Happy Easter-Happy Spring

Happy Easter and happy spring to all of my baby boomer friends! Although it is usually the signal for warmer weather to make its appearance, it is a bit on the cool side here on the east coast. Nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate the rebirth that seems to take place this time of year....budding blooms on the trees, the smell of freshly cut lawns and the beautiful colors of emerging flowers.

Have a wonderful Sunday and a great week!

Mothers, Daughters and Empty Nesting

My relationship with my mother was somewhat tumultuous. Eighteen years ago, when I found out that the child I was carrying was a girl, I was nervous. I knew from the start that I wanted to have a better relationship with my daughter that I had with my own mother, but wasn't sure I would know how. Over the last 18 years I have worked hard at trying to nurture my girl, and nurture our relationship.

My daughter and I are now at a transition in our relationship. She is about to graduate from high school and will leave for college in August. This past week, she left for her senior class trip to Florida. When I dropped her off at school early Sunday morning I watched her as she excitedly pulled her suitcase away from the car to embark on her journey and I cried. Although I have been thinking about her impending departure this August, this brief trip really brought it home for me. Soon, she will be off on her own to a certain degree and I am filled with such mixed emotions. Is this what it will feel like to be an "empty nester?" Have I done my job well? Will we still be able to enjoy the closeness and the bond that we have forged with each other?

I talked about this with my girlfriends this week. Some of them have have already made this transition and offered advice. They tell me that this is a time of new exploration for myself. My husband and I will have the freedom to do things without constraint. I will have more time to grow my fledgling wicking sleepwear business. I will now will have time for me! However, I am still feeling a bit shaky.

My daughter returned home at 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday. Although tired, she was eager to talk and we did....until 3 when I had to close my eyes so that I could get up for work at 6. She was bubbling with stories and anecdotes. Yesterday she bounded into the house with her pictures of her trip. Again, we sat together, looked at each and she recounted exactly where she was and what was happening in each. As she talked, I just watched her. She is so beautiful, full of life and eagerly anticipating the changes ahead of her. She is blossoming into a beautiful young woman and yes....she still wants to share it with me.

The worries I had 18 years ago are faded, but I must admit that this time for me is bittersweet.

The Wisdom of Mothers

For any of you who are mothers you have to watch this little clip. It will make you laugh out loud. I must admit that as I prepared my daughter for her Senior trip and my son for his spring break this past weekend, I couldn't spare them from my little pearls of wisdom. CLICK HERE to watch "Mom's Wisdom."

Color Is In For Spring

After a long, dreary winter it is time to start thinking about shedding those heavy sweaters and moving towards lightening our clothing load. Last spring was the season of black and white, this spring is all about bursts of color. Even the wicking sleepwear that I am carrying in my spring and summer line has hints of brighter colors like turquoise.

My clothing color palette is heavy in neutrals. Actually, my best friend is always busting on me for that, so I know that for some, color can be scary. I found a great article, Spring 2008 Fashion: How to Add Color to Your Wardrobe which gives those of us with color phobia some simple tips for adding color to our spring wardrobes!

Happy Shopping!

A Boomer Ha Ha

I ran across the following anecdote on a fellow Boomer's site, Boomer World. Just a bit of humor on a rainy day!

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other, except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.

When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents. "When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved, he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness."Honey," he said, "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?""Oh," she said, "that's the money I made from selling the dolls."

A Prayer.......Dear Lord, I pray for Wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; And Patience for his moods; Because Lord, if I pray for Strength, I'll beat him to death, because I don't know how to crochet.

Thank you and have a great day!

Do You Know A Surfing Novice?

Because of my internet business, Lunar Radiance, I spend an enormous amount of time surfing the net. It never occurred to me that there are those who find the world wide web a challenge. Last night, I was speaking with my cousin. She is an intelligent, 48 year old woman, but she confessed that she basically uses her computer for playing games and sending email. I was amazed.

I use the internet for business, shopping....lots of shopping, research, entertainment and as a resource for answers to questions of all sorts. I frequently look for answers to medical questions for myself, my family and friends. While I was surfing today, I came across an article on the CNN website which offers tips for finding answers to medical questions without losing your mind. Click Here to read more. Most Boomers I know are often looking for medical info. so this article could be extremely helpful. (We do seem to have a few more aches and pains these days!)

Now, if you are reading this, most likely you are not one of the novices that I am talking about, but make sure to pass it along to someone you know who may need a bit of help conquering the challenges of the world wide web!

Happy March - Spring is Almost Here!

Good Morning Ladies,

Since I am always looking for a reason to celebrate something I did some digging around and found tons of holidays/observances that will be celebrated during the month of March. There were so many that I am only going to highlight those particular to women. I apologize if I miss any you think are important. Feel free to send them to me and I will add them on!

• National Nutrition Month®-an informational and promotional campaign focusing on nutrition sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. Very important for women! Click Here for more info.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month-Click Here for more info.
• Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month- "It is equally common in both men and women – 153,760 cases were estimated to be diagnosed in 2007, and 52,180 people projected to die of the illness. It is also one of the most easily prevented cancers because it can develop from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous." Click Here to read more.
• International Mirth Month-This is a fun one! International Mirth Month was created by "Mr. Jollytologist®", Allen Klein, to help people turn their Maalox Moments into more mirthful ones. Who can't use a little more laughter in their life? Read more here.
• Women's History Month-Click Here to read more about the National Women's History Project.

For my friends across the pond.......Happy Mothering Sunday! "Mothering Sunday is Britain's version of Mother's Day and has been celebrated in Britain on the fourth Sunday in Lent since at least the 16th century. Mothering Sunday is the middle Sunday of the fasting period of Lent (which lasts from Ash Wednesday to Easter), so it was also known as 'Refreshment Sunday' or 'Mid-Lent Sunday'." Source: www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/lent.html

Have a great week!