Olympic Gold Volleyball

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Kudos to NBC for excellent coverage of the Summer Olympics. My husband has been glued to the TV watching every sport since the opening games. We just spent a few days with friends and they were not watching the Olympic games prior to our arrival on Friday evening. The wife got into the games immediately and her husband took a bit more encouragement until the USA Volleyball team of Misy May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh started playing. The team is absolutely incredible to watch; beauty and athletic ability in motion. The final sets against China last night were absolutely riviting to watch. Congradulations to the American team.

Wal-Mart End of an era

Is the Wal-Mart supercenter with one-stop shopping hitting the end of its reign. The pricing gap has narrowed between Wal-Mart and rivals. Some of the reasons for the demise are: consumers are demanding more freshness and choice, inability to attract the more affluent buyer and the Internet. I have gone to Wal-Mart a few times and I get overwhelmed with the choices. I have found that Costco stores have opened everywhere and they tend to organize all their stores in a similar layout so I do not have to wander around looking for things if I go into a new store. I have purchased everything from bulk foods, to wines, fresh produce, electronics and OTC drugs. I have heard they pay their employees more and treat them better. I was on Kauai a few months ago and a young musician said he works at Costco in the daytime and plays music at night since they offer health benefits and flexible hours. The Internet offers another alternative. Just ask the next generation. So Wal-Mart look out.

Madonna Turns 50

Madonna turn 50 years. Madonna is one of the performers that I actually have listen to over the years and one of the few who have kept a image that attracts new fans. 50 is not old anymore. As I reach the next decade I agree that 50 is young. But I have seen people in their next decade and older doing things to keep themselves young. My husband and I are both exercising more, eating better, traveling more and re-adjusting work schedules. Our children are in the work force and are earning enough to live on their own. It does give us more time to play. Although when asked to golf in a senior golf tournament my husband at age 59 3/4 wanted to be paired with the 60+ group than the 50-59 group. I must admit I used my ID to get 10% off on purchased at TJ MAX for the 55 years and older population.

Long Term Care Insurance

I found this article about long-term care insurance. It seems that many boomers are reluctant to buy the insurance since it means they are getting old and it is expensive. My policy bill just came in and my premium is $1900.00. I always grumble when the bill comes in but I when I think of the alternative I pay the premium. Of course the biggest question is: Will the insurance you buy today pay for the type of care you will need in the future? We have a neighbor who is probably in her early 90's and I see her being cared for by 2 caretakers, each doing a 12 hour shift. Her family member come and visit her often but they are not carring for her 24/7. Our three children are just getting started in their careers and I would hate to have them have to assume care for an aging parent. My parent are both 84 and living in their own home but I do wonder what will happen when they cannot function independently. So I pay the yearly premium and hope it will meet my needs in the future so I will not be a burden to my children.

Ohina's kiddie gymnasts

I watched the Olympics last night to see the munchkin Chinese gymnastic team perform. I know their passports said thy were all 16 or at least turning 16 in 2008 but I like others have my doubts. In most females at around 12 to 16 years of age hormones are activated that cause body changes (breast tissue, curves, height). I did not observe any of these changes in a majority of the team. Adolescents also do not have "baby" teeth. I tried to see the size of the girls teeth and they went through their routines. I guess the IOC will turn a "blind eye" to possible age discrepancy. I know the USA team definitely had their problems but they do look like their stated ages.

Olympic Chinese Singer

I have been watching the Olympics and reading about the age controversy surrounding some of the young athletes. This morning I heard about the young talented singer who was replaced by a lip-sinking little Chinese actress because she was not "cute" enough. The Chinese officials are not even apologetic about the incident. The Olympics is all about image and replacing a little girl with a great voice and crooked teeth with a pretty girl with no voice seemed like a logical choice. I guess we are teaching a nation of children that cheating is good if it helps maintain an image. I think the little girl on the right looks more typical of an 8 year old child. In fact she looks a bit like the "sixteen" year old girls competing in the Olympic gymnastic events.

Crocs or Dorcs

I just came in from doing my 1 hour of gardening and left my bright orange crocs at the door. When I went on line to check my email I found this article about Dorcs. I agree with the author that every little kid in the world seems to be wearing these bright little shoes. All the nurses at work wear them. I purchased my orange crocs a year ago. I was going to work out after work and discovered I had forgotten my tennis shoes. I had my spinning shoes but nothing to wear walking into the gym. I stopped at a Costco near my office and went to buy a pair of tennis shoes. The bright crocs were in a bin next to the tennis shoes. At $9.99 they were a real bargain. I wore my brightly colored crocs into the gym. My spin partners chuckled at my choice of shoes. They are very comfortable and slip off an on very easily. I currently have two pairs: hot pink and orange. I keep one pair in my car and on pair at my back door. They have their use. I must say they are a bargain compared to tennis shoes and socially acceptable in most settings.