Cozy Place For 50+ Members and others too!
Good morning This is a place that started because there was no way to private message between members. So, feel free to chat together here!
I couldn't figure out a good way for members to chat, so I've set up a tiny house for us here. :) Anyone can join us, but at least we have an easy way for members to find each other now. Notice the house has a pet bed-- I love animals. I currently have a black and white kitty and I used to have a dog too, but he passed in N200ov. Do you have any pets?
Hello. Just joined 7Cups and found this community that should suit me.
This year's Xmas will be the strangest for my wife and me in all the many years that we've been hosting. Loooong story, but we're the house that all the close and not-so-close family visit (and many stay overnight on Xmas eve) roughly 45-50 ppl but this year, due to my poor college age neice and nephew losing it (and reflecting that Thanksgiving was nightmare, also at my home) we're slimming down to just 12 to 13 ppl (+/- some visitors).
Phew that was a very condensed story! BTW, we're doing ok emotionally and all. Sure, its draining on us and our adult children (we're a close knit extended family) but doing ok.
Here's to wishing everyone a most joyous holiday! 
@agreeableZebra7523 glad to see your post. Wishing you a wonderful holiday too.
@agreeableZebra7523 Nice to meet you Zebra. I have social anxiety and my husband wants us to have another holiday open house on Sat. About 30+ people. So, I really related to your holiday story 😄. It
@Zengrl I assume "open house" format because you'll have a mix of family and friends, right? I'm sure you know a million ideas/ways to handle anxiety and I hope they work for you.
I don't really have any anxieties or depression ... but sometimes these holidays at the end of the year do get wearisome on me with so much cooking and cleaning and preparing and then cleaning-up aftewards and taking care of so many folks. I am pretty good about just letting stuff roll off my back and not worry about it e.g. turkey's not done cooking and then needs to cool, carved, and cleanup? Oh well, we'll eat when its done. That's why we have plenty of appetizers hanging around. See ya!
Best of luck to you and your husband during these wonderful and tumultuous times.
@agreeableZebra7523 Actually I dont have good ways to deal with anxiety except for doing crafts with the guests. It will be over in 24 hrs-yea! Hope you have time for some rest.
@Zengrl wow, that sounds great for you. Sometimes, my wife and I get a puzzle or some other kind of assembly thing for the kids to have some focus (especially when the weather outside is frightful ... ;-) and that seems to go pretty well. We're all NE Patriots fan so lately its been puzzles with that theme. One year, I remember a 3D puzzle (can't remember what the object was, but it didn't matter).
Life is great but short on time so both of us should try to do what we "want" to feel good about it. I expect bumps in the road, I'm sure my wife and I will have both some tense moments and ignore-each-other moments, but overall the big picture is about quality time which means enjoying the pieces that are enjoyable.
Merry Christmas!
@agreeableZebra7523 yes puzzles are great fun almost like visiting a new place.
@agreeableZebra7523 Aww Zebra you are so right. My big open house went well. Made popsickle stick snowflakes with white paint and turquoise glitter like the Frozen movie. I learned that there were some people that wanted to hang out with me that I wasn
@Lauren63 Hey last night I submitted my grad school app—yea! Now I
@Zengrl Thats absolutely wonderful. I know you are going to do great in school. I went to the radiology Christmas party last night. Everything was OK except DJ played music too loud. Are you ready for Christmas?
@Zengrl Im not one who needs anything.
@Lauren63 I totally have issues with loud music, so I hear you about that. That is nice there was a party though. I
@Zengrl that was the only issue. People didnt even want to dance because the speakers were right there. But I went. Thats something I havent done in a while. So when will you hear about grad school?
@Lauren63 Not sure when I will hear. I think usually it is 10 days, but with the holidays who knows. As for parties, I think I did better at my open house this year. Not quite so anxious.
@lauren63 and other friends, hey hope your holiday continues to be good. Im off for my zen retreat, which means I wont have communication here again until the new year. So keep reaching out and take good care. See you in 2019.
@Zengrl have a nice retreat. I am still around if anyone wants to communicate
@Zengrl I hope your retreat is everything you want it to be. Happy 2019!
@Lauren63 Happy 2019! I
@Zengrl Happy 2019! Glad your retreat went well. I am a bit overwhelmed right now. I message you when I can. Good you had a respite! TC
@Lauren63 Ok hope you are ok as I
@Zengrl hi. Got thru it. Had.today off. I just am not feeling right. Itll be ok. Thanks. Hope all is going well for you.
@Lauren63 Im also not feeling right. I think the holidays stir up lots of feelings for me. Im getting better at teaching out, but still not so good about expressing my feelings. At least you were able to say how you feel. Thats helpful. Sending hugs your way.
@Zengrl hugs back! Itll get better for you too.
Hello Ladies, hopefully my guesstimate as to gender offends no one. I have started reading this thread from the top several times and never made it to the end where I felt comfortable posting, so here is my uncomfortable entrance. Love the tiny house motif, I am quite frugal and sometimes wonder if an actual tiny house would suit me well. Of course being a guy I soon realize a shop with a small apartment would be grand. Anywho, hello and pardon my intrusion if I am jumping in the middle of a conversation. Have a great day, got a foot of snow here today so I am a bit tired of snowblowing and shoveling. Time to watch World Juniors, go USA.
@ruffneckred you are not jumping in. And BTW yuck! A foot of snow! Hope you are comfortable in the room. Happy Nee Year!
@Lauren63
at the moment I am snug as a bug in a rug, but i have some tasks in the shop and I need to evaluate the snow for leaving in the morning. I never used to mind winter but with age comes wisdom so I don't enjoy it, lol.
@ruffneckred. Me either hate snow. Thanks.
@Lauren63
I don't hate snow, but I don't like it as much as I did when I was young. When it comes to weather and nature I tend to avoid love and hate as descriptors, I just accept it for what is. I do enjoy the great sunsets and sunrises that I have enjoyed my entire life, it is only in recent years with the internets helps that I came to the realization that these scenes are not common everywhere, which makes them a bit like snow. Have a great day. My family has just left and I get at least the next 24 hours to be me, alone in my home. Quite looking forward to it...
@ruffneckred I hate snow. I have to work when I am scheduled. Snow makes it difficult to get to work. My younger coworkers call out. There are things we absolutely hate or absolutely love in this life. I absolutely hate snow.
@Lauren63 I do not like snow either. All my stuff gets cancelled when there is snow. So far we have not had lots of snow. Hope it is a mild winter.
@ruffneckred Hope you have a good New Year!
@ruffneckred Hey Red, I
@Zengrl
Welcome back, hope things are well with you. I like the idea of a little house in real life, being frugal and burdened by the home / mortgage lifestyle. My apologies if the "little house" is but a theme for the thread, it is a great idea for that use tool Have a great day.
@ruffneckred I like lots of the little homes I see on tv, but things like camping equipment, christmas trees and art supplies would never fit. So, small is great, but I
I cant sleep. Its after 4am and I am trying to decide if I should be here. Where I am so disliked.
@Lauren63
Hello, let go of the hate, why do you feel that you are disliked? i like you
@Lauren63 when I cannot sleep my emotions can be very stormy so I try to not make major decisions on just a few hours sleep.
@soulsings Just a question. Can you and everyone else in a chat room see when someone, anyone enters?
@Lauren63 everyone that is in the chatroom gets a notice when any person enters. Watch in chat discussion or open chat and you will see people enter. No one knows when you leave.
@soulsings. Thanks, it was just a question. Chat rooms have been good and interesting. Thanks for being a moderator.
@soulsings if you have time please send me when the chat rooms are. I guess I was mistaken in thinking that there was one this evening. Have a great day.
@Lauren63 sorry pamharley003 was running the chat at 8PM to 9PM. Sorry if it did not happen.
Right now the Monday open chat is 6:30PM to 8PM EST. There are more events in 35+ on evenings also. @DanaMH can tell you when those are.
@Lauren63 - Hi, the 35+ list of discussions can be found here
@soulsings - what do you think about adding a link on page 1 of the discussions to this link also since a lot of folks have been asking the question?
@DanaMH how about we add links to 35+ here and 50+ at 35+ or we could post both schedules on both threads so everyone can see both 35+ and 50+
@soulsings
Sure I can add a link. Great idea! Thanks
@DanaMH I added one after the monthly discussions to 35+
@soulsings
Awesome - Thanks so much!
@DanaMH
ppl below 35 wouldn't have reached this outcome so quickly 
@Zengrl,
Hi,
I to am an animal lover. I have 3 dogs, 3 cats, a Russian Tortoise, 2 Beta's, and I currently became a Canary Breeder for a local petshop. Oh yeah, I also have a floppy earred rabbit named Foo.
@Janesez wow that is incredible you have a really big menagerie! Only a bird here although in past we had a dog and 2 cats.
How are rabbits as pets.
@Janesez. I have dog. She makes me laugh. Are your pets in the house?
@Lauren63
I have pets too, and they are a joy. One little terrier mix is the boss of us all. Myself, and 4 cats, that is. For several years I had one cat and one dog. Last summer I took in a feral mother with 4 kittens because I live in a trailer park and management was trapping the outdoor cats. I was unemployed, had an extra bedroom, put down a tarp and moved them in. I found homes for two kittens. The other two and mama are still here. It has been an experience for sure.
Hey I like the tiny house. One would need to have extreme self discipline to live there. Cute, and the heat and a/c bills would be tiny too!
@Chickadee123 The tiny house was all Zengrl! Sounds like you have quite a menagerie! There are lots of feral cats here too. How did you ever get them in your home? Usually they are very skittish. 🙂
@Janesez Oh I love canaries! I used to have a record to help train tjem to sing when I was little. Nice to meet you, also sorry, I was away for a couple of days.
Hi all, my name is Doug. Hoping everyone is conquering the new year in their own way! I just found this group and wanted to say hey. Just turned 51 a couple months ago so I think I get to be the baby.. Lol. Hope this finds everyone well, and still chasing your dreams.
@cheerfulPerspective48 Hi Doug. Hope you are finding your way around. Good to have you here. Check out some of the forums, they can be very interesting. Stop by anytime.
@cheerfulPerspective48 cool to meet you. Old babies are welcome here 😂
@Zengrl. Have you heard from school yet? How are you?
@Lauren63. Catching feral kitty was easier than you'd think. Put a can of cat food inside of a cat travel's to the vet container. Hide patiently for a few hrs. Some cats are too smart, or not hungry enough, to fall for this trick. Afterwards she was quite upset. She pushed the screen out of the window- twice -and ran away from home. I thought I had escape proofed after the first time! Not to mention that she had no idea about litter boxes but it is all working out. She came out of hiding to join the other cats but she runs from me. Googling, I got some tips, things not to do. Basically, go out of my way not to frighten her. She will not ever be like a pet cat, but after reading stories online about others who have done this, well why not. She is gradually growing so who knows. I might have to rename. Been calling her Ms Hissy.
@Chickadee123. That is a great name! Hope it works out for both of you.
@Lauren63 Me and my husband did a quick getaway for three days, which was nice. Still no answer from the school, but they did need a waiver of GREs which they just got. How are you doing?
Hello:
Im new here... recently single, not my choice.... not coping well as I get our house ready to sell.
I feel like Im alone now... would love to find some support.
Thank you
@redTiger5562 welcome to 50+ forum. Glad you posted here. Hope to see you in more forum threads as well.
If you want to join a discussion, there is a mindfulness session at 3:30 PM EST in Mindfulness Room and there is an open chat from 6:30PM EST to 8PM EST in the Fifty Plus room.
Other discussions listed here https://www.7cups.com/forum/50OverCommunity_193/TeamToolsandTeamUpdates_1705/50plusDiscussionsScheduleandTopics_172805/
@redTiger5562
welcome, sorry to hear of your trouble, I am on a similar path, appears I am just a few steps behind you
How do we post?
@redTiger5562 At the top of the page hit the arrow upper right corner, or if you want to reply specifically to someone, just do reply. For the forums. Welcome to 7 cups and the 50+ community.
@Lauren63 thanks for that great explanation.
@soulsings I guess Wednesday night is done. The one time I knew for sure I could get here. Tc , youve been great.
@Lauren63 sorry I will reach out to Pam and find out what is happening. What are the earliest times and days you are available, either pm me or post here so I can try to find something that works for you.
Pam said she will do open chat next Wednesday at 8PM since she is feeling better. Sorry I did not get notice last night or I would have let you know.
@soulsings I cant change my work schedule to fit 7 cups. If it doesnt work, its OK. As far as pm you, I have said before, I dont know how to do that. No one has explained or showed me how. Its fine. You tc its all good.
@Lauren63
Private messages can only be sent to listeners, since Soulsings is a listener you can send her a message. Left click on her name, or even hover over it and you will see a "message" button. Click on it and have a go.
@Lauren63 @soulsings
Hi Lauren, below is a direct link to soulsings profile page which you then can click on and leave a message. You can also click on any person's profile picture that is a circle and those are listeners that you can talk to.
@Lauren63 thank DanaMH for giving this link https://www.7cups.com/@soulsings if you care to pm me or post what you want to say here.
I would never ask anyone to change their work or family schedule to suit 7cups, but if someone tells me when they are available I make an effort to try and offer activities that will meet their needs.
I talked to Pam and they apologized for not being there Wednesday 8PM because they are recovering from sickness. They assured me they would be there next Wednesday the 23rd at 8PM EST.
Sorry for your inconvenience.
@soulsings My inconvenience. Thanks. I said it was all good. Please, Ive worked over 60 hrs this week. I was supposed to have today off. I was called in when someone called out. Cancelled a Dr. appointment. Went to work. Trying not to lose my temper right now. I had planned to be at the 3 pm chat room. Couldnt again. You all take care.
@Lauren63 you are such a dedicated worker. You really are amazing. If I was an employer I would want you on my team because you are always showing up and doing a good job. Way to go.
