How To Be A Great Dog Owner

There’s a first for everything, even getting your first dog when you’re 50, or even 60, like I did. If only I had asked dog owners for their wise advice before we picked up the five-month-old Norfolk Terrier we named Rigby, I probably could have avoided some big boo-boos along the way.

If you’re considering becoming the “person” for a dog, or have recently brought a dog into your home, consider these sound recommendations from FOFriends.

Rigby looks like a plucked chicken after his recent summer haircut.

This is more of a before-you-become-a-dog-owner recommendation. Don’t ever, ever, ever get two puppies from the same litter. Especially girls. Ever, ever, ever! We didn’t know about this, and as responsible pet owners our job was to keep both of our girls safe. When the fighting started we had to literally pull them apart to make them stop. After the third time of cleaning up blood and fur we had to make the heart-wrenching decision to re-home one of them. She’s happy, healthy and loves her new family, but the one we kept is depressed and won’t eat for days (yes, she’s been checked out, twice). There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of her and if we made the right decision. I know we did for her, but not for our girl or me. If I had known this I would have never done it.”
Jodi Smith Rasar (more…)

You’ll Really Clean Up With This Loyalty Program

Disclosure: I’m proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy for their 2017 influencer relations program. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.

Are you someone who procrastinates until you run out of something you absolutely need, and then runs to the store to get it?

Think tissues, laundry detergent, and toilet paper? Well, now that you’re undoubtedly preparing to do a thorough spring cleaning–inside and outside the house–isn’t it time to stock up on the essentials so you can get the job done efficiently? And, once the cleaning is complete, you’ll want to make sure that everything you and your family require to enjoy the great outdoors is right at hand!

Take it from me. I habitually postponed buying crucial items until my cupboards were bare, and then I made a made dash to the store, vowing ‘never again.’ Once I did the smart thing, and started stocking up, I discovered how nice it is to be outfitted and organized.

Here’s my list of spring essentials, for you and your home. You’ll find every one at CVS Pharmacy, my favorite drugstore.

Whether you’re gently cleaning the inside of your refrigerator, powerfully scrubbing the outside deck after the winter, or making the windows glisten, there are plenty of sprays, powders, creams and liquids to do the task well.

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How Old Are Your Friends?

Is age really just a number, or do different age friends bring you different experiences and attitudes? We asked about the age of your friends. Here are some of your most interesting answers.

People my own age have generally let me down…so no friends my age..older ones are good..my mum in law is a great friend…she has always been there for me, especially after my mum passed away… my daughter is my best friend…she has been there through traumas, bad health and now my separation ..our friendship is unshakable…I am blessed in these friendships.”
Carine Munro
Age makes no difference. They all bring something special to the table of friendship.”
Paulette Greyn
“Around my age..so many similar experiences we can relate to!”
Leslie Alber

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What Do Elvis Presley And Eleanor Roosevelt Have In Common?

OK, so you’re stranded on a desert island. What famous person would you like to be stranded with you? Your responses were priceless! Here are some of our favorites.

“Tom Hanks. He’s been stranded before and made it back home.”
Lorie Myers Worley

“My Mama and Gramie. We would be laughing all day!”
Joan Deborah Owens

“My Daddy. You may say he is not famous, but to me he was the most famous person I have ever known. I was 26 when he died and I miss him just as much today as I did when he died.”
Debbie Edenfield Mcdanie

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Keep Those Cool Compliments Coming!

Would you rather be complimented for the way you look or something you’ve accomplished? Hmm, hard question. Here are some compliments you’ve recently received.

“I was around the corner at a social gathering and overheard some person say, ‘GiGi, she’s such a nice and funny lady.’”
GiGi Hall Rivera

“That I’m a teacher like Mary Poppins.”
Laura Cartwright

“Had a strange man in a restaurant come up to my table. He said to me, ‘you must have had a beautiful mother.’ I was taken aback. I thought that was such a nice thing to say.”
Nancy Austin

“My 29- year old gorgeous daughter told me she really hopes that when she reaches my age she is as beautiful as i am. Not only was I stunned, but got really teary.”
Mokihana Jourdan

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How To Deal With Loneliness

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness,” said poet Maya Angelou. What about you?

For me, loneliness is all about perspective. When I’m alone, I’m not necessarily lonely. I always have a choice. I can get up and go to the gym, go on a hike, text girlfriends, go shopping, go to a movie or etc. Of course I can also enjoy being with myself by doing a manicure or reading a book!”
Maureen Fox

“I escape it by either going to the gym or taking long walks while listening to music. Too tired after that to feel lonely.”
Sharon Makin

I have learnt to just be. I’ve moved into an apartment with my adult daughter, so I am not as lonely as I was in my marriage. She is my best friend. I get on better with younger people than people my own age. Sadly, I have no other friends, but, for now, I am ok with this.”
Carine Munro
“I work two jobs at 68. Keeps me from thinking about being lonely, but when the dust settles, I’m by myself. Aging alone is scary!”
Jan Chapman

“It’s taken some time, but I have learned to appreciate aloneness. ‘Solitude is my companion…’”
Suzanne Morrison

Keep Reading…

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Scary Things That Have Happened To Us Recently

Some of us are darn lucky because the scariest thing that’s happened to us recently was misplacing a credit card. Others, not so lucky. Life’s all about perspective, isn’t it?

“I was nearly wiped out on a motorway by a car that spun out of control in the fast lane, missing me only because I touched the brakes gently. It continued to spin, smashing into the barrier in the main lane . The driver was killed. Only time in my life where I know I could have died.”

Debbie Tynan

“My marriage falling apart and having lost our beautiful period home with pool and quarter acre block…for a while it looked like we would be homeless..and losing my son to my husband, as my son had to live with him..horribly scary , heartbreaking, incredibly sad..33 years of marriage meant nothing to my husband.”

Carine Munro

“Menopause heart palpitations.”

Debbee Taylor Melzow

“Losing my nursing job because I became very sick!”

Pauline Green

“My husband died in November.”

Karen Marshall-Salyers

If We Were Her, We’d Pose in a Bathing Suit, Too!

This is Teresa Hensley of West Virginia, a project manager for a major telecommunications company, where she’s worked for 30 years.

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When A Friend Doesn’t Pay You Back

You loaned your best friend $200 three months ago and she hasn’t paid you back.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

“Too late now. Either suck it up and ask her for it or let it go. Before you lend, you better get it straight in your head that you’ll not be getting it back because lending to friends/family never works. Or, if you must lend and must have it back, get everything in writing up front.”
Lorie Myers Worley

Ask if she needs more.”
Betty Delaney

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What You Are Most Looking Forward To This Year

What does 2017 have in store for YOU?!

“I turn 50 this year.”

Tamara Williams

Staying cancer free, being financially stable and loving my job, just drama free.”

Connie Renee Sargent

“Marriage…Or not”

Linda Diane Ferber


Good health to me, my family and friends! If you’ve got good health, you’ve got everything!”

Karin Anderson Chaves

An opportunity to make a difference.”

Di Kostielney Goodrich

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