Patience and Respect for Yourself

There are days when it is hard to get started. I had a day like that yesterday. It was a rough beginning for me. I took a few moments to gather myself, just sitting with the morning light. I decided rather than fighting that feeling, I would just sit, afterward taking my time. I have an order in which I do things, and things usually flow pretty good. I just slowed myself down and found that focusing a little more than usual helped.

My reaction so many times is to get frustrated with myself, hurry through things just to get them done. By taking my time, I actually got things done quicker in the long run. If we can be patient with others, how about doing that with ourselves, instead of calling myself stupid or what is wrong with you?

Showing myself the same respect as I do others, I feel better, my routine flowed better and so did the rest of my day. Patience and respect for myself, what a difference. 

"Patience and respect: they aren't just gifts we give to others. They are the tools we use to build a day that feels good to live in. Yesterday taught me that when I slow down, I actually find my stride.

So, here’s to the slow starts, the deep breaths, and the radical act of being kind to the woman in the mirror. Rock on, ladies."

Marge Farrington OWRO

Older Women Rock On: Spreading Holiday Cheer – Giving Back in Every Way!

 

The holiday season is here, and with it comes a beautiful opportunity to open our hearts and give back to our communities. Here at "Older Women Rock On," we believe that giving knows no age, no income bracket, and certainly no limits on creativity! Whether you have ample resources, a little to spare, or just a truly generous spirit and some time, there are countless ways you can make a profound difference this holiday season.

Let's explore how we, as amazing older women, can spread joy and support those in need – both two-legged and four-legged!

💰 Giving from the Heart: Resources Big and Small

For many of us, the holidays are a time when we can financially contribute. This might look like:

Donating to Reputable Charities: Many organizations work tirelessly during the holidays to provide food, shelter, and gifts to families and individuals in need. Even a small monetary donation can go a long way in providing a warm meal or a much-needed gift.

Shopping for a Cause: Consider "adopting" a family or a senior through local programs, where you can fulfill their specific wish lists for gifts or essential items. Many communities have programs through churches, community centers, or social services.

🐾 Supporting Families with Pets: Food and Care

Pets are family, and no senior or family should have to choose between feeding themselves or their beloved companion.

Animal Rescues and Shelters: Organizations like the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA always welcome donations. However, seek out local animal shelters and rescue groups that often have wish lists for specific items like food, blankets, and toys.

Pet Food Banks: Many local Meals on Wheels providers and general food banks now offer pet assistance programs to help families and seniors who are struggling. Monetary donations or donations of cat and dog food, cat litter, and even veterinary care can directly support these efforts.

⏱️ Giving Your Time: The Priceless Gift

Financial contributions are wonderful, but your time and compassion are equally, if not more, valuable. If monetary donations aren't feasible, consider these impactful ways to give back:

Highlight: Meals on Wheels

An excellent national program that focuses on the well-being of seniors is Meals on Wheels. This network of local providers delivers not just nutritious meals, but also crucial safety checks and friendly companionship to homebound seniors across the country.

Volunteer Driver: This is a perfect way to give about an hour of your time, offering both a meal and a friendly face to a senior in your area.

Other Opportunities: Many local Meals on Wheels programs also need volunteers for tasks like meal packing, pet food packaging (for their clients' pets!), and administrative support. To find a program and specific needs in your community, you can start by visiting the Meals on Wheels America website.

Creative Ways to Volunteer:

Be a "Card Angel": This is a beautiful, low-cost way to give meaningful support.

Foster Children: Organizations like Cards for Kids or local foster care agencies often coordinate programs where you can send uplifting, handmade, or store-bought holiday cards directly to children in foster care.

Elderly Residents: Many nursing homes and assisted living facilities appreciate cards sent to residents who feel isolated. A heartfelt note wishing someone well can truly brighten their day.

Connect with Seniors: Check with local nursing homes to see if you can volunteer to read, help decorate, or simply spend time chatting with residents who may not have family nearby.

💖 Share Your Sparkle: Let's Inspire Each Other!

Whether you signed up to deliver meals, dedicated an afternoon to walking shelter dogs, or simply sent a handful of heartfelt holiday cards, you are making a magnificent difference. Every single act of kindness, big or small, contributes to a happier, healthier, and more compassionate world.

We want to hear from you!

In the comments below, please share your giving ideas, your favorite national or local charities, or tell us about a simple act of service you plan to do this season! Let's use this space to inspire each other and keep the rock-on spirit of giving going all year long.

💥 The Rock On Color Revolution: Why Older Women Are Dominating Autumn in Red, Teal, and Yellow

 

Introduction: Where Did All the Color Go?

Ladies, let’s be honest. Every fall, the fashion world tries to tuck us into a uniform of tweed, taupe, and terribly safe shades of gray. The old rule says: "As you mature, you should neutralize."

We say: ABSOLUTELY NOT!

This fall, we're not blending in with the pumpkin spice latte crowd. We’re taking a cue from the autumn leaves themselves—the bolder the color, the better! This is the season for us to embrace Red, Teal, and Yellow as the power trio that tells the world: "We're not winding down, we're rocking on!"

Section 1: The Three Fun-Fueled Fall Colors We Love

Forget the old rules! Here is your quick-start guide to rocking the shades that will make you feel vibrant and confident.

🔥 1. Poppy Red: The Audacity of Confidence

The Vibe: Energetic, unapologetic, and instantly uplifting. Red is the color of power and excitement—it’s the perfect antidote to a gloomy day.

A Cute Idea: Ditch the neutral scarf and grab a bold red statement bag (maybe a crossbody or a fun tote!). It pops perfectly against black, navy, or brown coats and instantly brightens your face.

Style Tip: If an entire sweater feels like too much, wear red shoes or fun, patterned socks that flash when you sit down.

🌊 2. Electric Teal: The Unexpected Jewel

The Vibe: Rich, sophisticated, and a gorgeous complement to all those traditional autumn tones (like brown and camel). It's far softer than black but carries the same dramatic weight.

A Cute Idea: A teal velvet blazer or a pair of teal corduroy pants. Pair it with a classic white t-shirt and your favorite denim jacket. It's chic comfort that looks expensive.

Style Tip: Teal is a fabulous color for glasses frames or a piece of chunky, artistic jewelry.

🌟 3. Mustard Yellow: The Golden Glow-Up

The Vibe: Warm, inviting, and a brilliant way to keep that summer sun glowing, even as the days shorten. It pairs beautifully with fall's deep browns and greens.

A Cute Idea: Look for a funky, oversized mustard cardigan or a thick knit sweater. Wear it buttoned up over a silk scarf (see the thrift tip below!) and tuck it into a pair of dark-wash jeans.

Style Tip: This color is fantastic as a base layer under a denim or leather jacket.

Section 2: The Thrill of the Thrift: Finding the Hard-to-Find Colors

The secret weapon of every fashionable woman over a certain age? The Thrift Store.

Why are thrift stores, Goodwill, and vintage shops the best place to hunt for these bold shades?

The Unique Find Factor: Retailers today often stick to mainstream, safe colors. Thrift stores, however, hold decades of styles—you can find that perfect teal silk blouse from the 80s, a unique mustard coat that no one else has, or a vintage red leather belt that is impossible to replicate online.

Textural Treasures: These bold colors look incredible in forgotten fall fabrics like corduroy, velvet, suede, and thick cable knits. These high-quality, saturated pieces are often abundant (and affordable!) at secondhand spots.

Your "Rock On" Thrifting Action Plan:

Search the Color, Not the Trend: Ignore the "blazer" or "sweater" signs and head straight for the color-coded racks (many stores, like Goodwill, color-code their clothing!). Look only for the bright Reds, Teals, and Yellows.

Accessory Attack: Focus on the accessories case! This is where you'll find those unique statement necklaces, printed silk scarves, and colorful leather gloves that are the perfect pop without committing to a full garment.

Happy hunting, ladies! Go forth and paint this fall season with your own vibrant colors.

Marge Farrington

Focus: Youthful Look or Healthy, Mind, and Body Spirit?

                                               

I find myself going through "growing pains." I find myself dealing with the "battle of the bulge." Coping with "love handles" that I hate. I think I've lost weight, only to find it's just "rearranged" itself.

My closet and drawers are divided into, "fits now," "may get back into," "hope to get into again", "Big time" and "fat chance."

It's really a struggle. When I was younger, I never had to worry about my weight. With age, nothing's the same. It doesn't help to be bombarded with media signals that I should want to look 20 years younger, and what I should buy to achieve that look.

I don't want to look 20 years younger. I just want to feel good about myself, be healthy and not be self conscious about what I look like.

Our society focuses on youth ... Me, well, I am focusing on a healthy mind, body and spirit. How about you?

Best Foods for Women 50 Plus!

                                                         

                                 The Best Foods to Eat For Women 50 Years Old and Beyond


                                       
MD Monthly  March 21, 2018  Senior, Women's

The Best Foods to Eat For Women 50 Years Old and Beyond

By: Josh Elizetxe
Women’s bodies undergo different changes as time passes by. Apparently, these changes have huge impacts on health and wellness. At the age of 30, every woman’s metabolism begins to decline. The same is true for bone density and hormone levels.  So, imagine your overall health condition in your fifties and sixties.

In totality, it is not only your preference for music and clothes that change as you get older. You must understand that your body is no longer functioning as efficiently as it was when you were 20 or 30. And being much more selective to the food you are eating is a must. Hence, here are the best foods to eat when you are in your fifties.

Oats
Heart diseases are very common for older people – 45 and above. Women normally have a much higher risk of getting such diseases starting at the age of 55. So, including cholesterol-lowering foods and snacks is a great move.

Now, oats are natural cholesterol-lowering foods. And eating this regularly will not only help you lower your risks of heart diseases, but they can also decrease the risk of dying at an early age. Essentially, oats contain high levels of beta-glucan which is a soluble fiber that decreases cholesterol levels. A cup of this every morning will do the work effectively.

Apples
Apples are a great choice of fruit too when aiming for a clean and healthy diet. They are rich in fibers that are great for keeping your heart healthy. Also, eating more apples every day can largely decrease the risks of immobility as you age.

Alongside these benefits, apples have a lot of antioxidants that fight free radicals which are usually the causes of immunity decline.

Berries
For your brain improvements, berries are the greatest option to choose along with the other dark-colored berries. They contain phytochemicals that increase the blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation. As a result, these fruits can help you improve your brain functions and decrease the risk of having the common short-term memory loss tendencies.

Walnuts
You may want to resort to nuts as well, instead of munching on crackers and chips for your snacks. Recently, studies show that nuts, especially walnuts and peanuts, reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death by 28%. In addition, they improve brain functionality which is great for women over 50.

Try to have at least one cup of walnuts or peanuts per day. You may include fruits while munching on them.

Lean Meats & Fish
As you reach the age of 50 and older, you must be very careful in counting your calories. Instead of focusing on calorie-dense foods, switch to foods that are nutrient-dense such as lean meats and fish meats.

These kinds of foods are very rich in protein and fiber that are significantly needed for your body in these age groups.

Soy Milk
Your hormones may act strangely and differently during this stage in life. As you get older, the menopausal stages and symptoms that you experience are evident. You will want to choose to consume foods that are high in isoflavones since they mimic how estrogen hormones function.

Soy milk, tofu, and miso are the most appropriate choices for your hormonal concerns at this age. However, be mindful of consuming too many soybeans especially when you are a cancer survivor. It is essentially advisable that you consult with your doctor first before consuming such foods.

Yogurt
Another common concern of every mid-aged woman today is their bone health. During this stage of life, the bone apparently gets thinner making it very susceptible to fractures and osteoporosis. Hence, the need for vitamin D and calcium is much higher.

The green varieties of yogurt are great sources of fiber. As for milk yogurts and non-dairy types, they are quite rich in calcium. And they are the best foods to eat regularly to help and strengthen the bones in totality.

Broccoli
Today, there are a lot of “green superfoods” to choose from. But, one of the best choices in this line of food is broccoli. You could actually gain a lot of benefits from eating broccoli on a daily basis. A daily serving of this green can help you improve brain functions and health due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory contents. Also, the calcium contents of broccoli are significant and makes it great for your bone health as well.

Oranges
An orange a day can keep you active and well-functioning even at an older age. Also, the antioxidant that they contain slows the aging process which preserves your younger health states.

Apparently, the benefits of eating oranges are already established. Nevertheless, they are found to be helpful not only in strengthening your immune system but also in decreasing the risk of having physical impairment due to aging.

Eggs
Eggs are another great food to add to your diet and meal plans. They are high in protein and this helps you maintain a great shape and figure. Also, they contain significant numbers of nutrients which are beneficial to your overall health and wellness especially when you reach 50 and above.

Try to eat one or two eggs per day.

All of the foods listed above are not the surprising and unique kinds. They are the ones you always hear or read about when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. But, even though there’s not a major “wow-factor” in these foods, they can effectively help you manage your fitness states and health conditions during your mid-ages.
                                   
 Source : MD Monthly

More from MD Monthly : Senior Health
                                       

Everyday Fashion Women Over 50

         
                                                                     

When I look at what's "in" for women over 50 as far as fashion, so many times I find women with too much makeup, fancy hairstyles, and dressy clothes. So, I am glad when I find something more what I would wear. 

I found the following on The Best Fashion Blog:

EVERYDAY CLOTHING IDEAS FOR WOMEN OVER 50 2018

We have already spoke about formal apparel for women over 50 and today I want to show you best everyday clothing ideas for women over fifty. The first rule is to let go of baggy garments which weigh you down. Indeed, try to buy apparel which makes you look fresh and cute, like fitted and bright color tops, as well as adding bright accessories with sparkling details. Never wear drab and boring looks, it's better to try on flattering and slim-fit styles. I personally advice you to accentuate your natural curves and purchase slimming garments. Well, talking about shapeless tops, boxy sweaters, roomy blouses and outerwear, then, everything depends on your shape and personal tastes, since most of these styles are more suitable for younger generation. Anyway, you can always try on wrap blouse to add an edgy appearance. Look for patterned knits in cashmere, mohair and rich yarn. Some women go for long, elongated cardigans, which add that special layering effect to your overall look. The most important thing in 50's women wardrobe is to choose ageless spirit, which will make you look 10 years younger. That's why I have made this awesome Polyvore compilation of sophisticated and trendy clothing sets:

Look at the Clothes

Take a look at Pinterest Everyday Casual Chic

Style Craze Fashion For Women Over 50 – Style Guide And Wardrobe Tips

Hey, do you have something or some place online to share that have casual styles for women over 50? Let me know, or feel free to share in the comments!

Grateful to be part of the 60's Club

                                                                               60's Club

I am proud to be part of the 60's club. So many people don't make it to age 60, I realize how fortunate I am to still be here

Our society has always focused on youth. Not just the young, but selling the older people that they need to do all they can to look younger. Some how, natural aging is "against the rules." I know one thing, when I looked at my grandmother, I loved how she looked. Her beautiful white hair and blue eyes. She would wear a "house dress" with a sweater draped over her shoulders. There is nothing I would've changed about her!

I have been a grandmother since I was 40. My older grandchildren know me differently than my younger ones. That's only natural.

Our society doesn't look to older people as having wisdom. Isn't it odd how we honor and preserve so many historic homes, people love antiques.Yet older and elderly people are ignored, not cherished or respected.

We should not have to be subconscious about the lines on our face, the aging of our skin, graying hair, slowing down, needing people to help us when we need.

Maybe looking at us, being around us, younger people see their future. They should realize, we've been where they are and where they are going. They should want to learn from us. With so many people wanting to know about their ancestry, talk to the older people who are here, get to know them. We are part of the present, we are part of the past.

Look at us for who we are, not what we look like. We have given so much, yet have so much left to give..so much left to live...

Don't ignore us, don't look at us as a burden, don't shun us.

If you're fortunate, you too will join the 60's club and beyond. Treat those now in that age group the way you will want to be treated.