Valentine’s Day from the city of love…

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Since I have taken a break from dating and don’t have a special romantic valentine this year, I focused my celebration of Valentine’s Day instead on my family…specifically, my three grandchildren (ages 5, 3, and 1).

First, I purchased age appropriate Valentine’s Day cards and stickers for my grandchildren.  They love getting mail.  I mailed the cards through the Loveland, CO Chamber of Commerce Valentine Re-Mailing Program.  The program volunteers stamp this cachet on the envelope before mailing it out: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day
travelinginheels.com

Next, I purchased 10″ chipboard hearts, 2″ chipboard letters and two cans of spray paint from Hobby Lobby.  I wanted to mimic the hearts which hang from the light poles lining the streets of Loveland each year. I painted the hearts and attached them to a tree in my front yard.  I had fun picking out the cards, stickers, and making the Valentine hearts.  No regrets about not having a special valentine this year.  I have three!

Valentine's Day
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My grandkids made me construction paper Valentine’s Day cards. They are precious!

Valentine's Day
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You don’t have to have a romantic valentine to celebrate this great day of love. I think this year’s Valentine’s Day has been one of my all time favorites because I can feel the love.

Please share your special time with your significant others this Valentine’s Day in the comment section below.  I’d love to hear from you.

Valentine gifts–practical or romantic?

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We’ve all heard of giving a loved one roses, a box of chocolates, perfume or cologne, jewelry, or even a stuffed animal for Valentine’s Day. But have you ever heard of giving a loved one a purely practical gift for Valentine’s Day?

I had been divorced for over four years when I started dating again in my 40’s.  It was not something I looked forward to but my daughter and friends were persuasive.  I signed up for eHarmony and answered all of their probing questions while enjoying a glass of wine to make the process less of a chore.  I was hopeful.

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Add resistance exercise to your routine twice a week

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Health benefits of resistance exerciseresistance exercise

By Dr. Wayne L. Westcott

Proper exercise not only helps weight management, but also with blood sugar, mental health and more.

“You are probably aware that approximately 70 percent of American adults are overweight or obese. However, you may not know that almost 70 percent of our adult population are presently attempting to lose weight through dieting. It would therefore appear that dieting alone is not an effective weight loss strategy, and research clearly supports this observation by concluding that dieters who maintain weight loss are rare exceptions.

Weight Management

The problem with dieting is that it results in both fat loss, which is desirable, and muscle loss, which is undesirable. Muscles are the engines of the body, so muscle loss is always accompanied by metabolic rate reduction, which invariably leads to fat regain. So what is the solution? Strength training. Dieters who do 20 minutes of resistance exercise (weights, pushups, pull-ups, etc.) twice a week concurrently lose fat and gain muscle. Our weight loss studies have demonstrated that dieters who perform basic resistance exercises lose about 8 pounds of fat and add about 2 pounds of muscle over a 10-week training period. Therefore, people who want to attain and maintain a desirable body weight should follow a sensible diet plan and perform regular strength training.”

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A widow’s valentine

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widow's valentine
pinterest.com

Forever and ever, amen

by Valerie McCullough, Loveland Reporter-Herald

January 31, 2017

“He braked for cats.

In 1955, when I rode in his black, Fairlane Ford on wet, dark, hilly Berkeley streets, Bill swerved and lurched the car when yellow/green cat eyes darted across city streets.

And this was before seat belts.

Every Sunday evening, he gave a ride across town to a black musician.  These were years when such things were not done–when minds and municipalities were still segregated.

After our wedding, Bill worked so I could finish college.

Who could not love a man with such a generous soul?

This generosity remained with him until death.

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Falls affect all of us

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My 83-year-old Mom who lives in Iowa fell at her home last winter.  A neighbor found her unconscious, lying on her living room floor a day or two later.  She was transported to a hospital and later to a rehabilitation center.  She doesn’t remember what happened or being in the hospital.  After a couple of weeks, she was back in her home living independently but walking with a cane.

In December, she fell twice.  Once at the hospital while visiting a dying friend.  Luckily, two orderlies helped her to her feet.  A day or so later she fell again at her home but luckily she was able to get herself upright after several attempts.  I spoke with her about the importance of setting up a system to notify someone if she has fallen and is unable to get back up.  This system would be imperative if she wants to continue living independently in her home.

A dear friend of mine notified me recently about her Dad’s (80+) recent fall.  He was hospitalized and diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.  He has also developed pneumonia.  Needless-to say, the family is extremely distraught.  In her last text to me she said, “It’s been a roller coaster ride of emotions over the past two weeks….”

“Falls affect us all—whether personally or someone we love or care about. Every second of every day an older adult falls. In 2014 alone, more than one in four older adults reported falling and more than 27,000 older adults died as a result of falls—that’s 74 older adults every day.

There are simple steps you can take to prevent falls and decrease falls risks. CDC has developed the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) initiative which includes educational materials and tools to improve fall prevention.

If I were to fall and break a bone, I wouldn’t be able to play with my grandkids. So I take a vitamin D pill each day to keep me strong. Lisa, 74

What You Can Do to Prevent Falls

Falls can be prevented. These are some simple things you can do to keep yourself (or a loved one) from falling.

falls

Talk to Your Doctor

  • Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines.
  • Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about taking vitamin D supplements.
falls

Do Strength and Balance Exercises

Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.

falls

Have Your Eyes Checked

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.

If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

falls

Make Your Home Safer

  • Get rid of things you could trip over.
  • Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
  • Put railings on both sides of stairs.
  • Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.”

For more information and resources about older adult falls

Need investment advice for 2017?

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investment advice
cnbc.com

Economic concerns occur when a new President of the United States is elected. No one really knows for sure what is going to happen in the future, but if you are looking for some investment advice, then the following article may help you make decisions on your retirement investments this year.

Investment moves based on likely events this year

by Elliot Raphaelson, The Savings Game, Chicago Tribune

January 24, 2017

“Many readers have written asking for advice about how to invest for consistent income in 2017 with minimal risk. As I have emphasized many times, it’s impossible to reap high returns on your investments, whether it’s in the form of income or equity appreciation, without assuming some risk.

That being said, it is possible to predict likely occurrences in 2017 and make investments taking these into account.

What is likely?

It is likely that the Federal Reserve will increase short-term interest rates a few times in 2017. Most experts following the Fed agree. If that is the case, then bond markets will be volatile, and some long-term investments such as long-term Treasury bonds will likely decrease in value, even if only in the short term.

Find peace, strength, guidance and forgiveness in prayer

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“Our Foolishness, His Faithfulness”prayer

An Excerpt from #84-22
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on January 29, 2017
By Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Copyright 2017 Lutheran Hour Ministries

“…When you look back at your life, are you haunted by wrong and shameful things you have done or said or thought? Have you committed acts which you struggle to keep hidden from everyone else; acts which twist your stomach into knots, which bring a blush to your cheeks and rob you of sleep? Now let me ask, ‘What has the world done to bring you lasting and permanent peace?’ If you are like most, you will have to admit the world has no medication, no program, no philosophical plan which can remove those sins and soothe your conscience. Let me continue. When you think of your own mortality and the moment you will breathe your last, do you ever wonder what will happen next? Are you absolutely convinced that death is the end of everything or do you, every so often, get a fleeting feeling that there is something more and you aren’t prepared for what’s going to happen? Have you ever longed to have something, someone in whom you can place your trust… someone who is absolutely reliable and will always be there for you?

If so, I encourage you, abandon any attitude which has labeled the cross as being foolish. The crucified and risen Christ came to erase those sins which trouble your days and upset your nights. He has come to give you a peace which the world cannot give. Look to the cross and empty grave of Jesus and know that, right now, a living Lord extends His nail-pierced hands to you in welcome. Jesus says, ‘Come to me and I will listen, I will carry your concerns; I will hear your prayers; I will comfort your soul and my love for you will never end.‘”