1. Never go to bed with your makeup on as pores will clog and skin will become dull and lifeless because it cannot breathe. Use a creamy cleanser or gentle facial wash to cleanse skin thoroughly. Follow with a toner or astringent to clear away any residue from cleanser and restore your skin to its natural pH balance.
2. The next step is to apply alpha hydroxy acid to exfoliate the surface layer of dead skin cells on the epidermis. This cell turnover will activate the dermis to pump out new skin cells giving skin a healthy glow. I favor Glycolic Acid as it is a natural AHA derived from sugar cane and when used only at night, it will not leave your skin photo sensitive like Retin-A. Glycolic Acid stings at first until your skin adjusts, but in a short time it works its magic and rejuvenates your skin.
3. Now it is time to apply your night cream. Use a rich cream for dry skin or a light moisturizer for normal to oily skin. Even if you have oily skin you still need moisturizer or your skin will dry out on the surface and cause clogged pores and breakouts.
4. Your morning routine after cleansing and toning should include a Vitamin C Serum. There are a few Vitamin C Serums that have been tested and proven to reach the dermis: Skin Ceuticals, Celex C, Dr. Perricome and Obaji. I am sure there are others, but these are the ones I know about. Vitamin C Serums are very expensive, but worth every penny as they prevent free radical damage at the dermis level, and instigate rebuilding of collagen. Vitamin C Serum is cumulative in the skin for up to four days!
5. Now it is time for sunscreen. We need to block those nasty UV rays from destroying our skin. For general use a 30 block is sufficient, but if you are a golfer, tennis player, biker, runner or boater, you need a 45 to 50 block broad spectrum sunscreen. Your sunscreen should be sweat proof and water proof, containing both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for maximum protection.
6. It is very important to remove sunscreen before going to bed as it is extremely heavy and traps sweat on your skin which will clog pores and instigate blackheads and breakouts.

Looking as this picture over the next few years helped me to have hope and dare to dream of a life beyond this farm. It would be five years later before I actually experienced one of my life’s greatest joys. I went to New York City on my senior class trip in 1964, and at that time, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were starring in Cleopatra. Our entire class went to see the film. It was so exciting, but I never could have imagined the next thrill. As we walked out of the theatre and got in a cab, the driver said, “If you kids want to see them in person, you need to go to the stage door entrance to Hamlet at ten o’clock tonight. You will see Elizabeth Taylor arrive in a limousine to pick up Richard Burton.”

We secretly made a plan to sneak out of our hotel and make our way to Times Square. We were not sure of the way, so we asked strangers on the street. Before we realized it, we had an entire entourage in our wake, following us to get a glimpse of the famous movie stars. When we finally arrived at the theatre, the streets were lined with fans also waiting for the limousine. The police had put up barricades to control the crowds and protect the stars. My classmates, knowing my excitement, immediately pushed through the crowd and hoisted me up to stand on one of the barricades.

I did have to wait long. Right on schedule, just as the cab driver predicted, there she was. She actually got out of the limo and waved at the crowd. I was completely spellbound, and to this day, I remember exactly what she wore-a turquoise flowered dress and a big straw hat with the identical fabric to match her dress. Her stunning violet eyes and signature heavy dark eyebrows were clearly visible from across the street.

Richard Burton emerged from the stage door as the crowd screamed and cheered. He looked like a knight or prince walking up to claim his princess. Once at her side, he kissed her and took her hand. The two waved, climbed in the limo, and made their way through the excited fans and onlookers. The moment is locked in my memory and after all these years, I can still see every detail clearly in my mind’s eye.

Barbara’s Book Pick:  Sexy Forever, How to Fight Fat After Forty

In her amazing new book, Suzanne Somers reveals that until we understand the role chemicals and imbalanced hormones play, we will never be totally in charge of our toxic laden bodies. Suzanne explains how our bodies change dramatically beginning around age forty, and what we can do to rid ourselves of toxic overload and regain a healthy balance once again.

Suzanne believes our modern day diet is in fact killing us as our immune systems can no longer fight against all the chemicals that are in our food and cleaning supplies. She then goes on to teach us how to rid our body and home of toxic chemicals by going “organic.” Suzanne provides expert recommendations in how to achieve hormonal balance, maintain a healthy digestive track, exercise, and dietary supplements.

Suzanne claims that without proper nutrition our body craves more and more food in an attempt to get what it needs, and weight gain is inevitable. To combat food cravings we must eat real food not chemicals, and to choose properly, we must be informed. Although many of Suzanne’s suggestions call for dramatic change for some, the benefits of even small changes can be a step toward a healthy long life. Regaining our energy and zest for life will begin when we change the way we live and the way we eat. The decision to change is up to us.

It is easy to become distracted with myriad choices bombarding us from all directions whether it comes from family and friends or just the crazy influx of information the minute we turn on our computer. I personally got out of line by simply trying to take in too much information. As an author I had to learn everything I could about social media, and of course I had to create a professional looking web site complete with blog. I read, listened, blogged, tweeted, connected on facebook, linkedin, ezine articles, boomer authority, etc., etc., etc. You get the picture! I drove myself crazy listening to every internet guru and online training seminar that came along. I did not want to miss a thing, and you guessed it, I got out of line. I absorbed so much information that I became paralyzed with information overload, so consequently my next book is only one third written instead of published.

However, it is not too late to get back on track and have the life you desire and deserve! It is time to get focused. Keeping our focus and refusing to be distracted is the first step toward realizing our life’s dreams. We all have dreams, and in order for them to become reality, we must first set our goals. Then, with work and determination, our dreams will become reality. Success is the result of accomplishing your predetermined personal and specific goals. Write them down and then envision what your goals look and feel like. See yourself living your dreams. Whatever you can see in your mind’s eye as to the life you want is just the beginning of what is to come, so simply start living that life now. Live as though you already possess what you want by visualizing the outcome and life will fill in the blanks when you stay in line.

“The 21 lessons in this book will take you on a deep sacred journey. One step at a time, you will learn to shift your relationship with yourself-and your body-from one of fear to one of love. And you will begin to integrate the various parts of yourself-mind, body, and spirit-to become, once again, and in all ways, the beautiful and peaceful person you were created to be.” -Marianne Williamson

1. Recognize what you are feeling and what or who is causing the stress you are experiencing. Decide if the problem is valid and worthy of the anxiety it is causing you. Ask yourself if there is anything you can do about the problem.
2. Ask yourself if there is something you can learn from the stress. Perhaps there is a decision you need to make regarding an issue in your life that you are avoiding out of fear of making the wrong decision. Sometimes just making that difficult decision will eliminate the stress.
3. Sometimes stress causes us to grow and step out of our comfort zone. Maybe
there is something special just waiting for you to grasp, and out of fear you are holding back. Ask yourself if missing out on what might be a great future by fearing the unknown is better than living in the safety of the familiar.
4. Talking things over with a trusted friend or close family member can often help you see the situation more clearly. When we are living our fear alone in our mind, it sometimes appears larger than it really is and someone we trust can help us get our fear in proper perspective.

5. Call someone you love and tell them how important they are in your life! They will be so happy and appreciative that you will totally forget for the moment any stress you were feeling in your own life!
6. Write down everything you can think of to be thankful for even the small things. This exercise may not solve your problem, but it may help to diminish the size of what you fear
7. I often go for a long walk when I feel overwhelmed by a decision I have to make. Rather than concentrate on my fear, I look around and meditate on all the beauty surrounding me. When I release all my fear and anxiety to the Universe, I always feel stronger to face my fear!

1. Enrich your own life with hobbies and friendships.
2. Allow your man to have his own hobbies and friendships.
3. Resist the urge to quiz him about his every thought and motive.
4. Find ways to please him without telling him what you are up to.
5. Compliment his qualities without overdoing it.
6. Do special things for him, you know better than anyone what he likes.
7. Do not call him numerous times a day to check up on him.
8. Tell him if there is something special you want, don’t make him guess.
9. Tell him how much you love him but not 50 times a day.
10. Praise him for what he does and he will want to do more to please you.