Amazing Over 50's Guest Posts

Amazing Over 50’s – Darlene Foster

by samfiftysomething

Once again I am excited to introduce another guest to my series:

Amazing over 50’s

I am inviting and featuring ‘Mid-lifers’ who are enjoying life over 50 and who are happy to shout out about great health, fitness, lifestyles, work or their achievements etc, but more importantly who are embracing this time of their lives with pride and open arms.

This month I’m happy to introduce Darlene Foster as my seventeenth guest.  Darlene is an author and blogger.

Welcome to Loving The Fifty Something, Darlene

Can I ask you to tell us a little about yourself  

Of course you can, but you might be sorry. I’ll try to keep it to the Readers Digest version. I was brought up on a prairie ranch in southern Alberta, Canada. I spent a lot of time daydreaming and making up stories as a child. I dreamt of becoming a teacher, writing books, travelling the world and meeting interesting people. But as the saying goes, life happens when you’re making other plans.

I married young, raised two fabulous children and before I knew it was the proud grandmother of four and great-grandmother of two. At the same time, I worked full time in retail management, human resources, recruitment and employment counselling, took many courses, and dabbled in writing. 

When I was invited to visit a friend in the United Arab Emirates soon after I turned 50, ImybooksinaCalgarylibrary was overjoyed. This amazing trip became the basis for my first children’s book, Amanda in Arabia-The Perfume Flask. Since then I have travelled to many other wonderful places and have written six more books in the series based on my travels. 

I am now retired from my day job and when I’m not travelling, I divide my time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with my husband and entertaining rescue dog, Dot. I believe that with a positive attitude and plenty of hard work, everyone is capable of making their dreams come true.

How wonderful that you made your dreams come true! That’s an inspiration in itself, Darlene.

Do you remember what turning 50 meant to you and how you feel now in relation?

schoolvisitI am not sure why, but I was afraid of turning 50 and dreaded it. Which was pointless as it turned out to be the best thing that happened to me. It was after I turned 50 that I started to do some serious travelling, received a teaching certificate by distance learning, changed to a rewarding career as an employment counsellor and ESL teacher, and began to write in earnest resulting in publication. It really was the turning point in my adult life. I didn’t have a big party, but I should have. 

Do you like to stay fit and healthy and if so how do you stay fit and healthy?

I believe in looking after my health, although I’m not a very athletic person. I watch what I eat for the most part. I’m a vegetarian so I eat more than the recommended five to seven servings of fresh vegetables and fruit a day. Of course, I still have dessert once in a while and I have a weakness for chocolate. I do yoga and walk my dog three times a day for exercise. I get plenty of fresh air and sunshine as I live in Spain and the weather is just about always pleasant. It’s easy to lead a healthy lifestyle on the Costa Blanca of Spain. 

What are the things you are most proud of achieving after turning 50?

I am proud of pursuing my dreams such as writing and publishing eight books, completing a Certificate of Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Saskatchewan enabling me to be an ESL Teacher, facilitating Job Search and Life Skills workshops assisting unemployed individuals to obtain employment, travelling to many amazing places and moving to Spain – all after turning 50. One of my proudest moments was returning to my old school and doing a presentation of my books and writing life. I’m proud of being able to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. My grandson calls me “supermegawoman”. I’m proud of that too. 

schoolvisitatmyold school
“If you can dream it, you can do it!” – Walt Disney

That’s a lot to be proud of, Darlene!  Are there any messages or advice you’d like to give to people who are about to turn 50?

Embrace this awesome time of your life. This is when the world finally takes notice of you and recognizes your contribution. This is the time to use that self-confidence you have gained over the years of life experience and just go for it. To be honest, this is the time when you no longer care about what others think and just do it your way. Live, love, laugh and don’t forget to dance and eat chocolate once in a while. Life is good!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my thoughts on being 50 plus.

You’ve been another inspiring over 50’s guest, Darlene, Thank you for showing that dreams can come true.

Booksigning inAlberta

If you’d like to check out Darlene’s books, all links are below:

Amazon.com     Amazon.ca    Amazon.uk    Kobo    Waterstones    Barnes and Noble

Chapters/Indigo    Book Depository

If you’d like to connect with Darlene, her links are below:

Facebook    Twitter    Instagram     Website    Blog    Goodreads    Amazon author page

85 thoughts on “Amazing Over 50’s – Darlene Foster”

    1. You’re very welcome Darlene 😊 It’s wonderful to feature someone who’s dreams came true in her fifties! With hard work & determination I dare say, quite inspirational. Thank you 🌸

      Reply
  6. Pingback: Amazing Over 50s – Darlene Foster | Darlene Foster's Blog

  7. An inspiring read for sure. I was 50 when I went to live in Greece and I still travel there (and think about going back to live) even now I’m in my 80s and fortunate to have good health. Like Darlene, I’m a writer of historical fiction and a travel journalist.

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  8. I didn’t realise Darlene was a vegetarian. That is admirable. I was also vegetarian during my younger years but I started eating meat when my boys were young so that we would all be eating the same food.

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    1. You are always learning something new about me. I still cook meat for hubby, I just don´t eat it. When my daughter was still at home she ate some of my vege dish and some of his meat dish, so had the best of both worlds. She was introduced to all kids of vegetables and is a very adventurous eater now.

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  9. I have followed Darlene for some time, and I’d love to have her as a hang out buddie! I’m 66 and still feel optimistic and positive about most around me. I am proud of all of Darlene’s accomplishments later in life…she shows we all an do it! And I enjoy this blog. Thanks for the invite.

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    1. Thank you for reading & commenting Claudia. Darlene certainly does prove we can all do the things we dream of doing in life 😊

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  11. At 50, I was just launching into my teaching position I adored at the college. When I retired 21 years later, I thought the world would end. Not so! I discovered blogging in my 70s and now am publishing my memoir in September.

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  12. Darlene, you are the poster girl for going for it and remain one of my inspirations. Congrats on dreaming big and then doing it.

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  13. I love seeing my blogging friend Darlene here. She is an inspiration to all of us. Darlene, really? 50? I would’ve guessed 40 except for all the things that you have accomplished. But the 50s is the new 30s, right? I’ve even approached 60 and I feel like I’m 40. 🤗 Great post!

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  14. Darlene, it is great to learn more about you. I think it is amazing what you have accomplished and will continue to accomplish through your writing. Being fifty something myself, I think life is just starting to get even more interesting from now on. Great post.

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  17. Hi, Darlene – It is a pleasure to meet you here — especially another Canadian West Coaster (I’m on Vancouver Island). Your story is very inspirational and a great reminder that our dreams do not come with expiration dates!

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  18. Fabulous to meet Darlene and I’d love to live there too! I love how dreams can come true after we turn 50, well done Darlene on all you’ve achieved and for your words of wisdom 🙂 . Thanks for another fantastic over 50 Sam 🙂

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  20. Cyberson Two gave me a wooden knife block for my fiftieth birthday – why would you trust a perimenopausal woman with big knives? I think it was on the reduced shelf at Sainsburys where he worked! I remember taking a large box of Terry’s Gold chocolates into work and we had a family outing inside Windsor Castle while the Queen was out. I don’t think anyone can beat all that for excitement…

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  21. Wow, Darlene, you’ve done a lot since turning 50. I’m a newbie to the 50s (only 51), but I hear what you’re saying. It is a beginning, like looking at the future as if it’s the day after graduating high school but better. I don’t have the baggage carried as a teen. I try to explain this feeling to others, that the future is wide open with opportunities when a woman enters the 50s, but I don’t think they get it.

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    1. I never expected to feel so good over fifty, but I haven’t felt as happy in years 😀

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  22. The 50s and are “power years” for women and it’s a good time to shine, try something new and share your wisdom. Have enjoyed your journey and I think you’ll find your 60s similar.

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  23. So wonderful to read this interview with Darlene, whose blog we follow. SO much interesting content. Kudos to doing a good interview which brought out all the good meaty answers from Darlene.

    Love most the story of how Darlene got invited to United Arab Emirates and how by saying yes and being open to doing something new, this led to more travel and to the idea and implementation of writing the Amanda books.

    The fact that your grandson has that awesome title for you, wow, that says a lot! Are you in Spain during the winters in Canada, or how is that time divided?

    Wonderful post. IT is ALL about enjoying life to the full and aging gracefully. Age is but a number. Living is ageing and ageing is living. I love this post. Well done both.

    Peta

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    1. Thank you Peta for such a fabulous comment. You yourself have said some inspiring things there…’Living is ageing and ageing is living’ – Absolutely right! Going over to your blog to take a peek!

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    2. Thank you so much, Peta for those kind words. I tend to spend most of my time in Spain these days but get back to Canada once a year for a marathon of book promotion and family/friend visits. Hubby and dog stay in Spain as they are happiest there. Since we are both retired, we have no time constraints so I can stay in Canada as long as I want but I tend to miss Dot (and hubby too). I so agree, its all about enjoying life to the full!

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    2. Thank you Natalie for visiting 😊 Darlene is certainly someone to learn from. Inspirational indeed 😊

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  26. What a wonderful and inspirational post, Darlene! I love that your grandson calls you supermegawoman – I wondered where that came from, lol. And I’m all for eating chocolate.

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    1. Thank you for visiting & reading Teri. I love running this Amazing over 50’s series, it’s great to ‘meet’ all these wonderful people who don’t see any barriers in life 😊

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  28. Darlene, I always knew you were amazing … but now I know you’re even more amazing! Congrats on all your accomplishments. And Sam, thanks for sponsoring this engaging series. All the best, Terri

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    1. Thank you Bette for reading & your great comment. Darlene is wonderful, as you say, “a fine example” indeed 😊

      Reply

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