WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR SEPTEMBER 2025

Good Morning, my friends.


Carol, did they start DH on subQ shots of heparin for the clots? I am sending you a big tight hug. I just prayed for you and your DH. (Hope I am not too religious by doing and saying that.) How is your back? Did you bring reading materials and puzzles to keep your mind busy? I hope they come up with a plan for DH.

Lanette, sometimes women had a hard time when their husbands retired, because they would offer their opinions on how to clean and what to do with their time. I experience that sometimes when DH comes into town.

Heather posted a remark by Carl Jung about what we did as kids to make hours pass like minutes. We did flips on the front lawn. Ran through the sprinklers. I played with my dolls and did their hair. I would sing and pretend I was in a concert. Dress up with my friends and take photos with my new camera for modeling. Ride my bike to the beach and play in the water. Ride to the park, catch guppies, and paddle a boat. Go to the library and read. There was a time when summer school was a program for kids to learn extra subjects, such as first aid, woodworking, tennis, golf, and a reading program, all for free. I got signed up and I loved it. My friend and I would hang out by her pool and swim while listening to Elton John's "Harmony," and she was a fan of the Bay City Rollers. We both loved to sing. She danced a lot, too. She had rhythm, and I did not. She would joke that she was white and could dance better than I could. Cheryl was 3 years older than I.

Barbara, Tumbles wrap looks like a sweater or shirt. So at least he seems stylish while recovering. I hate it when dogs are sick. I need to spend $250.00 to get Julia's dog vaccinated. I don't even want to ask how much the surgery costs. My next dog, I want to get pet insurance.

Kylia, how do I go about getting one of those chairs that you can drive around town in? Need one for work. Once, Machka posted about how bad chairs can exacerbate one's sciatica.

Pip, you have one interesting story to tell. When one tests positive for HIV back then, Magic Johnson proved that if one has money, one can live a healthy life. I am so sorry your family was not supportive during the low phase of your life. Thank goodness for Kirby. Good job for going under ten minutes!

Melanie, Happy Birthday to you! You are so fortunate that I don't have your phone number to sing to you. I just sang my heart out to my friend Linette for her 60th birthday. I turn 60 next month. I hope you enjoy your day.

Penny, welcome back!

Allie, S'Miles S'mdelia are growing so fast.

Tracey, I am so happy Rodger went on the trip with you and the kids.

Rebecca, you are doing so well with your food diary. How is your DS?

Michelle, I know you are trying to teach J how to run a house. For your sanity, focus on you and Vince. Maybe you two can go out before bowing as a treat.

Rori, you are so beautiful for doing that. It looks like the concert was a lot of fun.

Well, I'd better go to bed. Back to work tonight. Chow for now.

XO,

Mo in Mississippi

Melanie and Heather - That picture made me well up. Hurting more than I care to admit. Haven't seen my granddaughter (or grandsons) in almost two years, and it will be another year, most likely. My daughter was able to come in for a weekend between flights nearly a year ago now. It's just too long apart. At least by May they'll be in Illinois and not Hawaii. Perhaps by next summer, I'll be able to travel and we can go see them. The only reason at all that I want to be able to travel.

Melanie - I feel about 0 C the same way I feel about +38 C and above, I just stay inside. Your profession, of course, makes it impossible for you to do that. I'm getting less and less likely to be willing to be uncomfortable.

I am waiting out my hair dye while it do what hair dye do… I did my best, for the dozenth time, to let my gray go out - but it's still just too patchy, and my non-gray hair is quite dark brown, so it just looks awful. So, back to blonde for yours truly… and will get my hair trimmed next week or the week after.

Spent more than an hour pulling old nails out of the walls, as well as fighting with four different window treatment holders that were screwed and/or nailed into the wooden window frames. Blinds plus three different curtain holders. That meant eight per window, or 16 small metal things that did not want to let go of the old wood at all!

Later, my dears…
Lisa in AR

What’s going on with refrigerators here? First deb, now pip. Pip– can it be fixed or do you have to get a new one? Ours is probably about 17 years old. Bought it when we moved to the house. They had a side-by-side and there is no way I wanted that! Update: so glad you got it working

Rori – I was planning to talk to Jess this weekend (when she probably won’t be as stressed with work) and tell her that that’s what works for me, maybe it’ll work for her? Then I’ll mention how she can make a meatloaf, just not bake it, and I can pop it in the oven. How there’s nothing wrong with buying a pre-made lasagna and I can just pop that in the oven. Personally, the freezer is my friend. I cook one day and freeze portions for another day. Hopefully, I can show her how she doesn’t have to stress as to what are we going to have? Take out is fine – occasionally. It seems that they’ve always done take out. I understand that when you come home from work, the last thing on your mind is “what are we going to have for dinner”. Lovely pic. Your hair looks lighter? Have a wonderful time in NM

Rebecca – hope everything works out well for Lee

Ginnny – congrats all around!!!!

I used to be able to do a strength training DVD at the Y on Thurs. Now they have a boot camp class in that room. However, I spoke to the instructor. She said she wouldn’t have a problem with me coming in and setting up before her class is over so that’ll work when I need to do a body pump DVD (which is only about every 2-3months)

Think I’ll go take Ganon for a walk

Michele NC

Evening ladies

Just checking in,have a bit of a rocky tummy .Going to try and get some sleep.

I am still picking tomatoes- they didn't do great but there has been enough for me.
I need to make some more pico.
I have been saving seeds from some. Taking names on others to make sure I plant again.
My favorite new one is a chocolate pear. It has really produced well. I need to be sure and save seeds from the ones that I grew from my dad's seeds as they are getting old.

Still 4 pages behind and it is past my bedtime- will try and catch up tomorrow.

Before I go to bed I have a question for all of you.
Mom has an appointment for an MRI on Tuesday to check for Alzheimers.
I thought she was ok with getting it now that she knows it is just the xray and they are not actually looking at her brain(surgery/physically looking at it) but my older sister is so against her getting it done. She called me tonight-first time talking to me in months. She is worried that I am "opening a big can of worms" that the doctor can just decide she has it and pull her license immedeately (sorry,tired, cant spell) and she will be totally isolated.
My thought is to get her checked and if they see something, it is very early, and they can put her on meds for it. My sister is very against the meds, possible side effects,etc

So, my question is- how would you feel about getting the MRI?
When I call mom on Sunday, I will talk to her again. If she really wants to cancel it, she can.It is up to her.

Debbie
Napa Valley CA

I'd be all for getting the MRI!

The MRI won't diagnose Alzheimer's. What it will do is to provide a baseline of where your mother is now … and it will rule out any other issues.

"The different types of biomarkers for dementia detection and diagnosis are outlined below (in the link). When combined with other tests, these biomarkers can help doctors determine whether a person might have or be at risk of developing Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. However, no single test can diagnose these conditions. Biomarkers are only part of a complete assessment."

"Several types of brain scans enable doctors and scientists to see different factors that may help diagnose Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Doctors also use brain scans to find evidence of other sources of damage, such as tumors or stroke, that may aid in diagnosis. Brain scans used to help diagnose dementia include CT, MRI, and PET scans."

"Similar to CT scans, MRIs can show whether areas of the brain have atrophied (shrunk). Repeat scans can show how a person's brain changes over time. Evidence of shrinkage may support a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another neurodegenerative dementia but cannot indicate a specific diagnosis. MRI also provides a detailed picture of brain blood vessels. Before making a dementia diagnosis, doctors often view MRI results to rule out other causes of memory changes such as bleeding or a build-up of fluid in the brain."

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-symptoms-and-diagnosis/how-biomarkers-help-diagnose-dementia

You can do more research in Google yourself. Look for reputable .gov and .org sites.

My husband has MRI reports from his accident and from periods of time after his accident. His brain does show signs of atrophy caused by the accident but he does not have dementia or Alzheimer's yet. However, we have those reports so that if he starts showing additional symptoms, he can go for another one to see what has changed.

Machka in Oz

Good morning my friends!

Rebecca I am excited about your weight loss! You have worked hard and fought obstacles to achieve this. Yay! And it's a good thing that the doctors are not worried about DH's liver.

Carol hope your DH is feeling better. Hugs!

Melanie so sorry about losing your filly. Hugs for that sadness. But also happy birthday! Stormi looks like my Maltese mix Teddy who died in January. He was the most affectionate dog!

Ginny congratulations on baby Finn!

Lanette I don't have flour anymore either. I used to use it to fry catfish, but I try not to fry so much.

Tina hope your DH gets used to his new job and new schedule. It's always a big transition and he will find little fixes to help.

Lisa I'm with you on the cycle of deciding to let my hair grow out, then I can't stand the grey and I dye it again…Also it's entirely natural to be nervous about a traumatic illness coming back. You went through a terrible experience.

Rori I've seen beautiful pictures of balloons in Albuquerque. Have fun!

Pip I'm sorry about people's ignorance of AIDS. So hurtful...And we are proud of your miles under ten minutes! You rock!

Heather you have lots of experience with exercise that suits you. I'm sure you will be able to pick it up again quickly!

Mo yes there are horror stories of home health aides. That's part of my reluctance.

Michele Yay for Ganon getting better at walks! Sounds like part training, part his fitness, but all good! …And it sounds like you are doing a fine job sharing your kitchen!

Allie hope you feel better soon! Hugs!

Machka your fridge joke made me laugh. We have one in the basement and one in the garage. Three fridges for two people!

Debbie I would vote yes on the MRI. As Machka says, it's used for a baseline to determine later damage. And to rule out other causes of dementia. It's not painful, but the noise can be a little scary. You can ask for a valium ( or modern equivalent - Ativan?) and when you make the appointment tell them she needs extra time. They removed my Dad's hearing aids but the staff was experienced with handling that.

When my dad had his droopy eye they took another MRI to compare to see if he had a stroke.

As far as medicine, my Dad takes memantine to slow the progression of Alzheimer's, but there's no telling how fast it would otherwise progress. The benefit of an Alzheimer's diagnosis has more to do with managing expectations and qualifying for assistance.

Many hugs! It's a tough path.

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

Annie in Delaware

Got stuck with another crappy job today. My husband has a 90’s Jeep that he uses to bomb around the ranch in. The doors are barely hanging on, it beeps at you continuously for some unknown issue, and the windshield looks like someone took a bat to it. I have been charged with driving it 45 miles to town to get new tires, any and all oils changed, and a wash. I don’t think it will survive the car wash so I’ll do it by hand with the wand. Then groceries of course because I am there. Hope to be home early afternoon to get a workout in. I was supposed to do one yesterday but this cold is lingering and my energy is low. I am alone all day as my kids are in Utah selling horses and my husband is at a horse sale, possibly buying. The potential to get lots done.

Lisa- I have gone (mostly) grey. More out of laziness than anything else. Find it is much more accepted socially on the male side. Often get comments like “you’re so brave” (huh? I’m not going to war!), or “grey washes you out. You could look so much younger.” Yeah well, it is what it is. I don’t mind looking my age 🙂 The room looks amazing.

Pip- 🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️💥🔥

Machka- we have the old fridge in the basement. Believe it came from my MIL probably almost 30 years ago! It’s probably a huge energy drain.

Heather- I can’t believe the Canadian Women’s Rugby made it that far! They’ve come a long way. Not a popular sport in this country but this might change that.

Annie- not sure what Stormi is but Maltese fits. She has an awesome personality. When I feel down I watch her have the zoomers and think “I’ll take a page out of Stormi’s book on being happy just because”.

Barbie- cake for supper 😋

Wish me luck on my excursion to town. Hopefully it’ll be uneventful 😬

Take care,

Melanie, Alberta

Ladies, I've been lightly skimming the past couple days and I can see I've missed a bunch.

Yesterday was the start of fall yard and garden tear-down. A little doe decided to go after my few remaining tomatoes yesterday, I caught her in the act. Decided to just pick them and bring them in the house and chopped down the plants and moved the buckets of dirt I had them planted in. Was going to throw the dirt on the compost heap - they are mostly root balls at this stage so will probably dump them under the power line.

Sourdough story - I met M for lunch on Thursday, but prior to meeting her I bought a little box of fresh sourdough pizza dough at a little health foods store in town. M showed up with a loaf of freshly baked sourdough bread for me! A lady a few miles down the road has a little farm stand she fills up with gread every Thursday morning and M grabbed me a loaf for a gift. It's delicious. I cut it into quarters and stuck 3 of them in the freezer. Not sure when I'll get to the pizza dough, will probably put that in the freezer. I have frozen pizza dough before and it works out great thawing it in the fridge.

Barbara - have you converted to Windows 11 yet? I fired up my old HP laptop yesterday to test the printer with W11 - and got a gray screen. I can log in but that's it. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did, so will rip out the hard drive one of these days and donate the rest to the Staples recycle program.

I've had an upset tummy the past couple days, I know it's time for me to lay off caffeinated coffee and chocolate for a while.

T stopped by yesterday and told me she found a mama kitty with babies someone had dumped by the gate on their property. The thoughtful dumper left a can (empty of course) of opened cat food and a cat toy. 😥 T can't bring them to her house because one of her dogs is a cat-killer. There's an animal rescue/sanctuary that has a big cat facility she might be able to take them to if she can catch them.

That's the latest. I want to head out and keep after my projects. Not sure if I'll mow, I'll see if the neighbors shame me into it, lol.

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

Windows 11 … at home, I have been using it for well over a year.

At work, apparently I am scheduled to make the switch some time in October.

It'll be nice to work with just the one system.

Machka in