Am I crazy or what?

Most of you know I love the mountains.

Did you know that I hate....and I mean truly hate, being cold?

I keep my house so warm that most of my friends compare it to sitting in a sauna and come over in the dead of winter in shorts!

Yet, I love to ski.....it feeds my soul and brings me joy like no other activity. There's just something so exciting about flying down the hill on a beautiful sunny day.

But, last week Mother Nature truly tested my love affair with skiing when the temperatures in Frisco, CO. where I'm staying hit minus 40 WITHOUT the chill factor.

I couldn't believe it! I've skied for over 42 years and have never experienced such bitter cold. Usually, on the slopes I look as fat as the Pillsbury Dough Boy because I wear a ski suit 2 sizes too big with 6 layers of clothing and that's when it's 15 to 20 degrees outside.

So, there was no way I could hit the slopes last week. Even if I wore everything I owned, I would not have stayed warm.

Yet, I still feel passionate about skiing and can't wait to hit the slopes later this week when the temperature gets above 10 and there's fresh powder carpeting the mountain.

What's that got to do with you and retirement?

Well, what are you passionate about?

What makes your soul sing?

If you don't know.....then start looking now, because being passionate about something will make you feel years younger than your chronological age!!

Follow your Dream

Do you have an unfulfilled dream?

Perhaps when you were young you dreamed of being a dancer, artist or chef but instead you took the responsible route and worked a 9 to 5 job your whole life like many of us Boomers!

As proven by Tony Fields, it's never too late to go after that dream!

Tony has a very unique story as he has worked for more than 20 years for the Kellogg's Corp. in Michigan, always pursing his dream of a singing career on the side.

Tony honed his soulful R&B sound performing gigs and festivals throughout Southwest Michigan. In 2005 Tony won 1st place in the adult male division of The USA World Showcase at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. His career is on an upward swing and he has a CD, "Elegant Lady" out, but his dream now is to appear on the Oprah Show as she literally saved his life.

In 2004 Tony suffered unimaginable tragedy when in less than 90 days, his only child (a 20-year old daughter), mother and brother all died. It brought him to the depths of despair and what saved him was an Oprah show regarding just as serious a tragedy. He was moved by the woman on the show and how she found the strength to go forwad. That inspired Tony to write a song for Oprah.

He's just an incredible songwriter and has penned with Carol Tedrow a motivational song too "Never Give Up, No Never Give Up" as well as a song for his daughter.

Friends....Tony really needs your help in moving his career forward.......so, when you have a few minutes, please view his song to Oprah at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibjzEmHTVJE

Then visit his website at: http://www.tonyfieldsmusic.com/

And if you've got any contacts with the Oprah show, pls contact me or Tony immediately!!
Let's help one of us Boomers get closer to realizing his dream!

Health Plans - Open Season

November is usually Open Season to change your health plan coverage.

Plan explanations are often lengthy, confusing and written so technically that it's hard to determine just what is the best plan to meet your needs at the least cost.

I spent a lot of time last week reviewing the plans offered to me.
My current plan premiums went up over 33% so I decided to switch plans for the first time in more than 20 years.

If your company is offering an Open Season, take the

time to closely review the plans offered to you especially in light of several key factors:

1. Will you turn 65 next year? If so, you'll probably be eligible for Medicare and may not need as much coverage?

2. How does the health care reform program impact you?

3. Do you have an adult child under age 26 living with you who might be covered or needs coverage?

4. If you change plans, can you still use the same doctors?

That was very important to me as I didn't want to start over having to find doctors that I like and can trust, so I called each doctor's office to confirm that they will take my new plan. Do this, rather than rely on the medical plan's website as sometimes it's not current.

Check out this website: http://healthcareforamericanow.org/

The key is to make an informed decision about what's best for you at this point in your life, not just hang on to the plan that you've always used

Born Free

It seems like this year the holiday season is starting earlier than ever as I was shocked to see Christmas decorations up even before Halloween.

It's almost as if we're skipping Thanksgiving. But this week when you're celebrating with your family, remember to give thanks for your FREEDOM.

It's something we Americans take for granted everyday; yet, it's a precious gift that people from other countries have died for.

November 9th was the 21st anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was living in Germany at the time and visited Berlin shortly before the wall fell. Many people had already escaped to West Berlin and I'll never forget the joy on their faces in knowing that they were finally free.

Now, what does that have to do with Kid Rock?

While I can't say that I'm a fan of all his songs, this one just makes me want to jump up and dance! If you're a Boomer like me, who loved to go to concerts in the '60s and hates most of the new music; just listen to this song and you'll know what I mean!! It's such a feel good song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu3rsha1ZtI

Happy Thanksgiving!!