Showing posts with label age. Show all posts
Showing posts with label age. Show all posts

Thursday, September 15, 2011

My Colors are Changing. I Think.

There are a handful of things that have made me feel less than youthful in the past 24 hours. First, I found the cordless phone in my purse yesterday morning, where I had apparently placed it when I went to bed the night before. I’d like to blame that little mishap on stress, but frankly I just had a brain fart. All of my FaceBook friends over the age of fifty recognized themselves in that incident, so I’m assuming it was an age thing. And truth be told it’s not the first time I’ve done something like that. Just for the record, aiming the cell phone at the TV and punching the talk button will not change the channels on the TV. Also, pointing the cell phone at the car door will not open the door, unless you have the appropriate phone ap. AND pointing the cell phone at the garage door does not shut said door. Or so I’ve heard.


I read yesterday that Stevie Nicks, who has a new album out (did I just say “album”?) is 63 years old. 63!? How is that possible? Just goes to show what hair color can do for you.

Then I heard on the radio that they are remaking the movie Footloose, the movie of my freshman year in college. The movie with the soundtrack that kept me dancing for hours at fraternity parties. The movie that caused my friend B. to bust a stereo speaker. Or was that Purple Rain?

I’ve always heard that if a fashion trend comes around a second time in your life, you are too old to wear that trend. I think the same can apply to movies. I can’t do Footloose a second time. I might throw out my back.

And THEN, on my way to a work related event this morning I heard Culture Club on the radio and for some reason that really had me rolling down memory lane. Perhaps, because the event I was headed to was at the college I attended, and I sure did loves me some Boy George when I was in college. I sang Karma Chameleon down the parkway and had lots of happy thoughts about those years. Until I counted up exactly how long ago that had been. I had to count twice to make sure I had the right number.

After the event, I tortured myself by driving around campus to see how much things had changed. Half of the campus seemed new, the highway through town is twice as wide as it used to be and the Delta Sig house is just a memory. Ouch. Getting older was supposed to happen to OTHER people.

Further proof that it’s happening to me is right here.

I came across this picture last week. It’s from my senior year in college, the day before graduation. It was taken at the honors ceremony for the journalism department, and my parents, Handy Man (look how cute he is in his little deck shoes) and my grandma were there. It reminds me of how life renews itself. I was so proud my grandma got to see me graduate from college. It was a big deal to her, and she died a couple of years after that. My mother looks so young in that picture, and yet, she seemed so much older to me at the time. And I am now exactly in the same spot she was then. Teen Angel will likely transfer to that same college in another year, and I will be approximately the same age as my mother in this picture. How is that possible? I think of myself as so much younger at this age than I thought she was then. I’m sure Teen Angel thinks the same way. Next thing you know, she’ll be buying me a Jitterbug phone so I can keep track of it.  And a mu mu like Boy George's.


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

When I Am Old

When I’m old:

I shall stay up late reading good books.
I shall not underestimate the power of words.

I shall write every day.
I shall not assume someone wants to hear what I have to say.

I shall travel to as many places as my budget allows.
I shall not wait for wealth before I start my journeys.

I shall skinny dip in the backyard pool.
I shall not be ashamed of my ragged worn out body.

I shall share a bottle of wine with good friends on a regular basis.
I shall not substitute substances for friendships.

I shall dance every time I get the chance.
I shall not step on the toes of others just because I’m old and can make demands.

I shall wear stylish hats.
I shall not wear a cloak of disappointment over dreams not achieved.

I shall take pictures every day until my eyesight fails.
I shall not forget that faith requires believing in the unseen.

I shall play with children.
I shall not suppress my inner child.

I shall grow old, but I shall not grow up.

Friday, January 9, 2009

The Transition to Becoming my Mother is Almost Complete

When I was a kid I used to think it was strange that my mother couldn't always remember how old she was or what year it was. I used to test her. I would walk up to her and ask her how long she and daddy had been married or how old grandma was and just LAUGH while she scratched her head and fumbled for an answer. Now that I'm middle aged that crap isn't so funny.

These are the shirts I put on this morning and wore to work. I love these shirts. The purple thing is a little cropped jacket that is oh so comfortable and yet fashionable. (I think.) The turtleneck is just loose enough to keep from choking me and cost only $4.98. Can I get an amen on THAT? Yessiree, I was feeling pretty good about my clothing selection until I got to work and realized....I had already worn those shirts to work this week...together...just like this. My Friday look is the same as my Tuesday look. Granted, they were washed, but still. I try to dress for success and not repeat between Monday and Friday at work. I've NEVER repeated my work clothes. Ever. Now, I'm not bothered by the fact that I actually wore the same thing twice this week. I'm just embarrassed that I didn't REMEMBER this morning that I had already worn this to work...and that I can't remember what I wore Monday. Or Wednesday. Or that when asked earlier this week the date of Hubby's birthday, I had to stop and think about it. Please don't tell my mother.