OLD AGE IS NOT FOR SISSIES

NOTHING IN LIFE IS TO BE FEARED

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Delusional Musings on the Meaning of Old

May 15, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: It's Not For Sissies, This & That 5 Comments

A few weeks ago Blogher mentioned that this day’s comment is “what is old:, so I began writing my thoughts on the subject. Like so many others posts, though, I never got around to finishing it until today.

What is old? This thought enters my mind from time to time. When I was a teenager, I remember thinking that 30 is definitely “old”. In my 30’s, it had moved to 40. When I reached 40, I decided that 60 is “old”.

Well, now I’m 60; and I’m surprised because I don’t feel “old” at all. My mind says that I’m 60, but my body doesn’t feel that way. I’ve had friends who said their body feels 60, but not their mind. I think “old age” will be when I’m in my 80s.

My Uncle's 90th Birthday Party. I was in my 50s, Chuck was in his 60s, our daughter and her husband were in their late 20s and their baby was less than 2.

My Uncle’s 90th Birthday Party. I was in my 50s, Chuck was in his 60s, our daughter and her husband were in their late 20s and their baby was not quite one.

 

I guess you can tell that as I age it has become a moving target.

There’s more! What about all this talk about 40s being the new 30s and 50s being the new 40s. To me it sounds like all of us age-obsessed baby boomers are trying to square it all away in our delusional-collective minds.

Let’s face it, we all look better from a distance in diffused lighting. I love these digital cameras and the bookoodles of pictures that we can take. If I don’t like the way I look, I delete it. I can decide to throw out any photo that makes me look older, but I digress.

I know when I got to be 40, I thought surely this cannot be middle age; and not too long ago I questioned whether middle age ended at 50 or should the senior years begin at the end of our 60s.

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Four Generations

 

Chuck lost a colleague of his own generation last week. They worked together when both of them were in their youthful 30s. Yesterday we went to the viewing, and we happened to be the only two people in the room.

I stood back and watched Chuck look down on his friend’s closed coffin. The sunlight from a window above cast an ethereal ray on Chuck. He looked so forlorn, standing there, silently gazing and lost in his thoughts. I wondered if he were remembering their youthful moments during those days now so far away in time.

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I noticed lately that Chuck’s jackets are looking too big on him. He is losing muscle mass. He looked so small standing there.  I teared up. It was touching.

I have no idea what was really running through his mind, but I could imagine. Here he is about to retire, and this friend has moved on from this earthly place and moment in time. It must have suddenly hit him that this is yet another milestone–in a series of milestones.

I Love Quotes

May 15, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: This & That Leave a Comment

Judith Martin
“There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection. It is customary to begin a series of dates with a great deal of entertainment, a moderate amount of food, and the merest suggestion of affection. As the amount of affection increases, the entertainment can be reduced proportionately. When the affection IS the entertainment, we no longer call it dating. Under no circumstances can the food be omitted.”
― Judith Martin

Mother’s Day from a Different Perspective – a Reblog from Jana’s Thinking Place

May 9, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Family Life Leave a Comment

One of my followers sent me this. What a touching story.

http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=2790682&group=0&frame_type=b&frame=1&click=0&user=0

30.510008-84.29809

So What is the Best Fashion Statement?

May 9, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Health Leave a Comment

“A fit, healthy body—that is the best fashion statement”
― Jess C. Scott

12 Beauty Secrets That Every Woman Should Know!

May 8, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Beauty Leave a Comment

Great beauty tips from blogger @LifeDisrobed.

Harvey Weinstein Revives Charles James

May 8, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Fashion 1 Comment

Ah! An announcement from my favorite blogger, @Anibundel. Get ready for a new line of clothing under the name of a well-known designer Charles James. Not sure who he is? Just Google Charles James photos and enjoy!

Angelina Talks About How Awesome Maleficent Is

May 8, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Movies Leave a Comment

Ooh! Can’t wait to see this, but probably won’t take the toddler grand babies.

Are Most of our Everyday Aches and Pains Postural in Nature?

May 7, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Aches & Pains, Books Leave a Comment

So I’ve been having neck and shoulder issues lately on my right side.  I’ve had such great success with Robin McKenzie’s books, “Treat Your Own Back” and “Treat Your Own Neck”, that I bought “Treat Your Own Shoulder”. 

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I began reading it today at lunch.  Here’s my problem.  After doing a self-test (suggested in his book) to see if it really is my shoulder or if it might be my neck, I discovered that it is not my should.  It is my neck.  He referred me back to “Treat Your Own Neck.” 

 

I continued to read “Treat Your Own Shoulder” though, because I periodically have trouble in Yoga with my upper arm and shoulder on my left side.  It is always a little stiffer than the right.  I was hoping to learn how to loosen up that side of my torso.

Neck Ache

 

I’m glad I continued reading, because he confirmed what I found a few years ago about postural changes that were needed.  It seems I needed a refresher.  Just identification of the changes needed will help me correct these.  For example, several years ago I figured out  that I had been sleeping on a pillow incorrectly.  I liked to lay on my back with my head on my pillow and my shoulders off.  I learned as I got older that I needed to have my shoulders supported, as well as my head.  So Mr. McKenzie just reminded me to be more conscious of how I sleep on my pillow. 

 

He also added that I shouldn’t sleep with my arms raised over my head.  Darn, that feels so good when I’m falling asleep, especially if the night is a little warm.  I guess I need to stop doing this, too, because he says that I’m over stretching my arms. 

 

Also, he talked about postural problems with sitting or standing with your arms in a raised position.  I sit a lot at my computer and my right arm is always raised when working with my mouse.  I just realized that having my mouse higher than my keyboard may be causing problems for my right shoulder.  My right arm is always in a raised position, which probably causes problems for that shoulder.  I’ll try to correct this.  I should have suspected this, because lately I’ve been periodically trying to maneuver my mouse with my left hand, just to give my right side a rest.  Was that my body trying to send me a message?

Neck Muscles

 

Also, I’ve noticed that sitting in arms chairs with my arms resting also raises my shoulders.  I am of average height, but most chairs today seem to be bigger and made for taller people.  I have to rethink sitting in arm chairs, and purposely not using the arm rests.  I find that if I let my arms rest down by my sides in the chair, I do much better.  

 

I also like to lean from one side to the other, and this is a serious “no no”.  I learned this years ago when I drove an SUV which had a nice console armrest between the seats.  I liked to lean on my right elbow on long drives.  Consequently, I developed neck problems on the right side of my body.  I stopped leaning, and the pain finally went away.

 

So many of our problems are postural.  Looking forward to reading more of Mr. McKenzie’s fine book and then getting back to his “Treat Your Own Neck” book

Treat your own Neck

which I keep in my medicine chest. 

I don’t remember any of these aches and pains until I turned forty.  I guess before then, we healed so quickly that none of these problems surfaced.  Maybe all it took then was a good night’s rest.

Top Met Gala Looks 2014: Women’s Division

May 7, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Fashion Leave a Comment

Love to see really beautiful ball gowns, and these are some of the best. There are also some of the worst, too. I guess we all have a little bit of “catty” in us.

An Update on My Nutrition Lifestyle Change

May 3, 2014 by oldageisnotforsissies54 Filed Under: Health, Nutrition & Diet Leave a Comment

As many of you know, I made a lifestyle change back in February.  I needed to lose about eight pounds, and someone told me about a book called, “The Skinny Rules”.  I embraced it and lost all eight pounds in less than two weeks.  I have since been using the rules I learned to maintain my weight.  I’ve blogged about some of the simple, but very successful rules like drinking water.

Well, I would like to share with you another great rule that has become a part of my life.  I’m talking about the chapter, “Eat Your Vegetables–Just Do It.”

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I love fruit and vegetables, and this is a good thing because we’re learning every day about the health benefits of a healthy diet.  We also know now that variety is as important as the quantity we eat.  USDA encourages us to eat plenty–at least five portions a day.

So, I love vegetables now, but this was not always the case.  As a child I was known as the “picky” eater in my family.  Mom used to say, “Ann’s afraid she might get a vitamin.”   I was that little kid in the cartoon who stood by his first planted garden and upon seeing the cabbage, broccoli and carrots said, “I never thought my seeds would turn on me like this”.

The health benefits of vegetables and fruits are massive.  A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar which can help keep appetite in check.  All of these attributes are important as we age.

Also, vegetables when prepared correctly are low in calories, which brings me to how I was raised to cook vegetables.   Good southern vegetables are not necessarily low in calories.  They are wonderfully laced with bacon drippings, ham hocks, and all kinds of fatty wonders.

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“The Skinny Rules” showed me another way to cook my vegetables.  It included recipes on how to roast several different kinds of veggies, and it had weeks of menus prepared which gave me an opportunity to eat up to nine portions of fruits and vegetables daily.

Roasting vegetables in a very hot oven gives them a caramelized exterior, and it adds a burst of flavor while keeping the inside moist and tender. This showy cooking method easily feeds a crowd or just a couple, and it lets you choose the vegetables. It is easy, but a little time consuming, so once a week I roasted three or four vegetable dishes, stored them in the refrigerator, and ate on them for the remainder the week.  They keep well in the refrigerator; and Harold loved them, too.

Here’s are others related changes that I made.  I keep some fruit and vegetables where I can see it. I’m more likely to eat it, plus many like tomatoes taste better if they are never refrigerated.

I tried new products. Variety is the key, and I like to try new things. I discovered Jerusalem Artichokes doing this. Just google to see if roasting is a possibility. Some vegetables roast better than others, but most vegetables will do.

Here is some basic information.  Roast your vegetables at high heat, about 450 degrees.  This way, they will caramelize on the outside. This adds to the taste.  Just line the pan with foil.  It helps with the cleanup.  Toss the vegetables with olive oil and lemon juice.  This will keep them from drying out, and it adds to the flavor.  Add some herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, or sage.  I google to see which herbs go best with which vegetables. Don’t crowd the vegetables in the pan.

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Betty Crocker bhg.com has a good page for this,  Roast about 30 minutes turning or stirring at least once.  This is so simple to do,  love it!  And I love the flavor too.

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Now back to “The Skinny Rules”.   Here’s the best part of all!

I was literally unable to eat all the vegetables I was allowed to eat.  Not enough room in my tummy.

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