Sing It: I’ve Got A New Attitude!

One of the coats from the Jana Kos
Fall 2011 collection.  The fabric has
French silk woven in and it feels fabulous
More on the collection tomorrow!







I meet so many in the boomer generation whose perspective is just a little janky (a new word… I am taking liberties here… …means bad…isn’t the younger generation great!)  Back to janky… I call it the “I give up mentality!” For many, hitting the big 5-0 means that life is over and old age has set in. They cannot handle the changes around them…whether it is kids leaving the nest, relationships changing…or accepting they will never run with the millionaire crowd.


Please understand, I am not getting down on you if you are going through a difficult time….what I hope to do is encourage you. You are still ALIVE….here on this earth…with talents to give. It’s time to stop allowing the difficult circumstances to control you and CHOOSE to get back in the game.


Middle age delivers some great opportunities for many of us. Once our children reach adulthood, our parenting time can become time for a personal passion. There are several in the blogosphere who are testimonies to this very idea. I love writing and I love fashion…so here I am one year later a Fashion & Style writer….go figure…I NEVER in a million years would have predicted this seven years ago when I turned fifty. But, let me tell you ….I am having so much fun!!


In 1975, when I left Austin with my journalism diploma in my hand, I ended up going into advertising and public relations, because that was where decent salaries and opportunity existed. After living in the world of PR for two years, the Houston Chronicle called and offered me a position as a features writer. This was my dream job…the type of writing I had wanted since I was in middle school. However, the salary would not pay the bills and I felt forced to turn it down.

Get back in the game…enjoy life…this little baby was
following me on my walk this past week!! Stop and
notice what is going on around you!







To this day, that decision haunts me. I have become a writer for other publications, but none were in the Features Section of the newspaper. So, this blog is now my features section. Though it comes with NO PAYCHECK, I somehow am fulfilling my dream.


What’s your passion? You still have time, you know, to find it and follow it? I plan on going until my cold, stiff hands are lifted from the computer keys….I don’t think that’s morbid…it sounds better to me than watching mass quantities of television!! And, along these same lines….I saw the movie Larry Crowne last night and I recommend it for inspiration and for laughs….I really enjoyed it. Maybe because I am a speech teacher….but try as I might…I will never look like Julia Roberts!

Get out of the house…look at the things you
can find in the jewelry store!!



Please share with us….are you fulfilling a passion today…would you like to….where do you find your joy? (Also, if you are going to pursue a new direction, you need to look your best, so keep coming back here!)

NOTE TO ACCESSORY SWAP PARTICIPANTS!:

I apologize that I have not posted the list…I promise to do that in tomorrow’s post!  Happy 4th!!

11 Comments

  1. You know I am with you all the way, my dear Pam.
    Happy 4th of July.
    I am very interested to know what a normal family does on this day: eat,etc also vegetarian op.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  2. Sing it, indeed! And hooray for you! (You look GREAT in that coat, BTW!) It's so true that live never stops giving us opportunities to grow and change and find fulfillment. One of the great things that (I think) comes with age is a certain self-knowledge and confidence, and an understanding that little failures along the way are a part of the process. GREAT POST, Pam!!!

  3. Thanks Pam, for an inspiring and personal post. We all have regrets, if we're lucky enough to reach middle age, but we have many opportunities still ahead (not dead yet : > )

    That blue coat is gorgeous on you!

  4. Oh Pam, I wish we could have some margaritas and talk about writing. My blog is my features section too. I wrote fiction for a long time but the publishing industry has changed so much, agents don't bother with feedback of any kind, not even rejection slips (and have gotten a little rude, in my opinion), it seems like you can't make it in fiction unless you are writing about vampires/werewolves, teens, or completely depressing literary stories, so I just couldn't keep writing stuff nobody was ever going to see. Thank God for blogs. I hear they really bug agents, which makes me smile.

  5. Pam,
    The only writing I have ever done is on Software user manuals. But, my passion has always been style, whether it is home or personal fashion. I love styling clothing. So, my blog has been a long time coming, but I am finding it really is fun. I want to inspire other over 50 women who have given up. Although the fashion magazines ignore the average o.ver 50 women, I do read them and try to use some of their ideas as inspirations for my own interpretations of even the looks for younger women. I think half the fun of fashion is figuring out how to interpret the style for me.
    You are so lucky to be able to see Jana Kos' collection in person. I looked at it on line and it is wonderful. I saw several pieces I love.
    Keep up the inspiring posts.
    Debbi

  6. Say it, Pam! I find myself also amazed at the fun I'm having after a year…and it has given my girls and I something fun to share. I liked learning a bit more of your history.

  7. Pam, first of all , is it too late to sign up for the swap?

    Lesa
    Always Summer

    (just got back on the computer after a while)

  8. Pam, Loved this post. I will turn 50 in September and I am already telling people I am 50 much to my daughters' chagrin. My problem is the jeans every day funk that I have fallen into. I am not working but I have tons of cute skirts and comfortable dresses…
    I am putting myself through my kids are going to college and what am I going to do? a year early (my twins are going to be seniors)
    Because I have put them first for a long time my passions have taken a backseat, but luckily they are still there.

    Reading is my huge passion an I feel like a kind of book snob–no chick lit, series, romantic fiction for me….but that is another story.

    Thanks also for the review of Larry Crowne, I really wanted to see this, maybe I'll send the fam to the fireworks and check it out!

  9. I enjoy your blog, and agree with so much of what you write. When I turned 50, I was overweight (still am, but losing thanks to WW), and hated shopping for clothes. I learned how to dress for my shape from someone online, and now I'm having a blast redoing my wardrobe.

    I haven't pursued any big dreams, but I'm not just sitting around either. Keep encouraging us ladies over 50, and we'll be styling together.

    Cindy

  10. I am not quite 50 yet, but it is closing in fast
    I have to say the sad that the kids are leaving…not happening here baby!
    brett

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