WOOF: 50 Women Over 50 - Betty White

The list is endless. Women Only Over Fifty (WOOFers) who lead vibrant, meaningful lives and just seem to get younger every day.

Since we can't cover everyone, WOOF decided to start with 50 and each week pay tribute to one of them.

We hope you'll join us here every Wednesday for inspiration (or out of curiosity since it’s not just for felines anymore!) when we peek into the life and accomplishments of a sister on the frisky side of fifty!

There's no special reason 88-year-old Betty White is first on the list. She's just foremost on our minds because the other night the actress and avid supporter of animal rights accepted the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award. (Plus if you've seen White's most recent movie "The Proposal," you know she stole that show!)

We won't try to repeat here the lines she delivered with perfect timing in her acceptance speech. Maybe it's on YouTube somewhere. But what we will say is this, she is one of those women for whom dimples were not wasted. As far as we can tell, she uses them 24/7.

That's not to say White hasn't had her share of heartache and disappointments. Personally, she lost the love of her life Allen Ludden in the early 80s. Professionally she had four (count them...4) self-titled shows that flopped. But her successes greatly outweigh her failures. And we're not sure she would view anything as a failure...just the road to something better.

So, here's a big ole tail wag to you, Ms White. Thank you for making us smile all these years and for your devotion to the love and care of animals.

***************

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Accentuate The Pawsitive!

Merry Christmas From WOOF!

If I were ol' Santa, you know what I'd do...
I'd dump silly gifts that are given to you.
And deliver some things just inside your front door.
Things you have lost, but treasured before.

I'd give you back all your maidenly vigor,
And, to go along, a neat tiny figure.
Then restore the old color that once graced your hair
Before rinses and bleaches took residence there.

I'd bring back the shape with which you were gifted
So things now suspended need not be uplifted.
I'd draw in your tummy and smooth down your back
Till you'd be a dream in those tight fitting slacks.

I'd remove all your wrinkles. Leave only one chin
So you wouldn't spend hours rubbing grease on your skin.
You'd never have flashes or queer dizzy spells
And you wouldn't hear noises like ringing of bells.

You'd never have headaches, so no pills you'd take.
And no heating pad needed since your muscles won't ache.
Yes, if I were Santa, you'd never look stupid.
You'd be a cute chick with the romance of a cupid.

I'd give you a lift when those wolves start to whistle
And the joys of your heart would be light as a thistle.
But alas! I'm not Santa, but our wish is sincere...
Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year!

(courtesy of Maxine)

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We Have Winners!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Hallopalooza Scavenger Hunt. We WOOFers are proud to be included in the fun.

As promised, we're announcing the winners of a PDF download of "Ghost Light," written by WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty co-author, and 'tween series, Cynthia's Attic, author, Mary Cunningham (aka, Milkbone).

*P K the Bookeemonster

*Char

*M. (M. - We need your e-mail address - send to greatdames@woofersclub.com)

Don't forget to check the Stiletto Gang Blog for the grand prize winners. Hope everyone had a great Halloween, and stop back for more WOOFer fun!

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The Red Dress Diary: Honey Moon?!?

Mad Dog's married! Every Friday we've been reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approached. It's official, she tied the knot!


I will be taking a few weeks off from The Red Dress Diary to enjoy out-of-state family members who will be with us for a while after the wedding. A honeymoon can wait. Right now I am so happy to have Tom and our new life together. During these next few weeks, I will probably be helping my little granddaughter learn how to fish with her new Dora the Explorer pole; reading my grandson a bedtime story about trucks, laughing at my niece's "lame" jokes, singing old camp songs with my sister or gossiping about stars with my stepdaughters. I will tell you all about it later!


Melinda (Mad Dog)

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The Red Dress Diary: Entry 14 - What I Know For Sure

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Entry 14:



The day after tomorrow I become Melinda Lyons. I have had the name Melinda Bailey for forty-one years, but I wanted to take Tom's name, I guess, as another symbol of a new beginning. I still can't believe I am getting married after such a long and happy marriage with Sid.

We all have hardships and pain to endure in this world. At times life can be so cruel that you don't believe you will ever be happy again. But there is always hope. Hope keeps us going and is the light at the end of the tunnel.

As I went through the grieving process, I never hoped that I would marry again. But I did hold on to the idea that one day I would be happy again. I didn't know how or when, but I had to believe in my heart that I would eventually find a way to enjoy life like I did before Sid's death. Combined with that, I had that great healer called time. I also worked hard to find my happiness.

So for anyone out there who is going through a painful time--have hope, faith, patience and work hard to help yourself. You can be happy again. I know!

Melinda (Mad Dog)

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The Red Dress Diary: No. 13 -- Young At Heart

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Entry 13:


Young At Heart

It is almost time for me to walk down the aisle in my red dress! (Yikes! I have so much left to do!) As I prepare for this marriage, I have been thinking about our relationship and what is really important to Tom and me.

One of the things that drew us to each other was optimism. We both try to look at life with youthful enthusiasm. Many older men I dated seemed to be constantly griping about the half empty glass. And Tom said he encountered a lot of negative older women.

Life is too short for that kind of thinking. We just want to be happy and have fun! So we have vowed--before we take those most important vows--to try to always remain young at heart.


Melinda (Mad Dog)

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The Red Dress Diary: 12 -- Your Place or Mine?

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Entry 12:


Your Place or Mine?

Ceremony plans may not be as complicated and detailed when you marry later in life, but there are other decisions older couples have to make.

Most mature couples have two established homes. Deciding which house you will reside in can be a tough decision. In our case, Tom made the decision for us. I had gone from Daddy to dormitory to husband. I never had a place of my own, until I bought and decorated a new home after my husband died.

Tom knew how important it was for me to keep my new found independence, and suggested that we use his place as a weekend second home. But I wanted him to feel our primary residence was his, too. So we bought some new furniture, and replaced a few of my furnishings with Tom's photos and knickknacks. It may be my house, but hopefully we are turning it into our home.


Melinda (Mad Dog)

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The Red Dress Diary: 11 - Encore Brides

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Entry 11:



Encore Brides

I was surprised to find a whole industry out there that caters to older second-time-around brides. Websites and magazines offer information on everything from "mature" gowns and proper invitation wording, to seating etiquette for ex-spouses and "hot" honeymoon spots for seniors.

There is even a name for women over fifty who are tying the knot: Encore Brides. Okay, it is probably just a marketing label that sounds much more politically correct than "over the hill brides." But I like it!

It makes me feel like Cinderella and Prince Charming don't have to be young. Sometimes they have gray hair that shimmers in the spotlight as they slowly waltz into happily ever after.

Melinda (Mad Dog)

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The Red Dress Diary: #10 -- Time Is On Our Side!

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's entry 10:

Time is on Our Side
Shortly after Tom and I became serious, friends and family members began to ask us when we were getting married. We wanted to take things slowly, particularly since I was a widow dealing with some complex emotions. People would say things like, "But you are older. You don't have much time left, you know."

I disagree. Maybe we don't have fifty years of marriage to look forward to, but we do have time--more than we ever had in our younger relationships.

We are not juggling responsibilities, trying to find the balance between being good providers, great parents and worthwhile employees. We are no longer struggling to squeeze a few hours into our hectic schedules to see friends or have a "date night." Sadly, we also don't have to deal with in-laws or taking care of elderly parents. We have fewer distractions and more time to devote to our relationship.

We may not have the quantity we did years ago, but now we have quality time to spend with each other. So time really is on our side.

Melinda (Mad Dog)

Did you know Mad Dog can write a limerick about ANYTHING?!?!? Check it out in WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty

The Red Dress Diary: #9 -- Extra Grandma

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's entry 9:

Extra Grandma Older second marriages can be confusing to young children. They often don't understand the new relationship and how that person fits into the family, particularly when similiar relationships already exist.

This past Christmas we visited Tom's son and his family, including six-year-old Ajay. Tom's grandson told me that he knew his "Grandma" was "My Mommy's Mommy," and that "Oma" was his Dad's Mother (Tom's ex-wife).

Ajay studied me carefully, quite perplexed at first, like he was trying to figure out where to put me and what to call this woman his Grandpa was going to marry. With a big sigh of relief, he grinned and proclaimed, "So you are Extra Grandma!"

Works for me!!

--Melinda (Mad Dog)

For Melinda Musings pre-engagement, check out WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty (Echelon Press)

The Red Dress Diary: #7 The Bargain Bride

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's entry #7:

The Bargain Bride:

I am now being referred to as the bargain bride. I guess that is appropriate since I got my dress for less than twenty dollars at a clearance sale, my shoes were half price and our rings came from Sam's. I think we will go with a Wal-Mart cake and the ceremony will take place at our neighborhood clubhouse.

I already have some tongues wagging about the fact that I am being married in a red dress. But hey, that's okay! I think--no, I know--that I am proud of this "give 'em something else to talk about" new nickname. Why spend a lot of money on a second wedding? Or any wedding for that matter? So I'll gladly show off my borrowed tablecloths and punchbowl, home printed invitations, cheap red dress and new title!

--Melinda (Mad Dog)

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The Red Dress Diary: Entry Six

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's entry 6:

Wedding Gifts? My publisher, Karen, recently wished me the best on my upcoming nuptials and mentioned a wedding gift. That brings up another topic and entry for The Red Dress Diary.

An older second marriage not only combines two extended families, it also means facing the challenge of dealing with two sets of "stuff." At this point, most couples over fifty have lots of furniture, possibly two houses, and tons of knick knacks and pictures. Tom and I decided to live in my little house, so just finding room for his clothes seemed to be an issue.

Then we both realized that having too much is not a problem! Our solution has been to take this opportunity to simplify our lives by giving away as much as we can to our families or charity. And as for wedding gifts, we are adding these words to our reception invitation: No gifts, please. Your gift to us will be your presence.

--Melinda (Mad Dog)

For Melinda Musings pre-engagement, check out WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty (Echelon Press)

Never too old to try something YOU!

The Red Dress Diary: Entry Five

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's entry 5, with a bonus picture! (yeah, now we know what Tom looks like!):



Entry Five: "Blithe Spirit" Tom and I went to see Noel Coward's play recently. It was particularly meaningful, since it is about a writer whose dead first wife is conjured up by a medium. The ghost "moves in" and begins to compete with the second wife for the husband's affections. As funny as it was, it also made me think about having two soul mates in one lifetime.


After spending almost forty years of my life with Sid, I did have some happiness guilt when I fell in love with Tom. But then something occurred to me. Sid was the perfect mate for the nineteen-year-old naive, dependent girl I was when I married him. With luck and hard work, we also managed to weather many changes in our long relationship.


But after Sid died, I was forced to change very drastically. Now I feel that Tom is the perfect mate for the sixty-year-old wiser, stronger and much more independent woman I have become. How lucky is that? Some people only find such deep love once in a lifetime. I am truly blessed to have found the perfect man for me--twice.


--Melinda (Mad Dog)

The Red Dress Diary: Entry Three

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's the third entry:

Thanks a lot!: I was feeling so wonderful about the outcome of meeting my future husband's children for the first time. They had accepted me and made me feel like part of the family.

After returning home, I excitedly called my best friend with the good news. "They really liked me!" I proudly proclaimed.

Without hesitation, she dryly replied, "Well, of course they liked you! You are taking the old man off their hands!"

--Melinda (Mad Dog)

What secrets would you like revealed in The Red Dress Diary?

Anything special you'd like Mad Dog to cover ... or "uncover?"

The Red Dress Diary: Entry Two

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's her second entry:

Meeting the Kids...The Rest of the Story:

I was having lunch one day with my niece. It was right before my first trip to meet my fiance's grown children and I was already quite nervous about the upcoming introduction. So her question made me even more aprehensive.

"You aren't going to meet his kids in clothes like that, are you?"

I hadn't bought clothing for quite a while, and I guess I hadn't noticed that my wardrobe was mostly worn and dated. Before I could answer, she quipped, "Well, we will just have to go shopping and get you some 'meet the kids' clothes."

I loved what she picked out, and Tom's daughter immediately complimented me on my attire. When I explained that it was one of my new "meet the kids" outfits, she laughed, paused and then asked, "Dad, how old is that shirt you have on? Maybe you should have been the one to get new 'meet the kids' clothes!"

--Melinda (Mad Dog)