Tag: second act

Hate Your Job?

Posted on | by Annmarie Kelly | Leave a Comment on Hate Your Job?
midlife women starting life over, be happy
What if YOU Live to be 100?

I hate my job and I hate working. If it wasn’t for the money and the medical benefits, I’d quit now.
Are you one of the many women who feel that way? Not so fast. One of the secrets to a long and healthy life might just be work – work you LOVE.

Passions are your key to happiness

Marilee Shapiro Asher was still sculpting and making art at 103 while living in her Washington DC retirement community. She told readers of her autobiography, published when Marilee was 102, “I have no personal philosophy of art, I do it because there is nothing else I would rather be doing.“

Mabel Sawhill, in her third career, catered events. She was around so long that she catered some couple’s weddings AND their 50th anniversaries! When she died in her sleep at age 103, she still had catering gigs, and people yearned for her sticky buns and chicken salad. Her longevity secret: to be engaged and find delight in everything life had to offer.

Honey Canney started teaching water aerobics in 1972. She she was in her early sixties then. She still teaches those classes three times a week -at 103! Though she is nearly blind as a result of macular degeneration, she finds the water gives her freedom. And, she says, “I can be of some use to somebody and not sit around and suck my thumb. I miss the things I can’t do, but I kinda dwell on the ones I can do.“

For Rose Torphy, 103-year-old great grandmother loves helping to preserve one of America the Beautiful’s crowing glories, the Grand Canyon – which was formed 100 years ago, when Rose was just a little girl!. When she was recently inducted as a Grand Canyon junior ranger, Rose told Good Morning America.“I am so happy someone is watching over it so that my great-great-grandchildren can visit it someday too.”

What’s your passion?

If you knew for sure that you were going to live to be 100, what would you do differently? Would you get that law degree or satisfy your love of animals by becoming a veterinarian? Maybe you’d start your own business, become a teacher or a psychologist?

What fabulous itch is just dying to be scratched?

Whatever it is, take the first step today. Do some online research, connect with someone who is already doing it, make a vision board and start dreaming.

And you can join me for the next Savvy Sizzle Master Class. Sign up for my newsletter and be the first to get info for the next one.

# Victorious Woman Project, #Victorious Woman, #WomensEmpowerment,  #VictoryChicks, #AnnmarieKelly, #FiveYearMarriage

RadioWrap-Up.3.16.18: Second Act as Filmmaker

Posted on | by Annmarie Kelly | Leave a Comment on RadioWrap-Up.3.16.18: Second Act as Filmmaker

Are you in your second act? Melissa Davey is. She retired from her corporate Vice President position two years ago to pursue her second act and dream of becoming a filmmaker. She’s working on a documentary called the Life Beyond Sixty Project.
Melissa is documenting the experiences of women over sixty to find out how they are making the most of this time of their lives. Tune in to  find out how Melissa decided to make the move from the corporate world into the world of films, and how the Life Beyond Sixty Project started. https://www.beyondsixtyproject.com/
You can connect with the Beyond Sixty Project at:
Website: www.beyondsixtyproject.com
Twitter: @DaveyLissa
Facebook: @BeyondSixtyProject
If you missed the show, you can listen here: Friday Happy Hour
If you are looking for a therapeutic massage, check out Joseph’s company: Ease-Up Massage

Annmarie is “live” every Friday, from 3-4pm EST.
Call-in: 610-701-9243

You won’t want to miss Happy Hour with Annmarie Kelly …and you don’t have to!

  • In West Chester PA: turn your radio dial to 1520AM
  • Anywhere in the world: listen online from at www.WCHE1520.com (click the microphone that says “listen live” – uses Windows Media Player).
  • On your mobile devices at Tune-In Radio.Call-in: 610-701-9243

Not sure when Annmarie is on in your time zone? Find out here: Time Zone Converter
Miss a show? Catch up on the VICTORY CHICKS RADIO podcasts! Now on YouTube!

Friday Happy Hour: Financial Power

Posted on | by Annmarie Kelly | Leave a Comment on Friday Happy Hour: Financial Power

Dollars.WebToday’s guests, Jen Calabro and Suzanne Ellis from talked about ways that you can boost your financial power. For more info, go to DNB First and click the Wealth Management tab. During our interview, I referenced a study. Here’s the link: Prudential Insurance Company:
The new Toastmaster club I talked about is meeting on April 28, 5:30-6:30 at Unionville High School. Let me know if you want to join us: Annmarie@VictoriousWoman.com
Also, I said that, when I think about you, I wonder what challenges you’re facing now and if your challenges are like the ones I’m facing. I wonder how you want to change your future and the kind of bigger and better life you dream about living. You can always write to me and let me know at Annmarie@VictoriousWoman.com
If now’s the time to tell you story of victory, the 7th annual Victorious Woman Contest is open and ready for you. Read the rules, prizes, etc. here: Victorious Woman Contest
If you want information about the fundraisers, here they are:
April 4 – Handicrafters (the mentally challenged): April in Paris
April 26 – Safe Harbor (serving the homeless of Chester County): Spring Celebration
April 26 – Domestic Violence Center of Chester County: A Night at the Derby
May 5 – Domestic Violence Center of Chester County: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes (for the guys)
May 21 – Victorious Woman Project for Home of the Sparrow: The Girlfriend Gala

For Your Guys: Gift-giving Tips

Posted on | by Annmarie Kelly | Leave a Comment on For Your Guys: Gift-giving Tips

ChristmasWreathAt today’s Happy Hour show, I talked to our mid-life guys – you know, the ones who buy us clothes that are the wrong size or jewelry we don’t like…and then get hurt when we either don’t use it or return it. You and I know that our guys want to make us happy, but they seem to think it’s all about the money and not the love. So, here are my “guy do’s and don’ts” – feel free to add your own thoughts and ideas. And DO send this link to your special guy!
 
 
DON’Ts

  • If you’re getting your sweetie anything electrical with a cord and it’s not designed to make her feel better – and I’m not talking about a electric blanket or a treadmill – DON’T do it. Anything electrical is probably going to get you in some kind of trouble.
  • Unless you’re getting a diamond, or your sweetie left a list for you at the jewelers, DON’T buy jewelry. Most of the time you are likely to spend too much money on something that isn’t her taste…and it shows. So she’s either not going to wear it or will return it. Either one will annoy her and it won’t make you feel good either.
  • By now you should know that sexy lingerie is a gift for you and not her. DON”T buy it for her.
    • In fact, buying any clothing is really touchy. If you don’t know her size and her taste, you could easy hurt her feelings or, at best, disappoint her

DOs

  • If she made a list, DO use it. If she didn’t…
  • Plan an experience. Cheez, I can almost feel some of you guys giving up because someplace in your brain you’ve already decided that any kind of “experience” has to be some multi-media spectacular something…and you’re just not good at that stuff. But you can be good at it. Here’s how:
    • DO think about what she likes. Does she like museums, sightseeing, movies, stage shows, casinos…or something else?
    • DO go online and see what’s out there in thing she likes. And, when you go to a website, don’t just throw some spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks. Actually read what a website says and look for things like visitor info, times, days, special events…all the things that will help you put together a plan.
    • DO add a meal. If money is an issue, breakfast is usually less expensive, so go someplace nice for breakfast – someplace you wouldn’t usually go. Or stop for a dinner takeout and then eat it at home on a candlelit table. Some of my favorite meals with Joseph have deli sandwiches at some secluded spot, where the two of us just talk and stuff.
    • DO make your gift look nice. Presentation is everything.
      • DO write or type out what you planned on a small card, with the agenda, put it in a box, and wrap it up. And, if you’re going someplace like Hershey, add a couple Hershey Kisses to the box.
      • DO make it look like what you really did – that you thought out something special for her.
    • DO talk during this special date. Guys, that’s pretty key for most of us. Here are a few conversation starters:
      • What’s one happy moment that stands out in your mind? Why does it stand out?
      • What’s one thing about our marriage that you are most thankful for? Why?
      • What’s one of the funniest things that we’ve ever experienced together?
      • If time and money were no object, what’s one thing you’d like us to do together in the next year?

SO, guys, those are your Christmas gift-giving do’s and don’ts. And my sweetie, Joseph, wanted me to tell you that he knows it’s hard to do – he mostly hates it – but in the end he says it’s worth the effort. He knows I’m happy because he didn’t just throw some money at some stupid thing and call it a day. He showed that he loves me – and that’s what we women in mid-life want. So it makes him feel good that I’m happy. And, if I’m happy, he’s happy. In then end, isn’t that what you want too?

Victorious Woman Contest Winner – Third Place

Posted on | by Annmarie Kelly | Leave a Comment on Victorious Woman Contest Winner – Third Place

Anne Lawrence
I Am Victorious — and So Are You!

This is being written not simply to share my story, but to give hope and encouragement to those who are already victorious—but who erroneously believe that victory requires transformation, or who don’t see the impact of their accomplishments. I could talk about overcoming a particularly miserable childhood or an unhappy failed first marriage (which I did), but the message I want to share is about finding meaning and joy in the simple things in life.
Until four years ago, I worked long hours for more than 20 years running a business with my husband, volunteered most of my free time holding leadership board positions in several nonprofit organizations and enjoyed the “good life.” At one point I wonder how I would extract myself from over-commitment and, if I did, what I would do with my time—and, more importantly, would my life have value?
Then tragedy struck and life changed forever. In late July 2008 my husband woke up and discovered that he could no longer stand. After 55 days in the hospital, he was diagnosed with spinal meningitis which left him a paraplegic. We are fortunate that no brain damage occurred, but he is no longer independent in terms of getting out of bed, or into a car, or dressing below the waist. Immediately my primary job became one of a care-giver. Work shifted to what could be supported by phone and internet, and nearly all volunteer responsibilities ended.
Life, while radically different, is still meaningful and full. I don’t feel resentful, or that I’m a martyr, and there are too many undone things on my plate to be Super Woman. That does not mean that there aren’t times of sadness or stress (even occasional panic), but I believe that my past difficulties prepared me for this new normal. We have a long list of “wants,” but frankly our needs are met. The amazing thing is how much pleasure we get from the simple tasks of life and how rewarding they’ve been. Things like a shower—pure delight for Bob and relief for me after 3 years of sponge-bathing (can you imagine sponge-bathing hair!?), a good workout, dinner with friends, visits with family, time in the garden, cooking and the like. Looking back, it seems as if the demands of the world allowed me to lose sight of what’s truly important and that I’ve been forced to see life for what it was meant to be.
Happiness is found in finding the gift in each day and being satisfied with what we can do, not what we can’t. While juggling personal care, work and other responsibilities, some energy every day is focused on quality of life activities. That means doing at least one small special thing each day—simple stuff like baking bread, trying new soup recipes, seeing the garden come to life, watching a movie, playing Qwirkle after dinner, enjoying “Friday Date-Night,” taking a “walk” around the neighborhood, etc. The biggest lessons for me are that I’ve learned to focus on the positive, refuse to indulge in negative emotions (well…at least not for too long) and let go of the little annoying things that used to drive me crazy. Of course, I wish things were different and get upset, but I bounce back.
For these I am grateful. I’ve become a better person. And I’m proud that I’ve been able to help the two of us remain independent without outside help other than the indispensable encouragement and support of family, friends and neighbors. I hope that I can adapt as well when we get too old and frail to live without assistance. And I hope other women see that their persistence in the face of difficulty is victory.

Congratulations, Anne Lawrence!

Do you have a story of Victory?
Get ready to tell it for the 2013 Victorious Woman Contest.
Sign up for the Victorious Woman Newsletter and be first to know when the contest opens!

John Edwards Trial

Posted on | by Annmarie Kelly | Leave a Comment on John Edwards Trial

Is Infidelity The Norm?

Former Senator John Edwards’ trial started today. Edwards is accused of violating federal campaign finance laws using campaign monies to fund and keep secret an affair with his mistress, Reille Hunter. Some of the evidence looks pretty damning but who knows if a crime was committed – that can be sorted out during the trial. What I’m wondering about is the encounter I had with a lady at last year’s Italian-American Festival in Media PA.
It was a warm June day and, as a local author with Italian-American heritage, I was invited to do a book signing. I shared a table with the congenial author George Anastasia whose books and TV spots about the Italian mob in the Philadelphia area are so popular. We were having a good day when, in mid-afternoon, a well-dressed, pleasant-looking woman stopped by my table and excitedly began talking about my first book, Victorious Woman, which was displayed.
At first, though she was smiling and full of energy, I couldn’t quite understand what she was saying. She was talking fast, was on a roll and getting some attention from others standing nearby. Then I got her main point: women should be submissive to their husbands as the head of the house, as God intended. It wasn’t the first time Victorious Woman and I were used to give someone a platform to sermonize. She continued, and in a conspicuously loud voice, declared, “That’s why men cheat. If wives would stay home and take care of their husbands the way they should, all these men wouldn’t be cheating because they wouldn’t be tempted to look for women outside their marriages.”
As she took a breath, obviously pleased with herself, I quickly replied, “I don’t think Elizabeth Edwards would have agreed with you,” which was enough to (momentarily) halt the woman’s rant. “She did exactly that,” I went on. “She was an educated woman, an attorney, who stayed home, raised her children and supported her spouse’s ambitions. In return for her loyalty, John Edwards publicly used his marital relationship to promote his ‘good-as-gold’ image while, at the same time, he was privately getting busy with another woman.”
Though my words slowed the woman down, they didn’t stop her. When she finally walked away, table buddy George looked over at me and laughed. I wondered how many “Carmella Soprano” stay-at-home wives and mothers he’d come across in his mob research? And in Victorious Woman, Pattie Painter told about how her first spouse had an affair throughout most of their fourteen year marriage, during which he fathered three children with Pattie and she stayed home with them.
That attitude boggles my mind. How many women think that staying home is an insurance policy against their spouse having an extramarital affair? What do you think?
For a brief Edwards timeline: https://abcn.ws/iukhYi
Tell Your Story: Victorious Woman Contest  https://ow.ly/a6Qym
Join me: