WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR NOVEMBER 2025

I sent a message to Jeff (Lenny’s brother) his mom and Kirby:

(they called Lenny Jerry, fyi)

Hey Jeff, hope you are doing well. I’ve had this thought in my mind for a bit and figured now was as good a time as any. We are all getting older and who knows when it’s our time to go. I’ve been looking at this drawer that Jerry got from Pop when we were together. I don’t know if you remember it. But should I die before Kirby, I want you to have it back. I guess you could keep it or give it to one of your kids. Just wanted you to know. Take care

15131513

Hugs, Melanie. Our children can really hurt us. At least he did apologize. Nothing wrong with you being mad for a while, though. You can’t just turn feelings off, especially those kind.

Barbara, I’m glad you found your $90. That kind of thing drives me crazy.

I have a question for those of you who use CeraVe. I bought some cleanser and some Vitamin C serum to try to reduce my Mary Kay bill, but the facial cleanser has an awful smell, IMO. Did I just get a bad bottle? I hate to just throw it away, but I really don’t like it. I haven’t even opened the serum yet, since I’m not out of the MK.

I finally got my rings resized before I lost them. They were 8 1/2. I needed a 6. It’s amazing how much better they look now that they don’t slip and slide around my finger. I kept putting it off, because I have more weight I need to lose, but I’m glad I did it.

Did Biggest Winner Backside DVD and then part of the Advanced Pilates DVD. Then took Ganon for a walk, then to WalMart

Kylia – I’m so sorry for your grandson

Got out more of the Christmas decorations. Honestly, Jess said that she wanted to help, she went away yesterday, came home mid afternoon, was here about 10 minutes and then went to Sam’s. Yes, when she came home she did help some, but most of the day Vince and I were working. I prepped fish and that’s what we’ll have for dinner. She talked about wanting Chinese, real Chinese not like she makes it(that I don’t totally understand) but I’m here with a sweet potato in the oven, making mashed potatoes for Vince and Jess, fish ready to go in the oven. I just don’t deal well with not knowing what’s happening and waiting until the last minute to decide to go out. I don’t know, I’m trying to make room in the refrig and freezer for Thanksgiving pies, casseroles, etc. and she’s buying things at Sam’s. I should never have said that we needed tomatoes(I like to buy them there since we all eat them.). She bought whole chickens (I hope she has a plan for them because I certainly don’t). When they first got here she went out and bought ground chicken. It’s STILL in the freezer. You need to plan ahead so the food can defrost, but she’ll learn. Update: she said she was going to make one of the chickens for dinner tomorrow and put the other one in the freezer

Jess asked us yesterday if we’d like to go with her and C to the train ride in Bryson City. We told her which dates were OK with us but that they should make the final decision since they work I thought that was sweet of them to invite us

Beth – cleaning the bathroom ceiling????? Even I didn’t do that during the pandemic. I did clean the top of my freezer (hadn’t been cleaned since we got it) and the top of the grandfather clock. But not the bathroom ceiling.

Kylia – ROTF

Well, off to a shower and then bed.

Michele NC

This is the new design. Still thinking about whether I like it.

Wonderful time with Edie yesterday. She arrived with soaking wet hair and a bobble hat on, apologising for being five minutes late. The girl had been cycling in a mud bath, literally. Bike, person, hair, unrecognisable under pounds of brown mud. The chain came off three times.

This was up in South London. She was scheduled to go to her swimming club after us, but her parents reprieved her. She said, if she had known what it was like, she would never have got out of bed.

She worked on her painting of a robin for a school competition, 'An Animal You Know Well'. Then she finished off her bottle. I forgot to take a picture of it, with all the rush of my son coming to pick her up, but it came out beautifully, looking just like the ones on the cruise. She chose pink roses as her decoration, in a spiral design. Lots of jewels.

She always lifts our spirits so much, and she obviously feels so much at home here. We had some new, salted caramel hot chocolate, together, and she had a packet of gluten free mini pretzels. And an Appletize. These are the days I feel happiest. In the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. With the right people.

She wants to come over next weekend.

Cleaner today and a hair trim.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Lisa - perfect for Christmas! 😄

I don't know what to say to Melanie, except, start with the easiest thing, a vivid memory. This is a memoir, not an autobiography. Things don't have to be in order. And, as you said, Lisa, any medium that gets you going. I have often started on my phone, but the back of an envelope while you are waiting in the car, is just as good. Just getting black on white. Few, or many. You will soon find what works best for you and what time of day. Do it badly. Sometimes my writing feels like walking through treacle. But every sentence adds to the pile. "Avoid areas of resistance and maintain momentum at all costs." That is a quote from some Russian general who fought Napoleon. And won, eventually.

Best wishes, Melanie.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

Possibly. That might indeed be what's pushing at me. I think I'm going to try to repeat it in a more relaxed fabric, rather than yarn, and see if length is what's at issue for me. I love the fact that there's a hood built into it, just from the shape. I like the drama of it. But length might well be the key to turning it into something my design brain will accept.

Weirdness - I put in a typo, (since corrected) that originally read "design brian." I think I will name that particular pushy bit of my psyche "Brian." Tamp down the stress of not getting it right, maybe, and make me smile.

Weirding out over here in a rainy Arkansas morning… 😜🤪😂

Egg is sitting on Corey every time he sits down, and I'm enjoying not having to push her off my keyboard between sentences. Life is pretty awesome this morning… 😼🐈‍⬛🥰

Beth - one time I was wearing myself out just worrying about cleaning my house for the Bible study girls, and T said "don't you dare clean your house! It just makes the rest of us feel bad." 😁 I thought that was good advice, lol. I looked up that Nantucket Cranberry Pie… sounds delicious.

Kylia - you in your hot tub au naturel… oooh la la, lol. Great idea. The chemicals are hard on swimsuits.

Lisa - "people soup". 🤣🤣 I don't like to take a bath in my bathtub because I don't like sitting in my own soup, lol. Though I'm thinking of a warm soak with Epsom Salts might feel pretty good. Luckily my tub has a handrail, or I'd have to call 911 and get those strong young firemen out here to pull me out. What was that number again? 😉😁

Rebecca - when you lived in Japan, did you ever go to the community baths? I read there was a lady's section, all females of all ages. And of course a guy's section. There was something similar in Olympia my friend and her sis used to go to, run by little Asian ladies. They'd scrub backs and really pamper guests like they were babies. I'm pretty modest so couldn't imagine myself going there, but it really did sound nice.

Pip - that's a beautiful chest of drawers. How nice to offer it to Lenny's brother.

Carol - hope you are getting a handle on the technology hiccups. I think about you every day.

Melanie - hope things are looking brighter. Any more snow at your house?

Tracey - sending (((HUGS))) for you and MIL. I forgot to comment on that neat picture by your SIL. Where does she live and is she related to MIL or is she you brother's wife?

Kay - Good job on the weight loss and getting those rings resized. Love how loose rings and loose underpants are a sure sign of progress in the weight loss realm. 😁

Heather - neat cards. Love hearing about Edie's adventures and time spent with you. She's growing up so fast. (All of your grands are!)

Lisa - I really like that sweater. Seems my shoulders are often chilly so something like this would solve that problem. I can see why older gals liked wearing shawls.

Barbie - you are doing a great job of keeping up with the work around your place. I'm kind of fortunate there's a neighbor who lives on my street whose lawn looks worse than mine, lol. I do have big plans for next year - my landscaping/spraying/junk hauling guy will be busy.

By the way, Barbie, I know you have the good habit of being grateful and counting your blessings just about 24/7 and looking on the bright side. I realized I've fallen back on that habit, and that's probably contributing to some of the blah's I've been feeling. That and coupled with the shorter days and wet weather. I can't control the last 2 but I sure have a lot to be thankful for. Thank you for your continued counsel in that arena.😍

Make it a super week, ladies! 😍

Lanette 😎

SW WA State

Mildly happier with it - but I think the next iteration will be a jersey-type material that flows, rather than drapes. This was made from what I think was originally a tablecloth - one of the many pieces I've picked up at a thrift store in the last few years for a few dollars.

Wow, Lisa! You'd do great in the Great British Sewing Bee, in the upcycling/transformation section. I know you have watched the series. Strangely, it's one of John's favourites.

Had my hair trimmed. Looking good. Enough. 😂 It felt very indulgent, being out of the house, while the cleaner was here. The salon gave me a Christmas card with a pen, and 15% off in Jan/Feb.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx