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Top Posts

Amanda Batula’s Brown Suede Bag

Ariana Madix’s Beaded Flower Appliqué Mini Dress

Ciara Miller’s Gingham “Cherries” Top

Ariana Madix’s Pink Sheer Crystal and Feather Embellished Gown

Amanda Batula’s Grey Zip Up Hoodie

Lindsay Hubbard’s Khaki Jacket and Red Sunglasses

Ariana Madix’s Turquoise Mesh Dotted Turtleneck and Pants

Amanda Batula’s Season 10 Reunion Look

Lindsay Hubbard’s Navy Blue Denim Collar Sweater

Madison LeCroy’s Barrel Leg Jeans

Amanda Batula’s Light Blue Striped T Shirt

Amanda Batula’s Brown Suede Jacket with Lindsay

Amanda Batula’s Black and Polka Dot Maxi Dress at the In The City Premiere Party

Georgina Ferzli’s Navy Blue Sheer Dress

Originally posted at: Lindsay Hubbard’s Black One Sleeve Dress

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A few years ago, my writing partner, Lillie Evans, and I were notified that our full-length play script, Grandmothers, Incorporated won a playwriting competition. Our work was selected from over 600 submissions from 33 countries. Nobody could tell us that we weren’t hot stuff. We were ecstatic, on top of the world. We were also reluctant to tell people the name of the contest we won. It’s called the Old Lady Project.

To Be or Not to Be – Old

We knew the name of the contest when we entered it, but the fact that the competition called for play scripts featuring female-identifying characters ages 50 and up overrode any reservations we might have had about the title. You see, in the world of television and film, good roles are hard to find for seasoned actresses. Women over the age of 50 are considered “old,” over the hill.

According to a 2020 study published by the Geena Davis Institute, a nonprofit organization that analyzes media representation, only one in four of all television and film characters are women ages 50 or older. Theatrical roles account for a mere 15-20%. Too often, roles for women of this age are marginal or stereotypical. But, as writers in this age range, we decided that this wasn’t going to happen, not on our watch!

As authors and playwrights, Lillie and I created the Grandmothers, Incorporated cozy book series about three crime fighting widows in their 60s. Our characters are smart, funny, clever, and resilient. These women are like us, our friends and family members. They’re probably like people you know. Our creative efforts have resulted in our lively characters being featured in four published novels, and three award-winning plays – one of which appeared Off Broadway.

Recently, we co-wrote and produced The Funeral, a short comedic film, based on our first Grandmothers, Incorporated novel. Everyone involved in that production was ages 60 to 80. We’ve been touting how fabulous women 60 and over are for years. The word “old” was never a consideration.

What’s in a Word

The Old Lady Project was launched as a competition in 2022 by the city of Evanston, Illinois, located not far from Chicago. I’ve often wondered why such a negative sounding label was put on such a worthwhile venture.

In youth-obsessed America, calling someone old could lead to a fight. Being “old” is too often associated with the idea of being wrinkled, decrepit, washed up, and even useless. The dictionary defines “old” as “having lived for a long time, belonging to the past, and being of a specific age,” although it doesn’t say exactly what age defines one as being “old.” Isn’t that interesting?

It’s Time for a Reset

I don’t like the way people use the word “old,” especially when describing women. Until the negative perception about the word changes, if ever, I’ve decided that I’m incorporating another word in my vocabulary when referring to myself. I’m calling myself a Queenager.

I first heard the word when award-winning producer and director Lisa Maydwell came to my house for a meeting. Lisa, who is in her 60s and launched her successful film career in her 50s, brought her mother with her to the meeting. Her mother was a beautiful woman, whose age I couldn’t begin to guess. As we talked, I heard her refer to herself as a Queenager, and I was immediately intrigued.

Looking up the word, I found that it is a contemporary term, coined by Eleanor Mills, a British journalist. Defined, “a Queenager is a term for a confident, active, and independent woman in midlife (typically in her 40s to 60s) who is stepping into a new phase of empowerment, financial freedom, and self-discovery. The word blends “queen” (maturity and authority) with “teenager” (youthful energy and curiosity).”

I love it! The word describes everything I am and have been for quite some time. I consider aging a privilege. The years have brought me wisdom and peace of mind. I know that there are other words that I could use, less triggering, to describe myself at this stage in my life. But I like the word Queenager. For me, it’s time to bring in the new and toss out the “old”!

Your Turn:

What about you? What do you think about the word Queenager? Do you see yourself as one?

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As a real estate agent, I often talk to people who are thinking about downsizing in retirement. They are not always looking for something tiny. They are looking for a home that fits their life now, and the energy they have to keep it up.

In their research journey, downsizing into a tiny home will come up as an option.

When people first think about tiny homes, the first question is usually, “Could I really live in something that small?”

It’s a fair question. Most of us were raised to believe that more space means more comfort.

A bigger kitchen.

A bigger closet.

A guest room.

A dining room.

A garage.

A place for everything we might need someday.

But after working in real estate and spending a lot of time studying tiny homes and smaller housing options, I think the better question is not, “Is this too small?”

The better question is, “Does this space fit the way I want to live now?”

Maybe a tiny home is not too small.

Maybe it is just different.

We Are Used to Measuring Homes by Size

For years, we have been taught to judge a home by square footage. Bigger often sounds better.

A 2,500-square-foot home sounds more impressive than a 399-square-foot park model or a 500-square-foot tiny home.

But square footage does not tell the whole story.

A large home can still feel crowded if the layout is poor, the closets are packed, or the rooms are not being used.

Sometimes, the problem is not the size of the home. It is that the extra space slowly fills up, and the clutter starts to feel heavy.

A smaller home can feel peaceful if it is well planned, easy to clean, and fits the way you actually live. Especially for those moving into the seniors age group.

Tiny Living Is Not About Giving Up Everything

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about tiny homes.

People often picture a life with one coffee mug, two shirts, and no room for family photos. That may work for some people, but it is not the only way to live smaller.

Tiny living does not have to mean giving up everything you love. It may mean choosing what earns a place in your home.

You may still have your favorite chair, family photos, a soft blanket, and the coffee mug you reach for every morning.

That is a very different feeling.

The question becomes, “What do I want close to me every day?”

Not, “How much can I squeeze in?”

Different Rooms May Serve Different Purposes

In a traditional home, each room often has one job.

The dining room is for dining. The guest room is for guests. The office is for work. The laundry room is for laundry.

In a tiny home, rooms usually work harder and have to function in many more ways.

A dining table may also be a desk. A guest bed may be a sofa. A bench may offer storage underneath. A kitchen island may be the prep space, eating space, and mail drop zone.

That can sound like a compromise, but it can also be smart.

Many people live this way without realizing it.

You may have a formal dining room you use twice a year. You may have bedrooms that only hold boxes. You may spend most of your time in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom.

That extra bedroom may not need to sit empty for guests who visit twice a year. It may need to work as a sewing room, reading space, office, or place for the grandkids to sleep when they visit.

A tiny home simply makes you more honest about how you use space.

The Real Issue Is Usually Storage

When someone says, “A tiny home is too small,” what they often mean is, “Where would I put my stuff?”

That is a real concern.

Storage matters, especially if you have spent decades building a home, raising a family, saving furniture, and collecting memories.

But this is where expectations need to change.

A tiny home may not hold every holiday decoration, every serving platter, every old file, and every piece of furniture from your larger home.

That does not mean it cannot work.

Look for built-in storage. Look under beds. Look at closets. Look at kitchen cabinets. Look at outdoor storage options. Ask where the vacuum goes, where the luggage goes, and where the Christmas tree goes.

Pretty is nice. Practical is what makes you stay.

Tiny Homes Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

Some people love a tiny home on wheels. Others would feel safer in a park model, small cottage, condo, or accessory dwelling unit in a family member’s backyard.

That is why I do not think everyone needs to “go tiny.”

I think more people should consider “going smaller.”

There is a difference.

For one person, smaller may mean 400 square feet. For someone else, it may mean 900 square feet with no stairs and a small yard.

For another person, it may mean moving from a large two-story home into a one-level cottage near family.

The goal is not to win a tiny home contest.

The goal is to create a home that supports your life now. That is exactly what Allison is doing in her journey.

Try Reframing the Question

Before you decide if a tiny home is too small, walk through your current home like a detective. Notice where you actually sit, cook, read, sleep, and relax.

Instead of asking, “Could I live in a tiny home?” try asking:

• “What parts of my current home do I actually use every day?”
• “What spaces do I maintain but rarely enjoy?”
• “What items would I miss if they were gone?”
• “What do I keep because I love it, and what do I keep because I feel guilty?”
• “What would feel easier in a smaller home?”

These questions are more helpful than starting with fear. They give you information. And when it comes to downsizing, information is much better than pressure.

Enough Is a Powerful Word

A tiny home is not for everyone. Some people need more space. Some people want more privacy. Some people have hobbies, family needs, or medical equipment that require a larger home.

That is okay.

But I do think many of us have been trained to see “enough” as settling. It is not.

Enough can mean fewer rooms to clean, fewer repairs to manage, and fewer things quietly asking for your attention.

Enough can mean more time, more freedom, and more breathing room.

A tiny home asks you to think differently. Not smaller in spirit. Not smaller in comfort. Just smaller in wasted space.

And for some people, that may feel like exactly the right size.

Final Thoughts

A tiny home may be too small for your old life. But it might be just right for the life you are trying to build now.

That is the real question.

Not “Can I fit my whole past into this space?”

But “Can this space support the next version of my life?”

Let’s Think This Through:

Have you ever thought about living in a tiny home, park model, or smaller home? What part feels most exciting, and what part still makes you hesitate?

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1 Amanda Batula’s Season 10 Reunion Look 2 Ariana Madix’s Turquoise Dotted Look 3 Ariana Madix’s Pink Sheer Feather Gown 4Amanda Batula’s Cartier Watch from Kyle 5 Ariana Madix’s Black Cutout Gown 6 Ariana Madix’s Beaded Flower Dress 7 Lindsay Hubbard’s Navy Blue Collared Sweater 8 Jo-Ellen Tiberi’s Green Fringe Cutout Dress 9 The Valley Season 3 Episode 11 Fashion 10 Dorit Kemsley’s Turquoise Necklace and Hoop Earrings

Originally posted at: Best of June 2026

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Photo: @lindshubbs

Style Stealers

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Top Posts

Amanda Batula’s Brown Suede Bag

Ariana Madix’s Beaded Flower Appliqué Mini Dress

Ciara Miller’s Gingham “Cherries” Top

Ariana Madix’s Pink Sheer Crystal and Feather Embellished Gown

Amanda Batula’s Grey Zip Up Hoodie

Lindsay Hubbard’s Khaki Jacket and Red Sunglasses

Ariana Madix’s Turquoise Mesh Dotted Turtleneck and Pants

Amanda Batula’s Season 10 Reunion Look

Lindsay Hubbard’s Navy Blue Denim Collar Sweater

Madison LeCroy’s Barrel Leg Jeans

Amanda Batula’s Light Blue Striped T Shirt

Amanda Batula’s Brown Suede Jacket with Lindsay

Amanda Batula’s Black and Polka Dot Maxi Dress at the In The City Premiere Party

Georgina Ferzli’s Navy Blue Sheer Dress

Originally posted at: Lindsay Hubbard’s White Bow Halterneck Mini Dress

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My friend Stewart retired from his corporate attorney job after almost 40 years, eager to fill his leisure with travel, golf, and his lifelong love of skiing. Schussing down the mountain one day in the crisp cool air, he was hit from behind by a snowboarder who gave little more than a backward glance. Stewart, 66, suffered a fractured shoulder along with bumps, bruises, and a concussion.

After his bones mended, his doctor recommended a reverse shoulder replacement, a procedure that I am also facing in two days as I write this article. Sharing my experience with my sixtyandme readers might resonate with those facing a similar situation.

I no longer ski, though I loved it once. Standing at the top of a mountain opened up a world of possibilities. However, years of pushing stretchers as a nurse, lifting patients, and supporting women through labor did a job on my shoulders, especially my right one. I have overworked and re-injured it several times by lifting heavy pieces of luggage, children, and moving furniture because I didn’t want to wait for help.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and even hobbies like knitting and yin yoga have done additional damage. In short, my joints have been used and abused and now I have added severe osteoarthritis in my right shoulder to my diagnosis list, with multiple tears throughout the structures supporting the joint.

Therapies First

I’ve tried many treatments in my shoulder – injections of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and multiple courses of physical therapy among them. Most helped considerably and kept my shoulder healthy enough to do my everyday tasks but over time, the pain worsened. I worked with a rehabilitation physician who tried an experimental procedure that failed me. I took oral steroids, rested it, and exercised as instructed by a licensed physical therapist.

All of these procedures strengthened some of the structures, delaying the inevitable, and enabled me to cope with the damage in my dominant arm until surgery remained the only option.

My physical therapy team touted the quick recovery of their patients who get reverse shoulder replacement and undergo rehab. They play tennis and golf again, for example. In the past, my team gave me exercises to increase weight tolerance and flexibility, but my last round of physical therapy consisted mostly of massage.

“Your joint is shot,” the lead PT told me.

I delayed longer than I should have as I did not want surgery. I didn’t want any part of anesthesia, a hospital stay, or the months of rehab that follow. My rheumatologist listed my options, which included everything I had done already.

“I’d rather see you do surgery now, than wait until you’re in your 70s,” he mused.

Selecting a Surgeon

Insurance companies like to tell us what pool of doctors we can choose from. There are great surgeons among them but that does not mean I did not do extra credit homework on the subject. I asked a doctor that I trusted for a referral. He recommended a particular surgeon with a stellar reputation who treated athletes with complicated shoulder injuries. Though I have never been accused of being an athlete, my injuries fell into a similar category of impairment. I read all the physican’s reviews and board certifications, reinforcing my confidence. He worked at a hospital two hours away.

I then researched the hospital, and was pleased to see it had an A rating, the top tier for institutions and a five-star rating from Medicare. A hospital with a lower rating may have an excellent surgical department as well so it’s important to delve more into the specific data that is used for ratings. For example, I recently had a minor surgery in another hospital that is rated C, but the surgical department itself is highly rated.

Procedures First

My surgeon required an MRI prior to my appointment though it is my understanding not all do. I’ve had MRIs before, in other regions of my body, and the shoulder was the easiest for me. The technician worked with my limited range of motion and pain tolerance to position the arm with care and the scan itself moved quickly. My best friend says she falls asleep during an MRI, a skill I’ve never mastered.

To endure the clackety clack and machine gun sounds of the machine, I repeat a soothing mantra to myself during each phase of the scan. I use three words, my children’s names, and that gets me through without added anxiety. Many people do need sedation prior to having an MRI. The test is important, so do what you need to get through it.

Surgeon’s Office Visit

My surgeon operates from a full-service satellite facility of the hospital. His physician’s assistant, who also comes to the operating room, performed a complete history and physical on me, reviewing my records. I had to get specific clearances from my rheumatologist and cardiologist as well. Because I am in a clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis, my implanted device had to be turned off prior to surgery.

The surgeon spent ample time with my husband and me, answering our myriads of questions. He reviewed my MRI results and explained the procedure in detail. I had more X-rays taken of the shoulder, and, though he does 250 of these procedures a year, care was shown through his team’s patience and understanding of my situation.

The Procedure

A reverse shoulder replacement does not mean they put your shoulder on backwards, as my youngest brother jokes. In short, it means instead of the ball of the humerus (the upper arm bone) pointing upwards, it is removed and a prosthesis ball is seated in a man-made socket at the top of the humerus, upside down, its attachment at the joint. That gives a torn rotator cuff, whose job it is to support and control the arm, a way to retire. I appreciated this reenactment video which gave many great details that I was unaware of. It’s possible to access the full surgery on YouTube, but warning: it is graphic.

Preoperative Preparation

My hospital has an additional service to assure that the medical record is complete. A nurse reviewed all the instructions and a hospitalist did a quick exam. Fresh lab work and cervical spine X-rays were done to ensure that I am healthy and strong enough for any intervention. For the 48 hours before the surgery, I must wash the shoulder area each morning using two different kinds of antibacterial soaps in order to prevent an infection in the operative site. We have normal bacteria that lives on the skin that typically is helpful to us, as long as it stays on the outside. This pre-surgical scrub reduces the amount of those bacteria.

As with any surgery, I will be fasting and arrive at the hospital well in advance of the operative time. The anesthesiologist will place a regional block in my shoulder giving me relief from post-operative pain for the first 24 hours or more. I will have anti-inflammatories and narcotics if needed as the block wears off. I will stay overnight in the hospital but it’s an option. The plan is to go home the next morning with my arm in a sling for six weeks or so.

Infrastructure

It’s important to be prepared at home for the immediate post-operative period. I ordered a particular sling that my doctor recommends, and I expect I will wake up from surgery with it in place. My insurance covered this piece of durable medical equipment. There are other recommendations that I received both from medical advice as well as Stewart’s first-hand (one-handed?) experience. By the way, he is doing well. He can lift a full glass to his mouth and drive again. He expects to be golfing by fall, a mere six months after his surgery, having worked hard in rehab to regain strength and function.

It is recommended to use a recliner for sleep because the shoulder needs elevation which is harder to achieve by sleeping flat. We moved our existing recliner to the bedroom and that’s where I will start my home recovery. It is a short walk to the bathroom with no throw rugs in the way. The last thing I want to do is fall with my shoulder immobilized.

I invested in reliable footwear in the last several years, to increase my chances of staying upright after a series of falls. I purchased an inexpensive shoulder exerciser, a pulley that fits over my closet door, and have hand weights and other equipment that I’ve collected through the years. A responsible physical therapist will show you ways to do the same exercises with existing products in your home, like filled water bottles or dish towels so you don’t have to spend money on such equipment.

In addition, I have a machine to circulate ice water over my joint after surgery to keep inflammation at bay in the initial days. These machines are expensive and considered optional, but I was able to borrow one. Ice packs would work too. My wedge pillow will be helpful once I’m able to sleep in my bed again. An item that is recommended, though not covered by insurance, is amino acid replacement, the powder that dissolves in a beverage to help re-build muscle and enhance healing. I invested in this option after checking with my internist to make sure the ingredients won’t affect my kidneys or liver function.

My daughter is coming to help with my grandchild in tow for entertainment. I’m fortunate to have a husband who is healthy and strong as well. Pool your resources, especially if you are alone. Consider the feasibility of bringing in a home health aide to assist in personal care. If you are active in a church or other community group, put the word out. If friends offer, take them up on it for meals or rides to physical therapy or doing your laundry. If only I had someone who would keep my cat from climbing onto my sling!

What Comes Next?

I made an appointment for a physical therapy evaluation two weeks after my surgery. When I write Part II of this experience next month, I will have been through the surgery, the immediate postoperative period, and started active rehabilitation. I understand it will entail a great deal of time over the summer and well into the fall.

What I’ve learned in the past is physical therapy, when performed as instructed, works. I am dedicated to the follow through and reaping the benefits of using my arm to its full capacity again. With a reverse shoulder replacement, I may not have the ability to reach straight overhead or behind my back, but regaining adequate function and sleeping without pain will be worth the effort.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

I hope you don’t have to have joint replacement, but if you or someone you know does, Part II of my journey may be of interest to you next month. Please comment below and let me know if you are going through something similar. Have you any tips on the rehab process not listed above? I’d love to hear from you.

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