Arrivederci!

I don't know about you, but whenever I book a vacation, I usually book it so far in advance and I feel like the day is never going to arrive when I am actually getting on the plane. I booked this trip to Italy back in September...when I was only 48. I knew I would have to go through the fall and winter before I went to Italy...and that I would be turning 49 before the trip. And now...and now...and now...that day is here. I am leaving this afternoon for a trip I had planned so many months ago...and it is the spring of my 49th year...and I'm going to Italy.

I had always planned to visit Italy before I was 50...I had also wanted to visit Paris...and I did that trip a few years ago. I still have so many places I want to visit in the second half of my life...I'd like to go to India...I'd like to go to Africa (my friend went on an African safari...how cool is that...she is a very cool friend)...I'd like to go to China and Japan too. Closer to home...I've never been to Santa Fe, New Mexico...or Santa Barbara, CA (just heard on the radio about Jeff Greenfield, the reporter, who spent time in Santa Barbara teaching journalism......maybe I can aspire to be like Jeff Greenfield and take a sabbatical and teach...will have to go get my masters first...maybe I will get my masters in Santa Barbara and then teach.)

For now, I'm focused on Italy...I'm all packed...way too many clothes as always...why did I pack two pair of jeans when I will likely only wear one...and I needed some comfortable shoes for my brown outfits and my black outfits... plus all my toiletries (do you know I spent more than $150 on mini-toiletries at Target...those mini-things cost more than the maxi things...well I guess I bought a few extra things...needed a larger disk for all the pictures I'm going to take...especially since I don't know how to get the pics out of my digital camera...and new headsets for my IPod...need to have better acoustics while I'm on the plane...plus the cute little bottle of Listerine...need to have good breath in Italy...especially if I can't speak the language and need to ask someone something in broken Italian...wouldn't want to turn them off with bad breath.)

Hopefully, the hairdryer will work in my hotel...if not, I'll have to buy a hairdryer while in Rome or Florence. What is it with the hairdryers in European hotels...don't they know that American tourists don't want to have flat hair days every day while on vacation or in their pictures from vacation...we need more than a spit of air to fluff up our hair.

All my magazines are packed and about half of my vacation reading books...which I will likely not have time to read. They will move back to the retirement reading pile when I return...although without TV there could be a bit more time for reading...or for shopping.

Oh, I am so excited...the cappuccinos and wine I will drink, the pizza and pasta I will eat, the gelato I will consume...no scales for me...and if there is a scale it will be in kilograms so I won't know what I weight anyway.

Oh, I am so excited...the leather gloves I will absolutely have to buy (still remember the salesperson at Borders during Christmas time who told me not to pass anything up...or I will regret it...yes, I will remember that lovely lady's advice whenever I hesitate on a purchase...especially if I love the item)...and I may have to succumb to a leather jacket or purse...I just want to buy something fabulous that will provide memories forever.

Oh, I am so excited...the sites I will see and the people I will meet...The Colosseum...the Vatican...the Sistine Chapel...the artwork...the buildings...the Borghese Gallery...just love that name Borghese.

And most of all...I will get to enjoy this with my daughter and son and my sister...how fantastic...my 49th year is turning out to be filled with memorable moments...

I'm off to Italy...to the Trevi Fountain where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck met and fell in love in Roman Holiday...one of my favorite movies...I should have downloaded it on my IPod so I could watch it on the plane ride over...will have to learn how to download for the next vacation.

I'm off to Italy...and maybe...if I have time I'll stop at an internet cafe and give you all an update while I'm there...but if not...I'll tell you about my adventures when I return...stay tuned.

Arrivederci!

Judi

The Magazines That Define Us

I read a lot of magazines...I've always read a lot of magazines. When I was in my teens there was Sixteen and Seventeen. I remember how my sister would wait for her Seventeen magazine each month...especially the August edition. I, being her little sister, got to read it after the pages were worn through and through. The magazine defined who we were...or more importantly...who we aspired to be. The stories about the celebrities, the clothes, the accessories. Once my sister made my mother take her to Sterns in NYC because she had to...yes had to... have the special dress that was pictured on the model in Seventeen magazine. It was then that I realized that the clothes in the magazine were never as nice as they appeared in the picture.

Then in my 20s I progressed to Glamour and Madamoiselle. They were the more sophisticated publications. I remember when Glamour named its women of the year...I always wanted to know who they were and what they had accomplished. Again, my dream was to be featured in Glamour magazine, like some of the interesting women they found to write about. Madamoiselle was a more stylish pub ...I followed it for my fashion tips...I was disappointed when I heard it had folded several years ago...where did all the Madamoiselle ladies go?

Glamour and Madamoiselle were followed by Cosmopolitan....weren't we all Cosmo girls at one time in our life...that was before I was married...I used to do the indepth reading of the Cosmo Astrology Guide that came in the magazine each January...I'd pull it out and fold it into a tiny book and keep it as a reference...was I really like the Capricorn they described?

When I got older and I married, I read more of the women's service publications like Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Family Circle. Before I had kids I used to read Bon Appetit and Gourmet too...those were the days when I cooked and my husband and I had great romantic meals on the weekends. My parenting years were filled with parenting magazines...Parents and Parenting magazines were all the rage...yet once I had kids I had very little time to read...I was more busy doing the parenting than reading about how to do it.

I was talking to one of my twentysomething colleagues the other day who mentioned something she had read in Self magazine. I remember that magazine...I remember when it launched that was the year that fitness and healthy lifestyle magazines became popular...I read it for a few years when I was into jogging...I don't read it anymore...perhaps because I don't jog anymore....now I need a magazine that caters to walkers.

I do still love my fashion magazines and I prefer them in a traditional hard copy form, no web-based magazine for me...I like to get my thick magazines in the mail each month...and they are getting even thicker...my husband always complains that our mailbox is going to break one day because of the weight of all my magazines...there's Vogue (all 650 pages this month...the new spring collections...not much I liked in those pages...not one thing I really, really wanted). There's InStyle (just love reading about all the celebs and the clothes and accessories of the season)...and I'm glad that they always include something about makeup for those over 40. I usually pull out the pages and save them.

I don't get Oprah or More magazine...I think they target a more mature female audience...sometimes women leave them at our gym after exercising (in fact, just today I enjoyed reading Oprah's April issue...although my 30 minutes were up on the treadmill and I so wanted to take the magazine with me...but it wasn't my magazine to take...maybe I will buy it at the airport for my trip to Rome...I have to finish that one article!)

I read a lot of business magazines too to stay up on the latest trends: Fast Company (so I can stay up on hip trends in business)...BusinessWeek (just subscribed to two more years for only $35...what a bargain - 120+ issues in my mailbox during the next two years)...Harvard Business Review (it's a heavy duty business pub - when I read this pub I feel like I've taken an MBA course with each article...not that I have time to read each article...but I'd like to...that's why I pile them up in a basket and never throw them out...I'm adding to my retirement reading list...boy, will I be smart when I retire).

Any other magazines that define me? Yes, one more, that thin magazine that comes in the mail...the one that starts with the...give me an A...give me another A...give me an R....give me a P...what does it spell AARP...what does it spell...AARP. It is actually not MY AARP magazine, it has my husband's name on it. I won't get MY copy until I turn 50 and am an official member. But, my husband refused to join AARP five years ago when he turned 50...so I joined for him. Why did I join for him? I wanted the magazine...of course...why else would I join AARP when I was only in my 40s. I actually do think it is a very good magazine and a great way to get a heads up on everything I need to know about being 50+...it's a sneak peek at what lies ahead.

But, when my twentysomething colleague came to talk with me about her Self discovery...I wanted to tell her that I too have lots of self discoveries...only there are different magazines that define me now...and they are just as interesting.

Judi

P.S. - Forgot about my Entertainment Weekly...how could I forget about my weekly entertainment magazine...I have to keep up with what is going on in the movies, music, TV, and book world...where would I be with out my Entertainment Weekly...how would I know what new books to read...new movies to see...new TV shows to watch and new music to download?

The Carousel of Time

It was hard to believe that yesterday was the first day of spring already, March 21st. Where has the time gone? That means I just finished the last winter of my 40s...well pretty darn close...since my birthday is the first week of January, I'll only have 2 weeks of winter as a 49er in 2007.

It's only the first day of spring and already I'm getting bathing suit brochures from Macy's. Don't they know that I need to enjoy a slow build to the summer? I don't want to rush my 49th year any more than I have to. I want it to progress very slowly...can I say that again...I want it to progress very, very slowly. Not that I can wear those bikinis any way. There was a time that I did wear bikinis...I had a favorite bright striped Rose Marie Reed bikini when I was about 16...was that really 33 years ago...where has the time gone?

As I get older I feel like time is speeding by...is that what happens when we get older....things move faster...or is it that we move slower so everything around us feels like it is moving faster? I feel like my daughter just entered college and next year she will be a senior. I feel like I just moved into this house, yet this May it will be nine years we've lived here...or is it 10...I can't remember...and I still have so much more renovation work to do. I feel like my son just entered high school and next year he will be graduating and going off to college...my baby going off to college...how can that be? And as for me...I feel like I just turned 40 and now I'm turning 50. Oh, where has the time gone?

It's like Joni Mitchell sings in her song The Circle Game..."we're captured on a carousel of time"...I loved that song when I was in college...I played it all the time on my record player (remember record players...I still have all my records downstairs in my basement...just cannot part with them)...but I don't think I appreciated the words of this song as much as I do today...as I read the words I can remember all those spring and summers past...the bikinis and the boyfriends...the ice cream cones and the Good Humor bars...the new spring coat and patent leather shoes. Where has the time gone...yes, Joni's words ring true more for me now than yesterday...read the lyrics...can you remember the melody...I can...it brings back memories...and I still love it.

"Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like, when you're older, must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him,
Take your time, it won't be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game"

Judi

Forget Me Not

I think it was about a year or so ago that I began to forget things more often...especially in the morning after I woke up and was preparing to get dressed. As things got worse I knew I had to do something. Otherwise I knew I would forget something important...like brushing my teeth, or putting on my Olay Regenerist Serum or heaven forbid...forgetting to put on my Dove deodorant before I went to work.

So now, each morning, after I take my shower, I put all my morning rituals' stuff on the right side of the sink (I actually could not do this when I was in my early 40s because I had a pedestal sink in my bathroom...who puts a pedestal sink in a master bath...I cannot believe any woman would put a pedestal sink in a master bath...what were the original owners of this house thinking...but I bought the house anyway because I knew it had such potential...and last year when I renovated I made sure that I put in a new sink with lots of counter space for all my morning rituals' stuff). Now, as I exit the shower, I put all my stuff neatly on the side of the lovely granite countertop. And after I use each item I put it back in the cabinet...it works like a charm every day.

First I have the basics:
- my nose spray (so that I hopefully will never have to have sinus surgery again)
- my eye drops (need to get rid of those red eyes from the late nights spent blogging!)
- my Crest Sensitive toothpaste (have to keep my teeth pearly white...and my gums are so sensitive now...this aging bit has got to stop...can't even use the Vivid White anymore...more on my aging mouth in another posting)
- my dental floss (as I said...more on my aging mouth in another posting)

Next, I have the cover-my-face segment...can't miss any of these steps:
- my Olay Regenerist Serum for under the makeup
- my Bobby Brown foundation for over the serum...a nice light foundation
- my Olay Regenerist under eye cream to fade away those dark circles
- my Neutrogena cover stick to fade those under eye circles even more...do you have a lot of under-eye circles? No matter how much I put this stuff on it doesn't work...I could use a stick a day...only that wouldn't look too good (sometimes this item gets stuck in the corner of my cabinet and I forget to put it on)

Finally, the eye makeup segment...
- my Mac powder shadows come out on the counter...either my browns or my purple shades depending if it's a black and white day or a brown and beige day
- my Mac eye pencil to match the day
- my Almay mascara (this is another item that often is forgotten...I keep all my brushes and pencils and mascara in a big cup so if I don't physically take it out of the cup during this phase...it ends up being a mascara-less day!

And to end the morning prior to dressing I put on my Dove scent-free clear stick deodorant...this really belongs in phase one because I always take this out and leave it on the bathroom counter right next to all the other morning rituals' stuff...very important finale of the morning bathroom rituals.

Before I leave the bathroom I ALWAYS check the counter to make sure nothing is left behind...if there is...it means I have to back step...and I don't get to the kitchen for my morning kitchen rituals.

I just read in this morning's paper that researchers have found that exercise over the years, appears to help people fight the natural memory loss that comes with aging. According to the article, the report, which appears in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, says working out may stimulate the growth of neurons in part of the brain associated with memory loss. It does refer to exercise equipment...I wonder if I used my scale (check out my previous February posting - Is Exercising Really A Hobby - for more on this topic)as a stepper more often before I did my morning bathroom ritual at the sink, whether or not it would increase my memory retention...may have to add this to my morning bathroom rituals.

Judi

Busy As A Bee

Lately, everyone I talk to...at least all my female baby boomer friends...are busy, busy, busy. There is no time to plant flowers, to nap on weekend afternoons, to go to the movies, to enjoy life. Instead, we pay professionals to plant our flowers, we're on the run or on the treadmill on weekend afternoons, and we sign up with Netflix to reserve the movie we want to see when it comes out on video.

Everyone is working, working, working. Why is work taking over our lives? We talk about work/life balance, but there is no work/life balance anymore. If you work from home - you work round the clock (although it is nice not to have to get dressed in a suit or casual attire to do your work)...for those of my friends, like me, who work in an office...you're spending more time on the job...getting to work earlier...or leaving later...and even those of my friends who don't work at a full-time job...they are even busier...with philanthropic assignments or their kids' activities.

I want to slow down...I am slowing down...I just can't keep the pace that I used to...I was starting to think that maybe I'm just not fast enough anymore...can't multi-task like I used to. I think it is email that is killing me...I have three email accounts now and of course...my blog. My work email is always full...and my other two home email accounts are starting to fill up...thanks to my blog...and my faithful readers...now I have to check those mail boxes everyday...whatever did we do without email...remember the good old days...without blackberries...and cellphones...and then there is the regular mailbox...that's for all the bills (since I haven't gone paperless yet to do my banking).

I try not to do work on Friday evening or Saturday...Sunday is another story...Sunday is my physical workout as a weekend athlete in the morning and then I work in the afternoon and into the evenings (except for my Desperate Housewives break...which has not happened the past two weeks since they are on repeats...I don't like repeats)

Yesterday, I had a big dilemma...do I work or do I go to the movies and have coffee with an old friend and get my haircut (haircuts don't really count...they are a necessity at the six week mark). I saw myself being pulled in two directions...thinking about all the mounting work I have to get done before I leave for my Roman holiday...I hesitated a bit (really only for a second)...but then the lure of the new movie The Namesake (one of my favorite books turned into a movie and just released the day before) and the thought of having a decaf skim latte with my friend that I hadn't seen in almost a year (because we're both too busy)won me over.

I'm so glad I succumbed. The movie was just wonderful...for those who haven't read the book...it's about a family from India and their assimilation into the United States...the characters are so rich...I felt like I went to India for two hours...and learned about another culture. And the decaf skim latte and catch-up with my old friend was worth it.

So now, I'm back to my 'busy as a bee' pace...better get to sleep as my 5:30 am wake-up call awaits me bright and early Monday morning.

Judi

King for the Night

I just read an article in the New York Times about how many husbands and wives sleep in separate rooms...and I thought I was unique! I don't do it every night, like the article said some couples do. I was surprised to learn that it is a growing trend.

I'm getting good at it lately though...I know immediately if it is going to be a separate night...once I get into bed...the minute I hear the snoring...that's it...I head straight to the empty bedroom and park myself for the night. I used to try to toss and turn hoping maybe my husband would wake up and stop snoring...but it never worked. Sometimes I'd shake the bed...or shake him...but he would never wake up. I'd even pull the covers so he would have less of the covers...nothing, nada...the snoring continued. But as I got older, especially this past year, I decided...why do this?...why not just leave and move into a room where there is total quiet?

In fact, I bought a new twin mattress for my college daughter's bed so that it was more comfortable for those nights when I have to use her empty bedroom and go my separate way. On those nights when I am actually able to get a few good "ZZZs" I need all the peace and quiet I can get. It's bad enough that I wake in the night for a potty break!

And today the news came out that Lunesta...my lifesaver...may have more side effects than I realized...or than I was told. I thought it was only Ambien that caused you to eat in your sleep. I don't care...I won't give up my Lunesta...not sure I would make it to 50 if I was Lunesta-less. I'll put a padlock on the fridge or kitchen before I give up my Lunesta...and I promise never to take Lunesta while I'm driving home late at night (as the warning will now read...why anyone would ever do this I have no idea).

According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America poll of all adults, women are more likely than men to have difficulty falling and staying asleep and to experience more daytime sleepiness at least a few nights/days a week. Did anyone ever tell them that one of the reasons we can't get to sleep is because our husbands snore?

The National Sleep Foundation website did have some helpful tips to recommend...nothing on snoring husbands...but a few standard tips. Here's what they suggest if you have difficulty with your sleep for any reason:

1. Exercise regularly, but finish your workout at least three hours before bedtime. Exercise may relieve some PMS symptoms and increase the amount of deep sleep.

2. Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar (including honey, syrup), caffeine (coffee, colas, tea, chocolate), and alcohol before bedtime. Caffeine and alcohol disturb sleep. Caffeine can also contribute to premenstrual bloating. Nicotine may make it difficult to fall asleep and lead to fragmented sleep. It can also put you at risk for cancer and heart disease. Avoid large meals and limit fluid intake before bed. Try a healthy snack so you are not too full or too hungry.

3. Try to have a standard relaxing bedtime routine and keep regular sleep times. Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet and that your pillows, sleep surface and coverings provide you with comfort.

4. For reducing PMS symptoms such as bloating, irritability and breast tenderness or other problems, consult your health-care professional.

...this site does have some interesting information all about women and sleep. I do plan to read more when I have time.

So, what will it be tonight...twin or king...well, I'm in the den and I don't hear any snoring coming from the bedroom...I guess the coast is clear for this evening. King for the night!

Judi

Daddy Long Legs

I don't like spiders very much....and I don't like spider veins either...especially now that skirts and dresses are back in style...and I'd like to start wearing them more often.

After I had kids I got terrible spider veins...that's not to say that it wasn't worth it...I do love my kids...during my first pregnancy I was still in my late 20s so I didn't notice as many of those creepy crawlers all over my legs...but then after my son was born and I was in my 30s they seemed to reappear...and then when I reached my forties it was out of control...the webs were there for good.

I think it was after I had kids that I started wearing pants all the time...after I had kids I was just so busy in the mornings trying to get them dressed and myself dressed it was easier to put on a pair of pants or a pants suit versus putting on stockings. The stockings always got a run or I'd have to hand wash them ...it was just too much work to maintain stockings...so I stopped wearing skirts and dresses.

A year ago I decided to try skirts again. My kids were grown so there was no one else to dress anymore except myself. I bought a flared black skirt because I knew I could wear black stockings with it...plus it looked good on my pear shape. You cannot see through black stockings...so those ugly veins were hidden away.

This year I ventured into new territory and bought a brown brocade a-line skirt. I decided a-line skirts also look good on petite pear shapes. But what was I going to wear on my legs???...no beige stockings for me...I could not wear beige stockings with the brown skirt...you can see those spider veins through beige stockings. I was so happy when I found brown tights (just like the Danskin tights I used to wear when I was a child)...heavy, heavy tights...no one was going to see through those dark brown tights...no peeking through for my daddy long legs.


I wish they had as many creams for spider veins as they do for wrinkles on the face. One of my friends had a procedure where they get rid of your spider veins. It was a pretty stressful procedure and she said she had to wear heavy stockings on her legs. Not sure I could go through with that type of procedure. Although after doing some research on the internet it looks like there are new laser procedures that get rid of spider veins. Now that could be my 50th birthday present to myself.

But what will I do this spring while I'm still 49...how will I wear pretty skirts and what about that pretty green wrap dress that I saw in Macy's new spring advertisement.

Summer is a whole other story...notice I haven't said anything about wearing bathing suits...that is totally out...on top of the spider veins I have to deal with the lilly white skin...that is unless I decide to have my body spray tanned every weekend...will have to talk about bathing suits at another time.

I found some tips for preventing varicose veins on mayoclinic.com (think they are similar to spider veins...I'm sure I have some of both...there are so many lines on my legs). Mayo had some helpful tips:

There's no way to completely prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle tone can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones. (That's not an encouraging first line for a 49 year old female baby boomer):

Exercise. Get your legs moving. Walking is a great way to encourage blood circulation in your legs. (I do walk on the treadmill at the gym...this is a little more encouraging.)

Watch your weight, and your diet. Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off your veins. What you eat makes a difference, too. Follow a low-salt, high-fiber diet to prevent the swelling that may result from water retention and constipation. (I try to watch my weight...I don't necessarily follow a low-salt diet... yes on the fiber... thanks to my favorite Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal and my Kashi Good Friends Cinnamon Raisin Cereal most mornings.)

Watch what you wear. Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more, which is better for your veins. Don't wear tight clothes around your waist, legs or groin. Tight panty-leg girdles, for instance, can restrict circulation. (Who wears panty-leg girdles anymore...not me...maybe I should...it would likely help with my pear shape and provide the necessary tummy tuck I need...glad to hear that I should not wear heels since I cannot wear high heels anyway...and flats are in style this spring...now I will have to go buy those cute patent leather flats I saw in the Bloomies catalog...I like this tip.)

Elevate your legs. To improve venous circulation, take several short breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. For example, lie down with your legs resting on three or four pillows. (Now how am I supposed to follow this tip???...maybe when I'm home on the weekend...but I rarely sit down...except when I'm at my computer and then my legs aren't in the air...can you see me doing this at work...especially not good if I want to wear skirts or dresses more often!)

Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow. Try to move around at least every 30 minutes. Don't sit with your legs crossed. This position can aggravate circulation problems.(I do have a habit of sitting with my legs crossed...after so many years it likely has contributed to my spider veins...I am going to make a conscientious effort to keep my legs separated...its hard...but I'm going to try.)

So, I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do about the skirts for the spring...and the dresses for the spring...and my legs for the spring. I think I'll just have to go shopping and first see if I find any skirts and dresses...then I'll see about those legs. Spring is still a few weeks off...so there's still time to decide...any suggestions?

Judi

The Price of Perfection

I went to pick up my Estee Lauder Future Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Moisturizer today at Macy's. I had reserved my cream for pick-up in March when I heard they were having a special promotion with purchase. After all, why should I just buy the moisturizer when I can get all the other little samples with it...what a bonus.

I always have to rationalize the expense of shelling out almost $70 for a 1.7 ounce of moisturizer...let's see...that works out to be how much a dab of moisturizer per wrinkle on my face??? The price of perfection is costly. And to top it off, the original Future Perfect moisturizer that I purchased in July was 2.5 ounces...while I knew that my eyes were failing me...I knew Estee had significantly downsized the jar when I opened the box.

But, my wrinkles are worth the price...or should I say...getting rid of my wrinkles is worth the price...and there are lots more expensive moisturizers out there...rationalize...rationalize...rationalize.

Plus, listen to what else I got:
- a pretty yellow makeup bag (it's too large to fit in my handbag...wish they had made it a tad smaller)
- mascara (can't wear any mascara other than Almay since I'm allergic)
- lipstick (the color isn't my favorite)
- Pure White Linen perfume (Estee's perfumes are too strong for me)
- a makeup mirror (a 49 year old can never have enough mirrors to look at all her wrinkles)
- .24 fl. ounce of Advance Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex (I think this is supposed to last for 7 nights...not sure what happens to my recovery after that...wonder how they come up with these names...repair protective recovery?)
- .24 Resilence Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme to use during the AM hours (will try this one too...cute little jar)

Plus,plus, there's more in the bag
- more mascara (other mascara that I will not use)
- a pretty spring tote bag in bright green fabric with brown trim (like it...don't know when I'll use it...but it's nice...did add to my pile of other free bags from other free cosmetic offers...the pile is so high in my closet that it fell over)

Plus, plus, plus listen to what else I got because I'm now a valued Estee Lauder customer (if I am so valued I'd like to ask Estee why she cut my moisturizer jar by almost an ounce...she should know that at 49 I have lots of wrinkles to firm up and need all the moisturizer ounces I can get.): a brochure with coupons for special gifts for April, May, and June.

Three months of free gifts await me...you know where I'll be headed...the price of perfection is definitely worth it!

Judi

Is There A Doctor In The House?

I called my cardiologist's office today to make sure they sent a prescription to me so I could get my lipid profile done before I go to the doctor next week. For a few years now I've been taking medication for my cholesterol. I tried to get it down on my own by watching my diet...but it didn't work. I always get a little nervous when I have to get my lipid profile. I forget whether the LDL is the good stuff, or the HDL is the bad stuff, or if the triglycerides level should be high or low. It's just too many things to remember. All I know is that I don't want my cholesterol number over 200 or I'm in the dog house.

I don't know about you...but when I know I have to get my cholesterol checked...I am so careful about what I eat the few days beforehand...no chocolate...no chocolate cake or cookies...no high fat foods (which is really difficult because almost everything has some fat in it...except maybe the whole grain cereal I eat for breakfast or the fruits and vegetables I have for lunch and dinner).

Lately, I feel like I have a doctor for every part of my body. I have a lot of "ologists" under the letter D in my phone book:

- There's the cardiologist to help me stay heart-healthy and manage my high-cholesterol.

- I see an upper gastroenterologist who gives me the purple pill...yes, I admit I do take that purple pill...it is quite a pretty pill.

- I see a proctologist who helps me deal with my irritable bowel syndrome. No one ever told me that after I turned 45 I would no longer be able to enjoy my favorite hot and spicy Mexican foods without feeling the effects afterwards...actually for days afterwards. If I had known this when I was younger I would have gone out to more Mexican restaurants more often...then I would have had my fill of Mexican food by the time I turned 45 and might not feel so deprived during the second half of my life. (Thanks to Katie Couric and my irritable bowel...I've already had a colonoscopy ...so nothing for me to fear about that procedure when I turn 50...although I don't look forward to drinking that awful gallon jug of lemon water again anytime soon.)

- I see my gynecologist...wish she had more secret treatments to help me deal with my menopausal symptoms...but she is a very nice doctor...and I do believe that all women (including me) should have a yearly pap test and mammogram.

- My dermatologist is also on the D list...have to make an appointment with him soon to see what new prescription cream he might recommend for wrinkle removal and spot removal...too many dark spots seem to be popping up on my face lately.

- Ending on the very top of my body, I have an ear, nose and throat specialist who helps me keep my sinuses clear...don't ever want to have that sinus surgery again...ever...ever! And my opthamologist, who as you know if you read my previous posting, will be checking out my deteriorating eyesight a week from now.

Finally, there is one more doctor...she is my favorite...she is my general practioner. No "ologist"...just a plain old GP...like the ones I used to watch on TV when I was little (Dr. Kildare...he was such a nice doctor...and very cute too...so was Chad Everett...remember him...can't remember what his name was on the show...but he was so nice.) My GP is great...she provides the answers to all the other parts of my body that those with an "ologist" at the end of their name cannot answer to...like when I get a sore throat or cold...luckily I don't get colds very often anymore...I say I owe it to the vitamin C I take every day, but my husband and kids don't agree. She also is the doctor who I will be eternally grateful to for prescribing my Lunesta.

I'm saving a few more empty spaces in the D list for when I turn 50. I'm sure there are other parts of my body that will start asking for their specialist.

Judi

"The Secret" Pursuit

I was on a mission today. I had read about a new self-help book called "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne in this week's Newsweek and wanted to get a copy to see what all the hype was about....especially when I read that the author was in her 50s when she wrote the book. Oprah had featured Byrne on a two-day show back in February...that should have given me a clue that "The Secret" would not be an easy find.

I thought I'd go to Borders because I have a frequent buyer card there. I arrived at the store fully thinking that I would just run in and pick up a copy of the book and head home to read it...I think it is a pretty quick read...based on all the articles about it, I thought the codes in "The Secret" might provide some important wisdom for my 49th year...or shall I say my year to 50.

I walked up to the section where the new books are displayed...I scanned the section for new non-fiction books...there was Sidney Poitier's book (the one on the Oprah book list)...there was Mitch Albom's new book...there was Joan Didion's book (which I also want to read but it will have to wait for my retirement reading list)...and then there was a DVD of "The Secret"...in the place where the book belonged...I picked up the DVD to make sure there weren't any books hiding behind it...I figured maybe this book was so popular that there was a special display for it some place else in the store. Then I went to the information desk...it all went down hill from there...

"You want what book?" the salesperson said. "The Secret," I said. "Well we don't have any copies left, we're totally sold out," she said. "When are you getting them in?" I said anxiously....since by now...I was really on a mission to get this self-help marvel. With 1.75 million copies projected to be in print by yesterday...I wanted one to be mine. When I asked her when she expected the next shipment...she showed me a two-page waiting list (SADNESS ON MY FACE)...which meant that I would not get a copy when this week's shipment arrived (ALMOST TEARS)...nor was she certain how many copies of the book Borders would even receive by week's end (A DROPLET ABOUT TO COME OUT OF THE LEFT EYE).

I wasn't going to put my name at the end of a two-page waiting list...not me...not when I'm counting down to my 50th birthday...I was determined to get my copy...determined to find out about the secret of "The Secret" book's success...soooo....

I drove to Barnes & Noble....I thought I had nothing to lose...only "The Secret" to gain. I parked...went in the store...went right to the new books section...the new non-fiction...scanned all the shelves...saw the same new non-fiction books that were at Borders...and again..."The Secret" book was nowhere to be seen. I headed to the information desk...knowing that there would be no other "The Secret" display...or secret hiding place for these books. I asked the salesperson, "Do you have "The Secret," she replied, "No"..."Well, do you know when the next shipment will arrive?" I asked..."No," she replied again, "We're not getting any more copies right now (NOW THERE WAS ANGER ON MY BROW). Barnes & Noble only has a few copies left in its warehouse and is not shipping any of them to its stores...BUT, you can order a copy through barnes&noble.com and they will ship it to your house."

For a moment I thought ... should I just go home and order the book on Amazon.com and pay for overnight shipping so I can get the book on Tuesday...WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY?...I said to myself...snap out of it...what if Amazon.com is sold out and I miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. I signed up immediately...I whipped out my credit card IMMEDIATELY. Just $20.75 including shipping and "The Secret" would be mailed to my house within the next 5-7 days. I was so happy I almost kissed the salesperson (BIG BIG SMILE ON MY FACE AS I WALKED OUT OF THE STORE).

What should I do now, I thought...I have to celebrate. I drove directly to a Starbucks and ordered a decaf grande skim vanilla latte and drove home and sipped my latte and made a toast to myself.

Mission accomplished.

"The Secret" will be mine by next week...that's hopefully if the postman or UPS man doesn't steal it...it is a hot commodity. And for all you readers out there who want to purchase a copy...you'll just have to wait...When I arrive home I clicked on Amazon and "The Secret" is sold out...there is a 4 to 6 weeks waiting time...but, not to worry...keep reading my blog and maybe I'll let you in on some of the secrets behind "The Secret" in one of my future posts!

Judi

Double Vision

I've been wearing glasses for over 25 years. It all started after college...too much reading in the dark. I should have listened to my mother when she said to turn on the light.

A few years ago, when I reached my mid-40s I needed bifocals. I resisted as long as I could, but eventually I couldn't read the newspaper...and reading the New York Times is one of my favorite things to do. I also couldn't read my favorite magazines, Vogue, InStyle, Entertainment Weekly. And I couldn't read a book...although that didn't really matter because I didn't, and I still don't, have time to read any books since I am so busy reading newspapers and magazines. (I have a lot of books piling up for my retirement...may need a new bookcase just for my retirement books.)

I finally gave in and got progressive lenses. I really wanted to get the laser eye surgery...but for those of you who have been reading my blog, you know I'm not a risk taker...so of all things, having someone touch my eyes is totally out of the question. If they could put me completely under and just do the surgery without me knowing they were touching my eyes...I'd be okay. Or, if they could knock me out with a big dose of Valium, I'd go through with it. I was getting closer to going for a consultation...and then a friend said she had the surgery and it hurt so much that she almost didn't go through with the second eye. Then I saw the surgery on one of those Discovery shows and it looked so scary. That ended that!

I tried contacts a few years ago...that is, I tried to put contacts in my eyes. I couldn't get them in my eyes. I didn't like my eye doctor at the time because he made me put the contacts in my eye in a room with very little light (didn't he listen to my mother?) and I could not do it. It just would not work.

Now my eyesight is changing again...maybe it is a good thing that I didn't get the laser surgery yet after all. I don't know whether my eyes are just really tired from lack of sleep or that my vision is really changing again. I can hardly see this computer to write my blog...sometimes I even have to take off my glasses to read too.

I also do not like today's styles of eyeglasses...too narrow...did they ever think that baby boomer females like me who need progressive lens might like a little wider frame so they can fit their progressive lenses in the frame??? Most of these new stylish frames are too narrow for a progressive lense.

Now I may have to start thinking about that laser surgery again...as I approach 50 I may have to break down and have this surgery done once and for all. My new eye doctor did tell me that if I do decide to have the surgery I would still have to wear bifocals to read...although then I could buy those stylish bifocals and look very distinguished...like all those 50+ women who wear them on their head or around their neck. I could have a pair to go with every outfit...well maybe just two pairs...one for my brown and tan outfits and one for my black and white outfits.

I don't know what to do...too many decisions...it's Friday...my Lunesta night...I think I'll sleep on it...as Scarlett O'Hara said..."tomorrow is another day."

Judi