I hope that you have enjoyed a happy and healthy week and are making the most of your life.

MY WEEK


City to Surf triumph

I'm happy to report that my family and I competed in this year's City to Surf race in Sydney. The undulating course is 14 kilometres long and with 80,000 competitors it is the biggest race in the world.

We started at the back of the pack on a very cool but sunny Sunday morning and with so many competitors, the race was won before our group had even begun!

Along the way there was  a plethora of entertainment and fascinating characters to help keep us amused. There was even a cave-man carrying a blow up doll while walking the race in Ugg boots, an avatar character, a family of smurfs, and many other fascinating but odd ball personalities. 

A toilet stop during the race added at least 30 minutes to the trip so my daughter and I cunningly decided that instead of waiting in the long queue at the designated portable toilets, we would check out the queue at the nearby pub. There was a long line for the women's toilet and as my daughter and I were about to leave, a guy dressed as a super hero grabbed our arms and ushered us into the men's toilet promising us that it was vacant...it was... until we emerged from the cubicles to find a line up of men standing at the urinals - were our faces red!!!

Moral of the story - don't trust a man who wears his underwear on the outside of his clothes!

We were all extremely relieved to catch our first glimpse of the finish line as we descended the hill into Bondi Beach. We were exhausted but elated by our achievement as we limped across the line.

Click here to read more

THE INCREDIBLE ICE BAR

Isn't online shopping fantastic? If you are time poor like me it makes so much sense to do as much shopping as you can online.

Grocery shoppping online is amazing, 15 minutes spent in front of the computer and my groceries are delivered to my door and are even carried to the kitchen bench. How great!

Crazy Sales .com has some great deals - check it out for yourself. Happy shopping.


Visit Gigi



Gigi's life has been extremely hectic lately, I don't know how she manages to fit everything into her day and still finds time to visit the gym - she is amazing. 

Visit her now and see what she's been up to.



Wise Words

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started".

- Agatha Christe

Until next week wise women... live the life you want girls and be happy with who you are.

Luv

Hi Wise Women and Welcome

"I hope you have all enjoyed a happy and healthy week."

My Week


A family affair

Many of my regular readers may know that I had been plagued with health issues for the past few years which left me chronically anaemic and with virtually no iron or vitamin D stores. I was clearly not running on all cylinders and was so constantly fatigued that I could not even manage to do my own grocery shopping let alone even dream about exercising...

Last Sunday, I am excited to report, I completed the 11 kilometre Sutherland to Surf Fun Run in 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Not a great performance by many of your standards I'm sure - but for me it was monumental!

During the race I was flanked my hubby, son and daughter who encouraged and supported me and really turned the event into a “fun run”, or in my case – “a fun shuffle”.

I was so elated after shuffling past the finish line, body exploding with endorphins, and feeling like I had just conquered Mount Everest, that I had almost forgotten that on the previous day I had experienced symptons akin to the onset of flu, which I tried extremely hard to ignore... 

The next morning I was a train wreck! I could hardly move.

It was difficult to know whether my body ached from the flu or the fun run but I concluded that it was a bit of both!!

I’m hoping to compete in the 14 kilometre City to Surf in a week and a half.

PS I’m still taking my Olive Leaf Extract, Chia Seeds, Fish Oil supplements and vitamin D so I’m expecting a rapid recovery.

92 Years Young and Still DANCING

My mum recently turned 92. She still drives, lives in a house independently, cares for a dog, smokes like a chimney, tells dirty jokes and still dances up a storm. What an Enigma!!!

My 92 year old mum and my 34 year old daughter


“Friendship with oneself is important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

The Pelvic Floor Workshop is on in Sydney Sunday 1^st August and there are still some positions available.

Here are the details – http://www.holditsister.com/pelvic-floor-workshops/

Election Time


Prime Minister Gillard

Here in Australia we are being bombarded with an overload of political media due to our upcoming federal election. The campaigning has been unexciting to say the least - even though I take great interest in who is elected to run this country, however, when the media circus starts commenting on the size of our female Prime Minister’s earlobes and the size of the Opposition Leaders "manhood" – it really becomes quite disturbing!

What do you think about the candidate’s policies? Have your say here

“Taking joy in life is a women’s cosmetic.”

-Rosalind Russell

Wise Women



Helen Pook

Our wise women readers are from all over the world and a number of them have shared their personal stories with us. Each one of these women is fascinating and remarkable in their own right. Some have immigrated to a new country to start a new life and some have struggled with personal tragedies. Others have soared higher than they ever imagined and some have become successful achievers. Their stories may inspire, encourage and even overwhelm you, but they are real women connecting with us at Wise Women’s World to share “the journey”.

Read more –

“For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair.”

-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Visit Gigi

Gigi has been keeping busy with online “addictive” auctions, working out and attending the Opera. She fits so much into one week!

This week she also shares her “pet hate” see what’s getting her so riled up.

Wise Words

"After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It’s better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life."

-Sophia Loren


Until next time wise women

"Remember, passion is energy.

Feel the power that comes from focussing on what excites you."

Hi Wise Women and Welcome

I hope you have enjoyed a fun and productive week.

My Week

I’ve made the decision to be the “best I can be” by embarking on a strict healthy lifestyle plan after putting on 6 kilos over the past 5 months.

Mr J is taking the plunge too and we have vowed to love, honour and support each other in our pursuit of “wellness” and a slimmer and fitter body.

We have also vowed to never say, "your bum looks big in that".

My new daily eating plan consists of 2 carbs, lots of protein rich food, fresh organic plant foods and doses of chia seeds, fish oil, olive leaf extract and an overdose of 'positive attitude'.

I’m completing 10,000 steps a day as well as stretching and resistance exercises.

Sounds great doesn't it? However, I’ve only started this new lifestyle today – so wish me luck!

I'll let you know how I'm coping next week!

Log onto this website for great tips to get rid of the dreaded tummy bulge - 

http://www.realage.com

Learn about the great benefits of Chia seeds

Afraid to Sneeze?

Oops! At our age, sadly, incontinence can creep up on us and cause some very embarrassing moments unless we know how to control our pelvic floor.

Many of us do not know how our pelvic floor really works, let alone how to control the various muscles.

I know a number of women with this condition (incontinence) – young and old and it can be prevented!

Mary O’Dwyer, a specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist, is conducting workshops in Sydney on the 1 August. My daughter and I will be attending as we are both want to avoid the dreaded “leak” in the future.

It’s also about bowel health and gaining an improved sex life.

Take a look at the workshop details

This is a MUST for all women.

See my reviews on Mary’s fabulous books – My Pelvic Floor and Hold It Sister

Holiday Nightmares

When you’re travelling overseas you really pray that you avoid accidents and health issues, don’t you?

Well, our intrepid and hilarious travel writer, Roslyn Motter, relays her recent incident – being viciously bitten by a very angry, green toothed, necklace thieving monkey.

Was it rabid?

Roslyn also riotously recalls her brush with death after sharing her drink with a handsome stranger in Venezuela. She was hospitalised in Buenos Aires, Argentina with cats and dogs roaming the wards. She even reported  a mound of steaming dog poo in the main hallway of the hospital, can this be true?

Find out the answers - click here

Soul Retrieval


 

Ever felt like you had pieces missing from your soul?

Well, according to Shamans, maybe you have. A Shaman ‘journeys’ in an altered state of consciousness. The journey is a term referred to as a ‘soul flight’, when the soul is said to leave the body and travel beyond both time and place. Basically, what differentiates the shaman from a medium is that the shaman journeys to the spirits and remains aware of what is happening at all times, where a medium invites the spirits into their body and generally once coming out of the altered state has unsubstantial memory of the events which have taken place during the possession.

Throughout history shamanism has been practiced in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, Greenland, and both North and South America, making it the earliest spiritual practice known to humankind.

Learn more about this fascinating subject

Grandma’s Brag

It’s school holidays here in Australia and I’ve had the opportunity to take my grandchildren to see ‘Toy Story’, ‘Shrek Forever After’ and a Big Top Circus.

I must say, Mr J and I were just as entertained as our delighted grandchildren!

When our grandchildren are old enough to appreciate these outings, it’s such a treat for us grandparents as it gives us the excuse to get in touch we our ‘inner child’.

Such joy!

Wise Words

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.

- Martha Washington

Visit Gigi

Gigi always delights us with her entertaining stories and her amazing photos.

Take a look at what she has been up to lately - 

Until next time wise women, remember – “Bloom where you were planted”.


Luv

Hi Wise Women and Welcome

I’m so glad that you dropped by.

Gigi and I love hearing from you so drop us a line and let us know how you are and what you are doing (add comments at the very end or send me an email - lana@wisewomensworld.com).

Wise Women's World encourages 'women to help women'.

The World Cup Soccer fever has hit!

Like many other soccer fans around the world, I’m bleary eyed from watching late night/early morning matches. Naturally, I am backing the Socceroos and I cannot believe how their games have panned out so far.

They played that great team from Germany and lost 4-0 and to top off that shocking defeat – we had one of our two best strikers sent off.

Our next competitor was Ghana and the final score was 1-1. It was such an exciting
match, even though another of our great strikers was sent off for a controversial “hand ball” and we had to play one man down.

Australian’s all around the country were gobsmacked!

We have one last chance to stay in the competition...

Go the Socceroos!!

How is your teaming fairing?

MY WEEK

Apart from joining the excitable male species in cheering for the Socceroos and eating far too much footy style food (hot dogs, pies, sausage rolls etc), I have been surveying wise women by asking them “what do you do to keep yourself looking and feeling younger?”

I’ll keep you posted with the results of the survey over the next couple of weeks.

Some of you may remember that I recently had my trigeminal neuralgia investigated by a neurosurgeon and an MRI found that I have a stretched artery that is looping over my trigeminal nerve. This stretching is caused by ageing. Unbelievable! The only way to cure this (he says) is by brain surgery.

I’m feeling that this is a bit drastic at this stage so I’m on the quest to seek alternative treatments. Wish me luck!

Do you have any experience with neuralgia? Contact me 

Learning New Skills

I love to hear that people of our age are learning new skills or exploring their talents.

My husband took up the piano in later life and absolutely loves it. I am the lucky recipient of his daily practice sessions as his music (after a number of lessons and loads of practice) is now an absolute joy to listen to.

Recently he teamed up with a friend who plays the guitar and they now share weekly jamming sessions. Good on THEM.

What a great way to share precious time with a friend!



My hubby (on the piano) and his jamming mate. 

Note to myself –“must learn a new skill”.

Book Club

 

My grandson totally engrossed in the book.

Our hilarious wise women travel writer Roslyn Motter is also a well renowned children’s author and her adventure series of books “The Doofuzz Dudes” are fascinating.

When my dear 7 year old grandson was hospitalised recently, Roslyn very generously sent him a package containing her books. He was absolutely thrilled when he opened the package and saw these wonderful, personally signed books from Roslyn.

The enchanting stories took his mind off the pain giving him a much deserved respite.  

Roslyn’s books make great gifts, life-long gifts that your grandchild will treasure. Go on Roslyn’s websites to check them out.

http://www.childrens-books.com.au

http://www.doofuzzdudesclub.com



My very animated grandson enchanted by the book

You can also learn more about Roslyn on our website

Hold It Sister!
Mary O'Dwyer, author of Hold it Sister is holding workshops to teach women about our pelvic floor. We really must look after our pelvic floor if we want to prevent incontinence problems etc in the future. I will certainly be attending.

Check out my recent article about her

Grandmother’s Brag

Here are some recent pictures of my gorgeous grandchildren -


Double trouble

Miss 3 asks, "snorkelling anyone?"

Visit Gigi

Gigi has lots to share with you this week, including racey photos from her lovely daughter’s hen’s night.

Gigi also explains how Australian Bush flower Essences can help and heal children naturally. This is a great article, see more here

Visit Gigi

Wise Words

“Whatever we are waiting for – peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart”.

-Sarah Ban Breathnach

Until next time Wise Women

Remember, life is short so it’s up to you to make it sweet.


PS Please leave me a message below -

Hi and Welcome Wise Women

I hope you have enjoyed a happy and healthy week.

Thanks for visiting me and sharing in our life’s journey here at Wise Womens World.

MY WEEK

Winter has hit here in Sydney with icy winds and torrential rain. Oh how I envy those of you that live in the warmer areas of Australia or those of you that are living overseas, experiencing the wonderful onset of summer! I just love summer...bliss.

Things I DO like about winter –

*Not having to shave my legs

*Wearing bulky clothes to cover up the extra kilos

*Huddling beside an open fire

*Drinking an indulgent hot chocolate or three

...That’s it though!!!

New Stories -

I have recently  discovered the incredible benefits of Chia seeds. Have you heard of them? I think they are amazing and want to share some of the benefits with you (see below).

I’ve just finished reviewing Mary O’Dwyer’s latest book for our book club, ‘Hold It Sister’ and it’s compelling reading (see below).

Magic Seeds



Lose weight and have more energy.

Chia Seeds are one of nature’s superfoods – high in essential fatty acids, protein, soluble fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.  They are easy to use, taste good, and can become a valuable addition to your diet.

The chia seeds were originally used by the Mayans, Aztecs and Southwest Native Americans as an energy supplement. Chia actually means strength in Mayan. In Mexico they say that one tablespoon of chia seeds can sustain a person for 24 hours. Chia seeds are great for athletes because they are highly hydrophilic, meaning they can absorb large amounts of water. They can hold 10 times their weight in water making them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies.

Chia seeds contain -

• 2 times the protein of any other seed or grain
• 5 times the calcium of milk
• 2 times the amount of potassium as bananas
• 3 times more iron than spinach
• and of course, copious amounts of omega-3 and omega-6. 20% of Chia seed is Omega 3 oil and 7% of its oil is Omega 6 oil. This is the perfect balance of essential fatty acids.

A 15g serve of chia seeds contains almost zero sugars.

I take Chia seeds every day – find out more here.

Hold It Sister

Afraid to sneeze with a full bladder?

Want a better sex life?

Mary O’Dwyer’s latest book ‘Hold It Sister’ is a fantastic ‘must have’ read. It is an easy to read guide with photos and clear illustrations for maintaining a healthy and functioning pelvic floor, which is vital to us women.

I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review Mary’s latest release as her first book, ‘My Pelvic Flaw’, really made an impact on me and changed the way I use the toilet (sorry, maybe a little too much information).

This book is ideal to pass onto your daughters or granddaughters as it contains vital information for women of all ages. Knowing how to control your pelvic floor correctly is a great habit to get into at an early age. Read more here –

Visit Gigi


 

Gigi is always on the go, and is constantly on the lookout for new things to try or do. She always has some fascinating news to share.

Visit her now –

Wise Words

“Once you can laugh at your own weaknesses, you can move forward. Comedy breaks down walls. It opens up people. If you’re good, you can fill up those openings with something positive. Maybe you can combat some off the ugliness in the world”.

Goldie Hawn.

Until next Week Wise Women -

Know that you are worthy and beautiful. Beauty comes from the heart.

Hi and Welcome Wise Women

Thanks for visiting me. I hope you are all happy and healthy.

My Week

Brain Drain

Have you ever had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) on your brain?

I needed to have one recently to ascertain what was causing my neuralgia. I naively imagined it would be a fairly quick procedure, and even though I do suffer from mild claustrophobia I really didn’t think it was worth mentioning to the medical staff...

(An MRI is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to take pictures).

I'm Next...

I anxiously sit in the hospital waiting room until my name is called and I am then ushered into a room where I am stripped of anything metal (including my underwire bra). The assistant then places a cannula in my hand and explains that she will later inject me with contrasting dye.

I must have appeared somewhat concerned, in fact, I could actually feel the blood draining from my face (I'm such a baby), as the assistant begins to explain in detail that the dye may help show blood flow and it may also detect some types of tumours, and show areas of inflammation (not really very comforting I thought).

She tells me, the room that contains the MRI machine is freezing and as we enter through the heavy steel doors, I can confirm that she was certainly right about that!

I reluctantly lay on the icy cold scanning table and my head is firmly encased to prevent any movement and my body then begins to slide into a large cylinder-shaped magnet. Radio waves 10,000 to 30,000 times stronger than the magnetic field of the earth are sent through the body. How eerie.

Inside the cylinder, I feel as though I have been buried alive!

There is only a very tiny space between my face and the cylinder and a small mirror that reflects my bottom lip. I begin to panic and close my eyes. I try meditation and visualisation (I visualise that I am laying on the beach in Tahiti), this image in my mind only lasts for a few moments before I panic again. .

Before entering the cylinder I was given a “panic button” that I now hold firmly in my hand and I dice with the idea of pressing it to secure my release...

The Torture Chamber...

The torturing banging and knocking noise is driving me nuts! “This must surely be over soon”, I console myself.

Monotonously it continues and my hand with the cannula inserted in it is going numb. I start to feel nauseous and wonder what would happen if I threw up...I can’t turn my head, and by the time I raise the alarm and someone comes to my rescue I would probably have already drowned in my own vomit!

Finally the annoying noise abates and my body slides out from the tunnel. Phew... it’s over at last, I think...until...the assistant appears at my side and injects the dye into my hand and tells me that the MRI will continue.

I’m mortified! I’m thinking that although I want out, I have come this far - I just HAVE to continue.

By the time I am released, which is nearly an hour later, I’m relieved but shaking like a leaf. I think I have gone into “claustrophobic shock”.

I feel light headed, legless and in serious need of a sugar hit. My worried looking hubby races to the hospital’s cafeteria and returns with 2 decadent looking cakes which I devour in seconds, washed down by 2 strong, caffeine fuelled coffees. It takes me about an hour before my body stops trembling, I probably needed more cake!

My Results...

Later that day my neurologist reads my MRI results and tells me that a stretched artery has somehow looped itself around my trigeminal nerve. He said this is an age thing (the hide of him).

If, OR when the time comes that I can no longer stand the pain, an operation will be performed on the brain to move the artery.

I sure hope that day doesn’t come!

If you are required to have an MRI and you are claustrophobic, please ask about your options. You can be medicated to help relax you. Unfortunately this option was not discussed with me.  

If you would like to share your experience with an MRI please email me – lana@wisewomensworld.com.au

Look Younger - Gain without Pain

I’ve been using Carolyn’s Facial Exercise program on and off (due to the neuralgia) and even though I have been doing it infrequently, I can still see positive results. It’s fabulous girls! Check it out here -

Seniors Club

Australians over 60, do yourself a favour and save money by joining Seniors Club Online for FREE. Read about it here.

Living Longer

We have unlocked some of the secrets to living younger. It’s about moving more, weight resistance exercises, eating well, drinking water, getting enough sunshine, having a positive outlook and keeping stress levels down. Meditation, quality sleep and self love are also important life enhancers. Gigi and I have more information to share to keep us looking good, feeling great and living longer.

Visit Gigi

Gigi is busy, busy as usual. Her son (my son in law) turns 35 this week and a family get together is on the agenda.

Gigi has also been corresponding regularly to our intrepid travel writer Roslyn Motter and she keeps us up to date with her latest adventure.

R.I.P

Gary Coleman gave us all a laugh on his show “Different Strokes” as the adorable Arnold Jackson. He was such a funny guy but lived such a troubled life. He was only 42 when he passed away from a fall at home that resulted in a fatal brain haemorrhage. We wish him peace as he returns “home”.

Thanks for the laughs Gary.

Wise Words

Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It’s not something physical.

- Sophia Loren

Until next time wise women –

Look after you, you deserve it!

PS I love receiving your comments - please leave comments below. THANK YOU!

I hope your week has been a happy one!

I also hope that you are feeling fit and healthy. If not, make this day YOUR day of change.

MY WEEK

(From my Star Shots photos)

Mother's Day for me was incredible. It started with a cooked breakfast and a surprise gift from my husband - a camera - which was fantastic as my current camera is being held precariously together with masking tape. What a brilliant surprise as photography is one of my passions and the new camera is a beauty!

After breakfast, we picked up my 92 year old mother who was dressed to the nines when we arrived - as she too was so excited about a special day out.

We excitedly headed to a my favourite seafood restaurant where we were met by my daughter and son-in-law, son and daughter-in-law and two of my gorgeous grandchildren.

The restaurant was "packed to the rafters" as Mother's Day and Valentines Day are the busiest days of the year for restaurants. The staff coped well with the overload, however, by the end of the day, they were deservedly shattered.

The day was almost perfect except that one of my grandchildren could not share the day with us as he was quite rightly spending the day with his mum.

I also missed my sister Vicki and my mother-in-law Dawn who have both passed, and I thought about them with much affection throughout the day.

A sumptuous and delicious 3 course lunch, including fresh lobster was offered, and we all shared stories, laughed out loud and I was certainly spoiled rotten with generous and thoughtful gifts from my children and grandchildren.

I really felt so appreciated!

Even the greeting cards that accompanied my gifts were simply PERFECT! Do you treasure greeting cards too?

I know my children read this blog every week so - "Thanks kids for everything - I love you more than words can express!"

Here are a few photos from my new camera that I'd like to share with you-


Sweets for the sweets


Miss Charli loves me this much!


My incredible son and his lovely wife who is carrying my grandchild number 4


My beautiful daughter and my handsome son-in-law

Jessica is certainly an inspiration not only to young Australians but to young people around the world. She wanted to pass on this message, "believe in yourself and know that you can do anything if you put your mind to it".

My family also anixiously followed her progress as she bravely sailed the sometimes periless seas. I must admit, before Jessica set out on her journey I was appalled that she would be allowed to take on this solo trip of epic proportions!

I know that I would not permit my daughter to do it at the tender age of 16.

I also nervously waited for Jessica's safe arrival and celebrated her success with an overwhelming sense of relief as her "Pink Lady" (yacht) sailed proudly into Sydney Harbour.

Welcome home Jess!

Share you views on Jessica Watson's journey - contact us


Jessica and her Pink Lady.

Seniors With Benefits


I've recently discovered the Seniors Club Online that offers terrific discounts and it's free to join. Movie tickets for half price, free breakfast for 2 when staying at Rydges Hotels and Resorts... plus much more.

You can join now


Learn to Fly



I enjoy trying out all sorts of crazy things, sky diving, learing to ride a motor cycle and learning to fly...although sometimes with collateral damage!

Read about my unfortunate trysts -

FLYING HIGH

HELLS ANGELS

Visit Gigi
 

Gigi reveals why women who marry younger men are likely to die sooner...
How many embarrassing moments have you had recently? Gigi was left red faced on a recent outing, find out what happened and also share in her special Mother's Day celebration.


Wise Words


"Once you can laugh at your own weaknesses, you can move forward. Comedy breaks down walls. It opens up people. If you're good, you can fill up those openings with something positive. Maybe you can combat some of the ugliness in the world".

- Goldie Hawn

Until Next Time Wise Women
Be kind to yourself, treat yourself to something special and know that you deserve it!

Luv from

Hello and Welcome Wise Women

I hope you have all enjoyed a fun filled week.

MY WEEK



What a week it was!

It started with 3 days at the Baby Boomer's Expo at Darling Harbour where we had the opportunity to tell many of you about wise womens world.com.

Thank you to the many women and men who stopped by. It was fabulous fun learning first hand about what interests you, what makes you laugh and what motivates and inspires you.

Apart from meeting incredible women like you from all walks of life, we also introduced ourselves to some of the exhibitors who were trying to promote their businesses too to our baby boomer generation.

I have chosen a number of varying companies that I think will interest you and I will be featuring their products or services in the coming weeks. 

I will also profile the person at the helm as these people often have their own captivating tales to tell.


Drawing the competition for the Star Shots package

Gigi and I are just so passionate about wise womens world, we just loved talking your ears off about our website. We were also excited about offering a fabulous prize from Star Shots Photography.

So many of you entered our competition that our entry box was jammed packed, but I'm afraid there was only one winner (announced in Gigi's wise week).

Thanks to Star Shots, the lucky winner will enjoy a glamorous makeover, professional photography as well as a generous photo package.

Gigi and I were "glammed" up at Star Shots, read all about our experience


Having fun at Star Shots Photography

During the week I managed to turn my 92 year old mother's life around. She lives alone in her own home and apart from out-living most of her family, friends and neighbours,  she even out-lived her beloved dog, Lassie.

She became so lonely and depressed after her pet's passing she felt that she would never again have the desire or energy to care for another pet...that is until.... I introduced her to an adorable white fluffy ball with a little black nose (4 month old Maltese cross Shih Tzu )! It looks just like a cuddly teddy bear.

It was love at first sight and mum named him "Snowy" (aptly). She said it is the best Mother's Day gift she has ever received!

Mum is now busy playing "mummy" to her new "baby".


My 92 year old mum with her great granddaughter

There are lots of whispers going on in my household as my family overtly plans Mother's Day.

My husband is so dedicated to ensuring I have a fabulous day and my children love to spoil me too. I am such a lucky women and I continue to count my blessings!

NEURALGIA



For a number of months I have been plagued with intermittent facial pain and sometimes it is so severe it brings tears to the eyes. Most of the time is it feels like an electric shock shooting up my face and at other times it feels like I am being stabbed through my chin to my eyes with a hot, sharp knife. Doctors are at a loss to explain the reason for the attacks and it is certainly a frustrating and painful condition.

I visited the dentist recently to investigate the cause but nothing was revealed so my next step is to visit a neurologist and have an MIR.

I'll let you know how it pans out but please let me know if you suffer from this condition too

ROSLYN DOES ANTARTICA



Incredible travel writer and children's book author, Roslyn Motter, thrills and amuses us again with her compelling story.

Gigi and I feel extremely fortunate to have her write for our website as she always has us hanging on to every word.

She is such a wonderful, generous human being and she is also a hoot of a gal. Thanks Roslyn for sharing!!

Catch her fascinating story here

VISIT GIGI



Gigi's life has been a whirl wind of late. She was recently mother of the beautiful bride, wife of the birthday boy, creator and organisor of our Baby Boomer's exhibit and vivacious host of our wise womens stand. I don't know how she manages to do everything that she does!

If you were one of the wonderful wise women who visited our exhibit, I'm sure you would agree that Gigi put a lot of time, effort and pizzazz into it. Thanks Gigi - you rock.   


Happy Mother's Day

To all the precious mothers and grandmas out there that are celebrating Mother's Day this weekend, we hope you have a special day filled with love, happiness and lots of chocolates!

To mothers and grandmas around the globe, even if you are not celebrating Mother's Day this week, we wish you all the wonderful things that make you feel loved and appreciated.

WISE WORDS


"Self Esteem is the basis for feminism because self esteem is based on defining yourself and believing in that definintion".

-Susan Faludi


Until Next Week Wise Women...

Take care of you, you deserve the best.


 

Hi & Welcome Wise Women

Welcome back to my regular readers and a BIG thanks to you for visiting me again.

To our new readers – Hi girls, I update this page each week to let you know what I’ve been up to and to tempt you into reading our latest articles. I hope you become a regular visitor too.

MY WEEK

What a busy week I’ve had. My 7 year old grandson is in hospital having his damaged leg straightened which was caused by a car accident a couple of years ago. The op took about 5 hours and he is now wearing a heavy brace that is screwed into his leg bone in various places. Four times a day the screws are turned a bit to stretch the new pliable bone as it forms and fills in the gaps. How excruciatingly painful it must be!

It’s great to visit him in hospital to see his gorgeous and extremely brave face, at the same time I’m feeling distressed and uneasy knowing what he has to endure. He’ll be in a wheelchair for 6 months and then in a cast for another 2 months. The thought of not being able to run and play with his mates is his main concern – isn’t that just like a boy.

My husband’s birthday is coming up and I just couldn’t think of anything to buy him as he dislikes the clothes or shoes that I choose for him as he says the styles I select are too young for him...you would think he would be flattered.

In the past I’ve bought him things like golf lessons, formulae one car driving experiences, a Harbour Bridge climb and various other activity based gifts. He doesn’t like jewellery or pampering treatments (he feels he’s too macho for that), so what else is there?

Well yesterday, during a hospital visit, my grandson showed him his DS Brain Trainer and my hubby was hooked. Aha I thought... that’s it... I’ll get him a Brain Trainer, at our age we can all do with a little grey matter exercise.

I’m really chuffed with my purchase and can’t wait to give it to him.

WAX ON

Have you ever tried waxing? I’ve had waxing done to various parts of my body including legs, armpits, eyebrow and bikini line and you may be surprised at which area had the most ouch factor.....it was the armpits!

I could not believe how sensitive that area was, it really made my eyes water...

One of my friends regularly gets her top lip done and she has blistered on two separate occasions because of the wax being too hot. Although I haven’t had that area waxed myself, she tells me that it is 12 out of 10 on the ouch factor scale.

Gigi had her eyebrows waxed for the first time – click here to find out how she faired -


UNUSUAL WEDDINGS

Last weekend I performed a wedding ceremony (I’m a marriage celebrant) and the location for the ceremony was high on a rugged coastal headland overlooking the sea.

To get there we had to cross a beach until we reached a canal crossing between the beach and the headland. The water in the canal is usually not much more than a trickle but today (because the council had recently widened it), it was a raging torrent. It was knee deep and we had to carry a heavy PA system and a table and chair across. I was wearing a dress and the hemline became saturated.

At one point during the crossing the surging water was so incredibly forceful, I thought I might be swept out to sea!

Thankfully we made it safely across the water and now we were faced with a steep climb up craggy terrain to reach the headland.

We eventually managed the climb with 60 guests following and set up our equipment in the long grass. In fact the grass was so damned long I thought we may be in danger of losing a small child!

As I was “dressing” the signing table I noticed a huge black spider on the white table cloth! I’m arachnophobic so of course I just froze.

Can you imagine...we were all barefoot because of the beach and water crossing and there were humungous spiders all around us. I had visions of myself performing the ceremony with spiders climbing up under my dress...I was mortified.

I just had to courageously put the hairy things out of my mind as the show must go on.

The bride and groom and the guests formed one big circle and the ceremony began.

I’m glad to report that I was not attacked by spiders during the ceremony and neither was anyone else (as far as I know).

It was a happy and emotional ceremony and the newly married couple were thrilled.

BABY BOOMER EXPO

If you are currently in Sydney the Baby Boomers are having an exhibition and Wisewomensworld will be there. I hope you can come along and say hi to Gigi and I, we’d really like to meet you. Here is the location and dates – If you are interested in coming along – click here for more info

SYDNEY EXHIBITION CENTRE
Darling Harbour

Friday 30 April
12pm - 5pm

Saturday 1 May
10am - 5pm

Sunday 2 May
10am - 5pm

VISIT GIGI

The countdown is on! In just 3 short weeks Gigi will be the proud mother of the bride. She is just so excited and can’t wait for the big day.

Gigi has been attending other weddings of her own and has lots to tell us.

Visit her now

WISE WORDS

“Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine.”

Joan Collins

Until Next week Wise Women, follow your instincts. That’s where your true wisdom lies.