WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR NOVEMBER 2025

Barbara - not advice, genuinely, but my years of working in accounting-type jobs taught me that, when there's a 9 in any position, start looking for transposed numbers, where 430 was entered as 340, or something similar. It's not always legit, but enough times that the number 9 always makes me look for it.

Tina - I like Rao's because it doesn't have any added sugar. I picked up some Bertolli's Organic at Walmart last week, also no sugar added. $3.56. I haven't tried this before but it looks good and thick. Where are you going on your trip again? Hope you can find good trip insurance.

Melanie - I am proud of you for "educating" your son. You and your husband got to where you are with risk, smart investing and the hard, hard work. 24/7. I am also proud of your son for coming by to apologize. I hope he's realizing that his comment sounded demeaning and disrespectful. Crossing fingers bridges can be mended. I wonder if your kids are concerned not only about the whipsaws in the livestock market, but also the wear and tear it takes on the human body managing more cattle. Hope the throwing the weights around helped!

Barbara - give Joe a hug for me. 😍 What a nice reaction to the news about the Thanksgiving guests. I have to constantly remind myself that 90% of things I worry about never come to pass. But that doesn't stop me from fretting now and then, lol.

Kylia - I'm so glad the niece is working out. You still amaze me with all you get done in one day. One of these days you can give us the snow report and put that mower away, lol. By the way, my Stihl's leaf blower and weed trimmer batteries last about 15-20 minutes, which is just long enough. Then it's break time. Gives me an excuse to call it a day, lol. I always have another battery charged up in case I feel extra energetic.

Ginny - glad you are doing better, day by day. Soon you'll be able to change the kitty litter and get your shopping done. I was always surprised at how long it took to get energy back after surgeries. Last one, it took me a month, even though I tried to push it I know I paid for it.

Make it a great weekend, ladies.😍

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

Good news, found my error. Had “cut” instead of “copied” a $90 entry from October 2024. Great news, I found my backup copy of checking account spread sheet. Whew.

Rebecca hard lump-hip bone, LOL!

Michele Is Ganon going to stay at the therapy place?I think your consistent attention to him is the v best thing for his anxiety. ((hugs)) Havent had a silver colored filling in years and years. Think they’re all resin now…

Beth that dinner at your mom’s facility sounds perfect. Enjoy!

Ginny thankful system getting back on track and pain is less. Love “…next best step.”

Machka ((hugs)) How hard to deal with Rowan’s memory/tbi issues when he is still competent enough to cancel (needed) accounts. ((hugs)) I ususally don’t do big dinners since Joe doesn’t like them or other holiday celebrations. This time is an exception because of my bff’s daughter’s family visit. I am soooo excited! Trying to manage my expectations and go with the flow, remember to laugh and enjoy the chaos.

Does the endurance training have to be aerobic? I think marathon cooking/cleaning sessions do good things for building stamina. ;}

Kylia delighted to hear niece is working out so well. A light at the end of your tunnel that is not an oncoming freight train ;} Hope a different mechanic candidate appears soon.

Lisa sorry you’re waking up to painful joints. My knee has been waking me up every night, seems like it doesn’t like my default sleeping position any more. Thanks for that “divisible by 9? Check for transposed figures.” I knew there was something about 9s but forgot the details.

Barbie ((hugs)) I can imagine trying to make holidays ok for your mother, even though it was an impossible task. ((hugs))

Melanie I’d be mad too. This is a safe place to vent, we are listening to you. Just don’t hit anyone with those weights lol

Rebecca body re-compositioning/losing fat gaining muscle is way more important to your health and life enjoyment than any numbers on a scale. Well done!

Yes Lanette will definitely give Joe a hug from you. Think one of the reasons he dislikes the holidays is that I stress myself out, wear my “decade of anger” face and am generally NO FUN to be around. This time I’m trying to focus on doing what I want to do, and in this case it is putting on a big spread.

Was looking at the house (Mama told everyone that I was a pi$$ poor housekeeper and she was right) and getting tense about all the cleaning that had to be done. Then I had an inspiration. What would the guests care more about, damp dusting or cookies? What would bring me more joy, damp dusting or baking cookies?

You guessed it, and the mise en place is done for the first batch. ;)

Heather my gutter mind chuckled about you and Johnny wizzing through the ads…

Time to mix up that first batch. 🤣 They don't call me "auntie cookie" for nuthin' 🤗

Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

November focus stronger: Dailyish PS2S and 10 mins BB&B/PT.
2025: Chose NOW: to move more than yesterday (see action plan), fuel better than yesterday (hold that after dinner sweet down to two pieces of dark chocolate max), open heart and mind before mouth.

Evening ladies

Im watching Elf what a hoot..im waiting for Christmas vacation will be laughing my hinny off.

stats for the day-

Walk w/family- 1hr27min 9sec, 10118steps, 2.90ap, 33elev, 85ahr, 128mhr, 4.32mi= 401c
Strava app= 524c
Walk home to gym- 11.34min, 1362steps, 2.80ap, .53mi= 54c
Strava app= 65c
Various floor exercises- 20min, 10diff exer. most 2x10ea, jumping in place 2x100ea- 2x15ea 112ahr,144mhr= 131c
Elliptical machine- 25min, 4incl, 4resist, 112ahr, 167mhr, 2mi= 243c
Walk gym to home- 11.57min, 1374steps, 2.90ap, .59mi= 57c
Strava app= 72c
Walk home to nail salon and back- 12.34min, 1418steps, 2.90ap, .61mi= 63c
Strava app= 75c
Walk kids- 13.13min, 1480min, 2.40ap, .59mi= 81c
Strava app= 72c

total cal 1030

I am pretty proud that I have been keep up my floor exercises. I’ve been trying 4-5 days a week. I am such a cardio person that I don’t see much of a calorie burn when doing these exercises but I try to block that out of my head. So far 2 weeks done. What I read says it takes about 4-6 weeks on seeing improvement (running)

15121512

Good morning!

Found out when I got to work yesterday that youngest grandson was in another wreck. The first totaled the family car when someone turned into him and spun him into oncoming traffic. The second someone came over on him on a two lane. This one was all him. At 1230 am on the highway.He has a jammed thumb. His car is totaled. He fell asleep at the wheel, drifted across all three lanes of traffic, took out 10 poles holding the cables. He hit no other cars. No one hit him. He didn't go into oncoming traffic. All are blessings, but his parents, sister, and us are still upset over what might have happened yet thankful nothing did. The car is replaceable.

Melanie- Vent away! I hear you.

Rebecca- I have never had a good skin care routine until about a year ago. In the past I would wash my face in the shower, sleep with makeup on, no moisturizer, etc. I haven't worn makeup regularly in 10+ years. This year has been self love year. I started at cleansing routine. I use "Youth to the people" cleanser in the evening. Followed by CeraVe hydrating micellar water, eye hydrating cream, and the face moisturizer by Youth to the People. I am amazed in the morning at the dirt my skin produces while I sleep! I usually only use the CeraVe water for morning cleansing so it shows up on the makeup remover cotton. Yuck! I follow that with CeraVe vitamin C, and the same lotions as in the evening. I ordered Sara Gellars Baked mineral makeup. I LOVE it! It adds the polish I want without feeling made up. It is lightweight on. People have commented that I look great. Is it the added weight? Skin care? Makeup? No nicotine? Or just my attitude on all the wonders my body can do? Sometimes I sm a slow learner 😉

Holiday meals...I have always loved Thanksgiving. I loved the family, friends, and food. In the Philippines, it was 5 other families plus any singles that wanted to join. The last two years there we had over 30 people. The families contributed money for the meats then all brought side dishes. The singles often brought something but that wasn't expected. It was awesome. I have only missed preparing Thanksgiving twice. Once after my divorce when Steve and I went to his parents for dinner. I told his parents in the new year that it would be at our house after that as I missed the prep. The other time was in November 2021. Oldest granddaughter was in the Macy's day parade. Both daughters and families were there. We stayed home. We had homemade lasagna and relaxed. I am preparing food again this year, but next year???? We will see what it brings. My youngest daughter still isn't talking to my oldest daughter for whatever reason. The grands are all becoming adults with lives of their own. I won't be disappointed if I am not in charge....it will be what it will be. I gave up Christmas dinner prep over 10 years ago. I just enjoy that day and we let the daughters feed us.

Yesterday after work, I had planned on working on Christmas cards.....planned....funny! Instead I cut up leaves with the mower, put away some buckets, and helped DH with blowups-smh. I have last the not until after Thanksgiving fight. In fairness it was 50°F yesterday and our high on Tday is 38°F.

After that went to dinner. Finally sat down to do cards at 730pm and fell asleep! Early to bed for me. Crashed hard then woke up to a not happy tummy. Finally back to sleep and hour later. Too much fried.

The house is quiet except for the hum of the blowups. I love the lights, but the blowup are all him. He still needs to wrap the porch posts in lights. The trees won't come out until after Thanksgiving. We will see how the cats do with it before I put on lights.

Rori- Prayers for solutions to your travel plans and friend's injury. Scary!

Congratulations!

Encouragement!

Hugs!

Admiration!

Lots of love,

Kylia in Ohio

Bonjour from Casablanca. Thank you, friends,for all the prayers and good wishes.

I continue to spend days in Ds hospital room offering encouragement and doing simple tasks she can't for herself. And I do a fair amount of translating back and forth from French to English and back. I moved to a hotel about a 1/4 mile away so I can walk back and forth as opposed to taking a wild ride in a taxi. She has made progress everyday. Today she made it to the bathroom with aid of nurse helping her stand up and a walker for support. Yay! But as for being released tomorrow, I'm worried it's premature.

I've asked D to look into booking a Nurse Angel or other medically trained companion service to help get from hospital to home. These professionals specialize in the logistics involved with getting an ill or injured person through the rigors of cars and planes. And they have training on how to adapt their care for flying several hours at 30k feet. She hadn't heard of them before. She has travel insurance with Allianz, so this may be covered. She did go online to start a claim.

I couldn't sleep last night thinking of all the "what ifs"…She has the muscle tone of a marshmallow, takes 2 anti-depressants has shaky balance and has just come off major surgery. Pain is better but still present. The risks for DVT are high. She needs someone with skills to handle her plus the airport and airline logistics. If she can arrange such a service before Friday, I will come along and help. I must return home by then. If no

she cant, I'm afraid she will have to find someone here in Casablanca who speaks English who can advocate for her. Stay tuned.

I'm tired but at least I have my mobility and health. After this week there is no way I would do anything to erode or jeopardize either. Stay strong ladies. You can do this.

Rori having an unusual adventure in Morocco

Current morning routine…

530 wake up, empty dishwasher, pour coffees, hot tub for 15-20 mins with daily prayer.

6 am house walking. My goal is 5000 steps. Pace determines how long. But must stop by 7.

7 am let cats out, make bed, fill cpaps, shower, face, dressed, makeup, hair.

745 cats in, feed cats, pack lunch, scoop litter,

8 am leave for work.

Sundays or Monday evenings tend to be grocery with veg and fruit prep. Every other Tuesday morning I change litter and clean their boxes. Wednesday mornings I change bed linens, sort laundry, start laundry. Thursday mornings I wind chime clocks. Friday mornings are chemicals in hot tub. Sundays water plants, vacuum house, clean cpaps, change hearing aid stuffs. For 3 weekends of the month I do a third each of house cleaning,3rd master with bath and room addition, 2nd cleaned dining, kitchen, and garage bath, first clean guest rooms, hall, and hall bath. I do clean toilets weekly- don't ick on me.😜

Honestly , this is the most in control of my life i have ever felt. I thank you Ladies! Habit stacking, putting things in calendar, self care.....all from you. So thank you!

If I could learn to type and walk I would be better at replying. SH slept in this morning, so have had extra me time that I spent with you. 😍

The husband is up, the sun us shining, cats are hungry as soon as I find the one, and I need to get my buns in gear.

Love

Kylia in Ohio on this crisp sunny fall morning

Melanie - I promised myself I'd stop throwing out advice, but then again, what else are we all here for? Everyone that's been here a while has heard me say that expectations will really do terrible things to your peace of mind. When you expect people to act in a certain way, and particularly when you expect them to feel the way you want them to feel, and then they don't, then the one that get hurts is you. And the only thing you can change in that scenario is your expectations.

On the other note, and I do understand they're intertwined, but if you really do want things to live after you, then perhaps its time to start putting a book together? It doesn't have to be one long slog - you've seen Heather talk about writing 500 words in a morning. If you do that just twice a week, you end up with 52,000 words in a year, which is an easy-to-read-length for a short book. I mean, you're going to be a year older anyway, so why not be a year older with more than 50,000 words written?

Perhaps that's why you're here with us. To get started on that legacy.

Later, dear heart,
Lisa in AR

Lisa- thank you for advice. It is needed right now. And you are right- expectations are what is making me sad. Expectations that my children get it. I have thought a lot about writing since you had suggested it when I first joined. I will start although it scares me a little and maybe that’s why I have been putting it off. Can’t even explain what it is that scares me. Something buried I suspect.

Melanie

Lanette- You are welcome to join me but be forwarned.. I lean towards Rebecca's past in hot tub.😉

Kylia - OK, that made me snort… for those not in on the joke, our Rebecca used to joyously frequent a few "clothing optional" resorts. So glad your grandson is OK, and the house looks absolutely grand.

Lanette - I believe I've mentioned that I find hot tubs to be basically "people soup." I won't be joining y'all in the hot tub, with or without suits, birthday or otherwise. 😎

Melanie - Since I'm dispensing all kinds of unsolicited advice, here are a few things that helped me when writing:

• Don't think about writing a book. Think about writing today, and start small. Write two sentences today, three at your next session. Do try to make a habit of it, with regular time set aside for it.
• Write the way that flows best, whether that's by hand, on a tablet, on a keyboard, I know people who write on their phones—cater to your own preferences.
• Try to stop in the middle of a thought - then go back and re-read your previous few paragraphs or pages when you sit down to write - it will help you jump over the getting started hurdle of a blank page.
• Leave the editor outside the writing room. It doesn't have to be correct, it just has to be written. Editing comes much later.
• Use the writing genre that is most comfortable:
  • Write it as fiction: I killed off my father, my childhood abuser, in the first chapter of my fiction novel, and the rest rolled out of that. I put characters in it based on my brothers and my sister, and only my sister recognized herself. This may mean I'm a terrible writer, but nobody got offended, because, after all, it's just a book.
  • Write it in letters to someone you love: After my mother's death, I wrote her letters almost every day. Until one day, I realized that I was telling her how wonderful things were and lying through my teeth. But that was how I realized telling the truth was the most important thing.

Write the truth, and if it worries you, put a password on it. The biggest benefit to digital writing is it's exactly as private as you want it to be.

If you have questions or want anything else, you can direct message me over on Substack, totally private over there. Happy to be a sounding board.

Heather - You've written a number of memoirs. Any advice for Melanie?

Just a relaxed day, since Corey doesn't have to get ready to go to work. Enjoying my Sunday.

Later,
Love,
Lisa in AR