My kingdom for a lemon! I love lemons, pretty much in any way, shape, or form.
But as you have likely guessed, I'm not writing a post about lemons. Rather, explaining where I have been and what has happened since my last post at the end of August.
Just as a quick recap - all is well. But life is life, and things happen.
Work got crazy in September and October, since a new system was introduced and of course we had received no training and only a week's notice that it was coming. Was I freaked out? Yes, but as with most things, I realized that I could only move forward with it because I had no choice. However, my co-workers are among the most dramatic people on the planet, and the angst and hand-wringing and whining made every day a challenge. Especially since we are currently all in one too-small office together, with absolutely no personal space.
The first week of October, I was diagnosed with pneumonia, which explained the horrific way I'd been feeling for weeks. Fortunately, once I had rest and proper meds, I recovered without incident. We had October 8 off work for Columbus Day, and I had big plans, since was feeling better. So I took the dog for a walk before getting started. And I fell, breaking two front teeth and my right wrist. I had surgery to repair it (with a plate and pins inserted) on October 12, and the next couple of weeks were a haze of pain and painkillers. I am now on my fourth cast, though this one is more of a splint, and occupational therapy begins this coming Monday. My orthopedic surgeon informed me that it could easily be a year until I am back to normal.
As you can imagine, all of this has put a real block into my life and holiday plans. As far as knitting goes, I had already finished the primary things I wanted to make for people for birthday and Christmas gifts, because I cannot knit at all. The thing is, can't do much else, either. No baking. No pulling out the decorations.
BUT - here is what I am hoping: that my occupational therapy will show progress so that I can do the small amount that is my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner (The Tim is responsible for the bulk of the cooking, his choice), and that by Christmastime, I'll be able to do even more, including decorations. Because for me, that is part of the fun!
Of course, I may be too optimistic. And I'll survive if that is the case. I'll do what I can, and hope that by this time next year, this will just be a blip of memory - a case of life giving me more lemons than I really need right now. :-)
Have a lovely weekend!
10 November 2018
31 August 2018
Grumpy
Even though I am tired of people 24/7, right now they are really bugging me. I'm sure a lot of it is just me and my own feelings/opinions about everything. But seriously, some of them are just so damn clueless it makes me want to scream.
Feel free to stop reading and come back another day if you like. I get it.
There is a woman whose blog I read pretty regularly and mostly enjoy. She seems to have a good sense of humor, likes to try different makeup and report back on it, and has dealt with being unemployed off and on over the past three or four years. She is obsessed with having cosmetic companies use "pro-aging" models for their products, and does a lot of whining about how they do not. I'll admit that gets on my nerves, but I get where she is coming from. I just wish that she didn't go off on it in every single blog post, regardless of the topic.
Her latest thing is that she doesn't want summer to end. And the majority of people I know in real life as well as in cyberspace seem to be in love with summer, so that in and of itself is not the part that makes me grumpy. What makes me grumpy is that she spends an entire post talking about how wonderful her life is in the summer, when she can spend weekends at her beach house and a month every summer in Europe visiting her husband's family. Frankly, as someone who is not a fan of summer, I could probably like it more if I had a beach house and spent a month in Europe every year. She writes about it like it's the norm, and why don't the people who dislike summer realize how great it is?
And she, along with several others that I know, make me really grumpy with this. Does it occur to them that they are speaking from a place of extreme privilege (at least in my world)? I mean, I live a pretty privileged life compared to so many other people, and I realize that. So it just makes me want to slap someone upside the head when they say things like, "If I can't get away, I'll go mad." Yeah, so what, we all feel like that. Most of us can't "get away" as in trips to Europe, or the Caribbean, etc. for a "quick trip" no matter how much we might wish to do so.
I work with a young woman who lives in a house that her parents gave to her and her husband. It is bought and paid for, and yes, they do have to spend their own money on utilities, taxes, etc. They have a 2 year old son who goes to a pricey, fancy daycare that her parents also pay for, and besides the house, that is a HUGE thing, since even cheap daycare is ridiculously expensive.
She wants to have a new house, because theirs is "too small" now that they have a kid. But none of the houses they like are ones they can afford, and she finds this personally offensive. Every time she talks about it, she says, "They are just so expensive, and I don't want to pay that much." Fine. Houses are expensive, I guess especially when you are living in one where you never ever had to figure out how to pay the mortgage. The other day she said, "We have looked at so many houses, we just need to get away. My parents are coming to stay with the kid, and we are going to Turks and Caicos for the long weekend. We *have* to get away." Oh how my heart bleeds.
I guess my issue is this: if you have money to do and go where you want, that's truly wonderful. Enjoy it and do all you can. But PLEASE stop talking about how hard your life of privilege is, and how you just *have* to go someplace else. Everyone has something that is hard or difficult or problematic in their lives. Everyone would like a break, even if it means staying home and being left alone. But most people, regardless of desire, can't afford to live the life the aforementioned people take for granted.
A few weeks ago, a new colleague asked me how many children I had. I responded that I have no children. She said, "Well then, you must do a lot of traveling," and when I said, we enjoy traveling but don't get to do a lot of it, she said, "Why not? Surely you have the money."
Sigh. No. No, we don't. Just because we do not have children it does not mean that we are swimming in cash. We are fortunate because we are able to pay our bills, but it's a close call every single month, some more than others. Of course we spend money on things that are not necessities, but it's not a lot, and it's not all the time. This colleague was extremely puzzled and kept asking questions about why we didn't have a lot of money, and a) it's rude, b) it's none of her business anyway, and c) I finally told her that I felt it wasn't something she needed to know. She was a bit put out by that.
As my mother used to tell us, "Well you know what they say in Russia: 'toughsky shitsky.' "
Feel free to stop reading and come back another day if you like. I get it.
There is a woman whose blog I read pretty regularly and mostly enjoy. She seems to have a good sense of humor, likes to try different makeup and report back on it, and has dealt with being unemployed off and on over the past three or four years. She is obsessed with having cosmetic companies use "pro-aging" models for their products, and does a lot of whining about how they do not. I'll admit that gets on my nerves, but I get where she is coming from. I just wish that she didn't go off on it in every single blog post, regardless of the topic.
Her latest thing is that she doesn't want summer to end. And the majority of people I know in real life as well as in cyberspace seem to be in love with summer, so that in and of itself is not the part that makes me grumpy. What makes me grumpy is that she spends an entire post talking about how wonderful her life is in the summer, when she can spend weekends at her beach house and a month every summer in Europe visiting her husband's family. Frankly, as someone who is not a fan of summer, I could probably like it more if I had a beach house and spent a month in Europe every year. She writes about it like it's the norm, and why don't the people who dislike summer realize how great it is?
And she, along with several others that I know, make me really grumpy with this. Does it occur to them that they are speaking from a place of extreme privilege (at least in my world)? I mean, I live a pretty privileged life compared to so many other people, and I realize that. So it just makes me want to slap someone upside the head when they say things like, "If I can't get away, I'll go mad." Yeah, so what, we all feel like that. Most of us can't "get away" as in trips to Europe, or the Caribbean, etc. for a "quick trip" no matter how much we might wish to do so.
I work with a young woman who lives in a house that her parents gave to her and her husband. It is bought and paid for, and yes, they do have to spend their own money on utilities, taxes, etc. They have a 2 year old son who goes to a pricey, fancy daycare that her parents also pay for, and besides the house, that is a HUGE thing, since even cheap daycare is ridiculously expensive.
She wants to have a new house, because theirs is "too small" now that they have a kid. But none of the houses they like are ones they can afford, and she finds this personally offensive. Every time she talks about it, she says, "They are just so expensive, and I don't want to pay that much." Fine. Houses are expensive, I guess especially when you are living in one where you never ever had to figure out how to pay the mortgage. The other day she said, "We have looked at so many houses, we just need to get away. My parents are coming to stay with the kid, and we are going to Turks and Caicos for the long weekend. We *have* to get away." Oh how my heart bleeds.
I guess my issue is this: if you have money to do and go where you want, that's truly wonderful. Enjoy it and do all you can. But PLEASE stop talking about how hard your life of privilege is, and how you just *have* to go someplace else. Everyone has something that is hard or difficult or problematic in their lives. Everyone would like a break, even if it means staying home and being left alone. But most people, regardless of desire, can't afford to live the life the aforementioned people take for granted.
A few weeks ago, a new colleague asked me how many children I had. I responded that I have no children. She said, "Well then, you must do a lot of traveling," and when I said, we enjoy traveling but don't get to do a lot of it, she said, "Why not? Surely you have the money."
Sigh. No. No, we don't. Just because we do not have children it does not mean that we are swimming in cash. We are fortunate because we are able to pay our bills, but it's a close call every single month, some more than others. Of course we spend money on things that are not necessities, but it's not a lot, and it's not all the time. This colleague was extremely puzzled and kept asking questions about why we didn't have a lot of money, and a) it's rude, b) it's none of her business anyway, and c) I finally told her that I felt it wasn't something she needed to know. She was a bit put out by that.
As my mother used to tell us, "Well you know what they say in Russia: 'toughsky shitsky.' "
29 June 2018
When Gardening Is a Workout
Last spring, I spent every weekend for approximately a month cleaning up/cleaning out our garden area so that when the weather was not incredibly hot and humid, we could sit outside and enjoy it all. Each weekend, I would do a certain amount, so as not to be overcome with tiredness and the amount of physical activity.
This past spring, here in the Philadelphia area, it rained non-stop practically every single weekend. The few that it did not, we were either not in town, or had other commitments. So the garden was left to its own devices, and was to put it mildly, a mess. Last weekend, the weather was pretty perfect - warm but not overly hot, and with very little humidity. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, I went out early and worked on getting things cleaned up and organized. Our garden area is not large, but because it had been left alone, there were leaves, sticks, blown trash, and overgrown weeds everywhere. (Three large garden trash bags' worth to start!) But finally it was looking better.
As for me, I easily got a all-body workout doing the cleaning up. Between standing up and squatting down, kneeling and pulling out weed roots, and raking and sweeping, every bit of me felt the burn, as they say. I was a little bit sore, but nothing two acetaminophen didn't help.
Yesterday and today, I am off work, in my continuing and final attempt to use vacation days instead of losing them (tomorrow is the end of our year at work). It had rained pretty heavily overnight on Wednesday to Thursday, so yesterday morning I took myself outside to do some planting, as we had bought some flowers and plants last weekend. Things don't always do really well for us, because except for a planter in front of the house, the actual garden area doesn't get a lot of full, strong sunlight. We discovered last year that in both places, New Guinea impatiens plants were VERY happy, as well as being pretty. Since we got started late this year, there were only two of those left where we had gone, but they looked pretty healthy, so we got those as well as some marigolds, asters, and some annuals. Everything was planted yesterday, and so far, is still alive. :-)
(Not ours - just an example of what the New Guinea impatiens look like)
Never having lived anywhere with a huge yard, and not having parents who were interested in gardens or lawns, I never realized how you could get in shape that way. Having said that, I'm perfectly happy with the size of our garden, and the amount of work it provides for us. It's just another example of why I would be a crappy suburban neighbor. So, suburbanites, be VERY happy that I live in the city, and not next door to you!
Have a great weekend, and enjoy whatever exercise you can get. But mostly, if you are in one of the many places in the U.S. and abroad where major heat waves are occurring/are starting to occur, keep cool!
18 June 2018
Yes, I Have a Butt. Yes, It Was Kicked.
I thought I'd report on my experience with the Bar Method class I took last week, and mentioned in my previous post. You can likely get the idea based on the title of this post.
Saying that the workout kicked my butt is an understatement. Wow, is it a tough workout! I did at least a few of almost every exercise (and felt it most of last week), but I am here to say that it's something you really really need to work up to, unless you are already a *very* flexible person.
I can say that the overall atmosphere was lovely. There was music in the background, because of course you can't NOT have that nowadays, but at least it was really in the background. The instructor was kind and really helpful, and as I had been told, it was truly a group exercise class where each person was doing their own thing. Which I have to say I really liked. I didn't get the impression at all that anyone else was watching or caring about what I could or could not do, what I was wearing, how old I am, etc. In that way it was a truly positive experience.
I spoke to the instructor who had arranged for a comp class for me, and let her know my thoughts. She was grateful, and said that it has definitely convinced her to do a Beginner Level series of classes in the fall. That's a good thing, because it will give me a chance to save up what money I can to take those, and give me the summer to continue working on gaining some strength and flexibility on my own.
The best thing about the classes as far as I can tell is that you would most definitely gain strength as well as flexibility. I know it sounds weird to say this, but that is what I liked most about physical therapy after my first cancer surgery - it had the same kind of emphasis, and changed the way I thought about exercise and my body. If you have a Bar Method studio near you, I would say that you should save your money and take some of the classes, because I was really impressed (if sore!).
This week I am on vacation, not going anywhere in particular, just enjoying a week not being at work. I plan to do some activity/exercise/movement every day, because I will be on a schedule that is only what I want it to be. Today's activity is simply walking back and forth across town to a dr appt in the heat and humidity. I know better than to push myself other than that - but it will also be a good workout for me.
I see LOTS of water in my plans for today! :-)
Saying that the workout kicked my butt is an understatement. Wow, is it a tough workout! I did at least a few of almost every exercise (and felt it most of last week), but I am here to say that it's something you really really need to work up to, unless you are already a *very* flexible person.
I can say that the overall atmosphere was lovely. There was music in the background, because of course you can't NOT have that nowadays, but at least it was really in the background. The instructor was kind and really helpful, and as I had been told, it was truly a group exercise class where each person was doing their own thing. Which I have to say I really liked. I didn't get the impression at all that anyone else was watching or caring about what I could or could not do, what I was wearing, how old I am, etc. In that way it was a truly positive experience.
I spoke to the instructor who had arranged for a comp class for me, and let her know my thoughts. She was grateful, and said that it has definitely convinced her to do a Beginner Level series of classes in the fall. That's a good thing, because it will give me a chance to save up what money I can to take those, and give me the summer to continue working on gaining some strength and flexibility on my own.
The best thing about the classes as far as I can tell is that you would most definitely gain strength as well as flexibility. I know it sounds weird to say this, but that is what I liked most about physical therapy after my first cancer surgery - it had the same kind of emphasis, and changed the way I thought about exercise and my body. If you have a Bar Method studio near you, I would say that you should save your money and take some of the classes, because I was really impressed (if sore!).
I see LOTS of water in my plans for today! :-)
08 June 2018
Fitness Friday : I'm Still Here!
Well, hello! I didn't mean to be gone for so long, but I'm here now in any case. If you read my other blog you probably know what I've been up to, craft-wise and reading-wise.
I know that especially at the beginning of the year, I talked about becoming more fit. And then I also said I was planning to take advantage of some Pilates classes. I have not really said anything about either thing since, have I?
The results are mixed. I have been trying really hard to move around regularly, and to watch what I eat. I've been successful in that I have been able to remain motivated, but I have not really been successful as far as physical changes. I've discussed this with two of my doctors, who have not been able to determine exactly why - I mean, we all know that losing weight is harder when you are older, but they can find no medical reason why I am not losing any weight (and both of them suggest trying to drop 15 pounds to stay healthy). So it's time to up the exercise and see if that helps not just with losing weight, but gaining strength and fitness (which is actually the most important thing to me personally).
So let's review. I took the Beginner Pilates Mat classes, and LOVED them! I was in no way good at it, but I really enjoyed them, and they made me feel like I had better posture. My coupon special expired at the end of May, so now I'm on my own. I've been looking for free online classes, so I can keep up with it. As with real-life classes, some classes and some instructors are better than others, but I have a couple that I really like, so hopefully I can keep going for that. Because I just can't afford the regular classes, those suckers are crazy expensive!
Local Yarn Store Day happened, and I won a raffle, which was incredibly exciting, since I don't win most of the time. One of the prizes was a free, one-on-one workout of The Bar Method, which recently opened a studio near our house. My first inclination was to just not bother, because frankly I figured it would be something I wouldn't enjoy, even a one-on-one free class. But then I thought, what the heck - it's free, and made an appt. I had truly low expectations.
You know what? It was so great! The person doing the one-on-one was one of the owners of the local studio, and she could not have been nicer or more helpful. She said she had originally hoped to do a beginner series, but since this is the first summer they are open, she hesitated to do that until they had an idea of how well they would or would not do overall. Understandable. Anyway, it was fun and she was incredibly encouraging. There were some things I just could not do, and other things I could do but not for as long as the class does them. She said that in her opinion, the good thing about the classes are that, although they are group classes, everyone is doing their own thing the best that they can, and the instructors help each person in the class. I though that it was probably something she said to everyone, but then when I was getting changed in the locker room, there were a couple of older women getting ready for an actual class who claimed the same thing when I asked them about their experiences. Hm.
Anyway, the owner/instructor who helped me was a) extremely nice, b) not pushy or judgemental, and c) most importantly, not constantly giving me a sales spiel. She has invited me to be her guest at a regular class this Sunday morning to see how/if I like it. I told her that I would love to try it, but warned her I would likely not be able to afford to go regularly. She said that if I liked the class, and felt that I could do it at all, she would figure out a way to make it affordable to me. I don't know if that will be true, but I'm gonna see how it all goes on Sunday in any event.
Another thing that is helping is that I can now ride my bicycle more than I do in the winter. I love riding my bike, and can even cycle back and forth from work. But I'm not a person who cycles regardless of the weather - I guess I'm a weather wimp that way! When it's freezing, raining, or just incredibly cold outside, I'm not interested in riding my bike. If I absolutely *had* to, I'm sure I would, but given the choice, I'll wait for better weather.
If you know me, you know I'm not a fan of summer. But I have to admit that it makes it so much easier to eat well. Fresh fruits and veggies are not just more available, but more affordable. And even when I was a little kid, I LOVED fruits and veggies! So I'm hoping that will make all of the rest of it even better because I do love to eat.
So that's what has been going on around here. I know that being more active and eating well makes me feel better not just physically but mentally. I want to be as healthy and as fit as I can be, and if it can help me keep it together better overall, there's no down side.
In summary:
1. Keep exercising.
2. Ride my bike.
3. Try new things.
4. Benefit from all the good food available now.
5. Stay accountable.
If you want to try along with me, all the better!
Here's to a good and healthy weekend.
I know that especially at the beginning of the year, I talked about becoming more fit. And then I also said I was planning to take advantage of some Pilates classes. I have not really said anything about either thing since, have I?
The results are mixed. I have been trying really hard to move around regularly, and to watch what I eat. I've been successful in that I have been able to remain motivated, but I have not really been successful as far as physical changes. I've discussed this with two of my doctors, who have not been able to determine exactly why - I mean, we all know that losing weight is harder when you are older, but they can find no medical reason why I am not losing any weight (and both of them suggest trying to drop 15 pounds to stay healthy). So it's time to up the exercise and see if that helps not just with losing weight, but gaining strength and fitness (which is actually the most important thing to me personally).
So let's review. I took the Beginner Pilates Mat classes, and LOVED them! I was in no way good at it, but I really enjoyed them, and they made me feel like I had better posture. My coupon special expired at the end of May, so now I'm on my own. I've been looking for free online classes, so I can keep up with it. As with real-life classes, some classes and some instructors are better than others, but I have a couple that I really like, so hopefully I can keep going for that. Because I just can't afford the regular classes, those suckers are crazy expensive!
Local Yarn Store Day happened, and I won a raffle, which was incredibly exciting, since I don't win most of the time. One of the prizes was a free, one-on-one workout of The Bar Method, which recently opened a studio near our house. My first inclination was to just not bother, because frankly I figured it would be something I wouldn't enjoy, even a one-on-one free class. But then I thought, what the heck - it's free, and made an appt. I had truly low expectations.
You know what? It was so great! The person doing the one-on-one was one of the owners of the local studio, and she could not have been nicer or more helpful. She said she had originally hoped to do a beginner series, but since this is the first summer they are open, she hesitated to do that until they had an idea of how well they would or would not do overall. Understandable. Anyway, it was fun and she was incredibly encouraging. There were some things I just could not do, and other things I could do but not for as long as the class does them. She said that in her opinion, the good thing about the classes are that, although they are group classes, everyone is doing their own thing the best that they can, and the instructors help each person in the class. I though that it was probably something she said to everyone, but then when I was getting changed in the locker room, there were a couple of older women getting ready for an actual class who claimed the same thing when I asked them about their experiences. Hm.
Anyway, the owner/instructor who helped me was a) extremely nice, b) not pushy or judgemental, and c) most importantly, not constantly giving me a sales spiel. She has invited me to be her guest at a regular class this Sunday morning to see how/if I like it. I told her that I would love to try it, but warned her I would likely not be able to afford to go regularly. She said that if I liked the class, and felt that I could do it at all, she would figure out a way to make it affordable to me. I don't know if that will be true, but I'm gonna see how it all goes on Sunday in any event.
Another thing that is helping is that I can now ride my bicycle more than I do in the winter. I love riding my bike, and can even cycle back and forth from work. But I'm not a person who cycles regardless of the weather - I guess I'm a weather wimp that way! When it's freezing, raining, or just incredibly cold outside, I'm not interested in riding my bike. If I absolutely *had* to, I'm sure I would, but given the choice, I'll wait for better weather.
If you know me, you know I'm not a fan of summer. But I have to admit that it makes it so much easier to eat well. Fresh fruits and veggies are not just more available, but more affordable. And even when I was a little kid, I LOVED fruits and veggies! So I'm hoping that will make all of the rest of it even better because I do love to eat.
So that's what has been going on around here. I know that being more active and eating well makes me feel better not just physically but mentally. I want to be as healthy and as fit as I can be, and if it can help me keep it together better overall, there's no down side.
In summary:
1. Keep exercising.
2. Ride my bike.
3. Try new things.
4. Benefit from all the good food available now.
5. Stay accountable.
If you want to try along with me, all the better!
Here's to a good and healthy weekend.
17 April 2018
Invisible
I can't decide if I'm well-adjusted (which I sincerely doubt) or just not activist enough. Because 99% of the time, I'm OK with being invisible.
You may think, "Well, OK, but I have no idea what you are talking about." Frankly, that's what I would be expecting you to say. So let me explain.
I have a friend in the cyberverse who is a year older than I am, and is a fashion blogger. She posts her outfits and makeup choices every day, and she also has a YouTube channel where she discusses beauty, fashion, life, etc. from the viewpoint of what she calls a "mature" woman (she just turned 63). She is attractive, seems like a lot of fun, and also has a good sense of style - you know, a person who can put things together and they look fashionable (whereas, I put things on and they are clothes). I enjoy her blog and her podcasts, but I am pretty sure that if we met in real life, we would not be good friends.
Why?
Because she is an activist when it comes to wanting advertisers and society in general to embrace older women, and the "pro-aging" movement. She writes to companies all of the time telling them to use someone other than 20-year-old stick models in their advertisements; she asks them to design with the older woman in mind; and she will cancel any magazine subscription where they do not feature any mature women, or use the term "anti-aging." (She must have a lot of magazine subscriptions, since she has cancelled at least 5 during the time I've known her.)
I get her point. I really do. And I will admit that when I see someone who is clearly out of their twenties in an advertisement (print or otherwise), I think it's great. I do wish that it was easier to find clothes that don't make me look as if I want to relive my teens or twenties (once was more than enough, thank you!), so I can appreciate that part.
But you know what? I really don't care, in the grand scheme of things. Even as a teenager and young adult, it seriously never ever occurred to me that women in magazines or on TV were supposed to look like me, or anyone that I knew. I figured they were out of the norm of my experience because that was their job. I didn't care about how thin they were/were not, because they didn't look like anyone I ever saw around anyway. I might think, "Oh that's a nice dress," or like their lipstick or whatever, but NEVER did I get the message that that is how I was supposed to look. I'm not exactly sure why, but really and truly it just never occurred to me. Probably because I was a pretty weird kid, but even as a young adult I never expected it.
Then I got older. And the first time it occurred to me that I was actually "invisible" was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had a mastectomy. It became clear to me that because I was older (late 40s) and had no children, it didn't "matter" as much. If the worst happened, I wouldn't leave half-orphaned children and/or grandchildren behind, and since I was the age I was, it's not like I should worry about whether or not I looked that good afterwards. I will admit that this was extremely frustrating, but again, I always just figured it was others' problem, not mine.
So do I care about my appearance? Yes, of course. I try to look the best I can, when I can. I keep active so I can enjoy my life more and be healthier, and live longer to be with friends and family. I enjoy dressing up on occasion, and I do wear makeup and [attempt to] fix my hair. I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin, and have been for most of my life. And though I would like the world to do things my way, it doesn't. I don't mind being invisible for the most part.
You may think, "Well, OK, but I have no idea what you are talking about." Frankly, that's what I would be expecting you to say. So let me explain.
I have a friend in the cyberverse who is a year older than I am, and is a fashion blogger. She posts her outfits and makeup choices every day, and she also has a YouTube channel where she discusses beauty, fashion, life, etc. from the viewpoint of what she calls a "mature" woman (she just turned 63). She is attractive, seems like a lot of fun, and also has a good sense of style - you know, a person who can put things together and they look fashionable (whereas, I put things on and they are clothes). I enjoy her blog and her podcasts, but I am pretty sure that if we met in real life, we would not be good friends.
Why?
Because she is an activist when it comes to wanting advertisers and society in general to embrace older women, and the "pro-aging" movement. She writes to companies all of the time telling them to use someone other than 20-year-old stick models in their advertisements; she asks them to design with the older woman in mind; and she will cancel any magazine subscription where they do not feature any mature women, or use the term "anti-aging." (She must have a lot of magazine subscriptions, since she has cancelled at least 5 during the time I've known her.)
I get her point. I really do. And I will admit that when I see someone who is clearly out of their twenties in an advertisement (print or otherwise), I think it's great. I do wish that it was easier to find clothes that don't make me look as if I want to relive my teens or twenties (once was more than enough, thank you!), so I can appreciate that part.
But you know what? I really don't care, in the grand scheme of things. Even as a teenager and young adult, it seriously never ever occurred to me that women in magazines or on TV were supposed to look like me, or anyone that I knew. I figured they were out of the norm of my experience because that was their job. I didn't care about how thin they were/were not, because they didn't look like anyone I ever saw around anyway. I might think, "Oh that's a nice dress," or like their lipstick or whatever, but NEVER did I get the message that that is how I was supposed to look. I'm not exactly sure why, but really and truly it just never occurred to me. Probably because I was a pretty weird kid, but even as a young adult I never expected it.
Then I got older. And the first time it occurred to me that I was actually "invisible" was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had a mastectomy. It became clear to me that because I was older (late 40s) and had no children, it didn't "matter" as much. If the worst happened, I wouldn't leave half-orphaned children and/or grandchildren behind, and since I was the age I was, it's not like I should worry about whether or not I looked that good afterwards. I will admit that this was extremely frustrating, but again, I always just figured it was others' problem, not mine.
So do I care about my appearance? Yes, of course. I try to look the best I can, when I can. I keep active so I can enjoy my life more and be healthier, and live longer to be with friends and family. I enjoy dressing up on occasion, and I do wear makeup and [attempt to] fix my hair. I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin, and have been for most of my life. And though I would like the world to do things my way, it doesn't. I don't mind being invisible for the most part.
I don't think I have to look like her:
any more than I think I *should* look like her:
but I also hope I don't look like her:
What about you? Are you an activist like my cyber-friend? Or like me, who can understand and appreciate her position on things, but can't be bothered to get worked up over it?
14 April 2018
Product Review - OleHenriksen Truth Serum
I have suffered from rosacea for years. Finally when we moved to Philadelphia many years ago, I found a dermatologist who diagnosed it and actually knew how it could be treated. It took a while, but finally it's under control better than it's ever been.
Needless to say, I'm kind of obsessed with taking care of my skin now that it doesn't constantly look like it's scalded. I see my dermatologist regularly, and she is really great. One thing she isn't, is big on recommending products that are popular in magazines or that the "beautiful people" are using. I've asked specifically from time to time if a certain moisturizer or soap or whatever that I read about in a magazine is worth using. Her answer has nearly always been, "try it if you like," but that's all.
So when she actually mentioned something by name, I thought it was worth a try. And then I decided it was only fair to let you know how it did or did not work.
The product is OleHenriksen Truth Serum (available in store and online at Sephora and several other places, as well as directly from the company).
Needless to say, I'm kind of obsessed with taking care of my skin now that it doesn't constantly look like it's scalded. I see my dermatologist regularly, and she is really great. One thing she isn't, is big on recommending products that are popular in magazines or that the "beautiful people" are using. I've asked specifically from time to time if a certain moisturizer or soap or whatever that I read about in a magazine is worth using. Her answer has nearly always been, "try it if you like," but that's all.
So when she actually mentioned something by name, I thought it was worth a try. And then I decided it was only fair to let you know how it did or did not work.
The product is OleHenriksen Truth Serum (available in store and online at Sephora and several other places, as well as directly from the company).
This is what it I'm talking about. The pump at the top dispenses a non-sticky, slightly orange-scented liquid that spreads easily. The scent disappears almost immediately, and it absorbs quickly, but still feels like your skin - not like some products that make you feel like there's a weird layer there.
I bought a small bottle to try, because a) it's not inexpensive (though you can order a mini online for $15), and b) I wasn't sure if I would like it. I have used it now for approximately 6 months, at night only with my moisturizer over it, and I can tell you, this stuff is fantastic! It makes my skin feel very soft, and I have had no bad reactions or problems from use, while noticing that it seems to have given my skin some evenness, which is nice since I tend to be splotchy.
I think that technically, you are supposed to use it morning and night, but frankly, I didn't want to use it up very quickly since, as mentioned above, it's not cheap. Plus, since it has Vitamin C in it, I figured it would be better to use it at night only instead of having to use an even higher SPF sunscreen during the day.
Another thing I like about it is that one of the small bottles lasts a good long time. One pump gives you *plenty* of product for your face - on the occasion that I have used two pumps, I've been able to cover my neck and chest as well. This of course also makes it a winner on the BMST* and means that I am very likely to buy it again whenever this bottle is finished. And if that isn't good enough, OleHenriksen is a cruelty-free company!
So if you have rosacea, or even if you don't, but want to try something that is a little bit of an extra for your face, I can highly recommend this product. And this is me being honest, I didn't get any reimbursement from the company that makes it. I just wanted to share something that I thought was impressed with, especially if you are looking for some great skincare.
*BMST (Bridget's Mathematical Spending Theorem): the name given by a friend of mine to something I do with skincare, beauty products, makeup, etc. When I start to use it, I mark the date on the container. When it's gone, I note the date, and figure out the cost per use. This plays a part in whether or not I decided to purchase it again.
28 March 2018
How Old ARE You?
Two weeks ago, I turned 62. That seems like a rather astonishing thing to me. I mean, I know that it's not like turning 100 years old, but on a personal level, I have never actually known a 100-year-old person. I did get close, as The Tim's maternal grandmother was 99 years and 8 months old when she died. But I didn't know her very well, though until the last two years or so of her life, she was involved in life, even if she wasn't physically active.
But I have now outlived my father by nine years, and my mother died when she was 69 years old, so it's kinda weird to realize that. I do have a lot more aches and pains, and I move more slowly than I used to (though no one would have ever really called me "quick"), and God knows I have a ton more health issues than ever before. But I've been thinking about getting older, and I realized the other day that although I *know* how old I am, I don't always feel like an older person. And I'm guessing that in this day and age, that's the case for a lot of people.
I think an awful lot of it has to do with the shift in our culture. Yes, I realize that in some ways - advertising, products, TV, etc. - it's all about young people. I'm guessing that to some extent that has always been the case, it's just not been so prevalent, because in the past life was lived at a slower pace. But I can remember when I was growing up, that people in a lot of way just looked older at a certain point, and I think they were expected to act that way as well. I remember when I was ten years old, one of my cousins got married. She was in her mid-twenties (you know, an "old maid"!), and she had always been a really pretty woman. But after her marriage, the person who used to wear her hair down or in a ponytail, and wear shorts in the summer or two-piece swimsuits, suddenly turned into a matronly-looking married person. She always wore her hair pulled back into a bun, and stopped wearing shorts altogether, opting for a shift dress or occasionally, slacks. When I'd see her at the local park's swimming pool, she would always be wearing a black one-piece swimsuit, and unless she was actually in the pool, she wore a long coverup. All of a sudden, she looked a whole lot older. I can recall pointing this out to my mother, and her responding, "Well, she thinks she needs to look married now."
A puzzling statement to me, since my mother was married, and she dressed "normally," meaning that she was clearly older, but didn't dress like she was a matron. Granted, there were times when my sister Nancy (who was the only one who knew how to sew at the time - we all later learned in self-defense) would hem a dress or sweater for her, turning it into a mini-skirt, and she wouldn't wear it, because she didn't want to "look like a goddamn fool," but for the most part, my mother dressed a lot like people do today who wear clothes they like that fit well.
And I think that's one of the reasons I've never associated age with looking/acting/dressing a certain way. I will admit that I see people that in my opinion are trying just a bit too hard to look younger than they are, but a) it's none of my business, and b) if that makes them happy, go for it. But I still enjoy most things I've always enjoyed. I still wear the kind of clothes I've almost always liked to wear, and my tastes in music, TV, etc. are in line with that even if they are not exactly the same as before.
So how old am I? In some places, I'm already a senior citizen ("Over 55") and can get a discount on a hotel room or a car rental. A few of my contemporaries are already grandparents. My co-workers think I am ancient, and keep asking me when I am going to retire (which sadly does not appear to be any time soon on the horizon). I am automatically left out of some discussions or events because of my actual (sometimes perceived) age.
The good news is, that since I have pretty much always been my own best company, I don't really care for the most part. I'm an introvert, so I'm just as happy to not be invited to most events. It does annoy me that I get left out of things at work sometimes, for no other reason than my age.
I'm still me. I am still often immature in my tastes, I am likely to find inappopriate things funny. I am also a responsible person and have adult, more thought-out opinions, and certainly have the freedom to make my own decisions.
But how OLD am I? Am I 62 years old? Yes. But to be honest with you, I have NO idea what that is suppose to mean. I just keep hoping I have a lot more years left to keep trying to figure it all out. ;-)
But I have now outlived my father by nine years, and my mother died when she was 69 years old, so it's kinda weird to realize that. I do have a lot more aches and pains, and I move more slowly than I used to (though no one would have ever really called me "quick"), and God knows I have a ton more health issues than ever before. But I've been thinking about getting older, and I realized the other day that although I *know* how old I am, I don't always feel like an older person. And I'm guessing that in this day and age, that's the case for a lot of people.
I think an awful lot of it has to do with the shift in our culture. Yes, I realize that in some ways - advertising, products, TV, etc. - it's all about young people. I'm guessing that to some extent that has always been the case, it's just not been so prevalent, because in the past life was lived at a slower pace. But I can remember when I was growing up, that people in a lot of way just looked older at a certain point, and I think they were expected to act that way as well. I remember when I was ten years old, one of my cousins got married. She was in her mid-twenties (you know, an "old maid"!), and she had always been a really pretty woman. But after her marriage, the person who used to wear her hair down or in a ponytail, and wear shorts in the summer or two-piece swimsuits, suddenly turned into a matronly-looking married person. She always wore her hair pulled back into a bun, and stopped wearing shorts altogether, opting for a shift dress or occasionally, slacks. When I'd see her at the local park's swimming pool, she would always be wearing a black one-piece swimsuit, and unless she was actually in the pool, she wore a long coverup. All of a sudden, she looked a whole lot older. I can recall pointing this out to my mother, and her responding, "Well, she thinks she needs to look married now."
A puzzling statement to me, since my mother was married, and she dressed "normally," meaning that she was clearly older, but didn't dress like she was a matron. Granted, there were times when my sister Nancy (who was the only one who knew how to sew at the time - we all later learned in self-defense) would hem a dress or sweater for her, turning it into a mini-skirt, and she wouldn't wear it, because she didn't want to "look like a goddamn fool," but for the most part, my mother dressed a lot like people do today who wear clothes they like that fit well.
And I think that's one of the reasons I've never associated age with looking/acting/dressing a certain way. I will admit that I see people that in my opinion are trying just a bit too hard to look younger than they are, but a) it's none of my business, and b) if that makes them happy, go for it. But I still enjoy most things I've always enjoyed. I still wear the kind of clothes I've almost always liked to wear, and my tastes in music, TV, etc. are in line with that even if they are not exactly the same as before.
So how old am I? In some places, I'm already a senior citizen ("Over 55") and can get a discount on a hotel room or a car rental. A few of my contemporaries are already grandparents. My co-workers think I am ancient, and keep asking me when I am going to retire (which sadly does not appear to be any time soon on the horizon). I am automatically left out of some discussions or events because of my actual (sometimes perceived) age.
The good news is, that since I have pretty much always been my own best company, I don't really care for the most part. I'm an introvert, so I'm just as happy to not be invited to most events. It does annoy me that I get left out of things at work sometimes, for no other reason than my age.
I'm still me. I am still often immature in my tastes, I am likely to find inappopriate things funny. I am also a responsible person and have adult, more thought-out opinions, and certainly have the freedom to make my own decisions.
But how OLD am I? Am I 62 years old? Yes. But to be honest with you, I have NO idea what that is suppose to mean. I just keep hoping I have a lot more years left to keep trying to figure it all out. ;-)
04 March 2018
Have You Ever Done Pilates?
Approximately 20 years ago, I had a job where a gym membership was included. At the time, I was not much of a conscious exerciser (meaning I did a lot of moving around, but not specifically for exercise reasons), but I saw that they offered a beginner Pilates class and I was intrigued. It was a 6-week session, and though I was not good at all at doing most of the exercises (as flexibility has never been my forte), I absolutely loved it! One of the best things that resulted from it was the improvement of my posture.
The person who taught the classes left, and they didn't replace her, so I bought some DVDs which I used for a while. Not the same as the class, but it kept me going. Then our DVD player died, and DVDs in general went out of fashion for the most part, and I did other stuff for a while. But I always wished I could go back to Pilates. There were plenty of places offering it, but it was either a) really really expensive, or b) there were no beginner classes and though they would assure you that the classes were "all levels" they were not.
About a month ago, I saw a Groupon for a local place that offers Beginner Pilates classes. I e-mailed them prior to buying the Groupon, and was assured that this was truly a beginner-level class, including most people who had never ever done Pilates before. So I purchased the Groupon. And immediately, was unable to make it on any of the Saturday or Sunday mornings the class was offered!
So yesterday I decided I was going to book a class ahead and make that my commitment for that morning on that day. The Groupon is for 10 sessions, and I am hoping that by the end of that time, even if I can't afford to continue at the place the beginner classes are offered, I can keep doing Pilates somehow, even if it's by following an online instructor. I'm also pleased with myself because I have made a reservation for the class, and though I can cancel if necessary, I take reservations *very* seriously for things, and am unlikely to cancel unless something serious comes up.
I'll keep you posted, but I'm feeling hopeful. Before when I took the classes, I felt so much better, I really wanted to keep going, and also felt that it helped me keep up with other activity. I'm hoping that between these classes and the coming of spring weather, I'll have more opportunities to get myself back in the groove with bicycling. Unlike a lot of people I know (including The Tim), I don't really enjoy riding my bicycle when it's really cold, or wet, or icy. So I tend not to ride at all during winter.
I'm also happy with myself now that I have done something that is a "plan." I'm really good at being self-disciplined - my problem is that I'm not good at doing anything to get started. Hopefully this will lead me back to some of my better habits.
Have you ever done Pilates? Did you like it?
The person who taught the classes left, and they didn't replace her, so I bought some DVDs which I used for a while. Not the same as the class, but it kept me going. Then our DVD player died, and DVDs in general went out of fashion for the most part, and I did other stuff for a while. But I always wished I could go back to Pilates. There were plenty of places offering it, but it was either a) really really expensive, or b) there were no beginner classes and though they would assure you that the classes were "all levels" they were not.
About a month ago, I saw a Groupon for a local place that offers Beginner Pilates classes. I e-mailed them prior to buying the Groupon, and was assured that this was truly a beginner-level class, including most people who had never ever done Pilates before. So I purchased the Groupon. And immediately, was unable to make it on any of the Saturday or Sunday mornings the class was offered!
So yesterday I decided I was going to book a class ahead and make that my commitment for that morning on that day. The Groupon is for 10 sessions, and I am hoping that by the end of that time, even if I can't afford to continue at the place the beginner classes are offered, I can keep doing Pilates somehow, even if it's by following an online instructor. I'm also pleased with myself because I have made a reservation for the class, and though I can cancel if necessary, I take reservations *very* seriously for things, and am unlikely to cancel unless something serious comes up.
I'll keep you posted, but I'm feeling hopeful. Before when I took the classes, I felt so much better, I really wanted to keep going, and also felt that it helped me keep up with other activity. I'm hoping that between these classes and the coming of spring weather, I'll have more opportunities to get myself back in the groove with bicycling. Unlike a lot of people I know (including The Tim), I don't really enjoy riding my bicycle when it's really cold, or wet, or icy. So I tend not to ride at all during winter.
I'm also happy with myself now that I have done something that is a "plan." I'm really good at being self-disciplined - my problem is that I'm not good at doing anything to get started. Hopefully this will lead me back to some of my better habits.
Have you ever done Pilates? Did you like it?
25 February 2018
Pampering Myself on a Dreary Day
Today it is dreary, damp, and chilly. I had some plans in my head, but when I woke up this morning, I just wasn't feeling them. So I decided to pamper myself.
Now for a lot of people, this involves many products, many spa-like activities, etc. However, I have neither the time nor the desire (or the $$$) for any of that, so I guess when I pamper myself, it's more low key. But I'm the one doing it, so who cares what anyone else thinks?
I have been doing pretty well lately with my diet - meaning the food I am eating, not that I am on a diet, mind you. I had gotten off track big-time, and it took me a bit to both motivate myself and also actually do what I wanted to get back to doing. But I'm making progress, and I'm really proud of myself for that. Now I need to be more regular with moving. In that vein, I've signed up for a Beginner Pilates class next Saturday morning. Hopefully that will get me back into the swing of things and I won't be as lazy.
Anyway. After breakfast, I took a shower and washed my hair, and actually blow dried and styled it (as much as my hair ever has a "style"). I usually air dry it, with mixed results - as in, sometimes it sticks up/out, and other times it's fine. That was a boost. While drying off, I realized with disgust that my feet were a mess! Not that I have foot model feet, but it was clear I'd neglected things too long. Then I thought about my hands, which are in sad shape as well. When I get bored or nervous, I pick my cuticles, even to the point of bleeding - unless I've been taking care of my nails, and then I tend to leave them alone. For the last month, I have filed any ragged nails that caught on things, but done nothing else.
The verdict: I would let a professional handle things. So I walked up the street to a nail salon, and was lucky because when I got there (with no appt), they had an opening. Since I knew I'd still be wearing socks for the near future, I asked for a pedicure but not polish. Which puzzled the person working with me, but she was very nice and thorough nonetheless. It was pretty gross, and I gave her a big tip for her efforts. My feet once again look like they belong to a human being. Then she gave me a really good manicure, and hopefully I'll be back on track taking care of that again now, too.
(I tried to take a photo to show you how nice my hands look, but that was a no-go. So you'll just have to take my word for it.)
The shade I chose for my fingernails is Essie Nail polish, Chinchilly (not my hands here):
I must say that now I feel quite glamorous. :-)
On my way home, I decided that I wanted something else to treat myself. So I stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts and got a coffee and a Boston Kreme Donut. Was it good? You bet! Did I need it? Nope. But it was a wonderful treat.
So today I ventured out into the ick and spent money and you know what?
I regret nothing.
Now for a lot of people, this involves many products, many spa-like activities, etc. However, I have neither the time nor the desire (or the $$$) for any of that, so I guess when I pamper myself, it's more low key. But I'm the one doing it, so who cares what anyone else thinks?
I have been doing pretty well lately with my diet - meaning the food I am eating, not that I am on a diet, mind you. I had gotten off track big-time, and it took me a bit to both motivate myself and also actually do what I wanted to get back to doing. But I'm making progress, and I'm really proud of myself for that. Now I need to be more regular with moving. In that vein, I've signed up for a Beginner Pilates class next Saturday morning. Hopefully that will get me back into the swing of things and I won't be as lazy.
Anyway. After breakfast, I took a shower and washed my hair, and actually blow dried and styled it (as much as my hair ever has a "style"). I usually air dry it, with mixed results - as in, sometimes it sticks up/out, and other times it's fine. That was a boost. While drying off, I realized with disgust that my feet were a mess! Not that I have foot model feet, but it was clear I'd neglected things too long. Then I thought about my hands, which are in sad shape as well. When I get bored or nervous, I pick my cuticles, even to the point of bleeding - unless I've been taking care of my nails, and then I tend to leave them alone. For the last month, I have filed any ragged nails that caught on things, but done nothing else.
The verdict: I would let a professional handle things. So I walked up the street to a nail salon, and was lucky because when I got there (with no appt), they had an opening. Since I knew I'd still be wearing socks for the near future, I asked for a pedicure but not polish. Which puzzled the person working with me, but she was very nice and thorough nonetheless. It was pretty gross, and I gave her a big tip for her efforts. My feet once again look like they belong to a human being. Then she gave me a really good manicure, and hopefully I'll be back on track taking care of that again now, too.
(I tried to take a photo to show you how nice my hands look, but that was a no-go. So you'll just have to take my word for it.)
The shade I chose for my fingernails is Essie Nail polish, Chinchilly (not my hands here):
I must say that now I feel quite glamorous. :-)
On my way home, I decided that I wanted something else to treat myself. So I stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts and got a coffee and a Boston Kreme Donut. Was it good? You bet! Did I need it? Nope. But it was a wonderful treat.
So today I ventured out into the ick and spent money and you know what?
I regret nothing.
21 February 2018
Watch What You Say, No Matter What You Say, Because You Will Be Wrong Always
Hi there - Yes, I'm still alive. I didn't mean to be gone for so long, I have just had some stuff going on that has made me busy and/or crazy.
So What the F. Murray Abraham does the title of this post mean? Well, it was just my snarky way of saying that these days, everyone but yourself knows better for you, no matter what you may think. And why did this even come up?
A woman who is a meteorologist on a local TV station had a baby about 6 months ago or so. She posted on Facebook today that she was having a harder time losing weight than she did with her first two kids, probably because now she was older, and also admitted she was not as active. She said that she wanted to try and lose weight so she would feel better and be able to wear the clothes she has and not have go buy all new ones. She was hoping that others would join her to get healthy.
Thing she did NOT say:
- she was planning to starve herself
- she was planning to ignore her family
- she hoping to lose more than her current body weight
- she was an overweight pig and hated herself
- she wanted to look 20 years old again
And yet, the comments almost all interpreted her post that way, and everyone explained to her that a) she was beautiful, not to change a thing; b) she should just enjoy her family; c) she should eat whatever she wanted to all the time; d) she shouldn't exercise because it would mean she was buying into the fact that everyone should be thin; e) she was setting a bad example for young girls by telling them they needed to be thin; f) she would definitely end up with an eating disorder.
Oy. Here was someone who was just saying she wanted to improve her health and stamina, and feel better overall, and immediately it was just WRONG. So many people had to man/woman/stranger-splain to her what she really SHOULD do because of course they all knew better.
I really think that in a lot of ways, we are going too far the other way with things. If she had said, "I think I'm ugly and everyone hates me, but I would be universally loved if I only weight 98 pounds," then maybe she would be showing that she was having problems. And though it would be concerning, it is still none of the public's business to INFORM her that she was just wrong, wrong, wrong.
But she didn't say any of that. She clearly said she wanted to be healthier, and wanted to feel better. She wanted others to decide for themselves if they wanted to join her. Personally, I thought it was a good thing, because she was admitting that even though she was on TV she wasn't perfect and that she thought it would be encouraging for others to join her. Instead, people were up in arms.
I think it's terrible when people feel they must be a certain weight or size to be worth anything. And I absolutely do not think it's anyone else's business (except possibly a health care provider) to tell anyone else that they have to lose weight or be a certain way.
But I also think it's just as bad when people assume that anyone wanting to feel better, be more active, or improve their health is doing it for all the wrong reasons.
You may say, well, what did she expect when she posted it on Facebook. To be honest, I think she thought she might have been able get some people to join her in getting into shape. And perhaps she will as she continues to post about her progress or lack thereof. I hope it works for her, and for those people.
But I also wish that everyone else would just SHUT. UP.
Aren't you glad I'm back? ;-)
So What the F. Murray Abraham does the title of this post mean? Well, it was just my snarky way of saying that these days, everyone but yourself knows better for you, no matter what you may think. And why did this even come up?
A woman who is a meteorologist on a local TV station had a baby about 6 months ago or so. She posted on Facebook today that she was having a harder time losing weight than she did with her first two kids, probably because now she was older, and also admitted she was not as active. She said that she wanted to try and lose weight so she would feel better and be able to wear the clothes she has and not have go buy all new ones. She was hoping that others would join her to get healthy.
Thing she did NOT say:
- she was planning to starve herself
- she was planning to ignore her family
- she hoping to lose more than her current body weight
- she was an overweight pig and hated herself
- she wanted to look 20 years old again
And yet, the comments almost all interpreted her post that way, and everyone explained to her that a) she was beautiful, not to change a thing; b) she should just enjoy her family; c) she should eat whatever she wanted to all the time; d) she shouldn't exercise because it would mean she was buying into the fact that everyone should be thin; e) she was setting a bad example for young girls by telling them they needed to be thin; f) she would definitely end up with an eating disorder.
Oy. Here was someone who was just saying she wanted to improve her health and stamina, and feel better overall, and immediately it was just WRONG. So many people had to man/woman/stranger-splain to her what she really SHOULD do because of course they all knew better.
I really think that in a lot of ways, we are going too far the other way with things. If she had said, "I think I'm ugly and everyone hates me, but I would be universally loved if I only weight 98 pounds," then maybe she would be showing that she was having problems. And though it would be concerning, it is still none of the public's business to INFORM her that she was just wrong, wrong, wrong.
But she didn't say any of that. She clearly said she wanted to be healthier, and wanted to feel better. She wanted others to decide for themselves if they wanted to join her. Personally, I thought it was a good thing, because she was admitting that even though she was on TV she wasn't perfect and that she thought it would be encouraging for others to join her. Instead, people were up in arms.
I think it's terrible when people feel they must be a certain weight or size to be worth anything. And I absolutely do not think it's anyone else's business (except possibly a health care provider) to tell anyone else that they have to lose weight or be a certain way.
But I also think it's just as bad when people assume that anyone wanting to feel better, be more active, or improve their health is doing it for all the wrong reasons.
You may say, well, what did she expect when she posted it on Facebook. To be honest, I think she thought she might have been able get some people to join her in getting into shape. And perhaps she will as she continues to post about her progress or lack thereof. I hope it works for her, and for those people.
But I also wish that everyone else would just SHUT. UP.
Aren't you glad I'm back? ;-)
07 January 2018
Fresh Start ... Again
Hello and Happy All Holidays I've missed! I didn't give up on this blog, but I did abandon it for a while. Life took over - well, mostly my work life. November and December were busy, stressful, and awful, and I just spent time on my other blog, But I'm back now!
I had been going along pretty well with my Sunday Shape-Up Series before I disappeared, and I have to say, that made me feel pretty good. Sadly, a lot of what I had managed to accomplish slid right down the drain during November and December, so it's time to recommit and try to make ME be the winner, rather than work. So there. :-)
So, 2018, what do I want from you? Other than the obvious things that most people want from any year, I really want to get back to physical and mental health. Currently, we are in a deep freeze here in Philadelphia, so I'm unlikely to go for a long walk, and certainly not for a bicycle ride - but I can make sure I don't just sit in one spot all day, so today I am going to be sure to run a couple of quick and nearby errands - thereby getting something done while moving my person.
That's one of my goals for today. The other one is to try and get myself organized for the coming week, with ingredients that can be put together for a couple of lunches ahead of time, and getting stuff I need to take to and from work with me all in one place so I don't have to worry about it before leaving tomorrow, and also so that I won't forget something I want to be sure I have.
For the week, I hope to move a little bit extra each day at a minimum. I'm considering trying a Pilates class that is early on Saturday mornings, too. Years ago, I took a series of classes offered at one of my former workplaces, and I really liked it. The class that is on Saturdays is beginner level, and I'm definitely still at that point, especially after all of this time. If they haven't raised the price, it will be worth a try.
And of course, yesterday was the last day of Christmas, so I will start to organize stuff to put away until next year. The last day to recycle our tree is next Saturday, that is my deadline. I'm always sad to undecorate, but keep telling myself that Christmas wouldn't be as special if the decorations were always around. Still, I wish more people could keep their good cheer for more of the time.
Anyway, that's it from here. I hope you are having a good time of things so far, and that you will be able to pick up again and go forward if you "fell off the wagon" like I did.
Here we go!
I had been going along pretty well with my Sunday Shape-Up Series before I disappeared, and I have to say, that made me feel pretty good. Sadly, a lot of what I had managed to accomplish slid right down the drain during November and December, so it's time to recommit and try to make ME be the winner, rather than work. So there. :-)
So, 2018, what do I want from you? Other than the obvious things that most people want from any year, I really want to get back to physical and mental health. Currently, we are in a deep freeze here in Philadelphia, so I'm unlikely to go for a long walk, and certainly not for a bicycle ride - but I can make sure I don't just sit in one spot all day, so today I am going to be sure to run a couple of quick and nearby errands - thereby getting something done while moving my person.
That's one of my goals for today. The other one is to try and get myself organized for the coming week, with ingredients that can be put together for a couple of lunches ahead of time, and getting stuff I need to take to and from work with me all in one place so I don't have to worry about it before leaving tomorrow, and also so that I won't forget something I want to be sure I have.
For the week, I hope to move a little bit extra each day at a minimum. I'm considering trying a Pilates class that is early on Saturday mornings, too. Years ago, I took a series of classes offered at one of my former workplaces, and I really liked it. The class that is on Saturdays is beginner level, and I'm definitely still at that point, especially after all of this time. If they haven't raised the price, it will be worth a try.
And of course, yesterday was the last day of Christmas, so I will start to organize stuff to put away until next year. The last day to recycle our tree is next Saturday, that is my deadline. I'm always sad to undecorate, but keep telling myself that Christmas wouldn't be as special if the decorations were always around. Still, I wish more people could keep their good cheer for more of the time.
Anyway, that's it from here. I hope you are having a good time of things so far, and that you will be able to pick up again and go forward if you "fell off the wagon" like I did.
Here we go!
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