The Mid Life Wife

Rosen Reviews Welcome

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:34:56 +0000

Themidlifewife

Beth will review people, places, businesses, products, services, and much more. Boomer women in midlife have more time, money, loyalty, adventure, so why not. Midlife is a time when many women come into their own. In Midlife many also feel high levels of personal achievement, a sense of adventure, more flexibly, and satisfaction. Midlife women are looking to improve their health, fitness, they are ready to travel, get pampered, and are willing to spend a bit more for products and services. From relationships, to sexuality, this is a group not to be overlooked..

Welcome to Rosen Reviews and our new YouTube Channel

Jill Zarin, Lisa Wexler and Gloria Kamen will spill some secrets!!

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:03:43 +0000

Most of my friends know how important the advice from my sister and mother are to me, they also know that I’m a huge fan of ‘The Real Housewives of New York City”…put that together and it’s a dream come true…hope you can join our show tomorrow as my sister Esti and my mom Joanie from Chicago as we host an interview with Jill Zarin, her sister Lisa Wexler and their mom Gloria Kamen…enjoy this post by my sister Esti…..

A Shmooz With Jill Zarin, Lisa Wexler, and Gloria Kamen, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother”.

When I heard the title of this book I thought about two things. My own Jewish mother,my sister, and matzo ball soup. That is why I am so excited to interview Jill and Lisa (sisters) and Gloria (their Jewish mother) on Blog Talk Radio. Their book, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother” is flying off the shelves, as moms of all backgrounds can relate to the wisdom of a Jewish mother. What is a Jewish mother, or family get together, without a bowl of fluffy matzo ball soup? Join me and Beth Rosen as we find out what Jill, Lisa, and Gloria serve-up for their regular family get togethers, especially during the High Holidays in the fall and at Passover in the springtime. Book Description: The Jewish Mother knows what she wants. And what you should want too. In Secrets of a Jewish Mother, you’ll learn how to make her methods your very own, and as result you’ll give and get of love and happiness in great amounts. In what could be thought of as the Jewish Mother’s Guide to Life, Jill Zarin, the breakout star of Bravo’s hit series, The Real Housewives of New York, teams up with her sister, Lisa Wexler, award-winning host of daily radio program The Lisa Wexler Show, and her mother, the estimable Gloria Kamen who made a splash on Jill’s series last year. Secrets of a Jewish Mother shows readers that being clear about what you want is the best policy, and standing up for yourself and your family is always the right way to go. Using real life examples, stories from Jill, Lisa and Gloria, this mother/daughter trio reveals their secrets to life, love, and happiness.

And, remember, a lot of love and a little matzoh ball soup never hurt anyone. Happy Early Mother’s Day!

Tune into Blog Talk Radio at 11:00 EST 10:00 am CST to the Jewishshmoozenetwork…call if you want..

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jewishshmooznetwork/2010/04/30/a-shmooz-with-jill-zarin-lisa-wexler-and-gloria-ka

My Mom Writes a Guest Post “Rancho La Puerta”

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:47:11 +0000

The Girls in Our Group

As grandmother of 11, it was a dream come true. The week of January 30 to February 6, 2010 I went with my daughter Beth to Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, a world famous Spa about an hour and half drive from the San Diego airport. It was something I always wished I could do for myself, but as a care- giver for my parents, being a corporate wife with a husband on a career path, not to mention a mother raising 4 kids, it never seemed a possibility. Who had the time? Plus the years were going fast, I was getting older, and I thought it might be to late for me…..WRONG. Deborah Szelely, who is 87, who began Rancho La Puerta 70 years ago, is still doing Pilates 3X a week and has a personal trainer for 2 other days. She plans her life in 5 year time slots and is absolutely amazing and inspirational. I was lucky to hear her speak two times. Mind, body and spirit is what you experience at Rancho La Puerta. Surrounded by mountains, with over 3,000 acres of beautiful landscape, trails and paths to walk and hike are all over. Over 70 kinds of fitness programs are offered and can be enjoyed at all levels and in a wide age range for all guests. Massages of all kinds, wraps, facials and therapy programs are available. All the food, organic vegetarian with seafood entrees, is beautifully prepared and presented. There is a cooking school and culinary center where you can prepare healthy meals with a top chef instructor using vegetables you just picked from the garden. Evening brings lectures of all kinds, known authors, poets, workshops on health, science and the arts. A chance to learn and explore, also a time to be away from the TV and phone, no outside distractions so for one week, so you can truly get in touch with your self. Sharing that week with my daughter brought us to a new and respected understanding of each other of where we are at this point in time. We did our own activities and met for dinner every night to share our day. What I learned, age is just a number, it is never to late to think about improving your health and to get more fit. You must and can find the time and make no excuses, where ever you are in your life. Sharing that week with my daughter was especially rewarding, as it was something I was not able to do with my mother, and because we took the time to do it…….. JoaniefromChicago@Gmail.com

Joan, Deborah Szelely, Beth Rosen

Photos from…inspiremetoday’s photostream Flickr

and as the daughter Beth Rosen, I wanted to thank my mom (JoaniefromChicago) for this wonderful post, and for the time she spent with me and the girls. She did bring a lot of fun to our group and I will post the video of her dancing it up on the last night…very soon…

Influential?

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:00:25 +0000

What does the old saying “The shoemaker has no shoes” mean? Today it means for me I have not had time to update my own blog………..but

Thanks for taking the time to stop over and take a look at my blog…with four teens around, and two home from college…a few things have fallen by the wayside..but things should be up to speed soon. I just wanted to thank Matt Kiefer of www.pioneerlocal.com for the nice mention, what a nice surprise and you did a wonderful job getting the facts.

Matt, I know I talked your ear off, but you can tell I’m so passionate about Social Media Marketing, and the power of the Mom Bloggers…At the end of next month I will be on my way to the World Headquarters for the Coca-Cola Company to give a speech on Mom Bloggers…Below is the blurb….about that talk…..

Someone is finally paying attention to Mom: Wal-Mart counts 11 mommies; Johnson & Johnson hosted Camp Baby; Frito Lay launched Women’s World, and EA Sports teams up with “Wiimommies.” Because word of mouth is the most powerful form of communication, being able to reach influential moms who communicate using Twitter, blogging, and other social media tools has proven to be a goldmine for many brands.

As a collective force, “Mommy Bloggers” publish content to an estimated 30 million women in the United States who directly influence an estimated $1 trillion per year in household spending. It’s easy to see why more and more companies want to learn about how to use social media as a new marketing tool to engage and interact with the most influential women publishers in the digital space.

In this session, you’ll learn how big brands leverage the power of “Mommy Bloggers” to grow communities into on- and offline evangelists, and how your brand can do it too. You’ll find out how to:

Add social media marketing tactics to engage women and “Mommy Bloggers”
Build communities and relationships based on interactive conversations
Evaluate who’s who and who you need to partner with
Avoid the five biggest mistakes that can damage your brand’s credibility
Use social media tools as a platform for consumers to converse, contribute, and connect with your brand.
Connect with the media, bloggers and their readers using examples from success stories
Be in compliance with FTC guidelines
Craft a campaign that gets attention and participation

Beth K. Rosen is a world-class “mommy blogger” who has reaped tremendous gain for enterprises both online and offline. Her messages today resonate in the women’s marketplace and continue to gain momentum in the mommy sector. Beth founded 4 KEYS MEDIA, INC. to help progressive companies connect with the mommy- and boomer-women markets.

Know that today mom is your most powerful marketing partner

She has the power to move your message out to her masses

Help make her life better and she is going to help boost your bottom line

Let me know if you need to reach, correct, advise, or just want to chat with me… feel free to drop me a line at…4keysmedia@gmail.com

or @bethrosen on twitter..Thank you….

See What Makes Chicago Unique..in 4 hours

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:31:38 +0000

Run Mom Run….was more like it when Beth Feldmen (@rolemommy) – author of the new book See Mom Run - had a quick stop in Chicago to promote her book. We only had four hours to tour Chicago together, but we certainly made the most of our limited time.

First stop: WGN TV Chicago. Here, I met Beth, clutching a hot Grande Non-Fat Skinny Vanilla Latte to offer her, while my assistant, Val, took care of her make up. I hit Twitter and Facebook hard, to line up our schedule for the day. While I caught up with Larry Potash, anchor of the morning news (where I once did on air parenting segments!), Beth completed her interview with Alyson Payne.

Second stop: Ellis Cheesecake World, where Marc S Schulman and Cheesecake were awaiting us. After a quick introduction, Beth and I were off on a tour of the factory, learning how the world’s best cheesecake is made. Once equipped with our hairnets and robes, Debbie gave us the VIP tour. Did you know that cheesecakes are baked twice? You wouldn’t believe how many made from scratch cheesecakes come out of this factory every day. Even though our schedule was packed, we made the time for some generous samples and of course to get a few to go.

Third Stop: 1-800-Baskets. Pulling up, we saw a lot of activity going on outside the warehouse. We had no idea it was the big sample sale day! You know we love a good sale…We had to zip in and have a very quick tour…and what a WOW.. this is a factory very reminiscent of Santa’s Workshop, we got to marvel at the amazing selection of foods, candy, containers, and over the incredible time and detail that go into creating each basket. After getting a chance to sample some of the basket contents, as well as meet the kind people behind their creation. As a girl who buys a lot of gift baskets, I would say you should see the quality and attention your special gift will get…check out http://www.1800baskets.com

Fourth Stop: The Chicago Board of Trade CBOT. It was a mad rush to get there, Allan Schoenberg and Nancy Loo were waiting for us. I’d never been on the floor of the options exchange and I didn’t want to miss my chance! It was amazing. We dashed in for the tour. Nancy was kind enough to lend me her coat (I was wearing jeans!) so that I could stand on the floor, and it was so exciting to be in the middle of all that action.

After all of that, time was running short. We swung by Millennium Park, Navy Pier and drove down Michigan Avenue. We took a quick five minutes to stop at Garrett Popcorn. I’m not ashamed to admit that having Nancy Loo along was a huge benefit, making it easy for me to cut a long line to grab a tin of Chicano Mix. Not even to mention how awesome it was to have her for a personal tour guide in the car, with her extensive knowledge of the city.

After dropping Nancy back at Fox News, Beth and I made a run for it, arriving at Comedy Sportz Theater just in time for her to get ready to put on her show. To be continued…

Mom got a ticket to “Ride” with Tony Hawk

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:28:08 +0000

Tony Hawk: RIDE

Being a parent to twin 16 year old boys can be a challenge. Recently, I’d forgotten what my boys’ voices sounded like, outside the occasional grunt or request for clean socks. Sometimes it seems like I just provide room and board – they kinda wander in and out between school sports, visiting with friends and of course, playing video games. I actually don’t mind them playing video games at all – at least I know they’re home, in my basement, and who they’re with. I admit, though, I have wandered into the basement at times to see them paying some games that don’t seem especially appropriate. I see lots of violence, sex and other unacceptable behavior, right there on the video screen. Combine that with the fact that the only exercise they’re getting is to their thumbs and video games aren’t as appealing as before. You’d think that their thumbs would be getting enough exercise from all the texting!

Teenagers are going to play video games, whether at your house or at a friend’s. So wouldn’t it be nice to know that there’s a game out there that can get them off the couch and encourage positive social interaction, as well as keeping them entertained in a safe place? Thanks to Tony Hawk, Activision, Robomodo and a huge team of others, there finally is such a game. You might even want to give it a try yourself!

Mary your calendars for November 17^th Hey that’s today!!. That’s the date this new game from Activision is going to be released, and also the day that my twin 16 year old boys have been telling their friends about for weeks.

Last month, my boys and I were offered the amazing opportunity to take part of a special preview bloggers tour to try out Tony Hawk Ride, the new game by Activision. We didn’t know what we were in for – just that Ketchum PR had selected us to fly out to San Diego to try out a new video game by Tony Hawk. We have several Tony Hawk games and, having liked them, were definitely excited to give a new one a test run. On top of that, I was particularly excite d about the trip because I knew that, at least for those 8 hours on the plane, I’d have time to get reacquainted with my twin sons. They were more excited because they used to be hugely into the skateboarding scene, but had not had as much time to be involved since starting high school. They were amped up to rekindle that interest.

When we arrived, we were shocked – not only were we going to get the chance to see the Tony Hawk, Inc. headquarters, but might even get a chance to meet Tony Hawk himself. The only of my twins, a producer for his high school TV station, decided to bring his camera along just in case such an opportunity presented itself. Well, not only did we get to see Tony Hawk skate, but also, a crew of well known skateboarders put on a private show for us and the other seven families invited. Of course, we also got a chance to try out the new Tony Hawk Ride video game, as well as give our feedback to the team. What an amazing opportunity. To say it was a dream come true would truly be an understatement. Tony and the entire crew were incredibly welcoming, engaging, helpful and beyond gracious to all of the families.

As if that wasn’t enough, my son was indeed able to get an exclusive interview with Tony Hawk about the game. We also learned that the team who had pitched the idea for the interactive game was from Chicago, our hometown! Once we returned home, my son was able to interview those developers as well. He was able to create this amazing story, which was then picked as the high school story of the week from across the entire nation!

Needless to say, my sons and I are looking forward to the release of this interactive video game, that will get both your kids and you up off the couch and onto a skateboard. I give this game 4 ollies not only for the entertainment value and quality of the game itself, but for the treasured time I got to spend bonding with my sons over skateboards.

My College Freshman, Where did the time go?

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:53:36 +0000

Yes I’m an emotional mess; I swear it feels like I just put my daughter down for her nap and now I’m off to drive her to college, where did the last 18 years go. Yes there were times that I wished this day would come, the fights about keeping her room clean, the arguments about who she was hanging out with, and the hours spent waiting to hear the car come in the after a night out with friends. I have photographs, and videos, yearbooks, all the programs from the dance recitals to the school plays, 18 years worth. I’m one of those moms I’ve kept everything every drawing, homemade Mother’s Day gift, painted pieces of pottery, and beaded bookmarks, I wonder will I start to fumble through those while she’s away at school or keep them tucked away until I’m ready to give her the box when she moves into her own home a few years from now.

As I get ready to pack up the car and drive her to college I wonder will I miss all the drama. Yes the crying nights over the party she wasn’t invited to, the heartbreak of the sports teams she didn’t make, the cattiness of the girlfriends, the teachers who (hated her), and of course last but not least all the boy drama. I know these things will all continue but it will no longer be me who she will sit up and talk to in the middle of the night, hopefully it will be the new friends that she will make in the dorms, classes, and cafeteria. I wonder will I miss the day-to-day drama or just be happy with the end of the week recap.
So as I sit here and struggle to write this blog post, I can hear her talking on her phone while packing upstairs. How is it I can remember every second of the last 18 years, but can never find my house keys, and now the time she spilled purple juice on her new white party dress, had a broken pen laying on the couch, forgot to call me after a concert, and blamed me for ruining her party, those are some of the times that together we laugh at and remember the best.

To all you young mommies out there I know people tell you time flies by in the blink of an eye. As I sit back and think about all of the child rearing classes, parenting books magazines, workshops and more it’s just the day to day in the trenches that will help you and your child prepare for each step. I’ve spent 18 years in PTO meetings, sitting on metal chairs at piano and dance recitals, driven my minivan more miles in a day than Dana Patrick will cover in a year, and looking back I wouldn’t give up one second of any of it.
Let the drama continue University here we come…

Blogher has left the building..what are you left with..add your top 10

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:34:14 +0000

Blogher 2009 gone to fast

Being at Blogher can feel a bit overwhelming…..

10. It can feel a bit like the high school lunch room…not sure where to sit

9. You get out of the conference what you put in…you have to work it and be proactive

8. A smile and a hug can carry you a long way….even just a smile

7. We can all feel a bit insecure at times, even the most confident looking gals

6. Brands don’t need to do more than just take the time to talk and engage, be a person not your brand

5. Swag..we need to get that under control..it’s wonderful and wasteful…

4. Don’t engage me with items…engage me with conversations…build a real relationship

3. Big Brands should be a little more discreet with their private parties

2. Things will go wrong…focus on the positive and it will be positive…

1. I remember a time when brands didn’t care what we thought…it’s nice to be finally heard…

Project Runway Design Challenge..Bowlher

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:21:30 +0000

Some cool updates to Bowlher 09…Chicago…Get your Roll On……

Lifetime’s Project Runway and BowlHer team up for the BowlHer

Design Challenge

Lifetime television’s Project Runway has teamed up with BowlHer to host the BowlHer Design Challenge. Two lucky winners will receive a trip to New York City for a private showing of Lifetime’s hit television show Project Runway. Winners will also attend a private Project Runway party. Attendees simply need to show off their bowling best at the Hollywood Star Lanes. Whether it’s Hollywood glam or bowling chic we want to see you shine like the stars of yesteryear.

Contest participants should arrive at the Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes Saturday, July 25,^, 2009 between 7:30 – 9:15 pm to be photographed in their bowling best. Contestants are urged to notify the check-in attendee that they are participating in the Design Challenge. Winners will be announced at 9:30 pm.

We do love Goldfish and look what they have for parents…where were they when I had little kids…oh well never too late….

The Pepperidge Farm Fishful Thinking program is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of the 2009 BowlHer event. They’re looking forward to connecting with mom bloggers one-on-one and sharing information about Fishful Thinking, a resource for parenting positive kids.

What is Fishful Thinking?
For more than forty years, the Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® brand has been an ally to parents, spreading support and smiles throughout the generations of families who welcome the brand into their lives.

Kids today experience a great deal of stress and confront complex challenges. For most parents it’s hard to know how to best help them through these difficult times. Luckily, parents can learn simple ways to teach kids the skills that shape a positive attitude, enable them to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

The Goldfish® brand partnered with Positive Psychology leader and mother of four, Dr. Karen Reivich, to create Fishful Thinking SM. Fishful Thinking is a program for parents that helps them to raise children who have a positive attitude and can confidently tackle life’s challenges.

Fishful Thinking is comprised of five key ingredients:
o   Optimism: Focusing on the positive things in life.
o   Emotional Awareness: Expressing and controlling your feelings.
o   Goal Setting/Hope: Finding ways to achieve your goals.
o   Resilience: Coping with life’s ups and downs.
o   Empowerment: Identifying and using your strengths and skills.

Bowlher and Blogher My Life Full in Full Circle

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:12:14 +0000

Yes, I know it’s getting close, but hey! Who else is dealing with four teenagers who are all driving this summer?

Yes. Four teens driving…

I’m so looking forward to BowlHer, and also to BlogHer, the conference built around this amazing party. Things have definitely come full circle, though. As an older “mommy blogger,” it’s amazing to see how connecting with other moms has transformed over the years.

When I was a young mom with four kids all under the age of four, I had two outlets that I loved. One was bowling. The other, a parenting radio talk show I started in 1993.