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missmolly
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10/21/2016 09:18AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So, what do you like about growing old? Some of my positives:

Whereas I grow ever more decrepit, my trees, bushes, and flowers grow taller, more colorful, and plusher. This is the big one that gets me excited about life!

Whereas I once strapped my canoe on a Chevy Biscayne station wagon, I can now afford a dedicated off-road vehicle.

Speaking of affording, I can go to the dentist as recommended and needed.

No more committees, performance reviews, meetings, or mission statements!

I can decline work if I wish.

I can also paddle in the fall if I wish as I no longer am on a teacher's schedule.

My accumulated paddling and fishing gear is top notch. I once paddled and fished with crap.

 
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lundojam
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10/21/2016 09:26AM  
I like being more and more free from self-consciousness in terms of appearance, etc. When you are older you can be more eccentric with less cultural backlash.
Molly, I am still on the teacher's schedule and have poor equipment, but I'm OK with it. :)
 
missmolly
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10/21/2016 09:34AM  
quote lundojam: "I like being more and more free from self-consciousness in terms of appearance, etc. When you are older you can be more eccentric with less cultural backlash.
Molly, I am still on the teacher's schedule and have poor equipment, but I'm OK with it. :)"


Acquiring good equipment took me time. It should come.

Great point about being less appearance conscious. It does matter less and less and hooray for that!
 
10/21/2016 09:56AM  
Grandchildren. I find that they are the number 1 blessing in my life as I am aging now. Not only do they keep your perspective younger, but they are just, in a word, FUN! Delightful, wonderful, awe-inspiring fun! God has blessed us with two, and we are thrilled with each one.

My silver hair. I was a mousy almost-blonde for years and my mother always said that God gives you the hair that goes well with your face. She aged very gracefully with her gray, and it turned a lovely frosted-look silvery gray in her later years. I was fortunate to inherit that, and I have never colored my hair, nor have I had the inclination to do so. I like my hair color so much better now than I did when I was younger.

Retirement in general. I am very blessed that my dear husband saved money and planned well for our retirement, so that we can have a comfortable, albeit not lavish, lifestyle. We enjoy traveling and we have done quite a bit of it. We appreciate our freedom.

Having a getaway place at our little west Michigan lake, and being retired so that we have time to enjoy it. I am here today, packing up things for winterizing. I wish it were a year-round cottage, but it still is a beautiful place to be when we can come here.

 
10/21/2016 10:11AM  
quote missmolly: "
Great point about being less appearance conscious. It does matter less and less and hooray for that! "


As a recent retiree, I told my wife that I intend to keep my appearance in the best shape possible for her!... No retiree goatee, mustache, ponytail, etc. I intend to shave 6 days per week and keep myself in shape. My downfall is poor clothing choices and I need to improve my wardrobe.

I may be aging, but I don't want to look old!
 
missmolly
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10/21/2016 10:56AM  
Spartan2, it's cool that you love your silver hair. Mine is also silver and I get so many compliments on it.
 
plumbbob
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10/21/2016 01:15PM  
quote Spartan2: "Grandchildren. I find that they are the number 1 blessing in my life as I am aging now. Not only do they keep your perspective younger, but they are just, in a word, FUN! Delightful, wonderful, awe-inspiring fun! God has blessed us with two, and we are thrilled with each one.


My silver hair. I was a mousy almost-blonde for years and my mother always said that God gives you the hair that goes well with your face. She aged very gracefully with her gray, and it turned a lovely frosted-look silvery gray in her later years. I was fortunate to inherit that, and I have never colored my hair, nor have I had the inclination to do so. I like my hair color so much better now than I did when I was younger.


Retirement in general. I am very blessed that my dear husband saved money and planned well for our retirement, so that we can have a comfortable, albeit not lavish, lifestyle. We enjoy traveling and we have done quite a bit of it. We appreciate our freedom.


Having a getaway place at our little west Michigan lake, and being retired so that we have time to enjoy it. I am here today, packing up things for winterizing. I wish it were a year-round cottage, but it still is a beautiful place to be when we can come here.


"


I would have to agree with Spartan2

I love sending time with my grandchildren.
 
10/21/2016 01:26PM  
The experience and wisdom to make better choices (more often than when younger)!

butthead
 
Flashback
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10/21/2016 01:26PM  
Very obviously one of the most important benefits of growing older; you're still alive.
Especially if you have made efforts to stay as physically fit as possible.

Having made efforts (and some sacrifices) to be financially prepared for growing older makes growing older a "whole lot easier".
I am very glad my wife & I had the intelligence and common sense to do so.

As a result of above; I go where I want when I want, and do what I want when I
want.
I don't go anywhere I don't want to go, and don't do anything I don't want to do.

I wear what I want to wear, when I want to wear it, and have little no concern for
what other people think about how I dress. Nor do I care about other's opinion about what vehicle I drive, my home, or what boats I paddle.

My activities are my business; I do not concern myself with what others think I
should or should not be doing.

If I don't like what I'm seeing, or hearing, or feeling; I leave.
I refuse to get involved in arguments, and controversy of little to no importance.
I call it freedom; others call it my eccentricity.

Whatever..........

BOB

 
10/21/2016 03:25PM  
I get a safe driver discount on my auto insurance.

Wednesday is Senior Day with 50% off one item at the Thrift Store.

I don't wake up with a pesky election every morning.
 
10/21/2016 04:50PM  
Everyday is Saturday!!
 
10/21/2016 04:50PM  
Even though time seems to go faster, I am spending more time enjoying what is happening around me. I am no longer in a hurry to get there and am really enjoying the trip.
Discounts, senior pass and meals and all the other goodies. As a self employed person I had no benefits, now Medicare and Social Security are my benefits package. And I name when I work now, too.
I wish I had saved more, but am doing pretty well. I am glad I have been taking care of me as that really helps in enjoying it all.
 
10/21/2016 04:56PM  
quote Zulu: "I don't wake up with a pesky election every morning."

Hummmmmm......Is "election" the word you ment to use here?
 
salukiguy
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10/21/2016 05:58PM  
Keep the good information coming! I turn 59 next month and my advisor says I can retire at 60.
 
10/21/2016 06:42PM  
quote salukiguy: "Keep the good information coming! I turn 59 next month and my advisor says I can retire at 60."


Time for a new advisor!
 
10/21/2016 08:27PM  
At almost 70 I find I want and need peace of mind and physical health. So far I have both and am very grateful. I am proud to be a veteran (US Navy 7 years) and enjoy the benefits I earned. Love my grandchildren and am amazed to see things with them that I didn't see or missed with my children. And can relate to others statements regarding accepting myself the way I am without much regard for what others may think. Life is good.
 
10/21/2016 08:29PM  
quote missmolly: "Spartan2, it's cool that you love your silver hair. Mine is also silver and I get so many compliments on it. "


Silver hair is better than no hair - which is where I am "headed". Why don't barbers give you a discount for having half the hair if you are a guy? They charge extra for long hair, after all.

Tomster
 
10/21/2016 09:04PM  
"Acid-rock" is not an environmental issue.
I could burn my draft card from 1970 or 71 (which I still have), with no hassles.
What I did in the 1970's and 1980's no longer really matters.
Many more. Just have to think about it.

Tomster
 
bapabear
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10/21/2016 09:29PM  
Retirement! More golf. More fishing. More bike rides. Afternoon naps. Part time work when I'm "available". I read more. I have time for massages. Things get done around the house at my "new" pace. I pay senior citizen rates

Wed my group had a tee time at 9 a.m. After we'd all hit and we were taking off in the cart by buddy turned to me and said, "I wonder what the rest of the world is doing right now?". That could apply for anything I do these days!
 
10/21/2016 09:42PM  
quote KevinL: "
quote Zulu: "I don't wake up with a pesky election every morning."

Hummmmmm......Is "election" the work you ment to use here? "



Hmmmm, is work the word you intended here?
 
10/21/2016 10:09PM  
quote nctry: "
quote KevinL: "
quote Zulu: "I don't wake up with a pesky election every morning."

Hummmmmm......Is "election" the work you ment to use here? "




Hmmmm, is work the word you intended here?"


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Thanks Ben, I got it fixed.
 
ozarkpaddler
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10/21/2016 10:40PM  
quote Spartan2: "
My silver hair. "


Funny that this summer people kept telling me how "Dark" I was. Didn't make sense because I ALWAYS spend a lot of time outside in the summer and have a dark complexion naturally. My wife and I finally figured it out, though. My hair has now pretty much turned completely WHITE, so I LOOK darker (LOL)!
 
10/22/2016 05:50AM  
I find that when dealing with my wife I can use the selective hearing excuse much more to my advantage. We have saved quiet a bit of money on life insurance, years ago when I went solo she'd call our life insurance agent and raise my insurance. These days she doesn't bother not sure if she knows I'll be back or if she doesn't think I'm worth the extra money. I have found that I can do everything I could do at 25, it just takes me longer. FRED
 
mastertangler
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10/22/2016 07:31AM  
I was watching the movie Napoleon Dynamite last night. The first time I watched it I thought it was about as stupid as a movie could be. Then I "got it" and understood its quite brilliant (and consequently hilarious). The movie depicts the complete awkwardness of teen years of which I had largely forgotten. Youth is wasted on the young is an appropriate axiom and I couldn't help but reminisce and wonder what it might be like to be young again but with current wisdom and experiences. I might have even aspired to be class president........."Vote for MT"
 
10/22/2016 07:48AM  
quote quark2222: "
quote missmolly: "Spartan2, it's cool that you love your silver hair. Mine is also silver and I get so many compliments on it. "



Silver hair is better than no hair - which is where I am "headed". Why don't barbers give you a discount for having half the hair if you are a guy? They charge extra for long hair, after all.


Tomster"


My barber, quote "ya got more (hair), growing out of odd places now and it takes me longer to trim it!". I guess that makes up the difference.

butthead
 
10/22/2016 10:40AM  
I'm getting more forgetful as time passes. This has an upside of course. I meet so many nice, new people every day and every chore is a new adventure.
 
bapabear
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10/22/2016 11:30AM  
quote mastertangler: "I was watching the movie Napoleon Dynamite last night. The first time I watched it I thought it was about as stupid as a movie could be. Then I "got it" and understood its quite brilliant (and consequently hilarious). The movie depicts the complete awkwardness of teen years of which I had largely forgotten. Youth is wasted on the young is an appropriate axiom and I couldn't help but reminisce and wonder what it might be like to be young again but with current wisdom and experiences. I might have even aspired to be class president........."Vote for MT" "


Explains my reaction to a "T". Still one of my all time favorites.
 
DrBobDerrig
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10/22/2016 03:56PM  
quote butthead: "
quote quark2222: "
quote missmolly: "Spartan2, it's cool that you love your silver hair. Mine is also silver and I get so many compliments on it. "




Silver hair is better than no hair - which is where I am "headed". Why don't barbers give you a discount for having half the hair if you are a guy? They charge extra for long hair, after all.



Tomster"



My barber, quote "ya got more (hair), growing out of odd places now and it takes me longer to trim it!". I guess that makes up the difference.


butthead"


NO KIDDING.... eye brows, ear and nose hair...about ready to give up the Remington....can't seem to get them whiskers that like to curl.....and the pain of trying to use that thing on a 7 day old beard after a canoe trip.....

dr bob
 
10/23/2016 07:27AM  
quote KevinL: "
quote nctry: "
quote KevinL: "
quote Zulu: "I don't wake up with a pesky election every morning."

Hummmmmm......Is "election" the work you ment to use here? "




Hmmmm, is work the word you intended here?"



Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Thanks Ben, I got it fixed. "



(chuckle) You old guys are funny. you fixed one word but what about "ment"?
heeheehee you know i'm only teasing because i can.
 
yellowcanoe
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10/23/2016 09:38AM  
lessee.. the freedom of not needing to deal with tampons in the wild
The time to enjoy.. just noticing
Not having to set any time records cause I can't
not having to shave those areas gals do
Having people offer help.. Sometimes I'll take it graciously these days.
 
10/23/2016 03:22PM  
As I coast my way into middle age, I find that for the first time in many years, a larger portion of my time is becoming my own again; allowing for more opportunity to play in the woods and gardens and to travel. I'm much more comfortable in who I am as a person than I was when I was younger, and happy to know that we have raised a daughter who is a kind and functional adult. My long term plan is to age into eccentricity and be known to the kids in the neighborhood below us as "the crazy old lady who lives up in the woods". I believe in keeping my goals attainable ;)
 
10/23/2016 06:24PM  
I do like senior discounts. My local Culvers gives me 10% off. Other Culvers give 5% off. BTW Culver's pricing does vary depending upon which one you dine at. They way I figure it, if you don't ask for it you don't get it. Most are 65 years old or greater, but a lot are 60 or 62 years old. Culvers is 60, and I think they have great food. I would go back again many times even without the discount.

And, unlike when you are 20 and trying to buy a beer in a state that has a 21 year old drinking age, I have yet to have been "carded" to make sure I am 62, which I am anyway. That would be a stitch though - to be "carded" to confirm a request for a senior discount.

Tomster
 
missmolly
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10/23/2016 07:26PM  
quote 1bogfrog: "As I coast my way into middle age, I find that for the first time in many years, a larger portion of my time is becoming my own again; allowing for more opportunity to play in the woods and gardens and to travel. I'm much more comfortable in who I am as a person than I was when I was younger, and happy to know that we have raised a daughter who is a kind and functional adult. My long term plan is to age into eccentricity and be known to the kids in the neighborhood below us as "the crazy old lady who lives up in the woods". I believe in keeping my goals attainable ;)"


Your last two lines made me laugh! Good luck on attaining your goal. I believe you can do it!
 
missmolly
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10/23/2016 07:27PM  
Tomster, I miss Culvers and every time I return to the Midwest, I stop for a buttah burger!
 
10/23/2016 07:39PM  
quote missmolly: "Tomster, I miss Culvers and every time I return to the Midwest, I stop for a buttah burger!"


Spend the extra 10 cents and get a cheddar burger instead of a butter burger. Much better! They just use a slice of cheddar instead of American. Much more real cheese flavor. They offer it, but it is not on the menu above the service counter.

They do offer walleye dinners too. Never had one. Great chain, and I've been to many. All have very motivated and friendly help. Unlike another chain that has weird "meat", whose name begins with Mc and ends with a d's. Zero affiliation. I just knows my burgers - It's my life's work.

Tomster
 
missmolly
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10/24/2016 08:33AM  
Buttah to Cheddah it is! Thanks for the tip. I too marvel at how scrubbed and friendly the workers are.
 
ozarkpaddler
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10/24/2016 04:22PM  
I've began to enjoy a few of those "Senior Discounts." I actually had a good laugh as the first time I got one I WASN'T really old enough; but it was "Offered" and I snatched it (LOL)!
 
bassnet
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10/24/2016 04:52PM  
I appreciate breathing.....I appreciate the partnership of a longtime relationship (since '79). I appreciate long skeins of geese in the fall....and, I appreciate falling leaves, coloring the forest and the air and the shedding trees.
 
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