Wise Women Blog Lana

Hello and Welcome

I hope you all have had a fun and productive week.

A woman made political history in Australia this week, she was elected Premier in her own right.

Premier Anna Bligh

Dressed in red, the colour of success and smiling from ear to ear, Anna Bligh said that she was humbled and honoured as she claimed her well deserved and keenly contested victory. “I will work every single day of the next term of Government to deliver better government,” she said.

Spoken like a true women... don’t you think!

Congratulations Premier, a well deserved win.

MY WEEK

Special Event

I’ve been invited to the much coveted Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival next Saturday for ‘Darley Day’. I will be swanning around the exclusive Emirates Marque, with my glass of French champers in one hand and a freshly shucked oyster in the other..mmm...life doesn’t get any better than that.

The only thing I worry about is - what to wear! It’s Wednesday already and I haven’t even thought about the glamour stakes...

In a recent article by Caroline Marcus (Sunday Telegraph), she says that traditional race-wear has made a triumphant return and that “the less flesh is best, no matter what the weather.” I can really work with that! Purple’s big and so is Vintage. Given the current economic climate, many of us will be wearing previously worn outfits...yes sadly, it’s true.

The hat is always the thing to wear at the races and for Autumn it’s best to wear felt type material, or so I’m told. I’ve already sussed out the weather for Saturday and it’s going to be sunny and very warm...just what does a girl wear?...

I hope I bump into a few celebs at the event, and if I do, you’ll be the first to know.

50+ Style Rules

On the subject of fashion, let’s talk about a few dos and don’ts.

Don’t wear clingy fabrics – no explanation needed here!

No minis and no deeply plunging necklines – unless you really need to show those girls off.

Denim jeans are okay – nice shape, not too tight and dark colours. Team with a crisp white shirt for a classy, chic look.

Disguise that turkey neck – a great coloured scarf can hide that jiggling neck and can modernise any outfit.

Leave the super trendy fashion for the young –I know we want to turn back time, but girls, we just can’t do super trendy any more, let’s leave the crazy fashion statements to the kids.

Wear comfortable – It’s so hard to look good and feel good about yourself if your belt is too tight or your feet ache in those incredibly pointed shoes. Dress for comfort – remember the golden rule for golden girls...less is more.

Have a look at our article on Venus In Furs, Tamara creates wonderful vintage style... click here

If You Can’t Grow Them Fake It

I’m talking about acrylic fingernails. I have never been able to grow my nails even though I’ve tried everything from nail hardening products to calcium tablets and even evening primrose oil...NOTHING WORKS.

I even remember wearing stick-on nails on my wedding day in 1975. I stuck the nails under my cuticles with strong smelling adhesive ...I certainly needed extra perfume to camouflage the odour of the glue.

I couldn't wait to get back to our honeymoon suite after the wedding to rip off the nails from my swollen and throbbing fingers.

I have been wearing acrylics on and off over the years and I have found a talented nail artist who manages to have my nails looking perfect without the pain of slit and bleeding cuticles, if you have ever experienced sliced cuticles...they can bring tears to your eyes.

Gigi visited a nail artist and unfortunately her experience wasn’t a good one.

Read how we both 'nailed it'..click here

Life After Death

It’s a controversial subject I know and everybody has their own personal views or many simply do not wish to explore the thought at all.

I’ve personally always been interested in the afterlife and I have spoken to many people about their experiences. I became even more interested when I was visited by my beloved dog the day after she passed away, I was in my late teens at the time and it was so vivid and still is as vivid in my memory today...my mother was with me at the time and experienced the same apparition.

If you have any stories that you would like to share with other women on this subject please contact me

Grandmothers Brag Book

Mr J and I have spent a number of days this week caring for 2 of our grandchildren, Miss nearly 2 years and master 15 months. We have been knee deep in nappies, toys and drool.

We even foolishly attempted the impossible...we took them both to a restaurant for lunch... We had spilt milk, regurgitated food and some other unidentifiable objects strewn across the table.

We obviously didn’t think the lunch date through well enough, as we found ourselves on our toes and knees trying to retrieve discarded food and toys from under the table. I don’t think Mr J and I have ever eaten a meal so fast!

As the saying goes...you live and learn.

Although we are always completely exhausted after visits from the grandchildren, we really cherish the special times we have with them. It never ceases to amaze us just how much they can learn from day to day. Seeing their eyes widen with wonder when they surprise even themselves with new found skills, it’s just so fulfilling.

By the end of the day, our home may be messy and our cheeks aching from hours of smiling, but we acknowledge that we were blessed with a very good time.

Visit Gigi

Gigi always has something interesting to tell us. This week she talks about the changes that her father has had to cope with in his life through the loss of his beautiful wife (Gigi’s mother) and his own health issues. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Gigi’s father on a number of occasions and I found him to be an utterly entertaining and fascinating man. He handles life’s difficult challenges with dignity and he is so chivalrous.

He reminds me of my own wonderful late dad, who I would also put in the category of ‘legend’.

To visit Gigi click here

Words of Wisdom

A shift to dominate thoughts and feelings of love and gratitude, is the answer to all unwanted things.

Negativity in any form cannot exist in an energy field of love and gratitude.

Until next week wise women, realise that you are precious, one of a kind, a gem, a beautiful creation... so take good care you.

Lana
PS Check out comments from other wise women below and have your own say.

Luck of the Irish

Hi and Welcome Wise Women

Céad Míle Failte-Irish Gaelic meaning a "hundred thousand welcomes".

A very happy St Patrick’s Day to all our Irish friends.

If you celebrated St Pat’s Day I’d love to hear about it - email me the details lana@wiswomensworld.com.au

My Week

I had the luck of the Irish this week, everything I touched turned to gold.

I hope you had a lucky week too.

Last weekend Mr J organised a camping trip for all the males in the family. They went to a camping ground at Nowra (south of Sydney) and travelled along a dirt road for 10 kilometres...it was a bumpy ride in a family sedan, the road conditions were much better suited to a 4 wheel drive. They were lucky that it didn’t rain during the weekend as they would have been stuck there.

The camping ground was a real adventure land, wombats, peacocks, kangaroos and giant sized lizards roamed free. My grandson (6yrs) was euphoric, he thought he was in Jurassic Park!

They big boys pitched tents, sat around the campfire, drank beer and reminisced about ‘the good old days’. They were very happy campers indeed!

Camping is not my idea of a vacation, instead, I stayed home with my daughter and granddaughter and shared a girlie weekend. We stayed in our PJ’s, ate spag bols for dinner, watched girlie videos and devoured a ton of chocolate. We slept in on Sunday and ate breakfast at 11am, now that’s a holiday!

Fight Belly Fat

Did you know that besides doing wonders for your health, a certain nutrient group might also help keep your belly from bulging?

This research into bloated belly’s really got my attention!

Why is it, that you belly seems to swell on the day of an important event when you want to look your best?

Is the evil belly devil conspiring against us?

Well girls the secret to a flatter tummy is Flavonoids, antioxidant-like compounds found in fruits, veggies, chocolate, tea, and wine seemed to help ward off belly fat in a 14-year study. Yes, you heard me right...wine is on the list!

The researchers found that Multitasking Flavonoids specifically, catechins, flavonols, and flavones -- types of flavonoids -- may help curb belly bulge by improving the body's metabolic profile, The study participants got most of theirs from pears, apples, tea, chocolate, broad beans, onions, leeks, and sweet peppers.

Let’s drink to flatter, stomachs!

Bio Energy Healing

Last week I mentioned to you that I have been seeing an amazing practiconer who is specialises in bio energy healing. It’s fairly weird stuff, and involves a number of processes including aura cleansing, hypnotherapy and hands on healing. I’ve had 4 treatments so far and I am feeling the changes in my body. I’m becoming balanced! My practicioner said that I am “nearly normal”, which was really comforting to hear...Next week I’m having a hypnotherapy session where I will be cutting the ties with bad connections... that should be a treat. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Instant Rescue Remedy in a Bottle

If you haven’t yet read our interview with Ian White founder of Australian Bush Flower Remedies and a really fascinating guy, do yourself a favour and take a few moments to read what he says, you will be convinced that there is a bush flower remedy for you

Wise Women

Helen Pook

Take a journey through the lives of our wise women. Each woman has her own unique qualities and is truly special in her own right

If you would like to find out more about these women or how they are doing now, contact us

Visit Gigi

Gigi’s life is full adventure and she is just so passionate about her life. See what she has been getting up to this week

About St Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick was born in England but was taken as a slave to Ireland as a youth. While he was in Ireland, he received his calling from God. Later he escaped from slavery and eventually he became a priest. He returned to Ireland and spent over thirty years there converting people to Christianity. He gained the attention of King Laoghaire by lighting a fire on the Hill of Slane just as the King was about to light a fire for a pagan ceremonial bonfire. This fulfilled a prophecy that the keeper of a rival flame would come to this area and eclipse their power forever.

Saint Patrick explained the Holy Trinity (ie the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost) to King Laoghaire using a three-leaved plant (possibly a clover leaf) and gained his support.

In Ireland there are various places that are considered healing because Saint Patrick spent time there. For example, the wells in Struell are said to be therapeutic because Saint Patrick used to bathe there.

Dunseverick Castle in Antrim is special because Saint Patrick is said to have ordained St Olcan there.

Nowadays Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in various areas where Irish people have moved to and it is general celebrations of all that is Irish.

Irish Blessing

May the roof above us never fall in.
And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.

Until next week Wise Women, remember...take some time from your busy day to think about your life’s purpose. Are you fulfilling the reason for your being?

PS
And...always look for that pot of gold and the end of your rainbow.

Lana

New Age

Hi Again Wise Women
and Welcome Back.

If you are a first timer – thanks for joining us and I hope you become a regular wise women’s world visitor.

MY WEEK

Last Sunday was International Women’s Day and I did try to convince my hubby that this was a special day for women and I should be spoilt, in the same way that mums are spoilt on Mother’s Day. Unfortunately for me, this idea was not adopted so it was back to the usual Sunday routine of cleaning, washing and ironing...ah well, I'll have to try harder next time.

Much of my leisure time recently has been spent pursuing a Natural Therapies journey and I have spent many hours having acupuncture, herbal treatments and various other energy healing treatments. I am so engrossed in this project as I’ve always been interested in learning about everything and anything natural and supernatural (as some of my friends will attest). Call me weird if you like (some people already have), however, the more I learn about energies and higher intelligence the more information I crave.

Anyway, I had my aura read... not good... I’m afraid. My colours were weak and my body was sort of squashed up showing an unbalanced aura. My aura also revealed that I was not grounded (no surprises there), so I was advised by my therapist to spend more time earthing myself by going barefoot on the grass. I can’t remember the last time I walked on grass barefoot! I’ve also recently experienced Kinesiology, Polarity treatment; Bowen Method, Lymphatic Drainage and Temple (face) Tapping. I’ve also set time aside to meditate more and smell the roses. I’ll let you know how all this wonderful therapy goes.

Australian Bush Flower Essences.

You’ve probably all heard of Rescue Remedy and if you haven’t... I urge you to get a bottle to keep on hand. Rescue Remedy is safe for all the family, even your pet can benefit!

Gigi and I are devotees of the essences and have both reaped the benefits from taking them for various reasons and ailments. As you could imagine we were thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to meet and interview the founder of Australian Bush Flower Essences, Ian White. He was so generous with his time and what a fascinating man. Gigi and I were totally enthralled!

Do yourself a favour and check out our article by clicking here – you will be so glad you did.

Is 100 Years of Age the New 75?

Gigi has done her research and she seems to think it is.

Can you imagine strutting your stuff at 100? My mother is over 90 and doesn’t even look like slowing down. It is possible girls – just read the article.

Turning Back the Clock

We all want to defy the tick tock of that ageing clock. However, it’s not easy to do unless we are willing to put in the ground work and that means not only eating right and keeping a good mental attitude but we MUST exercise. Sorry girls, if there was an easier way out I would have already found it!!! We need to keep moving, stretching and exercising. The longer we put it off the harder it is to start. The good news is....we can start now! Gigi is enthusiastic and eager to show us the way. Don’t put it off, in fact, make exercise a priority.

Visit Gigi

What a weekend Gigi had! It was fun, fascinating, exhilarating and also frustrating. Gigi was constantly on the go and managed to fit in so much on her weekend away with Mr G. Wait to you see the etching she bought from a gorgeously, quaint gallery in the beautiful Blue Mountains region of Sydney. Is it a portrait of Gigi?

I’ll let you judge that for yourself!

Also, check out Gigi’s family happy snap taken at her mother in law’s 86^th birthday bash, a wonderful celebration was had by all.

Can You See Your Own Aura?

Ever been curious about your aura?

There is a way that you may see your own aura by following the exercise below.

During the day, stand in front of a mirror, about 10 to 25 centimetres away from it. The background behind you should be neutral coloured or white.

Gaze softly at yourself in the mirror, as though you are in a reverie. Look about 8 to 20 centimetres away from your head. With practice you will begin seeing soft glows, pinks, greens and purples where the etheric body meets the emotional body.

Then, at night, do the same as above with a soft, low-wattage bulb or a candle behind you.

With practice, you should begin to easily see the auric emanations from friends and acquaintances. Some people even use their auric vision to determine other's moods before interviews or important meetings.

Viewing auras in social settings is fun as well as practical, and it is also good practice for beginners. Give it a try!

Have you ever been to a Mind Body and Spirit Festival? I attended one in Sydney and was fascinated, read about my experience.

Live Life

Seniors Week is in full swing here in NSW. There are events popping up everywhere celebrating and rewarding the lives of senior aged citizens.

Here is a recent photo of an award ceremony recognising the efforts and achievements of our senior volunteers and community workers. Congratulations and well done to them all, well deserved!

Seniors Information Service

There comes a time when we need information about options as you, or a friend or family member, grow older?

One of the best places to contact is Seniors Information Service in your area as they can help you find answers to questions like these:

What concessions am I entitled to for transport, health care or general living costs?

Where can I go to learn to use a computer and the Internet?

How do I go about applying for a pension?

What are my housing options? How do I find out about retirement villages and what they offer? And how do they differ from hostels or nursing homes?

Where can I go to volunteer my time and skills, now that I’ve retired?

How do I organise support in my home to help me with self-care, housework or gardening?

If or when the time comes, how do I find a good nursing home in my local area?

The service can give you information and send you fact sheets on a range of issues. They can also provide contact details for legal, health or financial services that are qualified to advise you, ideally within your local community.

In NSW you can call 13 12 44 for assistance.

Get help by finding out the number for your area.

Wise Words

Ian White, founder of Australian Bush Flowers Remedies says that if you can’t decide how to handle a certain situation, ask yourself...”What would love do?”

You will be amazed at how suddenly the problem gains clarity.

Until next week wise women, believe in yourself, believe that you are a capable, interesting, loving and worthy woman. You deserve to be happy so make sure you find some happiness for yourself each day.

Lana x

PS

A Big, Big Happy Birthday to my life long friend Coleen. Coleen is an amazing person and a truly wise woman.