mayor of Banff), on a dock over Lake Annette (near Lake Edith). He returned to Australia and I finished the last year of my degree.
In early 2009 a bushfire roared through the area where my husband lived. It killed many people and destroyed so much including the house where my husband lived. He got out just in the nick of time - it was going up in flame as he drove away.
He worked full-time on an orchard, which survived because of the irrigation, and the owner loaned him a very rustic cabin/shack at the back of the property which also survived. We're not sure why it survived because so much around it was burned, including a pine plantation close by. Nevertheless, when I moved to Australia, it was into that cabin/shack. We were completely off the grid - water from the rain collected in tanks, cooking in the fireplace or with a Coleman stove, electricity with a generator at first, then solar panels. We lived there for the first year because there was nowhere else to live but after a year, people had either started rebuilding or had moved on, so some town options opened up.
My first job was working in a cherry-packing shed temporarily, then we both got a jobs in different areas of bushfire recovery (mine was in database management). After a couple years of that, we decided to travel around the world for 8 months, and eventually ended up in Tasmania where we've remained since. Dabbling in database management led me into getting a Masters in IT.
In 2018, my husband was a GM of an orchard, and we were training (cycling, running, hiking) for another ultradistance cycling event, when he had a bad fall at work. He was in a coma for 3 weeks and in hospital for 100 days. He has a severe traumatic brain injury and several related issues. He has made a remarkable recovery but will never fully recover. Suddenly I ended up in a carer role I am not suited for!
About that time, I switched to running to burn off the emotions. I had done a 10K run in early 2018, before the accident, then did several 5K and 10K road runs and trails runs after. In 2022, I ran my first half marathon.
In 2023 & 2024, my exercise quantity diminished because of busy-ness at work (I'm now a Data Analyst), legal issues around my husband's accident, travel to spend time with my ageing parents, and moving house. But both my husband and I did 8 weeks of fencing lessons!
We now live in a house that is much better for my husband — it's all one level on a flat lot so he can get around without falling. That said, he did manage to fall and rupture his Achilles tendon right at the beginning of this year. Because he has very limited feeling in that leg from the brain injury, it took a month before they finally took it seriously and got him into surgery. He's been recovering since.
But meanwhile, I have been able to do a lot more cycling, walking and even a bit of running this year. We live in a good area for all that! And I took swimming lessons for the first time ever, and have learned to swim!
I've got my eye on an event early in 2016 where I might run another 10K, and several cycling events coming up in the next few months, and if I can get to the point where I can swim more than 25 metres without having to stop and catch my breath, maybe I'll tackle a very short triathlon. Who knows!
Hobbies: I'm the president of the local branch of our cycling club and we're into beekeeping. I started colouring shortly after my husband's brain injury which helps relax me. I love reading novels and occasionally non-fiction (although I get a lot of that through education and work) and I enjoy music of all sorts. I've also recently started enjoying gardening — the landscaping side of gardening more than the planting.
Machka in Oz
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Too tired to comment. Had a good day. Watching Jonah and Michaela enjoy the mountains for the first time was amazing. They each took 100’s of photos. Michaela’s middle name is Edith. She was excited about the lake, the mountain area was closed because of the forest fire last year. They are giving the land time to heal in a few places.
Tracey in Edmonton
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Gorgeous photos, Tracey! 😄😍 Such zest for life.
Heather UK xxxxxxxx
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😀 Tracey, what a fun trip for all of you.😎😍
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Hello, my dears,
Tracey - You are one amazing grandma. Building memories with them that they'll have all their lives.
Machka - I never tire of hearing your story, dear heart. I hope 2026 is just amazing for you both.
Barbie - I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the time with family, and that they are doing so much for you, as well.
We finished up everything but putting curtains up yesterday in the back bedroom, I'll add a before and after picture at some point, probably after I've put the curtains up. Still thinking about what kind of curtains I want to make. It will come to me. We're both pleased with how it came out.
Now the big shuffle, to move all the storage stuff into the finished room temporarily while we paint the other bedroom. Much less to be done with this one, just a little bit of sheetrock mud and a lot of paint. Rather than the kinda horrible blue of the other one, it's done in yellow that just hasn't aged well, but the floor is in very good shape.
As Corey pointed out yesterday, by the time we get the kitchen and the large bathroom completely finished, it will be time to start again… We've lived in this house seven years now, and we figure it will be ten before we get all the rooms done. And he's talked for years about enclosing the carport and making it a real garage, as well… 😲😅🥰 Ever the optimist.
We'll head in to Sam's Club in a bit - he's only on his second cup of coffee, so it will be a while. Hopefully we can get there before the churches let out around noon.
Hope it is/was a peaceful Sunday for all,
Love from the cloudy but cool Arkansas River Valley,
Where little hints of fall are in the air just before the Autumn Equinox tomorrow,Lisa
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WWe've had such fun with Edie. Art and chat. And more chat. ..…
She doesn't want me to photograph her painting yet, as it isn't finished, but I'm pleased with my effort for today. I must say it looks better at a distance, really pops.
I also did a caricature of John that came out quite well. Edie is taking it home with her!
The two of them have just nipped off to the park for a bit of cricket practice.
Love you all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx
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Good Sunday morning. I am feeling much better after a day of doing nothing and a good dose of steroids…. They are a wonder drug for reducing pain and inflammation. I will make it to volleyball tomorrow, thank goodness, as our first league game is on Wednesday. I coach at a very small school (130 students K to 12) so there are no try outs and skills are extremely varied. I have learned a lot coaching these teams- taken a notch off of my competitiveness and really worked to improve their game play. It’s awesome to watch them improve over 2 short months.
Feeling good enough to have the crew for supper. They have requested sweet and spicy chicken tenders, egg rolls, Chinese dumplings, rice, and peas. I may even bake some cookies for dessert. My grandson, who is 2 1/2 walked in yesterday, leaned against the door and said- hey Baba, got any gummy worms? Had to laugh. He loves those and watching Sean the Sheep with me.Carol- most people don’t realize it takes off farm income to sustain being a producer. My son always planned on taking over. I “forced” him to go to university so he could experience different ideas and ways of think in and meet a girl who might have a good second income. As his dad was able to, as we joke, to keep him in the lifestyle he’s been accustomed to 🤠 He really enjoyed school and yes, found his wife there.
Lisa- Bahahaha! 🤣 How about “The crochet murders”? Could be a series on Lifetime.
Pip- Wow 😮 Not sure I would have been able to be as supportive to run 2 fulls. That is amazing of you. Luckily my husband doesn’t run. And I found half’s to be painful enough. My goal was a sub 2 hour. Never got there… missed it by 3 minutes 🤷🏻♀️ I do miss them though- liked following a training plan.
Barbie- Your son sounds like a good man. Glad he made it to the sunshine side- that is hard to do.
Rebecca- Good looking boys! Laughed about the suspected jaundice… we moms never stop worrying!
Machka- what an incredible life! Thank you for sharing! It makes me dizzy thinking about all you have done and upended your life. After vet school I swore that having moved every year for 8 years and could fit everything I owned including a 100 pound lab and cat in my 1986 Dodge charger with my bike strapped to the roof that I would never move again. And I haven’t. 32 years here now and content. I also love to bike- on a fat bike as only have gravel roads. I would like to do a bike/swim duathlon but can’t yet figure out the logistics of getting enough swimming in (pool is 45 miles away) or finding a road bike. One day. Also, I am about 2 1/2 hours NE of Red Deer.
Tracey- Nice to see Jasper is recovering from the fires. Love the pics- they look so happy 😁
Heather- beautiful colours. Wish I had the ability to draw caricatures… so cool!
Here’s to a everyone having a great week ahead,
Melanie, Alberta
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Struggling today with what I believe about addiction, is it a disease or a choice. No comments necessary, I don't want to start a problem. Just think on it. If you want to reply your thoughts, PM me through here or Messenger.
Other than above, I've never down a marathon or triathlon, but did a couple of Cancer walks. I was never a good runner or swimmer: lung/breathing issues all my life. I envy those of you who did and can do these challenges. I'm satisfied with my walks.
I love working with yarn and threads doing crochet, knitting, embroidery, and other simple hobby kits. I just finished a mandala in embroidery, going to do a Grinch in beads but need my iron from storage first, and I've got a kit for making car freshies coming in from Amazon, (my new obsession!). My friend is a rep for these and other household products. Again, if your interested, PM me and I will send the link.
Thought for Today:
Why does a chicken coop only have two doors?
Because if it had four, it would be a sedan!
RVRita in Roswell I found my transporter!!
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Thanks, they are all great adults, and I am so proud of them! Here's the three of them. My middle son did his 6 years in the Navy, then got out, letting the Navy help him thru college. He's the best Dad, and husband. Each in their own phase of their lives.
Glad you're feeling better!
Ooh I love volleyball! When our family used to be members at a resort in California I played both water volleyball, and volleyball in sand. Once when I was playing in a sand volleyball tournament which was co-ed, I was up at the net and the other teams spiker was ruthless! It was in slow motion and he spiked it right into my chest! Let me clarify, this was a clothing optional resort, so ball hitting skin made this huge noise! Yes it stung, and yes he felt so embarrassed but in the thick of it I said loudly, "if these puppies were fake you'd be in a heap of trouble"! My tactic to defuse the situation..😂. Good times..
Rebecca Whidbey Wa
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Lol Rebecca your a hoot!!
I had a craving for clam strips so went right down the rd to a seafood place..very good
But I had maybe 5 onion rings and 6 clam strips and brought the rest home..I can't eat like I used to which is a good thing.even though it wasn't greasy..I had a bit of a tummy ache when I got home..
Got the garbage together for Dan who will stop by tomorrow, did my pills,have to get a prescription renewed. It is beautiful outside 68 % in the sun it phenomenal.
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Did Firm’s Get Chisel’d DVD then part of the Ultimate Power Yoga DVD
Went to go see “Junk” at the Green Room last night. Although itwas a musical, it WAS funny.
After exercising, took Ganon for a walk then go to Aldi’s. Went to WalMart yesterday but I think I may have to go tomorrow. Actually, they asked me to change the day of our counting to Monday so I hope I make it to bowling. I probably will
Made yogurt in the IP. Unfortunately, evidentially the electrical connection wasn't good so it didn't start for a few hours
Made cookies for J&C
Tracey – to me, it sounds like hubby is being somewhat of a child
kylia – how maddening!
Melanie – healing thoughts being sent your way
barbie – sometimes kids just need to go thru a rebellious stage before they become “decent”. I’m so glad things worked out for you
Rebecca – cheetos...lol
tracey – so glad everyone had such a good time
Lisa – I always try to do my shopping so that I’m home before the churches let out. One of the churches around here has a sheriff directing traffic. I suspect these are off-the-clock or retired sheriffs
Melanie – the last time I went to see my grandson, he happened to see a bag of Gummy Worms in the lobby. After we went swimming and to the park he wanted to go back to our hotel for Gummy Worms. We just assumed that his mother had put some in his bag. Nope! He remembered seeing them!
A friend of Jess’ from Cary was in Asheville hiking so she stopped by with her two dogs. All was well until one of the dogs bit Vince. We did have EMS come just to confirm that the bite isn’t deep enough to warrant stitches or sutures. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a pic of it when EMS was here. They just bandaged it up. Evidently, this friend has been working with a behavior therapist with the dog. She said she always keeps him muzzled but didn’t today. What she feared came true. Our neighbor is with Animal Control so they took a statement. I don’t know...if it were me, the dog draws blood once and he’s gone. Back when I was pg with Bryan (so we’re talking maybe 40 years ago) we had an Old English Sheepdog. He turned on me, I still have the scars, not bad. But the next day we had him put down. I just would not take the chance that he’d do something to the baby. In good conscience, I could not possibly put another person in danger. But I’m not her
I think Jess is feeling bad so she wants to take us out to dinner to Olive Garden. Think I'll just get the salmon, I'm not a big pasta eater.
Michele NC
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Melanie - glad you are feeling much better.
Tracey - looks like you had a grand time yesterday. What a beautiful area.
Heather - I remember taking a drawing class where I just put pencil to paper and drew what I saw for a minute or two without looking at the result on the paper. Your drawing reminds me of that a little. It's neat. So is your painting.
Allie - your lunch looked great. Love clam strips. Glad you have some appetite back.
Michele - sorry Vince got bit. I'm like you - once they bite, that's it in my book too. Just not worth the risk if the dog is around children, or the elderly or anyone for that matter. We've put one of our dogs down too for biting someone as well.
Bra chit-chat:
I got a "Leading Lady" bra that Barbara recommended and I like it. I kept getting ads coming up in my FB feed for bras yesterday - all of them companies I'd never heard of until one came up from good ole Walmart. "Joyspun" brand. Bralette. A pull-on stretchy thing. $12.00. They happened to have them at my local Walmart this morning and I grabbed one. 93% nylon, 7% spandex. Seems whenever my weight shifts 5 or 10 pounds, it's in the bust area. So my current bras are either deflated or the cups runneth over. 😁 So these stretchy ones solve that problem. Anyhow, this one fit fine too, and has removable cups.
Lisa - a while back you mentioned bras you liked. Could you please refresh my memory?😁
More videos by Kyle Cox, the guy I mentioned yesterday with the video about introverts-
Again, not sure what his credentials are, but he has a slew of little videos talking about the brain and how/why we respond and see the world like we do. And tips on training our brains. His reasoning makes sense to me. He mentions cortisol a lot which caught my attention as this comes up repeatedly in my other reading about cortisol spiking blood sugar in those of us who are pre-diabetic/insulin resistant.
Did you know couples who talk to each other about problems have 31% less satisfaction in the relationship than those who don't …. the happiest couples ignore 69% of their problems! He explains why. Timely considering what we've been discussing in this group the past couple days.😮
And why walking through doors impairs memory - does "what did I come into this room for" sound familiar? It might not be dementia, but how our brains have gotten trained.
Here's his Instagram home page:
And YouTube home page:
(10713) Your Brain Explained - YouTube
Again, he might be an average Joe who has just picked up this information from research he's read over the years, so there's no guarantee that he's right in every instance. But plenty of food for thought here. If interested.
We had 1/2" of rain this morning, now it's sunny and should stay that way the rest of the week.
Reminder "Weekly Check-In" is tomorrow for those participating.
Lanette 😎
SW WA State
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OK, after our Sam's Club trip, we're slightly poorer, but our fridge and freezer definitely look like we're set for awhile - going to try shopping the freezer for the rest of September and all of October, too… it's time again.
Rebecca - can't get the sound of that volleyball hitting you out of my head, thanks so much… 😂😎👀
Michele - I think the woman was MUCH more at fault than the dog if she knew the dog had issues enough to keep it in a muzzle before she got there. Why would she suddenly decide it was OK? I'm sorry you were bitten long ago. It may have affected you much more than you know.
Lanette - Oh my stars, that's hilarious. Not putting it in a spoiler, 'cause they can't hold pics - but this is what I ended up going with in April. Got them in peach, black and steel colors.
The ones you were talking about were sports bras, and I could get them on Amazon (I think) about $27 for three. But April is when that right shoulder rotator cuff started hurting so badly. The first thing I did was switch to this very soft bralette that is exactly the right length strap so I get zero pressure dragging on my shoulders where my straps have always rested. They're wider straps, so less pressure that way, too, and generally just keep my accouterments from wandering around and hiding behind my back more than anything else. 😎👀😂 And I still only wear 'em in town.
So you and I went the same direction at the same time, in the same store, just a different brand. The Joyspun straps were longer than was comfortable for me. The built-in straps (non-adjustable) in the Hanes were the right length. And they've held up well to multiple washings, line dry.
It's rumble-bumbling here now, supposed to start raining any minute and all morning tomorrow, plus Tuesday, too.
Burger for Corey, slider for me, he's cooking now… smells wonderful.
Later, my dears,
Love,
Lisa4 -
It may have been that Jess wanted the endless pasta bowl and used Vince’s bite as an excuse. But that's OK
Lisa – I suspect the gal didn’t have the muzzle on the dog while she was hiking. Well, it’s not like there are many people on the trail. So she didn’t put it back on. She said that he’s never done this at anyone’s house. I don’t understand...how can the dog distinguish between a house and somewhere else? I know she feels bad, but so do I. I understand the dog is descended from dingo.
Michele NC
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Our weather has taken on a decidedly nippy feel. Beautiful sunshine today was very deceptive! We visited DED again to say goodbye to younger grandson who is flying back to uni in England tomorrow. He hopefully will graduate next September.
Visited a cruise show yesterday to learn more about river cruises. Couldn’t believe the number of people who were there. Will book this week to get the show discount.
I’m all posted for this week so off to bed. This is our agave flowering. It’s one of 3 we planted over 18 years ago. One of them flowered 5 years ago, the third has still not flowered.
🤗🤗🤗 and 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 for those who need them.
🙋♀️ céad míle fáilte to our newbies
☘️ Terri
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Lanette-
Saw this for your chickens😁
It was on my FB feed...😁
Rebecca Whidbey Wa
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Lisa, ME NEITHER!
My other funny memory is playing tennis. I was playing doubles, and going for a low shot by the net. My legs were going so fast (in my mind) that my body was off balance and definitely not keeping up. Imagine seeing a front forward roll then I shot upright so fast! My partner (bless his heart) saw it all and did his best not to giggle or clap at the production! I suffered no skinned knees, just total embarrassment! Good times!😂😂
Rebecca Whidbey Wa
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Rain off and on all day today so no pool time. The dog and I have so far avoided the raindrops on our walks. I am doing lots of reading and putting together a puzzle. Watched the live action Snow White. The changes in the story were interesting.
Tracey - looks like fun with the grandkids.
Everyone take care, Sue temporarily in San Diego
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stats for the day-
Walk kids- 9.21min, 980steps, 2.30ap, .37mi= 54c
Strava app= 46c
Housecleaning etc- 2hrs 32min 52sec, dust, vacuum, laundry fold/put away, refill humming bird feeders, change bedsheets, etc=693c
Walk kids-16.46min, 1628steps, 2.0ap, .59mi= 64c
Strava app=72cTotal cal 811
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It’s another beautiful day and forecast to remain so. I have Monday Painters after lunch.
We were having a discussion in another group and I thought I would just share with you what I wrote.
Exercise and diet
When I was young, we didn’t think about exercise at all, as we walked almost everywhere. We mostly didn’t have as many labour-saving devices as we do nowadays, and got lots of exercise just keeping ourselves and our homes clean..There wasn’t even television when I was a young child.There was still rationing until I was six, so we didn’t get many sweets or chocolate, and our diet was a small amount of meat most days with potatoes and veg, most of which were seasonal food. Gooseberries, and rhubarb in summer, Apples, pears, and blackberries in the autumn, Rice was something we had as a pudding, as a treat. Lots of eggs and milk, as we lived near a farm on the outskirts of Belfast.
As a young adult, I thought nothing of walking home from dances in the city centre, and was an avid mountain walker, but we didn’t even regard that as ‘exercise. I also rode horses, swam regularly in our local pool, and loved ice and roller skating. It was an active lifestyle but I don’t think I ever even thought of the word exercise in those days. And I had a hearty appetite to fuel all these activities.
When I got married and had children, I was just as active, but never worried about the few lbs I started to put on, as it was generally accepted that women put on a little after childbirth. I cooked all our meals and we ate very healthily. The problem was that as I became a little less active when I started my teaching career in my early 30s as a mature student, I didn’t modify my eating habits, and the yo-yo dieting began. And each time the weight would creep a little higher after the ‘diet’ finished.
As children, we were constantly encouraged to clear our plates. In school, I had school dinners, and often had seconds, but my active lifestyle meant that I was using all those calories. I think this is one of the lessons that scuppered me in later life whenI became less active.I never learnt to regulate my food intake.It’s a lesson that I hope that I have now learnt.🤗🤗🤗 and 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 for those who need them.
🙋♀️ céad míle fáilte to our newbies
☘️ Terri
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We've been invited by my son to stay on after Bea pick up tomorrow, to have a birthday dinner for Edie. She told us she was missing rugby practice so she should come home and see us, and give us some cake! She's also going to wait to open her presents with us. She doesn't know we are staying for dinner. 😂
My poor son has agreed with her to make a chocolate and caramel Swiss Roll. It involves rolling the warm sheet of cake in a tea towel and cooling it in the fridge, before unrolling and filling it. At least he's bought the caramel from Waitrose! Her request for dinner is his beef stew.
My son rang last night to invite us, but he rang the main phone and John didn't answer because he didn't recognise the number. I did recognise the number when he rang again, but wasn't sure. He was quite cross when he rang my mobile! He didn't tell us before because he didn't want us to leak it to Edie.
I'm booked in to ring my friend L this pm. Later, because she's painting her new front fence earlier! Her 76th birthday is on Saturday. She's already done the side of the shed.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
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😀 Son and wife left by 10 AM yesterday allowing me time for my lunch, zoom call, and walk with a friend. Now I am relishing the quiet. With all the things removed from the garage, I can finally begin the cleaning and rearranging that I've wanted to do for years.
😍 Barbie in NW WA
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