For Women Old Enough to Know Better

CP Junior Jersey Sale, Also Store Closing

2008-07-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

Repeating what I wrote in my "CHM Biz News Blog." (Note the link to this blog in the sidebar here)...

My "For Women Old Enough to Know Better", a.k.a. grannygear, store, will be closing by August.

However, this "For Women Old Enough..." store is still open as I speak, and with a Junior Jersey Blow-Out Clearance Farewell and Closing Sale, at that.

I have marked my Junior Jersey prices way down throughout the "For Women Old Enough..." store. Add my mark-down to CafePress's Junior Jersey mark-down starting today, and you've got lots of savings. Take advantage - after all, school and Fall are coming before you know it. Get your nifty cheap Jerseys now.

Back to the "For Women Old Enough..." store... This CafePress Premium Store originated when CafePress offered me a free six-months deal for me to upgrade my Basic Store (a free store, but with limited options) to a Premium Store. I took up CafePress's offer, even though I was already busy with my first and original CafePress Premium Store, Music Stuff & More. "For Women Old Enough..." store did well those first six free months, so I kept it. It has always more than paid its way, still does, but I like the idea of consolidation now - it's easier, more convenient, simpler, for me and, I believe, for you customers. Oh, and there'll be one less store to make payments on...

You will now find your favorite graphics and merchandise from "For Women Old Enough..." store @ my Music Stuff & More store. (As you may have noticed, many of these graphics and merch have been there already.) Look in the "& More" area for your favorite non-musical - also women-oriented - graphics. I'm in the process of "revealing" them soon, after I get them all tidy and ready-for-primetime.

So, "For Women Old Enough..." is open now as I write, with great deals on Junior Jerseys throughout the store, but will no longer be open in August. I haven't figured out yet what to do with this "For Women Old Enough...", a.k.a. Groovy Ladies, Blog. It will remain open and running until I can figure out what to do with it, a decision which will be made sometime before long... Input regarding this blog is very welcome!

Please visit - and enjoy the extra Junior Jersey savings - @ "For Women Old Enough..." store.
And, Music Stuff & More store.
And, my brand-new www.zazzle.com/chmayer, which is Music Stuff & More @ Zazzle.

Please note that I am newly on Facebook. Feel free to send me a Message or give me a Facebook Poke. You'll find me under my real name. And, both my CafePress store and my new Zazzle store can be found on my Facebook Profile.

Take care. Keep cool.

Green tea protects against heart disease: study - Yahoo! News

2008-07-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Green tea protects against heart disease: study - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Yet another report about the value of green (also dark) tea.

Neat thing about tea, unlike coffee, it doesn't matter if it's hot, cold, or room temperature.

Drink up!

The New Stuff - Grafs & Merch

2008-07-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

Images of just a couple of my many new items... Above, the new Raspberry Baseball Cap with the new "InfiniStitch Embroidery." Below is one of the Obama graphics, somewhat obviously. This graphic looks great on buttons - I know, I ordered ten mini-buttons myself and am very pleased with how they turned out.

A few links to some of my new graphics and new merchandise:

See Music Stuff & More store's "Sales & Features" and "NEW NEW NEW" section and 2008 Election & 4th of July (Americana, generally, also includes Obama stuff). And still more Obama stuff in the "& More" section

I have mentioned previously the new *Pink* color for maternity tops, I hope. Also new: pet bowls, in both large and small sizes. Find some in the "NEW NEW NEW" section mentioned above.

I'm Back!

2008-06-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Please excuse my absence.

Hope you're having a fun - and cool - Summer.

I haven't - and am not going to - add anything new to the "For Women Old Enough..." store, but I've been real busy over at Music Stuff & More , also have opened a Zazzle store, and started a Facebook Page. Also LOTS of new graphics, plus new merchandise, too.

More soon - it's freakin' 10:50 pm on a Friday night and 83 degrees in this Office.

Enough said!

More soon (yes, soon!) - and I've begun this month's newsletter.

Take care. Keep cool, enjoy, and take it easy.

Don't Forget Mother's Day

2008-04-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

Shop at the For Women Old Enough...store or at Music Stuff & More for gifts for Mom, Grandma, or, heck, yourself (if you're a Mom or Grandma, you're very entitled to treat yourself, don't you think? You've earned it!).

See a section with Mother's Day Gift Ideas from my Music Stuff & More store

Also check out Moms Rule and I Heart Mom graphic merchandise and Grannies Rule, I Heart Grandma, and other loving Granny merch (Find Phat Granny and Groovy Grandma merch here as well.)

My CafePress Stores & the Earth

2008-03-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

Please visit my Music Stuff & More store, too, where you'll find even more Earthly merchandise.

And, don't forget my many green shirts, also organic T-shirts, as well as the re-usable $14 totebags available in both my CafePress Premium stores.

Happy Holidays

2008-03-22T14:11:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter. Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Got some new graphics in Music Stuff & More store: new blue treble clef Circle of Fifths graphics, also a new "HB - Huntington Beach" graphic.

Music Merchandise
"NEW NEW NEW' section and "Sales & Features" in Music Stuff & More store

Hormone use linked to cancer risks - Yahoo! News

2008-03-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

Hormone use linked to cancer risks - Yahoo! News (AP)

Yet another news release pointing to the harmful effects of hormone replacement therapy.

Turns out it's not "just" about breast cancer, but also lung and other cancers...

Just do your best to avoid the nasty stuff (Prempro, Premphase, etc.). There are other, better solutions to menopausal miseries most of the time. (Heck, even using a fan can be a huge help for hot flashes - what a concept!)

Signed,

Breast Cancer/Prempro & Premphase Survivor

GREEN

2008-03-03T20:32:00.000-08:00

Plugging my Green feature in my other CafePress store...

Are you a Green fan?

Irish? Environmental and Earth-Friendly?

Green is in.

Have you noticed how many politicians wear green ties these days? They wouldn't have been caught dead in the past wearing a *green* tie, likely. Unless maybe they're Irish and it's St. Patrick's day, or Christmas.

Anyway, I am featuring green graphics and green shirts in my Music Stuff & More store, check out this green stuff.

And, for the saving of the green (badly needed these days, the economy being in the state it's in...grumble...), check out the buttons, stickers, magnets, Value T-shirts (only $9.99) in both my big CafePress stores. Yes, you'll find some with green graphics in the feature mentioned above.

America : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2008-02-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

America : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

It's Super-Duper, Tsunami Tuesday tomorrow! The Nearly-Half- the-U.S. Presidential Primary!

Am I excited? Yes, can you tell?

Hey, even the fact that a woman is being considered, has a real chance to be a presidential candidate, is a big deal.

But, for me, either an Obama win or a Hillary win is a very good thing. I'll admit I've already mailed-in my vote for Hillary. Very hard to choose - both candidates are so good.

The live links up top are to my American eagles and "Democratic Progress" (yes, appropriate for either Obama or Hillary) graphics/merchandise.

For more of these 2008 Election graphic and merchandise check out my Music Stuff & More store, at this link and at this link

(BTW, behind the scenes I'm in the process of re-organizing my stores, which will result in my not pointing out merchandise in a number of different places! It will be consolidation as well as re-organizing, making my stores easier to use for you - and for me, as well. Ties into the creation of that long-discussed new website of mine, too, which makes sense if you think about it.)

Now, be sure to vote tomorrow!

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2008-01-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

An update!

Please note the Valentine section here. : )

Are you ready to vote in your Primary? I'm mailing my ballot in today or tomorrow and I still haven't been able to commit - Hillary? Obama? FWIW, I'd be happy with either.

If you're either an Obama or a Hillary fan, you might want to check out...

Democratic Progress (as well as American eagles...) in this store

or

Democratic Progress found in my Music Stuff & More store (lots more merch here)

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

2007-12-24T17:12:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a safe, happy, healthy Holiday Season! Peace & Joy to All.

Carolyn

The New Bigger Buttons are Here

2007-10-31T17:27:00.000-07:00

The new bigger - 3.5" - buttons are now in this Store in its "Sales & Features" section.

More will be coming. More are located in my other big CP store, Music Stuff & More

No, I don't have any 2008 presidential election campaign buttons, etc. right now, as I don't have a favorite presidential candidate yet. Maybe I'll make one for Hillary, one for Obama, one for Edwards...

(believe it or not, FWIW, I still do have the Kerry-Edwards stuff in the back here)

Being in California I would get any of these presidential graphics out well before our Primary, which is in January, I believe.

P.S. Re the Southern California fires thing... I have been safe, but sick, from it. The Santiago Canyon fire, which the firefighters are still fighting, was headed straight for one of my daughters' neighborhood until the good firefighters "corralled" the flames. Daughter Sarah lives right over that now infamous Orange County-Riverside County ridgeline/border. The firefighters held their Riverside County townhall meeting right in my grandtwins' school! Scary, but okay now. And, I don't expect this coming weekend's Santa Ana winds to be a problem. The air has been really crappy here, but slowly getting cleaner, I'm happy to say. BTW, the Orange County Red Cross has met their limit for O.C. fire donations - good for my fellow Californios. (Please note how well our evacuations to the Qualcomm Stadium went, I say, with a bit of smugness and pride for our Golden State. And, how about those firefighters?! Our heroes! As always.)

Anyway, *big* buttons are here. : )

Oh, and happy Halloween.

CafePress Bigger Buttons Coming...

2007-09-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

...also Yard Signs.

In mid-October this new merchandise will be rolled out. CafePress is thinking the 2008 Election especially.

I have zero ideas for Yard Signs right now, especially since I have yet to choose a candidate. (You may notice that I have "For Gore" stuff available, but Al seems to be showing less and less interest in declaring his candidacy for president, seeming full up on other important projects, such as winning awards and climate change, etc. Darn.) So, yeah, I'll have to make my choice by January (CA Primary), but I haven't zeroed in on anybody yet. Perhaps I'll do several candidates' stuff, since I don't have a favorite right now, anyway? That's a possiblity.

Regardless, I'll put out some of the new, bigger buttons - 3.5" - with some non-political graphics. As in, bigger versions of buttons I already have out there in my stores. Be nice stocking stuffers, etc. Nifty to stick an Earth button on your re-usable totebag (here @ only $14.99), too.

Stay tuned. Again, this new merch will be rolled out in mid-October. The new buttons will come out fast, as they're really easy for me to whip up with the graphics already present.

News w/ More to Come RSN

2007-09-16T20:42:00.000-07:00

I've been busy working on my other blogs and stores (it's 9 pm already!), but I want to let you in on some news for now, with more later this week.

Check out the new feed from my primary blog - CHM Biz News Blog - which you'll find on the sidebar here. There's a CafePress sale!

It's a good idea to keep an eye on the CHM Biz News Blog, anyway, as it's the best information source about my business, with the possible exception of my monthly CafePress newsletter.

You may also want to check out my Music Stuff Blog, also found here, with a horizontal banner toward the bottom of this Page, not on the sidebar. There's some fun stuff I just put up there you might enjoy. Involving music, of course.

And, last, but certainly not least (and I should have mentioned this on the CBN Blog, but...later...), and that is...I think I have my price mess cleaned up. I'm not yet ready to signal the 100% all-clear, but all is looking good, and has for a few days now. CafePress IT is still working on the issue (I certainly wasn't alone with this problem!), when *they're* done, then I'll feel all is corrected. Just an FYI, especially for those of you who read my newsletter which referred to this.

Now, I'm off to dinner and the rest of the Emmies (or is that Emmys?).

: )

Poll: Family ties key to youth happiness

2007-08-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Poll: Family ties key to youth happiness - Yahoo! News (AP)

Interesting, important, and, especially if you're a mom, encouraging survey done by the Associated Press and, yes, MTV.

IMHO, these two together - AP and MTV - could come up with a pretty good overview of what's going on with today's youth.

Hey, some good news (for a change). : )

Keep cool.

Stopping By & Update

2007-08-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hope all are keeping cool!

The "limited time" "Buy 3 Shirts, Get 1 Free" CafePress promotion is over now.

I have been hard at work re-organizing my CafePress premium stores, as you may notice, also adding new graphics and merch. Been busy putting together Back-to-School Features as well (which I had better complete RSN!).

I've been in the process of marking down my Value T-Shirts.

My Value T-Shirt mark-down is for two reasons:

CafePress will be increasing its price for printing on a second side later this month. What this means is that either we shopkeepers can pass along the price increase to you guys (!), we can cut our mark-up (!!), or we can remove the graphics on the second side (a ton of extra work on top of an already heavy workload at the busiest part of the online retail year). I most likely will do the first and third: pass along the mark-up, plus start removing some - but not all! - of the second graphics. What this means is that all my merch printed on two sides will be slightly more expensive, but you'll start to be seeing prices drop as I remove the second graphics from many items. BTW, I have many, many items (most?) which have only one graphic, so they will not be affected in any way, price or otherwise. So....to make a long story shorter, my offering the Value tees at a lower price, may compensate a little for the increased price of the two-graphic items. (I'm giving it a shot for now, anyway. Running it up the flag pole; seeing if it will fly.)
The economy. It's getting a little ugly out there. The stock market has been like a roller-coaster this year - you have to hang on tight, and it's starting to get a little sick and nauseating. Then there's all those "sub-slime" (thank you for this apt word, Jim Cramer) and otherwise screwed-up mortgages and other "creative" financing/credit crunch. Gasoline prices, higher food prices... It's not a time to expect people to want to throw around their cash. It's a time where someone might be more interested in spending $9.99 for a tee she really likes and can afford, while, perhaps, the more expensive shirts have to be passed up (especially those with that added two-graphic CafePress mark-up!). The more flush among you won't care, but I do have sympathy for those who are uncomfortable shelling out more than $9.99 for a T-shirt at this time.

Telling you far more than I should, it's good news/bad news for me when I sell stickers, buttons, magnets, Value Tees, and the like. Good news in that I made a sale and that someone has appreciated and is now enjoying my stuff. But a little disappointing in that I'm making only $1 or two on the sale. (The more expensive items bring me $5 or more...)

Anyway, I'm way long, too long here. Just updating you, and wishing you well. Keep cool!

Study: Chocolate reduces blood pressure

2007-07-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Study: Chocolate reduces blood pressure - Yahoo! News (AP)

Yet another "chocolate is good for you" story...

Note the mention, also, once again, of the healthiness of red wine.

Yes, I've got my red wine and my 60% cacao dark chocolate. What a wonderful way to be healthier.

Of course, the trick is to have just a little of these items.

Along with fewer carbs, calories, "bad" fats, less salt, smaller portions... As well as plenty of regular exercise.

Keep cool!

Have a happy 4th of July, Americans out there!

New Merch, New Music Graphics, etc.

2007-07-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

This is bad, because I'm going to be directing you to my other CafePress premium store today, Music Stuff & More.

Well, for you ladies interested in music you'll appreciate my new music graphics, and all of you will get to see the new Junior Jersey.

The new Jersey is basically an elongated T-Shirt and comes in your choice of white, a light coral pink, or a light aqua blue. See it here.

The new music graphics? Customers requested a purple Circle of Fifths and a Bass Clef Circle of Fifths, so I made some recently. Check out the "NEW NEW NEW" section in Music Stuff & More to see what I'm talking about.

Next steps? One of them will be to update the "For Women Old Enough..." store! I'll include the new Junior Jersey (see above) there.

Keep cool! And have a good 4th of July, all you Americans out there.

New Merch & Other News

2007-06-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

I've been literally under the weather lately (bleeping climate change affecting my eyes, lungs, and sinuses - the downside of living in SoCal), as a result I haven't been keeping up with all my work as well as I'd like.

Can't believe I didn't post here yet about the arrival of the new Junior spaghetti tank tops and the new maternity tops, many of which have been in the For Women Old Enough... store for a while now. I do plan to add yet more. Check them out in "Sales & Features" The maternity tops come in black or white. The new spaghetti tank tops come in pastels as well as in white. See still more of this merch in the "Moms Rule" sections, and elsewhere in For Women Old Enough..., as well as in the Music Stuff & More store.

Here's some other - this is brand-new - news regarding all my CafePress stores from my CHM Biz News Blog (and please subscribe while you're there).

Of particular interest For Women Old Enough... (both you and the CafePress store), are the new Junior Jersey T-Shirts, which will be replacing the soon-to-be-former Junior Baby Doll T-Shirts. These are expected to be of higher quality - and will be offered in pink or blue, as well as in white. These new Jerseys ought to be in my CafePress stores within the next few days, according to CafePress, which is doing the bulk of the adding (quicker for you, easier for me - good news all around).

To view these changes at my family-friendly, women-friendly, children-family other CafePress store - a bigger one, frankly (huge!), please visit Music Stuff & More

I also recommend, once again, subscribing to my monthly CafePress newsletter. I'm really good at getting this newsletter out every month for years and years now, and still am, come heck or high water. It's probably the best way to keep up with what's going on regarding my CafePress stores. (Yes, I'm still working on my website - !, and still upgrading my blogs...).

You'll find my monthly CafePress Newsletter subscription/sign-up thingie in a box there on the right sidebar here, as well as on my CafePress premium stores' Storefronts.

Yet more, on a personal note: Yes, I've seen the new "Pirates", I'm happy to report : )

And, Friday's my birthday - no milestone, though. Yes, that makes me a Gemini. Not surprising, I am pretty much of an airhead. ; )

Be well, and do have good weather.

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2007-05-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

I hope that you moms out there had a good Mother's Day!

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

A "For Women Old Enough..." store update:

This Page linked to above will give you a good summary of what's new in the store. But, I'll also make a list here:

~ From now on, ALL of my totebags in both of my CafePress premium stores (that would be "For Women Old Enough..." as well as "Music Stuff & More") will be sold at the reduced price of $14.00. This is to encourage bag re-use, yet another way we can help our planet - and, ultimately, ourselves.

These CafePress canvas totebags are good for re-use, being strong, easily washable cotton canvas. The bags can also be used as shoulder bags. (I've a couple of these bags myself, so I do have personal experience with using them.)

~ Along that line, surely you've seen the World in the "For Women..." store. No, really, the Planet Earth. CafePress merchandise with a high-quality NASA photo of the Western Hemisphere of the Earth graphic is now available in both of my CafePress premium stores.

~ There is brand-new CafePress merchandise available. I've been starting to add the maternity tops (in both white and in black) and the new Junior spaghetti tank tops (in nice colors) to both of my CafePress premium stores. Also, I continue to add other merchandise (always working at catching up) to both stores.

~ As I've mentioned previously, here and/or in my monthly CafePress newsletter or CHM Biz News Blog, some CafePress merchandise is about to be discontinued.

In fact, if CafePress doesn't remove the U.S. Custom Postage right away, I should/will, because the price of postage is changing this week, while this postage is not (being 39 cents). All in all, I recommend not buying the CafePress Custom Postage - or for that matter, the soon-to-be-discontinued CafePress Postage Pals. Actually, these postal items may already be unavailable.

CafePress apparel to be discontinued in early June include the Junior camisoles, the Junior baby-doll T-shirts (to be replaced with new Junior jerseys - stay tuned), and the light-blue trucker hats.

Note that the black trucker hats will continue to be available and are not being discontinued.

= "For Women Old Enough to Know Better" store
= "Music Stuff & More" store

More About the Tech Survey...

2007-05-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

Pew Internet & American Life Project

Okay, these are my results: I'm a "Connector."

Sounds rather on the mark, actually.

But, this is about much more than me - check out the other general definitions and information.

Re the "Connector" definition...

"Ethnically, it is mostly white (72%); 16% are Black and 12% are English-speaking Hispanics. The typical Connector has been online for 9 years, which suggests they were a second-wave of late 1990s adopters. Most are women (55%) and they rate above average in educational attainment and income."

All true for me, except I've been online 17 years. What's "average educational attaiment"? I'd rate above-average income-wise if you were to average it out over the decades! (Bleeping recessions and their impact on employment...grumble, grumble.) We did have an above-average income in 1990 when I first went online. Pretty hard otherwise - it cost $25/hour! (Can you say offline-text-readers? Can you appreciate the value of a "free flag" - free access privilege -in those days?)

All in all, however, the most interesting and important take-away from that quote just above is this: "most [Connectors] are women."

(Why does that somehow seem not really that surprising...? Aren't we females generally a more "connecting" bunch than males?)

Survey shatters technology assumptions

2007-05-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

Survey shatters technology assumptions - Yahoo! News (AP)

What kind of technology user are you? (Gotcha, yes, you most certainly are a technology user if you're reading this.)

Anyway, are you a "Hi-tech Elite"? A "Productiviy Enchancer"? "Lack-luster Veteran"? A "mobile-centric"?

This article contains definitions and stats from a survey. Also contains a quiz - which I'm about to try myself.

From the article: "Eight percent — mostly women in the early 50s — occasionally use technology and might use more given more experience. They tend to still be on dial-up access and represent potential high-speed customers "with the right constellation of services offered," Horrigan said." [emphasis mine]

True and not true - I fly along with Verizon's FiOS, with the servers on the other end (and my "old" computer and its "old" XP OS...) trying to keep up with me. OTOH, I do live in a metropolitan area and do have a college-age son at home (yes, the FiOS was his idea - I was okay with T-W's Roadrunner cable broad-band...)

BTW, I've been online since 1990, actively. Definitely an online veteran - not only were few people online back then, but women were only ~20% of them. I could write a book, maybe I will someday?

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2007-05-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

Finally got my Mother's Day and Mother Earth Features added to this "Sales & Features" Section!

Check 'em out (Please?)

TGIF. Have a nice weekend! : )

Sharing a Secret?

2007-05-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

The cat's out of the bag... This is not yet public, but I'll share this with you blog people and hope that CafePress wouldn't mind (I sincerely doubt it would.).

From an official CafePress person:

Hi Shopkeepers,

We're adding excitement to Spring with new items and new color choices. Soon you'll see:

-- Maternity T-shirts: It's what you've been waiting for! With this shirt, we'll be offering a special belly print (10" x 10") area. Available in black and white.

-- Jr. Spaghetti: 3 new colors added! The colors are light pink, light blue, and lemon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me again.

Note that this merchandise is not out yet. But, it'll coming soon.

I know this is not so much a young woman place, or its accompanying store, but I thought you'd like to know. After all, you do have daughters, some of you. I will be making the maternity tops available in my stores - I do support moms - of all ages. : ) I think my already-available "Moms rule" graphic would work on those maternity tops, for a start.

Have a nice weekend! I'm looking forward to a quiet day by myself: baseball (just in front of the TV) while playing/working with my bead stuff, and reading my vast multitude of library books. Kicking back, relaxing, and, frankly, taking a break from this bleep electric box. Looking forward to Spiderman, too, in the next few days. Spidey's back! : ) (If you think I'm a bleep fool now, wait 'til "the Pirates"'s arrival later this month. Yo Ho, Yo Ho...) I'm just an old bleep kid. : D

15 Ways to Save Money on Gasoline

2007-05-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

(bankrate.com)

A helpful how-to listing.

We need all the help we can get with this...

Note also that the less gas burned, the better the environment and air quality.

Coffee can be good for you, experts say

2007-05-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Coffee can be good for you, experts say - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

In a glucose kind of way according to these studies. As in coffee might possibly help prevent Type 2 diabetes.

I'm guessing that if one already has Type 2 diabetes or are in a pre-diabetes, in-between place (as I am, and so many), the slowing of the intestinal absorption of glucose that coffee appears to do would apply to us pre-diabetics as well.

A tip: cinnamon appears to good for diabetics/those-of-us-with- glucose-issues. Just in case, I usually sprinkle some cinnamon in my coffee. Makes it better, anyway. Cinnamon is otherwise supposed to be good for you as well, as is its "cousin", nutmeg.

Tip #2: As in how much coffee to drink? I would think this old adage would apply - All things in moderation, including moderation.

Reversing Alzheimer's memory loss may be possible

2007-04-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

Reversing Alzheimer's memory loss may be possible - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

It's good to hear such positive and hopeful news about Alzheimer's Disease.

This article makes me wonder yet again about something I've long suspected - that Alzheimer's patients frequently get worse, or at least deteriorate at a faster rate, when they are "put away" into nursing homes. ("Warehousing" some have called it.)

This could be from lack of stimulation. A lack of mental exercise - literally!

Also, being home alone in that easy chair in front of the TV too much would have a similar effect it would seem.

It's becoming more and more obvious to me that throughout our lives we need to continue to work our minds, as well as work our bodies.

Toddler calls 911 after mother collapses

2007-04-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Toddler calls 911 after mother collapses - Yahoo! News (AP)

I like this story and had to share it. Good for this little guy!

Add this toddler hero to the assortment of other heroes who you would not think able to contact 911 for help in an emergency (dogs, cats, etc.), but surprise and gratify us all by doing just that.

Woman crashes car into Huntington Beach store

2007-04-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

Article - News - Woman crashes car into Huntington Beach store (Orange County Register)

This is an old lady who is not acting like a groovy lady.

She drives a better car than I (2006 silver Accord), however, mine (2000 not-silver Accord) is in better shape right now, since mine has not been driven through the front of a drugstore.

The good news is no one was hurt - the driver's airbag wasn't even activated.

Unfortunately, this is yet another in a long, too-long, string of "pedal-confusion" accidents caused by elderly drivers.

I do think the time has likely come for drivers to be more rigorously tested, say, upon their 75th birthday. Illinois already does this, I think all states should.

Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate

2007-04-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate - Yahoo! News (AP)

Well, good for her!

The story of this woman (see above) certainly shows that it is never too late to complete a degree.

Yet another groovy lady to add the the string of them in the news lately.

P.S.: Did you hear that the NYC dirtbag who beat up the 101-year-old lady (as she was on her way to church), stealing $31 from her, has been arrested? On drug charges, not surprisingly. Real tough guy - beats up the extreme elderly, then rides off with his take on a stolen little girl's pink bike. Loser...

These two tough NYC women this guy attacked that day are also groovy ladies in my book. They even fought back. Walker as weapon?

Grandma makes emergency landing in field

2007-04-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

Grandma makes emergency landing in field - Yahoo! News (AP)

I love stories like this. From the article...

She [the forementioned grandma] said she flies a couple of times a week and plans to fly again. But she worried about what her children would say now.

Fits in with the recent story posted here re the 102-year-old golfer who hit a hole-in-one.

Good for both of them!

(Makes me feel lazy and inadequate somehow...)

Hormones can raise breast cancer risk

2007-04-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Hormones can raise breast cancer risk - Yahoo! News (AP)

Yet more verification of the nastiness - no, the danger - of HRT.

From this article...

"After rising steadily through the 1990s, the breast cancer rate dipped from 2001 to 2002, from 138 cases to 135 cases per 100,000 women. After the federal Women's Health Initiative study reported in July 2002 on the health risks of hormones, use of the pills plunged.

So did the breast cancer rate the following year — to 126 cases per 100,000 women. It was the steepest fall since the government started keeping records in the 1970s.

The drop was seen in all of the cancer statistics registries reviewed in the study, and no other cancer rate changed as dramatically — strong signs that hormones were playing a role, specialists said."

I resisted my doctors' entreaties to take HRT for years (they started in at me when I was only 45!), and I only give in because doctors urged it as a prevention against osteoporosis - which I got anyway!

Doctors were really suckered in by the drug companies on this, I believe, BTW. Related, I also believe doctors didn't handle this well.

Anyway, whether or not HRT was entirely the cause of my tumor I can't answer, but I do know that the tumor was "very strongly receptive" (quoting my pathology report) to hormones. OIOW, whatever the cause, it was indeed a fact that the HRT was feeding my tumor royally and generously. Every pill I took, every patch I put on, was feeding my tumor. : ( I can't believe I went to so much trouble and expense to feed and grow my cancer.

No wonder some women like me have sued these people. You can tell it makes me angry. I don't dwell, though, what's the point? I do warn others about HRT, though, when the subject comes up.

102-year-old Calif. woman hits hole-in-1

2007-04-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

102-year-old Calif. woman hits hole-in-1 - Yahoo! News (AP)

Don't you love a good-news story?

Amazing.

Hope you had happy holidays.

My Yahoo Avatar

2007-03-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

Introducing my Yahoo avatar, that goofy thing you can see at top right...

Some of you may have seen this version of me from my website. I really do look a lot like this - but not nearly as young and thin these days I'll 'fess up. (However, I'm not overweight and the Plus-Size Yahoo avatar stuff wouldn't be me, either.) My beloved beach (Orange Coast) looks like this, also, although usually with a lot more people, darn it (I like surfers, though...).

I've started including endangered animals with my avatar. Last week was a polar bear, this week, penguins again.

(Is this my old lady version of playing with dolls? I like those Virtual Villagers a little too much also... Well, whatever floats my boat. It's legal, etc.)

Under Construction...

2007-03-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

I don't think I need to tell you that - you can see for yourself. ; )

Please pardon the dust while I figure out my Blogger upgrade and get all the details taken care of.

Cancer society recommends breast MRIs

2007-03-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

Cancer society recommends breast MRIs - Yahoo! News (AP)

Interesting...

Something for me (and many of you reading this) to ask our doctors about the next time we have our annual mammograms. Especially if you have the risk factors mentioned in this article.

It is true that sometimes it's better to use more than one tool in order to make sure one is tumor-free. And it's all about catching any possible tumor as soon as possible. Whatever you do, don't wait for it to show up as a lump - I had Stage 2 breast cancer and never had a perceptible lump - not even to doctors!

Over 40? Be sure you get your mammogram (and whatever other relevant tests you might need) annually.

Healthy Naps - washingtonpost.com

2007-03-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Healthy Naps - washingtonpost.com

An afternoon nap? Sounds as if it might be good for you.

This article is funny, too:

"In our dreams, the new Democratic majority in Congress quickly introduced the Freedom Of Restorational Time for Yawning, Whittling, Inclining, Nesting, Knitting and Sleeping (FORTY WINKS) Act, mandating thirty minutes of "quiet time" for every worker...

Republicans countered with the Solitude Investment and Entrepreneurial Sleep Trading Account (SIESTA). Trial lawyers soon consolidated into a class action the lawsuits of thousands of widows whose husbands had not been permitted to nap at work. Big Pharma began marketing a 30-minute snooze pill, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted be covered under Medicare Part D..."

Whether it's FORTY WINKS or SIESTA, apparently it's something to be considered (taken along with that dark chocolate and red wine from my previous posting?).

Chocolate improves blood vessel function: study

2007-03-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Chocolate improves blood vessel function: study - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Yet again dark chocolate proves its worth!

As if it had to...

Of course, the 60% cacao content or better is the healthiest.

And, unfortunately, as with red wine, it's not as healthy if you over do it.

Cute Knut

2007-03-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Cute Knut (Warning: Extreme Cuteness)

I'm not usually into cute unless it's babies, little kids, or, sometimes, baby animals.

I'm into Cute Knut, the now-famous baby polar bear who lives in the Berlin Zoo.

(We need all the polar bears we can get these days...)

BRAND-NEW Kids & Plus-Size T-Shirts : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2007-03-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

BRAND-NEW Kids & Plus-Size T-Shirts : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

Find more of this merchandise elsewhere in this store, with more being added. Find this merchandise being added in my other premium store as well - Music Stuff & More

New Mom & Granny Shirts Added

2007-02-28T23:24:00.000-08:00

(That's the latest - the transparent background - version of "Groovy Grandma" at left.)

Check out the "Sales & Features" section of the store For Women Old Enough... for featured Lent/Easter Christian crosses, flowers, green Celtic Christian crosses (St. Pat's is coming), and plenty - lot and lots - of pink graphics, as well as pink shirts. Think Spring.

Lots of new shirts have been added recently to this store (as well as my Music Stuff & More store). Just today I added transparent-background versions of the "Moms Rule", "Grannies Rule", and "Groovy Grandma" graphics so that they could be added to the dark shirts available on CafePress now (see "Groovy Grandma" graphic just above - the brand-new version).

"Dark", BTW, includes a jillion other colors now in addition to black. For example, green, red, and blue now come on "dark" shirts. Women's "dark" T-shirts now include purple (violet?), red, aqua, and gray. There are many more colors of shirts these days around here. And, V-necks are now available, and many more Women's-sized shirts.

Granny finds grenade in groceries

2007-02-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

Granny finds grenade in groceries - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

"I found a bomb in the potatoes," the woman said.

She noticed it wasn't a regular potato after she brought it home and was washing it up.

The good news is that the woman is safe and sound and able to tell her story.

No, this is not believed to be a terrorist act. Apparently an old WWII grenade was harvested along with the potatoes from a farm field in France.

Feeding your brain: new benefits found in chocolate

2007-02-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

Feeding your brain: new benefits found in chocolate - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Trust me to come back again with a good-story about the benefits of chocolate (or red wine...).

Note that the Mars company funded this study. Just the same, it seems appear that chocolate in moderation and with enough cacaco in it (try the 60% variety), is a good for you.

(This good for the brain twist is a new one...)

Savings tumble poses risk to boomers

2007-02-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

Savings tumble poses risk to boomers - Yahoo! News (AP)

Are YOU saving?

From the article:

"The 1 percent negative savings rate in 2006 followed a 0.4 percent negative rate in 2005. There have been only four years in history that the savings rate has fallen into negative territory. The other two were 1932 and 1933 during the Great Depression."

And a woman is quoted saying: "I think we are consumer-driven. We have to have things."

NO, you don't freaking *have to have* things. Jeesh.

I'll admit that a portion of the problem is the troubling and growing gap between the haves and the have-nots. But, just the same...

(Can you tell I'm in a disgusted mood toward humanity - mostly my fellow Americans - today as a result of yesterday's report about our planet being busted, mostly on account of us, and there's not too much we can do about it. It's small satisfaction that I can say "I told you so." as I plan to purchase a couple of air conditioners. Looks as if I might be living closer to the beach someday - without even moving.)

Handbags a health hazard, women warned

2007-01-16T19:32:00.000-08:00

Handbags a health hazard, women warned - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Yeah, well, duh...

The key to successful long walks for me *is to not carry a heavy bag*.

Not only does a heavy bag make the long walk harder, but my right hip starts hurting. The hip never did make it back 100% from all the hauling I used to do to and from my college art classes (using backpack and portfolio case!)

In my case, I can't simply switch my bag to my left shoulder, because I have lymphedema issues with my left arm and shoulder. (Use a backpack instead? Might work?)

I have osteoporosis, too, as do many women over 50. (BTW, have you had your bone density tested?)

But, regardless of my own personal old lady issues...

Another factor in this situation is all the hi-tech crap we're hauling now. I shouldn't say "crap", as I have my dear iPod and Palm with me here as I speak... Point is we're hauling more stuff these days: cellphone? iPod? Palm? laptop? Nintendo DS? Even car keys are heavier than they used to be (really).

Also, what's the deal with kids' heavy backpacks in recent years? Whatever happened to school lockers?! I couldn't believe the loads my son carried - it worried me. His back bothered him, too.

Less is more... Ah, simplicity. Simplify, simplify, Thoreau wisely wrote.

Majority of US women living without spouse

2007-01-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

Majority of US women living without spouse - Yahoo! News [AFP]

Curious, but not surprising, really.

More senior women stay fit playing hoops

2007-01-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

More senior women stay fit playing hoops - Yahoo! News (AP)

Hmm.

The "Hot Pink Grannies", eh?

"...there are stunt games like playing against a team of teenage boys who each have one hand tied behind their backs. "

Anyway, a bunch of women having a good time - that's the best part.

This article does have some medical caveats - a good idea.

You know I've been eyeing that hoop in that basketball court here in my apartment complex for some time...several years... As a kid I was pretty good at sinking baskets actually.

Again, hmmm? I'd have to get a basketball... That's very doable.

??

Valentine's Day, Promotion & New Beginnings

2007-01-12T21:20:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, I've got my new Web publishing software (Dreamweaver 8), CafePress has a new promotion, and I'm as ready as anybody can be after 9 pm on a Friday night (haven't had dinner yet, either) to roll up my sleeves and get to work around here, including working on the store attached to this, "For Women Old Enough..." I've got to get with the program and get that latest version of Blogger here as well. Pheww. I want and am ready to dig in, though.

The Valentine's Day merch is in my other store, not here yet. Check it out. It'll be coming here - to this store - soon.

The promotion? For Valentine's Day CafePress, beginning Monday, January 14, will be offering free Super Saver Shipping on orders over $50 (before tax and shipping). Coupon code: VDAYSHIP

Have a nice weekend. (I'm going to stop working now and go eat dinner already!)

cRANKy™ - the Search Engine for Those Ages 50+

2007-01-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

cRANKy™ aka cranky.com

I read about this new search engine for The ARRP Generation, had to check it out.

Why is "sex" the #1 most searched term?? Huh? Gee thanks, Viagra...

What, me cranky?

Please visit my website's Wazzup Page if you're interested in cooking with Captain Jack Sparrow (he uses lots of rum, are you surprised?), or if you wish to see what all you can do with the fancy new iPhone - much more than you might think.

Old story: Women may have it worse

2006-12-28T11:36:00.000-08:00

Old story: Women may have it worse - Los Angeles Times:

The basic take-away from this article about women and our retirement years:

"In September, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Women's Retirement Security Act. Among other things, it would require employers to allow long-term, part-time workers to participate in 401(k) plans and require most companies that lack retirement plans to make payroll deductions for employees' individual retirement accounts.

The idea is 'to level the playing field' to help women save for the future, said Sen. Gordon H. Smith (R-Ore.), one of the sponsors.

Apart from changes to policy, many say, individuals [including individual women] must do more themselves to prepare for the long haul. That means saving more and working longer."

Martha Stewart's Days of Christmas [with Erma Bombeck]

2006-12-22T16:50:00.000-08:00

Martha Stewarts Days of Christmas

Undoubtedly there's some of you older ladies around who remember the dear humorist and columnist Erma Bombeck. One of my all-time favorite funny ladies.

Check out the link above to see how Erma would likely reply to a correspondence from Martha Stewart.

So, are you more like Martha? or more like Erma?

I most definitely have always been an "Erma" - for better or worse, mostly better. (At least I've stayed out of prison...)

It is good to have some "Martha"s around, however, to take care of the details, and all that other stuff that we "Erma"s would rather not be bothered with - or get around to.

Happy Holidays! : D

Happy New Year! : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2006-12-18T20:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

I wish you a Happy New Year - as well as Happy Holidays, of course, also I announce the return of my joyful, colorful "Happy New Year!" graphic and its merchandise, as well as adding some new merchandise.

Find this graphic and its goods in "Sales & Features" here. You can also click the live link above to get there.

Hope you're enjoying the Holiday Season, All. And a Merry Christmas, too!

Hormone fears rise with cancer news

2006-12-15T17:27:00.000-08:00

Hormone fears rise with cancer news - Yahoo! News (AP)

This is another article about the breast cancer/HRT news from yesterday, but is not the same, going further into past and current use of HRT.

Breast cancer rate plunged 7 pct. in '03

2006-12-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

Breast cancer rate plunged 7 pct. in '03 - Yahoo! News (AP)

OMG!

This story is about me and my breast cancer.

Okay, not specifically me, but a big group of women just like me.

Me:

"U.S. breast cancer rates plunged an unprecedented 7 percent in 2003, the year after millions of women stopped taking menopause hormones when a study showed the pills raise the risk of tumors."

I quit my HRT in the Summer of 2002 because I wished to get away from hormones and try more natural ways of dealing with menopausal issues. My doctors' original arguments for my HRT use was prevention of osteoporosis. That, in fact, was what clinched my decision to accept their HRT. (I had been resistant and argumentative about it for years. I never have gone along blindly with authorities - I have to be convinced.)

Anyway, I had gotten osteoporosis in spite of my HRT. I had no bad menopause symptoms (or whatever you call them). So, why continue the HRT?

That Fall in 2003 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Interestingly, my tumors were very strongly receptive to hormones. "Strongly receptive" is pathology jargon for the years I was taking HRT I was feeding my tumors an all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet! Every day every HRT pill I popped was a feast for my tumors.

Creepy! Makes me angry, too.

I've been through surgery, chemo, and radiation. Any possibly remaining tumor cells are now being starved with a hormone-blocker, Tamoxefin.

Even an onocology nurse thought it likely that my breast cancer was due to HRT. She also mentioned the problem of too many women having too large a hormone-load during their lifetimes. For example, I, as so many young women in the '70s, took birth-control pills. And, those were strong birth-control pills in those days - big hormone doses. I've had a big hormone load in my life. I didn't do anything wrong - this is what women my age were encouraged to do by our doctors: take "The Pill" and, then later, HRT.

That HRT could have killed me - no lie. Thank God for mammography - I never would have known. Even my doctors couldn't feel my tumors.

I have looked into the calls for class-action suits against Wyeth - I fit the criteria. I just haven't bothered with it, although my kids are encouraging me to do so.

Me again:

"Cases dropped most among women 50 and older — the age group taking hormones. The decline was biggest for tumors whose growth is fueled by estrogen — the type most affected by hormone use....

[After the big fall off of HRT use in 2002-03] Estrogen-sensitive tumors declined twice as much as tumors that are not fueled by estrogen. The decline in incidence among women ages 50-69 was three times that of other age groups."

Wow!

The big take-away from this news:

= This likely reduces my risk of recurrence in that I am not taking HRT (exactly the opposite, with my Tamoxefin use).

= It probably reduces my daughters' risk for breast cancer. (Although my cancer was never believed to be genetically-driven. But, still...this report does point to reduced risk for my daughters.)

= Avoid HRT! Not just me - all you women over 40 reading this.

CafePress Christmas Shipping Update & Info

2006-12-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

For Women Old Enough to Know Better store : CafePress.com (this link takes you to this store's Storefront)

Hope you're all enjoying the Holiday Season. : ) Have you been as busy as I am? I'm sure you have been.

About the CafePress shipping referred to uptop...

Beginning December 8 the following shipping options will be offered:

• Free Shipping on orders over $50 = Will not make it in time for Christmas

• Standard Shipping = Order by December 11 to receive in time for Christmas

• 2-Day Shipping = Order by December 18 to receive in time for Christmas

• Next Day Shipping = Order by December 20 to receive in time for Christmas

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Canada/International = Order by December 8, 11:59pm PST to receive in time for Christmas

CafePress Calendar Sale & Free Shipping Offer

2006-11-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

While the CafePress Ornament Sale is still in effect this weekend, another CafePress promotion has already begun:

FREE Ground Shipping with purchases of $50 or more
November 16 – December 20

Starting on Monday, the CafePress Calendar Sale:

20% Off All Calendars*
November 20 – December 03
*Only applies to Calendars that are $24 or less, subject to availability. Discount cannot be combined with coupons or bulk order discounts. No code required; discount is automatically applied when you purchase Calendars. Promotion starts on November 20, 2006, at 12:00 a.m. (PST) and ends on December 3, 2006, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

Shop For Women Old Enough to Know Better store and
Music Stuff & More store

Growth of PDA injuries a concern for companies

2006-11-10T19:13:00.000-08:00

Growth of PDA injuries a concern for companies - Yahoo! News (U.S.A. Today)

P.D.A. injury is an issue for many of us. I can tell when I'm using my Palm too much. I especially get into trouble - after work, in front of the T.V. - when I get over-involved with my Solitaire games. (It's hard on the Palm batteries, too!)

How many of us have suffered from too much keyboarding? How about "mouse finger"? (Too many mouse clicks!)

Yeah, yeah. I know about all this stuff, I've had all of the above. Had tendinitis bad enough to send me to the doctor. Even more than once.

(My tendons got battered from my piano-playing as well, but that's another matter, in the distant past, and aside and separate from these new-technology issues... Before these new-technology issues even existed!)

I fend off more of these injuries with stopping before I get sore, and with giving my hands a rest. Taking Ibuprofen (sp?) when needed for its anti-inflammatory effect. Stretching and exercises for your arms and hands are very helpful. Cold therapy is good when your hands start getting sore and "throbby."

And, be sure to see your doctor if you get worse, or it doesn't go away! I found that going straight to a specialist helped me most. My family doctor just kept giving me anti-inflammatories, even a cortisone shot. Didn't do the job, not at all. I was much better off going to sports-medicine doctors, who gave me wrist braces and exercises/stretches.

I've been fine for a long time, happily. A big part of it is knowing when to stop. I continue the exercises and stretches, too.

Which reminds me, it's getting close to time to stop. ; ) Time to wrap up my computer work and go do something else. My hands are starting to "talk to me" a little, if you know what I mean, and odds are you do.

Nancy Pelosi

2006-11-09T20:01:00.000-08:00

Bush, Pelosi to bury the hatchet - Yahoo! News (AP)

(It's good that the two of them are off to a positive start.)

Whatever your politics, however you voted, whatever your opinion of Nancy Pelosi, you have to admit that it's cool to have a woman be the Speaker of the House. An historical first.

Note that Pelosi raised five boys - handling the House shouldn't be much of a stretch for her... ; )

Massive recall of acetaminophen underway

2006-11-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Massive recall of acetaminophen underway - Yahoo! News (AP)

As the article says, you might want to check your medicine cabinets.

On the personal front, I'll have to ask my husband if he was busy removing these pills today (he works in a CVS pharmacy). Jeez, it's bad enough "Big Pharm" is troubled on account of the election, then this...

Forgive me - but what a pain.

Anyway, be safe, check your "generic Tylenol" made by Perrigo. Even old pills are at risk. Check the FDA links and other extra info in this linked article.

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2006-11-03T18:52:00.000-08:00

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

Oh my, what a day for a CafePress shopkeeper!

I woke up to find a CafePress announcement about a whole bunch of new colors and merchandise having been added overnight. (I had not a clue that it was coming...!)

So, while overwhelming, the news is good. These are some great additions.

New merchandise - lots for women. New "long sleeve wear." New colors.

You'll find some examples linked above in the "Sales & Features" section on the storefront of the "For Women Old Enough..." store. Take a look.

What's new, in a nutshell:

= White Women's Long Sleeve T-Shirt
= Women's Dark Long Sleeve T-Shirt, coming in Black or Brown (!)
= Men's Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt, coming in Black (The Steve Jobs look? ; ) or in Navy
= the Men's White Long Sleeve T-Shirt, already present, now coming also in Ash Grey
= the already-present Men's Dark T-Shirt, now coming in Black, Red, (the following, italicized, is brand-new) Navy, or Khaki Green
= Women's Dark T-Shirt, at present available only in Black.

Wow. Yeah...

Look for many more additions in "Sales & Features" here and throughout the store. (I'd like to add more graphics for black/dark wear as well...).

Yes, all this is happening in my "numero uno" store (a.k.a. Music Stuff & More) as well, for you of a musical bent.

Hope you had a fun Halloween, and have a good Election. (I've already voted - I always vote.)

Red wine can help prevent stroke damage: study

2006-10-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

Red wine can help prevent stroke damage: study - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Yet another reason to drink red wine on a regular basis (moderately, that is).

AARP - Get Fit on Route 66

2006-10-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

AARP - Get Fit on Route 66

Yes, AARP - I indeed am a woman old enough to know better. It's actually a good site, and the AARP can actually be helpful in many ways to those of us lucky enough to be over 50.

I've started this AARP Fitness "Game." (I need all the physical activity encouragement I can get, frankly. It's about getting off my "but", as well as my butt!)

I like Route 66: - I liked the TV series, I like the TV series theme song, I like how Rte. 66 goes from Chicago (my hometown!) to L.A. (where I live now), old cars are fun and cool, I like seeing (sort of) America, I enjoy the '50s graphics on the site...

Ever see the recent movie "Cars"? It features Rte. 66.

Oh, how does the game work? The more minutes you spend physically (walking, exercise, also physical work of whatever kind...), the more miles down Route 66 your car will go. You pick your own classic car - which is hard, because I wanted all of them. I settled for a woodie like my dad had when I was little. But I was so tempted by the 'Vette (the TV series car, also), as well as the big tail-fin classic...

There's also a diner, BTW.

Let's see how this goes! Heading down the highway... (Rte 66 theme alternating with music from "Cars" as well as a bit of "Born to Be Wild")

First off, to do something so I can get some mileage going instead of just talking about it! Getting off my "but"/butt now! (How about you?)

Study: Decaf coffee has some caffeine

2006-10-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

Study: Decaf coffee has some caffeine - Yahoo! News (AP)

I've heard this before, years ago? but this is yet further evidence. Highlights from the article...

"Instant decaffeinated Folgers Coffee Crystals didn't have any caffeine, but the others contained caffeine ranging from 8.6 milligrams to 13.9 milligrams. Typically, 16 ounces of drip-brewed coffee contain about 170 milligrams of caffeine.

Researchers also analyzed 12 samples of Starbucks decaffeinated espresso and brewed decaffeinated coffee. The espresso drinks had from 3 milligrams to 15.8 milligrams each, while the brewed coffee had from 12 to 13.4 milligrams per 16-ounce drink.

Even moderate caffeine levels can increase heart rate, blood pressure, agitation and anxiety in some people, Goldberger said." [italics mine]

So what it comes down to is that you can't assume you're caffeine-free if you drink decaf all day and all night. Well, except maybe if you only drink Folger's instant decaf...

So much for my caution in having a Starbuck's decaf in the evening, avoiding the caffeine which might keep me awake. (See the quote about Starbuck's above.)

For the caffeine-wary: Note that chocolate, tea, and many soft drinks contain caffeine, although, obviously, in lesser amounts than coffee.

P.S. I don't think I own stock in Folger's! Many coffees are good.

Cola consumption linked to weaker bones in women

2006-10-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

Cola consumption linked to weaker bones in women - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Here's the bottom line: it's the phosphoric acid in the cola drinks that trashes our bones:

"Cola contains phosphoric acid, the researchers note, which impairs calcium absorption and increases excretion of the mineral. Caffeine has also been linked to osteoporosis, they add." [bolding and italics mine]

I don't know if this means all soft drinks, or only cola drinks. Time to check the soft-drink labels!

Doctors urge more playtime for children

2006-10-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Doctors urge more playtime for children - Yahoo! News (AP)

Absolutely!

I have watched the change from children simply playing to playdate appointments and children with full schedules and little free time. Also children stuck in front of screens of one kind or another (Okay, I'll admit I watched too much TV myself; my son, too much video games and computers...)

Playdates? Guess I'm too old, but I don't remember such a term - or activity. My children span two generations (X and Y), but none of them ever had a playdate.

Not that a playdate is a bad thing - it's just sad that it is such a thing has to be planned, organized, and scheduled. And by the parents, not the kids.

Back in my day (a billion years ago), and even my children's, for a child it was simply a matter of why don't you see if your friend's home? or see if Susan or Diana (in my case) want to come out and play?

"Go and play," our parents used to say. Or "Go outside and play. Go out and play in the yard." How and what this "playing" consisted of was up to us and, perhaps, our friends and/or siblings.

Yes, sometimes such less-supervised play lead to bored and mischievious kids getting into trouble. But if you stayed close to home and behaved yourself, 99% of the time all was fine.

We had lots of sports equipment and toys, also bikes and skates. There was the neighborhood park, the playground at our school. We had more active games, such as tag and hide-and-seek, also.

I used to spend an awful lot of time bouncing a rubber ball against a brick wall then catching it. Really. Or I'd go out in our large backyard and hit baseballs with a bat or golfballs with a nine-iron.

In my fortunate case, there was "The Prairie" - and swamp! - to explore and where I picked wild violets to bring home to Mom. My brother built a tree house and a raft at "The Swamp." In the winter there were board games, card games, TV (yeah...), perusing "Mad" magazines and comic books, just hanging out and talking. Outside was ice skating - and snow! Lots to do with snow - snow forts, snowball fights, snow angels, snowmen.

I loved my special super-sized box of crayons (55? with the sharpener on the back!) - and was an avid crayon and coloring-book user.

Anyway, do you see a common element here? Play used to be more physical, as well as spontaneous. More creative, too, in the sense that we kids were on our own to figure out what to do.

And, of course, there was much less pressure and busyness. We had lots of time to fill. Yeah, we got bored sometimes, but so what?

Some organized play is a good thing. For example, I enjoyed and benefitted from the Girl Scouts and the Recreation Department programs at the neighborhood parks (went to Wrigley Field once!), summer camps (a church camp in my case)... These are good things for a child. But not too much of it!

I'll admit to doing perhaps a little too much chauffering of my own children... Generation X children were starting to get busy, and I fell into the drill as one of the Boomer moms 0f Gen X. Wanted my kids to take advantage of all the wonderful offerings - lessons (so many!), Scouts/Camp Fire Girls, etc... By the time my Gen Y son was born I was starting to burn out on the chauffering thing, frankly!

Bottomline of all my ramblings here: Yes, let's have our children play more! Just simply play more.

Furthermore, moms might want to consider for themselves how busy they want to be "enriching" their children's lives. For example, I have spent far too much time chauffering in my life. Makes for more stressed, tired, and crabby moms - not good either for mom or for the family.

(BTW, yes, I grew up in the Midwest. Yes, my mom was a homemaker, as well as all my friends' moms. Yes, I was a primarily a stay-at-home mom during most of the time I was raising my own children.)

Halloween Sale

2006-10-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Now, back to business, and to plugging my stuff. ; )

CafePress is having a Halloween promotion starting tomorrow, 10/5, through 10/18.

The deal is $10 off a purchase of $50 or more

Use coupon code: HLWN2006

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2006-10-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

I've got "breast cancer" graphics (pretty popular, too), but I'm not here to plug them.

What I'm here to plug is the importance of "Women Old Enough to Know Better" - or in this case, women over 40 - being sure to get their annual mammogram.

It is that important.

It is entirely possible that if I did not have a mammogram in 2002 that I might not even be alive to write this thing right now. Neither I nor any doctor was aware of the fact that I had breast cancer. Only the mammogram showed it. There was no obvious lump or other abnormality.

So just go. It's not at all bad, really. Certainly much better than the alternative!

For Moms : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2006-10-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

For Moms : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

I said I'd be adding (and moving up) winterwear - and today I added (and moved) considerably in the "Moms Rule" sections. Check it out. (Click links above, please.)

Moms Rule! (Well, you knew that, anyway. ; )

Many women unaware they're pre-diabetic

2006-09-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

Many women unaware they're pre-diabetic - Yahoo! News (AP)

Lots of good health news today.

This is a very important article...

"Getting fatter around the middle? Have a family history of heart disease or diabetes? You could be headed for the same trouble, especially if you're over 40 and female."

"...insulin resistance, a type of pre-diabetes, is a growing national problem: Some experts believe half of all overweight or obese American adults are insulin-resistant."

All the boldings and italics are mine.

But you might want to read those quotes twice - they're that important.

FWIW, this Summer I found myself to be - fitting the profile above perfectly - with Type 2 diabetes. (Not bad, but with glucose numbers bad enough for the diagnosis. I had no symptoms, just was having some routine blood work done.)

I'd been meaning to work harder at losing weight - diabetes sure gave me the needed kick in the pants. Technically, I'm not even over-weight anymore, and my middle is decreasing as well. : D

Red Wine May Help Prevent Alzheimer's

2006-09-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

Red Wine May Help Prevent Alzheimer's - Yahoo! News (HealthDay)

I'll lift a glass to that!

I keep coming across more and more news reports about red wine - in moderation! - being a healthy thing.

Three-year-old buys pink convertible on Internet

2006-09-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

Three-year-old buys pink convertible on Internet - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Guess he liked it!

Beware of the e-Bay "Buy It Now" button around little ones.

As the little boy's mom said, "Jack's a whizz on the PC..."

Yeah, I'd said he is. He bought himself a Nissan convertible for $17,000.

(Happily the seller understood and gave the kid his money back.)

Click the link above and check out the photo of said car - it does kind of look like a kid's toy...

Average home has more TVs than people

2006-09-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

Average home has more TVs than people - Yahoo! News (AP)

Curious.

OTOH, we have three people in our household now, and, um, three TVs...

Part of it is that as long as a TV still works, why not keep it if there's room for it? I'm sure I'm not alone in that practice.

Says something sad somehow about the average American family, too, if you think about it...

An even more amazing fact I read in my paper this morning was that people are watching more TV than ever. How?! People work longer hours, are so busy, there's cellphones, iPods, the Internet, popular games, and on and on... Most of that so-called TV-watching must be the TV just being on, maybe actually watched, maybe not?

I'm Seeing Red (@ CafePress)

2006-09-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

The red T-shirts are available now. : )

They will be labeled "dark T-shirts" and you can choose between red or black.

I've put some examples in the "Sales & Features" area. (Not sure if that red works with that "Born 2 B Wild." Maybe the original black was better after all, hmmm...might change that to black again...)

The red T-shirts will be especially nice for Christmas - something for all of us (yes, me too) to keep in mind.

Former Texas governor Ann Richards dies

2006-09-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Former Texas governor Ann Richards dies - Yahoo! News

I've always liked this feisty, smart lady. Sorry to see her go.

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

2006-09-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

SALES & FEATURES : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

Excitement @ CafePress today - new products!

Well, okay, some old products that now come in additional colors. Nice colors.

If you check out the link above you'll see some samples of the new colors.

Infant and toddler T-shirts, also infant creepers, now come in pink, blue, or the usual white. Your choice. (In rare circumstances I won't be offering an item which will look horrendous, IMO, on a particular color, such as orange and yellow flowers on pink, for one.)

Also, adult sweatshirts - the plain as well as the hooded kind - are available in white in addition to the usual gray. Again, your choice.

These are not items I need to add as the new color choices are already in my stores. So these new colors are available now - no waiting.

As you may notice many of my graphics look better on blue or pink or white. For example, my colorful "Groovy Grandma" '60s-inspired graphic is better, IMO, on white than on gray.

It's nice that you can decide for yourself. You may prefer gray, just the same, and you can have it.

Coming soon (I expect it real soon, since it was supposed to come out with this other new merch. Next week was mentioned by the CafePress people.)... Being able to choose the color dark red - "cardinal" is what it's called - as well as black for what was formerly called "black T-shirts" but will now be labeled "dark T-shirts." So, your choice: black or dark red. As with the new colors above, once the dark red shirts are available they will be available immediately wherever there are black shirts in my stores. Dark red - I believe they had Christmas in mind. Maybe you might, too?

So check out the new colors. Enjoy.

Vaccine could cut cervical cancer deaths

2006-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Vaccine could cut cervical cancer deaths - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Maybe you've heard about this vaccine before, but this vaccine is so life-saving, it's worth mentioning again.

If my daughters were still young (both are grown), I'd have taken them for this vaccine.

Gee, between this vaccine and the already-common Pap test, imagine the progress against cervical cancer.

CNN `Live From...' the ladies room

2006-08-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

CNN `Live From...' the ladies room - Yahoo! News (AP)

(One reason why I'm glad I don't go around miked.)

Ladies, please do remember to shut off your mic before entering the Ladies Room.

You never know what might come out on a live TV broadcast.

Woman crashes when teaching dog to drive

2006-08-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

Woman crashes when teaching dog to drive - Yahoo! News (AP)

Now dog owners have gone much too far with this one. Or, at least this one lady!

Lesson: Do not even try to teach your dog to drive.

It's bad enough seeing people talking on their cellphones as they're driving. I do not want to see a dog behind the wheel - ever!

PS: Did you catch the dogs with wigs on Leno the other night?

CafePress Sale EXTENDED - Again! & Other News

2006-08-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

To review:

Free Shipping on orders over $50
Coupon Code: BTS2006
Max discount $5

Now expires on September 5

Other news? Look for the Women Old Enough to Know Better store to be more fall/winter-oriented. The sleeveless items will be "less handy" and the long-sleeved and other warmer wear will be more readily available, ie. up top. Graphics which have not been shown on "warmer wear" will now be.

The Season's and the weather's changing!

You might want to check out my latest graphics in the NEW NEW NEW section of Music Stuff & More, especially if you like music. The Tuba Guy is particularly nice for children, I think.

Duct Tape fashions, duct tape wallets, duct tape clothing, duct tape purses, duck tape everything!

2006-08-25T18:59:00.000-07:00

Duct Tape fashions, duct tape wallets, duct tape clothing, duct tape purses, duck tape everything!

(Sorry for the absence.) Note that the spelling of "ducK" tape above is theirs, not mine.

So, ladies, how would you like it if your guy sent you some duct (or "duck", see above) tape flowers?

Hmmm, lovely... Smells good too (I say sarcastically, of course!).

The upside? Indestructable!

Guide to Setting Up an Ergonomic Computer Station

2006-08-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Guide to Setting Up an Ergonomic Computer Station

I thought this looked helpful (I'm going to use it for myself.).

Who wants more aches and pains?

10 Looks to Love from Fall '06 Fashion Week

2006-08-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

10 Looks to Love from Fall '06 Fashion Week

Giving my own thumbs up to...

~ leggings, if they're paired with a long, loose top, as we wore them back in the '80s

~(long) shorts (after all, I do live in SoCal)

~lots of dresses, some of which even sound comfortable and flattering for those of us over 25...

~vests, including the longer ones

Now, a big thumbs down to...

~The Wide Belt (I'm 5'2" - this belt would be wearing me. Besides, only the very skinny can get away with this look.)

For Women Old Enough to Know Better store : CafePress.com

2006-08-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

For Women Old Enough to Know Better store : CafePress.com

Yes, I'm still here. July was rough - the heat, for one thing (my Office does not have AC. It will before next Summer!).

Anyway, there's a bit of new graphics over in Music Stuff & More store - blue "Pretty Nerdy", also "Phil Angleides" (for California Governor - 2006 Election).

There's a Back-to-School Sale:

Free Shipping on orders over $50
Coupon Code: BTS2006
August 1 - 14
Max discount $5

And, again, don't forget the new shipping rate:

$5 Flat Shipping is a shipping rate of $5 for up to 5 items for orders shipped within the US.

Rate excludes shipping for custom postage, posters and framed prints, which ship separately and incur an additional charge. Shipping for individual orders of custom postage, stickers, buttons and CDs may have lower shipping rates.

Hope you're keeping cool and having a happy Summer.

Are you a woman going solo? Try a blow-up man

2006-07-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Still too freakin' hot here in SoCal to spend much time at the computer doing anything, but I do check my Mail and glance at the news headlines daily. Found:

Are you a woman going solo? Try a blow-up man - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

This sounds like something kinky, but it's not at all.

What I'm wondering is if Mr. Inflatible could get you into the carpool lane...? (Requires two or more in the car.) No small thing on these Los Angeles area freeways. No, not quite honest. Hmm, imagine what a cop might think/say about Mr. Inflatible?

Another thought: if some creep saw you hanging around with Mr. Inflatible he might think you're so weird he might not want to mess with you (too dangerous - who knows what a weirdo like you might do?)

Something else about Mr. Inflatible - he needs to lose weight. The man is seriously bloated.

Why do I feel the strange impluse to take a black marker, a kerchief, some beads, and make Mr. Inflatible look like a fat Captain Jack (cutey Pirate Johnny Depp)? Maybe because I'm strange, also go to too many movies (AC!).

As the article says... "...when a woman has finished using him, she can just pull the plug and he deflates. " Is that The Perfect Man, or what?

Note, however, that Mr. Inflatible is unemployed - he won't bring home a dime. Major flaw, that.

He'd also be useless for cutting the grass or hauling the garbage.

Pretty much a bum.

Excellent listener, though.

New Graphics & CafePress Shipping News

2006-07-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

NEW NEW NEW : CHM Design Store - Music Stuff & More : CafePress.com (okay, wrong store - but please check out the new graphics, just the same: a new HB - Huntington Beach graphic and a new - drumroll, please - "Pretty Nerdy" graphic.)

As for the CafePress shipping news, quoting them:

$5 Flat Shipping is a shipping rate of $5 for up to 5 items for orders shipped within the US.

Rate excludes shipping for custom postage,
posters and framed prints, which ship separately and incur an additional charge. Shipping for individual orders of custom postage, stickers, buttons and CDs may have lower shipping rates.

Only $5 for 5 items is pretty cool.

Keep cool! Enjoy the weekend.

How to Cool Yourself Without Air Conditioning

2006-07-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

How to Cool Yourself Without Air Conditioning - WikiHow

Are you having a cool Summer?

No, I'm not either.

I thought I'd share this cool article for those of us unlucky enough to be without AC (under normal circumstances, it's not needed in this coast town - hello, global warming??)

Any way you look at it, this article here has some handy tips for keeping cool.

Mediterranean beats low-fat diet for heart health

2006-07-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

Mediterranean beats low-fat diet for heart health - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

And, I think it's more fun. And isn't a bit of red wine good for you? Pass me the Chianti (to go with my Mediterranean Diet), please.

Although, my guess is it's probably eat the pasta in moderation (the carb thing) and to cook it "al dente" (not overcooked!).

What the American Heart Association has to say about the Mediterranean Diet.

Roots of human family tree are shallow - Yahoo! News

2006-07-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

Roots of human family tree are shallow - Yahoo! News (Associated Press)

A mind-blowing article!

...means everybody on Earth descends from somebody who was around as recently as the reign of Tutankhamen, maybe even during the Golden Age of ancient Greece. There's even a chance that our last shared ancestor lived at the time of Christ.

Hmm, gives brotherhood an extra meaning.

Americans' circle of close friends shrinking

2006-06-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Americans' circle of close friends shrinking - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

Strange and not good.

Something I don't understand, though - if people have fewer friends, then what's going on with so many people in so many conversations on their cellphones? Who are they talking to so much?

People do seem to more communicative than ever and with more modes of communication than ever. And they are communicating with...? (Not to mention about what?)

I'm missing something here, perhaps?

(I do know my children will "cellphone" me about matters that they either wouldn't have mentioned, or would have waited until they next saw me, etc. in The Days Before Cellphones. FWIW, I do not have a cellphone, believe it or not.)

10 ways to save $500 or more: Financial News

2006-06-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

10 ways to save $500 or more: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance (Bankrate.com)

I appreciate these common-sense steps we can all take.

Some of these are even good for the environment and for our health (note that what's good for the environment is also good for our health).

CafePress - Summer Sale!

2006-06-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Can-Do Wear : For Women Old Enough... : CafePress.com

Giving you a closer look into "Can-Do Wear" (see above link), plus news about the latest CafePress Sale:

Small Mug : $2 off
Kids' Baseball Jersey : $2 off
Men's Sleeveless T-Shirt : $3 off
Women's Tank Top : $3 off
Green T-Shirt : $2 off
Trucker Hat : $2 off

Sale ends June 30, 2006.

You will see the old prices with a red slash and the new prices in red.

Sunscreens faulted on cancer protection

2006-06-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Sunscreens faulted on cancer protection - Yahoo! News (AP)

It's easy to get a false sense of security or to not use sunscreens in the most effective manner.

Shade, wide-brim hats, sunglasses, covering-up (say, wearing a T-shirt when you swim - so what if it gets wet?), staying out of the sun in the middle of the day remain the most effective protection against skin cancer (as well as painful sunburn).

Apparently sunscreens and sunblocks should still be used - and follow the instructions! - but not relied on 100% for protection from the sun.

My family is a fair bunch - half of it being Swedish and the rest various other Northern Europeans. We've had rampant skin cancer in our family - including melonoma. My Swedish father seems to have paid a high price for his shirtless days in the South Pacific during WWII with melonoma and repeated skin cancers on his back. To my knowledge, I don't have it, but probably will at some point. Point being - watch out. Especially if you're fair. Southern California (where I am) is not exactly the best location for for us pale ones. All the more reason for caution. (I dislike the sun, anyway, frankly...)

Web auctions, the new jackpot for middle Americans

2006-06-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

Web auctions, the new jackpot for middle Americans - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

eBay does have its potential.

I have only tested the waters of being an eBay seller, selling a Michael Jackson/Disneyland free souvenir pin (a perq for being a member of the press) for over $6.

I like the idea of taking excess, not-really-wanted, in-the-way stuff around my home and making money with it on eBay. This is pretty much the same as what people do with yard sales, garage sales, and swap meets. eBay is for the lazy and cheap among us (me) who would rather do it online. So much easier and more convenient. Besides - I don't have a yard or a garage!

Yes, I plan to do more eBay in the future...

Another good source are the used-book sites - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, half.com... Bargain books to buy, and a great way to get rid of, especially novels and out-dated books, that you don't really want or need anymore and are just getting in the way.

I did have a bookseller rip me off on Amazon, but Amazon's guarantee covered my loss (with a reminder from Amazon that, as a result, I had used up one of my three money-back guarantees).

There is some hassle to selling on eBay, etc. - setting up the ad, the product photo(s) - and definitely the shipping. But, all in all, there's some opportunity here.

Seniors moving out of nursing home system

2006-06-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

Seniors moving out of nursing home system - Yahoo! News (AP)

And a good thing. I'd like to see this expand.

Around the country, nursing homes — once consider life's final stop — are
experiencing a growing number of residents who are packing up and moving out, as
more and more seniors receive the help they need through home care or in
assisted living settings.

The economics of this "new way" is interesting as well in that it could be less expensive for everyone all around. The article goes into this.

Yahoo, world's most popular e-mail, hit by worm

2006-06-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

Yahoo, world's most popular e-mail, hit by worm - Yahoo! News (Reuters)

This doesn't seem to be real serious, but Yahoo suggested that Yahoo Mail users block the address av3@yahoo.com

I have done so, just to be on the safe side.

Apparently, this worm doesn't appear to be a problem with the latest version of Yahoo Mail Beta.

Students find ring tone adults can't hear

2006-06-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

Students find ring tone adults can't hear - Yahoo! News (AP)

Have you heard this yet? Or rather, not heard it?

It's humbling, frankly. Makes one feel old.

My son has this spooky ringtone mentioned above. My husband can't hear it; I can, but just barely (it's almost as if I'm imagining hearing something...).

Animals react to it. At least my son's girlfriend's cat can clearly hear it, reacting to it (wondering where it's coming from).

My Apologies re the Groovy Ladies Page

2006-06-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

I should have known better than to copy a flawed Web Page to create a new Web Page! Duh!

I'm sorry that it's kinda sloppy. I also had to cut out a section, which I copied and pasted onto Notepad so I could stick it back into the Page properly later. Something I had to do because I didn't have an hour at the time - it was the weekend! - to screw around, er, work with it.

I'm a Graphic Designer, not a Web Designer. Sometimes it shows. ; )

If you like B. Kliban cats, check out the the new link, just the same. The title above will get you to the GL Page.

Have a nice weekend, Ladies!

wikiHow - The How-To Manual

2006-06-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

wikiHow - The How-To Manual That Anyone Can Write or Edit

This place is fascinating, amusing. And useful.

Of course you want to know how to "Survive in the Woods for 3 days", "Run up a Wall and Flip", "Bury Your Burdens"... and much, much more.

Much of the advice is genuinely useful to most of us, such as "Extend the Life of Your Car."

Detox clinic opening for video addicts

2006-06-08T20:08:00.000-07:00

Detox clinic opening for video addicts - Yahoo! News (AP): "Symptoms of addiction are easy to spot, Bakker says. Parents should take notice if a child neglects usual activities, spends several hours at a time with the computer and has no social life."

Haven't we all known some kid who just spends - or would like to - too much time playing these games?

I remember tearing my son away from his beloved "screens" (TV, Nintendo, computer...), and getting him out of the house. Frequently, regularly.

Showing my age, but, I remember "going out to play", "going to play with a friend", "going over to my friend's house", "going out in the yard"... Back in the day we spent so much more time outside (and this was in Chicago, not in this nice weather here in SoCal). Also being physical - playing at the park, running, walking, biking, doing cartwheels, playing catch, outdoor games (remember tag and hide-and-seek?), sports... No talk of obese kids back then.