Aligning My Signs

Posted on March 28, 2010 by Judi

It’s been a few months since I had my personal astrology reading done and I thought it was timely for me to go back and re-read what Astrologer Carolyn Crawford (AC) had to say. I had spent an hour long session with her back in January when I was at the Miraval Spa. It was the first time I had ever had an astrology reading and I listened intently to every word AC said. I was in awe that a total stranger could sit opposite me and know me so well just by knowing my birthday date, the place I was born and the time of my birth. Wow, wow, wow…it was just amazing.

So what did AC say about me? Was I ready to hear the truth finally at 50+ years of age? If I had done this sooner in my life, would my life had turned out differently? Hmm, hmm, hmm.

“You’re a Capricorn,” said AC, “You are very tied up with your work and career, very goal-oriented. I see you as an executive manager who is good at running projects and giving structure to things.” (True: How did AC know that? Yes, this is true. I’ve always been very goal-oriented. Stretching myself to reach higher.)

“Your mother was a stronger influence on you than your father,” said AC. (True: I always tended to side with my mother when I was growing up. She was more outgoing. She was a very caring and positive person. And she tended to think of others first, more so than herself.)

“The moon indicates that you have more talent than the average person,” said AC. (Really, really, really? Tell me more. Tell me more.) “Your mind and your emotions are in sync. Your actions come from the heart and you are very good at putting emotional content into your communications.” (True: And even more true now that I am coming into my authentic self during the second half of my life.)

“You are generous and kind and you have a good sense of humor,” added AC, “and you have had strong moral and ethical training as a child.” (True: Extra thanks go to my mom for nurturing my caring side, to my late dad for helping to develop my humorous side, and to both my parents for instilling good character down deep.)

“You have good luck in finding a marriage partner or mate,” said AC. (True: I did have a wonderful 24 year marriage with a wonderful mate until it was cut short almost three years ago.) “However, for your future mate, I see someone in the legal profession, or a professor, or someone involved in import, export.” (Interesting, very interesting – I wonder if my boyfriend L has a new profession awaiting. Maybe he should have an astrology reading session with AC too.)

“You want to expand, grow and see the world,” said AC. “You over do things, yet you balance it with discipline. You accept responsibility and are very well organized. But, you are very hard on yourself..” (True: Yes, I do over schedule myself. And I am my worst critic. I have to work on this area.)

“You are very loyal to your friends. You have tremendous emotional depth, more than the average person,” continued AC. “You have a lot of talent in the arts, especially in communications and speaking.” (True: Should I pursue higher education and become a teacher or professor in the second half of my life? AC said I am someone who could publish a book and that I am an excellent writer. Oh, AC, I hope what you say is really, really true.)

“You have friends from quite a wide variety of social status. You have lots of friends, but you may not see them all the time. Perhaps you should set up a Facebook page,” said AC. (True: AC would be proud to know that I finally did succumb this weekend and set up my own Facebook page. I don’t know how to use it, but it is up there and I think I already have a few friends.)

“You think outside the box. You are a bit avant-garde in your thinking. You understand future trends in fashion and in food., ” added AC, “You should do trend analysis.” (Really, really, really? Thank you AC, you have finally confirmed what I always thought was one of my true talents.)

“You should make money in writing or speaking in the future,” said AC as she finished up the first half of my astrology reading about my life as a Capricorn, who was born 52 years ago in Royal Hospital in the Bronx, NY, at exactly 11:38 am, on a wintery January day. (True or False? Oh, AC, I wonder what the future will bring. Will these astrology predictions come true? Will they? Will they? Will they? Can’t wait to find out.)

Anything’s possible because I’m a Capricorn and I can make it happen. Is that right AC?

Judi

All Dressed Up

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Judi

I’ve been reading all about aging lately. The New York Times had two recent articles about facing up to aging faces. But, what about aging legs? What should a fifty-something female do about aging legs when she has to get all dressed up?

I hardly ever buy dresses. I find it very difficult to find a dress that fits well. Either the dress makes me look too matronly or too immature. It either cuts me at the waist or cuts me at the hip. Most dresses I try on are two low cut at the neckline, especially since I have and always will have no cleavage. (Unless I decide at fifty-something to get breast implants. No, no, no, never, never, never.)

I have a business dinner to attend next week and decided to purchase a new dress. I headed to Loehmann’s after receiving my special Loehmann’s Insider shopper discount that was about to expire. (Do you know loeh*mann*om*ics is a word and it means value-conscious knowledge that you can buy the best designer clothes at huge discount savings?)

I found a pretty deep purple colored dress with cap sleeves and a round neckline that is covered with tiny ruffles. I couldn’t believe it was a size 2 and it fit me. (Note to self: Better not eat too much this week or I won’t fit into the pretty purple dress I just bought.) Since I was practicing loeh*mann*om*ics, I bought earrings and a bracelet to match too.

But, then, but then, but then, I thought — I’m going to be all dressed up, but how shall I cover my legs and what shall I put on my feet?

Thankfully, I pulled out a pair of Anne Klein black silk slingbacks that I had bought years ago with my friend M. (I always buy more than I need when I shop with M. She is such an encouraging shopper.) I never wore these slingbacks. They were quite uncomfortable shoes. However, I was so glad I had decided to keep them in the back corner of my closet instead of donating them to Goodwill during my spring closet cleanup last year. I tried them on with my new purple dress and they looked fab. Okay, okay, I cried, “Judi, you can deal with the pain in your big toes for a few hours to make your feet look fab.”

Now that my feet were taken care of, next on the ‘to take care of list’ were my fifty-something legs. How do I cover up my ugly knees and how do I cover up my spider veins?

Do I wear stockings or do I not wear stockings?

If I wear stockings, what color stockings should I wear? Black or beige, nude or white? Definitely control-top. Or maybe even a Spanx to cover my middle-aged middle.

“What should I do with my legs?” I said to my sixty-something sister-in-law I. She is quite a fashionista and does attend a lot of formal events, so I knew I had called the right person.

“All the young women these days are going out without stockings,” I said to I. It’s like they are doing the European look. But, can I do that? At my age, can I go without stockings to a formal event?”

“No,” said my sister-in-law I. “At our age, we must cover up.”

“Okay,” I replied, “but what color stockings should I wear?”

“Nude,” she said. “It will look just like you aren’t wearing stockings, but your legs will look good.”

“Okay,” I replied, “I will cover my legs.”

Now that the knees and legs were taken care of, I felt a sigh of relief.

Yes, I am one of those fifty-something women, who is mourning ugly knees and veiny legs. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone, as I read in today’s New York Times article on Appreciating Your Value as You Age. According to the article, Dr. Vivian Diller and Dr. Jill Muir-Sukenick, the authors of a new book called “Face It,” say that no matter how stellar their accomplishments – that it’s not superficial to admit that aging is upsetting. They encourage their readers to figure out what’s driving them to have daydreams about a refined face-lift rather than scheduling one.”

I do not daydream about a refined face-lift. Nope, I don’t want any refined face-lift. What would I do with all my anti-aging wrinkle creams? However, if I could lift my middle-aged middle and fix those legs and knees…I might just start daydreaming again.

Judi

The Help

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Judi

I finally finished my first book on my Kindle. I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It is Kathryn’s first novel and was quite impressive. I would highly recommend this story about young women growing up in Mississippi during the early 1960s. Skeeter, one of the main characters, was my favorite. She wanted to be a writer and move to New York City…no wonder I like her. According to Entertainment Weekly magazine, Steven Spielberg is going to produce the movie. Can’t wait to see who is cast in each part.

Gotta Get Movin’ and Groovin’

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Judi

I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to sit down and write a blog post.

I’ve been movin’ and groovin’, which is very good for me, according to my cardiologist Dr. P. “You’re doing well,” she said to me at my annual check-up this week. “Keep up your cardio exercise.”

Two years ago, Dr. P noticed that I had some plaque buildup in one of my arteries. Yes, we all can get plaque buildup in our arteries by the time we are fifty-something, but I was scared and still am. I don’t want any plaque rupturing in my arteries. I have to keep movin’ and groovin’.

“I do want you to have another stress echocardiogram,” said Dr. P, “I want to keep an eye on that plaque.”

I’m fit. (I guess I could always be more fit.)

I’m trim. (However, I better stop eating those new Hershey’s Special Dark Pieces candy or I may not stay so trim. It says on the package that they are perfect for in the car, on-the-go, at home and with family & friends. I’ve been eating them at home and with friends. Ooh, maybe I’ll just eat them at home and not with friends anymore. Did you hear that L? But, if you eat them with friends, then I can still have some. I’m so clever. Plus,I did read in the recent Eating Well magazine that “eating dark chocolate every day for two weeks reduced stress hormones, including cortisol, in people who were highly stressed.” This was based on a study done at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland. Since I am a highly stressed person, I think I will just continue to eat my dark chocolate.)

I eat well. (I try to eat my five fruits and vegetables each day. I eat lots of fish. I take my multi-vitamin and my fish oil.)

I exercise. (I do need to do more cardio workouts…may have to put myself back on the exercise bike that’s been sitting in my bedroom. Looking at it each day is not a cardio workout.)

Next week is the first day of spring. Yeah! We spring the clocks ahead. Yeah! Hopefully, there is no more snow in the forecast. Yeah! Hopefully, the snow will eventually melt in my backyard. Yeah! Yeah! I can’t wait to start movin’ and groovin’ outside again. I can’t wait to take long walks and bicycle rides again near my condo on the corner at the shore.

As I listen to my cardiologist’s wise counsel, I’m reminded of a song and little exercise routine I used to do with my kids when they were in pre-school. It’s a good reminder that all parts of my body are important to take care of. I think it is time to bring that song back into my life. Here goes…as you say the words you touch each part of your body. Try it. You can sing slow, if you just want to start movin’, but if you want to start groovin’, sing it faster and repeat it several times. Come on…start singin’!

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!

Judi

Unhappy Camp Hair

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Judi

I was an unhappy camper last week. Everything was going wrong after I returned from Florida.

First, there was so much snow on my roof and snow and ice on my gutters, that I thought my gutters were going to collapse. I went outside, stood up tall and tried to use a shovel to knock the ice and snow down off the gutters. Being only 5’3″ tall wasn’t helping me reach too much of the snow and ice on my roof and gutters.

Secondly, due to the overload of snow that fell in NJ this winter, the foundation walls in my basement had developed water marks. (the same walls that I spent thousands of dollars to reinforce just a few months ago). “This cannot be,” I said to myself as I touched the water mark, hoping it was just an illusion until my fingers felt wet. (According to the Office of NJ website, more than 66 inches of snow fell on my NJ town from December 2009 through February 2010. Wow, oh, wow, that’s a lot of snow.)

Thirdly, due to the overload of snow that fell in NJ, several tree branches fell down on my property- very large tree branches that my fiftysomething body was barely able to pick up. I always loved the game of Pick-Up-Sticks when I was a child, and now I felt like I was playing the game again, only with huge branches and tree limbs.

Then I was very sad that my flowering plant died. I tried to keep it healthy, but I was so busy taking care of the snow. I guess I’ll buy another flowering plant when the spring time comes.

Last week, was definitely a week when I wanted to hold my Amethyst Crystal that I received as a gift during my trip to the Miraval Spa. According to the card that came with the crystal, it said that amethyst crystal can help me “overcome anger, hate,and fear; heighten emotional strength, boost energy, help insomina, bring meaningful dreams, enhance creatvity, knowledge and wisdom and bring contentment.” I was definitely in need of help in most of these areas. (I think I need to purchase an amethyst ring for myself sometime soon. I need to have this crystal on my body at all times.)

But, as the snow melted and the sun began to shine at the end of the week, I wondered why I still was not a happy camper. Something is still so wrong I said to myself as I looked in the mirror. “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, why is Judi still not happy at all?”

And as I looked closely, I saw exactly what was wrong. Yes, I was unhappy about the snow. Yes, my roof and icy gutters were getting to me. And my fingers were wet from the wet spots on my foundation. But, worst of all, the gray roots on the top of my head were beginning to show through. And when I looked on the calendar, I realized that it had been exactly six weeks since I had my hair dyed.

Ah, no wonder I am an unhappy camper, or should I said an unhappy camp hair.

I quickly called my friend R to tell her that I found the true reason for my unhappiness. It was my gray roots showing through on my head. Next, I quickly called my haircolorist to make an appointment pronto. (Unfortunately, my haircolorist was booked until next Thursday, so I will have to be unhappy a little while longer.)

R sent a fabulous text message with words that I have posted on my bulletin board so that I will remember them the next time I am unhappy and cannot figure out the true cause. Here’s what the text said:

“It just proves the point that the key to uncovering the origin of our issue is to examine our ROOTS!”

R is one of the smartest fashionistas I know and one of my favorite friends.

Judi

P.S. – Be sure to read my latest review on the new skincare line I’m trying called Striking. It is definitely making my skin happy, even if my hair is looking sad. You can find me at my new review blog called A Boomer Girl’s Raves, Rants, and Review.