Taking Care Of My Health

 

Getting Older Isn’t for the Weak

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about getting older. I’m 59 now, and honestly, I don’t remember anybody really telling me what this part of life was going to feel like.

When I was growing up, I don’t remember my grandparents constantly talking about aches, pains, headaches, back problems, sciatica, or the occasional battle with constipation. 😂 Maybe they just didn’t talk about those things around the grandkids, but I sure don’t remember them complaining much.

Now here I am at 59, and I’m thinking, “Well, nobody told me about ALL of this!”

Some days I’m tired and worn down. Some days something hurts that didn’t hurt yesterday. I’ve probably taken more Tylenol, Motrin, Excedrin, and other things this year than I have in years past just trying to keep myself going.

I’m also trying to figure out what my body is telling me. I’ve been feeling off for quite a while, and I’m wondering if some of it could be connected to a medication I started back in October. My doctor has me on it for a reason, though, and my lab work has improved, so I’m trying to balance what I’m feeling with what my doctor thinks is best.

I recently had a vaginal ultrasound, and I’ll be seeing Dr. Angie on the 18th to go over the results. My mammogram came back negative, which I’m very thankful for. As for the ultrasound, I’m trying not to borrow trouble before I even know what the results say. I’m choosing to stay positive, pray, and take things one step at a time.

And yes, my doctor mentioned the big “C” word, which is a word I really don’t even like saying out loud. I refuse to sit around manifesting something I don’t even know is there. But if life ever does hand me something difficult, then I’ll deal with it when I get there. One step. One appointment. One day at a time.

Because getting older may not be for the weak, but I’m discovering that getting older also means I’ve learned a lot about myself. I know when I need to slow down. I know when I need help. And I’m learning that taking care of myself isn’t being dramatic or complaining—it’s just part of taking care of the woman I’ve become.

On the work front, I’ve been making up the hours I missed when I was sick Tuesday. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about staying later than my normal shift, but I have to admit something surprised me.

It’s QUIET.

Once most everyone leaves around 3:30 or 4, the building gets so much calmer. You can actually hear yourself think! 😂 The supervisors are mostly gone, the hustle and bustle has died down, and there’s almost a relaxed little vibe to the place.

I’m still not saying I want that later shift, but I’m putting it in the back of my mind for the next time shift bids come around. I don’t have little kids at home waiting for me to get home and cook dinner, help with homework, and get everyone ready for the next day. Maybe a later shift wouldn’t be the end of the world after all.

And then there are the things that make all the aches, pains, work hours, doctor appointments, and everyday worries seem a little less important…

Grandbabies.

This weekend, Lane and Landon are coming to spend the night with Nana and Grandpa, and I am already looking forward to it! Mr. C and I decided that each of the grandkids needed to have a special toy that stays at our house.

Lane got a Peppa Pig house and some figurines because that’s what he wanted. We had gotten rid of the old one, so we had to replace it. Landon has a Buzz Lightyear toy waiting for him, and Sophie has a little handheld piano that makes all kinds of sounds. I have a feeling she is going to LOVE that one.

Nancy also needs to get some groceries this weekend since her vehicle is currently out of commission, so I’m going to take her shopping. She has already spent several thousand dollars trying to keep that vehicle running, and I know the whole situation has been incredibly frustrating for her, especially with having her son and her elderly mom to take care of.

Life is funny.

At 59, I’m learning that some days are about doctor appointments, sore backs, tired bodies, medications, and wondering what the heck happened to the energy I used to have.

And other days are about loading up a friend to go grocery shopping, waiting for grandbabies to spend the night, watching a little boy play with Buzz Lightyear, listening to Peppa Pig chatter in the background, and remembering that there is still SO much good in life.

Maybe nobody told me what getting older would really be like because you just have to live it to understand it.

So here I am.

Still learning.
Still laughing.
Still praying.
Still figuring things out.

And yes…

Getting old is definitely NOT for the weak. 😂❤️

#GettingOlder #RealLifeAt59 #StillLivingMyBestLife #GrandmaLife

Midweek Rambling

Welcome, August! Family Visits, Fresh Goals, and Looking Forward

Good morning, friends!

It’s Wednesday morning, August 5th, and I’m on my way to work. It’s about 6:30 a.m., and we are blessed with another beautiful Oklahoma sunrise. I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling August is going to be a wonderful month.

The biggest reason? My youngest son, Trevor, his wife Mellissa, and my sweet grandchildren, Kyndall and Liam, will be coming home from North Dakota for a week and a half! It feels like it’s been far too long since we’ve all been together, and I honestly can’t wait to hug those babies.

Over the past few weeks, Mr. C and I have been busy getting everything ready for their visit. We completely decluttered Kyndall’s bedroom, which doubles as our guest room, and gave the toy room a complete makeover. It feels so nice knowing everything is organized, clean, and ready for little feet to come running through the house again.

Yesterday our new window air conditioner arrived for Kyndall’s room, and Mr. C is planning to install it today. With August being one of the hottest months of the year here in Oklahoma, I know they’ll sleep much more comfortably.

If you’re wondering why we named our guest bedroom Kyndall’s room is because her and I have always utilized the guest bedroom as if it was hers. She has a dresser drawer that has clothes, small treasures and hair items waiting on her. When they leave to go back to North Dakota I send most home with her. Then I start gathering up new items for the next visit. 

Now I just need to start planning a few fun Nana-and-Kyndall adventures. She always loves helping me in the kitchen, so I’m already thinking about a few treats we can bake together. I’ll also be stocking the pantry with plenty of kid-friendly snacks before everyone arrives.

Monday

Work started the week off fairly well. I finished Monday with 9 saves. While it wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be, every save helps someone, and that’s something I’m always grateful for.

Monday was also a big day for our grandson, Landon. He had his tonsils removed, his adenoids taken out, and tubes placed in his ears. Anytime your grandbaby has surgery, your heart worries a little extra. Thankfully, everything went well, and now it’s just time for him to heal.

Tuesday

Tuesday turned out to be a much better day at work. I finished the day with 14 saves, and I was really pleased with that. Today I’m setting my goal at 16 saves, although I’ll be happy as long as I reach at least 10.

After work, I picked up Taco Mayo for dinner because Mr. C had spent nearly the entire day helping Brody and Savannah with the kids while Savannah was getting her classroom ready for the new school year. Since Landon was still recovering from surgery, it was a huge blessing for them to have Grandpa there to help out. I know Mr. C enjoyed every minute of spending time with those grandbabies.

Tuesday evening I also worked on my required credit counseling certification. I’ve finished everything except the final chat session. Once I complete that, I’ll officially have my certification behind me, and that’ll feel wonderful to check off my to-do list.

Wednesday

Today I’m heading into work feeling optimistic.

We’ve had some changes happening in our department recently. Madison is transferring to the National Team on August 10th, and Whitney will be out beginning August 12th for surgery, with an expected six-week recovery.

Because of that, our schedules are shifting around. Sam has been moved from his normal 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. schedule to working 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you know Sam, you know that’s going to be quite an adjustment! He’s definitely a night owl who usually stays up until around two in the morning. I imagine his alarm clock is becoming his least favorite thing these days.

Thankfully, we’re expecting a new employee to begin training around August 18th, so relief is on the way. Until then, we’ll all be pulling together. It will certainly be busy, but busy also means more opportunities to earn those extra save bonuses.

After work today, I plan to finish my certification chat, and then I think Chicken Express is calling my name for supper. I’ll even order enough so I can pack leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

Speaking of lunch, today I’m keeping things fairly simple:

• A low-carb roll-up
• Frozen fruit
• Yogurt
• A Diet Root Beer
• A Diet Pepsi
• An energy drink

Little by little, I’m trying to make healthier choices.

This year has really become about being intentional. I’m trying to eat better, manage my money wisely, stay organized, and simply become the best version of myself one day at a time. Progress may not always be fast, but progress is still progress.

Five Simple Ways I’m Trying to Cut Back on Carbs

• Make wraps using low-carb tortillas instead of bread.
• Keep fresh vegetables ready for quick snacks instead of chips.
• Choose grilled chicken more often than fried foods.
• Drink more water and diet drinks instead of sugary beverages.
• Keep healthy protein snacks like cheese sticks, boiled eggs, or nuts nearby so I’m less tempted by sweets.

Five Easy Ways to Save Money

• Plan meals before grocery shopping.
• Cook enough supper to enjoy leftovers for lunch.
• Give yourself a 24-hour waiting period before making impulse purchases.
• Keep a running grocery list so fewer trips to the store turn into fewer impulse buys.
• Put even five or ten dollars into savings each payday—it adds up faster than you think.

Nana & Kyndall’s Kitchen Corner

One recipe I know Kyndall and I will have fun making together is Mini English Muffin Pizzas.

All you’ll need:

• Whole wheat or regular English muffins
• Pizza sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni or cooked sausage
• Mini pepper slices or olives (optional)

Let Kyndall spread the sauce, sprinkle on the cheese, and decorate each pizza with her favorite toppings. Bake at 375° for about 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. It’s easy, delicious, and kids absolutely love making their own creations.

I’m counting down the days until our family is all together again. There’s just something about hearing little voices fill the house that makes everything feel complete.

I hope each of you has a wonderful Wednesday. Thank you for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me. Until next time, take care of yourselves and make today count!

MakingToDo List

Thursday Check-In: Beating the Heat & Checking Things Off My List

Good morning, friends!

Grab a cup of coffee and come sit with me for a few minutes.

It’s going to be another scorcher here in Oklahoma today, with temperatures expected to reach around 107 degrees. Summer is definitely making its presence known! Thankfully, my employer has been letting us wear shorts all week because the air conditioning in our building hasn’t been working properly. They have also placed large stand-up fans throughout nearly every aisle, which has made a huge difference. I even keep a small fan on my desk. Not only does it help keep me cool, but it also creates a little background noise that helps drown out some of the conversations around me while I’m working.

I can’t believe we’re already to Thursday. The weekend is finally in sight!

After work this evening, I’ll be making a quick trip to Walmart to pick up some of Landon’s back-to-school supplies. Brody and Savannah have already purchased quite a bit from his school list, so we just wanted to help out with a few of the remaining items. I looked everything up online this morning, and our total should be around $63, which isn’t bad at all. We’re also planning to pick up a few classroom donation items like cotton balls, sidewalk chalk, colored copy paper, and a few other miscellaneous supplies that teachers always seem to need.

I still need to buy back-to-school outfits for Wesley, Angel, Clifford, and Max. I’m thinking Old Navy will probably be my weekend destination since I’ve always had good luck finding clothes for them there.

Today’s To-Do List

1. Fill my weekly pill organizer so I stay on track with taking my medications every morning.
2. Finish my July journal before the month comes to an end.
3. Continue sorting through the tote bags in my sunroom, especially the ones filled with old paperwork that needs to be shredded or tossed.
4. Stop by Burger King after work and pick up dinner for Mr. C and me.
5. Focus on getting 10 saves at work today so I can finish the month strong.

I’ve also been spending some time looking over my budget, and I realized I owe a little more on my vehicle than I originally thought. The balance is down to about $790, though, so I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

The best financial news this week is that I canceled two subscriptions that I really wasn’t using anymore. That will save us about $100 every month, and that money can now go toward more important goals.

One of those goals is paying down my credit card debt. I really don’t want to head into retirement with debt hanging over my head. I’ve struggled with finances at different times throughout my life, and while I’ve come a long way, I know I still have work to do. That’s okay, though. Progress doesn’t happen overnight. It happens one step, one payment, and one good decision at a time.

That’s what I’m focusing on today.

Easy Vanilla Caramel Iced Coffee ☕

If you’re trying to stay cool, here’s one of my favorite easy iced coffee recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chilled strong coffee or cold brew
• ½ cup milk (any kind)
• 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ice
• Whipped cream (optional)

Simply fill a glass with ice, pour in the coffee, milk, caramel, and vanilla, then stir well. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel if you’re feeling a little fancy. It tastes like a coffee shop treat without the coffee shop price!

Well, I’d better get ready for work. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday! Stay hydrated, try to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day if you can, and remember that even the smallest step toward your goals is still progress.

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little part of your morning with me. I always appreciate your visits.

Cheers,

Karen❤️

Food Compilation for July

Rearranged leftovers and took to work for my department to enjoy. Was a big hit.

Mud Creek BBQ Ringling OKLA.

Energy Drinks are a must in the call center.

Frito Chili Cheese Pie 

Loaded scrambled eggs and toast 

Chicken and dumplings 

Hard Taco and salad 

Salad 

I really need to be more intentional about getting photos of my food thru out the month.  We eat very basic  at least that's my personal thoughts. 

 

Looking At The Weekend

Happy Friday, everyone!

I am sitting in the parking lot at work this morning, watching my coworkers slowly trickle in one by one. I never like rushing into my day, so I usually wait until about 6:45 before heading inside. That gives me plenty of time to grab something to drink, fill up my water cup with lots of ice, get my computers turned on, and have all my work apps loaded before the phones start ringing. Starting the day calm is much better than starting it in a panic!

After work today, I’ll be picking up a small grocery order because tomorrow is going to be a fun Nana and Grandpa weekend. Lane and Landon are coming to spend the day and stay the night with us, so of course I have to make sure we’re fully stocked with all the important essentials—milk, chocolate syrup, cookies, ice cream, and plenty of snacks. If you’ve ever shopped for picky eaters, you know it’s almost like preparing for a tiny food critic convention! Thankfully, a little chocolate milk can solve a lot of problems.

Tomorrow I’m also hoping to attend the Peach Festival. I’ve never been before, and since this is their 50th year, I figured it’s finally time to check it off my Oklahoma adventure list. I need to get with my friend Nancy today to see if she’s still planning to go with me. If she can make it, that’ll be wonderful. If not, I’ll still head that way because I’ve learned that sometimes solo adventures can be just as much fun.

I talked with my best friend, Cherrie, yesterday. She’s doing well at her new job and making more money, which I’m so happy about. The downside is that she’s working a lot more hours, so it’s been hard for our schedules to line up. Our famous Sunday Fundays have almost disappeared lately, but we’re hoping to get together one evening next week after work. Sometimes friendships just have to work around busy seasons of life, and that’s okay.

I’ve also been having a great time on Swap-bot lately. I’ve picked up a couple of new pen pals, and my goal is to get at least two letters written and mailed tomorrow. I’m determined not to get behind this time! It’s funny how people who start out as strangers eventually become friends through handwritten letters. There’s just something special about opening your mailbox and finding something besides bills.

Tomorrow I also need to mail my “Pen Pal Kit No. 3” swap. I really enjoyed putting this one together. It’s filled with fun stationery supplies and little goodies that another pen pal can use while writing letters. I honestly think the kit turned out really nice, and I’m excited to see what arrives in my mailbox in return. Even if it’s not quite as full as the one I sent, that’s perfectly okay. Let’s just say I’m definitely not suffering from a shortage of stationery supplies around here. If there were an Olympic event for collecting stickers, washi tape, and pretty paper, I might actually have a chance at bringing home the gold medal!

For now, though, it’s time to head into work. I’m hoping for a great day with lots of member saves so I can earn a little extra money. And if it wants to rain off and on all day, I certainly won’t complain. Rainy Fridays have a way of making the weekend feel even cozier.

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me today. I’d love to hear from you! Is your weather hot, rainy, or somewhere in between? Leave me a comment and let me know what kind of day you’re having where you live.

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a fantastic weekend!