Dear Readers….

Dear over50feeling40 readers:
First, let me say how precious each
one of you is to me!!  This blog is
almost two years old and it has been such a blessing to meet and even become
friends with so many of you.  We have
come to walk through trials together as we did when sweet Judith of The Style
Crone lost her beloved Nelson, and we have laughed many, many times
together.  That is what I am really
about, is JOY.
I have always wanted to bring you
more than information about my life.  I
have desired to act as a true reporter and bring to you stories of others…of
businesses….and of products the woman of a certain age would be interested
in.  I have also wanted to help you as
bloggers by giving you the guidelines I teach in Journalism every day and have
taught for going on thirteen years.  I
understand that the fashion tips, the boutiques, the beauty products, and diet
and food ideas will not be liked by all. 
But, I love putting information out there that may be of interest to a
variety of different women at different times. 
Just as fashion and beauty magazines sell advertising, I have begun to
sell advertising.  Again some of you will
find these sponsors of interest and others will not.
The reality of my situation is that
I continue to be living the headlines in my household.  The frightening reality is that many men in their
fifties, and yes, even women have been laid off in the last three years so that
companies can hire younger people for less salary and benefit costs.  My husband is still searching for a permanent
position, and I am paid very little as a private school teacher with no
retirement funds.  So, there you have
it.  If I can generate some income
through my blog, and also bring to some of you valuable information about
companies and services that are out there, then I am going to take that
opportunity.  I promise to balance
it.  This week there were two
opportunities that hit back to back and created a theme. Also,I was not paid a dime from the nail salon,
but felt like it might be important information for those who also suffer with
the same problems.  KOHLS contacted me
with a savings offer for YOU, the reader, I got nothing from that, but believed
there would be readers who could benefit. 
The others were sponsored activities again that I believed might be of
some value to a portion of this audience.
I will be working to achieve
balance, but I do not plan to cease offering advertising  for those in the professional world….just as
magazines, television, radio, and even facebook do.  I believe as informed and intelligent women
it is a benefit to know what is available to us and even better if we can get
specials to afford those services. I have also turned down many requests that I
could not bring before you in good conscience. I have only accepted what I
believed to be beneficial. When posting daily, it does give me a chance to
offer you information about goods, services, boutiques, designers, whatever is
out there…some will be paid and will say SPONSORED POST, and some will be my
reporting.  I hope no one will leave the
audience because I have made this decision. 
 
I still plan to be me and bring to
you a fun blog about a woman who is striving to live through the challenges of
mid-life with joy, strength and dignity!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Pam


27 Comments

  1. Oh Pam, you are a go-getter, like MOI, and you will do this. I still have to figure out my next move for my art and writing, but here YOU have it….DO IT.

    And OHHHH THE JOY of shoes!!! In fact, this fetish I have with MAKING PAPER SHOES is making me think about approaching shoe design houses and showing them my prototypes….hmmmmmm

    Anita

  2. I ditto everything Cindy said. Good for you. As a couple who are completely starting over our mid-50's, I completely understand and you certainly should not have to apologize. I wish I had the half the energy and talent that you have and share on this blog.

    Oh, and I want that Cole Haan bag.

  3. I actually didn't care for some of these advertisements. I am so glad you explained. I totally understand now. Good luck!!!

  4. The economy sucks! Just this afternoon I found out that several ladies who I've worked with for years haven't been renewed. They're hopefull it's just slow paperwork and they'll be back soon, but I was in their shoes last year and have few illusions.

    We've got to do what we've got to do!

  5. All the other blogs I read have advertising and I'd expect you to do the same. Doesn't bother me a bit. In these economic times, you must do what you can to survive. And I LOVE your writing style–you have a great talent!

  6. Thank you all for your sweet comments and support! Anita…go for it…your paper shoes are so cute!! Contact those manufacturers!! Donna, welcome!! And Mari, the bag was at Marshalls…contact one by you just in case they have one like it!
    Love you all!

  7. I am with the other commentors. I love your blog and enjoy it very much. I'm a big girl and can sort through advertising. I hope things work out for your family and that you can continue bringing us your inspiration through your blog. Hang in there. I'll be a loyal reader.

  8. Good for you! I'm glad you're getting sponsors and that it will help you financially, even if it's just a little bit. I try to take a few sponsored posts here and there when to opportunity arises. I'm also glad to see some more mature women being sponsored By brands rather than just the young girls.

  9. If you can make money by blogging about what you love, good for you. Don't feel guilty. This reader hopes you become financially independent through your blog.

  10. You should take every opportunity you can to make money. As a fellow blogger, I can tell you that I do the same. It's a lot of work to create an interesting, visually exciting and readable blog- and this is definitely one of those. Blogging is not just a hobby, for many it's a way to generate a bit of extra income.

  11. Having just discovered your blog, I feel that to advertise or not is a personal choice. I see no problem with it because your life dictates your need. As with any television, newspaper or magazine ad, it is the readers choice to read it or not. Truthfully, some of the nicest things I have found recently have been via blog ads. So, best of luck to you and yours.

  12. I totally understand and hope you are able to generate some income from the ads. I am not a blogger myself, but have a few favorites and you are one. My husband and I are in the same situation as yours. Taking it one day at a time while praying for good health and good (paying jobs.

  13. I think you should go for it and do what you want and what helps you at this time. You are a talented woman with much to offer and I appreciate your voice. Thank you so much for the mention and for your support.

  14. It's the integrity of your voice and this blog that makes us trust you. I trust you will only allign yourself with companies and sponsors that genuinely appeal to you and are a good fit for your readers. I absolutely understand, and hope pray and wish that you will be able to increase your income substantially with your grace and talents.

    Consider also affiliate links. You talk about brands you truly love and if we click, and buy you make a small percentage from the sale. Win/win as long as there is full disclosure. Email me private and I will share with you companies I'm using. xo. Bella Q the Citizen Rosebud

  15. Oh Absolutely Pam!! I try to balance it all as well. I am widowed and took a position because I need benefits and of course I would love to be strictly in the arts, fashion design, interior design, entrepreneurial. So with my post I try to pay it forward and do have a select # of sponsors!

    You have my support 100%!
    Xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena
    Artist Series 2012

  16. Oh my dear, it's perfectly understandable that you will make some profit with your blog. I do it my self when I have some opportunity with banners.
    So go for it and good luck!!!
    We are all here to support you.
    Have a nice weekend
    xoxo

  17. Bless you, Pam, for being forthright about your life and why you are doing this. I am much older than you are and I view this as a very honorable way to bring income into your home. You are working hard on our behalf, and your work deserves to be compensated. Enuff said!!!

  18. Have a super weekend Pam.. I know what you mean about the economy.. its terrible and so many people have lost jobs… its not easy out there- always a reminder to be grateful for what we have in each moment. thanks for all your sharing, you are awesome and I am glad to be blogger friends with you!! xox oJ

  19. I can understand your position and sympathize. Thank you for being so forthright about your advertisers. At least you are being selective about them, and after all no one is forcing us to actually click thru and buy anything unless we want to!

    In this economy especially we should support each other and purchase from small businesses when we can.

  20. This is a late comment, but let me assure you: I would never judge or stop reading you simply because of ads or sponsored posts. Like one of the other commenters said — we know how to sift through advertising. You have proven yourself to be a woman of integrity — not that you have to justify yourselves to us, anyway! Know that I am wishing you all the best as you confront your financial challenges head on.

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