Getting Older - Growing Older Everyday

2020 Goals December Update

Posted on January 1, 2021December 31, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

December closes out 2020. But despite it all, I did make a little progress.

COMPLETED: We did it! We made it back from our trip on October 6. So I can now mark off Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri off my map. Visit 3 states I haven’t been to before. I desire to visit every state in the United States in my lifetime.
COMPLETED: I have completed 43 books toward the 30 I plan to read this year. I finally finished the long one I was reading, but that is it. This goal will have to increase next year, or I will have to read longer books. Read 30 books.
COMPLETED: I am continuing physical therapy. However, my physical therapist gave me permission to attempt driving. So on February 19 my husband road along as I drove. We went on the freeway very briefly, mainly driving in town. Since then I have driven several times by myself. This was probably my most important goal since it has given me the freedom that has brightened up my days. Drive by myself.
COMPLETED: I had my BAHA (bone attached hearing aid) surgery on July 22. On August 20 I received the outside portion of my implant. It was with great joy that I realized I could hear my husband speaking to me on the way home from that appointment. I’m still getting used to this, but as time goes on I think I will adapt to it a bit better. I didn’t regain any hearing in my ear, but I have the ability to feel like I am hearing in my left ear. All options have been pursued. To have the hearing in my left ear improved to 30% or all options pursued. Another result of my brain tumor surgery.
FAILED: We got it quite close, but not complete. I could blame this on my mom dying and me losing a lot of my free time, but I had a whole year and I have to accept that we didn’t complete it. We put the grass in the front yard. Sprinklers are in. Some of the plants are in. Have our front and back yard landscaping completed so we can enjoy them.
COMPLETED: Unfortunately, this has been completed. Since my mom died, I ended up with her car, a newer version of mine. My husband organized things so that I can park it in the garage. Clean up/organize our garage so I can park in the garage.
FAILED: The weight roller coaster continues. Honestly, if it were a roller coaster it would be bigger changes. Sadly I have been eating too much. Stress never helps. I am now up 3.5 pounds for the year. Honestly, I was not determined enough to succeed. Lose 10 lbs.
COMPLETED: It feels great to no longer have any house or car payments. Pay off all debt. This was on my list for last year and I came close, but not quite.
COMPLETED/SORT OF: I have finished one baby quilt completely. I have two others at the quilters to have them quilted. I will receive them back in late January. At that time I will need to trim them and add the binding. So honestly, they are not complete. However, I did make two baby blankets that were super simple to make. So overall I think I’ve done enough work, but I should have started this earlier. Begin and finish three baby quilts.
FAILED: I was not very committed to this. In emptying out my mom’s house I found a Bible that my mother’s parents and siblings gave to my great grandmother and a bound book of the family ancestor on mom’s mom’s side. She had told me she had it, but she was unable to find it. I am now in contact with another cousin. We are trying to figure out her upline of relatives. She is adopted and knows her birth father’s name and thanks to 23andMe her great great grandfather, who was my great-grandfather’s brother. I love trying to solve a mystery. This can be so exciting. I have been in contact with a second cousin. This is one of my last things on my mind, hence it is not going quickly. I have started typing up my history on one side. Ancestry: Tie at least 10 more people that are my second or third cousins to my family tree.

December was somewhat productive, but I am ending up with 3 fails. I don’t think I was really committed to the goals that I failed this year. If you have goals set, don’t give up on yourself either. We have the time to do it if we put in the effort. Commitment is so important when you are trying to accomplish anything.

So let me know how 2020 went as far as accomplishing your goals. Have you set up goals for 2021? You can do it! Please comment below on how your 2020 went.

2021 Goals Roll Out

Posted on December 30, 2020December 30, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

In 2020 I made a list of 10 goals and I completed seven of them. That is what I should focus on, but I tend to focus on the three that I didn’t complete. They are the ones that are nagging me to do better this year. So I have prepared my list of goals for this year with the goal of accomplishing more than 70% this time.

How about you? Did you complete your list? If so, congratulations. If not, let’s both try to improve this year. We can do it if we don’t wait until the last minute and we focus on the goal. Your goals shouldn’t be a list of impossibilities. Instead, they should be things you can accomplish, maybe with a little bit of pushing yourself.

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2020 Goals November Update

Posted on December 2, 2020December 2, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

November was a month that fell apart on the 4th. That was the day that I went to check on my mom and found her in the house alone, dead from a stroke or heart attack. My life changed instantly. My youngest sister and I are Executors of her will so that took over our lives. We had to empty, clean, and sell her house. That process is ongoing. We have a middle sister who lives farther away who also has been helping. In the process of lifting and carrying things, I made my hairline fracture worse. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. But despite it all, I did make a little progress.

COMPLETED: We did it! We made it back from our trip October 6. So I can now mark off Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri off my map. Visit 3 states I haven’t been to before. I desire to visit every state in the United States in my lifetime.
COMPLETED: I have completed 38 books toward the 30 I plan to read this year. I finally finished the long one I was reading, but that is it. This goal will have to increase next year, or I will have to read longer books. Read 30 books.
COMPLETED: I am continuing physical therapy. However, my physical therapist gave me permission to attempt driving. So on February 19 my husband road along as I drove. We went on the freeway very briefly, mainly driving in town. Since then I have driven several times by myself. This was probably my most important goal since it has given me the freedom that has brightened up my days. Drive by myself.
COMPLETED: I had my BAHA (bone attached hearing aid) surgery on July 22. On August 20 I received the outside portion of my implant. It was with great joy that I realized I could hear my husband speaking to me on the way home from that appointment. I’m still getting used to this, but as time goes on I think I will adapt to it a bit better. I didn’t regain any hearing in my ear, but I have the ability to feel like I am hearing in my left ear. All options have been pursued. To have the hearing in my left ear improved to 30% or all options pursued. Another result of my brain tumor surgery.
PROGRESS: We put the grass in the front yard. Sprinklers are in. I’m waiting for the heat to settle down to work in the yard again. We have looked for bushes a few times but haven’t found the ones we want yet. We actually bought a few plants on 10/31. However, the winter garden has taken over my husband’s plans. It must be going to happen in November, before Thanksgiving. Have our front and back yard landscaping completed so we can enjoy them.
COMPLETED: Unfortunately, this has been completed. Since my mom died, I ended up with her car, a newer version of mine. My husband organized things so that I can park it in the garage. Clean up/organize our garage so I can park in the garage.
PROGRESS: The weight roller coaster continues. Honestly, if it were a roller coaster it would be bigger changes. Sadly I have been eating too much. Stress never helps. I am now up a pound for the year. I can’t imagine being successful on this one. Lose 10 lbs.
COMPLETED: It feels great to no longer have any house or car payments. Pay off all debt. This was on my list for last year and I came close, but not quite.
PROGRESS: I have finished one baby quilt. I went fabric shopping again because Joann’s Fabric had a great black Friday sale. There was no actual progress. Begin and finish three baby quilts.
PROGRESS: In emptying out my mom’s house I found a Bible that my mother’s parents and siblings gave to my great grandmother nd a bound book of the family ancestor on mom’s mom’s side. She had told me she had it, but she was unable to find it. I am now in contact with another cousin. We are trying to figure out her upline of relatives. She is adopted and knows her birth father’s name and thanks to 23andMe her great great grandfather, who was my great-grandfather’s brother. I love trying to solve a mystery. This can be so exciting. I have been in contact with a second cousin. This is one of my last things on my mind, hence it is not going quickly. I have started typing up my history on one side. Ancestry: Tie at least 10 more people that are my second or third cousins to my family tree.

November was not very productive. I’m not giving up yet, except possibly on my weight and my ancestry. I don’t think I was really committed to those goals. If you have goals set, don’t give up on yourself either. We have the time to do it if we put in the effort. Commitment is so important when you are trying to accomplish anything. One more months to go!

21 Suggestions to Help you Set Goals for 2021

Posted on November 4, 2020November 2, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

Goals are things that are achievable. They aren’t wishes or dreams that you know are not attainable. An example of a goal is to pay off a certain amount of debt, to hand-make all your greeting cards for the year, to lose 10 pounds, or to learn how to knit. Some things that would be unattainable for me would be to lose 50 pounds, win $1,000,000 in the lottery (I don’t play,) or become President of the United States.

Goals should be given some thought. Don’t write five things down and think you are done. There is a lot more to it than that. Especially if you plan to succeed.

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2020 Goals October Update

Posted on November 2, 2020November 1, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

October we were out of town a lot again. Six days were spent on our trip. Three days we had a joint birthday party for our granddaughters at our daughter’s house. There was a bit of a bump in the road because of the fall I took in late September. After having an MRI I found out that I have a hairline fracture in my right arm. October ended up with five doctors’ appoints, including x-ray and MRI. November starts out with an extra hour in our days. Use it wisely.

COMPLETED: We did it! We made it back from our trip October 6. So I can now mark off Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri off my map. Visit 3 states I haven’t been to before. I desire to visit every state in the United States in my lifetime.
COMPLETED: I have completed 37 books toward the 30 I plan to read this year. I didn’t finish any in October because I am reading a really long one this time. This goal will have to increase next year, or I will have to read longer books. Read 30 books.
COMPLETED: I am continuing physical therapy. However, my physical therapist gave me permission to attempt driving. So on February 19 my husband road along as I drove. We went on the freeway very briefly, mainly driving in town. Since then I have driven several times by myself. This was probably my most important goal since it has given me the freedom that has brightened up my days. Drive by myself.
COMPLETED: I had my BAHA (bone attached hearing aid) surgery on July 22. On August 20 I received the outside portion of my implant. It was with great joy that I realized I could hear my husband speaking to me on the way home from that appointment. I’m still getting used to this, but as time goes on I think I will adapt to it a bit better. I didn’t regain any hearing in my ear, but I have the ability to feel like I am hearing in my left ear. All options have been pursued. To have the hearing in my left ear improved to 30% or all options pursued. Another result of my brain tumor surgery.
PROGRESS: We put the grass in the front yard. Sprinklers are in. I’m waiting for the heat to settle down to work in the yard again. We have looked for bushes a few times but haven’t found the ones we want yet. We actually bought a few plants on 10/31. However, the winter garden has taken over my husband’s plans. It must be going to happen in November, before Thanksgiving. Have our front and back yard landscaping completed so we can enjoy them.
PROGRESS: My husband had made a little progress on this. None since then. Clean up/organize our garage so I can park in the garage.
PROGRESS: The weight roller coaster continues. Honestly, if it was a roller coaster it would be bigger changes. Saddly I have been eating too much and I am now down only 1/2 pound for the year. I can’t imagine being successful on this one. Lose 10 lbs.
COMPLETED: It feels great to no longer have any house or car payments. Pay off all debt. This was on my list for last year and I came close, but not quite.
PROGRESS: I have finished one baby quilt. I went fabric shopping before our governor wanted us to always wear masks, so oops, that was more enjoyable than it could have been. I started cutting out one of the quilts in the last week of October. Really hope to finish it in the next 2 weeks. Begin and finish three baby quilts.
PROGRESS: I am now in contact with another cousin. We are trying to figure out her upline of relatives. She is adopted and knows her birth father’s name and thanks to 23andMe her great great grandfather, who was my great-grandfather’s brother. I love trying to solve a mystery. This can be so exciting. I have been in contact with a second cousin. This is one of my last things on my mind, hence it is not going quickly. I have started typing up my history on one side. Ancestry: Tie at least 10 more people that are my second or third cousins to my family tree.

October was a disaster as far as completing any goals. November has to be productive. I’m not giving up yet, except possibly on my weight. I don’t think I was really committed to that goal. If you have goals set, don’t give up on yourself either. We have the time to do it if we put in the effort. Two more months to go!

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2020 Goals September Update

Posted on October 7, 2020September 26, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

September seems like it was a short month, with grandkids visiting, doctor appointments (6 plus one for my mom), smoky skies, and high temperatures, and being out of town five days. Even though I made some progress I am looking forward to October. And I hope it doesn’t disappoint. At least the weather should be better and the skies clearer. And maybe no doctor appointments. I guess October 31 will be the day I’ll know.

COMPLETED: We did it! We made it back from our trip yesterday. So I can now mark off Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri off my map. Visit 3 states I haven’t been to before. I desire to visit every state in the United States in my lifetime.
COMPLETED: I have completed 37 books toward the 30 I plan to read this year. This goal will have to increase next year, or I will have to read fatter books. Read 30 books.
COMPLETED: I am continuing physical therapy. However, my physical therapist gave me permission to attempt driving. So on February 19 my husband road along as I drove. We went on the freeway very briefly, mainly driving in town. Since then I have driven several times by myself. This was probably my most important goal since it has given me the freedom that has brightened up my days. Drive by myself.
COMPLETED: I had my BAHA (bone attached hearing aid) surgery on July 22. On August 20 I received the outside portion of my implant. It was with great joy that I realized I could hear my husband speaking to me on the way home from that appointment. I’m still getting used to this, but as time goes on I think I will adapt to it a bit better. I didn’t regain any hearing in my ear, but I have the ability to feel like I am hearing in my left ear. All options have been pursued. To have the hearing in my left ear improved to 30% or all options pursued. Another result of my brain tumor surgery.
PROGRESS: We put the grass in the front yard. Sprinklers are in. I’m waiting for the heat to settle down to work in the yard again. We have looked for bushes a few times but haven’t found the ones we want yet. October is the month. I can just feel it. 🙂 Have our front and back yard landscaping completed so we can enjoy them.
PROGRESS: My husband had made a little progress on this. None since then. Clean up/organize our garage so I can park in the garage.
PROGRESS: The weight roller coaster continues. Honestly, if it was a roller coaster it would be bigger changes. I was out of town at the end of the month, with no scale available. I’m roughly down 2.5 pounds. I finally hit 500 miles walked in September. Since my goal has been 1000 miles a year for several years, and I’ve usually come close, this year, with three months left isn’t going to happen. If it did, I’d come closer to my 10 pounds lost. Lose 10 lbs.
COMPLETED: It feels great to no longer have any house or car payments. Pay off all debt. This was on my list for last year and I came close, but not quite.
PROGRESS: I have finished one baby quilt. I went fabric shopping before our governor wanted us to always wear masks, so oops, that was more enjoyable than it could have been. I have purchased more fabric, which does not get a quilt completed on its own. Begin and finish three baby quilts.
PROGRESS: I have been in contact with a second cousin. This is one of my last things on my mind, hence it is not going quickly. I have started typing up my history on one side. Ancestry: Tie at least 10 more people that are my second or third cousins to my family tree.

September was a big month, in that we visited three states, which results in completing another goal. I think October will be very productive. I’m not giving up yet. If you have goals set, don’t give up on yourself either. We have the time to do it if we put in the effort. Three more months to go!

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Pinterest for Seniors, Beginners and Everyone Else

Posted on September 23, 2020September 23, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

Pinterest has been around since 2010. It was created for people to share their ideas for projects and interests. Projects can be anything from how to build a potting table for your yard to how to clean your house in 15 easy steps. There are also businesses that use Pinterest to promote their products, so you may end up finding things that you would like to purchase when you are perusing through Pinterest. I use Pinterest for my blog, but also for myself personally. It’s the personal use that we will be focusing on in this training in Pinterest for Seniors, Beginners, and everyone else.

Do you have a Pinterest account? Would you like to learn the basics of using Pinterest and have it make your life easier? That is what I will be teaching you today. Get ready to start pinning.

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Estate Sales – Love them or hate them?

Posted on September 2, 2020September 2, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

At the first estate sale I went to, I purchased a terra cotta bowl for storing my hose in. I think I paid $6, which was a good deal. The sale was in southern California and my son brought me there to entertain me since he knew I liked garage sales. Since then I’ve been to several more.

One of my recent purchases was a family of quail terra cotta planters. I think I probably paid too much, in my eagerness to own them. But they do look awfully cute as containers for three of my succulents.

Most items I pick up, I put down and walk away, because I am painfully aware that I should be getting rid of my clutter, not adding to it.

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2020 Goals August Update

Posted on September 1, 2020September 22, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

PROGRESS: This is subject to the Coronavirus. I have visited AAA, of which I am a member, to pick up maps to assist me in making my plans. At this time the states I hope to be visiting are Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Plans are finalized, except for making hotel reservations. The flight is booked. The nights we are staying in our timeshare are booked. Visit 3 states I haven’t been to before. I desire to visit every state in the United States in my lifetime.
COMPLETED: I have completed 34 books toward the 30 I plan to read this year.
COMPLETED: I am continuing physical therapy. However, my physical therapist had given me permission to attempt driving. So on February 19 my husband road along as I drove. We went on the freeway very briefly, mainly driving in town. Since then I have driven several times by myself. This was probably my most important goal since it has given me the freedom that has really brightened up my days. Drive by myself.
COMPLETED: I had my BAHA (bone attached hearing aid) surgery on July 22. On August 20 I received the outside portion of my implant. It was with great joy that I realized I could hear my husband speaking to me on the way home from that appointment. I’m still getting used to this, but as time goes on I think I will adapt to it a bit better. I didn’t regain any hearing in my ear, but I have the ability to feel like I am hearing in my left ear. All options have been pursued. To have the hearing in my left ear improved to 30% or all options pursued. Another result of my brain tumor surgery.
PROGRESS: We put the grass in the front yard. Sprinklers are in. I’m waiting for the heat to settle down to work in the yard again. We have looked for bushes a few times but haven’t found the ones we want yet. Have our front and back yard landscaping completed so we can enjoy them.
PROGRESS: My husband had made a little progress on this. None since then. Clean up/organize our garage so I can park in the garage.
PROGRESS: I had lost four pounds in May. This would be exciting, but I haven’t been feeling 100%, eating less, so I hope that I can maintain it. As suspected, I didn’t maintain that in June. Only down two pounds. Maintained that two pounds in July. Down three in August. Lose 10 lbs.
COMPLETED: It feels great to no longer have any house or car payments. Pay off all debt. This was on my list for last year and I came close, but not quite.
PROGRESS: I have finished one baby quilt. I went fabric shopping before our governor wanted us to always wear masks, so oops, that was more enjoyable than it could have been. Begin and finish three baby quilts.
PROGRESS: I have been in contact with a second cousin. This is really one of my last things on my mind, hence it is not going quickly. I have started typing up my history on one side. Ancestry: Tie at least 10 more people that are my second or third cousins to my family tree.

August was a little bit productive, but nothing to brag about. I did get my BAHA, but that really wasn’t something I did, except of course recovering from a small surgery. It did result in completing another goal. Lost another pound, but I’ve been here before and failed at maintaining it. I’m not giving up yet. If you have goals set, don’t give up on yourself either. We have the time to do it if we put in the effort. Four more months to go!

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2020 Goals July Update

Posted on August 3, 2020August 30, 2020 by Kimberly Anne

PROGRESS: This is subject to the Coronavirus. I have visited AAA, of which I am a member, to pick up maps to assist me in making my plans. At this time the states I hope to be visiting are Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Plans are finalized, except for making hotel reservations. The flight is booked. The nights we are staying in our timeshare are booked. Visit 3 states I haven’t been to before. I desire to visit every state in the United States in my lifetime.
COMPLETED: I have completed 31 books toward the 30 I plan to read this year.
COMPLETED: I am continuing physical therapy. However, my physical therapist had given me permission to attempt driving. So on February 19 my husband road along as I drove. We went on the freeway very briefly, mainly driving in town. Since then I have driven several times by myself. This was probably my most important goal since it has given me the freedom that has really brightened up my days. Drive by myself.
PROGRESS: I was scheduled to have my surgery on July 22. It was so much nicer than the first surgery. Easy recovery. I still have my glued stitches that itch, but I’m supposed to leave them alone. On August 20 I will receive the outside portion of my implant. Then I will learn how to use it and see how successful it was. To have the hearing in my left ear improved to 30% or all options pursued. Another result of my brain tumor surgery.
PROGRESS: We put the grass in the front yard. Sprinklers are in. The planters are in process, but not quite done. We have harvested a lot of things and even have hope we might get a few watermelons out there. We ate our first watermelon. It was ok, not spectacular – 27 lbs. Have our front and back yard landscaping completed so we can enjoy them.
PROGRESS: My husband had made a little progress on this. None since then. Clean up/organize our garage so I can park in the garage.
PROGRESS: I have lost four pounds in May. This would be exciting, but I haven’t been feeling 100%, eating less, so I hope that I can maintain it. As suspected, I didn’t maintain that in June. Only down two pounds. Maintained that two pounds in July. Lose 10 lbs.
COMPLETED: It feels great to no longer have any house or car payments. Pay off all debt. This was on my list for last year and I came close, but not quite.
PROGRESS: I have finished one baby quilt. I went fabric shopping before our governor wanted us to always wear masks, so oops, that was more enjoyable than it could have been. Begin and finish three baby quilts.
PROGRESS: I have been in contact with a second cousin. This is really one of my last things on my mind, hence it is not going quickly. I have started typing up my history on one side. Ancestry: Tie at least 10 more people that are my second or third cousins to my family tree.

July was productive. Finishing the one quilt has gotten me more excited about the others. I have exceeded my goal of reading books. Maintained my weight, but didn’t lose anything. I’m not giving up yet. If you have goals set, don’t give up on yourself either. We have the time to do it if we put in the effort.