Diary of a Grown-Up Church Girl
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My 7 signs of middle age

6/13/2016

8 Comments

 
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I attended a blogging conference this weekend, an event I was very excited about.

I was looking forward to being in a room full of people doing what I'm doing and thought I'd learn a lot and make great contacts.

One out of three ain't bad.

The sessions were very informative and my desire to learn new things about the world of blogging was definitely satisfied.

But I didn't truly connect with anyone -- not one solitary soul.

I wasn't completely shocked.  I'd been on the Facebook page created for this conference and the entries shocked me.  These were obviously very smart women, but they were exchanging messages that made them sound like college sorority girls.  Most were wondering where alcohol could be purchased.  One woman asked, and I quote, "Who else is going to be on their period during the conference?"  And what's worse is that people responded!

Well I never!

Had it not been for the fact that the sessions sounded so interesting, I really do think I would have backed out of this event, the Facebook posts really turned me off.

However I knew that I had a lot to learn and I'd paid for it, so I went.  I'm glad I did because I learned new things, it was time well spent.  But...

I learned one thing that I would have rather not known. 

I learned that, contrary to the image I have of myself in my head, I am officially middle-aged.

I don't know when it happened, my permission was not requested, it just crept up on me like a thief in the night.  At some point during the past few years, while I slept, I became middle-aged, and here's how
I knew that must be what had happened to me...

My 7 Signs of Middle Age

-  I had no need for the Pampers they were giving out at registration
-  I didn't want to drink during or after the conference
-  I didn't openly curse
-  My hair was all the same color (except for a few stray gray hairs)
-  My underwear was not exposed
-  My clothes matched
-  I took notes using paper and a pen

I could go on, but I think you get the point.  These, for me, were my 7 signs of middle age.  I'm not sure how I feel about them, but... oh well, they're mine and the alternative isn't looking so hot either, so I'm just glad to still be here.

What signs have you seen or felt that let you know that you're getting a little older?









8 Comments
KayGee
6/15/2016 06:43:03 am

My realization came a very few years ago when I referred to a young man who was racing cars with my husband as a 'kid.' That 'kid' was 30 years old. ::sigh::

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Gail
6/16/2016 05:44:41 pm

Yep, that will do it! LOL! Good one.

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Yvonne Allsopp
6/15/2016 08:58:35 am

Well, Well, Well!! The cat is out of the bag, my dear little daughter from college days! If you are middle age and I was "Ma" when we were at U. D. Hmm.... get my drift? ( smile)
Some days I think I embrace this thing called Middle Age or Older Age,, quite well. Other days I think I am about 16 or 17 years of age, and want to dance to Rappers Delight or 20 something dancing to house music! Of course, all of this is in the confines of my bedroom with the door closed tightly!! The interesting thing is, I don't really dance because of my Middle Age ankles; one of which underwent reconstructive surgery three years ago that landed me in a nursing home for a month! Oh and before I forget, I wore sneakers for almost 3 years because they were the only things that didn't hurt! (Just an aside, I went to a birthday party for my friend's 90 year old mom and wore Summer booties, not sneakers!) [This is a topic for another blog]
I guess I am middle age because I just mentally counted 5 spaces so I would indent properly! I embrace these little antics, as they are becoming a lost art form, just like writing with a pen or pencil. I am hard headed because I still bring these tools to church or where ever I am ( it is really because I will forget things and need to write so I will remember what ever I need to remember!).(I THINK THIS SENTENCE WAS REDUNDANT)
This age thing is interesting though. My 24 year old daughter engages in conversations with me that I would have never had with my mother at any age! Not only am I middle age, but I am constantly reminded that this is such a different time. I have to sometimes remind her and myself that I AM 58 YEARS OLD; so close to 60 that I can kiss it; and I don't care if my sneakers and bag don't match! And no I will never wear skinny jeans and ditch my boot-cuts!
Middle Age gives me the freedom to no longer care that my gray thinning just about bald head is acceptable, just as wearing a Magenta colored wig is. Middle age and early retired does have its perks too! I get up when I want, which is untrue these days, as I am up at 5 am to spend with my Father in Heaven in prayer and devotion! But if I choose to sleep in and not get dress I can.
(didn't count this time...} The one sign of growing older gracefully or reaching Middle Age that has had a troubling affect on me was my mandatory change in diet! From being lactose intolerant, to learning that eating white rice and anything made with white flour is like consuming poison! Rice was a staple growing up until about 4 months ago! i am sorry,peas and brown rice just doesn't get it!
But I have done relatively well. Now to leave all cheese alone is more difficult!
Accepting this new stage of life is cool though because I get to use the word cool and not care that it sounds weird. My gray fade, lol, depending on where I am, tends to illicit a kind of respect that is sweet. I am not afraid to say I don't know how to work something on my phone; or ask off the wall questions any where I am.
My father in Heaven has seen fit to spare my life. He is giving me a new way of living and thinking. I get to reinvent myself in terms of wardrobe, food, music, even my lip stick color or lack there of is cool! I now wear dresses right below the knee, which I hated. I have no uniform!
I am a vibrant woman of God and because I embrace the God in me in ways I never did before, I am good!! I am happy with me, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image and Middle Aged!!!

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Gail
6/16/2016 05:47:00 pm

I love, Love, LOVE your response, Yvonne! I can especially relate to much of what you shared. Thanks.

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Lattice link
6/16/2016 08:45:39 am

Too funny and so true. I began to realize it when my employer hired a number of 20 and 30 somethings two years ago...they are good folk, but their mindset is totally different about the workplace...ah and the energy that most have...yeah I began feeling it about then

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Gail
6/16/2016 05:47:48 pm

LOL! Indeed, all of that youthful energy can almost get on your nerves, can't it? :-)

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YVONNE ALLSOPP
7/1/2016 05:50:17 am

Lol, the mindset of the 20s is interesting. I have one at home who calls herself old because she is not like the kids of today, yet I still remind her to pick up her stuff!

Crema
6/28/2016 03:11:27 pm

I wear lower heals and shoes that feel comfortable

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