Welcome to This is Your Best Year!!!

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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”!

New Isn’t Always Better

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I am a sentimental person I will admit, but I can let go of certain things.  There are some things that make my heart smile , and I will always keep them. My husband does not understand this sentiment.  He believes new is better.

Take for instance this quilt that goes at the foot of our bed each day, and when the weather gets a little chilly it warms better than anything electric.

This quilt has been with me since moving to Fort Worth some 44 years ago, and was probably not new when I received it.  As I packed my car to come to Fort Worth, my neighbor Miss Callie came across the street with this beautiful quilt to keep me warm when I needed it.  It was not only meant to keep me warm during cold nights, it was meant to keep me warm from cold people, cold circumstances–it was meant to ward off the coldness of the world.  This quilt was meant to wrap the love of Della Lane around me. It has done all of this and more.

Over the years it has warmed my daughters and now my grandson.  This quilt has warded off all evil spirits. Everyone reaches for this one quilt.  It seems to warm you from the inside to the outside.  Miss Callie’s quilt warms your heart.

Maybe it’s the love that it was made from. Someone made it with love for Miss Callie, and she lovingly gave it to me. 

As the years have come and gone, we’ve had to mend “our” quilt.  My husband once, and only once told me that we should buy a new one.  But now even he knows that the coldness of life can only be warmed by a quilt made with love.  Each time I spread it, or wash it I think of my street on Della Lane, and it warms my heart.

Do you have a keepsake that warms your heart–if so share with us? Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. When you warm your heart it shows.

Cause She’s Not In The History Books

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We at “thisisyourbestyear” take this time to honor those that should be in the history books, but are not. Their accomplishments, sacrifices and more all have to be researched and only given one month of the year recognition.

*Since we are a blog for and about women of a certain age, we chose this year to highlight women in American History who are Black. There were so many that it was difficult to narrow it down to one person, but we did. Her story is inspiring.

We are featuring someone that none of us really knew about, we are featuring Mabel Fairbanks who was a figure skater. Mabel was fascinated by skating when she saw a movie featuring then skating sensation Sonja Henie. As luck would have it she found a pair of skates in a pawn shop, and talked the owner down on the price. After purchasing the skates which were two sizes too big, she stuffed cotton in the toes and taught herself to skate. She would go to Central Park to skate in competitions making 6.0’s, but could not join a club because of her race. Therefore, she could not participate in any other competitions or practice at any rink.

She was persistent and eventually one skating rink allowed her to come in after the rink closed to practice. This story is about more than her finally finding her way outside the United States to skate, it’s about Mabel’s legacy.

She may not have gone to any competions because no club would take her, but she was finally able to skate in the Follies in the states, then barred from seeing her shero Sonja Henie by Sonja herself. Her legacy has come to the surface and lives on. Mabel became a coach. Not just a coach, but a coach of champions.

She is credited with helping the careers of US and world champions such as Scott Hamilton, Atoy Wilson, Tiffany Chin, and 1970s champions Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner, whom she put together as a skating pair. She also coached Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist, in her early days, and also first paired her with champion Rudy Galindo.

She’s not in the history books, but she should be. Her strength gives us strength. Because of her, and people like her we can.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. Black History is American History.

*Go to our Facebook page–thisisyourbestyear to see more Black women we honor during the month of February because they should be in the history books.

    Mom. Sister. Friend. Go Red.

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    Go Red for Women turns 15 this year. It was started to bring awareness among women about the number one killer of women–heart disease* and stroke. The Go Red Movement is about more than wearing the beautiful color of red on the first Friday of February.

    It is about women taking control of their own health. Women making the committment to their health. Learning that they can work together with others while helping them with their health concerns.

    Fort Worth’s/Tarrant County’s Go Red Luncheon will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 10 am at the Omni Hotel in downtown Fort Worth. While there you can gather information on heart disease, learn how to prepare heart healthy meals, have your blood pressure checked, hear from an outstanding speaker and more.

    The funds raised will help to build awareness and support research and education initiatives.

    There is still have time to purchase tickets to this years Fort Worth Go Red Luncheon.

    Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

    This year’s theme for Fort Worth’s Go Red Luncheon is:

    Mother. Sister. Friend.

    Together we can save the lives of women we love.

    *Just reported today that over half of all Americans have some form of heart disease.

    Check with your local branch of the American Heart Associaton to find tickets to their Go Red Luncheon or to donate.

    What Happens To The Spouse Of The Alzheimer’s Patient?

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    What happens to the spouse of an Alzheimer’s patient as they see the person they married slowly taken away from them? I remember first hearing about Barry Petersen and his wife *Jan, and now Dan Gasby and his wife B. Smith.

    I’ve even written about the effects that it can have on the spouse, the toll it takes on them both mentally and physically in our April 28, 2018 post Alzheimer’s Caregivers “Til Death Do Us Part”.

    These two spouses clearly have made difficult decisions. Are they wrong or right? Is this something that we talk about with our spouses before hand?

    What are your thoughts? What are the spouses to do? Remember “thisisyourbestyear”, and sometimes life is hard. We really can’t say what we would do in a difficult situation until we are faced with it.

    *Jan Petersen passed away in 2013 after being cared for by her husband.

    Ladies Afternoon At The Rodeo Winner

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    WE HAVE A WINNER FOR OUR “LADIES AFTERNOON AT THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW AND RODEO!!
    CONGRATULATIONS
    Byrolyn G. Hill

    We look forward to meeting you at the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Friday, February 1 at 2 pm.

    Please email us your mailing address at: thisisyourbestyear@gmail.com or send a message to our Facebook Page so that we can get the tickets to you.

    Sit tall in the saddle, and remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

    Ladies Afternoon At The Rodeo 2019 Giveaway

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    Hey everyone we are back with a great giveaway. This will be our first time giving away a set of tickets to the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. No boots and/or cowboy hat, no worry just put on your jeans and get ready to have some fun.

    This year we are giving away a pair of tickets so that the lucky winner can join us on our ladies afternoon at the rodeo. We want you and a friend to come out for great fun and entertainment. After the rodeo we plan to visit the wonderful shops that offer any and everything from, toys, jewelry, hats, purses, furniture, tractors, saddles, clothing and more–make sure you stop by our friends at Danette’s Urban Oasis. We might even stroll into one of the restaurants including Reata’s three locations at the stock show, or we might wait until we hit the midway and grab one of the non-diet friendly foods while we explore the rides.

    Entering the giveaway is simple! To win two tickets for admission to the rodeo on Friday, February 1 at 2 pm and gain admission to the stock show on the same day please complete the following steps:

    • Share this post (on Facebook or Twitter)
    • Make a comment below about why you want to hang out with a group of all around great ladies at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

    We will select the winner at random on Sunday, January 27, 2019. We look forward to spending the afternoon with you at the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Remember “thisisyourbestyear” and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is old school cool just like women of a certain age.

    Remember there is construction around the area so you might want to use Uber/Lyft or get there early.

    Reset and Reinvigorate by Rethinking Your Career in 2019

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    *Guess post by Eva Benoit

    If you’re stuck in a rut, there’s no better time to pull yourself out than now. It’s never too late to make changes that will improve your quality of life. Starting a new career is one of these changes, and it’s a big one that comes with both enthusiastic anticipation and fear for the future. However, you can’t let fear of the unknown get in your way. Keep reading for a few tips on how to cross this fragile ground no matter where life has taken you to this point.

    If you are stuck in a rut, there’s no better time to pull yourself out than now. It’s never too late to make changes that will improve your quality of life. Starting a new career is one of these changes, and it’s a big one that comes with both enthusiastic anticipation and fear for the future. However, you can’t let fear of the unknown get in your way. Keep reading for a few tips on how to cross this fragile ground no matter where life has taken you to this point.

    Do You Have What It Takes?

    What do Oprah Winfrey, Sofia Vergara, and Arianna Huffington have in common? They are all successful female entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to take risks, they’re all tenacious and a little stubborn, and they give of themselves 100 percent of the time. They are adept problem solvers who aren’t happy unless they’re on the move. If this sounds like you in more ways than one, you were undeniably born to be the boss.

    You Are Not Alone

    Our mothers and grandmothers were expected to stay home, raise babies, and make life better for their men. These social standards weren’t necessarily bad, but considering that women-owned businesses are growing at a rate of more than twice that as standard businesses, it’s safe to say that we got restless. Coupled with an ever-growing need for dual incomes, women-owned businesses, according to American Express, are more prominent than ever, with approximately 39 percent of all US businesses being led by women.

    Despite the rise in female entrepreneurship, it’s not always easy. Today, experienced women are offering their guidance to new business owners. Reaching out to a mentor is one of the best ways to access information and receive help navigating the seas of success. Experian touches on mentorship, funding obstacles, and other statistics regarding women in business here.

    Like a Boss

    Starting your own business isn’t something you do on a whim. If you want to stand out from the crowd, you’ll have to take stock of your skills and define your niche. Have a heart-to-heart with yourself by drafting a business plan and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses. Test the waters by seeking clients via word-of-mouth and working on small projects first. FindLaw.com underscores this point by stating, “By starting small, you ensure that you can survive the inevitable hiccups associated with running a small business.”

    Once you get into a groove, you can take steps to nurture and grow your business. This is achieved by being consistent and having the right tools at your disposal to get the job done. If you work from home, for example, you’ll need to set up a well-equipped office space with a comfortable working area and a computer that can keep up with your demands. Further, don’t make the mistake of thinking you know everything; listen to your customers. They will tell you what you’re doing right and what you need to change. As the face of your business, it is your responsibility to hear these voices and to provide services that will add value to your relationship. It can help to take a customer service training course to help you learn how to communicate and respond to both praise and criticism.

    It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been in your current profession. Even if you’re retired, it’s still possible to earn an income doing something you love. It may be a rocky road in the beginning, but with determination and a willingness to adapt to an always-changing market, you can both love and live your passions this and each new year.

    Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. It’s a new year, and time to reset and
    reinvigorate your purpose by rethinking and your career.

    *Eva Benoit is a professional life, career and wellness coach. She specializes in helping people with anxiety and welcomes working with people from all walks of life.

    Dementia–Might Just Be Menopause Transition

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    Just read this article The Brain Fog Of Menopause Can Burn Off by Jane E. Brody. It talks about the effects of menopause on memory, and the misdiagnosis of the symptoms leading to some doctors falsely informing patients that they have frontotemporal dementia.

    I don’t know about you, but I have been there, and am still there. I’ve started to read with intention, and I even take pictures of where I park at the airport. Don’t laugh it helps.

    Take a look at the article, and remember “thisisyourbestyear”–this too shall pass.

    Cervical Cancer Awareness

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    Somebody is probably saying another month and another disease–what color ribbon are we wearing this time? It’s about our health, the health of our daughters, mothers, grandmothers. It’s the health of all women.

    We tend to do for others, but forget about ourselves. Getting that husband to the doctor is sometimes a hassle, but if we persist we can get him there. Let’s take ourselves to the doctor when things seem a little out of kilter.

    Cervical cancer is one that can take years to form. This is one major reason that we should take the uncomfortable pap smear every year.

    Even though the the death rate has fallen over the years for those that are diagnosed with cervical cancer any death is too many. Cervical cancer usually does not strike younger women under the age of 20, but as we mature we tend to think we are immune to this form of cancer. In fact women over the age of 65 make up over 15 percent of the cervical cancer cases in the United States. A few myths are listed below.

    As we mature our bodies change, and as we know things happen that did not happen before. Do not take these changes lightly, they may not be anything, but it is always best to have them checked out.

    Here are some of the symptoms of cervical cancer that should not be ignored.

    • Bleeding after intercourse
    • Bleeding after menopause
    • Bleeding between periods
    • Bleeding after douching
    • Bleeding following a pelvic exam (spotting is normal)
    • Having heavier menstrual periods than usual or ones that last longer than usual
    • Unusual vaginal discharge
    • Pain during sex

    Take time to talk with your doctor. Remember “thisisyourbestyear”. Know why you are wearing that ribbon and spread the knowledge. Our lives depend on it.

    A New Tradition–Holiday Tea

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    *Guest post from Tea Lover CYCooper

    Is it me or do the holidays seem to pass by quicker every year?  Christmas 2018 has come and gone, but even with all the hustle and bustle the holiday season brings, yours truly managed to travel across Highway 30 for a small staycation at the the MAGNFICENT Adolphus Hotel In Big D (that’s Dallas, Texas for some of you who don’t know).  I’ve stayed at the Adolphus  on a number of occasions, but this legendary hotel recently completed a 3 year renovation.  Yes, it’s more up to date but it hasn’t lost it’s old world charm and elegance.  Built in 1912 by “The King of Beers” Adolphus Busch, The Adolphus has hosted notable visitors including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, U2, Maya Angelou, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England.  

    Besides being a top tier hotel, The Adolphus is also noted for its Afternoon Tea Service or High Tea which it serves throughout the year.  However, during the Christmas season the hotel offers its famous Holiday Tea. This tea is extremely popular and sells out quickly each year.  So, when reservations opened up on Monday, October 1st, @ 11 am, I got on my phone and called.  Let me tell you, it actually took me over 1 1/2 hours to get through and make my reservation.  

    My sister and I attended The Adolphus Holiday Tea earlier this month and YES it was definitely worth spending that 1 1/2 hours on the phone to get that reservation.  The Holiday Tea takes place in the SPECTACULAR French Room Restaurant of the hotel.  The French Room, included in the recent renovations, has been restored to its original glory.

    The Holiday Tea starts with a glass of Rose Champagne, followed by the first course of finger sandwiches, scones and a light delicious tea from China. The second course of tea cakes & sweets is accompanied by a slightly bolder tea which compliments the desserts.  Looking around The French Room on that December day, we saw women/girls of all ages (and some men) enjoying this delightful and refreshing experience.  The food, tea and service were EXCELLENT.  Much like attending the Texas Ballet Theater’s production of THE NUTCRACKER, having Holiday Tea at The Adolphus may become an annual Christmas tradition.  

    Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.