I have always been baffled by people who fear birthdays. Granted, I am only turning 26 Saturday but I enjoy them. I plan to be someone who embraces 50 with open arms (and still be on my bike). You ladies ROCK! :D
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I have always been baffled by people who fear birthdays. Granted, I am only turning 26 Saturday but I enjoy them. I plan to be someone who embraces 50 with open arms (and still be on my bike). You ladies ROCK! :D
I feel the same way about people who get all crazy about their birthdays--jeez, what's up with that? Like Annie said, you can either have your next birthday or...not--so I prefer to keep having them.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama
It makes me a little angry when people imply that I should be hiding my age. I'm 54 and I don't care who knows it.
In spite of the ridiculous cult of eternal youth that this society seems mesmerized by, we CAN embrace our age, still pedaling happily away on our bikes.
I think the worst thing about turning fifty is that's when the AARP comes after you. And they don't give up.
Other than that, it's just another birthday. I'm glad to have made it this far, and I like to ask people when they complain about getting older:
"You'd rather have the alternative?".
After they figure that one out they shut up.
East Hill
After just talking about this with someone the other day, I will add my two cents. I am 51, I look forward to my birthdays for the gifts, especially when it is a new bike and do not think twice about the age. And I am happy to say that I am in better shape now than I was at 21.
JoAnn
I went ahead and joined when I started getting the "invitations". For $12.50 a year, you get a decent magazine and discounts similar to AAA. AARP is a very powerful lobby in Washington DC. We should be glad they are there fighting for us.Quote:
I think the worst thing about turning fifty is that's when the AARP comes after you.
I'll be 55 soon and I have to second the above. I'm not as thin as I was way back when, but I'm a h*ll of a lot fitter and healthier. To me, that is so much more important.Quote:
And I am happy to say that I am in better shape now than I was at 21.
we don't get aarp.
I think my DH got a couple issues and cancelled. I don't like the way they sold the american public down the river on that last medicare plan. They weren't fighting for us then. THey convinced people to accept that plan which was terribly flawed and more expensive than the last. It's another big fat rich lobbying group.
The one thing I can say about birthdays that helps them make sense to me is that they are just numbers.
I turned 53 in November. I saw Led Zepplin in concert whe I was 14. I dont like birhtays at all ,and never tell anyone when it is.
I don't mind telling anyone my birthday and I turned 53 in November, too. I weigh the same as I did in HS, but a lot less than I did when I was 21. Definitely in better shape!
I ignored the AARP, too, because it's just kind of creepy to me, like some kind of monolith, that finds us as soon as we turn 50. I have read the mag. in the doctor's office and it seems OK. My husband is going to join though, because we are going to use the discounts when I stop working and I can't qualify for the NEA discounts for auto insurance and the health club.
Hi all,
This is my first post and I'm going to be 48 in May. Not sure how that happened and if I don't look in the mirror, I feel like I should be around 30 or so. I'm inspired by so many of you that are 40 and over and all that you do.
I think that's what it was, it was just creepy. And I agree with mimitabby, I think the American public lost out on the Medicare plans when AARP backed the ones they did. They certainly weren't talking/lobbying for my best interests at that point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin
East Hill
I am 53, close enough to 54. At work, I feel my age. I have little tolerance anymore for "playing the game". But, when I am on my bike, I feel very much ALIVE:p :p :p !!!! I can't explain it, the worries, the stresses are generally replaced with the knowledge that I am "accomplishing" something for ME....Birthdays, well, these days I always get to celebrate my birthday with my best friend, my twin sister and that involves a road trip to Montana:D
Hey, twin, that's the main thing that bugs me on my birthday these days--that I miss my twin, who's also still my best friend, as yours is for you. But he's in Alaska and I'm in Florida, so we just get together when we can. You're fortunate to be close enough for a road trip!
twins?? you're twins?? I want to see pictures!!!
Turned 56 last week. In the mist of my brother in law's funeral with the entire family gathered, one of my sister's said to me "Happy Birthday". My mother then said "Whose having a birthday. Whose birthday is it?" This was after trying to call my father the week before and the conversation went like this:
Dad it's Pam...
Who?
Pam, your daughter Pam.
Kim?
No Pam, Pam your daughter
I don't know a Kim
No Pam
Who is this?
Pam =sigh= your eldest daughter Pam
Here's Reba [my mother] talk to her...
* * *
After awhile birthday means nothing. I just know I'm old and getting older every day...
Pam, is your father hard of hearing or is he suffering from memory loss?Quote:
Originally Posted by bcipam
or both? i'm sorry about that.
My father was hit by both at the same time.
You know, you just hit on one of the worst parts about being over 50. So many of those dear to us are dying, getting really frail... even people our own age. It's so sad and there's nothing we can do except be a good example.
Pops unfortunately has dementia and is also hard of hearing... it's so hard to be around him anymore. Poor thing.
64, here....but who's counting?
Maureen
Florida
I'm on my second parent with Alzheimer's disease, and it's not only dreadfully disheartening to watch them go through it and bloody hard work to be a caregiver, but also a frightening prospect for my brother and me to think about in terms of our own aging.
It's true that there are nasty things out there that can grab us as we age, despite our best efforts. But it's also up to us to do what we can to avoid as many of them as possible--to control what we CAN control. And while aging brings on more concerns of this kind, I also find it liberating in many ways. I'm less concerned about what others think of me, less interested in trends, more forgiving with family and friends, and more connected with my own needs and desires. Life's too short to waste time being joyless!:D
I was wondering when you would weigh in, Maureen!:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Maureen Valley
My father's alzheimers went on forever because he was such a healthy man. He walked for HOURS every day for almost 20 years before he slowed down.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad JuJu
all he needed was a new brain and he could have lived to be 100.
Alzh got him at age 82.
Nice to see gals out there my age riding! I am 52, will be 53 the end of February. When I turned the big five O I did three big rides that year (something to prove to myself?) . . . RAMROD, Tour de Blast, and Pedal the Pinchot.
I grew up in a small suburban town on the banks of the Allegheny River just northeast of Pittsburgh. I remember riding my bike with my friends for all of our town's parades. Decked out with handlebar tassles, cards in the spokes, and ringing bicycle bells. I must admit I had a great childhood! Growing up in the 60s was awesome! :)
Susan, you did RAMROD?!??!?! I don't know anything about Pedal the PinchotQuote:
Originally Posted by Susan126
and little about Tour de Blast (except that a friend couldn't finish it) but Ramrod? That is one tough ride! more power to you. I wish you were coming up to our NW ride that goes to the Ale house Saturday so we could meet you. Not everyone there will be drinking.
My husband claims that was the year I went a little overboard! I have since tuned it down a notch. Right now I am trying to get back in shape after a hard winter and little riding last year because of bunion surgery. I would love to join you on your NW ale house ride but hubby and I are committed on Saturday to a friend's mountain bike ride. He is leading it and we told him we would be there. I seriously do hope to meet you gals this year! Our weather can only get better . . . right? :rolleyes:
Mimi, Your Dad sounds like mine, he was a swimmer, walked 7 miles a day, ate lots of fruits and veggies. He was diagnosed at 80 seven years ago. We were counting on my mom to help look after him but she was diagnosed with with Alzheimers two years ago. My sister and I are doing what we can to care for them in the home they have lived in for 43 years, but it is increasingly difficult even with the help of hospice. Everytime I misplace my keys I wonder if it is happening to me.
I will be 60 in April and plan on doing my second DALMAC tour in Aug.
http://www.biketcba.org/DALMAC/dframe.html
You sound awesome. and I can really relate to your self doubts. We are both that way (Dh and I) his mother's got it too!!Quote:
Originally Posted by SandyLS
good luck with your parents. getting old can be really tough.
It must be so sad when parents are struck down with Alzheimers, to see them alter so much, I should think literally a shadow of their former selves. Equally when illness forces them to be hospitalised, the worry must be such a strain on their relatives.
I do not have that worry, unfortunately my Dad died when I was ten years old and my Mum when I was 28. Neither do I have any brothers or sisters, I don't even have any uncles or aunts left. Thankfully I have one smashing son and his fiancée plus my gorgeous grandson. :)
Over the years when I listen to friends moaning about their parents with regards to trivial things, I often think............if only! :(
Sally
Not only is it sad to see once sharp and intelligent parents bcome confused and addled, I also now have the fear the same thing will happen to me. Growing old really sucks!
PamQuote:
Originally Posted by bcipam
Hopefully this will make you chuckle, living in the UK the USA just seems so big and I am rather ignorant of where different places are. Just out of curiosity typed in Tustin, as I had never heard of it, and came up with the following:
Tustin Median resident age: 31.8 years
Apparently 40 years in my area.
Looks like we are way to old for where we live..............:D :D :D
Sally
what's the link, Clockwork?
Hi mimiQuote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
No link in particular, I just do a search on various places, I tend to do this with most postings, it is just nice to get a feel of whereabouts in the world somebody lives.
This particular search came up with:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Tustin-California.html
Hope you are OK.
Sally
Sally, I am doing fine. I thought you found a website where you put in a city name and "median age" popped out. But i guess you could do that with google.
Seattle median age 36.9!
[QUOTE]bcipamNot only is it sad to see once sharp and intelligent parents bcome confused and addled, I also now have the fear the same thing will happen to me. Growing old really sucks!
My grandfather is going through the very begining stages of alzheimers along with dementia and it's very hard to deal with. He helped my mom take care of us when we were little, during the hard times, and now seeing this sweet kind soul slowly fade is disheartening. But, he's lived a great life and at almost 90, he's doing fairly well. That's all I can be greatful for, that he's still here and that he's surrounded with people who love him. Im starting to make recordings of his old stories so I can tell my nieces and nephews about what their great grandpa!
Early in my Dad's illness we would work together on one of those memory books ment for grandparends to give to grandkids. A few days I thought to record our conversations. I just listened to the tape yesterday for the first time. Sure wish I would have recorded a lot more. Priceless!
Sally, every time I start to feel down and complain about my parent's situation my husband always says, "at least you still have parents". Loosing a partent at a young age would even be worse I think.
in 1990 my father sent me a cassette of him singing some old italian songs. He already had Alz. but he sang right up to his very last years. I listened to the tape and it was kind of corny and embarrassing, so i just stuck it somewhere.
I found it last fall while rearranging book cases and played it. It sounded great! and he's dead! I just had it put onto a CD and have shared it with a grandchild of his that he never met. Do any recording, and yes, get all the memories you can because although they say that they never forget the past, only the present, that's not true... and once they're dead they never tell you another story.
Thankfully my father has been documenting his past and everything for his grandkids. It's justs hard to see what I used to consider to be such an intelligent and sharp man act confused. He just can't seem to remember where he is and he goes through that obessive routine constantly - "where are my keys?" "At home Dad, you flew here remember" "Oh, ok.... where are my keys.." This can go on for hours. I almost wish my Mom had left him home instead of dragging him to the funeral. He had no idea where he was and why he was there. Even at the funeral home during the viewing he kept asking where he was and what he was suppose to do. He had no concept that someone had died (maybe a good thing). He is lucky (or unlucky since my mom is a b*tch) to have my mom drag him around. I live alone - my cat won'y be all that patient if I ask him where my keys are for the 100th time! I plan to do whatever I need to do to keep myself sharp (although I already see myself getting dimwitted).
in the early stages of my father's dementia, he was part of a study (while his wife was alive) and they did an IQ test every year, and every year his IQ went down.
On a more humorous note, my DH's mother, also afflicted, went to Covina for her 50th class reunion a couple of years. Everyone in the family will laugh if you say "did she show you her pictures from Covina?" because she literally wore them out, she showed them or threatened to so many times; always like it was the VERY FIRST time.
My dad, at 81, lives in the Alaska Pioneers' Home now--he'd started leaving the house in the middle of the night--think an elderly man out on an Alaska night in nothing but underwear and socks. We're not sure any longer whether he even knows who we are. But he can still play a few tunes on the harmonica, and in fact, until about a year ago, could still play along when my brother at the guitar and my nephew at the piano were jamming, just improvising.
I'm like many of you--not only am I sad about my dad, but I also think dark thoughts whenever I can't think of a word or forget whether I took my vitamins yesterday. It's important to keep learning--that's just what I'm doing.
SandyQuote:
Originally Posted by SandyLS
It was probably worse at the time losing my parents when I was much younger but in a way it is far worse to see them suffer at a very old age. I can imagine it must also be frustrating and annoying, for the relative and then the conscience of having these feelings, when it is somebody you love................but hell, we are only human.
Anyway, on a happier note, you see I am always getting something out of this site.
Now, I am going to start a kind of memory book on my computer. I have a gorgeous grandson of almost five years of age and we are very close. I think it would be great to leave him something of my memories, likes/dislikes, what I thought about him when he was growing up etc once I have gone to the Great Bicycle World in the Sky.
I am one of those sad individuals who likes to be organised, even before I pop my clogs!
Sally
You have such a way with words!!!!! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by ClockworkOrange