Hale and Hearty

I have spent time looking at several glorious examples of maleness. My daughter asked me to tell her the top ten. Please do not date me by my answers. 1. Sean Connery 2. Mark Harmon 3. David Boreanaz 4. Brody Jenner 5. Brad Pitt 6. Eddie Ciprian 7. David Beckham 8. Hayden Christiansen 9. Jake Gyllenhall 10. David Boreanaz. Mark Harmon, Mark Harmon. Of course I got carried away. But I find my range of enjoyment far exceeds my age range. Isn't it wonderful that we can enjoy Carter Oosterhouse hammering and nailing, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman and Robert Redford just doing what they do, and all this through the magic of television. I am glad I don't need to limit my appreciation by my age.

64

Hello to all of you out there who are getting older. And that is all of you out there. I have discovered that I really need to remind myself more often that there are always ways to spend time besides reading. I had planned to put up signs over the house. However withouat a sign to remind me to put up signs I forgot and wasted several days that I could have been feeling guilty about ignoring the signs. So that is what I will work on today. Signs. I need more sticky notes.

Older, sometimes. Better, always.

There are few good things to say about life sometimes. Stress causes the worst sort of tiredness and depression. I have dealt with the problem of depression for my whole life. For a long time I didn't have any idea what the problem was. I did a whole lot of drinking and acting out. I was a not so good wife and a not so good mother. I was not a loving and kind person. I was a hider. I hid from life. There were sometimes periods that I wanted nothing more than to stay in a bathrobe for weeks.

I have been fortunate to have come to the surface after swimming underwater off and on for years. I know how difficult it can be to slog through mud day after day. I am 64 now and I have discovered that I will always have the problem of wanting to hide. But I have made the choice to acknowledge this problem and not hide from it anymore. I have a problem with lack of focus. I don't know if the problem is the sort that has a medical name. To me, it doesn't matter. I am aware of the problem so I have decided to work with it. So I have to often remind myself of the things I need to work on. The memory and focus problem is not a good excuse for failure.

I've decided on the best way for me to handle the problem of forgetting to do the things I need to do for myself. Lists and reminder notes should help me stay on track. I will put up notes. I have often been afraid of being laughed at by the VSO but I think I am ready to face him and if it works we will both be happier. So notes go up today. Lists begin to appear every morning. My
beautiful and intelligent baby daughter has lists and says they will really help her keep up with things. Since she has 2 babies and still manages to do a good job on keeping up with things, I have to try the list things.

One thing I deem really important is to forgive myself for not living up to my expections. I used to try to live up to the expectations of the others in my life. Gave that up. I discovered it is painful to try to be someone else. But I have laid a guilt trip on myself for not living up to the awful expectations I have for myself. And being a sucker for a reason to not do something, I used those expectations as reasons not to try. The laugh is definitely on me. If you don't do anything, it definitely will end up that nothing is done.

Now is the time to laugh at myself. So for the next few days I am going to try the note and list system and you can visualize me getting up off my far too large ass and moving about with some sort of organization. Or not.

I am an old dog

3 computers. We now have 3 computers. I can compute in 3 rooms in my house. Addiction you say? Lets not go there.

My computer #1 is the old one I have had for 6 years. You know, I wasn't aware that computers have a shorter life than dogs. Anyway, I began sharing the computer with my Very Significant Other last year when he discovered online gaming. And as slow as it was, online gaming just made a bad situation worse. He complained about the computer speed and he was right. So this year, after some financial luck, I was able to purchase a better computer. I had the old one put into the studio and the new one in the office. Then with an even better stroke of luck, I was able to get a laptop for a wonderful price. So I have 3 and one is purple.

I find myself doing more things to my house lately too. There are the wonderful end tables for the living room that I was able to purchase from Overstock. They came yesterday. In boxes. Unassembled. I read the instructions, followed them, and in no time I had new end tables. (actually, 3 sweaty hours later.) I found myself feeling lucky that my dad was an engineer and I was his only son. I am good at putting things together.

So here I am, at 64, having put together the newest pieces of furniture in the house and totally unable to reach my back anymore for patting. Sometimes an old dog doesn't have to learn new tricks. The old ones are fine.

Today

Today I plan- the rest of the week. Having found out that I forget things in large numbers, I have developed a plan- to plan. I have several notebooke in which I can keep things I need. Such as the Plan!!! So today, I will take the time to set up the plan. I mean things to do in the house, not just cleaning but painting, redoing, redecorating, etc. And things to do for my VSO and myself. Food, clothing, etc.

I will also plan not just when the birthdays come but the things I plan to do about them. July was a busy one birthday wise. My daughter-in-law, youngest daughter, VSO, and myself, not to mention the grandson born on my birthday(yippeeeeee!). But there are several others left in the year. And I need to get cards and gifts out on time.

Another thing to do is to create a central registration for all paid bills etc. I pay some online, some are auto deducted and some come in the form of hard copies. To keep up, I need a central location to check what has been done and how much. Then I need to keep it up.

There are so many things in my closet that I can't keep up with what I have, what fits, etc. So now I am setting aside a day a week for trying things on, putting things aside and making the closet more available. Maybe this will keep me from buying things I already have.

So far, I have a plan to have a plan. Is that procrastinating? I don't know.

Loves, Judy

64

Will you still need me? Will you still feed me? When I'm 64? U bet.

It has been awhile

Hey. I had an interesting July. I turned 64 on the 7th and my daughter had her son on the 7th. Brian started back to work at the end of June. We got a new computer. Brian had a birthday on the 22nd and is 39 now, almost 40. I went to Florida to see the new baby. I drove. It's a long trip. The weather has been cooler than normal for July. Brian's aunt and uncle visited.

Now it's almost August. I am really ready to get back on track so the exercise program can pick up again. I felt so much better when I was swimming and got off the train when the baby came. Yup, let's blame the baby. And the rest of the month I have just marked time again. I have no business doing that. It messes with my psyche. Time to step back up. Wish me luck. Judy

Hello out there.......

Are the days long enough? Or are they too long? I have returned from seeing the cutest grandson in the world and I don't, I repeat, I don't feel any older. I really love the idea that my grandson was born on my birthday. I had my son on my mother's birthday. Words can't express the giggle factor on that.

I'm so super glad everyone is healthy from the birthing process.

I'm super glad that my daughter is turning out to be a laid back, knowledgeable, loving, super parent. And my son-in-law is so super with the kids too.

I am loving the weather(cooler)this week. It's wonderful.

I am going to see Harry Potter today. I am also grateful that I'm able to insert some fantasy into my life. I think that I need it to help me forget the hard stuff.

I'm grateful for the companion of my life. He is a wonderful man and has made me happy.

I am grateful for the fact that I am OK with being 64.

Life is pretty super from my point of view.

Judy, out.

At this point

At this point I think I should rename the blog. We went Wednesday to the most beautiful place in the world again. And this time I fell both on my bum and on my face. So maybe it should be gracelessly instead of gracefully. Part of the reason for going was to make me feel better. And after falling twice, feeling better was out the window. Thank goodness for pics. I can look at the pics and think of the beauty of the place and forget the falling and the pain, and the humiliation.

Growing

Sometimes I feel I need to grow up. I have been woefully inadequate at things like taking care of myself, of my money, of the bills, of my VSO. I do things I like to do and put off the things I'm not fond of. That is a childish way to do things. Some people say they have good news and bad news. Which to hear first. Well I am prone to pick the good news and leave the bad news till tomorrow or next week or whenever. Of course when I see one of the kids doing it or my VSO doing it I get frustrated. But I find it easy to forgive myself for procrastination. Till now. And now is the time to change it. Here goes.

6:00 AM

Damn that's early. I swim at 6:20 AM. That means I get up at 6:00 AM. I am not swimming today. I got about 3 hours of sleep last night and just barely have the steam to type. Anyway there is always Friday.

6 is a good number for getting up though. At 6 the sun is up but not screaming "hot day" yet. At 6 the traffic outside the house has not gotten insane yet. At 6 you can hear birds instead of dogs and kids. At 6 you can actually appreciate a cup of coffee. At 6 McDonalds is already selling the sausage biscuit you shouldn't be eating. At 6 it's too early to do business and therefore it's a relaxing time. At 6 there is no reason to hurry(except on swimming days). It is a good number. Of course if you went to bed at 3, then not so much.

One of the truly lovely things about getting older is that I am pretty aware of how much I don't know. And I am aware of how much other people don't know. Like the idiot who drives so wrapped up in conversation that it takes him a full minute to move when the light turns green. There is a word for that I won't say. And like the idiot who doesn't know where he is going so he goes 15 mph down a road and slows at every turn, only to go back to 15 mph when it's the wrong one. And the idiot who parks right on the line in the parking lot, effectively taking up 2 spaces. And the idiot who has his stereo turned up so loud he couldn't hear a horn being blown at him. And no one else can hear anything either.

As to how much I don't know. One thing I have learned is that if I don't know, I can find someone who does.

And I have learned to appreciate what I have. My life, health, kids, grandkids, very significant other, home and the beautiful area I live in. Not bad.

Dad

My daddy was a civil engineer. I say this first because he was first and foremost a man who was more comfortable with numbers than with people. He was a truly fine man who believed that anything worth doing was worth doing right. He loved to build things at home and as his only son(joke) I helped him. He taught me to appreciate history, classical music(but not opera) and sweet wine(1 small glass a week). On Sunday after church we had a nice meal, Mom read a book, and Dad listened to his music, had his one small glass of wine, read a book, and petted his mustache. He was not a talker.

There were times when Dad surprised me. Once we went riding in an old Willie's Jeep owned by his company. We went up and back down a ravine filled with boulders and when we got down I needed to potty and he was glowing with pleasure.

We got a boat when I was 18 and Dad proceeded to learn to water ski. Wow was I impressed.

Dad hated calculus.

Dad got his Masters Degree in Engineering at 40.

We went for a ride one slightly rainy Sunday when I was older and checked out the strip mining in Morgan County. I was sort of surprised at how much he hated to see the forests and rivers torn up. I've always been a tree hugger and I may have gotten it from him.

Dad made the best salad dressing ever. And Slaw.

Mom used to fry fatback to season greens with the grease and Dad and I would fight over the pieces.

We used to argue about Darwin, history, some politics, and democrats. I won't tell you more. You'll have to guess.

Dad was a very quiet Baptist.

Dad loved me.

The Breath of Life

I am still 63 years old. Yesterday my X turned 65. I will be 63 for another 3 weeks. Every year we were married I made a big deal of that age difference. Now it is just not important.

I discovered that I would not be able to do 64 if I didn't change my ways. I have spent the last 20 years sitting most of the time. The job I had for half of that time was a sedentery job and I hated it so it also raised my blood pressure and caused a huge case of depression. So after being let go last September, I worked on stuff in the house that needed doing and thought I was doing better with the movement thing. However I discovered that I still had very little energy. Did the protein shake thing and added several pounds but no more energy.

Now. Being one of the laziest persons in the world, I figured that the extra 16 pounds I had gained would go away once the protein shakes went away. Yeah. I know. Dumb.

So I took stock. Bad back. Huge chest. Knees not so good. Breathing not good at all. And above all I hate, hate, hate to sweat. What to do. Well I finally figured it out. I am swimming laps at the YMCA in the morning at about 6. I started Tues and have been 3 times. I was able to swim about 16 lengths of the pool. I was so winded after each length that I was resting longer than the swim took. You can imagine me hanging onto the end of the pool gasping for breath and wondering what the heck I was thinking.

I had joined the YMCA. $67. And with the equipment and bathing suit, another $150. OMG. I have paid out half my life savings just to start this self abuse. So I will not quit. I did discover that taking a day off is a good thing. It was easier to breathe and swim today. Unfortunately there is a mirror that I have to walk past to get to the pool so that is another good reason to keep it up.

Now for the worst. Buying a new bathing suit is the worst thing in the world. Women make fun of the experience. I have found that they do that to keep from crying. I had to get a larger suit and I tried to get into some that were way too small. Dangitall. I hate swimsuits. But they won't let me swim naked.

I am now going to do a couple of things I haven't had the energy for. And I'm going to pat myself on the back!!!!!!!

Hello, again.

New roof is on. Crews are gone. Now my VSO and I stand outside and watch rain just to see it come down the downspouts. It pours out. It is such a beautiful sight. Of course, I have to wonder if it is worth the money. But when I think about the leaky bathroom and the mold that lives there now, I begin to appreciate the roof. And the temp is supposed to be 90 this week for more than one day. In fact the weather has been quite hot and muggy already this week. So I suppose it's time to appreciate 18 inches of insulation. The entrance to the attic is in a closet in the studio. And the workman insulated the door so now even the studio will be cooler. The best thing to me is the cooler. I even went so far as to choose a light color of roof tile. Good for the environment you know.

OK. Now that the roof is done, the windows look dingy and I think they need painted and washed. I just now am beginning to understand why I need a new outfit when I have purchased a new pair of shoes or a handbag. It makes the other things in my closet look just a little bit worn or out of date. Of course with my infinite fashion sense, I can always go out and get another black pair of pants or top. After all, black goes with everything but 90 degrees. And now that my house has a new crowning glory, I think the landscape and paint look like they need help. So in the fall when it cools off, landscape and paint will be a priority. You couldn't catch me working in the yard in drippy sweat weather.

So what to do now? There is always a new pair of shoes or handbag!

Change can be good/or not

My very significant other and I live in a house that needed a new roof. So much leakage, gutters falling apart, etc. So I contacted a contractor to come and install a new roof. After settling between 3 estimates, I contracted the work to be done, roof, guttering, gutter cover, and attic insulation. Now doesn't that sound wonderful?

Well, my very significant other, who is very much my junior, and I were tickled to get the work done. Until we found out that they would be here 7:30 AM until 9:30 PM. The dogs got to go out in the morning but for the rest of the day they were stuck inside, freaking out at every thump. Our terrific Standard Poodle will go out front with me and stay in the yard. But the Corgi needs the fence in the back because she's a little untrustworthy and with the gate always open, she might run off.

So Thursday morning they started on the roof. The job was fairly large because of the size of the house. But we figured 2 or 3 days. We had to make some adjustments to the way we are doing things. Felt we should be here while they are working. And there is no way to park in the driveway, or to get to the freezer with the truck in the way, or to bring groceries home with the steep hill we would have to climb to get them into the house.

It's Sunday now. They are here. They left at 9:30 last night. My VSO is going nuts, not quietly. I think the appropriate word is "bitching" and I, so far have held onto my good nature. Today is Sunday. Today is the day I let go of the good nature and commence to complain. After all, I am 63 and I tire easily. And I'm tired.

I'm tired of the banging. I'm tired of the stuff laying all around the house. I'm tired of being cooped up inside, with the bitchy VSO and the antsy dogs. I'm tired of the next day coming with more people here. Tomorrow, they are supposed to do the gutters. I would love to think that by Tuesday we will be left alone. It is amazing how much I have grown to love solitude. I love my VSO but right now he is just another big pain in the ---.

I have always prided myself about handling change well. I am almost excited when something new happens. I'm always looking forward to planning things. Well this experience had changed my viewpoint. I had thought at one time that we might have VSO and his uncle put hardwood floors on the first floor of the house. That is now a joke. I just want it done as fast as possible. And not for a while. I need time to recouperate and to beat the VSO into a bloody pulp.

Growing older-gotta love it!

Graceful again

My finances have picked up a bit and I celebrated. With a new pair of glasses, a new pair of prescription sunglasses, a dozen doughnuts(which I ate every one of) and some new books. Now I can see very clearly, even in the sun. And I can swear off doughnuts for a few years. And I can sit on my doughnut enlarged butt and read books to my heart's content. Ain't gettin old fun?

on a previous blog

On a previous blog I received an unwelcome comment from a doctor advising me to take medication for dieting. While I have considered many weight loss options, this comment does not reflect either my intentions or the thrust of the blog. I do not endorse and rather condemn this comment. If you read it please do not atribute it to me.

Save your money

CouponWinner.com is a new site that offers coupons for more than 5,500 retailers.
couponcode.com offers new, old, expiring coupons with dates.
ClearancePortal.com goes to clearance sections of retailers

This is a partial list of web sites that are listed on page 82 of the June 1,2009 issue of First magazine. I have checked the three sites and they seem to be what they say they are. There are several others listed that also look interesting. I know that while the economy is bad we need to concentrate our money where it will do the most good. Saving money in one place can add to another. And lets don't forget our charitable orgs. Thanks

Graceful today

Today I had some stomach issues. Basically a problem that can be worked out. But I was reading about some things that cause stomach issues and got onto some ads for weight loss. Wow, do those people think we are stupid. There was one that guaranteed I would be in bikini shape within 4 weeks by following a few simple rules. I would love to take them down for making a promise like that. It would take major surgery in which they graft another body to my head to make that happen.

Also, I read that if I take the advice of this or that diet doctor, I will lose many pounds in this year. See in the new year smaller. Liposuction won't do it, surgery won't do it but this pill will? I think not. And by buying a diet book I can make myself young and firm quickly. After all, the 29 year old did it. And now she can have kids!

If I eat spinach and broccoli I can bring my blood pressure down, avoid cancer, and lose lots of weight. Eating cinnamon and chili powder will help with the weight loss and stomach issues. Garlic can help the heart and Cheerios will help lower cholesterol. Drinking milk will keep bones healthy and an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Drinking apple cider vinegar every day cures stomach ailments. There is even a drug now on the market that helps you grow eyelashes, longer and darker. A side affect is that the skin around the eyes might turn brown, but who cares? Having long eyelashes is more important. There is a product called smart water. But the people advertising it don't appear particularly smart.

If you want to get up and go in the morning you can get your get up and go from an energy drink. Who needs coffee? It's only cheaper. If you get dehydrated, there are lots of sports drinks out there to choose from. If you jiggle, there are creams made by nearly every company to tighten and firm your skin. You can even hide from the sun with some of the creams. You can lower cholesterol with margerine substitute. Of course margerine is a substitute for butter which now seems to be better for us.

There is a non-fat milk that has been enhanced by adding milk solids, adding to the calories but not the fat. And just the other day I found myself looking at a fat free angel food cake. Of course there never was fat in angel food cake.

It seems we are being conditioned to solve any physical problem with food of one sort or another while being told to lose weight for bikini season. We were, at one time, told to take a pill for what ails you. Then they started listing side effects and people wanted more natural ways to solve the body problems. So I suppose the pills are out and foods with lots of additives are in. Aren't we lucky to live in such an enlightened age.

Next post. WATER

Not growing old, and fumbling, and stumbling

This is my son. Isn't he cute. That is if a 6'3" father of two can be cute. John took after me in some ways that I will claim now whether he agrees or not. He is smart. I am smart, though I hide it well. John has always been one of the most curious persons I have ever known. So have I. John loves to learn. So do I. And John loves to have fun. With wife and daughters. Anyway he can. So do I. I thought that growing older would mean becoming mature. That meant becoming stodgy and extremely unhappy. No more fun. Boy was I wrong. I am having more fun and I am happier than I've ever been. Now my give a hoot factor is about at 0. If someone says something I don't like, oh well. If someone tries to put me down(ex)oh well. If I see a problem I can't fix, oh well. It will still be here tomorrow and I'll work on it then. I can use my God given intelligence. I can use the pragmatism that came from raising kids and from age. I can use my curiosity, creativity, or even my Scarlett O'Hara tomorrow. Anyway I think getting older is a hoot. Which is a good thing considering the alternative.

Guess what.

There are so many bad things about getting old. Let's see. Aches, pains, fixed incomes, memory loss and and ?

Hello

To my fellow fabulous women, I have been going through the spring fashion mags. Yesterday I received my copy of MORE. This magazine is supposed to be for older and more interesting women who wish to remain fashionable. And they do use older women in their articles. However, the clothing that is shown often is sleeveless. I have wings where I used to have arms. Sleeveless tops would allow me to take off and fly. If I had the energy to flap my wings.

The new spring clothes have waistlines. Some are down on the hips. Some are at normal waist height. And some are just below the bustline. (For my age group, that is normal waist height.) Anyway, since I have two bellies I wonder at which height to purchase waistlines.

The short skirt is in. Hip, Hip, Hip. I happen to have a big couple of bellies and the short skirt should stick out about 6 inches in the front. No, that won't do. OK, let's talk knee length. Now the knee length skirt is a pencil skirt or, get this, a skirt this is big at the top and small at the bottom. Of course there is a tiny waist on top which again I don't know where to put. OK. Mark that one off. I haven't even gotten to the problem with the legs. There are often a few things on our legs that no one wants to see. Especially us. Veins, scars, and sags do not a good legline make. Longer skirts were nice but are out. Way out.

Pants have become really odd. The MC Hammer look is being sported by the likes of Jennifer Lopez. These pants have hip waists on some and real waists on others. No matter where the waist, they are butt ugly on a woman's figure. They are the best example of a garment that looks better on a hanger than on a human. Designers are also showing really tight nice slacks. These look wonderful on models. Except that they remind me of high water pants. They say it's all about proportion. Obviously it's not about my proportion. But I guess we knew that. So what are we to do about pants for Spring? Wear last year's pants with something new.

Shoes are totally out there. The heels are so high and the decorations are so obvious that it would need no other adornment on the body. However, here in the South, in the Middle America group, where in the world would I wear 4 inch heels with huge bows or with lots of straps, or with clunky platforms? There would have to be an inaugural in my back yard to get me into any sort of heels. I think they are the epitome of discomfort.

So what do we spend our meager pennies on this Spring? You notice I left out shorts entirely. How about a new purse?

Brand New Stuff

Hello to my blog. I haven't been so good to keep up with this blog. I am the world's greatest procrastinator. And lately I am struggling with a lot of things.

I am trying to get back into sculpting and hoping to become good enough at it to sell.

I am trying to deal with a lack of income and the depression that it causes for me and for my sig other.

I am fat. I went to the Dr. Weight was up, not by a little. Here I thought I was doing well. Obviously it is really easy to fool myself. I know from reading every article that I can find that there are certain things that need to happen. The first is to move around more. But being fat, out of shape, and almost not old makes that item difficult. I could make a list of the things I have read about losing weight. I dislike exercise to the point that it would be at the bottom. But I have spinal stenosis which causes some pain during the day, especially after a lot of movement. An excuse? I have used it as one. I am not jumping on the running bandwagon. Actually I am not jumping at all. And that may be part of the problem. Standing is a problem. So I'll have to sit and exercise some. But I do have a mini-trampoline. I saw it on tv and thought that I might make it work. Have yet to try it. It was no longer in my mind by the time I got one.

I have decided that there is only one thing to do about exercise. I will have to do some strengthening exercises all through the day. I saw that one of the celebs does 1,000 push-ups a day. Time? Energy? But needed to keep the job. If the exercise works, it is really cheap to do. Maybe it could go on the list. Maybe I could lift a few 5 pound weights a few times a day. I know that muscle uses more calories than fat. That too is part of my problem. I have almost no muscle. Maybe that should be put on the list of things to do.

One thing I have done is to purchase(in spite of no income) some protein powders from a company called unjury. This powder is often used by people who have had a stomach bypass. I really like it and I am finally getting more protein. It is truly difficult to get enough protein from bread.(my favorite thing) The protein powder is whey isolate, the purest form of protein except for egg whites. There are several flavors. Mixes well, tastes good. Now for the bad part. I am in so much of a hurry to get to losing weight that I use too much of the powder. Imaging an overload of protein. My body doesn't know what to do with it. So double dosing is out. Rethinking is in.

I have thought about joining a health club when finances improve. I have been a member of 4 health clubs at some time during my life. It doesn't last for me. I would like to swim. But I don't want to try on a suit. I believe that qualifies as a catch-22. My upper body is where the weight is so it is a problem for the heart. I had a friend who said she was healthier than me because allllll of her overweight is in her butt. And sadly it is true. Damn. So lots more decisions have to be made and made now. Knowing me, it will be put off. I have to stop that!!!!!!!!!!!

One word of Advice

Floral Dresses like this----------DON'T

From More Magazine

Ginger, Curry, and Other Spices
A recent study found that one half-teaspoon daily of antioxidant-rich herbs and spices -- fresh or dried oregano, sage, peppermint, thyme, clove, allspice, and cinnamon -- can help prevent chronic disease. Ginger, in particular, has high antioxidant power and anti-inflammatory properties. But the "hottest" spice these days is curcumin, a component of turmeric and yellow curry, which animal studies suggest may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. "Indians who eat a lot of curry blend have much lower rates of Alzheimer's, but at this point researchers don't know yet if that's what makes the difference," says Greg M. Cole, PhD, of the UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.


I love the taste of curry and ginger. I think I will try to use more of this stuff, and if it helps, super.

Welcome

Griselda, thanks for checking me out. I am trying to keep new ideas coming so i can find new ways to deal with old problems. If you have some good ideas, please let me know. And welcome to the spot.

Thrift

thethriftychicks.blogspot.com has been mentioned in a recent magazine. The blogspot is for a younger woman but guess what. Thrift is thrift. You never know what will be helpful.

To stay Healthy

Two of my granddaughters, Anabelle and Emma Rose. Are there better reasons to stay healthy. I am fighting a battle that is at least average for my age. Things start to not work quite right. They start to slow down. Eating is fun. Always has been. Now it's not just eating to worry about but how much and what. Exercise is the only 8 letter 4 letter word I know of. Now it isn't whether or not, but how much. Vitamins and minerals are not just words any more but life-saving needs, especially in food. Gray hair is, thankfully, not a problem. An aching back is. Running? Not for years. There is no way to move this body gracefully. And I am not going to wear skimpy clothes so I don't scare anyone. OK. Here I am. Nowhere near where I thought I would be in this life. But in most ways, I am in a much better place than I deserve. Had I abused this body much more I wouldn't be here. Why is it so hard to change?

New and Notable

http://www.couponmom.com/,http://www.fivecentnickel.com/, I have had these sites sent to me. Knowing how important saving money is to the average person now, I am offering these addresses. Both sites are full of coupons and info and worth the read.

With a song in my heart

I have added some music to this blog to see how I like it. I like the music but if it is too much scroll to the bottom and click the pause button.

oboy, oboy, oboy

http://blo64rt.blogspot.com/ I found the best possible blogspot for backgrounds and the easiest instructions. My thanks to the site owner and I love my backgrounds.

Stress is a killer

From the bottom of my heart(overworked) to the soles of my feet(underused), I have intended to continue to search for and post new items for dieting, exercise, and general health and well being. I am afraid that I have been remiss in my quest for new items. However, having been through and still going through a really stressful time I have realized something. Exercise is supposed to help stress, I have not exercised in about 5 years, and I am not controlling my stress very well. So there is the rub. I hate stress, I hate to exercise. It will all come down to which I hate worse.

RESTING !!!!!!!!!!!

the very worst

There is a list which has been published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest,http://www.cspinet.org/, and this list gives you the very worst of the worst foods to eat out. Macaroni Grill Spaghetti with Meatballs and Meat sauce has
2430 calories and 5,290 grams of sodium, 57 grams of fat. That is at least 2 days worth of calories. It would be a good idea to check this list.

to do it right

I am now checking out websites that are geared to saving money. As I reach the age of maturity, whatever that is, I want to make sure I have enough money to enjoy the age of maturity, whatever that is. I am currently unemployed and not quite old enough for social security. So I have set myself a challenge. When I want to purchase an item, I think long and hard on it. And I do the prerequisite thinking process--do I need it? Can I afford it? How long will I use it? Why do I want it? Will it go with anything I have? And then I may buy it.

I have scoped the local cheapskate stores. Yes, you can get some deals at the local Dollar General, Marshalls, Ross, and others. Thrift stores and resale shops are good. We are talking about any number of items for personal use and my wardrobe. I have gotten a lead on the aforementioned websites and will review them and include the conclusion in the blog.

One more thing I am lucky to have is a sewing machine and there are wonderful clothes to be had for a song. Many need to be altered. I will be altering my body as much as possible with some exercises and diet. So I will need to be altering the clothes to fit. As the process goes on I will blog it.

For now, just look outside and be grateful that we can still learn new ways to enhance life.

more linkage

http://health.msn.com/nutrition/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100213894>1=31037
a slide show of good for you foods. The more I read and learn, the better these foods seem to be.

A further note

http://whowhatwear.com/website/full-article/top-five-blazers/

I believe there are at least 3 blazers which could be worn to update a current look. These and the sweaters can bring a church outfit or a work outfit into the present century with a bang.

Maybe wear this

There are several ways to look at these outfits. If you are fairly slim and have a real waistline, belts are nice. However the focal point is the bright colored sweater. Any cardigan in a bright color with straight lines can be used to update an outfit. For myself, I would wear it unbelted. The dress with sweater would, for me, become a straight skirt and perhaps a matching top. Just think, a bright yellow sweater with a black or navy skirt and top and you have summer. Add a pair of green shoes and you pop. So let's pop.

There will always be new things to do

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090310/ap_on_hi_te/fea_lifestyles_facebook_family

This is a connection to an article about older persons using facebook. I use it. I can keep up with friends and my children. I often get pics taken of them and posted by their friends. And at least on facebook I can comment also.

I am not growing old.......just different

I am presently 63. I am overweight, out of shape, not stupid yet, unemployed, frustrated, ticked off, broke, antsy, and in the mood to talk. One of the things I am going to talk about is what is left for the 50 and up group of women who, I think, are pretty much ignored by magazines, the fashion industry, and the society in general. Of course, if I had a lot of money, I might be able to buy attention. But in general, my status as unemployed makes me not such a good attention-getter.


First problem- Fashion. I would love to have cool clothes. I would love to look a little sexy. My former self did have sexy times and sexy looks. But I am having a hard time figuring out what a 63 year old overweight sexy woman looks like. What does she wear? How does she put outfits together to look current without looking like a teen wannabe. Where do the clothes exist? Is there a book out there that says anything about older women? So far I have noticed that the fashion mags talk about age sparingly. There is MORE. It is for "older" women. Over 40 women. Not heavy women or over 60 women. We usually have to look really thin to even make it into another magazine. There is one fashion mag that shows an outfit if you are 70+. But I would have to pay a thousand dollars and look like Lee Radziwill(80 lbs) to carry it off. She is often a model for those entries. I want some books for my age and size groups. Some magazines showing real women in nice outfits, looking good, and having fun. I would like to see more opportunities for older women to get involved in fun fashionable activities. Places to go, people to see. I especially would like to see women who are underfunded find some really interesting things to do. To that end, I have begun a blog that I am going to try to turn into a place for women to offer suggestions and photos, and activities to enrich our lives. I am mainly speaking to women at this point. I would love to hear from men of all ages also. I am an equal opportunity listener.


The days ahead might be a bit wobbly and not so nice to read but I am going to try to be upbeat about my situation. I am looking into ways to make things to sell. I am trying to figure out ways to start to exercise when I am a certified couch potato.
I will be sharing fashions, recipes, health items, exercise(groan), beauty, bargains,activities, and anything else I can think of with anyone who will listen. Hope to see you.