Fabulous At Any Age

Prayer does work if you work it!

Once upon a time long, long ago, children were to be seen and not heard. A bit harsh maybe, but you can bet your sweet patootie there were no kids telling their mamas and papas what they, the children, were not going to do. A little time went by, and the sweet darlings were no longer required to be mute, but it was still the stringent policy of speak when you are spoken to. Yet again though, children exhibited acceptable manners and civility. So far, so good. More time passed, and children began to be encouraged to participate in conversations as a part of their learning to navigate the ever enlarging world in which they would need to move. The youngsters still were admonished to stay out of grown folk's talk (if you're of a certain age, you probably remember that phrase). We wanted our children to be erudite and confident in themselves, but there was still a loose tether to keep them from getting too big for their britches, though. And then I woke up one morning and a

A very interesting column. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL Be sure to Read the Poem at the end. Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel. He has been a journalist for 49 years. He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN. Be sure to read the Tax List at the end. This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering! 545 vs. 300,000,000 People - By Charlie Reese Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you

If you have ever read any of Ms. Morrison's books, you know they are heavy and deep; not a casual read for a casual afternoon. I have done, and continue to re-read her books over the years and still find something new with each reading. God Save the Child takes us on a journey with a beautiful young woman, Bride, who has been defined by her color from the time she was born. You see, she is very dark-skinned and was born to a very light-skinned mother, who went on to reject her own child because of skin color. This is a story about how unseen scars can lead a person through life thinking one way until an event occurs that pulls the wheels off the bus. As and adult, Bride discovers that she is indeed beautiful, and she presents an even more stunning image because she only wears all the different shades of white...picture the juxtaposition of beautiful white clothing flowing on gorgeous, smooth, licorice black skin. Bride rides her self-discovery to success in the business wo

I've been out of pocket for a few days due to some issues between my sweet bod and the mild chemotherapy I'm on; but this fabulous filly might have been down (on the couch/bed) for a minute or two, but never out. Know what I was thinking about today while I was enjoying my escape to the outdoors?... Purple.  Yep, the color purple (no, not the movie), and a remnant of the little ditty that says something about "when I am old, I will wear purple."  Then I remembered my almost visceral reaction to a purple cane when I was shopping for a new one on Amazon.  The idea kept trying to come forth that purple cane was translating to something much less than sophisticated, but also "ancient and creaky."   Myself immediately said to me, "Oh, hell no.  Well, let me say that I will own that particular hangup -- my issue, entirely.  If someone  chooses purple because she/he truly likes purple, who am I to look askance and mutter?  So, go forth and do purple if that

I'm talking makeup, here.  Sure, there are days when you just want to let it all hang out, but when you do decide to do a little bit of enhancement ("putting my drag on"), don't be afraid to try out different looks. Play makeup the way we did when we were wee ones. I'm sure you've noticed the magazine articles that instruct based on age, but I'm here to suggest that you look at what's what and decide for yourself what you like, and if you see a look/shade/color that doesn't make you look like you escaped from Ringling, Barnum & Bailey Circus, then go for it even though it might be listed under "Age 40." Remember that your fabulosity is T I M E L E S S! You are a unique individual who refuses to allow yourself to be confined within a society-defined box because of your chronological age. Try different shades and finishes of color makeup products to see what works best for your individual skin and will give you the desired result.

Just to give you an idea and perhaps point you in a direction you were not quite aware of, here is a sample of lessons you can find on YouTube: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-4dxlQuuXpA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This is a song I listen to when I need to get my mind "right" (heading in the appropriate direction). Check out the words -- meaningful and on point.

Remember seeing that question all over the place; and do you ever answer it in your mind (or aloud, as I frequently talk to myself :>))?  How about we make a paradigm shift here and realize that some of the advice you would give your younger self can still be applied to your present self.  It ain't over 'til it's over! Hmmm... I would tell my younger self to stick with piano lessons -- I can still pursue that.  There's a beautiful music studio run by a beautiful entrepreneur in this city, who teaches piano classes... Come on, Belinda, help me out with her web address so I can post it on the blog.  If you would tell your younger self to stay in school, I have a friend who does college counseling if you would like to pursue that degree:   www.steps2thefuture.com .  Remember what I said about those brain synapses, so no excuses like, "I'm too old."  Oh, where is my mind...you are fabulous , so you wouldn't even think about uttering those tired and pl

Oh, it makes my head hurt when someone says, "I'm too old to learn anything new."  Aarggghh!!  As long as you are drawing breath, you are learning something , even if you are unaware of it; so why not make learning intentional? The brain is capable of creating new synapses, called synaptogenesis (see, somebody just added to their vocabulary!) and it is a reality until you die.  The amount of knowledge you can attain is limitless!  Yes, you can learn a new language, how to play the piano, ad infinitum.  I must add a caveat here -- I don't think that I will be able to become accomplished at doing a basketball layup, but that is my unbelief.  The fact is that we are capable of sooo much more than we've ever given ourselves credit for.  Your life can be big; gigantic; huge!  If you want it badly enough, go get it.  It's out there waiting for you. I know you've heard the story of Colonel Sanders founding his famous chicken establishment when he started

Hello, Fabulous One!  What empowering and beautiful thought have you had about yourself today? Today, I put on my sunny, lemon yellow top over some Lucky brand bell bottom jeans, and almost pulled a Narcissus on myself when I looked in the mirror!  I just had to take a selfie; and I texted it to my children with a "Good morning!  Mommy loves her babies!" greeting. I also took time for myself (a must-do, this) and did a ten-minute stint on the treadmill, mixing in some dance steps and a bit of running with the walking.  Why only ten minutes, you ask?  I have a condition (Lupus) that demands that I use my energy judiciously if I wish to remain vertical, which I do prefer. And check this video out, starring Ernestine Sheperd!  This lady is my fitness role model and I am striving toward the mark that she has set; and little by little, I believe I will get there.

If you have bought into the lie that being fabulous is age-related, we need to talk... Looking and feeling great has nothing to do with the year on your birth certificate; but it does have absolutely everything to do with that six inches between your ears.  Yes, you are the arbiter of your own fabulosity.   Don't allow someone who doesn't even know you sell you a bogus bill of goods. We're going to delve into what we need to do for ourselves to keep ourselves in the fit and fabulous club, and as stated above, if you need to work on that six inches between your ears, then I invite you to have a little talk with yourself so that you are thinking right. I'm about to do something that we, as women are told to never do...reveal my age (67).  I look at it this way -- if I'm not getting older, then I am d-e-a-d , and I'm not ready to be dead yet, so I look forward to my birthday each year with great anticipation. This is me and...