Hate typing your email messages?

I took a one semester typing course in high school, hunt and pecked my way through college and had a secretary type my business correspondence and reports.When personal computers became popular (yes, I’m over fifty) I boned up on my hunt and peck skills.Pecking out email messages takes too much time and abbreviated IM and text messaging loses the beauty of the language.I want to send a lot of words quickly and easily.

Solution #1

I’m a bit of a techy, so I didn’t mind trying Dragon Naturally Speaking by Nuance.This is Speech Recognition Software.You speak into a microphone and the software translates your words to text in whatever email or word processing program you have open (WINDOWS based only). If you have to have the written word, this is the way to go.Version 10 allows you to produce a fairly accurate document probably three times as fast as you could type it. Downside:It takes a little practice to use it, the cheapest package is $99 and it requires a decent amount of computer resources. If you want to crank out written reports, articles or email messages, get this software.

But I don’t need to send written email messages. I don’t want to worry about spelling and punctuation and dangling participles. I’m a night owl.I just want to tell my friends and family all the exciting things going on in my life without waking them up at 2am with a phone call.

Solution #2

So why not send them a voice recording? When I was a kid, separated lovers or families with soldiers overseas recorded voice messages on cassette tapes and mailed them back and forth! I know how funny that sounds but there was no  email and long distance phone calls were very expensive. If you already have a computer, a headset or free standing microphone, and can send email messages, you can make and attach voice messages for FREE.

This could be a great present to give your parents, senior friends, yourself or anyone who hates to type email messages.

Here are the steps for setting up on a PC with WINDOWS XP.

What you need:

A Microphone  – I use a headset but it is really best for most people to have a free -standing mike that can easily be positioned in front of the user but not blocking the keyboard.Remind the user that holding or touching the mike while they are recording will cause noise on the final output.

Software – Audacity free download here:/http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Audacity does not save directly to mp3 files without this small script:  download Lame from here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&i=lame-mp3 and place the unzipped files in the audacity directory.

Install the Audacity software and make sure the Lame folder is inside the Audacity folder.

Place an Audacity shortcut on the desktop

Add a folder in MY DOCUMENTS called My Recordings

Insert the pink microphone plug into the pink microphone jack on your computer or speakers.

To Record Voice Message

Open the Audacity software.Test the microphone by clicking on the small red circle RECORD button (3rd button from left). You should see the signal line bounce up and down as you speak.

Stop the recording by pressing the red square STOP button (5th button)

Click on the X to close the test (don’t save).

If you didn’t see the bouncing signal line, check the WINDOWS volume control to make sure “Input” is not muted.

Start your first recording by selecting NEW under the FILE menu.

Begin recording by clicking on the small red circle RECORD button.

You can pause by pressing the PAUSE button (two vertical lines  4th button)

Restart by pressing the PAUSE button again.

Stop the recording by pressing the red square STOP button.

You can listen to it if you want by rewinding to start (1st button) and

then press play (2nd button)

Click FILE, Export As mp3Enter a file name and save it to the My Recordings folder that you made in the My Documents folder..When you click on SAVE, a box will appear.You can fill in the info if you want to but it is not necessary.

Click on OK.The file will be saved.

If you attach the file to an email message, it would be polite to tell the recipient that an Audio file is attached. If you mention a lot of websites in your recording, it would be nice to list the hyperlinked sites in your message so that the reader can click on them while listening to your recording.

HAVE SOME FUN!

Record what you know about your family tree and send it to the genealogist in the family.Get the oldest members of the family to record stories about their childhood for future generations.Record all those recipes you have been meaning to write down, record instructions for house-sitters, record Holiday greetings or start that personal journal that you could never get around to typing.

 

Student Loans – Consolidate!

Just a quick comment.? Being a busy Baby Boomer, we tend to skim through the mail and throw most of it in the trash or recycle.? You have probably received some offers to consolidate your student loans.? If you have multiple student loans for yourself or your children, make sure you consolidate them before the student gets out of school! I have used “NelNet” (http://www.nelnet.com) and save quite a bit of money.? Look at it now while interest rates are low.? Look for special savings for on-time payments and/or other incentives.

RickJoin Us Now

Bedroom rut? Rejuvenate your sex life.

We all have our little routines, ruts and boring habits.We accept them because they generally fall into our comfort zone and might help us through our daily chores.You probably take the same route into work every day because it is efficient, and you don’t really have to think about it.I personally think that any rut we fall into promotes a dullness in our brain.

So, you are in a long term relationship and have settled into a regular love making session with your partner.It is comfortable and you both leave the bedroom satisfied.Wow. Sound as exciting as having Thanksgiving dinner in a school cafeteria.Even if that is okay with you, how long can it be until you or your partner get restless or bored?If you want to keep the sexual desire burning brightly, you have to nurture your passion for each other.This may come naturally to you or you may have to put forth a little more effort.Growing prize winning orchids may take more effort than great roses but either one will whither and die without the proper amount of light & water, food & trimming.The same is true in your sex life.Here are some ideas to help keep the spark alive.

1. Change your routine! I know we are not teenagers but when was the last time you made love on the living room floor or couch? How about outside or in the car? You probably have a routine pattern that you go through once you are in bed with your partner.When you feel yourself starting this ritual, stop, make a little change. If you are healthy and have sex two or three times a week, every session doesn’t have to be different. Sometimes a spontaneous caveman “quickie” can be exciting to you and your partner but don’t make it a habit.

2. Make time for your encounters. We are all very busy and never seem to have the time we want to do anything for ourselves.If you have to, schedule time for your love making like a date or business meeting.Allow time to wind down.Take a shower or bubble bath with your partner or exchange massages before having sex. In addition to giving you time to relax, your anticipation has time to build.

3. Speaking of anticipation…Your sexual excitement begins in your brain. If you have a “date” tonight, start to build some excitement in the morning. Put on a different perfume or cologne.Wear your sexy underwear.If you live with your partner, put a love note in their lunch box or purse, bring their coffee to them in the bathroom while they get ready for breakfast. Do one of your partner’s normal morning chores for them (make the bed, take out the trash, etc.) Don’t forget to give them a very passionate goodbye kiss.

4. Take it slow.Passion doesn’t have to be the rip-off the clothes throw you against the wall type of lovemaking you sometimes see in the movies.Again, change your routine.Play footsies at the dinner table, both of you wash the dishes ? topless, slowly undress your partner, kissing and touching them lightly without grabbing and groping.After showering, massaged her feet or give his temples and jaws a relaxing rub.Scented candles, music, warmed massage lotions or oils can all add to your building anticipation. Enjoy the journey not just the destination.

5. Try different positions. Granted you might not be as flexible as you once were. Yoga can be a great help in that area. But still, health issues or other physical problems can make your formerly favorite lovemaking positions uncomfortable or even impossible. If arthritis is a problem, try side-to-side positions, which relieve any need to support yourself or accommodate your partner’s weight. Sitting positions let you vary the depth of penetration while giving you additional support (especially if you place the chair against a wall). If a man has trouble maintaining an erection, he may want to try lying on top of his partner with his legs outside hers so that she can further stimulate his penis by squeezing her thighs together.

6. Enjoy the “afterglow” of lovemaking by holding each other or simply falling asleep together (don’t forget to put out the candles!)One more word of advice,sometimes one partner goes to a lot of effort to prepare a fantastic session only to find out that their partner doesn’t feel good or has a big problem on their mind.The wise person, doesn’t mention anything about the session preparation and simply comforts their partner in a non-sexual loving way.

Of course, entire books have been written on this subject and you can find new tips in most any of them. My best advice is to watch and listen to your partner for clues as to what makes them excited.And of course, stay out of the ruts.

Health Insurance before Medicare

I always want to keep the site on an upbeat tempo without ever starting to moan and groan about aches and pains. Why? Because I do believe in the “Law of Attraction”. However, I am also a very practical person. Just because I plan on being healthy forever, doesn’t mean that I don’t have health insurance.

Bob Moos of the Dallas Morning News wrote this article, reporting on the issues facing older Baby Boomers who are no longer covered by an employer or group health insurance plan, but are too young to qualify for Medicare coverage.

It seems some entrepreneurs will be finding opportunities with those of us who get caught in this situation. On the other hand, options today are limited.

Building Your Dream House?

So many friends and subscribers have mentioned that they are finally building their dream homes. Baby Boomers with money are retiring and we want to be comfortable. I have learned many things since my mother and father-in-law moved in with us. One of the most obvious is how much we take our mobility for granted.

I’m sure you can all pitch in something on this post. I’ll start out by saying, build your house with the idea that you will be living in it when you are ninety-five. It is much easier design it now with wide interior doors, space for ramps, grab bars and no stairs. Think of it as avoiding the argument with your kids the first time they think of sending you to a senior care center because you can’t get a wheel chair into your kitchen.