Social Saturday PWYC

[Twins' Mom]

We all need socialization - even me! Many online articles tout the benefits, particularly as we age. Here's one: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... ocializing

So let the socialization begin!
'

[Lady Maverick]

I find myself thinking that living like a hermit might be something I want to try as I get older. I acknowledge it might be influenced by being surrounded by teenagers. I need to find a balance. Having more adult social interaction would probably be good for me. I am hesitant to do it but always seem to enjoy it.

Today has nothing on the schedule. Other than keeping the refrigerator stocked I am not sure what I will choose to do.

[blessedw2]

hello d twins and d lady -

[Harriet]

Baby steps today. We were up late because HRH's day had been so off-kilter and he napped a lot yesterday. He ate a meal late.

I'm sitting now with a smoothie I made after doing the dishes.
Started broccoli sprouts.
Also put some laundry away this morning.
Have seams ready to sew at machine.

One of these days I may become more social. We have slowed down right now to outings that involve medical for one of us, of course. Love it when the kids come, but we seldom see the grands, and that concerns me because I want to be part of their lives, remembered by them as consistently part of their lives. Warming weather will help so that we could hang out with them outdoors.

((lucylee)), you got a lot more input about letting landlines go than about keeping them, even when you were asking here. It's a perfectly ordinary thing to do these days to let them go. If there are better things to do with the money, then find another way to remember that long-time phone number and feel virtuous that you are thrifty and can afford the future better because of your thrift. I realize you are actually more upset about your unexpected reaction and hard night. Glad you have your dmother and ds to consult. Change can hit us hard, but time heals that. Hugs.

Food is on my mind today. I looked back through old planner pages from about a year ago and I was doing so well with large salads and with smoothies, also cooked meals of healthy unprocessed ingredients. I do notice that much of what I ate were things that took a lot of time on my feet in the kitchen. I can't beat myself up over the changes but do need to think it through and try to find solutions.

[Lady Maverick]

I have been to the garden three times today. It is still a bit nippy weather, but the sun is shining brightly and the temperature will eventually get up to 52F today. Tonight temps will return to below freezing and then FINALLY tomorrow starts a week of consecutive days filled with sunshine and above freezing weather.
Why is that important to me? That means....it is time to start planting the 2025 garden! There are many things I can plant now and they will grow well in the cooler weather while waiting for the final freeze to happen.
I feel like a wintry weather prison thew open the doors and the sun is proclaiming that we have freedom!
Drama much? oh yea

Kitchen thoughts -
** Protein - we have 3 choices available. Plus I have chicken tenderloins to cook. There are several ways to cook them but I don't know which one yet. I'll decide after I am in the kitchen.
** Carb - What carb to make today? bread, pasta, potato or rice based?
** Vegetables - Plenty are in ready-to-eat status.
** Fruit - three are in ready to eat status. (apples, peaches and blueberries)

[Nancy]

Twins thanks for the great topic and link I did read it.

UP at 7:15 is sleeping in for me today.
I have done dishes,
Gotten floors vacuumed.

UP next
sweep
mop
put on pants
consider bfast options
empty vac. canister
Then bathrooms

Promised myself no TV / next flx till I do finish up the basic BWP things.

I have down time and walk in the pm walks are part of my social as I often greet others out walking too
warmer days more-so that cold weather times. I did outings and had social stuff early in the week more than
my normal had some down time the past couple of days. Was not up to my regular self felt some what puny.
I do like the EOD / Every Other Day thing for social of course winter effects things differently.

[Twins' Mom]

I'm with you LadyM. I could go days without going out if errands and all didn't interfere. You seem to have a reasonably full circle of friends - lifelong - and family, and church and neighborhood. I probably wouldn't go out much socially if dh didn't want to.

Today we're seeing SIX at 2 p.m., then early dinner with A and V. Tomorrow night dh is blowing off bowling and we're having dinner with a couple we're friends with in the neighborhood - K and D. He's willing to come over and help dh hang up my shelf for stamping sets - the one I bought over a month ago that hasn't gone up yet. (I really am trying to straighten the stamping area up - need to bring down more "stuff" and I think I'll be able to get dcleaning lady to vacuum that room.

UGH. This has been sitting here awhile. Dh got the stamping shelf up himself but not without some resentment.

We're heading out soon.

[MysteryWoman]

Hey, all!

(((lucylee))) BTDT with the panic attacks; not so with the grief. When you said you didn't want to give up the number that you and your late DH have had, that really hit home. I have not deleted my mom's number from the contacts on my phone, though she's no longer with us and hadn't lived in that house for several years before she died. A little thing, but difficult to give up. Don't know if you currently have a cell or what proportions you use your landline and cell in, but you can have your landline number ported to a cellphone, though it might be a pain to change your number if too many people call you at the other one.

I have a little more spring in my step than I have the past few days; I think I got better sleep last night. Washed up everybody's breakfast dishes rather than just rinsing and stacking them. Had a late enough breakfast that even though that should be next up in my routine, I'm not sure I'm ready for it yet. It's going to be leftover potstickers, yum!

DH is out with the Scouts today. The troop has gone down to Columbus to see the science museum there. I can't remember if he is supposed to be home by 6, or if they are leaving there at 6, in which case he won't be home till about 8:30.

LadyM, I had to laugh at your teenager-free hermitage! So glad you're able to start gardening.

I hope you find some easier ways to make yourself healthy things, Harriet. Don't know if it's an option for you, but because of my blood sugar, I was able to get a referral to a nutritionist, who has been a fount of helpful, practical information. Do you have a chair in your kitchen? Our kitchen is too small to keep one in all the time, but I have a little stool I drag in from the next room to sit by the stove when I have things that need to be watched over.

Twins, it sounds like your DH will make sure you're well socialized, especially once he retires. He seems to be quite the social butterfly. And of course, we very much like to socialize with you here.

I have more energy than I've had, but not so much as you, Nancy!

I need to go upstairs and grab some hangers before I can do wash; it seems that DH's shirts are the next to have a full load ready. While I'm up there, I will see if I can persuade DC to face the day. I've heard stirring but not seen their face. Granted, they're under no obligation to socialize, but they do need to take their meds before it's too late in the day.

DC has appeared of their own volition -- and asked if I can take them downtown for a 2 pm show. It is nearly 1:15.

[blessedw2]

sweet Lucy have you thought about helping yourself write a journal each day? pam and Peggy would write on a card and put it six months ahead to read again and see if life changed - 99% it did. Grief, heart ache, depression take time -

I am not sure if you heard of this book that I was highly recommended by others: It Must Have Been Moonglow: Reflections on the First Years of Widowhood
by Phyllis Greene. A woman in our coffee group lost her husband in her early 40's from a heart attack - He was a physically fit and thin person and it just happened. Grief is so hard - it hits when we dont' expect it and are, at times, tied to physical things or moments. The land line is one of them.
give yourself grace - there is no right or wrong - it just is. it takes time.

[blessedw2]

d lady - your posts on what food you can have has really been helping me. thank you.