O Happy Day

O happy day. In my humble home, on my cushy sofa, in pajama pants, I indulged myself in front of our plain ol' 27" TV. What else could have been more important for me to do right now, this special morning? I watched the Inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama.

Gratitude. I felt the surge of emotion and joyous gratitude, resonating from the thousands of people packed shoulder to shoulder in the 27 degree D.C. morning. I am so grateful to be able to watch, to share this moment, just as millions more watch on TVs around our nation. And I am grateful for this time in our country, when one man, with the nation's hope and faith will take the helm and steer our nation, government and people; making the difficult turn to set us on a better course. Hope and Faith that we will unite, forgive, trust and work together. It's a prayer, sent out into the vast and mysterious atmosphere of our lives. I declare it a happy day!

Are You Ready for Prime Time?

I’m 55 years old and I've been noticing that most of my peers, friends and associates are now between the ages of 50 and 70 years old. I'm declaring that we are in our prime! What if 50 to 70 years old is the “Prime Time” of our life?

Just knowing more about ourselves: been all over there and done all that! Maybe retirement and the freedom to realize dreams of travel. Or choosing to work on projects and occupations that we actually want to do. Folks with grand kids to enjoy...gleefully handing them back to the parents to do the real job of child rearing.

Because I feel that this is my Prime Time, I am more aware of the importance of my health, especially prevention and sustainability. I realize that I don't actually have a "choice", whether to take care of myself or not. You see, at this age my body is only going to keep going with how I've managed it so far. I know that from now on, things will get "worse"...in terms of slower, saggy-er, etc. But that doesn't stop me from getting more information about how to sustain what I've got and committing to what will sustain my energy, flexibility and healthy cell structure. I've been learning about "cell structure", and really getting the picture of how my body is connected by all these buoyant little cells, communicating and interacting, making up this big mass of fun called Me.

Maybe the Saturday Night Live crew was “not quite ready for Prime Time” on television; but I’m so grateful to be a Prime Time Player in 2009!

Comfort and Joy

Having Faith is having strength and courage. They all join together. Are my requests and desires folly? It doesn't matter. What I believe in matters... And if I look beyond the physical, what matters is what I feel in my heart and how I make others feel. As I grow beyond my physical "needs" I open up to Faith, Belief, Love and Compassion.

For a couple of weeks this time of year, that is what this season brings us. We all can tap into the comfort and joy if we choose.

I love the smell of PVC in the morning...

I love shopping and playing dress-up in the fabulous fashions at Nordstrom and designer stores. I say "playing dress-up" because most of the time that's as far as it's gonna go. I'm not in the bracket to actually puchase real designer clothing. Our outlet stores give a pretty good quick fix, but I haven't gotten very close to the real thing.

Now with the downturn of our economy, even those who can afford to splurge are cinching in their Prada corsets. Never fear! In last Sunday's New York Times I read about the "Recessionistas"; those Fashionistas that are making do with what Nature never intended...polyvinyl chloride!Designers are designing for the masses (that means most of us) and thanks to Target and others you can get your designer fix. Knock-offs are nothing new, but I suppose they are on the upswing right now.

I'm sticking to my Hippocritical Oath! I too have an adorable PVC bag or two. I've got PVC stuff all over the house; laundry basket, coffee maker, coat hangers, mop, stereo equipment, computer, TV...anyone out there NOT have any of the toxic stuff? (I'd love to hear about it..nothing, really??) And to be sure, it is toxic. So, I'm just saying...let's be aware. Read about PVC here. And some great alternatives for a healthy home here.

But I like the Recessionista idea a lot! I say take it a bit further and make it more about recycling. I was about to buy a new pair of shoes the other day, then decided to wait until I got home and do my closet switch over from summer to fall/winter. Lo and behold I dug out 3 pairs of brown shoes and others that were, yes! back in style again! Really, what goes around definitely comes around in fashion.

And how about a Swap Party? Organize a free-for-all with your friends (I would think men's clothing could work too). More fun to share and sans the often musty ambiance of the local thrift store. Read about "how to" here.

I encourage you to visit http://therecessionista.blogspot.com Mary Hall's got it down and is providing a great resource! And she's been written up in the New York Times! The lady is living my life I tell ya! Big Smile! =)

Les-Misbarack

Uplifting! Inspiring! Oh..just have fun!