What Are Telomeres and Why Are They Important to You? By Jan Cullinane NABBW\’s  Expert on The New Retirement You probably recall from basic Biology that our genetic material is called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).  At the end of our DNA strands (called chromosomes) there are little caps – sort of  like the plastic tips at the end of our shoelaces –  that protect our chromosomes from fraying and deteriorating.  These are called telomeres. (See the yellow tips in the graphic below.) Every time a body cell divides it needs to make another complete copy of its DNA, and when... Read More

Although there is some exaggeration, this really has some truth to it. The two major disagreements we have had over our 35 years of marriage revolve around two things – loading the dishwasher and how to find our way to a new location when driving. Now, I know these aren’t earth-shattering problems – I’m very fortunate to be happily married to a wonderful man. The first one we resolved – my husband is the neater of the two of us, and his method for loading the dishwasher results in 100% more dishes fitting in than when I do it – so, he does all the loading of... Read More

One of the hardest things to do in life after 50 is to break out of your comfort zone. The question to ask yourself is are you really happy in your comfort zone or just feeling safe and secure? And at this point, is there more you want in your life that may be outside those safe boundaries of your comfort zone? If you want the second half of your life to bring more passion, more excitement – and more joy, then read on. To experience new heights of joy no matter what age you are, the only requirement is a willingness to challenge yourself to break out of your self-imposed limitations. Getting... Read More

Yup, this play has been around since 2001, but I saw it for the first time last Saturday night. As the playbill states, Menopause the Musical has been seen by nearly 11 million women in over 250 cities in 14 countries. Obviously, I\’m a bit late to the party, but it was worth it. The play cleverly and hilariously parodies popular songs – the refrain Chain, Chain, Chain from “Chain of Fools” becomes Change, Change, Change; “Stayin\’ Alive” transforms into Stayin\’ Awake; “I\’m Sorry” morphs into I\’m Flashing, and “Puff, The Magic Dragon” is now Puff,... Read More

If you could write a letter to the child you were and give some nuggets of wisdom, what would you say? Here\’s my letter. It\’s helped me tune into some insecurities and fears that have been hanging on for years. Getting in touch with these is the first step to letting them go. Advice to the Little Girl Who Would Be Me ———- Dear Little Karen — I am writing you from years in the future to let you know that I think of you often. I\’m in my fifties now. Yes, honey, that\’s a REALLY big number! And you are a special little girl with sparkling eyes and the... Read More

As you know, travel is often a high priority for those of us who are looking forward to retirement or who have already started this transition. SmarterTravel.com has a fun list of “The World\’s Worst Tourist Traps.” Feeling a big smug, and considering myself fairly well-traveled, I scanned the list and was mortified (elated?) to see I\’ve visited 9 out of the 10 places -and the 10th one is on my to-do list! So, here is the list from SmarterTravel.com. What “Tourist Traps” do you feel are missing? And, so you agree that these sights are tourist traps? (My own vote is for South... Read More

How does an all-inclusive (except airfare) ten-day trip to the Pacific Northwest for two adults for $2745 sound? Having lived most our lives on the East Coast and a decade or so in the Midwest, my husband, Roger, and I wanted to drive the glorious coast of Oregon and incorporate Crater Lake, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Mount Rainier National Park, and Redwood National Forest into our travels. So, I designed an itinerary that began and ended in Portland, Oregon (we drove 1,600 miles in total, but most of the scenery was breath-taking, so the journey was really an integral part... Read More

This is my first column here at NABBW and I\’m very excited to meet all of you. I believe that a great way to get to know someone is to share a little something. So here\’s a revelation about me: I love ruby slippers! Yes – the classic Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz kind, or my very own snazzy, red sequin Converse sneakers! Ruby slippers mean a lot to me, in part because I always wanted red shoes when I was a child and never got them. My mom believed in black patent leather, saddle oxfords and navy blue Keds – that was it! The slippers are also important to me because I believe... Read More

I love this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, and decided to make it one of my 2010 Resolutions. Although doing something out of my comfort zone every day is too ambitious for me, I am trying to incorporate that philosophy in little ways. For example: Shooting a gun. I\’ve never shot a gun in my life, but I made a reservation at a shooting range (through some neighbors) for April. Can\’t really see myself aiming at a target and using a pistol, but that\’s what I\’ll be doing. The Tyra Banks Show. I can speak backwards fluently, and I contacted the Tyra Show about my weird... Read More

First, let\’s start with some facts from Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever about women and negotiation: The Million Dollar Difference. “Women who consistently negotiate their salary increases earn at least $1 million more during their careers than women who don\’t.” Ouch! “Going to the dentist” is how women described the process of negotiation, while men picked “winning a ballgame.” We avoid negotiation four times as often as men. First salary. A woman who fails to negotiate at the very beginning of her career will be down by $500,000 in lifetime earnings by the time... Read More