I will be the first to admit that I am NOT a cook. I have a TON of interests but cooking is not one of them. I have a kitchen because the builder said it came with the house. I do like to bake – well, in reality, I like to decorate more than bake. Since I don’t have an assistant though, I thought these tips would be useful:
Measure flour accurately
Use a “spoon and sweep” method which means to spoon the flour into your measuring cup rather than scooping your measuring cup into the flour.
With the back of a knife, level the cup and “sweep” the excess back into the bag/container. I use a container for mine because when I lived in the south, I had issues with it.
Scooping the flour directly can pack the flour leading to dry, dense baked goods.
Warm eggs to room temperature
Get eggs out before you start to bake so they get to room temperature. If you don’t have time to wait, put cold eggs into a bowl. Cover with WARMwater. Let them set 5-7 minutes while you’re preparing other things.
Warm eggs blend more easily and whites whip up with a bigger volume.
Test your baking soda and baking powder
I need to do this!!!! I’ve been burnt before but never learn. Spoon baking soda and baking powder into separate small bowls. Pour boiling water into baking powder. Pour distilled white vinegar into baking soda. If the fizz, they’re still good.
If these ingredients aren’t good, your baked goods will not rise or be fluffy.
Measure liquid and dry ingredients separately
I’m bad about this one too. Use clear measuring cups with pour spouts for liquids. Use flat-bottomed cups for dry ingredients. Again, use that spoon and sweep method.
Too much or too little liquid can spoil the recipe. The clear cups allow you to see exactly how much liquid you’re using and let you pour right up to the fill line without spilling.
Prevent over baking
Use and oven thermometer to check your oven. Sometimes they don’t heat accurately (above or below what the dial says)
Set your kitchen timer and check for doneness a few minutes early. You might want to rotate your pan half way through for even baking.
Watch how your baked goods are browning. Some spots in your oven may be hotter than others.
(Most of this is from Oct 2019 free Giant flyer – you know where I bought my pre cooked chicken) LOL
One of my cakes.
Since I bake mostly for other people and on special occasions, I guess I won’t be doing much now that we are in quarantine. However, the silver lining to having to stay in is that I used my GPS and the builder is right…..I found my kitchen.
I always thought that eating prepared food or eating out was cheaper (less waste) since I was cooking for one. I don’t know how to cook for one and I got tired of eating a dish after a couple times. I know— freeze. I am eating in more often now AND saving money!!!!! Go figure. I might have to keep up this trend!!
So either way, cooking or baking, I hope these tips help.
As previously promised in my last blog I’m providing some book suggestions. I’ve always been an avid reader. If you are too, let’s take a walk down memory lane:
-I had quite the collection of Golden Books that cost cents and are now up to $5.00!!
–Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
–Betsy and Eddie books by Carolyn Haywood (have handwritten letter from her)
-various Mystery books by Mary C Jane (have letter, postcard and signed photo from her)
–Trixie Beldon books by Judy Campbell
–Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene ( Hardy Boys for boys)
Can you relate to any of these? I was a library geek and wrote to some of my favorite authors AND their publishing company who sent me book jackets. lol They’re all scrapbooked.
As an adult, I went through the Danielle Steele phase and still read some of Nora Roberts but both of these authors were sort of getting stale to me. When I look back, I can see I was always drawn to mystery and got stuck reading a LOT of John Grisham, James Patterson and my all time favorite – David Baldacci. I did stray somewhat and two books changed my life!
I joined 2 bookclubs to force me to read something different. Many of those that I’m listing are from one of those bookclubs. Note: The italics are MY commentary.
I read this book MANY moons ago and it was one of the two that changed my life. It made me think different. It’s truly motivational no matter what you do for a living!
The most famous of all teachers of success spent a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort to produce the Law of Success philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized and explained for the general public in this book.
In Think and Grow Rich, Hill draws on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. This book will teach you the secrets that could bring you a fortune. It will show you not only what to do but how to do it. Once you learn and apply the simple, basic techniques revealed here, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success.
Money and material things are essential for freedom of body and mind, but there are some who will feel that the greatest of all riches can be evaluated only in terms of lasting friendships, loving family relationships, understanding between business associates, and introspective harmony which brings one true peace of mind! All who read, understand, and apply this philosophy will be better prepared to attract and enjoy these spiritual values.
I have to say this one scared me for sure!!!! It gave me a new perspective though.
After the film in her camera is mysteriously destroyed at a small-town festival, reporter Bernice Kreuger knows she’s found something worth covering up. She brings the investigation to her boss, Marshall Hogan. Along with the local pastor of a struggling church, Hank Busch, they find something much bigger than they expected—a demonic plot to enslave their town and, eventually, the world.
The tiny college town of Ashton becomes the unlikely battleground in a cosmic clash between good and evil. Unseen by the human protagonists, armies of angels and demons wage war against one another in the spiritual realm for the souls of the people of Ashton. Up against supernatural forces, the future of the town seems bleak – but the power of prayer might be able to influence the outcome of the fight.
This fast-paced thriller birthed an entirely new genre, setting the standard for spiritual suspense. It has since sold over 2 million copies worldwide, sparking a renewed interest in the concept of spiritual warfare.
This is the sequel: Piercing the Darkness and I started it several times but couldn’t finish.I got too scared.
Interesting historical fiction. I did not know that such a thing existed.
Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck. Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hard labor and servitude?
As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past.
Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she discovers that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they appear. A Penobscot Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past.
Moving between contemporary Maine and Depression-era Minnesota, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, and unexpected friendship.
I was able to meet this author. Aside from being easy on the eyes (lol), he’s very entertaining.
In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle’s Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during World War II. As the owner displays and unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American, remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940s—Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel’s basement for the Okabe family’s belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made for family, for love, for country.
Another of his. It was good but not as good as the above Love and Other Consolation Prizes
Interesting but then I think the Appalachian Trail is too.
After Paul Stutzman lost his wife to breast cancer, he sensed a tug on his heart–the call to a challenge, the call to pursue a dream. With a mixture of dread and determination, Paul left his job, traveled to Georgia, and took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail. What he learned during the next four and a half months changed his life–and can change yours as well.
In Hiking Through, you’ll join Paul on his remarkable 2,176-mile trip through fourteen states in search of peace and a renewed sense of purpose. Along the way, you’ll meet fascinating and funny people, experience trail magic, and discover that every choice we make on the path has consequences for the journey. More than that, you’ll come away with a new understanding of God’s grace and guidance–even in the smallest things.
Anothertrail book is Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery This is ONE GUTSY woman for sure!!!!
I read this MANY years ago while I was a young military wife actually living in Brooklyn (Fort Hamilton) and it’s still relevant.
From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior—such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce—no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from “junk day” on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry.
A Holocaust story auto biography. Inspirational to say the least.
At the age of sixteen, Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz. Hours after her parents were killed, Nazi officer Dr. Josef Mengele, forced Edie to dance for his amusement and her survival. Edie was pulled from a pile of corpses when the American troops liberated the camps in 1945.
Edie spent decades struggling with flashbacks and survivor’s guilt, determined to stay silent and hide from the past. Thirty-five years after the war ended, she returned to Auschwitz and was finally able to fully heal and forgive the one person she’d been unable to forgive—herself.
Edie weaves her remarkable personal journey with the moving stories of those she has helped heal. She explores how we can be imprisoned in our own minds and shows us how to find the key to freedom.
I’ve come to really enjoy her writing. This is another historical fiction. I had seen Georgia Tann’s story on Investigation Discovery called “Evil Women”. This has a happy ending though.
Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shanty boat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.
Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.
Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.
I’ve come to enjoy her works as well. This is fiction but having lived in Alaska, I can tell you, Kristen hit life in the bush spot on! Winters are TOUGH especially if you have emotional issues.
Alaska, 1974. Ernt Allbright came home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes the impulsive decision to move his wife and daughter north where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.
Cora will do anything for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, has little choice but to go along, daring to hope this new land promises her family a better future.
In a wild, remote corner of Alaska, the Allbrights find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the newcomers’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.
But as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own.
This was a REAL eye opener. Jessica is a journalist and I can tell you that you will never think about Amazon the same way. All I can say is you have to love seniors!!! We’re resilient!!
From the beet fields of North Dakota to the campgrounds of California to Amazon’s Camper Force program in Texas, employers have discovered a new, low-cost labor pool, made up largely of transient older adults. These invisible casualties of the Great Recession have taken to the road by the tens of thousands in RVs and modified vans, forming a growing community of nomads.
Nomadland tells a revelatory tale of the dark underbelly of the American economy—one which foreshadows the precarious future that may await many more of us. At the same time, it celebrates the exceptional resilience and creativity of these Americans who have given up ordinary rootedness to survive, but have not given up hope.
I hope these help get you started. I have a ton more. I’m ALWAYS reading something. If you have any suggestions for MY reading list, let me know.
Whatever you do, stay safe. Amazon delivers!!!!! Happy Reading!
Have you heard of the terms introvert and
extrovert? They are terms used in the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This is
based on C.G. Jung’s ideas about how different ways of perceiving and judging,
in combination with different attitudes, describe different types of
people.
Two of the indicators are Introversion and Extroversion. They merely indicate how you interact with
the world and renew.
Introverts – focus on the inner world. They can work with people but often need moments alone to renew their energy.
Extroverts – focus more on the outer world and gain energy by interacting with other people.
There is nothing right or wrong with either. When I worked for the government, I
administered this test to all employees.
It helped create a better work environment by helping coworkers understand
each other better.
As it turns out, studies show that the majority of
people are extraverts. Perhaps it’s
because this style is encouraged by a society that values one’s ability to be
sociable.
So, in these trying times, it’s difficult for many
extroverts who are asked to stay home and not be closer than 6 ft from another
person or not to engage with more than 10 people.
However, these things are necessary to help prevent the spread of this Corona virus. We, as seniors, are more vulnerable so we have to be really careful especially if we have:
-compromised immune systems
-chronic lung disease or asthma
-serious heart conditions
-other underlying medical conditions like diabetes or liver damage
I know they listed pregnancy as well, but I can only hope that no one our age is pregnant. lol
My brother, who is older than me, is just one of those folks that’s really having a hard time not being able to interact with people on a regular basis. This is causing him to be depressed. So, I thought I’d share some of the things with you that I suggested to him. You can:
–Read. That could be a
physical book or one on your Kindle. It
could be a magazine or even something on the internet. I’ll have another blog with some book
suggestions.
–Learn a new skill. It could
be a new language, how to knit/crochet or even scrapbooking (https://scrapbookingforanyone.com/). Maybe you’ve always wanted to paint or learn
photography. Start a garden. You Tube is great and there’s a video showing
you how to do anything you can think of.
The magic of technology!!!
–Take Virtual Tours. Again,
technology rules. This will eat up HOURS
in day especially if you follow all the little side trails like I end up
doing. Here’s some links to start:
-Now that you’re back home from your tours, clean out the clutter that you’ve been meaning to do forever. I bought this book by Marie Kondo
Her idea is to hold something in your hand and if doesn’t bring you joy, toss it. I have to admit, I didn’t find joy in that book so I tossed IT!!! Sorry, Marie. You may find it helpful though. Most likely there are things in your house that can be cleared out. Even I was able to do that. Look under your bathroom sink. That’s where I found most of my toss stuff. So, keep it, gift it, recyle it or toss it!!!
–Do a puzzle. This can be a
jigsaw puzzle, a crossword puzzle, sudokoo or any number of puzzles out now. Anything that keeps your mind sharp.
–Play a game. Ok, I know the
whole purpose of hibernation is to stay away from people but there are plenty
of online games that you can play alone or compete with others online. My 92 year old mother in law plays on a site
called Club Pogo https://earlyaccess.pogo.com/club-pogo all the time. There’s a fee but there are TONS of
games. It keeps your brain sharp – scam prevention
brain I call it. One of my favorites
(and it’s an oldie) is Bejewled. I love
hearing those jewels explode. Is that
warped????? LOL
–Go for a walk. The sun and
the vitamin D it produces is good for your immune system. Exercise is good for
the joints as well. We have to keep
moving if at all possible. Just remember
to stay away from others.
–Start a journal. Sometimes
when you’re depressed, it’s helpful to write your thoughts in a journal. Just
acknowledging how you feel sometimes helps.
I’ve had one for years and it’s fun to look back periodically to see how
far I’ve come.
-Last but not least and one of my personal favorites that takes up most of my time is Wealthy Affiliate. I joined in 2011 and will never leave. I did a blog about working from home. I love writing blogs although I do get sidetracked when life calls but hey—I’m retired. When I first joined, I had NO clue how to create a website but the training is fantastic and so is the helpful, diverse, fun community. There are surprisingly MANY people our age that are now doing blogs. Check it out
Above all, stay home, wash your hands a LOT, be safe and do NOT panic. While there IS a real danger, the media sometimes simply likes to keep us in a frenzy. It’s what makes money. Good news doesn’t. Sad.
I hope this helps. We’re all in this together but we’re not all alike. Don’t let this get you down. This too shall pass!!!!!!
I am from UPSTATE NY NOT to be confused with NYC
please!!! I will have some do/don’t for
that in another blog. In any case, when
I was a kid, I used to lie in bed and PRAY for 12 inches of snow so that
the schools would close. Two reasons, I
hated to get up and more than likely I hadn’t done my homework. I was NOT a child who loved school
obviously. Alas, schools normally opened
so I’d have to go to Plan B. When my dad
called me to get ready, I’d tell him I was sick. He’d say “oh, feel better” and that was
it. Then my mother would come get me and
basically say “suck it up, buttercup!”.
She knew when I was faking!
Then I married an Army man (no choice, he was
drafted – remember those days?). Our
first duty station was Brooklyn, NY where I was introduced to my first
roach. I had NO idea that they even
existed. I didn’t care WHERE we were
transferred as long as there were not bugs.
We moved to Anchorage, Alaska.
Whoa, talk about snow banks taller than me. Ok, so I’m not that tall but they were taller
than my husband and he was over 6 feet!
My point is, I’m no stranger to snow but given a
choice of living in NY or living in VA, I choose VA because they don’t have
snow right???? WRONG! My first winter here we had a HORRIBLE
storm. My friends in NY were laughing at
me. Yet, VA is not prepared for snow
like NY was. If someone says snow on the
weather forecast, schools close; shelves in the stores are picked bare of
groceries. We’re not even talking an inch,
much less at least 12!!! Why didn’t I
live HERE as a kid??
Well, it snowed this weekend. It was a heavy, wet snow – actually great for
snowballs or snowmen. Not so good on the
back when you’re shoveling. So, what do
you do??? You “suck it up, buttercup”
and go snow tubing.
Fun in the snow
The first run down was quite dicey. No one told me to kind of lean back in the tube a little and hold my legs up. You’re on your own at the top of the hill. Well, I spun down the whole way! By the time I got to the end, I thought I was going to get sick. That was not an option for me so I got my bearings, talked to some people, learned the trick and did it again. Once I got the hang of it, it was great. However, one of the ladies (and I’m not really sure WHAT she did) as she was going down, fell out of the tube and hit her head. I guess she won’t be tubing again any time in the near future. She was alright but they took her to the hospital for tests to make sure.
So, if you’re in a place that has a lot of snow, get out in it!! I don’t downhill ski – I’d surely break my neck. I cross country on occasion. If you snow tube (which is really quite safe), please keep your feet up and lean back a little then enjoy the ride. Just getting out and walking (carefully) can be invigorating.
Until the next adventure (I have another snow tubing date coming up), enjoy Winter. I mean, do we have a choice??
At the beginning of every year (I am kind of OCD and
need a new year, new month, new week to start something), I evaluate the
previous year to determine where I have grown and what I would like to work on
for the coming year.
Let’s DO THIS!!!
Some people have words that they choose for the
year. I tried that one year. My word was PATIENCE. Whew, I will never do THAT again. I was tested from the moment I made that
decision. My patience muscle was
exercised to the max!! I tried breathing
IN with the good, OUT with the bad but it kind of turned into hyperventilating. I gave up.
lol
The 4 “F”s (or areas of life) to look at
when creating goals. They are:
Faith – Start the day with devotions, perhaps
keep a gratitude journal, find a small group of like minded people that you can
be open with and grow spiritually. Even
if you are not a group person (like me), it helps. When trouble comes (and it
will), know that there is a higher power at work; trust in that; tap into that
power. Never give up hope or let your
joy be stolen.
Family – Plan time with spouse and
(grand)kids. They remember memories
that you make even if you do not have a lot of money to spend. Time is more important that elaborate events
or even money. Plan a night with your
spouse or kids. Go outdoor (sports, hiking
on trails, building a snowman, etc) or inside (board games, restaurant). The most important part is reconnecting and
making memories. Take time to sincerely talk
to one another and I do not mean through texts.
Finances – Get out of debt, go on a
spending hiatus. Think carefully about
each purchase. Do you NEED it or WANT
it. If you are able to buy anything you
want without going into debt, kudos to you.
Go for it but most of us need a budget.
Perhaps you are planning for retirement or even a trip. It was on the radio this morning that many
people would rather sit in traffic than sit down to evaluate where they are in
their finances. You have to know where
you are NOW so you can determine what it will take to get you to where you want
to be.
Fitness – Do NOT be a couch potato. Some of us have limitations but our bodies were made to move. It keeps the joints lubricated. Some insurance plans cover Silver Sneakers where they will pay for your gym membership. Check it out! I am loving it! Swimming is great for sore joints. Remember eating is part of this plan as well. I am a junk food person so this is tough for me. I HATE to cook so I tell everyone if you are what you eat then I must be cheap, easy and fast. I basically have a kitchen because it came with the house. I made a plan for this though.
You may rank the list differently and it is ok. The objective is to make you the best you can
be mind, body and spirit because we are made up of all three parts. Do any of the above need a reboot? It is never too late to start but the
beginning of a new year always helps with my mindset – starting fresh. Now that you have determined the area, make
SMART goals.
I did not always do this. In the past, my goals were
vague. “I want to lose weight” This year, I drew a line in the sand and
said 2019 WILL be MY year! I set SMART
GOALS – not resolutions.
What is the difference? I looked it up. A resolution is a firm decision to do/not to do something (often unachievable) whereas a goal is the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. I understand there is a fine line here but, admit it, resolutions get broken quickly. To me, it sounds like going cold turkey. In my mind: resolution: I will not eat bad food vs. goal: I can have a cheat day once a week (but only 1). I can plan, stay motivated and still reach my goal.
Back to SMART GOALS. It is not a new concept. I have heard it many times and used it in work but not in life. So, what are SMART goals?
S=Specific,
M=Measurable, A=Achievable, R=Relevant
and T=Time-Sensitive For example:
(S) Instead of saying I want to lose weight (I wish I was the weight I was 20 years ago and thought I was fat), I wrote “I wanted to lose 21 lbs.”
(M) This is certainly measurable (ask my scale – at least it is not one of those talking ones). I figured out how much I wanted to lose per month and the steps I would take to do it such as go to the gym and eat healthier.
(A) Certainly achievable and realistic. I mean not even GOD can make me taller now so no matter how much I do, I will still be short – no sense in making THAT goal!
(R) It has to fit with an overall objective that you have for your life. Yep, it is something that will benefit me overall. I will feel better, help prevent diabetes (runs in family), help my asthma, have more energy and have less stress on my joints. …and yeah, I will fit into those jeans!!! Total win!
(T) You need a finish line. My time limit is June.
VICTORY!
What areas do you want to work on? Do you have a plan? Have you heard that a GOAL without a PLAN is simply a WISH? I am calling 2019 to be the BEST YEAR EVER! With all the stuff that is going on in our world these days, we HAVE to remain positive. I believe that staying positive is half the battle.
Comments/Thoughts are Welcome. I would love to hear from you.
So, it is a new year and I am trying to get through
all my “put aside for later mail”. If it
was not a bill, Christmas card or something that LOOKED important, it was put
aside until such a time as this.
I am having a nice cup of coffee and what do I
see. In the December 2018 AARP Bulletin,
there is an article regarding Website Wolves.
UGH, I mean I am thankful for AARP calling these people out because it
makes me MAD when these scammers try to take advantage of us seniors.
Frauds
They offer to help you set up an internet
business. OK, there are legitimate
people who do that. HOWEVER, you do not
just create a website, put it online and expect people to come rushing to buy
from you. These scammers were offering
inexpensive web design kits simply to generate leads for telemarketing.
If I could just be Queen for a day, I would do
horrible things to people who bilk money from others simply for their own
profit. There are people, like me, that
really need help creating an online business and you cannot assume everyone is
honest. There are pros and cons to
living “back in the day” when a hand shake meant something. So, what is a person to do? You always have to do your due
diligence. Check them out first and get
references.
Before I retired, I figured out my finances. I looked at what monthly living expenses and income would be, the savings I had and what I hoped to do in retirement such as travel and enjoy myself while I still could. I determined that with what I had, I could go “crazy” for 3 years. Then I would have to find a part time job to cover my deficit. My deficit was small but it existed. I could not wait any longer to get more money. I was SO over my job and the long commute. I would NEED a job.
I started looking for Online or Home based work. I did not want to deal with a commute and wanted income that fit MY schedule. I stumbled upon Wealthy Affiliate. I can tell you with all sincerity, it was the best decision I ever made. I say this for a few reasons that I have stated below.
If you check my profile, you will see that I started in 2011 (before retirement) but in reality, I did not engage until a couple years later. I meant to but work got in the way. After retirement, I got serious and jumped into the training. It was exciting! Let me say upfront, it is NOT A GET RICH QUICK deal. If you need money right NOW to pay your bills, get a part time job or stay with the job you have.
What it IS is an opportunity to make money
legitimately doing affiliate marketing.
What is affiliate marketing? It
is simple. You promote product(s) or
services for companies online. When one
of your readers purchases, you get a commission. This is the Cliff Notes (loved them)
version. Kyle (co-owner) shows you step
by step how to do this.
Baby boomers have a lot of experience and blogging
is one of the ways we can share that experience. We might as well make money at it. Let me say right here that you have to have
the right mindset. Do not do this if you
want to scam people out of money. You
should truly want to be of assistance. I
take pride in our generation of people.
The majority of us have ethics and treat people right.
Write about your passion. My first site is about scrapbooking. http://scrapbookingforanyone.com/ I love scrapbooking and have been doing it for YEARS. People would see my books and feel overwhelmed. So, I created a blog to help them see that it really isn’t that hard. It is more about your heart than your artistic ability. I put in some links to products that I use from Amazon and voila, when they use my link and purchase from Amazon, I get a commission. The beauty with Amazon is that they do not even have to buy scrapbooking supplies. If they buy a car from that link, I get the commission. Hey, with the way Amazon is going, they could sell cars in the future.
You get out of it what you put in. Honestly, I could make more out of it but I
get sidetracked a lot with my family and friends. This is my choice though and the beauty is, I
can come back and pick up where I left off.
I like that.
From the beginning, Kyle (co-owner/trainer) takes you step by step on HOW to do everything. I definitely needed this as I did NOT have a clue. I took 2 computer coding classes (Pascal) back in the day and RAN back to my accounting class. I could not code my way out of a box!!
I have all the flexibility I could want – working when/where I want (have computer will travel)
I can make as much or as little as I want (more effort/dedication = more money)
There is no “pay this small amount then we will up sell you more……..” (ANNOYING!)
The community is huge and diverse (age, country and knowledge wise) so I have met people all over the globe and communicate with them frequently
The community is not cut throat (hello workplace). Everyone actually helps you if they can
There is continuous training online and every Fri there is a webinar addressing different issues. Of course, there is NO additional charge. Aside from that Jay (the guy who does the webinars) is entertaining
I love Kyle and Carson (co-owners) – they are sincere, down to earth guys. They WANT you to succeed and do everything in their power to help
SO, if you are like me, and overspent on Christmas
and waiting for the bills, take a look at this.
I say it may not help you with the Christmas bills but I have known
people that make money right away.
However, they were more experienced and focused than I was. Maybe you are too. It took me maybe 6 months? Full disclosure, I do make a commission from
you joining but it is NOT a MLM where I want to sign you up so you sign others
up under me.
NEVER too Old
Trust me said the spider to the fly….sorry, could not resist. Seriously, it costs nothing to look and decide for yourself. I am passionate about this and tired of all the scams out there. I was duped a couple times. This IS a part time job and you have to put time and energy in but it is so worth everything you get out of it.
Comments and Thoughts are welcomed and encouraged. I am seriously here to help.
What??? Getting naked in the woods? Ummmm, no! For many seniors, that would be frightening in of itself…..although………..I’ve seen some really good lookin’ senior men….but I digress. Oh, and no bathtubs required either. So, don’t stop reading.
Do you ever get stressed? I know, you’re retired, what’s there to stress about right? I have a list if anyone needs ideas. However, I’m sure most of us, at times, still have something that we stress about. If not, you’re either dead (go ahead check your vitals) or not really of this world.
So what am I talking about here? I’m talking about spending time in nature. It can be as simple as a walk in a tree lined park or preferably walking in the woods. It costs nothing to do and the benefits are countless. In Japan, it is actually a form of medicine.
that explains Shinrin-Yoku. Don’t fall asleep watching the video. It’s very calming. There is even a coalition you can join to promote this practice if you’re interested.
This doesn’t mean that you’re walking or hiking through the woods with your head set on. Not only is that dangerous these days with all the weirdos out there, it’s not the point of this whole process. Instead, be in the moment. Pay attention to how your body responds to the environment. Listen to the birds and observe everything around you. The environment doesn’t judge you. It doesn’t care how much money you earn, what you look like (thankfully), what your gender or race is. You can just LET GO and feel the freedom to just BE!
Me Forest Bathing
We are bombarded by technology today between the TV, cell phones, IPads, computers, fitbits and everything else. Many people don’t even read real books. They use a Kindle. I understand there are benefits to that but where does it end?
Many times people don’t even talk to each other directly. How many times have you emailed someone instead of visiting? I admit I’m guilty of this. I’ve seen people text each other from within the same house though! How bad is that??? I have another article I’ll share about the “blue screen”
Sometimes we need to step AWAY from all this and get back in nature to relax and unwind. You don’t need a lot of time to reap t benefits. Start with 5 minutes if you have to. It’s not wasted time. It’s an investment in your well being which will only improve your day.
So, what ARE some of the benefits? This is a compilation of several articles that I’ve read and just some of the top benefits.
Reduce stress
Increase Vit D (which most of us have a deficit of)
Improve mood by decreasing depression and anxiety
Immune boosting (via compounds released by many evergreen trees)
Reduced blood pressure
Improve sleep
Increase energy
I don’t know about you, but I think the Japanese have it right. Instead of reaching for a pill, this looks like good medicine. I can tell you from experience that I DO feel better when I get out into the woods for a short walk. I usually do about 3 miles but you don’t even have to do that. I sleep SO much better too. It just gives my brain a rest and allows my body to absorb some of the earth’s energy. I love that it’s free too.
Give it a try and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you.
Who says us baby boomers do not like technology? In our lifetime, technology has made huge strides and we have come to depend on it. Many of us have smart phones. I hate being tied to a land line. A cell phone allows us to go about our daily routine yet not miss a call (even from those telemarketers). We are able to connect with our families and friends effortlessly. For talented folks, we can power walk, talk and perhaps even chew gum at the same time.
Cell phones have made us feel more secure about walking, biking or doing whatever we enjoy. If we feel threatened, fall or just simply feel like we need assistance, we can get help with a push of a button.
We talk, we take (and send) pictures, we use Google maps to figure out where we are (I have NO sense of direction) AND we text. Text messages are typically short. Thank God for that because I have fat fingers and it takes me forever to text anything. I’m not sure how young people do it. Yet, have you heard many of them speak? I have seen them text each other from across a table! Frightful!
Always texting
In any case, people often use abbreviations such as:
AFK – Away From Keyboard
BRB – Be Right Back
IMO – In My Opinion
LOL – Laughing Out Loud.
NOYB – None Of Your Business
TIA – Thank You In Advance
TMI – Too Much Information
WTH – What The Hell (or Heck if you do not swear)
However, us seniors have our own language. Kind of like a secret code that many young people cannot understand. Such as:
ATD- At the Doctors
BFF – Best Friend Fell (or Funeral in some cases)
BTW- Bring the Wheelchair
BYOT – Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM- Covered by Medicare
CGU – Can’t Get Up
CRS – Can’t Remember Stuff (or S***)
CUATSC- See You at the Senior Center
DWI- Driving While Incontinent
FWIW – Forgot Where I Was
FYI – Found Your Insulin (and you thought it was For Your Information)
GGLKI – Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking In (not sure why you would share this)
GGPBL- Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA – Got Heartburn Again
HGBM – Had Good Bowel Movement (TMI if you ask me……)
LMDO- Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL- Living on Lipitor
LWO – Lawrence Welk’s On
OMSG – Oh My! Sorry, Gas
ROFL ACGU – Roll On Floor Laughing And Can’t Get Up
TTYL – Talk To You Louder (senior version of Talk To You Later)
TMV – Took My Viagra
TOT- Texting On Toilet (again, TMI…)
WAITT – Who Am I Talking To?
WMD – Where’s My Depends?
WTFA – Wet The Furniture Again
WTP – Where’s The Prunes?
WWNO – Walker Wheels Need Oil
Really?
Texting has really become an issue. Kids think nothing of texting while they are driving and WE (the responsible seniors) need to watch out for them. Really? You can not wait to tell what you did previous night (or whatever). I have seen it over and over as I pass a young person on the road because they are driving erratically. This has contributed to many accidents. Having said this, most of us do NOT text and drive. For me, I am either focused on my GPS, trying to remember where I was going next or watching for inattentive drivers.
So, get out there, enjoy life, take those pictures and keep the list of texting codes close so you don’t have to type all those letters!
I’ve always enjoyed racquet sports. I learned badminton as a child. Loved it and became VERY good even if I say so myself. I progressed to tennis and actually bought my first tennis racquet with green stamps that my parents let me collect. Now, THAT takes you back doesn’t it? Lol Any kid reading this now is saying “WHAT?!?!”
Tennis can be trying. Well, at least for me. I’m just under 5’ and my ex is 6’2”. Oh, I got a workout and I’m sure we were a entertaining to those watching. However, I always thought the whole thing took some upper body strength which I don’t have. I still play (with a kids racquet) periodically but not often.
However, I saw a new game that folks were playing that looked like a combo of badminton and tennis, I was intrigued. Pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It looks like a wiffle ball. It’s actually a combination of badminton, tennis and ping pong. The paddle is larger than a ping pong paddle and pretty light. Of course, the balls are very light.
In the photo is my bag and paddle. Note: Do not choose red. If you want to match, it’s really hard to find a red sports bra. Just sayin’. LOL. I purchased my stuff from: http://www.pickleballcentral.com/ because they had better prices than my local sporting goods store.
Pickleball Equipment
It can be played indoors or out although the outdoor balls are a little more durable since they are consistently hitting concrete. As with the other games, it, can be played single or doubles. Doubles does seem to be the most common. Personally, I LIKE doubles but I’m not used to it and have a tendency to hog the court.
So, how did this all come about? It was invented back in 1965, on Bainbridge Island (not far from Seattle, Washington). Supposedly three dads – Joes Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum created it to entertain their kids in the summer.
No pickles are used in the game and it seems like a very odd name. I was originally taught that it was named after Pritchard’s cocker spaniel named Pickles. He would chase the ball and run off with it and hide in the bushes.
Later I heard that Pritchard’s wife started calling it pickleball because the combination of different sports reminded her of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats. Which story is correct, I don’t know. I kind of like the dog one myself.
A pickleball court looks like a tennis court pretty much. The net height is also much like tennis rather than badminton. There is a 7 foot non volley zone in front of the net. It is referred to as the “kitchen” . I’m not sure where that term came from but I try to avoid it as much as I do my real kitchen. Volleying is prohibited within this “kitchen” to avoid spiking (unlike tennis).
To start the game, the serve must be made underhand (kind of like bowling). Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist. The serve is initiated behind the baseline (like tennis) and is made diagonally cross court and must land within the opposite diagonal court. After that, you continue to play, serve and score points. Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are normally played to 11 points. Obviously, there are more explicit rules to follow but this gives you a quick overview of the game if it is something you have never heard of.
If you don’t become too competitive, pickleball can be very social and that is good for your mood and depression. It’s pretty low impact so it’s not too bad on your joints. It’s not as hard on you as jogging. I know I have a bad knee and one hip replaced. It certainly will help you burn calories and if you don’t gorge on junk food afterwards, you can lose weight if that is something you’d like to do. I know I sleep better the nights that I play.
It has become quite popular and parks are now building courts specifically for pickleball. I know the retirement communities around me each have their own teams. It is something that can be played by anyone at any age and I am sure it will continue to spread until it is popular everywhere. Who knows – you might be the first to bring it to your area.
