A Really Special Day ... Another Milestone

Hi Everyone,
Well, even though it's after midnight in NYC while I write this, please pretend that it is still March 17th... Saint Patrick's Day. This is important, NOT because I'm Irish... I'm not and not because we wear green today .. I'm NOT.. .I'm in my pajamas actually and there's no green. What makes this day important is ... drumroll here. It's my 3rd Anniversary. I moved to NYC 3 years ago today. Yes, I rolled over the George Washington Bridge around 9:30 in the morning on March 17th, 2006. I was crying, my son was driving and the cats were yowling in the back of the van.

Here's the backdrop of the story. I left Austin, TX on March 14th, in a van loaded with 2 cats, my computer, printer, small desk, a couple of suitcases packed with clothes and whatever I could fit in the back. My son, Gabriel, was driving. We had an adventure of driving cross-country together. It was like Gabe was taking Mom to college. Yes, he was bringing me to NYC to live, which was the fulfillment of a life-long dream. Now, he, of course, was thrilled that Mom would have an apt. in NYC; he wasn't even thinking he might miss Mom on a regular basis. I mean, truly, do you think that even entered his mind?

So, here I was, 3 years ago, naive, soft-skinned, "nice." And, here I am after 3 years in NYC. I'm definitely more "on top" of my experiences and I don't fall for every Tom, Dick and Harry/ I'm more tough-skinned emotionally and my skin is flaky as hell from Winter. And, well, let's just say, "I've been working to develop my 'inner bitch'.. becoming much more assertive and not so nice. Wow, I have a great deal to be proud of.

Point: I followed my dream. I moved at age 60 to where I've always want to live... and I'm thrilled and I love it.

There's much more to the story. You can read it ALL if you order my new book. Read about it here: http://www.sixtysexysassyandfree.com

So, that's it for now. It's waaaay past my bedtime and I'll be wiped out in the morning if I don't get some sleep.
Thanks for sharing this with me.
Sleep well.
ann

A Milestone Day

Greetings,
Wow .. this was really a special day for me.
First, my book finally arrived .. it's done, on sale, out there.
Second, I took myself out for dinner ... at a nice restaurant. Let me explain.

I'm quite successful. I travel all over, I speak at conferences in front of hundreds of people, I've written two books; BUT, I have a hard time taking myself out to dinner alone. Funny, huh?

I can go out to breakfast or lunch on my own and even out to dinner at a salad joint or diner; but to go to a "real" restaurant is a problem. Why? Usually, there are couples and groups eating out in restaurants. You don't see too many people on their own. So, it feels lonely and I wonder what people think about me when they see me sitting alone. Of course, they're probably not thinking about me at all, but rather, are engaged in conversation with whomever they are with. But, in my imagination, I think they're wondering... "Gee, she must be a loser, or poor thing -- she's alone, or she probably doesn't date, etc." Weird. NO, I"m not a loser and I'm not a poor thing.. and I do date; but I don't always have a date or a friend to go with and sometimes I just want a good meal out. At those times, instead, I usually order in (in NYC anyone delivers) or buy something prepared from a local grocery.

Tonight, however, I wanted to celebrate receiving boxes of my book. My new book: Sixty, Sexy, Sassy and Free: A Real Woman's Story of ReInvention is about a brave woman starting over at age 60.(Go here: http://tinyurl.com/bn62hh) Notice it doesn't say in the title: "she can't go out to dinner alone."

So, I walked across the street to a great, trendy restaurant, sat at the bar, ordered a glass of Proseco. I've been there for a drink a couple of times and the bartender remembered me. I told him I was celebrating. He congratulated me. I was only going to have a drink and maybe an appetizer. But, I said, "aw what the heck ..." and I ordered dinner. Okay, I did eat it at the bar, not at a table ... but still .. I conquered the issue. And, I'm all the better for it.

So, I ask you .. what do you have to overcome? What new chance do you need to / want to take? I invite you to take the step and do it.

So, indeed, it was a milestone day. I received the finished copies of a book I've worked on for 3 years AND I ate dinner alone at a trendy restaurant.
I'm a boomer who takes risks and shares that with the world to encourage them to do the same.

Thanks for checking in.
Have a good night.
Ann

Don't Panic ... Just Think and Do Something Different

Hi Everyone,
Hear me out ... "we're gonna be okay." We absolutely need to join the revolution that says not to be consumed by the negativity and fear. I know it's hard, but you can do it ... and you want to do it. Your future depends on it.

Here's the deal. The economy is tough, we have a new President, the world is in a scary place, people are losing jobs, money is scarce, yada, yada, yada. We know all the bad news. Time to be cognizant, but not to succomb.

Baby boomers are strong, resilient and resourceful. We'll figure it out. I hate to say it, but money is not the most important thing in the world. Think about it ... what about health, children, friends, spouses or significant others (if you are lucky enough to have one), beauty, art, music, literature. there is so much more than just money. Yes, we need money. I haven't figured out how to pay my bills without it; however, when there's not enough, we figure it out. Can you hear a theme here: It's "figure it out."

The good news: You're not alone. We're all in this together ... everyone... in the whole friggin world is in this together. It's global.

New and innovative ideas are bursting forth exponentially. Cooperative living is coming back around. My back up plan: My sister and I and some friends all plan on living together and taking care of each other. We'll share expenses and be there for help and guidance and assistance. It'll work. Hey, it beats moving in with the kids. Unless, of course, my knight in shining armor shows up and whisks me away on his white horse and we're rich in the kingdom of plenty (I know ... I have a weird imagination.)

I strongly urge anyone reading this to be inventive. Start asking the question: What do I want to be different? Play with that question: What do I want to be different about my self, about my relationships, about my work situation. What can I DO differently that might impact myself of others in a new, improved way? Just talk this through with yourself or others ... have discussions. You'll be amazed at what will begin to come forth from your cobweb brains. Time to be ingenious and think out of the notorious box.

Lose your job? Great. Now what? What talents and interests do you have that other people need and how can you deliver it?

In my 6 STeps to ReInvent yourself, the third step is to Never, ever, ever, ever let anyone tell you what to do or not to do. Follow your own heart ... see what you have to offer and soar with it.

If this moves you.. then email me. I'm starting new ReInvention teleclasses and doing some in person.... it will help you figure it out.
I don't know about you, but when I try to figure something out on my own, I'm not nearly as effective as when I talk it out with others. The synergy of the conversation is much more productive.

So, get off your whiny horse, talk things out, think big and different and see what starts to emerge.
I'm here if you want me.
Have a great day.
Ann

A Snowy Sunday this March 1st

Good morning from NYC. It's snowing now, just a little, with a major storm due in later today. I actually went to the grocery store yesterday and bought some food .. a rather novel move for me. The joy of living in NY is that just outside my door there is a mecca of food opportunities. I can buy take-out or go to any number of hundreds of foodstops/restaurants in a heartbeat. My years of cooking and shopping are well past. For me, it's simple. I keep very little around and forage as needed.

Point: Being a boomer woman, now single, with kid grown... I get to do whatever I want to do and don't have to do anything I don't want to do. Pretty cool! (although eating out does get expensive.)

After many weeks of being incredibly busy ... finishing my book, networking like crazy, positioning on the social media sites, I actually have a quiet weekend. Well, I have a cold, feel like I got hit by a truck... which is what happens when I push too hard... but none-the-less, I'm actually hanging out at home, watching old movies on TV (a rare experience for me, who hardly ever watches t.v.) and taking it easy. Can't seem to stay away from the computer, however.

I watched George Stephanopoulos this morning and got my news fix... then a bit of Meet the Press. I find it all scary, depressing and yet somehow also exciting. I think all of this will clear and we will have a new spirit, a renewed sense of what's important in life. Just hope all of our pocketbooks can hold on.

I have two things I want you to know.
1. My book, Sixty, Sexy, Sassy and Free: A Real Woman's Story of ReInvention is available for pre-order. Go here: www.sixtysexysassyandfree.com It will be delivered to me within 3 weeks and then I'll send it to you.
2. Please consider spreading the word about it. I wrote this book out of a sense of "calling." As the head boomer, I've taken on adventure and reinvention. If I can do it, you can do it ... and so can all those others out there that you know need things to be different now in their life. It's dedicated to all of you.

If you've ever had a calling ... you know it's something you HAVE to do, are compelled to do. Would just anyone take 6 months away from much of their life, scrimp, suffer to write a personal memoir? No, I don't think so. I've exposed myself so you can open up to yourself.

Now, I'm back to marketing, setting up reInvention workshops and getting on with my life. I'm thrilled (and terrified) for this project to be done.

So, these are my thoughts on a snowy Sunday in NYC, as I lay here with a terrible head cold.
Enjoy your Sunday, wherever you are.
Ann