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How to Make a Retirement Survival Kit!

3/22/2023

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What do you give someone who has worked hard most of their life and is now getting ready for retirement?  If you know anyone who’s in these shoes and has a good humorous side, this is a fun gift to give to them!

​This “Retirement Survival Kit” has everything your favorite retiree will need for a good laugh as they enter this new phase in their life!

Just print out the list below, add all the items on the list, and present them in a box or gift bag.
This is the perfect gift for the retiree’s party and will be the hit of the celebration. Everyone will be sure to enjoy it!
These items could also be used as party decorations and party favors. Just use your creativity for a fun, memorable celebration!


Items to include in the Survival Kit:
Balloon: to start the celebration with a BANG!
Gold Leaf: because you’re worth your weight in gold
Love Heart Candy: to remind you to follow your heart
Marker: retirement MARKS the beginning of a new journey!
Elastic Band: try to stay flexible during your retirement years
Candy Watch: to use your time wisely
Marble: to help replace the ones you lost at work
Tea Bag: retirement is just one long tea (or coffee) break!
Seeds: For all the seeds of knowledge you have sown
Starburst Candy: For a burst of energy when you need it!
Straw: to have a drink & let your hair down
Money: to help with your retirement fund
Candle: to keep your future bright
Toothpick: to pick out the best in every day
Confetti: to remember that life is a party, and the best is yet to come!
M & M’s (share size): share your M & M’s with your retiree friends
Image Source…

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What Am I Doing with My Life?

3/2/2023

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Tips For Figuring Things Out!

Do you often find yourself wondering what you are doing in life? Many people reach a point where they feel they lack direction in their lives. Instead of living life to the fullest, they simply go through the motions.

If this sounds like you, there are things you can do to help you get out of the rut you are currently in. Below, you'll discover some fabulous tips for figuring out what it is you want from life.













1. Consider Your Passions

If you want to know what direction to go in, it's helpful to think about the things you are passionate about. The things that motivate and inspire you will change on a frequent basis. For example, what you want today may look very different to what you wanted a few months ago.

As we change, we adapt over time according to our experiences. Figuring out the things you are passionate about will help you to understand where to go next and what you need to do to get there.

2. Address Your Fears

Even if you know what it is you want to do, you might be stuck because of fear. Known to be one of our most powerful emotions, fear can stop you from going after the things you truly want in life.

So, if you are going to move forward and figure out what it is you are doing in life, you are going to need to address your fears. Identify your fears! Figure out where they are coming from. Then, be willing to work through them so you can stop them from controlling your life.

3. Assess Your Current Goals

Do you have any goals you are working on right now? Chances are if you aren't sure what you are doing in your life, you won't have any goals to work towards.  This can contribute to the problem. You need to set goals for yourself to keep your mind motivated and positive. When you have things to work for, it gives you a purpose each day. As you see yourself progressing through your goals, it generates more motivation to get you to where you need to be. Make sure you set small, specific goals that are easy to achieve.

4. You Don't Need To Have It All Figured Out

Nobody has their life totally figured out. There will always be doubts and things you want to do better. You don't have to have it all figured out all of the time. In fact just going "with the flow" sometimes can present you with a lot of opportunities you would otherwise miss.

Feeling like you don't know what you are doing in life can be lonely and frustrating. However, the above suggestions are just some of the things you can do to figure out what it is you want!

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Strong muscles & brain health!

2/20/2023

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We’ve often thought about muscle as a thing that exists separately from intellect—and perhaps that is even oppositional to it, one taking resources from the other. The truth is, our brains and muscles are in constant conversation with each other, sending electrochemical signals back and forth. Thus, our lifelong brain health depends on keeping our muscles moving. 

Skeletal muscle is the type of muscle that allows you to move your body around; it is one of the biggest organs in the human body. It is also an endocrine tissue, which means it releases signaling molecules that travel to other parts of your body to tell them to do things. The protein molecules that transmit messages from the skeletal muscle to other tissues—including the brain—are called myokines. 

Myokines are released into the bloodstream when your muscles contract, create new cells, or perform other metabolic activities. When they arrive at the brain, they regulate physiological and metabolic responses there, too. As a result, myokines have the ability to affect cognition, mood, and emotional behavior. Exercise further stimulates what scientists call muscle-brain “cross talk,” and these myokine messengers help determine specific beneficial responses in the brain. These can include the formation of new neurons and increased synaptic plasticity, both of which boost learning and memory.

In these ways, strong muscles are essential to healthy brain function. 

In young muscle, a small amount of exercise triggers molecular processes that tell the muscle to grow. Muscle fibers sustain damage through strain and stress, and then repair themselves by fusing together and increasing in size and mass. Muscles get stronger by surviving each series of little breakdowns, allowing for regeneration, rejuvenation, regrowth. As we age, the signal sent by exercise becomes much weaker. Though it’s more difficult for older people to gain and maintain muscle mass, it’s still possible to do so, and that maintenance is critical to supporting the brain.

Even moderate exercise can increase metabolism in brain regions important for learning and memory in older adults. And the brain itself has been found to respond to exercise in strikingly physical ways. The hippocampus, a brain structure that plays a major role in learning and memory, shrinks in late adulthood; this can result in an increased risk for dementia. Exercise training can increase the size of the hippocampus, even late in life, protecting against age-related loss and improving spatial memory. 

Your mind is in fact an ongoing construction of your brain, your body, and the surrounding world. 
Further, there is substantial evidence that certain myokines have sex-differentiated neuroprotective properties. For example, the myokine irisin is influenced by estrogen levels, and postmenopausal women are more susceptible to neurological diseases, which suggests that irisin may also have an important role in protecting neurons against age-related decline.

Studies have shown that even in people with existing brain disease or damage, increased physical activity and motor skills are associated with better cognitive function. People with sarcopenia, or age-related muscle atrophy, are more likely to suffer cognitive decline. Mounting evidence shows that the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function leaves the brain more vulnerable to dysfunction and disease; as a counter to that, exercise improves memory, processing speed, and executive function, especially in older adults. (Exercise also boosts these cognitive abilities in children.)

There’s a robust molecular language being spoken between your muscles and your brain. Exercise helps keep us fluent in that language, even into old age. Source...





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A Cool Wooden Snack Stadium

1/6/2023

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When there’s a big game on TV, there’s sure to be lots of family, friends and food close by. People are always coming and going, cheering and yelling, munching and eating. Football season is full of excitement!

Would you like to know how to make an epic wooden snack stadium? This is, indeed, a clever way to manage the snacks for the football game and at the same time no one misses any of the plays!

Thanks to our friends at niftymom.com - you will find the instructions here: Snack Stadium

For more food items: 1) Eat & Drink     2) Recipes


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The Expectations vs. Realities of Winter

12/26/2022

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This is such a good depiction of the Expectations vs. Realities of Winter and what really happens in life. Don’t we all have great expectations of how things should be? And, then reality sets in but, hopefully, we can laugh and move on!

Can you identify with any of these?
​

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The Expectations vs. Realities of Winter
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Take the Baby Boomer Memory Test!

11/18/2022

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Take the Baby Boomer Memory Test to see how well you remember the Baby Boomer Generation!



Baby Boom Memory Test!


NOT a pushover test.



Get ready for 20 questions.  Write down your answers so you will not forget!

Answers at the end.

No peeking!  Good luck!



  1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
    A. Flintstones vitamins
    B. The Buttmaster
    C. Spaghetti
    D. Wonder Bread
    E. Orange Juice
    F. Milk
    G. Cod Liver Oil

  2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was…
    A. Sugar Ray Robinson.
    B. Roy Orbison.
    C. Gene Autry.
    D. Rudolph Valentino.
    E. Fabian.
    F. Mickey Mantle.
    G. Cassius Clay.
  3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, ‘We have met the enemy and…
    A. It’s you.
    B. He is us.
    C. It’s the Grinch.
    D. He wasn’t home.
    E. He’s really me and you.
    F. We quit.
    G. He surrendered.
  4. Good night, David.
    A. Good night, Chet.
    B. Sleep well.
    C. Good night, Irene.
    D. Good night, Gracie.
    E. See you later, alligator.
    F. Until tomorrow.
    G. Good night, Steve.
  5. You’ll wonder where the yellow went…
    A. When you use Tide.
    B. When you lose your crayons.
    C. When you clean your tub.
    D. If you paint the room blue.
    E. If you buy a soft water tank.
    F. When you use Lady Clairol.
    G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.
  6. Before he was the Skipper’s Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie’s friend…
    A. Stuart Whitman.
    B. Randolph Scott.
    C. Steve Reeves.
    D. Maynard G. Krebs.
    E. Corky B. Dork.
    F. Dave the Whale.
    G. Zippy Zoo.
  7. Liar, liar…
    A. You’re a liar.
    B. Your nose is growing.
    C. Pants on fire.
    D. Join the choir.
    E. Jump up higher.
    F. On the wire.
    G. I’m telling Mom.
  8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and….
    A. Wheaties.
    B. Lois Lane .
    C. TV ratings.
    D. World peace.
    E. Red tights.
    F. The American way.
    G. News headlines.
  9. Hey kids! What time is it?
    A. It’s time for Yogi Bear.
    B. It’s time to do your homework.
    C. It’s Howdy Doody Time.
    D. It’s time for Romper Room.
    E. It’s bedtime.
    F. The Mighty Mouse Hour..
    G. Scoopy Doo Time.
  10. Lions and tigers and bears…
    A. Yikes.
    B. Oh, no.
    C. Gee whiz.
    D. I’m scared.
    E. Oh my.
    F. Let’s run.
  11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone…
    A. Over 40.
    B. Wearing a uniform.
    C. Carrying a briefcase.
    D. Over 30.
    E. You don’t know.
    F. Who says, ‘Trust me’..
    G. Who eats tofu.
  12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women’s stockings…
    A. Troy Aikman
    B. Kenny Stabler
    C. Joe Namath
    D. Roger Staubach
    E. Joe Montana
    F. Steve Young
    G. John Elway
  13. Brylcream…
    A. Smear it on.
    B. You’ll smell great.
    C. Tame that cowlick.
    D. Grease ball heaven.
    E. It’s a dream.
    F. We’re your team.
    G. A little dab’ll do ya.
  14. I found my thrill…
    A. In Blueberry muffins.
    B. With my man, Bill.
    C. Down at the mill.
    D. With thyme and dill.
    E. Too late to enjoy.
    F. On Blueberry Hill.
  15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by…
    A. Clark Gable.
    B. Mary Martin.
    C. Doris Day.
    D. Errol Flynn.
    E. Sally Fields.
    F. Jim Carrey.
    G. Jay Leno.
  16. Name the Beatles…
    A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
    B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
    C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
    D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
    E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
    F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
    G. John, Paul, George, Ringo
  17. I wonder, wonder, who.
    A. Who ate the leftovers?
    B. Who did the laundry?
    C. Was it you?
    D. Who wrote the book of love?
    E. Who I am?
    F. Passed the test?
    G. Knocked on the door?
  18. I’m strong to the finish…
    A. Cause I eats my broccoli.
    B. Cause I eats me spinach.
    C. Cause I lift weights.
    D. Cause I’m the hero.
    E. And don’t you for get it.
    F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me.
    G. To outlast Bruto.
  19. When it’s least expected, you’re elected, you’re the star today.
    A. Smile, you’re on Candid Camera.
    B. Smile, you’re on Star Search.
    C. Smile, you won the lottery.
    D. Smile, we’re watching you.
    E. Smile, the world sees you.
    F. Smile, you’re a hit.
    G. Smile, you’re on TV.
  20. What do M & M’s do?
    A. Make your tummy happy.
    B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket.
    C. Make you fat.
    D. Melt your heart.
    E. Make you popular.
    F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
    G. Come in colors.
​
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No Peeking!


Below are the right answers to the Baby Boomer Test:

1. D – Wonder Bread
2. G – Cassius Clay
3. B – He Is us
4. A – Good night, Chet
5. G – When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D – Maynard G. Krebs
7. C – Pants on fire
8. F – The American Way
9. C – It’s Howdy Doody Time
10. E – Oh my
11. D – Over 30
12. C – Joe Namath
13. G – A little dab’ll do ya
14. F – On Blueberry Hill
15. B – Mary Martin
16. G – John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D – Who wrote the book of Love
18. B – Cause I eats me spinach
19. A – Smile, you’re on Candid Camera
20. F – Melt in your mouth not in your hand


Thanks for taking the Baby Boomer Memory Test!

Another Test: Memory Test
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Thanksgiving Poems Just for You!

11/15/2022

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Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and enjoy a little break from the busyness of Thanksgiving week. These Thanksgiving Poems are short and easy to read. The poems are appropriate for all ages.

They are also thought provoking. They were selected to encourage you to truly think about the meaning of Thanksgiving. Share them with friends and family.

Enjoy!
​

Thanksgiving Poems

Thanksgiving

The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway~
Thanksgiving comes again!
~Old Rhyme

~~~~~~~~

All in a Word
By Aileen Fisher

T for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.
A for autumn’s frosty art, and abundance in the heart.
N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.
K for kitchen, kettles’ croon, kith and kin expected soon.
S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that abounds.
That spells ~~~THANKS—for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.


~~~~~~~~

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At Grandma’s House

I like the taste of turkey
Any time throughout the year
But it never
seems to taste as good
As when Thanksgiving’s here.
Could be it’s all the trimmings
That are cooked with it to eat-
But I think it’s
eating at Grandma’s house
That makes it such a treat!
~Author Unknown

~~~~~~~~

Song of the Pilgrims
By Nancy Sue Krenrich

Across the rolling, wind-swept sea
For months we’ve sailed along,
I see a land that’s new to me
Against the blue horizon.
Oh, beautiful land of freedom born,
I’ve come across the sea
To reap your fruits and build my home,
And make my people free.

~~~~~~~~
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Jigsaw Puzzles Keep Your Over 50 Brain Young and Engaged!

11/12/2022

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Did you know? Jigsaw puzzles help you exercise both the right and left side of the brain. Working a jigsaw puzzle helps keep your brain young!

Your left brain thinks logically and follows sequence while the right brain is creative, intuitive and emotional. When working a jigsaw puzzle, you harness both sides of the brain.

Jigsaw puzzles engage the brain to retain information on shapes and colors in order to choose pieces that will fit together properly.This hunt for pieces requires your brain to memorize what each piece looks like or should look like and what kinds of pieces you are searching for in order to complete the picture. Doing this repeatedly reinforces short-term memory.

This engaging activity:
  1. Works to exercise the brain cells and thereby activates them and increases their efficiency and capacity.
  2. Makes you alert, increases concentration, and expands creativity.
  3. Helps you practice visualization because you are constantly looking at the images.
  4. Affects your physical health by lowering your breath rate and reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
  5. Builds up a base of useful individual skills.
  6. Transfers individual skills to other situations where they can be applied to solve new problems.

Here are two jigsaw puzzles for you to work and enjoy!

Click link beside each photo…

Picture of Snow
99

​
Cedar Mtn, in Craig, Colorado

(Courtesy of Nadja Rider)
​​


Picture of Girl and boy


Children Fountain

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Interesting facts about jigsaw puzzles!
​

They were first created by an English mapmaker by the name of John Spilsbury in the late 1760’s. He made a puzzle by gluing a map of the world on a piece of wood and cut out the countries. Children would put the pieces together to learn to identify individual countries and their relation to one another. This was much like our puzzles of the United States that we all worked on when we were growing up.

Thus, jigsaw puzzles were originally invented for education instead of entertainment. Jigsaw puzzles are now loved by people of all ages. Jigsaw puzzles became a form of daily amusement and activity for adults in the early 1900’s. However, they were quite expensive ($5 for a 500-piece puzzle in 1908). By the time of the Great Depression in the early 1930’s, they became more reasonable in price. In fact, 10 million puzzles were sold per week during this time in history. This was an escape from the troubles of the Depression years. Source...
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Autumn Leaves Changing Colors!

10/1/2022

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Autumn Leaves Changing Colors

As summer ends and autumn comes
Days get shorter, misty and cold
And in this spectacular season
Nature’s beauty graciously unfold
​
Trees get ready to slow down
And in autumn take some rest
And show amazing colors of love
That are all at their best


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Green fades away quickly
And yellow and orange appear
To show off their vibrant hues
And warmup their surrounding dear

Sunlight and cool nights of autumn
Help leaves to turn orangish red
And combine all things smoothly
To add magic in season’s lovely bed

And all this shedding and replacement
Of leaves continue throughout the year
And trees only shed leaves in autumn
To prepare for another winter dear

This is God’s spectacular display
Of beautiful colors of the fall
During which many changes occur
Including yellow, orange and red of all.

***Inspired by the changing colors of Autumn in Canada.

Enjoy Autumn with these Pumpkin Dessert Recipes - Click Here
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grants & Resources for Senior Citizens

8/15/2022

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We are sharing information from a website for seniors and retirees that they can go to when they need help.

The "help subjects" include the following:

  • Financial Help
  • Health Care
  • Help with Rent
  • Housing Assistance
  • Food
  • Clothing Assistance
  • Transportation Assistance
  • Daily Life and so on

There are resources listed from all 50 states! If you live in Colorado but have parents, friends or other relatives in other states, this is a great resource.

Articles on their blog include:
Best Workouts for Seniors
Best Gift Ideas for Senior Women Over 50
Best Gift Ideas for Senior Men Over 50
 Best Online Meal Services for Seniors
Seniors in Education
Grants for Grandparents


                         You will find all the above info & more here: https://grantsforseniors.org/

                                                                        A Helping Hand!
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