OK...I admit it...This Baby Boomer Diva is Computer Illiterate

I never thought I would ever go more than a few hours without being on my computer. It has become an addiction over the past year. I would rather be on the computer than clean my house. But on Monday morning, I got a major reality check when the machine crashed on me and kicked out all of the email contact data I had worked so hard to build. Plus, I was unable to do any of my normal networking. What's worst is I didn't (and still don't) have a clue as to how to fix the problem.

This frustrating situation got me to thinking about my life. What has happened to my life that I can't seem to live without a computer? It wasn't that long ago that I didn't even want to be bothered with the damn thing.

This frustrating situation also got me to thinking about how much more important it is to remain positive and focused when negativity and disasterous circumstances occur around you. The forces of negativity can be very powerful if you let it and it will seep into your own spirit and change your positive energy before you know it.

I must go back to the drawing board and re-examine my priorities.

A Baby Boomer's Look at Death

I was driving past a cemetary the other day and observed a graveside service. I assumed the person who died was old because all of the people paying their last respects were old. But what struck me even more so was the fact that there were so few people there. Was it because the deceased wasn't liked very much or maybe it was because the majority of his or her friends were already dead?

It got me to thinking. We spend a whole lifetime building and cultivating relationships but the longer we live, the fewer friends we end up having in the end. It's a morbid thought for a baby boomer diva who, at this moment, is so full of life.

But we, as baby boomers, must come to terms with the fact that at some point all of is will also travel down that road to final rest. Maybe it's time to make some new "younger" friends.

Beverly and the Baby Boomer Usherettes

I'm a member of the Women's Usher Board at my church. I joined the group because I wanted to carry on a tradition my father started. He was a member of the Usher Board at the church I was raised in and this was my way of carrying on that tradition and being of service to God.

To be perfectly honest, I don't feel very connected to the majority of the group. I actually feel like an outcast and often question why I don't just quit. Maybe because I'm relatively new and the majority of them seem to have known each other for years and have deep ties. But on this particular Saturday, I must admit I did have fun. I discovered through this group that there really are just six degrees of separation between us. I was surprised to learn that some of my fellow usherettes and I were connected through other people I've known a lot longer than them. I also learned some of us shared things in common like bowling---an activity I used to participate in regularly some years ago. I discovered I was in the company of teachers, researchers, HR Specialists, retirees, police officers and fellow baby boomer divas who, despite, all of our other differences, all have a true love for God and can share a good laugh. And yes, some of us can relate to hot flashes and menopause.

So the next time we all usher together at church, I'll be looking at them in a different light and I'm hopeful they'll see something different in me as well.

Is it Gym Sweat or a Hot Flash?

I just returned from another invigorating 40 minutes of aerobics at the gym. This is the only place where I can sweat like a pig and not freak out about it being a hot flash.

I must admit, working out these days is quite a challenge, especially when a hot flash seems to be the order of the day. It's also tougher since I seem to see little or no results for my efforts. My doctor says the weight gain is all a part of growing older and that I should keep exercising for health maintenance. WHATEVER! I want more than maintenance. I want to see some pounds drop off EVERY TIME I go into the gym. When I've finished my workout, I want to pick up my towel and water bottle and leave about five pounds of fat on the gym floor. Well actually I would have the decency to pick it up and throw it away because just leaving it there would be gross!

I'm really not complaining because I really do thank God that I'm able to get up and go workout because I know there are others who can't for one reason or another. And yes, the sweat is good because not only am I releasing toxins...I finally realize the gym is about the only place I can enjoy my "personal summer!"

Hello menopause! Welcome to MY world.

Where are all of the Baby Boomer Men?

Since I’ve been networking on line, this baby boomer diva has searched long and hard (excuse the pun) to find where the baby boomer men hang out. Not that I’m looking because I have a man---thank you very much---and he’s a fine baby boomer man!

I’m just curious if baby boomer men network on line like women do. Is there a site exclusively for them? I see scatterings of men here and there who kind of blend in with the rest of the crowd but I can’t say that I’ve seen them in clusters.

Why aren’t they getting together and talking about their so-called male menopause? Why aren’t they exchanging information and advice on the best sports cars to buy; the best exercises to keep them vigorous in the bedroom; or gathering business tips? Could it be that baby boomer men are several steps behind us baby boomer women when it networking on the almighty internet? God forbid!

The internet is probably the best place for baby boomer men to find out what’s going on with their wives and menopause. If they’ve ever been caught in the midst of a hot flash tantrum, there’s a woman somewhere who is more than willing to offer advice. Surely, we’re all out here talking about the symptoms and how our men just don’t quite understand it all.

Listen up guys, why don’t you come to the internet table and join us for some engaging discussions. We guarantee you’ll learn a thing or two!

Baby Boomer Celebrity will Judge my Mother's Day Contest

I was on the phone talking to my husband when my other line beeped in. When I clicked over the voice on the other end said, "Hi Bev. This is Dwight Hicks. I'm sorry I'm just now getting back to you. I just saw your email." Well, I have to tell you I didn't remember off hand who Dwight Hicks was so I put him on hold and clicked back over to my husband. I told him about this man on the other line and I would see what he wanted and call "my man" back.

When I clicked back over to Dwight I had to ask him to refresh my memory because it was obvious I didn't remember. I joked and said, "When you talk to as many people as I do in a day it's hard to remember them all!" Then he said, "Remember, you wanted to interview me. I'm played for the 49ers."

Then it hit me like a ton of brick!!! I was talking with two-time super bowl champion Dwight Hicks! Oh, my God! I do remember putting in an interview request with his agent more than a month ago but when I didn't hear back I just assumed it wasn't going to happen. He was so gracious and so easy to talk to. I set up the interview and then realized I needed another judge for the Mother's Day contest. So what did i do? I just asked him point blank: "Would you consider being a judge for my Mother's Day Contest?"

He said, "Yes, sure!"

OK now here's where I wanted to scream on the telephone but I maintained my composure and told him the details and then he offered to donate an autographed photo of himself to one of the winners. OK...that's good.

So yesterday I got a two-for-one with Dwight Hicks. This is just one more example of how God really works because just the day before I was asking my husband where I was going to find another judge since Nikki Giovanni couldn't do it (because of the shooting investigation).

Will YOUR ESSAY be the one Dwight likes the best? You won't know if you don't enter. Entry deadline is May 9. Send entries to: babyboomervalentine@gmail.com

Mother's Day Contest Update

What a difference 24 hours makes! Since announcing the contest, I've had several sponsors offer to donate a prize. So now it gets interesting because you know what they say: The better the prizes...the better the competition.

First Place: $50 Cash, Bath & Body Works Spa Pkg (Tracy Ehman), Never be Sick Again by Raymond Francis ; 30 minute Radio Interview on Heal Yourself Talk Radio with Rebecca White; :30 promotional ad on Beverly Mahone’s podcast “Whatever!” for your business or product; ***This is a great opportunity for self-promotion***
“Delayed but not Denied” Gospel CD by Jennifer Evans (www.jenniferevans7.com)

Second: My Little Taste of Italy Gift Basket (www.mylittletasteofitaly.com), Bella Bath & Body Bar and Neways Products offered by Tracy Lewis; autographed copy of Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age by Beverly Mahone (www.thebabyboomerdiva.com) & “Chill 2 This” Inspirational Jazz CD from Michael Houston. www.myspace.com/houstown

Third: Gano Excel Coffee Gift Basket donated by Tally Green, Mothers are Forever book by Criswell Freeman donated by www.EdenFlorist.com--our motto is "Make Someone Smile Today, Send Flowers!" (Heidi Richards, owner); Blockbuster Gift Card

Fourth: Twenty minute coaching session with Doris Helge, author of Joy on the Job (www.joyonthejob.info); autographed copy of “Delayed but not Denied” Gospel CD from Jennifer Evans (www.jenniferevans7.com); God can Handle Mothers by Carlene Ward donated by: Eden Florist - http://www.EdenFlorist.com - our motto is "Make Someone Smile Today, Send Flowers!" (Heidi Richards, owner)

Fifth: One hour of free Virtual Assistant Services plus 20 percent off on all products thru May 15 from www.KeyBusinessPartners.com and Teresa Morrow; Back to the Table with my Country Kitchen cookbook by Betty Lynch (www.bettylynch.biz).

Contest open to men and women because we know there were some hard-headed little boys growing up too!

See previous blog entry for contest details.