How do they get up again and move on?

17 November 2012

This blog started as an attempt to encourage others and myself who find themselves in the same shoes as my feet are nestled in.  That is, how to get up from the muck, hold your head tall, put that smile on your face and get up every morning when nothing seems to be going right.

This blog morphed into a "search for my identity" as the time flickers forward.  I have watched, observed and hear about women who found that new "niche" after feeling left stranded in the middle of a blowing desert staring at the wind blowing the dust around their feet.

I ask myself every day (since I started this blog about three years ago) how do they do it?
I decided on a few things:

1. They remain strong.  It seems that they plow through whatever obstacle that is before them and keeps their eyes looking forward.  
2. They keep their determination to push through that new road.  It is almost as though they do not look left or right.
3. They put all of their energy into one thing.  That thing of focus, that goal and the "thing" that is the most important to them.
4. They seem to never give up.

And whollah!  They have obtained their goal, at least of survival...paying the rent, buying food, keeping the car in good shape.  Are they happy?  I don't know, some seem to be.

Now I don't know if anyone really reads this blog.  If anyone actually reads all the stuff I put in here, links, health, and more health.  So I decided to taint things on the more personal side of life.  Sometimes, I have found that if I feel a certain way others feel the same way.  It helps us not to feel so alone while struggling.  My struggles are mostly of the mind, that sense of failure and isolation that most single women feel although we cannot admit this due to social pressures.

I have been focusing on health because it is a big part of life when your world seems to be falling apart.  Imagine if your health were to deteriorate while trying to maintain some type of existence.  What a pain that would be.  I have been lucky in that respect of this new and what seems to be a very long road for me.  A road that seems to never end.  This is said not to be a downer, but to expose a reality that is rarely spoken of...the elephant in the room.  

The important part is to remain strong.  I remember when I was a war photojournalist (another long story of why did I do that?) I was covering a story in Bethlehem after a 40 day incursion of the Israeli's Defense Force (IDF).  This was a time in history where the IDF surrounded almost all of the West Bank towns and imposed curfews, turned off water, shut down the electricity and buzzed the streets with bulldozers, tanks, jeeps and guns.  They also would talk over peoples homes on the high ground and created lookout posts as places to shoot from if they saw any movement in the streets.

The time was horrible and it was dangerous for journalists as well.  So, I waited until they were pulling out and I went in to see the damage.  I interviewed a woman who was what I would call "held hostage" for 40 days.  Her home was right across from the Nativity Church, where they say that Jesus was born.  She lived on the top floor. Her humble abode was taken over for that 40 days by Israeli soldiers while they shot bullets from their window.  Her husband was ill and they were allowed to remain in a corner of their room on the bed during their stay.  They were provided with random food and her husband was allowed to continue with his medication.  They could not enter into the rest of the home except to use the restroom and were not allowed outside of the tiny square of their bed.  While talking with her I realized that she was lucky and that the soldiers who used her home were decent...or shall I say more decent than others in the same situation had experienced.

It was only a few hours after the IDF left when I spoke with her. With a smile, she pulled out a packaged cake that soldier gave her before they left as a good-bye.  She felt that he was a "nice boy". She had not realized the reality of her situation that is called the Stockholm syndrome where a hostages gain positive feelings towards their captors.    Instead of breaking down emotionally, she was more concerned about offering a piece of cake, some tea and showing me her panoramic view from the roof.

In politeness, I had some cake and tea then went to see the panoramic view.  We walked outside onto her veranda and she pointed to a frail ladder and pointed then looked up.  I quickly realized that she wanted me to climb that ladder to see the view.  I became nervous for my own safety, not of bullets but from falling down that ladder.

She looked at me and shook her head and started climbing waving her hand at me to start following.  This woman was about 70 years old remind you.  I stood at the bottom and watched her climb right up that ladder without any pauses, no fretting and without fear but firmly placed her feet on the rungs with determination.  I quietly said under my breath, "Well, if she can do it, then I can...umm do it!"

It was at that moment that I saw her strength which seemed boundless and fearless. She was solid like a deeply planted stone into the earth.  She had suffered in a conflict under horrible conditions and remained very strong with a smile vigor and was hospitable.  In my eyes, she became wonder woman and respect for her flowed into my soul like a river.  I shook my head and said to myself "Amazing" 

It was that moment that I decided that I too needed to be strong and then remain strong.  To look at the enemy in the eye and keep going.  When times seem tough and I don't want to put one foot in front of the other, I remember her.  This woman of war taught me something very valuable, that we too can be like her. We too can climb that ladder.

Study: Are Organic Foods Better than Conventional Foods?

Italian Green Beans Photo by Susan Brannon

According to an Annals of Internal Medicine study/report, "The published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. Consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria."  With its primary funding source listed as "none"  

The study seems to lack considerations such as, organic munchers tend to eat healthier such as more vegetables and fruits, legumes, whole grains and less meat than conventional munchers. 

"Two studies reported significantly lower urinary pesticide levels among children consuming organic versus conventional diets, but studies of biomarker and nutrient levels in serum, urine, breast milk, and semen in adults did not identify clinically meaningful differences."  If the urinary pesticide level is less among children for organic intake, then that is a positive result as far as pesticide consumption is concerned.  Is that not the reason for eating organic in the first place?  In the end, it is a good result for as we know pesticides are not a good thing to put into our blood streams and they may never flush out of our bodies.  We all know about GMO products and the farmers who have had serious side effects.

I recommend, go organic and stay organic for the entire family!

Freezing Meal Ideas

Susan Brannon
Freezing Meal Ideas

Lasagna
Spaghetti sauce
casserole's
Chili
Veggie Pasta Shells (large shells)
Pancakes
French Toast
Potato and Bacon Soup
Garlic Bread
Zucchini and Parmesan Soup
Meatloaf or mini meatloafs
Vegetable bake
Hamburger Patties
Salmon patties
mashed potatoes
vegy soup
Beef Stew
Shephard's Pie
anything chicken with sauce or no sauce
Chicken and rice soup

  
    * Ensure that food is in perfect condition before freezing.
    * Divide food into small portions. This ensures rapid freezing and better quality on defrosting.
    * Use the correct type of packaging or container.
    * Make sure that food is tightly wrapped or sealed and that no air or water can get in or out.
    * Check that the temperature of the freezer is at 0°F or below.
    * Do not freeze too many unfrozen items at once.
    * Leave space around newly introduced packages.
    * Defrost items in the refrigerator or in cold water.

it is very important to defrost food slowly and safely, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
Recipes:
Homemade Maple Syrup
Healthy Jambalaya
Polenta
Easy Greens - 30 minutes
Fish and Spinach Rolls - 30 minutes
Butternut Squash Soup
Avocado and Potato Salad 10 minutes
Best Vegetarian Chili

Freezing Vegetables and Fruits

Susan Brannon
Vegetables freeze well and have a life span of three months. Some people say vegetables can freeze longer, but I like using the three month rule for the best taste.
clean the vegetables
trim them
cut them into bite sized portions

How To Blanch your vegetables:
boil some water
prepare a bowl of ice water
Use a slotted spoon, and put a handful of vegetables into the boiling water Most vegetables will take about two-three minutes to blanch,
transfer the vegetable into the ice water. 
Pat the food dry
and put the vegetables into freezer bags

Vegetables that blanch for more than two-three minutes:
Cabbage wedges 3-4 minutes
Corn on the cob 8 minutes

Fruit:
It is best to freeze fruit when they are in season for the lowest price and best taste. 

Dry Pack: blueberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, etc.. Place them on trays to lay flat not stacking them, so they can freeze individually.  Once they are frozen, place them into freeze bags.  Then you will be able to remove only what you need.

Sugar Pack:  Sprinkle sugar over the fruit and mix. Allow the fruit to stand for about 15 minutes.  You can also place the pieces on trays, and sprinkle the sugar before freezing.  Then once frozen, place them in freezer bags.

Fruit can turn brown, and to prevent this, you can add ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) you can buy this for freezing at the grocery store.  For dry pack, dissolve 1/8 teaspoon with 2 tablespoons cold water for 2 cups of prepared fruit.  Sprinkle over the fruit and mix!
Related Articles:
How To Freeze Foods

Tips on How to Freeze Foods

Susan Brannon

It can save a ton of time to triple your normal recipe, eat one and freeze the other two portions of your meals. You don't have to triple or double your recipe but you can save your excess foods in the freezer. You will want your food to taste delicious when it thaws.  If you don't store the food correctly, things just may not turn out right and you have lost your meal.

There are some basic guidelines to make your life easier, and help you to get the best results when freezing your foods.

• First you need to make sure that you have the right containers, bags or wraps that are designed for the freezer.  They are made to keep the moisture in, and the odors out.  Using regular sandwich bags or plastic wrap are not thick enough to do the job.

• Divide the food into small portions, to ensure rapid freezing and better quality.

• Make sure that the food is tightly wrapped or sealed and make sure that you have removed all the air from the container because if you don't it can "dry" things out and "burn" your food.  If you use a plastic container, make sure that you fill the entire container leaving room for expansion.

• Freeze the food as quickly as possible to minimize ice crystals. Wait for hot foods to cool down before freezing.

• When placing the food into the freezer, make sure that you leave room around the container, so the food will freeze evenly.  Once it is frozen, then you can stack it up.

• Label your food and date them using a sharpie marker so you know how long the food has been in there and if it is still good or not.

Liquids:  Freeze sauces and broths in freezer bags, laying them flat.  This will save space and will thaw faster.
Breads:  Make sure that the breads are sliced before freezing so you can take out the amount that you need at a time. 
Casseroles: You can line a casserole dish with foil, and freeze it in the container, then once it is frozen you can lift up the foil and re-use your casserole dish.  You can freeze already cooked casseroles, or uncooked.
To do pancakes you can separate them with wax paper before putting them in the freezer to prevent them from sticking.  It is great to cook more than you need and freeze them!

This Menace Killed 50% of Rats Tested – But It’s Hiding in Your Water, Air and Food

I believe that displaced homemakers need to remain informed and educated regarding food health concerns.  I preach that a life balance of mental, physical and health are important factors in healing, moving forward and keeping the train on the track as our lives change.  This article and a few more that I will post are in regards to food safety, food security, and our health.  I am keenly aware that it costs more to chose and eat foods that are "healthy", i.e., those without GMO's (Genetically Modified Ingredients).  However, it is well worth the 1 dollar to 2 dollar difference in costs in the long run.  For yourself and your children.  Our bodies are delicate and it is a must that we take care of them, some of us know that as we grow older, how we age and feel reflects directly on how we took care of ourselves when we were younger.  For this reason, I include articles like these.

By Dr Mercola

Monsanto, the world leader in the production of genetically engineered (GE) staple crops, has long claimed that its broad-spectrum herbicide Roundup is safe.  In fact, they have even used the following slogans to describe it:

“It’s Safer than Mowing”
“Biodegradable”
“Environmentally Friendly”

What we are now finding out — unfortunately long after hundreds of millions of pounds of the chemical have already been applied to U.S. soil — is that Roundup is proving to be a pervasive environmental threat, one that may already be poisoning a good portion of the world’s remaining natural water supply.

Roundup is Contaminating Groundwater Supplies

The quantity of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, in the environment has been difficult to analyze due to its physicochemical properties, such as its relatively low molecular weight and low organic solvent solubility.

However, a recent study used a magnetic particle immunoassay to test for the presence of glyphosate in roughly 140 samples of groundwater from Catalonia, Spain.

The analysis found that glyphosate was present above the limit of quantification in 41 percent of the samples.  As noted on GreenMedInfo.com, this indicates “that, despite manufacturer’s claims, it does not break down rapidly in the environment, and is accumulating there in concerning quantities.”

Groundwater, which is water from rain, lakes, streams or other bodies of water that soaks into soil and bedrock, can easily become contaminated when chemicals in the soil with low biodegradability and high mobility empty into it.

When groundwater is used as a drinking water source, this contamination poses a risk to animals, plants and humans alike. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains further:

“Contaminated groundwater can hurt animals, plants, or humans only if it is first removed from the ground by manmade or natural processes. In many parts of the world, groundwater is pumped out of the ground so it can be used as a source of water for drinking, bathing, other household uses, agriculture, and industry. In addition, groundwater can reach the surface through natural pathways such as springs.

Contaminated groundwater can affect the quality of drinking and other types of water supplies when it reaches the surface. Contaminated groundwater can affect the health of animals and humans when they drink or bathe in water contaminated by the groundwater or when they eat organisms that have themselves been affected by groundwater contamination.”

That glyphosate has been detected beyond the limit of quantification in 41 percent of groundwater samples tested reveals yet another concerning “side effect” of its rampant use: namely, that it is not biodegrading in the soil, as previously assumed by many scientists, rather, is trickling down below the soil to the groundwater, where processes of biodegradation are much slower, and the opportunity for it to accumulate to toxic levels is much greater. These findings have devastating environmental and human health implications, as glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world and is being found virtually everywhere it has been tested…

Glyphosate is Also Found in Air and Rain Samples

The results of the first report on the ambient levels of glyphosate and its major degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in air and rain water were published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in March 2011. The samples were collected during two growing seasons in Mississippi and Iowa. Glyphosate was detected in 60 to 100 percent of all air and rain samples, which lends further credence to the fact that Roundup does not readily break down in the environment, but rather is lingering all around us.

Unfortunately, thus far the United States has chosen to ignore the warning signs and allows the deceitful marketing and unabated use of glyphosate herbicides like Roundup. On a brighter note, the EPA is finally looking into the damaging effects of glyphosate on humans and the environment and plans to make a decision regarding its future by 2015. At that time, Roundup could either continue to be used as it is now, be required to have some modifications to its use or be banned entirely from use within the United States.

Read the full post at Mercola.com.

Related Articles:

The Story About GM Seeds

Our Food System and GM Seed Studies

Brands that Have GMO Ingredients

Reading the Ingredients

Required Labeling for Organic Foods

Crime Against Humanity: GM Foods

The Very Real Danger of GMO

The Very Real Danger of Genetically Modified Foods

I believe that displaced homemakers need to remain informed and educated regarding food health concerns.  I preach that a life balance of mental, physical and health are important factors in healing, moving forward and keeping the train on the track as our lives change.  This article and a few more that I will post are in regards to food safety, food security, and our health.  I am keenly aware that it costs more to chose and eat foods that are "healthy", i.e., those without GMO's (Genetically Modified Ingredients).  However, it is well worth the 1 dollar to 2 dollar difference in costs in the long run.  For yourself and your children.  Our bodies are delicate and it is a must that we take care of them, some of us know that as we grow older, how we age and feel reflects directly on how we took care of ourselves when we were younger.  For this reason, I include articles like these.

By Ari LeVaux
The Atlantic

A Chinese RNA study threatens to blast a major hole in Monsanto’s claim that “substantial equivalence” means no safety testing is needed. But researchers found that DNA can code for microRNA, which can, in fact, be hazardous. [Image]

Chinese researchers have found small pieces of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the blood and organs of humans who eat rice. The Nanjing University-based team showed that this genetic material will bind to proteins in human liver cells and influence the uptake of cholesterol from the blood.

The type of RNA in question is called microRNA, due to its small size. MicroRNAs have been studied extensively since their discovery ten years ago, and have been linked to human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. The Chinese research provides the first example of ingested plant microRNA surviving digestion and influencing human cell function.

Should the research survive scientific scrutiny, it could prove a game changer in many fields. It would mean that we’re eating not just vitamins, protein, and fuel, but information as well.

The Chinese RNA study threatens to blast a major hole in Monsanto’s claim. It means that DNA can code for microRNA, which can, in fact, be hazardous.

That knowledge could deepen our understanding of cross-species communication, co-evolution, and predator-prey relationships. It could illuminate new mechanisms for some metabolic disorders and perhaps explain how some herbal medicines function. And it reveals a pathway by which genetically modified (GM) foods might influence human health.

Monsanto’s website states, “There is no need for, or value in testing the safety of GM foods in humans.” This viewpoint, while good for business, is built on an understanding of genetics circa 1950. It follows what’s called the “Central Dogma” (PDF) of genetics, which postulates a one-way chain of command between DNA and the cells DNA governs.

Read the full post at The Atlantic

From microRNAs: A brief history of small molecules:

Despite the central function that microRNAs appear to play in biological and disease processes, the first microRNA, lin-4, was only discovered in 1993. This was believed to be an anomaly until 2000 when a second microRNA, let-7, was described. Both microRNAs, identified from C. elegans [a worm], were highly unusual as their active transcripts were extremely small (~22nt) and were derived from hairpin structured RNA precursors. Unlike lin-4 however, the sequence of let-7 was found to be highly conserved in a wide range of organisms.

It was soon realised that similar sequences, first termed microRNAs by Ambros in 2001, were widespread in the genomes of eukaryotes. Since this time, thousands of microRNAs have been cloned and characterised from a diverse range of organisms including arthropods, nematodes, platyhelminthes, vertebrates, plants and viruses. There are currently over 500 human microRNAs listed in the miRBase database (http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk/sequences/), accounting for about 1% of the human transcriptome, although it is predicted that the true figure is likely to be closer to one thousand.

Related Articles:

The Story About GM Seeds

Our Food System and GM Seed Studies

Brands that Have GMO Ingredients

Reading the Ingredients

Required Labeling for Organic Foods

Crime Against Humanity: GM Foods

Displaced Homemakers: Divorce, Alimony and Rights

Susan Brannon

10 January 2012

There are important items to know and understand before heading off to divorce court.  It is suggested to make sure that your lawyer understands your states laws and to ask them questions regarding your award possibilities.  Do not let this slip during the trauma that you are going through, for you may regret this later.

Alimony is a type of spousal support and the award depends on several factors:  

• Duration of the marriage 
• Your age 
• Your health

Types of Support
Permanent support can be awarded if a displaced homemaker was never able to achieve a standard of living without the support of her husband.  For example, the housewife did not pursue a career or education in order to take care of a home and family.  There is also reimbursement alimony, which is given to the homemaker to go to school in preparation for a professional career.  Rehabilitative awards can be possible for two to three years to allow the displaced homemaker to acquire job skills to renenter the workforce.

Factors involved:
Each state has different laws for awarding spousal support.  Some considerations are the duration of the marriage.  There is a consideration when ruling for alimony called the "ten-year rule".  This is used when assessing a displaced homemaker's chances of receiving some type of spousal support award.  This does vary from state to state.  Permanent alimony may be awarded after 10 years of marriage and others require 20 years.

Some states have a "standard of living" factor, that requires the court to ensure that a displaced homemaker maintains the same lifestyle to which she/he has become accustomed to during the marriage.

Most states do not consider factors such as adultery or willful abandonment from the marriage.  Most courts do not want to hear all the "reasons" for separation and the judges just want to move through the court secession and get on with things. 

Some states have a public policy and will award spousal support to prevent a displaced homemaker from become a "ward of the state"

My advice: 

• Make sure that you find a good lawyer who will and can act as your advocate.  
• If you do not have any money, then try to talk the lawyer into receiving payment once the case is settled and ask him to ask the payment for the lawyer in the settlement.  This way, you will not have a bill by the time you are finished.  
• It is important that you clearly tell him/her that you feel that you are not able to reenter the workforce and give yourself plenty of time to reeducate and train in order to do so.  Find out what your states laws are and the resources available. 
• Again, make sure that your lawyer understands that you need lots of time to get on your feet.  Know that you deserve a good start, a decent career and a decent living.    Lawyers are busy and handle cases all of the time.  Unfortunately, you may get the impression that they do not really care and that they are trying to  push you through the door.  Keep your head up and look forward, forget your emotions for the moment and put your feet forward.

Finding Grants for Displaced Homemakers

Susan Brannon
9 January 2012

One of the things that you should do if you find that you become a displace homemaker, is to search for programs that help to provide assistance.  Assistance comes in many forms: job training, funding for education, assistance for day care, house payments, utilities, or food.  The money that is funneled into the programs is called grant money, provided specifically to help displaced homemakers or women who are unemployed and can use some training.
 
These grants are different in each state and it will be important for you to find what may be available in your state.  I have listed some programs by state at the end of this article, if your state is not listed, I advise you to contact the Labor Department in your state, Unemployment department, Commission for Women, or search in Google, "Your state assistance for displaced homemakers"  You will have read through the introductions in Google, to know which links to click on, so you may find programs and contacts.  This is very time consuming, but well worth your time and it is important to get moving on these steps right away!

Searching and applying for grants can be time consuming, but be persistent and patient if you succeed in finding the funding that you need to help you to move forward in your life, these steps will be very important.

Here are some steps to help in finding that grant:

First, you must decide what type of help you need.  You may need education, help with your monthly bills while in school, assistance to help pay for day care. Once you figure that out, then you will have a better idea, where to look and what exactly to ask for. (Note: Read the section on Development, Career, Testing it provides helpful suggestions to help you walk through this process) 

Second, give a call to the unemployment office in your area ask this specific question, "Do you know of any programs that help displaced homemakers to get back on their feet?" and make an appointment.  I understand that the times are difficult and jobs are scarce, but they should have resources available and the knowledge of paid internships and training for people who need to develop job skills.

Third, decide what type of career (look at the career page) you would want to venture into, think about your current skills, your past employment and your talents.  At the bottom of this entry, are some links for more guidance in this step.

Fourth, Your area should have a family center, call them and make an appointment.  They will have tons of resources as to colleges and vocational schools that have programs for assistance to attend school and day care.

Fifth, There are different federal grants that you may qualify for in order to return to college.  Pell Grant offers students between $400 and $5,350 per semester, depending on eligibility.  To apply you must file a application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.  There is a Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant designed to assist students with great financial need.  It awards up to $4,000 per grant each semester.  If you decide to go to college, your financial aid department can assist you with this before filling out your financial aid form.  You must ask to apply for a Pell Grant.  Remember that!

Sixth, there are some states that provide assistance with various guidelines that you must fall in.  This assistance is becoming harder to come by because of our current economical crisis and will take some work to locate what they are and how to apply for them. I have provided as many links to resources in different states that I could find:

State resource links and information:

Illinois: 
Illinois Department of Labor
160 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 793-3644
Fax: (312) 793-5257
The displaced homemakers program listed was for 2007, please call or write to see if there is anything available anylonger.
link for programs by city with contact information:
ISTEP for displaced homemakers
Pennsylvania: 
Phone: 412-281-9270
1-866-PAWOMEN (toll free)
1-866-729-6636 (toll free)
Fax: 412-281-9279
info@pawomenwork.org
New York
Brooklyn:  Good Shepard Services:  A job career program for displaced homemakers
Department of Labor
New Jersey:  Displaced Homemakers Network
Minnesota:  Services for Homemakers
Montana: Program
Michigan: Program: Lansing, Michigan 48913
Telephone: (517) 335-5858
Utah:  legal code and publication
Florida: Program
New Mexico:  Women's Commission
Career One Stop
Oklahoma: Tulsa Tec
Maryland: Programs 
Delware: Code
North Dakota: Program
Washington:  government site
Texas: Labor Code
Connecticut:  Labor Law
North Carolina: Labor Management, Emergency


Financial Aid for Students:  Program descriptions for Older Students
Scholarship Advice:

Career Research:
Career Mapping Free career mapping on monster.com showing you the "normal" pathways to get where you want to go, with links to current jobs, and stats on the job trend. 
Personality Page - Excellent site for matching your personality with careers and it is Free!
BLS Gov Occupational Outlook Handbook A government site where you can search for careers and read on the lifestyles, earnings, education and experience needs for the job. Highly recommended for discovering your career.
OOH Search Occupational Outlook Handbook search bar
Discovering your Vocation:  This is the first of several step by step articles

Displaced Homemakers: Forgotten Women

Susan Brannon
8 January 2012

Searching on Google.com the term "Displaced Homemakers" seems to be a forgotten class in society.  Sure you can find what the term means, but most of the entries are based on programs to assist the displaced homemakers in various states around the country.  Most of the enteries are from the 1980's. Yet they still exist.  We still exist.
Good ole fashioned motherhood has not stopped from our American existence, and when there are stay at home mom's there are bound to be displaced homemakers.  Some of us have young children and some of us are older with our children all grown. 

Why has this segment in our society been forgotten and ignored ? Is it because anymore it is not an honor to be a stay at home mother?  I remember for me it was always frowned upon during the peak and rise of the women's lib movement.  People would ask, "What do you do?" and I would reply, I stay at home with my five children.  The conversation would then just go dead and the silence would seem to have lasted a lifetime.  Now, many women chose to stay at home with their children if at all possible and I do not blame them.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to be the person to oversea the health and well being of your child.  I say, more power to you and if you can do this, please do!

However, it always breaks my heart to have to offer the unsolicited advice of, at the same time that you run the home and take care of your family do NOT forget yourself.  You never know what can happen in the future.  I hate to take away the dream of being at home and having your family provided for with all the love and excitement in such a beautiful time in one's life.  Okay, so what shall we do about this forgotten segment and the desire to raise your own children? 

If you are a mother at home with young children I say this:

• Save money and put it aside for your future.  Take something from the food budget, gas or whatever.  Save and save some more.  If you don't need it later, then you and your husband will have a wonderful holiday when your children are all out of the home!  If something happens, you will have something to fall back on to sustain you until you can get on your feet.
• Even if you volunteer in the schools, this will not bring enough career experience to help you to land a job.  Unfortunately, you will find that most people sort of draw back from you when you find yourself in need, divorce, or in troubles.  Don't expect any assistance from anyone that you became close to in your circle of volunteer colleagues.  This is sad to say, but true.  I have heard too many stories of confused mom's who volunteered hours and hours with school, PTA, and sports who noticed that no-one really wanted to "become involved" and help.  Again I say, don't count on that experience, but make sure that you work on an education once your children are in school when you have more time for building your interests.  Then find some part-time work, even if it is only a few hours a week to build professional experience and references.  
• If it is important for you to build credit, I normally do not advise credit cards at all to anyone however, acquire a credit card in your name only.  Use it once in a while and this will help you to build your own personal credit.  This is important.  It is also important to pay off what you purchase on a monthly basis, do NOT let your credit amount get higher than you can pay off each month!

If you are an older and mature women who has suddenly found yourself alone with your children already from the home...well you will have a long and somewhat difficult road to walk on.  Hopefully, you have found a really really good divorce lawyer who has bargained on your behalf for alimony and retirement.  If not, then you will have more work to do than normal.  If you are in the process of divorce, then by all means, borrow what money you will need to acquire a very good lawyer it will be worth it in the long run.

This blog has many different options to consider with links and references to consider.  Because this part of society is forgotten, it is important that we stand together to support one another through the process to get on our own feet.  Displaced homemakers are more likely to live in poverty, sometimes shunned by society, and job interviewers, and during this economy it will be even harder to get and stay on your own feet.
Just know that we are out there and you are not alone.

Minimum Wage in Real Value 1938-2010

Susan Brannon
26 November 2011
Did you know that the U.S. minimum wage in real dollars had been going down in relation to inflation?  This is one reason why it now takes two or three jobs per household to keep above water.  In 1938 the the minimum wage was $0.25 / per hour to 2010 of $7.25.  If we adjust the wages to 2010 dollars this shows the real value of minimum wage.  In 1968, the minimum wage in real dollars was equal to $10.04 per/hour.  That is quite a drop from today's wages.

Real Value 2010 minimum wage red squares; Minimum Wage Blue Dots; graph OSU

Even if you take the states that ventured away from the Federal minimum wage amounts, with the highest being in Washington for January 1, 2012 to $9.04 per/hour, that is still a drop from 1968.  No wonder the 60's were remembered as the good times.

If that is not enough for reality, if we take the Real Annual Wage since 1938 and compare that to the real poverty level for a family of four, not once has the required Federal minimum wage levels kept any family above the poverty line.  Minimum wage varied from a maximum of 90% of the poverty level in 1968, and has averaged two thirds of the poverty level since 1959, when the poverty level was established.  In 2006 the minimum wage level was raised for the first time in ten years without any adjustment.

The reality is that as the real value of minimum wage has declined, so has the percent of workers that it covered.  Now over 130 cities survive on "living wages".

A living wage is the minimum hourly income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs during a 40 hour work week.  This includes shelter, clothing, food etc.  Some cities has passed a living wage ordinance such as San Francisco, California, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico.  This usually totals to be around $3 to $7 dollars above minimum wage.

Seven Elephants

Susan Brannon
7 September 2011

Guess what?  You land the interview you don't sleep well the night before, you walk into the door and the HR contact is 1/2 your age.  There are two other people in the room applying for the same job, and they are younger by about 15 years.  When you walk into the interview, you get a surprised look on the manager's face.  Your resume does not state your age, but it is obvious that you are over 40.  The interview takes an awkward turn and you walk out of the door knowing that you will not get the job.

The 40 and over job interviews are called, "Seven elephants in the room"  Because they are present with every interview, being ignored with influence the decision makers.

Elephant One:
Working for a younger manager or with a younger team. It is difficult for the 25 year old to get it out of their heads that they are having someone like their mom or dad reporting to them.  The corporate pyramids have the "oldies" at the top this is the norm.  So, you age might be a factor; but if the job requires experience, this should not be a factor.  What to do:
Ask the question, it exposes the truth about the position and the corporate culture.

Elephant Two:
Over qualifiation: You may fit the profile, except for your age. They may interview you as an exercise, with no intention of hiring you. Shake it off and carry on.  They may think that you are taking the job as a stop over, until you find that better job and may be worried about you leaving.
What to do:  Look at your resume' is it overloaded with the experience that they are looking for?  It may be you that is telling them that you are overqualified.

Elephant Three:
Lack of energy:  We do slow down as we age, fact. However, in the workplace young people can waste a ton of energy.  A mature person will accomplish more in the same time frame, because the task is performed more efficiently.  The tortoise can win because he is not distracted, stays on track and completes the race.  The hare, knows his limits and works with them to succeed.
What to do:  Show your enthusiasm, if you just finished a cycling race or climbed a mountain, drop it into the conversation.  It is the projection of energy and perception of health that matters.

Elephant Four:
Health Problems:  It is a fact that many middle aged people have more health problems than the younger folks. Do you look healthy? Look at yourself honestly in the mirror and see what is real.  You must project confidence, look after yourself.  What to do:  invest in your health and appearance, with a positive attitude.  It will take you a long way.

Elephant Five:
You don't need the money:  There is the common perception that the elders are already set, they don't need the money.  They may assume that you are not driven as the younger people because they think that money is not the issue.  What they don't understand is that you too have to pay a mortgage and for the university for your kids or caring for a parent.  Focus on personal fulfillment and a desire for new challenge.  What to do:  See if you can have a quiet word with the senior person by private communication.  Sometimes they will understand better if they know your situation.

Elephant Six:
Mentally Agile:  There are two types of intelligence: fluid and crystallized.  One does not exist without the other.  Fluid is the capacity to think independently of acquired knowledge to apply logic to problem-solving.  As we age, our fluid intelligence wanes.  This is why young people tend to perceive those who are older as slower, and less mentally agile.

Crystallized intelligence is knowledge gained by experience, which includes verbal skills, general information and the ability to create analogies, this is the wisdom.  Negotiating skills depend on crystallized intelligence.  this increases with age and remains stable until after 65. 
As the excuse for not hiring an older person, does not work because it does not have a foundation in science.  What to do:  Memorize salient facts about your prospective employer and the industry.  With that knowledge at hand you will appear bright and ready as the young candidate.

Elephant Seven:
Problems with change: Some people cannot cope with change and some can.  Prospective employers may be under the stereotype that you cannot change.  They may be projecting the characteristic on someone that they know who is older.  This one is a difficult one to fight. What to do:  When you realize that you are older than everyone else, you can have extra confidence in your abilities. 

Now that you know the "Elephants" you will be better prepared to face them because they will no longer be hidden in the corner.  Smile, relax and look into the eyes, be yourself and don't think about your age!
Related Articles:
Tips on How to Find That Job
How to get a job using LinkedIn
LinkedIn Profile Tips
Job Search:  Don't Apply Online

Feedback and Postings For Job Hunting

Susan Brannon
5 September 2011
   
Post One
age discrimination on jobs and the high cost of insurance for older workers

    I worked for Sorenson Photography for 17 years and was laid off before people after me were hired. My employer was heard to say he wanted younger workers in the studio.He even gave me a glowing letter of recommendation so i know it wasn't my quality of work. He even told me my work was great! I've since learned that the insurance companies charge hundreds of dollars more a month for health coverage than they do for employees in their 20's. (I was wondering why at job interviews they weren't even giving me the time of day, Now I know and no I'm not ugly) Now employers fire or lay off older workers to get rid of the high cost of health insurance and hire younger workers who as I can see aren't as dependable or experienced. The employers also turn to employment agencies so they don't have to pay for employee benefits or keep the employee. Younger workers in the work force aren't noticing this trend and I try to tell them to start saving money now because you never know. Even my nephew who is 42 graphic designer is considered old and my nephew who is 30 is considered old in his work.

    People think that just because you are an older worker that you have all kinds of retirement money or savings that you should be able to quit work by the time you are 50 or around there but that's not always the case with older workers. Lots have no retirement or not enough for one reason or another. It seems like a lot of people just don't care about this problem either. I purposely look around when I go out shopping or just in places of business on my errands and look or count how many older workers I see and I'm always disappointed to see the majority are younger workers. Like 10 to 1.

    My sister works for an employment agency in California and she sends out well educated, well experienced, well dressed , and great personalities peoples to job interviews and the potential employer calls her back and tells her to send them someone younger. and she informs them that comment is against the law. Discrimination. So then they put it in their job description some job skill that an older person couldn't do to use as discrimination like lift 70 or something that keeps the older worker out but I have to say I've seen young workers in Costco that I could out work any day. Just because they are young doesn't mean they are in shape.

    Oh and yes I do believe in God and regularly talk to Him about the work situation but that doesn't mean you're going to get a solution. In fact life as a christian can be much harder because you don't conform to the world and Jesus said 'take my yoke upon you" and I wouldn't say His yoke is light. But there are many other benefits in being a believer that I wouldn't give up for anything.

    And Yo some people don't have the finances to retire already...

the response?
    37 So far in life either under or unemployed

    Just retire already....maaan.
Post Two

A 61 year old makeover plan

TODAY,there is a paradigm shift from marketing to religion. Let our lives be updated.

In 2007, we lost 3 homes from foreclosure. Our financial problems started when my husband, my daughter in law and my other son lost their jobs.Since we are a family all these problems had a domino effect. We started living on rented rooms/house separately. We lost our credibility with our children. Worst, our rented house was foreclosed and we are being evicted. Is this a true story? It is.

My husband and I decided that he goes back to our country, study LVN, teach and try to sell our property . I promised to send $1000 monthly and started looking for a job as a babysitter, caregiver, a director of religious education and a math teacher but was not hired.I worked in Pasadena as an environmental engineer/chemist for 10 years.When my son got involved in the gang I opted to stay at home and saw my son joined the military. Last year I got an environmental engineer worka fter 13 years of not working but that only lasted for 3 months. On different occassions, a friend loaned me $1500, my brother in law, $2000 and got $2000 from the pawn shop. I enrolled myself on a Certified Nursing Assistant 20 day program which costs $1200.I decided to give away our good furnitures and fixtures for a donation.My 2 children give me $100 monthly allowance. Why am I sharing all of this? Because I believe that we are forgetting that there is a God who loves us, who will provide for all our needs.

Post Three

So I am in school with only 4 month coop and 6 months left of school to get my Civil Engineering/Environmental Protection Diploma. No way can I find a job other then on the end of a shovel while my classmates are all working. Well those under 40 anyway.

I'v had employers like government agencies make comments like "your not what we expected" and of course I didn't get the job. Proving age descrimination is a farce, so don't waste your time.

My solution: Become a burden on society! If enough of us do it maybe some action will be taken since the "youngins" can't afford and don't want to help. Do these people realize they will get old too? Man I can't wait to crap on them.

So work your network, of what unemployed boomers?

I'm so disgusted and I feel I have just wasted $20K+ on a college education. Grrrr I can't even find work at 15 cents on the dollar from what I used to make. I guess we are going to end up making like hippies living about a hundred to a room. Can't wait for that.

I think the answer may come from political pressure, after all we boomers make up the largest part of the population. So when it comes time to vote remember that you should vote for a party or individual that promotes employment and does not descriminate against boomers.

Post Four

You have to think young , present yourself as a young, innovated , current , person aligned with where the world is today and bring your experience into this world. I do Business Consulting for a Fortune 1000 company , I joined the company 18 months ago ,leaving another company for more money! I have been consistently employeed both in the US & Europe and have changed jobs a couple times since I turned 50. It can be done & I know a lot of people who have done it. At the age of 57 I decided I wanted to move to London England to work for a couple years, I did it because I found an opportunity and presented solutions to problems & brought innovation to the company that hired me. I do not have an MBA but I have a positive attitude and a how can I do it attitude!

THINK OUT OF THE BOX!!

Post Five

    The fastest growing jobs for "old timers"

    I'm a trained accountant but was not able to break into the field when I got my degree at 37 due to two facts. #1 the companies I tried wanted females and especially not males over 25. #2 a little thing called the Vietnam Conflict (Harry Truman's and LBJ's money pit) kept me from going to college early enough. I should have stayed in the Corps since my job was so critical due to IQ(130) required, but as a married man, I tried to keep my family together. As to training in the military, my job was also controlled by the Fed who is the worst age discriminator in the Nation and gets away with it. As I was told by the "Simple" Service, "We (the government) make the laws but we don't have to abide by them" The field I was in in the Corps was changed from a highly school trained position to an OJT position by LBJ and military training, unless one carried extra points, was not a help. I am working part-time, freelance in a labor intensive industry at the age of practically 65 and now with the down turn, my $25, $37.50, and $50 dollar per hour job is only gleaning around 20k annually. Unlike the scum that would not pay their mortgages and reduced the value of my home with foreclosures in the neighborhood, I have been responsible and paid my debts not ony on time but ahead of time and now carry a 782 credit score, FOR WHAT? no bailout for high interest rates unless, as my mtg co has told me, I wait until my mtg is 90 days behind which at this point would be Feb of 2011. All I can do without going back to school, which I cannot afford, is continue to eat one meal per day, work every hour I can squeak out of the several companies I do work for, and hope that I die suddenly without a lingering illness that would put me on the streets under a bridge somewhere. I had to take SS early due to this situation but the $12,500 annually from that, before Jimmie Carter's taxes, only pays the mortgage. As to the reference to AARP, people forget that that organizatioon is run by 30 and 40 something liberals that have no idea what they are talking about. Now with BO's attempts, and he will continue to try, Veteran's health care will soon be a thing of the past. If people think that Fed Health Care will be so good, look at the VA farce and then make that judgement. The average citizen without military service thinks the VA is so great, then they can go in for an appointment and wait hours past the appointed time to see, not a Doc, but a PA or a nurse. As to disability benes that we worked for and put our lives on the line for, they are a joke until one reaches a 60% disability or better. My 20% that I have fought for now 42 years and just got(Jan 2009) is a ripping $243 per month and will probably not go higher because I bear the pain and continue to work in a job usually done by 20 to 40 year olds (and still outwork them).
Related Articles:
Tips on How to Find That Job
How to get a job using LinkedIn
LinkedIn Profile Tips
Job Search:  Don't Apply Online
How to get a job using LinkedIn
LinkedIn Profile Tips
Job Search:  Don't Apply Online

Job Hunting Tips for Over 40

Susan Brannon
4 September 2011

The goal is to get your resume to the top of the stack, get an interview and land a new job.

Don't broadcast your age - Exclude graduation dates.  You need to look up-to-date with the workforce.  List the work most relevant to the description of the job. Don't include all of your achievements, only the experience that is relevant.

Give examples: Provide concrete examples, how much money you saved the company, not just the program you worked with or that you can communicate well.

Be flexible:  List achievements that show you are adaptable and comfortable with technology.  Link websites that you designed, programs that you implemented to improve on your workflow.

Provide New Information:  When you follow up on your resume' submission with your phone call, offer a new piece of information that is not included in your resume.

Solve Problems:  Research what problems a company may have and position yourself to a solution to solve that problem.  You want to show that what you can do is better than others.

Focus - There are many companies that hire older workers, healthcare, higher education, and government positions.  See the Fastest growing jobs for Baby Boomers.
Related Articles:
Tips on Finding That Job
How to get a job using LinkedIn
LinkedIn Profile Tips
Job Search:  Don't Apply Online

Fastest Growing Jobs for those over 50

Susan Brannon
3 September 2011
U.S. News Report in their Money section listed the 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs for Baby Boomers:

Type of Job                                  Projected Growth            % 55 and Older
Retail Salespersons                   
Personal and Home care Aides                        50.7            23.4       
Financial Advisers                                        40.9            18.8
Social and Community Service                      24.6            24.4
Entertainment attendants                            23.8            21.1
Veterinarians                                               35.5            22.4
Surveyors                                                    23.6            16.9
Environmental and geoscientists                   23.6            20.2
Nurses                                                        23.4            17.9
Animal Trainers                                         23.3            23.0
Instructional Coordinators                           23.3            32.0
Locksmiths and Safe repairs                        23.1            25.4
Teachers                                                    22.8            27.0
Archivists, curators                                    22.2            24.7
Social workers                                            22.2            17.5
Management analysts                               22.0            26.5
Pharmacists                                             21.8            21.4
Counselors                                                21.4            18.2
Business Op. specialists                             20.9            18.8
Brokerage clerks                                       20.5            29.5
Religious Workers                                    20.5            32.5

Remember, your failures and successes give you an advantage in the workforce.  You have maturity, you are dependable much more than the current graduates on the job market!
You can also go back to school and get a degree in psychology, start a consulting business, design training programs, write a book.  You are not in the dead zone, keep going and enjoy the process!
Related Articles:
Tips on Finding That Job
How to get a job using LinkedIn
LinkedIn Profile Tips
Job Search:  Don't Apply Online

Job Hunting Blues and Truth for over 40

Susan Brannon
2 September 2011

Those who are looking for a job all know that the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics says that the current unemployment rate is 9.1 percent.  I believe that it is higher because the number does not include those who gave up, those who are not on unemployment, those who work out of their homes in the black to survive and those who are homeless without a home.  I imagine that the real number is more like 11-13%, but that number would scare anyone, and therefore it is not published.

Of course, this makes it harder to find a stable and secure job, that dream job in the field that we are trained in.  How about the newly divorced "mom" who never really had to work and has minimal skills?  They are up against a big wall with a societal mindset that they are "losers" and went off somewhere.  This is unsaid of course, but it is felt.  In some cultures the divorced women are shunned and thrown out of the communities.

In the U.S. some of the people in HR and managers of corporations, say that  "the older folks messed up and they made bad decisions and that is why they are where they are today, by loosing their homes, their jobs and maybe their cars."  I have also had conversations with some corporate managers that said, "We view this as a "weeding" the good workers were able to keep their jobs, and the bad workers lost their jobs" 

Really?  The logic is to "hire those that already have the jobs"  Ummm.  Are they trying to tell me that the accountant next door was not a good accountant?  She only worked for almost 20 years and the company laid off most of the near retired workers because they were not good workers?  Are they trying to tell me that the nurse down the street, was not a good nurse?  She is the kindest and sweetest person that I have met in a long time.  She lost almost everything, her retirement dropped so she can't retire, she was laid off so she makes no income, she is a 99er, and her unemployment stopped. It is a good thing that she paid off her home, now she worries about food and property tax. She told me, "They are just not hiring older people, they want the new and younger graduates who have no experience and can pay them less." 

I hear these stories over and over again.  I call it "being pushed out of the market syndrome"  There are 78 million baby boomers, born from 1946 to 1964 and most plan on or have been forced to retire late.

The situation gets more complicated:  For instance, f you send a blind resume' online, you "look desperate for a job vs. choosing a good career" By sending your resume' you can become "blacklisted" and will never have a chance on being considered for that company.  Employers document applicant behavior, decide what resumes to review and which ones to ignore....permanently.  Although, they might not admit it....to you.

Here are some typical "blacklisting" processes:

Resumes' If you send resumes for various jobs to the same company throughout the years and your job background does not match up, back to seven years, they can flag you and reject your application.

Needs - If you send resumes' and they regularly do not meet the company needs, you may get flagged.

Submissions -  If you apply to different roles at once, and non related roles - you will be seen as a desperate job seeker and be thrown out of the pile all together.

Profiling:

LinkedIn - They will compare your resume' to your profile on LinkedIn, if they don't match they will think that you are not telling the truth.

Behavior - They will look you up on Google, Twitter or Facebook.  If you have drunken photos online or other negative engagements that are not aligned with the company...you will get blacklisted.

So, you try for that job, and feel that you are capable of doing multiple positions if you apply for those positions that you qualify for and would not mind, they will view your excitement in the wrong way.

If you have been looking for a job for over a year - that is a red flag.  The HR thinks that there is something wrong if you cannot find a job in that time period. The reality is that I have heard it all, from being over experienced, to not being able to pay enough, to the applicant getting bored, to not knowing enough.  I have heard the person does not fit the company culture, we need to hire younger people to train them into managers, older people are too slow, they do not catch up fast enough, they are behind the times, how will the colleagues feel working with a "mom".



This article is not intended to get you depressed, but to help you to better understand the mindset of those who are doing the hiring.  The trick is to find a company that does not work this way instead of wasting your time looking at the wrong places.  The trick is not to act desperate (although many of us are), we have to play the game in order to gain positive results. The article is also intended to give you some heads up, that you are not alone and what you may have had the "feeling" that this was going on, is real, your feeling is right-on.

Just take the reality, work with it and don't give up!
If you are over 40 and have any tips, please share them with us!