A month or so ago, a blogger than I follow shared that Katie at Katherines Corner had announced that she was in the planning stage for a series to be called Between The Lines that would feature bloggers 50 and older. Katie’s plan for Between The Lines was to feature at least 50 women and she asked for help in spreading word about the series and how bloggers could sign-up to be featured. It is a ten-week series and if you are reading this post, then the series is now in week 6. It is Katie’s goal to give other bloggers an opportunity to introduce themselves to readers of the blog series and to share their feelings about being a blogger of a certain age. I’m so excited to be included in this wonderful collaboration and to be associated with all these fabulous women.
Rarely a day goes by that I don’t exclaim “I love the Internet”. Information on almost any subject, help with almost any task, directions to almost any location … all available with a few keystrokes. About a year ago, I was feeling like I was approaching a crossroads in my life, so I began looking on-line for something but not knowing what that something was.
I was frustrated by what seemed like a lack of clothing options that fit my style so I searched for inspirations. My daughter has a milk protein allergy so I searched for dairy-free recipes. My weight had been increasing and my interest for working out had been decreasing so I searched for health and fitness tips. As I gathered little bits from here and there, I started to think about how I could put my own spin on these inspirations, recipes, and tips and the idea of a blog began to take shape. But, out all of this searching, I’ve come to realize I have another motivation for become a blogger.
Feature image from my first post – I Don’t Understand The Question
My blog serves as both a new way to challenge myself and as a way to add to my personal legacy. About two years ago, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers. That diagnosis was just a label because my sister and I already knew that her cognitive abilities were much more diminished than we thought just six months earlier when our father’s health took a turn for the worse and then passed about two months later.
My mother had worked for over 30 years and relished her life in retirement of not doing much. She didn’t have a lot in the way of hobbies other than watching TV, reading romance novels, and playing slot machines. My parents would go Las Vegas three or four times a year. There was more to her life than that but when our father passed and my sister and I became responsible for our mother’s care, I began to realize how little we knew of her likes and interests and that her ability to enjoy the ones we knew of was slipping away. I also realized that the family history that she once knew was also now lost and I began to regret having not made a record of it.
I think one of the greatest fears for some women is that they will be like their mother. It is for me, at least, and it’s my intent to take steps to prevent that from happening and my blog is one the ways I plan to address that fear. I intend to keep my mind busy with new challenges, to maintain my body in better physical condition, and to create a personal history that my family and I can look back on.
Feature image – Trial Run On An Empty Nest
Most of all, the purpose of this blog is to help me refine my fashion style and to support my shopping habits. I have learned a lot about different approaches to fashion and style by reading other blogs and I hope that my insights and thoughts can be helpful to others as well. I’m still adapting to the life of a blogger and working to post more frequently. I hope that you will take a few moments to look around on the site and read some of my earlier posts.
Feature image from most recent post – Up, Down, All-Around Print Skirt
Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin, stumble … all options are available and waiting for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Listed below are the other fabulous bloggers that are featured in week 6 of Between The Lines. Katie’s post includes mini-interviews with each of us. Be sure to pop over to Katherines Corner for links to weeks 1 through 5 in this series.
47 Comments
I read your post with pleasure although it’s not a happy story about your mother. But it’s very personal and that’s nice. I think it’s very good to turn things in another way. Have a happy Tuesday!
Thank you for your kind words of support.
Pingback: Between The Lines - MySideof50
Great post! I like to see women over fifty enjoy fashion. It’s fun!
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I think so many times we only know what we know from our parents. The internet is a great resource to change that in so many ways!
Good to see you joined the series—I don’t think I realized you were over 50??
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I’m flattered that you didn’t realize that I’m over 50. I don’t usually publicized my age because I certainly don’t feel it and truth be told, I hate to admit to it.
I’m trying to encourage a friend to blog. I think I might send her over there! Nice to meet you between the lines.
Nice to meet you, too. Thanks for reading and I hope that you will stop by again.
Rena, it’s so nice to meet another blogger of a certain age! You look fabulous I must say. I can completely relate to your parents illnesses. I was the caregiver for both my Mom, who passed from Melanoma and my younger Sister, who passed from Stage 4 lung cancer. Although, I have wrote about that journey in my personal journals it is still to tender to write about it to the public. It’s only been 4 years but I’m making my way there. Writing was my therapy during those times and I treasure those words.
Thank you for the compliment and for sharing your experience as a caregiver. I think I was in an odd head space when I wrote the post. The day before I had spent several hours with my mother, taking her to a dr appt then to dinner and shopping. She knows that she knows me but doesn’t always remember how we are related.
Hello Rena, it’s so nice to see you here in the Between The Lines series. It is great to meet other “seasoned” bloggers such as yourself. It is also nice to meet another blogger who sadly has a parent going through Alzheimers. Like you, we noticed my Mother changing before our eyes within months of my Dad’s passing eleven years ago. Sadly, she is in the final stages of the disease and the woman who raised seven children is no longer with us but what remains is a shell of a frail woman. So, I know what you’re going through and reading your story brought back those days after diagnosis. In my city one of the hospitals offered a free information session for family/caregivers. It was the best three hours I could have given myself, and my Mother. I urge you to see if there is one in your community.
I’m aware of similar information programs and I will take your suggestion to heart. I read an article about Alzheimers recently that I found quite enlightening. So glad that we have connected.
It’s nice to meet your Rena. I think it’s great that we bloggers have done this at an age when many people are winding down. I recently lost a very dear aunt to Alzhemer;s and realized that we need to do all we can to stay in peak mental condition (the physical is another story). I think that blogging is very challenging. Even if you are good at it there is still so much more to learn so many more posts to edit and revise… it never ends. Good luck to your on your blogging journey.
Thank you, Mary. I’m delighted to have met you as well. Blogging has definitely been more challenging than I expected but I’m enjoying it nonetheless.
Great post. Love your motivation to blog. Being a legacy and keeping your memories alive. I hope to do the same with my blog. Blessings, Evelyn (A Fellow Over 50 Blogger)
Thank you for the compliment and your words of encouragement.
So nice to meet you Rena, I am Nancy from Nancy On The Home Front, one of the fellow bloggers in the Between the Lines series. I look forward to reading more of your blogs. Aging parents and the challenges that go along with that is not an easy stage of life. My mother was beginning to show signs of confusion several years ago. Unfortunately she passed away suddenly with a aneurysm. Now I am a caregiver to others!
It’s nice to meet you, as well. I think that the best benefit of the series has been the new connections we’ve been able to make with each other.
My mother, aged 79, has been very active and working hard on keeping herself and her mind busy. She’s whittled the kitchen garden down to “about a half-acre” now. I hope she keeps up with this for another ten years. I think my mom saw her mom be very active and then suddenly “drop” from her gardening activities and then decline.
Ah, where was I going with this? I’m not sure, but thanks for your post. I’m continuing trying to be a better daughter in touch since my older sister passed away last year at age 54.
Thank you for your comments. I hope to be a positive role model for my children on how to stay active and engaged in my senior years.
Caring for our aging parents as they decline is life changing. Went through that last year then started my blog. Love your approach to keeping your mind engaged and putting your spin on things you find in the Internet. Cathy – Between the Lines Week 6
Thank you, Cathy, for your understanding. I’ve never felt more like an adult than when I became responsible for my parents’ care.
It is so lovely to meet you Rena, as part of this wonderful blogging series! I look forward to reading more on your wonderful blog!
Cheers,
Roz
Thank you. I hope that I can keep you entertained.
I just started a blog in December at the age of 55. That sounds so weird to write. Can I really be that old? My blog posts don’t sound like an old person wrote them. Ha! Nice to meet you ~ Linda (I got here from aWAYWOW link).
I know what you mean. I, too, find it odd to say that I’m 55 (especially without stutter) because I just can’t be that old when I feel like I’m still in my 30’s. I’m glad you found me and I hope you will continue stop by in the future.
I’m sorry about your mother’s illness, Rena. Becoming your parents’ caretakers and the role reversal can be so very, very hard…
I think blogging to record parts of your life and take better care of yourself are very good reasons. I started my blog seven years ago when I was approaching 40 as a way to refocus on myself. And of course the focus on style is great – I always enjoy your posts!
It started with a need to find an outlet for creativity and as a result, I’ve been inspired by women like yourself in so many ways. Thank you for your lovely comments and your continued support.
Wait…you’re over 50? Where?! Lol you look amazing for your age. I’m sure blogging about fashion helps with that 🙂
http://www.thebeautybeau.com/how-to-wear-a-mini-dress-to-work/
You are so kind. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m definitely over 50. Fashion wise, I strive for an ageless look so as to keep them guessing.
Fantastic post , I am so happy yo have you participating in the blog series. I look forward to many visits toy our sweet blog xo
Thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of the series. I’m overwhelmed by the response to the post.
Rena,
As I read your post I found myself nodding in agreement. Nice way to describe what you do and why you do it. Quite poignant… 🙂 Delighted to be sharing this series with you!!
Best,
Lory at Designthusiasm
Thank you, Lory. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and reading your blog.
It’s very nice meeting you through the Between The Lines series, Rena! I’ll be featured on week 10. I’m also sorry to hear about your mother and how it’s important to remain active. One of our kids made the comment a few years back that every time he called, we were out and about; and I came back and said at least I’m not in a rocking chair waiting for them to call…LOL!
I’m pleased to make your acquaintance and thanks for stopping by. When I get a chance, I’ll pop over a check out your blog and I will be looking for your feature in week 10.
Great post! So nice to meet you Rena!
Xoxo,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
I’m glad you liked the post and thank you for introducing yourself.
I’ve been a regular reader of your blog since, I don’t know, perhaps the first few posts? And what I like most about you, Rena, is what you see is what you get. There are no airs about you. You’re personal and honest and direct, and in a world overflowing with artifice, it’s so refreshing. So please, keep doing you, if only to help someone like me, stay on course and continue to be true to myself.
Wow, Sheela. You’ve made my day, my week, my month with your kind words and encouragement. Thank you!
I’m really loving this series, I’m finding out so much about other bloggers, how and why they started blogging. And I am so inspired by the fact that you have figured out a way to define yourself differently in a new stage of life. Taking steps to improve your mental and physical health and not only have fun with it, but share it with others. That is the coolest thing ever!
I’m so happy that you are enjoying the series and my blog. Thank you for commenting and I hope you will stop by again.
Nice to meet you through the Between the Lines series. Following on Instagram.
Nice to meet you as well. Thanks for stopping by and for the new follow.
It is so nice to meet you through the Between the Lines series, Rena. Thank you for your transparency in sharing about your mother; it is a hard thing to watch our parents suffer. I love that you want to use your blog as a way to leave your legacy and family stories. I have so many pieces of stories and I wish I had more. A friend of mine writes a blog that is all about sharing her family’s stories — I love that idea! 🙂
The BTL series has been a great way to connect new readers and with other bloggers. Thanks for your support and your lovely comment.