WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR NOVEMBER 2025

Rori—I am so sorry your trip was interrupted by that awful event. Before the mister went to Bonaire (where he broke his leg), we were both having weird feelings about the trip. In fact, there was a bird that kept flying into our window over and over, like he was dumb and it went on for days. Just didn’t stop. It was right above where the mister’s head is when he watches TV. As soon as he left on his trip, the bird stopped. He had extra health insurance through his dive plan and they covered his overseas surgery. The insurance trouble started when he got back to the U.S. He flew home 4 days after surgery. It was a traumatic experience for him. I hope your friend is doing as well as possible, considering the circumstances.

I have been bitten and scratched by cats too many times to count. Fortunately, I have never had an issue beyond a tiny puncture.

So I’ve been curious about Rao’s pasta sauce. It seems to be all the rage. I refuse to spend $7-9 for a jar. Costco had it on sale this week for $5.35/jar or something like that. Of course it’s Costco, so it came in a 2 pack and the jars are bigger. It arrived damaged. I got a refund and they said to dispose of the sauce. However, it had just leaked. One of seals on one of the jars had come apart slightly. The other jar was fine. So, I bagged it up and put it in the freezer. 2 new jars are on the way. So, now it’s $2.75ish per jar (Which is still more than I typically pay). I did taste it. It’s just pasta sauce. Certainly not worth $7-9. I say “ish” because I don’t have the exact price in front of me, but I know roughly that’s what it is. Now, I have pasta sauce for a year.

I have been stressed lately. We finally got confirmation of our travel dates in April. I spent 2 days this week planning and buying tickets, booking hotels, etc. Everything is done (I think) except tours, which can wait till it’s closer. I hate trip planning, especially when it’s this difficult. 1 round trip flight and 3 one-ways. 8 hotel rooms in different places, 2 rental cars. I still need trip insurance. 

Do any of you have trip insurance recommendations?

Tina in CA

I put on my calendar R or L, so I don't use the pen on same side all the time! I favor my right side.😁. As I lose weight I am noticing I feel the shot more! I mean when it was lots of belly fat I felt nothing!🙃😂

Rebecca Whidbey Wa

Thus came right home from the gym since we had a zoom meeting with the condo assoc. then went to Aldi, had to run to food lion and it must be that the price tag just hadn’t been changed because the full price was now on the shelf with a BOGO tag. There is no way I’ll pay that much. Aldi is cheaper for butter

Then helped Vince put out more decorations. He got the lights on the sides and top of the arches, got the mini trees out and got 4 of them wired up.

Carol – I thank god every day for Vince. There is no way I can do even half of what he does. Of course, his working career was in IT. I’m good as long as I know where the on/off button is. So if I ever lost him, I honestly don’t know what I’d do. So you’re in good company. You are NOT dumb

Heather – happy anniversary

Carol – I was hoping that we’d be able to have thanksgiving on the new deck, but that doesn’t look promising. Oh well….he still has a few things he needs to do, just minor things. Then we need to put back all the furniture, etc. Vince put a sweep on the door today

Melanie – so sorry for your fall, but glad you’re better. What a dream you must have had! A few years ago Vince was bit by one of our cats (yes, he had rabies shot). Really, the cat was more trying to play with this string that was hanging from his shorts, so in a sense it really wasn’t the cat’s fault. But he had to go on antibiotics and all. We were going to have a party, but we had to cancel. Cat bites can be nasty

Mo – the one and only time I ever brought home a whopper was when S came to visit. I know he likes them so I got one for him. I have also gotten egg sandwiches for a neighbor when he had open heart surgery. Otherwise, I have no interest whatsoever in fast food. I think that stems from the fact that in h.s. Vince and I worked in a fast food place (who remembers Gino’s?) and I had my fill of hamburgers/cheeseburgers/fries/shakes. I don’t ever want to look at another one as long as I live. Ganon’s therapy was a bust. He wouldn’t do a thing. They must have given him 10 different treats, even gave him a hot dog. He wouldn’t touch any of them. He was so anxious from the drive there that he did nothing but drool the whole time. They suggested that he stay there for about 3 days so hopefully he gets more comfortable there. Now I have been taking him on walks almost every day and for the most part he’s quite good. Oh, he has his “stubborn” days, but they are very few. Thanks for asking

Tracey – what a wonderful thing the gals at ceramics did for your MIL.

Rori – Oh, I feel for your friend. I remember when Vince had to go to the hospital in Switzerland. The things you take for granted! Fortunately, it was him who had to go since he knows a bit of french. I’d be up a river. I know it sounds terrible that I’m glad he had to go to the hospital, but I’m glad it wasn’t me since he could communicate a bit. Will the travel agent be able to help her with insurance? I know it took Vince almost a year to get all the insurance taken care of

pip – I really like the bag. I probably would prefer that to a t-shirt

Barbara – the filling really wasn’t that bad. Actually, it just looks like I have a bigger crown. I was expecting this silver thing

Rebecca – Vince takes his allergy shots in alternate legs, too. “hip bones” … ROTF

Michele NC

what we usually get to choose from is not at-shirt, it’s more of a fancier cozy type of sweater or hoodie. I’m still due to get my t-shirt, jersey and medal.

Good evening all:

Pretty uneventful day. Dozed off and on all morning. When I first woke up I was laying on my left side(which is my habit). Evidently my body decided it was ok.

Let friends help me wit letterbox change and emptying trash. I didn't mean for him dump all of the litter but since he was the once doing the work-just said thanks (that's a really big step for me). His wife is going to grocery in the morning and I will have her pickup a couple of things for me.

Rori - prayers for your friend and you. You will have some decisions to make-do part of the tour while she starts healing? Fly back early with her? Maybe N can run to the rescue! Hope all goes well.

One part of my system is getting back on track and I feel much better. Pain diminishes daily. Tomorrow want to increase walking time.

Exhausted due to lack of afternoon nap.

Hope everyone can figure out their next best step.

Take care all,

Ginny in Ohio

My bite happened when I was digging Rhody out from under a low deck. He wanted to stay there and didn't appreciate my efforts to pull him out.

The only thing I had on hand just then was hand sanitiser which I applied liberally. I couldn't get into a doctor for a few days (we were travelling), but I kept washing it and applying hand sanitiser. My doctor told me that was a good move and probably helped prevent it from getting much worse. I still have the scar.

So when my husband got bitten a few times when he picked Rhody up in the middle of a cat fight, he applied hand sanitiser because he had seen what I had done. He was able to get into a doctor right away and his healed up really quickly.

Machka in Oz

I have thought about writing them up (and more than what I put here) in one of my blogs.

A sort of What to do When … your partner is not able to answer questions anymore. Could apply to parents and other family members too.

The tips are from my experiences moving several times, and especially moving internationally. From changing my name to my first husband's name, and then changing it back again. And from letting my husband handle about 80% of the "paperwork" things … and then suddenly, without any warning at all, not being able to do any of it.

He was also one who didn't write his passwords down because he thought he would remember them … and he did remember them, until the brain injury, when he didn't anymore. Since the brain injury, he still tries to help and if he can't get into an account, he'll change the password and often won't write it down (because he thinks he'll remember … only he has limited short-term memory). So I'll go to pay a bill or something and I can't get into the account because he has changed the password and doesn't remember what he changed it to. I'm constantly trying to get into accounts and updating and changing things … or changing things back.

Shortly before his accident, he got a new phone and phone number. Then proceeded to use that number as the verification phone number for a lot of accounts. After the accident, when he was able to talk etc., he didn't remember getting the new phone and phone number. He still doesn't remember much of what happened in the 3 or 4 months before the accident. A couple years ago, he decided that he didn't want that number anymore because he couldn't remember it and cancelled the contract. Of course, it was still the number used for verification on several accounts. I've had the delightful job of regaining access to those accounts without the benefit of the verification phone number.

So … I've been there.

Machka in Oz

Hi

Battery blowers....I don't care what brand, they are battery hogs! I am amazed at how much power it takes to spin the fan on a blower vs the head on a trimmer. It is about 50% more power. One with variable trigger helps to preserve battery as you don't always need to be full bore. Wet leaves are hard for even gas blowers. CFMs are the measurement you are looking for or better yet newtons. The higher the better. Echo hand held gas are 15 newtons. Stihl units go from 12-15 newtons. My battery blower experience has been with the Echo which is awesome but again run time is short (about 15-20 mins). We blow into yard from beds and driveway then just cut up with mower. That is what we did all weekend after work on Saturday. We cut out the last of the plants from beds, put away decorations and whirlygigs, cleaned gutters, picked up sticks, finally cut of the 5 acres. I got the close backyard and did the entire front on Saturday. I finished by the moonlight at dusk. It takes a long time when you are cutting in only one direction to move the leaves. Did the back including part of SIL'S on Sunday after household chores. The most exciting part....an beautiful 8 point buck chasing a doe less than 50 ft from me on mower! Be careful out there as the bucks are stupid during rut. It was the first thing that made me smile all weekend. The second was the yard looks good and I did it! The third was really good homemade potato soup and grilled cheese for dinner to warm up on Sunday night.

Well, I started this on Monday. Self care, working, and hone seems to take a bunch of time.

The shop is getting a full cleanup redo. It looks great. I cleaned the disgusting microwave, coffee pot and counter at work. The ladies (not public) bathroom also got a good scrub down. Dana will clean the toilet bowl but that is about it. I seriously wonder what people's homes look like based on their work habits....just saying.

Carol- As the others have said...YOU ARE NOT STUPID! YOU ARE GRIEVING! Please feel all our arms wrapped around you in your hardest moments.

I need to post this. I hope you Ladies realize that I talk back with you, hug you, laugh with you, cry with you, cheer with you, and give you support as I am reading. I struggle to get it onto the page.

Welcome to the new ladies!

Noor- I have called Annandale home even though I only lived there part of my high school years. I have decided I will call the East coast my home. My brother is still in Frederick.

I am learning to share the work load. My niece is doing all registrations and helping on invoicing. She is really good with customers and learning to sell well. I still have estimates and warranty paperwork as well as parts ordering. She reminds me to look at my done list when I get discouraged. She makes me say it out loud. I love her! She is excited to be part of the family business.

Things are cleaning up great in the shop area. Of course R isn't happy with cleaning, painting, or organizing. He has been "sick" 5 of the last 12 work days. I bet he will be no call/no show today too. He always cries broke, but it is hard to get ahead when you miss 10+ weeks a year and a lot of overtime. SMH. DS (my son in law) is quite pleased with the work he is doing on the project. Little things have made big changes. I am hoping that my SIL and DH will be hiring another mechanic as well as seasonal pick up and delivery person. Mechanics use to do pickup/deliveries in fall/winter but then got R in. He had no valid license and his driving record well... hard to tell with all the lies he tells.

My weight is maintaining. I am happy to have gotten the new hot tub lid. I can actually lift this one! No more lid weight lifting. Averaging over 11,000 steps a day. Doing well.

Need to get out of hot tub and walking.

Much love!

Hugs!

Cheers!

Welcomes!

Kylia in Ohio

Morning, kids,

The cold weather weighs on my joints like vise grips wrapped around each one. It's what it is. The winter here is short, all things considered, not such a terrible payment for the spring and the fall, which are glorious. Most of the afternoons in the winter are spring-like, it's just the first few hours that are achy and painful.

Yesterday was the first day I actually enjoyed the exercise instead of slogging through it - I always get there, but it takes longer each time I stop. I try to convince myself that this time, I'll keep going. Maybe I will.

Hope your weekend is lovely, peaceful, full of joy.

Lisa in AR

Barbie - I'm so sorry you lost your sister so young. 😔 Mine was different, but nonetheless terribly freeing once it was done. I avoided being at home for holidays for a decade before my mother's death, because someone inevitably did something awful. Usually an in-law of some stripe or another.

Now, I love having my kids here any time, but they're aware we just don't do holidays, and they're making their own traditions (my daughter) or doing what we do and roundly ignoring them (my son.)

For those thinking "aw, I'm so sorry for you," believe me when I say I don't feel sorry for myself in the slightest. I really like the holidays now because I have my husband home with me, and enjoy them much more than I ever did in my previous existence.

WARNING- I am venting this morning. Please feel free to scroll past if uninterested.

Last night my son and daughter and son in law came for dinner. My son's wife and the kids are visiting her parents. We started discussing what to do with some of the extra money we have this year due to really good calf prices. This is the first time we have ever had this "problem". DH wants to buy more cows as an investment, kids want to put it into low interest no risk GICs to grow it a little.

Then my son starts in on how stagnant things were here until he came home. That his father and I were always scrambling. Pretty much how he has saved us from ourselves. And yes- he had been drinking.

It was like someone put a knife in my heart. He came by this morning to apologize but I am not ready to hear it. I told him that his father and I grew this place all by ourselves. We doubled the land base and bought every quarter from his parents. Not one acre was given to us. When I came I had nothing but a student loan at 10% interest and a dog and cat. We worked for everything we have… hard. We never had new toys like quads or snowmobiles. We never went on vacation. It was always to horse sales so we could make money. We did finally take 2 vacations and it was for the kids- Disneyworld and Mexico.

I am really hurt and angry and very disappointed in him. He didn't live through BSE when cattle were worth nothing for a decade and some of our loans were at 18%. I told him that we built this place for them and it will be given to them. Yes, there is still mortgage debt but that comes with expansion. We also dealt with my husband's parents who were constantly critical of what we did and never recognized our accomplishments.

I am probable feeling sorry for myself at this point. I am going to thrown some weights around to get this anger out. I told my son to give me some space.

Melanie

Ooh today I figured my food and its going to be amazing!

Lunch is 1/2 of a bowl of Vital Pursuit SW style beef taco bowl with a bag of my protein chips as spoon. Lots of protein! Then dinner is 2 pieces of cod, with some zucchini tots and my favorite Litehouse buttermilk ranch dressing to dip. Then snack is a Built coconut protein bar that tastes a bit like a Mounds bar, with my large tea I like. There's some protein shakes in the day too, but my numbers looked good. I am happy when it all fits.

I am still 202 lbs and have been since 14th. Patience Rebecca, patience. Every morning when I weigh I have to have a wee mental talk with myself and say, "all good things come to those who wait". And the nice thing is my body is doing a bit of re compositioning. Things are moving around still without the scale moving. So the scale is but a small part of this journey.

Rebecca Whidbey Wa