I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t ready to see Whitney leave us so soon. I found great comfort and enjoyment hearing so much of her music in recent days.  I remember a time when I was not familiar with who Whitney Houston was…it was 1985 and my soon-to-16 year-old daughter called me at work. “Whitney Houston is performing at the Tower tonight.”Who is Whitney Houston?” Well, you get the idea…of course I left work early to be at the box office when they opened…

Here is my daughter’s description on Facebook:

“I saw Whitney at a little theater in 69th street in Philly on her first tour in 1985 with my mom, Jess and Jess’s friend.  She was amazing, dressed in a peach skirt suit, so low key and gorgeous and her voice blew the roof off the place.  There were so many standing ovations for this young up and comer.  The theater probably had a capacity under 1,000 and we were probably 10th row.   I remember she had family members singing backup on her first tour.  She was such a pure talent.”

and I will add to that…there was no glitz and glamour yet. She had the audience in the palm of her hand. I had  no expectation since I did not know anything about her or her talent, but I remember her taking the audience from a high note, down, down, down, each of us following her notes as if we were almost hypnotized. We were in awe…I was aware at how skilled she was…we were hers…

Here’s a glimpse of what her day was like before that amazing performance.

December 09, 1985  By Mary Shaughnessy

• Whitney Houston climbs out of her black stretch limo and strides into the hilltop headquarters of Philadelphia’s WUSL at 4:40 p.m., right on time for her fourth live radio interview since 2 that afternoon, her 250th since June. Sporting a loose-fitting brown leather jacket, pegged jeans and dark glasses, a garland of black curls framing her delicately featured face, the rangy 5’8″ former model personifies casual elegance: a 22-year-old Nefertiti who carries herself with frightening self-assurance.
  Deejay Jeff Wyatt rises from his control board to greet Whitney. “You know, I coulda been a rich man if I accepted all the bribes from the guys wanting to be in this room today,” he wisecracks. The corners of her mouth hardly form a smile. This is a woman quite accustomed to—though still embarrassed by—male adoration. During the 15-minute interview interspersed with her hits Saving All My Love For You, Thinking About You and Hold Me (a duet with Teddy Pendergrass), they will touch on the manifestations of her meteoric rise this year: dates on three network talk shows, recorded duets with Pendergrass and Jermaine Jackson, appearances on Gimme a Break and Silver Spoons, and her self-titled debut LP, which has sold more than 2.5 million copies. Her sold-out Carnegie Hall performances last month attracted Eddie Murphy, Daryl Hannah, comic Howie Mandel, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, among others. Even New York Mayor Ed Koch showed up to see what all the fuss was about. (He got booed by some in the crowd, and the singer who once wanted to be a teacher told them that wasn’t nice.)
  After posing for pictures with radio station brass, Whitney heads for the hotel, digging into a brown-bag dinner of deli sandwiches, barbecue chips and soft drinks. With Whitney due to perform at Philly’s Tower Theater in less than three hours, there’s no time for a classier repast. A typical day in the life of this rising star.

Here are some other  links with 1985 TV performances of Whitney and The Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA below…

see Whitney Houston’s 1985 debut on ‘The Tonight Show  on April 4, 1985.

see her perform on David Letterman’s show.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/52   here’s a link for The Tower

We have lost a love of our own…here’s One Moment in Time at the Grammy’s 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYFHAvULvJ0

RIP, Whitney…

This is MeddlingMom…have a wonderful day….support the arts!

It’s been awhile…yes, going to the gym..taking it slow. I’ve only been there 5 times so far. I am doing a little exercise in between…anyway, taking it slow, but it is having an impact. When I went yesterday…the sneakers are not such an issue anymore and I can see that I am more flexible..it’s easier to get on the machines, even though they are designed for someone 5’8 or 5’9..I am 5’1…but it’s all become easier. Yesterday, I did 25 minutes on the bike, about 4.5 miles and 3 sets of 12 on 3 machines…felt pretty good about it…will increase it soon…thinking about hiring a trainer…will have to look into it.

The reason I am writing today is that I received an e-mail this morning from my friend Bonnie. We have known each other since I was 4 and she was 2 1/2….that’s a long time. I have not fact checked this info, but it sounds like a great idea. Please take a look and if you like it, send it to your peeps.

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..or so I thought.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to go to the gym when you haven’t been there for over 5 years!  Nearly impossible. On day 1 I suffered trying to select something to wear. Then I put on those huge New Balance sneakers that make me feel totally claustrophobic, I mean, does a sneaker have to be so built up all around as if you are in a space ship? Exactly what are we doing, practically cutting off all circulation…so you know that if you have many rolls of skin, it is nearly impossible to bend over and put on your sneakers, even with the help of a shoehorn.  I huff and I puff and bend over this way trying to get around my belly if even just for a moment, long enough to get the shoe on (while negotiating the sock that may be sliding around) , pull the laces tight and tie it!  This is really hard to do…it took me a good 5 minutes of struggling to get one sneaker on and this isn’t even the dreaded New Balance…this is a mere, lightweight original Keds sneaker (yes, I am old and gay and I prefer this to those that are cool).  So I took a break from the huffing to literally catch my breath before I tackle the other sneaker. What I discovered while putting on the first sneaker was that these have not been worn in years! And I believe I am probably a half size larger now, so I need to order some new Keds pronto!  Later today, online…

The whole process of getting ready for the gym is excruciating for an obese person…truly it is a great disincentive (as if dying of a heart attack is not!).  You go through so many mixed emotions just as you try to decide what to wear (that won’t draw attention to your girth with all of those strange thin people at the gym). You already feel bad, so bad, about how did you let this happen to your body and then you have to stuff those feelings once more and just go do it…EXERCISE and sweat (which I don’t like, the sweating, that is). So of course, this is why I am writing right now, instead of being at the gym. Seriously I will go to the gym, but the other day (the first day), I had so many emotions while I was getting ready and when I went to write them down later, all of the passion, feelings and emotion were gone. The writing was flat…I didn’t know how to re-capture what I had experienced. I CAN tell you that every single thing I felt was about shame and embarassment and about the courage it took to be out there. You see this is the year I reclaim my health. It will not be easy, but what is, really? Easy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I am only 5’1” and with the bulk of those New Balance sneakers and my inflexibility, I could not get my foot up over the center of the stationery bike I was going to ride. It took about 4 tries…then I had to figure out how to choose a program while my glasses were in my bag on the floor….and that’s a whole other issue, where the hell are you supposed to put your jacket and keys?  The locker room is at the farthest point from the front door…blah, blah, blah….Now that was fine, but the bike I got on was broken! So I had to get off and attempt another and then all was fine.  From there I went to the abductor, the machine  where the machine parts are on the outside of your thighs (abductor) was ok. Then I went to the one where the parts go between your legs (the adductor). I had to have help to get my right leg over to get on..I was fine with the left leg, my left side is stronger.  Then when I went to get off that machine, I got one leg off, but could not clear the other foot of the machine and had to ask someone for help.  So this was humbling to say the least. Of course I met some very nice people during this process, very kind.  I also did 3 sets of 12 on the leg press, no help needed, here!  I imagine I won’t need the help today. The truth is….all of this is the very reason why I need to be working out and regaining my strength and flexibility.  I do have to admit, there were some moments where I felt very teary, like right now.  Nobody wants to be fat…and have such a huge (pardon the pun) task ahead of themselves.

I have realized in recent years that there have been many things I have not participated in or have shied away from due to my body’s appearance. I am ready to have a normal size body and to choose whether I do whatever activity based on what I want and my interests.  Now comes the hard work..oh, well, I’ve done lots of things that were more difficult…

One thing I do recommend as a result of my experiences this week: Before you embark on this venture, gather together whatever you think you will need in terms of clothing, sneakers, socks, sweatshirt, tote or gym bag, etc and try on everything long before the day you start. Be clear about your assessment of everything. If you hate a pair of pants or sneakers, banish them and replace them with something that works for you. Only wear what you will be comfortable with and keep all of these items in one place so that when you go to get ready, you can avoid some of the trauma that I experienced. I will be doing that later today so that I will have a better and uneventful time of it tomorrow.  Remember the reason you are in this position is because you did NOT put what you need FIRST.

This is MeddlingMom…have a great weekend…off to the gym, via the post office…

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/01/03/144495483/why-a-teen-who-talks-back-may-have-a-bright-future?ft=3&f=111787346&sc=nl&cc=es-20120108

Why A Teen Who Talks Back May Have A Bright Future

by Patti Neighmond

January 3, 2012

Good arguments can provide lessons that last a lifetime. But psychologist Joseph P. Allen’s research shows that yelling isn’t the answer. “The teens who learned to be calm and confident and persuasive with their parents acted the same way when they were with their peers,” he says.

If you’re the parent of a teenager, you likely find yourself routinely embroiled in disputes with your child. Those disputes are the symbol of teen developmental separation from parents.

It’s a vital part of growing up, but it can be extraordinarily wearing on parents. Now researchers suggest that those spats can be tamed and, in the process, provide a lifelong benefit to children.

Researchers from the University of Virginia recently published their findings in the journal Child Development. Psychologist Joseph P. Allen headed the study.

Allen says almost all parents and teenagers argue. But it’s the quality of the arguments that makes all the difference.

“We tell parents to think of those arguments not as nuisance but as a critical training ground,” he says. Such arguments, he says, are actually mini life lessons in how to disagree — a necessary skill later on in life with partners, friends and colleagues on the job.

Teens should be rewarded when arguing calmly and persuasively and not when they indulge in yelling, whining, threats or insults, he says.

In Allen’s study, 157 13-year-olds were videotaped describing their biggest disagreement with their parents. The most common arguments were over grades, chores, money and friends. The tape was then played for both parent and teen.

“Parents reacted in a whole variety of ways. Some of them laughed uncomfortably; some rolled their eyes; and a number of them dove right in and said, ‘OK, let’s talk about this,’” he says.

It was the parents who said wanted to talk who were on the right track, says Allen. “We found that what a teen learned in handling these kinds of disagreements with their parents was exactly what they took into their peer world,” with all its pressures to conform to risky behavior like drugs and alcohol.

Allen interviewed the teens again at ages 15 and 16. “The teens who learned to be calm and confident and persuasive with their parents acted the same way when they were with their peers,” he says. They were able to confidently disagree, saying ‘no’ when offered alcohol or drugs. In fact, they were 40 percent more likely to say ‘no’ than kids who didn’t argue with their parents.

For other kids, it was an entirely different story. “They would back down right away,” says Allen, saying they felt it pointless to argue with their parents. This kind of passivity was taken directly into peer groups, where these teens were more likely to acquiesce when offered drugs or alcohol. “These were the teens we worried about,” he says.

Bottom line: Effective arguing acted as something of an inoculation against negative peer pressure. Kids who felt confident to express themselves to their parents also felt confident being honest with their friends.

So, ironically the best thing parents can do is help their teenager argue more effectively. For this, Allen offers one word: listen.

In the study, when parents listened to their kids, their kids listened back. They didn’t necessarily always agree, he says. But if one or the other made a good point, they would acknowledge that point. “They weren’t just trying to fight each other at every step and wear each other down. They were really trying to persuade the other person.”

Acceptable argument might go something like this: ‘How about if my curfew’s a half hour later but I agree that I’ll text you or I’ll agree that I’ll stay in certain places and you’ll know where I’ll be; or how about I prove to you I can handle it for three weeks before we make a final decision about it.”

Again, parents won’t necessarily agree. But “they’ll get across the message that they take their kids point of view seriously and honestly consider what they have to say,” Allen says.

Child psychologist Richard Weissbourd says the findings bolster earlier research that finds that “parents who really respect their kids’ thinking and their kids’ input are much more likely to have kids who end up being independent thinkers and who are able to resist peer groups.”

Weissbourd points to one dramatic study that analyzed parental relationships of Dutch citizens who ended up protecting Jews during World War II. They were parents who encouraged independent thinking, even if it differed from their own.

So the next time your teenager huffs and puffs and starts to argue, you might just step back for a minute, take a breath yourself, and try to listen. It may be one of the best lessons you teach your child.

This is MeddlingMom…have a wonderful week!

Clergy Fights at the Church of the Nativity in Jerusalem-preparing for the upcoming eastern rite Christmas celebration. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45803523Clergy Fights at the Church of the Nativity in Jerusalem-preparing for the upcoming eastern rite Christmas celebration. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45803523

Now onto some politics and what is working and not working for Americans… With all of the great debates that have been going on to show us which Republican presidential candidate is the most fantastic…..the great thing is that there isn’t one viable presidential candidate in the bunch, at least not one has been presented yet. I just love it…are you going to tell me there isn’t one person in the party who doesn’t agree with waterboarding or who is pro-choice? I mean, moderate Republicans have no one to vote for! What people should be focusing on is the nasty members of congress who refuse to be concerned for this country and its people.  Where is our revolution?  The Occupy movement is doing it’s best but it needs everyone’s help.  We are all just a little too comfortable to be bothered, it seems.  Stores are closing left and right, the latest Sears closing many stores..and K MArt  ….that is pretty frightening.  Obama needs to do everything he can and not put up with  these nasty representatives and senators…The problem is that he is truly a community organizer, and he expects everyone to “play nice”. He keeps looking for the traitors to present their best  and act like patriots and they aren’t willing to be their best. Their goal is to get the Dem out of the White House. That’s their only goal.  I don’t know why the American people don’t see what a mess George Bush created and how nasty these people are and vote out those who are only there to fight.  I understand our system is designed so that there are opposites with competing ideals, but these jerks who don’t ever say anything about what Americans need should be thrown out.

We do also  need term limits, probably, but more than that we need the corporations and the lobbyists to have limited access…they should have as much access as you and I have…which is just about NONE….truly, if you look at the meeting schedules I can’t imagine who would even want the jobs these people have. they have no time to read a bill, much less to absorb it, debate it, understand the  nuance related to it.  And we need campaign finance reform and public ads so that everyone can have equal time…oh, and how about only 6 months of campaigning…isn’t that what they do in Europe?   Well, you heard my 2 cents’ worth!

Of course we are all exhausted from hearing all of the nonsense, but the real reason we aren’t involved is because Americans are  so busy communicating via e-mail, text message, twitter, facebook, voicemail, etc.  This is what we are truly interested in…escaping thinking about what is important and PLAYING….when is the last time you spent time playing a game with your child or having a conversation that was longer than 30 seconds even with your spouse?  When did you last spend time with a friend and leave your electronics in the car while you were in the restaurant, movie, hospital, salon, store, etc.?

Here is what Americans are all caught up in…giving kindles and expensive cell phones to 4 year olds! This is the new American value system…utterly insane!  And we will wonder why children who have too much stuff act like brats, want more, more, more no matter how much they have. Partially because their parents do.  Put away all electronics including movies and TV in your home for one week, except for one hour per day where everyone can use their “toys”. I wonder how different your conversations and relationships would be. I bet you might plan and cook a meal together…what a concept  or talk about how to get along with people. You might find out what is really of interest to your partner or your sister.

I bet you might suddenly find that you have time!

That’s all for today…thei si MeddlingMom…think about it…people are important…electronic toys are not…Happy New Year!

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Here’s what seems crazy to me…

I am not really even celebrating Christmas this year. I have pretty much decided for a number of reasons to do just about nothing about this holiday this year. Having said that, things do then start to creep in. I DO need to send SOME cards, right? Of course, how much effort can that take? Hrumpf…really? for me it meant going into 4 or 5 stores before I could even find a box of cards…that’s right. Do you know how much time that took? Parking, schlepping through the store to find cards, assessing what it is you DO find, making the decision whether to go with these ordinary cards or to keep looking which probably means going to at least 2 or 3 more stores. Now that is just the piece to find the cards, then there is going to the post office to buy stamps, addressing the cards, writing a note in each card. That is only one aspect of the holiday!

Add to that every step of the process for :

Baking cookies and breads, making family specialties, figuring out what to buy for all of those people who don’t need anything, doing the actual gift shopping, buying food for the holiday and the days around it when someone might stop in, buying clothes to wear for the holiday and to various parties in the next few weeks, making donations to charities and local groups to help the needy, getting a pedicure, manicure, hair cut, brow wax-all the things we MUST do to look “GOOD”! Even those of us who say we are not going to be a part of all of this GET SUCKED IN!

I ask you, what does any of this have to do with Jesus being born and celebrating that birth?  I think it all needs to stop..You see usually rational people fighting over this year’s coolest whatever to make sure that Biff or Buffy has absolutely everything! I mean how could they even entertain the idea of not having EVERYTHING?  I know it’s fun and the little kids get mega toys that they play with for a long time, it’s the fervor, the pitch that is enough to make a person ralph all over.

So here’s my suggestion on how to get it all done. Look at your lifestyle and your value system and JUST SAY “NO”. to what doesn’t make sense to you, to all of the add-ons and last-minutes purchases. If you didn’t purchase one more thing between now and Sunday, exactly what terrible disaster would befall you and your loved ones? Adjust your thinking and use your time to be with your loved ones, not out shopping alone for them (they don’t need one more thing…really…you know it’s true!)

It isn’t too late to pull the plug on this…I can tell you right now that the amount of food in this house is sufficient to take us through until the New Year, at least, except for perhaps, bread and milk! I wonder how much money we’d save if we didn’t spend one thin dime on any food item between now and then…it would be sizable. Here’s an example: Oh, I need to buy a gallon of iced tea for the party…response…MAKE IT…you have tea bags on hand, right?

Turn off the TV, get away from that computer, have silence and enjoy the serenity of it. Put away the check book and the cash. You’ll be surprised at the results. the best bonus is that you will be calm, feel rested and peaceful, your bank account will be healthier and your charges will be lower.

Yes, we did do some of these things, like buy last minute add-ons and from what I can see…none of this makes much sense…parties are lovely (or they can be), but I have enjoyed being sequestered in my house for the past few days and NOT celebrating anything!. It’s been very relaxing…maybe I am just too old to enjoy this holiday and all that it requires..Bah! Humbug!

One last thing…I learned yesterday that 50% of all clothing purchased as Christmas presents…HALF!!!  are returned! That was time well-spent, wasn’t it?

This is MeddlingMom…Happy New Year!

Let this fill your heart and help you to consider just how fortunate you are.  Every time you feel that your life is simply not fair, think of him and know that you can endure whatever is thrown your way and you can come out a better person through your experiences and the strength you find within yourself…..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ46Ot4_lLo&feature=related

The beauty of this young man and his voice…makes my day.

This is MeddlingMom….

• Choi Sung Bong confesses that he tried to commit suicide (allkpop.com)

108 Stores with Senior Discounts

Gone are the days of your grandmother’s “early bird special” at the local diner (actually, there are still some, but you might have to ask about that). As our baby boomers reach retirement age, hundreds of retailers are featuring new and improved discounts exclusively for the 60 and older crowd. We have composed a list of senior savings that will help you keep more cash in your pocket. Whoever said getting older was a bad thing, obviously didn’t know about these fantastic senior discounts!

Restaurants

*    Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)  FYI, I was recently at Applebee’s; if you have a Golden Apple Card, it will be honored, but they no longer issue these.
*    Arby <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1361> ‘s: 10% off (55+)
*    Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
*    Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
*    Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
*    Boston Market <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1286> : 10% off (65+)
*    Burger King: 10% off (60+)
*    Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
*    Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
*    Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
*    CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
*    Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
*    Denny <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1470> ‘s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
*    Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
*    Einstein <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1336> ‘s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
*    Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
*    Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
*    Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
*    Hardee <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1328> ‘s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
*    IHOP: 10% off (55+)
*    Jack in the Box <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1344> : up to 20% off (55+)
*    KFC <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1218> : free small drink with any meal (55+)
*    Krispy Kreme <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1016> : 10% off (50+)
*    Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
*    McDonald <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1525> ‘s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
*    Mrs. Fields <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/146> : 10% off at participating locations (60+)
*    Shoney’s: 10% off
*    Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
*    Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
*    Subway: 10% off (60+)
*    Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
*    Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
*    TCBY: 10% off (55+)
*    Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
*    Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
*    Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
*    Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
*    White Castle <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1415> : 10% off (62+)

Retail and Apparel

*    Banana Republic <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/891> : 10% off (50+)
*    Bealls <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1599> : 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
*    Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
*    Big Lots <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1577> : 10% off
*    Bon-Ton Department Stores <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1890> : 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
*    C.J. Banks <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1135> : 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
*    Clarks: 10% off (62+)
*    Dress Barn <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1635> : 10% off (55+)
*    Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
*    Hallmark <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1249> : 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
*    Kmart <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/870> : 20% off (50+)
*    Kohl <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/313> ‘s: 15% off (60+)
*    Modell <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/855> ‘s Sporting Goods: 10% off
*    Rite Aid <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1254> : 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
*    Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
*    The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
*    Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

Grocery

*    Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
*    American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
*    Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
*    DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
*    Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
*    Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
*    Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
*    Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
*    Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
*    Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
*    Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
*    Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
*    The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
*    Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
*    Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
*    Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Travel

*    Alaska Airlines <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/286> : 10% off (65+)
*    Alamo <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1059> : up to 25% off for AARP members
*    American Airlines <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1620> : various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
*    Amtrak <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1108> : 15% off (62+)
*    Avis <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1150> : up to 25% off for AARP members
*    Best Western <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/983> : 10% off (55+)
*    Budget Rental Cars <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/869> : 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
*    Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Clarion <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1701> : 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Comfort Inn <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1702> : 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Comfort Suites <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1075> : 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
*    Dollar Rent-A-Car <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/69> : 10% off (50+)
*    Econo Lodge <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1704> : 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Enterprise Rent-A-Car <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/79> : 5% off for AARP members
*    Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
*    Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
*    Hertz <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1559> : up t0 25% off for AARP members
*    Holiday Inn <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/414> : 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
*    Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
*    InterContinental Hotels Group <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/418> : various discounts at all hotels (65+)
*    Mainstay Suites <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1703> : 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Marriott Hotels <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/303> : 15% off (62+)
*    Motel 6 <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1324> : 10% off (60+)
*    Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
*    National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
*    Quality Inn <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1700> : 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Rodeway Inn <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1705> : 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Sleep Inn <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1472> : 20%-30% off (60+)
*    Southwest Airlines <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/909> : various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
*    Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
*    United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
*    U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Activities & Entertainment

*    AMC Theaters <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1279> : up to 30% off (55+)

*    Bally Total Fitness <http://bradsdeals.com/go/m/1060> : up to $100 off memberships (62+)
*    Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
*    Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
*    Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
*    U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
*    Regal Cinemas: 30% off
*    Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
*    SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Cell Phone Discounts

*    AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
*    Jitterbug <http://www.greatcall.com/> : $10/month cell phone service (50+)
*    Verizon Wireless
<http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=planFirst&action 

viewPlanDisplay&typeId=1&catId=1029&planId=40826> : Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)
*Check out our Secret Cell Phone Discounts
<http://www.bradsdeals.com/blog/2011/04/19/cell-phone-discounts/>  to view all cell phone discounts available to you!

Miscellaneous
*    Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
*    Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

Since many senior discounts are not advertised to the public, our advice to men and women over 55 is to ALWAYS ask a sales associate if that store provides a senior discount. That way, you can be sure to get the most bang for you buck.

This is MeddlingMom…I hope you enjoy reaping the rewards of these discounts and remember to ask every place you frequent.

Have a good week!

Let’s face it, everyone. We all see businesses that go under every day with the current economic situation in this country. If you think about it, it is bone-chilling…every business that folds represents people who no longer have a source of income or a way to support themselves and their loved ones. In many cases it also means a loss of healthcare coverage and the eventual loss of one’s home. I know that I when I realize someone has has to close their doors, I feel very helpless…I mean…what I ask myself is…What can I DO? I want to do something about it. I mentioned this to my partner just the other day as we passed yet another store closing. Then…this morning the first e-mail I read was uplifting and truly helpful.  It is all here for you to read…please take this message to heart…what we do each day makes a difference to many people…we never seem to understand how important our small actions can be. Thinking before acting can change the lives of our neighbors and keep our communities strong.

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?