Sunday Reflections
Happy last Sunday of 2024! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Reflections.
In Sunday Reflections today, I do have much swirling around in my mind.
Perhaps that is the case for everyone at the end of a year and about to begin a new one.
I will have more to say about the new year on Wednesday when I introduce to you my new word of the year.
Today, I am focusing on “fresh starts and new chapters” since that is what my life has been all about in 2024.
Several of you who follow this blog have confessed that big changes lie ahead in 2025.
Please get your warm winter beverage a cozy spot and blanket and join me today for my Sunday Reflections.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: FRESH STARTS & NEW CHAPTERS
Change over 50, 60, and 70 can be really difficult and few of us in the second half of life face changes without even a small tug of apprehension.
Allow me to encourage you that through the sadness of goodbye lies the excitement of hello.
I have met so many lovely women in my new home of Abilene.
They are kind, joyful, fun, and smart…many are business owners and managers.
And Team OverDressed has shown up in many places with style!
From the pews at church, to the neighbors, to the businesses, they have always left me with a smile on my face and feeling of acceptance.
Moving here has blessed me beyond words in many ways.
I have said it before and I say it again…in order to become a part of your new chapter, you must be involved….write yourself into the narrative.
Find ways to get out and meet people and seek new opportunities.
Staying inside and lamenting changes will steal your blessings away.
And you do not need to move away for this to happen…YOU can begin a new chapter right where you are…it is up to you.
Abilene has blessed me and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead in 2025.
But, I got out of the house and have been bold to introduce myself where ever I go.
Of course, I miss my San Antonio family…but in a new chapter, I also must provide opportunities for all of us to gather.
Only a tiny remnant of my friends have all immediate family members in one location…so it is an adjustment for me…but I can do it as they have.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: CHRISTMAS 2024
At my house on Christmas Eve, I was in tears over missing the rest of the family and our annual Christmas celebrations of the past.
Later that day, when we went to our daughter’s house with my grandsons, I was laughing and completely enjoying myself in a new chapter.
Christmas Eve and Day were exhausting, but in a good way…so much fun.
And this is my favorite holiday photo from San Antonio.
My two football player sons holding their new babies!
They are incredible fathers.
We are so blessed to now have eight grandchildren and these precious ones are the best gifts we were given.
Another new chapter!
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: MAKING NEW CHAPTERS HAPPEN
Often times, we must make the new chapters happen and be open to what lies ahead.
I confess that my foot surgery in Fall 2023 set me back with my health journey.
With the move, I chose not to pay attention to it.
Now, as all of us need to, I must pay attention and be open to something new.
I have new foot challenges…simply a fact. The foot feels like there is a big steel plate inside; I now only have four toes; and one toe I cannot make move. All on the left foot.
Lovers of Pilates…I hope you will understand…but this will not be part of my new chapter for 2025.
I went to a beginning intro class and the teacher held me after class…never has been a good feeling!
She explained that because I cannot grip with the toes on the left that I am Pilates-Challenged and would disrupt classes.
They wanted me to pay a lot to work with an individual trainer to achieve modifications, but after reflection, I decided I needed a new path entirely.
What works for some does not always work for all.
For now, I am back to strength training at home with my weights and using videos for cardio.
As I said, though, I do have a plan in the works. I am researching something else, but not ready to share what it is yet.
Mr. B is helping me with the research.
I promise to report back soon…even if it also does not work out.
However, I am more excited about this other alternative.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: DECORATION DELAY
It thrills me to report that I achieved my goal this year and created a new cozy home.
It is so cozy that Mr. B and I love the feeling and do not want to take down the decorations just yet.
Surprise! He was the one that initiated this decision.
They may be up a little longer this year than they usually are.
But, whenever, you take down the season, remember….
Do not pack your joy away…keep it up all year long…
Even in a scary new chapter of life.
I am feeling the joy more these days than ever before!
Thank you for joining me for Sunday Reflections…let us know what new chapters you will face this next year (that you know of)….and hopefully I will see you tomorrow…until then…
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
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You have had a year between your foot surgeries and then your move. I was complaining to my doctor friend how frustrating it is to continue to have foot pain after my surgery and he said in his experience that it generally takes as long to get over a surgery as you had the pain prior to surgery. Not encouraging but I’m finding that to be true, and figure I have no choice but live with it. Getting older with our increased aches and pains is just part of life, but like you with your weights and videos, we do what we can to keep moving. I’m determined to not become bed-ridden as my grandmothers were which is why I try to walk daily and go to yoga twice a week. You might try yoga, or even chair yoga since your Pilates classes did not work out. They definitely keep you more flexible. My instructor incorporates weights, bands, balls with our yoga sessions which I feel help my aging body. If I’m ever on the floor, I can only get up using the “ down dog” pose from yoga. Sorry to sound “preachy” today…just sharing my experiences with an aging body of 78. Love the new babies picture with their daddies! Know you hate not being with them all the time, but your babies in Abilene are loving having you and Mr. B so close I’m sure. Rambling again so I’ll close. Looking forward to a blessed New Year!
You are not rambling at all…thank you for sharing your experiences. I believe we are all here to help one another in this space. Bless you, Celia.
Pam, I typed a message and the screen went dark. Not sure if you received it. I’ll do it again if you didn’t. 😄
I did not receive it…please try again. thank you
sorry you are having post surgery foot issues. I’m over a year out after my foot surgery, and recovery has been frustrating. the “plate” in my toe healed too far down, so I am walking on a hard rock (it feels like) in my big toe. The surgeon and the second opinion both said it should be re-done. I’m avoiding that idea! Foot surgery is no picnic! I hope you have some good answers for it feeling better. Thanks for being real!
Nancy…I know what you are feeling! It is so important that we keep moving and working through this. We can do it. I will report back what I learn.
When my Achilles tendon was terribly damaged, I had pretty epic surgery, only to have to have it re done, as it didn’t go far enough. It was such a difficult decision, because three months on a scooter and a very long recovery were things I thought I couldn’t face again nine months later. I’m so glad I had it redone, as now it’s finally fixed (Nancy, for me it was worth it totally). My left side is finally strong and balanced thanks to time, walking and yoga, but I have limited movement in my big toe because they had to take one of my two toe tendons and use it to support the Achilles. I think Pilates would be out for me too, for a number of reasons. I’m going to be working with resistance bands this year for strength, as a family member who is a physical therapist is a strong advocate of their use. I’m the rare person who enjoys and looks forward to change (I know most people struggle with it), and think you are handling the move with confidence and an open mind, both of which are critical to navigating changes. That doesn’t mean you don’t miss your loved ones … of course you do! I agree, most of us are dealing with scattered family members, and it’s a fact of modern life we just have to be flexible in navigating. I’m struggling with my word for this year, but I think I have it now. Looking forward to yours.
Thanks so much for sharing, Linda. I know it is helpful to hear from others. The Achilles journey sounds brutal but you persevered through it.
It’s good that the Pilates teacher had the integrity to tell you that you weren’t going to work out in her class.
I hope that came with a refund of your class fee.
There are plenty of other fitness activities out there.
It was a free introduction…which I really appreciate and the honesty of the teacher was good.
It looks like you had a lovely Christmas! What beauties your new grand babies are! It’s comforting to me to know you’re settling in and seem very happy with your new life change. I’m sure you’ll always miss whichever of your kids isn’t nearby. Any change is tough, but you’re handling it with such positivity! We will be moving at some point away from family and where we’ve always lived. I feel like I’m in limbo waiting for the right place since my youngest daughter is part of the plan and her commute needs to be taken into consideration. We’re hoping for a mother/daughter or 2 family home, which has been much more challenging than we expected. Your comment about not having to move to start a new chapter really hit a chord with me. I’ve been waiting and waiting to see what comes next and have been putting everything on hold. Why fix up this house if we’re going to be leaving? Why try to find new friends and activities only to move on? I have let this attitude really limit me and realize that I can start new wherever I am. Thanks for the inspiration to be happy in the moment right where I am !
I hope you have a happy, healthy New Year! I want to thank you for your encouragement and joyful outlook. It’s a gift and you share it with us, for which I am grateful!
Linda Ann
Thank you, Linda Ann. When I realized I was moving, I made it a point to get with friends that I had not seen in awhile in the city I was leaving. Sometimes when we are in a place for a long time, we keep thinking…I will get with them soon and soon never comes. So I made it a point to be with those people when they were available and to visit the places I loved about San Antonio. I went by the stores I had worked with to tell them good bye. Start focusing on the joys of where you are right now…then when you do know where you are heading you will be more at peace that you enjoyed your current home one more time. Focus on the people…not necessarily the house.
I did individual pilates sessions with a terrific instructor for many years when I was in my sixties and working full time. Moving cross country and retired now; my community offers classes but they are all group sessions and while good for some I have found they are very hard on my feet. Pointing my toes forcing my plantar fasciitis into action is just not worth it. I also play golf and walk quite a bit; pilates would often waylay all my other activities so I finally gave it up. At 73 I mix up my exercise with water aerobics, chair yoga, light weights, golf and lots of walking.
What a terrific picture of your boys with their babies! I was blessed to have both of my sons home this Christmas, along with my father and husband, but dearly missed my mother. As we round the corner to our one year mark without her, this new year brings the continued challenge of caring for my dad. We put all our bigger plans on hold last year, knowing he needed our daily emotional support. This new year I want to travel again with my husband, while he still can. Finding carers I can trust will be a priority for me.
I also suffer from difficult foot issues and two immovable toes, so I sympathize with your problem. Water aerobics class and simple water lap walking works really well for me, and is a lot of fun.
Thanks for sharing, Linda! We all must find what works best for us!
Thanks for sharing about your family, Connie, and your toes! I hope many blessings lie ahead for you and your father.
What a wonderful photo of your two handsome sons cradling their newborn babies. It brought such joy for me to see them. Reminded me of my dad, also a football player, who loved to hold babies and the babies loved to be held by him. Its good that the Pilates instructor recognized why it would not work for you. I’m excited to hear that Mr. B has found. I’ve just read through the comments and so many are going through big changes in the coming year. I hope that all will be able to, like you, embrace the positive aspects of the change. You’ve given us all a great example of getting out and exploring new places, meeting new people, and meeting new challenges. The bible study I’ve done for the past year ends tomorrow and I have prayed for direction for what to explore next. Two days ago a new program found me and I’m looking forward to it. I don’t anticipate a big change in my life but no one ever know what life has in store. I’ve found my word for 2025 and look forward to hearing yours.
I hope everyone will share their words on Wednesday as I post mine…I cannot wait to see what is on your hearts for the year. Thanks Kathie…my sons are gentle warriors.
Having recently reached that eightieth birthday, I am more relaxed about every single day. My husband, Brent is 83 and doesn’t feel any different so what is the big deal? He is right, it is just another day. We chose to move to Colorado in 1995 for the lifestyle of skiing, hiking, bicycling and the beauty of the mountains. Our children, three of his and four of mine all live in different states. Brent’s oldest finally moved his family out to the Boulder area and is the only one close, well three hours drive away. As three of my sons chose the military as careers, I was used to them being far away. Pictures of the grandchildren as they all grew up and moved away again has been part of my life. They text! What would we do without our smartphones today!?
Stretching and walking are my main exercises. But I find many household tasks use our muscles like hauling laundry bins, cleaning and even water jugs are heavy. As women, we are active and busy all day long. Even as a disabled woman, I find I can do a lot. Chronic pain and crippling arthritis can slow me down but doesn’t stop me from my daily dog walks with my husband and Trixy. She keeps me smiling all day long.
Today Brent is bringing down the outdoor wreaths as we are expecting cold and 60 mile an hour wind gusts tomorrow. Maybe it will be a good day to check out little dog coats at the Tracker Supply Store where pets are welcome. We also need to check out stuff less dog toys as her new ones already have the legs chewed off!
If you haven’t already, start a text family thread chain with all of your family. My son Dave start a Dad Family Chat and boy have we gotten tons of pictures of all the holiday celebrations. It keeps us all together when we are very far away. It will be a joy to watch those new babies grow up. And they do so fast. I’m working on my word too. Gratitude is high on my list. Well I need to get to work on the decorations now. Happy New Year everyone.
I am still avoiding the need to change decorations..you can inspire us all in many ways, Sydney. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never posted here before but after reading your pilates challenge, I would like to suggest you look at the Total Gym. It is an at-home piece of equipment. You do squats, cable pulley stuff for upper body, abdominal crunches and several other kinds of exercises. I have had mine for almost 4 years, I’m 68 and I love it for strength training. It is not cardio, I walk for that. There are numerous You tube videos for us seniors. If you are interested, check it out.
Thanks Mary K…Happy to have you join in and hope you will again soon! Your ideas are appreciated.
The picture of those proud daddies holding their precious babies brought me joy! You are not alone in leaving your Christmas decorations up a little longer this year. I have heard the same comment from several people I know. I am planning to take my tree down on New Year’s Eve, but the rest will come down a bit at a time. The “Joy” pillows & soft throw on the sofa might stay until spring, & my joy candle holder with its flickering LED candle may stay longer than that.
One of my goals for the New Year is to move more. That too will be done in small increments, & I have toying with the idea of looking for a chair yoga class in my area.
Looking forward to reading your word for 2025. I have settled on mine & will share it then.
Wishing everyone hope, peace, joy & love for the New Year
What precious photos of some of the most important men in your life! I also love the one with the grandson in the Santa hat. I have fewer photos of my grandson because it’s hard to get him to sit still long enough to snap a picture. I’m thankful that your DILs have each other close by for support as they raise those newest babies together. Hoping 2025 brings you many opportunities to visit with them. As someone who was dismissed from an aerobics class because my foot issues made it difficult to keep up, I was sad to read about your Pilates experience. I am four-plus years post surgery on my left foot and it feels worse every day. I’m developing a hammer toe and bunion on my right foot now, but do not plan to have surgery, as the last ones were such abysmal failures. My foot is both painful and numb at the same time. I frequently wake in the night with stabbing pains where the incisions were, and the numbness causes me to fall frequently. I can’t walk without a shoe on at all, and some days cannot bear weight on that foot. In spite of those unfortunate circumstances, I am determined to find a way to work out once I get moved into my new, very walkable neighborhood. I have already met two walking buddies, one of whom is recovering from a stroke so she will be okay with walking as slowly as I need to. I am also planning to buy a bicycle or adult tricycle (bike with two back wheels and a basket) to ride around the new neighborhood. I’m going to be on the edge of a historic district, just two blocks from many fabulous homes, and can get a good look at them while walking or biking the neighborhood. I am looking forward to finding new friends and seeing more of my friends who already live nearby, and I will be only two miles from my church, so I can spend more time volunteering. Although moving and downsizing at my age is daunting with little to no help other than hired movers, I am trying to stay positive and focus on all the good things this move will bring to my life. Not only am I finally going to live in the older home I’ve dreamed of since childhood, I will be close enough to pick up my grandkids after school, and moving will cut the drive to their house in half. I’ll be less than two miles to my favorite restaurants and shopping, and a mile from my best friend’s house. Sometimes I just wish I could fast-forward through the next few months and wake up in my fully intact new home one day. I haven’t chosen my word for 2025 yet, and look forward to seeing what you and your other readers have chosen. I have houseguests arriving from New Zealand on New Year’s day and will be taking them all over the state on a grand tour of Texas, so I may be scarce here for the next three weeks, but I’ll pop in when I can. Wishing you and all your readers a healthy, safe and happy new year!
Thank you, Becky…wishing you the same.
You new neighborhood sounds fabulous…how much excitement lie for you ahead.
Enjoy that grande tour of Texas and here’s hoping you have beautiful weather for it.
Good afternoon. Glad you are reworking your exercise plans, the best is yet to come. So interesting you are planning to keep your cozy decorations in place a little longer, we are considering that too
Blessings for the New Year
I enjoyed reading your post, and I wish you an early Happy New Year.
This has been a challenging year for me. Over the years I have had several surgeries on my right foot. This summer I fell and badly injured my left foot. I’m still recovering from surgery and I have another one to go. My son has a lot of mental issues and health issues. It has been somewhat overwhelming, and I hate to admit that I have been whiney at times.
I try to focus on the positive when things happen. I feel very blessed to live in an area with good doctors both for me and my son. My husband and I have good health. We have one grandchild and he is a delight. Most importantly is that the Lord is with me through good times and bumpy times. I have my word for the year, and actually it will probably be a word that I will strive to live by as I grow older.
I look forward to hearing about your fitness plan for 2025.
It is so hard for us to take them down…it just feels so warm and cozy inside. Enjoy yours as well, Audrey!
Kathy, I am so sorry you are dealing with so much at the same time. I know from experience that the foot issues are no fun. The best advice I can offer to you is to take life one day at a time…look for the blessings each day and pray over the stuggles…God is there and will see you through. Don’t worry about the long run..just take it one day at a time. I look forward to hearing your word for the year.
Pam, those babies!!! Think of them and you’ll never have a bad day. We keep our decs up till at least Jan 6, Ephiphany. The pre Christmas time is hustle bustle and we are in and out a lot. But after Christmas, we can sit by the tree and read, reflect, enjoy the lights…..and, of course, play with our Christmas presents. Pilates is not for everyone, and your cardio and weight training will be good for you. I like Essentrics, also called Classical Stretch or Solefit. It is stretching and exercises that build strength and flexibility. Have a wonderful week.
Pam, I love your blog. I look forward to it daily. This has been an awful year and it looks
Iike january is going to continue. I was sick over Christmas, so missed seeing my 5 beautiful grandkids. My son and his wife are divorcing. I have to have surgery on my mother’s birthday, she passed away last January. I need some good luck. I am glad to hear you are enjoying Abilene. I live close to weatherford. I wanted to tell you that the exercise program my husband and I enjoy is called “grow young fitness”. The instructor is excellent.
Thanks, Marcia! I am enjoying the trees and lights right now!
Becky, I am so sorry you have been through so much. I am going to add you to my prayer list. Have hope.
Pamela, I rarely comment to the blogs I read, but I felt a need to comment. First of all I have been following you for quite some time. I look forward to reading your blog each day because you give me joy and most importantly hope. Like so many others I have been going through troubled times. I’m 68 and retirement hasn’t gone as planned. Moving from Houston to a small East Texas town, taking care of my mom with dementia who has passed, my MIL now has dementia, selling and cleaning out three homes in the past 3 years to move to East Texas. I’m exhausted. However, reading your blogs gives me hope. My faith in God is what has kept me going because I know he has a plan for me. Reading your blog everyday gives me joy, hope, and knowing there’s others out there with problems just like me or worse, but never give up faith and find joy and hope in each day. You most likely don’t realize how many lives you have impacted with your blog. You’re truly a blessing! You have met God’s calling in life. Thank you!
Oh Gina, I bet you are exhausted…you have faced so much. And in the midst you took time to write this sweet, encouraging message to me. Thank you so much…you blessed me. I am glad you are here and praying that the next year will be full of new blessings for you.