Poker, winning more and meeting people

I Have written about gambling in general many times before. I love to play Texas Hold'em, and I do whenever I get a chance. There are several good reasons to play poker:
1. It is fun
2. It is great to keep the brain running
3. It is very social and a great way to meet people
4. If you are careful with your money, you can make a few dollars

The poker I am talking about is a limit game, where your money is bet in small increments. No "all in" that you hear from the pros. Here are a few things to do if you want to learn the game.
1. Buy a book by one of the experts
2. Have a good friend show you the basic rules
3. Join a "free" online site and start playing
4. You will either love it or decide it is not for you
5. Learn the language of poker so you understand what is being said

You may be ready at some point for casino poker. Be sure to take a specific amount of money and leave your atm card at home. It is way too tempting to purchase another rack of chips (that is $100.00)

It is probably the least expensive gambling game, as your money can last a long time with careful betting. You will learn the importance of position, what cards are worth betting and when to just "muck" your cards.

You can start a game with your friends and get together often to play. Playing for pennies is just as much fun as dollars.

YOu will love it!

Reinventing the Wheel

Sometimes in life we have to reinvent our wheel of life. Things seem to be going along very well, and all Hell breaks loose. We either have lost a job, a business fails or we move to a new location.

I have been reinventing my wheel on a regular basis. This is not easy to do, and often creates a total feeling of unrest.

I sit down, and get my paper and pen out and start brainstorming. I let all the thoughts and feelings just flow through gently. I ask myself these questions?
1. What do I really want to do when I grow up?
2. How much time do have to reinvent my wheel?
3. How much money do I have to reinvent my wheel?
4. What can I do while I reinvent my wheel?
5. Does my wheel really need reinventing?

Those are just a few thoughts. Try not to feel discouraged or sad. There is one good thing about life and it does keep changing. Nothing stays the same. Be open to new ideas, listen to people and be ready when that new wheel appears at your doorstep.

Alternative Medicine

What is alternative medicine, and what does it have to do with baby boomers? First of all alternative medicine is any type of treatment that does not fall under the conventional medical arena. Though it has been around for centuries, it is still considered new by many.
There have been many studies and polls taken, and there is a lot of validity in using many of these treatments to cure or at least curtain very serious symptons. The list is vast of the number of methods of alternative medicine. The value for us as we grow older and become more susceptible to diseases and conditions is the fact they could be very helpful. The world holistic is often shunned by many. The word means prevention. Lets do what we can to stay healthy, and then we do not have to find cures and drugs for many of the ravages of aging.

Nothing takes the place of a healthy life style. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, having social relationships and managing stress offer some protection agains illness. However, the big one is our heredity, and that can be a major factor in our well being.

Many times taking prescription drugs for a chronic conditions means that you will be taking that prescription drug the rest of your life. As we all know many of these drugs have unsafe and uncomfortable side effects.

It is never too late to start eating better, losing extra weight, and starting an exercise program. In future articles I will examine many of the alternative methods that are popular today. Alternative medicine offers hope for many chronic conditions.

Before making any changes in your exercise program and trying new alternative methods, check with your health provider.

Jumpstart your attitude

Jumpstart your Attitude at Any Age

No matter how good life is, it is never easy. Days are filled with situations, issues and plain old problems. Some days are more difficult than others. Sometimes we have to play the waiting game…waiting for a call, a result, plans to be made, acceptance to something important. We all know about the waiting game. We have been playing it for most of our lives. Even as little kids waiting to be picked up from school or for a special friend to call. Sometimes we end up with joy and sometimes with disappointment. This goes on most of our lives. It is just a basic fact of life.

What can we do to counteract life’s tribulations? The first thing is do not expect to wake up every day full of joy and happiness. The reality of life is that it is just not like that.

People who have a strong belief in God, the universe or whom or whatever they believe in are the happiest…well at least the most peaceful. Some people react passionately to everything and others seem to let the day just happen… I have found that the happiest people are not the ones who have the most or who have accomplished the most. Somewhere along the way they just accept life and roll with the punches. Others get disturbed by everything. Any change or upset in plans set them into a dither. Life does not always go according to plan…actually it mostly does not. So lets figure some simple ways to deal with life…and jumpstart our attitude.

Gratitude is the most important thing. Give thanks more than one time per day, even if the day is not going the way you want. Life is ever changing. Today things seem disappointing and difficult. Tomorrow can often bring a great solution or something special. I have learned this more than once from personal experience.

Take a long walk. Nothing perks the mood like getting outside and walking regardless of the weather.

Call a good friend and share your feelings. Women are much better at this then men are.

Want to lose some weight start today with a healthy plan.

Your closets and drawers in a shambles take the time to clean them out.

Make some fun plans with your spouse, friend or a new acquaintance.

Start a new book. That is a favorite pick me up of mine as I love to read.

Better yet get out an old “self-help” book and read it. Be sure to make a cup of your favorite tea or coffee.

Here are just a few suggestions. Nothing is difficult here nor will it cost you money. You will find how easy it is to jumpstart your attitude.

The Value of Friendship as we age

It has been a long lifetime of friends. They come and go. They pop into your life for many reasons. Sometimes you make a friend because you have an activity in common. You both belong to a club and are working on a project together. The activity ends, and sometimes the friendship also ends. Sometimes we develop a friendship because this person lives next door, and one of you moves, and once again the friendship ends. That convenience of having a friend live close by is great. Sometimes you share baby sitting, a cup of sugar or a cup of tea and sympathy.
We have moved many times over the past years, so I have said goodbye to many friends. I have found as we age these friendships become more challenging to develop. I have managed to stay in touch with about three or four friends over the past twenty five years. I do miss having them close by. When you develop that special bond, the friendship is so easy. There is no judgment and uncomfortable feelings. It is so comforting to have special friends to call when you are feeling down. A kind word from one can make your day a lot easier and any problems you have seem to become more realistic.
We have moved to our present home about a year ago, and have not made a really good friend as yet. I have found that friendships are more difficult to develop as we head into boomer land. People tend to get more set in their ways. Often they have friends they have had for ages, and frankly do not want to add any new ones. This is a pretty sad state of affairs. I am learning some patience. One cannot will friends to appear instantly, as it is a time process. It boils down to making some personal changes and perhaps even getting involved in things that may not seem important initially.
There are a great many places to meet new people. Churches or places of worship are great, health clubs, civic groups, volunteering which is desperately needed are just a few suggestions. Sometimes we meet someone and become immediately judgmental, and do not give them a fighting chance. That is a good lesson for all of us to learn. I often make snap judgments and somewhere down the road I do change my mind. This proves that your first impression does not have to be a lasting one.

Where has the time gone?

Where has all the time gone? Do you find yourself looking in the mirror and wondering where all the years have gone?

Time is fleeting, lasting or whatever it is called on to be. Time flies when you are having a great time, and you want it to go very slowly. Time is an eternity when waiting for an answer to a pressing issue.

When looking back at all the years baby boomers...and when looking at your grown kids...you wonder where did it all go? It was just yesterday you were giving bottles, carpooling, planning weddings etc. Now you are thinking about retirement or already there. I remember when I was in my early forties and thought I was really old. Now I think people in their forties are youngsters.

The solution to this problem is to enjoy each day, each moment and know that even though you have your share of problems, the sun will probably shine at some time today.

Baby boomers and Gambling

Baby boomers as they are aging find they often have more free time on their hands.

This can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. The casinos are still full of hopefuls regardless of the economic downturn. I think it is just a matter of hope. For your dollar you have a chance to make a lot. Though the chances are slim, people still love the slot machines, table games etc...Perhaps the most popular to emerge is Poker. Women as well as men are flocking to the Texas Hold'em tables. It is a delightful way to spend an afternoon or evening. If you bet conservatively your money can last for hours. Unlike slot machines that seem to just slurp up all your dollars. It is a social time, and one for meeting new people. And you single ladies out there, I have viewed many attractive and single guys.

Another great feature about poker is that you are using your brain. Constantly thinking, counting, weighing your options. The important thing is that you take with you just what you can afford to lose, and leave your atm cards at home. It is way too tempting to keep re-buying. Learning poker is easy, becoming a good player takes a lot of time, and even then sometimes it is just a guess and good luck. You have got to have the cards to win.

Try not to mimic the stars on TV. They have big backers, and are not afraid to lose several thousand at a crack. But for we mortals ...just take it easy and enjoy the game.