Mary, after I posted about the MRSA I was thinking of some things I've heard about it. You can come in contact with it and not develop it if you immune system is strong enough to fight it. Also, through the day when you're out and about, you touch things that others touched, even items in stores, and can pick up the bacteria on your hands and your clothes, depending on where you sit, such as in a restaurant or waiting room. Washing your hands often is a good deterrent and we all hear that all the time.

After I had my heart surgery I had a lot of numbness. It is never completely gone, but I'm used to it. It's been almost 7 years. But it's good that Joe got things checked out, if only for your peace of mind.

I have way more clothes than I need. To start with, I will not get rid of the clothes that are too tight, because to me, that means I'm giving up, and so far, I am not giving up my wish to lose weight. Also, I wear older clothes when I'm home because I tend to get stains on them and don't want to ruin my nicer things. I rarely get rid of anything unless it is badly stained or worn out. My closets and drawers are stuffed. I do purge occasionally, but I guess I don't get rid of enough to make much of a difference. I buy basic things that don't go out of style, at least I don't think they do. Maybe I still look like the 1980's. LOL

And my life doesn't have any schedule. If it's dirty, I clean it. Not on any specific day. I know I spend too much time online, but after years of working full time and not having much leisure time, I don't want a regimented schedule. I like being able to do what I want, when I want. In a way, I envy those who keep to a good schedule and always seem to have everything under control, but I am naturally a laid-back person and try to keep my life stress free. We are all different. That's what makes the world go 'round.

Carole Sue - we are alike in so many ways. I hate regiments/schedules, I hate getting up early (not sure we are alike in this way), I am diligent when I need to be and have learned that without a loose schedule many things (esp with housework!) won't get done which is why I try to keep somewhat of a schedule but I am very relaxed with it until I get way behind and then I hate that! LOL I am VERY good at creating schedules/lists but not so good at carrying them out! I prefer computer work or even paperwork to cleaning so tend to put my focus there without a schedule. However even though other people's messy homes don't bother me unless they are really really bad, mine bothers me. When my house is dirty I feel like I shouldn't go out or do anything until it is taken care of and if I get behind that can take too long. So I guess I'm a contradictory person...I don't like schedules yet feel a need for them and feel better when I adhere to them! I wash my hands a lot and think that is why I am not often sick with things like viruses/bacterias (so far at least!). I did catch cold from the kids being here...but everyone of them was coughing and I was holding the children etc.
Plus I was worn out from being on my feet more than usual, cooking, trying to maintain the house, etc. plus the extra strain of dh's condition and the drama between some of the kids so that probably lowered my immune system too. I'm very thankful the only part of it dh got was the tickle in his throat/cough. It's over two weeks now and I still cough a little and my voice is kinda hoarse, but otherwise it's gone. I'm the same way with clothes...I rarely throw anything away unless it's worn out or terribly stained and I also keep my stained clothes to wear around the house. They are stained because I don't often remember to wear an apron. That's one of the things I love about online forums like this...we get a glimpse into others lives...and see similarities and differences. Like you say we are all different and yet we are also alike in many ways.

We are going out today again...have to return some things to Costco Freddies and pickup pain meds for dh. He seems a lot better today. As you say sometimes just hearing things are ok from the doc helps a lot. So no housework will be done again today.

Hi Love2, Glynne, Deelee glad you posted again, it's been quite a while, Sunny, hope to hear more from you..

Good afternoon GG's,

Interesting discussion today. I feel the same way about some of the things.

About having a schedule ~ I am like you Mary ~ I am good at making them and lists, but then don't follow through with them. I usually clean like Carol Sue does ~ I do it when it starts to bug me or if people are coming over and it needs to be done. Everything gets done eventually ~ probably not like others think it should be ~ but on an as needed basis. There is so much stuff to do ~ besides the cleaning ~ I think I would be worn out if I tried to keep up with a special cleaning schedule. I guess at this point in our lives ~ live it how it makes us happy. Our house is cluttery ~ both of us are at fault about that. Add to that Maddie's stuff. She thinks this is her house and gets kind of bent out of shape sometimes if her things get moved.

She had made a blanket fort ~ probably over a year ago and asked us if we could leave it up forever. We are not social people ~ the only people who come over are Jason and Sara and the kids ~ so it doesn't matter to us. One day though, the clutter surrounding that blanket fort just got to me ~ I took it down and straightened things up ~ she was not happy with me. I told her she was welcome to build it again ~ and perhaps she could make an even better one this time. So, the blanket fort is in place once more. Our kitty liked it too and that was an ongoing battle with Maddie ~ she did not want the kitty in there ~ and even though Maddie rarely used it ~ if kitty got in there ~ that, of course was when Maddie wanted to use it. I ended up having to make kitty her own little blankie fort.

Mary ~ I'm like you about getting up ~ I don't like to have to set an alarm now that I am retired. I feel like ~ when ever I wake up naturally, that my body has gotten the rest it needs. If I have a night I don't rest so well, I can go back to sleep and don't have to worry about being up by a certain time. I don't have particular day for appointments. So that you can get an apointment within a reasonable amount of time ~ you kind of have to make them when they have one available. That is one of the pluses of not having to work around a job schedule. I do have to work around Corbin's work schedule though ~ either the day or the time of day things are scheduled ~ because on weekdays we are his ride to work. And, I do try to make it late morning if possible ~ then I don't have to set that Grrrr alarm ~ LOL.

I am like both of you with the clothes ~ I have a set of clothes I wear around home ~ because I am such a klutz and spill stuff. Then, I have other clothes I change into when I have to go out of the house.

I also hang onto clothes that don't fit, because I have such a hard time finding things I like that look ok to me. Sometimes I buy something because I like it even though I don't need it, because if I waited until I needed it ~ I would end up buying something that I really didn't like out of desperation. I have bought a few things like that ~ and those things are things I don't mind getting rid of.

I had better quit fooling around on here (yes, I spend more time than I should on the computer).

Hope you all are having a good day.

Hello again,

Mary ~ it sounds like Joe got a good report at the dr ~ so thankful.

Love2garden ~ hope you find a solution for a quiet place for you to be able to read and journal.

Carol Sue ~ Your comment that your husband's solution to losing weight ~ is exactly the same words my DH has said. Geesh, don't they think if it was that simple ~ we would not still be struggling with this problem.

Deelou ~ sounds like you had a nice family time at that cabin in Ohio.

I went to bed with a headache (not a real bad one) last night. Kind of tossed and turned and got up at 3 am and took something. It kind of eased up, but then started in again after I got up. It took a while, but was pretty much gone by afternoon. I didn't get done all the things I had hoped to do. It is my own fault ~ I think it is the headache I get when I try to get back on the wagon and eat right and have sugar withdrawals. You'd think after so many times I would learn. Why do I do that to my self over and over again?

Morning Girls,

Just checking in after a long abscence. I am trying again to lose some weight, mostly tummy fat. I have had a difficult year but that is no excuse. I am hooked on donuts and have been stuck in the house all winter. This week I made some positive changes but I want to stay motivated and make true progress.

Hi Cindy Gail! Nice to have you here. I too want to lose the tummy fat, not from donuts, but just too much food. Maybe you will inspire me to do something about it.

Mary, we do differ in the hours we keep. I have always been an "early to bed, early to rise" but it didn't make me healthy, wealthy or wise. LOL Even as a kid, my mother never had to tell me it was time for bed. I would get tired and go to bed on my own. Since DH and I sometimes like different TV shows, I go into the bedroom to watch something else and fall asleep early. Sometimes 9 or 10 oclock. I can't remember the last time I was up until midnight. My body is still used to getting up early for work. Sometimes I can fall back to sleep until 8 or 9, but usually I can't so I get up and read, or get on the computer. It's my quiet time, as DH sleeps later. But I do like that I have the option of going back to sleep and not having to set the alarm.

Gayle, DH has never had a weight problem. If he puts on a few pounds, he just cuts back on his eating and gets it back off. He never mentions it, but I notice that he is eating smaller portions, and cutting back on sweets. I have a very hard time with portion control.

Welcome Cindy Gail.

Gayle, headache from eating less sweets? I bet that was mine recently. I've gone over a week without and feel much better. Got a kick out of your experience with the tent and Maddie.

Mary, glad both of you are doing better. Being worn out adds to our weakness to diseases, that is for sure.

Since DH retired end of Dec 2013, we 3 have few set get up times. All of us have learned to be quiet and with our T shaped house, the kitchen is the furthest from bed areas, thank goodness.

I agree, being able to go to bed and arise when I'm ready is such a great luxury!!! almost the best thing, only topped by the freedom to stay inside when weather is bad.

I'm sleeping the best I have in ages, only 2 days a week do I need to set a clock, and one only is early. I'm so grateful.

Carol Sue I thought of you and your hubby today. I was trying to clean the TV room with furniture pulled out, etc. I start from furthest corner and work toward door of this large room. DH managed to make over 6 trips in and out tracking the stuff from one end back over the area cleaned. Then he decided to clean out the freezer that is in that room!!!

Because I need quiet time to read so much, when he is gone I grab a book. I used to do cleaning then so it pleased him. Now I'm interested in pleasing me and it is something for us all to get used to.

Yesterday I finally started taking down a few decorations in the living room. Feels strange doing it so much later in Jan...usually all done on the 1st, but with the kids here and then the second Christmas on Sun, it's just different. Also I set things up a little at a time this time and am taking them down a little at a time. I plan to do a little more today..that may finish it, or maybe not. I'd like to make some beef vegetable soup today. Was hoping to stay home today and clean but I may have to run out for a few ingredients. Last night our furnace went out. Our son has been sick and told us it is so cold when he gets up...we hadn't thought about it because don't get up til late so last night dh changed the thermostat to warm up the house before he has to get up and it didn't come on at all! My dh used to work in HVAC so he thinks he knows what the problem is and is about to leave to buy a part to fix it. He says it is easy. So thankful he can do it as the furnace guys charge a lot to come out and do it. It is 39 and cloudy this morning so cold outside too.

Love2/Gayle - Once I gave up sugar and I too got a headache...had a few days of withdrawal but then felt great with so much energy. Wish I could get myself to do it again. Glad you are sleeping well. I got my best sleep ever when I first retired, but not so good now. I think it changed when I got around 60 and the hot flashes started (I had been on Premarin before that). They are much better now though...I get very warm at times but not so many of the actual tingling flashes.

Cindy - Welcome!! Not sure I remember you, are you using the same name? It sounds slightly familiar. You and coconut have done so well and I'm sure can share some tips. I've been here a long time but I still struggle with losing...going up and down through the years. I just can't seem to stay disciplined even though I know it has now become a health issue (diabetes). Then in July I started some new medication that actually made me gain 10#...wow, that hit me hard, the discouragement made me stop trying for a while. I'm still not all the way back but I'm doing better. I definitely have tummy weight to lose...funny I was using one of those machines the other day at RiteAid and it said I was obese, but if you looked at me otherwise I don't think you would say that...it's really just my tummy that is obese, otherwise I'm overweight on my torso but my legs are slender. It's a body structure that looks great when you are lean and well toned, but terrible when overweight and flabby.

Well need to get busy...want to clean my office and main bath today..didn't get them done yesterday.

Mary, I think the medical community has an idea of obesity that we don't consider obese. That seems like such a harsh word. I prefer "Pleasingly plump!" LOL

I think my DH has the right idea. He says that he is 72 years old and he knows he doesn't have a lot of time left, so he wants whatever is left of his life to be happy. He wants to eat what he wants and do what he wants. I think he is right to a point. Because I have that one bad knee I worry about not being able to get around, and because of my diabetes, I worry about not being able to see. I think everyone would prefer to live comfortably without pain and die in their sleep.

We took our inside decorations down before Jan 1 because all our company had already been here. We left the outside decorations up, though through New Year. Every year it seems that we find something we forgot to put away. This year it was the Christmas pillows we had on the couch. They have snowmen on them, though, so I told DH they are just "winter" pillows.

Got a good sleep, didn't wake up til 7:30, the dog started barking but I told her to go back to sleep and she did so I got another 30 min, before she barked again. Dh just left to go get his denture plate (you may remember he had started dental work before this last surgery), and then for a haircut. He is waiting until he feels more recovered before starting the implant process. He's doing better as today so far he has not needed pain meds, just said he's a little sore.

Carole Sue - When I was in my early 30s and had started to gain weight...I was about 20# overweight and when I took the kids to a new doctor, they asked if any of their relatives were obese. I said well I guess I am. I'd been told that obese was 20# or more over. He looked at me and said I'd say you are just pleasingly plump! Doubt he'd say that now though! I had a good friend back then who tried to warn me, one day she asked me if I'd considered going on a diet and I told her no, I just keep buying larger sizes! Of course I was joking but it was true and now I see it as very stupid. If I had gotten my eating in control then perhaps I wouldn't be so heavy now. I've been up and down several times since then but have never managed to get down to less than 140 since then. With my body structure I can't weigh very much and look good, actually about 120 would probably be best but I can't even imagine being that low now. When I was married I weighed 103, but I think I'd be very haggard at my age now if I were less than 140, although I'd sure like to see 130.

Had to laugh at your always forgetting to pack a way some decorations cause we do the same thing. So far I haven't found anything but I bet I will. We still have a little stuffed reindeer peeking over the top of our grandmother clock in the living room we forgot one year many years ago. I was cleaning after the tree and everything was out and found it and just threw it up there and there it has stayed. We think it looks cute. Very few people even notice it but if they do it's something funny and unexpected and makes them laugh.

Got everything done yesterday I planned to do. Today the plan is to weekly clean the kitchen and a couple other small tasks. Still have one laundry load to take care of too.

I made a teriyaki stir-fry last night. I didn't like it but dh seemed to. Hoping to make some beef vegetable soup today. Been craving it for several days.

Hi to Glynne, Love2, Sunny and Cindy!

Mary, sounds as if you and your husband are having a bit of normal day for a change.

I weighed 108 when we go married and my hip bones stuck out. College we went to was on a steep hill so I had many steps to climb between buildings. Couldn't eat enough. When we had our first child over a year later, I only gained 12 pounds and she weighed almost 8. Easily lost that weight. By the time I had our 4th child 10 years later, I've never been below 135. In fact, the gain came on about 5 pounds a year till I reached the terribly high number of 229 on Jan 1.

Carol Sue: Wish my doctor had suggested years ago that I do something more to get my weight under control. Stress test showed I was healthy so he let me go. Now I've really done it!

Physical Therapy 3 months worth over a year ago really helped me. Now I go work out at the gym twice a week and actually enjoy it. When gardening season comes, it will be fun to get out and work. Also, be glad for warmer weather so we can take walks outside.

Decorations? We have a beautiful porcine Nativity set, Baby Jesus with Mother Mary, and Joseph. This used to stay up in front bay window year around, but that area is now our daughter's Art Studio. I brought this set in and put it in the large dining room on top of Piano and can now enjoy it more often. Too significant and beautiful to ever put away.

Hello all you glowinggoldens. I am new today and trying to figure this site out.
I recently turned 60 and I'll share more about it later. I signed in hours ago and really having a bit of a challenge with this site and now am to tired to write much. So glad I found this site of older people. But it's all relative as I think
95 is a good age to be considered older! So experienced wise ones I look forward to sharing. This is the last time of losing wt. For me, and My goals are to be able to do the splits and a cartwheel before Whrn I meet my first goal.
Then I have bigger plan for my 70's. Good nite all.o

I thought I'd posted but must have forgotten to submit as I don't see it. It's been a kinda crazy day..one of those where I feel like I'm moving fast but accomplishing little. It's been cold and rainy and dark all day...typical NW day although we've been blessed with more better days this past year I think. I don't mind these dark wet days though. My problem is with my computer....got up this morning and windows would not load. After first trying to troubleshoot it myself, called the techs who said I needed a factory restore...No!! Ended up with HP who said the same thing so I did it even though I didn't want to. So now I'm back with Win 7 ..well I didn't like 8.1 anyway but I PAID for it!! That was a pretty stupid thing to do now that I think about it...I just wanted to play with it a while (the tech in me!) but they made me pay quite the price for my play. Anyway, I do back up with Mozy and it's worth every penny...it is right now re-installing everything.....at least I hope everything. I still have a funny feeling though that I did not need a factory restore...I suspect it has something to do with my network...can't exactly tell you what it was anymore but I recently had a problem with getting my printer to work (this time too.) and it was related to a problem with the network, not the computer or the printer. They had to set me up with a new network. And today I kept feeling I should call the internet company instead but I didn't cause I couldn't understand why I thought that nor could I explain it. But if my printer continues to not work I just may end up doing that. As some of you I'm sure know it takes forever to get this all done...I've downloaded and installed the Windows updates, and am now waiting for the Mozy files to download. Next to be sure all my really necessary programs are there. I have already found a lot of my UN-necessary files are ok. Grrr...not fun but has to be done.

Remember last week I lost 3# and didn't know why because I didn't feel my eating justified it. Well this week I've worked on gaining it back..so doubt my scale will show a good number tomorrow.

Love2 - I never thought I'd ever have a weight problem...ate whatever I wanted. I walked a lot up until about 25, after that not so much. I had three babies before I started to gain...after the the 3rd one I was finally just right (not so skinny) but went up pretty fast after that and had two more babies. Never gained any more with any of them (about 25lbs each) but I weighed more when I began each pregnancy. Your nativity set sounds lovely! I'd leave it out too. Ours is ceramic figures in a wood manager...the figures have been played with by all the children and some grandchildren and have chips. I love it for sentimental reasons but will likely get a new one someday soon. I do have another ceramic set that is just the three figures and they are larger. It is still in good shape because I usually put it on the fireplace mantle but this year I didn't have room for it there and put it on a sofa table and am surprised the visiting grandchildren didn't break it but they left it alone. Glad you are enjoying your workouts. I'm looking forward to going back to the gym next month, except I will hate getting up earlier.

Lilfit- Welcome!! You are ambitious...splits and cartwheels?!! Wow, I need a little of your energy and motivation! Hopefully it will rub off on me. I have been going up and down in my weight for years now and not so much down anymore esp recently. I would love to be 60 again...really enjoyed my 60s. I am almost 72 now and although I still look forward to each day...I have to admit I liked my 60s better physically.

I am way overdue for an eye exam. I do need to have it done because of my diabetes, and I also have a hole in the macula of my left eye making it impossible to see up close or read with that eye. The right eye takes over. I am afraid they will take away my drivers license, although I can see fine to drive. Just a fear of mine. The last glasses I got don't seem to be the right prescription. The ones before that are better. I rarely wear my glasses except to drive and I use reading glasses for reading. I have been trying to wear my glasses the past few days to get used to wearing them before my eye appointment, but for some things, I can see better without them. I was trying to read the titles of books for sale at Goodwill and had to take my glasses off to read the titles on the end of the book. That doesn't make sense. The TV picture is sharper with the glasses on, but for the computer, the distance lens is not right. I have to tilt my head up and use the lower bifocal part of the lens, and that's uncomfortable. When I worked, I adjusted the height of my computer screen so it was at the correct level. I don't know if I can do that here. I just might go back to not wearing my glasses when I'm on the computer.

Lilfit, I couldn't do splits and cartwheels when I was thin! I've never been physically active. I was always the last one picked for handball as a child, then decided I was better off being scorekeeper. Welcome to the thread. Looking forward to hearing more about you.

Mary, Windows 8 is one of the reasons I don't want to get a new computer. I'm satisfied with Windows 7 and I've heard a few people say they don't like 8. Sometimes your old printers etc are not compatible with the newer Windows versions and I'm satisfied with my 3 in one printer. Most of what I use the computer for is just message boards and googling, so it doesn't really warrant the cost of a new PC. We have an older laptop that I can use, and I can also get online with my Nook, although I don't like it. I prefer having a full size screen and regular keyboard. I hope you get everything straightened out.

We have an old Nativity that DH had since his first marriage. The stable was made of cardboard and fell apart, but we got a new one made of wood that a man was making and selling at a flea market. The figures are old and worn, but we still use it. I also have a white porcelain set that I bought at Goodwill. It's beautiful, and much newer than my old set. Some years I use a white artificial tree instead of the green one, and when I do that I use the white Nativity set.

Well I've been busy getting my computer back like I want it. Still having problem with Roboform...I have the data (thanks to mozy), but I can't get it into the program. I suspect it has to do with the company using the wrong username when I recently reupped my subscription. I have emailed them and hope they respond tomorrow. Otherwise I didn't lose anything of great importance except for my budget data. Not sure why I didn't get that, but at least it was only Jan so easy to restart. In fact every time I start a new budget it is easier and I do a better job, so it's all good. However my printer is still not working, so still need to work on that. That is the biggest issue now. I have to say win 7 seems kinda slow...maybe 8.1 was faster..didn't realize it at the time but now I wonder. They should allow me to reinstall 8.1 since I paid for it...plan to ask tomorrow. In many ways I prefer 7 but I did get used to 8.1 and it cost quite a lot.

Carole Sue - In your case, sounds like win 7 is best as long as you can keep it going. Sorry about your eye problems. If your previous prescription was better you can ask your doctor to change it. Dh had to have his new prescription changed last time...in his case the power needed to be increased. Your vision problems sound very difficult. Mine are getting more so too. I have always been very near sighted but now It is very hard for me to see close up. The doctor told me he can't fix it anymore, and that I should just take off my glasses to see things up close. Have to bring them really close to my eyes though and it isn't always possible depending on what I'm doing. Sometimes it's like I can't see with my glasses yet can't see without them!! I could never use the computer unless I was sitting on the monitor..LOL.. Isn't growing old fun full of challenges that's for sure, some I wouldn't have minded skipping..but then I think it could be worse..saw a couple young people today that have much worse problems and began to count my blessings.