Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
First, a big, enthusiastic thank you to all of you who’ve filled out the 40plus woman survey. A community is being built.
You want to know what the number one favorite body part is according to the answers thus far? Drum roll, please…
Helen Mirren's Legs
You know why I wanted to write about this time of my life? Because of this. SUICIDE SPIKES AMONG MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN. And because of this. “Face it: What Women Feel As Their Looks Change”
There’s still plenty of time to fill out the survey. We want to know what you think about being 40plus. All of you who have already completed the survey, I will put your name in twice for the $50 gift certificate drawing. Any of you who complete the survey on or before February 14, 2012 will also be entered twice for the gift certificate. Drawing will be held on April 1, 2012.
Okay, on with the rest of the wrap-up.
This week I made friends on Twitter:
The Gypsy Nesters. Meet David and Veronica who once their children left the nest started traveling the world. Hmmm….
Ultimate Eurythmics. For fans of Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox. I made a comment on Twitter about how Florence and the Machine sounds like Annie Lennox. Hello kids!
This week I’ve fallen in love with the following two videos.
I love me some Jason Mraz, but I can’t abide by his long hair, scruffy, bandana-wearing persona. Really, Jason? Okay, you’ve redeemed yourself. I know you were worried.
There are two strikes against this video. First off, Bob Dylan and Miley Cyrus. But I have to hand it to the girl (and the man) she does this song well.
Cheers to the weekend!
P.S. Did I mention there’s still time to fill out the 40plus woman survey?
How come…
…baking bread at Subway smells like armpits?
…I feel hopeful?
…the Dixie Chicks haven’t gotten back together?
…I love shoes so much?
…McDonald’s got rid of their 42-ounce cups?
…when I skip a few days of CrossFit, it takes me a month to get back in shape?
…sometimes I believe the worst?
…three chickens who lay eggs can bring such joy to our household?
…salads taste better when someone else makes them?
…men don’t use straws?
…the song makes you remember when?
…Seal and Heidi Klum separated?
…I feel this is the best time of my life?
…it’s not over until it’s over?
…we wait until it’s too late?
…I love Taos?
…I can’t focus?
…all the songs by twenty-something GIRLS on the radio sound alike?
…Demi Moore is suffering from exhaustion?
…some people like the sound of harmonicas?
…there are times I want to go back?
…irregardless isn’t a word?
…it takes a long time to learn lessons?
…chocolate tastes better than brussel sprouts (well, just about anything tastes better than brussel sprouts)?
…it’s hard to admit when we’re scared?
…40 plus women don’t want to win $50 by filling out this 5-minute survey?
…Beyonce and Jay-Z named their daughter Blue Ivy Carter?
…the f-word is so fun to say?
…I’m hungry when I just ate breakfast?
…we don’t write letters anymore?
…I didn’t know this song was from the movie, “The Devil Wears Prada?”
You fill in “How come…?” How come you won’t tell us?
Breaking News: The survey has been shortened. And while not breaking news an important thing I forgot to mention is the survey is confidential!
Hello my friends,
Over the last couple of weeks, Musings of a Midlife Mama has been shut down. Why? you ask, or hopefully you did. There’s a new journey a-brewin’ for all of us women who are in the middle of our lives (or want to be one day or know someone who is). 40pluswoman.com will be a community for us all.
I came up with the idea when I heard some friends talk about how invisible they felt at this point in their lives. Beige-schmeige. Wear red high-heeled shoes! Walk with a regal posture! Know that you have so much to contribute based on your experience and you’ve made it to the middle of your life!
I need your help. Please take some time to fill out the 40 plus woman survey. If you complete it before March 15, 2012, you will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate. Drawing will be held on April 1, 2010 (and I’m not joking).
I’ve loved the three years I’ve been writing Musings. I have made some incredible online friends and my musings have brought me closer to both friends and family. I will continue to share my stories on Musings as I build the 40 plus woman community.
Much love and peace!
Your friend,
Michelle
Me and my grandmother
Neither smiling nor laughing, pensive about the past year
Boy I thought I was being so clever by not making New Year’s resolutions in 2011. My brilliant plan was to become more resolved in those “things” I wanted to work on. Now reading these over for the first time since I wrote them over a year ago, I realize these were resolutions disguised in a prettier dress, but still resolutions, and like most resolutions I failed at them.
2011 Resolutions:
1. I’m going to finish the rewrites from the editor on LETTING GO: A MOTHER’S STORY. I’m going to send this out to agents (AGAIN!) and submit to writing contests. When the rejects come back, I’m going to send the memoir out again. The failing of the publishing industry be damned.
Update: I didn’t finish the rewrites. Instead I started writing the memoir as a YA novel told from “Molly’s” perspective. Then I started writing another memoir about blending a family. This year I’ll continue doing what I’ve been doing, waiting for an agent to contact me.
2. I’m going to finish reading all those books I’ve started reading. What happens is I get thirty pages into a book and then I find myself in a book store where I buy another book, start that one, buy another book…you get the picture.
Update: I didn’t achieve this one either.
3. I’m going to smile more.
Update: I’m going to give myself credit here. There really isn’t any way to prove it or not.
4. I’m going to finish what I started. When cleaning the house or organizing a room, I’m going to finish it before I move on to the next project.
Update: I’d like to meet my former self, and kick her ass for even proposing this one.
5. I’m going to hang pictures that have been leaning against the walls for years. I’m going to change up the family photos that are so old that Jack is a crawling baby (He’s seven now.) and their photos of in-laws who are no longer in-laws anymore. HELLO!!!
Update: Oh, for the love of Pete. I’m sitting in front of the same photos I was resolved to change because the in-laws are officially ex-in laws. Jack’s third grade photo is sitting on the kitchen counter where it probably will remain until I place his fourth grade photo packet on top of it.
6. I’m going to listen to the whole CD.
Update: It helps not to buy CDs. Note: If you do buy CDs buy ones that you know you’ll love every single song. Can you say Adele and Ray LaMontange?
7. I’m going to hug and kiss more.
Update: Check. See number #3.
8. I’m going to stop checking voicemail, email, FaceBook, etc. every five minutes when I get bored with whatever I’m doing. While writing this post, I’ve checked all these twice. Instead I’m going to finish whatever I’m working on and then go play.
Update: This would have required discipline and focus. See #1, #2 and #4.
9. I’m going to laugh more.
Update: Yes! See number #3 and #7. I’m laughing now.
10. I’m going to pay off my credit card balance and then pay the entire amount every month.
Update: Where is she? While I’m kicking my ass for suggesting I become more focused, I’m going to knock my former self out and steal all her money to make this one come true.
Funny, these would be the same things I’d be more resolved to do in the coming year. Good thing, since there’s plenty of room for improvement. But I also have figured out how to make myself not feel like a total loser about 2011. Stay tuned for Part 2.
Did you meet your 2011 resolutions?
If you want the opinion of a 40-plus woman on everything from best movies to best news stories then you’ve come to the right place. However, if you’re looking for opinions by someone who knows what she’s talking about then Happy New Year to you, and you probably should move on. Here’s what I think.
Best Month: August. Jack started third grade in August and has gotten an orange card every Friday since.
Best (and Worst) CD: Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble.” Admittedly this isn’t a 2011 album; it was published in 2004. But I discovered it this year. Unfortunately it’s the worst, too. I have myself to blame. I played the CD over and over again; I haven’t been able to listen to it for months.
Best Farmers’ Market: City Heights Farmers’ Market. It proved to be a success in this community despite the nay-sayers. Nay that.
Best Movie: I can’t just pick one. I loved “Midnight in Paris” with Owen Wilson and “The Descendents” with George Clooney. And no it’s not because they’re cute (of course this doesn’t hurt) but these movies were both GREAT stories, fantastic journeys. “Bridesmaids” would have made my top three, but the bathroom scene put it out of the competition.
Worst Movie: “Rango.” If this was not animated, it would have been a horror flick. Some of the ugliest creatures I’ve ever seen…
Best (and Worst) Website: Shopbop. Why? Because they have a huge selection of the cutest clothes and shoes and accessories and there’s free 2-day delivery and free returns if you don’t like it. What could be better than shopping in your pajamas and getting a package two days later (maybe you’re still in your pjs)? The worst part of this website is all the reasons it’s the best. I’m addicted. Please take my credit card.
Best shoes: This is like picking my favorite child. My two favorite pairs of shoes today are Jeffrey Campbell boots and my Minnetonka moccasins.
Best books:
Novel: Lisa Tucker’s The Winters in Bloom
“A novel rife with human entanglements of every variety, all sensitively, insightfully rendered. . . Kyra and David face struggles every parent will recognize: how to take care of someone in a world as dangerous as it is beautiful; how to choose—daily, deliberately–joy over fear.”
– Marisa de los Santos, author of Love Walked In
Memoir: Amy Finley’s How to Eat a Small Country
Kirkus Reviews gives the memoir a starred review. “Third-season winner of The Next Food Network Star heads to France to rebuild her life and marriage. A five-star read.”
Sci-Fi: Kirsten Imani Kasai’s Tattoo
Barnes & Noble’s awarded Kasai’s novel as one of the best sci-fi novels of 2011.
Not only are these women talented writers, they’re good people, too.
Best news story: I’m going to pick more than one. I’m going to pick ten. Thank you to Goodnews Network for giving us a year’s worth of good news.
Worst news story: You pick. I don’t want to give all the stories (most of them about celebrities going to jail, breaking up, having affairs) more press.
For me, 2011 was full of challenges and lots of blessings, “Rango” not withstanding. How about you? What would be on your best (and worst) list?
