Keep It Fresh!!

No! Don’t you dare let the beauty and fresh start inspiration of Spring turn in to the “Dog Days” of Summer, Y’All!       The Uphill Skater

Keeping it fresh is a huge challenge. I don’t just mean those of us who like to lay out in the sun and drink wine or have chips and a soda for lunch either. I mean ME! I have been writing this column for quite a while and I always try to bring something new to the table. No pun intended ladies, because I don’t mean just food either. In fact I subscribe to five different magazines just to keep current and to try to keep you current as well. Getting in a rut is all too simple because the “rut” things we do are feel good stuff. Of course, right, right? Otherwise why would we keep doing them?

This month I have several anti-RUT suggestions that are cheap and easy-by the way, those are my favorite two adjectives for things in life. Oh, is that a rut-I think yes. Sigh. That is my first suggestion, by the way-stick to get out of the rut things that suit your lifestyle. Don’t go too far out of the box, or you will never stay there. Cheap and easy suggestion number one is to do more of what you are doing, but change it up a bit. I volunteer at t thrift shop and I have been doing the ladies clothing department. I recently asked to do books for a while and be trained on the cash register. Who knew-I like this way better and plan to stick to it. Cost- 0000! Satisfaction and new fun-$$$$$!

Also cheap and easy is to try a new food. I am into healthy stuff for the most part and I have done roasted veggies for a long time. Recently I added turnips and Brussel sprouts to the sheet pan and it is a huge improvement. There are tons of new kinds of tea to try and I got a big box from my daughter from Mother’s Day and it has been fun. She also included honey stix which are just great. Kale and broccolini are pretty new to me if perhaps not to you but I love both of them. Finally, remember now that the summer season is here to keep it fresh at your local Farmer’s Market.

Where I live there are many excellent Farmer’s Markets and I have been going for quite a few years, but this year my something new out of the rut has been pick your own. Just now it is pick your own strawberries, but I also this year I have picked my own daffodils and that has been fun. I am soon going to take my grandson out to pick our own blueberries and then we will pick grapes and apples. We have also been on jaunts to a local farm to see baby goats and calves. How lovely this has been.

Let’s now spend a little money. I know I said cheap and easy, so if you have not done so already, why not try a thrift shop. Even if you do not think this is up your alley, just try it once for me. I recently scored a Talbots brand new blouse for $1.50 and I put it in the wash and it came out looking like brand new. I buy most of my grandson’s T-shirts for .50 because they either get super dirty or ripped or simply outgrown so quickly it does not pay to spend more. I also buy books, many books, for just a dollar. Used children’s books are a feature at all thrift stores and many will exchange your old one for one you have not read to whoever you read to and then you can keep up the process. Thrift store shopping can be a hoot. You literally never know what you will find.

Finally, let’s look at either busting out a new hobby or helping your old hobby group try a new whatever. I love to play bridge, but my husband and I have moved up from party bridge to a type of duplicate bridge that is more complicated and difficult. Not only have we enjoyed this, but we have made some very interesting new friends. Our neighbors recently invited us over to play canasta and we said yes. Drawback: I don’t play canasta. I quickly learned on line. OK, it is not that hard, but I did actually learn something new and It is quite a lot of fun. So, my tip is to branch out. Bring a new person to book club. Read a type of book you have never read before. Serve a completely different type of snack or wine. See-cheap and easy.

One more thing: if you have never gone to a blog, try going to www.skatinguphill.com. It has new recipes, sayings, shared thoughts, and lots of other stuff. When you try it, leave something of your own like a comment, recipe, profound thought, and so on. You get the idea. Do it for something completely different.

Yes, same old, same old, I will see you next month. Don’t stop reading Skating Uphill. We are not going to get THAT radical!  Love, Judith

Skating Uphill

By

Judith Lawrenson

March Issue

“Combining a healthy lifestyle feature with a discussion of women who give back? Piece of cake, my friends!”   The Uphill Skater

I go to the dentist. You go to the dentist. Yes, like it or not, we all go to the dentist. Since we all must do it, let’s discuss the benefits of good oral hygiene as it relates to being in a totally healthy good zone. We have talked here in this column about everything from sex to heartburn, to ingrown toenails, so now it is the time, dear ladies, to talk about teeth. I know it is boring-no pun intended- but as I researched the topic for this article, I found out tons of things I did not know.

We all get that you should brush twice a day, right? But, did you know that it is not necessarily a good thing to overbrush? I did not even know what “overbrush” meant until my son was told had had receding gums and had to have tissue grafts to correct the situation. It was expensive, painful and took weeks to heal. So, twice a day with a soft brush, floss, and rinse with a mouth wash.

Flossing is old hat. Everybody’s dentist tells them to flow and I for one almost never do it. I save myself with two relatively new procedures. I have a waterpik. It has a little round soft brush on the end, and I use that instead of the pointed squirty thing. The other thing is a mouth rinse and my dentist tells me that this has proven more and more to be of great value in a program of good oral hygiene. I rinse regularly. It is easy and I like easy. Sorry if this is too personal, ladies, but that’s the facts of the matter.  My dentist recommended Listerine in any flavor. This is not a commercial. As you know Skating Uphill does not do commercials, but I will just say that is what was recommended.

Brushing and rinsing are both good for lots of things as we know. One of the important offshoots of poor dental hygiene is bad breath. Ick, not that! Yes, haven’t you ever sat next to someone or worse yet, been stuck with someone with that awful breath? Well, often bad breath can be a sign of something worse than not brushing your teeth. Decay, gum infection, and even prediabetes can be causes of bad breath. Did you know that poor dental care can even cause poor lung function? Wow!

What else can we do to complete a healthy picture. Well, I hate to go on and on, but pretty much all dentists will tell you two things: quit smoking and cut back seriously on sugared drinks. We do not need another lecture on smoking, obviously, but sugared drinks are a real culprit too. The sweet liquid not only adds empty calories to your diet, but sloshes around your whole mouth and throat and remains on your teeth for hours after consumed unless you brush immediately. No Bueno!!

All those things having been said, and on a bit of a different subject, did you know that there are more women dentists than men. My dental practice is a mother and daughter office. I know what you are thinking, one is a dentist and the other is the hygienist. Wrong. Both are dentists and do implants, retainers, and some oral surgery as well. I love these ladies. The mom is a raw-feed vegan and the daughter is a Southern cook with a capital “S.” I am a vegetarian who eats fish, so we go round and round. The mom was a pioneer in many areas of dental practice and partners with several other offices for a variety of services. She is about seventy and still going really strong, I might add.

Being a woman dentist may not seem earth shattering or world changing to some, but these two women are out to make the world a better place. Both have volunteered in foreign mission, do gratis work for indigent patients, and mentor other young women. We each do what we can for the sisterhood I hope, and try to not only do good for others, but to support each other as achievers, movers, and shakers.  Love, Judith

SIDEBAR-Visit www.skatinguphill.com  blog for new recipes, daily thoughts, and décor ideas. Also find reprints of PINK articles shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy. Look at this blog and maybe you will want to try it yourself!

Skating Uphill

By

Judith Lawrenson

February 2019

“February is cold and ugly, but to make up for it we have Valentine’s Day and a big President’s Day Weekend, right?”    The Uphill Skater

Yes, February is so very cold and we are all tired of it and know that it is not going away any time soon do we not? Well, yes we do. The question not becomes, “What are we prepared to do about it?” I for one am going to jump on it. I love Valentine’s Day and plan to think of something to do n the long weekend-so there. I know you get tired of tips and suggestions, but get used to it because here are some more-some ways to celebrate love and loved ones, good hearty foods, and something fun to do.

My husband and I were so poor on our first anniversary that we decided to just stay home and do nothing and not to even exchange gifts. We actually had such a great time, we decided to keep doing just that and we cherish the tradition. We long ago decided to do a big Valentine’s Day instead and we have kept that tradition too. One of our best ideas was to plan and prepare a candlelight dinner for ourselves. We actually used a cook book and made a lovely 4 course dinner and secretly wrote each other a love letter and put it under the other’s plate. We had such a memorable evening that we now do that frequently. So, suggestion 1 is to find a thing you like to do with someone you love and give it a special twist and maybe it will take hold. It is so empowering to a relationship to have traditions.

Now, something fun to do on a holiday weekend? Well, since this column is about living a healthy lifestyle in all of its definitions, let’s look at something healthy. If you are able, financially and time wise, by all means pack up and go somewhere. Get out of the house. Do whatever you can to do that. Go for a drive, go to a granny’s house, visit friends, whatever! If you can’t, don’t worry. There are still other fun things to do just for a change. Here is a suggestion I read in a children’s magazine years ago and have used several times. I set up a room in the house as a craft camp. I moved furniture back and put up a card table and covered the floor with a big blue drop cloth and we went to camp for the better part of 2 days. We were home, of course, so we had naps, meals etc. but all other time was spent in the camp. We worked with paint, clay, finger paint, leggo, big blocks and so on, but we also made a woven mat to hang on the wall and some other great crafts. My husband got behind it too and took the kids, and a couple of their friends who came in on the fun, out to the garage to make a bird house. What a hit!

PINK Magazine

For the January Issue (2019)

Skating Uphill

By

Judith Lawrenson

“Everything these days seems to be about “RE.” Honestly it is enough to make one Regurgitate!”      The Uphill Skater

All right, all right, I know I watch too much HGTV, but doesn’t everyone these days??  It is all about remodel, repurpose, and redo. I must admit, I love that kind of stuff. Who does not love a recolor-yes, I am talking about dying roots, ladies, and I don’t mean the front lawn. What about a reupholster-sure, that old ratty sofa could really use it, right? At the same time, we could re-wallpaper and re-carpet too. How about that re-claimed wood craze? I mean you can hardly tear something down these days without Chip and Joanna Gains hitting you up to buy the wood then re-selling it for double the price. Okay, so what does all of this have to do with the upcoming new year and what to do about that self-improvement we are all so desperately seeking? Well, just an idea-why don’t we consider the idea of a re-resolve?

What that means is, dear ladies, why don’t we, instead of making a bunch of nonsense resolutions like dropping a bunch of weight or writing thank-you notes or some other thing that we have already tried and failed at, try a different approach? Why don’t we try to re-resolve? Yes, here is how this idea plays out. Have a good look back at some of your old New Year’s Resolutions that you have actually kept. I know there are at least a few, right? Back in the day when you were really in the mood for it you and I must have come up with some truly memorable resolves that we not only kept, but that worked well for us on a go forward basis.

For example, one year I resolved to get two laundry baskets, one for dark clothes and one for white clothes. I was tired of pink undies and bras and blue jeans with bleach spots. This worked so well for me that I bought baskets for my husband and both of my children. I grant you that I had somewhat mixed results with husband and son, but my daughter and I have great looking whites and very clean outerwear. Our underwear looks great too, but you will just have to take my word for that. I plan to re-resolve that one again this year.

Another really successful resolution for me was to pick up the phone and call someone every day. I don’t mean calling for a hair appointment, but honestly giving someone a call that you have meant to chat with or owe a call or need to talk in depth about something deep-not someone else, you guys. I said something, not someone! I have actually done this, and I mean to use it again this year. The fact that I am already doing it has no bearing on resolving it again. Are you starting to get the idea? What do you think?

I am also resolving again this year to try to eat more healthy foods. I can highly recommend this resolution because it has a lot going for it. First, if you do it, it is good for you. It is a positive change that has a benefit. Second, you did not say you ere going to eat only healthy foods or loose a bunch of weight or anything like that. You said you were going to “try” to et more healthy foods. That is just vague enough to be a winner in my book. You don’t say how much more or how healthy or any of those other specific things so what can it hurt, right? I mean who does not want to eat more healthy foods. Trust me folks, this is a keeper.

In closing, I want to say that this idea also has another side benefit that will prove the motto of this column is actually a good motto for life. We say that “Skating Uphill is hard, but when you reach the top, the view is worth it,” and we really do mean that. We talk a lot here about leading and living that healthy life style, and believe me, I get, just like everyone else, that it is not easy on the best of days and impossible on the worst of days. Sometimes that glass of wine and quiet time with the door shut is all that keeps one going. Sometimes too, it is a time that makes you heart sore with your own pain or the pain of a loved one. These times happen unfortunately, and they must be lived with.

Please do remember though and make it part of a resolution if you can-celebrate joy. Okay, corny, I know, but if we are called upon to endure pain, then we also must be allowed and even encouraged to celebrate the good times, the happy times, and the times of personal satisfaction. Be happy, do good, enjoy your many gifts!!  Love, Judith

PINK Magazine

For the January Issue (2019)

Skating Uphill

By

Judith Lawrenson

“Everything these days seems to be about “RE.” Honestly it is enough to make one Regurgitate!”      The Uphill Skater

All right, all right, I know I watch too much HGTV, but doesn’t everyone these days??  It is all about remodel, repurpose, and redo. I must admit, I love that kind of stuff. Who does not love a recolor-yes, I am talking about dying roots, ladies, and I don’t mean the front lawn. What about a reupholster-sure, that old ratty sofa could really use it, right? At the same time, we could re-wallpaper and re-carpet too. How about that re-claimed wood craze? I mean you can hardly tear something down these days without Chip and Joanna Gains hitting you up to buy the wood then re-selling it for double the price. Okay, so what does all of this have to do with the upcoming new year and what to do about that self-improvement we are all so desperately seeking? Well, just an idea-why don’t we consider the idea of a re-resolve?

What that means is, dear ladies, why don’t we, instead of making a bunch of nonsense resolutions like dropping a bunch of weight or writing thank-you notes or some other thing that we have already tried and failed at, try a different approach? Why don’t we try to re-resolve? Yes, here is how this idea plays out. Have a good look back at some of your old New Year’s Resolutions that you have actually kept. I know there are at least a few, right? Back in the day when you were really in the mood for it you and I must have come up with some truly memorable resolves that we not only kept, but that worked well for us on a go forward basis.

For example, one year I resolved to get two laundry baskets, one for dark clothes and one for white clothes. I was tired of pink undies and bras and blue jeans with bleach spots. This worked so well for me that I bought baskets for my husband and both of my children. I grant you that I had somewhat mixed results with husband and son, but my daughter and I have great looking whites and very clean outerwear. Our underwear looks great too, but you will just have to take my word for that. I plan to re-resolve that one again this year.

Another really successful resolution for me was to pick up the phone and call someone every day. I don’t mean calling for a hair appointment, but honestly giving someone a call that you have meant to chat with or owe a call or need to talk in depth about something deep-not someone else, you guys. I said something, not someone! I have actually done this, and I mean to use it again this year. The fact that I am already doing it has no bearing on resolving it again. Are you starting to get the idea? What do you think?

I am also resolving again this year to try to eat more healthy foods. I can highly recommend this resolution because it has a lot going for it. First, if you do it, it is good for you. It is a positive change that has a benefit. Second, you did not say you ere going to eat only healthy foods or loose a bunch of weight or anything like that. You said you were going to “try” to et more healthy foods. That is just vague enough to be a winner in my book. You don’t say how much more or how healthy or any of those other specific things so what can it hurt, right? I mean who does not want to eat more healthy foods. Trust me folks, this is a keeper.

In closing, I want to say that this idea also has another side benefit that will prove the motto of this column is actually a good motto for life. We say that “Skating Uphill is hard, but when you reach the top, the view is worth it,” and we really do mean that. We talk a lot here about leading and living that healthy life style, and believe me, I get, just like everyone else, that it is not easy on the best of days and impossible on the worst of days. Sometimes that glass of wine and quiet time with the door shut is all that keeps one going. Sometimes too, it is a time that makes you heart sore with your own pain or the pain of a loved one. These times happen unfortunately, and they must be lived with.

Please do remember though and make it part of a resolution if you can-celebrate joy. Okay, corny, I know, but if we are called upon to endure pain, then we also must be allowed and even encouraged to celebrate the good times, the happy times, and the times of personal satisfaction. Be happy, do good, enjoy your many gifts!!  Love, Judith

Skating Uphill

By

Judith Lawrenson

PINK Magazine

December issue-2018

                                     New advice from an old friend!

I know I always give advice about how to stay away from the buffet table and tell you not to gain ANY weight at all every Christmas, but this year is different! This year I am really into the true spirit of it all and it is all because I have been in snow. I have not really seen big, beautiful snow since I left California fifteen years ago. We used to ski Lake Tahoe every year for all we were worth. It was fabulous and somehow missing that snow has kind of put a different cast on the holiday. This year, though, we have been visiting in a place where it snowed last night nearly a foot and it was beautiful this morning. so yeah, White Christmas has changed my mood.

In the past I have been weight obsessed, given away lovely candy and cookies and generally been a nutrition curmudgeon about the whole food aspect of Christmas.  Now, not so much. The whole thing seems to me still that it should not revolve around food and parties, but that so many other things about the spirit of the holidays are good for us in many ways. I plan this year to relax and enjoy all there is to see, do, and share.

First off, let’s talk about music. I happen to know that there are many musical performances all holiday season. In the past we have been to some but this year we will go to all we can possibly make. Seasonal music, whether it is by a high school choir, the Shorenotes, or the local symphony is so powerful and so much a part of traditions. One year we had a group of carolers come to our house and we loved it. I have vowed to do it myself with my family some year. My husband and son have beautiful voices and I can at least remember the words and sing along. Also one year, some kids from the high school put on some Victorian outfits and sang with a passed cup and made enough to buy all of their gifts. They also brought unexpected pleasure to Outlet shoppers!

Next let’s talk gifts. I just an article in Real Simple magazine about how to create children who are minimalists. This does not sound like too much Christmas fun, but wait a minute-it actually was of great interest to see some different idea for “presents.” We all have seen the ideas for something home made, a craft, a movie ticket, a surprise trip and that sort of thing and those are all great ideas. Thinking a bit more out of the box, what about a service? Our church makes baskets for the needy that actually include directions to local shelters and information on job counseling sites. One of my neighbors gave her elderly friend five “you name it” passes. these were good for a grocery trip, movie, ride to anywhere, out to lunch etc. Her friend was thrilled. Sometimes it is hard to ask-so, use your free pass! Last year our church chipped in and paid a month’s rent for a man whose wife had cancer instead of doing a gift exchange. What a great feeling that was.

We used to give our kids craft kits and traditionally after Christmas Dinner, we would spend the evening putting stuff together. One year we made the gingerbread house that topped all other ones in the universe! The next year, everyone got a beaded belt kit. OK, you are right, that was pretty much a flop, but we are still in their pitching. Anyway, I am sure you get the idea and can do even better.

Last but not least-How about YOU? Yes, we still need to take good care of ourselves. How about treating yourself to a nice massage? Why not try one of those pre-made food boxes for a week. Just for something crazy, buy yourself that extra special bottle of wine you were going to buy for someone else and buy them a cheaper one. Oh, my. I could not do THAT! Well, yes you can. Here is your permission slip. Buy an outfit that you can’t afford and don’t worry about it. I know that sounds unwise, but that is exactly the point for once.

Christmas is new birth even more than Spring. It is promises fulfilled and hope that has come to life. Let yourself be a part of it. Yes, this is a very healthy thing to do-trust me!

PINK MAGAZINE

November 2018

Skating Uphill

By

Judith Lawrenson

All Right, Girls-November is gratitude time-RIGHT??

The late, and might I say great, Joan Rivers once was rumored to have said, “Gratitude sucks, give me plastic surgery every time!” That is a bit extreme, I grant you, but think about it for a while. That humble, grateful, thank you so much I could not have done it with out you may have worn just a bit thin lately. I do NOT mean that one should not have the generosity of heart to acknowledge when one has been helped. God Forbid! What I really mean is that we, and by we I mean women in general, might want to look at where we are in our struggle for equality and maybe just take a deep breath and not be afraid to look victory in the eye.

Women are still putting on their funny hats and marching. I get that. We are also going strong on the #Metoo movement and that is something new and long overdue. Yes, in some cases it has perhaps gone to an extreme, but on the whole, I do think some kind of justice has been and is being served. We are winning battles right and left-no puns intended.

Let’s look at some interesting statistics for just a minute. Did you know that more women than men graduate from high school? Did you know, also, that more women than men graduate from college? I bet you did not know that. Did you know that in many medical fields women outnumber men? Did you know that there are more women veterinarians than men? Okay, maybe you did know all of that, but did you know that California recently passed a law (I know, I know, whacky California, but this is true!) that every company of a certain size that was headquartered in the state had to have at least one woman on its Board of Directors? Guess how many companies that actually affected as it turned out? ONE! The California legislature was a bit red-faced to say the least!

Another statistic that I found hard to believe at first was that more women are now heads of households than men. This counts single parent households, but it also takes into account women who live alone and surprisingly it takes into account women who are the major wage earners in their own two parent families. Quite a surprise, huh? Perhaps we are not as bad off as we thought. I wonder how many women billionaires there are? I did recently read that one of the Jenner girls, Kendell or Kylie, I can’t remember which one now, was on her way to being the youngest billionaire in history. Pretty good for a young woman, I think. More power to her!

We have come such a long way from the days that gave women who went to college the opportunity to either be a nurse, a teacher, or, as my dad used to say, looking for that MRS. Degree. My daughter is a doctor and my daughter-in-law is a computer science engineer and a university professor. I had a very successful career as a Reading Resource specialist but went back to school later in life to be more that a regular teacher. I earned what we laughingly call a post-menopausal master’s degree when I was in my forties.

I guess right about here I need to get back to not being thankful or grateful and talking about support. As we gather together with our dear ones and as we share mutual love and thoughtfulness around whatever our Thanksgiving traditions may involve, I hope that it is in each or our hearts to understand many things. First, we are honestly and at some real level, in the same boat. I believe that everyone has a basic humanity and as a Christian I stand by that. Second, while I have made jokes about being grateful, please do not think that I am not. We, none of us, really “makes it on our own” nor should we. Thanksgiving is sort of a politically incorrect holiday now. You do not see pilgrims and Indians and things like that used as décor any more. We seem to have combined Fall and Halloween into a package and then we sit down and eat dinner. Well, maybe the Pilgrims did not do the Indians any favors, but hopefully we will not forget that back in the day they were all sitting down together thankful to have food and to be together and alive to share it. Maybe not so bad, Huh?

Happy Thanksgiving-Love, Judith

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