Baby Boomer Woman: Georgia Richardson

by Anne Holmes on June 2, 2010

It’s a medical fact that humor is good medicine. Read all about Baby Boomer humorist, and NABBW member, Georgia Richardson, better known as Queen Jaw Jaw, for a dose of what ails you.

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself? Southern to the core, I make two syllables out of every word whether it needs it or not, am a freelance writer, Southern humorist, motivational speaker, and a gabologist; meaning I talk/write nonstop. My motto is, “Will work for laughs.” I also like to think of myself as a baby boomer woman gone GLAD.

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc. I’ve raised two wonderful boys (no surprises after that), have two grandbeauties, and four sisters. My mom is my muse and mentor. She’s a breast cancer survivor of seven years, and a firm believer in the power of positive thinking…and prayer. Go Mom! We lost Daddy and his brave fight against Lewy-Body Dementia seven years ago. I miss you, Daddy.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s? Oh, there are so many to choose from with four sisters. Probably Christmas around the tree, the presents, and Daddy getting on the roof jingling bells so we’d believe Santa had arrived. Not getting caught opening and re-wrapping presents. The sisters …not me, I swear. Then there was the time on my 13^th birthday where I tried to kick one of my sisters and instead, kicked a very hard chair. Can you say broken pinkie? My presents? A bed of my very own which came in handy, and two pairs of SHOES I couldn’t wear. This also happened on Friday the 13th.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women? I believe boomers have spirit. We are like pioneers constantly reinventing ourselves and pushing fear aside. We have Fortitude…Wisdom…Guts…HUMOR…and we double-dog dare each other to be all we can be. Those are our tools.

What inspires you? Sweating a deadline. Oh, wait! You said INSPIRES me. Quotations that tell me, “you can do it!” Also, people who laugh at the naysayers and keep following their dreams. One thing that fills me up is seeing kindness in others. I’m such a sap when I witness someone being kind to others, and usually shed a tear or two. Then again, I cry when the Magtag repairman says he’s lonely.

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife? My grandbeauties. I don’t care if they do tell me I’m fluffy, I adore those girls. Plus, they tell me all of mommy and daddy’s secrets. Pretty cool, huh?

Do you have any interesting hobbies? Don’t laugh, but I LOVE to work jigsaw puzzles, glue them, frame them, and then give them away. Sometimes to friends, other times to charities with children. I also collect dust.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite. The Quiet Man, with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Sigh…now THAT’S love. Book? Mine. Whatttt? (insert evil laughter)

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go? Oh sure. I travel from the computer to the kitchen, usually with a bag of Oreo’s in hand. All kidding aside, I’ve been to Scotland, Ireland, England, and different parts of the US. Girlfriends are the best travel partners because they don’t care if you snore. Not that I dooooo, mind you.

What do you stress about? Bathing suits. Don’t we all? If a woman says she doesn’t, she’s lying through her polyester.

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go? I gave all that up a long time ago. People who love me, love me for who I am, not how I look. Loving myself is the most important thing and helps me stay young. Wrinkles don’t hurt and quite frankly, I’ve got bigger fish to fry than worrying over my looks. Besides, momma says I’m purdy and momma’s don’t lie.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how? Have I ever…I was laid off in 2005, so I retired, and took the bulls by the ah…oh yeah, horn, and started writing publicly. I finished two books and have one almost at the finish line (pun intended). I’ve been in major national magazines, won a few contests, and work for one of the most amazing women’s organization on the planet; the National Association of Baby Boomer Women. Life is sweet.

Do you plan to retire? I did that once; then reinvented (see above) so I don’t see it in the cards…neither does my bank.

Are you doing anything to GO Green? After that taco I had last night, yes…you could say so.

Can you pinpoint major turning points in your life that led to your life’s work/play at midlife? See post above…lay off…retired…writing. I’ll never look back; only forward.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them? Unfulfilled, yes…I want to have a 23-inch waistline, a darling drop-dead gorgeous hair cut and a stylist that doesn’t move or get pregnant, be debt-free, and travel the US spouting forth humor and wisdom to all the women in the land. Oh and I also want world peace. Anybody taking bets?

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why? It may sound corny but who gives a rip. Hands down; it was mom and dad. Mother rose every morning, threw open the front door and said, “Morning World!” and meant it. Daddy, my beloved humorist, taught me that life always gives you two choices, to whine or to take action. Try whining around those two Pollyanna’s.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose. Time is fleeting, folks. If you have a dream, go after it. Fears are man-made and if you just say to yourself, “what’s the worst thing that could happen?” usually you’ll find out that the worst “thing” was your own imagination. Believe in yourself. You’re worth it.