Archive for April, 2010

This book should be required reading for young women in high school or college. No one wants to think about the possibility of divorce or the certainty of death but preparing women for either circumstance is critical and this book is an important tool.

This softcover book is geared towards women contemplating marriage or those who are already married. It’s a fact that many married women allow their husbands to handle the family finances while they sit idly by and sign anything that their husband places in front of them. The consequences of this behavior is made clear by the author Helga Hayse. Hayse says in the book “Our willingness to let our husband handle the finances in the marriage impacts our own financial safety and our ability to cope in the event of widowhood or divorce.” No statement has been more true.

This helpful book is a wakeup call to women everywhere. After meeting a financially strapped widow the author began to wonder how she would cope if her husband died. She interviewed hundreds of people on the topic of marital finances and each story was more heartbreaking than the last.

Hayse had her wakeup call and began the slow process of learning everything she needed to know about her marital finances. She and her husband began financial planning and shortly after all the documents were signed her husband died in freak accident at home. Hayse takes her experience from both sides of the fence to empower women to take control of their finances.

I found this book to be empowering and filled with information that most women never consider. Topics covered include premarital and postmarital agreements, death of a spouse, divorce and even remarriage. In addition to the generous advice shared there are questionnaires, checklists, worksheets, recommended reading and additional resources.

The author even includes a separate chapter for “For Husbands Only” that gently guides men to realize that they can show their love for their wife by beginning and completing the process of financial planning.

Get your copy of the book at Amazon.com

LAGUNA NIGUEL – A month ago Mary Burchard missed the big celebration in Washington, D.C, in honor of herself and the fellow Women Air Force Service Pilots with whom she served during World War II.

Burchard, 94, due to her health, was unable to make the long-distance trip. So her daughters brought the party to her Friday.

Please continue reading the article at the OC Register.

Mary Burchard displays her Congressional Gold Medal after the conclusion of the presentation ceremony for her military service during Word War II.

I’ve long been fascinated by the Tudors and Elizabeth I is my favorite historical person.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boylen.  Anne was executed in 1536 and her marriage to Henry was annulled.  The will of Henry VIII reinstated his daughters Mary and Elizabeth to the royal succession but did not make them legitimate.

Elizabeth was Queen of England and Ireland from 7 November 1558 until her death in 1603.  She was succeeded by James VI of Scotland.  Elizabeth was the last monarch the Tudor dynasty a dynasty ironically founded by a widowed queen and a Welsh servant.

Elizabeth was crowned queen when she was just 25.  Her life before this was fraught with danger and she was lucky to have survived.  At first Elizabeth was a very popular ruler but as time elapsed it became apparent that she was too ready to accept guidance from her council, many of whom did not have her best interests at heart.

Interest in Elizabeth and the Tudors have been rekindled by numerous books, movies and television shows.  I have listed some of my favorites below!

Bonnie Jo Davis

Television Shows

The Tudors First Season
The Tudors Second Season
The Tudors Third Season

Movies

Masterpiece Theatre:  The Virgin Queen
Elizabeth I

Books

The Life Of Elizabeth I
The Lady Elizabeth
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth:  The Struggle For The Throne
The First Elizabeth
Elizabeth & Leicester: Power, Passion, Politics