BoomerGirl Diary

Party in a pinch

How to put on a New Year's Eve celebration at the last minute

It's New Year's Eve. But there's still time to pull off a last-minute party to ring in 2008.

It's dangerous to overload your marriage

Do you think your marriage is supposed to fix a lot of your problems? If you do, think again. Marriage should not become a problem-solving factory. It's way too delicate for that kind of operation. Just look at the divorce rates.

Young woman struggles growing up in Amish country

This week’s novel for adults begins in autumn and ends just before Christmas Day. The setting is Honeybrook, an Amish community. The central character of the novel is Nellie Mae Fisher, a 17-year-old daughter of Reuben and Besty Fisher. “The Parting,” by Beverly Lewis, is the first book in “The Courtship of Nellie Fisher,” a series.

Our last toast to 2007

We're ringing out the old with new stories on last-minute New Year's parties, a new book to read, and a new approach to making marriage last. Read on for previews and links to whatever strikes your fancy.

Portobello mushroom sandwich

Anatomy of a good pillow

It took years of sleeping on different pillows, but last year Kelly Jones finally found her perfect combo: a wedge-shaped foam pillow that her daughter gave her for her birthday and a regular pillow filled with synthetic down.

How to keep your towels fresh and fluffy

Warm, fluffy towels provide instant comfort and freshen up the decor in a powder room. Unfortunately, after being wrung out and spun dry, my towels often resemble a rag collection. However, there are a few tricks to lengthening their shelf life, according to Stephen Treffinger, resident product tester and technology geek at Domino magazine.

Welcome to the weekend!

From the best anti-aging makeup to 5 things you didn't know about bunions, we've got you covered from head to toe today! Click below for highlights and quick links.

5 things you didn't know about bunions

A study by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society found that 88 percent of women in the United States wear shoes that are too small and 55 percent have bunions. Bunions are nine times more common in women than men.

Great cover-ups for 40-plus skin

Every woman has moments where she feels as gorgeous as a movie star. Unfortunately for women over 40, bad makeup coupled with mature skin can limit the number of starring roles you may get. No one wants to be offered the lead in "I Know What You Did for the Past 30 Summers."

Seek drastic measures in dangerous situation

Over the past year, my husband has become increasingly aggressive with me. He pushes and curses me all the time. I have been awakened in the middle of the night with him standing over my side of the bed just looking at me. I am scared out of my wits. He won't let me go along to doctor's appointments, and the doctors won't talk to me because my husband won't authorize it.

Get a taste of Main Street, USA, in Grapevine

You can spend a lovely day browsing, shopping and visiting with friends if you make it a day trip from Dallas/Fort Worth to Grapevine, Texas. Just 10 minutes from the airport, Grapevine offers both quaint shopping along its main street or high-power outlet shopping at the edge of town.

You're welcome - but not your shoes

Forget the presidential debates. Rudy versus Mitt versus Hillary versus Barack? Mere child's play. You want a real debate? Ask your holiday guests to take their shoes off at the door.

If you suspect your lover of infidelity, Tank rolls into action

After 47 years on this planet, and more than 20 years as a "private eye," there's one thing Sherman "Tank" Jones is absolutely certain of: Love can make people really, really stupid.

Stories for the last Friday of '07!

It's the last TGIF of the year and we've got a new girlfriend's getaway from Tish, advice on "Flying Solo", revelations on spousal cheating from a retired private eye, and more! Click below for links.

Kathy's fettuccine alfredo

Forget aging gracefully — do it with a sense of humor

When professional clown Linda Thaxter performs, she wears flamboyantly odd hats, plays with a rubber chicken and jokes about bodily functions. Her audiences of octogenarians love it.

Getting the test: Family confronts its genetic heritage

Five months before she died of a rare form of stomach cancer, Sandra McNamara uncovered a devastating family legacy. Her illness was closely linked to a genetic mutation. She had it, and that meant her three sisters and their children might have it too.

It's getting easier to follow Paul

Mass-market tours get religion

There's nothing new about religious travel. But there is something different: The niche has gone mass market.

'Cosmeceuticals' promise much, sometimes deliver

Cosmeceuticals might help a woman's skin stay young, but they're more likely to boost drug companies' bottom lines. Most of them also come with a guarantee - that they'll cause pain in the pocketbook.

No more green eggs

Avoiding the ring around hard-cooked egg yolks.

Five-bean vegetarian chili

Look what's new this Thursday

Do those expensive face creams really deliver results? Do you know everything there is to know about your family's medical history? Can you imagine literally walking in St. Paul's footsteps on vacation? Explore these questions and more today. Click through for links.

Stories for the day after

Put up your feet and enjoy our new topics today including the most amazing "flowercocktail" for your New Year's Eve soiree! Click below for details and links to whatever raises an eyebrow. Cheers!

Don't be afraid of stocks in retirement, planner says

My late aunt was so worried about running out of money in retirement that she put all her investments in certificates of deposit and spared just $1 for the church envelope each Sunday.

Blooming bubbly

Add some flower power to make holiday even more festive

Spike the bubbly with a little flower power and watch your holiday party turn into the talk of the neighborhood. But, at first, everyone will be quiet, mesmerized by the flowers' slow-motion moves.

The old family slideshow gets a modern update

You've gone on a great trip, taken tons of digital photos. Now, how to share them with family and friends? For growing numbers of travelers, the answer is an online photo album.

Stories for the day after

Put your feet up and enjoy our new topics today including the most amazing "flowering cocktail" for your New Year's Eve soiree! Click below for details and links to whatever raises an eyebrow. Cheers!

Odors in the microwave

Zap those less-than-pleasant aromas.

Banish atrophy from your joints

It isn't age; it's atrophy. Your body becomes a product of what you don't do with it. If you don't run, after a while you can't run without gasping and hurting. If you don't reach up, after a while you have to get a stepstool, because you can no longer reach up without pain in your shoulders.

Priceless presents

As we complete our holiday shopping lists and worry about what to get for our friends, families and other special people in our lives, let’s take a few minutes and make sure we are giving the gifts that can only come from the heart.

A old friend still brings a smile

Seven-year-old Terry wasn't expecting Christmas in 1950 to be different from any other. "We lived in a family where gifts were not the norm."

Rosemary's history of remembrance, friendship makes it ideal for holidays

Sweet rosemary with its evergreen needles and pungent piney aroma. The herb of remembrance. Perfect for the holidays. For decorating, for giving away, for cooking.

Christmas trees & mulled wine

Yesterday was one of my favorite holiday traditions! It was the day of our annual Christmas tree hunt and winter picnic.

Stop trying to 'fix' people can help you enjoy relationships

Do you spend lots of time trying to straighten out people - or at least fantasizing that you can? You know how this goes. You wish your sister didn't talk so much. If she'd stop her 20-minute monologues, you could become real friends. Or, you'd give anything if your boss didn't talk so much in meetings. This one flaw of hers wastes a lot of everybody's time.

These shadows are an eyeful, but do they really jazz up the orbs?

We start in preschool, swirling paint onto paper with our fingers. Now as grown-up gals we get to swirl eye paint onto our lids, hoping for the same devastatingly dramatic effect. With so many eye shadows packaged into checkerboard mosaics and ombre bricks, we decided to let three women play artist with different compacts. How did they do with their eyelids as a canvas?

Try new holiday side dishes that sparkle

Sometime between now and New Year's Day, a lot of us will hear the familiar phrase: "Oh, just bring a side dish." We're embarking on the season of family dinners, holiday buffets and potluck parties.

Pre-holiday weekend reading here

Take a break from your frantic pace and enjoy our mulled wine recipe, beauty tips, home fragrance how-to and ideas for side dishes that sparkle. Click below for quick links.

The Peter Pan Syndrome

Holiday tradition. We've been quarreling about the concept, but only in a way intended to protect each other. My point is that Alex really doesn't need to get up at 4:30 to go pick up Peter, his fully grown son, who is taking the redeye home from San Francisco. Alex insists, refusing once again this year to surrender to the taxi or any other idea I come up with.

Making overnight visitors feel at home

The holidays often are a time when we renew friendships and visit with family. But if the get-togethers are going to be at your home, that means a quick tour of your guest room is a must to make sure everything is ready when the doorbell rings.

Conversational pitfalls

How to keep your foot out of your mouth around the holiday dinner table

You won't let it happen again. Not. This. Year. A political quip made in front of Uncle Joe. The "dateless" observation made by a cousin. Your mother's insistence that if she'd been allowed to cook the turkey, it wouldn't be so dry.

Glitter without the Glitz

All year long I've ignored the lure of of glitter and shine that beckons from cosmetic counters. Not for me, I say. But come the holidays, what seemed garish just a few months ago now looks well, just festive.

Fabulous fare for Friday!

From great advice to keep the peace at your holiday table to a tale of "Peter Pan" returning home, we've got holiday stories galore today on the site. Click through for details and quick links.

How do you tell whether you have the flu or a cold?

When the flu comes knocking, you'll know it. You're likely to be on your back and in misery for a good spell.

Fake it, don't bake it

No time to bake a cake or pie for your office party or holiday dinner? No problem.

Nesting instinct in B.V.I.

Admit it. We've all done it — rented a vacation home with a group of friends or with your family and angled/schemed/plotted to get the best bedroom. What is a fair way to decide who gets the master bedroom with ocean view balcony and marble Jacuzzi tub, while the others get the bunk beds with Dora the Explorer bedspreads?

Do I say “Ugh” to Uggs?

As I look at the winter wonderland outside my window, I can almost rest assured that when a female between the ages of one and 50 crosses my vision, she will be wearing a version of Uggs.

Here's the line-up for Thursday

From tips on faking a home-baked dessert to a fashion writer's take on Uggs to a sunny destination for your winter travel, we've got it and more on the site today. Click below for previews and links to whatever piques your interest.

What to buy for boomers

Attention, Gen X shoppers: Anyone seeking a gift for an older family member, please step away from the cologne, after-shave, ties and knickknacks. Perfect boomer gifts can be found in Aisle 5.

How much is right? Let your goodwill be your guide

Holiday tipping is meant to thank those who have already made our lives easier. But let's get real here. It also helps ensure continued good service from the folks who mind our kids, cut our hair, collect the trash, deliver the mail or put us through our Pilates paces. Call it relationship-building or call it enlightened self-interest.

Maps: They'll take you - and your room - places

Whether you are fascinated by the Old World or prefer a modern look, there's a map for your home. It's easy to find antique-inspired sepia maps of the world that are full of mountain ranges and place names and look as if they belong in your grandfather's study. But there are also more glamorous maps, streamlined of all topography and made of clear acrylic that seems to float when hung on the wall. Fully illuminated maps look like high-def televisions, techy enough to make a gadget geek swoon.

My 2008 Flowery Resolutions

Yippeee! This is going to be the best garden year ever because we just fired our lawn! No more co-dependency. Another round of organic, locally produced egg nog for all! We’re excavating our front lawn and replacing it with native and drought tolerant plants.

What's new this Wednesday

A holiday tipping guide, winter gardening advice from the Dirt Diva, a fabulous muffin recipe from Lisa Johnson and boomer gift ideas for clueless Gen X'ers. We've got all of this and more on the site today! Read on for quick links.

Sometimes wisdom comes in a whisper

When my friend Richard was headed for chemotherapy, I heard two words, "Show up." I call it a God whisper. Some call it intuition.

Look at what's on tap for Tuesday

We've got a one-on-one with the captivating Tom Brokaw, a new advice columnist, a fresh Party Line blog and more for you today! Click through for previews and quick links to the new material.

Time to nourish your creativity

We are all born creative, it is a fact of human nature. Anyone who has watched a child absorbed in her make-believe world can see that. But the curiosity and imagination so evident in our child selves often fades with the passage of time.

Road Test: Frustrating Friends

I love having friends. Really, I do. And I'm a good friend as well. But inevitably there's someone who gets on my nerves.

Peace, Love and Tom Brokaw

The legendary news anchor and bestselling author of "The Greatest Generation" has written a new book on the turbulent 1960s. BoomerGirl's Cathy Hamilton caught up with Tom Brokaw at a recent book-signing event to get his unique perspective on those life-altering times.

Weeks before the holidays are difficult for those still grieving

For some, as the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. But for those grieving the loss of a loved one, the sights, sounds and traditions of the season are ongoing and painful reminders of how life has changed.

Arthritis can be diagnosed and treated early

Q: My joints have been very sore since the weather changed. My hips and knees are hurting and I am only 55 years old. Might I have arthritis?

Four classic nibbles enter the 21st century, but you can ... party like it's 1968!

Some of the foods and fads of the swinging '60s can make a holiday buffet table look more like the holiday being celebrated is Halloween. Though many of dishes of the era are capturing a new generation of admirers, truth be told, they never went away for a lot of us.

Here is what's in store for Monday

Today our topics include boomerang kids, retro party-planning, arthritis warning signs and coping with grieving during the holidays PLUS another report from the front lines of the writers' strike. Click below for quick links to the fresh content.

Home again

When a teenager graduates from high school, he leaves home for college and stays gone, except for those holiday gatherings with mom and dad. At least that's how the story has gone for generations. But not now.

Force a little spring with paperwhites

For cheerful, sweet-smelling flowers indoors this time of year, paperwhites are hard to beat. Many gardeners grow them as gifts for the winter holidays, presenting bulbs when they have developed buds.

Candy creations

Use edible art to decorate your home for the holidays

It’s easy to be intimidated by all those lovely magazine spreads showing the perfect holiday table. But gorgeous holiday decorations can be more than just a checkout line-fantasy. Many ideas require little more than a trip to the grocer and a bit of experimenting.

Recipe reminder of aunt’s legacy

Many of us complain of the stress associated with the holidays as we juggle cooking, shopping, decorating, work, travel, in-laws and so forth. At the same time, it’s almost impossible not to be intoxicated by the season, whose hallmarks are the eager anticipation and easy laughter of children and the spontaneous generosity that is in short supply at other times of the year.

Here's your weekend fare!

From how-to's on forcing paper whites, decorating with candy and then making toffee just to eat, we've got it covered today. Click below for quick links to the sweet stuff.

A sweet toast to the holidays

Let's hear it for alcoholic holiday gifts. Rum cakes, bourbon balls, brandied fruitcakes - bring them on!

Looking for some stress relief? Try Charlotte Harbor, Fla.

My friends and I had enough of grumpy husbands, psycho cats, goofy dogs, piles of laundry, housecleaning, grocery shopping, and for two of us, kids - so Paula and Deborah (the two with kids) and me (the one with psycho kitties) decided to hit the road for a girlfriends' getaway with nothing more to worry about than just how deeply we would stick our toes into the white sands of the gulf beaches, how many frilly-umbrella-adorned rum cocktails we would sample, and how much seafood and desserts we could devour without sending our daily caloric intake into orbit.

Female law-firm head: 'Not a big deal'

When colleagues at the Pepper Hamilton law firm named Nina Gussack chairwoman in February, there was a swift outpouring of support from women lawyers around the country.

What's happening this Friday

We're TGIF'ing with gift ideas for travelers, a destination for your next girlfriend getaway, a fresh blog from Little Miss Echo and more. Read on for previews and links to whatever strikes you.

Gift ideas for your favorite traveler

The scramble is on to find the right last-minute gift for your favorite traveler. As you prowl stores, browse catalogs and scour the Internet for ideas, keep this in mind: the last thing you want to do is buy something that is cumbersome or so offbeat that what you think is perfect will be stuffed into a drawer or closet on Dec. 26.

Gradual retirement may not be key to happiness

Ask a baby boomer what his or her retirement plan is, and you are likely to hear: "Work forever. It's a standing joke in a generation that includes many who lived a little too much for today and not enough for tomorrow.

Catch the spirit with holiday tales

Sometimes, it's hard to get into the holiday spirit. Sure, the bright pine aroma wafting from the trees outside grocery stores can stir a happy memory. But the cheesy commercials in which women give unsuspecting husbands sports cars with big red bows inspire rage, not Christmas cheer.

The dating game deal breaker

We were on our first date and he had taken me to a charming and lively Italian restaurant where the waiters sang and there was the constant sound of forks clanging and glasses clinking. I had a few sips of wine with my linguine arrabbiata and noticed he had ordered a Diet Coke. After dinner, he took me to a cozy beachside bar where he proceeded to order himself another soda and, without asking me what I wanted, ordered me a Shirley Temple.

Here are your topics for Thursday

We've got dating game deal-breakers, all-or-nothing retirement tips, a heart-warming caregiver story and more for you today. Click below to find details and quick links.

Caregiving: Making it work

After Eleanor Burden suffered a bad fall, she lived for twelve months in a nursing home. And even though her daughter, Sally Berger, was able to visit her mom for three hours daily, she knew there had to be a better option.

Mia Hamm says ‘Winners Never Quit!’

Learning the importance of being part of a team and how to lose graciously are crucial to being successful in life, whether it’s in sports or anything else. The author of this week’s book learned these lessons as a child.

Look at what's fresh this Wednesday

From great gift ideas for the home, to tips on combating Seasonal Affect Disorder, to a great video with exercises to warm up your joints and more, we've got what you need today on the site. Click through for previews and links to whatever flips your switch.

Flashback of the Day

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime.

Jump start your day

Get your hips moving and your joints warmed up with Mirabai Holland, who demonstrates a quick five-minute routine that's low-impact, relaxing, and will help you jump start your day right.

Feeling the wintertime blues?

Every year, I dread when the clocks move back, because it triggers feelings of sluggishness and lethargy, making it really difficult for me to get excited about the holidays, as well as concentrate at work.

High-flying pilot, down-to-earth mom

Kim Strickland has tried sitting around and doing nothing. Honest she has.

Breast cancer may leave lingering symptoms

"I'm aware of it, yet I don't let it bother my life," Shirley Anderson said. Almost four years after her diagnosis, Shirley Anderson is breast cancer free. Shirley will live the rest of her life with lymphedema, swelling in the arm due to damage or removal of a lymph node.

Conjure an indoor tranquility garden

The Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius said, “When you are disturbed by events and lose your serenity, quickly return to yourself and don’t stay upset longer than the experience lasts; for you’ll have more mastery over your inner harmony by continually returning to it.” His words, spoken close to 167 A.D., still hold true, don’t you think? After a busy day at work, outdoor recreating or generally being part of a crowd, it’s refreshing to step inside your home for peace, tranquility and calm.

E-cards are cheap and easy, but taboo for many

They're quick and fast and as welcome as Scrooge at Christmas dinner. E-mailing holiday cards at Christmas and Hanukkah may be the last taboo when it comes to electronic communications.

A toast to Tuesday!

We've got a brand new wine columnist, a reader-submitted Herspectives essay, instructions on how to create an indoor tranquility garden and more today! Click below to get details and quick links.

Battle of the Big Reds

I attended a great wine tasting last night held at the local wine bar. It was titled “Battle of the Big Reds” and featured big, bold Bordeaux style wines. Set up like a formal judging, we had 12 wines poured before us, and we were give the task (oh, what hard work!) of tasting and rating the wines.

Fettuccine with edamame, chicken and mozzarella

Flashback of the day

Time to Rock Around the Christmas Tree.

Look at what's on tap for Monday

Gifts for every personality type, retirement funds after divorce, do's and don'ts for booking travel online and a new Home Alone blog -all await you on the site today. Click through for previews and quick links.

No more boiling over

Keep the water where it's supposed to be — in the pot!

Flashback of the day

Now that's gotta be some honeymoon!

Booking on the Internet: Caution is the best policy

When you book online, you're often on your own. That's the message we hear again and again from fellow travelers: When that room that looked great online turned out to be a dump; when you forgot and booked the rental car in your maiden name; when you booked a tour at a euro price when you thought it was dollars - you've got no one to blame except yourself.

Equitable division of marital property should include retirement provisions

The purpose of alimony is to give sufficient funds to the dependent spouse to allow him or her to maintain a reasonable facsimile of the prior lifestyle. While two houses can't operate on the same funds as were available to operate one household, continuation of the prior lifestyle is the goal. Accordingly, some courts won't consider a "savings component" when establishing alimony, while others will.

Cooling your hostile work environment

Is your boss or a co-worker tormenting you at work? Are you being attacked verbally or psychologically?

Find your holiday inspiration

We've only begun to shop. And this is but a brief selection of some of the cooler holiday items out there. Each store had many options, so it was tough to edit down. But it is a start, and hopefully it will inspire you to be creative this gift-giving season.

Hot and spicy stir-fry beef

Keep holiday newsletters light and brief

The second-most maligned holiday icon - the fruitcake being No. 1 - is the family Christmas newsletter. Five years ago, I wrote: "Stop sending out family newsletters for Christmas. Nobody cares." OK, stepping back, that sounds downright mean-spirited.

Vila's still building, adding tool line to his resume

Remember Bob Vila? I never thought I'd be asking that question, but Vila doesn't seem to be around much anymore. Perhaps the veteran contractor's boat was swamped in the tidal wave of too many home-improvement shows seemingly hosted by formerly out-of-work actors.

Goat cheese: The perfect party hors d'oeuvre

It's December and the party season has officially begun. Along with the invitations from the office, friends and family comes the usual request. Now, try not to wince when you hear these words, "Could you please bring an hors d'oeuvre to the party?"

Young guests and holiday party etiquette

Tis the holiday season and time for entertaining. You adore youngsters, but don't want them at your adults-only party. So, how do you get around not inviting them? And what do you do if the kiddos show up?

Sip into the season

The invitations offered the right touch of glamour, your seasonal decor is worthy of a magazine cover, and your food will be the envy of hostesses everywhere. The one last ingredient you need for a magical holiday party is just the right festive cocktail.

What's in store this Monday

Relax and enjoy our festive yet informative fare on the Entertain, Friends, Food and Men's Room pages today. Click through for details and links to the stories that catch your eye.

Have a 'green' Christmas!

Searching for an organic Christmas tree or the next best thing? Have we got options for you!

From wallflower to Laura

Genie Francis gaining confidence with age

A little more than 20 years ago actress Genie Francis was gracing the cover of every magazine and tabloid as the fabled Laura of the Luke-and-Laura romance from daytime's "General Hospital." Thirty million viewers tuned in to watch their wedding - more than any before or since.

Flashback of the day

Those cats were fast as lightning!

Serve up assorted cookies

‘Tis the season for making cookies. There’s no nicer gift than a pretty plate of assorted cookies.

Caregivers need help, too

If you take care of someone, don't forget to take care of yourself. Family caregivers, especially as the holiday season approaches, may feel the unbearable weight of their task. For many, the juggling act becomes a high-wire act as they try to balance more demands and growing stress.

Chili-Glazed Shrimp with Jasmine Rice and Peas

For your Friday

From recipes for your cookie exchange to a grandmother's take on Hannah Montana to advice for caregivers, we've got you covered today. Click below for previews and links to whatever sparks an interest.

First, clear out the clutter

We asked five experts — a real estate agent, a model home stager, an interior designer, a professional organizer and a cleaning service owner — what three or four things they'd recommend to spiff up the homestead, even if time and money are tight.

Fight the holiday shopping doldrums

Dear Susan: I cannot believe it is December. It just caught up to me and I’m realizing that I don’t want to do presents for my husband’s entire family any more. It’s just too much. There are four adults and four kids. I told my husband last night that I was going to tell his family that we aren’t exchanging this year (or ever again) and he said it’s too late for that. He said it doesn’t have to be expensive but we have to get something for everyone. I don’t see why we can’t do it like my family. We stopped doing presents years ago.

This is what's fresh this Thursday

A luxury getaway in the Ozark hills, advice on negotiating the holidays with the in-laws, a hilarious Showbiz Kid blog and more can be had today on BoomerGirl. Click through for details and links.

The joy of gifting

Festive ideas will please your favorite foodies

Looking for a Christmas gift for a friend or family member to use in the kitchen? There’s certainly no lack of kitchen gadgets, pots, pans, utensils and appliances to choose from.

Retreat from stress at this Ozark resort

The entrance to Big Cedar was designed to build your anticipation slowly. A steep one-way road switches back and forth through the trees as you descend toward the lake.

Chicken braised in white wine with herbs, garlic

Not just for greens

From dry, crisp greens to sinfully moist cakes.

Baton Rouge recalls the antebellum South with some modern spice

You walk into a darkened room of the Old State Capitol. A spotlight comes on, and there stands a life-sized bronze figure. It's animatronic Huey Long. He begins speaking, a loquacious politician speaking the language that marked him as a man of the people, about poll taxes, paved roads, pot liquor and his beloved Louisiana State University football team.

The best proven wrinkle treatment

I eagerly devour the countless beauty catalogues lugged to the door by my hard-working mailman. Their delivery causes me to stop mid-task, propelled by my search for that magical skin care treatment that may just be lurking inside those glossy pages.

What's new this Wednesday

We've got great gift ideas for your aging mom or dad, a hot beauty tip from our own Barb Gerbasi plus a Pat Detmer blog and more today! Click through to get highlights and links to whatever you want to read right now.

Shrimp scampi with pasta

Gift ideas for your aging parents

Older relatives and friends can present the biggest challenge when it comes to buying gifts during the holidays. After all, most have downsized to smaller living spaces and typically don’t need more “stuff.”

Flashback of the Day

Do you remember Bingo the pet chimp?

Living alone and liking it

Being with my friend Jennifer was a delight, but equally as delightful was seeing the life she had created for herself. Divorced from her husband for many years, she was completely relaxed and satisfied with the way her life had unfolded and with the decisions she had made.

Debt: From disgrace to entitlement

Much of the traditional social and cultural views of good debt vs. bad debt have been influenced by mass marketing to baby boomers and their children and grandchildren, many of whom expect or feel pressured to pursue immediate gratification over traditional values like saving for a rainy day.

Alzheimer's: Intimacy found after all is lost

A life-shattering disease, Alzheimer's may be cruelest to the devoted spouses who watch their partners slip away from them into dementia. That agony is only compounded when patients embrace new romances with fellow nursing home residents.

African chicken with roasted garlic couscous

Look what's happening this Tuesday!

From the joys of living alone to the dangers of living in debt, our content runs the gamut today. Click through for links to whatever piques your interest ... and check out our new reader-submitted Herspectives blog.

Flashback of the Day

The Song Remains The Same

Don't ruin Grandma's china!

Keep scratches off your plates with this easy trick

Blind teacher has 'seen' her students succeed for 36 years

Yvonne Robinson is one of Palm Beach County, Fla.'s most experienced elementary school teachers. Yet through 36 years in the classroom, she's never seen a student smile for scoring high marks.

Drop by drop: 20 ways to save water in the kitchen

Saving water in the kitchen isn't just the right thing to do during a drought. It's the right thing to do all of the time.

Trench warmers

Trench coats have come in from the rain. The iconic trench - once designed solely for function - has swept in as a crisp, fresh fashion trend for fall, with new lengths, bolder colors, richer textures and ladylike details.

Roasted tomato basil soup

What's new this Monday

From a profile of an amazing veteran teacher who happens to be blind to 20 easy ways to save water in the kitchen, we've got a full slate today. Click through for previews and links.

Flashback of the Day

Flashback of the Day for Dec. 3.

Up to here in catalogs? There is a solution

The warning signs of another holiday season are all around. Green and red decorations are in stores. Ads are airing for this year's crop of Christmas movies. And America's mailboxes are bulging with catalogs.

The joy of cooking pies

This is the time of year when we head back into the kitchen to create holiday magic. Ovens that are used for storage most of the year are getting ready for hams, turkeys and pies.

These lips were made for color, but do these lipsticks pass the test?

After years of glassy glosses and the rise of the Nude Lip, we're ready for some color. As in deep reds, burgundies, chocolate-y browns for our smackers. While the right lipstick can make a face look polished and dramatic, they can also be high maintenance, requiring extra time to apply and frequent checks to make sure the tint remains in place.

Here's to our winner and weekend reading!

We've drawn the winner's name in our November "You Deserve It" giveaway. Click through to find out who it is and to see what's fresh on the site this weekend!