Information On Well Woman Exams

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Thank you Ms. Ruth Ann Hornbeck-Hatch for sharing this valuable information on free well woman exams.  If you are in need of or know a woman in need of a well woman exam, and insurance coverage is a problem, please have them call or google 211.  It will give outlets to places that do the well woman exams for free.

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Let’s spread the word to our family, friends, church members and others.  There is a way to help save the lives of women.  Remember “thisisyourbestyear”, let’s help others help themselves.

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Looking For A Great Girls Outing–Try the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament

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First of all let me give you this disclaimer before you read any further.  This will be the last year that the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament will be held at The Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.  It will now move to Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.

That being said “the last round” was an amazing girls getaway for those that love golf, like golf, kind of like golf and those that don’t know anything about golf.  There is so much  more to a golf tournament than golf.

At the beautiful Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, maybe it was because it was the “last round” everything was done to perfection.  Even the parking was convenient.

For those that love golf, there were the top players on the PGA participating with some surprises along the way.  There was so much to do, see, eat, drink and enjoy.

Let’s get started first with the resort.  If you were fortunate enough you may have been able to snag a villa with a view of the course from the balcony.  We saw quite a few ladies and gentlemen doing just that. Some had their cocktails and food to enjoy while watching the tournament.

Just walking around was peaceful and beautiful.  The weather for the most part was very nice.  The sponsors tents were great places to stop and enjoy food, drink and great conversation while watching the action on the course. The Grey Goose tent had signature cocktails for enjoyment with cute giveaway glasses. While you sipped your cocktail there was always someone to discuss golf on every level–learning can be fun!

Of course there was the fashion to take in as there is every year at the Byron Nelson; though this year the fashions seemed to be more individualized (no set pattern).  The city of Irving had great events from pictures, to prizes.  You could go inside the AT&T booth and drive a simulator and much more. Cadillac, the official car had their newest models on display for your viewing pleasure.

There were activities in the hotel for those that wanted to relax a bit more.  There was the Well and Being Spa in the hotel. If you felt that you didn’t get enough exercise walking the course they have 4 indoor tennis courts, a massive workout facility, squash courts and more.

The Byron Nelson Golf Tournament at The Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas in Las Colinas has something for everyone.  It made a great girls getaway. For those that don’t know a lot about golf, it is a great way to learn–it’s as easy as talking to the person next to you.  You might even enjoy it.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

Yes Virginia There Is Life After Menopause

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If only life was as simple as song lyrics.  You know if it were that easy then everyday would be great, but we all know that the process of life is not easy.  Each phase we go through has its challenges. Don’t jump to conclusions before you know the facts.

As women we tend to go through phases of life every 5 to 10 years or so it seems. Our bodies are constantly changing, and as we age things can change dramatically. There are studies out there that tell you about perimenopause (premenopause).  They explain what to expect once you get into the dreaded menopause.  It’s sort of  like telling a woman what to expect during pregnancy–no two are ever alike.

Then there are the studies that tell you what to expect while you are in menopause.  They even write television scripts about it. Remember Edith Bunker? They tend to forget to tell you again that no two women experience the same things in the same way.  Some people never know they have entered the dreaded menopause zone. They just know they are no longer having periods.  There are no hot flashes, no night sweets, no mood swings, no heart palpitations–they don’t even know they are changing.

My doctor who is male gave me advice when I talked to him about certain symptoms.  At least it was honest advice.  He said no one had ever died from menopause at least to his knowledge.  Life would get better.

Well I am here to tell you it does get better, but not the same.  Some women still experience brain fogginess, you know not remembering directions while driving, but you get there–don’t panic, it’s normal for some.  Reading and rereading is one that many women experience. It makes it hard when you are in a book club.

Weight comes from just thinking about food, and it comes in places that you never had it before.  Don’t fret exercise and a well-balanced diet still can fix this–it just takes more effort and time than before.

Had oily skin when you were a teenager and hated it, don’t worry after menopause dry skin is normal for many women.  Moisturizer becomes their best friend.  There may be a need to switch to all new cosmetics.

The subject of hair is another subject.  Depends on where the hair is or isn’t.  My best advice is to invest in a good magnifying mirror and a pair of tweezers.  Enough about hair that isn’t on the head, but on the face.

Some women even after menopause still have hot flashes.  I know for a fact insomnia can continue on.

There are prescription medications that you can take to help with the symptoms, there are even holistic medications that are available.  It’s up to you and your doctor to decide what course of action that you need to take.  Remember what is good for someone else may not be good for you. Don’t jump into what others do, we are all different.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear” and “yes, there is life after menopause”.  Now jump!  Just look before you leap because no two experiences on this journey of life are the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snap, Crackle, Pop–Our Bones Are Talking

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That little old lady at church that walks with the cane can become you or me if we are not careful.  We must take preventive measures sooner not later to stop the advancement of brittle bones.  They are like everything else, the older they get, the easier they break and the more fragile they are.

Most of us think of osteoporosis as the disease that comes as we get really old, but it starts a lot earlier than we think, and it is very common.  There are well over 3 million new cases each year–these are just the people who go to the doctor.

Osteoporosis is a disease where the bones become weak and brittle.  This does not just happen in women. It can’t be cured, but it can be treated effectively if caught early.

Some of the things that contribute to osteoporosis are:

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To treat and/or prevent osteoporosis, we can:

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It is important that we consult our doctor before talking supplements and starting on an exercise program.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear“.  Taking small steps will help us continue to stand tall.

 

 

 

 

 

The Texas Conference For Women Is Sold Out–But!

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The amazing Texas Conference for Women in Austin, Texas on November 15, 2016 is officially sold out.

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As luck would have it, there may be a way to get tickets to attend this sold out event. You can put your name on a list to grab tickets if they become available. If you want to hear great speakers, be inspired, attend wonderful workshops, network with women who are on the move and so much more, you need to try as hard as possible to attend this event. To try for tickets click please let me get a ticket. Hope you are lucky!  Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

 

 

Schedule Your Health Exams

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We’ve always talked about taking care of ourselves, but most of the time it is just that–talk.  We as women of a certain age fail to schedule our yearly exams.  The ones that we should do at least yearly unless the doctor tells us to do something differently. How we fail to schedule our exams is a mystery to me–we are master schedulers.

My girlfriend Avis always schedules all of her exams close to her birthday–she says that way she will always remember. I do put mine on my phone calendar, plus my doctors are really good about reminding me. I never miss!

There are several exams that should be done yearly.

  • Mammogram–the one that most people know about is a screening mammogram.  This is a low dose x-ray of the breast from different angles. Some people with dense breast, women of a certain age or for other reasons may also be advised to do a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound of the breast.  .
  • Pelvic Exam and Pap–no you are really never too mature to have this exam. It is done to determine precancerous or cancer of the cervix.
  • Step on the scale–close your eyes and wish away the pounds. Unwanted pounds can lead to deadly illnesses.
  • Blood pressure–even if your blood pressure has risen, you can lower it without medication. It can be a silent killer.

There are other exams that you should do less frequently unless your doctor suggest yearly. Here are a few:

  • Hearing test–with the noise of the world it is surprising we don’t need one every year.
  • Eye exam–as we age our eyes do get tired, and we may need reading glasses or develop cataracts.
  • I’m sure there are other exams that some of us do such as dental exams and checking cholesterol.

As women of a certain age, we have to remember that it is all about us.  All of us want to live long lives, but we also want to be in the best health possible.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”–schedule your yearly health appointments just like you schedule that nail appointment.

 

Nighty Night–8 Tips For A Better Sleep By Arianna Huffington

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I am one of those people who leaves the card on my bed at the hotel because I want the linen changed each day (give me a discount, and I might not).  As I reached for the card at my last hotel stay, I read something that made a lot of sense. It was Arianna Huffington’s  8 Tips For A Better Sleep.

As I have matured sleep has become more important.  At one time I could function very well on 4 to 5 hours of sleep, but as I have matured I need more.  As women of a certain age sometimes our sleeping patterns can go into some craziness because of the dreaded menopause.  You know, you just can’t get to sleep, or you wake up and then you are just up for the rest of the night.

Will her 8 tips work?  I’m not sure, but I do agree with trying them.  There are some things that I probably won’t do.  I can drink coffee at 10 PM and then go to bed, and it does not bother me.

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Take a look at the list and hopefully you will get some idea(s) on helping you get a good nights sleep–it’s worth a try.  Sleep does make you feel better and even look better. Ms. Huffington has written a book about the importance of sleep in our everyday life–The Sleep Revolution. It sounds like an interesting read.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear“.  Have a good nights sleep.  Sweet dreams!  In the comment section, tell us some of the things you do to get a good nights sleep.

They Still Got It

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Yes I was in the dreaded middle seat, but I didn’t have to pay for my luggage, and I don’t fight for overhead space–I just checked my luggage, and  the crew always seem to be nice–I was flying home on Southwest Airlines.  The latest issue of their magazine caught my attention, it’s their anniversary edition touting they (Southwest Airlines) still got it.

What caught my attention was the cover featuring what I thought were two flight attendants.  Well it turned out to be the same person, flight attendant Sandra Force, and she is featured in her 1971 flight attendant (stewardess) uniform, and her current flight attendant uniform. Yep, that means that she has been flying the friendly skies with Southwest Airlines for 45 years.  She looks amazing. 

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Inside the magazine you find information about this lovely woman of a certain age along with another flight attendant, C. J. Bostic who has also worked for Southwest Airlines for 45 years.   By all accords they have no intention of retiring–they actually like their job.

Click the link to read about this two amazing  women of a certain age:  Southwest Airlines Magazine. 

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”, and do something you enjoy like Sandra and C. J.  They still got it!  They show us that women of a certain age can’t be defined.  Got to love it! Do you still have it?

 

7 Steps To Start Your Work Day

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When it comes to starting my work day, I am a creature of habit.  Some of the habits were added as I matured, but a few have always been set in place. I’m not talking about brushing my teeth, washing my face–things that everyone should do.  I’m talking about things that help my day go better.

I’m not saying this is how you should start your work day, but give it a try–it may help.  I always start the day off in silence. A minister told me once that you can’t hear God with all the noise–television, radio, etc. Here’s how I start my day.wake-up-monday

  •  Prayer–I always start (and end) my day thanking God for waking me up.  Sometimes all I can say is “thank you, thank you”, and ask blessings on my family and friends and a few others.  The prayer can be long, short or in between, but it is always a prayer of thanksgiving.  Even when I don’t feel well–I still pray.
  • While my coffee makes, I do stretching exercises.  Don’t laugh, they really help.  You can hear your bones popping, and feel the stretching.  Watch a cat get up from a nap, she never just gets up and moves, she stretches–slowly and then she is off. Take about 5 minutes, sit on the floor, lay on the floor however, you want to do them.  You can find some easy ones online or just make up some.  The point is stretch.
  • While drinking my coffee, I read my devotional.  One of my favorites is by President Jimmy Carter.  It gives you scripture, but it also gives you daily examples that pertain to the scripture.  I like this devotional because you don’t have to do it in any particular order.  You can find a great many online.
  • I finish my coffee with a little something for breakfast.  In all honesty I try to eat a little something healthy–oatmeal, toast (avocado toast is amazing), fruit and nuts or just toast and jelly.  Yep real butter and jelly.
  • I finally turn the television on.  I turn to the local news.  It seems that the local news has more good news than the national news–local sports, girl scouts, paying it forward, etc. (I watch the same local news each day, we’re on a first name basis).  I have to see about the weather forecast and the traffic report. While looking at the news, I look through the local paper.
  • After the local news, I look at about the first 10 minutes of the national news to make sure we as a nation are still okay.  That’s about all I can take.
  • When I have had enough national news, I find something funny to watch while I get dress for work.  It is usually an old comedy rerun.  They make me laugh, smile and warm my heart. Laughter will allow you to keep calm when you are cut off in traffic–seriously it works.

It may seem that this is a lot, but I have it down to a science.  If I miss a step, it seems that my work day is off.  Each of the steps has a purpose, and flows directly into the next step.

Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.  Start your work day off to a good start–it takes planning.

Isn’t She Lovely–Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner

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 2016 Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner–Tracy Marshall

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Tracy is an amazing woman of a certain age. She is the creator of the lifestyle blog–Tracy Marshall 1961 Blog which features articles on topics from travel, great gifts, family adventures and more. She is the winner of our 2016 Mother’s Day Giveaway.  Her lovely price is the beautiful statement necklace donated by Kendra Scott*

Mother’s Day Winner

 

Congratulations Tracy!  Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.

*Special thanks to Kendra Scott, 1612 South University Drive, Fort Worth, TX  76107