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The joys of post-menopausal bra shopping

Dec 182012

December 18, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

The joys of post-menopausal bra shopping

I have been shopping for bras lately. This is serious bra shopping, because I need serious support. I’m even willing to pay full price. Why? — you might ask, of someone who, in the past, did all her bra shopping in Marshall’s and Ross and various clearance racks. Well, I have gained quite a bit of weight in the years since I was blessed with menopause, and the old sizes just don’t do it anymore. Seriously. They don’t even remember my name. So that means tromping into the lingerie department with my new measurements (who KNEW there was such a size as 42G?), digging through racks and racks of shiny bras with deep, echoing cups and complicated hook closures, in varying shades of beige, and looking for all the world like they were made for Bertha Butt of the Butt sisters … yet they still manage to be too tight [...]

Not-so-old dog learns new tricks

Nov 022012

November 2, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

One is never too old to grow and learn. That’s what I decided when I right-clicked my way into the program at UC Berkeley for a marketing certificate. Most of the classes are online, but I truly tingled when I discovered a good, full-day class on the Berkeley Campus that I could commute to on Saturdays. Wow. I’m going to school… A really good school. Neato. Spiffy. Super. College kids say stuff like that: neato and spiffy. I had some concerns about my stamina. I travel a lot during the week. Berkeley is yet another long drive. When shall I nap? I like naps. What I didn’t count on was the stimulating feeling of a college campus beneath my feet and how good it would feel to be there. I was listening to fascinating stuff and taking notes in an uncomfortable chair. All day. It physically felt good. Euphoric! Cute [...]

Great Family Fun: Things to Do in Fresno

Oct 302012

October 30, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

Great Family Fun: Things to Do in Fresno

With the current economic situation and gas prices nearing $5 per gallon here in California, thinking of a family vacation can be near impossible. Still, you don’t have to stay home every weekend; step into your own backyard and check out some of the fun things to do in Fresno. (Be sure to take one or two of those great credit cards with low APR’s, just in case you find other interesting activities you hadn’t planned on!) Remember, this is an in-state vacation, and less expensive than visiting another state or country so you can afford to splurge a little. Here are just a few of the great, family-fun places you can visit in the Fresno area: Rotary Storyland and Playland This is a family-fun packed theme land filled with incredible treasures , that’s been a local family favorite for more than 50 years. This small, inexpensive theme park is a great place [...]

Lessons in Lingerie

Oct 062012

October 6, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

Stop wearing underwear. That’s what Rebecca Apsan suggests in her new book, right under the chapter called “Introduction.” Now what, I ask, is the point of going commando in a $15.95 paperback called “Lessons in Lingerie: Finding Your Perfect Shade of Seduction”? Doubling down on the entendre, this sassy little Workman Press volume edged in pink lace has the most bodacious black lingerie ensemble on the front cover that I have ever seen. I want that, and I want it now! What the author means, you will quickly divine from flipping pages, is exactly the opposite. Stop wearing underwear — and start wearing lingerie. What’s the difference? Girlfriends, get ready to romp. I interviewed Rebecca on the phone the other day, and I’ve got to say, she is the sassy sorority sister I never had; the naughty auntie everyone needs. She talks a lot about “the tease” in her book, so [...]

The curve ball is harder than the strike out… and other things I learned on the job

Sep 262012

September 26, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

The curve ball is harder than the strike out… and other things I learned on the job

Most of you may not remember a time when people displayed their porn instead of watching it on the Internet. My first full-time job was at a machine shop. Most of the employees’ red Craftsman toolboxes had at least one naked woman taped to it. One morning, after the gut truck left (that’s what we used to call today’s “Catering Trucks”), my boss gestured me over with his finger. I marched past half a dozen March pinups and stood in front of him with my donut. He leaned into my ear, his chin brushing my shoulder and confided, “I just wanted to see if I could make you c** with my finger.” I laughed and took it in the harmless, dirty-old-man spirit in which it was intended. The look on my face must have betrayed my laughter though because he never said anything like that to me again. I wasn’t [...]

Memories of Lakeside

Sep 212012

September 21, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

Trees swaying in the summer breeze, showing off their silver leaves, as we walk by. Soft kisses on a summer day, laughing all our cares away, just you and I… – “A Summer Song,” sung by Chad & Jeremy This song comes to mind whenever my sisters or I think of Lakeside. It was an oasis to us as kids, where we spent as many of our summer days as possible. Better than just a public pool, Soupy and Vernice Holmes and their son Scott created a park and recreational atmosphere around an Olympic-sized pool, teaching pool and shallow “baby pool” that my little sister Tina delighted in. Soupy’s Lakeside, at Bullard just east of Blackstone in Fresno, CA, was shaded by many trees in the grassy area; the eucalyptus’ silvery leaves provided much shade to patrons’ parked cars. (Some of the trees are still standing in what is now [...]

To Whom It May Concern: A second child & health hatin’ friends

Sep 152012

September 15, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

To Whom It May Concern: A second child & health hatin' friends

The Full Moxie is pleased to offer our advice column, “To Whom It May Concern.” Our respondent, “Yours truly,” is a relational and communications expert with a Masters in Communication, and is also an experienced university instructor on the subject. To submit your own anonymous question, please click here. To Whom It May Concern, As a parent of one wonderful, two-year-old son, my spouse and I can’t seem to decide whether we want to have a second child or not. We are very happy with our lives, but also would like for our son to grow up with a sibling. With the way the world is these days, sometimes it’s hard to fathom bringing another child into our society… how will we know what the right decision is? Is there a pro-con list system or something? -Parents of 1 (or 2)? Dear Parents, I trust the intention is not to [...]

You’ve fallen? You CAN get back up

Sep 102012

September 10, 2012 Posted by Lisa 1 Response »

This morning I got to where I planned to start and finish my long run, and I realized that I hadn’t remembered my headphones. Ugh. No tunes, no podcasts, no audiobooks. Just me and my thoughts. No problem, I thought. I’ll just spend the next hour and a half doing positive self-talk, telling myself how awesome this week will be! That had to be a good way to spend a Monday morning, right? It was going fine. It wasn’t too hot, I felt strong. The first three miles weren’t too bad. Then I took a corner at First and Nees, my foot caught a sprinkler head and down I went, completely. I tried to break my fall, but I went all the way to the concrete. My immediate reaction was, “Get up! Get off the sidewalk!” The last thing I wanted was for any concerned motorists who witnessed my tumble [...]

When all but one little birdie flies the coop

Aug 242012

August 24, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

When all but one little birdie flies the coop

How can I help her say goodbye? I am grateful it is only temporary. To a child, though, a school year is an eternity. Today, our youngest child will help her big sister move into her college dorm. This isn’t her first time experiencing such a move. She was there when we helped her oldest sister get settled in at college. Maybe that’s why it’s worse? She knows the implications of this flight. She knows big sister won’t be there when she wakes up in the middle of the night to crawl into her bed. (They call themselves the Snugger Buggers). For the first time in her life, she is going to have to a babysitter (or “kidsitter” as she calls it) , who is not her big sister. The little one knows she will no longer be able to deflect a scolding by reminding her parents of her sister’s “bigger” transgressions. [...]

Life is what happens when you’re making plans

Jul 302012

July 30, 2012 Posted by Guest No Responses »

Life is what happens when you're making plans

Life is sure funny. I thought when I was a teenager I had it all figured out. I would have a professional job working behind the scenes of an amazing company and come home to a drop-dead gorgeous husband, my sweet babies, and my nanny who would take care of my sweet kids while I was away at work. I laugh at the thought of what I wanted “when I grew up.” As life would have it, I did score a gorgeous hubby, had two babies, and got to work behind the scenes for a very famous steak house in town and it was bliss! Right? Kind of. Being a mother changes you from the inside out. From thinking you know what you want out of life, to forsaking all you know and being ready to give it all up for some afternoon play time and carpooling along with soccer [...]