Friday, October 31
Meet Sarah, or is it Loretta?
Carol Starr Schneider, aka The Showbiz Kid, is all dressed up and ready to go this Halloween, but it wasn't easy. Check out her blog and read why.
...and not a minute too soon
We don't "fall back" until tomorrow night but I can't wait for Daylight Savings Time to be over, and here's why.
Thursday, October 30
The great costume challenge
My husband and I are famous for our Halloween costumes. Here we are as "Adam and Eve, Evolved", from 2006 - a nod to the evolution/creationism debate raging in our state at the time. (At least, WE thought we were hilarious.) But what to do this year?
Wednesday, October 29
The power of red
Want to catch the eye, and the heart, of a certain attractive gentleman? New research suggests you should add a dash of crimson to your wardrobe.
Tuesday, October 28
OK, so maybe I overdid it a little
Like a squirrel hoarding her nuts for winter, I took full advantage of a 10/$10 sale on Celestial Seasonings tea yesterday. Guess how many boxes I bought. Then, tell me where the heck I'm going to put them all...
Ad astra per aspera
Maybe astrology devotee Nancy Reagan had the right idea. Why not turn to the stars in difficult times? The great thing about Astrology on the Web is there are so many different horoscopes online, you can cherry-pick until you find a daily forecast you can live with!
Monday, October 27
Life by Number: #1 Favorite Scary Movie
It was 1967. I was in seventh grade. They turned off all the house lights in the theatre for the last fifteen minutes of the movie. When the bad guy lunged from the dark for Audrey Hepburn, my friend, Susie, screamed and threw an entire box of Jujubees up in the air. I loved "Wait Until Dark." Still do.
Solving the mystery of mental pause
If it happened once, it happened three times this weekend - my memory failing at an inopportune time. ("Omigosh! What IS her first name!?!") What an appropriate time to revisit my interview with Cathryn Jakobson Ramin, author of “Carved in Sand: When Attention Fails and Memory Fades in Midlife.”
Sunday, October 26
Imagination runs wild during mammogram
I’m not worried about the flimsy gown or the weird metal pasties. I don’t mind being manhandled by a stranger, mainly because it’s always a woman doing the manhandling. What’s got me on edge is the drama of a past exam. I remember it like it was yesterday...
Friday, October 24
In search of a better (read: cheaper) facial regime
I've been happy with the Wexler products I've been slathering on my face for the past several months. But the cost for the cleanser, serum, eye cream plus day and night moisturizers is no longer acceptable. From now on, I'm going old school.
Top 20 best part-time jobs for boomers
With all the talk about how most of us will NEVER get to retire completely, perhaps you'd be interested in this list from Newsday and Careerbuilder.com.
Thursday, October 23
Five common health tips challenged
Can you skip breakfast, ditch your multivitamin and monthly breast self-exam, and still be guaranteed good health? An article in Redbook magazine suggests you can.
Wednesday, October 22
Sly and the Family Stone delivered me
I had miles to go before I could sleep after a long, late dinner with Mom last night. Thank goodness for Sly and the Family Stone, whose "Greatest Hits" CD kept me wide awake and rockin' all the way home.
Tuesday, October 21
To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story
I wasn't aware of Nina Simone until my daughter brought her music home from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Simone was known primarily as a jazz musician but, as this 3-CD tribute set of her music proves, she was so much more.
A 51-year survivor remembers
When a woman was diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1950s, there was no one to turn to, no one to talk to. An 88-year-old survivor has lived to tell the tale.
Monday, October 20
Another one bites the dust
Funeral services were held this morning for yet another blow dryer of mine. I don't think this one lasted a year. Maybe it's time I did some research into the best hair dryers, with the longest life expectancies, on the market.
Cupcakes for a cause
Cupcakes! The perfect comfort food. Visually appealing and sweet, but proportionally correct so as not to derail your diet. This week, you can have your cupcake and help fight cancer in kids, too. Find out how....
Sunday, October 19
Abandoning my bid for the White House
My fellow Americans: After weeks of soul-searching reflection, I have decided to drop out of the race.
Saturday, October 18
Ten best foods for your heart
Going grocery shopping today? Fill your cart with these heart-healthy foods and give your ticker a treat!
Friday, October 17
Who says disco is dead?
Remember when John Travolta made your heart skip a beat in "Saturday Night Fever?" Now, doctors say the 1977 classic tune, "Stayin' Alive," may actually start a heart beating again.
Living Oprah 24/7
Count me among the many new fans of tongue-in-cheek Oprah devotee Robin Okrant. She's the Chicago woman who is "Living Oprah" - taking all of the TV diva's recommendations to heart, all day, every day - and blogging about it.
Laughing Yoga Man
They say laughter is the best medicine. It sends oxygen rushing to your heart and brain, stretches your face and stomach muscles, and cures what emotionally ails you. That's why so-called 'laughter yoga' is increasing in popularity around the globe.
Thursday, October 16
Postnup, anyone?
Here's a fascinating story from the Associated Press on the growing trend of postnuptial agreements, also known as marital or reconciliation agreements.
A second career in the nonprofit sector?
An interesting - and encouraging - new report is released today by the folks at Encore.org and Civic Ventures. It examines the potential for "encore" careers for baby boomers in the nonprofit sector. Is it time for a change in YOUR career?
Wednesday, October 15
Pumpkin delights
Why wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy the autumnal flavor of pumpkin? Here are some great recipes from two excellent cooks (and pumpkin growers) that call for fresh or canned pumpkin. (Of course, they're partial to fresh).
My date with the Bra Whisperer
Ever since Oprah did that memorable show on finding the right bra, I've been dying to see a real bra-fitting specialist. Yesterday, I got my chance.
Here's the story, and it's a doozy!
Who knew little Marcia Brady was behaving so badly behind the scenes? Well, we ALL do, now. Maureen McCormick has a new tell-all in the bookstores and it's a little TMI for me.
Monday, October 13
Encouraging words from the guru of motivation
Anthony Robbins offered a healthy dose of consolation and encouragement this morning on the Today show. One of his recommendations for coping in a crisis: Get out and help someone less fortunate.
Take ten years off your face
Here are five great tips from TotalBeauty.com to help you put your best face forward this week. First tip: Give up the shimmering eye shadow!
Sunday, October 12
Why sweat the small stuff when the BIG stuff is so much more fun?
And to think I used to spend time worrying about the pack rat that lives in my garage.
Saturday, October 11
Dinner with friends: Cheaper than therapy
I enjoyed dinner with a group of high school (and grade school!) chums last night. It reminded me how important it is to stay connected, especially in hard times.
"I pimped for my 80-year-old father."
It's not EXACTLY what you think...but close. Bob Morris' book, "Assisted Loving: True Tales of Double Dating with My Dad," chronicles his "year of dating dangerously" with his recently-widowed father. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll lock your parents in their rooms until they're 95.
Friday, October 10
Cell phones and the new pop culture
In honor of National Popcorn Month (and you thought October was just about breast cancer), here's a novel - yet frightening - way of making popcorn.
New stock market terminology
These just in from a friend whose sense of humor seems to be still intact, unlike her portfolio. 'Hope they bring a little levity to your Friday....
The skinny on skinny spirits
Not that I condone alcohol consumption as a healthy antidote to stress, but if your weekend plans include a therapeutic libation or two, might as well not break the diet. Here's a re-post from the summer on "skinny cocktails."
Thursday, October 9
Humor for the similarly afflicted
Times are bad enough. Throw menopause into the mix and it's a wonder we all aren't imploding, literally. This hilarious little book promises a brief reprieve for anyone feeling the heat.
Shop pink for Christmas
Here's a way to get some of your holiday shopping done, support breast cancer research and make a pink lover happy....all at the same time.
Wednesday, October 8
Find out what the candidates really said
With all the spin doctors, pundits and negative ads out there, who can be sure what the candidates really said on any given stump? Enter Google in Quotes to set the record straight, sort of.
Galoshes even Carrie Bradshaw could love
These one-of-a-kind galoshes called "City Slippers" by SWIMS are a brilliant example of the "find a need and fill it" marketing approach. And if I still wore high heels, I'd snap up a couple of pairs in a second!
Tuesday, October 7
How breast health changes through the decades
More magazine has an excellent article on breast care in your 40s, 50s and 60s. The 50s are a particularly critical time to be vigilante and get regular check-ups. Read why.
Monday, October 6
Women and worry: Why we're so darn good at it
Show me a person who isn't worried right now and I'll show you someone on heavy-duty medication. The rest of us are stressed out (thank goodness for Saturday Night Live) and females are twice as likely to suffer from significant anxiety than men.
Apples on the barbie
Bought a few too many apples over the weekend? Why not consider cooking them on the grill with your pork tenderloin tonight? Recipe follows.
Sunday, October 5
Love-hate relationship with dolls reborn
Of all the horrifying reports I saw on “The Today Show” this week (and there was a veritable cornucopia of horror to choose from), perhaps the most shocking was the one about grown women playing with dolls.
Saturday, October 4
Not getting enough in the bedroom?
Sleep, that is. According to a new survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council (now THERE'S a job I'd like to have), Boomers would give up their cell phones, chocolate or, yes, even sex for a better night's sleep.
Read this before you "buy pink"
Buying a product that helps the fight against breast cancer feels good. But beware. There are unscrupulous marketers out there using the pink ribbon to boost profits.
Friday, October 3
Age and breast cancer
Did you know that almost 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women over the age of 50? Here are some other ways age factors into the risk of developing the disease.
The great debate: Who won?
The much anticipated and ballyhooed vice-presidential debate is finally over. You've slept on it. Now, weigh in. Was there a clear winner? Will it change anyone's mind?
Thursday, October 2
50% off outlet prices!
I know. You're so worried about your retirement, you can't even THINK of spending money at a time like this. Don't worry. I've got your back, and a 50% off discount code at one of my favorite online stores...just for the necessities.
Dr. Susan Love wants YOU!
The extraordinary Dr. Love has launched a revolutionary campaign to stop breast cancer once and for all, and she needs our help to do it. Find out how to volunteer in this unprecedented research project.
Wednesday, October 1
Do fake babies freak you out?
Apparently, there are grown women in this world who play with eerily real-looking fake babies. They're called "Reborns," and the women dress, care for, even talk to them. There's a documentary on this weird phenomenon tonight on BBC America. Here's a preview from the Today show this morning.
We've got a winner!
Congratulations to Roe Regan of Western Springs, Illinois, winner of our BoomerGirl "You Deserve It" giveaway for September. If you didn't win last month, don't despair. This month's prize is just as exciting! Check it out!