A Baby Boomer's New Travel Bag

Did I mention that I am going on vacation this weekend?  We are taking the whole family to Disney World.  This year we decided to have a "magical" week.  And since we have made the trek so often, we were told that we have earned pixie dust.  I have no idea what that means.  But I sure wish I had the Fairy Godmother's wand to help me pack.

What I have noticed in the progression to my Golden Years is a significant change in my travel bag checklist.  Even though I have a long way to go before Depends are included, there are some significant substitutes.  Only one, my sunscreen, is a result of the latest medical research. (Please see end of blog).  All of the other items are a result of my aging body, the latest technical advances, and airline restrictions.

My carry-on is notably different.  I have an I Pad with the latest Apps to entertain my Grandson.  He is only 2 and he can operate that devise better than I can.  I no longer carry a book or purchase a magazine prior to boarding.  I have my Kindle.  And despite the ability to enlarge the print, I still need my reading glasses.  Sorry, Andrew.  Ya-Ya could not bring your Monster's Inc. apple juice from home.  That's a No-No.  And Yes-Yes, bag inspectors - every container in my bag is 3 ounces or less.

Another difference is my check-in luggage which obviously requires some form of payment to fly and must meet a certain weight requirement.  So my attention to details in packing for this 63 year old passenger takes high priority.  Most garments are light weight and roomy on me, not in the suitcase.  Even though I love to accessorize, I have now limited myself to basic pieces.  And one good pair of walking shoes will do it.  However, my mall now has the Walking Store.  The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other now requires a trained sales person to assist you.  To walk from the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom involves a scientific formula and, based on distance, stride, weight, and other factors, I can be fitted with the perfect Cinderella shoe.  Where are my freakin' Keds?

Bathing suits?  Yes, my grandson insists I come into the pool.  He lists all of the family members that are required.  And even though his Uncle Pete is a top notch swimmer and instructor, we all must be wet.  So, my suits contain more spandex and tend to have those cute little skirts that are actually intended to hide the hips.

The itinerary?  With our grown children still believing in the Magic of Disney, you can guess that the schedule has not slowed down.  But I wouldn't change it for the world.  It's just that this Baby Boomer needs a week's vacation upon return to recover for the vacation aforementioned.

But the biggest difference is the increase in SPF suntan lotion that I tuck away in the pool bag.  And that was the motivator to resurrect a blog I did years ago.  You see, I now have these so called sun spots that tend to bloom even more when exposed to the same rays I craved so many years ago.

So here it is.  I hope it not only brings back fun memories but also instills in us some safety precautions.

BABY OIL AND IODINE - A RECIPE FOR SPF MINUS 15

Oh, I can smell it now. That combined concoction led to a sublime sunburn, which eventually, maybe after three days and bottles of Bactine numbing spray, turned into a golden bronze tan. And let's not forget, we may have been sipping on the Funny Face fruit drink determined to rival Kool-Aid without the calories. Problem? Funny Face had cyclamate as it's sweetener, soon removed from the market for increasing the risk of kidney cancer. So there I was, enjoying the peaceful summer and listening to the Beach Boys or Sgt. Pepper, and contributing to the possible decline in my mortality.

My kidneys are fine, thank you very much, but it is the, what do you call them - sun spots, liver spots, age spots - that have chosen to remind me of my younger, reckless days. Hey, was SPF part of our vocabulary back then? Oh, if we knew then what we know now. I tell you what, I wouldn't need an extra blotch of cover up on the side of my nose and forehead to conceal my "sun freckles".

Do you like to get a little sun in the summer? I'm guilty. I admit that I love to feel the warm rays on my face and body with a cool drink in my hand. I don't have to be on vacation or have a cabana boy around to feel totally relaxed. But now, with all of the research devoted to skin cancer and it's prevention and the SPF products on the shelves with SPF numbers beginning to outnumber my age, I am now encouraging all of my Baby Boomers to follow these prevention guidelines:

- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.
- Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours.
- Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
- Do not burn.
- Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
- Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of 6 months.
- Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
- See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

For a beautiful looking and a safe tan, I just book a Buff and Bronze at the clinic. Please consult the skin care department for the specials they are offering this week. Your skin will thank you!

For more information, please visit the Skin Cancer Foundation at http://www.skincancer.org

There it is.  To all of my Baby Boomer Friends and to anyone who reads this blog, have a magical summer!