To Gray Or Not to Gray

Vibrant Nation, a great source of information particularly for boomer women, provides 3 steps to going gray gracefully.

They recommend to carefully plan the change to take place over time. Ensure that your hair is healthy by properly conditioning it, drinking plenty of water and taking your vitamin supplement.

Finally, consider a full style makeover including adding colors to your wardrobe that complement your new hair color.

Every time I write out a check to my hair stylist, I wonder if I'd be better off going gray. After all, mom's hair is beautiful.

The Eyes Have It: When You Are Plagued With Dry Eye Syndrome

Car-man and I love to walk at Shoreline Park in Santa Barbara. More than once we had to turn around and head home prematurely because my eyes were stinging and my vision was blurred. Even my tears couldn't alleviate the pain.

Then I learned I have dry-eye syndrome.

I wasn't aware that this incurable ailment primarily plagues post-menopausal women. In addition to stinging and blurred or fluctuating vision, the syndrome may also cause sensitivity to light.

Dye eye syndrome arises out of a disfunction of any of the three layers of film on the eye. These layers are mucus, water and oil.

Here's what you can do to combat dry eye syndrome:

1. Run a humidifier to combat dry winter air.

2. Take out your contact lenses and replace with eyeglasses.

3. Get plenty of sleep.

4. Avoid smoke.

5. Wear goggles when swimming.

6. Direct fans and vents away from your face.

7. Wear sunglasses, preferably the wrap-around kind.

8. Wear a hat.

9. Eat healthy.

10. Drink lots of water.

11. Use herbal tea bags as compresses.

12. Take breaks from the computer or television.

13. Gently massage the edge of your eyelids daily with a warm wet swab or washcloth.

If you are still uncomfortable, an eye lubricant might help. Find the best one for you from over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. The premier ones are preservative free and come in single-use vials.

If you opt for an eye ointment, apply only at bedtime.

And should you continue to have trouble, see your ophthalmologist.

For more information, visit 50somethinginfo.com

Boomers Pack Audience For Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot

It was like Car-man going to Concours d'Elegance or Chef-man going on Top Chef.  

Hearing Harvard sociologist and much-acclaimed author Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot speak was like listening to the ultimate concert or a precisely-constructed poem for a "word person" like me.  

Take these phrases and let your mind go wild:

"Arc of life and learning"

"Looking back and giving forward"

"Futuristic and transformational"

"Deep gladness meets the world's great hunger"

"Their stories became their compass"

"Season in search of a purpose"

"10,000 baby boomers turn 60 every day." (S L-L)  The third chapter of life, between 50 and 75 years, is a period when we're neither young nor old, when we urgently need to get on with what we need to be.  

Boomer/Senior To Climb Mt. Everest

Dawes Eddy wants to inspire people of all ages, particularly America's youth.  That's why he's planning to be the oldest U.S. citizen at 66 years of age to ever scale the 29,035 foot Mt. Everest in Nepal next March. 

Since his early 30's Eddy has lived the healthy lifestyle, incorporating good nutrition with physical conditioning, which has enabled him to participate in all kinds of marathons and climbs.

Should you or your organization want to help support him on this momentous journey,  please contact him as soon as possible and share the triumph of a boomer/senior pushing the limits of aging.

Boomers And Seniors Looking For Work

The author of the upcoming book told me that Car-man took a bigger leap than I.  He catapulted backwards by choice from founder and president of a professional corporation to a car salesman. I merely hopped from being a librarian to creating a website.  I see her point.  I've just switched locales but Car-man not only moved into a completely different field, he also had to adjust from:

1. Generous compensation and time-off to commission only and one week "paid" vacation 

2. Giving orders to taking orders

3. Status and prestige to, well, you know...

4. Large, corner office to desk by the window

More and more of our friends and acquaintances are finding themselves thrown back into the job pool.   The blows to ego and personal finance are depressing and frightening especially if you're over 50.   

Check out Workforce50 where employers who are committed to hiring baby boomers and older workers advertise their jobs.  RetiredBrains welcomes those looking for jobs, volunteer opportunities, educational resources and retirement information.  Search for a part-time job, a temporary job or project assignment or a full-time job.  Since I don't have personal experience with either site, let me know what you think.

Car-man, thanks for making the trade-off so that we can live in a nicer place and be closer to our grandkids.  You're my hero.

Writing About Your Life

Yesterday I took photos of the things around our house since Car-man repeatedly reminded me that photos "saved" us when we had the big earthquake (1994, Northridge, CA) and we could then prove to our insurance company what we owned.  So I went around this house and garage and itemized on camera the appliances, antiques, paintings, china, crystal, etc.

What would make little difference to anyone but my family are the boxes and boxes of photos stashed both in the house and garage.  These, obviously, couldn't be replaced unless they were saved in some off-site computer storage like Shutterfly or Snapfish.  Nor could the memories that go along with them.

Journal for Jordan has made the headlines of late.  Jordan's father, Sgt. Charles Monroe King (pictured), spent only two weeks with his infant son before he returned to duty in Iraq where he was killed in 1996.   In his writings King, unique and spirited,  lovingly shared his personal wisdom with the son he would never share first steps, first date, and first child.

I don't have to look far to remember faces  younger than I who once occupied special moments in my life but who are no longer on this earth.  You never know when you time is up--it only takes one car accident or one visit to the doctor to know that your days are numbered. 

In the spirit of Charles King, we, too, can leave a legacy for your children and grandchildren. We can impart the wisdom we have gleaned from years of living.  As a New Year's resolution, think about putting pen to paper about what makes you you, what you believe in, what's most important to you. And let those who descend you know the person you really are.  

Radio Interview With Jeff Lumby

This morning I was interviewed by Jeff Lumby and co-host and sidekick Gayle O'Brien on 107.5FM in Ontario, Canada. This is the year that Jeff turns 50 and joins the rest of us in dealing with boomer and senior life changes. My guess is that he's making this transition kicking and screaming.

Anyhow, Jeff asked for gift suggestions (just in case anyone had an impulse to commemorate his giant leap into his 2nd 1/2 century).  Well, folks, I'm going to save you the trouble agonizing over the proper gift:

1. Try the picture book, Zoom.  (Message:  What feels overwhelming right now is really insignificant in the scheme of things)

2. A great movie (he may be sleeping less so he can enjoy his sleeplessness more)

3. Compression socks for tired achy legs 

4. An easy chair

4. Tickets to a ball game (make sure the binocs are extra-magnified) or Concours d'Elegance (show me a man who doesn't have a car fetish)

5. A very cool visor (for people who are losing those curly locks)

Happy Birthday, Jeff.   Thanks for the interview!!!!

P.S. For those of you who want to know some of my favorite websites, here they are:

Money: CNN Money

Medical: Mayo Clinic, Family Doctor, Mother Nature, and American Cancer Society

Shopping: Nextag and Amazon

Pets: Petfinder

Wardrobe: SherrieMathieson, FabulousAfter40, and Footsmart

Caregiving:  Caring Connections, Strengthforcaring and Transitions

Law:  Nolo

Women At Work

The Mom Entrepreneur (TME) is a blog dedicated to helping women who are balancing motherhood and running a company. At first blush, her Lemons to Lemonade feature appears to be limited to the mothers who have said, "Enough!" to being bounced from job to job because of our crappy economy and moves on to explore how these women have aimed to create something of their own on their own terms.

Founder of Bisson Barcelona Traci Bisson Barrington knows from personal experience what it was like a few years back to have tried and failed at business (what good businessperson hasn't?). She also knows what desperate measures businesses need to take to stay afloat in these erratic times to keep co-workers from collecting unemployment.

Little did blog author and PR firm owner Barrington know that I, Susan Levine, 60, could relate. Even though I no longer have to juggle play dates, carpools, homework, and music recitals, I still have my own time constraints that involve grandparenting, caregiving for aging parents, and retirement planning. I feel the economic crunch the same as younger folks but I know that I have less time to reverse my financial faux pas. Finally, I, too, have hopes and dreams that include the lure of being my own boss, creating some income, and someday (not too soon, I hope!) "leaving this world a better place."

Kudos to Traci for using her smarts to do battle with the current economic trends. Rather than lay off her team, she chose to cut corners by bringing her kid home rather than go to daycare, canceling trade shows, and postponing meeting with consultants. Online social networking substituted for face-to-face contacts while her blog enabled her to "vent" her frustrations and get supports from others "in the same boat."

For anyone who wants to be a participant rather than a spectator in this generation's economic "New Deal," consider reading The Mom Entrepreneur, a blog by a young mother who combines the challenges of motherhood with innovation, creativity, and expertise of owning her own business.

Purchasing the Right Car

I leave all things car to Car-Man because he's an absolute car-nut. After several jobs and careers, he's now selling cars, the foreign expensive ones he's favored for quite some time.

Besides make, model and price, color seems to be a major issue for most people, he confides, followed by such things (in no particular order) as visibility, maintenance, MPH, safety rating, interior space, comfort, and even how effortlessly Rufus can enter or exit.

Aging compounds the accessibility factor. Getting in and out of the car can be monumental. Finding an accessible place for a wheelchair or walker can pose its own problem (the wider the car, the better). And comfortable seats (with lumbar support?) tend to be a priority. Reaching for seatbelts makes it difficult to follow the law. And just try to turn the ignition key or gas cap if you suffer from arthritis.

People tend to think that they'll get Kelley Blue Book price for their trade-in. Remember, Car-man warns, that Kelley Blue Book does not buy or sell cars; therefore, their estimation of what your used car is worth may be grossly inflated. Keep in mind also that many cars are worth more as scrap than as a refurbished vehicle.

Back Pain: Nagging Discomfort

I gave in and went to Dr. C, the orthopedist. The sleepless nights, the pain getting out of the car, even the discomfort rising out of my chair (where I spend most of my days working on my website) finally got to me.

Good news. It was muscle, not bone-related. So Dr. C recommended that I take one of several over-the-counter medications for the pain and see a physical therapist or chiropractor. He also said I could check out "Patient information" on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. What a nice resource!

To begin, follow the directions to enlarge text size because you practically need a magnifying glass to read the information.

Select the part of the anatomical display of the body where you are having problems and you will find ways you can get relief.

There's a safety alert about the ways to prevent falls, the plight of more than 11 million senior citizens each year.

The site has a specific section for seniors which covers topics such as arthritis, osteoporosis, prevention and safety, wellness, and the role of complementary medicine in treating orthopedic disorders.

Honestly, folks, this site is packed with useful information. Don't miss it.

Finding Your Own Scent

"Carman" and I were watching Law and Order the other night.  Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) was saying that she could define an age group based on the smell of her perfume.

Now take the aroma of a grapefruit.

The Smell and Taste Institute in Chicago  conducted a study to determine what makes women smell younger to men.

A grapefruit fragrance, it was determined, created the illusion of a much younger (about 6 years) woman.  

So, ladies, on your mark.  Get set. Go to your cosmetic store.  Or your supermarket.  Whichever is closer.  

Choosing a perfume to suit you can be as complicated as picking out shoes, hairstyles, or clothes.  What smells good on your friend may not compliment you; that's because our scent is determined not only by the fragrance in the bottle but also by our own bodily chemistry which blends with the bottled scent to become our very own. 

 

Follow these fragrance pointers to achieve the impression you're aiming for:

Be patient to get the full impact of the fragrance.

Change your perfume with the seasons.

Change your perfume depending on where you are.

Shop for perfume when your sense of smell is the greatest--in the afternoon.

Dry skin requires more fragrance than oily skin.

Wait until you're showered and dried before application.

Consider your pulse points for maximum effects.

Don't wear another fragrance on the day you plan to test new ones.

Don't overdo your perfume.

Fragrant spray near pearls or costume jewelry can damage them.

Possible Remedies for Aging Skin

AMA, American Medical Aesthetics, specializes in the use of advanced cosmetic lasers for the skin. "Witty leader" at the gym is trying it out.  Sure the sessions come with a hefty price tag but she is hopeful that all her skin imperfections will disappear with the as-painless-as-possible treatments.  

Check out cutting edge remedies for sun spots, age spots, acne, spider veins. If this works (and I'll keep you posted with my observations), then it will be possible to look younger and healthier without undergoing  cosmetic surgery.  

Jogging Your Memory

In my mind's eye, I pictured the honey bee diligently cramming each cell to the brim. However, with each successive expedition, the worker packed the cubicle with imperceptibly less nectar than the time before.  Only after years of this repetition did it become obvious that the cubicle was reflecting what was happening day after day before my eyes.

Similarly, I see lapses in my own memory.  Once I was able to remember volumes of information which filled enough test booklets to earn me high grades.  

Now I have trouble remembering names, data, and things to do.  

Dad always said, " Don't try to remember something that you can write down." He might have been content with some senior sites jam-packed with handy checklists.

I play games to jump start my memory.  I may sift through the alphabet to see which letter generates a familiar connection with the forgotten name or face.  

  

Fay has another way of remembering.  She has 2 Roll-a-dexes, one by last name and one for profession or trade.  All her doctors are bunched together.  So are her handymen and service people. 

What games or tools do you use to replenish those partially-filled brain cells? 

The Eyes Have it

One distressing aspect to aging is its effect on your vision. Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration run rampant among Americans age 65 and older.

Be aware of the 10 warning signs and learn tips to coping with vision loss.

What you can do to protect your eyes:

1. See your eye professional every 1-2 years. Make sure your eyes are artificially dilated for the exam.

2. Know your family's history of eye disease and related diseases such as diabetes.

3. Get treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure.

4. Flashes and floaters may be signs of serious consequence. Run, don't walk, to your eye specialist.

5. Protect your eyes from too much sunlight. Wear glasses which block ultraviolet rays.

Avoiding Photos

"Head shots", they ordered for the umpteenth time. "You need them for your website, press releases, whatever."

I delved into my dwindling stock of excuses and pulled out the one on top: I make goofy smiles: toothy and lopsided.

No response.

My skin is blotchy. I need to deliver grapes to my starving next-door neighbor. I need more air in my tires. The goldfish wants some company.

Still no response.

They're wearing me out. Darn it, they're catching on.

As you might have guessed by now (and if you haven't, run, don't walk to the nearest mental health center), I don't like to have my photo taken. I'm fine on one side of the camera but make an appalling subject. Part of it is because the image captured just isn't that cute high school senior anymore. It's just an average almost-senior.

Ok, I know, I know. Stop the denial and ridiculous vanity. I've delayed long enough. Even my sweet-natured friends are getting angry.

Let's see if I can keep my June 12 appointment and not chicken out. If anyone in cyberland has any suggestions, please contact me ASAP.

Aging, It's Better Than the Alternative

"Hey, Haley. Do you like birthdays?"

"Yeah, Grandma. Let's pretend I'm having a birthday."

"Ok, Haley, how old are you going to be?"

"4 1/2"

Hmmm, I think to myself. How did she pass the 4th year unnoticed?

Knowing that her best friend, Rachael, just had her 4th birthday party, I asked, "How old is Rachee?"

"3."

"Isn't she older than you?"

"Yeah."

Okay, so my grandkid isn't the best with numbers. Neither am I (as can be emphatically vouched by my accountant). But we do differ about the concept of aging. She thinks of aging and its obvious relationship to princess birthday parties. I think of aging more short-term, like when my bananas will ripen.

Everyone these days wants to get on the "Aging" bandwagon. And even though I've never professed to being normal, I, too, have taken note of a few prime websites.

For instance, have you ever wondered what's considered normal aging and what's not?

What expert tips does the Prevention Magazine provide about anti-aging?

Which vitamins, minerals, supplements, and herbs are recommended to combat aging?

What's the best overall source of all things aging?

Now it's your turn. Does anyone out there know of a good math tutor for my granddaughter?