Happy 4th of July to all of our readers! As much as I consider myself a “patriot,” I always get a little sad when the 4th arrives because I know that summertime will be over before we know it. It seems like it was just a month or two ago when we were battling snowdrifts!

For most of us, summertime is when there is lots of family around, cookouts, and fun parties. I’ve made it a point to have girlfriends over so that we can share some wine—or margaritas—depending on our moods! My brothers and their wives have been over several times already, and I’m sure there will be more get-togethers. I hope that all of you have been able to take some time to enjoy the summer with friends and family. I know that I have relished in every moment so far. And I will continue to do so until summer is no more!

July is also my birthday month, as I will turn 55 on July 1st. I’ve had a lot of fun with this one since I was born in 1955 and it’s my “magic birthday.” This got me thinking about when my kids will have their magic birthdays. My daughter, Carissa, was born in 1979, so she will be old and gray when her day comes. She won’t be as elderly as her brother, Adam, though, who will be 90 when his time comes. I think I’m quite fortunate to have been born when I was. I can have fun with the whole concept while I’m still “young.”

Turning 55 has also been fun when I go out and talk with prospective advertisers. For 24 years, I have been telling our advertisers that we target women ages 25 to 54+. Guess what? I’m now in that plus range!

I am good with the aging process. As my dad always told me, “It’s better than the alternative.” I am keeping myself incredibly busy with Women’s Edition. It’s great…most of the time. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming and I get tired. All it takes, though, is a good night’s sleep to be ready to go the next day.

I was having a conversation with one of my employees about retirement recently. She asked me whether I thought that I would ever retire. (I guess these questions start coming up at my age.) I explained that I do not have any intention of retiring, as I love what I do. Besides, I don’t have any idea what I would do with my time. (I have a challenging time with three-day weekends.) I love going to work every day, meeting new people, and sharing laughs and stories with my staff. I think I would lose it if I didn’t have my business to keep me striving to move on.

I know that some of you are looking forward to retiring…or you may already be retired. That’s great, because you know what? It’s our differences that make the world go round!

I hope you have a great holiday. We’ll talk next month.

Special Notes

Call Cathy Tholen at HomeSafe today to arrange for free consultation and improve the quality of life for you or a loved one. See their ad on page 26 for more information.

Arterial screenings can save lives. Prevent a stroke and get a vascular screening for carotid stenosis, as well as peripheral artery disease (PAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The experts at Iowa City Thoracic and Vascular provide same day results and offer information on a healthy lifestyle. During July, receive all three tests for $50! For more information see their ad on page 11.

Dolcé Vita MediSpa is now offering monthly specials for readers that mention they saw the ad in Women’s Edition! See their ad on page 27 and call today.

Opps! We apologize for the error in our Healthy Living column on HomeSafe that ran in our June issue. The correct number to call is 248-0477.

Positive Thought of the Month

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” —J. Lubbock

Note to all—there is no need to retire in order to rest…or to listen to the water, or to watch the clouds!