WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR NOVEMBER 2025

Tracey—I cannot imagine why the granddaughter would treat her grandmother that way. It’s totally undeserved. It’s terrible that the family is forever fractured, but in this case, it sounds like it’s for the best.

Melanie—The new company is not a big corporation. It’s very small—25 people. There is no pension. The healthcare options are very expensive and not great. There is a very small matching on a 401k (employer sponsored retirement plan) for which I’ve received no info, but don’t plan to use anyway. I’m at the point in my life that I need some income, but I don’t want to be bothered. I don’t need health insurance (right now I am on the mister’s plan) at the moment. I don’t need a 401k, and I don’t want to keep moving up the corporate ladder and I especially do not want to be in any sort of management/mentorship role. So, we will see what the future holds here.

Kylie—Lovely snow. I like to look at it, but don’t like getting out in it.

Machka—Thanks for the popping/cracking info. Mine is like bubble wrap. If I do a sit up, it starts at the bottom of the spine and pops all the way to the mid-back in succession. I hope it’s a muscle imbalance and not osteoporosis.

Foot update—I got a cortisone shot in the left foot. It felt great on day 2. By day 3, it started hurting again. Not as badly, but it’s still there. I have a follow up in a few weeks and if it’s not gone, I’ll get another one. In the meantime, I will resume my daily 3 miles walks. I just may do them slower.

For whatever reason, I have no motivation today.

Tina in CA

Rebecca - you gave me a good chuckle with "let's exchange pamphlets". Do you have any of the nudist pamphlets left? I could use a few, lol. 😁 Actually, you've given me an idea. Bet I could stick a little holder next to the front door with a sign that says "take one" and stuff it full of all kinds of pamphlets I can pick up around town. When an uninvited visitor shows up, I'll raise the blind and point to the pamphlet holder then close the blind. Leave them wondering and confused, lol.

Allie - loved the photos of SMiles and Delia at the Northern Express. When is Tracy due? Hope that UTI gets better quickly.

Debbie - thank you for the long catch-up in your world. I was wondering how your mom's MRI went. I bet Thanksgiving at your son's will be nice. Sorry the turnout for the sale wasn't great but good that it was close by. Hope next show is better.

Heather - so glad to hear your health problems are easing up. Looks you and John had a very nice visit with DSIL.

Barbie - agree, it's time to stock up in case weather prevents us from getting to the store. I used to buy tetra pack milk at the Dollar Tree. Shelf stable for many months. When I was in there last week, I didn't see any. The cartons I have tucked back here had a "best by" date of August 2025. They might be past usable quality now. Will pick up powdered milk next time I'm in town.

Melanie - I'm with you on the food for visitors. I think we all have memories of "you eat what's on your plate or go hungry" lol. Having the visitors watch eye surgery is a great idea. In my mind, unless a person was raised on a farm and grew up around birth, death, and in between, including wounds and wound care can take some getting used to. Regarding my visitors the other night, I actually did tell them I was this close to grabbing the pistol so it would behoove them to NEVER knock on my door again at night, or anyone's door. The looks on their faces. I wish I would have asked for their supervisor's name and number to emphasize the point of how unsafe it is to send the boys out in the dark. I don't remember a lot of home invasions when I was working at 911 25 years ago, but times have changed.

Regarding the Farmer's carry - so interesting we're now seeing the benefit of carrying heavy stuff. Carrying a heavy bucket of water or feed. Or a 20# container of kitty litter really does benefit us as we get older. Can we carry 5 lbs in each hand for 5 blocks? Peter Attia says this is a goal.

Kylia - sorry you had such a week, hope this week is better. When you said "snow" I had to check on my relatives in northern Indiana - looks like they are coming off the deep freeze too. Looks like the warmer weather is back for a while for you mid-westerners.

Margaret - you have done so well after your DH's and son's deaths, and I think you have a good formula for fighting depression. Diet, gratitude, volunteering, keeping up with friendships are working well for you. 🤩 I'm waiting to hear back from the new insurance company I want to go with for my Medicare supplemental. Should be OK, I'm sure they are inundated. Hoping to see a net saving of over $100 per month and crossing fingers nothing major next year since it's high-deductible. I rewatched a video yesterday about the benefits of Near Infrared light and the importance of getting some morning sun, outside, to start our days. I think it's supposed to help with depression. I know my mood is better when the sun is shining v. a cloudy day, but between checking on the chickens several times a day and the bird feeders, I get to be outside quite a bit.

Barbie - thanks for the exercise recommendations, and great insight into depression. I think gratitude makes all the difference. And smiling. I just came back from shopping in town, and always try to greet everyone with a cheery smile, an uplifting comment. It's a habit I cultivated after my DH passed. This morning I was in line with a little gal who was a schoolteacher and she told me about how she does her lesson plans. I thought it was so interesting. I wonder how many people give her the time to talk about her job like this. Glad I was there. I'm learning to shut up about myself and listen, too. 😉

Better get this posted. Make it a super week, ladies.

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

well kids, one thing for some unknown reason I had stopped doing my floor exercises since I moved to California. I have decided that I was going to start them up again. Through reading, I found some of the exercises I was doing was helping me run and I discovered new ones I could do. So I’ve got a plan. I am going to do a 10k instead of the 1/2 next year but I still planned on running it. In doing these floor exercises again I will find out if they have benefited me by next year or not., I’m sure they will. I will also try walk/running them which will be new for me. I’ve read all kinds of plans and I think I like the walk 1 minute, run 5. There are different ones, we’ll see. I am thinking I will also do a full marathon when I’m 70 with the run/walk method. I should have it down by then. This is of course if I’m still alive by then.

14791479

Heather - she bought that dresser for $40 off Marketplace. I will probably refinish it in the summer for her, it needs some love on the top.
A lot of my craft supplies are still behind the shower curtain and in the cubbies. I really can’t empty them all out. I am emptying the bottom of my China cabinet today and will put a lot of the most used stuff in there.
I’m quite sad to lose my room but it is for the greater good. She would have been absolutely fine with me leaving it, but I want her to know she’s wanted and we aren’t “putting up with her.”

If I thought for two seconds I could get her to talk to a therapist I would get her one, but I know she won’t.
I fear she’s depressed, and I know she’s hurting tremendously. I hope our love is enough and she finds happiness in her remaining years.

Lanette - that is scary, I’m glad they were harmless and you gave them the what for.

I was so looking forward to today as MIL’s things were to be removed today, when her son in law showed up they wouldn’t let him in. They claimed they didn’t hear him pounding on the door and were still sleeping. 🙄
They think we’re all stupid.

Anyway I woke up to him calling me, I called the RCMP but apparently they have almost squatters rights. We have to wait for them to be evicted by the sheriff. Hopefully we still are able to get her stuff. My SIL wants to pay them to give her stuff to her SIL but we all told him no.Her daughter called last night and acted all nice. I knew that it was a fishing expedition, but she didn’t get as much out of Mom as she was hoping I’m sure.

We also found out today she was coerced into signing an 11000+ loan in 2023 that now has an outstanding balance of 12000+ because of missed payments. MIL doesn’t even know what it was for.
Every single day I learn something new.

Maybe one of these days soon I can actually start talking about something else, this is just consuming my every waking moment right now. It’s exhausting.
Tracey in Edmonton

Tracey - It's okay, sweetie. Any of us would be utterly absorbed in trying to resolve a problem this big. I'm afraid each day may bring something new… these people have been doing this for years. No resolutions from here, just lots of hugs.

Lanette - Regarding the boys on your porch. Don't forget, there is no rule that says you must open the door to anyone. Except maybe the cops, and even then, I'd want to see ID before I opened it. I'm glad you put a scare into them, but be careful.

Still edging along the freezing temps this morning, but supposed to get up in the 60s this afternoon (15-17c). Egg did not put on a massively fluffy coat this year, so she thinks it's going to be a mild winter. That said, though, she is also laying in front of the heater I've got going to warm my feet, and is completely uninterested in going outside! 😂👀🐈‍⬛ Usually, she's bugged me to let her out like three times already by this time.

I've been really focused on doing some exercise every day, and missed very few of late. Pleased by that. It really helps with the joint pain, as well as just being able to bend and stoop and live my normal life. My weight has steadied out in the mid-160s, which I'm not very happy with, and I had to go up a size in my underwear to stop the elastic cutting into me, which is frustrating. But a lot more comfortable! 🫣😂

Hope it's a good day, my dears, and a good rest of your week,
Love,
Lisa in AR

Holiday today but will be playing catch up at work with having had last week off. I tried to get caught up yesterday, but was burned out at the computer by 2pm, having started at 7am. There is just only so much time I can work on the computer before my brain starts to get frazzled and I start making mistakes entering cases.

Our calves are going today. Will sell tomorrow. The markets recovered somewhat this week so we pulled the trigger. Some of the steer calves are almost as big as their mothers. Those poor cows need a break.

My glutes are screaming today. Did a pretty tough leg workout yesterday . I knew they would be hurting today when they started shaking doing lateral lunges.

Kylia- glad you are feeling better. You sure made up for lost time! We have about the same amount of snow but it was warm yesterday so now it's just icy. I broke my leg last year slipping on ice. I bought winter boots with spikes but I think I will also invest in a pair of running shoes.

Margaret- it can be hard wondering why we are still here and others aren't. That is a question I often find myself wondering about. I can't think of a reason other than being grateful that I have been given another day with an extremely good life. You are very strong.

Flea- why are squirrels so irresistible. And they know it. I hear them taunting us as we pass by them in the trees.

Take care of yourselves 💕

Melanie

This stain glass was commissioned for Grant Wood to create in the early 1920's as a way to honor all soldier who have fought for our country. He wanted to use the best stained glass artisans who were German... When it was dedicated in 1928 two years before his American Gothic painting won 3rd prize at the Art Institute of Chicago the DAR snubbed him because how dare he use German glass artisans. He went to oversee their work in Munich Germany. He decided to do a painting of three woman from the DAR he found them in a book listing their members. In the background he painted the famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware that was approved by the DAR. He showed it in 1932 two years after American Gothic. It was painted by a German artist Leutze. I think it is a fitting story for today!

Tracey - I am so glad you are here in this group and sharing MIL's story. It's a great reminder to us, as we age, of what we need to be aware of to protect ourselves and our homes and finances. The old adage "no good deed goes unpunished" seems to apply to MIL's situation when she allowed her daughter & granddaughter to move in. In a way, you folks are probably anxious for that November 20th sale of MIL's home to be done and that chapter closed, however it turns out. Sorry son in law was unable to gain access and get some of MIL's belongings.

My neighbor J, 92, told me recently that neither of his kids will be his executor when he passes. He has a son and daughter who he keeps at arm's length. I'm not exactly sure why, but he once mentioned his daughter wanted him to sell and move closer to her so she could get into his $$. Is he wise or is he being paranoid? But, he said his attorney will be executor and will be looking after his affairs. In the meantime, one of our neighbors across the street looks in on him daily, invites him to lunch and holiday dinners and is doing a great job of being a surrogate daughter. Kind of like T and me.

Debbie - your tuna casserole using tuna, prepared mac & cheese mix and a can of mixed veggies is a great idea for a shelf-stable meal. What kind of cheese did you add? I need to think about this. And by the way, those meals looked great and yes, super good price for the big portions. Up here, it would have cost twice that. You are making me hungry, lol.

We could have a tuna casserole cook-off contest when I get that teleporter going. We could try Okie's two variations, Melanie's, and yours. And I'll throw some of my mom's recipe together. Anyone else? Bon appetite!😁

Pip - I remember when you were doing a lot of floor exercises when you lived up this way and I was always impressed that you were doing burpee's. You rock. Good luck with your 10 k marathon plans, I know you'll be successful.

Rebecca - again, you have me chuckling that the visitors handing out their literature helped themselves to your nudist tracts. And cleaned you out.🤣 And love your idea that if they leave a tract, they have to take one. I need to pay better attention to what all is out there. Realtors and landscapers like to drop off their information here. That would be a start.

Lisa - thank you for the reminder about opening the door to strangers, no matter what time of the day or night. No worries. When DH was still living, I once went out the back door when someone was knocking on the front door and surprised THEM by coming around the side of the house and asking them what they wanted. They said they were looking for so and so, I old them wrong house. DH then showed up and they hurried away.

I have mentioned before, one reason I never put DH's death notice in the paper was to eliminate the "vultures" from stopping by my house to "prey" on me, a new widow. Realtors for one thing. And I think there are vultures who look for widows and widowers they can cajole and intimidate under the guise of being helpful. And there's the old "your husband/wife owed me money" baloney some of them like to pull that I've read about. I think in most states, there's a 2 year statute of limitations, shorter - maybe 4 months? - if notice is published in the legal section of the paper. So I would have told anyone who said they were owed money to file a claim. That would weed out the scammers.

Melanie - glad the market has recovered and the steers are on their way. Less feed needed this winter. Have the cows been rebred? The other day I saw a squirrel running off with one of the few remaining apples hanging on the tree.

I have a visiting small rat or large mouse which is living in the woodshed. I've been putting RatX out at night - safer than D-Con - and bringing it in during the day when a squirrel or chipmunk would be active, though I don't think it's something those critters would normally eat. The RatX has been disappearing so hopefully the visitor(s) will be in eternal slumber before long. I'm pretty sure it was attracted by the corn and bird seed I'd been distributing near there this fall, and then I noticed something had gotten into a few grains of corn I'd spilled in the chicken feed storage room - I keep the feed in a metal garbage can. Bird seed is now in hanging feeders, with a little tossed back under the the bushes near the powerline far away from the house.

Margaret - interesting information about Grant Wood, the window and the painting. Those DAR ladies were something else! I put the flag out this morning. I should have done it yesterday for the Marine Corps 250th anniversary, which DH always celebrated.

What's the weather like in your area? By the way, ladies, I really enjoy reading our weather reports and temperatures. I need to get better at converting F to C. 😁 Thankful for the internet so I don't have to do the 9/5 thing, though it would probably be good for my brain.

Lanette 😎

SW WA State with temp right now at 35F (around 1.7C) , high expected around 53-54F (around 12C) with some sunshine.

This afternoon, on the way to the bus, I called in at the doctor. First I handed in my home bp readings- pretty good. I also made a phone appointment for my HRT review. And, you'll all be pleased to know that I made an appointment to see the dedicated specialist nurse practitioner about my knee. 5th December. He can order x-rays etc.

At Waitrose, I eventually found the treat that I was promised by online voucher, and bought some easy food for tonight. I never feel like complicated cooking after getting back from Bea.

My son is out of his boot and will be able to resume driving tomorrow. Uber today for us.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Margaret - Thanks for the pics and the story. Loved it all.

Rita - Sorry the blues are hanging in there… my opinion, and worth what you've paid for it, is that your depression might not be based on the situations with your son and your husband, but might be that imbalance in your own chemistry. Time to possibly talk to a doctor?

One of my assurances when I worry about my own cognitive abilities or my financial acumen is the fact that Corey is nine years younger. I've told him that he might end up regretting that! There is neither Alzheimer's nor dementia in either of our genetics that I'm aware of. We went ahead and named our daughter as a trustee for the trust and as executor for our wills if we die together or very near the same time. Getting the trust and MPOA and everything else done at the same time was a huge burden off of my mind.

Odd mood today - but not the first year that I've moved into Grinch mode at this time of year. Drove into town to drop off some donations at Goodwill, walked through and saw nothing I wanted, and then simply drove straight home. Not interested in shopping, in all reality. Just don't want anything.

Time to take my noon meds, then a bit of yoga, then get on the rower, and then get in the shower. Thanks for the Veteran's Day wishes.

Later, my lovelies,
Lisa in AR