nuke'em ttg Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Dad died & Mom is home alone 72 years old, doesn't want a pet yet because of winter, I'm afraid she just sleeps all day and is depressed, on my 2 days off we have lunch & diner and after work on sunday she makes that meal with the whole family....friends she has snowbird to AZ.....this weekend she told me she just wants her husband back.....I gotta get somethun for her to do and keep livin.....she gets around fine and is young for her age.....would appreciate any hobbie ideas ya think would be good...TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Both my mom and my MIL are quilters. Old bats get together and sew these things and beotch about everything. Plus they have to run and go shopping for new material all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 My Mom got involved in her church and the local senior center that's run thru the park district. My Dad died when she was quite young (52). Back then she worked. When she retired @ 65, we had her sell the house and move close to us. She's w/ us for Friday, Sat. and Sunday dinner along w/ Sat. & Sun. lunch. Wife takes her shopping on Sat.. FWIW...my wife helps her a lot! She has her little schedule and for 88 she's pretty active, at least as active as she wants to be. Her only "hobby" is needle point, but she's been doing that for as long as I can remember. She carries her bag w/ all her "tools and supplies" whenever she is over. She also loves doing word puzzles like Jumble and those "circle the word" books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I guess making GILF porn is out of the question? Could be a revenue source as well as a hobby. On a more serious note, quilting like Kid Cid said or, if she has anything she was interested in before (bridge, bingo, etc.) she could find a local club to meet up with and play with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I love listening to the older generation tell stories of there life. Have her put hers down in words. A memoirs combined with an ancestry tree would keep her busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveby Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Not really a hobby but it helps to pass the time since my dad passed. Especially when it's 20 below.......... When I was home in June I bought my mom a laptop, showed her how to use it, and got her started on a few basic tasks (email, family tree software, digital pix and music, etc.) For Christmas I got her a subscription to Netflix. She lives in a small town and the video selection at the convenience store is poor. She loves getting movies in the mail and especially the instant watch feature. Well worth the 9 bucks a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egret Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 My mom is 62. She takes dancing lessons and goes dancing all the time. There are lots of dancing classes. The local parks and rec dept will most likely have good community programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellab Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Is there a group she could volunteer with. There was a lady that delivered meals on wheels where I help out that was your moms age. They can do it at their own pace, and most of the time it is a meal or two to each location. Otherwise there has to be an active senior center nearby. Good will stores are always looking for people to wash and fold laudry. Our local "good will" benefits the local hospice, and the ladies line up to volunteer there. Just giving her something to look forward to during the week on a set time is what she needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Itals Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 You could always get her to try fantasy football dressed as a pirate wench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 - learn a language - take an art class (either history or acutal hands on)......... or i guess any class that might interest her. - dance lessons, class, or group - card club - book of the month - is she too old to ride bikes? - walking club/group activities -> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Elderhostel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 My Mom got involved in her church and the local senior center that's run thru the park district. My Dad died when she was quite young (52). Back then she worked. When she retired @ 65, we had her sell the house and move close to us. She's w/ us for Friday, Sat. and Sunday dinner along w/ Sat. & Sun. lunch. Wife takes her shopping on Sat.. FWIW...my wife helps her a lot! She has her little schedule and for 88 she's pretty active, at least as active as she wants to be. Her only "hobby" is needle point, but she's been doing that for as long as I can remember. She carries her bag w/ all her "tools and supplies" whenever she is over. She also loves doing word puzzles like Jumble and those "circle the word" books. Yeah - my grandma loves the senior center. It's led to a lot of friends and other activities for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Kinda sad reading this. I think you should just suprise her and buy her a pet. It could do wonders for her moods, having the responsiblity to take care of it would be good for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Fantasy Football? Ok, maybe something more fitting... is there a red hat society nearby where she lives? That's a good way for a widow to make some new friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Maybe not a dog but what about a cat? Pretty low maintenance compared to a dog. Then, encourage her to go the senior center route. Does she know how/want to use a computer? Get her hooked up on the internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gopher Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Is she the type that is used to getting out of the house a lot or no? I think this is an important question because you're not typically going to change a person significantly at the age of 72. If she's used to staying home most of the time, you may not be able to convince her to join a senior center, bowling league, or quilting club. Not saying those are bad ideas, but it depends a lot on the person... some people in her situation are looking to get out and meet people, while others may be just looking for something to help them pass the time and take their mind off the obvious. A few ideas (some have already been mentioned): - Activities, like bowling or golf... probably not unless she's got some experience with one or the other (it's unlikely she would want to just pick up golf if she's never played before), but you never know. - Netflix or Blockbuster online... If she's more of the stay-at-home type, this might be perfect. Inexpensive (the same as renting roughly three movies a month), and there are more movies/shows out there than one could ever imagine. - Online games (not poker, necessarily). There are lots of sites where people can play games like Scrabble, card games (hearts, spades, etc.), even dominoes. Good way to not only keep the mind sharp, but also meet people and even develop relationships. Case in point, the Huddle. There are sites similar to this where people do nothing but play dominoes and interact/chat. Might be a possibility, especially if there is a game that is a favorite of hers. - Encourage her to get a PC/laptop (Mac) if she doesn't already have one... Email, music, movies, not to mention things you can make with them. Most importantly, if you want her to start a hobby, you (or someone else she's close to) might have to be somewhat involved in the process. In other words, she's probably not going to take up bowling just by you suggesting it. But, would she enjoy going bowling with family members? Maybe that could spark her interest. Or, if you happen to own a Mac yourself, maybe you could show her something you've done with it. Just a few ideas... Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big F'n Dave Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 My mom's 66 and just recently got into oil painting. There's a very informal class that meets once a week and she loves it. You've never seen so many mountain and pasture scenes in your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Along with the other ideas maybe you could get her interested in gardening. Build some raised beds and she could plant some veggies and flowers. Gardening is good therapy for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 My mom's 66 and just recently got into oil painting. There's a very informal class that meets once a week and she loves it. You've never seen so many mountain and pasture scenes in your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pig devilz Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 - learn a language- take an art class (either history or acutal hands on)......... or i guess any class that might interest her. - dance lessons, class, or group - card club - book of the month - is she too old to ride bikes? - walking club/group activities -> get her a Harley! seriously, have her join the over 55 FF league here. no but seriously, seriously....volunteer work is great, get herself out of herself. and like someone mentioned, writing her memoirs, or organize all them family pics in albums and put stories next to them......grankids? let her babysit and, don't forget to tell her about how many replies (people caring) you got to this query. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Thanks everyone Computer was at the top of the list when this all started for email and payin her bills ( savin for that) gettin a pet was #2 My wifes Mom loves the Senior Center and dancin but shes only 66 not sure that's for Mom but worth lookin into she's always sewed but has put all that behind her we got netflix and when we score one she'd like we drop it off Dad pretty much provided all the entertainment and kept them doin things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 HEY .....SCANNER PARTY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Row Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Bingo , slots , cards , low stakes gambling keeps my gramma happy. She plays with friends from church, & family . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellab Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) Maybe not a dog but what about a cat? Pretty low maintenance compared to a dog. Then, encourage her to go the senior center route. Does she know how/want to use a computer? Get her hooked up on the internet. So this old widow was sitting around one day, and decided she needed a companion. So she went down to the pet store, and got helped. The man who helped her suggested a parrot, because they can talk, and they're small and esay to care for. The woman was instantly sold, bought the parrot, and went home. Well, Sunday came around, and the lady was getting ready for church. She decided to take the parrot with her, to show it off and such. So she goes in, sits down, and perches the parrot on her shoulder. The parrot's fine until, about 2/3 way through the service, he starts bobbing his head, like parrots do. Then he blurts out, "Jesus Christ it's hot in here!" The woman is embarrassed beyond belief, and she grabs the parrot and runs home. The next Sunday rolls around, and the parrot hasn't said a word all week, so she decides to take the bird to church again. Again, about 2/3 way through the service, the parrot starts bobbing his head. "Jesus Christ it's hot in here!" Again, the woman is terribly embarrassed. So she grabs the parrot and runs down to the pet store. She walks in, and explains her problem to the manager. He says: "Well, we just got a new book about parrot discipline. I've been looking thru it, and there's a section about just this problem. So, here's what you do. The next time he shoots his mouth off like that, grab him by the feet like this and swing him over your head three or four times real fast." The lady says OK and goes back home. The next Sunday comes along, and the lady takes the parrot to church. Again, about 2/3 way through, sure enogh he does his thing: "Jesus Christ it's hot in here!" So right in the middle of service the lady leaps up, grabs the parrot by the feet, and whirls him around like a centrifuge 3 or 4 times. She then sets the parrot back on her shoulder. The parrot is very dizzy at this point, and as he sways to and fro: "Fu(king windy too." Edited January 7, 2009 by Rebellab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Row Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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