On the last day of each month I like to end with inspiration. We are bombarded every day with negative news and the stress of living. It's important to focus on positive messages and thoughts. Inspiration is all around us but it is hard to see sometimes.
Let's end July with some messages from women over 50 who rock!

Enjoy!

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise walk with the knowledge
             that you are never alone."           
      - Audrey Hepburn, (age 74)

"You only live once, but if you do it right,
            once is enough."           
 - Mae West (age 84)

"The most beautiful people we have known
are those who have known defeat,
known suffering,
known struggle,
known loss,
and have found their way out of the depths.
These persons have an appreciation,
a sensitivity,
and an understanding of life
that fills them with compassion,
gentleness,
and a deep loving concern.
          Beautiful people do not just happen."            
 - Elizabeth Kubler Ross (age 78)

"If you are always trying to be normal,
   you will never know how amazing you can be."  
       - Maya Angelou (age 86)

"I'd rather regret the things I have done
       than regret the things I haven't done."     
 - Lucille Ball (age 77 )

Hope you find inspiration and fuel for your fire in the words of these strong older women. 
Live a life that is on fire! 

Do you find inspiration in the words of other women? Do the success stories of people over 50 inspire you to do more or be more? Where do you go for encouragement?

XOXO

​"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. 
It is just like the days.
An old day passes, a new day arrives. 
The important thing is to make it meaningful:
a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day."
- Dalai Lama -

As we get older, good friendships are harder to find and even harder to hold on to. My mother had a good friend until she was in her early 70s, then her best friend passed away. My dad was already gone and that left her alone. Fortunately, she was able to make a new good friend at the church she started to attend, but it was never the same.  That's the down side to aging.
The up side to aging is this: My mother lost her best friend, but she was smart enough to go out and get involved with women at a church and she made new friends who were about her same age. They may not have ever filled the space of her best friend, but it helped. That's the thing about aging and being alone. If you lock yourself away in a house and never go anywhere where people are, you will never make any new friends to help with the loss of your long time friends who have passed.

"Fear makes strangers of people
who would be friends." 
- Shirley MacLaine -

The lesson is, get out of the house.
Here are a few places where you can find people and hopefully make new friends:
1.    Churches
2.    Book clubs at the public library
3.    Bowling leagues
4.    Quilt Guilds
5.    Knitting Clubs
6.    Continuing education classes at local community colleges
(most of these should be free)
7.    Volunteer organizations: Volunteer and you will meet other volunteers
8.    Clubs: Any club that does what you are interested in. A hiking club,
travel club, board game club,
cooking clubs, etc.
9.    YMCA or a Gym (can be a bit pricey, but if you can afford it, you can get exercise and meet people)
10.    Any place where there are people, try to get involved. Stay on the legal side 😊 and
I don't recommend bars or other such places. Those are not the best places to meet people.

If you live long enough, you will experience loss of companions. Don't forget those companions that have passed away, but don't get lost in your sorrow. Meeting other people, even for short periods of time, will help to ease the pain and provide a different kind of companionship.
Also, remember to stay busy. Fill your life with things you enjoy doing. It's not all that bad to spend time with the really best friend of your life:  YOU!

"The best time to make friends is before you need them." 
- Ethel Barrymore -

Have you lost a dear friend or family member to death or illness? How did you handle that loss? Do you make an effort to meet new people? Where do you go and how do meet new people? Share any tips, ideas, or thoughts that may help others who are feeling the loneliness of loss.

XOXO

When you no longer have children at home you find that you don't need as much room to live as you did when they were living with you. With or without a spouse, you just don't need as much space to live. What are your choices? 

Here are a few choices for older adults living alone or with a spouse:
    1.    Apartment living
    2.    Condo living
    3.    Stay in own home, shut some rooms off
    4.    Buy a smaller home, but still big enough to house visiting family
    5.    Buy a travel trailer and see the country, rent a spot at the lake or ocean
    6.    Buy or build a tiny house behind your main house and rent out the main house
    7.    Travel the world living in house exchanges
    8.    Build a tiny house on a trailer and pull it around, living like a nomad
    9.    Move in with family members
    10.    Get some room mates and form your own "Golden Girls" environment
    11.    Move into a retirement village

I am sure I have left other options off, but you get the idea. There are lots of options for older people either living with a spouse or alone.  The problem is choosing the best option for you. 

There are lots of considerations before you make this decision:
    1.    Will you be able to pay it off and not have a mortgage?
    2.    Will you be starting a mortgage where you don't have one now?
    3.    Do you have hobbies that require space to do them?
    4.    Are you healthy enough to travel the USA or overseas?
    5.    Do you want to be close to grandchildren and family?
    6.    What are the total living expenses for the type of change you want to make? Can you
afford it?
(Taxes, utilities, insurance costs, etc.)
    7.    Do you want a lawn to mow and shrubs to trim?
    8.    Do you want to move periodically or stay in one place?
    9.    Can you afford to stay where you are now and is it suitable for your needs?
    10.    Do you need to be around other seniors, do you crave companionship?
    11.    Do you want to live in a different environment, such as
the mountains,
or the beach,
or in the desert?
    12.    Do you have special needs that are not                being met where you are currently living?
(need a warmer climate,
need drier air,
access to fitness centers, etc.)
    13.    If you decide to move, can you manage the move by yourself?
If not, do you have friends or
family that are willing and
able to help you move?
    14.    What do you really want?????

The most important question is what do you really want. Once you know what you want, then you must determine if it is something you can do and something you should do. I have found that if we want something bad enough, we will find a way to make it happen. 
However, with dwindling funds, health issues, and lifestyle needs, you need to be completely and totally honest about what you are able to do. For example, if you always dreamed of living at the beach, but you can't afford a home on the ocean front, perhaps a house that is a few blocks away or an apartment/condo in a high rise will provide the view you desire and the costs you can afford. It may be a matter of minor compromises or sometimes, a complete change in  dream. Be honest with yourself about what you want, what you can do, what you can afford, and what you need. 

Have you changed your lifestyle recently due to retirement or an empty nest? Did you downsize? Did you move to your dream location - mountains, beach, desert, etc.? How did you decide to make this change? Do you have any tips to help someone else who is making this change?

XOXO

For most women ​wearing makeup is a part of life . The costs for various brands range from the low cost ($1.00 and up) to the high cost (over $30.00). Some cosmetics can cost over $100.00. That's a lot of money to spend on something that you put on your face for a few hours then wash off. So, what's the deal? Are the more expensive cosmetics better than the lower cost ones?
I have worn makeup for a long, long time. I have used low cost cosmetics as well as the higher cost ones. This is only my opinion, you have to make your own mind up, but I will share with you my thoughts.
Some of the higher end brands are very good, while others don't perform any better than the cheapest brands. Most of what I use is in the middle.
 
Here is a list of the items that as of today, I use and will repurchase because I like them:

(You will find multiple products in some categories. These are products I have used, like, and provides a choice in the event that I can't find a certain product.)

⦁    Tarte 360 Crease-proof eyelid primer - $20.00 at Sephora
    (Just about the only eyelid primer that actually prevents creasing and "globbing" of eyeshadow on my eyelids. It also helps smooth creppy skin on eyelids. Lasts a long time because you only use a tiny amount to cover eyelids.)

⦁    Foundation Primer:
Maybeline Master Face primer (green formula) - $7.94 at Walmart.com   
    (The green formula neutralizes the red blotches on my pale older skin.)
    Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - $39 at Sephora or $36 at Ulta
    (This is the best, but it is also the most expensive. Maybelline Master Face works good and is     considerably less expensive.)

⦁    Foundation:
Revlon CC age-defying cream foundation - $12.88 at Walmart.com (Good) or
     Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless 3 in 1 liquid foundation - $12 at Walmart
    (The best I have found so far. Creamy, smooth when applied with the beauty blender sponge     and lasts a long time over the primer.)

⦁    Maybeline Lash Sensational - $6.94 at Walmart.com

⦁  Eyeshadow: 
 NYX matte trio eye shadows (not sure you can still get this) - $5.00 on-sale at Ulta
    (Love these colors and they go on really smooth.)  
    Maybeline The Nudes palate eye shadows - $9.98 at Walmart.com 
    (12 colors: sands, bronzes, taupes; About half mattes and half shimmer. I don't do shimmer, it     makes my eyes look older. So, if these were all mattes, I would love it. However, I do  love     the mattes that it does     have.)

⦁        Wet'n Wild Brown Kohl eyeliner pencil - $.99 at Walgreens and Walmart stores
        (I finally learned how to apply this and I love it. I am not a liquid eyeliner person. I tried several liquids and none of them looked natural on me. This pencil is super cheap and if you use it properly, looks natural and stays on a long time. HINT: lay the pencil on its side to draw the line and stay close to the edge of the lashes. Also, don't pull your eye,just drag the pencil across.)

⦁  Eyebrows:  
Wet'n Wild dark brown eyebrow pencil with spoolie - $1.99 at Walmart
    (Another great product that won't break the bank, but you have to learn how to use it properly. I brush my eyebrows down and use the pencil to fill in the gaps. Then I take the spoolie end and brush them back upwards until the pencil is blended in, but still there. Sometimes, I have to do it twice to get it right.)
    Revlon Brow Fantasy by Colorstay - $7.00 at Walmart or $9.00 at Ulta 
    This is a two step process, the eyebrow pencil for shaping the brow and a colored eyebrow     gel for filling in and sealing. The price varies considerably, but it worth the minimal cost.

⦁    Maybeline Fit Me face powder (when needed) - $5.74 at Walmart.com
    (I only use this when I am going  to be in an unairconditioned building. Heat is not my friend. I sleep in a cool room, I use the air conditioner year-round in the car, unless it is below 50 degrees outside and I don't always wear a sweater or jacket in the winter...maybe if there's snow on the ground or it is really, really cold. This is a fairly new product and so far, I love it.)

⦁   Brushes: 
Elf makeup brushes - $1.00 to 6.00 each at Walmart.com
    (Blending brush - $3; Powder brush - $2; Eye Shadow brush - $3; Eye Crease brush - $1 
    I have more expensive brushes, but I honestly can't see how they are better. E.l.f. makes a good brush. Sometimes when they new, you may have a stray hair come lose from the brush on your face, but once you have used them a few times, that stops. I have had the same thing happen with more expensive brushes, so that is not a problem.)
    Mary Kay makeup brushes - 5 pc set sells for $55 currently at MaryKay.com
    (Older brushes, great quality, pricey, probably won't replace these.)
    Beauty Blending Sponge - $4.99 at Ulta stores
    (Love this product. This is the one thing that most of the vloggers I follow use and I know why - It works great. Mine has a large round flat end and smaller, pointed end. The large end is great for blending makeup over my face, the pointed end is great for blending concealer in the creases around my eyes. Did I say, I love this product? Well, I love this product!)
    Ecotools Eye Enhancing Duo Bamboo brushes, 2 pc with 4 brush heads - $5.99 at Walmart
    (Nice brushes, becoming my favorites.)

⦁    Various Lipsticks and lip liners: 
    Wet n Wild - $3.95 at Walmart.com
    Revlon Ultra HD - $7.99 at Ulta
    L'oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour - $7.99 at Ulta
    Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick - $17.00 at Ulta
    Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color - $7.99 at Walmart and $8.99 at Ulta (This is a long lasting color)

There are a lot of great cosmetics at every price point, but I like to replace mine often and at the prices I pay, I can afford to replace as often as I like.

Well, wasn't that fun? I just went over everything I put on my face to make me presentable. I don't like a lot of makeup, so I use it lightly. 
As I have aged, I find that my skin is not as even in tone as it was when I was younger. The green face primer is great because it neutralizes redness and blurs fine lines. I use the Tarte eye primer because it is the best I have found and if I don't use an eyelid primer, I find that my eye shadow will crease. Using Tarte 360 helps a lot with this.

I will admit that I failed to properly care for my skin when I was a young mother. A lot of nights I was lucky if I got my faced washed, with regular soap and water. However, the older I get, the more I realize how bad that was for my skin. I have improved my skin a lot in the last few years, just by keeping it clean and moisturized.
 
Makeup is only color. The expense can not be justified, if a lower cost brand looks just as good. Some shadows flake badly or have a lot of powder residue, I don't like that. I love most E.l.f. products, but their powder shadows and blushes are just too flaky. I actually don't use a lot of blush. 

I also don't use bronzers. I tried several of them and with my pale complexion and the red areas, bronzers just don't seem to work well for me. They look really good on a lot of people, just not that good on me. Sometimes less is more - ☺

I have experimented with various types of makeup, brands, and heaviness levels. I just feel better with a good skincare regimen and light overall makeup. Eyeliner, mascara, and brow liner are three things I need. If I don't use eyeliner and mascara, my blue eyes just disappear into my face. If I don't fill in the spaces on my older brows, they look choppy. So eyeliner, eyebrow liner, and mascara are must haves for my face.

"Be your own kind of beautiful!" - Anonymous

NOTE: The statements made in this post are just my opinions. I am not an expert, I just know what works for me. If you try any of these products and they don't work, I apologize, but I am not making recommendations. Use the information I provided how you choose, try things out for yourself, and decide what works best for you. 
​
If this helps anyone over fifty with makeup issues, I am glad I shared this. ☺

What cosmetics do you use and why? If you have an recommendations, suggestions, or thoughts about makeup or skincare, please share those in the comments or email me. 

XOXO

​When we are young, drama can sometimes seem attractive. Teenage girls seem to thrive on drama. As a person over the age of 50, I can tell you that the less drama I have in my life the better. Peace and happiness are two of the most sought after feelings in my life today.
It would be wonderful if we could be adults and not have to worry about paying that stack of bills, what the insurance will pay on my last doctor's visit, or if I am losing my mind. (😊 don't tell me you don't wonder about that as well.) In truth, life gets harder the older we get. Things that we have no control over and that we must deal with are around every corner.
​
There are thieves in our midst, however, that seek (unknowingly) to rob us of our peace and happiness. The thief may be a family member or a friend. It could also be the clerk at the grocery or the receptionist at the doctor's office. People who want to dump their problems or their bad mood onto us. They may not even realize they are thieves. Often they think they are simply sharing their life with you. Harmless complaining or expressions of anger, sadness, or worry.
When someone reaches out to us with a problem, we must decide if the problem is a legitimate problem that requires our assistance or if it's just a gripe session that we need to protect ourselves from. It is true that sometimes, the person who reaches out to us with a problem, may just need to vent to someone and then it's over. That's not bad. Often times this person wants to dump on you and have you be their support person - but where do you take it then?

There are choices to make:
    1.  Do you take their problems and make them yours, trying to help them? 
    2,  Do you offer solutions and then walk away and let them deal with it? 
    3.  Do you let it drag you down and ruin your otherwise happy day? 
    4,  Do you listen, offer any assistance you can, and then leave, allowing them
to help themselves
and you to hold on to your own
happiness and peace?

The important thing to remember is this: allowing yourself to be robbed of your happiness and peace is not going to help the other person, so don't allow it. If you want to help the person, then listen to them. Decide if they have a real problem or just a bad moment. If you can offer a kind word to lift them, then offer it. If you can offer a solution to their problem, then offer it. If you just want to listen and allow them to "vent", then listen. Then walk away and know that you have done everything you can to help them, with your own happiness and peace intact.

Now, having said that, we all know that as humans and believers in God, we must offer our help. What that involves is sometimes a grey area. We don't want a woman who is telling us she is being physically abused by her husband to just vent and then walk off and leave her. Something like that requires more action and we should offer it. If someone lost their job and they don't have food for their family, we must help them in any way we can. However, if the problem is something like "I hate my job" or "my kids are driving me nuts" or something equally common, we have no obligation to help them find a better job or take their children for a few days. That would be taking our own happiness and peace away, rather giving it away, and that's not expected of us. In those cases, just listen and if you have a suggestion make it.

"Wherever a man turns
he can find someone who needs him."
 - Albert Schweitzer

As older people, we have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share, but please don't let that make you feel that you have to solve everyone's problems. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on now and then, but everyone also needs to learn to solve their own problems and not dump on you out of habit..

Bottom line? Help where you can and then move on. Don't let yourself be robbed of peace in your life or your happiness. 

    "An optimist is a person
who sees a green light everywhere,
while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight
... the truly wise person is colorblind. "
 - Albert Schweitzer

Do you have a friend or family member who is always in "crisis" mode and brings their "problems" to you? Do they dump on you and leave happy, while you now feel down? Have you found a healthy way to deal with other's issues while retaining your joy and peace? 

XOXO