Women over 40

Enjoy this popular commentary on 'Women over 40' from an iconic and opinionated broadcaster that we all know and love, Andy Rooney.

"As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:
A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.

Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are being a jerk or if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”, here's an update for you: Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize its not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!"

#13 - Seize the moment!

So often we get distracted by the demands of everyday life that we've almost become programed to wait for the right time or for that special occasion - like a dinner party to crack open that special bottle of wine or bring out the pretty candles or expensive linens - to indulge and satiate our senses. Sometimes in fact, we don't even have time to indulge when the moment arrives.

Rather than waiting to celebrate a big event or for a special occasion or for the 'right time', why not just seize the moment today?

Why not bake those yummy Christmas cookies for a summer dinner party? Why not pluck flowers from your own garden and enjoy them in your home? Why not indulge in a steamy bubble bath with your partner (and whatever leads to afterward), in the middle of the afternoon? Why not make that phone call or have that conversation you've been nervously putting off?! Why not use those pretty delicate soaps someone gave you for a gift years ago?!?!

Go ahead! Seize the moment now - it's amazing how good you'll feel for 'doing' and 'living' today!

13 down - 87 to go!

#12 - Keep dying those greys!

This past weekend, at my brother's wedding, someone asked the question "At what age should women stop dying their greys?" Without the slightest degree of hesitation, I promptly yelled out, "Certainly not at 40!!!"

I remember when I was blessed with my very first strand of grey - I was 21 and had just celebrated a full year of survival in the corporate world - coincidence or heredity? (Let's chalk it up to a bit of both shall we?) All I know is that from that day onward, dying my hair would become a routine practice that I've come to loathe every couple of weeks when my roots need to be touched up.

Loathe this routine as I might, one thing I will NOT do is go 'au naturale' as some have suggested is the thing to do once you hit this decade. Sorry, grey hair is NOT in style as some magazines have declared, nor is it sexy... unless you're George Clooney! Given the choice between grey or #47 medium rich brown, Revlon wins every time hands down! Don't get me wrong, I'm not embarassed by my greys; I happily admit to having a head fullah them to whomever happens to ask, but more so, I admittedly look absolutely terrible and far older when sporting them! While 40 might be the new 30 for some, it's definitely not the new 50! And 50 is not how I want to look, but would, if I allowed those icky greys to sprout wildly out of control!!

So, while the question remains debatable, I'd be happy to revist it in another decade or two and render my opinion on it then. Until then, however, #47 will remain a permanent part of my beauty regime, like it or not.

12 down, 88 to go!