What is formal attire for a wedding? (Men and women.) We always wear nice clothes to weddings, but I have never attended one that specified what type of attire one is supposed to wear. We can look nice but are not exactly "formal" people. Help a clueless former Hiver out please! P.S. I have Googled, but I got all sorts of answers.

I say go for it! Just don't worry about a time goal and walk if you need to. And you will be thrilled with your improvement between the half in 10 weeks and the one you do in September! Best wishes!

I think modeling responsible drinking behavior is a good idea. I have a very strict limit for myself of one drink if I'm going to drive. I know too many people hurt (a couple were killed) by drunk drivers, and it makes me furious when people drive drunk or even slightly impaired. I think asking your son to pick you up is modeling smart choices! Hope the party was awesome!

And to answer the original question, my middle child will be graduating with his engineering degree (and already has a job--woo hoo!) this March and I haven't really thought about whether or not we are getting him a gift. He will be our first to graduate from college. We helped put him through, so I'm leaning toward no gift, but probably a family celebration. (Oldest did some CC and went into the Air Force; youngest is still taking classes at the local CC.)

I would be torn with this decision too. I don't mind driving in bad weather, but when I'm exhausted like you describe every issue becomes magnified for me. I think I might go and leave earlier than I had originally planned so that I was doing less driving in the dark. I wish you the best whatever you decide. :)

I have a BA and I so, so agree with everything you said!

Well, I am a fit and active 50 year old, and cleaning kills my body. I run long distances (half marathons), hike long distances in the summer (can outhike some people half my age), and snowshoe for hours at a time. I also have been strength training for many years. Now these things do make me tired, but it's a good tired. And although my muscles might get sore, it's a good feeling. Cleaning, especially deep cleaning, hurts my back, my wrists, my elbows, and I just feel exhausted when I'm done. I think part if it is because the active things I do for fun fuel me mentally, and cleaning does NOT. It just always has to be redone and I really don't like to do it. But I do like things clean. I do also think age has a little to do with it, because I notice that I can't work as long cleaning or doing outside work as I used to. I have to take more breaks. It's also just not as satisfying to me anymore as it used to be, which is why I greatly want to downsize. Still workin' on the hubs on the downsizing. ðŸ˜

I'm horrible at giving gifts. I just really try to pay attention to what people talk about and then gift accordingly. It is hard, though, buying for people when they already have everything they need and lots of what they want.

Regentrude, I live where it gets cold in winter and run several days a week. The key for me is layers. I don't spend much on my running clothes; I buy most everything at Target, TJ Maxx, or the thrift store. I spend a pretty penny on my running shoes though. 😜 I'll link below to items that are similar to what I wear. I check the weather before I go out and wear the following: Temps above 35: A base top layer: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-long-sleeve-ventilated-tech-t-shirt-c9-champion-174/-/A-52405835#lnk=sametab&preselect=52248456&sneakTo=52405835 A top layer, which I usually end up tying around my waist once I get moving: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-cold-weather-run-1-2-zip-c9-champion-174-black/-/A-52491972#lnk=sametab&preselect=52379060 Running tights: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-cold-weather-color-blocked-run-tight-leggings-c9-champion-174-black-breezy-green/-/A-52492066#lnk=sametab&preselect=52410446 Hat: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-tech-stretchy-hat-c9-champion-174/-/A-52584075#lnk=sametab&preselect=52345074 Gloves: https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/nike-womens-solid-tailwind-running-gloves-16nikwsldtlwndglvcld/16nikwsldtlwndglvcld Ankle socks that are NOT cotton: https://www.target.com/p/fruit-of-the-loom-174-women-s-athletic-socks-3-pk-white-4-10/-/A-51090935#lnk=sametab If temps are 15-35, I will switch out my gloves for mittens and wear a warmer beanie: https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/the-north-face-unisex-tnf-standard-issue-beanie-16tnoutnfstndrdssaoa/16tnoutnfstndrdssaoa?recid=Product_PageElement_product_rr_1_4001_&rrec=true https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/outdoor-research-womens-flurry-mitts-16orewwmnsflrrymtaoa/16orewwmnsflrrymtaoa I will also possibly put on long wool socks; I like Smart Wool. https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/search/SearchDisplay?categoryId=&storeId=15108&catalogId=12301&langId=-1&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&showResultsPage=true&fromPage=Search&searchSource=Q&pageView=&beginIndex=0&DSGsearchType=Keyword&pageSize=48&searchTerm=womens+smart+wool+socks When it is 0-15 (yes I run then and yes my lungs are always fine, but she could wear a neck gator), I add a fleece jacket layer (I get these all at thrift stores), wear both the beanies I linked above, skip the above handwear and put on my ski mittens, and wear a pair of sweats over top of my running tights. I also know people who love these for layering over running tights: https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/nike-womens-therma-running-pants-17nikwthrmpntxxxxapb/17nikwthrmpntxxxxapb And for ice, these are the bomb. I feel like a superhero when I run on ice with these! (Not a direct link, because I couldn't find them on the Costco website, but I have purchased them in the store.) http://www.frugalhotspot.com/2017/01/snow-trax/ Running in the winter has revolutionized my cold weather mental state. I've been running in winter for about 7 years and it makes a HUGE difference! I wish her all the best! P.S. My internal thermostat registers on the warm side, so you might want to account for that when reading my suggestions. I see people running in winter coats and I would pass out if I did that. So, as usual, YMMV on these suggestions.

I feel ya. I've been there. I've got grandkids now, so I get to experience some of that excitement again. Now we get our kids practical things like tires for their car. I'm a pretty practical person, and I'm glad they are too, but sometimes I would like to get them something really "cool."

I'm a 50 yo Christian woman who dyes her hair. I'm also pretty active, but either do things by myself or with one or two good friends. Of all the other Christian women I know, some dye their hair and some don't. I haven't noticed whole groups of women doing so, but I have to admit that I'm not really paying much attention. As far as groups of women doing things, I know Christian and non-Christians who do this. I attributed it to the fact that some people like to do things in big groups and some people (me) don't.

Stopped FB. Should have done so a long time ago. Started Instagram. I get so many pics of beautiful scenery and dogs there. And I only follow people that I would actually care to talk to IRL.

This article pissed me off for so many reasons. (Sorry, I'm a wee bit grouchy today.) Maybe I'll come back and tell you all why when I get done playing dumb to my husband, who has less education than I do, but is the breadwinner of the family.

This. And I don't think you look old. Nor do I think people can look unreliable. They can only be unreliable. I'm betting that your prospective employer will be more concerned about how you interact with people and how well you do your job than if you're wearing makeup or not. Best wishes on your interview!

Another vote for Hoka. Here's my story: I am a runner who broke 3 bones in my leg in June 2016. Between waiting for surgery and post surgery I was not allowed to put weight on that leg at all for 3 months. Even though I didn't injure my foot, it was messed up due to the complete lack of use. After that 3 months I still didn't walk much, just rode a stationary bike every day. When I was given permission to start walking some distance, the bones on the bottom of my foot hurt. I had always worn a more minimalist shoe, which had always worked well for me, but it was no longer cutting it with my foot the way it was. So I switched to Hokas. Problem solved. To begin with I was walking at least a mile, still using a cane, and now I can run up to 2 hours with no problems with my foot. My foot still is not completely back to "normal," but the Hokas allow me to lead my active life without my foot hurting. I tried one of my previous pairs of running shoes this summer, and my foot really bothered me afterward. So now I'm a diehard Hoka fan. I have used them for trail running and long hikes (4+ hours) this summer and love them. I have the Clifton 3's. The Clifton is out in a 4, but I have not tried them yet.

I don't wear white pants, but if I did, I most likely would not wear them until after Labor Day because it's too hot before. I don't wear pants ever in the summer, except at night when camping as it gets pretty cold at night in the mountains. I also don't follow fashion rules. :)>

PM'd you. :)

You wrote a book? I would love to read it! Title please. ðŸ˜

My husband wants a bigger house (ours is already 3000 sf) when we retire and land with a herd of cattle. I might sound like a meany, but I've repeatedly said NO and NO.

I am so there with you! I just decluttered my entire house and we still have too much crap. My dh wants to get rid of nothing, ever. We can't downsize until we sell our business, which will probably be at least ten years, but I am ready NOW.

I have only seen such tanks at the gym with a sports bra underneath. And not even very many there. The men at the gym do like to sport these, though, sans bra. 😜

I think your reasons sound perfectly logical. I used to think buying was the way to go, if you could swing it financially. But I've changed my mind. If we move away from this area (I want to, hubs doesn't, but you never know how he might change his mind ðŸ˜), we will definitely rent first so that we have plenty of time to figure out what house we want and what location would best suit our needs. Buying a house is a commitment and I don't want to rush into it if I don't have to.

I liked your post, 'cause I agree with you. Health insurance drives me insane. Do you know how many times I had to do an accident report after I broke my leg and had surgery last summer? Four. Yes, four. I kept getting an explanation of benefits saying nothing was covered. When I called the insurance company to ask why, they told me I hadn't done an accident report. (Basically to see if they can get some other ins. co. to pay, which in this case they couldn't.) The last time I called, I told the person not to take it personally, but I was about to get nasty, because I pay a butt ton for insurance and have to keep calling to get them to do their job!!!! Aargh! I won't even go into some of the other issues we've had, 'cause then my blood pressure will go up. 😡

Thank you! So many options. So many needs. Regarding Red Cross: I am in no way trying to diss on the Red Cross, but here is a link to one of the resources that caused me to question them: http://www.npr.org/2016/06/16/482020436/senators-report-finds-fundamental-concerns-about-red-cross-finances We've donated through them many times. I just thought I'd look for something else this time. Thank you all again for your input. I didn't think about curriculum, but I do have some stuff laying around here that I still haven't bothered to sell. I'll check into donating that too.