WIRED!

I love technology and all the fun things you can do with it, so I recently purchased a new HP computer; APPLE iPad2 and iPhone. I know you're probably thinking, why not the IMAC to have full compatibility?

Well, the one I wanted was about $2300 and being a retired chick on a fixed income budget, I could not justify that expense when for less than $1900 I could get all 3! Plus I had an HP Entertainment Laptop so I just replaced that with the newest version.

I'm having so much fun trying to figure out the iPad2 & iPhone connectivity especially with the Personal Hotspot connection and then trying to sync it with my HP laptop. It's just so much harder to change equipment and learn about new technology when I don't have a computer guy in Data Processing that I can call up. I don't miss much about work, but I'd love having one of those computer geeks handy right now.

While it was a major challenge, I'm proud to say I set up all three gadgets; transferred all files and music on my own!

If you've not yet played with an iPad 2, visit an Apple store. I've found the customer reps to be friendly and patient in helping us inquisitive Boomers.

With over 140,000 apps for the iPad2, I'm sure you'll find many uses for it just like I have, but you might want to wait until the Spring to purchase one as APPLE may be introducing their next version then.

MEDC

MAKE EACH DAY COUNT (MEDC) is my mantra for 2012.
As Boomers, we are in the twilight of our lives. For many of us, that means just biding time -- you know the feeling -- letting the days turn into weeks, then months and you can't even recall the last time you did anything that was remotely fun or challenging?

OR Can you look back on 2011 and recall many adventurous and exciting days? For me, 2011 was a fun-filled year that I'll share with you in some upcoming BLOGS; but what about you? Reminiscing over 2011 are you happy about the way you spent your time? If not, then challenge yourself to make 2012 even better by creating your own plan to MEDC!

You can make your life better and more interesting by taking small steps like forming new friendships or trying out an ethnic restaurant. OR if you're looking for a big challenge then work at becoming proficient at a new sport or learning a foreign language.

Have you created your "Bucket List"? If so, then you can "MEDC" by working on a few of those in 2012. For me, that means taking a cruise to Alaska this year!

YOUR CHALLENGE: Spend a few days this week thinking about everything you'd like to do and see in 2012 so that on 1 Jan 2013 you can fondly look back on an exciting and fun-filled year that you personally created by "making each day count"!

Mission Impossible

EXCITING, FAST-PACED MOVIE! I loved this movie. It was exhilarating from the first few scenes and the pace never let up.

Boomers all remember the TV series - Mission Impossible - which always reminded me of a high-action version of the TV show "BEAT THE CLOCK". I'm still a big Tom Cruise fan and I think he's done an exceptional job in bringing the flavor and suspense of the series to the big screen. As with all MI movies, there definitely has to be a suspension of belief because the plot line at times is implausible and the stunt scenes too unrealistic. So if you're looking for a thrilling movie for this holiday weekend; this one's worth your time. For a more detailed review, check out the NY Times review at:

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E02E2DB1039F931A15756C0A960958260

My Family

Doesn't being with your family seem more important at this time of the year?

For me, it definitely is because as far back as I can remember the holiday season meant seeing all my relatives and feasting on delicious Italian foods such as home made sausage, cookies and cannolis. My father was a butcher so making the sausage was a holiday tradition that my friends would love to come to. It was special too because he used an antique sausage grinder that had been my grandfather's.

My parents had 9 kids, 13 grand kids and currently, 7 great grand kids with more in the making.
Being Italian, we're so loud that I feel like I have to pass out earplugs to non-family members. But we know how to party and one time when I was just 13, we had a New Year's Eve party that went on for 3 days.

What I love most is that we established traditions, that are now being passed on to the 4th generation!

So how about you? What holiday traditions have you passed on that you would like to make sure your family continues long after your gone?

p.s. - That's only about half of my family in that 2011 Christmas picture.