Braces Anyone?

Unfortunately, I have been spending way too much time in the dentist's chair lately. My dentist fear stems from my childhood, I am sure. We were poor and the only time I went to the dentist was when there was an emergency. Consequently, I associate the dentist with pain. Now, as I approach 50, a few of those heavily filled teeth are breaking and require crowns. Thank heavens there are miraculous advances in detal technology, and pain isn't an issue, just time and discomfort.

I have always been envious of those who have beautiful, straight, white teeth. Orthodontics wasn't an option when I was young. Then, as I had my own children, of course they had braces. However, now as I approach my 50th birthday, and after speaking at great length with my dentist, I have been thinking that braces may be the perfect gift.

My husband was completely taken back when I discussed this with him. He couldn't quite wrap his head around this idea. He gave his appropriate good husband response of "Honey, you have a beautiful smile." While I do appreciate his loving comment, I went on to explain.

For years my less than perfect teeth have bothered me. I always looked at people's teeth. I internally grumble when I see my smile in pictures. Some women have a little nip, tuck, lift or suction as they age; why can't I have straight teeth?

So, I am in the process of doing a bit of research.

• Is there anyone out there who has had braces as an adult?
• If so, did you opt for the traditional or invisible type?
• How long did it take?

Any suggestions or advice?

Hair-The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Are all women focused on their hair, or is it just me? Does a bad hair day really affect your mood? I am making a true confession here, I am a hairmaniac. Maybe it is just because I am hating mine right now and so ready for a change that I could scream, but I think that hairmania is a condition that primarily strikes women at epidemic proportions.

Our mothers did it, their mothers did it and now it is passed on to our generation and we will pass it on to the next. I can already see it with my teenage daughter. Coloring, teasing, spraying, geling, curling, straightening, ironing....oh Lord, the lengths that we go to so we can insure we are having a "good hair day" are endless. I have vivid memories of my mother sleeping with torturous rollers and my grandmother, who had her hair "done" once a week, would carefully wrap it with toilet paper each night and cover it with some sort of bonnet to keep it just so. By the end of the week, it looked like a matted rug.

Let's not forget "Salon Junkie Syndrome." You know women who have this condition; you may even be one of these women who shamelessly moves from one salon to the next on the never ending search for the perfect style and color. Have they no ability to commit?

I have been loyal to my stylist for years, but yesterday I crossed over, gave in to my hairmania and made the call to someone new. I am consciously going to cheat on my stylist. Will the guilt I suffer be worth it? Will Christopher be able to perform magic that will make me smile at the mirror each morning after I have finished my moussing, drying and spraying? He must be good since I have to wait 10 days before I can settle into his chair! I have seen his work on a colleague and she has her hairmania under control. Will he be able to do it for me?

How about you? Are you a hairmaniac? Do you suffer from Salon Junkie Syndrome? It's ok...unburden yourself. All comments can be anonymous!

Super Bowl Sunday-Sunday Morning News Just For Us!

I like football, I really do, but I have to admit, today doesn't really rank as a holiday for me like it does for many people around the country. My husband is not a football fan, my son is away at college and my teenage daughter has other plans. I'm kind of bummed. I feel like I'm missing out on something. Today I will have no excuse to overindulge in great food that is totally bad for me or throw my regular Sunday chores to the wayside.

When I think back to long ago when I was married to my first husband, my role on Super Bowl Sunday was mainly food preparer. We would usually pack up the car with our share of goodies and travel to a friend's house....the one who had the best TV. Then, the men would crowd around the TV to cheer, eat and drink. The women would spend a good part of the evening in the kitchen gabbing and laying out the spread. We would occassionally pop our heads into the family room and catch a score. Finally there would be the cleanup.

Hey....wait a minute....maybe I'm not so bummed after all!

Ladies, what are your plans for today? What is your role as a Super Bowl woman?
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Sunday Morning News Just For Us

For those of you who are not cooking or partying today, check out some of the latest news for boomer women from this week.

• The National Association of Baby Boomer Women 2008 Educational and Empowerment Opportunities February Teleseminar Series - Healthy Livin' for Boomer Women
• Exercise Is Key to Boosting Metabolism After Menopause

Sunday Morning News Just For Us!

You can't turn on the news or read a paper without being innundated with presidential primary news. There is no doubt, this is a history making election with so much at stake. All "hot button" issues are involved....age, race, gender and religion. My guess would be that people choose a candidate who they feel best addresses their needs, concerns and views both in the present and for the future.

I admit, I am a bit of a primary news junkie. I watch it all and I am fascinated as I watch the candidates, both Republican and Democrat, slug it out. I desperately try to filter out the traditional political bashing and find a way to get to the core of what they believe. I am working hard at not becoming cynical and suspicious of the process. So I pose some questions to my fellow boomers:

• Does a candidate's race play a part in our decision this election season?
• Does a candidate's gender play a part in our decision this election season?
• Does a candidate's age play a part in our decision this election season?
• Does a candidate's religion play a part in our decision this election season?
• What issues are most important to you?
• What turns you on about this process?
• What turns you off about this process?

C'mon Boomers.....Speak Up!

Articles of interest:

• For Clinton v Obama, Read Baby Boomers v 'Generation X'
• TODAY'S MEDIAN-AGE VOTERS GREW UP IN A DIFFERENT AMERICA
• In The World of Presidential Candidates, How Old is Too Old?
• Feminists At Odds on Clinton's Presidential Bid

Suday Morning News Just For Us!

Wow, I can't believe how long it has been since I have made a Sunday morning post. Since life is resuming a more normal pace now that the holidays are over, I have finally found the time go get back my Sunday morning routine and peruse the net for what is happening in our world. Today's posts focus primarily on health, but don't miss the article on the NAABBW's contest. I am a bit partial since this is one of my favorite web sites. Have a great week and happy reading!

• Aging Baby Boomers and Seniors at Risk for HIV
• Hearing Loss a Big Problem for Baby Boomers
• Women Voters Key to Win in California
• The National Association of Baby Boomer Women Sponsors the 2008 Contest, Most Valuable Life Lesson
• Menopausal Hot Flashes Worse for Heavier Women
• Soy May Thwart Belly-Fat Gain After Menopause

Why Women Lie

Here is bit of humor to get your weekend started!

One day, when a seamstress was sewing while sitting close to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, "My dear child, why are you crying?" The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family. The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble set with sapphires.

"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked The seamstress replied, "No."

The Lord again dipped into the river. He held out a golden thimble studded with rubies.

"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked. Again, the seamstress replied, "No."

The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble.

"Is this your thimble ?" the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, "Yes." The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.


Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water.

When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, "Why are you crying?"

"Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!"

The Lord went down into the water and came up with George Clooney. "Is this your husband?" the Lord asked.

"Yes," cried the seamstress.

The Lord was furious. "You lied! That is an untruth!"

The seamstress replied, "Oh, forgive me, my Lord. It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with Brad Pitt.

Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband.

Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three.

Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to George Clooney.

And so the Lord let her keep him.

The moral of this story is: Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

Signed,
All Us Women

New Year's Resolutions

With permission of the author, Dr. Sharon, I wanted to share this with you. I love the feeling I got when I read these.

“8 in 2008” We Can Do This!
Sharon D. Allison-Ottey, MD
www.sharondeniseallisonottey.com

As we begin the New Year, many of us will make resolutions that we know will be a memory by January 5th. This year, I want us to throw out that foolishness and just commit to "8 for 2008". These are simple things that can change your life forever!

1. I WILL take 15 minutes in the morning just for me. I will take some deep breaths and clear my head without husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, child, parent, or anyone else hanging around.

2. I WILL schedule an appointment with my doctor for a full physical exam and I will be prepared to ask questions.

3. I WILL not let anyone speak negativity into my life. I will stay strong and positive and get rid of anyone that is not supportive of ME!

4. I WILL purpose to do something unexpected and good for someone else at least once month. I will not brag or broadcast my good deeds.

5. I WILL commit to trying my BEST to exercise at least three times a week, with the goal of making this part of my daily life.

6. I WILL commit to trying my BEST to kick my junk food, fried food, sodas, fatty/yummy desserts habit. I will limit myself to two small guilt free splurges a week ONLY if I keep my exercise goals.

7. I WILL spend time each day in prayer and meditation. I will thank God each day for allowing me to still breathe, be in my right mind and for the measure of health that He's given me. I will pray for others and for this world. I will seek Him first as I seek and work for better health and wholeness.

8. No matter what my weight, my physical appearance, my education, my income, my family background, my present state in life; I WILL tell myself each and every day that God loves ME, I love ME and I am wonderfully and phenomenally made! I KNOW that I am a Queen/King and I will walk, talk and be treated like the royalty that I am.

You can email Dr. Sharon at drsharon@sharondeniseallisonottey.com! You can also visit her website and request a FREE personalized calendar with motivation, health tips and much more.