Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Cheers to a Healthy 2010

January 9, 2010 by Shelley Odendahl

The holidays are over, and I can feel the results of my indulgences. On New Year’s Eve I put on a favorite pair of slacks and realized the waistband felt snug. **Sigh**

I know what I need to do. First step is to break the sugar addiction. Yes, addiction – a physical and psychological craving for sweets. It doesn’t help that the holiday season is full of cookies! Treats that should be moderate and occasional have become too frequent. If I don’t make a break from too much sugar, the results can be dangerous. Time to bite the bullet, or at least the vegetables and whole grains! I love good food, so this shouldn’t be a hardship, just a change.

Getting back to my water aerobics class at the YMCA is also at the top of my list. I missed a few classes lately when life became too hectic, and boy, do I feel the difference in my body when regular exercise is missing! I love this activity, so I am looking forward to getting back on track.

Three years ago I made some changes in my life that helped me to lose some weight, which I wrote about earlier in this blog. Keeping off the pounds has been a struggle, but I have mostly managed to do it. My success is due to knowing what my motivation is (I never want my knees and feet to hurt again like they did before) and making good food and exercise choices I can live with and not feel deprived. Losing or keeping off weight truly is about thinking healthy. It is a mindset that can be cultivated; it is about feeling satisfied without over-indulgence.

It is time to revisit the action plan to lose weight that I devised a few years ago, and update it with a few tricks I’ve learned along the way. My body and spirit will thank me!

Posted in Welcome 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

A Friend’s Perspective

August 11, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

I am blessed with friends from a variety of backgrounds; thank goodness!  I think it would be so limiting to be part of a group overly similar in age, taste, political persuasion, etc.   When people with a range of life experiences are part of a conversation, they bring an array of perspectives to the table.  Interactions become more interesting and enlightening.

Some of my friends are the children of people I’ve known for years.  They were once the little kids playing in the background at our get-togethers, but who are now adults themselves.  I guess they are my second generation friends.  It is enjoyable to see them come into their own.

I want to bring to your attention the exquisite photography of my second generation friend, Ashley, a gifted artist, who is receiving national recognition for her work.  Visit her blog at: http://bottlebellphotography.blogspot.com

Posted in A Friend's Perspective | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Beating the Unemployment Blues

July 23, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

As I wrote in my last posting, I am currently an unemployed job-seeker. Instead of going to a place of employment every day, I go to my computer and check websites for intriguing new job listings.  When I find a good match for my skills and experience, I submit an application.  Then I wait.  Follow-up.  Wait.  Keep looking. Over time, this can be a discouraging state of being, and some of the unemployed give up.

People are often so defined by their work, and get their personal sense of success from it, that it can be a blow to their self-esteem to lose a job.  That is one reason that I am taking action during this temporary out-of-work time to stay connected with people and to keep learning new things.  When I went back to college a few years ago, I discovered that the most rewarding benefit of returning to school is the sense of accomplishment and confidence that comes from it. 

I have been taking writing classes at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis.  One of the classes was The Art of the Blog, and you are reading a result of that class right now.  I am also writing about the travels my husband and I have taken over the years for my current Essays on Journeys class. I also joined a local writing group. This is just another stage of my ongoing midlife transformation. I find that this investment in myself helps to keep me engaged in interests other than just looking for work, and enables me to meet new people with similar interests.   I am confident and enthusiastic about what is going on in my life.  That is not only good for the way I feel about myself now, but I am pretty sure that when the right job comes along, my future employer will pick up on my positive energy and want to hire me.

Posted in Beating Unemployment Blues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

For Hire: Knowledge and Experience

July 22, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

I am one of the faces of real people behind the sky-high unemployment statistics this year.  I have been looking for a new job, but as anybody who is doing the same can attest, it is difficult to make progress in this environment. Many of us in the midlife age range are concerned that hiring managers may not recognize the value we can bring to their organization.

I spent the past two days at a workshop on “Creative Job Search” (sponsored by the State of Minnesota) and was very pleased to receive helpful suggestions and strategies.  Besides the valuable information about resumes, interviews, online searches, etc., I especially appreciated the facilitators’ positive approach to midlife workers.  One said that many employers are passionate about 50+ workers because they bring a background, a reference point for making vital decisions, with them into a job.  As older boomers retire, there will be gaps in knowledge, and experienced workers are needed to bridge those gaps. I am happy to hear that!  I am enthusiastic to find a job that is the right fit for me, and for an employer who needs what I can bring to the table.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Julia Child Cooks!

July 8, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

I have always been a big fan of Julia Child.  She is truly inspiring for having influenced the way Americans not only cook, but think about food.  An article about Julia in the current (August 2009) issue of Vanity Fair magazine made me appreciate the impact she has had on so many of us.

 I watched her on public television, not only in her later years – she hosted other chefs on her show in the 1990’s – but earlier too, when I was still at home growing up in the 1960’s.  I remember my mother making beef bourguignon in that era.  Some of Julia’s techniques must have rubbed off on me too.  Today I like to create dishes with a roux base, and sometimes I cook with wine (a little for the pot, a little for me).

 Julia’s life story is fascinating.  During World War II she worked for the O.S.S. (which later became the C.I.A.) She had her own midlife transformation: she learned French cooking in her late 30’s, worked on the classic cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking in her 40’s, and started teaching the masses on her first PBS television show at age 49.

 By the way, according to Laura Jacobs’ article in Vanity Fair, Julia loved the 1978 Saturday Night Live spoof of her starring Dan Ackroyd.  I laughed until I cried the first time I saw that skit, and still crack up during the many times it has aired since then.  Now I am looking forward to a new movie, Julie and Julia, starring Meryl Streep as Julia Child, due out next month.  In the meantime, to quote Julia, “Bon Appetit!”

Posted in Honorable Women | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Feisty Women – Check this out

June 25, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

I love to check out other blogs geared to midlife women, and I found a gem that I want to share with you.  Here is a link to: Feisty Side of Fifty/ Baby Boomer Women.  The perspective you’ll find there complements the midlife transformation theme of choosing to live the life we want to be living, and taking action to make it happen.  A positive self-image and attitude toward our current age and condition (and good humor!) is essential to creating our own destiny rather than letting others define us. 

 One of the “Feisty Side” posts I especially related to was Women Over Fifty – Rockin’ On Forever. When I am in the car and the all of a sudden Hey Jude, Satisfaction, or Layla comes on the radio, I know that I’ll go through the rest of the day with a smile on my face and rocking music in my soul. What songs transport you to your inner rocker?

Posted in Feisty Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Social Media: Facebook, RSS, and More

June 12, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

Are you social media savvy?   If you are like me, you are making an effort to communicate online.  I think this is just the tip of the iceberg of what social networking will be in the future, although I think it will look a lot different then.  But, I want to get my toe in the water now, so I don’t get rolled over by the wave.

First of all, there is Facebook.  What can you say?  If Facebook was a country, it would be the fifth most populous nation on earth!  And guess who comprises the fastest growing demographic on Facebook? Women over 55! Whether or not you are part of that demographic, it says something about who is now using this popular form of social networking. I love to see what my friends and relatives are doing.  I especially enjoy viewing photos and updates of my nieces, nephews, and other young people in my life who are my Facebook “friends.” If you have been cautious about online privacy, and haven’t made the leap yet, know that here are privacy settings on Facebook that might increase your comfort level.

Besides Facebook, I am signed up with LinkedIn, a site for business networking and job hunting.  I have not signed up for Twitter, because I really don’t see the personal benefits at this time.  You already know I blog, because that is where I am posting this piece. I also enjoy reading blogs, those of my friends and others I have come across, and I like to revisit them occasionally for updates.

Recently I learned about RSS, meaning Really Simple Syndication according to Wikipedia, which allows you to view updates to your frequently visited sites in one place. (You may have seen the letters RSS or its graphic symbol on websites or blogs). I am too new to it to explain it well, but luckily I don’t have to!  There are people at  CommonCraft.com who will explain RSS (and other social media subjects) in a 3-minute long video online.  This site was featured in Nick Summer’s article titled “Technology for Dummies” in the June 1, 2009 issue of Newsweek magazine.  After viewing it, I signed up with Google Reader , but there are other sites that serve this purpose also.  If you decide to sign up with RSS, I hope you’ll add the blog you are reading now: www.shelleyo.wordpress.com to your subscription list.

Whatever you choose to do – or not do – online, I think it is a good idea to “Google” yourself once in awhile to see what your online presence, if any, is like.  You may discover something unexpected, and may want to make changes to something that others can find online.  I like to live my life in a spirit of no surprises! 

I would love to hear what you have to say about this subject.  Any comments?  Let’s discuss!

Posted in Social Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Enjoy Life – and Show the Love

June 4, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

In the past two weeks, my husband and I have lost three family members.  All were from the generation ahead of us.  As we mourn their passing, we also celebrate their lives. We enjoy the company of family from near and far away.

It is a reminder to me that our time here on earth is fleeting, and the end can come quickly. It is too easy to go with a daily routine, and let the simple pleasures slip away. Don’t put off fishing, or hiking, or getting together with friends, or teaching a kid something new (or letting a kid teach us something new!) It is important to find the joy every day, living a fully realized life and being a positive influence on ourselves and others.

Take time to see and appreciate Aunts, Uncles, and others who have come before us, and helped shape who we are. Enjoy the company of friends and family, young and old, who we are blessed to have in our lives. Remember to show the love.

Posted in Enjoy Life - Show the Love | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Honoring Mothers and Others

May 10, 2009 by Shelley Odendahl

Today is Mother’s Day, and we are celebrating Moms of all ages and varieties.  I am fortunate enough to have a Mom, a Grandma, and a Mother-in-law, all of whom I plan to spend time with, honoring them on their day. A shout out to these wonderful women!

I want to venture a little further on this subject, and honor those who aren’t a Mom, or who no longer have a Mother with them in this life.  I am talking about people who may find Mother’s Day to be bittersweet or difficult to handle; for instance, women who don’t have children and children who have lost their Mother.

If we have learned anything in the past several years, it is that families are diverse. Many are not the Dad-Mom-kids kind dominant in popular culture when I was growing up. (Actually, there were plenty of families who were non-traditional then too, but they were not as visible in that era.) Now we are quicker to recognize that in addition to Mothers, there are others (including step-parents, men raising children, and other family members and friends) playing nurturing roles in non-traditional ways. And there are children who, for various reasons, miss having their Mom in their lives.

 As a mature woman who never had children, I will not be receiving any Mother’s Day cards or gifts. (Although my wonderful Aunt gave three of us non-Moms a cute singing-and-dancing stuffed animal toy at our Mother’s Day brunch a couple of years ago.) I am not whining; I’m a big girl, and I can handle it.  However, I have empathy for women whose children are gone or not able to celebrate with them, and for women who desperately want children but have not conceived, and for children of all ages who have lost their Mothers. 

This day rightfully belongs to the Mothers who raised or are raising children, and the gifts they provide, and the sacrifices they make, on behalf of their children. But there are others out there who deserve recognition too – give them a hug!

Posted in Honorable Women | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts