On-Line Book Clubs

Love to read, but can't find a book club in your area?

I belong to a regular, meet once-a-month in a member's home, eat great food, drink good wine, type of book club. I didn't even know that on-line book clubs existed until I wrote the BLOG "Book Clubs" (see Oct 8th BLOG).


I then received a comment from Jason at Booksprouts
(go to http://www.booksprouts.com/ ). I checked out their website and found it straightforward and easy to use. I think it's a great idea for anyone who lives in a remote area or can't find enough people to start a book club.

My book club has read a variety of fascinating books this past year, but the one I loved the most was Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish. I'd highly recommend it as a great first book for you to start an on-line book club. Obviously someone dies (hey, you already know that with "Funeral" in the title). It's such an interesting read and warm tale of true female friendship. I also found the website http://www.book-clubs-resource.com/ to have several good ideas for book clubs.

Looking for someone to discuss that great book with -- then take the initiative and start a book club. Whether you start it on-line or in your home, it's fun, mentally stimulating and you'll make some new friends!

Holiday Hassles!

Are you tired already and Christmas is still
3 weeks away?

What with the shopping, decorating, writing Christmas cards and partying, it’s no wonder that by the time Christmas arrives we're worn out! So, here’s a few tips to help you avoid being stressed out during the holiday season:

• Stop Buying Gifts – When I retired 4 years ago I told all my nieces and nephews that the Bank of Aunt Rosie was closed and that there would be no more Christmas gifts from me. They didn’t like it, but since I live on a fixed income, I’d rather give what I feel I can afford for gifts to a person or a charity that really needs it. With money being so tight this year for everyone, I even talked to a few retired friends about skipping the Christmas gift exchange and they were all for it . But, if cutting off your family and friends cold turkey is just too much, then re-gift. Let's face it -- we all do it -- just try to find something that the person could actually use. Or offer something even more precious --the gift of your time – perhaps run errands for a house-bound friend or make a meal for them.
• Decide what’s really important to you - Accept your limitations and recognize that even if you’re retired, you only have so much time. List everything that you need and want to do for the holidays and then pick the 5 activities that mean the most to you. This year I decided that I didn’t want to spend time decorating my home as I’m going to St. Louis for 2 weeks. But I love to stay in touch with my family and friends, so I’m sending out over 100 cards.
• Avoid negative people - While that’s more difficult to do at a family Christmas party, just say “Hello” and then immediately move on to another family member or sit in another part of the house. Remember that it takes 2 to argue, so just refuse to engage with the argumentative person. Or if you feel that the Christmas Day party will be unbearable, then visit those family members you like either on Christmas Eve or the day after the holiday. I know how bad it can get as I come from a large family and our holiday parties always have at least 25 to 30 people there. It got to the point that there would be at least one argument at every party, so my sister had a great idea to keep the conversations moving in a more positive manner by asking each person to describe their favorite childhood memories of Christmas.
  
  No matter how you decide to spend your time and money during the Holiday Season, just make sure it’s doing what you really want and that alone will keep your stress down.

Senior Connection

With Boomers rapidly becoming the largest group in society, there are many Trade Shows popping up that target us. These Shows bring to us a wide variety of products ranging from health, recreational activities and hobbies, home improvement to travel.

WestWind Productions, in partnership with the Todd Creek Red Hatters, will produce a Senior Connection Show at Heritage Todd Creek in Thornton, on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Check out their website at http://www.tradeshowsbywestwind.com/ for all seven Senior Connection show dates and locations in 2009.

On stage excitement starts on the hour and includes performances – all by active seniors- in dance, music, and fashion. Two fashion shows are scheduled including one exclusive to Red Hat designs. Ms Senior Colorado will make an appearance and MC the stage activities.

Red Hatters

RETIRED - but your friends are still working? A great way to make new friends is to join a local Red Hat Chapter. The Red Hat Society first began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with humor rather than dreading it. It was started by Sue Ellen Cooper who bought a bright red fedora at a thrift shop; then about a year or so later she read the poem "Warning" by Jenny Joseph, which depicts an older woman in purple clothing with a red hat.

Sue Ellen decided that her birthday gift to her friend, Linda, would be a vintage red hat and a copy of the poem. Linda loved the gift so much that she gave the same things to another friend, then another, which blossomed into a world-wide organization devoted to friendship and fun.

Red Hatters relish life in their golden years enjoying friendship, new activities and a genuine enthusiasm for "what's next" as we age. I am a founding member of the Todd Creek Red Hatters in Thornton CO, started in August 2006 by a woman who had been very active in several Red Hat Chapters in California. We've grown to 97 members and during the year host a variety of activities including luncheons, going to theater and Denver attractions. With generous hearts, we support several charitable activities including adopting 2 teens at Christmas; a toiletry drive the homeless and a Dr. Seuss Day reading at the local school.

So if you're looking for new friends and fun ways to spend your time, check out the Red Hat Society website at http://www.redhatsociety.com/