Potpourri

I am always reading about baby boomers, menopause, night sweats and generally all information that pertains to those of us who are living in this transitional period. I came across a plethora of articles, but these three stood out because they resonated with me since I had actually engaged in conversations about these topics this week.

First up deals with depression and menopause. Did you know that the risk for major depression more than doubles while women are going through menopause and afterward? Have you been wondering if it's "just you?" Click here to read more.

Boomers around the country are talking retirement around the water cooler. The baby boomers have three important questions before them: Have they had enough? Do they have enough? Will they have enough to do? What about you? Click here to read more.

I'd like to say I saved the best for last.....NOT! However, I couldn't pass it by. Women who add more fat to their bodies as they approach menopause will have a harder time with hot flashes and night sweats. (thank heavens for wicking sleepwear!) Research is showing that these weight gains, which are often common during menopause, may actually contribute to a worsening of symptoms. Click here to read more.

Do you have a topic or blog of interest that you think is worth sharing? Let me know!

Fall Is Upon Us

The heat of the summer is over and fall is upon us. I, for one, am thrilled. Maybe a little cooler weather will take some of the heat out of those hot flashes!! Speaking of hot flashes...within the next two weeks, Lunar Radiance will be revealing new wicking sleepwear to fight those night sweats....always love that. In the meantime, it's time to turn to some fall festivities that are upon us and prepare!

Halloween is always a fun time to dress up, decorate and send entertaining greeting cards. Over at my Zazzle store, NightSweatsDiva, I have been busy creating many new greeting cards, Halloween postage stamps, trick or treat bags, tee shirts and so much more. Below are just a few samples, but there is so much that I can't fit everything here. The best part.....You Can Personalize almost everything and have you never have to leave your house!!

Teachers, baby boomer grandparents, moms and dads need to pay a visit, and check back often because new additions are being made every day.

Personalized Halloween Tote Bag by NightSweatsDiva

Halloween Novelty Mug by NightSweatsDiva

Halloween Postage Stamps by NightSweatsDiva

Halloween Stickers by NightSweatsDiva

Halloween Party Invitation by NightSweatsDiva

P.S......Have a bride to be in your family? Have her click here. She will love, love, love it!

Boomer Birthday Cards

Hello Fellow Boomers....
Just wanted to share some new and unique birthday cards for you to send to your fellow boomer friends who are celebrating the BIG 5-0 Enjoy!

Happy 50th Birthday Card by NightSweatsDiva

Happy 50th Birthday for a Baby Boomer Woman by NightSweatsDiva

Happy 50th Birthday for a Baby Boomer Woman by NightSweatsDiva

Would you like a customized card? Just send me an email to lunarradiance@aol.com

What Has Happened to My Decollete?

Maybe it's my turning 51, maybe it's my being perimenopausal, but all of a sudden I have become obsessed with the little lines and wrinkles on my face. You know...those little lines of character, that lovingly tell the story of our life experiences. OH PLEASE!!! They are wrinkles....aging skin creases that make me look old and I don't like them. And....how about that decollete!! All of a sudden I can't stop looking at it. It's not that it is wrinkly, it just looks, well, weathered. That would be the best way to describe it.

I have now joined the ranks of thousands of women who are looking for just the right combination of cleanser, moisturizer, serums etc. to help us battle father time. There are 11,000 baby boomers turning 50 every day and it is projected that there will be a $12 billion increase in money spent on anti-aging products and supplements in the next year and a half alone. Wow!! Those of us who either choose to refrain from costly cosmetic procedures or simply don't want to shell out the bucks for botox, are most certainly spending some serious cash on skincare.

Most recently, Monday to be exact, I started a new regime using a new product line called Striking. According to the literature, I should begin to see firmer skin, a reduction in the appearance of of fine lines and wrinkles, smoother skin, and an overall improvement in the appearance of my skin in as little as 14 days. I can also use it on my weathered decollete!! The system is a simple 4 step program consisting of a creamy cleanser, serum, eye cream and moisture cream.

What is their secret you may be asking....PEPTIDES.....patented "Smart Peptides" Now this is where it gets scientific, so I will let you see and listen for yourself at an short informational video on YouTube. Just click here for a little education on the product. I did because I wanted to know what made this different from other anti-aging products. Plus, when I'm going to lay down some cash I like to be educated.

It's too soon for results but I can tell you one thing I love about Striking already.....NO SCENT! None of the products smell. The cleanser is very creamy as is the eye cream and the moisturizer. I'm not usually a creamy cleanser kind of girl, but this is ok. It feels good. Since my skin tends to be oily, I do not need to slather on the creams, so a little goes a long way. I would guess that even dry skin would not need too much. No break outs, no irritations, so far I am good to go. AND....if this gets the decollete in shape, I will be a lifetime lover!

Sorry....I'm too vein to post a stripped down before version of my face, but I will keep you posted on my findings!

Americans Must Pay Attention

I rarely write on political issues. However, as a mother of a recent graduate, who is facing difficulties finding a job; a mother of a child who will graduate from college within the next 4 years, and as a baby boomer who has worked as a teacher for 30 years and would like to see her medical benefits and pension intact, I have to write.

I have my own opinions about Obama, the stimulus, the proposed food and beverage taxes and the proposed healthcare plan, and I will keep them to myself. What I would like to do is encourage people to educated themselves on these pressing issues and contact your Congressmen and Senators to let them know how you feel.

Looking for additional information? Here are some websites and articles that I have found that may be of interest:

• Nationalized Health Care Pros and Cons - Click Here
• Lawmakers Warned About Health Costs - Click Here
• House Healthcare Plan to Add to Deficit: Analysts -Click Here
• Americans Against Food Taxes - Click Here

Sunday Morning News Just For Us

Good Morning Everyone. Today's post revisits an idea I had when I first started blogging. I have gathered some current info. that is pertinent to women of boomer age, and put it here in one place for you to peruse. Have a great day!

• More Women Seek Nonprescription Remedies For Menopause Symptoms - How do you treat your menopause symptoms? This article discusses the growing popularity of over the counter treatments.
• Having Babies After Menopause - Does this sound appealing to you? This article discusses with author Natalie Angier, issues surrounding women's aging and the positive effects that having children after menopause may have on the societal perceptions of women. ....interesting article, but I'm not sold!
• Exercise Tips to Keep Boomers on Their Feet - Do you have a regular fitness routine? Are you finding more aches and pains as a result of your exercise these days? This short article discusses simple precautions boomers can take to keep themselves on the exercise trail with a minimal amount of discomfort.
• How to Keep Your Brain Young - We often focus on building our financial reserves, but how about our cognitive reserves? Keep playing those board games, and doing those crossword puzzles because research supports the idea that keeping the mind and body fit fends off dementia and Alzheimer's.

Musings on Self Image - Man vs Woman

Why is it that when men look at themselves in the mirror, and I am talking about men who are lets say....45 and older..... they puff themselves up like peacocks and see themselves as the dashing 30 somethings they once were; yet women zero in on the spreading thighs, thicker middles and sagging breasts? A little gray hair on a man is distinguished. However that same gray on a woman represents a minimum of $65 in a salon, depending on where you live.

I was recently having a conversation with a male and female baby boomer about another couple who had know each other in high school, and recently reconnected and married. This led to a bit of reminiscing about high school relationships. The gentleman in the group smiled at the memory of his one time beloved, then interjected his thought that she probably had put on weight.

Whoa..........buddy. I couldn't let him off the hook for that comment and redirected his attention to the spreading middle he was sporting. His response, as he sucked in and puffed up, "It's a baggy shirt." What a classic.

I don't think this is anything new. For years older men have sought and attained the company of younger women. When the shoe is on the other foot, well....can you spell C-O-U-G-A-R? That's tad bit of a nasty title don't ya think?

How about commercials and advertisements that bombard women daily with potions, lotions and creams to wipe away wrinkles, sags and bags on various parts of our bodies. We buy....I buy. It seems like every day I notice some new sign that aging is upon me. This week it was a few age spots on my once fabulous legs. OMG...as I wrote the last sentence a commerical for a serum that assists "menopausal skin" just came across my TV screen. The maintenance, both cosmetically and physically is just plain old exhausting.

Life would be so much easier for us baby boomer women if we could just "suck it in" and blame it on a big shirt.

National Tea Party Day

Momentum is growing and excitement is building.

On April 15, 2009 people will gather across the nation to speak out against leaving a debt our great-grandchildren will be paying for because our leaders will be spending trillions of borrowed dollars; a budget filled with pork and earmarks, plus so much more. You can click here to read more details, volunteer to be an organizer or to find where your nearest tea party can be found.

Everyone in our country is worried. I am a baby boomer who has a child graduating from college in less than two months. What are his job prospects? Will I have to delay retirement? With one child left in college, will there be loan money available so she can finish her education? It doesn't matter what your socioeconomic level is; on one is immune.

Planning on attending and would like to commemorate the event with a button, mug or t-shirt? Double click on any of the items below as they appear in the window!

What is Your Stimulus Plan?

Wow!! The Dow was up 377 points today! Yipee!! Does that mean anything to you? Are you like the millions of people who watch the Dow daily and cringe with fear and worry every time it drops just a bit more? Are you like me and most of my baby boomer friends who don't even want to open their next statements because what has transpired over the last few months may mean that their plans for retirement may need to be, well... retired for a little while?

I think that each of us has taken a different attitude about the current financial status in which we currently find ourselves. One friend of mine immediately withdrew all of her family's investments/retirement money and put it into a plain, old savings account.

Another friend and her husband have decided to truly stimulate the economy by buying a new car and renovating their kitchen. They have excellent credit, and very stable jobs. They had been wanting to make these changes and with their retirement just a few years off, they figured now would be the time.

I, and many of my colleagues and friends, left my money where it was never dreaming that the market would hit 6000. I spoke with my investment broker last week and he confirmed what I suspected.....I would take a major bath if I pulled out now, so I just need to ride it out. He believes that we should see a turn around beginning around the end of April/beginning of May. For all of our sakes, I hope he is right.

I am fortunate to have a career that is recession/depression proof, teaching. So I am not worried about losing my job. However, I do have another college tuition to take care of and worry about student loan money drying up.

I have a son who will be graduating from college this year with a marketing degree....oh heavens....I think he will be inhabiting his freshly painted room again as he looks for a job. I do worry about his future.

There is no doubt about it, my wicking sleepwear business, Lunar Radiance has been a bit slower than it was this time last year, but by no means is it ready to float belly up...so that is good news.

Almost everyone is impacted in some shape or form, and has a financial issue they are stressing over, but is there a mentally healthy way to approach these times without losing our minds? Obviously worrying does nothing to solve the problems, so what do we do?

How do you plan on making your way through these difficult financial times? What's working for you? What is your personal stimulus plan?

Calling All Baby Boomers! Raise Your Vibration by Being Grateful

Happy Sunday Everyone!

There was so much doom and gloom this week with the given worldwide economic situation. You pretty much had to live under a rock not to hear any of it. In addition, Americans are being bombarded with constant political ads, mostly negative. I for one have had my fill!''

I am choosing, for today, to step away from all of this negativity and raise my vibrational level by focusing on the people and things in my life for which I have to be grateful. Please join me and add to my list!

• I am grateful that my daughter is home from college for a four day visit.
• I am grateful that I had a household of healthy, happy college students last night, and got to make breakfast for them this morning.
• I am grateful that I am having my family over for a roast beef dinner today.
• I am grateful that I have roast beef and mashed potatoes to cook!
• I am grateful that it is such a beautiful fall day today.
• I am grateful that the Phillies are in the playoffs and playing today....Go Phillies!

C'mon.......What do you have to be grateful for? Spread the word! Let's attract something positive today!

Sunday Morning News Just for Us - Baby Boomer's That Is!

OK......I know it's not the morning, but my day got away from me today. However, my little fingers have been clicking the keys and searching the internet for the latest news and stories of interest, so here goes.....

• Is it a myth that menopause puts a damper on libido? True, woman suffer from a host of uncomfortable symptoms including hotflashes and night sweats, but a recent survey dispels this myth and eases women's concerns regarding hormonal changes and changes in their sex life. Click here to read more and you can be the judge.
• Osteoporosis, which means porous bone, is a natural process that accelerates during menopause due to the decrease in the production of estrogen. It is often referred to as the silent disease because we can't see it nor feel its effects unless it is brought to our attention because of a broken bone. According to an article in the Times-Picayune, "almost 80 percent of the 661 people (older than 45) recently surveyed by the National Osteoporosis Foundation said they didn't think that the disease was a risk factor for broken bones, and 60 percent of women and 90 percent of men had not discussed their osteoporosis risk with their doctors." Click here to read more.....
• This week's topic at my other blog, Not Fit to Pick is the relationship between mothers and daughters. Although Not Fit to Pick usually deals with romantic relationships, this week's topic is inspired by my reflections after sending my last child, my daughter off to her freshman year in college. Click here to read more......
• Taking care of aging parents is something that many of my friends are dealing with right now. If you find yourself in this position, you will want to check out the Baby Boomers Retirement Club. This organization provides solutions for boomers caring for aging parents including online forums, senior care service locators, a senior and over 55 community search, and free pharmacy prescription cards. Click here to read more....
• Job hunting baby boomers face new challenges and they need to step up to the challenge. Bob Moos, from the Dallas Morning News takes a look at what boomers need to do to "brush up on modern ways to find work, interview and even update their image." Click here to read more....
• Lunar Radiance has introduced a new wicking nightgown to their wicking sleepwear line to help you fight those nasty night sweats! You can "Slumber in Sleeveless," pictured above, with this newest nightgown made by Wildbleu. Sale price is $45.99.

Have a great week everyone.

Time Passes Too Quickly for This Baby Boomer Woman!

Happy Sunday Everyone!!

I can't believe that it is already August 9th. To me that signals that I will be heading back to my full time teaching job soon....3 weeks and counting! It also means that it 3 days I will be sending off my youngest to college for the first time. My daughter, my baby, will be making her own transition and I am again facing another....I will be an empty nester! It is so bitter sweet. This is what I have been preparing her for, so why does it feel so sad?

Our living room is filled with boxes of snacks, water, new linens, toiletries, and office supplies. It is all there waiting to be loaded into the van Tuesday night. The washer and dryer have been going non stop as she squeezes in loads of laundry in between her last days of work and visits with her friends. Tonight, all of her close circle will gather here for one last sleepover; one last time for them to be together before they all go their separate ways; one last time for me to watch and listen to all of the laughter and excitement of being young.

Where has the time gone? The little girl is gone, and is now a beautiful young woman. Time has passed too quickly....at least for me!

Pajama Lady Appears on Growing Bolder Radio

Last week, I had the pleasure of being a guest on Growing Bolder radio (CLICK HERE to listen to my interview) to talk about my wicking sleepwear company, Lunar Radiance. For those of you who haven't heard about Growing Bolder, a leading website catering to the issues of baby boomers, here is how they describe themselves.

• "Unlike other sites, we're not here to convince you that the best is yet to come. You already know that. We're here to tell the stories of those who are leading by example. We believe that's all the convincing anyone will need. Unlike other active lifestyle communities, you don't have to be 50+ to hang with us. What fun is that? We're building an intergenerational community that's a reflection of the society we envision -- one of inclusion. That's why our site is not about age. It's about attitude; an attitude that's as powerful at 20 as it is at 60. So plug in. Get connected. In our community, you have the power."

Growing Bolder has forums, blogs, radio, tv and so much more. It is like one stop shopping for baby boomers. I was thrilled to be asked to interview with them and I totally enjoyed it! Pay a visit to their site....you won't be disappointed.

Sunday Morning News Just for Us (Boomers That Is!)

Happy Sunday Everyone! I thought I would do something that I haven't done in a while and scour the net this morning for some interesting baby boomer news....it seems like it has been forever since I've done this, so here goes.....

• This week's topic over at Not Fit to Pick is "Romance in the Workplace." It is becoming more common for people to find love at work. After all, they work closely together, have tons in common and spend a lot of time together. Sometimes it works, but what happens when it doesn't? Have you or someone you know had this experience? How did it turn out? What lessons were learned? Click here to read more!
• Have you thought of trying hypnosis to treat your menopausal symptoms? The subconscious mind is a powerful thing. It has been reported that people under hypnosis have even undergone surgery without anesthesia. So, how about using it to alleviate the physical symptoms of menopause. Curious? Click here to read more.
• Vision changes with age there is no doubt about it. Haven't you noticed that your arm just isn't long enough anymore? It has been found that the risk for macular degeneration, an age related eye condition, increases in those who have a diet with foods that have a high glycemic index. This would be a diet filled with refined carbs. Click here to read more from Natural News.
• Wondering just how much you will collect from Social Security when you retire? Social Security has just released a new tool to help baby boomers calculate their estimated benefits. I tried it and it is a breeze. Click here to read an article in the Chicago Tribune that will give you all of the details.

Have a great week everyone. Have a thought or comment about one of the topics? Post It!

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What Would You Do Differently?

How many times have you said or thought "If only I knew then what I know now?" With my impending empty nest, I have been thrown into a bit of reflection. I suppose that this is a common occurence for many baby boomers as they face a change in circumstance.

If you did have the benefit of all of the wordly wisdom you have accumulated over the last 20 or so years, what if anything would you do differently?

**Ditch those painful relationships sooner than you did?
**Choose a different career?
**Foster better relationships with your parents?
**Prepare more for retirement?
**Have more children?
**Get a degree or some form of higher education?
**Save more?
**Spend more?
**Have more fun?
**Move to a different city?
**Get divorced?
**Stay married?

Or....maybe you wouldn't change anything. Maybe we are the wonderful people we are today because we are the sum and total of all of our experiences both good and bad. What do you think?

Another Thing to Make Life Easier for the Baby Boomer Woman!

Women are busy, and the real deal is we do most of the shopping, especially when it comes to buying greeting cards and invitations. Wouldn't it be great to have greeting cards right at your finger tips? What an awesome idea and way to save time and gas money!

Greeting Card Universe provides the largest, most unique and varied selection of greeting cards from a multitude of talented artists. Here you will find cards that you never would see at a store on every topic imaginable! Buy in bulk or one at a time. They will even mail them for you! Just click on the little cart below and explore the multitudes. Warning!!! Give yourself some time.....there are so many from which to choose!

How Are Hot Flashes Like Volcanic Eruptions?

It starts deep within the earth....it becomes so hot that some of the rocks begin to melt and become a liquid commonly known as magma. The pressure builds and eventually some of the magma forces its way to the surface and presto.....the lava spills and a volcanic erruption occurs!

Why the mini earth science lesson? Well, while trying to describe to my husband what I was feeling on a much more regular basis than ever before, this was the only analogy that I could come up with. "She's gonna blow," is becoming a common refrain in my house. I feel like a volcano!

Some volcanic eruptions are explosive and some are not.....just like my hot flashes. Sometimes I just heat up and become uncomfortable. Some volcanic eruptions can be dangerous and deadly. Ok...I'm not going to die from my hot flashes, but they sure can be dangerous to those who are around me because I may whack them in the head with whatever is in my hands as I begin to fan myself and mop up my personal lava (sweat).

My volcano tends to lie more dormant during the day and really likes to make an appearance at night. (From what I've read, this is not uncommon.) Why do natural wonders seem more spectacular at night? It is at those times that I am ever so grateful for my wicking sleepwear. At least I don't have to get up and change my clothes and sheets when my lava spills.

The good news.....is there really good news? Yes! Unlike volcanic eruptions which can periodically rear their ugly heads for hundreds of years, my hot flashes and night sweats, and those of my fellow baby boomer women, will only hang around for a few! It just feels like forever.

Summer Vacation

Do you remember the days when you had to write an essay about "My Summer Vacation?" I do and they usually weren't that exciting. Money was scarce for my single mother, but I do remember fondly our trips to Williamsburg and Washington D.C. I didn't fly until I was 14 when we took a trip to visit her friends in Florida. However, times have changed for most baby boomers.

According to a report by AARP, a greater percentage of boomers today have a passport and travel to international destinations. We tend to look for more exotic places to visit and are more adventurous. Gone are the days of waiting for retirement to take a cruise or cross the pond to explore all that Europe has to offer. On my last vacation to Sedona, Arizona, this past fall, my husband, who is 20 years my senior, and I hiked our butts off! We were exhausted at the end of the day, but exhilarated.

So, if you have to write about your summer vacation this year, what will it say? Are you an adventurous boomer, planning something exotic? Or are you planning to stay closer to home (those darned gas prices), make a visit to see family or take short day trips? As for me, I will be staying put, getting my daughter ready to go to college for the first time and saving my pennies to pay for tuition!

Looking for great vacation ideas? Check out Baby Boomer Trips for packages and suggestions.

Fast Facts About Menopause

Many baby boomer women are in the transitional life stages of perimenopause and menopause. As they will attest, the physical and emotional changes that come as part of the package can be daunting. When talking with a girlfriend the other day, commiserating about the latest menopausal gifts we had received she asked me if I was itchy. I couldn't believe it, so I did a bit of digging.

Did you know that in addition to night sweats, hot flashes and the other host of glorious symptoms that accompany menopause, itchy skin is now one to add to the list? Hormonal swings, poor diet, dehydration of the skin and even smoking all contribute to the midlife itches. There are some steps we can take to help alleviate itching during menopause. To read more, CLICK HERE.

Finding it hard to concentrate? You're not going crazy. Difficulties with concentration during perimenopause and menopause are quite common. Sometimes you may even feel like you are in a fog. Our old friend estrogen, or should I say less of it, is the culprit. Never fear, there are some simple ways to cope with yet another menopausal nuisance. CLICK HERE to read more.


It goes without saying that symptoms may have other causes, so it is very important to always check with a physician to make sure there are no other underlying reasons for your symptoms.

Keeping Myself Honest and Motivated

In an earlier post, I spoke about an epiphany I had over Mother's Day weekend. I had gone to a wedding and took a look at myself in pictures. Yikes!! Obviously I have been spending way to much time on the computer working my wicking sleepwear business and blogging and forgot that I needed to stay active.

Most baby boomers will agree that as we get older, the weight seems to creep up easier and is more difficult to get off. Gone are the days when we can lose a quick few for a special event. Losing weight, safely, takes time and a committment to a healthier way of life. Activity is key, as is everything in moderation.

I have taken up walking using Leslie Sansone's program. This works for me since I am not a gym person. I like the flexibility I have by working out at home and this walking program is structured just enough and gentle on my knees. Better yet, I am seeing results, and this keeps me going on the days when I really don't feel like exercising.

To keep me honest, I am recording my progress on a sweet little gadget from the ticker factory. OK...how crazy am I posting this for all the world to see, at the bottom of my blog.

This past weekend we celebrated my daughter's graduation. Too much cake and party food...but I got right back on the exercise train the next day. So...now I have confessed and my conscience is clear. (Must be my old Catholic school training coming out) The point is we can be fabulous and fifty, but it takes a commitment to activity and healthier choices. Is that really such a hard thing to do?

What's your favorite way to remain a lean, mean boomer machine?