I need an office.  Trying to write, in this atmosphere, is at times a futile gesture.  Insanity rules in a house with teenagers and while I am trying to think deep and important thoughts, I can’t write with a teenager screaming in my ear.  This is especially true when the undercurrents of what is being screamed is, “I need to be grounded because I have an out-of-control smart mouth that is just begging for you to discipline it.”  Get the picture?

I have found my office.  Online no less.  I just have to pony up the bucks (about $150K) and find the trees and its mine… all mine.  I love the whole premise.  It isn’t the Ewok thing.  To me it is more reminiscent of Robin Hood (the movie) and anything that might happen to bring Kevin Costner along is also, very okay. 

I can just picture the inside filled with my teddy bear and doll collection.  I can hear the music I love playing within my spherical dwelling.  I could have a little refrigerator in there filled with my favorite goodies - well, it has to be a freezer because I have to have my ice cream.  With that, in my future sphere, I can write the Great American Novel.

I am just hoping this thing comes with a “NO KIDS ALLOWED” sign!!

Free Spirit Spheres

This is a great deal and if you are a writer, you don’t want to miss it!

The National Association of Women Writers and the National Association of Baby Boomer Women have partnered together to offer memberships for the price of one through the end of June.

The National Association of Women Writers and the National Association of Baby Boomer Women have partnered together to help women find a strong support system as they enter midlife. From now until June 30, members will receive a free membership to the NABBW when they join or renew their memberships with the NAWW. This opportunity to join NABBW for free is valued at $75.

Those interested in joining will find that the following statements apply to them:

• I’ve always wanted to write.
• I’m a writer and need to belong to a group of encouraging women writers who will educate and support me.
• I’m tired of caring for my aging parents and my family too.
• What’s up with these hot flashes?
• What will I do in my empty nest?
• Should I be doing more to plan for retirement?
• I want to travel more.
• I never thought I’d be alone at midlife.
• I could use some encouragement and support at midlife.

Dotsie Bregel is the President and Founder of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women and Boomer Women Speak, #1 site on all search engines for Baby Boomer women. She is passionate about educating and empowering baby boomer women to live life to the fullest. Dotsie lives in Towson, Maryland with her husband Ross and their three children (ages 21, 18 and 17) and will have an empty nest in September.
Contact her toll free at 1-877-bboomer.

Sheri’ McConnell is the President and Founder of the National Association of Women Writers and the InfoMarket Network. She helps women writers and entrepreneurs discover, create, and profit from their intellectual knowledge. Sheri’ lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband Seth and their four children-ages 10, 9, 5 and a newborn. Contact her toll free at 866-821-5829.

Sheri’ and Dotsie invite all women writers and baby boomers to visit them online and consider taking advantage of this opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of both organizations for the price of one.

I met a wonderful woman the other day.  She came by my blog because she is a tomato, just like me.  She goes by Queen Jaw Jaw, which refers to her “sassy mouth,” which she claims to have retained throughout the red hair and fiery temper fading.  I like that.  My sassy mouth is much in gear too - some things are just too precious to let go.  At any rate, with a name like that, I had to check out her Web site.  And I loved it instantly.  At first it was the art, then it was the content.  It is just a great place to be. 

Queen Jaw Jaw is the self proclaimed Queen of Experiences.  I can relate to that, but I don’t think I’ll make a run at her throne. You absolutely have to love someone who won’t take advice from her son because he believes Elvis is really dead.  (It must be a Northern Alabama thing - I don’t know - but she was raised there so it must be something of an explanation.) 

The Queen has a link at the top of her site called, “Lunch Hour Specials.”  It is a short take that she writes about her outlook on life.  Thus I know about her son who lives in his delusion.  Her “Guest Writer” page is currently featuring an interview with Nancy Mills, Founder of Spirited Woman.  The interview is great; I have a theory - I won’t say a word about blondes, but redheads are known for - well you know what they are known for; we are just a handful.  Brunettes seem to be deep, intelligent, and insightful.  (We are too, we just feel a need to hide this to an extent to not overwhelm others with our depth.)

Now don’t miss “Trixie’s Page.”  Not every boxer has her own page.  (Aren’t boxers the dogs known for having a real problem with excessive gas?  Don’t tell Trixie I said that.  Don’t tell her owner either.)  But it’s Trixie’s writing gig and she has letters from her own readers.  An African grey parrot wrote her recently and… well, you can read the “Dear Abby” of dogs giving advice.

Queen Jaw Jaw also has writing contests.  This would be fun!  She publishes on her site the top three winners.  Probably with Trixie’s approval.  And she has a page of links to a lot of wonderful sites!  (Hey - how do I get in there?)

But the best part is Queen Jaw Jaw’s book, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Throne.  Now I have been using her ‘net name, but when you are talking book, it is time to get serious.  (I don’t know exactly HOW to do that, but I’ll give it a shot.)  Queen Jaw Jaw, known in reality (whatever that is) as Georgia Richardson has a book that I am hoping to read very soon.  I’ll tell you all about it then.  At this point, I am sure it is going to be a great look at life with a woman who has learned to not take herself terribly seriously.

Georgia Richardson is the Alabama Representative for The National Association of Women Writers, Humorist Expert for The National Association for Baby Boomer Women, and has had a monthly humor column for The Monthly View.

Not only is she gorgeous, talented, funny, and intelligent, she knows her stuff.  And deserves that throne!  Don’t EVEN think about touching it.

Queen Jaw Jaw

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Throne

Images used with permission of, and copyrighted by, Georgia Richardson

Have you seen “Fried Green Tomatoes?”  I love that movie.  It is the story of several different women at different stages of their lives and in different periods of time.  The main focus of the primary story is the main character, a woman going through the change, as she redefines herself, becomes more assertive, and finds meaning within the life she is leaving.  Much of her struggle, pre-HRT treatment, comes from feeling old.  Kathy Bates plays this character to the hilt.  I love her.  She is so funny in this movie and says without uttering a word at times, an entire message to women who are 50-something.

Much of the point of the Kathy Bates character is coming to a peace, and not just a peace, but to a total joy with the idea of being menopausal, post-menopausal, or at least 50-something.  She fears her husband has lost interest in her, she worries that she has nothing left to contribute, and she struggles with her loss of self-image. 

Through the stories of another woman, who is more like 80-something (played magnificently by the late Jessica Tandy) she finds that what she has to offer is still fresh, alive, and although not young, a whole lot better than anything youth has ever offered. 

Do we need to be young to offer something to the world?  To our families?  To our friends?  And what is young anyway!  There is something about knowing your feet are solidly planted on the ground.  About having security and knowing what your life is all about.  There is something about not being 30-something and still trying to figure out who you are.

My favorite quote from the movie?  It occurs in the scene where Evelyn (Kathy Bates) is becoming a whole lot more sure of herself and how she plays into the world around her.  She is faced with a couple of slim-hipped, hot looking, smart mouthing 20-somethings in a minor dispute over a parking place.  They zip in around her land yacht and steal the place away with their little snazzy VW bug.

Evelyn Couch: Hey! I was waiting for that spot!
Girl #1: Face it, lady, we’re younger and faster!
Evelyn rear-ends the other car six times (deliberately and quite forcefully, I might add)
Girl #1 (Screaming frantically): What are you *doing*?
Girl #2(Screaming equally forcefully and frantically): Are you *crazy*?
Evelyn Couch: Face it, girls, I’m older and I have more insurance.

When someone tries to make you feel like you are substandard or have nothing to contribute; or when they try to convince you that you aren’t in the running anymore and too old to play the game, remember you can afford to lose.  You’ve paid your dues.  You bought your coverage.  “Face it girls.  I’m older and have more insurance.”