Being Part of the Sandwich Generation

You know I had heard about the sandwich generation and I guess one day I would be part of it but as always I think I have more time. Nope....I guess I am a sandwich boomer or a boomer sandwich....either way I am taking care of my in-laws and soon my own parents just when I thought I was finally free from some of the responsibility in my life.

A week of vacation in Florida...to my husband it is great because we are visiting his Mother who still thinks every man should be waited on hand and foot....no offense guys. As for me it only takes about half an hour and she is giving me the list of what she wants to get done while we are there and how the phone bill is a mess and she has been waiting for me to get it straightened out.

I feel guilty as I head to the pool because she wanted someone to talk to. I start nagging my husband to help me get the to do list taken care of....ooh I hate when I do that and guess what?..... so does he.

And then wonder of wonders he says that next winter he wants us to spend 20 days of each month in Florida with Mom....."won't that be great?" I cringe inside...not because I don't love her but I guess I thought I would have few years between the kids all being gone and then taking care of the parents.

In days gone by you may have had all the family members living together and it would seem the most natural thing to all be under one roof .....but this is today and I must have missed hearing that this is how it would all unfold.

On a positive note..it is Florida and I am not a cold weather person.....and for right now my stepson and his wife and daughter live there as well. I can elder sit and babysit at the same time.

Spring Cleaning

Even though there is still 6 inches of ice and snow outside the door I am determined to think spring! This time last week it was 70 degrees out and sunny and then we got hit with the storm on Friday. It made for a bit of a complicated weekend. My step kids and business partners at our store ended up stranded in Florida. My husband was laid up in bed with a 102 degree fever( that ugly stomach bug that has been around).

So I was left to shovel snow and man the store. It would be so noble to say I handled it all without a thought but I would be lying. I did however survive the weekend though I did not do much to honor my Irish roots. I talking to my daughter I confessed that I was indeed not wearing green, but black and gray. Perhaps I was subconsciously mourning or maybe I was just dressing to look slimmer.....who knows?

St. Patty's day was spent at the store and in front of my computer listening for the feeble calls of my husband to get him water.....I know a bit dramatic....I did manage to get some writing done and for that I was pleased.

So onto today. The weather has got to give and so do I. I have been in hording mode all winter. "You never know what your facing" is what my Mother In Law loves to say. Well I'm facing a lot of useless stuff and it has got to go. Time to lighten up!

Though as I look around it may take a week or two. If I look on the bright side however I may find some of the things that have been among the missing the last few months.

I am a Baby Boomer

I am a Baby Boomer. Sometimes I don't quite believe it for I still feel like an 18 year old. However anyway you slice it I am going to turn 50 this year. That puts me in the range of birth years that determines if you are a "boomer".

I found myself arguing with my son about it the other day. He kept insisting I wasn't a boomer and when presented with the evidence he turned to me and said "wow you're old"!

Old or not I can still be beautiful and that brings me to why I felt moved to write today. Age does not determine beauty....or intelligence or accomplishment or man other things. that however is for another day.
Today I wanted to share a site I was on presented by Dove. They have a great pro-age commercial on it and the mixed reactions to it. They also have another film you should check out as well.

I would love to know your reactions.

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com

Don't Die With Your Music Still In You

If you came of age in the mid seventies as I did it is likely that you remember the band Boston. They were an incredible rock band and their music is as good today as it was then..at least to a die hard fan like me.

When the band really took off I was living in Boston during my especially wild child days. I still smile or perhaps it is a grimace when I think of those days. Boy did we love our music, in fact you might say we lived for it. I know the "right" thing to say might be that I lived for my college friends or my education but for me it was all about the music. Our lives truly revolved around it and our favorite bands.

Well I just read that the lead singer of the band Brad Delp died, though they are not sure why and I can't help but feel a little sad and you know what a little more mortal. He was younger than my husband and only about 5or 6 years older than I am. Because really deep down inside of me I am still that rock and roll girl. I guess a part of me always will be. I can't help but be sad when anyone I felt somewhat intimate with even if only from a distance passes.

Music is such a binding force and I still listen to Boston. I am sorry that Brad is gone and yet it only motivates me even more to not waste another precious moment. Wayne Dyer, who I greatly admire, is fond of reminding us all don't die with your music still in you. They are great words to live by and I find that as I let my music out into the world (figuratively of course) I find that there are more and more songs waiting to be written.

I am grateful to have lived at a time when the band Boston could have an impact on my life. So how about you....is you music still stuck inside of you? If it is take notice.

I'm Back

Wow it's been a while since I checked in and said hello. I am doing a lot of research lately into all the changes we go through at midlife. Granted I have been through most of them......but I do want to give value in my coaching and so information gathering is crucial.

I am always open to what might be your biggest challenges in midlife. Many of you e-mail me directly and that is great. Feel free to post here so others can see and share.

Today...my biggest challenge.....is how sore I feel after working out. I try hard not to give in to it. I work at maintaining my strength and flexibility but boy oh boy today I hurt.

This may mean that I am getting older but this gal is not going down without a fight.

I'm Back

Wow it's been a while since I checked in and said hello. I am doing a lot of research lately into all the changes we go through at midlife. Granted I have been through most of them......but I do want to give value in my coaching and so information gathering is crucial.

I am always open to what might be your biggest challenges in midlife. Many of you e-mail me directly and that is great. Feel free to post here so others can see and share.

Today...my biggest challenge.....is how sore I feel after working out. I try hard not to give in to it. I work at maintaining my strength and flexibility but boy oh boy today I hurt.

This may mean that I am getting older but this gal is not going down without a fight.