Over 50 and Loving It”! But Are we???

Are we coming to terms with what 50+ means or are we chasing 30?

I do not look down on anyone who has surgery to look younger. I don’t look down on high dollar cosmetics or treatments etc, but I encourage you to ask yourself if you are trying to be the best version of yourself as you Continue through life (which is a blessing) or if you are chasing a season of life that you have already lived?

I shared this somewhere (so forgive me if it was here) but I would like to share my thought again. 

WE are the women that those behind us are looking up to - our daughters and granddaughters. They live in a society that has filled most of their lives with social media and filters and false expectations of what one should look like and how they see themselves. Young girls have depression at an all time high bc of all of the pressure surrounding them at every turn on these devices and on tv…. Not reality. Are we feeding them the same lies by never accepting ourselves as beautifully unique?? I am so fortunate to still have my mother who is alive, my mother is alive, myself, my daughter, and now my granddaughters. I am living smack in 4 generations. When I see my mother, I think she is so beautiful. Her hair is white. Her hands have aged. Her eyes sparkle and she still has nice eyebrows (how did that happen - lol?). I also have a granddaughter and it weighs heavily on me as I look at her as to when society will tell her that she isn’t enough? Isn’t that what we are doing a great deal of here? I see my beautiful, unique, precious granddaughters with bright blue eyes and blonde hair but how much longer does she have before she believes she isn’t enough? That she needs to be blonde or thinner or have a forehead that won’t crinkle etc? I love the way she looks at me. She sees me as I see my mother. She sees me as beautiful. She knows I am not supposed to look like her Mommy does or like my mom does. She still accepts me just as I am and thinks I’m beautiful. I want her to hold my hands and ask me about my many trips around the sun. I want her to see the smile lines by my eyes and ask me why I smiled so much. We ARE beautiful. 

I am not trying to stand on a soapbox of not using things to make you feel better. I use makeup and color my hair to make me feel more like myself - but I don’t look like I did 20 years ago, and that is because I have made 20 more trips around the sun and I have a ton of life lessons, experiences, memories and stories to tell. I just want to encourage each of you to look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you talk to yourself as you would talk to your mother about her beauty or your granddaughter about hers? I can say this bc I was so guilty of speaking down to myself (shame on me). This is the body I was gifted to walk this earth in and I better appreciate it at some point before it’s gone. I also want to be a part of changing the negative narrative that we are being fed and that we tend to feed into ourselves..: that we need to stop ourselves from looking as if we have aged or as if we aren’t enough (the billion dollar industries enjoy those facts btw).

One day, I would love to hear someone’s great story BC they are 50+. I would like to hear what you found out that you like about yourself and your body. Bc, 50 years from now when I am no longer here, I sure hope that is what my granddaughter is writing about ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Don't do me that way....

 Being a business owner comes with an interesting mix of requirements—customer service skills, a smile that doesn’t falter, a dash of empathy, and, apparently, 41 cameras hooked up to a DVR. Oh, and a never-ending to-do list.

This week, I’ve been juggling it all. It’s that time of year when summer’s easygoing vibe gives way to looming deadlines and big projects. Teachers are gearing up for a more demanding season, and I’m knee-deep in contract writing, policy updates, catching up from vacation, redecorating, and shopping for new equipment. You know how it goes. THE LIST NEVER ENDS.

Except for one thing—bullying from parents. Nope, not on my list. That's a hard line for me. You know you’ve hit that point as a business owner when you just don’t have the time or energy for anything that undermines your work or your team. Boundaries, my friends. They’re not just for maps—they’re for sanity.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a paint swatch chart and, possibly, my 42nd camera.

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Don't be the Dragon!

They say you get wiser with age. I'm almost 60, and honestly, I'm still waiting for that wisdom to kick in. I've been seeing all these Facebook posts about not letting people into your life if they don't have time for you. Sounds great, but what if those people are family members? Can't just unfriend Aunt Mildred, can you?

Here's my take on it—if you don’t value me, then you’ve become as useful as a screen door on a submarine. It doesn’t mean we won’t have awkward Thanksgiving dinners together; it just means I know where I stand. You’re in my life, but you’re not getting any of my good wine or my Netflix password.

People who are deliberately harmful? They can take a hike. And those who only find me valuable when they need something? Yep, they can join the hiking club too.

I've seen folks get what they deserve—both the good and the bad. Sometimes it takes a whole village to help someone through tough times. And if you’re not part of that village, well, you're basically the dragon they’re fighting. 🐉

Hi Mean Girl... I'm Batman!

Recently, I've noticed some high school drama vibes creeping into my workplace. Now, I'm more of a lone wolf—think Batman but with fewer gadgets and more coffee. But even I can see that exclusionary behavior is a one-way ticket to Hurt Feelings-ville, especially for those who are already feeling down or just trying to fit in.

Take, for instance, my birthday last year. Everyone at the office dressed like me. It was hilarious, inclusive, and nobody looked as fabulous as I did. Now, compare that to the mean girl antics where only a select few get to join the "cool kids club." Spoiler alert: it's not cool; it's toxic.

What should you do when faced with this pettiness? Should you confront them with a dramatic monologue worthy of an Oscar, or serve up a dish of their own medicine, chilled to perfection? While the answer isn't straightforward (and confronting them with a Shakespearean soliloquy might be overkill), it’s crucial to remember that being exclusionary is never okay.

To those indulging in mean girl behavior, a word of advice—karma’s a boomerang. Treat others with kindness and inclusivity. Not only will you create a positive environment, but you'll also set a great example for future generations. Remember, your kids are watching, and they're learning from your actions. Don't be a Regina George; be a Leslie Knope. Because nobody wants to end up lonely and realizing too late that genuine, supportive relationships are what truly matter.

My Turn!

I've realized it's time to stop making sacrifices for others and start prioritizing myself. If I don't take this step now, it might never happen—and that's a daunting thought. For so long, my life has revolved around meeting the needs of those around me, without anyone asking, "What about you? What will make you happy?"

It's time to change that narrative. I'm ready to focus on my own happiness and well-being. If I succeed, I'll share my journey and the strategies that helped me get there. Let's make our happiness a priority! 🌟

Where are my Thoughts?

I haven’t been blogging much lately, and I’m not entirely sure why. I have the time and plenty of thoughts to share, yet I rarely sit down to write. The issue might be that my ideas come at the most inconvenient times—like when I am making my bed and not near my computer. As a result, those thoughts go unwritten, which is a shame because articulating them could help clear my cluttered mind for new ideas.

It’s a shame because getting these thoughts out really helps clear my cluttered mind. Without that outlet, I find it harder to make good decisions. My old blog posts fill at least three thick books—real, substantial collections of my musings on life, the world, and everything in between. Over the past year, though, I haven’t blogged at all. Does this mean I’ve lost interest in my own life? I’m not sure.

But I’ve decided it’s time to start again, even if I feel like I have nothing significant to say. Someday, I’ll open one of those big books and find a blog post about a recipe I’d completely forgotten. And at that moment, it will all feel worth it.

Dennis is UNHAPPY

Life often presents us with difficult decisions and unexpected changes. Currently, we are contemplating whether to build a new house or buy an existing one, primarily because Dennis has grown tired of the pool we installed four years ago. His discontent has affected my own feelings toward the pool, and now it feels like a burden rather than a joy.

When you invest time, effort, and money into something, and it isn't appreciated, it can be disheartening. This extends beyond just the pool; it applies to the entire home. Our house is beautiful, with immaculate landscaping and a backyard that resembles a vacation oasis. But Dennis's reluctance to maintain the pool has dampened my enthusiasm as well. Everything in life requires effort, from maintaining our homes and bodies to enjoying activities outside. The yard should be no different.

However, Dennis's persistent complaints have led me to reconsider our living situation. I don't want to stay in a place where neither of us is happy. Yet, I also don't want to move into a house that lacks the amenities we currently enjoy. If we decide to move, the new place must meet all our needs, including spaces for our grandchildren to play when they visit.

Ultimately, we are at a crossroads. Whether we choose to build a new home, purchase an existing one, or stay put, our decision will shape our future.

Where are my people?

Am I the only one seeking more grown-up experiences? While my friends seem stuck in teenage habits, I'm craving connections with people who understand the challenges of adulthood. I want to bond with those who have kids, grandkids, and relatable life experiences. I'm not interested in chasing youth, finding new relationships, or obsessing over our looks. I want friends who accept that aging is a natural part of life and share similar perspectives. Are there others out there feeling the same way?