thisisyourbestyear

Welcome to This is Your Best Year!!!

April 2, 2012October 27, 2017 thisisyourbestyear21 Comments

Welcome to thisisyourbestyear! You and I are on this journey together. Together and collectively, we will give suggestions on living life to the fullest. This is a blog for women who thought that when they reached this age, life was over. This is for all of those women who thought their mothers were old at this age–well they may have been, but that’s not the case anymore.

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We will discuss everything from health, beauty, faith, life, children, grandchildren, exercise, careers, retirement, starting all over again in love and/or career. We will talk about learning the word no, taking time to be who we are. With this blog we will have fun, we will talk fashion, food, travel and all kinds of products–in other words, we’re going to talk about us.

You can always email us at thisisyourbestyear@gmail.com and see all the things we are doing by visiting us on Facebook–(thisisyourbestyear), and Instagram–thisisyourbestyear. We can also be found on Twitter–thisisyoubestyear@mariciajohns

Let’s get excited ladies, and stay tuned. Remember–“THIS IS YOUR BEST YEAR”!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

September 15, 2018 thisisyourbestyearLeave a comment

As we grow up, things that happen to us can make us go hmmm and scratch our heads at these new symptoms. Some call it the aging process, others say it’s just Father Time catching up, and most of us just say it’s life.

There are ailments that pop up with symptoms that we have never had before. What are some of these you might ask? Well here are just a few.

The nerve in your tooth dies–seriously. Warm liquids seem to make your tooth radiate, but not hurt. This means that you need a root canal to stop this awful feeling.
You have sharp abdominal pain after eating. You are now diagnosed as being lactose intolerant. No more cheese, cream based entrees or ice cream. In other words no milk based products for you.
Bloating from eating bread has started. Not really all bread, but most.
Eye floaters start to bother you. It’s kind of like you are swatting gnats. They are harmless, but they are very annoying.
Heart palpitations which are scary. Causes could be sugar, caffeine or alcohol. You think to yourself which one do I have to give up? I have become a decaf (yuck) coffee drinker, giving up most sugar except on birthdays and weddings (I love wedding cake). There is no more chocolate for me since it is a double whammy with sugar and caffeine. But there is a silver lining–wine is okay.

There are many other things that happen to us as we go through life, but I have a sorority sister who always finds the silver lining in things. The one silver lining I see from being lactose intolerant (and I hardly ever ate ice cream anyway), cutting out most sugar, most breads and caffeine is that I am able to control my weight and I can still have wine.

It’s my new normal, and it’s not so bad. We do what we have to do. Remember “thisisyourbestyear”, and cheers!

Does anyone know of a good decaf brand of coffee?

A Love Like No Other–Being Grandparents

September 5, 2018 thisisyourbestyear3 Comments

Who would have thought that becoming a grandparent could be so enjoyable? From the time that little bundle of joy is put in your arms you find yourself on cloud nine. The love you feel for this tiny person swells up more each time you see them.

Grandparenting has always been special to those that were fortunate enough to know and love their grandparents. My paternal grandparents lived less than 15 minutes from our house, and my material grandparents lived about an hour away so grandparents were always present.

The ones that lived closer took us to piano lessons on Saturday, picked us up for Sunday School, and had homemade delicious snacks after school. You know things like hamburgers, french fries, cake, pie–do I need to go on. Those were special times that even now bring a smile to my heart. The love I had for my grandparents only came in second to my parents.

So when I heard that we would become grandparents 9 years ago I was excited. I could just image combing the little girls hair, putting in pretty bows, buying cute little dresses, dolls and more. Then they told us they were going to give us a grandson. I told them to give him back because we didn’t do boys–just girls. We now do boys.

Who would know that Joseph Foster II better known as Joey to us, and JoJo to his parents and aunt would steal our hearts. I can remember when he was not even walking, and the Dallas Cowboys had an open practice at the stadium–my sister and I picked him up from the sitter and took him to the practice. We were so excited telling his parents about our outing. Even to this day I know that he enjoyed looking at the big screen.

His aunt and I taught him how to fly a kite when he was about three. Somehow he seemed to always find the one power line, but it was fun. We decided to make a cake and decorate for his moms birthday. He used this mixer, decorated the cake and the table.

Even when he was younger and just starting to walk we took him home to Longview to visit our neighbors. We stopped to have our favorite burger, and he threw so many fries on the floor that we asked the manager for the broom to clean up. He got a way with things that his mom and aunt could never have done.

No I don’t see him every day, but when I see him, I try to always make it special for both of us. This summer I ask him to write me a letter each week telling me about his week. I love my updates.

Does he like seeing his grandparents all of the time–of course not, but hopefully the memories that we make will mean just as much to him as they do to me. He knows that his Paw Paw and Honey love him unconditionally.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. You can love your grandchildren, give them love and send them home to be with their parents. Grandparents need rest after visits. Enjoy your day.

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!

Go to our facebook page and post a picture of your grandchildren. Share the joy and love!

It’s Never Too Late–Just Ask Me

August 17, 2018 thisisyourbestyearLeave a comment

It was a great evening being interviewed by Matt Blake and Casey Sanders of the show “Inspired to Greatness”. The discussion was about the subject It’s Never too Late. As a woman of a certain age, it was an easy conversation for me to have.

Hope you will enjoy the conversation

To hear more conversations with Matt and Casey go to Inspired to Greatness. Enjoy the conversations, and remember it’s never too late because “thisisyourbestyear”.

If It Works For You

August 8, 2018August 8, 2018 thisisyourbestyear4 Comments

Most people have read or heard all of the information on what makes a successful marriage. How to keep a husband/wife happy, the 5 or 10 or 15 steps to a happy marriage. How to fight fair. Men are from wherever and women are from some other place.

On August 4 I celebrated my 40th wedding anniversary. People asked if it felt like 40 years, did the time just fly by and other such nonsense. They also wanted to know how we made it work, was the relationship 50/50, how did having children change the dynamics of the marriage, who was the one with the last word?

There is no magic in having a successful, most of the time happy marriage. I love those people who say that every day it was almost perfect because they married their perfect mate. I personally don’t know who they married because I don’t know two perfect people.

First of all we were parented by different people. That plays a big part in the marriage. Whether we want to admit it or not, we learned from our parents–good or bad, and our parents learned from their parents and so on.

So I thought I would give you some of the myth busters that I have encountered.

Never go to bed mad. Stop it! You still have to go to work because there are bills that must be paid. So go to sleep, sleep on the problem, and for the most part it may solve itself with a nights sleep. In all honesty sometimes when you sleep on something you see the other persons position.
Hide some of “your” money, you never know when you might need it, and make sure you don’t let the spouse know. They know. Put it in an account with your name on it and move on.
Always put your money in a joint account. You can if you want to. You know what has to be paid, and when it should be paid. Some people are not good with money. I have found that a lot of couples have separate accounts and everything works out for them.
Marriage is 50/50–of what? I will leave this one alone.
Marry your best friend. If I married my best friend then who am I going to have to vent my frustrations about him with? My best friend has known me since second grade.
Happy couples never disagree. Who wants to be with someone who thinks exactly like they do?
You should share the same interest and do everything together. We don’t even like the same movies. I’m a happy movie fan, and he’s a kill 15 people in the first five minutes fan. We compromise, well at least I compromise and go with him. He suggest that I go with my best friend to see my type of movies.
You complete each other. If it takes another person to complete you, then you will never be complete. You are your own person. That’s what drew them to you in the first place.
Never sleep in separate beds/bedrooms. My paternal grandparents never slept in the same room, and they were married over 60 years–they seemed very happy. They could see each other from their rooms. I know some people who sleep in separate rooms because one snores and keeps the other one up. One suggestion is to purchase an adjustable bed–it helps if snoring is a concern.

What makes a successful marriage? I wish I knew. I can tell you that it is always a work in progress. The one thing that is a constant with us is that no matter what, prayers are said before we close our eyes and when we open them in the morning. We truly believe that prayer helps everything. He will never be a cat person, and dogs are growing on me.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. If it works for you…….

It Gets Easier With Age

July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 thisisyourbestyear2 Comments

Remember when you tried to please everyone? Remember how hard it was to say no to people especially those that you really cared about or a group you wanted to be a part of? Remember how you didn’t want to hurt their feelings when they asked a question they probably already knew the answer to?

Well guess what? As we age, it gets easier to say what is on your mind, but most importantly we now have permission to say no and not give a reason why. We can tell the reason for the no answer, but it is not a requirement, it is an option.

This goes for everyone in the family. I know what most of you are thinking–you’re thinking about the grandchildren and babysitting. Although sometimes you do have plans or you just don’t feel like it–it happens no matter how sweet and cute they are. You just want to put your feet up, watch a movie, take a nap in other words you don’t feel like it. So the answer is no.

It could be with your hubby or significant other when they say let’s go to dinner. Do they want to go to (name their favorite place), and you don’t want to eat there, just say no. When he asks where you want to go, give him suggestions that you like.

Since we are of a certain age, most of us learned to type. So at committee meetings especially if we are one of the few females in attendance they always ask if we can take the notes for this meeting. We grudgingly do, and then we have to type them up, and now we have become the recording secretary. Next time they ask you, tell them no you can’t unless of course you like that position. I seem to remember guys in my typing class so why not let them take and type the minutes?

The first few times you say the word no to something you’ve always wanted to say no to will feel a little weird, and it will shock those that you say it to.

Sometimes the word yes can be used to your benefit. How many of us have had this question--“do you mind if I switch the channel”, and we say no. Next time say yes if you are watching something that you like.

When we finally figure out that it’s okay to say no I don’t, or yes I do mind because that’s how we feel then we must do one other thing. We must stop apologizing. It’s just how we feel, no I don’t want to do something and/or yes I do mind.

Think of yourself as a toddler. When you ask them a question, and they say no there is no explanation, no apology just on to the next question. Don’t feel bad, you will again keep the grandchildren, eat at his favorite place and probably take notes at a committee meeting, but you now know that you can stop trying to please everyone.

Start pleasing yourself and learning the art of saying “no” and “yes I do mind”–remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

You’re Invited To A Party

July 10, 2018 thisisyourbestyearLeave a comment

Here at “thisisyourbestyear” we pride ourselves on keeping our readers informed. We know that you want to know about the important things and dates, the things that matter to you, your family, the world as a whole. Each time we write an article we have your well-being in mind. This important time slipped up on us, but we remembered just in time. A celebration is in the works and you are invited.

All of us are about to do the happy dance. On July 11, 2018 we are all invited to celebrate a birthday. No gifts will be expected, all that is required is your attendance. Yes, 7 Eleven is celebrating its birthday by giving away free “small” slurpees. I wait all year for this event. It’s the only time I have a slurpee. My only dilemma is trying to decide what flavor I want this year.

7 Eleven is giving away more things, but I only want the slurpee. Here is a list of the other items and dates of the giveaways To get the other free items, you must sign up for their rewards app.

July 12: Free 7-Select Pure water with purchase of a Bodyarmor sports drink
July 13: Free Big Gulp fountain drink with purchase of a share-size Snickers candy bar
July 14: Free 7-Select popcorn with purchase of a 20-ounce Smartwater
July 15: Free single-size Reese’s candy with purchase of a share-size bag of 7-Select Gummies
July 16: Free 20-ounce Coca-Cola with purchase of any flavor Cheez-It baked snack crackers
July 17: Free single-serve bag of 7-Select chips with purchase of any fresh sandwich
July 18: Free single-serve 7-Select tortilla chips with purchase of any 7-Select nuts

The weird thing is that I only want one, it’s kind of like me and the corny dog thing. One is just enough until next year.

Enjoy the birthday party and your free slurpee. Let us know what flavor you get. Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

Be Selfish–Take Care Of Yourself

June 26, 2018 thisisyourbestyearLeave a comment

As women of a certain age, we were always taught to not be selfish. We were told “don’t be selfish” when it came to our toys, but now I am telling you that it is okay to be selfish. Women of a certain age have earned the right to want and do something just for themselves–we’re not going to hurt anyone.

Some things that you can do that will make only you happy or at least the happiest in your family.

Cook a meal that only you like–sit down and enjoy it. How many times have you eaten what everyone else likes? I can almost guarantee that someone will eat with you.
Hire someone to help with the housework–schedule the way it fits your budget and needs.
Get regular manicures and pedicures–again your schedule, your finances.
Take your time when placing your order at a restaurant–ask questions if you so desire. You want what you want.
Say no to babysitting the grandkids every time they ask–you love them, but you have a life.
Watch a movie that you like while sitting in the comfy chair.
When they ask you to watch the television in the back so they can all watch something on the bigger tv tell them no and keep watching.
Go shopping and only buy for yourself.
While shopping don’t call and tell them about a sale because you know you will buy the item(s) and never get paid for it.
Sleep late or take a nap for no reason except you can.
Take a vacation day from work and don’t tell anyone–do what you want to do on that day.
Play the music in your car and in theirs that you like–they do this all the time.
Hide your good candy. They don’t know the difference between Belgian Chocolate and milk chocolate.

These seem like simple things, but we as women of a certain age were taught to put others before us, and stop being selfish. If taking care of yourself is being selfish, then I am all for it.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. You’re not being selfish by making yourself happy. Take into consideration that they would want you to be happy.

Share with us any other ways that we can be “selfish” and not hurt anyone. We are looking forward to reading them.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

June 19, 2018 thisisyourbestyear2 Comments

I have finally decided to stop worrying about most things. You know I will continue to worry about my children and family. That’s a no brainer, but everything else, I will not worry about and that includes my job.

I will let go, and let God. I will do as the song says, “Don’t worry be happy”. I will do what needs to be done, and let it go at that. I will be like the millennials, and the whatever else the younger generation is called. I will stop worrying.

It started a couple of years ago–I can remember it well. Up until that time I would be a nervous wreck when something went wrong in my house. I would talk out loud wondering how did this happen, why poor me, every time I got a nickel I had to spend a dime. You get the picture.

Well about 7 years ago our youngest fresh out of the Coast Guard was on her way to work when she informed me there was water in the kitchen on the floor. I immediately thought my loving husband had spilled a little something. Before I made it into the kitchen I walked in a river of water that had engulfed part of the den and office. The river was running wild in the sunroom, dining room, kitchen and laundry area–probably in the garage (but I didn’t care about the garage). I finally woke my husband out of a deep sleep, started to push water out, called the insurance company and waited on those that could help us dry out. Our house had taken on flood water, but being the worrier that I was, yes I had taken out flood insurance a couple of years before. While my husband continued to push out water, I got dressed and went to work. Now back in my younger days I would have had a crying, pity party, but I had matured–nature had run its course, and I had tried to be prepared for it. I did worry that the insurance would not pay off, but it did.

When they started to repair our house they told us we had a leaking pipe behind the washer because the paint would not dry. So me being the worrier had purchased a home warranty plan from a well-known company that I will not name (horrible company). Inbox me and I will give you their name. They sent plumbers who came out 3 times, and each time they informed me they had fixed the problem–paint still wouldn’t dry. So I decided to call a plumber I had used before the home warranty plan. The man came out looked at the wall, then at my newly laid kitchen floor and informed me I had a slab leak, and he would be back the next morning to let me know where it was located. Yes, it was under my newly laid floor, but again the contractor and I had planned, we had purchased more flooring than we needed. As the plumber jackhammered my floor on a Saturday which meant that we would have this gigantic hole in the floor over the weekend–I didn’t worry. If you came to my house doing that time, you would just have to walk around the hole in the floor.

Big White my 2003 Dodge Durango and I had a loving relationship. She had not been much trouble, a little bit here and there, but for the most part she ran good. Then one day in 2016 all kind of lights came on in her and would not go away. The mechanic informed me of the problem, and the cost–I cried when I had to let her go, but it was time. So instead of worrying about what kind of car I was gonna get, I just knew it had to fit in my garage. I didn’t worry about should I or shouldn’t I–it was time. I didn’t worry about it. Car note here I come.

Both my girls have left their jobs because they were not happy, and all I could think of was you have a car note, house note and other bills. They replied, don’t worry–be happy. Well they didn’t really say that, but that was their attitude. I was running around getting all worked up, and they were out having a good time. Yes, they were seeking employment, and yes they found what they were looking for. So why was I worrying? Because I am a woman of a certain age, but their father is a man of a certain age, and he doesn’t worry. Go figure.

And now my refrigerator all of 7 years old is on the blink. I can remember the one my grandmother had. I don’t ever remember it getting repaired, and I don’t remember her buying a new one. I could worry about the food that will spoil in the hot refrigerator and freezer, but I will do the best I can to save what I can. Then I will fill out the lost food form and hope for the best.

I say all of this to say I don’t have high blood pressure, and I will not get high blood pressure behind things that I cannot control. My husband gets upset at sporting events, I theorize that no one wants to lose, but somebody will. He theorizes that they can’t play, bad coaching, etc.

I will not worry, I will be happy–I will fix, replace or resolve what I can, and let go of the rest because some things are just out of my control. It’s call life.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. Don’t worry, be happy.

We Have A Winner

June 11, 2018June 11, 2018 thisisyourbestyearLeave a comment

“thisisyourbestyear” is excited to announce that we have a winner in “The Best Dad Ever Giveaway”. Thanks to all who participated.

Amy Bland Carroll. We know that “Your Best Dad Ever” will have an amazing time at the Boardroom Salon for Men.

Thanks to all who participated, and a special thanks to the Boardroom Salon for Men.

*Amy, please email us at thisisyourbestyear@gmail.com so that we can get send you information about how to receive your prize.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

Best Dad Ever Giveaway

June 3, 2018 thisisyourbestyearLeave a comment

It’s almost Father’s Day. The time when we honor the father figures in our lives whether it is our father, uncle, grandfather, the father of our children or a male figure who stepped up–we want to give them credit for being “the best dad ever”.

This year “thisisyourbestyear” has teamed up with The Boardroom Salon For Men. The Boardroom gives men more than just a haircut; it gives them the ultimate grooming experience in an elegant country club-like atmosphere. Complimentary beverages, a pool table, a chess board along with plush leather chairs and a great atmosphere will make the “best dad ever” in anyone’s life have a great Father’s Day to remember. We will be giving away a gift certificate for the “best dad ever” in your life. The gift certificate will entitle the holder to a great service from the Boardroom–their Signature Cut. It’s more than just a haircut.