Story Corps has been collecting over 50,000 life stories from Americans since 2003 who come from all walks of life. In addition to their main recording sites in Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco, there are mobile recording units that travel to various cities where you can sign up to record your unique story from a family member, mentor or friend. The project provides people from all backgrounds the opportunity to preserve their stories which are then archived in the Library of Congress for anyone to access. You can listen to these inspiring stories at www.storycorps.netwww.storycorps.net.
 For those of us who are interested in recording our own stories go under the heading Go To Record Your Story, where you'll find great sample questions under various subjects to chose from to get you started. They offer useful instructions for equipment to use and suggestions for creating a conducive setting for the best possible interview. You don't have to spend a lot of money on equipment either and can use what ever technology is available, even your cell phone can be used to record if that's all you have or pen and paper.
Remember that everyone in our lives has an interesting story that needs telling. Recording them ensures they are passed along for future generations and not lost. Now is the time to capture these unique stories that are all around us and do them justice.

Between the Chicks is a line of clothing for women designed by 2 ex models who are now in their 50's.  The patterns are colorful and the designs are simple with coverage in all the right places for middle age figures. The polyester blend material is not clingy which is especially important for less than perfect figures. Best of all there are no hooks or zippers to bother with and the fabric is wrinkle free. I liked that the price was all inclusive and included the tax and shipping. The tops and dresses would especially make great traveling items with no ironing needed.  In my never ending quest for flattering yet stylish clothes that are age appropriate, these fit the bill!

Take charge of your health in the new year by seeking out a Certified Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian. They understand the important role of  nutrients in foods and vitamins and how they interact to affect diseases and conditions, both positively and negatively. High amounts of calcium supplements for example can lead to prostate cancer or that diverticulitis can be controlled by a diet high in fiber. They will devise a personalized health and diet plan based on your unique health needs.
In addition check out www.paulaowens.com Paula Owens, M.S. on the web. She is one of the nation's leading experts on nutrition, holistic health, fitness and fat loss. She consults with clients locally in her Phoenix office and throughout the world by phone or Skype. Check out the informative article in her blog archives on how to naturally lower blood pressure and cholesterol, something many of us struggle with, in addition to other useful topics.
Boomers take control the natural way by eating the right foods, taking the right supplements and exercising however,wherever you can.

With a new year fast approaching it's time to think about what we want to accomplish and make lists of lofty goals that we may or may not achieve. I caught the tail end of an interview this weekend with a woman who was diagnosed with cancer that resonated with me. She talked about how her cancer scare made her realize that she needed to experience more and move outside her comfort zone. So she made it her mission to try something new and find different ways to change her usual routines by making small changes. She gave an example where instead of taking the train home one day, she decided to walk and marveled at all the wonderful places she got to see as a result. Her point was to begin and shift one's perspective in small ways.  I have the tendency to think that significant growth can only be accomplished with big lofty goals, only to be disappointed when they don't materialize. So this year I'm going to do things differently and make smaller changes more often and not wait for the big events in life to find personal satisfaction. I'll try a new shade of lipstick, not have Tuesday taco night every week, take a different route home, read mysteries instead of histories, drink a cocktail not Riesling and play in the snow instead of sitting by the fire. Move out of the comfort zone and challenge myself in small ways. Stagnation can result when we hang onto the same rituals and habits we have successfully created for ourselves in order to control our world and create a predictable, safe life.  Maybe Bill Murray's character in the movie "What About Bob?" had the right idea, with his "baby steps" approach toward overcoming fear and achieving a better you.

The lost art of letter writing that is giving way to emails and in some cases emails that are giving way to social media, is a source of concern to writer Simon Garfield. He writes a thought provoking article in the Wall Street Journal outlining his concerns that historians will no longer be able to piece together events as they have in the past by reading personal correspondence that have for hundreds of years been the primary source of historical information. Over the years I have personally saved all my letters from close friends and family that have helped me remember  long forgotten events and brought me back emotionally to important times in my life. Mr. Garfield laments the fact that family letters buried away in attics will be a thing of the past, as written communication gives way to a different form. Currently archivists at some of the world's largest institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, the British Library and the Brodleian Library at Oxford to name a few are grappling with how to handle the present forms of digital material. We have gleaned so much for example from love letters between historical figures such as Henry the VIII and Anne Boleyn and John and Abigail Adams about not only their feelings for each other but how they perceived events in their times. Mr. Garfield ponders that "The future of human communication is still a cloud of uncertainty".

To celebrate a milestone birthday in a fun and interesting way, the Flavor Of Rochester.Com Blogs, featured a woman who visited 60 wineries during a cross country trip to celebrate her 60th. She collected a bottle of wine from each winery and great memories along the way. You could take her clever idea and apply it to any passion or interest you have to come up with a meaningful way to celebrate a big birthday.  History buffs could celebrate by visiting the president's homes and presidential libraries scattered around the country. Nature lovers could have a memorable time visiting our beautiful National Parks starting from the shores of Maine to sunny California.
 I could conceive of celebrating by combining the wineries, history tours of the president's homes and libraries with stops at the National Parks along the way, for a great way to celebrate the impending 60th birthday, only a few years away.
 At any rate it's fun to think about a theme for your next "milestone birthday" and do some day dreaming about traveling and experiencing some places and things you have on your "bucket list" of things to do.

"Still Foolin' 'Em" by Billy Crystal, is his hilarious take on growing old from one of the funniest comedians of our generation. As he turns 65 and joins the 77 million baby boomers who are also hitting this milestone, he wonders how he got to this point and when he started looking like his uncle Al. "Where I've Been, Where I'm Going and Where the Hell Are My Keys". He captures with humor the physical changes and indignities of aging endured by boomers in American society. More trips to the Dermatologist than to see his grandchildren, older men who have given up and wander the malls after their wives, dental cleanings where jackhammers are now needed to chisel the tartar resembling a coral reef and embarrassing your spouse by nodding off at Broadway performances. It is also part memoir of his fascinating career and great stories of the people he met on his way up. You'll feel better after reading Billy's new book knowing he is also going through the challenging aging process with humor we can relate to.