Thursday, April 24, 2008

Baby Boomer Divas on the Move in Daytona Beach

I've been back home a few days after spending several days in Daytona Beach for the First Annual Baby Boomer Girlfriend's Spring Break. Everyone has been asking me, "How was it?"

It's really hard to describe in words because there were so many different things going on. It was a non-stop weekend. It was nothing short of incredible to finally meet some of the baby boomer divas I've been networking online with for more than a year. You would’ve thought we had known each other for years. Actually it felt like a sorority sisters reunion. And when you add in Baby Boomer Actresses Bern Nadette Stanis and Jo Kelly, you get a star-studded event designed for Queen Divas.

One thing I've discovered is, we are truly a group of fabulous 40 and beyond women. Just click on the title of this blog (Baby Boomer Divas on the Move...) and see what I mean.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

First Annual Baby Boomer Girlfriend's Spring Break a Success

After spending a FABULOUS weekend in Daytona Beach for the First Annual Baby Boomer Girlfriend’s Spring Break, I am CONVINCED there are many of us out here who are doing great things. We many not be recognized by the masses but we are still a force to be reckoned with!!!

I want to personally thank those of you who believed in my vision and helped make it a reality. Baby Boomer actress Bern Nadette Stanis deserves a **special** thank you for her participation.

I am inviting you to become a member of Boomer Diva Nation and join us now and beyond as we work to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

See some of the pictures from the event at: http://www.enjoyyourmenopause.com

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Political Boomerworld Comes to North Carolina

The baby boomer democratic presidential candidates are vying for North Carolina. The tarheel state has become important to the overall delgate count and Barack and Hillary are duking it out to see who gets the prize.

Barack, his wife, Michelle, Hillary and Bill have been to North Carolina several times courting votes.

My daughter registered for the first time yesterday. She was really excited to do so and has made no secret about her choice---Barack Obama. And neither has my grandson for that matter.

According to the State Board of Eelections, more than one hundred thousand new voters have registered. Most of them are African-American and Democrats.

Friday, April 11 is the last day potential voters can register for the May 6th primary.

I wonder will N.C. Senator John Edwards get any votes---oh, he's out of the race isn't he? I wonder who he plans to endorse.

Are You A "Make-Do" Baby Boomer Woman?

Every now and then a "floating" email catches my attention---like this one did. It got me to thinking about the kind of woman I've become. Beverly Mahone is living fabulous at fifty and not lamenting on the would've, should've, could've of life. I'm NOT a "make-do" woman. I'm a "make-time" woman. What about you? If you identify with the type of woman described here, it's definitely time for a change.

When I was preparing to get married (the first time around more than 20 years ago), I started getting all sorts of advice especially at bridal showers and things like that from family and friends. But one of the most interesting "lessons" came from a woman I met for the first time, just a few weeks before the big day.

She said, "Honey, whatever you do, don't ever let yourself become a "make-do" woman" I had no idea what she meant, but, of course, she was about to explain.

She continued, "men" don't deny themselves anything. Whatever they want to buy, they buy. Whatever they want to do, they do. Meanwhile, there is the wife, making do with her hair not being done, her clothes from yesteryear, her nails in need, never had a pedicure, scraping the bottom of her tube of lipstick! Oh, I could go on and on with how "we" make do.

And why? Because the car needs fixing, this Bill is behind, we have to use our time to take care of this, or take care of that; we're saving for this, working, cooking, cleaning, raising, etc." She warned me to never become a make-do woman, because she says if you start, it is hard to stop and one could easily find themselves making-do for the rest of their lives.

I vowed it would never happen to me. I didn't think much more of the conversation until one day, I began to take notice, she was right. Men are a lot better at being good to themselves. Some call it being selfish, there has to be another word for it. Tell me if you know. Whatever you call it. It does have its place.

When they want to play ball, or golf, or fish, they go! When they want to buy clothes, or equipment, or video games, or whatever their "thing" is, they buy! Have you ever tried to stop one? Has anyone ever been able to stop one? Let me know! When I look around, I see a whole heap of make-do women, married or not, with or without children, they are all over the place!

I have decided that I am going to make my best effort to become a "make-time" woman! I will make the time to do what I need to do to be good to myself, whether that's a trip to the salon, or the gym or the mall. This time I'm going to take a lesson from the guys!

All right ladies, single and married... Let's NOT be a "MAKE-DO" Women!

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Baby Boomers in the Hood--Part II

How well do you know your neighbors? In case of an emergency, could you call on them or vice versa? I’m happy to say I live in a baby boomer community where we actually know each other. I’m also happy to say our neighborly looking out for one another has been put to the test several times but there was one recent incident that makes me question how far one should go in “looking out” for their neighbor.

Here’s what happened to me: After my neighbor (a baby boomer diva) across the street told me her home had been broken into twice, I made it my business to become a “nosey neighbor” and look for anything suspicious.

One day, I observed an unfamiliar vehicle with temporary tags park in my neighbor’s driveway. The young man who got out of the car had a baseball cap on his head as if to disguise his face and he had a backpack on his back. That was definitely suspicious-looking to me so what did I do? I immediately got on the phone and called the police! Surprisingly, they came right away and I sat at my bedroom window to watch the drama unfold while staying on the phone with the police dispatcher. With guns drawn, two officers ran around the back of my neighbor’s house. To think that I would be responsible for helping to catch a criminal in the act was exciting! Minutes later, the police walked back to their vehicles but there was no suspect. Did he run and leave his car? Did they shoot him? Then the police dispatcher informed me that the person inside the house was actually my neighbor’s grown son.

It had been awhile since I saw him and he obviously had a new car so I didn’t recognized him.

The next time I saw my neighbor, we talked about what happened. Her son was pretty scared over having guns drawn on him. She said she figured I was the one who called the police and she thanked me for keeping a watchful eye. I couldn't help thinking what would've happened had the outcome been different.

OK…so there is a moral and lesson from this story. First, it’s good to be a “watch dog” for your neighbors but stereotyping people can get innocent people seriously hurt or even killed.