Well folks, it looks like Oops50.com is in trouble. So many people are reading our blog, including Kmart (representing Sears Holding Management Co.) lawyers because we got a letter from them electronically and a hard copy delivered by FedEx today.
It seems, in our post Do you know about the Discounts for Baby Boomers dated Feb. 28, 2012, we included Kmart on a list of retailers who give a 20% discount for people over 50. Well, I’m not sure if tons of folks were flocking to Kmart as a result of our blog post, but somehow their lawyers found out about it and wrote us a letter stating that:
1) We must remove the incorrect information from the website- DONE
2) Print a correction or retraction on our website to inform our readers- DOING THAT NOW
3) Provide them with the source of this misinformation, and any other print or electronic media outlets to whom we have given this info, so they may similarly inform others of this mistaken information-DONE
So fellow baby boomers, we apologize for the misinformation to you and to Kmart and hope you will continue to read our blog anyway and shop at Kmart.
One of the newspapers delivered daily to my home is the WSJ. Oddly enough, I don’t read it for the Money and Investing section but the front page news. I also enjoy the marketing and technology trends, recipes, and the wonderful week-end section. And, I usually let the papers pile up and read a few at a time, making the news outdated. I don’t care, it’s always interesting in the present moment when I’m reading it. One article, last week, that raised an eyebrow had to do with baby boomers.
Securities regulators and prosecutors are battling what they say is a nationwide surge
in investment fraud against baby boomers. In many cases, the victims pursued risky bets to
overcome losses suffered during the
financial crisis—a trend that regulators say is worsening.
Now that’s scary. I always thought it was “old people” who got suckered into scams.
Is my generation that gullible?
Well, it seems some of us cared about our future and that makes us vulnerable. It also forces some otherwise good people to behave badly.
.
I got somewhat scammed myself recently. I hired someone I knew for a small remodeling job in my kitchen (cabinets and a concrete countertop). I paid her a deposit after I paid her in full for the finished cabinets. I’d like to mention she asked to be paid in full when the job wasn’t even complete, and I did. Then, she made samples for the countertop and after 8 – I could not approve one of them. Nothing popped out at me, and I got tired of not having a countertop for weeks on end and honestly didn’t think after 8 tries, she could produce a good one. So, I decided to go with granite – something she did not do.
I apologized for not liking the samples and asked for my deposit back. Well, this friendly remodeler basically told me to f—off. She claimed the samples cost money and she bought the materials (concrete) already and I had to pay for that. I went back to the contract which did not say I had to pay for samples or material in advance, or that the deposit was non-refundable. To end the dilemma, I offered to split the deposit with her – for her troubles – and she basically said to to f–off.
Judge Judy
I’m guessing if the remodeling business was booming, this contractor would give my deposit back, but in this economy she’s behaving badly. I informed her I was going to file a complaint in small claims court because I can’t afford to lose that deposit, but she doesn’t seem to care. Now I will let a judge decide our fate.
What would Judge Judy say? Is this a case of nice people behaving badly?
A friend of mine recently sent me this amazing clip, taken by a cell tower worker, as he climbs up to make repairs on a tower. I would warn you not to watch it if you have problems with vertigo or heights–but, if you dare, it’s definitely worth it. It will make you never take your cellphone for granted again!
Be patient: there is an ad at the beginning that you have to wade through to get to the movie.
If you happen to be especially interested in this sort of thing, you should check out YouTube, which has tons of other exciting videos of cellphone tower climbs!
I don’t get it. The economy is hurting, people are losing their homes, the shelters are begging for winter jackets and food for the homeless, and the Malls are packed. How do I know this? Every day, I pass the Mall on my way to and from work, and these days the parking lot is full. So, tonight, I decided to stop by to see if people were actually Christmas shopping or just hanging out.
Serious Shoppers
And guess what? Cha-ching, Cha-ching, Cha-ching – those cash registers were working overtime. People were actually spending money and toting around the shopping bags to prove it.Plus, they were waiting in line at the Food Court for bad Mall food, bad Chinese, bad pizza, bad fries.
Bad Mall Food
Now, I don’t know about other women friends over 50, but this year I’m cutting back and making my gifts with my dear friend Sadhvi (if we can ever find the time to do it). This will not only enable me to save money, and feel crafty, but it will get me away from the dreaded shopping frenzy. Please don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the holiday spirit as much as ya’ll – well, maybe not AS much since I’m Jewish and don’t really have to, but what I want to know is where is everyone getting the money to shop, shop, shop and load up on bad Mall food?
Personally, if I didn’t feel so strongly about supporting the local business owners, I’d do more on-line shopping. After all, it has its advantages.
Given all the fuss a post or two ago about Oprah looking for women obsessed with aging and beauty, I am happy to turn that page and introduce you to a beautiful and creative woman over 50 who is far too busy creating cards and more for us women over 50 than being obsessed with aging. Meet Diane English, a self-taught artist who owned a metaphysical book store in St. Augustine, Florida before moving to Asheville, NC 10 years ago. After reading The Artist’s Way by Julie Cameron, Diane decided to follow her dream of combining art with her spiritual path allowing her to embark on the next phase of her life. After visiting her in her studio and seeing many of her cool, cosmic characters, I’d say she is living her dream – minus the downtown condo she covets.
Diane at play, oops, I mean work.
Diane is the owner and creator of The Great Cosmic Happy Ass Card Co,and if you’ve never received one of her cards, send yourself one. Why not? They’re inspiring, whimsical and just plain old kick-ass funny. This is one of my favorites. This beautiful woman over 50 has aspired to achieve a higher consciousness along her journey, and not without some help from “years of deep meditation, medication, fasting, prayer and a few bottles of Merlot.” Having had a subscription to her cards, I knew I was in for a treat when we finally sat down in her lovely bright living room drinking coffee and nibbling scones.
Oops50: What made you finally decide to leave Florida and your bookstore, “Dream Street,” and go into the card business?
Diane: About once every 7 years, I did a painting, and one of them was titled, “Reach for Your Stars.” That became my first card, and it sold out in my bookstore. Then, I made more cards and magnets, and soon those sales were accounting for 20% of my gross revenue. That’s when the big box book stores moved in, and I took that as sign to make a change.
Oops50: Kind of like the movie, “You’ve Got Mail.”
Diane: I really wanted to use smart ass but I didn’t feel I could really do that. So, my customers helped me pick the name.
Oops50: So now I’m going to change the subject a little. What’s your fondest childhood memory?
Diane: My grandfather carrying me on his shoulders while walking me to the zoo. He was Irish and English, and we lived in Philly and walked everywhere. When we got to the zoo, there was a blackbird in a cage at the entrance and he said, “Hi, I’m Joe.”
Oops50: What’s was the first record you bought? Diane: It’s a tie between Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto and Bill Haley and the Comets.
Oops50: Any advice for women over 50?
Diane: Well, I’m well over 50 – 68 in fact. Don’t listen to anyone. Follow your heart and do what you want to do. Don’t be intimidated by the “should’s” in life. Oh yeah, and keep your nose out of other people’s business.
Oops50: Right. I need to remember that. So what turns you on?
Diane: A romantic dinner in an Italian restaurant, with Luciano Pavarotti singing in the background.
Oops50: So you like Italian?
Diane: I had an aunt who married an Italian, and I remember wonderful Italian dinners. And I like to cook Italian food–outrageously delicious.
Oops50: What next? Any new dreams?
Diane: A downtown condo with a large patio and a great view of the mountains of Western NC. It should have a cable railing, a fireplace on the left side, a kitchen behind that, and a loft upstairs. The light will be clean and beautiful. And, don’t forget Rachmaninoff playing in the background.
Oops50: Any must have products you can’t live without?
Diane: My Netflix subscription and Roku, so I can download old movies.
Oops50: So what’s your favorite movie?
Diane: “Casablanca.” And have you seen “Sunshine Cleaning?” A very funny movie.
Oops50: So what’s Roku?
Diane: It’s great. A little black box that lets you stream movies from Netflix. It’s great.
Oops50: I’ll check it out. Last question: Any regrets so far?
Diane: Only that I didn’t know in my 20s what I know now. And, that I don’t have the same body as I did in my 20’s.
