Women and Aging 2011

Attention all Female Boomers

We face many unique aging issues -- everything from discrimination in getting a home loan to lower retirement pay to becoming the primary caregiver for our aging parents.

In an effort to open the dialogue on these and other issues related to female Boomers, the Volunteers of America Organization is excited to announce its third-annual discussion on aging issues on May 10, 2011 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

The Women and Aging 2011: Implications for an Aging Population, is an in-depth discussion around the need for policy that addresses the cultural shift sparked by a rapidly aging population. This year's panel will be moderated by Dr. Bob Arnot and feature Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post, Debra Ness of the National Partnership for Women and Families.

You can read more about the event and their work on women's aging issues at:
http://www.voa.org/bloggers

CHANGE!!

Have you ever heard that expression --The only person who likes "change" is a wet baby?

We all know how true that is and most of us will do anything to avoid a major life change. Yet, here I am at 63 willingly taking on one of life's most stressful changes -- moving!

See, I've had that nagging sense of wanderlust for quite awhile since I currently spend 3 to 4 months a year either in Summit County or St. Louis and feel like I've been using my home as nothing more than a crash pad for the past few years.

So, last week I put my house up for sale and have now started that dreaded process of cleaning and giving away or pitching most of my stuff, because my new retirement lifestyle does not include owning a big home. I'm creating my dream retirement lifesytle around what I love most --4 months in the mountains, 4 at the beach and 4 in St. Louis with my family and friends.

OK -- I know you're probably thinking that I've gone off the deep end, but "WHY NOT?" After all, at age 40 I took a huge leap of faith by moving to Germany and leaving behind all my family and friends. At that time, I had never lived anywhere but St. Louis, so it was really difficult at first. I didn't know anyone, didn't speak the language, and felt very lonely and depressed for a few months, but it turned out to be the best adventure of my life.

Are you a Boomer who's afraid to follow your dream because 'fear of change' is holding you back? If so, and you really want to make a major change in your life, then check out the book "Take the Risk" by world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson.

http://www.amazon.com/Take-Risk-Learning-Identify-Acceptable/dp/0310259738

I'll keep you posted and would love to hear from you about any dare-devil life changes you've made since retiring or are working on!

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!