Taking a Career Pulse Check
December 4, 2008
In these uncertain economic times, so many people are feeling equally uncertain about their careers because of the growing number of lay-offs in just about every industry we used to consider stable. Are you wondering about your exposure to downsizing, maybe after having been at the same company for years? Or do you feel pretty confident that you — and your job — can weather the storm?
Take the poll below for your career pulse check. If nothing else, it may help you admit to yourself that you do have concerns and that this may be the time to consider your Plan B — just in case.
What’s Your Color Today?
December 3, 2008
Oh I’m not talking about the color of your skin. I’m talking about what color appeals to you today. As I write this I’m looking out on a gray Michigan day–one of many I’ll see over the next 4-5 months. My garden that was so brightly colored this summer has toned down to faded shades of brown and green, soon to covered over with snow.
So despite the absence of color in my outside world, I feel brightly colored. Today I’m feeling hope and peace. Harmony and balance is coming into my life. I’m living in the spirit of renewal because:
Today I am green.
What color are you?
Beyond Black Friday - Holiday Shopping for Seniors
November 29, 2008
I didn’t go out on Black Friday this year but I remember the many times in the past when I did — running around looking for the latest greatest, must-have, got-to-get-it-now gift for someone on my holiday shopping list. But not once do I recall a Black Friday that included racing around searching frantically for a gift for one of the elders in my family. In fact, they never said “hey I have to have this, that or the other”. They really didn’t ask for anything at all except to hear from me or, better yet, a nice visit. According to the Eldercare Team, this is the best gift of all:
What’s a good gift for an elderly person who doesn’t need more “stuff” cluttering up the house? December is the biggest gift-giving season, but all year long we’re faced with birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions when we have to find great gift ideas for seniors. The best gift for an elderly person is your time and attention: time to talk, to listen, to do things together.
But if you’re like me and want to add a gift that seniors can touch and feel, think about approaching shopping from a different perspective to come up with something that’s appealing and useful - before the last minute. Online shopping has helped me refine that process so I can find the gift that will bring a smile to my 89-year old mother’s face when she opens it on Christmas Day - despite her severe dementia.
Caring.com has put together a well-thought out list with innovative gift ideas including a couple of my favorites - Life Bio, a journaling project to help a loved one in the early stages of Alzheimer’s preserve precious family memories and the Jitterbug, a cell phone easy for the non-techie senior (or anyone else for that matter) to understand and use. To be honest, I’m not quite sure about the Pleo robotic dinosaur on this list as an alternative to a traditional pet, but you may just know the techie senior who’ll love this little fellow. Whether you find what you’ll looking for or not, this list is a good starting point for inspiration.
As I wrote this article, I was reminded how quickly I’m moving down the path to senior hood. So while the elders in my life tend to be in their 80s, the gift items and resources listed here are often appropriate for a variety of ages from the fifties on up. While you’re online there are some interesting websites focused on this broad niche. For instance, Gifts for Seniors and the Senior Emporium are like the supermarkets of great gift ideas. And if you’re in the market for a luxury item, check out Elderluxe. First Street Online is a good shopping venue for the elderly AND for those in midlife.
For more specialized gifts, stop by Guardian Alert 911 and Life Alert for home alert systems for safety and to help preserve personal independence. A big button memory phone or a day date clock are the new “must-haves”. Also Landel, My Celery and Presto offer low-tech email options for the person who wants to stay in touch but not deal with a computer.
One of my recent favorite online sites is The Alzheimer’s Store where I’ve found a myriad of gifts and everyday necessities for the memory-challenged like my mother. Unique offerings here include the wooden Handyman’s Box with its familiar feel and the life-like lavender-scented baby doll we bought earlier this year for Mom. It still brings tears to my eyes as I remember the joy on her face as she took this “baby” into her arms for the first time.
If you want to go the time-honored traditional route of giving sleepwear, I’ve found with my mother that L.L.Bean offers the best selection because they have petite sizes for women. Check out the easy-care, easy-wear Zip Front Women’s Fleece Robe, the Men’s Fleece Robe and the Men’s Flannel PJs.
And for all of us who are feeling the budget crunch as we shop this holiday season, here’s a list of 10 gifts for $50 and under for seniors:
- Pick up a large print keyboard for those who are online but have some vision challenges.
- Make a cozy polar fleece blanket with these easy photo directions - just scroll down the page. My sister and I have made lots of these inexpensive gifts which go over really well in our cold Michigan weather. This and any other crafts made with love are treasured and budget-conscious gifts.
- The Life Bio Memory Journal mentioned is a project where you and your loved one can carve out precious time together as you preserve family memories.
- For the senior who loves to garden, make time outside a little more comfortable with the Garden Hopper.
- Big button phones get double mention in this article - they’re great!
- The unisex Polar Fleece Lap Wrap/Shawl from Janska is a great gift for anyone. I’ve been a Janska fan for years because everything is made out of polar fleece, very practical for people with limited mobility and just plain comfy for the rest of us.
- L.L.Bean’s Women’s Pima Cotton Flannel PJs - these fit women of all sizes very well, are comfortable and warm.
- Cozy Men’s Fleece Scuffs for around the house.
- Activity Lap Pillow - this is what I’m getting my mom for Christmas this year. She needs something to fiddle with instead of her once busy hands lying idle.
- Sentimental Sing-a-long DVDs are a great for a memory boost and a little fun.
The Great Thing About Thanksgiving and Bloggers
November 26, 2008
It’s Thanksgiving eve and I’m about to start making the cranberry sauce that’s my main contribution for our multi-family potluck dinner tomorrow. But I’m bringing something else. It’s my attitude of gratitude.
Lately I’ve been doing some pissing and moaning here at Midlife’s A Trip and offline as well. I won’t regale you with the list because — hey, it’s all in the past anyway. What’s really important is right here, right now. And for me that includes being grateful for:
- My computer to even write this post
- My 89 year old mother who’s still with us for yet another holiday
- Wonderful family and friends including, of course, my 4 year old niece, the Peanut
- A roof over my head
- Food on the table
- My health and
- My ability to envision the possibilities in my life.
Thanksgiving is a day that reminds us to put gratitude up front and center in our lives. Sometimes it’s hard to do that in these uncertain times. But come on — if we can do it on one special Thursday in November, can’t we figure out how to own our gratitude the other 364 days of the year. I guess by now you’ve realized that I’m speaking as much to myself as to anyone else who might reading this.
The great thing about blogging is that sometimes I actually listen to the wisdom that bubbles out of me. And often it takes this wonderful online community of bloggers and readers to bring it out. So let me express my gratitude for you and to you for stopping by, reading my midlife musings and just being there.
I am so grateful for you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Spring Karen’s Kick-Ass Cranberry Sauce Recipe
November 24, 2008
My sister, Meno Mom and I were just planning our family Thanksgiving. Usually turkey day would be hustle and bustle as my sister creates a masterpiece holiday dinner with turkey, cornbread dressing (yes, like Grandma used to make), greens, macaroni and cheese and the best sweet potato pie I’ve ever had. The rest of us provide the sides and big appetites because Meno Mom has become the star cook in our family. And we have become the sous chefs to her genius because we know a good thing when we see it.
This year though Meno Mom will have a more relaxing Thanksgiving. We’re having a pot-luck dinner with friends. Meno Mom will still make her sweet potato pies and I will be mixing up my signature “kick-ass” cranberry sauce — the best around! Ask my family — they clamor for the yummy sweet-tart stuff I make from scratch.
It’s a far cry from the jellied cranberry sauce my mom used to pop out of a can for Thanksgiving dinners past. I still remember that round tube of cranberry sauce that sat in a dish on our holiday table still showing the imprint from the ridges inside the can. Of course that didn’t really make a difference to us. We’ve always been a family who loved turkey and dressing with our cranberry sauce.
As I get ready to pull out the big pot and ingredients, I wanted to share my recipe with you. So unless you’re wedded to sauce in the can (which some people are), this recipe is a pretty easy way to bring some big smiles your way on Thanksgiving. And since this is a virtual pot-luck, I’m going to use a new technology to share my recipe with you. It’s called Springpad.
Springpad is a great new and free online site that helps you simplify your life even during the holidays. I asked Katin Miller from Springpad the best way to share my cranberry sauce recipe and she said ”Just spring it!“ Click on the link below, sign up and grab my recipe:
SpringIt!If you like to share a recipe back to keep the virtual pot-luck going or if you’re just intrigued by this new way of sharing recipes or any info for that matter, watch the video Katin created below:
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Karen - Midlife Coach
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