Dear Dotsie,

NABBW has members from 40 states - plus Canada, New Zealand, and England!

Humility is rare because to have it you have to want nothing, yet when you have it you get everything. --- Brahma Kumaris


There's a saying that the only thing that's constant is change. Boy am I ever living that saying to the hilt. With a growing association and Web sites, three kids in college, the empty nest, and caring for an elderly family member, I'm experiencing change daily. May I also mention I am the peanut butter and jelly smashed to smithereens in this sandwich generation?

How about you? What's happening in your life? Please tell me I'm not the only one going through changes. Oh, did I mention perimenopausal changes, and my recent torn meniscus and ACL? Rock on boomer women!

By the grace of God, I have this very tuned-in group of associates who write for me. It should be no surprise that every one of the articles written for this issue left me laughing, crying, or wondering if these women were living in my home, watching my every move. I could relate to every single last one of these articles. I hope you don't mind but I am going to list them and tell you why. Perhaps it will help us connect on another level. Hang in here. It's quite a list. Be sure to scroll through the newsletter and read each column for your pleasure. Here are my thoughts:

Preventing Elder Abuse, by Barbara Friesner
Just this morning I was trekking through retirement communities for a loved one.

Menopause and Joint Pain, by Cathy Taylor
Maybe that's what I can blame it on.

Entrepreneurial Tech Talk, by Jennifer Kalita
I launched two brand spanking new data bases in the last two weeks.

Preparing Your Home for Fall, by Regina Leeds
Oh how I'm dying to do this. Help Regina!

To Everything a Season, by Prill Boyle
I am perplexed about how to care for my aging family members. Is bringing them here a short term option?

Twenty Tips for Dreading the Empty Nest, by Natalie Caine
Our last two left the nest this month.

Time for Not Being Selfish, by Patricia Lambert, ESQ
I can't get too caught up with myself. I never want to be the person described in this article.

Check Your Thoughts, by Nan Russell
Due to my recent overload, my thoughts haven't been as positive.

Dirty Little Reminders, by Julie Clark Robinson "I'm just too involved with my family".”
Julie's words made me laugh at myself. She reminded me that caring for my family is a privilege.

Lost and Found... Myself, by Georgia Richardson
Oh what I'd give to have a friend like Georgia's.

Are You a Consistent and Caring Christian? by Donna Shepherd
The day I read this, I had sat in front of our Special Ed class in church. Every now and then one of the students would loudly say "God" or "Jesus".” I guess they think those are the best answers for anything. Perhaps we need to give people like Donna's friend and our Special Ed class more credit.

Dying a Fabulous Death - Is That Possible? by Judith Sherven
This was a lovely reminder that a full life can lead to a fabulous death if you have the right spirit.

Menopause: Alone and Together or Every Woman for Herself (NOT!) by Karen Baar
I just spoke at a women's retreat this past weekend about two of our best assets: Girlfriends and God.

The Top Five Reasons Menopausal Women Have Trouble Losing Weight, by Mary Pearsall
Need I say anything?

Preventing Brain Drain, by Dr. Robin Miller
Since dealing with dementia in a loved one, I am most grateful for these reminders to keep my brain active.

Midlife for Women: A Play in Three Acts, By Karen Stephen, Ph.D.
Ah yes, I must set boundaries.

Cruise Through Retirement... Literally! By Jan Cullinane
This made me laugh. I've never been on a cruise and have no intentions of ever stepping foot on one. But if you love cruising, you must read this article!

Following in the Footsteps of Jane (Austen, that is), by Carol Sorgen
Walking, shopping, bread? Take me there.


My prayer is that you use the information in this newsletter to feel connected, encouraged, supported, educated, and empowered at midlife. I know I do.

Boomer Women's World is adding advertising opportunities to our newsletter. Please contact us if you are interested in seeing your ad in this newsletter. We have also added a Boomer Review section where we will continue to review books, products and services for the NABBW members.

I hope you will grab a cold drink, sit back, and enjoy reading this issue that contains all topics of interest to baby boomer women.

Onward with grace,
Dotsie
dots@nabbw.com
1-877-bboomer


Join NABBW and receive an extra book for free! Sign up here today and receive a FREE copy of the BABY BOOMER'S ALMANAC, by Tim Brolus.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER:

I continue to witness women encouraging women in our Virtual Village every day at http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/forums/ubbthreads.php. Won't you join us? The sixty- plus forums connect, encourage and support baby boomer women at all stages of life!

REFER A FRIEND for NABBW MEMBERSHIP and receive a FREE copy of the BABY BOOMER'S ALMANAC, by Tim Brolus.

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ADDED BENEFITS We have created a user-friendly version of member benefits on the Members Only page at www.nabbw.com. Check it out. Email me at dots@boomerwomenspeak.com if you've forgotten your password.

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It's All About me*
New Magazine Launched to
Entertain and Empower Baby Boomer Women

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

FEATURED ASSOCIATE
Jennifer Kalita
www.thekalitagroup.com.


Jennifer is a nationally recognized writer, speaker and consultant in the entrepreneurship, baby boomer and women in business arenas, which render her particularly valuable to the boomer women entrepreneurs at NABBW. Jennifer's web site (www.thekalitagroup.com) is packed with resources for entrepreneurs, not the least of which is an up-to-the-minute free e-zine resource called Self- Made Minutes(trademark). Visit her company's women-specific division at www.strategicwomen.com, and look for the launch of a 50+-specific division, 50+Fusion, at www.50plusfusion.com in late October. You'll find Jennifer's weekly PR column, Creating Boomer Buzz with Jennifer Kalita, at www.second50years.com/public/department58.cfm, and you can also review the monthly marketing articles she contributes to that community on its web site.

Jennifer has shared her consulting and coaching services with numerous boomer women transitioning to self-employment, and has reached countless others through her interviews with various national media. Look for her in October's issue of Working Mother magazine, and don't miss her recent book release, Inspirations to Realizations, Volume III, and new e-book, Maximizing Opportunities: Leadership Skills for Non-Profit Survival (both available at www.thekalitagroup.com/books.html).

If you're considering starting an entrepreneurial adventure, or you need to jump-start an existing business, and you missed her recent NABBW teleseminar entitled The Entrepreneurial Boomer Woman: How to Start & Stay in Business, you may listen to it through the Members Only page at www.nabbw.com. Then take her up on her NABBW members-only offer for a complimentary entrepreneurial evaluation to help you look at your businesses from all angles, assess untapped growth opportunities, and clear any other business launch/growth hurdles.

FEATURED MEMBER

Robin Westmiller
http://www.ravenwest.net
RAVEN WEST is the pen name of Robin Cohen Westmiller, writer, author and columnist who decided to become a journalist when she discovered that showing a "Press Pass" gave her access to areas and people that others never got to see.

Combining her writing skills and radio industry background she created the novel Red Wine For Breakfast set in the volatile world of a Los Angeles radio station. Her second novel First Class Male is the story of a small town postmaster who secretly edits the manuscript of a NY City District Attorney and becomes the target of blackmail, jealousy and revenge.

A “"mid-life crises"” in 2003 led her to enter the Southern California Institute of Law, a decision, which later turned out to be fortuitous in her fight to rescue her father from the clutches of a Florida court appointed guardian. Once again, combining her real life experience with the power of the written word, she penned her memoir “"Blood Tastes Lousy With Scotch",” published by http://starpublish.com/robin_cohen_westmiller.htm

Robin is the President and founder of the National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse, http://www.stopguardianabuse.org, a member of the Author's Guild, Ventura County Bar Association, and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Blood Tastes Lousy With Scotch,
by Robin C. Westmiller, J.D.
Reviewed by Dotsie Bregel

I've known Robin as an internet friend and NABBW member during her escapades with her elderly parents. She's posted in the forums at www.boomerwomenspeak.com and shared tidbits about what she was going through with her family. She is the person I called when NBC Nightly News was looking for a woman who was smack dab in the middle of the sandwich. It was no surprise to see her and her family on the national news the following night sharing their story.

To say I was shocked when I read her book about the nitty gritty of what her father and mother were exposed to in their nightmare story of guardian abuse/elder abuse in this country is putting it mildly. Robin jetted back and forth to visit her parents, spent hours on the phone, countless hours doing research, and shed too many tears over the abuse and run around she was getting from people who were supposed to be caring for her parents –- not to mention the money wasted!

Honestly, had she not included every document in the second half of the book, I would have thought she was exaggerating. Please, if you are frustrated with guardian abuse, elder care, or the lack thereof, please do yourself a favor and read her book. It's also a good idea to read before walking the road of caring for your aging parent or loved one. I recommend contacting her through her newly launched association that helps those experiencing guardian abuse. Ladies, we must get a better grip on this situation. I applaud Robin for tackling this monster. Visit her at http://www.stopguardianabuse.org

FEATURED GUEST AUTHOR OF THE MONTH ON BOOMER WOMEN SPEAK

Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D.
Author, Psychotherapist,
Spiritual Counselor, Life Coach

www.pamblair.com
Boomer Women Speak forums is proud to have as our guest Author of the Month, Dr. Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D., as she discusses her life before and after a life-threatening accident. The resulting book, The Next Fifty Years. gives the intimate details of her journey back to life, and will provde to women everywhere that you are not alone, and she will encourage you with words of wisdom to re-envision your life for your own mid-life journey. Won't you join us at www.boomerwomenspeak.com.

NABBW AUGUST TELESEMINAR
Dr. Karen Stephen
www.doctorflamingo- online.com
Mental and Emotional Health In Midlife Years
To hear Dr. Stephen's teleseminar about Mental and Emotional Health at Midlife Years visit the Members Only page at www.nabbw.com. She was informative and delightful. I would love to be a member of her midlife women's group if I lived in her town!



NABBW SEPTEMBER TELESEMINAR
Barbara E. Friesner
www.AgeWiseLiving.com

Caring for Our Aging Parents, ALL I’'M TRYING TO DO IS HELP!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
7:00pm EST

Do you lie awake at night worrying about what will happen if your aging parents continue to drive, live alone, or don't get their legal or financial house in order?

Are you stressed and frustrated when your efforts to help your parents turn into emotional explosions or walls of silence?

If you answered yes to any of these, join Barbara Friesner of www.AgeWiseLiving.com as she reveals the top 3 causes of resistance and conflict between Baby Boomer women and their parents and shares the secrets that have allowed hundreds of her Generational Coaching clients to successfully overcome their critical eldercare issues.

Barbara is considered one of the country's leading Generational Coach & Expert on Issues Affecting Seniors and Their Families.

To learn how Generational Coaching can help you resolve your eldercare issues by Choice, Not Crisis please visit www.AgeWiseLiving.com and join us for this insightful teleseminar!

BOOMER 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.

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Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories
Minding Our Elders

by Carol Bradley Bursack
Review by Dotsie Bregel,

Carol has managed to offer support by sharing stories of those who are caring for the Greatest Generation. As many baby boomers continue to watch our parents, their friends, and treasured aunts and uncles decline, they will find comfort in the words of all the caregiving stories compiled in Minding Our Elders. This is a nice book to breeze through if you are in that caretaking role. You are sure to relate to one that has walked a similar path and can share some insight into exactly what you are going through. It's refreshing to be reminded that there is life after caregiving because when doing it day in and day out, we tend to forget.

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Calming the Chaos of Aging, Facing Lifestyle Challenges
Calming the Chaos

By Phyllis Slater
Review by Georgia Richardson,Queen Jaw Jaw

With 75 million baby boomers reaching middle age and beyond, it's no wonder more people are searching for resources and guidelines to help them cope with lifestyle challenges and changes. Phyllis Slater's book, Calming the Chaos of Aging, Facing Lifestyle Challenges, can certainly fill a great many of these needs; especially, but not limited to, the baby boomer with disabilities.

Three years after leaving the corporate world and starting a business to help seniors downsize their homes, Ms Slater was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. She was left legally blind. Taking proactive steps, she began to explore new ways to live each day and this journey of self-discovery led to the publication of Calming the Chaos of Aging, Facing Lifestyle Challenges.

Fitting her lifestyle around the disease, she moved into a smaller home which was more organized, and met her health concerns which she already knew would change over time. She soon realized how valuable her own experience could be in helping others with their challenging lifestyle issues.

Calming the Chaos not only informs the reader about the choices available to them, (citing actual organizations), it also provides guidelines, resources (online and in print) and tips on things like travel, home safety, planning a move, or selling your home. It tells you how to organize, downsize, and economize. There's even a section on motivation.

This is a small book, only 120-pages; but it has a big heart for the readers. It's full of useful information about products, services, professional organizations, and support that can allow you to live independently for years to come.

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Everything a Baby Boomer Should Know –- before talking to an attorney
By Mark S. Cornwall
www.babyboomerpublishing
Reviewed by Georgia Richardson, Queen Jaw Jaw

You've worked hard your entire life and saved a portion of your earnings; life is good. Now you'd like to plan how these savings, or your “"estate",” will be spent. Hiring a financial planner for your desires is one thing, but what if you suddenly died? Who would reap the benefits of your life's work? How do you make sure the government isn't the recipient instead of your spouse, children, or maybe your favorite charity? You may be thinking This subject is boring and depressing and besides, I've got plenty of time.

What if you don't? Think how depressing it would be to the family you've left behind if most of your estate was taken by taxes! This doesn't have to happen.

Everything a Baby Boomer Should Know, by Mark Cornwall could be the answer to protecting your family, and to give you peace of mind you deserve. This book is a thorough guide that clarifies every aspect of estate planning from A-Z. The groundwork's been done and the result is a guidebook written in plain, every day English. This means everyone reading this book has the opportunity to grasp and comprehend, and be comfortable with the process of estate planning BEFORE they visit a lawyer. Mr. Cornwall really has taken the fear out of estate planning.

To begin, all nomenclature associated with estate planning is identified and described so you immediately gain insight into the inner workings of estate planning. This kind of consideration is throughout the book as each new subject is introduced helping you to relax and absorb as you follow the guide.

The fundamentals of estate planning, large or small, are explained thoroughly along with the different kinds, the distribution methods, security measures to considered, and flexibilities, as we all know the future is ever changing. There are details, explanations and numerous “"what if's",” in every chapter to aid in this very important endeavor. Towards the end is a helpful section on pitfalls and scams and what to avoid.

A few examples of the information provided would be the chapters on Guardians and Trustees; the pros and cons; on “"Blended Families". which undoubtedly will be a valuable tool for some baby boomers since 60% of Americans are experiencing multiple marriages and with some, instant families. Or maybe you want to know what happens if you die without a Will in place. It's in there. What about “"domestic". partners? It's there. Elder Laws? Covered. There's even a section on why you need a lawyer including the “"do's" and “"dont's" of hiring an attorney. All from an attorney.

The best way to take care of your family is to talk to the experts before you plan the distribution of your estate. Here it is. A guide written by not only an expert, but a lawyer AND a baby boomer; Mark Cornwall. Everything a Baby Boomer Should Know answers all our questions and takes the guess work out of estate planning. Would I recommend reading and following Mr. Cornwall's advice? I would. And I recommend doing so now, because later---may never come.

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Galloping Words
By Meredith Laskow, Poet Laureate, Placentia Library District, CA
www.meredithbead.com
Reviewed by Georgia Richardson, Queen Jaw Jaw

I'm scared of poetry. It reveals too much. It can touch my very core just when I've managed to be alone with my own thoughts, mostly hidden, some displayed. In Galloping Words, Poet Laureate Meredith Laskow will not allow the reader to hide behind forgotten emotions or past hurts. Not even past joys! Her words speak of freedom, then darkness; dreams, then isolation. I found myself in nearly every page. On page 28 in Treasure, she writes...

If we are the end product of our memories and experiences,
And if some of these experiences have been so long forgotten,
Does my life change now for rediscovering them?

As I told Ms Laskow after viewing her work, (I refuse to call it a “"review".) I would say to anyone purchasing this book to stand back...admire it...read it multiple times, as many as you wish but don't do anything else. Don't review it, don't mutilate or harm it in any way by placing useless words around it. Just bask in it. That's what it's there for. For basking, reading, reflecting. I stand by this declaration as I place her book back on the shelf until the next time. There could never be just once.

Such a moving and powerful book at 40 pages, and amazingly, with the original cover art by the poet herself, at age 13. This book can be obtained directly from the poet at $5.00, plus shipping and handling at meredkl-2@yahoo.com

MEMBER COLUMNS

Preventing Elder Abuse
By Barbara E. Friesner

I'm sure many of you have heard the tragic story of Brooke Astor, the multimillionaire New York socialite who is alleged to have been mistreated by her son, who controls her $45 million portfolio. Obviously this case is making the headlines because of her celebrity and its easy - even comforting - to believe that this sort of abuse only happens when there are vast sums of money involved.

Unfortunately, the reality is that elder abuse occurs in families of all races, backgrounds, nationalities and income groups. Sadder still, contrary to the popular belief that elder abusers are strangers, paid caregivers, neighbors or even friends the heartbreaking truth is that adult children and spouses are the most common abusers.

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/barbarafriesner.html


Menopause and Joint Pain - Treatment
By Cathy Taylor

Many women experience menopausal joint pain symptoms. Medical experts are pondering over the connection between hormonal changes and pain. Some women experience joint and muscle pain, mouth discomfort, headaches and some even report heart palpitations. Interestingly, women who suffer tension headaches, abdominal, or facial pain found their symptoms lessened after menopause. Scientists today feel there may indeed be a link between estrogen, hormone levels and this phenomenon.

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/cathytaylor .html


Entrepreneurial Tech Talk
By Jennifer Kalita

We women entrepreneurs like our work. We're great networkers and natural relationship-builders. We welcome the opportunity to pitch our services to a prospect. We send out one heck of a newsletter. Our customer service is the best in town. And, we're forever reading articles and attending seminars to educate ourselves about how to run things more effectively and efficiently.

But when it comes to conversations about "backing up the system" and "customer management software" our eyes glaze over and we begin to wonder if reindeer really do know how to fly.

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/jenniferkalita.html


Preparing Your Home for Fall
By Regina Leeds

The arrival of Labor Day Weekend signals the inevitable start of the busiest season of the year. It's a challenge to handle our life responsibilities in general. Now the kids go back to school, we are either hosting Thanksgiving or making travel arrangements to join family and friends and of course there is the end of the year frenzy involving gifts, travel and parties. An extra 5 pounds, anyone?

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/reginaleeds .html



To Everything a Season
By Prill Boyle

Have you ever been determined to head in one direction, only to have life nudge you in another? That's what happened to June, a 54-year old dental receptionist whose deepest desire is to become an ornithologist, a scientist who studies birds. This September, she was all set to take her first biology course. Now she's having to put her dream on hold. Again.

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/ prillboyle.html



20 Tips for Parents Dreading the Empty Nest
By Natalie Caine

The road you have traveled for eighteen years as parents is turning a corner, headed for a bridge.

What is the truth about what is on the other side of the bridge? What changes do you have to address in order to stay healthily connected in your new role and your adult child's role with you? Does this change mean filling in free time or deeply discovering parts of yourself you had to put in the trunk?

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/nataliecain e.html


Time for Not Being Selfish
By Patricia McHugh Lambert

He had that look. That look that he was busy, rich and important. I could tell from the moment I walked into the plane that he thought he should be flying alone and certainly not in coach. He glared as each passenger walked down the aisle. We mere mortals were apparently holding him up from something important.

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/ patlambert.html




Check Your Thoughts
By Nan S. Russell

It was clear she was having "one of those days." But to be truthful, I didn't care. I was too nervous about my surgery to pay attention to Doris, the nurse grousing about how overworked she was that Thursday. But by the time I was wheeled back to my same-day surgical room, she was even less hospitable and entrenched in complaining.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/ nanrussell.html



“"Dirty Little Reminders"
By Julie Clark Robinson

“"One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, how big my house was, or what kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a child.”
--Forest Witcraft

I had been feeling something ugly brewing for days - probably weeks - if I"m to be honest. And by ugly, I don"t mean the brownish/grayish sunken circles under my eyes, they"re a given at this point. (My beloved Sephora catalog still waits for me in my reading pile. Inside, my favorite, miracle worker concealer, awaits my order.)

This particular kind of ugliness starts in the pit of your stomach and ends up as a worried furrow on your brow, exposing every forehead wrinkle you've ever had. Finally, as I hurriedly pulled the not-so- clean sheets over my bed and mentally went over all the things I unrealistically hoped to accomplish that day, the ugliness spewed out into a sentence that alarmed me - and finally brought some clarity.

“"I'm just too involved with my family."

Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/ julierobinson.html


Lost and Found -- Myself
By Georgia Richardson

My idea of a leisurely Sunday afternoon is my couch, a plate of nachos, and Oreo's while I watch yet another rerun of Agatha Christie's, Poirot. Not so for my best friend, Liz. Hers involve anything announcing to the world we've reached mid-life. Like paying some guy who dresses in nothing but a sheet and sandals twenty-five bucks to teach us how to -- get in touch with our inner “"baby boomer" selves, to find that child within, to -- whatever. For some reason known only to my inner child, I agreed to go along with her latest obsession of self-finding. I should have known when I said, “"Okay, okay, stop whining, I'll do it," that it couldn't or wouldn't be that easy, or that cheap. If it sounds too good to be true - well, you know the rest.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/ georgiarichardson.html


Are You a Consistent and Caring Christian?
By Donna Shepherd

“"Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I Corinthians 15:58b NIV

One of the women who attended our church died unexpectedly. Melinda was twenty-five years old, but had suffered with terrible seizures from birth, which affected her mental capacity. Just two days before her death, she brought me a picture torn out of a coloring book. She had filled the page with scribbles of bright blue, red, and green crayon.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/ donnashepherd.html


"Dying A Fabulous Death . . . Is That Possible?”
By Judith Sherven, Ph.D. & James Sniechowski, Ph.D.

Think about the reasons you're glad to be alive.

Those everyday things that you may even take for granted: being able to walk, talk, see, hear, cook, garden, drive a car, dance at parties, eat a terrific meal and laugh with friends.

And then think about what it would be like to start losing most of those abilities.

Jim's mother has lived nearly 91 years, and up until the past year she has enjoyed almost all of the abilities we just listed (though she never learned to drive a car and her hearing and vision were starting to diminish).

Up until a year ago Matka (Polish for mother) came to visit us each year eager to get out, see Jim acting in the local production of "Scrooge" and meeting our friends over brunch in our dining room.

Up until a year ago Matka produced the annual Christmas party for her Polish women's group at her church and ran Bingo every Monday night at the same church.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/ judithsherven.html


Menopause: Alone and Together, or Every Woman for Herself (Not!)
By Karen Baar

As I wrote in my column last month, we all share one thing: no woman escapes menopause. This rite of passage is something that binds us together.

Yet, the opposite is also true: menopause is highly individual. No two women go through it in the same way. Lynette, who I interviewed for my book, was stunned by her hot flashes. “"I thought, I'm from the tropics and I probably won't even notice. But when I was 47, I began waking up with my clothes soaking wet. My body felt like it was burning up from inside." My friend Sarah, on the other hand, breezed right through: “"It's been much easier than I thought it would be," she says.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/ karenbaar.html


The Top 5 Reasons Menopausal Women Have Trouble Losing Weight
By Mary Pearsall

Remember the good old days when taking off 5 or 10 pounds merely meant eating less and exercising more? I had the formula down pat - if I wanted to get into my “"skinny" jeans, I just stopped the double order of onion rings and rode my bike a few extra miles. Whoosh! Off it came.

Now that I am in those marvelous menopausal years it just doesn't work that way any more. I hear the same lament from my clients and I am sure you have experienced the same if you are a boomer woman. I feel your pain. So, what is the problem here and what do we do about it?

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/ marypearsall.html


MIDLIFE FOR WOMEN - A PLAY IN THREE ACTS
By Karen Stephen, Ph.D.

Although you may escape the MALADIES, you rarely escape the OVERFILLED PLATE. You find your plate heaped high with a three-layer GENERATION SANDWICH, plus two helpings of EMPTY BIRD'S-NEST SOUP, and a side of ROTTEN EGGS.

An example from my own life amply demonstrates the dreaded GENERATION SANDWICH. I learned first hand in May of 1999 why we are called the Sandwich Generation, caught up in that three-layer concoction of caring for elderly parents while we are still trying to launch our adult children, and finding ourselves smashed by duty and diligence at the filling in-between.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/karenstephen.html


Preventing "Brain Drain"
By Robin Miller, M.D., M.H.S.

Now that the (supposedly) relaxed pace of summer has come to a close, and everyone is getting geared up for returning to classes, work, and volunteer activities, we've reached the time of year when our brains are at risk for system overload. You know what this means - more stress on our already fragile memories. And since memory of recent events is affected before memory of long past events, our daily activities can be immediately impacted by this forgetfulness.

Every time I forget a name or a password, I worry that I could be literally losing my mind. The fear of dementia is never too far away from most of our thoughts as we age and start forgetting things. For most, it has nothing to do with dementia at all. As we get older, our lives become more complicated, and as I like to put it, our brains are just full! Stress can certainly cause forgetfulness. Of course, medical illnesses, such as thyroid disease or depression, and medications can also affect our memories. If you're concerned about a recent loss of memory, you should see your health care professional.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/ robinmiller.html


Following in the Footsteps of Jane (Austen, that is)
By Carol Sorgen

“"Bath is the finest place on earth, for you may enjoy its society and its walks without effort or fatigue," wrote 18th century Scottish essayist James Boswell of this English town that dates to Roman times. I daresay should Boswell visit Bath today he would find those walks somewhat more tiring as he dodged the throngs of tourists and vehicles alike, but once he took those in stride, he would likely discover that Bath is still indeed a fine spot for a visit - as I recently found out for myself.

Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/carolsorgen.html


Cruise through Retirement - Literally!
By Jan Cullinane

What if you could sail the seven seas and never leave your house? Imagine having a home in dozens of countries! If this intrigues you, consider The World of ResidenSea. The World is a 44,000-ton Norwegian- built, 12-story luxury ship that has a crew of 250, about 200 residents and guests, and 165 one-to- three room apartments and studios. The cost of a home on The World ranges from around $850,000 to $6.3 million (not counting maintenance fees), and the ship has all the amenities of a gated community - including a Country Club! The World had its maiden cruise in March 2002, and travels the globe, stopping for a night or two in ports from A to Z - Athens, Barcelona, the Canary Islands – you get the idea. (Contact www.aboardtheworld.com or 305-264- 9090 for more info)
Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/jancullinane.html

MEMBER NEWS
NABBW members who are mothers of soldiers ask that you consider helping our troops. To learn more, click here: www.operation-helmet.org/contribute.html

Georgia Richardson
www.queenjawjaw.com
Need a lift without surgery? Need a laugh? A chuckle or two? Then sign up for Queen Jaw Jaw's monthly newsletter, ALL THINGS ROYAL at http://www.queenjawjaw.com and let the laughs begin. WARNING: Do not drink liquids while reading this newsletter!

Regina Leeds
www.reginaleeds.com
Regina Leeds is proud to announce that she has just completed "The Idiot's Guide to Decluttering." Regina takes the reader through every room in the home and addresses all common clutter issues: too many magazines, CD's, DVD's, toys, papers and clothing to name just a few. It will be available next May, 2007, just in time for spring cleaning.

Janie Dempsey Watts
Janie’s "Outrageous Okra" story and recipe was published in the September issue of "Guideposts." For more information on her writing, please visit her web page, www.janiewatts.com. Here’s a link to the article: COMFORTFOOD

Meredith Laskow
October is National Breast Cancer Month in the USA. Show your solidarity by wearing this lovely Pink Ribbon Jewelry hand-crafted by an 8-year breast cancer survivor. Outfit your entire team for Race For The Cure :)
http://members.tripod.com/meredithbeadivil/id20.html
Non-profits and gift shops -- it's not too late to place a wholesale order! Minimum order is 24 pieces for wholesale discounts, and turn-around is about one week from the time I receive payment. My other jewelry site is www.meredithbead.com. Write me at
meredkl-2@yahoo.com

Beverly Mahone
Do you know a woman who’s sassy, classy, spiritually motivated and 40 plus? If so, nominate her for the “F.A.B. Woman of the Month.” Send your reasons why she deserves the honor along with your name and contact information to: bmahone@nc.rr.com

Vicki Taylor
www.vickimtaylor.com
Vicki M. Taylor's most recent women's fiction novel, Trust in the Wind, reached a high of number 7 on Fictionwise's bestseller list when it was first released in July, 2006. Find out why Romantic Times Book Review magazine says Trust in the Wind is "an enjoyable, easy read" by visiting Vicki's site at www.vickimtaylor.com.

Karen Stephen
www.doctorflamingo-online.com
www.degreesofobsession.com
Karen Stephen, Mental Health Advisor for NABBW, finishes her 3-part series on Midlife for Women this month and will move on to a new 2-part series on Anxiety, Panic, and Phobia, starting with her October NABBW column. To receive a monthly newsletter with fun and informative items on mental health issues for midlife women, go to her website Doctor Flamingo Online (www.doctorflamingo-online.com) and register. And don't forget to order your favorite Doctor Flamingo illustrated saying on a T-Shirt or Mug or even a Thong (!!) while you’re there.

Pamela D. Blair
www.pamblair.com
The Next Fifty Years is a guide for women at midlife and beyond, a journal and a study guide all rolled into one. It offers wise, pertinent advice for all women who are aging- every topic covered to enable graceful, joyful, healthy, sexy aging with ample opportunity to record personal thoughts. Includes a useful format for workshops. Is is an outstanding all inclusive compendium for all women. "

Betty Dobson
Betty’s short story Passing Through won Third Place in the Hot Summer Something contest run by From the Asylum Books and Press. The story will appear on their website