With all due respect to Oprah, the life coach industry, and my overly-enthusiastic friend Y. who keeps insisting I live an "authentic" life, I'm beginning to think this midlife reinvention stuff is strictly for the birds. »more»

Lately I've taken to saving rubber bands.

I haven't a clue what to do with all of them but I'm trying to be a responsible saver. The dire economic news has gotten me spooked and all I can think of these days is "Save, save, save". »more»

My university roommate, W., used to tell stories of how her grandparents coped with the "problem" of driving.

Neither of them could see very well, particularly her grandfather, but since he was loath to give up his license, the pair came up with a system of tandem driving. While her grandfather manned the steering wheel, gas pedal and brake, my friend's grandmother served as the eyes. »more»

There's another woman in my husband's life.

Her name? I know her only by her initials - GPS. »more»

Dear Oprah

How are you? I am fine. Well, all except for that little mishap at the grocery store yesterday. I suppose I shouldn't have had the second cup of coffee before I left to buy milk but who knew something as innocent as a little sneeze could cause that to happen! You would have known how to handle it - or should I say, hold it - Oprah. »more»

I hate the van.

My husband made me buy it. "It's so practical," he enthused. "We can haul the kids, the dog, the groceries. Think how great it will be to have all that space." »more»

A funny thing happened to me on my way to buy chicken.

As I cut through the mall en route to the grocery store, a zillion things raced through my mind. When could I get the dog to the vet? What should I make for dinner? Who would be the next person kicked off of American Idol? You know, the usual stuff.

Suddenly a handsome middle-aged man stopped me. »more»

Dear Oprah,

How are you? I am fine. Well, actually, I'm not so fine considering I woke up with night sweats four times last night and my middle-aged eyes are so bad I can't read a blessed thing which is why I accidentally took the dog's medication instead of my thyroid pill. »more»

Being a trailing edge Baby Boomer, my memories of the early days of Women's Lib are somewhat sketchy.

On the one hand, I knew it was important, ranking up there with the "big issues" of the day including Viet Nam, hippies and drugs and the suburban moms in my neighbourhood who were trading in their house dresses for polyester pant suits. »more»

I think I scared them.

No, I take that back - I know I scared them.

And who can blame them really.

When their typically mild-mannered mother who's frequently referred to as a latter day Mary Tyler Moore (pre-surgery, circa Mary Richards) suddenly wings out on them to such an extent that they feel they're staring into the gaping maw of the She-Devil herself, of course they'd be scared. »more»

January 1 – Drink glass of red wine each day. (Step one of self-improvement plan) Am on the road to new and improved self. Celebrate by having second glass of red wine.

January 2 - Begin vitamin regimen. (Step two in self-improvement plan.) »more»

"Can you come for drinks next Friday night?" I asked my good friend C. last week. With the holiday season upon us, I was trying to arrange a little festive get together.

"Well," she hesitated, "I'm supposed to feed the homeless.... But they can wait until January. Yes, we'd love to come!" »more»

I heard it over 30 years ago so I might be getting some of the finer points wrong but I think it goes something like this.

A husband comes home after a long day at work and finds his dinner on the table. He takes a bite or two then pushes his plate away, complaining to his wife that it's not to his liking. »more»

While flipping through a women's fashion magazine recently, an article on microdermabrasion caught my eye. This procedure to remove the dead, outer surface of the skin has become quite popular of late and apparently you can spend anywhere from $20 at the drugstore to over $600 at the spa to have it done. »more»

I recently had the dubious pleasure of appearing on t.v. It was a small spot - just a five minute interview about The Best Kept Secret website. But I wanted it to be good. »more»

I accidentally bought incontinence products at the drug store last week. It could happen to anyone really.

I nipped in quickly last Monday afternoon, my mind on kids, work and how many minutes to go before Friday afternoon cocktails. »more»

During university, I was given an old black and white T.V. set that didn’t work very well. With my non-existent student income I couldn’t afford cable. Consequently, decent reception was a challenge. I did find however that if I stood in a certain spot on the floor and leaned to the left, the picture seemed to improve. Such were the contortions I had to go through in order to see anything. »more»