Is The Stock Market An Economic Barometer?

It seems like every day we are bombarded with news on the stock market.  The Dow is up, the Dow is down.  What will the market do when the job numbers come out?  How will it respond to Housing Starts?  We as a society still look to the stock market as a harbinger for the state of our economy. We all keep an eye on it because a large number of our retirement accounts hinge on its activity.
  
When people start returning to work, that's when we will know that the economy is turning around.   There will have to be new jobs created, as manufacturing is dead in this country, having been sent abroad to save shareholder profits.  Not to mention the corporations have been able to operate "lean and mean" having reduced head count but  not reducing work load.  So you have a smaller payroll, with one employee doing three jobs,  at the same pay level.  Companies have found that this works, so why should they add jobs?  (Rhetorical question.)  What probably started out to be a short-term solution has evolved into long-term in our present economy.  It would be insanity to look for another job because, a). there are none, and b).even if you were lucky enough to land a job, if you needed to relocate,  you probably could not, because chances are you owe more on you home than it is worth.  And it just keeps getting better.  (That is sarcasm.)

Many corporations (i.e. Microsoft and others) have vast amounts of cash overseas in foreign banks, while they borrow money here because it is advantageous to pay dividends with debt market money rather than repatriate it and have a tax liability.  Everyone is working the system, it seems, except the middle-class taxpayer who is footing the bill..

The Ravages Of Cancer

Today we mark a milestone in Sam's fight against cancer.  He returns to work, albeit half-time, after being off for more than 120 days.  During that time he endured major surgery, a rigorous radiation and chemotherapy schedule, and weeks of slow recovery.  He is down 100 lbs from this time last year, appears to have lost a bet and had to have his head shaved, and relegated to eat most of his meals with a straw.

At this point he is eating soft foods, speaking more clearly, and anxious to get back to normal life.  He is fatigued, but that will last according to the docs for about a year.  He won't be tired all the time, but he will experience waves of fatigue.

We go back to Mayo on October 7th and hopefully will get a clean bill of health as far as Cancer goes.

The Not So Incredible Shrinking Woman Tackles The Flat Belly Diet

When it comes to losing weight, I am a work in progress. Over the last few years I have tried a myriad of diets including Weight Watchers, and many fad diets. I often wonder why there are so many. My son swears by Atkins, but I need some carbs. Doing a lot of reading regarding weight loss only confused me. It seems there is not a one diet fits all.

I was a bit leery when someone suggested that I try the above mentioned diet, telling me it really works. I went out and bought the book while Sam was recuperating from his cancer surgery. I read it and it made sense to me, and because it was formulated by the editors of Prevention Magazine, (giving it credence in my eyes) I thought it sounded like something I could do.

Those of you who know me, know that I am hooked on caffeine. It was not unusual for me to drink a couple of pots of coffee a day and don't get me started on my Diet Coke habit. Caffeine is one thing that you really should give up, because it is a diuretic and messes with your metabolism. Carbonated beverages are also a no-no, due to the fact that the bubbles create bloating.

One of the pains about starting a new eating program is the expense of buying all the food. This was not cheap, but if I had gone to Meijer, instead of the Jewel, I could have save about $20. So $70 later I am ready to begin. After 4 days, I had lost 4 pounds. Does not sound like much does it? But the great part was that I had lost inches. It almost appeared that I had a waist! This gave me the desire to keep it up. For 28 more days I lugged my food around with me every where I went.

The first week without coffee nearly killed me. Seriously, it was crazy how caffeine lifted my mood and gave me energy to face the day. Well now I didn't have it and boy this better be worth it! But after 4 days, seeing a difference, it made it easier for me to continue. Results are the impetus to continue anything you are doing in your life.

I started the "Flat Belly Diet" by Liz Vaccariello, on June 21 and as of today, August 20, I have lost 16 lbs. and several inches. I went from an xl to a medium and I feel so much better. Once more this is a great way to eat and you can still splurge once in a while (because God knows I CANNOT give up my beer) . I enjoy 1 cup of coffee in the morning now and that seems to be enough. I can walk by cherry Gummi Bears on the sidewalk and not be the least bit tempted to pick them up.

It needs to be noted that I did not accomplish these results without exercise, running 2 miles on the treadmill 5 days a week. I still want to lose an additional 15 pounds so until then I remain focused. The upside is that I will continue to eat this way the rest of my life (it is basically a Mediterranean diet) so it shouldn't be hard to keep the weight off.

So I encourage any of you who want to lose weight to go out and by the book and get started. It will change your life!

This Is NOT The Life I Ordered

Unrealistic expectations. I believe we all start out with them. When I was growing up in a small town, I was not exposed to life anywhere else. Thinking that all there was to life for me, was to get married, have children, and be there for my husband. Well that didn't work out so pretty good.

I did not go to college, as a drinking incident put me on probation (and I was too embarrassed to continue.) So I went to Parsons Business School, where I studied Fashion Merchandising. I have to admit that was fun and one of the highlights was a trip to New York City with a couple of my fellow students. We visited a few of the fashion houses on 7th Avenue. That was back when Bobbie Brooks was around and I think we even met Geoffrey Beene. It was very exciting, but I limited my options by not attending college.

So what happened was I started working at a bank, in Delton, married the first guy that asked me, from Delton, pretty much limiting what I could get out of life. The best thing that happened to me from that first marriage was my son. So after the divorce we continued on and ventured to Kalamazoo where I had better opportunities.

Sure enough I worked myself up the food chain both in my work and love life. It was not easy but within the next 5 years I married a great guy and had a great job at a major employer. By the time we moved to Washington in 2004, I had owned my own real estate business for 8 years. But none of that was planned ahead of time. Yes I put in the work, but on the fly, more or less. When I found myself really not liking a job I explored my options (there's that word again) and I found that indeed, I did have options.

Once again at age (gasp) 60, I find myself restless and wanting more out of life. I am in the midst of researching some alternatives. So just as I was ready to flag down my waiter to tell them this not the life I ordered, I find that maybe it's a good thing that I did not have a plan, because after all, I have options.

Nearing The Finish Line

It is Thursday, July 29th and the finish line is in sight for my dear husband Sam. After being diagnosed with Head and Neck Cancer on May 3rd and enduring three months that included major surgery, a feeding tube and tracheotomy not to mention six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, he has only two treatments left before he comes home.

Everyday when I talk to him on the phone, I can tell it is a struggle for him just to put a sentence together. And it doesn't help that I can't hear very well and he has to repeat everything he says at least once. The treatments have ravaged his body. He has blisters on his neck and his entire body is broken out with a hideous rash. On the up-side, he has not lost his hair. Thank you Lord, there is only so much a person can handle. He says his face feels like he has the worst sun burn ever.

While at Mayo he has been staying at the Hope Lodge, a godsend for us, as it is provided free of charge by the American Cancer Society for patients receiving chemo and radiation. He has been with people going through the same experience, hopefully developing friendships and it is not as lonely has staying in a hotel.

Meanwhile, I have been home taking care of the dogs, knowing that is one less thing Sam has to worry about. Thank God I live closer to home. I have been going back to Kalamazoo often to see my friends and family, dogs in tow. It has been a life saver for me, allowing me to talk things out with objective people and not keep feelings pent up inside. You all are treasures in my life.

But our journey is far from over. The next two weeks for Sam will be hard, as the cumulative effects of his treatments will still be working. In four weeks he will return to Mayo for an assessment of his condition. Then he will go back every three months for checkups. His particular type of cancer is very aggressive and the risk for return within the first couple of years is high. He has promised me he will be vigilant in taking care of himself.

As we face this next period in our lives, we will look only forward and make the most of the time we have, day by day. Because really, isn't today all any of us can be sure of? That's why they call it the present, every day is a gift.

Honor Thy Father

I spent a long time trying to come up with a title for this blog. Searching for quotes and songs about Dads and Fathers, I found there are not near as many as for Mothers. As one quote goes by an unknown author,"Fathers Day is just like Mothers Day, only we don't spend as much."

It's a fact that we usually let our Dad's do what ever they want on their day and we put our Mothers on pedestals and shower them with gifts and brunch and phone calls. I remember that all my Dad ever wanted from his kids was a visit on his special day. He was short changed due to the fact that his Birthday, June 18, usually fell on or around Fathers Day. It was easy to cover both days with one visit.

Over the years, the role of Fathers in the family has evolved. Rumor has it, my Dad never changed a diaper. Not that hard to believe. His role in the family was clear, he worked two to three jobs a day, came home, ate dinner with us (most of the time) and then wanted to be left alone. Occasionally he would help us with out homework. Over the last 20 years Fathers have been much more participatory in both child rearing and household responsibilities. They often don't get their due, because the fact is usually ignored that they are still performing their outside chores in the lawn, etc. . But let me be clear that the majority of the household/child care is still provided by Momma.

It does my heart good to see Fathers enjoying their Children's company much more these days than when I was growing up.

June 29th my Dad will be gone four years. I still miss him like crazy. Over the years we had many disagreements about how things should be done. I on how he should fit the mold created for him in my mind, and he on how I should be fiscally responsible. Very rarely do our expectations meet the reality of it all.

For those who still have their Fathers, enjoy each day with them, because they may not be around tomorrow. For those of us who have lost our Dads, know that they are with us in spirit and still letting us know (in subtle ways) the right thing to do.

The Not So Incredible Shrinking Woman Goes To The Fitness Center

So here I am, back at Mayo Clinic with my Husband. This trip we are again staying at the Kahler Grand Hotel. It's an old hotel located right in the center of the Mayo complex. When making the reservation this time, I asked the front desk if they had a fitness center. "Yes", she replied, "it's on the 11th floor." That made me happy, as I had been neglecting my workouts due to not knowing what was available.

You really have to be motivated to use this facility. First you have to use the center elevators to get to the 10th floor. Didn't they say it was on the 11th floor? Oh yes, but you take the elevators to 10 and then walk up the stairs to 11. Oooookay. If you want to use the gym before 7:00 a.m., you have to use your room key to take the elevator up. Monday morning my key didn't work so I was going up and down and finally landed in lobby where a nice desk clerk used his key to get me to the 10h floor. All this in my gym clothes. (How embarrassing).

This morning I waited until a few minutes after 7:00 a.m., meeting a guy who mentioned how hard it is to find the place. I concurred. Upon entering the gym, I noticed there were more people than usual. Where to go I wondered. Aha, over there, by the old guy on the treadmill. My slow running will not be apparent next to him. So I meandered over and set my speed at 3.3 mph and incline at 4. Ready for my 2 miles. Started out with Lady Ga-Ga Bad Romance, I was movin'. I glance over at the old man and noticed he was walking at a pretty good clip. Hmmm, 3.2 mph, okay, but I was running, he was walking, it still looked like I was going faster. Then I glanced at his incline setting. It was set at 7! The guy wasn't even breaking a sweat. He had to be 85 if he was a day. That was humbling.

As I headed back up to our room, (that has a heating and cooling system that is possessed) I was only more determined to keep up my routine. There have been no stops at the Dairy Queen for a Buster Bar Blizzard this trip and am thinking of initiating the Flat Belly Diet as soon as I can be in one place for a 32 day period. Will keep you posted on how that goes....