FOR NABBW MEMBERS ONLY, FEATURED MEMBER AND FEATURED ASSOCIATE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have created a user-friendly version of member
benefits on the Members Only page at www.nabbw.com.
Check it out. Email me at
dots@boomerwomenspeak.com if you've forgotten your
password.
We are continually evaluating and working to improve
NABBW. Members, look for a survey during April. We look
forward to receiving your feedback.
THIS MONTH'S ADDED BENEFITS
Look for these added benefits on the Members Only
page at www.nabbw.com.
Angela Rall
www.pthomecare.com
If any baby boomer women are in need of home care services
for their elderly parents/relatives/friends that live in the New
York/NJ area, they may call Personal Touch for a FREE
consultation with a Senior Advisor. They will also receive a
discount when they place an order for services if they mention
that they are members of nabbw/bws.
Thanks so much. Angela (arall@pthomecare.com)
Linda Miller
http://www.GreetingCardGift.com
You are invited to send two free greeting cards through a new
web based contact management system and greeting card
system that will send REAL greeting cards for you through the
postal service for you. Learn more and please enter "BWS" in
the Coupon Code to request your Greeting Card Gift Account at
her web site.
Pam Blair
http://www.thenext50years.com/
Receive a 20% discount for Pam's online course which is based
on her book, The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at
Midlife and Beyond, published by Hampton Roads. The
discounted link is listed with the User-Friendly Member
Benefits.
REDUCED ADVERTISING AT
www.BoomerWomenSpeak.com This is a
reminder that
all NABBW members receive 20% off advertising rates at
BWS.
Teleseminars are one of them many benefits of being a
member of NABBW.
APRIL TELESEMINAR
Topic: Suzanne Falter-Barns: "Get Known Now!"
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 8:00 pm EST
For those who missed the teleseminar, you can listen through
the link posted on the User-Friendly Member Benefit List at www.nabbw.com.
Wish you could make more money and get more publicity from
your website or blog? Learn how to package yourself so you
attract national publicity, and increased sales. In the last six
months, Suzanne Falter-Barns Get Known Now programs have
helped land clients in Time Magazine (cover story), PBS
specials, Real Simple, Yoga Journal and many more venues –
it’s all about how they packaged themselves! Grab Suzanne’s
free database of National Media & Publishing contacts at
www.getknownnow.com
The link is listed with the User-Friendly Member
Benefits at www.nabbw.com.
FEATURED ASSOCIATE
Ellen Edrington
http://www.blackrabbitdesign.com
 Ellen Edrington launched her company Black
Rabbit Design in 2002. Her business started with a few
handbag sales to friends and has since grown into a full-time
endeavor. This includes hosting home shows, sponsoring “purse
parties”, displaying her bags at craft and industry events and
through several specialty retail establishments. She introduced
her website, www.blackrabbitdesign.com in 2005.
Her latest endeavor is the development of a wholesale client
base.
Black Rabbit Design offers a unique collection of fabric
handbags, totes and cocktail bags with styles that range from
traditional to fun. All the handbags are hand crafted, using
high quality fabrics and trims with attention to detail and
impeccable workmanship.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Md., Ellen has been sewing since
she was 10 years old. Ellen credits her mother, an experienced
sewer, with teaching her everything she knows. She started
sewing simple seams for her mother’s projects and gradually
became proficient enough to sew her own clothes. She has
always loved fabrics and color and has a keen eye for design.
After a 12 year career as an accountant, she became a full-
time stay-at-home mom after her 1st child was born in 1991.
After her second son was born 4 years later, she was busier
than ever. She was also helping her elderly parents navigate
their way through their twilight years and also offering help to
her husband’s parents’ who were in the same stage of life.
Ellen was definitely a member of the “sandwich generation.”
Although stressful at the time, she is grateful for the
opportunity she had to spend so much time with her parents in
their final years.
Looking for a way to use her sewing experience and creativity,
along with her passion for purses, Black Rabbit Design was a
natural extension that allowed her to create a successful
business centered around providing high-quality, creative
handbags. As a result, she has built a very loyal and
enthusiastic clientele. According to Ellen, the best part of this
business is the opportunity to do something she loves and meet
many interesting people.
When not sewing, Ellen enjoys attending her sons’ sporting
events, decorating, and escaping to the beach (her favorite
place!). Ellen divides her time between Lutherville, Md. and
Bethany Beach, DE. with her husband Jim and their two sons,
Marshall and Grant.
All NABBW members receive 20% off Black Rabbit
Designs!
FEATURED MEMBER
Maureen Focht
Author of Silent Heroes, Courageous Families Living with
Depression and Mental Illness
www.TheSilentHeroes.com
 As many of us baby-boomers, Maureen lost both
her parents over the last few years.
Reflecting upon their lives, she realized the ultimate
commitment her father made of caring his whole life for her
mother who had schizophrenia. Maureen also realized the
subject of mental illness is still ‘in the closet.’ There are many
‘silent heroes’ trying to cope without the proper knowledge or
support. Maureen is committed to helping families who have a
loved one with a mental disorder. She is a family advocate and
educator with NAMI, the National Alliance for Mental Illness,
which is the nation’s largest support and advocacy group for
those with a mental (brain) disorder and their families.
In her book, Silent Heroes, Courageous Families Living with
Depression and Mental Illness (Wyatt-MacKenzie, ISBN:1
-932279-18-0) Maureen explains what her family story,
educational information and helpful resources. The book also
contains other family stories. While researching, she learned
that many families have stories of mental illness, but they are
left untold. Many books on this subject are technical and
difficult to read without a medical background. Maureen wrote
the book to be easily read by anyone who is interested, needs
help, and wants to learn more about mental disorders. She
calls mental illness ‘Society’s ‘Elephant in the Room” and is
striving to break the silence and erase the stigma. Maureen
holds a Masters of Educational Counseling. She has been
married for 23 years and has one daughter.
FEATURED AUTHOR - MAY BWS
FORUMS
Dee Dee Rapp
May BWS Forums
www.deedeerapp.com
 Talk about your mom during May.
America's biggest generation is losing America's greatest
generation, and as author Dee Dee Raap knows firsthand, the
loss can be sudden and especially painful. Dee Dee's mom
died just before Christmas, and nine years later, Christmas
ornaments her mother made took her on a journey she calls
"narrative healing." Dee Dee will share her journey in the
forum, sharing the gifts of her Mom--values, life lessons and
plastic pink flamingoes--as well as prompts that enabled her to
write the series of hearfelt letters that readers across the
country have used to begin their own journey of remembering,
celebrating and healing. Dear Mom: Remembering,
Celebrating, Healing, is an inspiring, beautifully written book
that every baby boomer women can relate to: the relationship
between a mom and daughter.
|
MONTHLY COLUMNS AND MEMBER NEWS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Meaning of Friendship
By Karen Baar
I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship. One of my closest
friends, let’s call her Ellie, is moving; she and her husband will
be gone by summer.
Ellie and I met five years ago. Ironically, even though she lived
a five minute walk away from me, we didn’t know each other
until we were introduced by a mutual friend. At the time, we
both worked at home, so our first “date” was a long walk with
her dog through the wooded trails in our neighborhood. I was in
the throes of an ugly divorce; she, divorced years ago, was full
of insight and helpful advice.
Here’s the thing about Ellie: she knows how to “do” friendship.
She pays attention to her relationships, knowing that they
involve work. From the very beginning, she called or e-mailed
me almost every day. She seemed to have a sixth sense about
what I needed, and when. When I grew strong enough to
reciprocate, mutual sharing strengthened our bond. During our
walks, we recounted our histories, eventually baring our
deepest secrets.
Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/karenbaar.html
Being Alone
By Prill Boyle
While leading a Defying Gravity workshop last month, I asked
the women in the group to share a few of their fears. Lynn, a
50-something divorc�e, didn’t hesitate. “I’m afraid to grow old
without a companion,” she said.
The irony is that if Lynn remains single, she’ll soon have plenty
of company. As we baby boomer women age, more and more
of us will find ourselves alone. Some of us will never marry.
Others will divorce. Statistically speaking, the majority of
wives will end up widows.
Continue reading at this link:
http://www.nabbw.com/columns/prillboyle.html
Retirement and Universal Design
By Jan Cullinane
When you retire from your primary career, will you relocate?
More than 50 percent of homeowners between the ages of 45
to 64 plan to pack up and move entirely, purchase a second
home, or buy an investment property, according to the National
Association of Home Builders. With almost 77 million Boomers
marching toward retirement, there will be lots of moving vans
rumbling down the streets!
But, whether you stay put, buy new, purchase a resale, rent, or
remodel, you should know about a concept called “universal
design.” According to the Center for Universal Design, the
intent is “the design of products and environments to be usable
by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need
for adaptation or specialized design.”
Translated into specifics, it means 27-inch high electrical
outlets to minimize bending, rocker switches to make turning
lights on and off easier, nonslip flooring, wider hallways to
accommodate a wheelchair (if that becomes necessary),
“comfort height” toilets that are two and one half inches taller
than the standard 17 to 19 inch height, etc. In other words,
universal design makes a home more accessible, no matter
what your age or condition, and, in most cases, doesn’t require
anything fancy or expensive.
Continue reading at this link:
http://www.nabbw.com/columns/jancullinane.html
How To Look For A Lawyer
By Patricia McHugh Lambert
From Shakespeare to Jay Leno, lawyers are the subject jokes.
According to the jokes, lawyers are unprincipled, lawyers over
bill and lawyers too often tell clients what the client already
knew. The truth is that some lawyers fall within this
stereotypical characterization. Run away from these attorneys
as fast as you can!
There is another group of attorneys, however, who you need.
These lawyers are advocates for you when you are in trouble,
counselors for you when you have difficult decisions to make
and experts who know the intricacies of the law. These lawyers
are ones you should seek out and hire -- before you even need
a lawyer.
Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/patlambert.html
Lying on a Nail
By Nan S. Russell
Once there was a young woman who didn't like her job.
Everyday when she came home from work, she told her
husband how terrible her day had been, how tiring the work
and how unreasonable her boss. "Leave that job," her husband
told her.
"Oh I will" she said. "But not yet. I have too many friends there
for me to leave just yet." And so she complained until the days
became years and her family grew to five. "Leave that job,"
her children told her. "Oh I will" she said. "But not yet. I have
seniority and four weeks vacation I can spend with you. I'm not
ready to start over just yet.
Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/nanrussell.html
Workplace Eldercare Programs -
Getting the Support You Need
By Barbara Friesner
It is estimated that 65% of the workforce cares for chronically
ill or aging loved ones – a responsibility that often conflicts
with work. Unfortunately, most employees are reluctant to
mention their eldercare problems at work so they don’t know
what eldercare programs are available. As a result, utilization
of eldercare programs is often as low as 1-2% – leaving many
employers to believe that programs are not needed, causing
some employers to reduce or limit the workplace eldercare
options!
Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/
barbarafriesner.html
Eight Mistakes That Can Kill Your
Website
By Suzanne Falter-Barns
Ever notice how some websites feel great, energetic, fun -- you
just want to linger to soak up more? And yet other sites are
truly repellant. These tips will help you create a truly
happening site.
1. Don’t use a dark background. Think about the
websites you’ve seen that are fun, refreshing, and really draw
you in. Ever notice they usually have a white or light
background? Dark or heavily patterned background are
emotionally draining to look at, and they’re hard to read. Since
the Web is a written medium, color counts!
Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/
suzannefalter.html
April Showers Bring April
Showers
By Julie Clark Robinson
"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with
silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby."
-Langston Hughes
Yesterday, I was strangely excited. The sky stayed dark all day
and my battered wind chimes worked overtime. “Clang,
clang. the weatherman wants to tell you something.” I
stopped working for a minute and let my senses drink it in.
“Clang, clang - get off your ass and turn on the TV”. After
months of frosty air, I cracked open my office window and felt
actual warmth seeping in. “Clang, thump! Rumble, rumble,
rumble, thud.” The trash can was rolling down the street,
so I pulled myself out of my giddy trance and went downstairs
to investigate.
Continue reading at this link:
http://www.nabbw.com/columns/julierobinson.html
Creating Sacred Space
By Regina Leeds
Recently I conducted a seminar called Creating Sacred
Space. I want to share a few tips with you. You would be
surprised how little effort it takes to instantly change the
energy of your home. Are you ready?
The first thing we want to do is to define ‘Sacred Space.’ What
does it mean to you? When I asked our class participants this
question, they told me a Sacred Space is one where you feel
safe. It’s calm and peaceful. There is no clutter, they said, and
the space ‘feels’ different. I like all of those ideas. What would
you add?
Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/reginaleeds.html
Intimacy at First Sight?
By Judith Sherven, Ph.D. & James Sniechowski, Ph.D.
No doubt, you've heard it said that love can happen in an
instant. You see a stranger across a crowded room and,
whammo, your heart flutters, temperature rises, your stomach
is suddenly popping and fizzing, and what feels like destiny is
taking you for a ride. How awesomely sweet. You hadn't
planned for it, hadn't even expected it, but there it is. Love at
first sight. Wow!
The truth is that some relationships which begin in that swept-
away surge last a lifetime. And in some of those, two people
remain enchanted with each other, lovers and friends to the
end.
Continue reading at this link: http://www.nabbw.com/columns/
judithsherven.html
Bienvenue a Paris
By Carol Sorgen
For many, Paris is about museums and monuments; for others,
it’s about wining and dining; for still others, it’s about shopping
(even if only gazing through the windows). As a frequent visitor
to Paris, I usually try to do a bit of everything, but truth be
told, unless there’s a special exhibition I want to see, I
generally skip the major sights such as the Louvre. You don’t
need me to tell you what the must-sees are in Paris—especially
on your first trip—any guidebook can do that for you. So here
instead is a list of some of my personal favorites—some I
return to every visit, some were new to me but will be on the
must-see/do/eat list in the future. I hope they become some of
your favorites too.
Continue reading at this link: http://nabbw.com/columns/
carolsorgen.html
MEMBER NEWS
APRIL IS NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
MONTH
Lynn C. Tolson, artist, author,
advocate: one in three women & one in five men are sexually
assaulted in their lifetime. Sexual assault, addiction, and
suicide are unsolved social problems that carry stigmas. The
stigmas cast a code of silence that do not solve problems. The
result from not speaking about the crime of sexual assault is
too often tragic. Thus, there is a need for real stories of
recovery. By bringing her dark secrets to light, it is her hope
that others who have had similar events will know that they
are not alone. Readers may explore their own emotions to
open lines of communication, eliminate shame, and experience
healing. Lynn also hopes her book promotes understanding of
the issues that cause individual suffering and plague our
society. Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor’s Story is
Lynn C. Tolson’s poignant and powerful memoir about
overcoming sexual abuse and its effects. Lynn offers free
shipping to NABBW members on direct orders postmarked no
later than April 30th 2006. Visit www.beyondthetears.com and contact
Lynn for information.
Cathy Taylor
http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com
Are you
looking for solutions to your uncomfortable menopause
symptoms? It's a shame to suffer from menopause when you
don't have to. Discover the insider secrets at her web site.
Shelley Tompkins
www.secure-bedfan.comm
The BEDFAN, We Take the
Heat Out of Your Sleep. THANK YOU ladies, for all of the
support, kind and enthusiastic responses and orders. If you
have not had a chance to check us out, please visit our web
site.
Marcia Merrill, Transitions Coach
Turning mid-life into the RIGHT Life!
www.eCareerCorner.com
Carolyn Horton
www.youravon.com/chorton
Sign up for the What's New at Avon newsletter. One stop
shopping for beauty needs and gifts is just one click away.
Don't miss out!
Sherri Smith
Sherri was named Best New Christian Writer 2006 by
www.christianstoryteller.com. She was chosen by the
board of directors of that site because of the quality of her first
novel Bitter Water.
Nancy Garland
www.wiseolderwomen.com
WOW! Wise Older Women! Join WOW! Wise Older Women! to
recognize and overcome aging hang-ups, shed self-defeating
behaviors and move beyond our society's limiting messages to
change the paradigm for older women. To subscribe to our
free, monthly email newsletter, send an email to subscribe@wiseolderwomen
.com or visit our website.
Nancy Mills
http://www.thespiritedwoman.com
Spirited Woman, a very inspired woman's empowerment
community, recently launched the Spirited Woman Circle, an
exclusive monthly 1-hr. phone conversation series with famous
women authors and actresses. It's a hit! Founder Nancy Mills
invites you to join in the fun.
Sherry Tillett
www.mysilpada.com/sherry.tillett
Silpada Designs - Spring supplement with 43 beautiful new
pieces of high quality jewelry. 20% discount to all NABBW
members. Ask me about a catalog party! sherrytillett@comcast.net
Judith Sherven, PhD
our NABBW Relationship Expert, and her husband Jim
Sniechowski, PhD are now seen Wednesdays on Time Warner
television.
Their "Relationships 101" series airs across most of New York.
And they were recently interviewed by Cosmo magazine about
their recent book, "The
Smart Couple's Guide to the Wedding of Your Dreams". Look for
the article
in the June issue. www.judithandjim.com They were also
interviewed by
Don Aucoin about their new book, The Smart Couple's
Guide to
the Wedding of Your Dreams, for the Boston Globe. The
article will run in mid-April.
Karen Stephens
Karen Stephen, NABBW's Mental Health Advisor, will be adding
a new feature
on "Life After Sixty" to her Doctor Flamingo Online website
(http://www.doctorflamingo-online.com).
She will focus on how women might
re-invent themselves, live out their dreams instead of their
duties, and
explore their creative side during this phase of life. On
Sunday, April
30th at 1 pm, she will have a signing at the BookSurge booth
(#178) at the
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA for her novel
DEGREES OF
OBSESSION (http://www.degreesofobsession.com).
KC Christensen-Lang
www.HumorandLaughter.com
ATTENTION UPBEAT
NABBW MEMBERS! Love to laugh? Believe in humor? Need a
day-brightner? Your fellow member, Joyologist KC Christensen-
Lang offers a FREE way - grab some fun; sign up for her
"Virtual Moment of Joy" eblurb on her web
site.
Eileen Bodoh and Katherine Scherer
www.gratitudeworks.com
An empowering precious inspirational gift book for Mother's
Day that she will treasure forever.
Patrika Vaughn
www.acappela.com
Get a FREE newsletter for Writers from your Author's Advocate.
Sign up at our web site, where you can also find help for your
writing, and the publishing and marketing for your works.
Stephanie Montgomery
www.memoircafe.com
As a member of Memoir Caf� you can receive unlimited
numbers of quality critiques from thoughtful women writers on
every aspect of your work. “Tell Me a Story,” our ongoing
memoir writing workshop, will challenge and reward your
efforts to develop and polish your writing skills. And, with your
permission, you may hear your stories on the Memoir Caf�
radio show!
Janet Hussman Meacham
Janet’s focus is total wellness in body, mind and spirit. She
believes the body is the miracle. Amazing things happen when
we give our bodies what they need. Email or call her and find
out how simple changes can support you on your journey
toward total wellness. - terraenterprises@comcast.net
, Voice/Fax 1.866.825.2616
Cynthia Johnston
http://chewyspirit.typepad.com
Head on over to Cynthia's blog on Living a Divine and Absurd
Life. She is best known for her ability to synthesize the fields
of physics, spirituality, broadband technology and intuition.
Visit her blog for inspiration and laughs.
Kate Sanner
You are cordially invited to a special VivaNetworking(TM)
Breakfast for Women in Business on Thursday, May 25, 2006
from 8:30-10:30 am featuring Melodie Reagan, CEO and
founder of Auromira Executive Advantage, presenting on
"What Matters in Business - For Women". The event
will be held at The Marchand Room, Kahler Hall, 5440 Old
Tucker Row, Columbia, MD; cost is $25.00 per person with a
portion of the proceeds being donated to Success in Style
, a non-profit organization that provides business attire
and
practical fashion advice to disadvantaged women seeking to
gain employment and maintain a career. For registration
information, contact Kate Sanner, CEO, VIVACITY(TM), LLC at
kate@vivacitynow.com, or at 1
-888-285-4038, or 443-794-4598.
Joan Eisenberg, CMKBD
www.mykitchenlady.com
Joan is participating in a book launch on May 2, 2006 by
offering a free copy of “My Kitchen Project Manager” for
anyone buying this woman authored empowerment book. The
book, The Law of Achievement, Discover Your Purpose,
Possibility and Potential by Kathleen Gage and Lori
Giovannoni. Executive Women International is partnering in the
launch, the following is a quote about their commitment to the
launch: “Not only do we plan to take our book The Law of
Achievement to #1 on Amazon.com and
Barnesandnoble.com in less than 24 hours, we also plan to
raise thousands of dollars for a well established literacy
program called The Reading Rally.” For more
information on this worthwhile promotion go to: http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/
partnersvj.htm
Christine Sotmary
www.gotbetterhealth.com
Let the G.O.T. Better Health Program be your refuge from the
high tech, fast paced world of modern healthcare. We offer you
an oasis of body, mind and spirit wellness. That’s what G.O.T.
(Getting On Track) is all about.
Julia Poulos
www.savvypresentations.com
Julia is Principal of "All the World's a Stage", a public
speaking and presentation skill training and coaching company
located in Princeton, New Jersey. Visit her at her web site
above. She is so happy to see Boomer Babes banding together.
Daina Puodziunas
http://midlifefairygodmothers.com/Workshops.htm
Donna Henes is presenting The Queen of My Self
workshop and Coronation Ceremony based on her book
with the same name. The event is near Grand Rapids, Michigan
on Saturday, April 15 at the Midlife Fairy Godmother's Land Of
Enchantment for $100 (which includes the book.) Find more
info. and registration by check or credit card, visit her web site
above.
|
The
Boomer Women Speak and National Association of Baby
Boomer Women web sites were featured on ABC, WCVB-TV in
Boston, on Friday, April 7th. Click Here to View the Video Clip!
TAKE TIME TO VISIT OUR
SISTER SITE
The above quote appeared in my e-mail while I was writing a
speech to deliver before 750 females at the Mercy High School
Mother/Daughter Luncheon (my alma mater). Those 17 simple
words empowered me to finish writing the speech, which
amazingly enough was about women encouraging women. The
quote reminded me that we have the power within to impact
the lives of those we correspond with every day. Why not take
time to think before we communicate and be certain we are
doing our part in building others up?
