Michelle Obama--A True Baby Boomer Diva

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle Obama. Now for those of you who have been living in a cave over the past 15 months, Michelle is the wife of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Michelle came to Durham, NC to campaign for her husband. She was supposed to speak at 12:30pm but due to bad weather in the Midwest, she arrived and spoke more than two hours later. But her tardiness didn't seem to matter to the standing room only crowd. While waiting, we actually sat around and talked to each other---black, white, hispanic, young and old. It was a refreshing site to see. Not one hate monger in the crowd.

Michelle is even more impressive in person than she is on television. She is poised and assertive. She has a sense of humor and she can deliver a speech without NOTES. It's so obvious she and Barack have a REAL relationship and not something they have to make up for the cameras. She is also a beautiful example of what it's like to grow up in humble beginnings---unlike the way she and Barack have been depicted by some media as "elitists." She reminds me a lot of myself.

Following her speech I had a chance to actually meet her and gave her an autographed copy of my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age, along with a T-shirt donning the face of my grandson wearing an OBAMA hat.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome this dynamic baby boomer diva into the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame.

Star Jones Getting a Divorce

For those of you who said it would NEVER last--you were right. Star Jones has filed for a divorce from her husband of three years, Al Reynolds.

In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, The baby boomer diva said, "Several years ago I made an error in judgment by inviting the media into the most intimate area of my life. A month ago I filed for divorce. The dissolution of a marriage is a difficult time in anyone's life that requires privacy with one's thoughts."

Is there anyone reading this who thought it would last? This brings me to a point. Women who reach middle age shouldn't be so eager to get married that they end up making the wrong choice. What's more important---your biological clock or your happily-ever-after?

Sadly, too many sisters feel the need to be married by a certain age and some of them are even pressured by family and friends to take that trip down the aisle---and I do mean "trip!"

You need to read chapter two of my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age. The chapter is titled, "Lordy, Lordy, Are There Any Good men Still Left Over 40" to gain some perspective on what to look for in a mate at middle age.

I found it interesting that Star was quoted as saying this in People Magazine shortly after she and Al married:

"Every single wedding fantasy I ever had was fulfilled, down to the most handsome groom in the history of the world."

What she failed to mention was a keyword called LOVE. And as my mama once told me, "It's better to be alone and happy than married and miserable!" It's some of the best advice she ever gave me.

I'm Baby Boomer 305.24

It seems like our lives are identified by numbers. We have a social security number, driver’s license number and credit card numbers. We even have to have a number to identify the size of our clothes and shoes. Some of us have an incarceration number which, like your driver’s and social security numbers, will never go away.

But I learned recently that I have another number to add to my list. That number identifies me at my public library. That’s right. My book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age is in my local library! It sits right on the shelf alongside the autobiographies of former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Fox News Anchor Bill O’Reilly, to name a few.

It’s truly an honor to see my book sitting in a place with millions of other books. I worked hard on my book and even lost my job over it. Unlike other baby boomer authors, some who got wonderful five and six figure publishing deals, no one wanted to invest in me---so I had to invest in myself (or should I say my husband did). I still don’t have a distributor but it didn’t stop me from getting my book on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Last week, my book reached the Top 100 on Amazon in the Aging category. That’s quite an accomplishment from someone whose advertising budget came more from her drive and determination instead of her pocketbook.

Even with all of the numbers I have to try to remember, I don’t mind being baby boomer 305.24. I do have a problem with my dress size though and I’m definitely working to change it!

How to Keep your Sex Life Sizzlin' after 50!

I'm not ashamed to tell you that my husband makes me hotter than a hot flash! We share a healthy sex life because we share INTIMACY. That intimacy takes us beyond the bedroom and into each other's hearts and minds.

If you're trying to enhance or re-create the sexual magic in your relationship, here are a few tips:

Manage Your Menopause
Symptoms may begin up to 10 years before you reach the menopause at 50. As your body stops producing estrogen, your interest in sex naturally diminishes. Althought I'm NOT AN ADVOCATE of hormone replacement therapy, some doctors say hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be incredibly effective, helping to give your sex drive a boost as well as reducing symptoms such as hot flashes. There are lots of treatments, including sprays, creams and patches, so consult your doctor. Natural alternatives include the red clover and agnus castus supplements.

Banish Guilt
Just because you're 50 (or older) doesn't mean that you shouldn't want sex. Sex is a natural part of life. It connects the passion between a couple and there's no reason for you not to enhance and appreciate your sexuality.

Check Your Medication
Certain drugs are known to lower your libido, so it's worth checking out side effects. Culprits include medicines for heart disease, blood pressure, arthritis and high cholesterol, among others. Ask your doctor if there's an alternative you could try.

Test Your Hormones
Testosterone is important for sex drive in women and men, and a deficiency can lead to a dwindling interest.
Other symptoms include depression, fatigue, memory and concentration problems. See your doctor for blood tests.

There's no reason you shouldn't turn up the heat of passion in your relationship—even after 50.

Fabulously 50 and Happy!

I am having the time of my life! I never imagined that 50 years old could feel this good. After all, when I was a little girl the age of 50 seemed ancient and everyone I knew who was around that age acted like they had no more spunk left and was just waiting for the day when they could retire.

Well, no retirement for me anytime soon. Actually I don’t have a regular 9 to 5 to retire from but I consider that a blessing. I am not stressed out in a job where I’m underpaid and overworked and having to answer to someone young enough to be one of my children. I am doing what I love---writing and spreading positive messages about aging gracefully. “Enjoy the Journey!” I invite you to read why I'm so deliriously happy in my book Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age.

OK, so I’ve gone up a couple of dress sizes and I have a little extra jiggle when I walk but I’m doing it with dignity and style and not trying to squeeze into a size 2 or 4 or 6 for that matter. Yes, menopause and its host of annoying symptoms have come knocking at my door, but you know what I say to that? WHATEVER!

My love life couldn’t be better. I have a wonderful NEW husband who makes me hotter than a hot flash! We just celebrated our one year anniversary and I look forward to many more years of making him as happy as he makes me. He truly is the wind beneath my wings---not like my first husband who blew a lot of hot air!

So ladies, my advice to you is to take every negative in your life and find a positive. Sure, you’ll have days when you don’t want to get out of bed and face the world---try facing God instead---and have Him give you that nudge you need.

One more thing: Keep on PUSH—ing (Pray Until Something Happens!)

Baby Boomer Ignites Fireworks Early in the Nation's Capital

With a declaration of “I’m still Hot…it just comes in Flashes now!” Baby Boomer Author Beverly Mahone tells women in the Washington, DC area to enjoy their menopause.

In a guest appearance on the Fox 5 Morning News Show today, the 50-year-old self-proclaimed baby boomer diva said women have nothing to be ashamed of when going through the change of life. “It’s all a part of the aging process and it should be embraced with dignity, grace and style,” she asserts. In addition, she believes it is important to encourage women to take hot flashes in stride and to work hard to improve their physical and mental health. “Complaining about what ails you isn’t going to accomplish anything but frustration,” says Ms. Mahone. “Instead, we must focus on the transition as another phase of our journey in life and celebrate the fact that we’ve come this far.”

Ms. Mahone’s visit to the Nation’s Capital is a part of a summer tour for her book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. In addition to Washington, DC, she has also made stops in North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and PA. She plans to visit several more states in the near future, including Atlanta and New York City.

Ms. Mahone says she is inspired by the attitudes of the women she’s met so far. “We’re finally starting to take menopause out of the closet. Back in the ‘60s James Brown had a song called “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud. Well, in 2007 I’m saying “Say it Loud, I’m Menopausal and Proud,” laughs Ms. Mahone.

The "New" Face of Menopause

On Friday, my hubby and I did a photo shoot for the NY Times. A freelance photographer named Derrick was hired by the Times to shoot some pictures of us for an article one of their writers is doing on the humorous side of menopause. It’s my understanding that several women were interviewed for the article so it’ll be interesting to see how much is written about what I had to say.

Nate had to leave work early in order to be a part of the photo shoot. Since he’s a “behind the scenes” kind of guy, I can’t say he was thrilled to be participating but I know he did it because of his love for me and he is always willing to give a 100% effort to support what I’m doing.

OK…so what is it that I’m going? Well, I’m trying to get my name out there to the masses. I would like every woman who’s at least 35 years old to purchase a copy of my book Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. It really is a good book and I’m not just saying that because I wrote it. If someone else had written the book in the same style in which I wrote it, I would still say it was a fantastic book! I’ve had many women I don’t know personally tell me how much they’ve enjoyed reading it---both black and white women. I was actually concerned about that because some of my former white colleagues said they don’t generally read books written by black authors because they feel the book isn’t targeted for them. Well, my book proves that menopause doesn’t discriminate. It is an equal opportunity annoyer!

Another thing is, I want to represent the "new" face of menopause. Just because a woman goes through the change doesn't mean she has to crawl under a rock and hide. Far from it! She should be struttin' her stuff---proudly like a peacock---and embracing the new journey with grace and dignity.

I have to tell you I am still in awe of how the NY Times writer found me out of ALL of the authors who have written books about menopause and other related baby boomer issues. Finding me was like finding a needle in a haystack because I have no name recognition. This is how I know I am a living testimony of how good God really is. This time last year I lost my job over this book.....I struggled to get it published.....was trying to plan my wedding and was dealing with some teenage daughter drama. I ended up with NO publisher and NO book distributor. But what I do have is a promise from God and He always keeps His Word. I just love how He takes ordinary people and creates extraordinary circumstances.

The NY Times article is scheduled to come out on Thursday, April 19. I hope you'll pick up a copy and tell me what you think.