FORTY SCHMORTY! Life Keeps Happening - Conversations with Mattie and Eve

Forty-Schmorty! …Life Keeps Happening, presents a unique opportunity to become that proverbial fly on the wall, “Eve’s-dropping” on conversations between two 40-something women who have lived, learned, and long to relate their life lessons to and inspire women creating a powerful feminine fellowship of motivation, empowerment, encouragement and enthusiasm for the next forty.

Meet Mattie Mills and Eve Selis, first of the gloom un-doomers, a pair who fervently intend to influence and impact as many of the 60 million women in their forties as they can through written word, music and social media.

Questioning your future? Lamenting your past? Nothing’s wrong, nothing’s right? Time to celebrate being human! From accidents to affirmations, from lumps to lunacies, from the zaps and zigzags life takes, this book provides incredible grist for the soulful “Mills.”

You can click on the link below and pre-order it thru Paypal which also takes all credit cards. Drop date is tentatively scheduled for the end of August but order now and you will receive an advance copy (a week before it hits stores), autographed by both Mattie and Eve.

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MATTIE: Today is Friday, May 9^th 2008 and we are celebrating the birth of Eve’s beautiful son Henry! Check out our podcast: Episode #10 Special Delivery/Eve’s baby. It’s so hard to believe how fast the time has gone by! Eve, How has it been for you this past year being a new Mom in your forties?

EVE: So little sleep and so many blessings. I think being older has helped me appreciate every moment that much more because I know how fast it goes. My daughter is going to be fourteen in two weeks!

MATTIE: Well I know you have done an amazing job adjusting to a young little one in your life! Not to mention your entire family.

EVE: Well, of course, when I have questions I call Mattie. She has had two beautiful children in her forties and has the advantage of hindsight with her two others from her thirties! It’s amazing how much you forget after 13 years.

MATTIE: Children are an amazing blessing and I am happy to be here for you sister!

EVE & MATTIE: We want to wish all Mother’s a very blessed and Happy Mother’s Day on Sunday! Enjoy our podcast!

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By Jay Allen Sanford| Published Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Singer-songwriters Eve Selis and Mattie Mills have written a book, Forty Schmorty: Life Keeps Happening. “During the process of writing the book,” says Selis, “Mattie was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45, and I became pregnant at age 43.“Mattie and I helped each other get through this journey,” says Selis. “She went through her chemotherapy with courage and the knowledge that she was going to kick cancer’s ass, not the other way around. I felt powerless over the disease but knew our friendship would help us conquer anything.” Selis’s sister is a breast cancer survivor.“As for my pregnancy, our friendship provided support…Mattie had two children in her 40s and had her fourth child at age 45. She was a great inspiration and help to me because it had been so long since my first pregnancy…my daughter is 13 years old.”In addition to their book, the duo blogs about their experiences at fortyschmorty.com, which offers BBQ aprons, tote bags, and string thongs, all emblazoned with the Forty Schmorty logo. Selis recommends the latter as a gift for men, to purchase for their forty-something wives.“Most males have been curious and said that they’d love to read our book, just to get a better idea of what’s inside a women’s mind. It definitely helps answer questions men have when their wives are going through difficult or challenging times.”

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MATTIE: Here’s a great GREEN idea! Let’s start using reusable grocery bags at the grocery store! In our podcast episode #33 Going Green, we talk about how we all need to get more involved with conserving, recycling and taking better care of our Mother Earth. Why not start at the grocery store?

EVE: That’s such a good idea. I hate all of the plastic bags I have stored in my kitchen cupboard. We have a couple of reusable bags that we can fit about 3 full plastic bags of groceries into and it’s so much easier to carry.

MATTIE: I’ve noticed that shoppers can purchase reusable grocery bags for .99 cents! They actually appear to hold more groceries than the plastic bags we’ve all been using! There’s even a local market called Henry’s that will bag your groceries in a paper bag and if you bring those bags back the next time you go shopping at their store they will give you .5 cents back for each bag you use! It’s all about getting into the habit of the whole thing.

EVE: Yes, that’s my problem I always think of it when I’m already out and on my way to the store. I need to get into the habit of keeping the reusable bags in my car.

MATTIE: Start off with one bag and stick your wallet in there. There’s no need to carry your purse in the store when all you really need is your wallet right? When you get to the check out line let them know you have a bag of your own you would like them to use! It’s such a good feeling to know that that one bag was at least worth two or three plastic ones that you didn’t need!

EVE: Every little thing adds up. We can all make a difference and together we are a powerful force to reckin with!

MATTIE: Build your collection from there and remember to put your bags back in your car for the next trip to the store! This little bit of effort will go a long way in the years to come!

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Eve and Mattie edit book #1

MATTIE: Okay so it’s April and we continue moving forward! Here’s a picture of us editing our book at a local Starbucks! We want to thank all the people who have graciously made room for us so that we could sit together and edit our book! This picture was taken on a cold February morning and we were sitting by the door where it was freezing!

EVE: We should have bought stock in Starbucks with all the latte’s we downed whilst editing!! Also, if you are going to spend a long time sitting on the wooden chairs it’s best to bring a pillow to sit on for extra “cush on your tush.” And if you are going to sit by the door like we did during the winter months we advise an extra warm coat to wear!

MATTIE: Now that our book is officially finished, we are shopping it to publishers and publishing agents. Wow, what an adventure this has been! We are prepared for success and would like to thank all the publishing agents up to this point who believe we really have something but still have passed on us and wish us well!! It’s not the beautiful let down, I like to call it the beautiful springboard!!!

EVE: Everyone has a story to tell and we just need to find the right person to help us get ours out there. Mattie and I want to thank our amazing team of people who continue to help us propel forward and grow with this wonderful project, where would we be without you all! We are bright eyed and bushy tailed, full of hope and enthusiasm. Heck, 12 publishers passed on J. K. Rowling’s first “Harry Potter” book… bet they’re kicking themselves now!!

MATTIE: We are now asking all of our blog readers to hold a good thought for us that a wonderful publishing deal arrives soon!

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MATTIE: With Valentine’s day around the corner I felt it fitting to share this sign from the heavens that landed at my front door a couple of weeks ago. Yes, this is a picture of a heart shaped leaf formed to perfection! Love is in the air and floating everywhere around you. All we have to do is open our eyes and see it for the beautiful gift that it is. I have always appreciated Valentine’s Day and the message it brings not just to the “Love of our Life” but to everyone we love.

EVE: I remember seeing that leaf and thinking the beauty of love and nature can be found in the smallest most perfect things. Here’s a great quote for the day:

Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~Author Unknown

MATTIE: Here’s wishing you all a very beautiful Valentine’s Day today and everyday!

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EVE: It was great to travel up with other San Diego affiliates and be a part of a group of men and women all on the same page in the fight against breast cancer. It truly was an inspirational and moving sight to see the Capitol building lit up with pink lights and to hear the crowd of people shouting in agreement with the various speakers. This disease has affected so many peoples lives in our world. We are all in this together!

MATTIE: The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance is working to ratchet up the fight against breast cancer by rallying communities across the country to “CLOSE THE GAP”

It’s time to:

Close the research gap… by supporting the critical federal research programs that lead to new treatments, save lives and bring us closer to the cures!

Close the screening gap… by funding the life-saving federal screening program for thousands of low-income women!

Close the treatment gap… so that women who are poor or have little or no health insurance are no longer denied breast cancer treatment under Medicaid!

And most of all, close the survival gap… so that no one is more likely to die from breast cancer simply because of where they live, how much they earn or the color of their skin!

EVE: Mattie and I designed special Forty Schmorty t-shirts with our logo on the back and “GOT COVERAGE?” on the front. We definitely got a positive response from everyone who read it. Thanks for the suggestion Mike Nottoli. It was our small way of helping make a big difference!

Survivor-Comedian Cheryl August with Mattie and Eve

MATTIE: And there we were with hundreds of people making a difference at our state Capital! It was such an honor to share the stage with celebrities; Ricardo Chavira from Desperate Housewives, Enda Campbell, a seven-year veteran of the Women’s National Basketball association who played three seasons for the Sacramento Monarchs, Singer-songwriter, Chis Martinez and survivor-comedian, Cheryl August. Cheryl has written two books, From Oy to Om and Unifying My Divided Soul. The evening finished off with an amazing Gospel group, Sista O & D’Vine Praize! Wow, they raised the roof!

Mattie, Ricardo Chavira/Desperate Housewives,
Eve Selis, Edna Campbell/former WNBA player and breast cancer survivor

EVE: We loved Sista O & D”Vine Praiz! We both bought their CD and shared our website with anyone who asked. We have a lot of exciting change heading our way in 2008. Being a part of this event was an amazing first step. Stayed tuned to our blog for more info and updates on what the future has in store for two Forty Schmortyer’s just trying to make a difference!

MATTIE: This was one of the most powerful events I’ve ever attended. We witnessed hundreds of people making a difference. Hundreds of everyday people standing in the front line for those who can’t. I can’t wait to go out and do this again!!

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EVE: I was driving around downtown San Diego at night on New Years Day and noticed all the Christmas lights were still up. Of course they were, it was a holiday and no one’s working! So starting tomorrow everything comes down. It made me a little melancholy.

MATTIE: You should come over my house and enjoy my neighbors lights! We’re already 7 days into January and the lights are on every night. I have to admit they did a great job on the decorations but I hope they come down before Easter!
EVE: Everything pertaining to this holiday season has taken me a lot longer to complete. My Christmas tree was up for 2 weeks before my family finished decorating it and it took us 2 days to break it down and drop it off at the tree recycling place. Now I’m sitting here with all my Christmas decorations on my kitchen table ready to be packed away for another year and I can’t believe how quickly it all flew by. I feel like by the time I was ready to get into the Christmas spirit, it was over. Am I getting old?? Or am I just sleep deprived??
MATTIE: No, you’re not getting old, you’re getting better! And do I have to remind you of your crazy busy schedule for the month of December 2007!
EVE: I’m so hopeful for this new year of 2008! I’ve started walking more and making healthier choices with my food and I already feel better. I am so excited to see what the world has in store for all of us Forty Schmorty’s!! Let’s make it a year of change full of positive affirmations and focus on building better relationship with loved ones and ourselves. G.K. Chesterton has a great quote: “The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”
MATTIE: I’m very excited for the new year!! Check out this Chinese Proverb: “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of a candle will never be shortened. Happiness never ceases by being shared. I’m revved up and ready to go for 2008!

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MATTIE: Just as we gracefully move away from the holidays and settle into financial recovery isn’t this the perfect time for an appliance to “kick the bucket?” This afternoon I took my cup of water out of the microwave oven with great anticipation of enjoying a few minutes with my Jasmine green tea. My cup was cold and the water was cold. I couldn’t believe it, “Microwaves don’t die!” “Noooooooooooo!”

EVE: That is the worst way to try and relax. Another stressful moment provided by life and electronics. We get so used to having them in our lives we forget there was a time when these conveniences were not even invented.

MATTIE: Well thanks to General Electric they leave their phone numbers right on their product so you can call them when ever you have a problem like I did today.

EVE: So you called them up only to hear the words…

MATTIE: Bottom line, I need a new microwave. Sure I could replace the needed “Magnatron Tube” (Doesn’t that sound like a word from the sixties?) It’s only going to cost $130.00! Oh and did I mention the repairperson making a trip to my house for $89.00? Let’s total it up…hum that’s a whooping $219.00! The very funny thing is that I was quoted the price of a new microwave coming in at exactly $219.00! Oh man oh man! I guess I’m off to Sears.

EVE: Or you could drive to Target and get a cheap microwave for $39.99!

MATTIE: What’s the website Anita gave us to recycle things like microwaves? I’m getting in contact with them because G.E. does not recycle their own rundown appliances. I think it’s time they do!

EVE: I have one for cell phones but I’m not sure about microwaves. I’ll look into it.

MATTIE; Wait a minute I just found it! I can either contact:

www.collectivegood.com

or

earth911.org

Oh yea we’re cooking now!

EVE: Sorry about your nice cup of tea this afternoon, Mattie:(

MATTIE: Ah thanks but no worries Eve I’ll make this an adventure!

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EVE: I love this time of year! It just feels right to be kind and generous and full of wonder. It reminds me of my favorite line in the song Christmas Time Is Here from the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas, “Oh that we could always see such spirit through the year.”

MATTIE: Here’s an amazing quote to think about: Pastor Harry Said at the Christmas Eve service:

“Peace is feeling like you have everything you desire, BEFORE you have everything you desire.”

I say:

As long as there’s peace, you have everything you need.

As long as you have joy, you have everything you need.

As long as you have love, you have everything you need!

EVE: That was a beautiful service and a perfect sentiment to bring in the new year. Peace on earth. Goodwill to men!

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