Hobbies anyone?

This post some hobbies to pursue by Gina got me thinking about how few hobbies I have in my mid-70s and then about all the hobbies I have pursued over the years.

Please let me know what hobbies you are enjoying at this point in your life.

Hobbies now only cover three of my categories: physically active, creative/expanding, nurturing - walking, Pilates, reading, blogging, exploring new places/restaurants locally, dog Mom

I want more activities in my life now so let's go down memory lane and remember hobbies from earlier in life. I'm sure I've missed some!

The others over my lifetime - The ones in bold are ones I think I could do right now and might enjoy adding back into my life!

Physically Active - climbing trees (I'd still like to try a zip line through trees!), swimming, badminton, tennis, paddleball, kite flying, ice skating (including outdoors at Yosemite), roller skating, hiking, boating & canoeing, bicycling, square dancing, line dancing (offered at my current city rec center), swing dancing, jumping rope,  yoga, aerobics, strength training, backpacking, camping, skiing, waterskiing, horseback riding

Creative/Expanding - writing including poetry/Haiku, woodworking, pottery on a wheel and hand building, needlework (embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting), drawing, acrylic and watercolor painting, creating a vision board, going to art exhibits/galleries/fairs/walks, live theater, music performances of many kinds, reading and author talks

Challenging - shooting pool, croquet, Monopoly, Scrabble, science projects, 4-H projects (school and work mostly took care of this part of me lol)

Social - entertaining, being in book clubs & women's groups, volunteering (Friends of the Library, PTA, band boosters)

Learning - genealogy, classes and reading on many subjects through on-line courses, art centers, Open Universities and Senior Universities. 

Nurturing - cooking, baking bread, home decorating, gardening

What about after the move and settling in?

I really enjoyed reading Tamara's spring bucket list and realized that it was time to think about what I was going to do and/or explore doing once we move, fix what needs fixing in the new house and are ready to get out in the larger world. So here are some ideas. A work in progress but I tend to hunker down and am seeing as I leave my current community that I squandered opportunities for great friendship and more fun by not being the one to reach out.

I want to be physically active so
- explore what I can do using the pool, gym, etc. at our HOA community
- try out the YMCA, parks & rec dept, and/or pilates studios to find the right community and exercise
- find good walking locations for with and without the dog

I want to eat right for my current body and health goals as well as cooking for Hubby's different dietary needs. To that end I am starting a Nutrition Counseling program on Wednesday. Stay tuned on that. But in my new home
- shop the Saturday farmer's market as this is an agricultural area
- try one new dinner recipe a week
- try different restaurants to find that magical mix of healthy, enjoyable and right price

I need a new community of friends and to get to know my sons, DILs, nieces & nephew, BIL, FIL and cousins in a new way that happens with more time together.
- schedule fun times and quiet times with each
- explore what is available in the HOA community
- look into sr. university, art or other classes
- find a compatible book club, walking group, mystery writers group, live theatre, etc.
- network with current friends and family to find who they might know in the area and make friends.
- get in the habit of having people over again
- throw a housewarming party and invite neighbors - or better yet throw 2 with one for neighbors and one for family

Decorating our new house to really work as our home is a priority.
- Work with people who can help create a vision and source fun, comfortable, affordable furnishings while enjoying the process
- Make sure what we buy is really right for us and not make do

Hmmm, why do we tend to think more is better?

I am in the midst of listening to our CDs to decide which ones to keep and to bring music back into my life. I am finding ones that I hadn't listened to for years that I enjoy. I'm also finding that we have too many in different categories.

Yesterday I listened to 3 Frank Sinatra CDs. I enjoyed 2 of the 3 and found one to be of poor acoustic quality. The question that popped into my mind though was why did we have so many in the first place? Probably one would be enough but I kept the 2 good ones for now.

Today it is the 3 Cuban/Latin CDs. Tomorrow will be the 5 (!) Pancho Sanchez ones. I know why we have so many of those though. We went to an outdoor concert by him 25ish years ago and had a grand time so we loaded up on his music.

I've also been listening to the ones I brought home from the 100s recently donated to the Friends of the Library. Those are easier to make decisions on. If I don't like the first track then it goes back. So far I have only picked 3 to add to our collection and I am waffling on one of those LOL.

For me at least as far as music goes 1 or 2 is better than 3 or more. I am a person who like variety and at this time can't stand to listen to music that isn't uplifting.

I think that often we think more is better when we like the initial item a lot. How many times have you bought more colors of a top or shirt when the one that you really liked was the first one you selected. More wasn't better then either. The same can happen in other areas of our lives. I am trying to notice what I do automatically that doesn't add value for me and this is one of those things.

Changing habits by setting intentions

As my readers know, I have been struggling with how often I go to the coffee shop and buy a treat as well as healthy habits overall. Trying to not do something is different than trying to do something so I am making an effort to state my positive intentions during the day.

Yesterday it was that I would only buy what was on my Whole Foods grocery list and head straight home. Yesterday's eating intention was to eat meals that would hold me without a snack until the next meal. Today my intention was that I would shower after I did my work out. I also stated to myself that I would have a large salad for lunch today.

I'm thinking that the urge to head to the coffee shop about 3pm each day has more to do with being bored and feeling housebound as well as being my low energy time of day than it does with wanting coffee. I do have coffee at home. I'm trying to have a plan in mind of something to do each afternoon instead. I'll probably switch many of my errands to after lunch instead of morning. I am a morning person so I tend to power through my to do list in the morning and then fade mid-afternoon. Time to change my day's routing to up my energy in the afternoon without eating sweets while having a coffee out!

Its early days yet but I am finding this approach works much better for the way I work! Breaking habits without something to substitute for the undesirable habit is virtually impossible - at least for me.

Have you tried an approach similar to this or another way of changing your habits? Would love to share ideas.

Month 3: Goal progress report

Here's my report of how I did in March.

March 2015

1. Eat to reduce bad cholesterol levels - not pastry/cookies out, less meat and even more vegetables. Weigh self daily and record.

- I am struggling with this to be honest. I have the habit of going to the coffee shop to get out of the house and then I eat something unhealthy.
- We are also struggling with selecting the foods that will help my husband with his gout, my low salt needs, etc. while being healthy. So many competing food needs due to health issues and conflicting scientific advice. I am working on creating a list of entrees that meet all of our criteria so I am not making it up each week.
- My husband can no longer drink wine or beer due to his gout problem so I have joined in abstaining except when out to eat or at book club. Fewer calories!

2. Work out at home with weights AND do stretch DVD program at least twice a week AND walk on other days (unless traveling, etc.).

- Also struggling with this. I hurt my foot so walking has been a challenge. I have settled on a spot for my indoor exercise that works. With my husband's gout problems we were discussing that we may have to take up swimming as our exercise program in the future instead of walking but for now I am walking.
- Monday I did the stretch DVD and floor and weight exercises I learned at the gym and am sore today which is good. Tuesday was a walking and yard work day. Another habit to form as I am determined to be physically strong, flexible and have good balance as I get older. 

2. Buy the clothing needed to have a wardrobe I love to wear that fits my life right now.

- Added 2 scarves that I really like although that doesn't really help with my hot weather wardrobe needs. I have made a list of stores to try for shorts, sundresses, tops, etc. and need to make myself schedule visiting them and just do it.

3. Go through all files, office supplies and my books and only keep what brings me happiness, is used regularly or will be used up over time. This has been expanded to include getting rid of other items as I encounter them and trying to only replace not add to our stuff.

- I eliminated 86 items and 1/2" of paper from the house.
- What came in: a bathmat replacing the current one, a hanging shoe holder replacing 5 shoe boxes and 2 scarves for my wardrobe.

4. Disentangle from all of my volunteer roles for the Friends of the Library in preparation for moving in 2017.

- I updated my files so I can transfer them to new people as appropriate.

Then there are the mushier goals.

5. Love and be loved.

- Friends: Spent another evening with my lovely women friends at book club and had lunch with a friend.
- Family: My husband and I went out to dinner twice, out to lunch three times, on two walks, and to an comedy show.

6. Have fun - and I'm adding, have adventures.

- Need to work on figuring out what fun and adventures are for me at this time of life.

7. Find joy in everyday life even when it involves chores LOL.

- Our little dog has passed the one year mark for living with adrenal failure (Addison's disease) and her tests show she is doing fine on the medication regime we are following. It has taken time for me to learn what is normal variation in her energy and activity and what signifies a need for additional medication between her monthly shots but we are at a nice stable approach now. She is a daily source of joy for both of us so this is a great outcome.

So, what's on deck for April?

- Warmer weather will enable more walking outdoors which I prefer. It also brings more yard work.
- I've identified a number of things we could do for fun: an antique car parade, free concerts, and two art festivals. We also will celebrate our 34th anniversary, our son's 32nd birthday and a DILs birthday although the latter two are long distance unfortunately.
- I have book club and will attend.
- The two OLLI classes I signed up for begin and I have committed to attending all sessions. One is "Art in Havana" and the other is "Eight Retired Physicians Share Their Expertise on Timely Medical Topics".  
- My husband has three overnight business trips and I will carefully plan what to eat while he is gone so I don't slip and eat poorly out of lack of desire to cook - although I may treat myself to going out!
- I will visit the stores I have listed and buy enough clothing for my hot weather wardrobe and quit obsessing about it!

Good reading in March

I read a lot of books and most of them are fairly ho-hum but this month I read two that I really enjoyed and would recommend depending upon your interests.

First is Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin who also wrote The Happiness Project and other books. I have been struggling with my inability to stick with the habits I think I want to have in retirement although when I was working 50 to 60 hours a week with lots of deadlines I had little trouble! Finally an explanation for how my personality and habit formation work together. I'm trying to adopt some of the ideas I found in this book to my exercise habit formation and then move on from there.

Second is the latest installment in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. You have to be hooked on the idea of Sherlock Holmes and his much younger wife as a storyline but I am and enjoyed this book as much as all of the preceding ones. I am even thinking of going to a day of the local Sherlock Holmes convention in mid-April!





I hope someone else enjoys these too.

Getting a wardrobe that works for retirement - February shopping

I have mentioned that I have been participating in 7 Steps to Style virtual program offered by Imogen Lamport of Inside Outside Style and as part of that program have gotten clear what I really need to add to my wardrobe first rather than shopping and picking up things I liked without a plan. I haven't advanced to the 12 month shopping plan that Mette over at The Yogastic Shopping Planner has perfected but I first need to get the right items in my small wardrobe and then I can plan when to replace them.

So my February wardrobe spending was on necessary, if not necessarily exciting, items.

- Navy socks to wear with my navy loafers and denim jeans. I am fairly short so an uninterrupted line helps lengthen my appearance and as much as I would like to wear orange shoes for example they don't really help my appearance. So matching socks it was at Kohls on sale.

- Two belts (navy and black) to match my jeans and slacks as well as upgrade from the old black belt I was using. LLBean was the source this time.

- This wasn't for Spring but I have been cold going to the gym just wearing yoga pants and found a pair of warmer gray knit narrow leg pants to wear for workouts and days lounging at home. On sale at Sears and spotted while shopping for something else. It so pays to have a list or needed items.

- My warmer weather clothes have started to wear out and I found two short sleeve tops online at Eddie Bauer in my "colors". I haven't worn them yet as it has been too cold but they fit and look great. They look even better on this model LOL.

 

That's it for February. Small steps towards having a small wardrobe that works for the life I live now.

 

Healthier eating as we age - what to choose?

We have been looking again at our diet as we try to balance nutrition and food sensitivities, gout and different metabolisms. Just talking to others about what they are doing to be as healthy as possible makes the head spin a bit. One couple is doing Paleo and have lost weight and seen cholesterol levels drop dramatically. Another person is on a macrobiotic diet while going through chemo. Then there is the wine, beer, butter, meat and lots of good vegetables couple.

Our diet had evolved to limited dairy items (Greek yogurt and some cheese), soy milk, chicken/fish/pork, lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Due to my husband's gout we have eliminated beer and have white wine only when out to eat. Still we can improve. Too much coffee and breads although they are whole grain. An increase in vegetable quantity wouldn't hurt. We are not going to go to extremes but I need to get back some excitement around planning and cooking meals. I do see why my Mom was plain sick of meal preparation late in life!

I'm back to trying to include more vegetarian dinners in the rotation. Tonight it is kale and roasted vegetable soup from the Simply Recipes blog with fruit salad and cornbread. Tomorrow we are back to meat with a turkey meatloaf with sweet potato and at least one other vegetable dish.

Are you doing anything specific with your diet to maximize your health as you age?

I'm inspired by these - weekend reading ideas

Don't know what to do this weekend? Read these and enjoy.

Purging paper and found treasure at Midlife Mom Musings - Sharon cleaned up the paper in her kitchen and office and found money besides! I should be so lucky. I am starting today on the "clear off my desk" goal on my list though. I am determined to resolve each item on the desk not just move it so this will take a while. Then the file cabinets.

The twenty ideas method at How to be Chic - This post took me back to 9th grade when we were given a creativity test (part of living in a university town; lots of experimental tests) that required us to come up with an many ideas as possible for a variety of things. For myself I am going to apply this to two questions: What things can I do that are likely to make me happy? What do I want to do before we move back to California in 2018?

In My Own Style's post on How to make outdoor glass globe lights - I just like this!

Recipe Girl's yummy looking raspberry mango dessert bruschetta - I just want to eat this!

The kitchen island made out of a dresser at My make do and mend year - An idea for our next house

Spiked mango lemonade - This is possibly going to be my birthday party cocktail.

Focus on improving your lifestyle

One of the things I have noticed recently is that for me an improved lifestyle includes fewer but highly enjoyed people, activities and things.

I began thinking about this while enjoying serving lunch on the patio to some friends on the new to us set of white dishes I brought home from my Mom's before we all went to see a play.

I thought about it when I broke my favorite coffee mug and realized I really don't enjoy using any of the others that we have. I could give those away and only have one that is just right and drinking my coffee in the morning would definitely be more enjoyable. Perhaps I out to buy 2 though the previous one lasted many years.

I thought about it when I was contemplating how to deal with the family photos from my Mom's and in storage boxes and on our computer. I have decided to make photo albums of a carefully curated selection of photos using Snapfish. I will make note cards or calendars using photos of my art. Then I will get rid of all the print and digitized photos except for the best ones to save as a backup. This is a huge project but I will be happy to have photo books to look at instead of unused photos stored away.

I thought about it when I cancelled my gym membership and pulled out old exercise equipment and dvds. I started walking the dog more and am going to create a home based exercise routine and take more walks with friends.

Instead of focusing on decluttering, frugality or happiness, I am going to focus on improving my lifestyle in this way.