Boomer Womens' World
June 2008

Dear Dotsie,

"I shut my eyes in order to see." ---Paul Gauguin




Greetings,

The above quote reminds me of one of the ways I find clarity in the midst of a very busy life. Whether we shut our eyes, or simply stop and be still at different times during the day, we definitely need to set aside time for reflection. Hoping you find the time this summer to pause and consider the goodness in your life.

Hang tight. Next week the updated version of NABBW will be revealed. It's a fresher look with new faces! I'll keep you posted.

I'm excited to announce the www.BoomerWomenSpeak.com was chosen as one of the top 50 "most useful sites" on the internet for 50 plus adults by PreRetirementLife.com. It's a good thing I just turned 50. I may have felt left out. I might add that it's "useful" for boomers under 50 too.

The NABBW is proud to have our new associate who can share her "going green" expertise. Diane MacEachern is the author of Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World. Diane urges women to use our consumer clout to protect the environment. Read more below.

If you find yourself in the midst of caring for elderly loved ones (as I am) be sure to get the link to the audio from Barbara Friesner's teleseminar. You'll learn how to avoid the top 14 pitfalls of eldercare. Also be sure to listen in when author/speaker Jo Myers shares her tips for end of life planning. Sounds like a depressing topic, but it's essential to plan ahead for our parents and ourselves.

Next month, we'll be touching on some writing issues. Whether you are interested in journaling or writing professionally, we'll have something for you. Then in August, we'll begin chatting about dating in the middle years. Fun, fun!

The first three people to respond to the newsletter by telling what they like about NABBW or BWS will receive via snail mail, a copy of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, by bestselling author of The Reading Group, Elizabeth Noble - William Morrow publisher.

Enjoy the issue and remember to share it with your friends.

Onward with grace,
Dotsie
dots@nabbw.com

Latest Media Buzz!


What's the latest media news with the National Association of Baby Boomer Women and Boomer Women Speak?

To read all about it, click Here!



National Association of Baby Boomer Women
Testimonial!

Connections lead to more connections. That's what happened to me recently. I was contacted by Me Magazine to be profiled for Second Time because of my connection with Boomer Women. Thanks NABBW!

Nan Russell
author of Hitting Your Stride
www.nanrussell.com

~~~~~~~~~~
We are happy to announce that when searching "baby boomer women" online, www.BoomerWomenSpeak. com is ranked first on Google, and www.nabbw.com is ranked first on Yahoo. Why not advertise with us? Email me at advertising@boomerwomenspeak.com for advertising rates.


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BOOMER WOMEN FORUM NEWS FOR JUNE:

I continue to witness women encouraging women in our Virtual Village every day at Boomer Women Speak Forums. Won't you join us? Here's a peek at some of the things we're chatting about:

Under One Roof
The Language of Our Kids/Grandkids
Personalizing Your Business


The National Association of Baby Boomer Women is the only association devoted to addressing issues concerning 38 million of the healthiest, wealthiest, and best educated generation of women to ever hit midlife, baby boomer women.

NABBW promises:
  • A membership package that includes information on self-improvement skills, free legal and financial advice using e-mail, exclusive member discounts on a variety of products and services, easy ways to connect with other boomer women, and MORE..

  • A sense of belonging to a creative, powerful, encouraging group of women that will leave you feeling refreshed, revived, and renewed.

  • Access to information from an enthusiastic, energetic, wise, and warm panel of experts who have written books, founded Web sites, and coached women on all topics concerning midlife women.

ADDED BENEFITS - Offers!

www.bluehairactionwear.com Mary Miller extends a special offer to all NABBW members of a 20% discount on any online purchase for the next 90 days. Blue Hair Action Wear has three lines of clothing that are functional and make great gifts, AND are marketed only to the +40 crowd. Check out the popular Old School and Geezerjock lines, as well as the more sophisticated authentic BH wear. Visit the NABBW MEMBER ONLY section for the details about this offer.



FEATURED ASSOCIATE
Diane MacEachern,
www.biggreenpurse.com

Diane MacEachern, the author of Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World, is passionate about empowering women to use their marketplace clout to protect the environment.

A best-selling author, successful entrepreneur, sought-after public speaker, and long-time conservationist, Diane encourages women to green the marketplace by choosing products whose use or manufacture offer the greatest environmental benefit. Through her new book, as well as her articles and speeches, she hopes to motivate women to take actions that will make a difference. She helps environmental organizations engage more women as members, activists, and donors. She also encourages companies to green their products to appeal to more women consumers. The BigGreenPurse.com website was named "2007 Best Green Website" by FutureNow. The site offers eco-lifestyle tips and shopping suggestions, as well as opportunities to join One in a Million, a campaign to encourage one million women to shift $1,000 of their household budgets to eco-friendly products and services.

What's New?

This summer, Diane and Big Green Purse are launching an initiative with Whole Foods in the North Atlantic region to put Big Green Purse eco tips in Whole Foods store aisles. The tips will highlight ways shoppers can shift their spending to earth-friendly products without breaking the bank. In fact, the ideas will feature changes that will actually save shoppers money (like buying whole fruit instead of pre-cut slices that are wrapped in throw-away packaging and can cost almost twice as much). What to do with the extra cash? Why, buy organic chocolate, of course!

Diane is also embarking on an active public speaking tour. She hopes to reach thousands of women and invite them personally to join the One in a Million campaign (see more details on www.biggreenpurse.com). Among her scheduled presentations are the exciting BlogHer conference in San Francisco July 18 and the Bryant Park Library Book Signing in August in New York City.

FEATURED MEMBER

Ginny Robertson,
www.OnPurposeNow.com
www.WomanTalkLive.com

When Ginny Robertson was a little girl she used to start clubs just so she could be the President. She would convince her little girlfriends to pay dues of 5-10 cents a month to attend the special meetings in her bedroom. This was in the fifties and 10 cents could buy you a comic book. So she had a good thing going. She doesn't remember what value they received for their dues but she does remember that she liked the feeling of being part of something and of creating opportunities for others to be part of something. She also remembers liking how it felt to take an idea and make it real. She didn't have the vocabulary for it at the time but it was all about connections and entrepreneurship.

Ginny is still starting clubs and now gives the grown up little girls opportunities to be part of something. She is the President of Live Your Life On Purpose, an organization that gives women resources and opportunities to lead richer, fuller lives. She is a keynote speaker and facilitates workshops, especially for women entrepreneurs. In 2000 she founded On Purpose Networking for Women (OPN) which meets in 4 Maryland Counties. Her vision is to take this organization national over the next few years. OPN fills a unique niche for women who are looking to combine business and heart. Ginny says that OPN "takes the work out of networking." It also gives women a platform for doing something that she thinks is critical for success . . . not just in business but in life . . . and that is the opportunity to connect with other women. The connections that happen at OPN meetings transcend the business box that we sometimes put ourselves in when networking. It also provides a space for women to practice being who they are, whether it is during their 30 second introduction or their turn as a 5 minute featured speaker.

In 2003, Ginny published the first issue of On Purpose Woman Magazine, a Maryland area free publication. Printed bi-monthly and with 17,000 copies circulated, On Purpose Woman provides another opportunity for women to connect and get information to help them live those rich, full lives that Ginny is all about.

In 2007 she compiled an anthology The Spirit of Women Entrepreneurs . . . Real-Life Stories of Determination, Growth & Prosperity. In this book, 25 women entrepreneurs share their wisdom on how to nurture your entrepreneurial spirit, out of the box success tips and how to take your ideas and go straight to the top. The book was a Finalists in The National Indie Excellence 2008 Book Awards. In February of last year Ginny started her newest venture, co-hosting WomanTalk Live with Ginny Robertson & Ann Quasman, a weekly talk radio show in the Baltimore area. Ginny and Ann interview guests who share ideas on issues that women find important.

The key thread running through all of her business ventures is connection. She connects women with ideas and with each other. Little did she know that what started in her bedroom 50 years ago would turn into not just a livelihood but a calling. Special Offer: Anyone reading this can order The Spirit of Women Entrepreneurs at a special price of $10 (1/2 price) plus $2 shipping. To order contact ginnyrobertson@comcast.net.


Favorite Grandparent Memory Essay Contest
sponsored by the

National Association of Baby Boomer Women
and
GRAND Magazine


Here's the contest. You have 500 words to tell us your favorite grandparent memory. Knock yourself out. Take us back. Who was there, what were you doing, how old were you, why was the event so special?

Submissions should be written in a Word document and sent as an attachment to contest@nabbw.com with FAVORITE GRANDPARENT MEMORY in the subject line.

Deadline - July 1, 2008

PRIZE MONEY - $250.00 and F-R-E-E membership or renewal in the National Association of Baby Boomer Women. Plus your story will be published in the Our Voices section at www.boomerwomenspeak.com, and in the September-October issue of GRAND magazine.

Please make sure to include your name, email address, and short (no more than 75 words) bio at the top of your entry. Men may also submit! (Should a man win, he can keep the $250.00 and give the free membership to NABBW to a boomer woman.)

NABBW JUNE 2008 TELESEMINARS - Caring for Elderly Loved Ones
NABBW JUNE 2008 TELESEMINARS Caring for Elderly Loved Ones
  • How to Avoid 14 Common Eldercare Pitfalls
    Monday, June 9th- 3:00 pm (EST)
    Barbara Friesner, www.AgeWiseLiving.com, author of The Ultimate Caregiver's Survival Guide, is the country's leading Generational Coach, and expert on issues affecting seniors and their families. Barbara started AgeWiseLiving as the result of over 25 years as the care manager for her grandmother and now her mother. She provides Generational Coaching and educational programs to support and educate families so they can resolve their eldercare issues by choice, not crisis. For this teleseminar, Barbara will detail the 14 Common Eldercare Pitfalls and how to avoid them

  • Leave a legacy, not a mess: What every baby boomer woman and her parents need to know about pre-planning for the end of life Tuesday, June 24th - 3:00 pm (EST)
    Jo Myers, www.goodtogothebook.com, author of, Good To Go, shares her expertise in the area of preplanning for the end of life. With the deaths of her parents and other aged loved ones, Jo has much to say about what she has learned, and she has written it down in her book, Good to Go. With professional advice, helpful tips, and even a touch of humor, Jo will show us how having a good plan can help it happen with dignity, integrity, and fairness.




If you are unable to listen in on any of the seminars, or if you prefer to hear them at your leisure, visit the NABBW and sign in on the Member ONLY page which provides links to all our teleseminars. As a bonus, you can now choose the audio file or download the PDF (document) version and read the entire teleseminar. These are great to listen to while you are working or playing online. Just another benefit of NABBW!

BOOMER BOOK REVIEWS
We are happy to review member's books, products and services. This is a service that is FREE of CHARGE to NABBW members. Please email us if you are interested in seeing a review of your book, product, or service.

NOTE: Once your book has been submitted, please allow ample time for the book to be read and reviewed. Books and products sent for reviews will not be returned.

********
Wake Up to Powerful Living
Kara D. Lane
www.wakeuptopowerfulliving.com/

Reviewed by Melinda Cianos
Buy this book!
Author Kara Lane has worked as both a financial planner and CPA. Her careers have enabled her to work with a diverse group of people. Surveying their different backgrounds and motivations she was intrigued by the comparisons between those who make the most of any given situation and come out on top, and those who allow their efforts to be thwarted, consistently falling short of the mark. Her interest led her to look deeper. Through her prayers for increased purpose in her own life came the guidance to yield to the insights coming her way, given by those around her, and to put those insights into practice.

In her book, Wake Up to Powerful Living, she promotes a clear and uncomplicated approach to issues that may be holding us back. Those who may be looking for a gentle nudging in the right direction, a possible explanation as to the reasons we may find ourselves repeating past mistakes, or ways to clear a path to new and exciting opportunities, find Lane provides alternative techniques that work.

She offers twelve principles, among them are: Forgiveness, Take Care of Yourself and Be Honest. Her ideas are not new but they are refreshingly basic; and a return to those basics is often necessary and soothingly cathartic.


The Cahill Factor: Turning Adversity into Advantage
By Teena Cahill, Psy.D.
www.teenacahill.com

Reviewed by Melinda Cianos
Buy this book!
Teena Cahill wants you to turn "Adversity into Challenge." Dr. Cahill is a psychologist, counselor, and educator whose gift is the ability to help and heal. Her life's work has been helping people harness healthy lives. She puts her teachings to the test, however, when she finds her own life challenged. Facing a harrowing set of circumstances that change the structure of her life, she reaches out for understanding, hope, and health. With mastered skills and tenacity she moves with and through those circumstances.

Chapters about change, humanity, power, opportunity and closure serve not to merely tell us about the way, but to show us. She quotes an anonymous author who wrote: "experience is a hard teacher; she gives the test first and the lesson later," but for those of us who become paralyzed by the test, the lesson may never be learned, and we have so much to lose if this happens. Cahill closes her story with a final chapter about authenticity accompanied by the simple but poignant words from George Elliott: "it is never too late to be what you might have been." She shares the methods for keeping growth and hope a part of your life, enabling you to claim that purposeful, authentic life . . . and to cherish it.



MEMBER COLUMNS

Vacation . . . Should You Take Mom?
By Barbara E. Friesner

Janice writes . . .
My mother lives near me and my husband and demands my constant attention. No matter where I am or what I'm doing she drops in to my house or calls. Last summer my husband and I took my 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren to Disneyworld for a week. I really didn't think it would be something my mother would enjoy since she hates noise and crowds and is never too happy to be out of her recliner and frankly, I needed the vacation from her! But when I told her about our trip, she absolutely insisted on going. When I said no, she started in on my husband and my daughters. She even made comments to my grandchildren! Finally I gave in and we all headed off.

Continue reading at this link: More from Barbara


Pull Up to the Table
By Donna Shepherd

If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. - I John 3:14 NLT

tDo you have a favorite restaurant? What makes that particular eatery different from the rest? Each restaurant specializes, whether it's a hot dog stand or a fancy French restaurant. You won't get a fantastic piece of fresh salmon by going to a local pizza place, but you can probably order lasagna with homemade sauce or thick crust pizza piled high with the ingredients of your choice.

Continue reading at this link: More from Donna

Reassessing the Postponed Life
By Wendy Reid Crisp for Editor in chief, GRAND Magazine

A remote branch of the maternal side of my family recently compiled a genealogy and forwarded the report to my mother and me. The first thing I noticed were the errors: sons with names similar to fathers' and grandfathers' were confused; multiple marriages were tossed into bizarre salads of names and lineages.

The second thing I noticed was that my grandmother was born in 1872. Two of her children, one of whom is my 94-year-old mother, are still living, as are my sisters and I, my sons and my grandsons. The math on this is what drew my attention: My grandsons have a great-great-grandmother who was born 136 years ago.

Continue reading at this link: More from GRAND



RETIREMENT-THE BEGINNING OR THE END
By Karen V. Stephen, Ph.D.

In what way is retirement an end phase of life?

For women who are still working outside the home as the time for retirement approaches, retirement is an important transition signaling the end of a career. That career may have occupied all of their adult years or have been launched when they stepped out of the parenting role. It might have been part time to supplement or complement the family income or as the primary provider. For the majority of women, that career was juggled with responsibilities in the home and in the community.

Continue reading at this link: More from Karen

How To Organize for Tax Time
By Sheri McConnell

The words "simple" and "tax time" have probably never been uttered in the same sentence. Well, not until now at least. The key to a stress-free tax season is being organized all year-round. Trying to organize a week before or, even worse, the night before April 15th is setting yourself up for failure.

Why You Should Organize for Tax Time

Organizing for tax time helps you avoid misplacing important receipts and documents. Your stress level will be lower because you won't be rushing around at the last minute trying to get to the tax preparer and/or post office. Being organized for tax time also helps you save money because you are more likely to keep track of deductions if you have a system and you won't be charged a higher fee for having your tax preparer go through your piles of receipts.

Continue reading at this link: More from Sheri

Call a Friend - Empty Nesters
By Natalie Caine

"Over and over I am reminded that what gets us through painful times is a friend.

We know that, but when we are hurting we isolate. We don't pick up the phone and ask a friend for help. We want to be the strong one.

So I suggest you make a list of who you feel uplifted around? Who are you yourself with? Who is cheering for your happiness?

Most of us play the role of supporter. We feel vulnerable when we reveal ourselves. Surprise is, we become closer to the friend who we speak our pain to. Being vulnerable and even sharing a "secret," bonds us.

Continue reading at this link: More from Natalie


Recovering from Romantic Fantasy
By Judith Sherven, PhD

Chances are you never thought you needed to be rescued from romance. In fact, you probably feel you need more romance in your life, not less.

The truth is that most hearts are broken in the painful difference between the possibility of real romance, and the insistence on the fantasy of romance - with the real thing taking the loss.

Recovering from romantic fantasy is based on your willingness to accept who you and your partner are - without deceit, without drama, without all of the false puffery so many of us put around our images of love, relationship and intimacy.

Continue reading at this link: More from Judith


The Laws of Unattraction!
By Janice Taylor

Chances are you've heard about the Laws of Attraction. The basic concept is that you attract into your life whatever you think about. Positive thoughts and beliefs create a positive life; negative thoughts and beliefs attract negativity.

One sure way to get those positive vibes swirling out there is to be attracted to yourself, in a healthy and self-affirming way (not in a narcissistic, oh my goodness, I'm the greatest ever, where's the mirror - I need to look at myself again - kind of way). Truthfully, if you aren't attracted to you, if you don't fully recognize your qualities and embrace yourself, how attractive could you possibly be to the universe.

Continue reading at this link: More from Janice


Ready or Not: Is Your Community Prepared for an Aging Population?
By Jan Cullinane

Worldwide, "the number of older persons has tripled over the last 50 years; it will more than triple again over the next 50 years," according to the United Nations. In the United States, people over 65 already represent more than 12% of the population; this percentage will increase to 20% by 2030, according to the Administration on Aging.

Below are more than a dozen suggestions that communities can implement (some already have) to be better equipped for a mature population:

1. Age-appropriate fitness and recreation centers
2. Walking trails and benches throughout community

Continue reading at this link: More from Jan


KEPT WAITING
By Nan Russell


"I don't like to be kept waiting," he responded when asked by the travel-study professor why he delayed the entire group for a third straight day. "Next time," the professor warned, "we won't hold the bus."

The following day the bus left as scheduled, returning to the hotel late into the evening from a full day of learning and exploring. It also returned to an outraged man who was left behind when, once again, he was late for the designated departure time.

Continue reading at this link: More from Nan


Barbecue Tips
By Diane MacEachern

Does Memorial Day launch your summer barbecue season? Try these ideas for a barbecue Mother Nature herself would love.

In the Market for a New Grill?

Go solar. A solar stove cooks more slowly and won't get you the grilled flavor you expect from the barby. But it can't be beat for a clean-cooking cookout. (Models start at less than $200.)

Choose gas or electric. Most grills use either natural gas, propane, charcoal, or electricity. Of these options, charcoal causes the most trouble, emitting more carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and soot than any of the others.

Continue reading at this link: More from Diane


Pursuit of Happiness -- It's Easier Than You Think
By Joanie Winberg

Most people are looking for happiness and long for that true feeling of success, peace and serenity. It's what we all strive for in our "fast-paced, get-stuff-done" type of lifestyle.

Being happy is a choice you face every day of your life even if you are facing many challenges including divorce. Your life will always be filled with challenges. It is best to accept and admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway!

The pursuit of happiness begins with learning to slow down and have fun. Taking just ten minutes a day to take care of you or self care can make a huge difference in your life.

Continue reading at this link: More from Joanie

MEMBER NEWS

Natalie Caine
www.emptynestsupport.com
Natalie gives concrete tips, stories, hope, and humor about preparing for the emptiness, being in it, and growing adult relationships with your children in her FREE, live Tips for the Empty Nest which can be heard HERE.

Kathleen Gage
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com
FREEE - How To Strategically Grow Your Business Using Facebook & Other Social Media featuring Mari Smith. Hosted by Kathleen Gage June 24th 9-10 a.m. PST. For details, click HERE!

Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D.
www.HerMentorCenter.com
www.NourishingRelationships.blogspot.com
In celebration of Father's Day, Her Mentor Center is sponsoring a contest to honor Dads and the lessons they've taught you. The winner's essay will be published on our Nourishing Relationships blog and she will receive a free coaching session focused on a specific family relationship issue. Email your entry to Mentors@HerMentorCenter.com by June 9, 2008.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
Carolyn, along with Patrika Vaughn and Allyn Evans will present a free teleseminar, "How To Write Your Life Story," July 12 at 12:00 noon EST to writers who want to tell their own stories such as genealogists, journalists and story tellers everywhere. To participate, call 1-218-936-7999 and when prompted, use access code: 390175.If asked participants may need this pin number: 2823. Podcasts available HERE after the presentation.

Theresa Maria Napa, CPCC
Anything is Possible Coach & Speaker
www.RightTrackCoaching.com
Is offering a free teleclass for business builders "Client Referrals & Building Your Client Base." Monday, July 14, at 6:30-7:30pm (EST). If you are spinning your wheels in getting new clients, then register for this free teleclass to find your right traction. Register HERE!



RECENT READS

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. I enjoy sharing my reads with others. Here's what I read last month. Please email me if you can recommend any great books.

Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion
by Sara Miles
Buy this Book








Bringing Vincent Home
by Madeleine Mysko
Buy this Book










Want to send flowers to a friend, or popcorn to a family or business? NABBW is now offering member discounts at www.1800flowers.com and www.thepopcornfactory.com




PASS IT ON: We all know her. She's at midlife. She wants to take care of herself but can't always squeeze it in because she's so busy caring for any of the following: her husband, mother, father, children, grandchildren, in-laws, neighbors, friends, colleagues, etc. Won't you please help her out by sharing this newsletter and the NABBW with her?

Thank you for connecting, encouraging and supporting boomer women. May we all be enlightened, educated and empowered!



TAKE TIME TO VISIT OUR SISTER SITE
www.boomerwomenspeak.com is the # 1 site on search engines for "baby boomer women." Join us in our forums where you can share from the heart, give and receive advice, and make new friends.

Please email dots@nabbw.com if you no longer want to receive this publication.

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07/01/2006 July Boomer Women's World
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Contact Information
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phone: 1-877-BBOOMER
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