By Susan Keats, Contributor &  Seize-the-Day Propagandist
My new next door neighbor has 2 little kids. When we moved into this house years ago, I also had two little kids, and in the very house where my new neighbor lives there lived 3 teenage girls. I would look at my tiny kids and then at the big girls next door and find it very hard to imagine that my girls would ever be as big, independent and accomplished as the girls next door.
Now, I look at the tiny kids next door and wonder if my kids were ever that small. I watch the sweet [...]

By Liza Kovacs, M.S.C, M.A., Fitness Contributor
Wow. I know I am not the only one who thinks about the future and wish for this, to be spared somewhat from the ravages of time and to sail through the twilight of my life with ease and elegance. My older sister reminded me again recently about Baby Boomers and their needs. While I fall a year short of being officially included in that demographic group, I do feel their pain. Having been a dancer for 20 years, I understand the need to care for a body not too happy with what it has been [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Chief Editor
Recently, I wrote an article about feeling beautiful as I age. In the article I included BOOMbox Network’s beauty survey that asked the question, ”How do women over the age of 45 REALLY feel about ‘beauty’ at their age”. A not-so-surprising finding is how important hair is to women. Healthy hair defines our youth and can determine if we age “gracefully” or not.
I have a dear friend, you all know her, who has always had gorgeous hair, and for 20 years I have been jealous (yes, jealous) of her hair. Beautiful thick, silky long mane of hair. I [...]

By Carol Cassara – Contributor & Midlife Wrangler
We’re the first generation to hit middle age (and official “senior” status) that knows we’re going to live longer—and healthier.  And that means we still have at least another 20 years to make our dreams come true.
Julia Child, Gandhi, Dr. Ruth, and authors Laura Ingalls Wilder and Frank McCourt were all late bloomers.
You can be one, too.
How?  That’s the question I asked myself, because I’ve recreated myself several times in these years between middle-age and whatever’s next. And I’m still doing it.
Life and opportunities are not over just because we’re aging. In many [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Chief Editor
As I recently delved into all sorts of questions regarding oh… little things such as the dichotomy of  love & desire in my marriage and the discovery of seeing myself as a sensual being, the thought pattern inevitably led me to questioning my “beauty”.
Actually, what does “beauty” mean? It’s hard to discern, especially in our society, exactly what makes a person beautiful. The continuous assault of “perfect beauty” imagery wants us to believe one thing. Wiser outlets – and even dedicated organizations – tell us that beauty comes in all colors, shapes and sizes… And ages.
I’m 50 [...]

By Susan Keats, Contributor & Seize-the-Day Propagandist
Did you know that a 50 year old woman from MY TOWN has found a secret to rid herself of wrinkles that is even better than Botox? And can you believe, DOCTORS don’t want me to know about it?
And, did you know that a 65 year old woman, also from MY TOWN (wow, what a talented town I live in) has NO CELLULITE and if I just click….right here on this….oh.  I have to watch this long video thing and….oh.  I have to buy this … stuff….
Now that I have achieved mid life, I’m [...]

Guest post by Dana Hoffman, Licensed Acupuncturist, Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine
I was blown away reading Audrey’s December article on her experience of receiving Botox injections for the first time. Hers is the first article I’d seen giving the not-so-good side of what happens when Botox (Botulism Type A) works too well at paralyzing the nerves that activate muscles. The part about drooling really frightened me…

By Anne-Marie Kovacs, Chief Wife
Audrey and I were honored to be interviewed by Becca Niederkrom at the AgingInsider.com. She featured us in her new series called the 5 Alarm Boomer Blogger Series. Becca is all about empowering the aging senior, especially on the tech gadgets and systems. She also reaches out to us Baby Boomers as she knows well that we are the ones making most of the decisions for our aging parents. Here’s more about Becca’s work. 
If you ever wondered how this whole bloggin’ thing got started, you’ll have to story right here as painfully coaxed out of us by Becca!
 
 
You will [...]

By Susan Keats, Contributor & Seize-the-Day Propagandist
“I’m sorry.  Do I know you?”
That was the reply I received to an email inquiry I sent to a teacher at a local school.  I was hoping to find piano lessons for one of my children and I wanted to find a really good teacher, so I sent out a few emails to people asking for recommendations.
No matter how I read her reply, it seems rude to me.  I’ve tried to read it out loud in a variety of voices:
Sweet voice:   “I’m sorry.  Do I know you?”  Seems a little sarcastic.
Casual voice:  “I’m sorry?  [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Chief Editor
I was recently on a short flight from Toronto to Chicago and sat beside a gentleman from France. I normally have casual chats with the person sitting beside me that either end as quickly as they start or we find a common interest and talk the whole flight.
This chance encounter was different. I do need to preface this post with the fact the I have been happily married to the same man for almost 27 years.
This man ignited something in me that has left me seeing myself in a very different way. In the one [...]